Vices I Admire

Artist Information

Biography

Vices I Admire is an alternative/indie rock band dedicated to writing honest and passionate music.

Dave Curtis, Mickey Dollar and Mark Towne met in 2002 while studying at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. During that time they balanced college-life with rehearsals, performances, a few DIY regional tours and the release of their first album, Plan B. (recorded at The Blasting Room, 2005).

In 2007 Vices I Admire relocated to Denver and parted ways with original bassist, Robert Marston. The band continued to write new material and develop as musicians while they searched for Rob’s replacement.

8 months and 21 candidates later, Vices I Admire welcomed Daniel Battenhouse (formerly of the Fray) onto the team. The addition of Battenhouse revitalized the group and together they worked around the clock to produce the material that would engender their new album, The Politics of Apathy.

The Politics of Apathy was recorded at Colorado Sound Studios in May/June of 2009. JP Manza (engineer) and Ian Pinder (producer) provided the necessary direction and perspective to best capture the particular mood and style of each song: from the dance-pop inspired, “Sweetest Girl”, to the anthemic head-banger, “Kiss Kiss”, The Politics of Apathy showcases the musical maturation and diverse talent of Vices I Admire.

The Politics of Apathy has received radio airplay at CMJ charted stations across the US.

Instrumentation

Dave Curtis
Daniel Battenhouse - Bass Guitar, Backup Vocals
Mark Towne - Drums, Percussion
Mickey Dollar

Discography

CD Title: Venom & Pride
Release Date: 2011-10-09
DL for FREE: http://tiny.cc/garas

Recorded at Colorado Sound Studios

Mixed and Mastered by JP Manza

All songs written and performed by Vices I Admire

Lyrics by Dave Curtis

Artwork by Dave Curtis



CD Title: The Politics of Apathy
Release Date: 2010-01-01
Download for FREE: http://tiny.cc/9fwum

Recorded at Colorado Sound Studios in Denver, Colorado

Engineer: JP Manza (Franz Ferdinand, Matisyaho, Yo Flaco)

Mastered by Phillip Klum (NIN, Alanis Morrisette, Jay-Z)

All songs written & performed by Vices I Admire
Produced by Ian Pinder & Vices I Admire

All rights reserved by Vices I Admire

Total running length is 36:11

Radio-play
The Politics of Apathy has received airplay on CMJ charted stations across the US and on the following Colorado stations: Clear Channel's 93.3FM (KTCL) and 105.9FM (Alice), 99.5FM The Mountain, Fort Collins' KRFC and KCSU and Boulder's Radio 1190.


CD Title: Plan B.
Release Date: 2005-12-06
Download for FREE: http://tiny.cc/plmsp

Recorded at Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins, Colorado

Engineer: Andrew Berlin
Mixed and mastered by Jason Livermore (Rise Against, NOFX, Less than Jake)

All songs written, performed and produced by Vices I Admire

All rights reserved by Vices I Admire

Total running length is 25:11

Radio-play
Plan B. received airplay on Clear Channel’s 93.3FM (KTCL), Colorado State University’s KCSU and Fort Collin’s KRFC.

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Pure Volume
• iTunes

Audio

• Hero
  Listen   Download
• Stay Away
  Listen   Download
• Sweetest Girl
  Listen   Download
• Kiss Kiss
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• It Is
• Sweetest Girl
• ...go the spoils
• Denouement: An Intermezzo
• Heartbreaker
• Apathology
• For You All
• Kiss Kiss
• Skin
• Poor Boy
• Keep Killin' me
• By The Way
• Monster
• Cavity

Video

Gutter Squirrel --- by Vices I Admire

Photo Gallery

Press

• Vices I Admire: The Politics of Apathy [+ Show ]
  

  By Molly McCowan Many of us have been shying away from anything labeled “emo/screamo” ever since ...By Molly McCowan
  
  Many of us have been shying away from anything labeled “emo/screamo” ever since My Chemical Romance came onto the scene dripping with eye makeup and songs about shattered romance.
  
  Vices I Admire, however, is an entirely different story, and one with a happy ending. The Politics of Apathy is an album that shows that this band is not afraid to plow head-on into a genre that makes a lot of people cringe. They break all the rules and push the limits and get away with it.
  
  The entire album drips with energy as lead singer Dave Curtis alternates between screams and sultry whispers seemingly inspired by Prince. “Monster” is one of the best vocal tracks, moving at a fast, ska-punk clip and boasting a catchy hook reminiscent of songs by The Matches.
  
  “Sweetest Girl” is another standout track on the album, slowly building into a dance-pop party complete with funky beats and a chorus that wines and dines you to sing along.
  
  “Denouement, An Intermezzo” reminds me a bit of Muse, with a raindrop piano intro and Curtis once again showing off his impressive vocal range. This song keeps it simple with only vocals and piano, but it offers an eclectic transition into the next song, a pop-punk anthem entitled “Kiss, Kiss.”
  
  Overall, The Politics of Apathy is a defining moment in the forward motion of Vices I Admire, highlighting their strengths and bending the strings of a genre they simultaneously push to satisfy and strive to break out of.

• Spotlight Zone: USA: Vices I Admire [+ Show ]
  

  By James (JJ Rocks) Johnston I love going to the post office and getting a CD in the mail to revi...By James (JJ Rocks) Johnston
  
  I love going to the post office and getting a CD in the mail to review. Most of the times I only (if the music is great), choose a few songs to write about because some of the CD’s have many tracks. I mainly want to focus on a bands overall sound. And the CD “The Politics of Apathy” from the band “Vices I Admire” definitely has some very tasty cuts of prime rock n’ roll and pristine pop. With Dave Curtis on vocals and guitar, Mickey Dollar on guitar and backing vocals, Mark Towne on Drums and percussion, and Daniel Battenhouse on bass and backing vocals, this band from Denver Colorado is as solid as a rock.
  
  The song “Keep Killin’ Me” jumps right out of my speakers as the first track and grabs me by the seat of my pants with a straight ahead groove split into two different areas of intensity. This is very down to earth rock music with great character and dynamics.
  
  Next up is “Heartbreaker” and I love this groove! This is an uncomplicated piece that carries you along a road without too many twists and turns and just lays it down tight and nasty! It’s a great car song!
  
  “Sweetest Girl” is track three and it has a more ingredients in the arrangement than the other songs that I heard so far. To me this makes a piece of music more interesting. Also there are nice hooks not only in the musical department, but also lyrical. I would say this one is a bit more commercial and would find a nice home with pop lovers.
  
  Track four “It Is” is the most artistic cut in the collection. It displays multi dimensional tonal properties with heartfelt emotions while breaking its own new musical ground. This song is one of my favorites!
  
  “Kiss Kiss” is another great cut and I think that this song should be on the radio! It kicks hard and has a recipe that combines pure energy with superb composition and musicianship. It also has just the right amount of crossover quality for rock and pop followers.
  
  There are a few more surprises on the CD that I’ll leave for your own discovery. But overall this musical package from “Vices I Admire” has a great mix of precise musicianship, very emotion and polished vocals, well written lyrics, and sonic colors from many places in the musical rainbow. Great work guys! Happy New Year! – JJ Rocks
  
  You can listen to Vices I admire at this link: www.myspace.com/vicesiadmire

• Who's Making Noise: Back and Stronger Than Ever - The Re-Rise of Vices I Admire [+ Show ]
  

  By Steffanie Giesler If I saw the guys of Vices I Admire in a bar, I’d buy them a drink and ask t...By Steffanie Giesler
  
  If I saw the guys of Vices I Admire in a bar, I’d buy them a drink and ask them to tell me a story. This isn’t because these gentlemen look like drunks – approachable, experienced and intelligent are more accurate terms. These Denver boys are back after a finding a new bass player, original member of The Fray, Daniel Battenouse, and they’re ready to bring Denver, Colorado, face-melting Rock and Roll at its finest.
  
  Vices I Admire, composed of guitarist Mickey Dollar, vocalist Dave Curtis, bassist Daniel Battenouse, and drummer Mark Towne, are no strangers to the scene. Having started in 2002 as Plan B, they have a refined idea of how the music world works. Their new CD entitled Politics of Apathy is currently available without design work or lyrics for download after the CD release show, January 1st, 2010, with the Otherside of Clearview and Glass Delerium, and donations can be taken for the entire album, graphics and all. What are the thoughts behind this? “We are all about making an investment in people hearing us,” explains drummer Towne.
  
  The album, Politics of Apathy, was recorded at Colorado Sound Studios with J.P. Manza, and produced by Yerkish’s Ian Pinder. The full-length passionate album in itself is a strict split-down-the-middle tie between a CD I’d want to make love to, and want to make war to, and can only be described in one word: raw. The recording process took place in May and part of June. However, the writing process never seems to stop as these gentlemen already have more material in the works, some of which will be played at their CD release show. “We were more focused on quality than speed,” states Curtis

• Vices I Admire: The Politics of Apathy, Self Released [+ Show ]
  

  By Dave Herrera Remember when the term "modern rock" was popularized? Although nowadays it can be...By Dave Herrera
  
  Remember when the term "modern rock" was popularized? Although nowadays it can be applied to just about anybody from Innerpartysystem to 30 Seconds to Mars, during the '90s it described an emerging niche format dedicated to outfits that were too heavy to be considered pop and too poppy to be considered metal — bands like Vices I Admire. Five years after releasing its debut, Plan B, Vices returns with a brand-new album and bassist Dan Battenhouse, formerly of the Fray. While Battenhouse's bass work was a bit too busy for that group, it ideally suits the sturdy, more sophisticated, guitar-driven sound that Vices has noticeably honed, resulting in nine tracks of tightly arranged rock that fans of groups like Collective Soul and Queens of the Stone Age would completely admire.

• Vices I Admire, Back in Action [+ Show ]
  

  Colorado Music Buzz - May 4th, 2009 By Charlie Sullivan Joining forces in 2002 and cultivating...Colorado Music Buzz - May 4th, 2009
  
  By Charlie Sullivan
  
  Joining forces in 2002 and cultivating their craft since, Denver-based Vices I Admire is back and ready to assault your auditory palate with their eclectic songbook. These lads have been prepping over the last few months to take the city by storm. Dropping off the radar after the loss of their bass player, “Things definitely slowed down a little,” conveys Mark Towne (drums, manager). Mark, Dave Curtis (vocals, guitar), and Mickey Dollar (lead guitar) stuck with it rehearsing while auditioning bass players. They found him in former Fray bassist, Dan Battenhouse: Once again the band’s ready to deliver the goods. “Practicing without a bass player was strange,” expresses Dave. “We found a good one.” Self-described as a high-energy Alt/Indie/Rock act, the group is ready to get back out on the club circuit after the brief layoff.
  
  The band has been refining their sound looking to court a larger following. “Our sound won’t be as aggressive as it previously was,” suggests Mickey. “We want to take our music to another level, appeal to those who really appreciate music for what it is,” a nod of agreement from all. With the talent level this troupe displays I have no doubt that the statement’s on target. “I really like the direction we’re going with the music,” maintains Dan. “We don’t want to sound explicitly like other bands in our genre.”
  It’s been awhile since 2005’s Plan B EP, the band wasn’t sure what direction to move in after they released the CD. They were still up at CSU figuring things out, now they’re galvanized and they won’t be swayed from ascending to the top. They’ll be heading into the studio this month to lay down their second album, The Politics Of Apathy, with an anticipated late-summer release. JP Manza (engineer), along with Ian Pinder (producer), will be engaged to assist with bringing it all together. “Ian’s really challenged us to push ourselves, he’s been a major influence on our sound,” conveys Mark.
  They’ve posted a demo, “Heartbreaker,” a new tune along with their older pieces on Myspace.com/VicesIAdmire – give them a spin. By the time you’ve read this article they’ll already be back on the club scene dishing it out. When pressed about taking the act national they shot back with some advice from another band, “We don’t want to move the band; we need to own the city we’re in, everything else will fall into place in time.” Get ready to be owned, Denver, these guys have the swagger.
  Curious about the name, study up on your Winston Churchill.
  
  If you like: Brothers in Arms Band, Incubus, Deftones
  
  Myspace.com/VicesIAdmire
  

• Vices I Admire: A New Bassist. A New Album. A New Era. [+ Show ]
  

  Its funny how meaningful a bass player can be to the specific sound of a band. Vices I Admire, and A...Its funny how meaningful a bass player can be to the specific sound of a band. Vices I Admire, and Alternative/Indie Rock band from Colorado, was without a bass player for 6 months before finally landing their new guy; former The Fray bassist Dan Battenhouse (recorded on The Fray sessions entitled The Reason EP). The former Vices I Admire sounded more like early incubus, their original track Monster contains syncopated drums and bass and a rap vocal style during the verse with big, drawn out vocals during the chorus. On the other hand, Vices I Admire 2.0 (the current form of the band) has recorded their first new song entitled Heartbreaker, that sounds much more like Nine Inch Nails meets Pearl Jam. Both versions of the band sound great, staying upbeat, intense and powerful without ever becoming monotonous, but it is interesting none the less to see how much a band can change from one bass player to the next.
  
  Vices I Admire are currently in the works of putting together their first album with the current form of the band and have a comeback show scheduled.

• Vices I Admire: Plan B. [+ Show ]
  

  The bio for this band, which headlines a December 17 CD-release party at Bender's Tavern, mingles ha...The bio for this band, which headlines a December 17 CD-release party at Bender's Tavern, mingles hardscrabble tales with two admissions: "We have been likened to Pearl Jam, Incubus, Korn" and "We probably sound like some of them." Plan B. , which is both Vices I Admire's previous moniker and the title of its new disc, confirms the accuracy of these statements even as it offers hope that the players will ultimately outgrow them.
  
  Guitarist Mickey, drummer Mark, singer Dave and bassist Rob (no last names, please) display their versatility throughout tunes such as "Skin," in which whisper-to-a-yowl dynamics build persuasively over nearly six minutes. Although these techniques are nothing new, the energetic performances justify overlooking their familiarity, at least this time around.
  
  The future's another matter, but it's a good sign that the men of Vices don't deny the derivative aspects of Plan B. Recognizing an issue is the first step toward addressing it.

• Family Band [+ Show ]
  

  Family band Not the Partridge Family, not the Jackson Five, but Vices I Admire keeps it in the fami...Family band
  Not the Partridge Family, not the Jackson Five, but Vices I Admire keeps it in the family
  GEOFF JOHNSON
  Posted: 11/9/06
  Mark Towne stinks after a show. He's quick to say so.
  
  As the drummer of Vices I Admire, a Fort Collins-grown band that's been around in its current form since 2002, Towne works up a sweat.
  
  The rest of the crew consists of Dave Curtis, 25, vocals; Mickey Dollar, 25, electric guitar; and Rob Marston, 25, bass guitar.
  
  The members may not be related by blood, but they're as close as can be without ancestors in common.
  
  Scouting the location of a show at Road 34 Bike Shop and Bar, 1213 W. Elizabeth St., VIA takes time to speak with the Collegian.
  
  At first, the band is sipping on Fat Tire and 2 Below quietly. They stare - mouths open, practically drooling - at two giant amplifiers on the small stage on which they'll be playing. "That looks like a lot of noise for this little place," says Towne.
  
  "They have nachos here," he says. "That's awesome."
  
  Dollar jokingly explains that the band will try to climb the social ladder with the Road 34 show - "From 'crumb bum' to bum."
  
  
  Happy family
  
  "We fight more like a family than a band," says Curtis.
  
  The band has at one point or another done everything together. They have lived together in the same house - and practiced together in the same basement - since the spring of 2003, when Towne, the youngest of the group, moved out of CSU's Durward Hall.
  
  Towne works at the dining hall of the Durrell Center on campus, and has gotten each member of the band a job there at one point or another. "I have the ability to hire people," he said.
  
  And they party together.
  
  Spending so much time together, Dollar says, "We do get on each others' nerves."
  
  "Like when Mickey punched me in the spine," Towne laughs.
  
  Curtis adds, smiling, "These guys are really annoying."
  
  The music
  
  VIA is difficult to place in a genre.
  
  How many bands incorporate whistle solos (this is exactly what it sounds like: a solo comprised of Curtis - who is quite the whistler - whistling) like VIA does in the song "Monster?"
  
  The band's EP, "Plan B" (the title an homage to their former band name), floats between genres - with the above-mentioned "Monster" at times reminiscent of rock-rappers Linkin Park.
  
  Curtis' voice hovers somewhere between Brandon Boyd of Incubus (before "Make Yourself"; think Boyd in the album "S.C.I.E.N.C.E.") and Kurt Cobain (from Nirvana's "MTV Unplugged In New York").
  
  "(The music we make) is introspective and mood-inducing," Towne says.
  
  Curtis cuts in, "Emo-"
  
  Towne interrupts him. "Don't call it that," he says. "But we do some softer, slower stuff."
  
  Live, though, Towne says the band is more about heating things up.
  
  Show-goers can expect "something you can shake your ass to - music that conveys emotion."
  
  Sipping on his micro-brew, Towne says it "will be like good (sex)."
  
  "We'll rise it up for a little while - go fast," he says. "Then slow it down a bit - drive 'em crazy."
  
  "My sex is really pretty fickle," Dollar adds.
  
  History
  
  The band began in early 2002 under the name Shade Spade Nine.
  
  Dollar and Marston had played music together since they attended Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, and ended up at CSU together. They put out an ad for a singer and found Curtis.
  
  Finding a drummer wasn't as easy. "Brian," the original drummer, wasn't the best fit.
  
  "He wanted to cover a bunch of country songs," Curtis says.
  
  Almost serendipitously, though, Curtis found Towne in speech class in August of 2002 - in Mark's first week of college.
  
  "I mentioned to someone (in class) that I played drums," Towne says. "He heard me, and asked me to come play."
  
  Curtis chides, "('Brian') was a better person (than Towne), but Mark is a better drummer."
  
  With the addition of Towne, the band became "Plan B," and the band has had basically the same membership ever since.
  
  After their first show at the Ram's Village clubhouse in November of 2002, the band traveled extensively in Colorado, playing shows in Denver and its surrounding suburbs, Colorado Springs and mountain towns like Breckenridge.
  
  The band also twice toured the southwest - once in the summer of 2004 and again mid-2006 - each trip featuring stops in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
  
  The band changed its long-standing name, Plan B, in 2005 due to what Dollar describes jokingly as "fear of competition."
  
  The group cites a slew of other bands, products and companies with the name Plan B.
  
  "Like the (morning-after) contraceptive," Dollar says.
  
  Practice
  
  At a Monday night practice session in preparation for the Saturday show at Road 34, after figuring out Saturday's set list while watching "Hellraiser 2" on cable, VIA gathers in the same basement they've practiced in for nearly four years.
  
  The basement walls are papered with band memorabilia, including old Plan B posters, new Vices I Admire posters and an old drum head scrawled with what was once every song in the band's repertoire.
  
  The room is lit in red.
  
  As they begin the band stands as four corners of a square. They face one another. It looks like playground foursquare, but noisier.
  
  In preparation for the show, the band is certainly energetic, as advertised.
  
  Curtis' entire body vibrates with each note he hits.
  
  Dollar literally convulses and bounces about and curls around his instrument as he plays guitar.
  
  Marston sways and nods.
  
  It is unclear as to whether Towne is singing along or if he is just someone whose facial expressions rapidly change as he exerts himself.
  
  Halfway through the set, particularly happy with a stirring rendition of "Monster," Curtis says, "Now we're warmed up."
  
  "And I stink," Towne says, taking off his shirt.
  
  Staff writer Geoff Johnson can be reached at verve@collegian.com. The opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the individual author and not necessarily those of the Collegian.
  
  _________________________________
  
  Vices I Admire will play in Scene Magazine's battle of the bands this Saturday at The City Limits Lounge (320 S. Link Lane).
  
  Bands will play throughout the evening. VIA will play a 20-minute set at 12:40am.
  
  © Copyright 2006 Rocky Mountain Collegian
  

• Vices That Rock [+ Show ]
  

  In planning for the future, Dave Curtis of the Fort Collins-based band, Vices I Admire, said the gro...In planning for the future, Dave Curtis of the Fort Collins-based band, Vices I Admire, said the group plans to skip the usual rise-to-fame rigors of musicianship and jump right into the Made-For-VH1 "Behind the Music" style self-destruction.
  
  "We'll just go straight to the troubles," Curtis laughs. Of course, he suggests, a death-bed recanting will prove the final touch for their "Behind the Music" episode.
  
  All joking aside, with a new CD release and a major release show at the Starlight Theater on Saturday (not to mention a crowd of loyal fans), the highly entertaining and energetic band is poised to achieve true rock success.
  
  Likened to everything from Pearl Jam to Korn, Vices I Admire take the stage in a musically and visually rocking way, creating a frenzied energy that inspires audiences to jump, thrash and rock along with them.
  
  "We're Rocky McRock," laughs Curtis of the band's lively style.
  
  The band, formerly known as Plan B., recently changed the name in order to avoid any future legal battles. "There are just a ton of other Plan B.'s out there," Curtis sighed. "Rather than having to battle them all, we chose a new name."
  
  Even with a new moniker, however, Curtis said not much has changed in the band's sound: "We're still the same rock, just by a different name."
  
  Formed in 2002, the band spent plenty of time rocking out audiences in the Colorado area, as well as embarked upon a weeklong tour in the summer of 2004. The event, according to their Web site, was filled with activities such as earning fans, sharing a sandwich with a homeless man and breaking the clutch on their van.
  
  For their first official release, the band decided to hit the well-known Blasting Room, a local studio that has catered to recognized national music acts such as Rise Against, Less Than Jake and the Ataris.
  
  "They took care of us," said Curtis of the folks at the Blasting Room. "We think we got a pretty good sound on this CD."
  
  With songs such as "Poor Boy," "Monster" and "Skin," Curtis said he hopes listeners will both enjoy and connect to the lyrics in the songs.
  
  "We try to get across the emotion, especially in the lyrics," Curtis said.
  
  Graduating from CSU in December with an English degree (after spending years enjoying school and finding creative ways to spend his financial aid, he reports), Curtis's lyrics energetically speak to both his personal experiences as well as more universal situations likely shared by many fellow college-aged students.
  
  "For me, personally, as a singer these songs mean something to me. There's a lot of life in the lyrics - a lot of me in there," Curtis notes.
  
  The band kicks off their release party at the Starlight on Saturday playing with local band Until We Wake and Denver favorites Synaptic Collapse.
  
  "It's great music and really complementary to us," said Curtis of the band's joining Vices I Admire on the stage.
  
  Anyone interested in rocking, or perhaps catching a stellar local band before their hoped-for crash-burn-and-repent cycle to be seen on "Behind the Music" in the future, should join the band for a rocking and energetic good time at the Starlight on Saturday.

• [Vices I Admire] at The Starlight [+ Show ]
  

  Note: This article was written before the band's recent name change from "Plan B." to "Vices I Admir...Note: This article was written before the band's recent name change from "Plan B." to "Vices I Admire".
  
  [Vices I Admire]: On April 16 I made it out to the Starlight to check out local band [Vices I Admire]. What I found was a group of crazy, intense performers. While [Vices I Admire]'s music raged -- vocals screaming, guitars churning at break-neck speed -- a healthy-sized, enthusiastic crowd formed a mosh pit on the dance floor .
  
  Then the action started happening on stage. At first the guitarist only did a little bumper car action on the vocalist. At one point, I turned away for a second. When I returned my gaze to the stage, the bassist had his guitar off and was full-body tackling the vocalist. Talk about the right attitude. This band just likes to have fun!
  
  By the end of the set, everyone in the band had their shirts off and there was nothing but sweat, energy and volume cranking from the stage.
  
  Obviously a band that has succeeded in creating a core fan-base, [Vices I Admire] is recommended for raw, revved up music and edge-of-chaos intensity.
  
  [Vices I Admire] will join Forget Today, 8OM, Synaptic Collapse and Greg Baerns May 13 at Bottoms Up, 3124 S. Parker Road, in Aurora. Cost is five bucks for the 21 and over show. Also watch for another Starlight date in the near future.

Setlist

99% original songs, with a cover or two on occasion to suit the venue and each particular crowd. Generally one 45-60 minute set per night, though up to two hours is possible and is done from time to time.

Vices I Admire has performed at the Denver date of the Warped Tour for the last 3 years in a row. They have 2 regional tours under their belts and have performed on numerous stages throughout Colorado.

Basic Requirements

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