Hailing From Glenside, PA, Viva La Mainstream! covers all that is rock goodness, all that is mainstream and even all that is not so mainstream. Imagine that!


Spanning the gamut from top 40 hits to lesser known bands being featured in the "Under the Radar" posts, everyone is sure to find something they love on this site.

Hit it, TJ!


1. What made you want to start a music blog/when did you start your blog?
I’ve loved music since I was in middle school, and I’ve always had a taste in music pretty close to the mainstream. Before the blog started, I was reading sites like Idolator and Pitchfork, and they’d just keep trashing all the bands that I listened to and loved. So I started Viva La Mainstream! a little over a year ago as both a way to get my voice out there and get a word in about good radio-friendly rock music, and in some sense in an act of defiance against the established sites that would only promote these eclectic indie bands that, frankly, aren’t always so great.



2. What are your top 5 favorite songs of all time?
I’m going to kick myself after writing this, but here goes (list goes #5-#1):

5. Foo Fighters – Learn to Fly
There’s no way this list could have been made without an appearance from the Foo Fighters. This song is one of their best. Dave Grohl’s vocals are as good as ever on this song, and the whole theme (defiance, doing what you think is right) is just amazing.

4. Pearl Jam – Given to Fly
A song I just recently discovered the beauty of. I never realized how uplifting and even inspiring Pearl Jam could be.

3. Eminem – Lose Yourself
Yep, there’s even some rap in here too. Regardless of your feelings about Eminem, rap music, or anything else, anyone can find a way in to this song. I like songs that have a message and can get people up out of their seats and motivated. If “Lose Yourself” doesn’t touch you on at least that level, you might not have a pulse.

2. Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
This song carries a lot of memories for me. (It’s a very beautiful song, no matter how simple it might be. Again, the lyrics are peerless, and that final minute or so when the full band kicks in is gorgeous. It’s kind of sad that the radio got oversaturated with this song, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a near perfect-storm of a song.

1. The Beatles – In My Life
Some might call it cliché to put The Beatles at the top of this list, but I do not care. Rubber Soul is my favorite Beatles album of all, and “In My Life” is very nearly the peak of that era of The Beatles music (before it went into the trippy acid style). Again, amazing lyrically (lyrics are a biggie for me), and the harmonies are pretty much unmatched.

Honorable Mention:
The Who – Baba O’Riley
U2 – With or Without You


3. What is your ideal band formation…can be anyone alive or dead, from any genre. Must include at least a lead singer, lead guitar, bass guitar and drummer. (Bonus points for backup singers/keyboardists. keytarists/etc….)
Lead singer: Toss-up between Chris Cornell or Eddie Vedder (Soundgarden/Audioslave and Pearl Jam, respectively; both were also in Temple of the Dog)
Guitar: Pete Townshend (The Who)
Bass: Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue)
Drums: Travis Barker (Blink 182/+44) and Mike Marsh (Dashboard Confessional)
[Yes, my band would have 2 drummers]
Backing vocals: Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Amy Lee (Evanescence), David Draiman (Disturbed), Hayley Williams (Paramore)
Keys: Billy Joel
Misc: Trent Reznor (NIN)
MCs: Jay-Z, Kanye West



4. Any other blogs, music or non-music related, that you recommend going to on a regular basis?
Pretty Much Amazing! – regular favorite of mine for random bits of music
The Good, The Bad, and the Unknown – great for offering the lesser-known works by a band, as well as classics
The Sports Guy on ESPN.com – writes primarily about sports, but also has great thoughts on all kinds of pop culture. Pretty funny too.
What Would Tyler Durden Do? – because everyone needs some celebrity trash



5. Any guilty pleasure songs that you might not readily admit to liking?
I try not to be ashamed of the music I listen to; if the music touches me in some form, then why be ashamed of it just because it’s not socially “cool” to listen to it?

Having said that:
Avril Lavigne: Sk8er Boi
Avril Lavigne: Hot
Creed: Higher
Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSound
Kelly Clarkson: Behind These Hazel Eyes
Nickelback: Photograph
P!nk: U + Ur Hand


6. Who’s next?
There are a couple of bands that could be huge in the near future. Secondhand Serenade just released their second album (first with a full band), and I think they could do some really cool stuff. There’s also a band from Wilmington, DE called The Crash Motive that have some potential to be big in the next couple years. After that, a few lower-tier bands like Quick Step John or Project Phoenix have some real potential.


Many thanks to TJ...now get on over to Viva La Mainstream!