May 07 2008
Danger Is My Middle Name - Dangerously Good Music
Danger Is My Middle Name is the new King of Emo! They are not only Emo, but Hardcore Emo. Any band that will have a chorus that says YOU’RE BETTER OFF / WHEN YOU’RE BETTER DEAD is alright by me. The same way that GREEN DAY had a hit with the stripped down acoustic ballad ‘Time Of Your Life’, I feel that DIMMN could do the same with their song ‘New Friend Regrets’. Bad Emo is when bands think, “what would someone who felt really sad write here?” Good Emo is when the singer/songwriter really truly does want to be dead and is not kidding. That is the feeling I get when I hear ‘New Friend Regrets’ by DIMMN.When lead singer Gabe Atkins sings BREAK MY OPEN ARMS / SO PAIN IS ALL I FEEL I truly believe on some level he wants that to happen to him. For fans of Taking Back Sunday, The Used, New Found Glory, Blink 182, and Paramore I think you will like the music of DIMMN.
Danger Is My Middle Name is the real deal… check out their MySpace page and trying to catch a live show. Even though DIMMN is still a young and upcoming band, they have played such high profile venues as The Hard Rock and First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Be sure to find out when they are in your area this summer!
DIMMN - Links
May 7th, 2008 at 11:09 am
dimmn is an amazing band. (:
May 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am
DIMMN is not what this review claims them to be. A lucky break put them where they are.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I just wish their sound was more grown up… the oldest member is like, 24? and the average age of all of their fans = 14… I think maybe that’s a sign trying to say that “hardcore emo”? doesn’t exist, and this whole pop punk scene where every song consists of the same three or four chords, died… a long time ago. It pretty much went out with Blink 182. :|
Sorry guys. If the next few songs held some more complex and diverse guitar parts, then you’d def be my one of my favorites, but until I can confidently say that I won’t feel like I’m at a Hanna Montanna concert before you guys go on stage at a show, I probably won’t be there. :[
May 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Sorry, but I have to disagree. Danger’s lead guitarist, Bill, is ridiculously talented on guitar. Also, they’ve worked very hard, along with their manager, to get where they are today.
If you think they play the same three or four chords, you’re either A) deaf or B) you haven’t listend to them thoroughly and/or you need to see them live.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
d00d danger rocks my socks.
=]
they effinn rock live too.
May 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Danger Is My Middle Name deserves every single amount of support they’ve ever recieved. they’ve gotten where they are because they have extremely dedicated fans, and yes, they are that good. and if you think that their guitar or music in general isn’t unique or “complex” enough, then you clearly don’t know much about guitar or music.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Aaron….. Bitter much? I’ve known the band since they’ve started. The only break they have gotten is because of their own hard work, and willingness to do anything to get their name out there. Credit is deserved to their whole band, and not just one of them. Each of them are amazing artists.
So get over yourself, quit being so bitter, and don’t be mad at everyone else’s band who is somewhat successful, because you music career is a failure.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
this band is amazing.
ive seen them live. i know.
they have great talent and will go far.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
if you live nearby chicago, support them by coming to their show on june 21st :D
May 7th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
And supposedly what break is that Aaron?? These guys work their asses off. What break would that be? Why don’t you explain yourself?
May 8th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I’ll agree with that, Bill IS a very, very talented guitarist. :) I could watch his fingers play for days on end. And I wasn’t trying to be a biatch. Lol.
All I’m saying is that I HAVE known them from the beginning (when Gabe still had plugs, haha) and for the first, say, 9 months? they were all I ever listened to! I probably would of said all of the same things you guys are saying to me, back then. But I haven’t really seen much of a growth in their sound. Especially since (at least) 2 of those songs on their myspace (heroes and subject) were created before danger even existed, back when it was Craig, Gabe, Ron, and another guy in the band Witroy…
I love those boys, and I love their music. All I meant was that I can’t help feeling “disappointed” in the direction they’ve sort of taken… I’m all for them getting fans, but fanGIRLS are easily won over. I’m ready for something new, something incredible. :D
May 8th, 2008 at 1:17 am
You have no idea what you are talking about dissapointed. If you have seen them lately, and known them at all, you would be saying other wise.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:31 am
oh boy!!!
this is gettin good…
please continue…
:) :) :)
May 8th, 2008 at 1:51 am
While this review lacks any substance or significant meaning, the quality of the band, their music, and the live show is a force to be reckoned with. Being a 24 year old “girl” who honestly attends 2-3 shows a week, I am truely a die-hard, dedicated fan of Danger Is My Middle Name. Who says “good” music has to be complex or intricate or completely original? Good music is good to the people who love it. To me, I want the music that I listen to to be catchy, upbeat, relateable, and grammatically correct. DIMMN posesses all of these qualities, AND they put on one hell of a live show. Age does not matter when it comes to good music. Look at The Frantic and Lucky Boys Confusion when they first started. Youngun’s! For all those people who clain they have a broad knowledge of music and have nothing better to do than criticize up and coming bands, do yourself a favor try actually ATTENDING a show or 2 and judge a band on the whole picture, not just one song you heard on a website. Oh, and buy a t-shirt. Thanks.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Seriously, if you don’t see growth, I don’t even know what to say to you.
Just wait until their new EP comes out. Then let’s start judging. They have some really good new songs that are different from their previous songs.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I have known these guys since November and have seen them perform on many occasions. It has been wonderful to watch them grow over the past six months. They are highly dedicated to what they do and have worked extremely hard to get where they are. These boys are doing what they love to do and are enjoying every minute of it, and I believe it’s more than evident when you watch them perform. Their music is high energy, fun to listen to, and always puts a smile on my face(Weird how lines such as ‘You can hum along while you burn in hell’ can do that to you, but hey…who can’t relate?). I wish these fine gentleman nothing but the best. I believe 2008 has amazing things in store for you four.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
i have seen danger is my middle name plenty of times
and they get BETTER and BETTER each time
they are so fun to watch on stage
and there music is amazing
PLUS they are like the nicest people ever
they ARE the next BIG thing
and they will make it BIG!
:]
May 10th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I love mickey and his elongated tailbone….keep reachin for that rainbow!!
May 13th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
DIMM rocks!
May 16th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I guess Aaron is not commenting back. Maybe because he knows he’s wrong. I’m still waiting to hear about the “BIG BREAK” DIMMN got? I’d really like to hear about it.
May 21st, 2008 at 3:57 am
First of all, Gabe isn’t responsible for any of the lyrics written except for Sidecar One. Craig has written nearly every lyric of their music. Also a good portion of their songs were written for but never recorded with Craig and Gabes previous band, Witroy. Where Craig still did much of the writing. Talent? Not really.
Now I have seen them live on numerous occasions from their first show to some recently. I have also hung out with them personally and maintain a friendship with them. So please don’t attack me and say I don’t know “good music” or “you haven’t seen them live.” I do and I have. I’ve also been active in the music and local music industry since most of their fans were toddlers. So, I know a good bit about music and if they have a market. Obviously there is no market if the band is comparable to those such as “Taking Back Sunday, The Used, New Found Glory, Blink 182, and Paramore.” If you know anything about current popular music, you’d know that Paramore is the only band producing HIT music. Three out of the other four are struggling and the fourth, Blink 182, has been over for three years. Even at their end Blink 182 was struggling to make hits out of their music. The reality is Danger is My Middle Name does not have any marketable music. Their sound is not like anything else currently gracing the airwaves and the music industry is not heading in a direction that would work in DIMMN’s favor. Indie music is actually on the rise more so than “emo/hardcore emo.” By the way, they’re pop punk not emo. Emo is considered music that sound like Automatic Loveletter, Something Corporate, and Chiodos. Singing about hearing their song on the radio is not “emo” that’s just corny.
Also you should know this band uses AutoTuner a large amount on their recordings. If you stand in the back of any venue they play at you’ll hear that the vocals are actually below par in comparison to the recordings, without any illnesses. In addition, if any of you have also had the opportunity to sit in on their practices you’d hear it then that they’re realy not that good.
Just as “disappointed” was, I also was pretty overhauled by this band when I first heard their compositions. I thought they were amazing until I really sat down and disected everything. It’s typical and I’ve heard better come out of the local Chicago music scene.
To address the “Big Break” the band recieved. I believe Aaron is referring to the Q101 Twisted Christmas show. The only reason they were given the spot was because another band canceled last minute and their manager, Mike, had a connection with the guy booking the event. Had one of Mike’s other bands been available they would’ve had the spot long before DIMMN was even considered.
Lori, I’m pretty sure the only reason you’re defending the band so much is because you’re Bill’s mother. It’s expected that you would defend them because you want your son to succeed. What mother doesn’t want that for their kid?
I don’t see this band ever becoming major though. Chicago local bands, Company of Thieves and American Taxi are far more likely to hit the majors before Danger is My Middle Name.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:34 am
Amused,
I doubt you really know the band as well as you think you do. Q101 wouldnt have picked any of Mike’s other bands for that show, because quite frankly, they wouldnt have “fit” on the bill that night. If your remember correctly, they were called in by Q101 to replace Drowning Pool. This alone should tell you that State and Madison, would not be the type of band that should be filled in this empty slot. Nothing against that band, they are good, but the fans coming to see Coheed and Cambria, and Atreyu, would not have gotten into their music.
If you don’t see them with any sort of success, how do you explain Summerfest, as well as three spots on Warped Tour, that they are now scheduled for.
Did you try out for the band, and they didn’t like you? Or have you just been drinking your Haterade?
Give credit where credit is due. A manager can only do so much. It’s the band that gets people to like their music. Just because Mike knew the guy booking the show, doesn’t mean that locks them into the show. Bottom line is that Q101 made the final decision to bring them on board. If they sucked, they would have just said no.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Why would I write that if I didn’t know the band? And, how would I know half of that if I didn’t know them?
State and Madison isn’t the only other band Mike works with. From what I saw at that show though “DIMMN” didn’t fit the bill and a large portion of the audience wanted them off. It was a metal concert not a pop punk one. Any band can get on Summerfest if they really want to. There’s a good amount of other bands based out of Chicago that also have spots. By the way, ALL of Mike’s other bands have spots on Summerfest too. It’s not hard to contact a booker for the event and say “Hey, I have a few bands I manage do you have any slots open?” Also, do you know how large the event even is and how many small stages they have? As for Warped Tour, Craig and Gabe’s previous band (Witroy) also graced one of the SMALL stages in the past it’s really not that big of a deal. I’ve seen bands with members still in High School get more than 3 dates, it’s not really all that complicated to get your friends to vote on a battle of the bands stage spot everyday or to get in contact with someone booking a stage lineup. Three dates on a small stage for a tour that spans three months, that’s really not a big accomplishment.
Actually the band hasn’t done much of anything on their own. There’s a reason why Craig and Gabes previous band flopped and never made it. Neither knew how to do anything to get the band known. They relied on one of the members to do everything and when he quit the band fell apart. Prior to Mike becoming their manager and Mickey replacing Paul on drums the band was playing at skate parks and college shows. Their crowd consisted of no more than 5 people and most were either their photographer, merch people, or girlfriends. All of those shows they were openers for too. Had they not made a deal with Mike they’d still be playing one show a month at small hole-in-the-wall venues.
Check your facts before you try and prove me wrong.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Everybody can have an opinion buddy. So dont get all defensive.
This may be a shock to you, but you might not know everything.
I wish them the best. Good Luck Guys.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Amused……………please go lay down. Yes I’m the mother of Bill and would love to see them succeed. But you are wasting your anger. Just go lay down on the porch.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Sounds like a very very angry relative of Witroy commenting here. Give me a break.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Amused………blah , blah, blah……………
May 24th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
And BTW……..I was at HOB that night….and maybe the first song they wanted them off, but after that………….I don’t think so. Got pics to prove it.
May 25th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Okay, Danger Is My Middle Name is superb. I’ve loved them since the very beginning, and go to as many shows as I’ve been able to, and I must say, those 4 deserve what they have right now. After a couple of tried and failed bands on their part, which were very good bands all the same, this band just…clicked. Every one of them has a lot of talent. Gabe has an awesome voice, and a nice guy. Bill kills on guitar, and his energy is insane. Craig is great on bass, and a cool person to sit around and talk to before a show. And as for Mickey, he is an amazing drummer, and just an all around cool guy. Their music is amazing, and just…everything about them is lovable. Anyone who doesn’t think so needs to get their hearing checked or something, because they have kinda shitty opinions.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Yes, you’re right that Mike has multiple bands that could have gotten on
the bill, but let’s think about this. State and Madison, I love them to
death, but they wouldn’t have been chosen to play with Coheed and Cambria
or Atreyu, it just wouldn’t happen. The Noise FM, out of state, they
probably couldn’t have made it here anyway. The Urbanites, definitely an awesome
band, but they wouldn’t have been a crowd pleaser for that particular
bunch. And if you’re going to say it was only because Mike knew the guy,
WELCOME TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY that you seem to know so much about. It’s
all about knowing people and helping each other out. But most people, with
any clout, won’t book a shitty band just because it’s a favor for their friend
because they won’t want to build a bad reputation.
And as long as we’re straightening out our facts, DIMMN did NOT get their
spot on Warped Tour from fans voting. If you notice, they are playing
the Hot Topic stage, not Ernie Ball. And let’s see you try and get a band
on Warped Tour if it’s that easy.
As far as them being marketable, I beg to differ. There are plenty of major
labels signing bands in the same genre as them, whatever you want to label
it as. Music fans are going to demand the music they like, they aren’t
going to conform to industry standards. Sure Indie might be “in” for now,
but the standards change more than you change your shirt.
And lastly, seriously, have a little bit of a respect. Don’t disrespect
Bill’s mother like that. How would you like it if someone talked to your
mom that way? All Bill can ever say is how wonderful she is and how she
comes out to every show possible. I think it’s safe to say she really
believes in the band.
May 26th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Take that Amused…
May 26th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Alex………………..I love you…:) I was beginning to think Amused hated all mothers. I really was hating the fact that Amused was criticizing Gabe and Craig so much. Those guys are awesome and hard working musicians. The way I feel……..DON’t EVEN GO THERE. Either you like the music or you don’t. And if you don’t…………move on. P. S. I believe……………in this band.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Also, a further note on Lori, she is pretty awesome from when I met her at the Metro back in February. From what I could tell she really loves all of those guys, not just her own son. Amused - go crawl under a rock, please, and spare us.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Lori, she’s just jealous she doesn’t have a rock star for a son! hahaha
:)
Oh and for the record Miss Amused, I can pretty much guarantee you that your beloved Paramore uses Autotuner too. If you want some music that is untouched like that, go out and buy yourself a turntable and some vinyl. Just sayin’..
May 27th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
uhm.
everyone i make listen to dimmn loves them.
if they werent good, why would this happen?
id rather listen to them on the radio then most of what is actually played.
May 28th, 2008 at 1:04 am
All I have to say is that if you are going to be a hater on this website then get off! No one wants to hear people rippin on others favorite bands. So do us all a favor and leave! These guys work way harder then any of you will ever know and they deserve some fricken respect! I would love to see all of you jerks fork out money to pay for studio time, and spend all of your time and energy working to achieve something they truly believe in. I bet the only reason you bash them is because you guys never had the balls to do what they are doing and you are probably never good enough to even make it in a band. So leave this website if you want to bash them because you are starting a fight here that you will never win.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I’m only responding to Lori because my comment to her was taken out of context. I meant no disrespect to her at all. All I meant was every mother wants to see their child succeed so of course she’s going to defend her son in any and every way she can. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. What was intended by that comment is that as a family member who is a fan she’s going to have far more faith in the band than those who are not. With that as a family member one isn’t going to see the flaws as clearly. That’s all I was getting at. So to Lori, I apologize for what seemed to be harsh words.
I’m not going to reply back to the other comments because it’s not worth my time. As Buford said, “everyone can have an opinion” and I simply voiced mine, take it or leave it. There is no need to try and verbally attack me because my opinion is different. But seeing how much people join into drama has been highly amusing- hence the name… Amused.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Amused………I accept your apology. :)
May 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
my problem is that everyone from the begining was showing support and saying how much they love this band, but then you came along and it seems like the only reason you even comment on this is just to stir up things and irriate people and that is lame.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I agree with AMUSED! DIMMN suck! what is DIMMN anyways? Seriously, pick a shorter name so that we dont have to use that stupid DIMMN thing! and people only like them because they feel sorry for Mickey and his “condition” and that he only has a couple months left. and come on, who has a fat lead singer and goes some place? we all know that you have to have a good looking front man and Gabe is a fat pig who cant even sing. Believe me, i know them very well. I go to all of their shows and I’ve even made out with Craig, and he’s told me that he’s only in it for the girls! and dont even get me started on Bill. It’s obvious what’s wrong with him. …his head’s too big. It’s a good thing that i took the time to comment on this site because i dont care about the band at all and this is NOT a huge waste of everyones time!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
ROFLMAO…….now this one is rich. This Ericka…this is totally funny. ROFL
May 30th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
excuse me….but i am still hysterical….laughing my butt off……….too fricking funny. thank you ericka for the laugh of the day…….LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOO
June 1st, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Hahahahahahahahahaha
July 8th, 2008 at 1:06 am
These guys are amazing. Not only live but one the most down to earth people I think I have ever met. Will is the best.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
ok. dimmn is amazing. no i havent been there from 07. ive been there from april 08. and they are absolutely amazing. they’re doing things differently this time around, they’re make wise decisions about shows and music. i saw them at the metro on february 21, 2009 and it was the craziest local show i’ve been too. nothing is more inspiring than watching them on stage and hearing everyone, including myself sing along. i love these boys, and their music is amazing. it makes me get up and jump around.
August 17th, 2011 at 5:31 am
Thank you for writing such a great informative article for today’s modern readers. Two thumbs up for great content and interesting views. I could only aspire to write like this.