Albums That Changed My Life: Dan O'Connor (Four Year Strong)
This week's slice of "Albums That Changed My Life" goodness comes from Dan O'Connor of Four Year Strong!The band are currently touring across Europe in support of their new album, 'In Some Way, Shape Or Form' and have recently announced they will be supporting blink-182 on their UK summer tour.
Hatebreed - Satisfaction Is The Death Of DesireThe first time I heard this record, it was one of the most angry, intense records I'd ever heard. Everything about it made the 13 year old me want to destroy everything. It was a gateway record for me to get into heavier hardcore bands from the New England area like Blood for Blood, The Hope Conspiracy, American Nightmare. Very much fueled my determination to start a band.
Green Day - DookieI would say that this is the first record I heard when I was making that all important shift from "listening to what you parents play in the car" to forming my own musical tastes. The first time I heard "Longview" I was hooked. It wasn't long after that I picked up the guitar for the first time.
Nirvana - In UteroNow what's weird is that I actually heard In Utero before Nevermind, which isn't typical because In Utero came after Nevermind, and Nevermind was a much bigger record. But I was young enough to not really be too into music yet when Nevermind was out. I found In Utero in my brother's CD collection, which is the same way I found Dookie. The cover with the angel with all her insides showing just drew me in. I put the record on and it was incredible! The guitars and drums were huge, and the lyrics were very intense with a lot of dark imagery which was all I needed.
The Beatles - Abbey RoadThe reason this record changed my life, is because it was one of the first albums I heard and immediately recognized how amazing the songwriting was. Being a fan of The Beatles and all of their records, I've always looked up to them as songwriters. Songs like, "Come Together" and "Here Comes The Sun," really made me rethink my songwriting.
The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home AboutThis record sums up my whole high school life. It reminds me Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. It's unbelievable how perfectly the album flows and every song is exactly in the right spot. I can put this album on any time and it will pull me out of reality. The songs are so honest and the music is so well written, with such cool guitar lines and interesting drums. This record definitely made a huge impact on where I wanted my musical life to go.
