Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 8:45 a.m.
"Until the Day I Die," the hit single from St. Louis rock band Story of the Year, sounds like a definite love song to most listeners.
With a pounding chorus of "Until the day I die/I'll spill my heart for you," how could it not be, right?
But Ryan Phillips, one of the quintet's two guitarists, says the song is actually about something far more important to him: his band.
"Everyone thinks it's about girls, but it's all about our band and our friendship," Phillips, 25, said in a phone interview from Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas, prior to Tuesday night's show there.
"These guys have been my best friends way before we were in a band together. So the lyrics to that song are really, really special to us."
"Until the Day I Die" has also lifted Story of the Year's fortunes, helping turn the screamo band into modern rock radio and MTV darlings and catapulting debut album "Page Avenue" to gold-selling (500,000-plus) status.
In other words, look for Story of the Year to play the tune Sunday night at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, when it headlines a bill that also includes the Lostprophets, My Chemical Romance and Letter Kills.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the sold-out, all-ages show.
The tour is sponsored by Nintendo, which means the House of Blues should be filled with GameCube demos. But don't expect Phillips to try any of those games himself. That's one area in which he's quite different from his bandmates.
"Everyone in the band really likes video games, except for me," he said. "I was more of an outdoor kid growing up. I always went fishing and rode dirtbikes and stuff. I can't sit still long enough to play video games."
Phillips also wasn't content to sit around in St. Louis, waiting for the industry to take notice of a band that had been around since 1996, playing shows under the name Big Blue Monkey.
Original drummer Dan Marsala moved out front to sing, and the group moved to Orange County, Calif., where they caught the attention of Goldfinger frontman John Feldman and Warner Music Group subsidiary Maverick Records.
"We had some pretty terrible songs back then," Phillips said. "Writing songs was the least important thing to us. The most important thing was being on tour and putting on a crazy show. And John Feldman saw past the (expletive) songs and saw the potential in our band."
Despite its major-label status, Story of the Year still approaches the industry as an independent band would, according to Phillips.
Its five members maintain their own Web site and design their own fliers and posters. Phillips and bassist Adam Russell even filmed and edited a Story of the Year DVD, due out sometime around Thanksgiving.
"We treat our band like we're not signed," Phillips said. "When you're a musician growing up, you spend your whole life wanting a record deal, but when you get signed that's just the beginning.
"Bands that get a record deal and rely on their label to do everything ... I think that's the biggest mistake you can make."
Music notes
Shortlisted: Another week, another major honor for the Killers.
The Las Vegas rock band has been named among 10 finalists for the prestigious 2004 Shortlist Music Prize, honoring critically acclaimed albums that have not been certified gold by the time of their nomination.
Along with the Killers' debut CD, "Hot Fuss," the finalists are: Air's "Talkie Walkie," Dizzee Rascal's "Boy in Da Corner," Franz Ferdinand's "Franz Ferdinand," Ghostface's "The Pretty Toney Album," Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose," Nellie McKay's "Get Away From Me," the Streets' "A Grand Don't Come For Free," TV On the Radio's "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes" and Wilco's "A Ghost is Born."
The winner will be announced at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theater on Nov. 10. Previous winners: Sigur Ros in 2001, N.E.R.D. in 2002 and Damien Rice last year.
Cirque on CD: Fans of Cirque Du Soleil Strip productions "O," "Mystere" and "Zumanity" might want to pick up a copy of "Le Best Of," an album due out on Oct. 5.
The first CD on Cirque's new record label, Cirque Du Soleil Musique, the disc collects 12 songs featured in the Montreal-based theater company's worldwide shows.
Quick hits
A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin performs at 7 tonight and Saturday at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets to the 21-and-over shows run from $75 to $150.
The 62-year-old vocalist has limited her live appearances in recent years, in part because of a fear of flying. She is preparing to release a new album, "Duets," in November, reportedly teaming with OutKast, Mariah Carey and Gloria Estefan for cuts on the disc.
Sting returns to Las Vegas on Saturday for an 8 p.m. performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. And this time, the one-time Police frontman has co-headliner and fellow Brit Annie Lennox with him.
According to tour reports, Lennox performs first, then rejoins Sting for a portion of his set. Tickets are $52-$152.
On sale
Sarah Brightman performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 20. Tickets are $50-$125 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.
Bruce Hornsby plays the House of Blues on Nov. 28. Tickets are $30-$35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through TicketMaster.
Hip-hop duo Eyedea & Abilities stop by the House of Blues courtyard on Oct. 27. Tickets are $15 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy lands at the House of Blues on Nov. 11. Tickets are $22-$30 and are on sale now.
Also on sale now, two recent additions to the House of Blues concert calendar: Coheed and Cambria with Underoath and 3 on Nov. 5 ($15.50) and Damageplan and Shadows Fall with the Haunted on Nov. 8 ($17.50-$20).
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