Tag Archives: bands

The Friday Five: Fangirl Gift Guide

We’re less than three weeks away from Christmas and while we’re still deciding which boyband member we want to find under our tree this year, we’ve created a list of our favorite presents to give this holiday season.  These gift ideas are perfect for the fangirl in your life – even if you gift them to yourself!!

1. Books!
Books are a great keepsake and a fun way to learn even more about your favorite band.  5SOS and Austin Mahone both have new books out, just in time for the Holidays!  For the 90s fangirl, we highly recommend “Out Of Sync” by Lance Bass and “NKOTB: 5 Brothers And A Million Sisters.”

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2. Band Merch!
Crewneck sweatshirts, and Holiday themed sweaters are especially trendy this year.  We love the “Merry Trismas” sweatshirt from The Vamps, and this onesie from Hunter Hayes.  A gift that’s in the Holiday spirit, perfectly cheesy, shows off your favorite band, AND keeps you warm?   Perfect.

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3. Concert Tickets!
You can never go wrong with concert tickets!  It just might take some advance planning and sneaking around.  Check to see which tours have been announced (Dan + Shay’s 2015 headlining tour goes on sale this week!) and try to be stealth about getting tickets so it’s a surprise.  Plus you’ll get an extra gift by the time the concert rolls around!

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4. Ear plugs!
When you go to as many shows as we do, ear plugs are essential.   We know, you think they look un-cool.  You know what’s even less cool?  Not being able to hear.  Invest in a good reusable pair – they’re more discreet and are designed especially to filter music so you’ll be able to hear everything AND look cool.  Promise.

Screen Shot 2014-12-02 at 12.18.34 PM5. Music!
Lots of artists release special editions around the Holidays.  We love the “LiveSOS” Bundle that 5SOS put together – it includes posters from each of their 2014 tours.

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Be sure to follow Secret Fangirls for more updates!

Show Me the Meaning of Being a Boy Band

It seems like the term “boy band” is being very loosely thrown around these days. Just because a group of young, good-looking men are in a band together, this does NOT make them a boy band.  If you go by this rule, then we’d have to call The Strokes and Vampire Weekend boy bands.  I think we can universally agree that they are not.

So, what exactly is a “boy band” then?  Let’s consult the dictionary!

Boy band (noun):  a group of young men who perform popular songs together and dance as a group.

Now compare this to the definition of a band:

Band (noun): a group of musicians who play music together.

See the difference?  The biggest being that boy bands DANCE.   We’d also add that they tend to dress in matching/similar outfits, and are known for their harmonies.

Just because a group of young, cute guys are in a band, and in many cases being marketed to younger audiences, it does NOT mean they are a boy band.  Now, here are some examples.

NKOTB – Boy band!

Big Time Rush – Boy band!

Backstreet Boys – Boy band!

Jonas Brothers – NOT a boy band!

The Vamps – NOT a boy band!

Midnight Red – Boy band!

5SOS – NOT a boy band!

AJR – NOT a boy band!

NSYNC – Boy band!

Got it?  In summary, being boys in a band does NOT make you a boy band.  Please choose your words wisely.

And if you’re a group of boys in a band, and you don’t dance OR play instruments?  We’re just not sure what to call you.

For example, The Wanted – Props for trying though!  Dancing is hard.

American Authors Debut Album Out March 4th!

American Authors have just announced the title and release date of their highly anticipated debut album!

“Oh What A Life” will be released on March 4th through Mercury Records.

We have had “Best Day Of My Life” on repeat so we can’t wait to hear what they’ve been working on!

Don’t forget to pick up American Authors EP on iTunes and follow the band on Twitter!