SHREDnews

New Found Glory’s guitarist Chad Gilbert has jumped on the side-project bandwagon and started his own called What’s Eating Gilbert.  He wrote these songs over the past few years.  He recently recorded them with Elgin James, which Gilbert says he’s the “other full time What’s Eating Gilbert member.”

“Thinkin’ Bout Her” is very reminiscent of the music by The Wonders, the fictional band featured in the movie That Thing You Do.  It’s poppy, simple and you’re bound to catch yourself dancing in your mind or literally to it like the kids in A Charlie Brown Christmas.  It’s very different to what you hear him perform with New Found Glory and even his hardcore background.

“Like It’s the Last Time” is very expressive about love like the other song, but more modernized.  It’s a sweet song about someone who’s not taking things for granted just in case the girl changes her mind.

“Bars on the Weekend” is more like the previous song with a higher-pitched voice.  You hear the underlying straight-edge message he sends, which is a lifestyle he partakes in.  The song is about a girl who only seems to be honest and profess her love for him when she’s drinking.

The side project’s website (www.whatseatinggilbert.com) also features a blog, where he posts about life, movies, tour and even a song he did with his girlfriend and Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams.  They recorded a lo-fi version of “Anyone Else But You,” which was featured in the movie Juno.  It’s a great song and these two hold it up to the level it should.  It’s almost as if you can imagine the scene where this song appears in Juno, but imagine it without the pregnancy topic.  I would love to see these two do more songs together.

Even though there are only a few songs posted on the site, I’m a fan of every single one of them.  I love how Gilbert steps out of his box (or so it seems) and gives his fans something they can all enjoy.  I can’t wait to check out what else Gilbert has up his musical sleeve.  The site mentions that he plans to do more collaborations with other musicians.  All of these songs are available to download for free on his website.