Friday, December 21, 2007

Shaun the Sheep - Life's A Treat

Check out the video!

Darfur Charity Auction Launches

Waxploitation's 'Causes 1: Darfur' Album Debuts #32 on iTunes

Waxploitation announced two items of good news today relating to its work benefiting Darfur.

The label's Causes 1 Darfur benefit album far exceeded first week expectations, debuting at #32 on the iTunes album chart and virtually selling out it's first CD pressing in pre-orders alone. "This level of attention is not something we were expecting, given how grassroots our marketing efforts have been. But it shows the strength of the fans and artists who participated and the enormous desire to help in Darfur." says Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi. "It's quite telling that on iTunes people have chosen to buy the album, instead of cherry picking individual songs. That says people are aware of how important the donation is."

In addition, Waxploitation announced today it will launch its upcoming Darfur Benefit Auction on Thursday, December 6. The auction will be live on http://www.ebay.com/causesauction.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will be split between three non-profit organizations working in Darfur: Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America.

This year's items have been donated by a 'who's who' of artists, including signed guitars from The Flaming Lips, Avril Lavigne, Norah Jones, Nickelback, Deftones and Common, as well as items signed by Coldplay, Kanye West, Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, Wilco, TV on the Radio, The Decemberists, Bloc Party, Aesop Rock, Macy Gray, Thievery Corporation, Julius 'DR J' Erving and Bam Margera, to name a few. The auction also features unsigned items from Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Brian Wilson, Lupe Fiasco, Robbie Williams, Don Cheadle, MTV, Sony Playstation, Xbox, Zoo York, Adidas, T-Mobile, Nokia, Nintendo, Adult Swim among others.

This will be Waxploitation's 4th Darfur Benefit Auction since 2004.

Causes 1 features exclusive and rare tracks donated by Animal Collective, The Black Keys, Bloc Party, Bright Eyes, Cornelius, The Cure, David Sylvian, Death Cab for Cutie, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, The Shins remixed by Clint Mansell, Spoon, Teargas & Plateglass, Thievery Corporation and Travis. It documents some of today's most compelling and unique music, all to benefit crucial humanitarian work in a region of the world needing urgent attention.

To see promo video, which includes The Shins remixed by Clint Mansell, please check out http://youtube.com/watch?v=9RcZtO4TfAQ

For more information on how to get the album, please check out www.waxploitation.com/ordercauses

Estimates of the number of people killed in the Darfur conflict vary widely, from 200,000 to 400,000. What is certain is that more than two million people have fled their homes because of the fighting, and four million are now in need of humanitarian assistance--making this one of the most painful crises in the world today.

Please see the following URLS for more information:

http://www.waxploitation.com/ordercauses
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
http://www.hrw.org
http://www.oxfamamerica.org

Colossus

Set to Release ...And The Rift Of The Pan-Dimensional Undergods on Lucid Records
Taking On The Underworld and a Tour

Epic rock revivalists reigning from Raleigh, NC, Colossus plans for the release of their debut album, ...And The Rift Of The Pan Dimensional Undergods . This album pays tribute to their classic metal forebears with a dual-lead guitar onslaught and soaring vocals. With tracks full of epic and theatrical power metal, Colossus sonically spans four decades of heavy music, that will appeal to fans of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Thunderlip, Bandway, Dragon Force, Slayer, and Destroy Destroy Destroy.

Colossus's tour mayhem will commence December 6th in Greeneville, NC and will continue through February 28th. They will be performing fresh material from ... And The Rift Of The Pan Dimensional Undergods. Sean Buchanan sings chansons de geste, describing a world filled with swordsmen, vigilantes, armored badgers and supernatural encounters in a voice equally indebted to David Bowie and Rob Halford. Buchanan is backed by the percision fretwork of guitarists Bill Fischer and Nicholas Perros, glass-shattering bass of Rylan Wilshire-Eshelman and the tympanic battery of Ben "Thunderballs" Smith. Eshelman, Perros, and Smith began playing together in 2004, writing instrumentals with hopes of eventually finding a singer. During half time of the Superbowl that year, Eshelman, Perros, and Smith convinced Buchanan to try out on some Iron Maiden covers. "I remember that we did 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' " said Eshelman, "... he killed it..." Finally, when they drafted rock veteran Bill Fischer, Colossus was born again. "No song seemed complete until it got a solo from each of us", said Perros.

Colossus Tour Dates:

12.06- Greenville, NC - Spazzatorium Galleria
12.13- Chapel Hill, NC - Blend
12.14- Raleigh, NC - Downtown Events Center
12.15- Wilmington, NC - The Whiskey
12.28- Charlottesville, VA - Outback Lodge
12.29- Columbus, OH - Carabar
12.30- Harrisonburg, VA - Crayola House
1.03 - Birmingham, AL - tba
1.04 - Athens, GA Caledonia lounge
1.05 - Charlotte, NC - Milestone
1.19 - Johnson City, TN - The Hideaway
1.20 - Asheville, NC - Joli Rouge
2.28 - Chapel Hill, NC - tba
2.29 - Virginia Beach, VA - tba

Tour:Smart - New Reviews And Seminars:

"While a lot of working musicians might hoard their wisdom in hopes of getting ahead of the next band, Martin has published Tour: Smart and Break the Band, a book that will no doubt be considered the definitive treatise on touring for years to come… Tour:Smart is filled with anecdotal advice from top people in the industry, but also contains in-depth insights on Excel spreadsheets, scheduling templates, and other necessities that are all to often ignored by young bands when they are starting out. Even the most boring bits of minutiae are laid out in a very no-bullshit, easy to assimilate manner, more often than not with a first-person anecdote as to why the advice is relevant… Tour:Smart is essential for any band that wants to avoid being eaten alive in today's cutthroat music industry."
-Skyscraper Magazine

"This telephone book-sized tome should be resting on a seat in every tour bus, van, and rehearsal space around the world. Drummer, label owner, educator and all around wise ass Atkins (PiL, Killing Joke, Pigface, Invisible Records) teaches the things you need to know to take your act on the road. From logistics (get a Rand McNally Dist-O-Map) to getting paid, it's a guide through the sex, drugs, and hydraulic brakes of rock 'n' roll. Atkins spares no punches, has loads of stories, and has seemingly screwed up in every way possible-so you don't have to. Loaded with experiences and advice of club owners, tour managers, label execs, and musicians, it's is a valuable reference as well as being funny as hell. If you're in a band, buy it. If you know somebody in a band, buy it for them (because they're most likely broke!)."
- Big Takeover

Martin is out on the road again! Conducting free Tour:Smart band seminars every day on this trip. ***Print out this e-mail and take it with you to one of the seminars to get $5 off your copy of Tour:Smart!***

Tuesday, December 4th @ Webster University (St. Louis, MO)
5:30pm - 8:30pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at the Webster University Art Gallery (470 E. Lockwood Ave. Webster Groves, MO) - Open to the public.

Tuesday, December 4th @ Upstairs Lounge (St. Louis, MO)
10:30pm - 11:30pm - Martin Atkins DJ set at the Upstairs Lounge (3131 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO)

Thursday, December 6th @ Club Five (Washington, DC)
7:30pm - 10:30pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Arcadia Thursdays at Club Five (1214B 18th St. NW Washington DC) - Seminar will be followed by a Martin Atkins DJ set.

Friday, December 7th @ Tremont Music Hall (Charlotte, NC)
7:00pm - 10:00pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Tremont Music Hall (400 W. Tremont Ave. Charlotte, NC) - www.tremontmusichall.com - This is MANDATORY for all local and regional bands that want to play Tremont!!

Saturday, December 8th @ The Camel (Richmond, VA)
5:00pm - 11:00pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at The Camel (1621 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA) - Doors at 4pm, Seminar begins at 5pm. Live music at 9pm with Martin Atkins DJ sets throughout the night.

Sunday, December 9th @ Malaprops Bookstore (Asheville, NC)
3:00pm - Q&A and book signing at the excellent Malaprops Bookstore (55 Haywood St. Asheville, NC)

Sunday, December 9th @ Bobo Gallery (Asheville, NC)
5:30pm - 10:00pm - Get Up! Productions presetns - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Bobo Gallery (22 Lexington Ave. Asheville, NC) - Martin Atkins DJ set to follow the seminar.

Monday, December 10th @ Lit Lounge (New York City, NY)
5:00pm - 8:00pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Lit Lounge (93 2nd Ave. New York, NY 10003) - www.litloungenyc.com

Tuesday, December 11th @ Haven (Northampton, MA)
7:30pm - 10:30pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Haven (492 Pleasant St. Northampton, MA) - After the seminar Martin will be providing some DJ sets at Haven.

Wednesday, December 12th @ Water Street Music Hall (Rochester, NY)
6:00pm - 9:00pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St. Rochester, NY) - www.waterstreetmusic.com

Thursday, December 13th @ The Symposium (Cleveland, OH)
7:00pm - 10:00pm - Free Tour:Smart Seminar at The Symposium Nite Club (11794 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH)

Friday, December 14th @ LeLand Hotel Ballroom (Detroit, MI)
6:00pm - 8:30pm - Full Effect Records presents a Free Tour:Smart Seminar at the LeLand Hotel Ballroom (400 Begely @ Cass. Detroit, MI) - Martin will also be DJ'ing at an after party even downstairs at Labyrinth starting at 9:00pm. The seminar is free, the after party is 18+ with a $7 cover charge.

Visit the Tour:Smart web site for a complete calendar to stay up to date on the events coming up.

PIERCE THE VEIL

Confirmed for Full Warped Tour '08!
Hitting the Road with Emery For Full U.S. Tour
Playing Hometown NYE Show in San Diego!

SAN DIEGO, CA - As 2007 draws to a close, Equal Vision recording artists PIERCE THE VEIL can reminisce about a great year of foundation building and look forward to an incredible 2008! Three upcoming events in the coming year for these sparky rockers to get excited about: 1) a handful of dates with The Devil Wears Prada in Mexico, 2) supporting Emery on their full U.S. tour and 3) a booking for the whole Vans Warped Tour 2008 with a prime slot on the Hurley Stage.

Pierce the Veil are supporting their critically-hailed debut A Flair for the Dramatic which was released just a few months ago. Recently completing a tour with Chiodos and are wrapping up their current set of dates with From First To Last, the band will round out the year with a special hometown show on New Year's Eve at Soma in San Diego (dates below).

Having built a solid fan base in the underground SoCal music scene that birthed blink-182, Pinback, As I Lay Dying, and Thrice, among countless others, Pierce The Veil has been making waves into the mainstream with their unique brand of melody and artistic rhythm found on their debut album, A Flair For The Dramatic. With solid critical acclaim from Alternative Press ("Buoyed by shape-shifting, vicious rock underpinnings, Pierce the Veil effortlessly infuse everything from acoustics to electronics in the new assault") to Suburban Horror ("...what every fan wants to hear and what every band wishes they sounded like") to Metal Hammer ("... a well thought-out and effectively executed debut"), Pierce the Veil are prepared to launch their next strike on the road this Fall, constructing upwards from previous tour stints with peers such as Portugal the Man, Poison the Well, Alesana, and Fear Before The March of Flames among others.

Pierce The Veil’s unusual song structures provide the foundation for complex guitar lines and contrasting beautiful / abrasive vocals to mingle and form each and every memorable hook. The undeniable sonic connection between brothers Victor and Michael Fuentes (guitar/vocals and percussion, respectively) jumps out of the crisp-sounding album, which was produced by the up-and-coming producer Casey Bates (Chiodos,Fear Before The March of Flames, Portugal The Man) at his suburban Seattle studios.

TOUR DATES

With From First to Last
Dec 31 NEW YEARS EVE SHOW @ SOMA SAN DIEGO, CA

With The Devil Wears Prada
Jan 10 EL PERRO AZUL TIJUANA, Baja California
Jan 11 CAFE IGUANA MONTEREY, Nuevo León
Jan 12 HARD ROCK LIVE MEXICO CITY, Distrito Federal

Emery and Vans Warped Tour 2008 dates to be announced shortly!

www.myspace.com/piercetheveil
www.ptvmusic.net

Mike Patton lends vocals to "I Am Legend"; Prepares First Film Score for Release in March 2008

Mike Patton (ex-Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and currently of Peeping Tom, Fantomas and Mondo Cane amongst others) steps into the world of film with “I Am Legend” and “A Perfect Place.”

Patton's shape-shifting vocals will be heard in movie theaters across the country this month as he lends his voice to the dreaded creatures in “I Am Legend,” the post-apocalyptic film set for release on Dec. 14. Next up is Patton’s debut as a film composer with the film noir short, “A Perfect Place.” The 20-plus minute film also marks the directorial debut of Derrick Scocchera, one of the founders of Fantoma Films, best known for their catalog of rare, cult films reissued on DVD. The score creatively reflects the style and tone of the film, which focuses on a pair of bumbling friends trying to dispose of a body. The film, shot in anamorphic black and white, will be packaged as a double-disc with the score and distributed together via Ipecac Recordings in March of 2008.

While Patton’s film work is relatively new, he’s previously appeared in 2005's award-winning independent film "Firecracker" and has already provided vocals to several videogames including “The Darkness” and “The Portal.” 2008 finds him as the lead in videogame “Bionic Commando” and contributing vocal effects to “Left 4 Dead.”

THE AUDITION

HEADLINING THE INAUGURAL RUN OF PACIFIC SUNWEAR TOUR
NATIONWIDE SHOWS TO KICK OFF JANUARY 16, 2008

Chicago’s finest export of dance-worthy rock, The Audition, have been chosen as the premier band to headline the first ever Pacific Sunwear Music Tour. The tour, beginning January 16 at Raleigh’s The Brewery, will feature support from acts Envy On The Coast, Danger Radio, and Another Day Late, with completion exactly one month later in Baltimore.

On January 22nd, six days into the tour, The Audition will welcome their toe-tapping sophomore endeavor, Champion, into stores. Champion is the follow-up to the bands 2005 Victory Records debut Controversy Loves Company, which has sold nearly 50,000 copies to date. Pacific Sunwear will begin streaming the first single off of Champion, “Warm Me Up”, on their website (www.pacsun.com/pactour) December 19th.

Tickets for the Pacific Sunwear Music Tour will go on-sale Friday, December 7th.

1/16/08 Raleigh, North Carolina @ The Brewery
1/17/08 Atlanta, Georgia @ The Masquerade
1/18/08 Jacksonville, Florida @ Fuel Coffeehouse
1/19/08 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida @ Culture Room
1/20/08 Orlando, Florida @ The Social
1/22/08 San Antonio, Texas @ White Rabbit
1/23/08 Dallas, Texas @ The Door
1/25/08 Tempe, Arizona @ The Clubhouse
1/26/08 Anaheim, California @ Chain Reaction
1/27/08 San Diego, California @ Soma
1/29/08 Hollywood, California @ Knitting Factory
1/30/08 Orangevale, California @ Boardwalk
2/01/08 Portland, Oregon @ Hawthorne Theatre
2/02/08 Seattle, Washington @ Chop Suey
2/04/08 Salt Lake City, Utah @ Avalon Theatre
2/06/08 Denver, Colorado @ Marquis Theatre
2/07/08 Omaha, Nebraska @ Sokol Underground
2/08/08 Chicago, Illinois @ Metro
2/09/08 Detroit, Michigan @ TBA
2/10/08 Cleveland, Ohio @ TBA
2/12/08 New York, New York @ Highline Ballroom
2/13/08 Allston, Massachusetts @ Harper’s Ferry
2/14/08 Poughkeepsie, New York @ TBA
2/15/08 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ TBA
2/16/08 Baltimore, Maryland @ Sonar

Cassettes Wont Listen

Release One Alternative Free Covers EP With Music For Robots on December 11th First Single “Change”Available Now
Debut EP Small-Time Machine Out March 08

http://www.cassetteswontlisten.com/
Music For Robots - http://music.for-robots.com/

“Ah! the sound of the 90's...

...being dragged kicking and screaming into modern day. That's what we like. Y'all remember Robot pal and production whizzkid Jason Drake? The one man act behind Cassettes Won't Listen and many , many excellent remixes (original work featured on MFR here ) has turned his attention to one of my most consistent sources of baseless guilt as a 90's teen.

Remember this joint? The one with nearly every artist I was waaaaay to into and constantly listening to on WHFS ? Yeah, also the one I never got around to buying. Ever. Despite being a patsy for the industry man and a CD buying whore (I'm still selling off bulk from those days). Well, Jason did us all a solid - he took the spirit of the comp and just wrapped on an EP of covers from the same era (more choice track selections than were on the benefit comp too), called One Alternative, available for download one week from today. To whet yer whistle, here's a taste of what's in store:

Cassettes Won't Listen - Change (originally written and performed by Blind Melon)

I recall this song as one of my more fond Blind Melon memories from when I was content the radio and underage beers during Ocean City beach week. Before Shannon Hoon got into all of that R-Kelly-style crowd pissing and whathaveyou, before his eventual death. At any rate, I like it with fresh zeal now. People need to refresh old designs like this more often.

So check back here and at CWL's website a week from Dec 11th to grab the rest. Also, make a note on your calendars, CWL's original full-length Small-Time Machine EP coming out March 11th."

1. Cut Your Hair (originally written and performed by Pavement)
2. Butter of 69 (originally written and performed by Butter 08)
3. Fuck and Run (originally written and performed by Liz Phair)
4. The Freed Pig (originally written and performed by Sebadoh)
5. Change (originally written and performed by Blind Melon)

FUCKED UP's "David Christmas" Now Available

to Pre-Order from Insound.com * UK Dates w/ The Gallows!

FUCKED UP Reports:

The David Christmas 7" is now up for pre-order HERE. Please go and grab it. For now it is just at Insound because it's the easiest way to move these things out in time for xmas, but expect it at a few stores in New York and Toronto after the 15th, and possibly a few other distros. We are also sending 100 to the UK that will be available from Rough Trade soon. Remember, ALL proceeds from this record are going to George Herman House - the records are retailing from all stores and from us for $10 - and these distros are giving us at least $9.00-$9.50 as a wholesale rate for each record, which means almost all of the money spent on each record will actually get to the charity. We also got donated studio time from Chris Hegge at Audiolab, and donated labour from Simone at Punchclock.

Special guests on the record include: James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), Cole (Black Lips), Davey Havok (AFI), Kevin Peterson (What's Your Rupture?), Faris Rotter (The Horrors), Mike Fellows (Rites Of Spring), Matt Sweeney (Chavez/ Zwan), Dave One (Chromeo), Jacob Thiele (The Faint), Morag and Ursula, Jay Reatard, Dan Romano (Attack In Black), Trevor Keith (Face To Face), Jason Green (Panthers/ Orchid), Jerry A. (Poison Idea), Shenae Grimes (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Scott Vogel (Terror) and Nelly Furtado.

Here are those UK dates for Feb - This tour is with GALLOWS, which explains why all the venues are so small:
15 Feb 2008 Norwich UEA
16 Feb 2008 Birmingham Academy
18 Feb 2008 Cardiff University
19 Feb 2008 Nottingham Rock City
21 Feb 2008 Manchester Academy 2
22 Feb 2008 Newcastle Academy
23 Feb 2008 Glasgow ABC
24 Feb 2008 Leeds Met University
26 Feb 2008 Exeter Lemon Grove
27 Feb 2008 Portsmouth Pyramid
29 Feb 2008 London Astoria

Les Savy Fav

2007 The Year of Les Savy Fav!


Named # 7 in Top 100 Albums of the Year in Metacritic
http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2007.shtml

Received Plug Award Nomination for Best Indie Rock Album
http://www.plugawards.com/general_vote.php

Let’s Stay Friends Receives Universal Praise & Reaches CMJ Top 10 / Out Now on Frenchkiss Records

With the release of Let’s Stay Friends (out now on Frenchkiss Records), indie art rock mainstays Les Savy Fav set 2007 on fire with one the of catchiest, boldest and most exhilarating album’s of the year. And to prove it, they have now been honored with a nomination for Best Indie Rock Album in the 2008 Plug Awards and named #7 in the Top 100 Albums Of The Year in prestigious Metacritic.com year-end list. The fab five are also tearing up the charts at CMJ, reaching Top 10 of CMJ 200 with their debut single “Patty Lee.” In celebrating the end of a fantastic year for the Fav’s, Syd Butler & Seth Jabour will be DJing The Boosted/Boost Mobile’s Holiday Party with Peter Bjorn & John and Justin Miller from DFA this Wednesday December 5th at the Darkroom. And don’t forget there are 2 shows left in 2007, the El Rey Theatre on the 15th in LA and the not to miss New Year’s Extravaganza at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom. Not to worry US, they will be returning for more shows in 2008!

200
12/31 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

2008 (So Far)
1/18 Dallas, TX The Loft
1/19 Austin, TX Emo's

Les Savy Fav is Tim Harrington (vocals), Seth Jabour (guitar), Syd Butler (bass) and Harrison Haynes (drums). It has been nearly 6 years since Les Savy Fav has released a full album of new material. Finding their place in music has resulted in the new full length entitled Let's Stay Friends.

Since forming in 1995, Les Savy Fav has grown into a band considered among the godfathers of the independent rock music scene, releasing three albums (3/5 in 1997, The Cat &The Cobra in 1999, Go Forth in 2001) and a singles compilation (Inches in 2004) that resulted in sales of over 70,000 copies worldwide. Their constant success can be attributed to the overseeing of every aspect of their music including the release of it. Bassist and Co-founder Syd Butler started the Frenchkiss Record label with the goal in mind to release their own records. The achievement of these records has helped Frenchkiss put out amazing music from other equally impressive artists like the Hold Steady,Thunderbirds Are Now, Call Me Lightning and more!

Let's Stay Friends is a record about Les Savy Fav's unwillingness to give up. It's a resolution to defy the forces which wear away at our innocence and enthusiasm. As musicians, the record declares their ultimate goals of being together, writing, and performing on their own terms, loosed from the thicket of the professional independent music business which has grown up all around them. From it's first track- “Pots & Pans” to "Patty Lee" to its last "The Lowest Bitter,” Let's Stay Friends consistently explores the challenges of keeping sight of ones true nature of a rapidly shifting world. The band’s approach to music in relation to changes it has witnessed in the music scene extends into a sophisticated metaphor all people can relate to about how we marry the consistent with the inconsistent.

The idea for this new record was to take time with it to make it perfect. The whole band (particularly guitarist Seth's Jabour's) musicianship and style developed and matured in their hiatus from the studio and everyone wanted to make sure they took time to leverage the ideas and enthusiasm that were pent up. Starting in the end of 2006 and going for a few months, old friend and recording partner Chris Zane was called in to help produce and engineer the recording at Gigantic Studios in New York City. Early in the writing process the band asked guitarist Andrew Reuland, a friend since before there was a band, to collaborate on many of the songs on the record. In addition to Andrew, a number of notable musicians were brought in- Eleanor Friedberger from the Fiery Furnaces sings a duet with Tim, Nicholas Thorburn from Islands/Unicorns does some back up, ALL the members of Enon make appearances, SNL's Fred Armisen plays drums on “Pots & Pans” and “Patty Lee,” Emily Haines from Metric plays piano and Joe Plummer from Modest Mouse/The Black Heart Procession adds drumming that helped to expand the overall sound. The result is a record brimming with Les Savy Fav energy and with a production and sound that is developed to a new level of sophistication and splendor.

The Dimes

Wildly melodic and inherently quirky, The Dimes’ sunny day indie-pop is born of the same Northwest, um, loins as The Decemberists, The Shins, Ben Gibbard, and even recent Austin to Portland transplants, Spoon. Known for unexpected outbreaks of foot stomping and hand clapping at their live shows, The Dimes boys’ first full-length looks to push them a couple rungs up the ladder, closer to likes of the aforementioned indie royalty – maybe sooner than anticipated. This album is really starting to turn heads with its hooky high-concept songs based on some Depression-era newspapers found in the basement of the lead singer's house. Pretty amazing discovery.

The Dimes' debut album, The Silent Generation, arrives via Pet Marmoset on December 11, 2007!

NICK CAVE AND WARREN ELLIS

RELEASE MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE
"THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD"

IN STORES FEBRUARY 5, 2008
AVAILABLE NOW ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - of the internationally celebrated bands Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, The Dirty Three and Grinderman – release the soundtrack to the film "The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" on Mute February 5th, 2008. February 5, 2008 also sees the film released on DVD. The soundtrack is currently available via digital download.

"The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" is a savage tale of the true American West. Directed by Andrew Dominik, who also directed the 2000 cult classic "Chopper," brings his distinctive vision to this project; the story of the slaying of one of the West's most infamous outlaws, Jesse James (1847-1882).

The film, adapted for the screen from the Ron Hansen novel of the same title, charts Robert Ford's (Casey Affleck) entry into Jesse James' (Brad Pitt) cutthroat gang of bandits and thieves, Ford's subsequent resentment of James' growing notoriety and ultimately, Ford's plan to kill the deadly gunslinger. The film also stars Sam Shepard, Robert Duvall, Sam Rockwell and Mary-Louise Parker.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' score for "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" captures the charismatic and unpredictable nature of its central protagonist, played by Brad Pitt. Like the film, Cave and Ellis' music cuts through the mythic figure of Jesse James to reveal the complex, contradictory man beneath. Daring and passionate, Cave and Ellis' have delivered a soundtrack that retains its captivating power, even without the benefit of the film's imagery.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis previously collaborated on the soundtrack for the 2005 critically acclaimed Australian Western "The Proposition." "The Proposition" was directed by John Hillcoat and written by Cave himself. The haunting semi-acoustic score, featuring plaintive violin, eerie sound loops and mournful piano, received universal praise.

Cave is no stranger to scoring for films and has established a renowned reputation for his work in this field. Together with fellow Bad Seeds Mick Harvey and Blixa Bargeld, Cave wrote the indelible soundtracks the harrowing 1989 prison drama "Ghosts...Of The Civil Dead" and the 1996 emotionally charged jungle melodrama, "To Have And To Hold" (both directed by John Hillcoat). Cave has also been commissioned by various directors to compose specific songs for their motion pictures; including Wim Wenders, for his pictures "Until The End Of The World" (1991) and "Faraway, So Close!" and the 1993 sequel his "Wings Of Desire," (in which Cave And The Bad Seeds performed), and Jez Butterworth for Mojo (1997).

JOSHUA JAMES TO OPEN FOR DAVID GRAY ON HIS DECEMBER TOUR

PERFORMING AN ACOUSTIC SET AT MIDWEST AND WEST COAST VENUES
Singer/Songwriter To Join Gray For Two Performances

At Los Angeles Wiltern Theatre On December 9th and 10th

In 2007, Singer/Songwriter Joshua James created a buzz by selling over 12,000 cds and 30,000 singles worldwide via iTunes through the digital release of his debut record. Now as 2007 comes to a close, James will be able to reach a new audience as he opens for David Gray and readies himself for the national release of The Sun Is Always Brighter on Intelligent Noise Records in March, 2008.

Raised in the heartland of Lincoln, Nebraska, Joshua spent most of his teenage years traversing through the local skate scene. At nineteen he spent two years traveling through South America, spending most of his time in Venezuela. Seeing the culture of another part of the world is always an eye opening experience and this trip seemed to awaken the inner voice that is now prevalent in Joshua’s songs. Soon after, he moved to Utah where he became a staple on the Salt Lake City and Provo music scenes. His songs made their way onto the internet and caught the attention of Los Angeles producer Shannon Edgar and the rest is history.

Joshua James’ “New Love Song” was recently chosen for the Schweppes advertising campaign in Spain (featuring Adrian Brody) and his “Soul and the Sea” track was used on BMI’s Sundance Film Festival sampler in 2007. He recently completed a national tour and spent three months this summer opening some dates for John Mayer, Paolo Nutini, Brett Dennen and Eric McKeown. With the true gift he possesses as an artist and the passion and ambition he has for his musical calling, it is clear that Joshua James will continue to convert audiences for years to come.

December 4th Beacon Theatre New York, NY
December 5th Orpheum Theatre Boston, MA
December 6th Park West Chicago, IL
December 7th Paramount Theatre Denver, CO
December 9th Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
December 10th Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
January 4th Kilby Court* Salt Lake City, UT

*Not a David Gray show

The Epochs

Eponymous Debut Out Feb. 19th On Rebel Group
East Coast Tour Emerges This Week ...
That’s A lot of E’s!

For brothers Ryan & Hays Holladay, the craft of songwriting has always been closely linked with that of recording. From their earliest days of musical collaboration in elementary school, they employed computers and tape machines to not only document their songs but to begin sculpting their sound. A sound that could be called a distant relative to pop music. A sound that would later become the musical foundation for The Epochs (pronounced ee-poks).

The two continued to write and record together after moving to New York City. By 2000 they had amassed a sizable collection of recorded material, some of which was included on a self released CD titled 'Ten Billion Light Years of Solitude'.

In Spring 2004, The Epochs, having expanded to include bassist Kevin Smith and drummer Kotchy, began translating the recordings into songs that could be played live. After performing multiple residencies at such New York venues as the Knitting Factory and Nublu, the band decided to relocate to Seattle. For over a year, they called an abandoned 3-story building in downtown their home, out of which they developed their live show and adjusted to recording as a four-piece. Local radio station KEXP began playing the demos they slid under their door which helped The Epochs develop a following and attention from local press.

Since returning to Brooklyn in September of 2006, the band has finished producing their self-titled debut. It is a big, varried sounding record. Ranging from the bombastic electronics on 'Opposite Sides', to the seething orchestration and manipulated guitar of 'Mouths to Feed', to the playful ryhthms of 'Giving Tree', it never stops in one place musically long enough for it to be pigeonholed into a category. And it is this restlessness that gives the group its unique sound. However, a consistent thread can be found amongst the genre exploration. The shared vocals of Hays & Ryan, their lyrics and layered harmonies help give this sonically eclectic work its continuity. The record was mixed by Hays Holladay in the Spring of 2007 and is scheduled for release later this year.

Epochs Tour Dates

11/15/07 New York @ Bowery Ballroom
12/04/07 Atlanta @ Drunken Unicorn
12/06/07 Orlando @ The Backbooth
12/07/07 Tampa Bay @ The Crow Bar
12/08/07 West Palm Beach @ Respectable Street
12/09/07 Jacksonville @ Jack Rabbits
12/10/07 Charleston @ The Map Room
12/11/07 Chapel Hill @ Local 506
12/12/07 Norfolk @ The Boot
12/13/07 Baltimore @ Lo-Fi Social Club
12/14/07 Washington @ The Rock and Roll Hotel
12/15/07 Philadelphia @ North Star Bar

www.theepochs.com
www.myspace.com/theepochs

O'Death Headline Year End Shows December 21st and 22nd @ The Mercury Lounge in NYC!

O'DeathYear-End NYC Shows @ The Mercury Lounge!

Fri 12/21
O'Death 11:30
Salt & Samovar 10:30
Hoots & Hellmouth 9:30
The Goddamn Rattlesnake 8:30
$10 adv / $12 dos

Sat 12/22
O'Death 11:30
Meowskers 10:30
Takka Takka 9:30
$10 adv / $12 dos

Tickets Available Now!

This show will also be the first time the band's new Low Tide 7" will be available!

Five guys, maybe three shirts between them, take to the stage. There’s a banjo, a fiddle, a drum set littered with gas cans, chains, and broken cymbals. Then they all start howling, stomping; it’s an anachronistic jug band party in a junkyard with sing-along hooks and weathered vocals from another time. Their fans, an ever-expanding congregation, sing along and follow the band with an almost religious fervor, and as vocalist Greg Jamie’s eyes roll back into his head there’s a sense that something almost sinisterly spiritual has overtaken everyone in the room. This is the world of O’Death.

Originally formed in 2003 while the members attended SUNY Purchase, the band – with Jamie on guitar and vocals, Gabe Darling on banjo, David Rogers-Berry on drums, Jesse Newman on bass, and Bob Pycior on fiddle – self-released their first album in 2004. They quickly took to the task of stirring up a wholly original scene of NY musicians with their reverently twisted take on Americana filtered through a wealth of musical influences as divergent as Bill Monroe, Dock Boggs, Neil Young, The Microphones, and The Misfits via a series of shows at the now defunct Apocalypse Lounge

As they gathered the songs for their second LP, Head Home, the band perfected their mesmerizing and riotous stage presence and took to turning their share of heads across the country, playing over 100 shows in 2006, and gracing the stage alongside acts including Battles, Dr. Dog, Art Brut, Les Savy Fav, Man Man, and Deerhunter.

"Head Home" Tracklist
1. Down to Rest
2. Adelita
3. Allie Mae Reynolds
4. The Crab Apple Switch
5. O Lee O
6. Busted Old Church
7. Travelin Man
8. Face Mask
9. Only Daughter
10. Ground Stump
11. Rickey Fence Teeth
12. All The World
13. Jesus Look Down
14. Nathaniel
15. Gas Can Row

For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/odeath

Monday, December 3, 2007

‘Nightmare Before X-Mas’ Charity Ball

8th Day Tattoo Gallery Presents ‘Nightmare Before X-Mas’ Charity Ball, Art and Film Fest in Historic 5 Points 8th Day Tattoo Gallery, a local tattoo shop in Jacksonville, will host the 5 Points ‘Nightmare Before X-Mas’ Charity Ball, Art and Film Fest at Fuel Coffee House to benefit local charity organizations. The event will be held on December 16th at 7 p.m. in partnership with the 5 Points Merchant Association. All proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots, Bosom Buddies and the Jacksonville Humane Society.
The evening line-up will feature short-films by 3M Productions, a comedy performance by Joel Land, a surprise musical guest, and silent auction. Various works of art by local artists will also be on display throughout the venue. Highlighted artists include: Jason Wright, Shawn Thurston, Nick Wagner, Kyle Miller, Rod Crews and many more. “It’s a wonderful feeling to bring the merchants of 5 Points together and give back to local organizations in Jacksonville during the holidays in ‘true 5 Points fashion.’ The area is home to many artists, including filmmakers and musicians so it’s known for the creative culture and artistic vibe. We want to welcome the residents of Jacksonville to come and enjoy an evening of fun while helping others within the community,” said Rod Crews, an organizer of the event. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume or masquerade in the style of ‘Nightmare Before X-Mas,’ a theme that brings Halloween back in the month of December. Complimentary food (provided by Raglands) and complimentary beverages will also be served. Raffle prizes donated by over 30 participating 5 Points merchants will be awarded throughout the night as well as free prizes that include a complete skateboard, gift certificates, paintings, a 6-foot Jack Skellington plush doll, and many more. In an effort to raise funds, the event will be $10 at the door or $5 with a toy. By attending, people can help 8th Day Tattoo Gallery and the 5 points Merchant Association’s endeavors to put a smile on a child’s face, support breast cancer research, and give aid to homeless animals this holiday season.

The Event—
What: 5 Points ‘Nightmare Before X-Mas’ Charity Ball, Art and Film Fest
(presented by 8th Day Tattoo Gallery)
When: Sunday, December 16, 2007
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: Fuel Coffee House, 1037 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Cost: $10 at the door or $5 w/toy
(all proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots, Bosom Buddies, Jax Humane Society)
Attire: Costume/Masquerade (highly recommended)

Complimentary food and beverages
For further information about the 5 Points ‘Nightmare Before X-Mas’
Charity Ball, Art and Film Fest, please contact
Rod Crews at 904-358-8222
or
visit www.myspace.com/8thdaytattoo

Rock for the Rescue

The Rock for the Rescue concert
Sunday Dec 9th, 2007
begins at 5 p.m.
Five Points Theater
1025 Park Street,
Jacksonville, Fla.


Five Points Church Hosts "Rock for the Rescue" Concert to Benefit City Rescue Mission, Jacksonvilleís Homeless

Jacksonville, FL, November 27,2007 - Five Points Church, a newly established area ministry, is hosting a benefit concert on Dec. 9 to further the efforts of the City Rescue Mission (CRM) and its Christian recovery program that helps homeless and needy individuals rebuild their lives.

The "Rock for the Rescue" concert will feature a host of local bands including headliners The Sophomore Attempt, Shangrala and Matlock. Other featured artists include JoeEveritt, Don't Sigh Daisy and The Metanoia Project Band.

Starbucks will be onsite selling coffee, tea and hot chocolate drinks for $1. Admission to the event is $8 and directly benefits CRM. The Rock for the Rescue concert begins at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Five Points Theater, 1025 Park Street, Jacksonville, Fla.

Five Points Church is a ministry of The Metanoia Project, a Christ-centered community committed to serving humanity and furthering social justice.

CONTACT: Vanessa Garcia Rodriguez
5pointschurch@gmail.com
(713) 724-4170
(904) 673-3860

JOHN DOLMAYAN ASKS YOU TO TAKE THE TORPEDO COMICS CHALLENGE

Los Angeles, CA - November 29, 2007 -- If you're a fan of comic books, action hero figurines, graphic novels and other genre collectibles, John Dolmayan and Torpedo Comics has an amazing contest custom-made for you -- the "Torpedo Comics Challenge."

All you've got to do is log onto the special Torpedo Comics Challenge page - www.streetwise.com/torpedocomics - and find the four handpicked comic books hidden within the "Monolith" section of the Torpedo Comics official site. Each comic book will reveal a new set of clues that will lead you to the fourth and final comic. The page that features this final comic book contains a secret code that you need to enter on the contest page.

The "Torpedo Comics Challenge" Grand Prize winner will be awarded two roundtrip tickets to Las Vegas, NV, one night at the Hard Rock Hotel, and a personal tour of the gigantic Torpedo Comics warehouse by Dolmayan himself. Second and third prizes include booty from the massive Torpedo Comics inventory.

Dolmayan, drummer for the on-hiatus multi-Platinum rock band System of a Down, recently launched the Internet-based retail store Torpedo Comics. He began collecting comic books when he was 12, and that passion has evolved into 15-million items housed in his 30,000-square foot Las Vegas warehouse. Dolmayan employs a staff of 25 who catalogue and care for rare items like Sensation Comics issue #1 (the first solo series featuring Wonder Woman), just about every key issue of Marvel and DC comics including Marvel Comics' issue #1, multiple copies of Giant Size X-Men #1, plus superhero action figures from Marvel, X-Men, Superman, and Batman titles. Torpedo Comics will also offer original comic art, created between the 1940s and the present, by some 150 different artists, including Jim Lee, Art Adams, Bernie Wrightson, and Alejandro Gaza.
Dolmayan incorporated his love for comic books into the drum kit that he played during System of a Down's 2006 tour. Dolmayan contacted 22 of his favorite comic book artists, including Jim Lee, Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman, Neal Adams and Bill Sienkiewicz, were each sent various pieces of the drum kit onto which they drew original illustrations.

In addition to running Torpedo Comics, Dolmayan and System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian have formed Scars on Broadway and are recording their debut album which is intended for a Summer 2008 release.

FOREIGN BORN LIVE!

Dec 1 2007 @Slim’s w/ VHS OR BETA San Francisco
Dec 2 2007 @El Rey w/ VHS OR BETA Los Angeles
Dec 3 2007 @Casbah w/ VHS OR BETA San Diego
Dec 4 2007 @Plush w/ VHS OR BETA Tuscon, Arizona

NEW DATES!!
Feb 17 2008 @Great American Music Hall w/ St. Vincent San Francisco, California
Feb 18 2008 @Doug Fir Lounge w/ St. Vincent Portland
Feb 19 2008 @Neumo’s w/ St. Vincent Seattle, Washington
Feb 23 2008 @Schuba’s w/ St. Vincent Chicago, Illinois
Feb 24 2008 @Ohio State U Wexner Ctr. w/ St. Vincent Columbus
Feb 25 2008 @Andy Warhol Museum w/ St. Vincent Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Feb 26 2008 @The Rock & Roll Hotel w/ St. Vincent DC, Washington DC
Feb 29 2008 @Bowery Ballroom w/ St. Vincent NYC
Mar 1 2008 @Middle East w/ St. Vincent Cambridge, Massachusetts

PARISIAN BAND NEIMO IN NYC THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

Viva la Revolution!
Find Neïmo in NYC this December.

December 5th- @ Pianos - New York, NY
December 8th @ Arlene’s Grocery - New York, NY
December 12th- @ Pianos - New York, NY
December 15th @ Luna Lounge - Brooklyn, NY
December 19th- @ Pianos - New York, NY
December 22th- Tiswas Party @ The Annex - New York, NY
December 29th- @ Midway - New York, NY


The sound of the Parisian underground has reached our shores once again and is about to nestle it’s refined yet raw rock n’ roll self amongst our own indie scene. Alongside fellow natives such as Justice, Soko and Sebastian Tellier, Neïmo are not compelled to sing in their native tongue but instead are making music that so inspired them when growing up, therefore defying previous notions that foreign rock cannot break the American music scene. In this ever connected world we live (thanks to myspace et al), their talent and sheer energy has enticed music fans and the industry to take note and now they are about to grace our land and senses through out the holidays in NYC.

Bruno Alexandre, the frontman of this Parisian punk rock quartet is everything you could possibly want in a rock star, he’s cocky, smart, controversial and chic. Think Michael Hutchence meets Carl Barat meets Morrissey meets Jagger. With the added swagger and care free charisma of contemporary front men/women such as Julian Casablancas, Adam Green, Jarvis Cocker, Karen O and voilà! You have French rocker, monsieur Alexandre.

The rest of the band offer their unique sonic sphere accompanying Bruno’s husky and melodic vocals, the guitar morphs under electronic impulses – and it’s impossible to not capture your attention. Catchy, effective pop and arrogant, sensual rock come together with a resolutely Anglo-Saxon benediction. Neïmo’s main goal is to stick to the essentials. Their compositions get right to the point: the song. Simplicity and success go hand in hand, which is why the group has met with growing success for the past two years on the underground and mainstream scenes, charming its fans in nightclubs and festivals.

After self-producing their debut album, appropriately titled “From Scratch” in 2005 in 2 days live in a studio, their danceable guitar riffs, catchy and clever English lyrics, shocking good looks and astounding stage presence and antics quickly gained them a credible reputation and turned them into noteworthy figureheads. To bottle up their onstage energy, the arrangements, guitar solos and clever references sprinkled here, their debut album was the perfect introduction and taster towards what this band is really capable of. Neïmo is a group with high standards. This is also why the boys created their own label, Big Fields, to ensure the freedom of the group in terms of their music and approach in France.

Now with their second album “Modern Incidental” set for release next spring and after signing to U.S based Shangri-La Music, the new music company headed by Jeff Ayeroff (co-founder and former CEO of Virgin US and Work Group, and more recently Vice Chairman of Warner Records), the lads are now ready to revolutionize and refresh rock n‘ roll and shall venture across the Atlantic this December to play in New York City for a full month.

In their native land, Neïmo quickly gained the attention of several radio stations, including Ouï FM, France Inter and Le Mouv’, which notably added their single “Hot Girl” to their playlists. Neïmo went on to tour Europe, opening for groups such as Grand National and Infadels and playing festivals.

But there was one thing, that was beginning to frustrate the band members during this time “In France, we have these rules that radio programming must be at least 40 percent French language. French labels tend to sign bands that are given airtime. They tell us 'you sing in English, sorry we cannot sign you'... “. It seemed they were not alone in feeling this as the Ed Banger label which is ran by visionary pioneer Pedro Winter (aka Busy P) soon changed things by launching their artists on a universal scale and defying such standards for a band (or DJ) who originally would dictated by the old school way of doing things. Nowadays, it has become more common to celebrate and utilize tools such as myspace to reach a far bigger audience (ie: those who do not speak French) and garnering enough interest on an international level. This was far more akin to Neïmo’s way of thinking.

Neïmo stuck to their guns, against all odds and it’s paying off, signing to a US label. They have been offered the opportunity to move to the States and develop their fanbase throughout 2008. The time has now come to see their success unfold.

Now is America’s opportunity to catch Bruno Alexandre (vocals), Camille Troillard (guitar), Matthieu Joly (keyboards) and Alexis Hadefi (drums) live in NYC, as if evading the confines of the studio, the group pulls out all the stops in mind-blowing performances bursting with pure rock ’n’ roll. The new tracks from the forthcoming Modern Incidental celebrate a more mature sound from their debut. The keyboards meld with the guitar riffs in songs such as “The Hourglass”, “The Story Of Your Favourite Song” and “Carsick”, Neïmo expands its repertory with fulfillment, offering us a glimpse of a world that is richer and more personal than ever.

You’ve heard the buzz, now you must be part of this refreshing Parisian rock and roll movement about to hit embark Stateside. Viva la Revolution, indeed!

Official Website: http://www.neimo.com/
Official Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/neimo

OTEP FOR THE PEOPLE

Frontwoman for successful hard rock outfit utilizes live video chat to connect with fans

KOCH Records recording artist OTEP has set up a new website in addition to its official site. ThisIsOtep.tv will enable fans to enjoy live web video chats with vocalist Otep Shamaya as well as a chat room for fans to directly communicate with the band. Additionally, the YouTube video for the band’s new video for “Breed,” (their excellent cover of the Nirvana track) will be embedded in the site.

The first live chat is scheduled for Monday, December 3 at 8:00PM EST at http://www.thisisotep.tv. Otep will ask fans trivia questions about the “Breed” video. Every question is going to require users to watch the video numerous times to find the answer which is hidden within the video. Fans will be rewarded with prizes such as copies of the band’s new album The Ascension, stickers, posters, and other merchandise. Otep will regularly visit this site to conduct impromptu video chats after the “Breed” promotion on Monday. Fans will learn of Otep’s visits to the Otep TV site via MySpace bulletins and email alerts.

The direct link to the official Breed video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlaKJoFomXk

OTEP are currently touring the U.S. in support of their recently released third album The Ascension. The band enlisted producer Dave Fortman (Mudvayne, Evanescence) for the record and also called on Grammy nominated guitarist Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne, Hellyeah) to co-write three songs. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart and remains on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. The Los Angeles Times noted that “The Ascension finds the metal throatwoman fully fired for the beatific vision…Shamaya and bassist eVil J. have shaped the most professional of Otep’s three full-lengths without sacrificing the passion or the poetry.” while Metal Edge calls the record "...their most inspired effort to date...The Ascension finds the band in top form and showing levels of musical growth..."

www.otep.com
www.myspace.com/otep
www.thisisotep.tv

EMERSON LAKE & PALMER’S

WORKS VOLUME 1 AND WORKS VOLUME 2
NEXT IN SHOUT! FACTORY’S ELP REMASTERS SERIES
In Stores January 22

Los Angeles, CA – Shout! Factory will further its reissue campaign of progressive rock’s most prolific group with the release of Emerson Lake & Palmer’s Works Volume 1 and Works Volume. 2, both originally released in 1977.

The two-disc set Works Volume 1 is a showcase for the talents of each individual member of the band. Originally considering each submitting a solo album of their own, one side of Works Volume 1 is comprised of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake’s solo offerings, while the second side contains Carl Palmer’s contribution and finds the trio reconvening for the final two tracks, “Fanfare For The Common Man” and “Pirates,” two classic examples of ELP’s singular sound and influence.

A stellar collection of outtakes and assorted singles the band had amassed during their recording prime; Works Volume 2 reveals many new and different sides of ELP’s vast influences, with traces of boogie-woogie and ragtime surfacing for the first time. The album consists of five instrumentals, highlighted by two short prog-rock songs written by Peter Sinfield, including “Brain Salad Surgery,” originally intended as the title track to the album of the same name, and “I Believe In Father Christmas.”

Each album in the Shout! Factory Emerson Lake & Palmer Remasters series has been remastered from the analog tapes using the highest sonic technology available. The other ELP releases now available on Shout! Factory include a comprehensive two-disc anthology titled The Essential Emerson Lake & Palmer, as well as Emerson Lake & Palmer, Tarkus, Pictures at an Exhibition, Trilogy, Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends, and Brain Salad Surgery.

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, Calif. For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Emerson Lake & Palmer Works Volume 1
Distributed by Sony BMG
Selection Number: 826663-10785
Release Date: January 22, 2008
Suggested List Price: $24.98
Disc One Track Listing:
Keith Emerson
1. Piano Concerto No. 1
a) First Movement: Allegro Giojoso 9:21
b) Second Movement: Andante Molto Cantabile 2:09
c) Third Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco 6:48

Greg Lake

2. Lend Your Love To Me Tonight 4:01
3. C’est La Vie 4:16
4. Hallowed Be Thy Name 4:35
5. Nobody Loves You Like I Do 3:56
6. Closer To Believing 5:33

Disc Two Tracklisting:

Carl Palmer

1. The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits 3:20
2. L.A. Nights 5:42
3. New Orleans 2:45
4. Two Part Invention In D Minor 1:54
5. Food For Your Soul 3:57
6. Tank 5:08

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

7. Fanfare For The Common Man 9:40
8. Pirates 13:18


Emerson Lake & Palmer Works Volume 2
Distributed by Sony BMG
Selection Number: 826663-10788
Release Date: January 22, 2008
Suggested List Price: $11.98
Track Listing:

1. Tiger In A Spotlight (4:32)
2. When The Apple Blossoms Bloom
In The Windmills Of Your Mind I’ll
Be Your Valentine (3:56)
3. Bullfrog (3:49)
4. Brain Salad Surgery (3:07)
5. Barrelhouse Shake-Down (3:47)
6. Watching Over You (3:54)
7. So Far To Fall (4:55)
8. Maple Leaf Rag (2:00)
9. I Believe In Father Christmas (3:17)
10. Close But Not Touching (3:18)
11. Honky Tonk Train Blues (3:09)
12. Show Me The Way To Go Home (3:30)

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: Tour Dates

THETHE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN have announced the dates for their first U.K. tour in over two years. The tour, in support of their brand new album Ire Works, is set for February 2008 and will include support from BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME with more acts TBA.

THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN are ready to embark on their first North American tour in support of Ire Works next week with label-mates GENGHIS TRON as well as A LIFE ONCE LOST. A complete listing of these Lambgoat.com and Suicidegirls.com sponsored tour dates can be found below with more DEP tour dates to be announced soon.

Ire Works saw its international release earlier this month via Relapse. An e-card previewing the album can be viewed here.

Updated THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN news and tour information will be made available at the Relapse Records website: www.RELAPSE.com, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN website: www.DILLINGERESCAPEPLAN.com and MySpace: www.myspace.com/DILLINGERESCAPEPLAN.


THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Tour Dates:

***All Dates from December 1 thru 22 w/ A LIFE ONCE LOST, GENGHIS TRON***

December 1 London, ON Call The Office
December 2 Toronto, ON The Opera House
December 3 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
December 4 Cleveland, OH Peabody’s
December 5 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater
December 6 Louisville, KY Headliners
December 7 Bloomington, IN Rhino’s All Ages Club
December 8 Columbia, MO Blue Note
December 9 Madison, WI The Loft
December 11 St. Paul, MN Station 4
December 12 Chicago, IL Subterranean
December 14 Asbury Park, NJ The Stone Pony
December 15 Philadelphia, PA Starlight Ballroom
December 16 New York, NY Blender Theater
December 18 Cambridge, MA Middle East
December 19 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
December 20 Portland, ME The Station
December 21 Montreal, QC Le National
December 22 Williamsville, NY Club Infinity

***All Dates from February 12 thru 24 w/ BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME***

February 12 Sheffield, U.K. Corporation
February 13 Newcastle, U.K. Academy 2
February 14 Manchester, U.K. Academy 3
February 15 Glasgow, Scotland Cathouse
February 16 Dublin, Ireland Whelans
February 17 Belfast, N. Ireland Spring & Airbrake
February 19 Leeds, U.K Cockpit
February 20 Birmingham, U.K Academy 2
February 21 Yeovil, U.K Orange Box
February 22 Bristol, U.K Academy
February 23 London, U.K Astoria 2
February 24 Brighton, U.K Concorde 2

Ringfinger's "Decimal"

#1 on eMusic.com!

Introducing the first recorded material from cult-worshipped vocalist Tracy Wilson of the legendary Dahlia Seed in ten years.

RINGFINGER, the aptly titled moniker for Wilson's project, and new album "Decimal," is a tricked out masterpiece featuring collaborations with members of Cave In, Isis. Sunno))) / Jessamine/ Fontanelle, Film School / N. Lannon, Dälek, Engine Down, Denali, Dead Waiter, Jah Division/ Soldiers of Fortune, Whisper & Wire, Eons/ Delegate and more, who's end result brings to mind the soul churning post-industrial dark-indie-pop along the lines of Bjork, female-fronted Postal Service or an electrocuted-Discount.

"Decimal" features production work by the legendary J Robbins and Oktopus of Dälek, a SunnO))) song you can actually sing along to, and ”Viking Funeral,” your favorite song of 2007, also a Norse tribute for the modern woman.

In the ashes one of punk rock's most important bands, rises the newest material from musician who made it all possible.

Tracy Wilson speaks on the making of RINGFINGER's Decimal:

Your survival mechanism is a curious thing. Mine chose to make a solo record after nearly a decade of musical nothingness in hopes of channeling a difficult and emotional decade into something productive and positive. After the demise of Dahlia Seed in 1996 (I was the singer) I dabbled in a few home recording projects (Souvenir and Scissorettes) and briefly sang in a band (Down with the Ship) featuring drummer extraordinaire Dave Witte (Municipal Waste, Burnt By the Sun, Melt Banana, Discordance Axis). I did not formally record or release any new music during that entire time period.

I am Tracy Wilson AKA Ringfinger and this is my self released debut solo long player called “Decimal”.

dec•i•mal(ds-ml) n. 1. A linear array of digits that represents a real number, every decimal place indicating a multiple of a negative power of 10. For example, the decimal 0.1 = 1/10 , 0.12 = 12/100 , 0.003 = 3/1000 . Also called decimal fraction. 2. A number written using the base 10. adj. 1. Expressed or expressible as a decimal. 2. a. Based on 10. b. Numbered or ordered by groups of 10.

Following a laundry lists of heartaches including divorce, moving to a new city where I knew almost no one, the loss of both my parents to two different terminal diseases, and a brother who was killed in an accident (the list goes on and on) ... these events left me a shadow of a human being. At the end of it all I was desperate for something to throw myself into that wasn’t grief or self pity. My life goal slowly transformed from trying to keep my head above water to rediscovering who I was since everything that helped to defined me was obliterated in a matter of just a few years.

My sanity came in the form of 12 songs and a group of friends/musicians who probably still have no clue of the roll (heroes) they really played in my personal Greek tragedy. Team Ringfinger helped to rescue me just by sharing their creative gift. Sometimes we shared ideas via the mailbox (Postal Service style if you will) and occasionally some of us were fortunate to share actual studio time together.

I am uncomfortable drawing too much attention to the back story of “Decimal” as ultimately I would like the songs to stand on their own but the simple truth is the making of this record was a matter of life or death to me. Every record has a story to tell, a different reason as to why it was born, and this is mine. It is a tale of survival, perseverance, and ultimately the sound of friendship in all its complex and varied forms.

The blueprint of “Decimal” looks something this: I would first write a song on my Zoom Rhythmtrack RT-123 (old school!). I would then record it on 4-track (double old school) with rough vocals ultimately passing it along in Pro- Tools to friends who either expanded or deconstructed the music from there. In all cases once a song was close to being finished it was mailed back to me and then brought into a studio where I would record my final vocals. As Frankenstein stitched together the parts to these songs are, I believe there is a consistency to the material. All but one of the songs found on “Decimal” are written by me and all of the songs but one are sung by me. My audio mad scientist and final mixer was Alap Momin aka Oktopus of Dälek and it was with his genius and incredible patience that the hundreds of puzzle pieces were perfectly nestled together to form the final sonic big picture.

This epic project was finally completed in May of this year; 10 years after the idea of my solo record was hatched.

Giving up creative control was something I initially dreaded but in the end this became my favorite aspect of the recording project. It was thrilling to send off a skeleton outline of a song and then listen to it develop in a way that I could have never dreamed of. The core of this record remains rooted in electronic (occasionally glitchy) based pop but I think listeners will be as surprised as I was to discover musicians best known for heavier genres (doom, drone, metallic hardcore) diving delicately and utterly gracefully into an unlikely pairing. Dream-doom? Tweegazer? Static-pop? Fuzztronica? Quiet and loud all at once, who knew?

It should also be explained as to how the players of this record came to be. I’ve been obsessed with music my whole life. I have been collecting records for 27 years, worked in independent music for nearly 20 years, played in bands for nearly as long and in that span of time you can’t help but eventually stumble across creative talented musician types. I truly feel fortunate to have befriended so many incredibly gifted people along the way.

Stephen Brodsky (Cave In, Octave Museum, Pet Genius) and I met in email pen pal form through a friend at Jade Tree records in 1996. From there we began mailing 4-track tapes back and forth and it was through these exchanges that many of the songs found on “Decimal” began to take shape. Stephen is my partner in crime for nearly half of the material found here and it was the success of our collaborations that inspired me to try partnering my material with other friends. “Decimal” is also the first time Stephen and his brother Matt have ever played and recorded together so “Pin Me Down”, sung entirely by Stephen with drums by his brother, is extra special for this reason alone.

Richmond, Virginia became my home in 2001 and it was here I met the members of Denali (Cam DiNunzio + Jonathan Fuller), Engine Down (Jonathan Fuller), Delegate (Justin Bailey - whose is now a member of Eons) and Rich Stine who plays in too many projects to even begin to list them all. These locals were my recording anchors. They play on about a third of the actual songs and it was Cam (using his home recording gear + stood at the helm during our stint at Sound Of Music Studio), Rich, and Justin (Black Iris Studio) who helped to record, edit and organize the basics to every one of my songs. (What can I say-I don’t have a personal computer and this record would have never happened without their help)

The rest of Team Ringfinger comes from all over the place. Meason Wiley of Dead Waiter has been an old friend reaching back to my days of Dahlia Seed in the early to mid 90s. Aaron Turner of Isis was first introduced to me through Stephen Brodsky but we have also had a working relationship in the late 90’s when I was selling his label’s records (Hydra Head) through my distribution job at Caroline Distribution. J Robbins with whom I recorded the vocals for two of the tracks is perhaps my oldest friend in the bunch. Jawbox was the very first band to stay at my first ever home away from my parent’s home in 1991. Rex Ritter of Sunno))), Jessamine, and Fontanelle is probably my second oldest friend on “Decimal” as we became friends while I lived in Seattle 1994-95 through the Engine Kid guys who were on the C/Z label I was a sales rep for at the time. Barry London (Jah Division, Knoxville Girls and well...my ex-husband to be more specific) and I home recorded quite a bit in late 90’s / early 2000 and it was from these sessions that “Miss Me” came to be. It saddened me that none of our songs ever saw the light of day so when I had the chance to rework an old demo version of the song I jumped at the opportunity. It was then placed in the hands of Alap Momin (Dälek) who completely dissected and rebuilt the song from the ground up. Alap and I, both from the same post hardcore community of the 90’s in NY/NY, worked together in the mid 90’s when Dahlia Seed recorded our final material at his studio. Nyles Lannon of Film School and N. Lannon falls into the newest friend category. I was a huge fan of his debut solo record and introduced myself to him at local show he played a few years ago. We hardly new each other at the time but I had one track that screamed for his addition. I shyly asked him if he was interested in adding his talents to the mix and lucky for me he said yes.

Dahlia Seed. We were an emo/ post hardcore/ indie rock band that existed from 1992 to 1996. We put out a few records (Troubleman, Vinyl Communications, Theologian) and while we didn’t do really do the barcode thing back them (don’t ask- it was a DIY thing) I can guestimate that our combined catalog sales were around 10k. People say we influenced all sorts of bands Pretty Girls Make Graves, Rainer Maria, and At the Drive In (Omar of ATDI/MARS Volta has a Dahlia Seed tattoo) to name a few, but I am not going to claim any of that as fact, just word on the street. I will leave you with a few quotes about the band since I feel so dopey trying to excavate something that feels like ancient history to me. Now I understand why artists don’t like to write their own bios.


"Decimal" Tracklist:
1. Typewriter Tourist (Feat. Cam DiNunzio of Denali & Jonathan Fuller of Engine Down / Denali)
2. Waving Good-Bye (Feat. Aaron Turner of Isis/ Old Man Gloom)
3. Joy Lingers (Feat. Stephen Brodsky of Cave In)
4. Viking Funeral (Feat. Meason Wiley of Dead Waiter / J. Robbins’ of Jawbox/ Burning Airlines production)
5. Landing Strip (Feat. Rex Ritter of Sunn0))),Fontanelle, Jessamine.)
6. Pin Me Down (Feat. Stephen Brodsky of Cave In and Matt Brodsky of Harder The Fight)
7. (I) Miss Me (Feat. Oktopus of Dälek and Barry London of Jah Division)
8. Elegant Excuse (Feat Justin Bailey of Eons) and. Nyles Lannon of Film School/N.Lannon)
9. AWOL W/ Adore (Feat. Justin Bailey of Eons) and J. Robbins’ of Jawbox/ Burning Airlines production)
10. Mining For Diamonds (Feat. Stephen Brodsky of Cave In)
11. Four Misused letters " (Feat. Cam DiNunzio of Denali & Jonathan Fuller of Engine Down/Denali)
12. Death Star (Feat. Stephen Brodsky of Cave In)

For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/teamringfinger

White Denim

White Denim Release Debut Free Single on RCRD LBL Today...More Singles To Come Look Out For Debut LP In Early 2008

White Denim have just released " The World Is A Waiting Room" an exclusive MP3 for the new online record label RCRD LBL. " The World Is A Waiting Room" is the debut single from the group's RCRD LBL EP. The EP, available for legal and free download only at RCRD LBL.com, will feature four songs, with a new track being released every month thru February.

Fans looking to keep tabs on White Denim can download their RCRD LBL widgets and check out tour dates, photos and streams of their songs.

About RCRD LBL: RCRD LBL is a network of ad-supported online record labels and blogs offering completely free music and multimedia content from emerging and established artists. The site, which launched in November of 2007, is a joint venture between Downtown Music and Peter Rojas and is based in New York City.

Lil Bio On White Denim:

The story, I’ve found of white denim really, begins with parque touch; then; after the departure of byshop massives touch from which white denim comes comes white denim. In not attempting to profess, now I may if I will say that these professions are reflected in each song of the bands every move. The individual sirs before mentioned in these modern times are near to themselves and becoming daily in their times at the "free wheel" of disposure. At the brink of it all is the concretality of a format being contributable to outcomings. If not to simplify too; so, I retrace in my unstated, potentially radical view, of the eventual occasion to this at present one may encounter upon; whether enduring or adoring, but presently white denim existing continually white denim...

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/White_Denim/download/World_As_A_Waiting_Room

www.whitedenim.rcrdlbl.com
www.rcrdlbl.com
www.whitedenimmusic.com
www.myspace.com/bopenglish
whitedenim.rcrdlbl.com

THERE WILL BE BLOOD Soundtrack Press Release

Nonesuch Releases Jonny Greenwood’s Original Music from
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film There Will Be Blood, December 18

Film adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s Oil! stars Daniel Day-Lewis
and will be released December 26


“Jonny Greenwood’s musical compositions almost become another character in the film. Think Bernard Herrmann and Taxi Driver, another portrait of a twisted soul, with sound effects and music to match.”—Variety

Nonesuch releases guitarist/composer Jonny Greenwood’s instrumental score to Oscar-nominated writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film There Will Be Blood on December 18, 2007. An adaptation of the Upton Sinclair novel Oil!, the movie, which will be released by Paramount Vantage on December 26, stars Daniel Day-Lewis in what The Hollywood Reporter has called a “powerhouse performance.”

The publication went on to say that Greenwood’s score is “captivating…greatly contributing to the sense that tectonic forces lie beneath the drama.” The music is performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra led by Robert Ziegler, the Emperor Quartet, Caroline Dale (cello), and Michael Dussek (piano).

Greenwood’s score is indicative of his current collaborations with the BBC Concert Orchestra as composer-in-residence, rather than his rock compositions. The score incorporates material from an earlier orchestral piece he created in that position, Popcorn Superhet Receiver, which will have its U.S. concert premiere in January when Greenwood appears as part of the Wordless Music Series in New York City.

“I saw some fairly long sections of the film, read the script, and just wrote loads of music. I tried to write to the scenery, and the story rather than specific ‘themes’ for characters. It’s not really the kind of narrative that would suit that. It was all about the underlying menace in the film, the greed, and that against the fucked-up, oppressive religious mood—and this kid in the middle of it all,” says Greenwood. “Only a couple of the parts were written for specific scenes—I was happier writing lots of music for the film/story, and having PTA [the film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson] fit some of it to the film.”

Nonesuch released the soundtrack for Anderson’s last film, Punch-Drunk Love—a smart pop score by composer/producer Jon Brion—in 2002. Anderson’s other previous films—all of which have been highly praised—include Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999). There Will Be Blood is a stark period piece filmed on arid Texas plains.

NOISE POP 16 : 2008 NOISE POP FESTIVAL DATES & LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

February 26 – March 2, 2008 - San Francisco, CA

Magnetic Fields, Mountain Goats, Gutter Twins (Greg Dulli & Mark Lanegan) & Cursive And Just Added... Kelly Stoltz, Tilly & The Wall, Capgun Coup, & Blitzen Trapper

The Noise Pop Festival returns in 2008 from February 26 to March 2. Over six nights, Noise Pop 16 will take over the best-loved venues in San Francisco, to host unforgettable performances by Magnetic Fields, The Mountain Goats, The Gutter Twins and dozens of other important indie rock, electronic, punk and cutting edge musical artists, transforming the city into an almost week-long celebration of the finest that the underground and not-so-underground has to offer, nationally and locally.

2007 marked Noise Pop’s 15th year as San Francisco’s premier celebration of independent music, art, film and culture and 2008 is the festival’s sweet 16 party. Established in San Francisco in 1993, Noise Pop started as a one-night event featuring the best underground rock bands that the Bay Area could dish up. Flash forward to 2007 and the Noise Pop Festival is another beast entirely. With live music as it’s focal point, Noise Pop has developed into full-scale cultural happening, adding gallery art shows, a music-themed film festival, educational panel discussions with musicians and music industry professions, an indie designer trunk sale and a number of planned as well as spontaneous shin-digs.

Stephin Merritt’s Magnetic Fields will headline two shows at the beautiful Herbst Theatre as part of Noise Pop in support of their long-awaited new album, “Distortions.”

Lo-fi legends The Mountain Goats will also perform three shows at three different venues during Noise Pop.

Another exciting addition to Noise Pop 2008 is The Gutter Twins, the anticipated collaboration between Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan. Dulli and Lanegan have been working together periodically since 2000. In July 2007, Pitchforkmedia.com announced that "two of the alt-rock era's greatest frontmen," had signed to Seattle label Sub Pop. The Gutter Twins will perform for Noise Pop in support of their debut album “Saturnalia,” currently set for an early 2008 release.

Omaha NE's Cursive will also play Noise Pop 2008. The band is currently readying the release of "Bad Sects" the second single from the band's acclaimed 2006 album, "Happy Hollow" which includes a user-submitted remix of the song and a string arrangement by Olafur Arnolds.

Other artists confirmed for Noise Pop include Kelly Stoltz, Tilly & The Wall, Capgun Coup, Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes, Fu Manchu and Saviours with more being added to a festival roster that will include over 100 bands. More Noise Pop performers will be announced in the weeks to come. As usual for the festival, nationally-known artists will share the stage with the best new bay area talent from opening night on February 26 through March 2 at legendary San Francisco venues such as Great American Music Hall, Bimbo's, Café Du Nord and The Bottom Of The Hill, The Independent, Mezzanine, Rickshaw Stop, 12 Galaxies and others.

Events such as South by Southwest and CMJ cater to bands shopping themselves to the music industry. Noise Pop differentiates itself by maintaining a commitment to fans, while remaining industry-friendly is different. The idea is to bridge the gap between fan and artist by producing shows featuring the best of what’s out there in an intimate setting with affordable ticket prices. Noise Pop is the space where tomorrow’s favorite new music mingles with today’s tried and true greats. It’s a true indie music-lover’s celebration.

Some of the finest bands in America – and now some of the biggest - have played Noise Pop including Modest Mouse, the White Stripes, Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, The Shins, Jimmy Eat World, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, The Faint, Guided By Voices, Nada Surf, Hot Hot Heat, Devendra Banhart, Frank Black (The Pixies), Grandaddy, Neko Case, Cibo Matto, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Stephen Malkmus & Jicks, Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü), The New Pornographers, Polyphonic Spree, Rilo Kiley, Feist, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), and Spoon..


WWW.NOISEPOP.COM

36 CRAZYFISTS

ANNOUNCE, THE TIDE AND IT’S TAKERS AS THE TITLE OF THEIR FERRET MUSIC DEBUT

Alaska based rockers 36 Crazyfists are currently in the studio working on their Ferret Music debut, which they have titled The Tide And It’s Takers. The band is pleased about the partnership with Ferret who are responsible for launching the careers of 36 Crazyfists’ contemporaries including; Funeral For A Friend, From Autumn To Ashes, and Killswitch Engage.

36 Crazyfists have just completed writing and begin the recording process after Thanksgiving. The band will be having guitarist and backing vocalist, Steve Holt, sitting in the producer’s chair. They have decided to work with Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Testament, As I Lay Dying) again on the mixing.

Lead singer Brock Lindow had this to say, “We could not be happier to be on Ferret Music, We are all big fans of the bands on the roster as well as the people who run the label. Our new record is now finished being written and we will start recording right after Thanksgiving. We will be out on tour in January starting with the UK and Europe first, looking forward to hitting the road and seeing all of our friends again.”

The UK tour will be with Welsh metallers Bullet For My Valentine. Keep an eye out for more info on that tour as well as later US dates. Don’t forget to prepare yourself for the release of The Tide And It’s Takers which is slated for a March release.

3

METAL BLADE RECORDS RECORDING ARTISTS 3 PREPARE FOR THE FEBRUARY 19TH RELEASE OF THE END IS BEGUN SPECIAL EDITION, CRITICAL ACCLAIM KEEPS ROLLING IN

Woodstock, New York based progressive indie rockers 3 are eagerly awaiting the release of the special edition of The End Is Begun. The special edition is going to feature a cover of the Pink Floyd classic “See Emily Play” as well as a bonus DVD. The DVD will give those who are yet to see 3’s mind blowing live show a sneak peak. The live tracks include; “Monster”, “Bramfatura”, and “Amaze Disgrace”. It will also include music videos for the tracks “All That Remains” and “Alien Angel”.

The praise for 3 continues to pour in from all over the place including from their musical contemporaries. See what Travis Stever, guitarist for Coheed and Cambria has to say about 3, “It is hard to come by a band that combines numerous musical elements into an appealing combination. 3 is one of those bands. For their newest album The End is Begun they have created an album that shows they are truly like no other. Each member of the band is an amazing talent on their own. Together they create a sound that will blow your balls off. Enjoy!”

3 will be hitting the road next year with the “Progressive Nation” tour which features fellow prog masters Dream Theatre and Opeth.

Be sure not to miss the boat on this amazing band and this incredible release. Be first in line to pick up 3’s The End Is Begun: Special Edition when it hits stores on February 19th, 2008.

LACK LIPS TO LAUNCH MASSIVE US TOUR IN 2008

2007 saw the Black Lips riding high on the accolades of their storied work ethic and raging live shows, releasing two critically acclaimed albums on Vice, touring the world, performing on national television, and announcing a starring role in a feature film to begin production in May 2008. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Black Lips will continue doing what they do best in Spring 2008, undoubtedly bringing their "turbo charged take on psych and garage rock" (THE FADER) to a venue near you.

Tour dates below. Pierced Arrows (ex-Dead Moon) to support on Feb 4-14th dates, Quintron & Miss Pussycat to support Feb 24th -March 22nd. Local support in Denver, New Orleans, and Austin.

Tour dates:
2/1/08 DENVER, CO BLUEBIRD
2/4/07 SEATTLE, WA NEUMOS
2/5/08 PORTLAND, OR DANTES
2/6/08 EUGENE, OR WOW HALL
2/8/08 SAN FRANCISCO, CA GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL
2/9/08 POMONA, CA GLASSHOUSE
2/10/08 COSTA MESA, CA DETROIT BAR
2/13/08 SAN DIEGO, CA CASBAH
2/14/08 LOS ANGELES, CA EL REY
2/22/08 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
2/23/08 AUSTIN, TX EMOS OUTSIDE
2/24/08 DALLAS, TX THE LOFT
2/25/08 LAWRENCE, KS BOTTLENECK
2/26/08 OMAHA, NE WAITING ROOM
2/28/08 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 7th STREET ENTRY
2/29/08 MADISON, WI MEMORIAL UNION/U OF WISCONSIN
3/1/08 CHICAGO, IL LOGAN SQUARE
3/2/08 MILWAUKEE, WI TURNER HALL
3/4/08 COLUMBUS, OH THE BASEMENT
3/5/08 OBERLIN, OH CLUB DIONYSUS
3/6/08 DETROIT, MI MAGIC STICK
3/7/08 PITTSBURGH, PA MR SMALLS
3/8/08 BUFFALO, NY MOHAWK PLACE
3/10/08 NEW YORK, NY BOWERY BALLROOM
3/11/08 BROOKLYN, NY MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG
3/13/08 CAMBRIDGE, MA MIDDLE EAST
3/14/08 PHILADELPHIA, PA JOHNNY BRENDAS
3/15/08 WASHINGTON, DC BLACK CAT
3/16/08 CHAPEL HILL, NC LOCAL 506
3/20/08 NASHVILLE, TN MERCY LOUNGE
3/21/08 MEMPHIS, TN HI TONE
3/22/08 ATLANTA, GA THE EARL

Headlights do Some Racing, Some Stopping on sophomore album (also Some Touring)

Headlights do Some Racing, Some Stopping on sophomore album (also Some Touring)
Headlights

Champaign, IL trio Headlights will releas e its sec ond album, Some Racing, Some Stopping on Feb. 19,
2008 on their hometown label, Polyvinyl Records. The band has built a devoted following by touring non-stop since the band formed in 2004. However, after all this touring, much of it just as a three-piece, the band members have learned that they cannot do it alone. This time they will be joined by Nick Sanborn (Decibully) on bass and accordion, as well as a rotating cast of friends, including John Owen (Shipwreck) and Kenny Seibert (Decibully), on guitar and other odds and ends, filling out the sound that is established on the album.

Bio:

The story of Headlights' new album starts in an old, two-story farmhouse just outside of Champaign, IL. Nestled between corn and soybean fields, and within view of encroaching industry-a freight train line, a FedEx plant, and the local mall visible from the 2nd floor window-this farmhouse was the site where the band wrote and recorded its sophomore full length album, Some Racing, Some Stopping.

To fully understand what went into the album, one must first understand what led up to it. Since its formation in 2004, the band has toured virtually nonstop, playing over 300 shows in the past two and a half years in support of both its debut Enemies EP and its stunning 2006 full length, Kill Them With Kindness. It was a remarkable achievement, but ultimately Headlights members Tristan Wraight, Erin Fein, and Brett Sanderson needed a break. So in the Spring of 2007, Fein and Sanderson moved into Wraight's farmhouse, and leisurely, little by little, the trio started to write. This time they wanted something different from the live-based approach to writing and recording that had led to the obsessively crafted takes on Kill Them With Ki ndness. This time they wanted something more natural, more immediate, more spontaneous. As Fein says, they wanted to "capture the moment of a new song."

Now working from home, without the pressures of studio timeframes and a ticking hourly rate, the band was free to write and record as they saw fit. The songs were recorded as they were written, and many of the tracks that were used were first takes. Based around Wraight's acoustic guitar and Fein's keyboards, the songs on Some Racing, Some Stopping purposefully lack much of the spacey atmospherics that define the band's earlier work. Instead, the album, which is self-produced with drummer Sanderson manning the boards, is steeped in a classic pop sensibility, reminiscent of the '60s, Brill Building song craft, and Phil Spector production. Songs like the chiming, harmonic "Catch Them All," the light and airy "Cherry Tulips," the solemn "January," and the driving, string-touched "Market Girl" are evidence of an album that is more focused, and, in a sense, more simplistic than any of the band's past work.

"It can really exhaust your ear if there's a huge amount of stuff happening all the time, and that's one of the things that we learned on Kill Them With Kindness," says Wraight. "We really love that record and we're really proud of it, but we also feel a little bit worn out after we listen to it because there's always so much going on. We just wanted a few opportunities for people who are listening to the record to have a break and have a little bit of small space and a little bit of small sounds happening."

This album is very much the singular vision of its three principal members who, by affording themselves the freedom to work in their own space, have created a work that distills the best parts of their songwriting into a concise, cohesive whole. Perhaps because of this, Some Racing, Some Stopping sounds like a breakout work for Wraight, Fein, and Sanderson. It is one where their true songwriting prowess is on full display. No distractions. No outside influence. Just three musicians, exploring their vision. And it all came together in that old two-story farmhouse. -Frank Valish

Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping track list:

1.Get Your Head Around It
2.Cherry Tulips
3.On April 2
4.School Boys
5.Some Racing, Some Stopping
6.So Much For The Afternoon
7.Catch Them All
8.Market Girl
9.Towers
10.January


December Tour Dates:

12/04 Lawrence , KS @ Jackpot Saloon
12/06 Salt Lake City , UT @ Kilby Ct. w/ Alligators AA / 7:00PM
12/10 Denver , CO @ Hi Dive 18+
12/12 Iowa City , IA @ Picador w/ Grand Ole Party, Caleb Engstrom 18+
12/13 Milwaukee , WI @ Cactus Club w/ Sybris, Hearts of Stone 21+ / 9:00PM
12/14 Chicago , IL @ Empty Bottle w/ Sybris, Reds and Blues 21+ / 9:00PM
12/15 Urbana , IL @ Canopy Club w/ New Ruins, Shipwreck, Tunnels 18+ / 8:00PM
12/31 Champaign , IL @ Cowboy Monkey w/ The Beauty Shop, Shipwreck, Common Loon

www.myspace.com/headlights
www.headlightsmusic.com

RITZ CHAMBER PLAYERS ANNOUNCES 7th SEASON

Jacksonville-Based Ensemble Opens Worldwide Spotlight On City

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (November 28, 2007) – The Ritz Chamber Players, the nation’s only chamber music series comprised of the world’s pre-eminent African-American musicians, will kick off its seventh season at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2007, in Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 West Water Street. The Jacksonville-based ensemble, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, made its triumphant, sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in June 2004, with critics proclaiming its performances as “extraordinary” and “vital and fresh.” The award-winning African-American musicians of the Ritz Chamber Players perform with legendary organizations, such as the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the London Symphony.

The four concerts comprising the 2007-2008 season will reflect the Ritz Chamber Players’ ongoing efforts to present outstanding chamber music concerts that are informative, accessible, and immensely enjoyable, while opening a window into the spirit and brilliance of the finest African-American classical musicians.

The season’s concerts each have a unique identity, beginning with Mozart in the Opening Concert on December 6, 2007; with the annual "In Remembrance of the Dream" Concert, January 24, 2008, in salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; then following with Martinu in the Spring Concert on April 3, 2008; and ending with the Finale Concert on June 14, 2008. The "In Remembrance of the Dream" concert honors great leadership the contributions within the African-American community. This year’s award recipient is The Honorable Corrine Brown, Representative of the Third Congressional District of Florida, who was the first African-American sent to Congress from Florida since the Reconstruction years of the nineteenth century.

The Ritz Chamber Players’ musicians are critically-acclaimed and are chosen for their accomplishments in the world Classical music, in which African-American represent less than 3 percent of musicians. Each member is a graduate of one of our nation's most prestigious conservatories, including Juilliard, Oberlin, Curtis and Peabody, and has performed at the world’s most prestigious concert halls. The Ritz Chamber Players include performers such as Ann Hobson-Pilot, first African-American in the Boston Symphony, and winners of the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant: Tai Murray, hailed as a “child prodigy” and “the one to watch;” Demarre McGill, principal flutist of the San Diego Symphony; and international pianist, Terrence Wilson.

Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Terrance Patterson, The Ritz Chamber Players was dubbed “a remarkable ensemble” by the Baltimore Sun. It is dedicated to artistic excellence and innovation, and is specifically geared towards building the participation of the diverse audiences and communities that reflect our multicultural society.

This season one of the world’s leading musical trailblazers, international composer and Pulitzer Prize nominee David Baker, will join the Ritz Chamber Players as its 2007-2008 Composer-In-Residence. David Nathaniel Baker, Jr. was born December 21, 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is Distinguished Professor of Music and Chairman of the Jazz Department at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington, IN, as well as conductor and artistic director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Dr. Baker was recently honored by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with their Living Jazz Legend Award.

“The Ritz Chamber Players is bringing world-class talent to Jacksonville and providing the city great exposure in the classical musical world. It is also an enormous resource for students and teachers,’’ Patterson says. “This season, we will be performing wide-ranging selections of music from Brahms to Perkinson and with astounding artistic combinations.”

The Ritz Chamber Players will make their yearly return to New York City for performances at the world-famous Apollo Theater on January 20, 2008, and crisscross the country with appearances from Baltimore, Md., to Seattle, WA.

Ritz Chamber Players 2007 -2008
4 Subscription Concerts
Concerts held in Jacoby Symphony Hall / Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
All concerts start at 7:30 PM

Opening Concert Thursday, December 6, 2007
“In Remembrance of the Dream” Thursday, January 24, 2008
Spring Concert Thursday, April 3, 2008
Season Finale Saturday, June 14, 2008

Online Special | $79.00 [Plus Fees] for all 4 concerts
Orchestra Seating | $89.00 [Plus Fees] for all 4 concerts
Single Tickets | $25.00 [Plus Fees]

Tickets can be purchased:
Online: www.ritzchamberplayers.org
Call: Jacksonville Symphony Box Office (904) 354-5547 toll free (877) 662-6731
Fax: (904) 354-9238
Mail: 300 West Water Street, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Visit: Symphony Box Office, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

EDITORS

Fresh off their European tour, and their sophomore album “An End Has A Start” going platinum in the UK, EDITORS kick off the new year with an expansive US Tour,
with special guests Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV

EDITORS’ US Tour Dates
Jan. 8th - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Jan. 9th - Saint Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing
Jan. 10th - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
Jan. 11th – Atlanta, GA - Roxy
Jan. 12th – Nashville, TN - Wildhorse
Jan. 14th – Norfolk, VA - The Norva
Jan. 15th – Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Jan. 17th - New York - Terminal 5
Jan. 18th – Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
Jan. 19th – Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
Jan. 20th – Montreal, QC - Club Soda
Jan. 22nd – Toronto, ON - Koolhaus
Jan. 23rd – Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
Jan. 25th – Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Jan. 26th – Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
Jan. 27th – Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
Jan. 29th – Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Jan. 30th – Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
Feb. 1st – Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
Feb. 4th – Seattle, WA - Showbox At The Market
Feb. 5th – Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Feb. 6th – Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
Feb. 8th - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
Feb. 9th - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
Feb. 10th – Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
Feb. 13th – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Feb. 14th – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

Jim White releases Transnormal Skiperoo on March 4th

Alt- country's most “out there” and original voice,
Luaka Bop’s Jim White, releases long awaited Transnormal Skiperoo on March 4th

‘Transnormal Skiperoo is a name I invented to describe a strange new feeling I've been experiencing after years of feeling lost and alone and cursed. Now, when everything around me begins to shine, when I find myself dancing around in my back yard for no particular reason other than it feels good to be alive, when I get this deep sense of gratitude that I don't need drugs or God or doomed romance to fuel myself through the gauntlet of a normal day, I call that feeling 'Transnormal Skiperoo.’ Jim White

Jim White traveled many a junkyard road to get to Transnormal Skiperoo. Raised in Pensacola, Florida, a town crushed between the church and heroin, Jim’s songs reach deep into the underbelly of the South. One time Pentecostal, fashion model, New York taxi driver, drifter, pro-surfer, photographer, filmmaker, his music is the conduit for all the stories he collected along the way. His previous albums ‘Wrong-Eyed Jesus’ [1997], ‘No Such Place’ [2001] and ‘Drill a Hole in That Substrate…’ [2004] were acclaimed as masterpieces of ‘outer space alt.country’ and established Jim as a phenomenal maverick talent. Jim also starred in the BBC4 film ‘Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus’, an award-winning road-movie exploring Southern culture through its music and stories. Now living in an old farmhouse in the backwoods of Georgia, Jim White may have finally reached a place called home, but his other search, for what he calls ‘the gold tooth in God’s crooked smile’ continues in this new set of backyard tales. Transnormal Skiperoo was produced by Joe Pernice and Michael Deming, recorded with the band Ollabelle, and also features tracks with Tucker Martine and Laura Veirs, local Georgia legend Don Chambers & Goat, bluegrass duo Jeff & Vida and percussionist Mauro Refosco.

Jim White is a highly original voice in the immense Southern gothic tradition. When broken humanity aches for grace, music like his may give you a shot at redemption.

http://www.luakabop.com/jim_white/transnormalskiperoo/
http://www.myspace.com/officialjimwhite