Friday, April 25, 2008

Horna

Sotahuuto
Moribund Cul
t

Hornaaaaaaaaaaaa! A supremely twisted group of Finns who've been knocking around in various lineups for over a decade now, honing (or not, because this sort of metal thrives on a certain amount of sloppiness) their twisted, underground craft. Horna creates an ungodly, tinny, lo-fi racket that pulls together a lot of truly great bits of inspired old school amateurism - from the drunken scrapings of early Sodom and Dark Angel and Nuclear Assault to the white noise overkill of early Bathory and Burzum and a good dose of the more contemporary rocka-rolla black metallers like Dodsferd and Carpathian Forest with a tiny bit of Necrophagia/Wurdulak. A leering noisesome monster of a record, all scratchy high end with the guitar sounding like scabs being picked, submerged blunt force drum and bass and heavily echoed Nazgul-style high pitched shrieking vocals. "Sotahuuto" sacrifices the Luciferian Phil Spector wall of sound forged by Norwegian black metal for pure, freebased heavy metal speedthrills filtered through sociopathic self-hatred that makes every headbang-worthy note sound as dirty and fucked as possible. But it's their unwavering fealty to thee almighty riff - a lineage that goes from Bay Area longhairs to scratchy crossover 7"s to denim jackets covered in Destruction and Venom patches - that elevates them above a good many of their crepuscular brethren.

It almost fucking swings at times. Shhhh I didn't say it. I enjoyed it. This is a textbook fucking example of underground-and-nasty-and-proud of it metal that transcends itself by sheer dedication to primal metal and becomes so much more than a raw cult oddity. Shrieking tombstones of demonic fury.

- Matthew Moyer

Brown Jenkins

Dagonite
Moribun Cult


Brown Jenkins, a most unusual moniker for a black metal outfit (though it's a Lovecraft reference, chump, so the pedigree is in order), is an Austin-based solo experiment, far removed from what your preconceptions of the genre if you've only seen pictures of vintage Emperor and/or listen to sounds coming from the chilly North. However, if you've been following the furtive movements of a quietly growing horde of black metal boundary pushers located within the borders of our own U.S.S., "Dagonite" is yet another promising document of a scene that, paradoxically, doesn't exist because of its very isolatino and decentralized nature.

Brown Jenkins offers up five dirgy tracks of transendent, ugly, grim metallic sludge with only minimal vocal and percussive adornments - usually consisting of occasional bestial roars that seem to urge on the thick, humid waves of plodding/soaring heaviness, and Obituary-esque growls and a slow, driving drumbeat. All are executed ably by guitarist and conceptualist Umesh, who sheds band members much like Brown Jenkins has shed all distractions from the almost thuggishly precise metal pounding that forms the darkstar core of "Dagonite."

Brown Jenkins steers well clear of the tenets of black metal as usually practiced by various Cultists and instead heads straight for the gutter, face down in a pool of blood, piss and cheap wine. An enormous dense guitar sound is the central focus of the album - just monolithic fuzztone hatred - as reminiscent of the Melvins and Mudhoney as it is Spacemen 3, Grief, Merzbow, Bathory, Neu (there's that Krautrock essence that I have been detecting whiffs of in recent listens to newer black metal) and the snakelike riffs that John Christ wrenched forth for the first Danzig record, which is, of course, indirectly indebted to masters of the low-down sinister blues like Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside. A fucking genius lineage, all told. Umesh seems to occasionally pause, mid-riffing, just to hear the harsh hum of the guitar strings ring and ring. "Dagonite" while at first a concept album based on HP Lovecraft's story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth," shifted away from that concept (retaining only the song titles) and in the end became a poison pen love letter to the dark bludgeoning beauty that can be found within the oppressive guitar textures of black metal - and in the midst of isolating and amplifying them, to the exclusion of most other elementts of the "song" - Brown Jenkins has discovered a new darkness, for now, all his own.

- Matthew Moyer

Anthem In

Self Titled
Quiet/Loud Records


Anthem In's self titled debut release is one of those albums you can't help but fall instantly in love with. Every song

is a potential hit (not that the band wrote this for mass radio consumption) with a musical formula that is deliciously infectious. I guess you would classify them as an "indie" band, but regardless of where they fit in a category, it's just damn good music.

The vocals are soft, soothing and hypnotic. The guitar work is filled with clean to semi-distorted rhythms and superbly crafted single-note lines that carry the songs. The bass is fluid with a solid driving force that along with the catchy drum work make the songs excellent dance-floor fare. There are also some cool keyboard sounds floating within that help make each track more atmospheric without being overpowering. It's very upbeat most of the time, but somber in a lot of places with well thought out lyrics that really grab you emotionally. This five piece has simply outdone themselves with an outstanding piece of work. You will keep this rotating in your Cd/Mp3 player for a long time, I promise.

- Craig Harvey

MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE

Debuts Album on MySpace to
Incredible Streaming Numbers!
Adds More Tour Dates!


When Mindless Self Indulgence (MSI) uploaded their entire new album if onto their MySpace page (www.myspace.com/mindlessselfindulgence), the social networking site probably wasn't expecting that on Monday, April 21st, in just one day's time, the streams for all the new tracks of the album would exceed 680,000 unique plays. Currently the Number One Band on MySpace Music in all countries and all genres, MSI has always had a strong presence on that social networking site practically since Day One when they established their profile in 2004. Their presence on MySpace has been unsurpassable, even before the "MySpace Music" monikor was established. In addition, MSI have been the ONLY band to remain on the Top Ten Artists Charts since the inception of MySpace Music (even Tila Tequila hadn't tapped into the site yet)!

For a band who is unconcerned with chart positions, MSI have been no strangers to top slots due in larger part to the ferver of their increasingly large fanbase. Oftentimes managing to debut at Numero Uno on a wide gamut of charts including dance singles, sales, daily plays, radio and magazine polls, and other industry benchmarks, it has become abundantly clear MSI and their fans are a force to be reckoned with. In fact, lead-up to the release if on April 29th (UCR/The End Records), has already secured its own share of number one positions. The first single "Mastermind" sold over 1,000 downloads on the first 12 hours alone, while the second single "Never Wanted to Dance" debuted at #1 on Billboard's "Hot Sales Singles Chart" and still remains in the Top Five of that chart.

The band is currently on a near sold-out tour through the UK and will be coming back to the States next week to start their national support of if. A plethora of eclectic bands will accompany them, including (but not limited to) The Birthday Massacre, Combichrist, London After Midnight, Hollowboy, Tub Ring, Fake Shark Real Zombie, and A Kiss Could Be Deadly in select cities.

MSI are currently running an "online order contest" in which fans can win a personalized message from band vox/programmer/mastermind Jimmy Urine. Info on this contest can be found here.

Mindless Self Indulgence's new album if will be released on April 29, 2008 on UCR/The End Records in four different cover art incarnations, including a limited edition deluxe edition and 12" vinyl. Artwork for the Deluxe and Vinyl editions were done by famed animator Jhonen Vasquez.

Mindless Self Indulgence Tour
with The Birthday Massacre
Apr 29 Agora Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Apr 30 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale, PA
May 01 Ram’s Head Live Baltimore, MD
May 02 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
May 03 Bamboozle East Rutherford, NJ
May 04 The Norva Norfolk, VA
May 06 Freebird Live Jacksonville, FL
May 07 Jannus Landing St. Petersburg, FL
May 08 Revolution Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 09 The Club Firestone Orlando, FL
May 10 Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
May 12 House of Blues New Orleans, LA
May 13 Meridian Houston, TX
May 14 Palladium Ballroom Dallas, TX
May 15 Scout Bar San Antonio, TX
May 16 La Zona Rosa Austin, TX
May 18 Club 101 El Paso, TX
May 19 Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque, NM
May 21 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
May 23 Grand Ballroom @ Regency SF, CA
May 24 The Wiltern Los Angeles, CA
May 25 House Of Blues Las Vegas, NV
May 27 Empire Sacramento, CA
May 29 Roseland Theatre Portland, OR
May 30 Showbox SoDo Seattle, WA
May 31 Big East Concert House Spokane, WA
Jun 01 Croatian Cultural Centre Vancouver, BC
June 03 Starlite Room Edmonton, AB
June 04 The Warehouse Calgary, AB
June 06 Avalon Theatre Salt Lake City, UT
June 07 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO
June 08 Sokol Auditorium Omaha, NE
June 09 Beaumont Club Kansas City, MO
June 10 The Cotillion Wichita, KS
June 12 First Avenues Minneapolis, MN
June 13 Congress Theatre Chicago, IL
June 14 Pop's Sauget, IL
June 15 The Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI
June 17 Rocketown Nashville, TN
June 18 Headliner's Music Hall Louisville, KY
June 20 Orbit Room Grand Rapids, MI
June 21 Harpo's Detroit, MI
June 22 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH
June 23 Bogarts Cincinnati, OH
June 25 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC
June 28 Kool Haus Toronto, ON

www.mindlessselfindulgence.com
www.myspace.com/mindlessselfindulgence

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Duran Duran on Tour

Duran Duran are as much of an unstoppable force today as they were when they first formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England – still commanding the respect of the finest players in the game.

During an illustrious career spanning three decades, Duran Duran have remained at the forefront of popular music, consistently pushing the creative envelope and breaking new ground. Since their inception, the band have sold over 70 million albums, recorded countless hit records, received numerous accolades, and have been presented with no fewer than five prestigious “Lifetime Achievement” awards (MTV Video Music Award, Q Magazine, The BRITS, Ivor Novello, Spanish Ondas).

On their current studio album, Red Carpet Massacre (Epic Records) they have collaborated with top producers Timbaland and Nate ‘Danja’ Hills, as well as long-time Duran fan Justin Timberlake, creating a record that has garnered them some of the best reviews of their career.

Now on the road, with their Red Carpet Massacre World Tour well underway, Duran Duran are returning to US shores for a 22-date run with a spectacular new production that will showcase their latest record alongside all of the hits from their extensive catalogue. These shows will be the band’s first in America since their unprecedented two week run on Broadway last November, when they played the new album in its entirety prior to its global launch.

DURAN DURAN ON TOUR
Apr 29 - General Motors Place - Vancouver, BC
Apr 30 - WaMu Theater - Seattle, WA
May 2 - Sleep Train Pavilion - Concord, CA
May 3 - Santa Barbara Bowl - Santa Barbara, CA
May 4 - Nokia Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
May 6 - Dodge Theatre - Phoenix, AZ
May 8 - Valley View - San Diego, CA
May 9 - The Joint - Las Vegas, NV
May 10 - The Joint - Las Vegas, NV
May 12 - Wells Fargo Theatre - Denver, CO
May 14 - Rosemont Theatre - Chicago, IL
May 15 - Masonic Temple Theatre - Detroit, MI
May 17 - Chastain Park Amphitheater - Atlanta, GA
May 18 - UCF Arena - Orlando, FL
May 19 - Mizner Park Amphitheatre - Boca Raton, FL
May 21 - Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Raleigh, NC
May 22 - Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA
May 24 - Atlantis - Paradise Island (Bahamas)
May 27 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
May 28 - Agganis Arena - Boston, MA
May 30 - Central Park Summerstage - New York City, NY
May 31 - Central Park Summerstage - New York City, NY

www.duranduran.com
www.myspace.com/duranduran
Duran Duran Fan Community: www.duranduranmusic.com

Thursday, April 17, 2008

EVERY TIME I DIE NOMINATED AT METAL HAMMER GOLDEN GODS 2008!!!

Buffalo, NY rockers Every Time I Die have just been nominated for Breakthrough Artist at this year’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2008. Fans are encouraged to visit http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/gods/ and vote for Every Time I Die.

This year’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2008 takes place at The 02 Arena in London on June 16th.

Every Time I Die are currently touring Europe to support their most recent release, The Big Dirty. The band will return home and play The Bamboozle Festival in NJ on May 4 before heading out on this summer’s Warped Tour.

Visit http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/gods/ to vote for Every Time I Die and stay tuned for further information on the band’s Warped Tour performance.

IN THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ASTRALWERKS RECORDS > APRIL/MAY

www.astralwerks.com/press
May 13, 2008
We Are Scientists- Brain Thrust Mastery

May 27, 2008
Midnight Juggernauts- Dystopia (debut album)

June 10, 2008
*Supergrass- Diamond Hoo Ha

June 24, 2008
*Babyshambles- Oh What A Lovely Tour (Live DVD and Live CD)

RECENTLY RELEASED
Air- Moon Safari 10th Anniversary Edition (re-issue)
Yelle- Pop Up (debut album)- Caroline
The Kooks- Konk (sophomore album)
The B-52s- Funplex (first album in 16 years)

Red Bull Music Academy

DO YOU KNOW WHAT MAY 4TH IS???

May 4th is the deadline to apply for the Red Bull Music Academy! Berlin, Dublin, New York, London, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, Rome, Seattle, Melbourne and Toronto are all past locations of the academy.

Destination 2008 - BARCELONA, SPAIN

I know you don't want to miss your opportunity to travel to Spain...get those apps started today!

'What is the Red Bull Music Academy?' Well I'll tell ya, The Red Bull Music Academy is an annual event that travels around the world offering a unique opportunity for music artists to celebrate their art, share experiences, gain knowledge from industry greats, and experience music from different countries and cultures.

'Who is the Academy for? What type of Music?' So full of questions you are! But I'm glad you asked. The Red Bull Music Academy is for DJ's, Producers, Musicians, Engineers, Vocalists and Songwriters of ALL GENRES of music including Rock, Hip Hop, Electronica, House, Drum & Bass, & Soul.

'Well how much is it? What's the catch?' Ahh, I was waiting for that one. Applying to the Red Bull Music Academy is FREE. If selected, Attending the Red Bull Music Academy is FREE. There is no catch, you need only apply! Another great perk is that once you apply, you immediately become part of your local RBMA market, entitling you special privileges and access to various events and workshops.

'I have more questions. Who can I contact?' Of course you do! For more information, please visit RedBullMusicAcademy.com.

VAST AIRE SET TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE SOLO-LP, DUECES WILD, ON 6-24-08

DUECES WILD FEATURES APPEARANCES BY GECCHI SUEDE (CAMP LO), COPYWRITE & VORDUL MEGA (CANNIBAL OX) WITH PRODUCTION FROM PETE ROCK & OH NO


Vast Aire, remember him? He's the titan MC who shocked the world and conquered critics as the leader of Definitive Jux's landmark upstart crew, Cannibal Ox; their essential 2002 debut, Cold Vein, was a chart-topper in nearly every smart music critic's year-end poll.

After quickly following up his critically-acclaimed 2004 solo-debut, Look Mom…No Hands, with two Martial Arts inspired Way Of The Fist mixtapes and after a few years scratching his collaborative itch (2005’s The Best Damn Rap Show with High & Mighty’s DJ Mighty Mi and in 2007, Vast joined forces with Karniege under the pseudonym Mighty Joseph and released Empire State) Vast returns with his sophomore solo-LP, Dueces Wild, which will be released on 6-24-08 on One Records.

With guest appearances from Camp Lo’s Gecchi Suede (“The Dynamic Duo”), Copywrite (“Give Me That Mic”) and a Pete Rock produced Cannibal Ox reunion track (“Mecca And The Ox”) Vast concluded the recording sessions for Dueces Wild supremely confident with the music he had created as he states “I put the letter “U” before the “E” in the LP title because I have paid my dues and this is the best music I have ever made. This project is about the power of the number 2 and the truth and the balance of the Ying-Yang. The number 2 influences many facets of our lives; this my sophomore solo-LP (second solo-LP), your Mom and dad are “two,” you and the love of your life are “two,” life and death, good and bad, night and day, love and hate are all interrelated with the number “two”.

Dueces Wild is primarily produced by Melodius Monk, a multi-talented producer, vocalist and lyricist from the streets of Brooklyn, Monk grew up with Vast and in fact has been making music with Vast as far back as Cannibal Ox’s inception and he helped craft Dueces Wild retro-sonic/alternative Trip-Hop feel.

In the card game of life, any deck of cards can reveal pain, power, pleasure, misery, poverty, life and death. There are many choices you can make, but the final outcome ultimately depends on making the most out of those cards. Dueces Wild is truly a full deck of wild cards!

Tracklisting and credits for Vast Aire’s Dueces Wild:

1.) You Know (produced by Lee Parasite)
2.) T.V. Land (produced by Melodius Monk)
3.) Take Two (produced by Melodius Monk)
4. The Dynamic Duo f/Gecchi Suede of Camp Lo (produced by Aspet One)
5.) Give Me That Mic f/Copywrite (produced by Rocktight)
6.) Mecca And The Ox f/Vordul Mega (produced by Pete Rock)
7.) Back 2 Basics” (produced by Melodius Monk)
8.) Lunchroom Rap (It’s Nothing) (produced by Oh No)
9.) When Starz Fall f/Double A.B., Thanos, Swave Sevah & Karniege (produced by DJ Priority Musik)
10.) The Crush (produced by Falside)
11.) Shu (The God of Aire) (produced by Thanos)
12.) Graveyard Shift f/Genesis (produced by Melodius Monk)
13.) The Infinity War (produced by Thanos)
14.) The Man With Out Fear (produced by Melodius Monk)

THE BAREFOOT WINE BEACH RESCUE PROJECTTM IS BACK

Musicians G. Love and Tristan Prettyman Join Barefoot® Wine and the Surfrider Foundation in support of "barefoot-friendly" beaches

MODESTO, Calif. (April 2, 2008) - Get ready to kick off your shoes and help "heel" a beach this summer. Between May and August 2008, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation - a grassroots, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches will embark on their second annual tour to help rescue, renew and restore four new beaches.

Each year, over 25,000 beaches in the United States are closed or posted as unhealthy. To help remedy this, local residents are encouraged to volunteer at cleanup and restoration events across the country to make these beaches "barefoot-friendly." This year, hip-hop/blues musician G. Love (front man of G. Love & Special Sauce) and singer-songwriter and guitarist Tristan Prettyman will join volunteers on the beach and perform live at special celebrations that follow each beach rescue. Prettyman will perform songs from her upcoming album Hello at all four events. She will be joined by G. Love at the 2008 kick-off event in Montauk, N.Y., scheduled for May 31.

"Having grown up in San Diego, I spent most of my time at the beach and can't imagine what life would be like without the surf and sand," said Prettyman. "I'm excited to volunteer and share my music with people who take the time to give back to their communities."

Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project - 2008 Tour Dates
Montauk, N.Y. Saturday, May 31
Austin (Town Lake), Texas Saturday, July 12
San Francisco (Ocean Beach), Calif. Saturday, July 26
TBD - America's Votes! Saturday, August 23

For the fourth stop, we're calling on the voice (and click) of beach-lovers from coast to coast. Visit www.BarefootWine.com/BeachRescue to cast your vote for one of ten worthwhile beaches to receive a beach cleanup and celebration this summer. While visiting the site, you can also RSVP to participate at a beach rescue event near you. You must be 21 years of age to attend the celebrations that follow.

"In the second year of the project, we look forward to making an immediate and positive impact on four new beaches," said Matt McClain, Director of Marketing and Communications for Surfrider Foundation. "These events show people how important the smallest action, like picking up litter, can help on the grander scale and preserve our beaches for generations to come."

Barefoot, the award-winning California wine, has been an active supporter of various not-for-profit organizations for over 20 years. Since its inauguration in 2007, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project has donated $250,000 to the Surfrider Foundation in support of its mission to improve coastal water quality, promote free and open beach access, preserve coastal ecosystems and protect public beaches around the world.

Barefoot's award-winning California wines are attractively priced and can be found in playful, colorful cases and bottles bearing the iconic footprint label. Barefoot's still wine portfolio ($6.99 for 750-ml bottles, $11.99 for 1.5-liter bottles) includes eight unique offerings: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Zinfandel. Barefoot also offers two delicious sparkling Chardonnays: Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée and Barefoot Bubbly Premium Extra Dry. Both award-winning sparkling wines retail for $9.99. For more information about Barefoot Wine, visit www.barefootwine.com.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org.

Jesse Malin Announces Live Album Details - "Mercury Retrograde" Out June 3rd

Jesse Malin is set to release his first ever live album June 3rd on Adeline called Mercury Retrograde. The record was recorded over two nights at the Mercury Lounge in NYC right around Christmas 2007 and captures Malin at his best, telling tales of New York City life and playing all the fan favorites.

Confirmed Tracklisting:
1. High Lonesome
2. Wendy
3. Hotel Columbia
4. Lucinda
5. Cigarettes & Violets
6. Little Star
7. Since You're In Love
8. Helpless
9. Aftermath
10. Black Haired Girl
11. Broken Radio
12. Subway
13. Going Out West
14. Swingin Man
15. Xmas
16. Christmas, Baby Please Come Home

Here's what Malin himself has to say about his Mercury Retrograde:

"Leaving the house and going out to see live shows is a ritual for me - a physical experience that I can't get at home just listening to a studio album. For my first ever live album, I wanted to record the songs differently by going back to the original essence of how they were written, on an acoustic guitar either holed up in my little apartment, layin' back in some transient hotel room, or locked up in a bathroom. Over the past couple years I've been touring with a full band, but for this album, I wanted to go back to the way it was in the beginning and just do a stripped down acoustic set. I've always said that songwriting is like masturbating - you have to have a private, quiet moment when no one's around, which can be hard when you're on the road. But once you've perfected the art, you're ready to show the world."

"These recordings were made over 2 nights at the Mercury in New York City a week before Christmas 2007. I figured I should return to one of the spots I played when I was starting out. Talking between songs or doing "bits" as I call them, is something I did early on to kill time while I was tuning my guitar as I toured solo. These true stories evolved into a spoken word aspect of my live shows that hasn't been represented on any of my studio releases. Yackety yack." - Jesse Malin

Jesse Malin's critically acclaimed 2007 release of Glitter In The Gutter spawned two singles, "Don't Let Them Take You Down (Beautiful Day)" and the Bruce Springsteen duet "Broken Radio." Malin has spent the majority of the last year on the road, performing all over the globe. He performed on The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, Late Night w/Conan O'Brien and the Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson and took part in 2007 Austin City Limits Music Festival. Look for Malin to be on the road again this Spring/Summer - Current dates are below.

Confirmed Tour Dates:
4/1 - Cambridge, MA TT The Bears
4/3 - Hamden, CT The Space
4/5 - Pittsburgh, PA DIESEL
4/6 - Pontiac, MI The Crofoot Pontiac MI
4/7 - Cleveland, OH House of Blues (Cambridge Room)
4/8 - Chicago, IL Martyr’s Chicago
4/9 - Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
4/10 - Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
4/11 - Madison, WI The Majestic Theatre
4/16 - Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
4/26 - New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom

The Futureheads' finest moment yet is soon to be released!

US release date: May 27th 2008
Boy, what a comeback. You know the story - smash debut, ‘difficult’ second and now for the third – ‘This Is Not The World’ is bold, brash and as in-yer-face as way back when these boys first embedded into your consciousness in 2004.
After a silently busy year away from the spotlight (after parting with their then record label 679), The Futureheads embraced the punk-rock ethic like never before. Along with their management company Big Life, Barry, Ross, Jaff and Dave hatched plans to release their third album independently and in doing so took control of their own destiny. They returned in late 2007 with a free download of ‘Broke Up The Time’ and some key live shows in London and hometown Sunderland.
Live tours have dominated the opening of 2008 in advance of the first single release ‘The Beginning Of The Twist’ (Nul Records) on March 10. Sitting happily on the A list at Radio One and MTV2, the response to the single has been immense. TV calls for the band have also included Sound, The Culture Show and The Album Chart Show. Exciting times, indeed.
Having won themselves a wealth of fans and supporters over their five years of making music together, The Futureheads have produced some of the most invigorating guitar driven punk-pop this country has had to offer in decades. Debut album ‘The Futureheads’ was released in 2004 and ‘News & Tributes’ followed in 2006.
‘This Is Not The World’, it could be said, is an amalgamation of the two – it has the excitement, urgency and vigour of ‘The Futureheads’ with the added control, sincerity and maturity employed on ‘News & Tributes’. It’s the album they always intended to make.
Recorded over three weeks in Spain last summer, legendary producer Youth (Primal Scream, The Verve) clipped the Mackem lads’ overflowing pot of songs into shape. Out of it came twelve short, sharp, shocks of pure Futurehead joy, not dismissing the killer hooks and choruses that adorn each and every one. A change of scenery clearly served them well.
The album opens with first single ‘The Beginning Of The Twist’. It’s replete with rhythmic guitars, clever harmonies and urgent vocals spiced with their distinctive accents that we all know and love. ‘Walking Backwards’ maintains the pace and offers up one of the catchiest choruses on the album (and there’s some tough competition). ‘Think Tonight’’s driving force and ‘bah-bah-bah’s shakes things up and sounds like the perfect accompaniment to ‘The Barry Hyde Shuffle’.

Highly expected to be their pre-album single, ‘Radio Heart’ opens with clean drums and simple guitar riffs. Spot on minor-key harmonies adorn the chorus and the outro and give this catchy pop song an eerily dark undertone. Title track ‘This Is Not The World’ follows confidently. It’s a heady mix of a dominant bassline and glitchy guitar parts for the verse, leading into riding symbols, rasping snares and four-part harmonies on the chorus. Big.
And so it continues. ‘Sale Of The Century’, ‘Hard To Bear’ and ‘Work Is Never Done’ are all evidence of how this band have grown. The writing skills on show and the complexities amidst each track are testament to The Futureheads’ focus and drive to get this right. While Barry and Ross predominately share writing duties, ‘Work Is Never Done’ is the first on the album to feature lead vocals by Ross.
‘Broke Up The Time’ is classic Futureheads and could have quite happily sat next to ’Carnival Kids’ or ‘The City Is Here For You To Use’ on their debut. More off-beat ‘AH-AH, AH-AH’’S pepper ‘Everything’s Changing Today’ and ‘Sleet’ boasts one the best intros on the record. You can’t fail to jump about to this upbeat turn with its shifting time signatures and happy-go-lucky vibe.
Closing track, ‘See What You Want’ rounds things off perfectly. Like any live show they’ve ever played it’s bold, fun and fast and incidentally, the shortest song on the album – the only one under three minutes – I told you they’d changed.
This time around, The Futureheads are relaxed and confident and they want the world to know it – but most importantly, with this record - it shows.

‘This Is Not The World’
The Beginning Of The Twist
Walking Backwards
Think Tonight
Radio Heart
This Not The World
Sale Of The Century
Hard To Bear
Work Is Never Done
Broke Up The Time
Everything's Changing Today
Sleet
See What You Want

311 & Snoop Dogg - Unity Tour 2008

311 and Snoop Dogg are hitting the road together for Unity Tour 2008. The tour will begin June 24 in Phoenix and run through August 3 in Austin. Special guests Fiction Plane will open the shows.
311’s Summer Unity Tour has become an annual event for music fans across the country. Past tours have included bands such as The Roots, The Wailers, O.A.R and Matisyahu. This year’s tour proves to be bigger and better than ever as superstar

co-headliner Snoop Dogg joins 311 for 28 shows coast to coast.

With their dynamic and celebratory live shows, 311 have cultivated a grassroots touring fan base that is thriving now more than ever. Blending rock, reggae, hip-hop and funk, 311 have released eight studio albums, a live album and three DVD’s – selling over 8 million units in the U.S. and establishing themselves as a core modern rock artist.
Snoop Dogg is fresh off the release of his new album, Ego Trippin’. With his legendary rap flow and diverse appeal, Snoop has released nine solo studio albums and has sold 30 million records worldwide. Snoop will undoubtedly add a party vibe to the shows – from DoggyStyle to Ego Trippin’ – the big boss will be bringing all his hits and classic cuts. Whether starring in his hit E! show, “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood,” or rocking a live show, Snoop is always able to light up a crowd.

Unity Tour Dates:
6/24/08 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
6/26/08 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara County Bowl
6/27/08 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre
6/28/08 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
6/30/08 Salt Lake City, UT Usana Amphitheatre
7/01/08 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/02/08 Omaha, NE Westfair Amphitheatre
7/04/08 Rothbury, MI Rothbury Festival
7/05/08 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
7/06/08 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest *
7/08/08 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
7/10/08 Kansas City, KS Sandstone Amphitheatre
7/12/08 St Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/13/08 Columbus, OH Promowest Amphitheater
7/15/08 Philadelphia, PA Penn’s Landing
7/16/08 Brooklyn, NY Keyspan Park
7/18/08 Boston, MA Tweeter Center
7/19/08 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/20/08 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
7/22/08 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/23/08 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
7/24/08 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/26/08 Atlanta, GA Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre
7/27/08 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
7/29/08 Baton Rouge, LA River Center
7/30/08 Houston, TX Showgrounds at Sam Houston Park
7/31/08 Dallas, TX Smirnoff Amphitheatre
8/02/08 Austin, TX The Backyard
8/03/08 Austin, TX The Backyard
*denotes 311 only

Kidz In The Hall, Bun B and Talib Kweli Team Up for Change

As the first group in the Hip-Hop community to publicly endorse presidential hopeful Barack Obama back in late 2007, Kidz In The Hall will continue their unwavering support for the Chicago native this evening (Monday, March 31st) with the help of some friends. Kidz In The Hall’s whose soulful ode to Barack Obama is entitled, “Work To Do,” will be world premiering their “Change Remix” tonight on two mediums; one on Hip-Hop mega-site, Allhiphop.com, as well as on super DJ/Producer Green Lantern’s Sirius Satellite “Hip-Hop Nation” radio show---and both premiers will happen simultaneously. The “Change” remix is produced by Kidz In The Hall member Double-0 and features heavyweights Bun B and Talib Kweli, who like many in the hip hop community, are proud to show their support for Obama. The song’s content focuses its attention on many of the issues facing both the artists as individuals, as well as the country as a whole. Having three emcees, all from different cities in the US – Chicago, Brooklyn and Houston respectively – shows the unification within the Hip-Hop community that will hopefully encourage young people to take a long look at the issues affecting them in this country.
The “Change” remix will also be the first release that will be featured on the much talked about DJ Green Lantern & Russell Simmons’ “Yes We Can” – Obama mixtape due out next month.
Kidz In The Hall will embark on a 16 city college campus tour this week with Gym Class Heroes to support the May 13 release of their sophomore LP The In Crowd. Talib Kweli has just released the MCEO mixtape with Mick Boogie and his CD, Eardrum, is in stores now. Bun B will be releasing his much anticipated II Trill solo project April 29th.

HEARTSREVOLUTION TO RELEASE SWITCHBLADE EP ON JUNE 24 VIA IHEARTCOMIX RECORDS

IHEARTCOMIX Records is set to release the electronic-thrash-pop-punk duo, Heartsrevolution's Switchblade EP, June 24, 2008. Switchblade, a five track EP, packs piercing vocals by Lo and grabbing Tenori-on digital arrangements by Ben.
When they're not creating music under the title HEARTSREVOLUTION, Lo and Ben travel the globe as the faces of HEARTSCHALLENGER, which has evolved into a 21st century lifestyle brand. Equipped with a fleet of vintage cotton candy pink ice cream trucks, anyone can pick up their choice of mixtapes, t-shirts, international candy, toys, and ice cream, of course!
Title track, "Switchblade," leads where "C.Y.O.A." ends - Immediately you can feel the quick synth lacerations across your body as you are forced out of your seat and dragged through a cinematic voyage of rich battle scenes and technicolor light dreams..
The lush texture and orchestral nature of "Digital Suicide" will confine you to an induced altered state of mind. . "Wolves and Libertines" is computer punk music.,"Lo's vocals are a shredding guitar to Ben's digital instrumentation, reminiscent to early `80s hardcore. "Ultraviolence" screams urgency of the unknown - be careful. Think Giorgio Moroder meets Huggy Bear. "Digital Suicide (Lullaby)" reworks its original sound into the final chapter of Switchblade EP, using an arrangement that promises dreams to come.
IHEARTCOMIX is set to release a debut 12" for Heartsrevolution's hit, "C.Y.O.A." with remixes by Brodinski, Lazaro Casanova, CFCF, Lauren Flax and Dan Oh.
The April release of an IHEARTCOMIX and Scion compilation will have Flosstradamus and L.A. Riots remixes of Heartsrevolution songs "C.Y.O.A." and "Switchblade," plus one never before released Heartsrevolution track, "Dance Till Dawn."
Heartsrevolution will be appearing at WMC and are featured in URB Magazine's Top 100.
To bring the HEARTSREVOLUTION live show to the next level for SXSW and WMC they have recruited Kate Moross (uk // katemoross.com ) to do live visuals and Terry Campbell (Prince Terrence) to play drums(Young Love/Spank Rock)

VIDEO LINK TO "C.Y.O.A."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFPnl8aEPgo

DROID ANNOUNCES APRIL TOUR DATES WITH SHADOWS FALL…DROID LAUNCHES ONLINE STORE!!!

Long Beach metallers Droid are pleased to announce a string of dates with Shadows Fall, Kataklysm, The Showdown, and Arsis. The two-week tour kicks off in Buffalo at the Showplace Theatre and wraps up with a performance at the 10th Anniversary New England Hardcore and Metal Fest in Worcester, MA!

Vocalist James “Buddy” Eason commented on the upcoming tour: “We are so excited to be going out on tour with Shadows Fall, Kataklysm, Arsis and The Showdown. I love the fact that all the bands on this tour are all true metal bands, yet are all musically unique. We are big fans of all the bands on this tour and are looking forward to destroying every stage every night.”

Droid has also announced the launch of their online store. The band’s merch is now available through Real Deal Merch at www.realdealmerch.com/droid. There, fans can buy Droid T’s and sweatshirts, as well as copies of Droid’s crushing, self-titled debut album.

Be sure to catch Droid’s pummeling live show this April with Shadows Fall, Kataklysm, The Showdown, and Arsis, and visit www.realdealmerch.com/droid to pick up the latest Droid merch!

Droid on tour with Shadows Fall, Kataklysm, The Showdown, and Arsis
4/13 – Buffalo, NY – Showplace Theatre
4/14 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
4/15 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
4/16 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
4/17 – Farmingdale, NY – The Crazy Donkey
4/19 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
4/20 – West Springfield, VA – Jaxx
4/21 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC
4/22 – Fayetteville, NC – Jester’s Pub
4/23 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans
4/24 – Richmond, VA – The National
4/25 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
4/26 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium (New England Hardcore and Metal Fest)

PRE-SALES FOR JAGERMEISTER MUSIC TOUR NOW AVAILABLE

Jagermeister Music Tour co-headliners Hatebreed and Type O Negative are pleased to announce a SPECIAL TICKET PRE-SALE OPPORTUNITY.

The pre-sale is available to members of the Hatebreed and Type O Negative online communities, but they are in limited number. If you purchase a pre-sale ticket, fans will receive either early-entry (in most markets) or preferred entry!! TICKETS ARE LIMITED SO GET THEM WHILE THEY LAST!!

Fans can now login for the PRE SALE OFFER by going to https://tixx1.artistarena.com/hatebreedandtypeonegative to buy tickets at a discount.
The following shows are now available for Pre-Sale. More shows to be announced shortly!!!

5/16 - PROVIDENCE, RI - LUPOS
5/17 - ALLENTOWN, PA - CROCODILE ROCK
5/18 - BALTIMORE, MD - RAMS HEAD LIVE
5/20 - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - REVOLUTION
5/21 - ORLANDO, FL - HOUSE OF BLUES
5/24 - NEW ORLEANS, LA - HOUSE OF BLUES
5/25 - HOUSTON, TX - VERIZON WIRELESS
5/27 - DALLAS, TX - PALLADIUM
5/28 - SAN ANTONIO, TX - SUNSET STATION
5/30 - PHOENIX, AZ - MARQUEE THEATER
5/31 - LAS VEGAS, NV - HOUSE OF BLUES
6/01 - LOS ANGELES, CA - AVALON
6/03 - ANAHEIM, CA - THE GROVE
6/04 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - GRAND BALLROOM
6/06 – PORTLAND, OR - ROSELAND THEATER
6/07 -­ SPOKANE, WA ­ BIG EASY SPOKANE

Friday, April 11, 2008

COLDPLAY'S LONG AWAITED NEW ALBUM 'VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS' IS RELEASED ON JUNE 17

Coldplay release their fourth album 'Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends' on Capitol Records on June 17. The album comprises 10 brand new tracks, recorded in London, Barcelona and New York with producers Brian Eno and Markus Dravs.

Track listing-'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends'

1. Life In Technicolor
2. Cemeteries Of London
3. Lost!
4. 42
5. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
6. Yes
7. Viva La Vida
8. Violet Hill
9. Strawberry Swing
10. Death And All His Friends

'Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends' follows the hugely successful album "X&Y", which has sold 10 million copies since it's release in 2005.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

NINE INCH NAILS ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES

The upcoming tour will feature the live debut of material from the recently released
Ghosts I-IV alongside songs spanning the entire NIN catalogue.

Confirmed dates thus far for NIN's 2008 world tour are listed below.
Additional dates and on-sales will be announced shortly.

07/25/08 - Pemberton, BC - Pemberton Festival
07/26/08 - Seattle, WA - Key Arena at Seattle Center
07/28/08 - Edmonton, ALB - Rexall Place
07/29/08 - Calgary, ALB - Pengrowth Saddledome
07/31/08 - Winnipeg, MAN - MTS Centre
08/02/08 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
08/05/08 - Toronto, ONT - Air Canada Centre
08/07/08 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
08/08/08 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center
08/12/08 - Knoxville, TN - Knoxville Civic Coliseum
08/13/08 - Duluth, GA - Gwinnett Arena
08/15/08 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center
08/16/08 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
08/18/08 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
08/20/08 - St. Louis, MO - Scottrade Center
08/22/08 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
08/23/08 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills
08/27/08 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
08/29/08 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
08/31/08 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
09/02/08 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater
09/03/08 - Salt Lake City, UT - The E Center of West Valley
09/05/08 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
09/06/08 - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum