Metal Blade/Ironclad Recordings band Starring Janet Leigh was in town last week for a show at Fontana's, which was also the final night of the "Metal as Art" tour. The death/math-metal band has been touring behind their debut CD, Spectrum, which was released in 2009.

I had the chance to catch up with Matt Z. ( Guitar), Matt N. (Vocals) and Justin (Bass) before the show to talk a bit about Spectrum, the current tour and what's next for the band.



Starring Janet Leigh's set was great; the band plays death metal that is punctuated with some serious jazz breaks that is comparable to Mr. Bungle or a harder, more out-of-control version of Candiria. The music shifts from brutal chugging riffs to intricately played jazz notes and polyrhythmic drumming in the blink of an eye but all of it sounds very purposeful and focused.

Links:
Starring Janet Leigh

DOWNLOAD: The Butterfly Explosion - "Closer" from Lost Trails
DOWNLOAD: The Butterfly Explosion - "Chemistry" from Lost Trails

The Butterfly Explosion is a post-rock band out of Dublin, Ireland whose music ranges from shoegazer alt-rock (Ride and My Bloody Valentine are immediate comparisons) to epic post-rock instrumental pieces (here the comparison is to bands like Sigur Ros, Tortise and Explosions in the Sky). Having released two well received EPs over the last few years, The Butterfly Explosion released their first full length, Lost Trails (Revive Records), in the US earlier this month.

The 11-track/60 minute disc shows the band's songwriting continuing to mature. The songs average five minutes in length which gives the band time to develop expansive soundscapes. Fuzzy waves of guitars rise, fall and crash into exploding choruses; all of which are complemented by subtle and delicate keyboards and soaring, emotive vocals. The lyrics are clear but somewhat vague in nature which adds another dimension to the overall package that is The Butterfly Explosion. While there are some stand-out singles ("Closer", "Chemistry", "Crash/...see you on the other side"), there are also a number of all-instrumental songs that seem to serve as "mood pieces" within the context of the overall album and don't necessarily stand on their own. As such, this is the sort of disc that you are going to want to listen to start-to-finish.

You aren't going to find Lost Trails playing on a happy hour jukebox but there is more-than-enough depth to the music to keep it from floating away.

Here is a recent live video for "Carpark" which is a sweeping, post-rock (think Explosions in the Sky) instrumental.



The Butterfly Explosion's current US tour kicks off tonight at The Khyber in Philadelphia.

Here are the upcoming dates on the current tour:

Mar. 13 (Sat) -- The Khyber, Philadelphia
Mar. 14 (Sun) -- Pianos, NYC
Mar. 15 (Mon) -- Cameo Gallery, Brooklyn
Mar. 16 (Tues) -- The Abbey, Chicago
Mar. 17 (Wed) -- Habana Calle 6, SXSW, Ausin (10PM)
Mar. 18 (Thur) -- Rusty Spurs, SXSW, Ausin (12PM)
Mar. 19 (Fri) -- BD Rileys, SXSW, Ausin (1PM)
Mar. 21 (Sun) -- Red 7, SXSW, Ausin Goodbye South-By party (4:45pm) featuring Rival Schools, Junius and more

Links:
The Butterfly Explosion

DOWNLOAD: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Beat The Devil's Tattoo"
DOWNLOAD: J. Roddy Walston & the Business - "Brave Man's Death" and "I Don't Want to Hear It"
DOWNLOAD: School of Seven Bells - "Iamundernodisguise" (alt. take)
STREAM: Murder By Death - "The Day"

The SXSW madness begins...

Vagrant Records SXSW showcase is taking place next Friday night, March 19th, at La Zona Rose (612 W. 4th St., Austin, TX 78701) and features Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Murder By Death, School of Seven Bells and J-Roddy Walston and The Business.

Links:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Murder By Death
J-Roddy Walston & the Business
School of Seven Bells

"We're talking the scabby riffs of Buzzov*en, the rhythmic eccentricities of Lightning Bolt and the psychedelic clutter of a shotgun full of mescaline." - Decibel

White Mice's Maxximum Ganjahovahdrive Tour 2010 kicks off tonight in Providence, Rhode Island. From there the blood encrusted, furry savages will infest and pillage the country for the next month and a half, bringing their vomitous, psychotically-entrancing apocalyptic hymns about Cheesus and such to the masses, including a massive headfuckfest in the southwest, as they invade SXSW for a plethora of shows.

When asked to describe their sound in a recent Hellbound.ca interview, White Mice drummer Phallusturd Scrowleak spouts "Diehearearrock is what wee call it. Grate music to Commit Sin to, others might attempt name us butt there is only one true name, of which can only be produced by the screaming flatulence of 666 demons breaking winds of 666 different tones and can only be heard by the whoreshippers of Cheesus Miced the lard and slaviour."

The band kicked off a cross-country tour today that includes a stop at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn for a show on April 16th with Liturgy and Suffering Bastard.

Here are the complete tour dates:
3/10/2010 AS220 - Providence, RI w/ Fuzz Orchestra, Stress Ape
3/14/2010 Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH w/ Tinsel Teeth, Liturgy, Stress Ape
3/15/2010 The Mopery - Chicago, IL w/ Liturgy, Tinsel Teeth, Cacaw
3/16/2010 Camp Concentration - St. Louis, MO w/ Tinsel Teeth, Liturgy
3/17/2010 The Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK w/ Tinsel Teeth, Liturgy, Black Cobra
3/18/2010 Mouse of Tinnitus - Denton, TX w/ Tinsel Teeth, Liturgy, Nite Shadez
3/19/2010 1111 - Austin, TX Saucedo - 4PMouseparty
3/19/2010 Headhunter's - Austin, TX | SXSW 20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore showcase w/ Liturgy, Endless Blockade, Coffinworm, Salome, Yakuza
3/19/2010 "2 AM @ Lamar Bridge" - Austin, TX
3/20/2010 Okay Mountain - Austin, TX
3/20/2010 Club 1880 - Austin, TX | Load Rec's Showcase w/ Tinsel Teeth, Drunkdriver, Todd, Pigeon Religion and more
3/21/2010 Brofest 2010 - Doublewide Bar - Dallas, TX w/ Tinsel Teeth, Liturgy +many more
3/22/2010 Ambitious Loser Fest - OZ Cafe - Wichita, KS
3/23/2010 Rhinoceropolis - Denver, CO
3/25/2010 V.A.C. - Boise, ID w/ Uzula, Micro Babies, For Fuck’s Sake
3/26/2010 The Josephine - Seattle, WA
3/28/2010 The Know - Portland, OR w/ Lesbian
3/29/2010 The Tube - Portland, OR w/ The Ramjac, Lesbian
3/30/2010 The Hub - Sacramento, CA w/ Mom, Nuclear Death Wish
3/31/2010 21 Grand - Oakland, CA w/ Lesbian, Nuclear Death Wish
4/01/2010 Hemlock Tavern - San Francisco, CA w/ Lesbian, Nuclear Death Wish, CCR Headcleaner
4/02/2010 Women of Crenshaw - Los Angeles, CA
4/03/2010 Mountain Bar - Los Angeles, CA w/ Lesbian
4/04/2010 The Tribe - Phoenix, AZ w/ Pigeon Religion, Melted Cassettes
4/05/2010 tba - Tucson, Az
4/06/2010 Mohawk - Austin, TX
4/07/2010 Super Happy Funland - Houston, TX w/ Useless Children, Golden Axe
4/08/2010 Schiller Street - Little Rock, AR
4/09/2010 Little Hamilton Collective - Nashville, TN w/ MLU, Suffering Bastard, No Compassion, Laser Slut
4/10/2010 CFBG’s - Greensboro, NC w/ Mutant League, Three Brained Robot, Suffering Bastard
4/11/2010 The Juggling Gypsy - Wilmington, NC w/ Suffering Bastard, Food World, Caucasians, Khnum
4/12/2010 The Nightlight - Chapel Hill, NC w/ Suffering Bastard, Cheezface, Ex-Monkeys, Nuss
4/13/2010 The Triple - Richmond, VA w/ Suffering Bastard
4/14/2010 *TBA - Philadelphia w/ Suffering Bastard
4/15/2010 Sidebar - Baltimore, MD w/ Suffering Bastard, Fourth Horseman
4/16/2010 Shea Stadium - Brooklyn, NY w/ Liturgy, Suffering Bastard
4/19/2010 Charlie's Kitchen - Boston, MA w/ MLU, Rotten Apples, Crazy Dreams
4/20/2010 17 Mules - Providence, RI w/ Useless Children, MLU, Holy Sheet and more

Links:
White Mice

As I get older, I'm beginning to realize that I've probably lost some range of hearing after playing in bands for years and going to hundreds of concerts. The problem is that I would forget to wear earplugs half the time or use cheap (Rite Aid) foam earplug when I did remember.

I was at an Enforcer (Earache Records) show late last year at Europa without earplugs and didn't hear right for days. After this, I decided to get serious about wearing earplugs at all future shows.

I've worn Earlove Hi-Fi earplugs to the last two shows (both metal bands) that I've seen and they have been great. I can hear the full range of sounds clearly, get as close as I want (without getting being 'deaf; for days), and I've had no post-show loss of hearing. I don't think I'd see a show now without these earplugs - they are the same style as my iPhone headphones (and use the same technology as Musicians Earplugs™) so they fit so much better than a 'standard' foam earplugs. With these earplugs I was able to get up close (without the 'usual' post-show loss of hearing) for Your Demise at Santos Party House (see video) and Staring Janet Leigh at Fontana's.

Earlove advertises that "[t]he volume at a nightclub, for example, is usually around 105 decibels, which is louder than being in close proximity to a running chainsaw...Earlove Hi-Fi earplugs reduce the overall sound 20 decibels evenly across all frequencies."

Links:
Earlove's Website

Austin-by-way-of-Tallahassee indie/math rock band Look Mexico in touring in advance of their sophomore release To Bed To Battle (Suburban Home Records) and the band is playing The Studio at Webster Hall on Wednesday, March 10th. Look Mexico are sharing the bill with Gabriel the Marine and The Dear & Departed. DOS tickets are $12 and doors are at 6:30PM.

The band's new disc is coming out on March 23rd on CD and limited edition vinyl (both of which are available for pre-order). According to Suburban Noise's site "[t]he vinyl will be pressed in an edition of 1,000 copies (500 on Salmon/Orange vinyl, 500 on black vinyl). After the first pressing sells out, we will press all future pressings on black vinyl."

To Bed To Battle was written and recorded this past summer in Look Mexico’s former hometown of Tallahassee, FL. With the converted basement of a local pizza shop dedicated as their studio space, the band was able to take their time throughout the recording process, experimenting with and expanding their sound, and adding new instrumentation such as electric piano, organ, pedal steel, violin, cello, and horns. The resulting album – which deals with struggle and pressing on in the face of adversity – is an incredibly catchy, diverse yet cohesive set of 10 songs. To Bed To Battle ranges musically from anthemic pop/rock and explosive ballads (“You Stay. I Go. No Following,” “Until The Lights Burn Out?”), to alternately edgy and dreamy math-rock (“No Wonder I’m Still Awake,” “Time For You To Go Do Your Own Thing”), to blistering, barreling modern rock (“I Live My Life A Quarter Mile At A Time,” “They Offered Me A Deal (I Said No, Naturally”), to even acoustic, chamber pop-laced Americana (“Take It Upstairs, Einstein”).

The band just released their first video "You Stay.I Go. No Following" (dig the Iron Giant reference) from To Bed To Battle.



Here are the band's upcoming tour dates:
03/08 - Boston, MA @ Middle East
03/10 - New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
03/11 - New Brunswick, NJ @ Court Tavern
03/12 - Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox
03/13 - St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/14 - St. Augustine, FL @ Harvest of Hope
03/16 - Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s

Links:
Look Mexico

DOWNLOAD: We Are Wolves - "Blue" (from Invisible Violence)
DOWNLOAD: We Are Wolves - "Holding Hands" (from Invisible Violence)

Montreal dance-rock band We Are Wolves are extending their current tour and have just announced a cross-country run of April tour dates. The band is touring behind their third CD Invisible Violence which came out in February on Dare To Care Records.

Invisible Violence is twelve cuts of predominately raw dance-rock which has a ferocious groove. The band combines angular, chugging guitar riffs with psychedelic keyboards to create a sound that would be right at home alongside the Klaxons' "new rave" sound. Some of the standout 'rock' tunes are the disc opener "Paloma" and the punky "Me As Enemy" (which is streaming on the band's MySpace page). Across this disc, the band doesn't stray much from their core dance-rock sound but there are some exceptions which gives the listener a chance to catch their breath.

The band doesn't really slow down until close to the end of the disc. The fourth track, "Dreams", starts off slowly but this is just a tease as the guitar hooks and exploding choruses kick in mid-song. It isn't until the tenth track, "La Rue Oblique", when things truly start to slow. This song relies on a 60's sounding psychedelic keyboard riff to carry the song while singer Alex Ortiz sings blissed-out vocals all in French. "Bounty Waterfalls" is an instrumental track that closes out the disc and it sounds like something that could have come out of the early Pink Floyd songbook. While somewhat schizophrenic at times, Invisible Violence is an intense and engaging listen.

We Are Wolves - "Paloma", Live at Arlene's Grocery, CMJ, 2009




We are Wolves Upcoming Tour Dates:
MAR. 13 -- SAINT-DONAT-DE-RIMOUSKI, QC, MONT-COMI
MAR. 18 -- AUSTIN, TX, PARADISE, (M for Montreal showcase; 1AM set time)
MAR. 19 -- AUSTIN, TX, GUEROS (set time TBA)
MAR. 21 -- AUSTIN, TX, ENCORE (Obscure Magpie Party, set time TBA)
APR. 01 -- QUEBEC, QC, IMPERIAL*
APR. 06 -- KINGSTON, ON, THE ALE HOUSE*
APR. 07 -- TORONTO, ON, PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE*
APR. 08 -- LOS ANGELES, CA, THE ECHO
APR. 09 -- VISALIA, CA, THE CELLAR DOOR
APR. 10 -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA, BOTTOM OF THE HILL
APR. 12 -- PORTLAND, OR, ROTTURE
APR. 13 -- SEATTLE, WA, THE VERA PROJECT
APR. 15 -- VANCOUVER, BC, THE BILTMORE CABARET**
APR. 16 -- KAMLOOPS, BC, HEROES PUB**
APR. 17 -- CALGARY, AB, THE REPUBLIK**
APR. 18 -- EDMONTON, AB, PAWN SHOP**
APR. 19 -- SASKATOON, SK, AMIGO'S**
APR. 20 -- WINNIPEG, MB, ROYAL ALBERT HALL**
APR. 21 -- MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 7TH STREET ENTRY**
APR. 22 -- CHICAGO, IL, SUBTERRANEAN**
APR. 23 -- LONDON, ON, CALL THE OFFICE**
APR. 24 -- TORONTO, ON, THE GARRISON**
MAY 15 -- LYON, FR, NUITS SONORES
* in support of Wolf Parade
** the POP OFF! tour with Parlovr

Links:
We Are Wolves' MySpace Profile

DOWNLOAD: Like Bells - "Atlas" (from Like Bells' self-titled debut)
DOWNLOAD: Like Bells - "Nothing Collapses" (from Like Bells' self-titled debut)

Like Bells is a mostly instrumental band formed in 2006 by three students at Oberlin College/Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This trio-now-turned-foursome for touring purposes, released their debut LP on Exit Stencil in the spring of 2009 and received strong reviews. Press from the time of the release compared the band to a mixture of The Dirty Three, Do Make Say Think, and Godspeed.

The band is playing two local-area shows in late March/early April. On Monday, March 29th they will be playing a free show at Zebulon (258 Wythe, Brooklyn) w/ The Slowest Runner In All The World and Ellie Fortune. On Saturday, April 3rd they will be at Piano's (no show info. posted yet).



Like Bells write songs that challenge listeners without alienating them with songs of epic length and esoteric instrumentation—a frequent lynchpin in the instrumental band toolbox. Rather, they pay strict attention to melody—often accomplished by minimalist vocals, or the beautiful strings of Garrett Openshaw soaring high over the effulgent understructure created by the intricate drumming of Will Mason, and the inspired and uniquely tuned guitar work of Gabe Baker.

Within the short confines of traditional song lengths, Like Bells transport the listener with melodies that are simple, complex, beautiful, and powerful.

Links:
Like Bells

I've been sick as a dog this past week and didn't do much more than go to work and come home and go to bed. As I finally started to feel better yesterday, I got a much needed chuckle out of an email that I received from a strip club promoter entitled "Strippers Predict Oscar Winners". As a thanks for giving me a much needed laugh - I'm going to repost the press release.

“Our gowns on the red carpet at Rick's Cabaret are always a lot sexier than the ones in Hollywood", smiles 25 year old Alannah, 36D, 27, 37. “And besides, we take them off!" adds 22 year-old Monica, 33C, 24, 35, with a wink.

82 Rick's Cabaret girls at the midtown Manhattan gentlemen's club (58 blondes, 21 brunettes and 3 redheads) contributed their Oscar predictions and the results are in. The ladies forecast the following winners at the 2010 Academy Awards:

Best Picture - Avatar
Best Actress - Meryl Streep
Best Actor - George Clooney
Best Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer
Best Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique

“We're all really upset that Brad Pitt wasn't nominated for "Inglourious Basterds”, cries 23 year-old Tiffany, 34C, 25, 33.. “He's so hot, but I guess he already has the best award of all - Angelina Jolie!” she adds.

“Can you believe Quentin Tarantino was nominated for Best Director?” wonders 22 year-old Kelly, 38D, 27, 36. “He doesn't even know how to spell!” she asserts….

The sad thing about my posting this is that I never go to the movies outside of taking my five year old to kids movies like Alvin & the Chipmunks and Thomas the Tank Engine. To give my two cents on the strippers' predictions:

Avatar - Ill Bill said it was boring; good enough for me
Meryl Steep - Doesn't she always win? Whatever happened to Glenn Close?
George Clooney - see above; obviously Dustin Hoffman or Robert Di Nero didn't make a movie this year
Christopher Plummer - Thought Captain Von Trapp had died a couple years ago...obviously not
Mo'Nique - No clue who this is or what movie she was in

DOWNLOAD: Footstone - "Mad-G" (from Lippy)

After a 10-year hiatus, NJ power-punk band Footstone played a one-off reunion show last month at Maxwell's. Also coming back onto the scene after a similar decade long absence is indie-rock label Dromedary Records who has recently reissued Footstone's debut CD Lippy.

Footstone was always a strong live act and I saw the band numerous times when they made the rounds of the East Village clubs (Continental, CBGB, Brownies, etc.). In the mid-90's, discs like Lippy and Ruth Ruth's Laughing Gallery provided a welcome balance to the sometimes "too serious" straight-edge scene. For anyone who hasn't heard Lippy, there are a number of live songs posted on YouTube from a private party that the band played last year. Jersey Beat described the disc as "a very cool blend of pop, punk, and alternative rock. Very melodic, very tight band, very clean, balanced mix. ‘Mad-G’ is a real standout track, with a kind of DC post-emo influenced sound."

To celebrate the return of Dromedary Records, the label has made available Footstone's debut 7" from 1994, "Wobbles from Side to Side", as a free digital download. In addition to the tracks "Mountain Man" and "Belly", Dromedary has added the previously unreleased song "Airbag" (recorded in 1993).



Links:
Dromedary Records' Footstone Page

The Canon Logic's debut album, FM Arcade, is coming out on March 9th and the band is having a record release party at Mercury Lounge next Friday, March 5th. Tickets are only $10 and all tickets include a free copy of FM Arcade. I expect that that after this new disc is released, the band will be playing bigger rooms fairly quickly. Get your tickets soon as this show will likely sell out.

The Canon Logic are playing with Pants Velour and this is an early show - Pants Velour play at 7:30PM and The Canon Logic play at 8:30PM.

The first single from the new disc, "Avenue of Criminals" is available as a free download (below) and the second single "Nights at Armour Mansion" is posted on The Canon Logic's website.





Track list for FM Arcade:
1. Villain in America
2. Avenue of Criminals
3. The Fabulist
4. It All Went Away…
5. Nights At Armour Mansion
6. Amy is a Wolverine
7. Dead Man
8. Exile
9. The Dark Maid
10. Delia
11. The System
12. Last Day of Man

Links:
The Canon Logic

Chelsea Grin is a pummeling six-piece deathcore band out of Utah who just released their first full-length CD on Artery Recordings (a Razor & Tie imprint). Desolation of Eden follows the band's 2008 debut 5-song EP (Statik Factory) and contains re-recordings of the EP's "Recreant" and "Cheyne Stokes" (live video below).

Describing this disc as "brutal" is about the equivalent of describing a typhoon as "windy". A 'chelsea grin' in soccer hooligan terminology is the act of cutting a rival's mouth with either a credit card or blade and then kicking them in the crotch; the band delivers the musical equivalent of this beatdown. Chelsea Grin features three guitarists who play downtuned start/stop speed-burst riffs and chugging breakdowns while Alex Koehlr delivers vocals that range from a Cookie Monster bass growl to a high-pitched banshee shriek. The bass and double bass drumming are beyond technically precise as they stay in pounding lock-step.



I'm not a huge fan of many deathcore bands as it seems, across the genre, that power and brutality are valued significantly more than melody but there are a couple of songs on Desolation of Eden which caught my ear. "The Human Condition" has a killer melodic guitar line which sets the stage for the instrumental track "Elysium" that follows. There is also the disc's finale, "Wasteland", where Alex Koehlr's murmured vocals are buried beneath chugging riffs. For fans of the genre, there should be more than enough here to sink your teeth into.

The band has built a solid fan base by constant touring over the last two years and they are currently out on the Burgers & Bowling tour with The Red Chord, MyChild MyBride and Those Who Lie Beneath. The tour is skipping NYC (why is it no longer a surprise that a lot of metal show skip the City?) and the closest date is March 12th at School of Rock in Hackensack, NJ.

Burgers & Bowling Tour
Featuring: The Red Chord (Metal Blade), My Child My Bride, Chelsea Grin and Those Who Lie Beneath
Mar 01, 2010 8:00PM, Flagstaff, Arizona
Mar 02, 2010 8:00PM, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mar 03, 2010 8:00PM, Amarillo, Texas
Mar 04, 2010 8:00PM, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Mar 05, 2010 8:00PM, Memphis, Tennessee
Mar 06, 2010 8:00PM, Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 07, 2010 8:00PM, Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 08, 2010 8:00PM, New Brookland Tavern, Columbia, South Carolina
Mar 09, 2010 8:00PM, Raleigh, North Carolina
Mar 11, 2010 8:00PM, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Mar 12, 2010 8:00PM, South Hackensack, New Jersey
Mar 13, 2010 8:00PM, Webster Underground, Hartford, Connecticut
Mar 14, 2010 8:00PM, Water Front Tavern, Holyoke, Massachusetts

Chelsea Grin Headlining Tour
Mar 15, 2010 8:00PM, The Vibe Lounge, Rockville Centre, New York
Mar 16, 2010 8:00PM, Masquerade Club @ Crocodile, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Mar 17, 2010 8:00PM, The Modern Exchange, Southgate, Michigan
Mar 19, 2010 8:00PM, Bobby Mcgees, Chicago Ridge, Illinois
Mar 20, 2010 8:00PM, The El Torreon, Kansas City, Missouri
Mar 21, 2010 8:00PM, Marquis Theater, Denver, Colorado

Links:
Chelsea Grin

UK hardcore band Your Demise made their NYC debut on Wednesday night, headlining a show at Santos House Party. The band played an aggressive 30+ minute set as singer Ed McRae bounded from one side of the room to the other with the energy of a Tasmanian Devil.

I had the chance to talk with guitarist Daniel "Ozzy Porkchop" Osborne prior to the show and the video below finishes up with the final song from the band's set.



Here are the upcoming tour dates for Your Demise:

Mar. 1, 2010 8:00PM, Club Octane, Charleroi, Pennsylvania
Mar. 2, 2010 8:00PM, The Lighthouse, Frankfort, Illinois
Mar. 9, 2010 8:00PM, Newcastle, UK @ Uni w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 10, 2010 8:00PM, Glasgow, UK @ ABC w/ A Day To Remember SOLD OUT
Mar. 11, 2010 8:00PM, Manchester, UK @ Academy w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 12, 2010 8:00PM, London, UK @ HMV Forum w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 13, 2010 8:00PM, Bristol, UK @ Anson Rooms w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 14, 2010 8:00PM, Birmingham, UK @ Academy 1 w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 15, 2010 8:00PM, Portsmouth, UK @ Pyramid Centre w/ A Day To Remember + Architects
Mar. 17, 2010 8:00PM, House Of Rock, Corpus Christi, Texas
Mar. 18, 2010 8:00PM, Emo’s- Day Show, Austin, Texas
Mar. 18, 2010 8:00PM, White Rabbit- Night Show, San Antonio, Texas
Mar. 19, 2010 8:00PM, The Village, Little Rock, Arkansas
Mar. 21, 2010 8:00PM, Gallery 13,Columbus, Georgia
Mar. 22, 2010 8:00PM, The Warehouse, East Ridge, Tennessee

Links:
Your Demise

DOWNLOAD: Adam Green - "What Makes Him Act So Bad"
DOWNLOAD: Adam Green - "Castles and Tassels"

Adam Green released his sixth solo album, Minor Love, earlier this month. As a brief disclaimer, this is my first exposure to Green's music so I can't compare this disc to any of his earlier work.

After listening to Minor Love a few times, the immediately comparison is to late 70's/early 80's era Lou Reed. Green tells narrative stories in a near spoken-word singing voice and, like some of Reed's themes, these are tales of scumbags, squalor and excess which are delivered with a dark sense of humor. Musically, the disc spans a number of style which range from 70's soul/funk ("Buddy Bradley", "Lockout") to the Velvet Underground sounding "What Makes Him Act So Bad". The disc switches gears mid-way as Green embraces a Country-Western folk style reminiscent of Rob Orbison ("Cigarette Burns Forever") and Johnny Cash ("Boss Inside", "You Blacken My Stay"). While some of the stylistic jumps can be somewhat disconcerting, the disc is held together by Green's lyrics which show his view on the world and the people within it. To provide a brief view into Green's outlook on life - he is the only songwriter that I can think of who can successfully pull off rhyming "castles and tassels" with "flatulent assholes".



Adam Green is currently touring in Europe and he is back in town for two headlining shows at Bowery Ballroom on April 23rd and April 24th. Tickets for the Bowery Ballroom show are $15 and The Dead Trees (who are out with Green for the month of April) are opening the show.

Links:
Adam Green

DOWNLOAD: KiNDERGARTEN - "Man on the Stairs"
DOWNLOAD: KiNDERGARTEN - "Just a Little (Shook)"

Earlier this month, rock/funk band KiNDERGARTEN released their second disc, Small (click the band's photo to go to iTunes). The band is playing a free show next Thursday night, March 4th, at Rockwood Music Hall. The show is 21+ and KiNDERGARTEN go on at 10PM.

Small, which is the follow-up to KiNDERGARTEN’s debut album River of Slime (2007), is a collection of 12 hook-heavy songs that the band has been performing live for at about a year prior their recording. The lyrics focus on dark themes relating to the end of the world, the growing role of machines in our society, and the recession. This isn't as dark as it sounds though as KiNDERGARTEN mixes ‘70s funk and ‘80s rock with influences that range from Lou Reed and David Bowie to Earth Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson. There is a review of the new disc posted to iTunes where the reviewer says "This album is going to be classic...I've danced, smiled, cried and at least once got pretty scared while listening".

Links:
KiNDERGARTEN

DOWNLOAD: Magic Wands - "Warrior" (The xx Remix)

Nashville-to-Los Angeles dream pop duo Magic Wands have released a new song "Warrior" and have made The xx remix of the song available as a free download.

This is the first new song since Magic Wands released the "Magic Love and Dreams" EP just under a year ago. "Magic Love and Dreams" was recorded with John Hill (Santogold, Lykke Li, Nas) - using the same drum machine as Prince’s Purple Rain - and is available through iTunes, Bright Antenna and Young and Lost Club.

“Magic Wands will instantly force you to start tapping your feet and possibly hand clap along with these four bouncy tracks that rely on a combination of drum machines, distorted guitars and catchy melodies”- THE FIRE NOTE

The band hasn't announced any tour dates after SXSW but, as they spent a good bit of time out on the road last year touring with bands like The Kills and The Horrors, one would assume that a coast-to-coast tour will follow later this year.

Magic Wands - "Warrior" (Original Version)


Links:
Magic Wands

DOWNLOAD: Cage - "Planet Crusher" (from Science of Annihilation) + 8 other songs

San Diego power/thrash metal band Cage released their fifth CD, Science of Annihilation, about a year ago and the disc is coming out on a limited edition 180 gr. vinyl pressing on Feb. 26th. This 2-LP set is limited to 525 copies and hand numbered. There will be 100 copies on colored vinyl with the remainder on black vinyl.

The LP is coming out on Pure Steel Records who will be releasing Cage’s Hell Destroyer and Darker Than Black on vinyl later this year.

Sounding like a cross between Rob Halford and King Diamond, Cage vocalist Sean Peck sings/screams in a high falsetto while the band blasts through twelve dark tales with themes that range from science fiction to demon possession. The band’s songs have picked up some speed on this release, perhaps due to the addition of drummer Norm Leggio (Psychotic Waltz), but this speed hasn’t dimmed any of Cage’s melodic hooks.

Guitarists Dave Garcia and Anthony Wayne McGinnis add intertwined melodies to all of the songs which range from alternating shredding leads to laid back instrumentals. Bassist Mike Giordano stays in lock-step with drummer Norm Leggio which gives the band a driving sense of urgency and aggression across this disc. While Cage continues to owe a solid debt to Painkiller-era Judas Priest, the band's sound has continued to evolve and this release should also strike a chord with fans of Jag Panzer and Manowar.

Cage was in town last September for the Power Metal Festival at Club Europa and below is a live video from their performance.



Cage is currently scheduled to play some of the metal festivals around the US. Here is the list of currently announced tour dates:

04/29/10 – Triton Power Fest Pre-Party – Miami, Florida
04/30/10 – SwordFest – Largo, Florida
05/01/10 – MayDay MetalFest – Atlanta, Georgia
05/02/10 – Amos Southend – Charlotte, North Carolina
05/08/10 – Angels Roadhouse – Yucaipa, California
06/26/10 – Warriors of Metal III Festival – Chillicothe, Ohio
09/11/10 – SwordBrothers IX Festival – Juz Andernach, Germany

Links:
Cage

At the end of last year, Metal Blade released Just Highs No Lows (12 Years of Persistence), a 2-CD compilation of Brainstorm hits and rarities. This is the band's final release on the Metal Blade label and this 32-track compilation pulls 4+ selections from each of the five albums that the band recorded for Metal Blade between 2000 - 2008 along with eight rarities.

The compilation runs in reverse chronological through Brainstorm's tenure with Metal Blade. Here is the track listing:

Disc 1:
"Downburst" (2008):
01. Falling Spiral Down
02. Fire Walk With Me
03. End In Sorrow
04. How Do You Feel
05. Stained with Sin

"Liquid Monster" (2005):
06. Worlds Are Coming Through
07. All Those Words
08. Inside The Monster
09. Painside
10. Heavenly

"Soul Temptation" (2003):
11. Highs Without Lows
12. The Leading
13. Doorway To Survive

"Trinity of Lust" trilogy :
14. Shiva's Tears
15. Fornever
16. Soul Temptation

Disc 2:

"Metus Mortis" (2001):
01. Blind Suffering
02. Hollow Hideaway
03. Shadowland
04. Under Lights

"Ambiguity" (2000):
05. Tear Down The Walls
06. Maharaja Palace
07. Beyond My Destiny
08. Demonsion

Bonus Tracks:
09. Face Down (from "Metus" digipack)
10. Breathe ("Liquid Monster" Japanese bonus)
11. Drowning ("Downburst" Japanese bonus)
12. Crawling In Chains ("Downburst" Japanese limited edition)
13. Before The Dawn (Judas Priest cover / from "All Those Words" single)
14. Is This The Way to Amarillo (Tony Chrisie cover)
15. Voices (Live - Budapest DVD)
16. Liar's Edge (Live - Summer Breeze DVD)

While this compilation spans a number of years, Brainstorm's melodic, power metal sound hasn't changed significantly over the years so this set comes across as a consistent body of work.

This is a great introduction to the band for the uninitiated. For those, like myself, who already have a number of Brainstorm's studio albums, I would have liked a second disc of just European b-sides and rarities but minor complaints don't diminish the power of this set.

Links:
Brainstorm

This is one of those "if only I had some extra money" events --

This June, Dweezil Zappa and members of his core band are hosting Dweezilla, which is a five day boot camp for musicians of all levels. Running from June 21-24 in the Catskill Forest Preserve in upstate New York, Dweezilla offers aspiring musicians a wide range of master classes at all skill levels in addition to one-on-one sessions with Dweezil himself.

"I decided to create a diverse music boot camp for people of all skill levels hoping to increase their musical prowess. It would make me very happy if I could help a fellow musician take their skills to the next level." - Dweezil Zappa

Here is the pricing for Dweezilla:

-$1,460: Camping, On-Site at Full Moon Resort
-$1,600: Double Occupancy, Full Moon Resort, Shared Bath. Roommate Selected
-$1,725: Double Occupancy, Full Moon Resort, Private Bath. Roommate Selected
-$1,900: Single Occupancy, Full Moon Resort, Shared Bath.
-$1,925: Double Occupancy, Alpine Inn, Private Bath. Roommate Selected
-$2,050: Single Occupancy, Full Moon Resort, Private Bath
-$2,350: Single Occupancy, Alpine Inn, Private Bath

Note: Pricing includes accommodations (Full Moon Resort or Alpine Inn), gourmet meals, and all Dweezilla workshops, activities, and performances from Sunday, June 20th to Friday, June 25th 2010).

Frank and Dweezil Zappa - "Whipping Post", Live in Stockholm, Sweden 1988


Links:
Dweezilla Home Page
Dweezil Zappa's Website

DOWNLOAD: Heroes of Popular Wars - "It's A Doozy" (from 2009's Church and Mcdonald)

Brooklyn-to-LA transplants Heroes of Popular Wars just released a new video for "It's a Doozy", which is from the band's 2009 release Church and Mcdonald, which is available as a free download from HOPW's website.

In reviewing the latest disc, the UK-based blog "The Devil Has the Best Tuna" wrote "[i]t's difficult to pick out just a couple of tracks on an album that is best heard in full from start to finish but special mention should be made of the dance inflected 'A Bus Called Further' a Steely Dan homage, 'She's A Microscope' which starts out as a slow, candy-coated pop song that builds and builds before exploding like a bomb in a synth factory and 'American Loser', a two-part pop song/dirge that sounds like Kevin Shields playing tug of war with 80's Peter Gabriel."



Links:
Heroes of Popular Wars

DOWNLOAD: The Secret Machines - "Like I Can"

This should be a big show tonight - The Secret Machines are playing Glassland Gallery with Bear in Heaven, Mon Khmer, Noveller and Papa. The show starts at 9PM and cover is $15 ($12 reduced cover if you RSVP to rsvp@popgunbooking.com).

Earlier this month, The Secret Machines released a new two-song single "Like I Can / Terrible Light". (Click the cover to go to iTunes) The single is out on the band's own label, TSM Recordings, and both tracks were recorded at The Magic Shop and mixed at Electric Lady in NYC.

Here is a live version of the b-side of the new single, "Terrible Light", that was recorded last year at a show at Santos Party House.



Links:
The Secret Machines

DOWNLOAD: "Something, Somewhere, Sometime" - Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

Ben Sollee's new disc, Dear Companion, was released today and here is the copy of the note that Ben sent out earlier this morning:

Just wanted to send a brief note to let you know that my new record, Dear Companion, is just released today. It's a collaborative project between fellow Kentuckian Daniel Martin Moore and myself produced rock-maestro Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket. We've come together to make some music celebrating our cultural ties to Appalachia and to raise awareness about mountain-top removal coal mining. It's an unfortunately efficient means of strip mining to removes to summits of mountains to dig out coal. Daniel and I feel that losing our environmental and cultural heritage is far too big a sacrifice for something as inefficient as coal.

We're donating a portion of the proceeds to the organization Appalachian Voices to help with all the good work they are doing to help raise awareness around the issue and to help amplify the voices of people struggling in the coal fields. You can find out more about what they do at www.ilovemountains.org.

We had a tremendous amount of fun making this record and we hope that will enjoy and make it a part of your listening. We're not trying to change the world with this music. We're just trying to discover our role in it all. I hope you can share with others and spread the good.

Thanks to Sub Pop records for getting beyond this project and recognizing that we're all in this together as a nation.

Take Care,
Ben

The tour kicks off this week and stops at Joe's Pub on March 5th and 6th. Here are the complete tour dates:

2.16 - Louisville, KY - Ear X-tacy (In-Store)
2.17 - Lexington, KY - CD Central (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Shake-It Records (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Northside Tavern
2.20 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Grimey's (In-Store)
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
2.26 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theater
2.27 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
3.01 - Boone, NC - Boone Saloon
3.02 - Carrboro, NC - Carrboro Arts Center
3.04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
3.05 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.06 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.09 - Albany, NY - The Linda
3.11 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
3.12 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
3.13 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
3.15 - Cedar Rapids, IA - CSPS
3.16 - St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House
3.18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.26 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabe's
3.27 - San Francisco, CA - Swedish American Hall
3.29 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
3.30 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
4.02 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
4.03 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater

Links:
Dear Companion
Ben Sollee
Daniel Martin Moore

Brooklyn's Hurricane Bells are playing a headlining show tomorrow night at Union Hall prior to heading down to SXSW next month.

Hurricane Bells is the new solo project by Longwave guitarist/front-man Steve Schiltz. Schiltz wrote, played, recorded, and mixed the entirety of Tonight Is The Ghost - a moody, gorgeous mix of somber undercurrents and chiming guitars bathed in echo and reverb. The disc is currently available digitally through Vagrant Records and a special-edition physical release of the album will be announced shortly.

Tickets for tomorrow night's show are $10 and Hurricane Bells is playing with Scout and Falcon. The band is also set to perform at SXSW in March, followed by an April tour opening for Blue October as an acoustic duo of band architect Steve Schiltz and Ashen Keilyn (also of Scout). Complete tour dates are at the bottom of the post.

Schiltz originally had planning on self-releasing this disc but the disc picked up national attention when the b-side "Monsters" was chosen for the The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack last fall. The band just released the video for "Monsters" which was directed by Bill Moldt (who had previously done the charming "This Year" video for the band).



FEB. 17 -- BROOKLYN, NY, UNION HALL
MAR. 17-20 -- AUSTIN, TX, SXSW
APR. 07 -- ATLANTA, GA, CENTER STAGE*
APR. 08 -- RICHMOND, VA, HAT FACTORY*
APR. 09 -- PHILADELPHIA, PA, TLA*
APR. 10 -- NEW YORK, NY, WEBSTER HALL*
APR. 11 -- WASHINGTON, DC, 9:30 CLUB*
APR. 16 -- ROCHESTER, NY, WATER STREET*
APR. 17 -- COLUMBUS, OH, LC PAVILION*
APR. 18 -- CLEVELAND, OH, HOUSE OF BLUES*
APR. 20 -- CHICAGO, IL, HOUSE OF BLUES*
APR. 21 -- ST. LOUIS, MO, PAGEANT*
APR. 23 -- OMAHA, NE, SOKOL HALL*
APR. 24 -- DENVER, CO, GOTHIC THEATER*
APR. 27 -- LUBBOCK, TX, LONESTAR EC PAVILION*
APR. 28 -- ODESSA, TX, DOS AMIGOS*
APR. 29 -- TULSA, OK, CAIN'S*
APR. 30 -- DALLAS, TX, HOUSE OF BLUES*
* with Blue October

Links:
Hurricane Bells' MySpace Profile

DOWNLOAD: Peasant - "Well Alright"

Damien DeRose (aka Peasant) is releasing his third disc, Shady Retreat, on Paper Garden Records on March 2nd.

While Peasant’s new album was recorded in several locales, DeRose spent the majority of his time in the attic of a 200-year-old farmhouse. Shady Retreat puts together the techniques DeRose learned in the studio for On The Ground, while staying true to his DIY beginnings. It's a gorgeous and ambitious collection of Peasant's best, most exciting work. Sixties-esque guitar and pop songs are encircled with layered harmonies and synths, as Peasant sings his dreamy lyrics with his usual conviction.

In a recent review, RCRDLBL said that '"'The End' will make you sigh at what could have been, while 'Well Alright' will have you mouthing words you don't yet know."

Here are the upcoming tour dates:
2/24 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Rocky Votolato
2/25 – Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo (Two Way Monologue series)
2/26 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House w/ Fucked Up + Kurt Vile (sold out)
3/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live w/ Emanuel and the Fear
3/12 – Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter Club w/ Seedy Seeds
3/14 – Louisville, KY @ The Rudyard Kipling w/ Seedy Seeds
3/15 – St. Loius, MO @ Cicero’s w/ Seedy Seeds
3/18 – Austin, TX @ Tap Room (Blackbird official SXSW showcase)
3/19 – Austin, TX @ tbd
3/20 – Austin, TX @ Howl Interior (Paper Garden Records SXSW day party)
3/24 – New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar w/ Seedy Seeds
3/31 – Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands

Links:
Peasant

After a five year absence, Ryan Raddon (aka Kaskade) and Late Night Alumni are back with their follow-up to 2005's Empty Streets. The new disc, Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, etc. was recorded in various studios between Park City, Utah and San Francisco, California and the band continues to maintain a sound that is equal parts electronic and organic while tying it all together with the vocals of front-woman Becky Jean Williams.

Late Night Alumni is composed of dance music vets Becky Jean Williams, Finn Bjarnson, John Hancock, and Kaskade. The group came into being in 2003 when Bjarnson, who had already worked with Kaskade, met Williams and the three of them began recording as Late Night Alumni. In 2004, the Hed Kandi label made an offer to release a full-length Late Night Alumni album. “At that point,” Bjarnson says, “I knew the band was not ready. We were missing an element.” The missing element turned out to be John Hancock, a talented local producer with whom Bjarnson had been trying to “find an excuse” to work with for years.

To get a feel for the band's sound, check out the videos for the first two singles from this new disc.

Late Night Alumni - "You Can Be The One" (Live)


Late Night Alumni - "Finally Found"


Links:
Late Night Alumni