DEAR LIFE SIGNS TO UPRISING RECORDS; DEBUT ALBUM FRAMEWORK DUE OUT JUNE 24
Hacienda Heights, CA quintet Dear Life has signed with Uprising Records and is set to release their debut album Framework on June 24. Since solidifying their line up in 2004, Dear Life has emerged as a clear front runner to become one of the next successful hardcore/metal bands. It is the band's dedication and ambition that has allowed them to rise to their current status and will help them to continue their success.
It was their shared belief that music can deeply impact a person that brought founding members Vince Apostol (guitar), Matt Apostol (drums), and Daniel Moran (guitar) together to form Dear Life. The addition of vocalist Kevin Castellon and bassist Mike Trujillo in 2004 rounded out the band's line up and Dear Life was ready to move forward full steam ahead. Since 2004, the band has earned themselves spots on tours with Arsonists Get All The Girls (Century Media) and Catherine (Rise) and more recently shared the stage with the likes of such heavy hitters as Every Time I Die and Chiodos.
Framework showcases Dear Life's attention to their songwriting and the blending of their influences to create a sound that is truly their own. "All of us in the band enjoy all kinds of genres and I think it shines through in our music," says guitarist Vince Apostol of Dear Life's influences. The album is chock full of heavy riffs, breakdowns, and group sung choruses. To help capture the band's unique sound and passion for their music Dear Life brought in Roger Camero (The Warriors, No Motiv) to record and produce the album and Paul Miner (New Found Glory, Thrice, Atreyu) to do the mixing and mastering on the album.
With their debut album ready for the masses Dear Life has no plans of slowing down. The band has already got their touring schedule for the next few months loaded with what are sure to be more notable accomplishments including current dates with Comeback Kid and then performances at Bamboozle Left in Irvine, CA and Spring Breakdown Fest in San Bernardino, and tours with Dillinger Escape Plan and The Bled. With the stars aligned for Dear Life it appears that the sky is the limit for their success.
For more information on Dear Life and current tour dates visit www.dearxlife.com, www.myspace.com/dearlife, or www.uprisingrecords.com.
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THEE MERRY WIDOWS READY TO RIDE WITH THE DEVIL'S OUTLAWS
The all-female psychobilly quintet Thee Merry Widows will be celebrating the release of their second full-length album The Devil's Outlaws with a CD release show on April 18 at Annie's Social Club in San Francisco. The album will be released in Europe on People Like You Records later this month and will be self-released in the United States for the time being. While psychobilly on the outside the band also blends elements of horrorpunk, surf and garage rock into the mix.
From burlesque dancer and vocalist Miss Eva Von Slut to lead guitarist and kindergarten teacher Nishone to motorcycle enthusiast/upright bassist Jenna Ferocious each member of Thee Merry Widows beings their own unique element to the band. The line up is rounded out with Miss Mandy on rhythm guitar and Andrea on the drums. The band has already emerged from the Bay Area music scene as a force to be reckoned with and the release of The Devil's Outlaws is sure to catapult the band onto the radar of the national psychobilly scene.
For more information on Thee Merry Widows visit www.merrywidowsmusic.com or www.myspace.com/theemerrywidowsmusic.
Track listing for The Devil's Outlaws:
1. The Devil's Outlaw
2. Nightstalker
3. The Howl
4. Elena's Empty Tomb
5. The Bride
6. I Want 'Em Dead
7. Death City USA
8. Snakebite Kinda Love
9. Theatre Of Blood
10. Remember Me (featuring Daniel deLeon of Rezurez)
11. My High Heels
12. Varla
WICHITA ROCKERS BLACK GASOLINE IGNITE WITH DEBUT, SHE GAVE US MAGIC; WINTER TOUR ANNOUNCED
Wichita rockers Black Gasoline don't claim to be reinventing the wheel with their debut album She Gave Us Magic. The quintet is simply looking to create alterations to the current wheel spinning in rock n' roll with heavier grooves and more riffs. Black Gasoline draws influence from classic and current bands such as Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, and Nebula. She Gave Us Magic shows the band's dynamic range of talent from the garage rocker "A.C.T.I.O.N" to the groove-heavy "A Ghost Is The Highway" and the Clutch-esque "All Night."
As is evident on She Gave Us Magic, Black Gasoline works as a cohesive unit not as five separate members. From front man Bobby Comfort's soulful vocals to guitarist Paul Deceglie's riffs to keyboardist/guitarist Lovell Hickman's subtle harmonic pads, and the backbone rhythm section of bassist Scotty Badhart and drummer Kendall Newby the band would clearly be lacking without any one of its members. With many bands laced with attitudes and egos today, it is refreshing to hear new music that truly represents the saying "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
For more information please visit www.myspace.com/blackgasoline. Check out Black Gasoline at one of the tour dates below:
Thursday, December 27 - The Sound Pony - Tulsa, OK w/Rainbows Are Free
San Francisco punk n' rollers The White Barons have teamed up with their Swedish cohorts Dead City Rockers for the release of a split 7" single on January 8, 2008 on Champagne And Cocaine Records which is run by White Barons front woman Eva Von Slut. The single features the White Barons' "Logical Conclusion," a scorcher about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and the Dead City Rockers' side features the sardonic "I Wanna Be Poor." Both bands will be celebrating the release on January 17, 2008 at Bottom Of The Hill in San Francisco.
The White Barons, fronted by burlesque dancer and ex-Insaints, current all-girl psychobilly band Thee Merry Widows singer, Miss Eva Von Slut, bring driving punk n' roll from all angles with a dash a psychobilly for good measure. After forming in 2006 the Bay Area quartet released their debut album Up All Night With The White Barons on Gearhead Records.
Dead City Rockers hails from the land of reincarnated garage rock that is better known as Sweden. The band is following in the steps of fellow Swedes The Hives and The Hellacopters in their attempt to invade American soil with their raw, upbeat punk rock.
When asked about releasing a single on vinyl in an age when many new music fans don't even know what a 7-inch is Von Slut said, "I sure do know records are a thing of the past but I am still a record collector nerd so I still pump 'em out."
Champagne and Cocaine Records is proud to be committed to putting out high-quality vinyl in the digital age.
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CELLIST GORDON WITHERS (EX-BETWIXT) RELEASES JAWBOX ON CELLO: A BENEFIT FOR CAL ROBBINS
Jawbox was one of the DC post-punk scene's most influential, yet under-appreciated bands. After breaking up in the late 90's following a string of four amazing albums, their influence and notoriety has only grown with the passing years. When Jawbox founder J. Robbins and his wife Janet learned in late 2006 that their infant son, Callum, had the debilitating neuromuscular disease Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy, musicians and fans from all over the world asked how they could help. Some held benefit shows, made benefit compilations, or simply donated at the page that fellow ex-Jawbox members Kim Coletta and Bill Barbot set up at the Desoto Records website.
Longtime fan and cellist Gordon Withers, of Boston indie rockers Betwixt fame, realized that now was the time to dust off the Jawbox cello arrangements he'd written for a college project back in 2000. Earlier this year, he hooked up with producer/songwriter Alex Nelson (Frenjen) and headed into Alex's Ft. Lauderdale studio. The result is Jawbox on Cello: A Benefit for Cal Robbins, a collection of twelve Jawbox songs, several from each of their four albums, arranged for cello ensemble that will be released digitally on December 18 through Ioda. Withers played all the parts on the album, using the wide dynamic range of the cello to highlight Jawbox's amazing melodies and song-craft, which were formerly often hidden behind their walls of guitar distortion.
After a few successful small shows in Florida playing against a backing tape, Withers has moved north to the Washington, DC area, and hopes to hold a series of shows with a full cello quartet throughout the northeast as logistics permit. He has already performed in Brooklyn and will be booking more shows in the near future. Jawbox on Cello will be available for purchase at all shows, and all proceeds benefit the Cal Robbins Care Fund. The album is also available from Withers' Myspace page, www.myspace.com/threetoedmusic and is stream-able on his Virb page, virb.com/gordonwithers.
Track listing for Jawbox On Cello:
1. Static
2. Iodine
3. Motorist
4. Reel
5. Consolation Prize
6. Whitney Walks
7. Spoiler
8. Desert Sea
9. Cut Off
10. Tool And Chrome
11. Savory
12. Spit-Bite
Brooklyn, NY/New Hope, PA based Sound Of Urchin will be hitting the road this fall not in support of but to launch their upcoming release Rejoice!. In order to get the album into the hands of fans sooner the band will be including a copy of the album in the price of each ticket purchased on the tour. Lead vocalist/drummer Tomato says, "We are doing this because we want to personally spread the new music first to those people who support us around the county." In addition to the copy of Rejoice! fans will be treated to a full-scale light show at each stop turning what would normally be dark, smoky clubs into rock n' roll palaces.
Sound Of Urchin has certainly made their rounds on the touring circuits having shared the stage with the likes of Tenacious D, Mike Watt, The Scorpions, and Ween among many others. The band released several EP's and a full-length album on RCA between 2000 and 2002 and an album on Hybrid Records in 2005 but Rejoice!is the first album that the band has fully funded and had full control of. Sound of Urchin is made up of Tomato on vocals and drums, Reverend B-ill on lead guitar, Robbie Seahag on lead guitar, and Michael Davidson on bass. As if Sound Of Urchin didn't keep the band members busy enough, Tomato and B-ill also play in the Moistboyz with Dean Ween and Seahag plays in Ike Willis' Frank Zappa alumni band Project Object.
The result Sound Of Urchin's newly found control over their music is none other than an album that captures Sound Of Urchin at its best. Rejoice! bounces back and forth between aggressive metal riffs and smooth melodic sounds that fans have come to know and love. The sounds on Rejoice! pull from across the board from Thin Lizzy to Pavement to Gwen Stefani (seriously, check out "Go To Your Room"). With influences like that the record is a must hear!
Here's what others have said about Sound Of Urchin...Check out Sound Of Urchin at one of their upcoming tour dates below or visit www.soundofurchin.com or www.myspace.com/soundofurchin for more information.
Thursday, September 27 - Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH
Friday, September 28 - Mac's Bar - Lansing, MI
Saturday, September 29 - Quenchers - Chicago, IL
Sunday, September 30 - Island Girl Yacht Show - LaCrosse, WI
Monday, October 1 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN
Tuesday, October 2 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
Wednesday, October 3 - Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS
Thursday, October 4 - 3 King's Tavern - Denver, CO
Friday, October 5 - Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
Sunday, October 7 - The Funhouse - Seattle, WA
Monday, October 8 - Kelly's Olympian - Portland, OR
Tuesday, October 9 - Jambalay - Arcata, CA
Thursday, October 11 - Di Piazza's - Long Beach, CA
Friday, October 12 - The Scene Bar - Glendale, CA
Saturday, October 13 - Hollywood Alley - Mesa, AZ
Friday, October 19 - Downtown Music - Little Rock, AR
Saturday, October 20 - Murphy's - Memphis, TN
Sunday, October 21 - The End - Nashville, TN
Tuesday, October 23 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Friday, October 26 - The Fire - Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, October 27 - John & Peters - New Hope, PA
Tuesday, October 30 - Daniel Street - Milford, CT
Wednesday, October 31 - Nectar's - Burlington, VT
THE WILDHEARTS ANNOUNCE SELECT US DATES IN OCTOBER
Notorious bad-boy English rockers The Wildhearts will be making it back to the United States for a long weekend of highly anticipated shows this October in support of their recent eponymous release in the UK. Following a series of unfortunate visa issues that resulted in the band canceling their SXSW appearance and subsequent dates in March The Wildhearts have held up their promise to get back over to this side of the Atlantic Ocean to make the dates up to fans. The shows currently confirmed October include the 19th at The Hook in Brooklyn, the 20th on a sold out Rocks Off Concert Cruise, the 21st at the Key Club in Los Angeles, the 23rd at Fat City in San Francisco, and the 24th at El Corazon in Seattle.
The Wildhearts was recorded partially at London's Strongroom Studios, partially at a country house in Ipswich, and at a haunted castle in the Midlands. "This album is going to surprise a lot of people who considered the last Wildhearts album too poppy," says Ginger of the new record. "There will not be any similar accusations this time around, that's for sure."
The Wildhearts' current lineup sees the return of original drummer Ritch Battersby and the addition of Scott Sorry (Amen, Brides of Destruction) on bass. Front man Ginger regards Sorry as "the most energetic performer I've ever shared a stage with. His youth certainly keeps us older bastards on our toes." Ginger and guitarist CJ round out the lineup, which judging by reactions from recent shows is the most solid ever.
Since the release of The Wildhearts, the band has been riding high off of the album's success that has brought them back into the spotlight. The album has been praised across the board by the British press with London's The Sun calling it "probably the rock album of the year" and a perfect 10 from Rock Sound who called it "a record that has 'Classic' tattooed all over it." Despite the fact that the album has yet to receive distribution in America, US fans are still eager to get their hands on it as it is poised to make quite a splash and earn The Wildhearts the praise and support this side of the Atlantic that they have been receiving elsewhere for years.
Check out The Wildhearts at one of the dates below or visit www.myspace.com/thewildhearts or www.thewildhearts.com for more information.
Thursday, October 19 - The Hook - Brooklyn, NY
Friday, October 20 - Rocks Off Concert Cruise - New York, NY (Sold Out)
Saturday, October 21 - Key Club - Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, October 23 - Fat City - San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, October 24 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
SKATE ROCKERS MCRAD REUNITE; FIRST NEW MATERIAL, FDR, IN OVER TWO DECADES DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 4
While McRad may not be a household name and the same may hold true for the brains behind the operation Chuck Treece, it is almost certain that you've heard Treece's playing before. A jack of all trades in the truest sense of the term, the multi-talented Treece, has played bass on Billy Joel's "River Of Dreams," played drums for Bad Brains and G. Love and Special Sauce, and began his career as a professional skateboarder in 1982. FDR, named after the famous Philadelphia skate park, is due out on September 4 on Uprising Records and is the first new material from McRad in over twenty years and it picks up right where the band previously left off. Much has changed in the world since McRad first formed from the internet to iPods to plasma TV's but McRad still plays the same brand of skate punk that has earned them place on the soundtrack to skateboarding's history.
Formed in 1982, shortly after Treece earned his first skate sponsorship, McRad has had music featured in skate video staples such as Public Domain, Ban This, and Propaganda. Unfortunately, McRad would only last one album. In 1990, Chuck Treece would leave skate boarding to record his lone solo project Dream'n for Caroline Records. This album helped to open the door for Treece to venture into the world of studio work for the likes of Sting, Amy Grant, and The Goats among others. He would then hit the road pulling double with Bad Brains and Urge Overkill on the same tour. It was after this when Treece would participate in his most famous session work - Billy Joel's massive hit "River Of Dreams." Following the success of "River Of Dreams," Treece would continue doing session work both as a musician and behind the console with such notables as Buck-O-Nine, G. Love, Scott Storch, Jadakis, and Ricky Martin.
The timing for the revival of McRad could not be better for the band thanks to the return of Bad Brains and long time supporter Stacey Peralta to the skateboard industry. Combined with public praise from world famous skater Tony Hawk and Jackass' Bam Margera in recent years, McRad is poised to turn a whole new generation fans onto their music. It would be easy to assume that McRad is simply regrouping because of the current circumstances but Treece puts this notion to rest with a few simple words, "music is my heart."
For more information visit www.myspace.com/mcradband or www.uprisingrecords.com.
Tracklisting for FDR:
1. Ejected
2. Feel
3. Prevent The Tragedy
4. Violin
5. TG
6. Tomorrow's Headline
7. Dead By Dawn
8. McShred
9. Weakness
10. Ship
11. Words Of Love
12. TG 2
13. Tell
14. Always
15. LA 4
BETTER LEFT UNSAID DEBUT THE SILENCING AVAILABLE NOW
After one listen of Better Left Unsaid's debut The Silencing one can't help but walk away with the assumption that the band is signed to any one of your typical heavy metal record labels - Roadrunner, Nuclear Blast, Century Media. Flip over the CD to double check and you'll be surprised to find nothing more than a website and a Myspace address. This is no accident. Instead of focusing on getting signed, like most bands, Better Left Unsaid has focused on creating the best songs possible and creating a business plan for the band. The level of professionalism put forth by Better Left Unsaid is seen and heard in the band's music, the production, and even the album artwork that looks like it has passed through the hands of several record executives before getting approval.
Hailing from Modesto, CA, Better Left Unsaid was carefully pieced together by founding members Brent Terry (drums) and Jason Jones (guitars) so that the entire band shared the same vision of hard work and dedication that would allow them to succeed. The additions of Paul Nieblas (vocals), Rob Fernandez (guitars), and Adam Armstrong (guitars) would complete the band's line up. The combination of each member's backgrounds and influences has allowed Better Left Unsaid to bring a sound that showcases aspects of classic heavy metal with today's metal while at the same time being technically sound thanks to Fernandez's jazz training.
Despite the fact that Better Left Unsaid has released The Silencing on their own dime, the band certainly does not fall into the stereotype of being struggling musicians. In keeping with their ideals of hard work and dedication the band has secured endorsement deals from the likes of Dickies Clothing, EMG Pickups, Aquarian Drumheads, Silverfox Drumsticks, Rocket Shell Drums, Basson Sound, and Gallien Krueger. Having corporate backing gives Better Left Unsaid an added sense of security, allowing the band to play with passion and emotion without the fear of having to replace their gear after every show and it also allows songs such as "Never Again" and "Sweets" to come alive at the band's shows. This is not to say that the band is comfortable staying at their current level of success because with fans packing gigs around the country, Better Left Unsaid still strives for their ultimate goal of gaining the attention of record labels.
Check out Better Left Unsaid on tour this summer at one of the dates below.
August 17 - Kennel Club - Sacramento, CA
August 18 - Yreka Community Center - Yreka, CA
August 20 - Rock N' Roll Pizza - Portland, OR
August 21 - The Blvd - Spokane, WA
August 22 - Hells Kitchen - Tacoma, WA
August 23 - The Big Easy - Boise, ID
August 24 - Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
August 25 - Emergency Room - Las Vegas, NV
August 28 - The Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
August 30 - Heroes and Legends - Albuquerque, NM
August 31 - The Vibe - Riverside, CA
September 1 - Spiritz - Turlock, CA
The Silencing is currently available through iTunes or through Better Left Unsaid's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/blumusic.
myspace.com/thehighcourt - isurrenderrecords.com
"LIFE, LOVE, LUST, DEATH, PARTYING. No metaphors, just things worth talking about," says John "JB" Brown, lead singer of South Jersey's The High Court (THC anyone?). Such a bold statement certainly applies to the band's young career. In just over a year, The High Court has wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to their music. They have proven themselves a worthy adversary of any challenges with Puppet Strings, their debut release that hits stores on July 24th, 2007, on I Surrender Records.
After touring together in a variety of metal bands, guitarist Lou Cuello, drummer Denny Carvell, and bassist Kyle "Shell" Shellhammer wished to return to their rock roots. In desperate need of a lead singer, the trio sought unconventional help by placing an ad on Craigslist. Their only response came from JB, simply stating, "Ill sing my ass off." With rhythm guitarist Mike Matranga added to the lineup, The High Court was complete. It only took one rehearsal in Lou's living room to discover that they had created something huge.
The High Court holds a special place in their heart for the debauchery of rock and roll, indulging their hedonistic tendencies with "2 Much Love 4 1 Woman" and "The Refresher Course". While the band shamelessly disregards any form of subtlety in their exploits, The High Court goes about even the tawdriest subject matter with an undeniable swagger and charm. This isn't to say that they focus solely on the benefits of a rock-star lifestyle. The soft croon of "Heaven on the Horizon" tugs at the heartstrings, while "Like a Ghost" and "Whisper to the Clouds" offer a glimpse into a depth and emotion not often channeled this poignantly by such young songwriters. This empathetic reflection on such heavy subject matter offers a nice repose, adding a dynamic which is greatly missing in most bands. No matter the subject, anyone can count on The High Court to bring ear-catching choruses, powerful guitar solos, and an undeniable presence to the table.
The High Court is already loaded up with tour dates, including a stint on this year's Vans Warped Tour. The summer of Puppet Strings is ready to begin, unleashing twelve hard-hitting songs that will undoubtedly leave the fans humming. To anyone who disapproved, the ex-lovers and ex-friends who doubted The High Court or any of its members, they need look no further than the title track of Puppet Strings, which states: "Life is a bitch, but it won't bring me down."