Thursday, March 31, 2011

In Other Words Sign to Tragic Hero Records; Label Debut Scheduled For Release Mid-Summer 2011

Tragic Hero Records has signed New Jersey post hardcore band In Other Words. The band’s forthcoming label debut was produced at Think Sound with producer Drew Fulk (Decoder, To Speak Of Wolves, Delusions).

The album is expected to released mid-Summer 2011. Drummer/lead vocalist Anthony Ruggiero says, “We could not be happier to be part of the Tragic Hero family! We are looking forward to be on the road as much as possible to support our upcoming full length."

Here’s the band’s signing video.

Upcoming shows:

Apr 15
School of Rock
South Hackensack, NJ

 Apr 28
The Crocodile Rock Cafe
Allentown, PA

 May 14
The Nyack Village Theatre
Nyack, NY

SEMINAL POST-PUNK GROUP BITCH MAGNET TO REUNITE AT ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES

MARCH 31, 2011: Bitch Magnet, the pioneering post-punk band from the 80s (and some of the 90s), will reunite at All Tomorrow's Parties "Nightmare Before Christmas" festival, which will take place Dec 9-11 at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead, UK.
The show will mark Bitch Magnet's first live performance since 1990, and the first onstage appearance of the band's original recorded lineup - Orestes Morfín (drums), Sooyoung Park (bass and vocals) and Jon Fine (guitar) - since 1989.
Bitch Magnet was formed in the fall of 1986 by Fine and Park, when the two were sophomores at Oberlin College. In 1987, they convinced Morfín - then known as Orestes Delatorre - to sign on.  
In January 1988, they recorded their debut mini-LP Star Booty in three days. The band self-released it in the fall of that year on their Roman Candle label, and the band began performing and building a following in key US cities. The pressing of 1,000 copies sold out quickly and the band was signed to The Communion Label in the US and Shigaku/What Goes On in the UK. Both labels reissued Star Booty and released the widely-acclaimed Umber.
Amid a wave of extraordinarily positive notices in the British and European press, the band toured Europe, with Dave Galt and Bastro/Squirrel Bait founder David Grubbs on guitar, in fall of 1989. Following the tour, with Grubbs on guitar, the band recorded the single "Valmead."
The trio lineup of Fine, Morfín, and Park reconvened in the early spring of 1990 to record what would be their final album, the hugely influential Ben Hur. The album is now often cited as a key inspiration for what would become known as "post-rock." The "Valmead" single cracked the Top 20 on the British independent charts, and the band toured the US and Europe that year.
Bitch Magnet played its final show on December 30, 1990 in Holland at Groningen's Vera Club. After the band quietly split up, its video for Ben Hur's "Mesentery" garnered airtime on MTV in the US and Europe. In 2004, Mojo magazine named Umber one of its "Lost Albums You Must Own."
Much like their contemporaries in Slint, in the years following their breakup, Bitch Magnet has been recognized as a significant influence on generations of aggressive and musically complex bands, including Don Caballero, Rodan, June of 44 and Battles.

ERIC JOHNSON'S LATEST RELEASE TO GET VINYL TREATMENT

Eric Johnson's latest release, 'Up Close,' was a long time in the making (five and a half years). But as evidenced by its reception (All Music Guide pointed out that "[Johnson] continues to find interesting ways to hone his specific craft on 'Up Close'") and its impressive list of special guests (Sonny Landreth, Steve Miller, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jonny Lang), the wait was well worth it.

Fortunately, fans will not have to wait long at all for a vinyl version of 'Up Close,' which is slated for release on April 19th, via EMI Records and Vortexan Music. The album will be issued on 180 gram vinyl, and housed in a beautiful special double LP gatefold package with printed sleeves. Additionally, 'Up Close' was remastered specially for this vinyl release by Jim Wilson.

Johnson has long been considered one of rock's most talented six-string players, as evidenced by his platinum-certified 1990 release, 'Ah Via Musicom," its hit single "Cliffs of Dover," as well as a Grammy Award win for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" in 1991. Additionally, Johnson graced the cover of the March issue of Guitar Player Magazine, was recently named Guitar International's "Guitarist of the year," and won an unprecedented 33 awards at the Austin Music Awards since 1982, including taking home "Best Electric Guitar," "Best Acoustic Guitar," and "Best Instrumental Band" awards at this year's ceremony.


For more information, visit:
www.ericjohnson.com

FORBIDDEN: SHOW IN LIMA, PERU CANCELLED

Reactivated San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN have issued the following statement regarding tonight’s show in Lima, Peru:

“It breaks our hearts that we have to inform the FORBIDDEN fans of Lima that we can not make tonight’s gig at Auditorio Derrama Magisterial.

“Acido Promotions GmbH booked our tour for South America but did not have our travel plans in order which has caused us to miss our shows in South America.  We were able to reschedule all the shows directly with the promoters with the exception of our Lima, Peru show, which we found impossible to reschedule and must cancel with deep regret.

“Acido Promotions brought FORBIDDEN out to South America based on lies and deceit and abandoned us owing FORBIDDEN and all the South American promoters money.

“We want to make this clear that this is not the fault of the other promoters of South America.  As a matter of fact, after being abandoned by Acido Promotions GmbH at the Santiago airport, it was Chargola Productions in Chile who came to our rescue and helped us reschedule the show for the people in Santiago which was an amazing show after all!  We would also like to thank ICARUS MUSIC in Buenos Aires for coming to our rescue and made the show happen in Buenos Aires which was another success.

“Despite great effort from Icarus in Peru, there is no way to make our gig in Lima this time. We will make it up to our fans as soon as we possibly can. We are all gutted about missing what would have been such an amazing gig.”

FORBIDDEN 2010 features Russ Anderson on vocals, Craig Locicero on guitar, Steve Smyth on guitar, Matt Camacho on bass and Mark Hernandez on drums.
Listen to the tracks “Forsaken At The Gates” and “Dragging My Casket” from FORBIDDEN’s 2010 reunion album, Omega Wave, here.

Purchase Omega Wave (digi-pak or vinyl version) at the Nuclear Blast USA webstore.

PAIN: 1st Studio Trailer Now Online!

PAIN, the Swedish industrial metallers lead by iconic producer Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY), have uploaded their first studio trailer for their upcoming album You Only Live Twice! Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlWU_kS3hCs and stay tuned for more!
You Only Live Twice is set to be released on June 3 (Europe) and June 21 (North America) 2011 via Nuclear Blast!
Attached artwork and promo pic were both created this time around by German artist Heile (INDICA, LEGION OF THE DAMNED)!

Mainman & producer Peter Tägtgren recently commented on the artwork: “I really wanted something with a Nightmare Before Christmas meets Alice In Wonderland kind of feeling but with our mascot, the painhead in it. The artist Heile created what I wanted but did it in his own way. It really has this kind of Tim Burton feel to it. It will be really crazy on a big backdrop. We’re also gonna do some inflatable stuff with our Painhead. Its gonna be our Eddie, like IRON MAIDEN has.”

ACCEPT SCHEDULES PHILADELPHIA IN-STORE

The day after their performance in Philadelphia at The Trocadero on April 14th, reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT will take part in a signing session at Oxford Valley’s Best Buy (just outside of Philadelphia) on Friday, April 15th from 4 – 5:30 p.m.  The store’s address is 310 Commerce Blvd., Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, 19030.

ACCEPT’s second headlining North American tour launches April 9th in Orlando.  Support comes from Sweden’s SABATON. Confirmed tour dates are:

04/09/11    THE CLUB AT FIRESTONE - ORLANDO, FL                                        
04/10/11    CULTURE ROOM - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL                          
04/13/11    JAXX  - WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA                    
04/14/11    THE TROCADERO - PHILADELPHIA, PA                              
04/16/11    BEST BUY THEATER - NEW YORK, NY   ***ONE-OFF; OVERKILL HEADLINING***                               
04/17/11    CLUB SODA - MONTREAL, QC - CANADA                                                    
04/18/11    IMPERIAL DE QUEBEC - QUEBEC CITY, QC - CANADA                                            
04/20/11    MOD CLUB - TORONTO, ON - CANADA                                     
04/21/11    BLONDIE'S - DETROIT, MI                                            
04/22/11    BOTTOM LOUNGE - CHICAGO, IL  
04/23/11    MESA RIVERVIEW – PHOENIX, AZ
04/24/11    BLUE BIRD THEATER - DENVER, CO                                          
04/26/11    EL CORAZON - SEATTLE, WA                                   
04/27/11    PETER'S ROOM - PORTLAND, OR                                    
04/28/11    GRAND BALLROOM AT THE REGENCY - SAN FRANCISCO, CA                          
04/30/11    HOUSE OF BLUES - SAN DIEGO, CA                                    
05/01/11    GALAXY THEATRE - SANTA ANA, CA                                    
05/02/11    VENTURA THEATER - VENTURA, CA  
05/04/11    CLUB VEGAS - SALT LAKE CITY, UT                            
05/06/11    BACKSTAGE LIVE – SAN ANTONIO, TX                                          
05/07/11    SCOUT BAR - HOUSTON, TX        

According to Nielsen Soundscan, ACCEPT’s twelfth full-length studio album Blood Of The Nations has sold over 20,600 copies in the U.S. since its release in September, 2010.  Click here to read all the “Album of the Year” accolades the album has garnished since ACCEPT’s triumphant comeback.

Blood Of The Nations was recorded at Backstage Studio in England with famed producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Exodus, Opeth, Arch Enemy) and debuted as the #25 Rock Album on iTunes and at #187 on The Billboard 200 chart, #170 on the Top Current Albums chart, and on the #41 Independent (Current) Albums chart.  In Canada, the album debuted at #53 on the Nielsen Soundscan Top Hard Albums chart.  In Europe, Blood Of The Nations entered the German album charts at #4 - the highest German chart entry in the band’s career – and debuted at #12 on the Billboard European chart with the following additional worldwide chart entries: #7 in Sweden; #7 in Hungary; #9 in Finland; #19 in Austria; and #27 in the Czech Republic.
View the video for “Teutonic Terror” – directed and produced by Dave Blass for Grid 41 - here.  View the 2-minute behind-the-scenes video here.        
ACCEPT’s 2010 line-up includes Wolf Hoffmann on guitar, Peter Baltes on bass, Stefan Schwarzmann on drums, Herman Frank on guitar and Mark Tornillo on vocals.

Scelerata: new album will be recorded at Blind Guardian's Twilight Hall Studios

SCELERATA is currently working on its third album, which will be recorded in Brazil and Germany. This new effort will be produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rage, Saxon, Halford, Hammerfall, Motörhead), continuing the partnership started in 2007, when he worked on "Skeletons Domination", Scelerata's second album.
 
About this partnership the drummer Francis Cassol said: "It will be our second work with Charlie, whom we worked with on Skeletons Domination, but the first time that he works since the beginning of the recordings. He had the idea to produce and record the album, which we thought was great. We are discussing about the recording and new songs since the first half of 2010, and we are very excited to see it done."
 
Francis will begin the drummer recordings in Germany in May, at Blind Guardian's Twilight Hall Studios. The recordings will be finished untill July.
 
Meanwhile Scelerata is rehearsing to play in Porto Alegre in April 10th, with Kamelot, during its South American tour.
 

GYPSYHAWK Announces the "Defending Good Times" US Tour!

Pasadena, CA's GYPSYHAWK are hitting the road once again beginning on May 6th in what the band has appropriately dubbed the "Defending Good Times Tour"! The trek will begin inSan Francisco, CA and end in El Paso, TX!. The Southern California road- warriors are covering the entire US this time around.  Dates are as follows: 

April 15th @ The Viper Room- Los Angeles, CA w/ Cauldron, Holy Grail 
April 21st @ Three Clubs- Los Angeles, CA w/ Purple Rhinestone Eagle, The Shrine 
May 6th @ Cafe Du Nord- San Francisco, CA
May 7th @ Jub-Jubs- Reno, NV 
May 9th @ The Alibi- Arcata, CA May 10th @ Plan B- Portland, OR w/ Christian Mistress 
May 11th @ The Funhouse- Seattle, WA 
May 13th @ The Shred Shed- Salt Lake City, UT 
May 14th @ Bar Bar- Denver, CO 
May 15th @ Duffy's- Lincoln, NE 
May 18th @ Panchos- Chicago, IL 
May 19th @ Carabar- Columbus, OH 
May 20th @ Beachland Tavern- Cleveland, OH 
May 23rd @ M Room- Philadelphia, PA 
May 24th @ The Triple- Richmond, VA
May 25th @ Get Down Bar- Asheville, NC 
May 26th @ The Green Lantern- Lexington, KY 
May 29th @ The Conservatory- Oklahoma City, OK 
June 2nd @ Nightrocker- San Antonio, TX 
June 3rd @ Larry O's Lounge- El Paso, TX 
 
GYPSYHAWK continues to support their Creator-Destructor Records debut, "Patience and Perseverance". The album is available to order at www.creator-destructor.com in vinyl, digipak CD, and digital formats. In other band news, a video for the track "Gypsyhawk" off of "Patience and Perseverance" will be posted online in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! You won't want to miss this.
 
 

VASTUM Unleash New Track Via Stereogum

The name VASTUM is raging through the metal underground like hellfire right now, with the news of the San Francisco-area act's recent signing to the 20 Buck Spin label for the release of their Carnal Law debut this May still fresh. VASTUM's crushing death metal is crafted more in the ways of the early purveyors rather than retaining semblance to "Bay Area sound" clichés; their stripped-down attack will rip your face right off as the band prove with the thunderous midpaced stomp of the opening track from the album, "Primal Seduction," which Stereogum has graciously premiered to the public today. To be pummeled, click here.
 
Brand new visual evidence of VASTUM's raging live attack has just surfaced this week as well, in the form of some very ominous, black and white 8mm camera footage. Check out the footage at this location now!
 
The band are are currently plotting a Northwest US Summer tour and more, with details to be announced over the coming weeks. For now catch them randomly throughout their local stomping grounds.
 
VASTUM Live:
5/14/2011 Victory Warehouse - Oakland, CA w/ Dispirit, Anhedonist, Ealdath
 
VASTUM's sound permeates the most wretched, dehumanizing, old-school death metal might on Carnal Law. Culminating an arsenal of musicians with current or past ties to Acephalix, Saros, Amber Asylum, Hammers of Misfortune, Infest and more, but the band's attack is more crushing and potent than many contemporary acts flying the death metal banner.
 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MERCENARY's "Metamorphosis" Out Today, Exclusive Digital Bonus Track Now Available

"Metamorphosis," the new album from Danish melo-death quartet MERCENARY, is out in the US today, and next Tuesday, April 5th in Canada, via Prosthetic Records. It is available now, digitally, in both countries with a second exclusive bonus track entitled, "The Devil's Own." As previously announced, both digital and physical formats in North America contain the bonus track, "Incorporate Your Demons."  The band, who just completed an extensive European tour alongside Symphony X and Nevermore, have posted a short video about "The Devil's Own." Check it out here Order your copy of "Metamorphosis" now at Prosthetic's online store.

"Metamorphosis" track listing:
1. Through The Eyes Of The Devil
2. The Follower
3. In A River Of Madness
4. Memoria
5. Velvet Lies
6. In Bloodred Shades
7. Shades Of Grey
8. On The Edge Of Sanity
9. Black Brigade
10. Incorporate Your Demons (North American bonus track)
11. The Devil's Own (North American digital exclusive bonus track)

Through the last decade, MERCENARY have been one of the most active and successful proponents of Denmark's rising metal scene. Over the course of their previous five studio albums, which earned the band increasing critical acclaim for their distinctive blend of aggression and huge soaring melodies, the band earned a wide international audience and dedicated fan base. MERCENARY have toured actively as support for top acts such as Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Nevermore, King Diamond, Death Angel and many more. They have also appeared on most major metal festivals, such as Wacken (twice), Tuska, Metal Camp, Earthshaker, Inferno, Graspop, Dynamo, Summer Nights, ProgPower Europe, and ProgPower USA (twice) and many more.

Behind the scenes, however, deep creative and personal differences increased through the years, and they culminated when their drummer, keyboard player and one of their two singers left the band in late 2009. Joined by master drummer Morten Løwe, the band now counts the song writing team of original member Jakob Mølbjerg (guitar) and master shredder Martin Buus (lead guitar), as well as the versatile singer/bassist René Pedersen.

Rising from the ashes of the old lineup, the Mercenary of 2011 evolves and reshapes the band's trademark sound of combined clean and aggressive vocals with a new edge, displaying a catchy and fresh sound, as well as an newfound unity, ambition and musical focus within their ranks. This is reflected in the "Metamorphosis" cover imagery.
"There's of course a lot of obvious (and indeed slightly cheesy) self-referential symbolism regarding the rebirth of the band in the cover artwork," the band said in a statement released last week. "But apart from that, we felt that the motive of a phoenix was a fitting expression of many of René's lyrical themes on the album, as they deal with personal and existential crisis, overcoming personal obstacles and how we can sometimes redefine ourselves in the process of taking responsibility for altering the conditions of our very lives. This idea of personal freedom can be a very frightening thought for some, but it's actually a message of hope and optimism - we can always take control of our lives and free ourselves of inner or outer constraints, or at least take pride in the struggle to do so.
"(Okay, dropping all the intellectual pretense, we just liked the artwork because it was freaking bird on fire - how cool is that!?)

"On a serious note, though, we also felt that a simple, raw and iconic visual theme would support the musical direction of the new album. We feel that the songs are our strongest ever - they're no-bullshit, focused and straight to the point, and our good friend Don G really nailed these concepts with his artwork."
   

TRAP THEM Kick Off European Tour This Week, Post US Tour Blog Vinyl Repress of "Darker Handcraft" Available for Pre-order

TRAP THEM kick off a European tour on Friday, April 1st, supporting Rotten Sound, alongside Gaza, The Kandidate, and Haust. The band will have their new release, "Darker Handcraft," on clear vinyl, exclusively on this tour. TRAP THEM have posted a tour diary of their recent trek to SxSW in Austin along with The Red Chord and Gaza. Check it out, as well as some video from the tour, here.
 
"Darker Handcraft'" was released in North America on vinyl on March 1st, and on CD and digital on March 15th. Due to popular demand, the vinyl is currently being repressed on black, a transparent green and on a red and yellow mixed wax; the green and red/yellow mix are limited to 100 copies each. Pre-order for this pressing, as well as exclusive T-shirts and the CD are available at the official Prosthetic Webshop.

TRAP THEM recorded "Darker Handcraft" at Godcity Studio with Kurt Ballou (Converge, Disfear, Black Breath). The album artwork and layout was done by Justin Bartlett (Sunn 0))), The Funeral Pyre).  

Check out the band's European dates, along with US dates to Tejas in Chaos with Converge and Burning Love, here:
4/1        Karlsruhe, Germany - Stadtmitte #
4/2        Koln, Germany - Underground #
4/3        Rosswein, Germany - Juha #
4/4        Prague, Czech Rep. - Exit Chmelnice #
4/5        Bratislava, Slovakia - Randal #
4/6        Munchen, Germany - Feierwerk Kranhalle #
4/7        Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse #
4/8        Mezzago, Italy - Bloom #
4/9        Rome, Italy - Init #
4/10      Zurich, Switzerland - Dynamo Werk 21 #
4/11      Paris, France - Glazart #
4/12      London, UK - Underworld #
4/13      Plymouth, UK - White Rabbit #
4/14      Colchester, UK - Arts Centre #
4/15      Tilburg, Holland - Roadburn Festival
4/15      Antwerpen, Belgium - Trix #
4/16      Sneek, Holland - Bolwerk #
4/17      Hamburg, Germany - Hafenklang #
4/18      Lyngby, Denmark - Templet #
4/19      Gothenburg, Sweden - Henriksberg #
4/21      Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen #
4/22      Turku, Finland - Klubi #
4/23      Jyvaskyla, Finland - Lutakko #
4/24      Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi #
5/20      Baltimore, MD - Otto Bar %
5/21      Philadelphia, PA - Broad Street Ministry w/ Drop Dead %
5/22      Cambridge, MA - The Middle East w/ Drop Dead %
5/24      Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizons %
5/25      New York City - Santo's Party House %
5/29      Braddock, PA - Unsmoke Systems w/ Drop Dead %
5/30      Chicago, IL - Reggies %
5/31      St. Louis, MO - Fubar %
6/2        Austin, TX - Chaos in Tejas
# w/ Rotten Sound, Gaza, The Kandidate, Haust
% w/ Converge, Burning Love

TRAP THEM's sound combines elements of old school Swedish death metal, punk, and d-beat and take influence from bands such as Entombed, Black Flag, Nasum and Tragedy. The band has toured with the likes of Napalm Death, Disfear, Skeletonwitch, Victims, Rotten Sound, Toxic Holocaust and Every Time I Die, among others, and played the Scion Rock Fest, Maryland Deathfest and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. The band has previously released two full-lengths and several 7-inches and EPs between Southern Lord, Deathwish Inc and Trash Art. 

LAST CHANCE TO REASON Debut New Track At METAL SUCKS

Prog-metaler Maine-iancs, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, have debuted a brand new track, "Programmed for Battle," exclusively at Metal Sucks; check it out now! Their Prosthetic debut, "Level 2," hits the streets on April 12th in North America. Pre-order for the CD, on its own, or with an exclusive shirt, is available at PROSTHETIC's official webstore The band is currently out with Wretched and Sons of Aurelius for a run of dates, before hitting New England Metal Fest on April 16th.

LAST CHANCE TO REASON teamed up with producer Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me) to create a modern take on the classic progressive concept album. Drawing influence from the 70's prog of King Crimson and Yes, composers Steve Reich and Schoenberg as well as prog-metal masters Opeth, Dream Theater and Cynic, LCTR's "Level 2" takes the band in awe-inspiring new directions.

Set in a Tron-like virtual world, the album's concept revolves around the relationship between man and technology, our move from physical reality to virtual spaces and what these changes mean to our lives and our art. The lyrics are expressed from the point of view of an artificial intelligence facing the violent reality of a videogame world.

Catch the band live:
3/30      Portland, OR- Branx @
3/31      Seattle, WA- El Corazon @
4/2        Salt Lake City, UT- Club Vegas @
4/3        Englewood, CO- Gothic Theatre @
4/5        Minneapolis, MN- Cabooze @
4/7        St. Louis, MO- Fubar @
4/9        La Crosse, WI- Warehouse @
4/10      Portage, IN- Camelot Hall @
4/12      Sandusky, OH - The Underground @
4/13      Trenton, NJ - Championship Bar and Grill @
4/14      Brookfield, CT - The Room @
4/16      Worcester, MA- The Palladium, NE Metal and Hardcore Fest
@ w/ Wretched, Sons of Aurelius 
Since forming in 2005, LAST CHANCE TO REASON has shared the stage with Born of Osiris, Genghis Tron, Periphery, The Red Chord, Daath, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Unearth and many more.

PSYCHOSTICK HARD AT WORK ON NEW ALBUM

Phoenix, AZ-based humorcore band Psychostick is in the midst of putting the finishing touches on their next album, which will come out later this year.  Entitled “Space Vampires vs. Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D,” the band has 12 songs written, although the total number of tracks has not been confirmed yet.  Says band lead singer Rob “Rawrb” Kersey of the recording sessions:  “"The new album focuses more on quality than quantity… we will not run out of cd space like our last album. In other words, it's not it's length that's important, it's the quality experience that it gives you that REALLY matters. Heh. We're on the final stretch of the recording. Drums are finished, vocals are almost done, guitars are nearly done, bass starts any day now. We have been laughing so much during the production of this album. I think we should win 63 Emmy awards or an Oscar or SOMETHING.”  Like all of their albums, “Space Vampires vs. Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D” is self-produced, with guitarist Josh Key taking the reins as the main producer and engineer.

Kersey also assures fans that this will be the band’s most intense album, humor-wise.  “We wanted to make sure listeners would have a hard time breathing while listening because it’s so funny and they’re laughing so hard,” Kersey explains. They spent four months writing before hitting the studio and are excited to debut their current line-up in recorded format; bassist Matt Rzemyk, who became part of the band on bass last year, has joined the aforementioned lead singer Kersey, guitarist Key, and drummer Alex Dontre in the studio to create the band’s latest masterpiece.  "We've got huge video plans for this new album,” says Kersey.  “I think we've taken a step back from the traditional band approach and decided to focus more on comedy. With all the videos we're wanting to do and other ideas we get, we might even go so far as to call ourselves a full-blown media production... thing."  Lest fans worry that the band has deserted the rock in favor of the funny, there is no need.  On the new record, Psychostick promises to maintain its strong, gritty, hard-rocking foundation, all while turning the funny up to 11.

The band plans to hit the road in April on their “Unleash The Dumb” Tour (see tour schedule below), and encourages fans to go all-out by dressing up in goofy, outlandish garb when attending the shows.  Concert goers will get a sneak peek at the new album, as the band promises to play one or two new songs on the tour.

“Space Vampires vs. Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D” follows the release of the three-track download, “The Digital Sampler,” which came out last year on the heels of their last album, “Sandwich” (a 2009 release).  They were touring fools in 2010 including outings with Nashville Pussy and Green Jelly (on the Parental Advisory Tour), with Look What I Did (on the Pay Off The Van Tour), and their own headlining dates.  Best known for the song “Beer Is Good…. And Stuff,” Psychostick also spent much of 2009 on tour promoting “Sandwich.”  As if writing and recording a new album wasn’t time-consuming enough, Kersey recently launched a web comic called "Alfredo Afro,” about being in a touring band and dealing with all the goofy and/or weird stuff that happens.   Fans can scope it out here

Psychostick “Unleash The Dumb” Tour Dates
4/12/2011        Columbia, MO             The Blue Note
4/13/2011        Little Rock, AR            Downtown Music
4/14/2011        Birmingham, AL          Crush
4/16/2011         Orlando, FL                  Earthday Birthday 18/Tinker Field
4/17/2011        Sarasota, FL                  Club Sarasota
4/20/2011        Clarksville, TN            The Warehouse
4/22/2011        Amilea, OH                   Big Ed's
4/23/2011        Steger, IL                    Another Hole in the Wall
4/25/2011        La Crosse, WI             The Warehouse
4/26/2011        Moline, IL                     Rascals
4/27/2011        Janesville, WI              The Back Bar
4/28/2011        Chicago, IL                  Reggie's Rock Club
4/29/2011        Flint, MI                        The Machine Shop
4/30/2011        Battle Creek, MI           Planet Live Music
5/1/2011          Sandusky, OH             The Sandusky Underground
5/2/2011           Cleveland, OH             Beachland Ballroom
5/3/2011          Pittsburgh, PA             Club Diesel
5/4/2011          Buffalo, NY                  Broadway Joe's
5/5/2011          Dover, NH                   Brick House
5/6/2011          Auburn, ME                 Club Texas
5/7/2011          Brookfield, CT              The Vern Room
5/8/2011          Trenton, NJ                 Championship                    
5/11/2011        Redding, PA                 The Reverb
5/12/2011        Bristol, CT                    Bleachers
5/13/2011        Baltimore, MD              Sonar
5/14/2011        Richmond, VA             Alley Katz
5/15/2011        Charlotte, NC               Tremont Music Hall
5/18/2011        Savannah, GA             The Wormhole
5/19/2011        St Petersburg, FL         The Local 662
5/20/2011        Port Charlotte, FL        Corky's
5/21/2011        Jacksonville, FL            Brewsters Pit
5/25/2011        Atlanta, GA                   The Masquerade
5/26/2011        Augusta, GA                 Sky City
5/28/2011        Prattville, AL                  The Blue Iguana
5/31/2011        Austin, TX                     Red Eyed Fly
6/1/2011          San Antonio, TX            Jack's Bar
6/7/2011          Gallup, NM                    The Juggernaut
6/8/2011          Albuquergue, NM          Launch Pad
6/9/2011          Amarillo, TX                  The Sorority House
6/10/2011        Oklahoma City, OK       Bricktown Live
6/11/2011        Kansas City, KS            Aftershock
6/12/2011        Tulsa, OK                      The Marquee
6/13/2011        Kearney, NE                  The Garage
6/14/2011        Denver, CO                  Quixote's
6/15/2011        Salt Lake City, UT        Club Vegas
6/16/2011        Cheyenne, WY             G I Forum
6/18/2011        Great Falls, MT            406 Club
6/19/2011        Missoula, MT                The Dark Horse
6/21/2011        Seattle, WA                   El Corazon
6/23/2011        Citrus Heights, CA        The Fire Escape
6/24/2011        Fresno, CA                    Starline

NUCLEAR BLAST OFFERS FREE ONLINE SAMPLER & DROID APP

The Nuclear Blast family on Facebook keeps growing and growing, and that’s why we want to thank YOU for your support by offering all our Facebook fans an EXCLUSIVE and FREE DOWNLOAD sampler with 15 songs!

If you are registered with Facebook, just go to our page, www.facebook.com/NUCLEARBLASTUSA and “Like” it to become our new family member.  Afterwards, you’ll find the link for our FREE NB digital download sampler.  Plus, you’ll get the latest news about all Nuclear Blast artists in your news feed. 

If you’re not a Facebook member, you can still visit our Facebook page and catch up on the latest band news on our wall.

A free Nuclear Blast app for Android smart phones is now available (in addition to a free app for iPhones & iPod Touch) at this location.




Tuesday, March 29, 2011

HAVOK: Album Streaming In Full Courtesy Of MetalSucks

Today,  the rad folks at MetalSucks are streaming HAVOK's upcoming Time Is Up full-length in its entirety! Time Is Up has been flooring fans and critics nationwide with its  unapologetic hailstorm of thrash metal anthems! Confirmed Blabbermouth in a review of the record this weekend, "Don't lump HAVOK in with the steaming pile of retro wannabes stinking up the scene; the Colorado clan is now a member the Real Deal Club. The case was made and closed with Time Is Up, an album that will end up one of the very best thrash metal releases of 2011."

Time Is Up will be unleashed to the North American masses tomorrow, March 29, 2011, via Candlelight Records. In the meantime, check out the stream by pointing your browser HERE
.

For ordering options, visit Candlelight USA.

After wrapping up a successful tour supporting Florida death metallers Malevolent Creation, HAVOK made two appearances at SXSW. Check out footage from their performance on the MetalSucks showcase at Headhunter's courtesy of Metal Injection HERE.

FYE HOSTING CONTEST FOR SIGNED AGNOSTIC FRONT GUITAR

NEW ALBUM MY LIFE MY WAY IN STORES NOW ON NUCLEAR BLAST

AGNOSTIC FRONT's latest release "My Life My Way" is in stores now on Nuclear Blast. National music chain FYE is getting in on the action with the new AF record by hosting a giveaway of a signed AGNOSTIC FRONT guitar. Enter for your chance to win
The contest ends on April 30th.

Brooklyn Vegan is currently hosting an exclusive premiere of the first video for the song "That's Life," Directed By: Brian Darwas. Check it out here

Enter to win a 4-hour Tattoo Session here

AGNOSTIC FRONT have partnered with PETA2 for an exclusive CD giveaway. Fans can go to here. While there they can enter to win a copy of "My Life My Way" as well as check out a brand new interview with Peta2 and AF front man Roger Miret.

The PETA2 interview can also be viewed here

Download "A Mi Manera" for FREE at the Nuclear Blast USA March 2011 sampler in recognition of March is Metal Month here. (Please note: According to Amazon, MP3 downloads are limited to U.S. customers. Sampler for worldwide fans coming soon from NB!)

An AGNOSTIC FRONT iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch app has just been launched here. The app features the latest news and info on AGNOSTIC FRONT, including new song clips, the ability to purchase songs and more. An android app is available now as well.

ARGUS: Details On New Album Confirmed

Italian heavy metal label Cruz Del Sur Music confirms May 3, 2011 as the official release date for the sophomore album from Pennsylvania-based ARGUS! Entitled Boldly Stride The Doomed, this is the first release from ARGUS via Cruz Del Sur. View the album's cover art and more at this location.
 
Boldly Stride The Doomed Track Listing:
1. Abandoning The Gates Of Byzantium
2. A Curse On The World
3. Wolves Of Dusk
4. The Ladder
5. Durendal
6. 42-7-29
7. Boldly Stride The Doomed
8. Fading Silver Light
9. Pieces Of Your Smile
10. The Ruins Of Ouroboros
 
ARGUS stormed onto the underground metal scene with their twin guitar-driven, doom-tinged, working class metal sound with a self-recorded demo in early 2007, on John Brenner’s (Revelation/Against the Nature) DIY label, Bland Hand Records. The band was roundly welcomed by the metal community at home as well as abroad and established its foundation amongst friends/fans within the scene. With this initial momentum, the band created a buzz that was only solidified by their punishing live performances. Their self-titled debut album was released on Shadow Kingdom Records in 2009 receiving praise from media outlets worldwide. The band continued to gain notoriety attracting like-minded fans world-wide who celebrate the genre and its core values of: hard work, discipline and integrity.
 
Featuring the powerful voice of former Penance vocalist Butch Balich, ARGUS prepares to cement themselves within the metal archives with their sophomore effort, Boldly Stride the Doomed!
 

IN LEGEND TO RELEASE "BALLADS 'N' BULLETS"

Traditionally, most rock bands are dominated by guitars. Not so the case with IN LEGEND, where the mother of all instruments is the "key" component: The piano. With an uncompromising feeling for hard and flowing melodies, the ivories are hammered by Bastian Emig to an unexplored extreme. In the process he has come to understand the unique, symbiotic union of the percussive and melodic instrument in order to create rousing and sweeping songs. IN LEGEND is the essence of an artistic process that has been pulsating in the heart and maturing in the soul of Bastian during the last 10 years. And piece by piece it has been forged and hammered into the evoking sound which now characterizes it: The perfect blend of hard, soft, and uncompromising passion!

Bastian describes IN LEGEND as sounding like...... "Tori Amos on cocaine"

IN LEGEND does in no way, try to exclusively create a brand new type of sound. It is the songs which take the listener on a new aural experience. Influenced by the rhythmical feeling and atmosphere of Burkina Faso on the African continent where he spent his early childhood, Bastian has developed into one of the finest drummers in the German rock scene. He has toured with metal and rock 'n' roll bands all across Europe and was also able to win the hearts of the Chinese fans as the drummer for the thrash metal band NARAKAM with whom he spent the years 2006 and 2007 in China. He is currently also the drummer for the world's only metal a-cappella band VAN CANTO. After returning to Germany from Africa, it seemed, though, that the drums weren't the only instrument to shape his musical career. Bastian, upon his return, started to teach himself how to play the piano by ear, and he already composed many songs at a very early age without being able to read a single note of sheet music.

In Bastians own words...... "I hear music but I've never seen it"

Whilst trying to explain his own compositions to guitarists from his early bands, Bastian had been able to develop his own style, which comprises of smooth, carrying riffs in the left hand and flowing melodies in the right, and which is also apparent in the songs.  

Bastian has in fact discovered the previously unchartered territory of heavy music for the piano and describes his findings befittingly:... "Beaten paths are for beaten men"

Together with this extraordinary talent, Bastian's unmistakable voice ubiquitously brings together all aspects which can also be found in his drumming: Intensity, energy, and passion. With their CD "Ballads N´ Bullets", which is to be released in June  2011, IN LEGEND look to bring their unique sound to the world.

JONNY BURKE TO TOUR IN JUNE WITH JAMES McMURTRY

Austin, TX and LA-based singer-songwriter Jonny Burke is set to tour with James McMurty in June (see tour schedule below).  He will be hitting the road in support of his new album, “Distance And Fortune,” which was released on February 22, 2011.  Burke has toured with McMurty in the past; he’s also hit the road with folks like Todd Snider, Ryan Bingham, Band of Heathens, and Hayes Carll (with whom he co-wrote “Don’t Let Me Fall,” a song on “Distance And Fortune”).
 
Press praise for Burke’s new album has been extensive.  Here are some select press quotes:
  • LA Daily News:  “On his debut album, Burke sounds equally at home spitting out roadhouse rock, sweetly singing country ballads, bopping his way through jangly pop and wringing just the right emotional notes out of melancholy folk tunes.” 
  • Aquarian Weekly: “…an impressive affair as he goes from Stones-like rock ’n’ roll in the first two tracks to surefire country twang (accent on believability and tradition, with a left-field hippie aesthetic). … with an earthy acoustic underbelly that puts Burke’s eccentric voice up front…”
  • Austin Music + Entertainment:  “…[an] engaging, impression-making debut.” 
  • Shepherd Express:  “Burke's got a style all his own, out of time though it may be. About the only thing missing is the vinyl crackles as this album spins to a contemplative close.”
  • Lone Star Music Magazine:  “…as impressive as Burke’s writing is throughout… it’s his voice that’s the ultimate charmer.”
  • Texas Music Monthly:  “…both timely and timeless, a musical call toward the future with eyes doubling down on the past.” 
  • San Antonio Express News:  “Burke is a gifted writer, from the clever word play of 'Into the Autumn' to these lines from 'Long Steady Decline'… Burke not only knows what he's doing, he's doing it with literate grit.” 
  • Austinist: “…don’t make the mistake to thinking that Jonny Burke is just another predictable Americana singer/songwriter. 'Distance And Fortune' has a literate pulse but beats with a rock & roll heart.” 
  • Jersey Beat: “Representing good, solid, straight up with no-bullsh*t pretense meat and potatoes downhome country-tinged rock’n’roll, this album gets right down to engaging brass tacks and hits the pleasing sonic spot with a winning blend of wit, warmth, and rompin’ tunefulness.”
    “Distance & Fortune” was produced by Marc Ford (Black Crowes, Ryan Bingham) at the Compound Studio in Southern California.  The album kicks off with a double blast of rip-roaring bar rock - the Chuck Berry-riffed look at 20-somethings, “Broke Again,” and the Stonesian “Come Stand” – but also finds room for quieter, more contemplative tracks. Burke composed “Little Girl Of The World” like a letter to address a “personal need and to get some sort of redemption” from a broken relationship. “Don’t Let Me Fall” addresses another type of loss – how artists and poets can devote their lives to creating art but can wind up forgotten and dead in the gutter.  The new album also reveals Burke’s open approach to songwriting. He doesn’t have a specific style of music that he’s trying to create; he simply wants to play good songs. Just because he hails from Texas, don’t think he’s just a Lone Star State troubadour. His sole cover is “Human Music,” from the decidedly non-Texan band, the Soft Boys.
     
    Burke formed his first band, the Dedringers, with his school friend Sean Faires, and it became a popular regional band while they were still in their teens. The Dedringers were named Best New Group of 2008 by the Austin American-Statesman, while their R.S. Field-produced “Sweetheart of the Neighborhood” garnered a 3-star Austin Chronicle review. After seven years together, however, Burke and Faires decided to part ways.  Burke followed his own creative muse, and in 2009 he released a 5-song EP (“The Long Haul”) that attracted attention in the blogosphere with songsillinois.net praising its “Pettyseque rockers (and) Townes-influenced gently picked tales,” while Radio Free Americana’s Warren Catlett heralded it as a “mini-classic.”
     
    JONNY BURKE TOUR DATES (all dates below with James McMurtry)
    6/2/11 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
    6/3/11 – Louisville, KY – Headliner’s Music Hall
    6/4/11 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
    6/5/11 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House
    6/8/11 – Albany, NY – Valentine’s Upstairs
    6/9/11 – Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
    6/11/11 – Ellsworth, ME – The Grand Auditorium
    6/14/11 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
    6/15/11 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head On Stage
    6/16/11 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts
    6/17/11 – Hoboken, NJ – Maxwell’s
    6/18/11 – Brooklyn, NJ – The Bell House
    6/21/11 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
    6/22/11 – Greenville, SC – The Handlebar
    6/23/11 – Birmingham, AL – WorkPlay Theatre
    6/24/11 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
    6/25/11 – Lafayette, LA – Blue Moon Saloon
     

    The Meatmen/Tesco Vee/Touch & Go: West Coast-Texas Punk Books and Meathooks April Tour

    In 2010, Bazillion Points Books released Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson's 574-page tour de force TOUCH AND GO: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine '79-'83, garnering hosannahs from the hoi polloi of hardcore and year-end kudos from Decibel, Spin, Pitchfork, Crawdaddy, and dozens more. This April, like a boogeyman leaping to life from the pages of an adults-only bedside pulp novel, the Dutch Hercules himself Tesco Vee and his merry band of Meatmen return to wreak havoc and return to action the primal offensive creative force that gave birth to Touch and Go magazine, Touch and Go Records, and the sweaty armpits of hardcore punk itself. For the entire month of April 2011, Tesco will be terrorizing West Coast book and record stores by day, telling the tales of Rollins, MacKaye, Danzig, and the dawn of the hardcore punk; and by night showing grimy punk dives how it's done with full-color four-dimensional performances by Detroit daddies The Meatmen. 

    In a time before hardcore punk had a name, when GG Allin still sang love songs, before S.O.D. were even stormtroopers, while Gwar were still in Antarctica, Tesco Vee and the Meatmen made sausage from sacred cows. Their horny rants and death dirges sparked protests from every manner of two-legged beast. Now in feather boas and Abba clogs, the platinum topped Tesco Vee still commands a fiercely funny presence with a bag of tricks, props, and costume changes that will make Henry Rollins blush and send Lady Gaga shopping. 

    Says Tesco: "It is extremely cockle-of-the heart-warming that I can further pimp the Touch and Go tome by day, and rock out with the Meatboys by night. This bestselling brick of a  book transcends one mortal man, but as half of the braintrust of this punk rock manifesto, who better than to lather the legend than me, Tesco Vee? I will give the punters what they want: Danzig anecdotes, tales of record collecting forays, invaluable autographs on their books, photo ops, illicit gropings, you name it!  Just bring your bad selves, your dad's old toys, and a couple sheckles to these in-stores, and we'll take it from there. As my man Don Cornelius used to say: 'It'll be a stone gas, baby!'" 

    TESCO VEE TALK BY DAY / TOUCH AND GO BOOK IN-STORE DATES

    April 5, Denver, CO-Twist and Shout Records, 6PM
    April 6, Salt Lake City, UT, The Heavy Metal Shop, 7PM
    April 8, Seattle, WA, The Elliott Bay Book Company, 7PM
    April 9, Portland, OR, Jackpot Records
    April 12, Santa Cruz, CA, Streetlight Records Santa Cruz, 6PM
    April 14, Los Angeles, CA, Vacation Vinyl, 7PM
    April 15, Long Beach, CA, TKO Records, 6PM
    April 16, Las Vegas, NV, Zia Records, 6PM
    April 18, Phoenix, AZ, Changing Hands Bookstore/Hoodlum Music
    April 21, San Antonio, TX, Hogwild Records
    April 23, Austin, TX, Waterloo Records, 5PM
    April 24, Dallas, TX, Good Records, 4PM
    April 25, OK City, OK, Guestroom Records
    April 27, Des Moines, IA, Finders Creepers 6PM

    THE MEATMEN ROCK BY NIGHT / APRIL 2011 TOUR DATES

    Tue. April 5 Denver, CO, Marquis
    Wed. April 6 Salt Lake City, UT, Burts Tiki Room
    Thu. April 7 Boise, ID, The Red Room
    Fri. April 8 Seattle WA, El Corazon 
    Sat. April 9 Portland OR, Plan B 
    Sun. April 10 Oakland, CA, Oakland Metro 
    Mon. April 11 Sacramento, CA, Fire Escape 
    Tue. April 12 Santa Cruz, CA, Matty Hodel Building 
    Wed. April 13 Lompoc, CA, Wicked Shamrock 
    Thu. April 14 Los Angeles, CA, The Airliner
    Fri. April 15 Long Beach, CA, Alex's Bar
    Sat. April 16 Las Vegas, NV, The Cheyenne Saloon 
    Sun. April 17 San Diego, CA, The Shakedown 
    Mon. April 18 Phoenix, AZ, Yucca Tap Room 
    Tue. April 19 Albuquerque, NM, Moonlight Lounge  
    Wed. April 20 El Paso, TX, Badlands Billiards  
    Thu. April 21 San Antonio, TX, The Nightrocker 
    Fri. April 22 Houston, TX, Walters on Washington 
    Sat. April 23 Austin, TX, Red 7  
    Sun. April 24 Dallas, TX, Doublewide 
    Mon. April 25 Ok. City, OK, The Conservatory 
    Tue. April 26 St. Louis, MO, The Fubar Angela Rana 
    Wed. April 27 Des Moines, IA, The Underground  
    Thu. April 28 Minneapolis, MN, Triple Rock Soc. Club 
    Fri. April 29 Chicago, IL, Memories  
       
    TOUCH AND GO: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine '79-'83, by Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson. [ISBN 978-0-9796163-8-9] is available now from Bazillion Points Books, America's smallest but heaviest book publisher.  
     

    ABSOLUTE PUNK.NET HOSTING EXCLUSIVE ROGER MIRET AND THE DISASTERS TOUR CONTEST

    NEW ALBUM "GOTTA GET UP NOW" AVAILABLE VIA PEOPLE LIKE YOU RECORDS

    ROGER MIRET AND THE DISASTERS are getting ready to hit the road again in support of their latest release "Gotta Get Up Now" which was released on January 25th via People Like You Records. THE DISASTERS will be co-headlining with Flatfoot 56 on the run which kicks off March 31st in Houston, TX and will run through April 16th with the final stop in Tempe, AZ.

    In celebration of the tour and the release of "Gotta Get Up Now" ROGER MIRET AND THE DISASTERS along with People Like You Records have partnered up with AbsolutePunk.net for an exclusive giveaway. Starting today fans will have a chance to enter to win a pair of tickets to a DISASTERS show in the market of their choice, a signed copy of the new album "Gotta Get Up Now" and a signed poster. You can enter the contest as well as check out the rules and details at http://tinyurl.com/DISASTERSCONTEST

    Front man ROGER MIRET commented on the upcoming tour:

    I am very excited to be out with THE DISASTERS performing our latest songs from "Gotta Get Up Now". The boys are all geared up and ready to roll! It's going to be great to see old faces and meet new ones! Welcome all! Let's sing loud and sing proud!

    CATCH ROGER MIRET AND THE DISASTERS LIVE

    3/31/11 - Houston, TX @ Numbers
    4/1/11 - San Antonio, TX @ Korova
    4/2/11 - Austin, TX @ Red Seven
    4/3/11 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
    4/4/11 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
    4/5/11 - Lubbock, TX @ Depot District Oyster Bar
    4/6/11 - El Paso, TX @ M's Lip Lounge
    4/7/11 - Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
    4/8/11 - Fullerton, CA @ Slidebar
    4/9/11 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Airliner
    4/10 - Las Vegas, NV @ Las Vegas Country Saloon
    4/11 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt's Tiki Lounge
    4/12 - Casper, WY @ The Venue
    4/13 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
    4/14 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
    4/15 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
    4/16 - Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room

    "Gotta Get Up Now" is a code of ethics set to music. The Disasters represent an honesty rarely seen in music today. A sound which can only come straight from the heart of New York Hardcore's most legendary front man, a sound which can never be replicated or imitated, a sound which can only come from true life experiences. From someone who was there for the birth of, and lived through the most turbulent times of, one of the most honest genres of music. One that's viewed by most as a lifestyle.

    GWAR FRONT MAN PLEDGES SEX TO FANS IN RETURN FOR VOTES

    Oderus Urungus has taken the unprecedented step of pledging sex with anyone who votes for GWAR to win the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods award for Best Live Performance. GWAR is up against industry mega-weights like Rammstein, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeth and Sevendust.

    "Our show is reality...we don't know what you mean by live performance...we get attacked by dinosaurs while doing what we enjoy best---luring you to your death with our mutant metal--and then slaughtering you! Don't let this category be won by a band whose show is just as good as the millions they can spend on it, all for an hour and a half show......vote for the band where the show never stops! Vote for GWAR!!!!"

    But as an added "perk" Oderus has pledged that anybody who votes for GWAR will receive a sexual act of some kind...once again it's better to let Oderus speak for himself.

    "I pledge to have sex with anyone who votes for us. It will all be arranged thru the interweb, and on the next tour I will personally meet our supporters out behind the trash dumpsters and fuck them, suck them, whatever they want. If they don't want to do that, then I will have sex with something they own, like a dog, or a lunch-box. I will also be glad to rough-up anyone, ya know, smack ya around a bit, throw you in the garbage, hell even kick ya in the tummy....won't kill ya though...want you to be able to brag about it to your co-workers."

    Fans can vote here

    Balsac the Jaws of Death, GWAR's steel-faced guitarist had this to say about his lead singers latest desperate attempt to get publicity.

    "Oderus having sex with the fans behind the dumpster is nothing to brag about. It happens all the time. But please, please, don't let Sevendust beat us..."

    In other GWAR news, it has been confirmed that the Crack-a-thon will return this year on June 3rd live from Alleykatz in Richmond, VA with hosts Oderus Urungus and Balsac the Jaws of Death. The countdown to the Crack-a thon is on visit http://www.crackathon.com more info. In addition to the Crack-a-thon, August 27th has been confirmed as the date for this year's GWAR-B-Q. Visit http://www.gwarbq.com for the countdown clock and more info.

    Jonny Burke to hit the road with James McMurtry in June

    Austin, TX and LA-based singer-songwriter Jonny Burke is set to tour with James McMurty in June (see tour schedule below).  He will be hitting the road in support of his new album, “Distance And Fortune,” which was released on February 22, 2011.  Burke has toured with McMurty in the past; he’s also hit the road with folks like Todd Snider, Ryan Bingham, Band of Heathens, and Hayes Carll (with whom he co-wrote “Don’t Let Me Fall,” a song on “Distance And Fortune”).
    Press praise for Burke’s new album has been extensive.  Here are some select press quotes:
    • LA Daily News:  “On his debut album, Burke sounds equally at home spitting out roadhouse rock, sweetly singing country ballads, bopping his way through jangly pop and wringing just the right emotional notes out of melancholy folk tunes.” 
    • Aquarian Weekly: “…an impressive affair as he goes from Stones-like rock ’n’ roll in the first two tracks to surefire country twang (accent on believability and tradition, with a left-field hippie aesthetic). … with an earthy acoustic underbelly that puts Burke’s eccentric voice up front…”
    • Austin Music + Entertainment:  “…[an] engaging, impression-making debut.” 
    • Shepherd Express:  “Burke's got a style all his own, out of time though it may be. About the only thing missing is the vinyl crackles as this album spins to a contemplative close.”
    • Lone Star Music Magazine:  “…as impressive as Burke’s writing is throughout… it’s his voice that’s the ultimate charmer.”
    • Texas Music Monthly:  “…both timely and timeless, a musical call toward the future with eyes doubling down on the past.” 
    • San Antonio Express News:  “Burke is a gifted writer, from the clever word play of 'Into the Autumn' to these lines from 'Long Steady Decline'… Burke not only knows what he's doing, he's doing it with literate grit.” 
    • Austinist: “…don’t make the mistake to thinking that Jonny Burke is just another predictable Americana singer/songwriter. 'Distance And Fortune' has a literate pulse but beats with a rock & roll heart.” 
    • Jersey Beat: “Representing good, solid, straight up with no-bullsh*t pretense meat and potatoes downhome country-tinged rock’n’roll, this album gets right down to engaging brass tacks and hits the pleasing sonic spot with a winning blend of wit, warmth, and rompin’ tunefulness.”
      “Distance & Fortune” was produced by Marc Ford (Black Crowes, Ryan Bingham) at the Compound Studio in Southern California.  The album kicks off with a double blast of rip-roaring bar rock - the Chuck Berry-riffed look at 20-somethings, “Broke Again,” and the Stonesian “Come Stand” – but also finds room for quieter, more contemplative tracks. Burke composed “Little Girl Of The World” like a letter to address a “personal need and to get some sort of redemption” from a broken relationship. “Don’t Let Me Fall” addresses another type of loss – how artists and poets can devote their lives to creating art but can wind up forgotten and dead in the gutter.  The new album also reveals Burke’s open approach to songwriting. He doesn’t have a specific style of music that he’s trying to create; he simply wants to play good songs. Just because he hails from Texas, don’t think he’s just a Lone Star State troubadour. His sole cover is “Human Music,” from the decidedly non-Texan band, the Soft Boys.
      Burke formed his first band, the Dedringers, with his school friend Sean Faires, and it became a popular regional band while they were still in their teens. The Dedringers were named Best New Group of 2008 by the Austin American-Statesman, while their R.S. Field-produced “Sweetheart of the Neighborhood” garnered a 3-star Austin Chronicle review. After seven years together, however, Burke and Faires decided to part ways.  Burke followed his own creative muse, and in 2009 he released a 5-song EP (“The Long Haul”) that attracted attention in the blogosphere with songsillinois.net praising its “Pettyseque rockers (and) Townes-influenced gently picked tales,” while Radio Free Americana’s Warren Catlett heralded it as a “mini-classic.”
      JONNY BURKE TOUR DATES (all dates below with James McMurtry)
      6/2/11 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
      6/3/11 – Louisville, KY – Headliner’s Music Hall
      6/4/11 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
      6/5/11 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House
      6/8/11 – Albany, NY – Valentine’s Upstairs
      6/9/11 – Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
      6/11/11 – Ellsworth, ME – The Grand Auditorium
      6/14/11 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
      6/15/11 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head On Stage
      6/16/11 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts
      6/17/11 – Hoboken, NJ – Maxwell’s
      6/18/11 – Brooklyn, NJ – The Bell House
      6/21/11 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
      6/22/11 – Greenville, SC – The Handlebar
      6/23/11 – Birmingham, AL – WorkPlay Theatre
      6/24/11 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
      6/25/11 – Lafayette, LA – Blue Moon Saloon