Shonen Knife's "Osaka Ramones: Tribute to the Ramones" To Be Released July 19th on Good Charamel Records In Celebration of Shonen Knife's 30th Anniversary; Band To Launch US/Canadian Tour

Shonen Knife have been the most internationally recognized name in Japanese Rock music since their entrance onto the alternative rock scene in the early 90s seeing them become the indie darlings of hipsters and rock stars alike. 2011 celebrates thirty years since Naoko and the band began releasing albums of their joyous mixture of pop, punk, food and fantasy for the world to enjoy. Since their inception in Osaka in 1981 (featuring Naoko’s sister Atsuko and their friend, bassist/vocalist Michie) to their current lineup featuring members Ritsuko (b,v) and Emi (dr,v), SK have maintained their rightful place in the ever changing indie rock scene.

In celebration of this milestone Shonen Knife is paying tribute to one of their biggest musical inspira­tions since the infancy of their still vibrant career 3 decades ago … NYC’s legendary Ramones.

“Osaka Ramones” is not only the name of this tribute album, but is also the name of the side project which has made its way in and out of Shonen Knife’s performing history for decades. This East meets West punk rock combination is now captured in an album recorded and mixed between Osaka, JP and New York over the last year and was co-produced by Robby Takac of the American rock band Goo Goo Dolls.

The album, set for release July 19 on Takac’s label Good Charamel Records, will be supported by a North American tour. Dates will be announced shortly.

Please enjoy this awesome collection of songs and celebrate the music of the world’s greatest punk rock band while we celebrate the 4th decade of Japan’s indie rock icons, the mighty Shonen Knife...Hey Ho, Let’s Go! …

“Ramones were my all-time idols since I first heard their music from a radio and rushed to a record shop. This year is the 30th anniversary of Shonen Knife. For celebration, we decided to record a cover album of our favorite band the Ramones. The title is “Osaka Ramones” with our respect. I’m very happy to release an Osaka Ramones project and to recognize their contri­bution to the evolution of Shonen Knife“-Naoko, Shonen Knife

ERIC JOHNSON TO LAUNCH 'UP CLOSE' SUMMER TOUR

Since the 1980's, Eric Johnson has been one of the most critically acclaimed rock guitarists, as evidenced by the success of such releases as 'Ah Via Musicom,' 'Venus Isle,' and his latest offering, 'Up Close.' And soon, Johnson will be launching his summer tour to continue support of his latest album, fresh off of appearances on the West Coast Experience Hendrix Tour, as well as teaming up with Anton Fig and Will Lee of Late Night fame for a rousing rare performance at New York City's P.C. Richards and Sons Theatre.

From July 7th through August 20th, Johnson will be touring the USA from coast to coast as a headliner, as well as joining forces with fellow guitar great Steve Miller for shows at the Sleep Country Amphitheater in Clark County, Washington on July 17th and the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, on August 7th. He will also join the legendary Buddy Guy on July 21 in Omaha, Nebraska at the Red Sky Music Festival.

Also recently released was a vinyl version of 'Up Close,' 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.

A long time in the making , 'Up Close' has received rave reviews. All Music Guide pointed out that "[Johnson] continues to find interesting ways to hone his specific craft on 'Up Close'," while Premier Guitar Magazine raved "Johnson has created another worthy addition to his already legendary catalog." Also, it shouldn't be overlooked that 'Up Close' features an impressive list of special guests (Sonny Landreth, Steve Miller, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jonny Lang).

Speaking to M Music Magazine, Eric had the following to say about what his goals were for 'Up Close.' "To find new ways of doing things. We’re all the sum of our history. After a while, we start to create certain patterns in what we do. I wanted to break some of that repetition. If you keep to the same format, the vibe stays the same, even though the music might change. If you want to grow, you have to break down walls and find ways to work that are different from the past."

Additionally, Johnson graced the cover of this year's March issue of Guitar Player Magazine, was recently named Guitar International's "Guitarist of the Year," and has 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.

Johnson has long been considered one of rock's most talented six-string players, as evidenced by his aforementioned 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. The song also recently was introduced to a whole new generation of rock fans, when it was featured in the hit video game, 'Guitar Hero.'

ERIC JOHNSON TOUR DATES (ADDITIONAL DATES TBA):

07/07/11 at The Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ
07/08/11 at the Rialto Theatre in Tucson, AZ
07/09/11 at the Anthology in San Diego, CA
07/10/11 at the The Canyon Theater in Agoura Hills, CA
07/12/11 at Harlow's in Sacramento, CA
07/13/11 at the Brixton in Redondo Beach, CA
07/14/11 at the Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana, CA
07/15/11 at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA
07/16/11 at the Rogue Theatre at Grants Pass, OR
07/19/11 at the The Triple Door in Seattle, WA
07/21/11 at the Red Sky Music Festival in Omaha, NE
07/22/11 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO
08/02/11 at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, MO
08/04/11 at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN
08/05/11 at the The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, WI
08/06/11 at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern in Cleveland, OH
08/07/11 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI
08/09/11 at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA
08/10/11 at B.B. King's Blues Club in New York, NY
08/12/11 at the Showcase Live in Foxborough, MA
08/14/11 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA


FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.ericjohnson.com

THE DEAR HUNTER’S ‘The Color Spectrum’ 9-Ep Collection Out Today! U.S. Headlining Tour Starts Next Month

June 14, 2011 -- THE DEAR HUNTER’s highly anticipated, epic nine-EP collection, THE COLOR SPECTRUM (Triple Crown Records), has finally hit retail shelves and the digital space.

THE COLOR SPECTRUM consists of songs inspired by the colors of the spectrum, specifically RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO and VIOLET, with WHITE and BLACK being included as bookends. The collection features collaborations with several producers and musicians, including Manchester Orchestra, Brendan Brown from The Receiving End of Sirens, Mike Watts (who has worked with As Tall As Lions and he mixed the band’s ACT III: LIFE AND DEATH), and Steve Haigler (Brand New, As Tall As Lions, Quicksand). It’s available in the following formats:

• Full Length CD/Digital Download: Includes select music from each EP compiled on one full length compilation.

• Limited Edition Deluxe Vinyl Box Set: Nine 10" vinyl records available as a Box Set, which includes all music from THE COLOR SPECTRUM and a digital download of all the music. Available only through mail order via Triple Crown Records’ website. Check out this video to see the grand packaging: http://bit.ly/mneZ6g.

• Full Length Vinyl: Same as CD, but full length vinyl features songs from each EP of THE COLOR SPECTRUM.

• Individual digital versions of each song and EP from the entire collection of THE COLOR SPECTRUM.

Early acclaim for THE COLOR SPECTRUM comes from Alternative Press, Consequence of Sound and SPIN, the latter of whom proclaims it “a sprawling, heady mix, merging some of the challenging piano work of latter day Ben Folds Five with a bit of Muse-y, glam rock melodrama.”

“..the disc’s biggest threat is how effortlessly Crescenzo & Co. are able to pull off each style. ‘Filth And Squalor’ and ‘Deny It All’ (from BLACK and RED, respectively) are stomping, bombastic rock songs with dark tinges that fall neatly in the band’s wheelhouse. The breezy ‘She’s Always Singing’ and folksy ‘Things That Hide Away’ and ‘The Canopy,’ meanwhile, are free from the normal mountain of production that typically characterizes The Dear Hunter, and really highlight Crescenzo’s sharp songwriting.” --Alternative Press

“…the music is as assorted as its inspirations. BLACK is sonorous, martial, deep, and reverberating; WHITE is ethereal and hymn-like in places, but also doggedly cheerful. Blue is playful, youthful, and driven, churning and giddy; GREEN is ebullient, relaxed, and expansive; RED is sexy and insinuating as well as aggressive.” -- ALARM

“…a sunny, pop charmer. Lead by Crescenzo’s vocals and heartfelt lyrics, and accompanied by an irresistibly catchy beat, the track is sure to land on many summer love mix-tapes.” --Consequenceofsound.net (about “She’s Always Singing” from YELLOW)

In touring news, The Dear Hunter heads out a U.S. headlining tour next month. Ticket pre-sales are available here: http://thedearhunter.frontgatetickets.com/. Fans will have the option to add on an early download of the Full Length THE COLOR SPECTRUM CD, as well as an exclusive T-shirt for an extra $15. Check them out at any of the following stops:

DATE CITY VENUE

Fri 7/15 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill

Sat 7/16 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater

Sun 7/17 Seattle, WA El Corazon

Tue 7/19 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court

Wed 7/20 Denver, CO The Summit Music Hall/Front Room

Thu 7/21 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room

Fri 7/22 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club

Sat 7/23 Dekalb, IL The House Café

Sun 7/24 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall

Tue 7/26 St. Louis, MO The Firebird

Wed 7/27 Covington, KY Mad Hatter Club

Thu 7/28 Grand Rapids, MI The Pyramid Scheme

Fri 7/29 Cleveland Heights, OH The Grog Shop

Sat 7/30 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre

Tue 8/9 Manchester, NH Rocko’s

Wed 8/10 Cambridge, MA Middle East

Thu 8/11 Hamden, CT The Space

Fri 8/12 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory

Sat 8/13 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar

Sun 8/14 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java

Tue 8/16 Atlanta, GA The Drunken Unicorn

Wed 8/17 Jacksonville, FL The Pit

Thu 8/18 Tampa, FL The Orpheum

Fri 8/19 Lake Worth, FL Propaganda

Sat 8/20 Orlando, FL The Social

Mon 8/22 Houston, TX Warehouse Live Studio

Tue 8/23 Dallas, TX The Loft

Wed 8/24 Austin, TX Emo’s (inside)

Fri 8/26 Mesa, AZ Sail Inn

Sat 8/27 Pomona, CA Glass House

STEPHEN JERZAK TO RELEASE "MILES AND MILES" ON UNIVERSAL/REPUBLIC TOMORROW JUNE 14; CATCH HIM ON THE VANS WARPED TOUR ALL SUMMER

19-year-old singer/songwriter Stephen Jerzak is focused on spreading a positive message of peace, love and all around good times to his listeners and it seems his musical philosophy is catching on! With over 18 million plays and counting on MySpace, over 100,000 fans on Facebook, over 3.5 million views on YouTube and 230,000 singles sold on iTunes and a rapidly growing fan base, the young Wisconsin native is ready to put a smile on faces worldwide with the release of his debut album on Universal/Republic Records on June 14, 2011.

Stephen picked up a guitar at the age of 11, sang lead vocals for his first band at 12 and put out his first solo project at 14. Over the last few years he has immersed himself in music, mastering his craft and in the process learned to play acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, drums and even trombone. Stephen’s lyrical content focuses on love and relationships, but with a playful edge only a High School student could harness.

Jerzak has already headlined three tours, supported Mike Posner and Far East Movement on a nationwide tour, played at both SXSW and Bamboozle, and was direct support on the All Star Weekend tour in November/December 2010 supporting the release of his full length “My Uke Has a Crush On You” album. Stephen’s major label debut “Miles and Miles” will be released on Universal/Republic on June 14^th, 2011.

The album features a special appearance from Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, who provides guest vocals on “She Said”.

The current single is “Party Like You’re Single”.

Stephen Jerzak is currently profiled in the current Warped Tour issue of Ragged Magazine which can be downloaded at: www.raggedmag.com. The issue will also be available at the American Rag booth on all Warped Tour dates this summer.

Miles and Miles Track Listing:

1. Miles and Miles

2. Stood Me Up

3. Party Like You’re Single

4. Cute

5. Love Is Strong

6. Let Your Heart Do The Talking

7. Hot Over Summer

8. Queen

9. Next Level

10. She Said

11. Ha to the PPY

12. Peace Out

RUN FOR COVER RECORDS LAUNCHES BASEMENT PRE-ORDER

RUN FOR COVER RECORDS LAUNCHES BASEMENT PRE-ORDER

I WISH I COULD STAY HERE TO BE RELEASED JULY 5

NEW SONG “GRAYSCALE” NOW STREAMING AT WWW.PROPERTYOFZACK.COM

UK TOUR WITH TITLE FIGHT STARTS JULY 6

US SUMMER TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Run For Cover Records is now taking pre-orders for Basement's, I Wish I Could Stay Here album on www.runforcoverrecords.com. The record is available on CD, LP and Digital and has some pre-order bonus items including a Basement Collective Photo Zine, a screen printed poster and a t-shirt. The album will be released July 5th. The band will be following up the release of the album with a tour of the UK along side Title Fight and then some USA tour dates later in the summer.

The band is now streaming a brand new song titled "Grayscale" at www.propertyofzack.com.

For more info visit: www.iwishicouldstayhere.com.

VICE VERSES, THE FOLLOW-UP TO SWITCHFOOT'S GRAMMY®-WINNING HELLO HURRICANE, IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 27th RELEASE

On September 27^th, Atlantic Records will release Vice Verses, the eighth studio record from multi-platinum rock band SWITCHFOOT. Working with producer Neal Avron (Weezer,Linkin Park), the band recorded most of the album in their San Diego, CA home studio. Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Regina Spektor) who produced SWITCHFOOT's GRAMMY-winning album, Hello Hurricane, served as executive producer. Released in 2009, Hello Hurricane entered The Billboard 200 at No. 13 and contained the Modern Rock hits "The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)" and "Mess of Me."

"Vice Verses is a record of tension and release. It's an attempt to describe the polarity of the human experience. The sunlight and shadow. The highs and lows, laughter and pain, hope and fear, doubts and belief," says lead singer/guitarist Jon Foreman. In title track he writes; 'Every blessing comes with a set of curses. I got my vices. I got my vice verses.' So we live in the tension - pulled and stretched thin. Vice Verses is soul music - attempting to get to the heart of the human experience: Living in the tension and turning it into song."

Vice Verses is the work of a band that is so restless, they devote an entire song ("Restless") to the condition. It's that very uneasiness - an unwillingness to choose the treadmill over the triathlon - that fuels the band's forays into new musical territory and Jon Foreman's unflinchingly honest lyrics. You can hear the tension build along with the first chords of album opener "Afterlife," leading into a bold statement of intent: "I've tasted fire I'm ready to come alive/I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright/I'm ready now/I'm not waiting for the afterlife....I believe we start forever now."

Songs like "Afterlife" and "The War Inside" take the harder-edged approach of Hello Hurricane a step further, creating what Billboard has called "powerful, anthemic rockers...like an amalgamation of U2's 'Achtung Baby,' Linkin Park." Overall, Vice Verses is a more eclectic collection than its predecessor with quiet gems like "Souvenirs" and the title track butting up against the infectious "The Original," reminiscent of Foo Fighters, and the biting, largely spoken-word "Selling the News." The latter is a poetry slam Beck-meets-Beastie Boys style examination of a media-mad nation: "America listens the story is told/the hard sell, all caps, all bold...begging the question mongering fears/stroking the eye and tickling ears/the truth ain't just what it appears/we're selling the news."

But SWITCHFOOT isn't content to merely detail the gaping contradictions they find within themselves or the surrounding culture. As the rousing lead single "Dark Horses" makes abundantly clear, we were designed to transcend, to stand up against the darkness. It's a theme echoed in Foreman's latest Huffington Post piece (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/meaning-of-life_b_874934.html), excerpted here:

"The art comes from the awkward ache. The knot in my stomach usually teaches me more than comfort ever could. The sculptor's chisel carves away at the block to bring something new into being. In the same way, we hammer away at the world we're given to bring something new into being. We re-appropriate the past and present to create the future - breath by breath."

SWITCHFOOT - comprising Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar) - will launch a world tour in conjunction with the release of Vice Verses. This weekend the band is hosting what is, to them, one of the most meaningful concerts of the year: the Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented By Hurley (http://www.switchfoot.com/c/bro-am). The Howls, The Romany Rye, The Silent Comedy and Jon Foreman & Friendswill perform at the concert/surf contest, to be held Saturday, June 18^th, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. An Auction Night Soiree (set for June 16^th at a private La Jolla Farms residence) and a post-concert after-party at the nearby Belly Up Tavern featuring performances by Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Fiction Family and Little Hurricane round out the weekend's activities. Now in its seventh year, this year's Bro-Am will benefit the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of StandUp For Kids (www.standupforkids.org), a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids. Since its inception in 2005, the Bro-Am has raised almost $500,000 for San Diego-based children's charities.

The track listing for Vice Verses is as follows:

1. Afterlife

2. The Original

3. The War Inside

4. Restless

5. Blinding Light

6. Selling the News

7. Thrive

8. Dark Horses

9. Souvenirs

10. Rise Above It

11. Vice Verses

12. Where I Belong

NAILS Video To Premiere On MTV2 This Friday

Hardcore henchmen NAILS' crushing "Conform/Scum Will Rise" video has been confirmed to premiere on MTV2 this Friday, May 20 at 7:00pm EST! Filmed as part of Scoin's ongoing bi-annual underground artist series, "Conform/Scum Will Rise" hails from the band's acclaimed 2010 album Unsilent Death. This is a major step for NAILS and their ongoing campaign for world domination. For now you can crush your enemies to the video, which initially premiered on Metal Injection in late March, at this location.

Exactly one week later, Friday, May 27, NAILS will assault the audiences at Maryland Deathfest on the indoor stage alongside Pulling Teeth, Machetazo, Cripple Bastards, Kylesa, Exhumed, Marduk, and the same night as Corrosion of Conformity and Neurosis. NAILS fly directly to Seattle the next day where they're scheduled to rain some hell on Rain Fest alongside 7 Seconds, Cruel Hand, Madball, Trial, Weekend Nachos, labelmates Black Breath and tons more. Regional shows will litter the rest of June and July, and then at the end of July NAILS are back on the road on their co-headlining tour with Ringworm!

NAILS Live Actions:5/27/2011 Sonar - Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest
5/28/2011 Neumo's - Seattle, WA @ Rain Fest [info]

6/01/2011 The Blvd - Boyle Heights, CA w/ Weekend Nachos, The Afternoon Gentlemen, Cyborg, ACxDC, Disapproval

6/03/2011 Cobalt Cafe - Canoga Park, CA w/ Cruel Hand, The Carrier, Former Thieves, The Greenery, Habours, Capsize

Death Comes Ripping Tour:
RINGWORM & NAILS w/ Bitter End, New Lows7/30/2011 924 Gilman - San Francisco, CA
7/31/2011 Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA
8/01/2011 Nile Underground - Mesa, AZ
8/02/2011 Trainyard - La Cruces, NM
8/03/2011 Red 7 - Austin, TX
8/04/2011 Trees - Dallas, TX
8/05/2011 Downtown Music - Little Rock, AR
8/06/2011 The Record Bar - Kansas City, MO
8/07/2011 Fubar Music Venue - St Louis, MO
8/08/2011 Subterranean - Chicago, IL
8/09/2011 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
8/10/2011 Bogies - Albany, NY
8/11/2011 Great Scott - Boston, MA
8/12/2011 *TBD - Philadelphia, PA

The trio are currently writing their follow-up to Unsilent Death for Southern Lord Recordings. Stay tuned for constant updates through the year on all things NAILS.