Okay, so The Reason were in town last night playing a tiny little basement show at the Montgomery Legion Hall(such a quaint, cozy little venue...read "really cramped and sweaty"), and lemme tell y'all something: their upcoming Smallman Records debut Ravenna is gonna be something else judging by the new material displayed last night. The songs from their EP Problems Associated With Running were given a kick in the rear end courtesy of a two-guitar attack that had yours truly throwing down like he was at a Hatebreed show or some shizzle like that. Thanks to Jen for bringing me out last night; her boyfriend's band The Less You Know put on a skate-punk explosion that was fun to watch.
Ran into Joel Gelensye(aka Joel G., up-and-coming singer/songwriter) at my Friendly Local Christian Retailer today; it was good to see a guy I grew up and catch up on his budding career. The man finds time to write and record a debut album and pursue his other passion, figure skating. How 'bout that. His website is over here, and his new album is getting a promotional push from southern to eastern Ontario. Don't sleep.
Ferret Records band The Rise are releasing their new album Reclamation Process for free - you read that right - with the Nov./Dec. issue of Law of Inertia magazine. Keep an eye out later this year if you dig The Rise. [punknews]
Shnarler Records has a straight-edge compilation CD out now featuring bands like Eighteen Visions, Throwdown, Sage Francis, Remembering Never and Bleeding Through; the comp is available at the label's online store. Check it out.
Every Time I Die(what a great band, seriously) have a new video for 'I Been Gone A Long Time'; check it out here and rock the frig out!
From what I've heard, Vancouver's All State Champions are one killer rock and roll band, and now they're heading out on tour with Engine Down and Sparta - some distinguished company. Here's the tour itinerary:
05.22.04 Las Vegas, NV @ Huntridge Theatre
05.24.04 Boise, ID @ The Big Easy
05.25.04 Eugene, OR @ The Jungle
05.27.04 Portland, OR @ Nocturnal
05.28.04 Longview, WA @ Reeds
05.29.04 Vancouver, Canada @ Richards on Richards
05.30.04 Victoria, Canada @ Sugar's
06.01.04 Calgary, Canada @ MacEwan Ballroom
06.02.04 Edmonton, Canada @ Starlite
06.03.04 Saskatoon, Canada @ U Of Saskatoon
06.04.04 Winnipeg, Canada @ The Pyramid
06.06.04 Fargo, ND @ Playmaker's front room
06.07.04 Sioux Falls, SD @ Oak Hotel Conf. Center
06.09.04 Ft. Collins, CO @ Starlight Theatre
06.10.04 Salt Lake City, UT @ Lo Fi Cafe
06.11.04 Reno, NV @ New Oasis
06.12.04 Santa Cruz @ The Catalyst
06.13.04 Sacramento, CA @ Boardwalk
06.14.04 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction w/Locals
06.16.04 Hollywood, CA @ Knitting Factory (Alterknit Lounge at 10 pm) w/locals
06.18.04 Oakland, CA @ iMusiccast w/Counter Fit06.20.04 Seattle, WA @ Central Saloon w/locals
[pastepunk]
Rising punk act Autopilot Off performed on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborne the other night, and this link right here has the video footage. Get to it.
Essential listening today is a curveball: Lauryn Hill's 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill remains one of the best hiphop albums ever in my humble, humble opinion. This record cleaned up at the award galas and magazine polls, and despite her dropping off the radar of late, this album proved that she wasn't just the face and female-vocal recognition of '90s greats The Fugees. Highly recommended.
Posted by mike at May 20, 2004 07:32 PM