There's a profusion of news from a certain SoCal label known as Strikefirst Records. We'll go through it, as we're wont to do around here, in point form:
- Portland, Oregon's Inked In Blood have signed a deal with the label; the band's self-released record, an EP called Awakening Vesuvius, will be re-released by Strikefirst in August
- Jesus Wept(named after the shortest verse in the entire Bible, doncha know) are finishing up their Sick City EP, due out July 27th
- Nodes of Ranvier(amazing band) are on tour with Germany's Caliban and Scars of Tomorrow(Victory Records); here be the dates:
July 30 - Aug. 15 w/ Scars Of Tomorrow, Caliban + Reflux
July 15 - Willmar, MN @ Sonshine Festival - HM Stage
July 29 - Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's Oasis
July 30 - Kansas City, MO @ The Spitfire
July 31 - Tulsa OK @ The Pinkeye
Aug. 1 - Amarillo TX @ The Refuge
Aug. 2 - Denver CO @ Rock Island
Aug. 3 - Salt Lake City UT @ The Basement
Aug. 4 - Boise ID @ The Venue
Aug. 5 - Spokane WA @ The Detour
Aug. 6 - Seattle WA @ Studio Seven
Aug. 7 - Portland OR @ The Solid State
Aug. 8 - Orangevale CA @ The Boardwalk
Aug. 9 - San Francisco CA @ TBA
Aug. 10 - Bakersfield CA @ Jerry's Pizza
Aug. 11 - Lancaster CA @ TBA
Aug. 12 - Hollywood CA @ Whisky A Go-Go
Aug. 13 - South Gate CA @ Allen Theatre
Aug. 14 - Las Vegas NV @ TBA
Aug. 15 - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
- One 21 is playing as one-third of a killer bill in Linthicum Heighs, Maryland; the other two featured acts are L.A. Symphony and Cool Hand Luke. I would destroy all in my path to be at that show, taking place July 30th at LBC in Linthicum Hts.
Speaking of destroying, torrential rain is moving across Canada, and this has just been handed to me: Ottawa is about to get wrecked. There's been footage the last 72 hours of Edmonton malls being partially ripped up by storms, and this afternoon Peterborough, Ontario declared a state of emergency. Be safe, people, if you're in the path.
Fifteen-year-old Bethany Dillon is the new teen sensation in the Christian music revue(yes, Christians have teen sensations too, believe me); I demoed her debut album last night and was pleasantly surprised at what I heard. Solid acoustic-based pop-rock, unlike Avril and her peers for the most part, but with enough rock to show she means business. Yes, she had help from producers and such, but she's still a talent who will only get better, we think.
Also demoed was the newest from ex-Caedmon's Call member Derek Webb, long one of my personal favourites; his record is a live effort called The House Show. Recorded live off the floor in someone's living room - literally - last fall in Alabama, THS features some old CC favourites as well as Webb's solo work, focused on the Church and what's become of it in recent years. Recommended.
This is really bizarre: The Tragically Hip brought out thirty thousand fans for last Saturday's Bluesfest show here in Ottawa, as did Bryan Adams night before last night - and yet my boss tells me last night that Toronto cancelled their Bluesfest due to lack of ticket sales. How does a city of over four million cancel a major festival while Ottawa packs it out? Innneresting. Tomorrow night yours truly is finally going to see Blue Rodeo live, also at the Bluesfest. It's been a long time coming!
Some pro basketball news for you - because clearly that's what you come for: Shaq O'Neal is now a member of the Miami Heat, and back in the Eastern conference where he made his name with Orlando a decade ago. Since there are no big men in the East to compare even remotely with this guy, Shaq will likely have one amazing year. All this to say he's still a prima donna. "I deserve more respect." Sure, guy. Oh, and Canadian lad Steve Nash has bailed on the Dallas Mavericks, signing in Phoenix for - steady now - five years, sixty-five million bucks. Disgusting.
The new issue of Relevant magazine appeared in the mailbox last Friday, and true to form, it's making me think, making me laugh, and informing me. Very highly recommended for twentysomethings both Christian and not. Check out the website for subscription info and fun stuff like that.
Posted by mike at July 15, 2004 04:41 PM