Little slow around these parts lately - suck it up. There's more to life than a blog. Go read a good book. I recommend No Logo by Naomi Klein, if you're needing a push.
One of the original 'Gainesville scene'sters, Less Than Jake, have had enough of record labels, and they're going their own way(Fleetwood Mac). LTJ have launched Sleep It Off Records, under which they'll release a slew of their old albums beginning March 18th. [punkbands]
If you're planning on seeing Every Time I Die on tour this month, you won't see a familiar face behind the drums: Mike 'Ratboy' Novak has a back injury that will have him on injured reserve this time around. Speedy recovery, Ratboy!
Say what you will about Yellowcard - they know how to put up or shut up: the band will go overseas to perform as part of a USO tour for the first time, heading to the middle East to perform, sign autographs and chill with American troops stationed in the region. Good on you, Yellowcard.
Today's Essential Listening - the first of the new year! - is Evergreen Terrace's new album Wolfbiker, crammed with killer breakdowns, double-bass rage and - no surprise - great harmonies. Very solid.
If you're a string or woodwind expert, the Foo Fighters are looking for you: as part of a contest, the band is seeking an instrumentalist to perfom with them on the Grammys. That's right - on the 50th annual Grammy Awards. If you think you got what it takes, they wanna hear your rendition of 'The Pretender,' sent to them by midnight January 20th. Check out their Myspace for details.
The Ottawa Citizen had an interesting article on downloading in Canada over the weekend; last calendar year, online music sales rose by 93% in our fair country, far bigger an increase than in the United States. The biggest seller? No surprise here - Feist's Let It Die was numero uno.
One of the greatest of their breed, technical punks Slick Shoes, have reunited with the original lineup, including guitarist Jackson Mould, to put out some new tunes. Not much in the way of touring is planned - but it's enough that SS are back together, and a new record is planned for the "near future."
Today, January 9th, is a good day - why? New Goldfinger to listen to! The new as-yet-unnamed album will feature Charlie Paulson on guitar for the first time since Open Your Eyes(2003).
Underoath, after their career-"defining" album Define the Great Line(get it??) almost topped the charts in 2006(it debuted at #2), will hit the studio in March to record album number six. [IVM]
Posted by mike at January 9, 2008 10:59 PM