You'll need to install iTunes, but it'll be worth it to watch the acoustic performance Thursday put on October 15th at the Apple store in New York City. Check out the band's homepage for all the jazz. [punkhardcore]
Relevant magazine is ridiculously slick. And their website ain't half-bad either.
hiphopcanada is nice. Slow news day today. Peace kids.
Late, late notice, I know, but Rise Over Run have a very large show in Buffalo happening tonight, November 28th. Check it: them dudes alongside Integrity(whaaaat??) and On Broken Wings. This all is going down at Xtreme Wheels in Buffalo, doors at six pm. So if you're anywhere even close, get down there ASAP.
As well, it's just been confirmed that With All Sincerity(Pluto Records) are hitting Ottawa January 30th. More details to follow!
This just in: holy crap, do Indwelling ever bring the RUCKUS. Featuring Jason Stinson and Ethan Pajak(ex-vocalist and drummer, respectively, for the much-missed Overcome), these guys are insane metallic goodness.
In related news, this computer I'm on has some very large space bar issues. Why can't I just have my own computer? Why? Someone answer me.
Ace Troubleshooter are putting out their third album next March; I know this because their song 'Ball & Chain' is on the new Tooth and Nail compilation, and I'd never heard of it before, so I checked it out and sure enough, new album next spring. Whee!!
pastepunk has new reviews of Narcissus and Kid Dynamite up. What're you waiting for?
Latest entry at punkottawa, your spot for Ottawa's concert listings: "The old Bands page has been nuked, as have the 100 emails in my "bands to add" email folder. Please resubmit your band if yours is not currently up. Only submit your band once, it won't be added instantaneously, but within 24 hours depending on how busy our trained seal is." Scallen, you're awesome. Trained seal. *hysterics*
If you gots QuickTime, check out the video for L.A. Symphony's 'Gonna Be All Right' right over here, courtesy of the fine folks at The Scene.
As if a Canadian(Edgar Bronfman of Montreal) owns Warner Bros. now. Paid $2.6 billion dollars for it, which is some massive cheddar. That means this guy and his team own Reprise, Maverick, Atlantic, Sire and Elektra Records now too.[bornbackwards]
Ahoy: Spin magazine's take on the new P.O.D.. [rockrebel]
In further P.O.D. news, twelve dates have been confirmed for next year's co-headlining tour with Linkin Park:
Jan. 16: Washington, D.C.
Jan. 17: Boston
Jan. 18: New York
Jan. 20: Philadelphia
Jan. 21: Cleveland
Jan. 23: Montreal
Jan. 24: Toronto
Jan. 25: Columbus, Ohio
Jan. 27: Detroit
Jan. 29: Chicago
Jan. 30: Madison, Wis.
Jan. 31: Minneapolis
Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante has a solo record coming out next year: Shadows Collide With People will be out in the U.S. and U.K. in February. [soundthesirens]
Indie Visionhas signed Joey's Loss; their debut album will be out sometime in 2004. I've never heard of them either. [hardcorechristian]
In preparation for the band's show here in Ottawa December 2nd, check out the video for 'Quality Revenge At Last' from the ever-fun Hey Mercedes. [punkhardcore]
There's a relevatory article in the new issue of CCM magazine(with Jars of Clay on the cover for what has to be the three hundredth time) on Tooth and Nail Records and its president and founder, dude by the name of Brandon Ebel. Did you know Ebel's grandfather forked over a loan so his erstwhilte grandson could start up the Nail? I didn't know that either. And no T&N artist has ever won a Dove Award. Check out CCM online.
In other print-mag news, the new issue of Feed is out and spectacular. These kids from outside Toronto have one of the slickest-looking magazines out there, whatever genre or affiliation. Such class. We WILL be that good someday. You can view some of the goodness online at feedstop.com, but it just isn't the same as holding this piece of greatness in your hot little hands. Find it and buy it. Mars iLL are this month's cover artists, and Dust is wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs t-shirt!
indievision music has a wack of news concerning their roster, particularly some auditions for Forgotten Arrival, who've lost a couple members, as well as some Dismissed information. Hit it up. What up, California??
Haste the Day, out of Indianapolis, have signed with Solid State Records. The band's debut, Burning Bridges, has a tentative release date of March 4th/04. I've heard a track from these guys from their first EP and it's pretty tight.
David Allen has hinted that he's in the mood for a new hxc. Well! Wouldn't THAT be innnneresting.
Ill Harmonics have added a drummer: producer/emcee Blake Knight's brother GiB(we don't know what it means either). The upcoming third album is called Monkey Business.
hxcmp3 is apparently a venture involving David Allen(hxc.com) and Jorel(unshadowed.com, sweetdisaster's very own host!) and aims to fill the void left by mp3.com's buyout. I don't follow such things very closely, not having my own computer, but hey, someone will be interested. [buzzgrinder]
Check this out: a new Cave In video!! [theprp]
Oh heavens: Unearth's new album will be produced by Adam D.(Killswitch Engage). This record will probably kill us all, and I for one look forward to being mauled.
Stolen straight from Kevin Carson, aka The Guru(that's just what we call him): "As everyone has heard already Edgar Bronfman has purchased the Warner Music Group for 2.6 billion dollars. That’s a lot of cheddar! So what happens now? Well, like any billionaire that buys a failing company, you start making cuts and restructure the company. Looks like Elektra and Atlantic will be merging and then a lot of layoffs. And after all this happens people still want to get into the music business." [thescout]
Daaaang: 1340mag has done it again, with exclusive interviews with Denali, Queensryche and even P.O.D.. Wow. Go read!
The Roots: not only Illadelph's finest, but one of the best bands out there period. Oh yes.
The two blokes behind junkedcamera, Tyler and Brian by name, had themselves a heck of a week last week, attending something like 1.8 million shows in those seven days...no, seriously, the lads caught sets from Rancid, Thursday, Moneen and Taking Back Sunday, among others, and Brian got a speeding ticket precisely three minutes onto U.S. soil. Attaboy! Check out the pictures they gots.
Holy crap: check out the lineup for the New Year's Day show in Syracuse, New Yawk:
Bane
Throwdown
Most Precious Blood
Walls Of Jericho
The Promise
Stabbed By Words
Freya
The Funeral
Final Word
Ed Gein
A Perfect Murder
Bolt
Found Dead Hanging
Modern Life Is War
Locked In A Vacancy
A Murder Of Crows
This action will be going down at Action Sports and Skate in Mattydale, a northern suburb of Syracuse. I think I'll go. Or not. [qchc]
Heaven help us in our time of sorrow.
Denison Marrs, purveyor of classy rock and roll, have recorded some new demos that they wanna put on their upcoming second record. I for one will buy it. [hardcorechristian]
Poison The Well and Every Time I Die are here in Ottawa Wednesday night at Babylon. Go check it out.
The new Slick Shoes best-of on Tooth and Nail does NOT contain 'By What Right', from their debut self-titled full-length. What genius left THIS out??
Trevor McNevan WILL own all of us in years to come: the ever-expanding Thousand Foot Krutch vocalist will appear on the new Demon Hunter record as well as producing bands, performing in two bands, and being USELESS on sports TV shows. *smirks*
Finally found some: these are pictures of the last Five Iron Frenzy show in Denver Saturday night. You'll have to register first, sorry about that. Note the shirts they're all wearing, and you'll have to scroll a ways down before you hit the pictures amid all the message board hoopla. Someone has to tell me how many people were in Colorado that night, because that place looks packed. Click and reminisce. Oh, and there's a funny cartoon towards the bottom of the post.
Holy Crap Take Two: California rapper Dirt, most known for his collaboration on a P.O.D. record back in 1996, severed his finger with a table saw recently; he was rushed to hospital where doctors were able to reattach his finger using veins borrowed from his wrist. Good Lord. The MC is said to be doing well...as well as a guy in that position can doing, I guess. Wow. Godspeed, friend. [relevant]
Further Seems Forever's Jason Gleason has contributed a track to a new Immortal Records Christmas compilation. I don't care. I will never buy this thing. It also features the likes of MxPx and New Found Glory. I still won't buy it.
In related P.O.D. news, rumour has it they'll be headlining Cornerstone Festival's main stage next summer, after a two-year absence from the fest. It will be their only Christian festival appearance of the summer. Who wants to take me??
We have an attendance estimate in from Denver over the weekend: around four thousand folks. Man.
Saskatchewan's own downhere(at least they all went to college there) are doing a free show December 5th in Franklin, TN, in order to help out the Salvation Army. The press statement is a lot of involved charityspeak, so if you want, read it yourself. downhere are a good band.
Delirious? are getting ready to drop World Service in February. These guys have sold over two million records worldwide! I had no idea! Then again, I didn't know Tooth and Nail Records pulled down fifteen million in their first four years of operation either, unless that recent Forbes article was a myth or a pack of lies. Back to Delirious?: twelve new tracks destined to reshape modern worship, etc etc etc. [cmcentral]
One of the chicks from Point of Grace is quitting the Big Bad Biz. Have I ever heard these people? *racks brain* I don't think I have, at that.
Krist Novoselic wants to be the lieutenant-governor of Washington state. Now, as to who this guy is, because I know some people aren't gonna have a clue: this dude was Nirvana's bassist. I still wouldn't vote for him. [buzzgrinder]
Hot news: Unearth are recording their Metal Blade Records debut come February with Killswitch Engage maestro Adam D. Wheee! I cannot wait.
Even hotter news: DOWNSET are back! Wheee times infinity! I love these dudes. They've signed with Seattle label Hawino Records for their upcoming album Universal. [lambgoat]
Sports news time! The Edmonton Oilers All-Time Kickass team beat that of the Montreal Canadiens Sunday afternoon in what they called the Megastars Game. Megastars? Who was that clown in net for Montreal? Steve Penny? Who is HE? Why wasn't Ken Dryden playing? And who's this Chipperfield guy for Edmonton? I've never HEARD of these people! Then the current Oilers lost to the current Canadiens 4-3. Fifty-seven thousand people attended out at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, and this hack would have loved to be one of them. After much searching, I found some pictures of the history-in-making. Too dark, but hey.
Check these four words out and you'll understand why I'm a little depressed this morning. One of my all-time favourite bands are officially over as of Saturday night. Five Iron Frenzy: 1995-2003 - many are the memories. I haven't felt this low since Reach the Sky broke up. If anyone has pictures of Saturday's show in Denver, let me know at itacs@hotmail.com
blindside's About A Burning Fire will be in stores(in American anyway; God only knows when Canada will get it) February 24th.
Between December 14th and 18th, check out Marcos Curiel's new band The Accident Experiment opening up for Sevendust.
December 11th San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena (Feat. Korn, The Accident Experiment)
December 14th Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre (Feat. Ill Niño, The Accident Experiment)
December 16th Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues (Feat. Ill Niño, The Accident Experiment)
December 17th Modesto, CA - Modesto Centre Plaza (Feat. Ill Niño, The Accident Experiment)
December 18th Sparks, NV - New Oasis (Feat. Ill Niño, The Accident Experiment)
As if Korn is still a band. When will people learn? [theprp]
This one threw me off: Buried Inside(Ottawa's best band) playing with a...skate-punk band in Brockville? *shrugs* Yup. December 18th at the Phoenix in B-ville. Geez, I grew up half an hour from there. Oh, the other band is called A Dying Race.
Some killer shows coming up in Ottawa and its environs; check them out. How, you ask? By going to a website that I think I'll leave a mystery just for my own kicks. Kidding! Clicky clicky.
Computer just decided to destroy over an hour's worth of my time. So I start over, with a fond look forward to when Bill Gates himself opens my envelope of Ebola inhalant.
Deftones are whipping butt and taking names. Deftones is quite the rock and roll ruckus.
Speaking of that, Planes Mistaken For Stars destroyed Club SAW last night. They might've been brilliant, or they might've sucked; it was so brutally loud I had a hard time deciding one way or the other. Is Grace Enough and Viscera's Recital opened up; check out some pictures while you're bored.
I saw Kris Roe from The Ataris on MuchMusic yesterday wearing a Hot Hot Heat t-shirt. The reason I was enduring MuchMusic drivel to begin with? To see Thousand Foot Krutch, who NEVER SHOWED. Then TFK frontman Trevor McNevan was on Off The Record(TSN), and he was singularly useless. I think he had one thing to say during the ten minutes I watched. Then I went off to the PMFS show, and it was The Right Call.
Rolling Stone gives the new P.O.D. two out of five stars. Usually I could care less what they have to say, but check it out: "On 2001's Satellite, these Christian groove-metalers delivered razor-sharp guitars for listeners who might otherwise have been turned off by frontman Sonny Sandoval's proselytizing rhymes. On Payable On Death, that tension has slackened."
EXACTLY. [rockrebel]
In Bands You Don't Need To Hear More About news, Evanescence has postponed their U.S. tour, leaving the Canadian dates intact(how weird is that?). This in the wake of guitarist Ben Moody, who nevertheless appeared in the new video for 'My Immortal'. How is it that Canada doesn't get the shaft this time? Wow.
For the first time in a long time, I just swung by hardcorechristian and there was NO NEWS UPDATE. What's the matter over there, Culver? Geez! It's so hard to get good help these days.
In Bands We All Should Despise With A Fury news, Nickelback are coming to Ottawa in February, and they just had to drag Staind along with them, and look, I remember when Staind were GOOD, okay? Man, they were great on that first album, and now they're bollocks. Good thing Three Days Grace is opening the show, or I'd be out at the Corel Centre with nailbombs.
I saw videos from Hatebreed and Snapcase on MusiquePlus yesterday, proving once again that MQ is SO much better than its Anglophone counterpart. Not even a comparison. When's the last time YOU saw Snapcase on MuchMusic? Please.
Switchfoot are the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live next Monday(the 24th). I've never actually seen them perform a song live, be interesting to see how they are. [relevant]
Mars ILL are huge.
Twenty-year-old Amanda Stamp was successfully 'recovered' by Ottawa police last night at Bayshore Shopping Centre(ten minutes from where I sit writing this). Check it: this girl was apparently abducted by some psycho ex-boyfriend in Toronto last weekend, and managed to conceal a CELLPHONE from this schmuck all that time, until she was able to call police from Bayshore last night. How cool is THIS girl under pressure? Wow.
Anyway. On to what you come here for: pork. No, kidding. News. Thousand Foot Krutch are being featured on MuchMusic today at one-thirty this afternoon, so if you read this before then and you can watch or view it online, get to it. Gonna be hot. 2004 is their year. Oh, and TFK frontman Trevor McNevan is also appearing on TSN's Off the Record with host Michael Landsberg tonight too. Also on the panel will be Argos wide receiver Mike Morreales and actor Art Hindle(who I met when I was eleven! Woo!).
Check out this interview with Skillet, a band I used to be really into back in 1996 when their first self-titled album came out. Man, does that bring me back to eleventh grade.Too bad they're so stuck in the 'Christian market'. [cmcentral]
John Reuben's third record, The Professional Rapper, hits December 2nd, and the man himself is hosting his own 12 Days of Christmas tour to celebrate both events. Get this: there'll be a meet-and-greet with Reu before each show, complete with Christmas cookies and apple cider, and this time around our boy has a full band on tour with him, along with DJ Manuel. I for one would pay for this ruckus. Tour dates are as follows:
Nov 28 - Clarkston, MI
Nov 29 - Cincinnati, OH
Dec 2 - Columbus, OH
Dec 3 - Chambersburg, PA
Dec 4 - Toledo, OH
Dec 5 - Tipp City, OH (Dayton)
Dec 6 - Troy, MI
Dec 7 - Grand Rapids, MI
Dec 8 - Indianapolis, IN
Dec 9 - Westlake, OH (Cleveland)
Dec 12 - Chicago, IL
Dec 13 - Green Bay, WI
Reu's Happenin' Little Site
Pearl Jam sold nearly five thousand copies of their new song on their website - entirely without the help of Epic Records. Score one for the little guy. [buzzgrinder]
'Megalomaniac' is the forthcoming radio single from the new Incubus record, A Crow Left of the Murder. How very very obtuse of them. [theprp]
December 26th-30th will see Stillborn Fest take over several US east-coast cities; bands like Hatebreed(obviously), Sick Of It All and Stretch Arm Strong are involved. For the details, check this out. Lot of shows in different places. Man, what I'd give for one of those ultrahoverboards like they had in Back to the Future.
In preparation for tonight's massive Rancid show at the Capital Music Hall(I won't be there, but hey), check out this review of last Thursday's show at Philadelphia's Electric Factory. [decapolis]
Speaking of shows tonight, instead of Rancid I'll be at Club SAW observing the might of Planes Mistaken For Stars, with special guests Is Grace Enough, who've just wrapped up recording their second EP, so c'mon out and check that out if you weren't able to get Rancid tickets in the seven-minute window of opportunity that was available. Oh, and Viscera's Recital(formerly Mindthread) are opening up, and I'm interested to see them too.
Creed sucks. Colossally.
This band should be a lot bigger than they are, but they're not, and that sucks. Check out a review of Death Cab For Cutie's latest album. [soundthesirens]
Offspring's new drummer is a guy named Atom Willard. I haven't been a real fan of the Offspring in many years, but that is a truly awesome moniker. The band's new album is called Splinter, and they're in Toronto at the Opera House December 1st as part of a promo tour. Atom. *smirks* [aversion]
"Give Up The Ghost's latest reaffirms the band's place as king of the hill in hardcore." Thus says this review of We're Down Til We're Underground, the newest record from a band I've never heard, save for an American Nightmare cover of a Black Flag tune. Innnneresting.
In the same vein, check this out. "For the first time in its career, Blink 182 eschews the silliness for a record full of songs that sound like they're written by a bunch of adults for a change." This is regarding the band's latest, self-titled debut, which hit stores this week. I'll listen to it because I do like the radio single out right now. For the full article, check this out.
Epitaph Records(I don't need to list any bands from them, do I?) have signed Nashville's Scatter The Ashes, who've been compared to Joy Division and, um, Refused. Huh? I'll have to hear this. [punkhardcore]
Universal Music Corp., if you haven't heard, bought Dreamworks this week. Like we needed a BIGGER major label.
relevant has some very exciting news: due to huge demand, Fox TV may put The Family Guy back on the air! Thirty-five new episodes in 2005! Wheeeee!
Chevelle are aiming high in terms of who they want producing their next album: "I want Dave Grohl, actually," singer/guitarist Pete Loeffler said. As for the direction of the album, drummer Sam Loeffler added, "We're a heavy rock band, so we're gonna stay with that, heavy and melodic. We've got some ideas of things to make it just bigger, more double-kick tuff and things like that."
Ruckus.
Summer of Darkness, the newest release from Demon Hunter, is nearing completion out at Seattle's Compound Studios. I don't really care, but I know some of you like them, so there you are.
February will see the recording of Underoath's followup to 2002's breakthrough album The Changing of Times. The band's new vocalist is a fella called Spencer Chamberlain, formerly of This Runs Through.
The new Slick Shoes best-of album(came out today) contains three brand-new songs. I'd listen to those, but not buy the entire thing.
THIS is cool: Thousand Foot Krutch frontman Trevor McNevan is appearing on TSN's Off The Record on November 20th(that's Thursday, kids). I've always liked that show. And on top of THAT, the band will hit MuchMusic headquarters for a 1:30pm feature that same day. Hot diggity. 2004: the Year of the Krutch. Watch for it.
If you noticed that the entire post thus far has concerned Tooth and Nail Records bands, that's 'cause it's all from email updates. Now on to other schtuff.
My man Steven Curtis Chapman won an American Music Award on Sunday for Favorite Artist in Contemporary Inspirational Music . I grew up on that junk. [cmcentral]
Your daily recommended intake of hippityhop: The Procussions' 'Wegotta'. If you heard them on DJ Maj's Full Plates mix a couple years ago, you know what you like. [sphereofhiphop]
This is just awesome: Zao have allegedly cancelled the remainder of their current tour after a visit to their 'personal astrologer'. The game continues. [buzzgrinder]
Stone Temple Pilots are officially over, according to those two brothers who play bass and guitar in the new issue of Guitar One magazine. Like it wasn't a de facto thing beforehand. Great band in their day, though. [theprp]
pastepunk: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the best on the web.
This is hilarious: a list of The Worst Zines Ever. Probably the only reason we're not on it is because we're brand-new. God help us avoid such scorn. *smirks*
Our boys at TheSceneZine are officially the greatest humans who ever trod the earth, because they plugged this here space for the first time ever, anywhere. We're on our way NOW, we are! Onward!
Before we do anything else here, you must view this here, because it's the funniest thing you'll see this week. Props to Laura in Van City for this one.
So I was killing time at Chapters downtown before the massive Stretch Arm Strong show Saturday(keep your eyes out for sd.com's interview with vocalist Chris McLane), and I was flipping through Rolling Stone, and what did I see? A feature bit on Club Three Degrees, a 'Christian nightclub' in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Fascinating in particular was how bands are required to share their faith onstage, have their setlists preapproved by management, and so forth. MxPx was barred years ago after refusing to tow the company line, and I can't say as I blame them. Interesting read. And yo, our man John Rueben was pictured with the piece, having had the luck to be playing the club the night the article was written.
decapolis has been kinda slow of late, but here they have for us an interview with superb Philadelphia band One-21. Knock yourselves out. The boys played a kegger on their recent tour!
The Juliana Theory have wrapped up something like sixteen months on the road covering this year and a lot of last; check out their Official Tour Tally(our phrase, not theirs), and thanks to rockrebel for the link.
The new(middling) disc from P.O.D. debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard charts. Better than it deserved.
Chevelle's live CD is available at their website; the ten-song album features performances opening for Foo Fighters as well as songs going back to their '99 debut Point #1(a great record, if we may say so). Man, was 'Mia' a great song!
Just after their newest record, The River Bed, was released on Lookout! Records, Michigan stalwarts Small Brown Bike have called it quits after seven years. R.I.P. [soundthesirens]
Interesting: Cold guitarist Terry Balsamo will join Evanescence on the road for the near future, at least for the band's Australian tour with Finger Eleven, in the wake of the departed Ben Moody. No word on what his deal is. [noisetheory]
As a followup, MTV reports the split within the band is indeed permanent, and that Evanescence have begun recording their first album without Moody. [relevant]
Song title of the day: The Shins' 'Know Your Onion!'
My boys the Edmonton Eskimos took the Grey Cup in Saskatchewan Sunday, beating the Montreal Alouettes 34-22. Woohoo! I wonder if anyone even knows what sport I'm talking about here.
The first big-name band I ever interviewed, The Watchmen, have decided to pack it in. Doh! You can read why here. Hmph.
It kinda sucks to be trying to do an online thing of any sort when you're relegated to using really crappy computers. Just thought I'd vent that.
blindside have put up the title track to their forthcoming second major-label album; check out 'About A Burning Fire'. Sign-up required, unfortunately. [theprp]
Remembering Never are putting out their second record, Women And Children Die First, January 27th through Ferret Records. It's a pity that bassist Aldo is leaving the band soon, huh? He's making the decision to focus on his family; good for him.
The next albums from Evanescence and TRUSTcompany could be getting production by a guy who's well-known and another guy who ain't: former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland and Nine Inch Nails alum Danny Lohner are apparently going into the production biz together. Innnneresting.
THIS is interesting: former Big Wreck(remember them?) singer Ian Thornley has signed a deal with Nickelback's vanity label, 604 Records. Surprised? I'm not. Man, Ian Thornley can sing. [thescout]
Earthsuit - man, what a great band - have released one final independent album, mostly at the behest of fans, myself included. This puppy will only be available over here. Hmph.
Check it out: some love for masterful pop rock geniuses downhere.
In support of their upcoming album The End Is Near(in stores next Tuesday, matter of fact), L.A. Symphony are hyping their song 'King Kong', which actually appeared on the Baloney EP, and is now featured on the new Tony Hawk skating game. How awesome is that?
Underground Operations(a militant little label run out of the T-dot area) checks in with some new information about their well-thought-out uprising. Some facts:
1. The State of the Union tour is in full swing, featuring Closet Monster(did someone in this band really quit to play with Avril? Someone lemme know at itacs@hotmail.com) alongside Belvedere and Brazil's Nitrominds, and the dog-and-pony show hits Ottawa next Tuesday, November 18th at Babylon.
2. Protest the Hero and Bombs Over Providence have started preproduction on upcoming full-lengths. Be still, my heart!
3. UO emails are invariably profane.
Speaking of Babylon, that's where I'll be in a couple hours, throwing down with Stretch Arm Strong; to my knowledge the show has not sold out, so if you're not busy, bring twelve or thirteen bucks to 317 Bank St. for five pm. Booyah.
Thanks to the diligent folks over at cmcentral, we can shamelessly take their hard work and post it here for our own ends. Bwahaha! Anyway, check out reviews of the newest from P.O.D., The Insyderz, KJ-52 and Jars of Clay. How's that for a lotta reading? Just kidding, they're short reviews. Seriously.
As I do all this research and pulling together of fun facts for your edification, I'm listening to P.O.D., but not new P.O.D., or even 1999 P.O.D. No, we're talking P.O.D. circa nineteen-ninety-six, when they were, no joke, my favourite band on the Planet Earth. What grooves! What muddy production that they probably can't stand now! Brown remains their best work ever. Oh, and yeah, Marcos Curiel was the guitarist back then too. I don't know why people think that the new album with Truby on the axe is SO much better. Hmph.
Heads up, kids: don't sleep on illect....
Submitted by The Early November to absolutepunk, apologizing for not making the show in Denver last night: "Hello AP.net. This is Joe from The Early November. On our drive last night from Lawrence, KS to Denver, CO the transmission(which helps our van work) decided to stop working. So we are now in Topeka, KS in the weirdest Holiday Inn I have ever seen(it looks like a Colombian drug lord's palace) playing a little game we like to call "find a van or kill ourselves." We are very, very, sorry but we won't be able to make it to our show tonight at the Bluebird Theater in Denver. We're pretty sure the rock will continue tonight at the show with Count The Stars, Copeland, and Hidden In Plain View (check with the venue just to make sure). We are sorry Denver, but we promise we will make it up to you soon. The rest of the tour will continue as planned." My favourite parts are a) the Colombian drug lord thing, and b) Find A Van Or Kill Ourselves.
Our compatriots over at onegoldenspoon are putting Mississauga's The End(recently signed to Relapse Records) onstage at Bumpers' Roadhouse, November 27th. Alongside them will be locals Kay and A Legend Falls(what up, Mikey??), as well as a band called - steady now - Mr. Rogers Death Bus. I've never heard of them, but dang if I don't wanna see them! Check this show out; The End are apparently something else.
Wooooow...Brian and Tyler at junkedcamera have given it a major facelift, and dang does it ever look good. Still sd.com's number-one resource for live shots; check 'em out. Nice job, guys.
New Crystal Method record come January! Whee! Thanks to soundthesirens for the big ol' heads-up on that one. While you're there, check out the Die Trying interview.
This is interesting: a band called Kut U who allegedly tagged along on the Jimmy Eat World/Green Day/Blink-182 Pop Disaster Tour a couple years ago are the subject of a documentary titled Riding In Vans With Boys; it hits stores December 9th. The directors? The guys in Blink. Heaven help us. [aversion]
DANG it: Thomas Hengtes is quitting as vocalist for South Dakota's Nodes of Ranvier; his replacement is Kyle Benecke, formerly of System Failure(who were REALLY nasty heavy in their day). I interviewed Thomas earlier this year, and I think this really sucks. But to each his own. [hardcorechristian]
LiveonRelease, a terminally-annoying girl-punk-cheese band from Vancouver, have - finally - broken up. Thank heaven for small mercies. [chartattack]
In more Bands I've Never Heard News, a video for Brand New's 'Sic Transit Gloria' can be viewed over here. I don't have the time. [relevant]
Anticipating the Billy Talent show tomorrow night here in Capital City, check out this rather amusing review of their self-titled debut album, thanks to pahardcore.
As you can plainly see, we actually have the beginnings of a decent magazine happening around here; many many heartfelt thanks go out to Dave and his patient and lovely wife Kelly for putting in the time and patience(respectively) to create this new look you see. And Travis Lee gets the credit for the logo and colours. Dude, anytime you can contribute, you're more than welcome, O Wisconsinite.
We'll have interviews, reviews and other such stuff happening in the very near future. The first hurdle has been overcome. November 13, 2003: the Day the Earth Changed. Anyway.
Dark, forbidding(yet I bet huggable) metal band Indwelling are playing their first show in like two years at the Showcase in Corona, California, November 22nd. If you're anywhere near there, you might wanna go and get your head taken off by the Metal Attack. [hxc]
For those who love manufactured rock and roll headed for radio immortality: Kutless has a new album called Sea of Faces out in February, and the first single, 'Treason', has been released to radio here and there. Keep an ear out for it. [cmcentral]
I was raving the other day about Rjd2(Def Jux Records) and how phenomenal his record from last year(Dead Ringer) is; turns out the guy who does the verse on 'The Final Frontier' is a guy called Blue Print, who also throws down on the new Mars Ill record, making it that much better. I KNEW I recognized that voice!
Oh heck yes YES: next Tuesday marks the release of the soon-to-be-a-killer-classic L.A. Symphony album, The End Is Now. I will SO OWN that. [sphereofhiphop]
Metallica have taken another leap downward in their quest to destroy any semblance of credibility: drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield will voice two characters in an upcoming Disney flick. Geez. [buzzgrinder]
If you're likin' the roster over at The Milita Group, one of California's fastest-growing labels, check out some pictures of their bands in action. Oh yes. ACTION.
Hot diggity! sd.com faves Nodes of Ranvier are hitting the road with Trustkill Records' up-and-comers Armsbendback come January; dates can be viewed over here, thanks to lambgoat! Whee!!
Oh hella bad!!! Dillinger Escape Plan with The Locust here in Ottawa! January 26th, 2004! RUCKUS!
Nonpoint are almost done with their followup to 2000's Development. At least I think that's what it was called. Either way, new Nonpoint shall be had early next year. [theprp]
Behold: dates for next year's blockbuster P.O.D./Linkin Park tour.
January 09th West Palm Beach, FL - Mars Amphitheatre
January 10th Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Cafe
January 12th Birmingham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
January 13th Atlanta, GA - Phillips Arena
January 14th Raleigh, NC - Carter Finley Stadium
January 15th Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum
January 18th Philadelphia, PA - The Electric Factory
January 19th New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden
January 20th New York City, NY - Roseland Ballroom
January 22nd Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
January 23rd Detroit, MI - State Theatre
January 24th Evansville, IN - Roberts Municipal Stadium
January 25th Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
February 02nd Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
February 03rd Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
February 05th Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
February 06th Boise, ID - Boise Centre On The Grove
February 08th Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand
February 09th Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand
February 13th Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre
February 14th San Diego, CA - Cox Arena
February 15th Los Angeles, CA - Staples Arena
February 20th Portland, OR - Rose Garden Arena
February 21st Portland, OR - Roseland Ballroom
February 22nd Seattle, WA - Experience Music Project
March 01st Bismarck, ID - Bismarck Civic Center
March 03rd Des Moines, IA - Des Moines Civic Center
March 05th Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
March 06th Topeka, KS - Kansas Expo Center
March 07th Oklahoma City, OK - One Myriad Gardens
March 09th Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Center
March 10th San Antonio, TX - Alamodome
March 11th Houston, TX - Toyota Center
March 13th New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues
March 14th Little Rock, AR - War Memorial Stadium
A new Thrice video('Stare At The Sun') has surfaced. Check this bad bwoy out.
This is awesome: thescout.net have their very own t-shirts, and it's TRULY something I'd wear. Look at it and you'll realize why. It's SO awesome. Am I being enthusiaAStic enough for YOU? Enough! Let's move on.
In preparation for the big Stretch Arm Strong show Saturday night, check out this interview with vocalist Chris McLane, done by the lovely Angie at punknews.
Ben Harper: one of the very best out there. Unbelievable. Welcome To The Cruel World is essential.
We finally know who's opening up for Billy Talent Sunday night here in O-dot: Death From Above(bass/drums duo - amazing!) and Crowned King, who I've never heard of in my life. [punkottawa]
A couple more local concert notes: Is Grace Enough have been tapped to open for Planes Mistaken For Stars November 20th, a late-announced show to be sure, but it's gonna be fun. Your Enemies Friends, meanwhile, they who be on Buddyhead Records, are also opening up for Dillinger in January. Woohoo!
The Scene: new and fresh. And Dan Stephens, you the man. Me? No, YOU are. No, seriously, YOU are. Word.
From a Stavesacre email update: "We just wanted to let you that Mark Salomon's first book, Simplicity, is now available online from Skeleton Key Publishing. Check out skeypub. The new online store is shipping book orders out daily. Also, stay tuned for a spoken word tour featuring Mark and others in early 2004." So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. Wonder how Stavesacre's tour of duty with Nitro Records is going. Did they split already? I'm so unaware!
It's a really unpleasant Thursday morning/late Wednesday night here in Cap City, but in roughly sixty hours' time yours truly as well as his right-hand man DJ Omnifik and sd.com staffer Flikkema(and his wife) will be busting grooves along with Stretch Arm Strong, and that makes life worthwhile. All this cold and dark and driving rain and wind. Disgusting.
Lots of people know this already, but I still think it's worth talking about: pop starlet Pink, she of the Rebellious Streak, has a new record out that has a bunch of songs written with Rancid's Tim Armstrong. Almost makes me wanna hear some of it....no. In related news, the 20th will see Rancid and Tiger Army rocking stage at the Capital City Music Hall. Which is about five seconds' walk from where I sit right now, in fact.
rockrebel reports that a new book on Johnny Cash, released by Relevant Publishing, contains a foreword written by none other than Jars of Clay frontman Dan Haseltine. "The greatest of all storylines, the one that makes movies, songs, poems and novels move us at our core, is the story of redemption," Haseltine writes. "It is the story of taking broken-down things and making them new again. As you read the chapters of this book, you will find a thread of redemption in the life of this man."
To Download Immediately: The Movielife's 'Self Destruct', from This Time Next Year. Rest in peace on Long Island, fellas. Man, I hate when good bands bite it.
The new P.O.D. album: no better than decent. Jason Truby on guitar isn't allowed to be as good as we know he is from his time in Living Sacrifice years ago, except maybe for the last track, 'Eternal', a nice guitar duet with the masterful Phil Keaggy. Disappointing, to put it mildly. Payable On Death sold 105,000 copies in its first week out, debuting at number nine on the Billboard chart.
Final Word, the new incarnation of departed Montreal band A Death For Every Sin, have inked a deal with Indecision Records; a five-song EP entitled Fools Like You will hit the street in early 2004. If you can't wait, and obviously you can't, download Something To Prove in the meantime. [qchc]
More press for Anti-Flag in the form of this aversion.com interview. At least vocalist Justin Sane and his compatriots are well-informed.
New Hiphop Entry To My Life: Definitive Jux artist Rjd2, who is, in a word, incredible. Dead Ringer is unbelievable. Get it or download it or do whatever, but listen to it.
If you live here in Ottawa and remember a spazzy band called Rubbish from a couple years back, keep an eye out for The Hejira Frequency. Rubbish has indeed grown up.
Newschool punks Rufio have been dealt a setback on their upcoming tour: bassist Jon Berry has had to return home to deal with what apparently is a family issue. Our prayers are with them. A full statement is right over here.
The buzz around the hardcore scene(one of many anyway) is that Bloodlined Calligraphy, formerly of Selah Records, has signed with Facedown. Could this be the forthcoming announcement from the latter? Hmm.....[hardcorechristian]
In a related story(kinda), Silence the Epilogue has signed with Facedown's subsidiary Strikefirst Records. If I'd ever heard that name before in my entire life, I'd probably care more.
Off The Record are readying their second album for New School Records, entitled Nothing New. They were on Tooth and Nail years ago, but got the shaft, if rumours can be believed. Not that we're trying to add grist to THAT particular mill.
Band Name of the Day: Marshmallow Forest Fire. Whoever they are.
I just had an epiphany: for the most part, I could truly care less about music videos. Any of them. Is it just me?
Next Tuesday will see Greatest Hits, the contract-keeper for Slick Shoes' time with Tooth and Nail, hit stores. Couldn't care less; I own them already. [punkhardcore]
The Accident Experiement, featuring former P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel and long-ago Grammatrain frontman Pete Stewart(man, they were great) have made their six-song Arena EP available through their big ol' website. Go listen. [noisetheory]
Gob have been dropped by their label, Arista Records. Well, no kidding. They're not hot like Toni Braxton, for heaven's sake. Why would Arista keep them around? Now Gob can't say they're labelmates with Avril anymore. Woe is them.
A little Canadian politics for ya now, even if you're not Canadian, because there IS decent music in here: Paul Martin is set to become the new Canadian Prime Minister, God bless him, and Bono, of all people, is to attend the coronation, as it were. However, on Friday night(November 14th), a whole wack of bands will perform at the Federal Liberal Convention, including venerable singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith. Now check out who's opening for Sloan at Martin's victory party in Toronto: Ottawa's own Starling. WOOHOO! They're such a great band. [chartattack]
Hoobastank(big surprise there) and Story Of The Year(who?) are gonna be opening up for Linkin Park and P.O.D. for that large tour happening in 2004. [relevant]
Stolen from elsewhere: "Bravo has greenlit Straight Eye for the Queer Guy, a one-hour special in which five hetero men make over a gay guy. The Queer Eye spinoff will reportedly feature lessons on power tools, NFL basics, decorating your garage and keeping your emotions bottled up." Oh man, that's funny.
Some bad news for those of us looking forward to seeing Slick Shoes on the 23rd with Catch 22: they ain't coming. Doh! This is twice that a crucial opener on a Catch 22 show has bailed out; but still, boysnightout are a good band, so c'mon out anyway. It's a Sunday night; what else have you got going on?
Interesting feature on Wyclef Jean in the new Spin mag; in it he mentions Stryper and Petra, of all people, as bands he grew up on. Will wonders never cease.
New Insyderz record, Soundtrack To A Revolution, dropped in stores yesterday. Go get your paws on that one.
Facedown Records reports that initial response to the beastly new record from Symphony In Peril has been outstanding, and Comeback Kid, who're trekking through Europe as you read this, are having a blast. They've actually got a show on the 24th in some place called Graz with the ever-impressive Strike Anywhere. To BE there!! Oh yeah, and Facedown is announcing a new signing sometime within the next week. Can you wait? Me neither.
Also on November 24th, Switchfoot will be rocking Jimmy Kimmel Live, or as I like to call it, Kimmy Jimmel Live, because that's my kinda humour. Be watching.
Morning, fuzzy readers. Welcome to 3:36am on a chilly eastern Ontario Sunday morning. To warm you up, check out some videos from the likes of Hatebreed, The New Pornographers and Most Precious Blood, to name but a few, thanks to the lovely people at bedlamsociety. Wheee!
November 27th is probably a good night to be at Arrow Hall in Mississauga, Ontario. Why? Because that's the night the ruckus descends from above: Deftones/Thursday/Thrice. Oh man. These three bands have released three of the best records of this year, and they're playing toGETHer? Oh, to be there.
In related news: upcoming shows here in Ottawa include Stretch Arm Strong next Saturday(November 15th) and then Catch 22 with Slick Shoes on the 23rd. .hopesfall is in town with Hey Mercedes and Toronto metalcore band Jude the Obscure on December 2nd. Oh, and Billy Talent is on the 16th; that will be my initiation to the new Capital City Musical Hall. Innneresting. All of these shows are listed(and there's more where that came from) at punkottawa, a fine, fine resource if they do say so themselves. And they do.
Combining two of the last three paragraphs in one tidy little package: check out the video for .hopesfall's The Bending. [hxc]
If you were to click, say, right over here, you'd find the brand-new website for Symphony In Peril, who are a seriously good band. No joke. You should be downloading their songs and buying their CD right now. It's called Lost Memoirs and Faded Pictures.
This one hurts: Face To Face have announced their breakup. A ton of bands have split up this week, but this is the one that hits me hardest. Face to Face: 1991-2003. [Heinous news brought to our attention by buzzgrinder]
A middle-of-my-first-listen review: the new Strike Anywhere is, as was totally expected, tops. Oh yes.
So I almost bought the new Hatebreed earlier this week, simply because I listened to it at HMV and the sheer volume just about took my head off. Check out what lambgoat has to say about it over here. Direct quote: "If you worship at the First Church Of The Breakdown, and of Hatebreed, then this album will certainly be the object of your metal affections." *smirks*
This is neat: Dead Poetic, favourites of mine, are hitting the road with Eulogy Records wunderkinds Calico System from December 7th through the 20th. Maybe Canada? Probably not. But hey, we're pessimists sometimes. [theprp]
I heard Switchfoot's 'Meant To Live' on local Top 40/rock station X-fm at work tonight. How to tell your band has truly made it: your song is on the radio in Ottawa.
Initial Records has come through with a long-overdue redesigned website. This label was the one that put out the hot Black Flag tribute CD earlier this year. Man, that CD was good. [punknews]
The news section over at pastepunk is daily reaffirmation that they're the best 'zine on the web. Plus their song of the day the other day was Further Seems Forever's 'Pride War', which, incidentally, I heard at the skate shop today! Isn't it funny how life works? 'Kay, maybe not.
One of the funniest reviews I've read in a while: TheSceneZine's take on the new Bleeding Through album, This Love, This Is Murderous. *snickers* "PS: blast beats", indeed.
I'm not gonna link to it because it would truly offend some people, but there's a certain interview with a certain band at thescenezineonline.com that made me laugh so very hard. So very very hard. Hint hint.
So I'm flipping through the new ish of Alt Press, featuring coverboys Brand New(never heard 'em), and I see a split-page ad for Lacuna Coil's new album along with - steady now - the new slab from Thousand Foot Krutch. Does anyone else think TFK are gonna be enormous in 2004? Oh yeah.
Mars Ill are Numero Uno on the Earshot! hiphop charts, the Canadian version of CMJ's college radio monitor. That is really something. As well, As I Lay Dying are still holding at Numero Tres on the Loud charts. Maaaan.
Last night yours truly had to MISS Strike Anywhere, even though I had a ticket purchased a long time in advance, because I procrastinated in telling my bossman that I needed the night off. However, I've most assuredly told him that I will NOT be present and accounted for on November 15th, because I'll be front row centre for Stretch Arm Strong. Booyah. Anyway, back to Strike Anywhere, there are live shots of their set right here. Behold vocalist Thomas Barnett in all his dreadlocked glory; long may he reign.
Longtime Sd.com editor's friend Nessa is really peeved that Evanescence bailed on their show in California, where she lives. It appears that guitarist Ben Moody is well and truly gone. That was quick. Tour dates with Finger Eleven in Mississauga, ON and Montreal - who knows?
Nephilim, by Stu Dent: a really, really good hiphop album.
Remember White Light White Heat White Trash? From California's masterful Social Distortion? Dude! They're recording the followup! Rejoice! qchc]
Check this out: a review of a show featuring Six Feet Under and sd.com faves As I Lay Dying. Wheee!
Uber-producer Rick Rubin will handle production duties for the forthcoming (The) International Noise Conspiracy record, due out at some point on American Recordings. Innnneresting. aversion]
Peep this action: a skate deck from Manna Skateboards designed by the legendary Dave Quiggle! [hardcorechristian]
Either December 12th or 26th(I think; blah to research) will see the release of Legendary, a Zao best-of put out by Solid State Records. ANOTHER friggin' Zao record. Geez.
According to noisetheory, Box Car Racer, that Blink-182 side project I liked lots better than Blink, has called it quits. Doh! noisetheory is based in Australia, and there's another thing about some Aussie band opening for Evanescence come January; wonder if word has filtered Down Under that The Band That Stole Rocky Gray is kinda DOA.
Dig it: P.O.D. will be hitting the road with Linkin Park for the second time in 2004. Wanna bet that rakes in the Gap kids? Oh man. How the mighty have fallen. Oh, the new P.O.D. is in stores now, if you're interested. [relevant]
Big ups to David Letterman, a fave here at sd.com; Indiana's most-loved man is a new father earlier this week. Baby boy.
That's right: some love for Spitfire, the heaviest band Solid State ever produced, from the kids at fineprintmag. And then to follow that up, some not-so-love for new Relapse Records signing The End, from right here in Ontario. Ouch.
Lots of news today to make up for the break over the weekend.
Someone you need to hear is Holly Nelson, hailing from California with her new album Leaving The Yard(Northern Records). Backed up by some of the crew from Starflyer 59, this girl can flat-out write some songs and sing 'em. Check out her website for all the goodies. What a voice. If there's any justice, she'll do quite well.
Upcoming Ottawa show that I hope sells out but probably won't according to the promoter: November 15th's Stretch Arm Strong tour stop at Babylon(317 Bank Street), along with Haste and With Honor. Opening are locals If Tomorrow Comes. Seeing as how it looks like I have to miss Strike Anywhere tomorrow night on account of work, I'm REALLY looking forward to the 15th.
Some live footage of Cave In(what a great band), Extol and Between The Buried And Me can be had right on over here. [hxc]
The much-hyped !Hero musical, featuring some of the biggest performers in the Christian contemporary world, opened recently without incident. I say 'without incident' because the character of Jesus happens to be portrayed by dc Talk's Michael Tait - a black man. I think it's great, personally. If you wanna get more context here, check this out.
The first release from Illect Recordings is Stu Dent's Nephilim, a noble debut to be sure. To hear a track, check this here action out. [sphereofhiphop]
Lifted directly from the fine Pennsylvania crew at buzzgrinder: "Evanescences co-founder Ben Moody, according to MTV.com, left the band while on tour in Berlin. MTV.com reports that 'On the morning of an October 24 show in Berlin, guitarist and songwriter Ben Moody packed up his gear in a huff and flew home, the band's manager said without giving a reason for the departure.' Amy Lee told Britsh rock magazine Rock Sound that 'You don't do that to your band. You wouldn't do that to your friends or your family. You don't do that to anyone.'"
Well, then. That was a short ride. Maybe Rocky Gray will start playing guitar again! Soul Embraced, anyone??
With All Sincerity and Thirty Called Arson, both on the mammoth Pluto Records, will be touring the midwest/western US next month. A tentative itinerary:
12/2 Norman OK @ GuestRoom Records
12/3 Tulsa OK @ TBA
12/5 Springfield MO @ TBA
12/6 Omaha NE @ TBA
12/7 Des Moines IA @ TBA
12/8 Kansas City KS @ TBA
12/9 Colorado
12/10 Colorado
12/12 Salt Lake City UT @ Albee Square
12/13 Las Vegas NV @ TBA
12/14 Prunedale CA @ Jim Dandys
12/15 Ventura CA @ TBA
12/16 San Diego,CA @ TBA
12/17 Yuma AZ @ TBA
12/18 Phoenix AZ @ TBA
12/19 Albuquerque NM @ TBA
12/20 Sante Fe NM @ Warehouse 21
12/21 El Paso TX @ The Restuarant
12/22 San Angelo TX @ Hanger
[lambgoat]
Forstella Ford, a good band on One Day Saviour Recordings(who I JUST LISTENED TO earlier today) has broken up. Doh!
In more Pluto news, Horse The Band need another drummer for that crazy psychotic runaround they call their live show.
Frig!: This Day Forward are calling it a day later this year. I saw them a while back with Every Time I Die and they killed. Ottawa can see 'em one last time withPoison the Well on November 26th at Babylon.
Canada-via-Los Angeles punk band All Systems Go have brought in former Descendents bassist Karl Alvarez. Innnneresting. [punknews]
Oh, bring the ruckus: pastepunk steps to the plate with a feature on Strung Out. pastepunk is so much better than us it's disgusting. Big ups to J. Baker and his crew.
And it begins: the new issue of SceneZine is up, featuring Bleeding Through, L.A. Symphony and Evergreen Terrace, among others. Knock yourself out.
I was listening to Todd White's overnight show on ESPN Radio the other night, and one of the bumper songs(those tunes that get aired right before and after commercials) was Switchfoot's 'Meant To Live'. I thought that was cool. *looks around* Oh, right, no one cares.
I've only heard bits and pieces about this band The Kick outta Florida, but any band that's opened for Noise Ratchet and Squad 5-0 is worth reading about. On that note, check out this interview by decapolis' Luke Harlow. Get this: the show took place at a show where the band opened for ONE-21!!! Such a good band. Oh, and this interview has some language in 'asterisk' form that some might find objectionable. You've been warned. Great piece, still.
This just in: I'm reading the above interview, and this guy was in Dear Ephesus!! RAD!!
Anyway.
Weezer's Pat Wilson's side project The Special Goodness has signed a deal with Epitaph Records; the band's label debut Land Sea Air will drop in January. Man, January's shaping up to be a huge month for releases. [aversion]
New artist to watch: Northern Records' Holly Nelson. Her website.
