The long-awaited new issue of Exclaim! mag hit stores last week, finally - they skip an issue after Christmas every year, a habit I think needs breaking. Anyway, meteorically-rising Brampton-area metal band The End are the cover boys this time around, and kids, let me tell you this, I heard their new album Within Dividia this morning, and it is mindblowing. I don't care who they're compared to, Dillinger Escape Plan, Andy friggin' Griffith, I don't care. These laddies are gonna blow this year. A must-hear.
Other stream-of-consciousness notes from the new Exclaim!...the blond dude from Trapt looks a lot like whatshisface guitarist from AFI...the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, was arrested on a domestic violence rap a few days ago, and man, he looked like hades on the news...nice little ad sponsored by HMV featuring our boys Thousand Foot Krutch, another band who's gonna get theirs in '04(as well, the band are playing the Mike Bullard Show February 20th; if you're in the Toronto area, hit Yonge Street and stoke the madness in the studio audience)...and word of a huge tour hitting Ottawa: Frostbite '04 featuring Mad Caddies, Choke, Pulley, Irish Car Bomb and Closet Monster is hitting Capital Music Hall downtown March 18th. This WILL sell out; be warned.
Whew.
In other news, I saw the video for Eighteen Visions' 'You Broke Like Glass' the other night on TFO, this French station. Weird. Good video.
This Just In: Ben Harper is just amazing. You need to get all his stuff, like right now. In particular, find a track called 'Forgiven'. What a slide-guitar demon this guy is. Otherworldly.
Also coming to Ottawa, and soon(February 16th) is none other than Andrew W.K., also at Capital Music Hall. This place is really raking in the big names, no?
February 19th, in even more show news, The Fully Down and Keep Yourself Good Company, two of the best bands in this city hands-down, are playing together at Barrymore's. I, for one, will be extending myself to the max to be there.
I saw this kid Howie Day and his band of merry gentlemen on the tube the other night; is it just me, or does this guy look a lot like Wilco's Jeff Tweedy must've looked at the age of twentysomething?
We have an upcoming feature at sweetdisaster on the ever-impressive Stretch Arm Strong. I know this because I wrote it. Watch out.
Finally got some Underoath news: the new album comes out June 15th, entitled They're Only Chasing Safety. This will be the first output not featuring longtime vocalist Dallas; be interesting to see what happens. Check out the band's website to hear one of the new tracks. [buzzgrinder]
Floodgate Records' Number One Gun(oh, what clever puns around here!) are doing some heavy-duty touring in the next couple months, trekking alongside the likes of Relient K, The O.C. Supertones and others. Check out their website for the dates and venues. I know there've been some changes of locations for certain shows in the Washington/Portland area, so check for that.
For those of you who follow these things, the nominations for the 35th Dove Awards(Christian Grammys, yadda yadda yadda) will be out February 10th. I still remember when Spoken were nominated for Best Song - for a song they COVERED. A Face to Face track. So funny. [cmcentral]
This Just In: Rjd2 kills. Man, what a DJ.
Straight from buzzgrinder.com, check out some Emery, Tooth and Nail Records' latest bright hope. I like 'em myself.
Eighteen Visions' new slab Obsession is coming out April 20th on Trustkill Records; as well, their drummer has moved to guitars, and they brought a new guy in on drums. Got all that? Hot shizzle. [theprp]
Some of the bands rumoured to be playing Ozzfest later this year: As I Lay Dying(how 'BOUT them boys??), Unearth, In Flames and Killswitch Engage. Then there are some other crap bands. Oh, and Hatebreed too, in the 'good' category.
Three bands putting out albums on Solid State Records in the near future, Demon Hunter, Dead Poetic and Haste The Day, are heading out on tour together June 1st. Dates and venues and all that crap pending.
It just gets better and better: former Living Sacrifice drummer Lance Garvin is alleged to be possibly maybe perchance taking over in that position for Zao. C'mon.
I read in an unnamed source that Jason Gleason left Further Seems Forever to start a new project with his wife and touring FSF guitarist Brandon. Innnneresting.
Oh man, oh man. Essential listening for today, and I mean really essential, is Norma Jean's 2002 epic Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child. Masterful. In particular, 'Pretty Soon, I Don't Know What, But Something Is Going To Happen' is a killer tune. All fifteen minutes of it.
sweetdisaster staffer Josh Chambers has a new production company/'zine, combining forces with a couple other Ottawa heads, called ilubricate you productions, and their brand-new website will be up and running in a matter of days. Maybe two weeks at the outside. Support the brethren.
In The Name of Love: Artists United for Africa, a thirteen-song compilation of U2 covers by a wack of Christian contemporary artists, released yesterday. Part of the proceeds go to fighting AIDS in(duh) Africa. I've heard good things about this record; check it out.
Just wanted to alert y'all to what we have going on here: up above there you'll see interviews with Delirious? and downhere, along with some new CD reviews. Coming up, you ask? Interviews with Stretch Arm Strong, a piece featuring Josh from Beloved and Scottie of Norma Jean, as well as a change of pace: a discussion I had recently with the Ottawa Senators' Mike Fisher. He's a solid Christian lad and a great hockey player, and I wanted that interview for two years, and props go to Jeff Hughes at Kanata Wesleyan for the heads-up. As well, a ton of CD reviews are coming when we can get them written. Promise.
decapolis likes the new album from Map; but the same can't be said for the Dandy Warhols' new one, as you can see here. Burn!
Last night, The Dillinger Escape Plan destroyed Babylon downtown, and junkedcamera gots the pictures of the rock action. MAN, I'd have loved to go to that show.
Pluto Records can't catch a break; on the heels of With All Sincerity for all intents and purposes calling it quits, labelmates Thirty Called Arson(Dillinger-esque craziness) are playing their last show February 18th in Oklahoma City. What a bummer. If you're in a band that slays, sign with Pluto and then don't break up. [hcc]
Blindside's new video 'All Of Us' is right around the corner here! Whee!
Hiphop KINGS The Roots have jumpstarted their new label, Okayplayer Records; the first release will be a comp record featuring themselves alongside Aceyalone and Dilated Peoples, among others. Don't know about a release date yet. [relevant]
My lovely friend Kelly B. and I were watching MuchMusic earlier waiting for Sportsnet to come on and host George Strombolopolous(holy Greek name) was wearing a Riptides shirt, which excited me muchly. The Riptides rule.
The featured track today at sphereofhiphhop is Sup the Chemist's 'Eargasmic Arrangements'. SO cleverly titled! As well, sphere have a link to a recent Mars Ill review. Backbreakanomics is a killer record.
.hopesfall are writing songs for another record, playing local shows in North Carolina or South Carolina(I can't remember which Carolina they call home). I've heard of some lineup changes in the band; you can presumably find all the scoops at their newly-redesigned website. [buzzgrinder]
This needs your attention: Josh Morgan(buzzgrinder.com staffer) posted this over there. Read and consider. "A local family in my area just had their house burn down and they lost everything. They have 7 kids. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to donate money/clothing/food whatever you feel called to donate. To donate money via Paypal click on this link and then on the Make a Donation button. Email me at josh@buzzgrinder.com if you want a snail mail address to send a donation too. Thanks."
Norma Jean's original vocalist, Atlanta kid by the name of Josh Scogin, has resurfaced in another band called The Chariot. I wish I could hear them by clicking here, but until I get speakers and the internet at home I can't! Boooo! One day, kids, one day. [theprp]
From Sparta's website: ""Sparta was recently in New York City, braving zero-degree temperatures while mixing their new, yet-to-be-titled album. It is slated to be released in early May. The album was produced by Mike Major and is being mixed by the amazing Andy Wallace. We're all very proud of it and can't wait for you to hear it. We will also be announcing some dates soon, getting our street team up and running and all that good stuff.. so we're revving up and getting ready to roll!!" Can't wait for the new record.
'On Wings of Lead' is the new single/video from the massive Bleeding Through; check the rock action out over here, with mad props to the kids at punknews.
This could be potentially big: The Suicide Machines, whose new album A Match And Some Gasoline just kills, are touring the U.S. and Canada(here's hoping Ottawa) from March into May along with Against All Authority and The Code. Dates aren't available yet, but we'll let you know when we find out.
1340mag is brand-new, with some wildly eclectic interviews. Which is what we've come to expect from Mark Fisher and his crew.
bedlamsociety has got it goin' on, y'all. Their email updates alone slay me.
Several 'zine pals of ours are large-time fans of this band The Caffiends; I've yet to hear them myself, but this review makes me wanna check them out post-haste. Read and be edified.
This Just In: Rise Against kill. Too bad I missed 'em last week when they played Capital City Music Hall. Booo.
I don't dig Coheed and Cambria all that much, but for those who do - and there's lots who do - the band are playing Jimmy Kimmel Live on the 29th. That's Thursday night, kidlets. In the Ottawa area, the show can be seen at 12:05 each night on CityTV and ABC; everywhere else, check your listings. Don't make US do your dirty work!
Before we go anywhere here, let me announce that my boys Is Grace Enough have signed with East End Industries outta Burlington, Ontario. This is big for both parties, and we'll keep you informed of the goings-on, fo' sheezy. Expect an interview with IGE in this space at some point too, if we have our way. Way to go, gentlemen.
"Norma Jean, Underoath, Beloved, Dead Poetic and Haste The Day will be embarking on a month-long trek together beginning March 10th. Dates and venues will be announced shortly." YES! YES! YES! Oh wait it won't come to Ottawa. BOOOOOOOOOO. [theprp]
This Just In: Converge kill!
This Just In Part Deux: so do Bane!
Jane's Addiction are gonna make another record. Do they need to? They proved with Strays that they can still rock - like it's 1993.
The Dillinger Escape Plan are in Ottawa Monday night(that's the 26th, kids) with The Locust and Your Enemies' Friends. It'll be a huge show. I won't be there, probably, but that's no reason YOU shouldn't go. Babylon, 317 Bank Street. Yup.
Future Destination Records outta West Virginia are going places with bands like The Redemption Song and Neutral Agreement; check out a review of the latter right over here.
Tooth and Nail Records' first release of '04 is this band Emery; I've heard one track, and it isn't anything spectacular from what I can tell, but I'm a fan. The debut album is called The Weak's End, hits Tuesday in stores, and in the meantime cruise on over here for more Emery than you can handle.
My Toronto Blue Jays got their man: they signed righthanded ace pitcher Roy Halladay for four years at a cool $42M U.S. That's a whole lotta bank, but c'mon, this is the winningest pitcher in baseball over the last two seasons. '04 will be good with Doc on the hill.
In other sports news(because that's obviously what you come here for), Ottawa boy Jesse Palmer, aka the end-of-season starting quarterback for the NY Giants, is now the next BACHELOR on ABC's hit series of the same name. What is THIS garbage? I can't believe this. We can now put him next to Tom Green on the Reasons to Be Ashamed of Ottawa list. Geez.
The newest Moneen album, Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now?, has a riff on it that sounds exactly like vintage Starflyer 59. Go figure.
I knew they'd come through: the boys at junkedcamera have live shots from the big Rise Against/Anti-Flag show the other night. Check it out. And I'm with jc's Brian Garson: I'd rather see Rise at Club SAW.
rockrebel needs to stop being so hard to navigate. When I click on a link I expect things to happen!
qchc are back, if not entirely. Welcome back, gents.
This Just In Part Trois: Angie Lalonde is the empress. Not impress, empress. Get it straight!
Nora and Extol are both featured in the current issue of Terrorizer magazine. What the...what? Why? Nora? Great band, but they're not Scandinvian metalheads!
Before Today have signed up with Equal Vision Records; the point of us telling you this is to hype another EVR band, Fear Before The March of Flames, who will be in Ottawa February 3rd at Club SAW. How smooth are we?? [punkhardcore]
No Motiv are getting a lot of underground press lately for their new album Daylight Breaking; sample some of it over here and make up your own mind, you ingrates!!
Just kidding about the ingrates thing.
We're not morbid around here, but c'mon, this is at least a little funny. He'll recover!
Blinger Jay-Z is now a minority owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team; the new ownership consortium is contemplating moving the team to Brooklyn. I'm in favour; Bwooklyn hasn't had a pro sports team since the baseball Dodgers left for Los Angeles in 1958. We're just a font of useless information today!
Here's a little Zen moment in conclusion: on the bus today I saw, scratched into the dirt that accumulates on bus windows in January, 'Greg loves to study'. So there.
This marks the 100th news entry since sweetdisaster went online September 19th of last year. I suppose that's good. Thanks for reading them all.
Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones has another band(if you didn't know, and shame on you if you didn't) called Blood Has Been Shed, and them fellers has a new video for their track 'She Speaks To Me'. Check it out. [theprp]
Pick up the March issue of Revolver if you want a free - live - Thursday CD featuring four tracks.
P.O.D. are planning a U.S. headlining tour for April/May, and in related news, current tourmates Linkin Park are rumoured to be coming to...Ottawa this summer? What? This can't be right. No way LP comes to the nation's capital. We ain't got the scratch, babies!
Broken Lamps and Hardcore Memories, the compilation record our friends at pastepunk put together a couple years ago, will now be available in 308 Best Buy outlets across America. I wouldn't bet against Canadian stores carrying it either. Pick it up cheap.
Squad 5-0's Capitol Records debut hits May 18th! I can't wait! I hope the major label didn't screw them up too badly! Optimism, people! Optimism! [absolutepunk]
Essential listening for today, pupils o' mine, is anything from the living legend known as Ben Harper. From dyno-funk to big-time rock to soulful slow, this guy just kills. Recommended in particular is his latest album, Diamonds On The Inside, but anything he does is gold.
In a related segment, sweetdisaster contributor/supporter-from-day-one DJ Omnifik recently got ahold of Meditation, featuring the Needilworks crew, and this here, kids, is some of the sickest scratching I've ever heard in my life. This bunch features DJ Dopey, aka the reigning World DMC champ, and it's just ridiculous. I can understand why Omnifik no longer considers himself worthy to scratch. Wow.
Thousand Foot Krutch are heading out on the Sea of Faces tour opening for labelmates Kutless. The tour will also feature TFK one-off FM Static and a band called Falling Up that I've never heard. Ryan Dobson will be a guest speaker. Don't know about itinerary; I'm more concerned with when TFK will bring their dog-and-pony show to Ottawa again. Oh, and the band's 1998 debut full-length That's What People Do is being re-sold via the band's website. Limited run, so move quick if'n you want some.
I listened to a bit of the new Crystal Method record at HMV, and it sounded pretty good. Guests include former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland and The Roots' Rahzel, human beatbox extraordinaire.
Some really really heinous news pretty much wrecked my afternoon: vocalist Jason Gleason is leaving Further Seems Forever. This band released my favourite record of 2003 with How To Start A Fire, and I really thought things were solidified in their camp after all the Gleason-replacing-Chris Dashboard hoopla. Man, what a kick in the crotch. Official statements from Jason and the band respectively can be read here, but the key phrase is as follows, spoken by the remaining four members: "Jason has verbally agreed to complete the album with us, bringing our last project as FSF to fruition. We believe in the music enough to share it with others despite the now certain disbanding of FSF." That does it. I can't talk any more about this atrocity. On to other things.
Dates for the Every Time I Die/As I Lay Dying tour for y'all. Please, if you would, note the ABSENCE of an Ottawa show. Dang. Supporting acts are Scarlet and The Black Dahlia Murder, two bands I've never heard, much to the horror of everyone I'm sure. Oh well.
3/23 Indianapolis IN @ Emerson Theater
3/24 Detroit MI @ Shelter at St. Andrews
3/25 Cleveland OH @ Peabody's Down Under
3/26 New York, NY @ The Continental
3/27 Toronto CAN @ Club Rockit
3/28 Montreal CAN @ Salle LX
3/30 Providence RI @ The Living Room
3/31 New York NY @ The Knitting Factory
4/1 Philadelphia PA @ First Unitarian Church
4/2 Baltimore MD @ Ottobar
4/3 Richmond VA @ Alley Katz
4/4 Charlotte NC @ The Casbah
4/5 Atlanta GA @ Echo Lounge
4/6 St. Petersburg FL @ State Theatre
4/7 Orlando FL @ The Social
4/19 Salt Lake City UT @ Albee Square
[hxc]
Guitarist Andy Godwin and drummer Mark Garza of the recently-belly-up Embodyment are writing more songs together, in the vein of the band's older Halo of Winter material. I'm excited to hear it.
One of my surprise favourites of last year, Florida hardcore band Seventh Star have parted ways with their vocalist, Jai Leacock.
Another band is calling it quits, and this one goes a long way back for me: veteran Christian rock band Bleach are packing it in. If you wanna read all the gory details, you can hit this here up.
I was watching MuchMusic in between commercials during the Lakers-Suns game, and I happened to see the beginning of a Spotlight episode featuring Atlanta rapper Ludacris. This guy, check this out, this guy had this to say: "It's ninety percent business, and then ten percent music. You got to get your business straight." Um, excuse me? It's all about money? Oh, right, you're a big-time rap star. Forgive us for having heart. Geez.
Local Ottawa promoter Nick DC has a new website up for his little enterprise; check it out over here. Pretty tight.
Founding Slick Shoes drummer Joe Nixon has left the band; the man with the 'fastest foot in rock' has been replaced by Bill Lanz; he'll round out the new percussion section with incoming bassist Josh Kleven. To read what the band has to say about all this, decapolis has the statement here.
Gatineau hardcore band Forsaken Trust are releasing a new CD/EP January 24th entitled Broken Promises. If moshcore is your thing, you're down with this crew. [qchc]
The beginning dates of an upcoming Strike Anywhere tour in support of their latest, Exit English(great album):
Feb. 21 - Cotton Club, Atlanta
March 3 - Modified, Phoenix
March 5 - Chain Reaction, Anaheim, Calif.
March 7 - Troubadour, Los Angeles
March 10 - Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
March 13 - Graceland, Seattle
March 16 - Bluebird Theater, Denver
More dates to come, presumably, including - hopefully - Canadian stops. [aversion]
hardcorechristian really likes this new indie band Reeve Oliver; the band's vocalist is one Sean O'Donnell(ex-Dogwood), and the review is right here.
Peace.
Essential listening for today: If Hope Dies' 2003 album The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us(Ironclad Recordings). What a metal band. I won't even attempt to list adjectives; just find some stuff from these guys, and support them when they come through your city to wreck stage.
We have a new Dismissed song here, called 'Bittersweet'. According to their label head, we'll really like it, so without further ado, check it out your own self.
Zao(them again!) drummer Jesse Smith's new band is up and running; they're called GODS, they've got some music here, and they're looking to get things going. See whatcha think. In related news, theprp are reporting that Zao has reunited with former vocalist Dan Weyandt and parted ways with Smith. Who really cares? Just keep it comin'. [hxc]
Mel Gibson's massively-anticipated new flick The Passion of Christ will open on two thousand screens across America on February 25. I really wanna see this movie. [CMcentral]
downhere's rhythm section, comprising bassist Glen Lavender and drummer Jeremy Thiessen, ran the Disney Marathon last week in Orlando. How 'bout that? Read the full story here.
Symphony In Peril and With Honor have been confirmed to perform in Milwaukee at Chaos Fest(sponsored by Life Sentence Records). The festival goes April 23rd and 24th; for the other acts, check this here out and hit it up if you're in the area.
Deftones are in the studio! This makes us happy.
ooOOOooo: Death Cab For Cutie will perform on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborne tonight, January 19th. Be watching. [punknews]
Secondary Essential Listening selection is One-21's Grenade album. Oh wow.
pastepunk are, I think, the 'zine out there that closest resembles our attitudes here at sweetdisaster. Rock.
District 7 rolled into Ottawa Saturday night and delivered a solid forty-five-minute set featuring six new songs; the kids went off and this writer watched from the back with a smile on his jaded face. Oh, and the new material was killer. We managed to snag an interview with Tom(guitar/vocals) and Adam(drums - welcome back, homeboy!), even after our tape recorder malfunctioned twenty-five minutes in, so keep an eye out for that. The pre-headliner, No Other Way, impressed as well; haven't heard them since their first demo two years ago, and they've come a long way.
What is THIS about this new show on ABC or whatever idiot network called My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance? Is our society now officially terminally stupid? Get it away from me!
Watched the Patriots beat up on Indianapolis yesterday in the AFC Championship; Indy quarterback Peyton Manning was decidedly not in top form, as his four interceptions proved(New England cornerback Ty Law had three of them, and also looks like Martin Lawrence!), and the Pats' defense was simply too much overall. Great game nonetheless. Too bad the Eagles lost to Carolina in the NFC matchup - Philly's third straight conference championship loss. Ouch. People with Philadelphia roots are gonna be real touchy today; don't mess with them.
One of the Patriots' offense linemen is named Josh Ashworth, the same as the vocalist for Zao. Any word on the latest in that ongoing saga?
I was reading rock sound magazine, out of the UK, and it turns out this band Funeral For A Friend were raised in Christian homes, even if the paragraph immediately beforehand detailed vocalist Matt Davies' exploits at a strip club. Didn't Ferret Records release this band's debut album in north America? I think so. Interesting.
We think it's mad cold here in Ottawa, peep this: New England hit MINUS SEVENTY DEGREES Celsius. That's minus with a big 7-0 for those keeping score at home. That is ungodly.
The Christian music scene has its own Jack Johnson, and his name is Paul Wright. Competent, catchy little fluffs of songs with some sun and surf. Not entirely loathesome, I guess. Check out Gotee Records if this is your bag.
The new four-song EP from One Cross is just like their full-length from a couple years ago: thoroughly competent. Some decent riffs here and there, but there's something missing, and I'm at a loss for what it is. The kids love them; they've played tons of festivals and radio gigs and stuff, but...I don't know. Good band, but missing something vital.
I read Ryan Clark(Focal Point, Training For Utopia, Demon Hunter)'s story in the liner for the Zao best-of Solid State Records put out; fascinating glimpse into what it was like to be involved with the Christian hardcore movement of the mid- to late-'90s. I missed that particular boat, unfortunately. And Zao, love 'em or love to hate 'em, were and are a phenomenal metal band.
Josh Chambers has some big ol' news: try Fear Before the March of Flames playing live here in Cap City February 3rd? As if that isn't enough, local upstarts Is Grace Enough are headlining. Other bands include Salt the Earth and Trials of Judea(side project of Fifth Grade Hero). Club SAW, eight bucks, six pm.
In related news, District 7 are playing SAW tonight, January 17th. Be there.
Born-again Christian Dave Mustaine collaborated recently with Pillar, a band I don't much like, but that's not the point. Mustaine was a founding member of Metallica waaay back, but made his name as the leader of another Bay Area metal band called Megadeth. This is, um, unusual. [rockrebel]
Online store Smartpunk.com will have their very own stage at this year's Warped Tour, and check out who's playing on it: Over It, Saosin and the metal beasts As I Lay Dying, among others. Good debut for a stage, I daresay. [soundthesirens]
Australian film company Conglomerate Films has made a short documentary on the Juliana Theory's tour of the land down under with One Dollar Short in tow. Download it here if you're interested. [noisetheory]
Bad Religion will be rereleasing their back catalogue later in the spring. Well then!
Finger Eleven are playing at Ottawa University next Friday, January 23rd. I just found out 'bout this last night, but I have a prior commitment(I think) which could preclude me from attending. Either way, they're great guys. Go check 'em out.
MuchMusic Secrets, Volume I: Fefe Dobson, an eighteen-year-old lass from Scarborough(outside Toronto) who's currently bumrushing Much and MTV with her Island Records debut album, is in fact Avril's adopted twin. Think about it. It makes sense!
I caught Maroon5 on Conan O'Brien the other night; this is after reading their name for the first time a couple months ago in Relevant's print magazine and being intrigued. I'll tell you this much: these Los Angeles white boys have souuuuuul. Check them out.
Essential listening for today: Speak Life, from Albany emcee Sev Statik, a class act and a scholar. Oh, and I think we're interviewing him at some point in the indeterminate future. Watch for that action. Another record involving Sev called Nephilim is worth your dollars too. Fetch! Fetch, boy!
bedlamsociety remains Southern Ontario's Numero Uno resource for bands, shows, hoopla, trash talk, prizes, some more prizes, Joel, MORE prizes, and finally some more Joel. Oh, and more prizes. Just go check out the site.
Newsman Dave Leibold brought up an intriguing idea today: a tour featuring Project 86, As I Lay Dying, Stavesacre and Blindside. Now, I don't think he has some inside line on something actually happening along that train of thought, but the mere mention is enough to make me have to sit down for a minute to collect myself. Heavens. He also mentioned that Superchic[k] are apparently playing May 21st in Kingston, Ontario.
News from the Norma Jean camp now: Cory Putnam(Eso-Charis, The Handshake Murders) is replacing Brad as the vocalist. Brad first replaced Josh on the mic 'bout a year ago, and handled it capably, in my opinion. Mr. Putnam is not Norma Jean's permanent vocalist, however. Three singers in roughly that many years as a band. It's like Zao or something. [hxc]
Yo! Bring it: My Revenge, from Burlington, Vermont, are preparing their Thorp Records debut album; the record should be done by the end of the month with a release date later this spring. Hot diggity! I cannot stress enough how badly you need to hear this band. [instrife]
Mad props go to my hometown Ottawa Senators, who came back from a four-nothing Islanders lead halfway through the game to tie it up and take the overtime point. Three points back of the Leafs, baby!
In The Name of Love: Artists United for Africa is a U2 tribute album that's being put out January 27th on Sparrow Records. The record features Delirious?, Toby Mac and Jars of Clay among others, and Sparrow has announced that a portion of the proceeds will go to a certain village in Zambia called Mwakankomba, through World Vision. The village has been decimated by AIDS, and this will hopefully go a long way to preventing further outbreak. Props. Check this out for the full story, and educate yourself about AIDS while you're at it.
Monitor the progress of an underground phenomenon: the hxcmp3.com charts. Your bands have made it possible, and David Allen thanks you. Yes, he does.
My birthday is February 9th. Know what else happens that day? Unearth begin recording their next masterpiece, that's what. With new drummer Mike Justain in tow, this album is gonna disintegrate your eardrums and brainstem. Oh man, I can't wait. C'mon c'mon c'mon already. [lambgoat]
Great band name of the day: Find Him And Kill Him. Plus their label: Happy Couples Never Last. How great is that? Check out a review of the band's latest here, and scroll to the bottom for some of the greatest song titles EVER.
Dead Poetic's new album New Medicines is gonna drop April 6th on Solid State Records, whose president Roy Culver was unceremoniously dropped last week by the powers that be, a move I will continue to question until I find out if there was a good reason for it. Our best wishes to Roy, who deserves more than this. Anyway, yeah, the album will slay. [theprp]
This really good-looking blonde woman, Belinda Stronach, has apparently announced that she's running for leadership of the Canadian Alliance party. Her picture was on the front pages of both Ottawa papers today. I say if I gotta look at political figures every day they might as well be hot. *nods decisively*
I find this bit funny: "gODHEAD have found themselves the victim of an impersonator after someone pretending to be the band's frontman sent out an email to the group's Yahoo mailing list yesterday stating that they have broken up. Jason Miller himself has now commented on the matter, stating,
'Nothing could be further from the truth! Mike and I just played an acoustic show on Saturday, we have a new video for "Far Too Long" about to come out and a new tour planned for March! I know we've had some set backs but we don't give up around here!'" Dig it.
February 17th will see the release of the Evergreen Terrace covers album, including the band's takes on Smashing Pumpkins, Sponge, and Op Ivy. Should be interesting, if nothing else.
Papa Roach are done their third record....wait, does anyone still know who they are?
There's a club in Portland, Oregon called The New Meow Meow!! Awesome!!
As part of their 2 For 1 series, Roadrunner Records is rereleasing Vision of Disorder's Imprint album along with their self-titled record for the price of one CD. I'm all over this one! I was a huge fan of VOD years ago! Booyah! Biohazard are apparently getting the same treatment with their Urban Discipline(a huge album) and No Holds Barred albums.
"As I'm sure you know, Helmet is back in action and recording a new record. The band has been in the studio writing and recording for a new album later this year." No, I did NOT know this! Who didn't tell me? Heads will prop up my desk and the blood will flow three feet thick! HEADS, I TELL YOU! Wow. New Helmet record. Awesome! [thescout]
Xfm is toast. Ottawa is now without a radio station that will at least try to push the rock and roll envelope. They lasted four good years, and even though I rarely listened, at least they tried to promote the underground. R.I.P. And I hope the three DJs who lost their jobs in the shuffle fare better next time.
Off the Record(former Tooth and Nail band, one of many that were canned early on) have a new EP coming out February 3rd, along with a new website to boot. Hit it up. [punknews]
Gotta give it up to Lamond Murray, the Toronto Raptors forward who came into tonight's game against New Orleans for his first action in like two months, and what'd he do? Sank a crucial free throw to help ice the win in overtime. That's clutch. 'Course, he was whining to be traded a couple weeks ago, but hey. All's forgiven.
Oshawa, Ontario band Cauterize have made the break into steady MuchMusic rotation; I've seen their video twice now in three days amid all the truly craptacular programming on that channel, which means steady rotation enough indeed. The singer looks like whatshisface from New Found Glory, and they're on the same label as...wait a sec, this can't be right...Creed? What is THIS? Well! Home also to dark brooding types like Evanescence and another Canadian band in Finger Eleven, it looks like New York's Wind-Up Records wants their slice of the punk/emo/MTV2 pie. We'll see.
I saw a guy coming out of SuperPet today who looked exactly like embattled Detroit Red Wings goaltender Curtis Joseph, and it brings to mind sweetdisaster contributor DJ Omnifik's conviction that all of Joseph's career woes(you should look into the Wings' goalie situation if you want some laughs) stem from his not saying hi to Omnifik years ago at the Rideau Centre here in town. *nods* Yes. He's well and truly convinced.
The Movielife were a great band. I miss them. I say this because I listened to a whole wack of their stuff while I was busing out to the west end and back. Boo to busing when it's minus-stupid degrees outside.
Flicker Records not only has a metal band on their roster now(Mortal Treason, check them out) but also this band Kids In The Way, who I like for some reason. Why do I like them? I don't know. Wait, I just said that. Next segment.
Speaking of Evanescence, which we were just a second ago, ever wonder what happened to that bald-pated guitarist who split in September? Get this: he's writing songs for Avril Lavigne now. Seriously. No, stop laughing, I'm not kidding around here; this is serious business. Stop it! I'm telling Mom! Okay, now get THIS: others involved with Ms. Thing's next record include husband-and-wife Raine Maida(Our Lady Peace) and Chantal Kreviazuk(who I do like) and producer Don Gilmore(he did Pearl Jam's Ten record waaaay back as well as both Linkin Park slabs). Whew! All this for some kid outta Napanee. [rockrebel]
Big surprise here, aight.
Ultimate Fakebook are splitting up later this year. I saw these guys open for MxPx years ago, and they were decent even though they were the guinea pigs for the sound guys. [aversion]
Oh sweet Lord, kill me now!
Essential listening today, and I mean essential, is LPG's classic '95 album The Earthworm. SO FRIGGIN' GOOD, people, I'm telling you!! FIND THIS!!
Today must have been CCM-Infiltrating-Society Day: I found a copy of downhere's latest at the library, and I heard Jars of Clay over the PA at the mall I was hunting for work at. Weird. Go Jesus! Kidding. Sort of. Oh, and keep an eye out for a downhere interview we have coming soon. Yeeeah.
Straight up: "The current standing of ZAO is as follows: Josh has left on bad terms. Jesse has decided he's done with the band as well. Rob left because he follows the flow(and other reasons). Russ and Scott will continue with a new drummer. Dan Weyandt will return as the voice of ZAO. The band is still hitting the studio this March to record their upcoming album on Ferret." The show must go on, after all. [hcc]
As a followup to the last segment: Sir Jorge of Culver has hung up the gloves as news guy at hardcorechristian.com, and I for one will miss his style. Well-done, bro. Peace.
Band Name of the Day: Stole Your Woman. Classic! And here's your morbidity fix for today!
We have here a review of No Innocent Victim's second album, No Compromise. The reason I'm posting this is twofold: a) it's an amazing album even seven years after it was put out, and b) it's one of the first hardcore records I ever owned, if not the very first. Check it out.
Oh, and one more thing: this Saturday, the 17th, District 7 are playing at Club SAW here in Ottawa. I'll be hyping this every chance I can til the day of. Eight bucks, six pm door time. ROCK!
Essential listening: Nodes of Ranvier's second self-titled album, came out last year on Facedown Records. The band has had a change of vocalists since this album came out, but rest assured the rock is still being had. I think. The way things are going in the hardcore scene these days, the band could have broken up by now.
Like Dismissed? Or any bands that sound like Dismissed? Then hop on over here for a new song from Indie Vision's flagship bands.
This just in: A Love For Enemies, who I believe were the first signing to new label Strike First Records are enormous. Props to Brian K. and OGS for the hookup.
Buzzgrinder brings us news that Winter Solstice has just finished four new songs, working with producer Mike Hasty of Walls of Jericho(a great band -ed). If'n you wanna hear some of the tasty goodness, hit this up.
Toronto-area band One Cross has some shows upcoming in places like Oshawa, Belleville and Whitby, and if you want the scoop check out the band's website. Word.
If you're into tolerating MTV and MTV2, As I Lay Dying will be hosting Headbanger's Ball on Saturday(January 17th) at 11:00 EST. I'd watch if I could. [hxc]
Falling Cycle are playing their last show on the 16th at the Showcase Theatre in Corona, CA. If you live around there, you should go and witness the end of a good band.
In related news, one of the few decent emocore bands out there, Oklahoma's Enlow, are playing THEIR last show February 6th. MAN, this is a lousy trend.
The Grammy Awards air February 8th, and normally we wouldn't really care, but this Robert Randolph and the Family Band will be performing with Outkast as part of a 'tribute to funk music'. I'll be watching. Randolph was named one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time recently by Rolling Stone, which seems a bit odd considering how recently he's hit the industry. [CMcentral]
Bleeding Through and Death By Stereo(two very good bands) are gonna be touring the US in March. More info as it comes. Yeeeeah. [lambgoat]
Rumour has it Project 86 are coming to blow Ottawa's doors off. If this is true, and I have information, I will first BLOW a GASKET, and then pass it on to you, the loyal reader. Pray hard.
Former Salad Dressing Records act The Rock Band(hailing from Manitoba, I believe) have put out a new record with Milwaukee's Snapdragon Records; the band will head out on their second U.S. tour later this month. Watch for them in YOUR town, raisin' cane.[punknews]
Bouncing Souls are gonna rock Conan O'Brien January 16th(that's this Friday, kiddies). Oh, and in other related news, Mr. O'Brien is apparently taking his show to Toronto for a week next month. I SO wanna go to a taping!
One of our favourite bands, Beloved, have a brand-new website up; as well, keep your eyes peeled for sweetdisaster's interview with vocalist Josh Moore along side Norma Jean guitarist Scotty. Good times.
YEAH! The Scene is brand new too! Check this out! So good. What is UP, Mr. Stephens??
Webmaster Dave Flikkema Ol' Boy has a job wherein he has connections with Christian Music Canada(big distribution company), and he's come through with a slew of release dates in the coming months. Check it out:
Haste the Day - Burning Bridges - March 9th (Solid State)
The Deal(great band!) - Cutthroat - February '04 (Facedown)
A Love For Enemies - Broken Pledge - ditto (Strikefirst)
Kutless(like we care no wait that's mean oh well) - Sea of Faces - February 24th (BEC)
Mortal Treason(a hardcore band on Flicker Records??!) - A Call To The Martyrs - February 24th (Flicker)
Silence the Epilogue(new band) - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis EP - January'04 (Strikefirst)
Wheeee!
Essential listening: anything by The Roots. Simply exceptional hiphop. Philly represent. Keep an eye out for their upcoming album The Tipping Point. I think that's what it's called. Could be wrong; don't quote me.
I saw the video for P.O.D.'s 'Boom' last night on MuchMusic...or was it this morning? It all runs together. Anyway, it's a great video featuring a hellbent table tennis tournament: P.O.D. versus Blindside, and the brawl at the end is hilarious. You should find it and watch it.
Future baseball Hall of Famer Roger Clemens has evidently caved to his buddy Andy Pettite's pleading and signed with the Houston Astros. Apparently retirement wasn't to his liking. Watch him win twenty games this year too. He's still got an arm on him.
Ottawa band If Tomorrow Comes have a new demo coming out this Friday, January 16th. If I were you, I'd be watching to see when they play a show and plowing through their website. For young guys, they bring the pure rock ruckus.
Blindside will be unloading their new album About A Burning Fire on February 24th. If this record is even seven-tenths as good as Silence(one of my all-time favourites) was, it'll be incredible. [noisetheory]
I don't really like new Incubus single. Do you? I do like at the end, though, where you see a purported Bible labeled 'Buy Bull'. That's clever, if a little blasphemous.
Bad Religion are gonna be part of Warped Tour this summer. How 'bout that? I don't know if they've done it before since the tour's inception in the mid-'90s, but it's unusual to say the least. [Relevant]
Finch are rumoured to have parted ways with their drummer of five years, Alex Pappas. I always thought he was the vocalist. Shows what I know.
If you wanna buy a bit or all of Grand Royal, the one-time label run by the Beastie Boys, check this here out. Interesting.
Man, this is funny.
Tom Morello of Audioslave(and formerly the masterful Rage Against the Machine) is working on some solo material under the name Night Watchman. I'd listen to it. Fo' sho'.
Check out bandoppler's latest Music Round-Up for the real dish on the underground action. You heard it here first. Well, you heard it there first, but WE brung it to ya.
Josiah is a spirit-filled hardcore band outta Indiana, and they've signed with Indie Vision Music, making them the first hardcore band on that label. I'm severely interested in hearing them. Oh, and if you wanna do that, check this out.
Ever heard of Mourning September? I hadn't either til they signed to Floodgate Records late last year, and now comes word that their label debut will be produced by James Wisner. Ever heard of him? If you haven't, you've apparently never bands like New Found Glory, Dashboard Confessional, Underoath and Further Seems Forever, all of whom he's made records with. MFS's full-length will be out in August, and I for one wanna hear it. Check out Floodgate's website for details.
There's this cook at a place here in Ottawa called Patty Bolands, and this guy, no joke, looks exactly like Slayer's Kerry King. sweetdisaster contributor DJ Omnifik and I saw this guy with our own four eyes. It's uncanny.
This here ruckus is an interview with No Motiv, a band I've always liked; pastepunk.com had a chance to catch up with them, and you should put aside whatever tedious thing you're doing and read it. Enjoy!
What is THIS about Converge signing to EPITAPH RECORDS? Is this some kind of sick JOKE? That'll teach me not to be online for a week or whatever it was. GEEZ!
Upstate NY band Marathon wanna hit Ottawa; details are being worked out, but you better pray they can make it, because they're amazing.
Josh Chambers asked me to post here about how good Fear Before the March of Flames are. So there you have it.
Know this: Dan Stephens is a class act, for reasons I'm not about to into here, but he deserves my thanks for his being there for me. Oh, and his 'zine ain't half bad either. Booyah!
Essential listening for today is Sintaxtheterrific and his Illect Records debut, Simple Moves. Get on this one. Great, raw hiphop.
Holy crap: Decapolis must've thrown down massive in my absence from the onlinery; they've got a slew of new reviews and news. Hustle on over there. And I really crave the new Nora album. How come Carl don't answer his emails? Throw me a frickin' bone here.
I guess this thing with Converge signing with Epitaph Recs wasn't a joke. How 'bout that? The upcoming album is tentatively titled You Fail Me, due out mid-'04. Wow.
This band Mercury Switch who I've never heard have regained their guitarist, guy by the name of Mark McDonald. Mercury Switch may or may not be good, but the only reason I'm posting this is because McDonald is back from filling in with As I Lay Dying for the last few months, and THOSE guys kill.
We have here some assorted news from Victory Records. Here you go.. If you're into that.
The Get Up Kids and Recover are touring this spring, and March 9th and 11th will see that show in Toronto and Montreal respectively. Might wanna hit that up. I would. But I can't. So sad.
Final Word have a new website up right over here. I've never heard FW as such, but A Death For Every Sin, for all intents and purposes their predecessors, were huge. [qchc]
Man, a lot happens when you're offline for a while: aversion has a bunch of interesting new stuff up, including interviews with Maxeen and Roy, two killer new pop rock acts. I interviewed Roy guitarist Ben Verellen a while ago, for his other band Harkonen. Now there's a beast of a rock band. So heavy.
As if Zao have broken up. Again. This time it's rumoured that drummer/lone original member Jesse Smith has up and walked. This is according to vocalist Josh Ashworth's online diary. *shrugs* Take it with a grain of salt. Ashworth's old band, Society's Finest, were huge; go listen to them if Zao are toast.
Well then! The enormously-missed Five Iron Frenzy, who played their last show in November, will release a double-CD set in the first quarter of 2004 that'll include their last studio album as well as a live recording of their final show in Denver. I for one WILL own this. I owe it to myself. Sir Jorge of Culver, a great newsman, gets the heads-up for this bit of newsage. [hardcorechristian]
New Starflyer 59 album is coming...be prepared...oh yes...
Just when I got into them, Sense Field have split up. *Homer Simpson voice* Aw, crap! [punkhardcore]
This was a Really Long Update. Hope you Really Enjoyed It. Peace.
This just in: Boysnightout are way better live than on CD. I know this because I've acquired their Ferret Records debut, Make Yourself Sick, and it's good, but not nearly as frenetic as their live spectacle. So there you have it.
Kevin Max, aka The Soulful Dude from dc Talk opened for the Psychedelic Furs New Year's Eve. How 'bout that? His band features Frank Lenz, drummer for Starflyer 59, so we reported incorrectly the other day that SF59 had opened that show. Sorry, Lori. :P
Another correction: Hawk Nelson are from Peterborough, ON, not Barrie. Our bad. We have things moving faster around here at sweetdisaster HQ; webmaster Dave is on the case, and we're aiming to have a better place to serve the likes of you. Yeah, I'm talking to you.
Illect: don't sleep on the big one.
Highlights from the just-announced lineup for Soulfest '04 in New Hampshire:
David Crowder Band
Newsboys(big surprise)
Paul Colman Trio
John Reuben
Kevin Max(him again!)
Mars ILL(OH YES!)
Cool Hand Luke
Thousand Foot Krutch(ruckus)
There are tons more, and a lot of them I've never heard of before, so it'll be interesting. I won't BE there, mind you, but you should try to make it if you can.
Between The Buried And Me just replaced a guitarist, and now drummer Mark Castillo has bailed too; he's returning to his former band, Bury Your Dead. Whole lotta death and burying going on up in here, no? [punknews]
Fugazi, a seminal band that I've never heard(fancy that), are officially On Hiatus. A lot of rumours were floating around that they were in fact over, but the press dude from Dischord Records has said unequivocally that they're just not touring or anything right now. From what I've heard, they've earned the right to hiatusize all they want.
Planes Mistaken For Stars are releasing a new record this summer call Up In Them Guts, which is apt if you've ever heard the band, or better yet seen them live. They're a beast on stage, take my word for it. Catch 'em if you can.
Tomorrow, Friday the 9th, marks the departure of someone dear to us from her job at Tooth & Nail Records. Emily Orzio helped me personally build this website and my previous endeavour, and a year and a half of a fruitful business relationship ends effective tomorrow, but thankfully the friendship continues. Thanks, Em. All the best in future endeavours.
The With All Sincerity show scheduled for Club SAW on the 31st is history. Why, you ask? The band split up. That kinda makes it hard to play a show, when your band is over. I was informed of this day before yesterday by our man Josh Chambers, whose production squadron was supposed to put this show on. So yeah, no show. However, all is not lost: punk band extraordinaire District 7 have a show at SAW January 17th. That'll be off the hook with new material from D7. Be there. Oh, and the rumoured 25 Ta Life show is no more. Man! What a bummer of a segment this one is.
Speaking of Josh and punk, Senor Chambers' review of the new Blink-182 will be up whenever it gets up, so keep an eye out for that. Blink drummer Travis Barker's cellphone rings the same tone as mine! I'm famous! Or not.
I saw the video for Thrice's 'All That's Left' on Sportsnet News, of all things; it was the backdrop for the Plays of the Week. It reminds me of a Sloan video from a couple years back, the name of which escapes me. Hmm...what a great record The Artist In The Ambulance is. Get it. Like right now.
In baseball news(how ya like that curveball??), Paul Molitor, one of the best pure hitters ever, was inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday alongside uber-relief pitcher Dennis Eckersley. He thanked the Lord for his abilities, and for being allowed to play the game as long as he did. This guy kicked a cocaine addiction years ago that almost sidelined him from life, let alone baseball, so he gets mad props from us. Besides, I know you all come here for baseball news....yes....
Not By Choice, this band from the Toronto area that totally ripped off my friend Ryan's old band Rubbish, were on the SpeedTV channel last night, playing some sadsack song surrounded by loads of dirtbikes and hot chicks. What a life they must have.
From Andrew Hill, a prized news source around here, comes word that Barrie, ON band Hawk Nelson are in the studio this month with producer Aaron Sprinkle to work on the band's Tooth and Nail Records debut album. No word on a release date, but you know we'll be all over this puppy.
Wow. The Milita Group, a rising California label, have signed not one, not two, but THREE bands: Brandtson, Blueprint Car Crash and Ana Divine. Kudos to them, because Brandtson are ex-Six Feet Deep, one of the first hardcore bands I ever heard. Man, they brought the rock ruckus. [thescout]
Second update of 2004, live and direct, and you know, I've been carping a lot on the new P.O.D. record, but truth is that while it's entirely different from their older material(I mean the pre-major label material), it's good for what it is. Some catchy tracks. Too bad there's some real lousy tunes too. Ah well.
We apparently have a links section locked and loaded, according to Webmaster Dave, and then you'll have a resource for a bunch of places on the web far cooler than us here.
Pigeon John remains the biggity-bomb. Catch him on the big spoken-word tour alongside Stavesacre's Mark Salomon and others. Skeypub has more information and the tour itinerary. Yeeeeeah.
Speaking of Stavesacre, some changes are afoot in their camp: "After touring relentlessly to support the self-titled album, we were worn out. Some of the runs brought us to the brink of our sanity. Personal turbulence that each one of us has had to weather (both positive and negative) made for a difficult working environment. Marriages began and ended. Finances were tested to the limit. And finally, in December, our good friend and band mate, Neil, decided to move
on. He is loved by each of us, and our support and best wishes go wherever his
future takes him. The year is, thankfully, over. So is the hiatus." Check out the band's website for all the updates, including a new album to come after their self-titled record from a year and a bit ago.
Whoa! Lucerin Blue is ringing in the new year in high style: opening for Moneen in Waterloo on the eighth(that's this Thursday, kids). Info in a nutshell:
Starlight Lounge, Waterloo, ON
47A King St North
feat. Moneen, Lucerin Blue, Masters and Moderns, The Explanation and Close to Home
doors at 7
tickets $10 advance/$12 door.
How 'bout that? Good on the Blue lads.
Yo, Kevin Carson is on the case: TheScout has been given a facelift. Hit that up.
Oh HECK YES: an enhanced version of Living Sacrifice's classic '97 album Reborn is due out on the 27th of this month through the fine folks at Solid State Records. This is close on the heels of the Zao best-of that came out a month or so ago. This is all secondhand knowledge pilfered from hxc, who are now into their EIGHTH YEAR and getting better all the time. Way to be, fellas.
We have here for you some fresh take on the new L.A. Symphony record, right over there. I gotta hear this album.
In what will assuredly be the only time Britney Spears is EVER mentioned in this space, apparently she got married in a "joke that went too far." The marriage is already being annulled, but my question is thus: why is this headline news? Who cares? Geez.
Next In Line are good. Check them out. Indie Vision is a good starting point.
I haven't heard it yet, but Most Precious Blood's new album apparently kills. It's called Our Lady of Annihilation.
Alexisonfire's video for 'Pulmonary Archery' landed at #43 on MuchMusic's year-end charts, sandwiched between - get this - No Doubt and Ludacris. This is hysterical.
Oh, this just in: Brand New is worthy of the hype. I like 'em.
I really hope the Poison the Well/Thrice/Moments In Grace tour hits Ottawa. You think? Maybe? Yeah, likely not. Boooo.
The video for Billy Talent's 'The Ex' is online over here; check it out solely because two of sweetdisaster's staff are in it for about a hundredth of a second. Balcony, stage left. *nods* [theprp]
Happy friggin' new year to one and all. Thanks for getting on board the sweetdisaster express in '03; '04 will be better - we promise. Or I'll be firing people.
In all seriousness, the four of us at the core of this thing you're reading are committed, we simply have time issues. Plus myself, the chief cook and bottle washer you could say, I have no tech knowledge of any sort, otherwise this'd be updated a lot more, with more than just news.
So bottom line: patience is a virtue. We have the new deal coming.
Big ups to Denis Sonier and The Heard; thanks for checking our deal. What up to Faye for the heads-up too. Thanks a million and three-eighths.
I'm still way tired from working two overnight shifts in the last three days. Kill me.