Some Pedro the Lion news to kick off this beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon: the man and his band have a new album coming soon, Achilles' Heel, and they're pulling up their bootstraps to head out on tour with the likes of Ester Drang, Ben Kweller and Death Cab For Cutie. Check out the tour dates right over here.
Behold: the initial dates and venues for the enormous P.O.D./Blindside/Lacuna Coil tour happening in May:
Sat/May-01 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
Mon/May-03 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theatre
Tue/May-04 Dallas, TX NextStage
Wed/May-05 Tulsa, OK Brady Theatre
Fri/May-07 St. Louis, MO The Pagaent
Sat/May-08 Milwaukee, WI Eagle's Ballroom
Sun/May-09 Cleveland, OH Agora
Tue/May-11 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Wed/May-12 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Fri/May-14 Pittsburgh, PA Rock Jungle
Sat/May-15 Columbus, OH Promo West Pavilion
Sun/May-16 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Wed/May-19 Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
Thu/May-20 Orlando, FL House Of Blues
Sat/May-22 Washington, DC
Sun/May-23 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center @ ODU
Tue/May-25 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom
Thu/May-27 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Sat/May-29 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Sun/May-30 Boston, MA
Tue/Jun-01 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
Wed/Jun-02 Chicago, IL Riviera
Fri/Jun-04 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room
Sat/Jun-05 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theatre
Sun/Jun-06 Minneapolis, MN Quest
Tue/Jun-08 Calgary, AB McEwan Hall
Wed/Jun-09 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Center / Reds
Fri/Jun-11 Vancouver, BC Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Sat/Jun-12 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
Sun/Jun-13 Portland, OR Roseland
Tue/Jun-15 San Francisco, CA Warfield
Wed/Jun-16 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern
Fri/Jun-18 Las Vegas, NV Joint
Sat/Jun-19 Phoeniz, AZ Marquee
Sun/Jun-20 San Diego, CA Soma
Of particular interest here is that Minneapolis date June 6th at Quest; that would be the 'Christian nightclub' featured in Rolling Stone a while back. I wonder how established artists like Payable and Blindside will react to being in that 'Christian or nothing' atmosphere - not to mention Lacuna Coil. I guess we'll find out.
Funniest news of today, first reported by the ace troubleshooters at Relevant: Backstreet Boys are in the studio preparing a new abum. Heaven preserve us. Speaking of ace troubleshooters, Ace Troubleshooter's third Tooth & Records album comes out soon! Smoooooove.
Get your metal-lovin' keesters on over to Pluto Records and take advantage of their current sale. Check it out: three CDs for twenty-two dolla. What, are you kidding me?? Too true!
Ooooh, here we go: the second edition of the Solid State tour features - grab something steady here - Norma Jean, Dead Poetic, Beloved, Underoath and Haste The Day, and it kicks off March 10th in Arkansas; more dates can be found right on over here, and more are on the way. Pray Canada sees some of this rock action. [hardcorechristian]
Check Epitaph Records' website to view the new Weakerthans video! Josh Chambers, this one is for YOU! That's right, baby!! [noisetheory]
Heads up, Montreal, Toronto and Guelph: Bleeding Through and Comeback Kid are up in your faces:
5/04 Montreal, QC @ Salle L'X
5/06 Toronto, ONT @ Kathedral Room
5/07 Guelph, ONT @ Trashateria
[hxc]
Anything involving the late, great Living Sacrifice is newsworthy: "Living Sacrifice reports that they are unsure of the status of their best-of release originally planned for the coming months. They also sent an update on what each member is doing in the aftermath of the band: Rocky still plays in Evanescence[rumours are circulating that Evanescence are heading for a breakup - ed]. Lance is writing and recording music with friends. Arthur has five or six businesses that he runs. I don't know if he is playing or not. Matthew is playing in Snailhuntr, Unwed Sailor and Lovedrug. Bruce is managing bands." They really should stop wasting time and get LS back together already.
The first day showing of The Passion of the Christ. I gotta see this movie.
I tried to find any place in Ottawa that had Blindside's new record About A Burning Fire yesterday; the album dropped Tuesday and according to a source at absolutepunk, it sold eleven thousand copies the first day outta the gate, with virtually zero help from MTV or radio. How 'BOUT that? I will track this album down! I will!
I've heard good things about the new Autopilot Off record; the band will be here in Ottawa at some point in March or April or something - I think with Senses Fail - and you can download the album right over here to decide for yourself whether you love it to death or not.
How 'bout THIS: Craig's Brother is back together! Remember them? Tooth & Nail band? Who knew? Check out their website for all the details.
Finally, something interesting on MuchMusic: they do these Exposed feature things on different artists, and so far they've covered the likes of Blink-182, that girl from Destiny's Child and Our Lady Peace, etc etc etc. LAST night I was up late working on some sweetdisaster stuff, and they did one of these things with P.O.D.. Interesting stuff; those guys have a great sense of humour.
Every Time I Die have re-released their last album, Hot Damn!, with a DVD containing the video for 'Ebolarama' and some other goodies; the band embarks on a North American tour in the spring with As I Lay Dying and Scarlet. This particular trek features two nights in Toronto(March 27th and 28th), and the next night in Montreal. Ottawa gets the shaft. Booooo. [soundthesirens]
I ain't heard them yet, but Moments In Grace are on the rise. Check out this review of their debut EP, These Days Will Fade. MIG features former members of twothirtyeight and As Friends Rust.
Short update today. Work calls. Peace.
Second update for today. Aren't YOU all lucky!! I'm Mr. Benevolence.
You're gonna see a lot more content in the form of interviews and CD reviews in the near future, because I've come to realize that me, myself, I've become really lax in 'running' this here 'zine. So I'm gonna endeavour to review one record a night until either a) I'm out of new ones or b) I'm out of new ones. Got that? Those who are my friends(talk about lucky!!...no), hold me to this, will ya please? Thanksh.
You know who I like and will take lots of flak for liking? Jersey. That's right. Jersey.
Check it out: Ottawa loves this band and now they've done gone signed to Go Kart Records - Ten Foot Pole has made the leap. Big tour to come later this year, etc etc etc. [pastepunk]
This article is the backlash to all the controversy regarding The Grey Album, the one DJ Dangermouse put out mixing The Beatles and Jay-Z. Fascinating what's come out of this.
pastepunk.com's news section is SO much funnier than ours it's just sick.
This Just In: Walls of Jericho are friggin' ridiculously good.
Lotsa news in the ol' email bag today. Oh yes. We'll get right to it.
Our brethren and sistren in the Belleville/Madoc/Trenton area of this fine province we call home are running the second annual MonkFest later this year; last year's extravaganza went so well they're doing it up right - again. Either that or they just have an unquenchable spirit. Probably a little of both. Either way, if you're in a band that wants to play a shizzow or you just wanna come rock with us, email xmonkfestx@hotmail.com, and Nomes and her crew'll set you up proper. Dates this year are May 29th and 30th.
Today's essential listening is Mae's 2003 debut album, Destination: Beautiful. Gorgeous album, akin to whatever ultra-emo band is huge right now, though I just file them under 'rock'.
From Dave Leibold comes word that the 2004 edition of Ottawa's WorshipFest has been pushed back to the weekend of August 6th-8th, possibly to avoid scheduling conflicts with this year's Kingdom Bound festival down in New York. No word on who's playing this year, but the website is right over here; check back for details. Last year's festival featured headliners Newsboys, always a great live show.
The 77s are making a Canadian appearance, April 3rd at New Song Church in Windsor, ON. Great Christian rock and roll band.
Midday Blackout are playing tonight, February 26th, at Zaphod's(27 York St.), opening for Steve Gardiner. Five bucks, nine pm door time. C'mon out and rock the casbah with sweetdisaster and whoever is in the posse.
Blood and Ink Records's xLooking Forwardx are hooking up with the mighty Deal for a short tour; check it out:
February 27th - Uncle Huby's, VA Beach, VA
February 28th - Brooklyn Park Community Center, Baltimore, MD
February 29th - Philadelphia, PA
March 1st - Oasis, Long Island, NY
March 2nd - Uniontown, PA
March 3rd - Harrisburg, PA
March 4th - Hangout, Edinborough, PA
March 5th - Idle Kids, Detroit, MI
March 6th - Gathering Grounds, Kettering, OH
Gonna be off the hook, babies! Oh, and B&I Recs are gonna be all over Cornerstone Fest later this year too.
I was channelsurfing the other night, as I'm wont to do, and I happened to see the new Alicia Keyes video(quite the talent, that young woman), and there was this dude who I recognized but I couldn't place him, and then at the end you saw his face in full and it's Mos Def. Yeah, baby! Let's hear it for progressive hiphop!
Then, sadly, after that high, MusiquePlus(the French MuchMusic) ran this video from a really good, if quirky, metalcore band whose name I never got, and it had like demonic potatos in it. Bizarre.
Mortal Treason are a new metal band put out by - get this now - Flicker Records, owned and operated by Audio Adrenaline. As a longtime AA fan, I'm stunned that this beast of a CD is their doing; Mortal Treason kills! Their vocalist is a professional BMX rider too, apparently.
Three Days Grace indeed played Leno last night, but there was no Is Grace Enough t-shirt anywhere in sight. Their guitarist better have a good friggin' reason not to have kept his promise!! The WRATH will DESCEND!!! Oh, and you don't wanna miss Leno tonight, because Mel Gibson is on to discuss that little movie he made. What's it called again...? Oh yeah, right, that one.
The new print edition of Bandoppler is OUT NOW. Go get it! Fetch, boy! Fetch!
In related news, the new issues of Relevant and HM have both been delivered to sweetdisaster HQ. More on that as we flip through them. The new Blindside is a must-own, by the way.
From buzzgrinder: "At a recent Memphis performance Walls of Jericho singer Candace Kucsulain suffered a broken nose, severe facial swelling, and broken blood vessels around the eyes. She was the recipient of an unintended spinning fist. The band did finish out their set and Candace has had some realignment surgery. She is currently doing fine." Geez.
sphereofhiphop are in their seventh year! I had no idea!
...that's a hint. Get on over and check 'em out.
Essential listening for today, February 24th, is Most Precious Blood's 2001 debut Nothing In Vain. It's fast, loud, hard and furious. And intelligent. All the prerequisites for a great hardcore album. And to think I've yet to hear their apparent masterpiece, last year's Our Lady of Annihilation! Imagine what I'd say about that one!
A lot of news via email from Floodgate Records, the most important being that apparently February 22nd-28th is National Pancake Week. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether we're all required to gorge on pancakes. I'm down for that idea, personally. Other news from Floodgate's camp: Number One Gun just finished a video for 'The Starting Line', and are touring like madmen with the likes of John Reuben, Ace Troubleshooter and Bleach...exciting news that Cool Hand Luke are just about done with their sophomore label album The Fires of Life, said to feature a lot more piano(here's hoping they haven't gone totally Coldplay on us)...and finally, newest label signing Mourning September are hitting the studio March 10th to begin recording their debut album with producer James Paul Wisner(Glasseater, Further Seems Forever). Should be good.
Ontario what up! One of our fair province's better bands, Lucerin Blue, have been picked up for booking by The Agency Group, one of the most well-known agencies around. Good things will happen. Maybe they'll even come play Cap City sometime now.
Long-running local band Midday Blackout have a show Thursday night, February 26th at Zaphod's(27 York St. down in the Byward Market), opening up for Steve Gardiner(ex-ThermoCline). Five bucks, eight pm door time. C'mon out.
Remember Jimmie's Chicken Shack? I do! And they have a new record coming out April 27th, and it's called Re.Present, and even though it's got that bald dude from Staind on it I won't hold that against them. [theprp]
How 'bout this here: P.O.D. are headlining a tour beginning May 1st with openers Blindside(such a great band), Lacuna Coil and Hazen Street, who I've never heard of in my entire life. I'd catch this tour, 'specially since DJ Omnifik and myself were SCREWED out of seeing the P.O.D./Linkin Park tour in January. BOOOOOOOO! Dates for this new jaunt to come shortly.
From punknews: "Today has been dubbed Grey Tuesday, courtesy of hundreds of websites worldwide. The websites, organized by Downhill Battle, are protesting EMI's cease-and-desist order on DJ Danger Mouse, who recently released The Grey Album.
"The Grey Album is a remix record of mythic proportions - the music from The Beatles' White Album and the rhymes from Jay-Z's The Black Album have been fused together as one new album. EMI has essentially banned distribution of The Grey Album, both physically(only 5000 copies were made) and electronically, threatening anyone who hosts the MP3s with legal action.
"Today, hundreds of websites have uploaded the record in full in protest, and hundreds more have turned their colors grey in support of the cause. To find out more information on this issue and locate what sites are supporting Grey Tuesday, head to GreyTuesday.org."
sweetdisaster has a copy of The Grey Album, the source of which we'll not divulge. More on this later.
Tomorrow night Three Days Grace are playing Jay Leno; be on the lookout for the mohawked guitarist rocking an Is Grace Enough t-shirt! Yeeeaaah baby!!
onegoldenspoon are apparently covering Canadian Music Week in Toronto later this spring. The memories flood back. *reminisces*
I've been swearing rather violently at my computer for the last three minutes. Hopefully no one has heard my tiradte. Why, you ask? Because the Ottawa Public Library, with the minimal funds granted to them by the feds, are forced to serve the public with computers running - get this now - Windows 95. No joke. Win 95. It's a pretty sad state of affairs, and no doubt I'm not the first or last person massively inconvenienced by it, but bottom line is that an hour's work was just tossed into the street because of it. So we'll do the update over. Heeeeere we gooooo!
Windows Ninety-Five. Wow.
And now, the news.
New York Fries(a place I wouldn't eat at as my first choice, but that's just me) have a new ad campaign themed around their New York-ness and 'authenticity'. To that end, public transit here in Ottawa has a slew of ads, and the funniest one I've seen is one that reads 'Our Fries Are Always Fresh. Like your sister.' Oh MAN, that's funny.
There are a ton, a ton, of big shows hitting Ottawa in the next month or two; I'll just list a few bands on their way here: Thursday, Poison the Well, Mad Caddies, Silverstein, Most Precious Blood, did I mention THURSDAY???, .hopesfall, and the list goes on and on and on. For all the listings, check our bruddas and sistas over at punkottawa, and keep your calendars clear. Wow. I wonder how many of these extravaganzas I'LL be able to hit.
I was at HMV earlier today seeing what was new on the listening posts, and I found the debut album from Vancouver's Crowned King(opened for Billy Talent back in November). So I'm listening to that, digging the rock-with-horns goodness, and reading through the liner notes(I'm big on details), and what do I see? The last band thanked is none other than Canadian Christian rock pioneers Hokus Pick, long since defunct and also from Vancouver. How 'BOUT that? Anyone remember The Pick? Played Ottawa like annually for a long time.
Winnipeg masters Comeback Kid, always touring machines, have lined up a ton of dates in the next couple months with bands like With Honour, Every New Day, Scars of Tomorrow and Bleeding Through. An interesting note is that March 4th's Winnipeg show at WACC(whatever that is) will be taped by MuchMusic. Comeback Kid on Much? Awesome! [hxc]
Essential listening for today is The Revolution Will Begin In The Blink Of An Eye Vol. 1, a compilation put out last year by Mono Vs. Stereo Records, featuring bands like The Evan Anthem, House of Heroes and Boywunder. Some killer emo/hardcore/punk/miscellaneous stuff on here, babies.
Indie Vision Records are putting together their first Indie Vision Tour, featuring six IVM bands tearing it up across the USA; check out the site for all the details. Itineraries are still being pieced together.
Underground DJ Dangermouse has created The Grey Album, a combination of The Beatles' White Album and - you guessed it - Jay-Z's Black Album. I've yet to hear it, but longtime contributor DJ Omnifik has his hot little hands on a copy that I'll be auditioning in the near future. I bet it's enormous, and there's already a flurry of lawsuits and controversy around this album. We'll keep you posted.
Isn't this something: ex-Sense Field vocalist Jon Bunch has been recruited by the remnants of Further Seems Forever. FSF had previously decided upon their 'certain disbanding', but have changed their mind. So much for the Strongarm resurrection we here at sweetdisaster had hoped for. Bunch will do the vocals for the upcoming new album from FSF that former vocalist Jason Gleason walked away from, so as far as we know, it's full sails for the band that released the best record of 2003, How To Start A Fire. Good on them. [buzzgrinder]
It's snowing outside. I talked to one of my best friends yesterday evening out in New Brunswick(that's eastern Canada, for those not in the know) and she said it was a blizzard, and then I saw mad snowstorms on TV out there, and I wonder if we're gonna get that hot action here. That'd be awesome! I love blizzards.
The resident transcription genius here at sweetdisaster finally typed out the Billy Talent interview we did back in November or December, when they played a huge show at Capital Music Hall. So keep your eyes out for that and a wack of other stuff. We do our best around here.
hxcmp3 did a huge service to the undeground community by providing a web home for a ton of bands left in the cold when mp3.com bit the big one; unfortunately, they've incurred a bill of approximately $425(U.S.) by going over their bandwidth allowance. If the spirit moves you, hit them up and make a donation to help 'em keep afloat.
Jazz princess Norah Jones sold over a million copies of her new album Feels Like Home in the first week out, becoming only the second female artist to sell a million plus in seven days. Kudos to her. We don't know offhand who the first was, but I'm guessing Madonna back in her heyday, and, well, look where she is now.
Speaking of Madonna, do you realize Deftones are ON Madonna's record label? Maverick? That never ceases to amaze me.
Check out some brand-new Dead Poetic tunes right over here, thanks to the fine folks at purevolume.com and buzzgrinder. I've heard one track thanks to my lovely friend Kelly B. and it sounded too P.O.D.ish for my liking(as in post-2000 P.O.D.), so I hope it was an anomaly and not the norm.
From a very valued and longtime source(what is UP, Dave Leibold??) comes word that Switchfoot are coming as close to Ottawa as they ever will: April 14th at the Opera House in downtown Toronto, and the next night at Montreal's Club Soda. Anyone with wheels wanna take me? I'd love to see that show. No word on who's opening, but presumably switchfoot.com's got all that stuff.
We had an inkling about this, for our own private reasons: The Juliana Theory will be headlining a club tour in the spring with special guests Anberlin(SUCH a great band!), Bayside and Number One Fan. This jaunt will hit the west coast of America as well as the midwest and parts of Canada(maybe Ottawa, but who knows). To whet your appetite, check out the band's new video for 'My Heart Is A Soldier'.
This Just In: it's snowing really hard out now! Wheee!
Hamilton, Ontario band Kitchens & Bathrooms have been building a buzz over the years with their 'math'-y sound, and decapolis has a review of their album Vehicles Beyond right over here. Enjoy!
This is massively cool: apparently Ottawa band Is Grace Enough's guitarist Simon is muy tight with a guy named Barry Stock, who's the new guitarist for fast-rising southern-Ontario band Three Days Grace, and when the band was here in Ottawa last week opening for Nickelback, Simon gave Barry an IGE t-shirt, and my man is gonna rock it when Three Days Grace plays Leno next week! I'm SO watching.
I really wanna own this sometime: check out this review of the new U2 DVD Live at Slane Castle.
You know who's an absolutely killer band? Madball, of course.
Yesterday we reported that the Johnny Cash classic 'Ring of Fire' was tentatively gonna be placed in a TV ad campaign for hemorrhoid cream; well, the Cash family has, mercifully, nixed that idea. There's still hope for this world.
We got a new Beastie Boys album out this summer on Capitol Records; this'll be the first Beasties record since '98, and I for one hope it's better than that single they rushed out early in 2003. What a botch that was. [aversion]
Somone got engaged over at Salad Dressing Records!! Wheee!!!! Congrats, bro!!
Between the Buried and Me have solved their membership issues: they've copped some of the guys from Evelynn, who are now well and truly over. How 'bout that? Evelynn never got produced as well as they should have been. Ah well. [hardcorechristian]
What up, Switchfoot fans in Los Angeles? The band is shooting a video for 'Dare You To Move'(one of their best songs ever in my humble opinion) February 24th(that's five days from RIGHT NOW!); if you're in the L.A. area and get Switchfoot emails with alarming regularity as I do even though I'm not from anywhere near L.A., check your inbox frequently.
This made me laugh, from the Tooth & Nail email update: "The Mike Bullard Show is the David Letterman show of Canada"! Oh man, I might simply collapse of mirth. For the record, Mike Bullard doesn't TOUCH Letterman. Not even in the same hemisphere.
In other T&N news, Holland have changed their name to The Lonely Hearts. I didn't like them much as Holland, and I probably won't like them much more with the new moniker, but there you go.
Massive congratulations are in order to Dan Stephens, founder and editor of The Scene, who recently got engaged out in California, his home state. Way to BE, white boy!
New Found Glory finally have another new record coming out; release date is May 18th, and it's called Catalyst. I'm such a fan of the pop-punk sometimes. Disgusting! [absolutepunk]
The Evan Anthem are hitting the road with Spoken as of tomorrow, February 20th. I would love to see that show. Go find the dates and venues over here!
Rumours abound that The Juliana Theory's newer stuff sounds more like Emotion Is Dead. That makes me happy, not that I didn't like their major-label album Love; I did. Just not as much as their older stuff. Shut up! Get away!
I'm gonna start today off with some Really Bad News that I just got wind of not half an hour ago: one of the best acts in music, let alone Christian music, is calling it quits. Sixpence None the Richer wrote a public letter that was printed for the first time in the new issue of CCM magazine, saying simply that it's over. Man, what a bummer. I'm not even gonna recommend anything in particular from them you should listen to; just find everything you can get your hands. They will be truly missed. By me, anyway.
I would link to the letter itself, but CCM are being dinks and making people actually buy the magazine to read it. Go read it at a bookstore or something, but you didn't hear us say it.
Ben Harper was on Letterman last night, playing 'Brown Eyed Blues', and they killed, even with a white dude on rhythm guitar. As well, this has just now been handed to me: the other guest last night, Ashley Judd, is severely hot.
I watched a lot of late-night TV last night: 311 apparently cover 'Love Song' by The Cure; it's on the soundtrack to that new Adam Sandler movie, and they did it last night on Craig Kilbourne. I like Anberlin's version a lot better.
Big ups to the Ottawa Senators, picking up two-time fifty-goal scorer Peter Bondra; these fellas is loading up for a seriously Stanley Cup run, and I for one think they'll do it too. Watch them fly, babies!
Johnny Cash's song 'Ring of Fire' is apparently being considered for use in some TV spots for, um, hemorrhoid cream, and his family is furious. I think I would be too. Read that in the paper this morning.
Also in today's Ottawa Citizen was an in-depth look at the downloading industry/crackdown here in Canada; some revealing facts and insider opinion. Check the piece out online; for some reason it won't let us link it here, but hit up ottawacitizen.com, and when you're directed to this other site hit 'newspapers', find the Citizen, click on TechWeekly, and you'll see it. Presto change-o.
The new issues of Relevant and HM magazines are on newsstands now; go get 'em, tiger.
What is THIS? Rush doing a 30th anniversary tour for four months and not playing a single show in CANADA? GEEZ! [onegoldenspoon]
This Just In: every Sevendust song sounds largely the same to me.
I'd have loved to be there: check out some footage of behind-the-scenes stuff at the Most Precious Blood video shoot. Oh, and pastepunk kills, so check them kids out. [pastepunk]
Relevant continues their dominance with news of Conan O'Brien's sock puppet Triumph the Insult Comic Dog being castigated by Canadian politicians after last week's little skit in which Triumph mercilessly ripped into French-Canadians - right at Quebec's Winter Carnival. I personally thought some of the lines were funny.
Seven Dove Award nominations for Tooth & Nail Records? Believe it.
Short-lived Zao vocalist Josh Ashworth is rumoured to have rejoined his former band, Society's Finest. This makes us happy. [lambgoat]
Oooooh man, if you're anywhere Syracuse, NY, be at The Furnace April 3rd to see a one-time-only The Path of Resistance(ex-Earth Crisis) gig alongside Shockwave and Quebec's own A Perfect Murder. Ooooooh MAN! [theprp]
Alexisonfire, continuing in their quest for world domination, have been added to the upcoming Avenged Sevenfold/My Chemical Romance tour. That'll be a good show if it goes to your town.
Welcome to your Tuesday afternoon, kids. To get you into the swing of things, check out 'Live It!' by the recently-departed-on-indefinite-hiatus Paul Colman Trio, straight outta Australia. I don't know where to find it online; exert a little effort, people. Work with us here. PC3 played last June's SoulFest outside of Ottawa, and they straight-up killed. Oh, and one of the dudes in the band is an exact double of Treble Charger's bassist. Remember Treble Charger? Man, they were awesome back in the '90s.
Kudos to the Ottawa Senators, signing "enforcer" Rob Rae for the remainder of the season; this will hopefully address some of the toughness issues. Lord knows this team doesn't lack scoring punch or defensive grit; we got two d-men with double-digit goals and it's just past the all-star break, for heaven's sake. Now we need our boy Mike Fisher back and we're good to go. This concludes the sports portion of the news.
Remember the Get Up Kids? They put out a couple massively popular records a few years ago and then released two in a row that listeners didn't seem to connect with; neither, apparently, are we supposed to with their new album, Guilt Show. Check out this scathing review.
Big surprise here: Thousand Foot Krutch's scheduled performance on the Mike Bullard Show has been cancelled; no word of a rescheduled date.
Check this out: after my initial misgivings, I've decided that I really like the new L.A. Symphony album, The End Is Now. I would even go so far as to say it's highly recommended. That's a tip, kids. Write it down.
Underground Operations are staying busy; they got their bands touring and releasing records like nobody's business, including yours, but check them out anyway. UO's Bombs Over Providence are opening for heavyweights Flashlight Brown here in Ottawa February 26th at Babylon, while labelmates Protest the Hero are playing the CD release party for local boys Is Grace Enough March 16th at Club SAW. Check the rock action out.
Toronto band and Ottawa favourite Jersey will re-release their Generation Genocide record April 27th through - get this - a Universal Music imprint. Heavens. [aversion]
Innneresting: Project 86 have enlisted Stavesacre bassist Dirk Lemmenes(his wife sent me a publicity picture once!!...what a loser I am) to hold down the low end while P86's bassist is overseas on vacation. For all the info on whassup with the Project, check out their website. [hardcorechristian]
Oh, and Stavesacre are actually working on an independent new album of their very own. Nitro Records didn't work out so hot for the guys.
Under-the-radar favourites of mine Pax217 are working on the follow up to 2002's Engage(great album), and they've also given the punt to their former DJ. Ah well.
Just a reminder: tomorrow night(February 18th), Rochester's Marathon are headlining a show at Club SAW downtown. I hope I can go, but I probably have to work. Either way I'll be doing an interview with vocalist Aaron De la Hoya, so keep your eyes peeled like grapes for that beast.
Y'all gotta check this here out, if for no other reason than that it's the website of a Dutch punk band!!
I'm Dutch. Hence the interest. Mooooving right along...
....or not! Psyche!
Essential listening for today brings you some hiphop flava: last year's Underground Rise album/compilation Vol. 1: Sunrise/Sunset. I call it a compilation because it's basically the mother of all posse-cut albums. This is the one that features a track called 'One Voice' featuring all of both Deepspace5 and the Tunnel Rats. Wow. Something like seventeen MCs in all. Oh, and amazing cover art.
I stopped by CD Warehouse(1383 Clyde Ave. for those in Ottawa's west end what a cheap, cheap plug) to see what was up besides my boy Jeff being back from spending a year and a half with his band Circuit, and I almost, just barely stopped from, walking out with the live album from Rage Against the Machine. Holy crap. There's this minute and a half of ambient crowd noise and intro, then four counts on the drums and then POW! 'Bulls On Parade' is unleashed on Los Angeles. Man, I miss Rage.
Also discovered on this little mission was the fact that Nas guests on the new Korn record; it was almost enough to make me check the track out. Almost, but not quite.
OOOOOOH YEAH, BABY!! Illect's newest recording artist is none other than LA Symphony kingpin Flynn Adam Atkins! His third solo record and debut for Illect will drop in the springtime. That's right!! Werd.
Interesting twist regarding Canadian sales of the new In The Name of Love: Artists United For Africa compilation: apparently due to certain legalities, the album will still be sold here, but the proceeds will go to a Canadian charity. Check this word from CMC Distibution exec Tony Cooper: "Originally the album was being produced in conjunction with World Vision (U.S.) to support their efforts in Africa to help fight AIDS. We have recently found out that this only applies to the U.S. and cannot be sold in Canada. As a result we are forging ahead but with the proceeds going to World Vision Canada. This means that a lot of the legality of the record needs to be worked out before CMC can release it into the market. It will be the same songs, done by the same artists but the benefit will go to a Canadian charity instead." Innneresting.
If anyone but Relevant had posted this I wouldn't have cared, but, well, I don't know how true this here is...
Former Underoath guitarist Octavio Fernandez has a new band called Anam Cara, and they've just signed with Strikefirst Records, along with another SoCal band called Trauma. I've yet to hear anything from Strikefirst that really blew my mind. Good, but not great, y'dig? [hxc]
This here makes us here at sweetdisaster proud; scroll down to #39, babies. [rockrebel]
If you didn't already know, late-night host Conan O'Brien, a longtime favourite of mine, has been taping Late Night this week out of the Elgin Theatre in downtown Toronto. It's been a predictable week of Canadian humour and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog trashing French-Canadians right in Quebec, but the highlight has been the nightly battles between these two dudes dressed as Toronto's CN Tower and Seattle's Space Needle. Classic humour. Oh, and Mike Myers was great Tuesday night for the first show. Those Toronto kids go APE for this; you should see that theatre during the show intro.
Essential listening for today: Rancid's latest, Indestructible. These guys still got it a decade-plus into their careers.
Some Thousand Foot Krutch news: the band's newest album Phenomenon is about to get re-released along with a push from Best Buy stores across the USA. As well, the WB show Smallville featured TFK's hit 'Rawkfist' during an episode Wednesday night. To top it off, the album has been nominated for a Dove Award this year; not sure who the competition is offhand, but it's a worthy nod for top spot.
bedlamsociety has it goin' on; hop on over there for lots of contests and news and videos and schtuff. Oh, and some new online music from The Chariot, Downset and Helmet, among a slew of others!
You know those Time Life commercials featuring various compilation albums? Check this out: there's one called Committed 2 Rock featuring Dave Matthews, Nickelback and...dc Talk? Awesome!!
The Passion of Christ is, by all accounts I've read and heard, simply unbelievable. This is the one movie this year I'll be moving heaven and earth to see in theatres. To view a trailer, check here.
Slipknot is playing the second stage at this summer's OzzFest tour. That's the 'whatever' news. The GOOD news is this: also on that stage are Hatebreed, Every Time I Die, Bleeding Through and Atreyu. That's a stage. [hxc]
You wanna see this show when the tour hits your city: Zao are reportedly headining a Ferret Music tour in May, featuring Misery Signals, Scarlet and Prodigal Zoo, who I've never heard of before in my entire life, but I trust Carl at Ferret, so I bet they're at least decent.
When a show you put on and tour sells out eighty percent of the shows, you're gonna be inclined to do it again, which is what Eddie DeGarmo, creator of Hero!, the rock opera, is intent on doing: twenty-one more shows have been announced, beginning April 13th and running through May 10th(dates and venues available here). Jesus will once again be portrayed by dc Talk's Michael Tait(them again!). [cmcentral]
Ooooh, mystery: Illect has signed a new artist; more news to come when it's released.
Rochester's Marathon are gonna be here in Ottawa next week Wednesday. That'd be February 18th for those of us keeping track at home. Check that out; details over here.
According to thescout, The Juliana Theory are now free agents, meaning Epic Records dropped them. Another ill-fated major-label experiment, and I hope, having seen the band and interviewed vocalist Brett, that they're able to put it behind them. Someone sign these guys!
Wow. Braid are apparently reuniting and doing a full US tour later this year. How 'bout that?
New Jersey, listen up: the first announcements regarding this year's Skate & Surf Festival have been made.
Let's do this.
Essential listening for February 12th: Manafest's debut album full-length My Own Thing, straight outta Toronto. Betta reckanize!
I finally received the current issue of HM magazine yesterday after much hassle regarding my subscription; the P.O.D. cover story by HM managing editor/longtime P.O.D. associate/hxc.com founder David Allen is pretty good. Too bad the Pillar interview starts with four or five lines of black text on a black background, rendering it quite unreadable.
Woohoo! A Simpsons movie is rumoured to be hitting the big screens in 2006! This is secondhand knowledge stolen directly from the kids at pastepunk, and you really should go hit them up. They do way more CD reviews than us. What disgusting self-starters over there. Honestly.
Check out a new Juliana Theory video the band recently shot with uberdirector Darren Doane down in Nashville; the band is playing the legendary CBGBs in the NYC next Tuesday to boot. [absolutepunk]
Speaking of videos, Burlington, ON's Boysnightout(good band) are shooting one of their own March 3rd and 4th. No idea on the details. Cry me a river!!
The Ska Is Dead and You're Next tour is about to decimate north America. If you're still into the two-tone and plaid riddims, check this here out.
Apparently Tooth & Nail Records have a "very exciting announcement" regarding Further Seems Forever in the near future. I hope it's that the four guys who used to be Strongarm are reforming under that name! Incidentally, rumour has it FSF went so far as to ask former vocalist Chris Carrabba(now, of course, of Dashboard Confessional) to take the mic for the T&N tour that Further were to headline. No dice! [decapolis]
I really want the new albums from Premonitions of War and All Out War. If anyone at Victory Records reads this, whyncha hook a brother up?
I'm still ticked that I slept through the entire game(c'mon, I was wiped), but check out this review of Super Bowl Weekend in Houston! As if I missed one of the best Super Bowls in like twenty years. Booooooo.
Lords, featuring ex-members of National Acrobat and Slow Suicide among others, has signed a deal with Louisville's Initial Records - the label that put out that killer Black Flag tribute record about a year ago. Lords' label debut EP, The House That Lords Built, will hit April 20th. [aversion]
Bad Religion's new album has a tentative title: The Empire Strikes First. Whatever they settle on in the end, the CD will come out June 8th on Epitaph...I still can't believe Epitaph signed Converge!!
We're still chasing down a more thorough interview with Ottawa Senators' centre Mike Fisher regarding music, his faith and when exactly his elbow will be 100% again(the Senators really need his hands and forechecking!). Keep your eyes peeled for that.
Nothingface broke up. We don't really care. Wait, who're Nothingface?
In breakup news we DO care about, Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri has left the band! Crap! [noisetheory]
Check out the newest stuff from The Beautiful Mistake right over here; this song comes from the upcoming album This Is Who You Are, out June 6th.
In Holy Ridiculous Numbers news, Comcast wants to buy Disney for - get this now - fifty-four BILLION dollars. C'mon. Be real. Oh, and you know what Relevant is calling Janet Jackson's little stunt at the Super Bowl? Boobygate. That is TOO funny! Isn't it?
Isn't it?
Confession: I really like Nelly Furtado. She's not my favourite artist of all time by any means, or even my favourite female artist, but she's not a trashy type at all, and I think she has something to say that's relevant to everybody who cares to listen. My webmaster'll probably be like, "What're you posting that for??" when he reads this, but I'M IN CHARGE. As it says at relevant.com, "[Furtado is] the perfect recovery music for pathetic emo kids who need a bit of help." Anyway, here's a review of Ms. Furtado's latest, Folklore. Ex-Philosopher Kings vocalist Jarvis Church also appears on the album.
From oftentimes source Dave Leibold(CKCU's Over My Head is his Sunday morning radio show) comes word that former Screaming Giant Records band 7-10 Split have a new album coming called Kill The Messenger(obviously with a label other than the long-defunct SGR). The band also has a track on a new punk compilation put out by Burnout Records, so track that action down.
Again - for those who don't know - happy birthday to me!! Everyone does what I say today! I'm the prince of the ghetto! No, I'm not.
More news. Because that last update was cut off midstream! I hate that!
The show on Monday, February 16th at Zaphod's here in Ottawa is indeed free cover, as confirmed by My Boy Ryan last night. The show features Hartsfield, The Transit and The Fully Down. In other words, three of the best acts Ottawa has to offer. It'll be hot; c'mon out.
In related news, Ryan's band Is Grace Enough is dropping their East End Industries debut Cross Your Heart and Hope To Die March 1st; I've heard this record, kids, and they aced it. Soon to become(hopefully) a well-known Ottawa export. Here's to their success.
Some more Ontario-based news: Toronto band Jude the Obscure have gone on a hiatus for a while. No news of any quarrels or anything amongst members, not that it'd be any of anyone else's business if there were. [lambgoat]
Even MORE Canadian bands: Vancouver's 3 Inches of Blood(who write the best songs Iron Maiden never did) officially signed with Roadrunner Records last week; this is a roster that also included at one point or another Sepultura and the like. Oh, and, um, Nickelback. To give context to any young kids out there who know nothing - yet.
We mentioned The End earlier; killer band, amazing new record, and now a string of U.S. tourdates:
3/1 Indianapolis IN @ Rehearsal Studios w/ Exhumed, Premonitions of War
3/2 Milwaukee WI @ Center Center w/ POW
3/3 St. Louis MO @ Creepy Crawl w/ POW, Macabre
3/4 Nashville TN @ The 5 Spot w/ POW, Macabre
3/5 Atlanta GA @ Masquerade w/ POW, Macabre
3/6 Pinellas Park FL @ Pinellas Park Expo Center
3/7 Jacksonville FL @ Jackrabbits w/ POW, Macabre
3/8 Spartanburg SC @ Ground Zero w/ POW, Macabre
3/9 Richmond VA @ Nancy Raygun's w/ POW
3/10 Reading PA @ Bass Mint
3/11 Baltimore MD @ Otto Bar w/ POW, Macabre
3/12 Irvington NJ @ Cricket Club
3/13 Cleveland OH @ Pirate's Cove w/ 27
3/14 Chicago IL @ Fireside Bowl w/ 27
3/15 Lawrence KS @ Bottleneck w/ 27
3/16 Oklahoma City OK @ The Conservatory w/ An Albatross, more
3/17 Fort Worth TX @ Wreck Room w/ High On Fire, Zeke, more
3/18 Austin TX @ Emo's Annex w/ High On Fire, Zeke, more
3/19 Little Rock AR @ Downtown Music
3/20 Evansville IN @ 1123 @ 1123 First Ave
3/22 Philadelphia PA @ First Unitarian Church w/ Dying Fetus, BBTS
3/23 Pittsburgh PA @ The Eye w/ Dying Fetus
3/24 Detroit MI @ I Rock w/ Dying Fetus
3/26 Minneapolis MN @ Triple Rock Social Club w/ Dying Fetus
3/27 Combined Locks WI @ Ryan's Ballroom w/ Dying Fetus
You owe it to your headbangin' self to catch this show.
Honestly, we don't feel like typing it all out ourselves here, so if you wanna read about what's going on with Zao, check this here out. Former vocalist Dan Weyandt returns, new rhythm section, etc etc etc. The saga continues!
Check it: Trustkill Records' Blood Sweat and Ten Years anniversary compilation hits on the 24th of this month, and here be the songs therein:
01 - Eighteen Visions - "Waiting For The Heavens"
02 - Walls Of Jericho - "A Little Piece Of Me"
03 - ArmsBendBack - "The Arms Of Automation"
04 - Throwdown - "You Can't Kill Integrity"
05 - Most Precious Blood - "Your Picture Hung Itself"
06 - Poison The Well - "Pieces Of You In Me"
07 - Bleeding Through - "On Wings Of Lead"
08 - Nora - "I Should've Sent Flowers"
09 - Hopesfall - "The Bending"
10 - Open Hand - "11th Street"
11 - Poison The Well - "Slice Paper Wrists"
12 - ArmsBendBack - "Gary Gilmore's Eyes"
13 - Eighteen Visions - "Vanity"
14 - Throwdown - "Forever"
15 - Hopesfall - "Decoys Like Curves"
16 - Bleeding Through - "Love Lost In A Hale Of Gunfire"
17 - Most Precious Blood - "The Great Red Shift"
18 - Nora - "Nobody Takes Pictures Of The Drummer"
Wow. [theprp]
Don't forget: Conan is live in Toronto all this week! 12:35am on whatever station you watch Mr. O'Brien on!
April 22nd at Babylon here in Ottawa will see Rufio returning to the capital for the second time, along with Senses Fail(great band!), Autopilot Off and Don't Look Down. I for one will try to be at this show. [punknews]
Canadian dates for the 2004 Warped Tour:
13-Jul TUE Vancouver, BC Thunderbird Stadium
15-Jul THU Calgary, AB Race City Speedway
12-Aug THU Quebec City Colisee Pepsi Parking Lot
13-Aug FRI Montreal, QB Parc Jean Drapeau
14-Aug SAT Toronto, ON The Docks
Thassss right.
Essential listening for this, my 24th birthday, is actually my present to myself: The End's Relapse Records debut Within Dividia. What a mother of an album. Holy tech metal. Get it if you dig that kinda thing. 'Canadian version of Dillinger Escape Plan' nothing; these kids rock entirely in their own right.
Much love goes out to my friends and family, and they are many, for celebrating today with me. Props. Particular love and respect to Amy Clark, who shares this day with me. Way to be nineteen!
And now, the news.
Evanescence won the Grammy for Best New Artist. How 'bout that? They beat the likes of Fitty Cent and Sean Paul, which is pretty impressive. As well last night, Robert Randolph and the Family Band absolutely killed during their blitzkrieg portion of the Tribute to Funk thing(did you see George Clinton? Guy didn't look like he knew where he was).
P.O.D.'s new video for 'Change the World' features a lot of Sonny face time and not a whole lot of the rest of the band. Just thought I'd letcha know that. Man, times change. You'd never know their guitarist is a white guy judging by that slice.
Well then! In the three days since I last hit 'em up, hxc have given themselves a facelift; check it out.
Every Time I Die and As I Lay Dying will be in Toronto and Montreal on March 27th and 28th respectively. They will not be in Ottawa. DOH!
GRITS, a hiphop duo I love but whose last album tanked in my mind, have two albums hitting in 2004. What the...? Read about the whats and whys over here!
Aaron Sprinkle has a new record out, entitled Lacklustre. This is reason enough to hit a record store near you ASAP. This guy writes fantastic lo-fi songs. Seriously. Oh, and speaking of record stores, Tower Records, one of the biggest U.S. chains, filed for bankruptcy last week. How 'bout that? More ammo for the anti-filesharing movement, no doubt. If you're interested in that, too bad, but if you wanna read about Sprinkle's new disc, check this out.
Norma Jean have three, count 'em three new songs ready for their next album! WHEEEEE!! [buzzgrinder]
Once again, kudos to Webmaster Dave for improvements in in the general look of this place you see before you; he mentioned recently that he wanted to get some thumbnail shots of album covers, and lo! To your right you'll see one such item! Go read the review of the Symphony In Peril album too; though it doesn't represent the views of all of us here at sweetdisaster, it sure doesn't pull any punches.
When you're done doing that, essential listening for today is Falling Cycle's classic monster song 'Before Night Falls'. One of the three decently-produced songs out of twelve on its mother album(2002's The Conflict), it's a lasting testament to a great band - Falling Cycle recently played their last show. Boooooo!
A guy I grew up with, Joel Gelensye, who is also a world-class figure skater(go figure) has been pursuing music with a vengeance the last few years, and it shows by his new album that I saw yesterday. Can't recall the name offhand, but if you check out his website, you'll get all the goods. He's Dutch and he lives in a trailer. What else can you ask for?
February 16th three of Ottawa's best bands, The Transit, The Fully Down and Hartsfield rock Zaphod's. It's a Monday, so I have a sneaking feeling it's a free Monday-night show, as per usual at Zaphod's. I probably have to work though. No fair! Go check it out. Zaphod's is at 27 York St. here in lovely metropolitan Ottawa.
Speaking of which, three nights later on the 19th, The Fully Down open for another great local band, Keep Yourself Good Company, this time at Barrymore's Music Hall(323 Bank St.) I'm so hitting that one.
Just in from Phil Waring, bassist extraordinaire: Hamilton metal band Rise Over Run have called it quits - for the second time. According to Phil, they're not returning this time around. Bummer. However, Phil's got a new band called Keep It Up, also featuring Alexisonfire's merch manager on vocals, as well as one of the guys from A Day And A Death Wish. Keep your eyes peeled for that action.
Conan O'Brien is taking his dog-and-pony show to Toronto all next week. His guests will include Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and a host of other A-list types. I'd love to go to a taping. Who wants to take me?
Further Seems Forever, to no one's surprise, are not part of the first-ever Tooth & Nail Tour, which kicked off last night in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, due to their, um, unpleasant breakup circumstances of late. Man, I'm gonna miss those guys. Tooth and Nail "made every possible attempt to make their involvement a reality", but it just wasn't to be.
Ontario band Starfield are 'introduced' to the media at large via their cover of U2's '40' on the new compilation benefit album, In The Name Of Love. My boys 7th Factor played a show with these guys a year or so ago; check them out. Also featured on the CD? Little ol' bands like Delirious? and Newsboys. Just little bands like that. Right.
Thanks to buzzgrinder for linking to our Mike Knott feature piece(see above); Lord knows we've linked to them only a THOUSAND times since our inception. What up, PA?
Turns out the new Training For Utopia will contain nothing but "tracks from their earlier releases plus a rewired version of 'One Zero One'. Big deal.
If you haven't noticed, Webmaster Dave put up a ton of new material up today; we got the long-promised interviews with Mike Knott(see the feature up above there), Vermont hardcore vets My Revenge!, Most Precious Blood and whoever else. Plus a wack of new CD reviews. So a million thanks to Webmaster Dave! *thumbs up*
From illect's email newsletter: singles from both Sintaxtheterrific and Stu Dent are in the top ten at Christian radio and retail, so that's, um, terrific(pardon the pun), and 2004 is looking bright for one of Christian hiphop's rising labels. Check out illect; don't be left behind.
This is morbidly funny: Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk was clocked in the head by a heaved mic stand courtesy of vocalist Ben Kowalewicz at a show in Edmonton earlier this week. He's healing well, but I bet it was a problem for the live set. Kinda hard to play a song with your drummer out cold. [chartattack]
The Passion of Christ, Mel Gibson's soon-to-be best-loved film, opens February 25th...at least in the States; not sure about Canada, but I don't see why it'd be any different here. Anyway, it's rumoured to be an absolutely amazing movie, so you should make plans to see it.
The David Crowder Band are headlining their very first tour alongside Paul Wright and Telecast. The Illuminate tour kicks off February 16th in Oklahoma City; check this out for more.
This here is the e-card for Starflyer 59's upcoming album I Am The Portuguese Blues, which comes out on the 24th of this month. Oh, and the new Blindside hits that day too. What a bonanza! [Relevant]
The cover art for the new Pedro the Lion record is being done by the same guy who did the artwork for the last Shins record. I LOVE that cover! [bandoppler]
Go read all our new material. We're getting closer to being the webspace/magazine/whatever that we wanna be. Thanks for your prayers, those of you who are doing so. That means you, Heidi.
The current issue of Relevant magazine(God.Life.Culture as the byline says) FINALLY showed up at my dwelling Monday after I waited over a MONTH for it. It was worth it. This magazine is seriously something special, and please do note that alliteration there. Their website is the happenin' place ta be.
Ferret Records' Funeral For A Friend received a nomination for best new artist at the NME awards thingy. I don't care about awards shows, but FFAF are a good band. [punkhardcore]
Essential listening for today - like absolutely essential - is Deftones' 1997 classic Around The Fur. Nothing I could say about it hasn't been said before and better. Just get to listening. Wow.
Throwdown drummer Aaron Flora apparently belted out a version of David Cassidy's decades-old hit 'I Think I Love You' on American Idol last week. Is nothing sacred? Geez. [noisetheory]
Two very newsworthy bits from buzzgrinder: longtime sweetdisaster favourites The Blamed called it quits a while ago, and no one told anyone else. I'd wondered what they were up to, but I was too lazy to find out for myself. Founding member Bryan Gray(Brian? don't know) is working with ex-Living Sacrifice members on new music, which sounds very promising. The Blamed's first few records(early to mid-'90s, particularly 21 and Frail) were instrumental in bringing me into the underground, as well as establishing Tooth and Nail Records back in the day. R.I.P.
Also from the 'Grinder: check out a new song from the upcoming Pedro the Lion album. Song's called 'Discretion', from the album Achilles' Heel, out May 25th. Pedro will also be touring here and there in the spring with labelmates Ester Drang.
WHOA! WHOA! Hold up here! New Training For Utopia? What is this glorious ruckus before me?? According to what I see here, the new TFU album, Technical Difficulties, is being prepared for an April 20th release through Solid State Records. Is this a joke? I get the feeling this is a joke. I hope not though.
Yo, if you're anywhere even near Springfield, Mass., check out this show February 15th at Fat Kat's: The End, Premonitions of War, Burnt By The Sun and Breather Resist. Wow. The End's brand-new album Within Dividia is just ridiculous.
junkedcamera have some new pictures up(ie Yellowcard and Jersey from last Friday's show) along with a new contest and other fun schtuff. Get on over there.
As of February 1st, aversion turned five years old. Congratulations to one of the best 'zines out there! In that time they've cranked out almost 1,500 revies and 225 features. Two hundred and twenty-five! I thought I bordered on prolific til I read that. Kudos.
From the ol' inbox: Pigeon John, or as those in the know call him, Pigeon Juan(pronounced in a distinct Spanish accent) appears in the new issue of Spin; they're proclaiming him an 'emo rap revolutionary'. Uh....huh. As well, Pigeon and Ugly Duckling are hitting Europe and the U.K. come March; keep an eye and ear out for that itinerary. This guy is blowing up huge after over a decade in the underground, and we couldn't be happier. This writer actually interviewed Pigeon in May of '03 and LOST the tape. I will resist the urge to curse! I will!
Some notable albums coming out today, at least in the States; good luck finding some of them here Canada's capital city. Hmph.
No Motiv - Daylight Breaking
Off the Record - Nothing New
The Microphones - Live In Japan
[decapolis]
It's sadly official: I got a call last night from Is Grace Enough bassist Ryan, and yeah, tonight's show with Fear Before the March of Flames and Salt the Earth is a no-go; FBTMOF's van's transmission died quite irrevocably, somewhere in the northeastern United States, I would imagine. No word on a makeup date or anything; best to find something else to do tonight(February 3rd). Now I don't feel so bad about having to work til eight and missing the show either way.
Essential listening for this fine mild winter morning is Sixpence None the Richer's 2002 classic Divine Discontent. They keep cranking out heavenly pop albums. Long may they reign.
Just so you're all very clear: "Canadian label East End Industries is extremely excited to announce their first new release of 2004. Is Grace Enough, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is the newest addition to the East End Family and will have a new CD released on East End Industries titled Cross Your Heart And Hope To Die, which will be available March 1st and is ready for pre-order now. Is Grace Enough's brand of music consists of heavy breakdowns, technical guitar riffs, strong vocals and powerful lyrics. Two tracks are available for download at EastEndIndustries.com." We here at sweetdisaster extend our wild, raucous congratulations to one of Ottawa's bright hopes. Woohoo! [punknews]
One of sd.com staffer Josh Chambers' favourite bands, Denali, are having themselves a little headlinin' tour featuring dates with Built to Spill and The Stills. This is fresh after their supporting tour with...Poison the Well and the Deftones? Awesome! Check this out for details and itinerary.
pastepunk, holdin' it down on Strong Island, are in full effect with reviews of Horse the Band(one of the craziest live bands I've ever seen) and more. MORE!
Ooooooooh yeah: The Scene 'Zine is braaaaand-new. Check it out: interviews with Edge of Hope and Age of Ruin(sensing a trend here...) along with CD reviews including The Deal(whose new album Cutthroat is terrific). Get on over there!
Tomorrow night, February 3rd, Fear Before the March of Flames will NOT be rocking Club SAW(67 Nicholas St.) with openers Is Grace Enough and Tribe of Judea. I gotta work, so I won't be there, but apparently Fear's van exploded, and there's "no way" they'll be able to play either tonight or tomorrow night here in Ottawa. Tourmates Salt the Earth are bailing also. Bummer!
Haste The Day, who you'll be hearing lots about when their debut album hits soon, have been added to the Demon Hunter/Dead Poetic tour; you can see if they're destroying your city here.
There's this band Benea Reach from Sweden(I think) who contain within their mighty ranks ex-members of Selfmindead, a terrific band. Anyway, this band is making some noise and have promised some recorded stuff this year. Check out their website for more info. Man, Selfmindead killed. [hxc]
One of the few mainstream Christian bands I can tolerate, Paul Colman Trio, are separating as a recording/performing act as of February 21st. Paul himself will remain down in Nashville as a solo artist. This is being termed an 'indefinite hiatus'. I think it sucks. For the statement from the band, check this out.
This here is a Rhymes Monumental tune featuring Playdough. I've never heard the former, but if the latter is anywhere near a song, it's classic hiphop. Go listen!
Big news from one of Ottawa's best bands: Buried Inside(SO heavy...SO good) are gonna be in the studio from February 9th through the 23rd recording their new record; who's gonna put it out remains up in the air. You know how GOOD these guys are? Ridiculous! Oh, and ex-Botch man Matt Bayles is producing! Impressive. [lambgoat]
Finger Eleven are playing a slew of dates on the US east cost with - get this - No Motiv. Pretty cool show. Go find the dates somewhere; I'm too lazy to post them. [theprp