In This Issue:

GWAR, KORN, THIS IS HELL, PUSCIFER, M83, UH HUH HER, RADIOHEAD, FEERSUM ENNJIN, COLDPLAY, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, DROP THE LIME, POP PUNK’S NOT DEAD TOUR, NEVER SHOUT NEVER, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, PETER GABRIEL, TRANSIT, JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE, OUTASIGHT, GYM CLASS HEROES, THE DIRTY HEADS, GAMEDAY REGULARS, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, ANTHRAX. TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, INSANE CLOWN POSSE, NICKELBACK, deadmau5, FLAMETAL, PORTISHEAD, O’BROTHER,…and some cool new stuff to check out!

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GWAR ANNOUNCES “RETURN OF THE WORLD MAGGOT” FALL TOUR

After successfully decimating Europe this Summer with multiple festival appearances and headlining shows, your lords and masters the almighty GWAR have awoken from their arctic slumber to once again create utter devastation in North America this Fall. The tour kicks off October 18th at in Charlotte, NC and will cross North America wrapping up November 27th in New Haven, CT. Providing direct support on the tour will be Every Time I Die. Ghoul will open the first half of the tour and Warbeast will be opening the second half.

Momentarily putting down his crack pipe, the warty front thing and mutant overlord Oderus Urungus spoke about the carnage that is sure to ensue when GWAR tours North America:

“Once again we blow the mighty horn of war, and summon the most fanatical fans in metal history to pay homage to their brutal overlords, us. Between holding Crack-a-Thons, having GWAR-B-Qs, you might think that your Lords and Masters had forgotten about you…but you won’t get off that easy! GWAR is returning to personally slap the teeth out of your collective mouths, and have a great time while doing it!”

Check out:entgwar-copy

www.gwar.net

www.youtube.com/gwar

www.metalblade.tv/tv/

www.facebook.com/gwar

www.myspace.com/gwarofficial

www.gwarjapan.net

and via Twitter feeds:

Oderus: twitter.com/therealoderus

Balsac: twitter.com/BalSacJoD

…and check them out live, if you dare, on 10/21 @ The Palladium and on 11/27 @ Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT.

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KORN TO RELEASE GROUNDBREAKING ALBUM THE PATH OF TOTALITY ON DECEMBER 6

Album and Ballroom Tour To Feature Unique Mix Of Rock And Dubstep

Korn has announced that they will release their tenth studio album, The Path of Totality on December 6. But this is unlike any Korn record.  It’s even unlike any record released before.

The Path of Totality is an experimental album which finds Korn shifting gears and exploring new territory. That should hardly come as a shock to the band’s diehard fans, as Korn exploded onto the scene in the’90s and established themselves as hard rock game changers from that point on.

For The Path of Totality, the band collaborated with some of the leading dubstep and electronic producers in the world, including Skrillex, Excision, Datsik, Noisia, Kill the Noise, and 12th Planet. The result is something completely new, yet utterly and definitively Korn.  Leave it to a band like Korn to continue to reinvent itself two decades deep into its career.

“The title The Path of Totality refers to the fact that in order to see the sun in a full solar eclipse, you must be in the exact right place in the exact right time,” Korn frontman Jonathan Davis explained. “That’s how this album came together. I think all the producers feel the same way. I’m not sure it could ever happen again.”

The band’s recent (and much lauded) collaboration with dubstep’s hottest producer, Skrillex, titled “Get Up!,” was the surprise rock hit of the summer, the buzz of which started in Coachella’s dance tent in April 2011 when Jonathan and Munky joined Skrillex on stage for a show stealing, unannounced performance of the song.

That performance generated the start of a deafening buzz. The track has sold over 150,000 downloads, while the lyric video has generated nearly two million views and counting. The song was a top 10 rock radio hit.

Added James “Munky” Shaffer, “‘Get Up’ started as a bit of an experiment, but we had such an amazing response from our fans and had such a great time collaborating that a full album of tracks came together in a couple of months. We couldn’t wait to get to the studio every day to finish the next song.”

Some of the song titles from The Path of Totality are: “Narcissistic Cannibal,” “Burn the Obedient,” “Illuminati,” “Kill Mercy Within,” and “Chaos Lives in Everything.”

The album will be released in two configurations ~ as a standard 11-song CD and a special edition CD that will include bonus tracks as well as a DVD of The Encounter, a full-length video concert of Korn’s mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime performance in the middle of a 900-foot long crop circle in a wheat field in Bakersfield.  The complete concert, previously seen last year on TV and online in an abbreviated form, will be offered in its entirety to those who purchase the deluxe version.

Additionally, today Korn announced that the first leg of their “Path of Totality (P.O.T.)” tour will play key ballrooms and feature  dubstep DJ’s Datsik and Downlink, as well as young upstart Dutch Dub-rockers Dope D.O.D.  Expect a groundbreaking experience unlike any other Korn tour.

For tickets and more, head to www. korn.com, and make s sure to catch the band on November 3 in Boston.

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THIS IS HELL ANNOUNCES OCTOBER RELEASE DATE FOR NEW ALBUM BLACK MASS

Long Island’s veteran hardcore metal group, This Is Hell, has announced that its fourth studio album, Black Mass, will see an October 11th release on Rise Records, confirming the identity of the mysterious website, AllRiseForTheBlackMass.com. The teaser site has seen a complete update, including a YouTube stream of the brand new track, “Black Mass.”

“The new album takes the crossover and metal influences from last album to much greater extremes and the end product was Black Mass, by far the heaviest and thrashiest songs we’ve written and recorded,” said guitarist Rick Jimenez.

“Lyrically this album touches on issues we haven’t dove into before. Social injustice as a whole is a recurring theme. Persistence and empowerment are familiar themes with us that I’ve revisited, but with an even more aggressive outlook than before.”

Black Mass, the follow-up to the 2010 release Weight of the World, was recorded earlier this summer at Killingsworth Studio in Valley Village, CA with producer, Tomas Costanza.

“The artwork was done by Will Blood, an amazing English illustrator/artist that we’ve worked with on shirts and designs before,” added Jimenez. “The concept came from some lyrics and underlying themes from the album and Will really took the ball and ran with it. Whether someone takes the art at sheer superficial face value, or really absorbs the details and subtleties of it, it’s an extremely powerful piece of artwork. I feel the same way about the music and especially the lyrics on this new record.”

This Is Hell will hit the road next month for a North American tour with Underoath, Comeback Kid and The Chariot.

“We’re very excited for our upcoming tour with Underoath, Comeback Kid, and The Chariot,” said vocalist, Travis Reilly. “We’ve toured many times with Comeback Kid and we look forward to spending more time with them and meeting the other guys. It’s going to be great to play some new songs for a bunch of new faces.”

Stay tuned for more information on This Is Hell and Black Mass.

Catch This Is Hell w/ Underoath, Comback Kid and The Chariot on Oct. 11 at Rocko’s in Manchester, NH.

www.facebook.com/thisishellny

www.myspace.com/thisishell

www.riserecords.com

This Is Hell is:

Rick Jimenez – guitar & vocals

Travis Reilly – vocals

Mike Sciulara – drums

Pieter van den Berg – bass

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PUSCIFER’S CONDITIONS OF MY PAROLE DROPS OCT. 18

A New Collection of Court Ordered Salty Dance Hits

Puscifer, the project ringleader Maynard James Keenan describes as “Twin Peaks in the desert,” will release Conditions of My Parole on Oct. 18 via Puscifer Entertainment.

Man Overboard,” the first single from the album, became available via iTunes and other digital service providers on July 19.

“The Verde Valley is an intrinsic part of what Puscifer is,” explains Keenan.  “It’s equal parts Twilight Zone, Mayberry and Road Warrior. The ghosts and aliens, Republicans and Democrats, cowboys and artists living side by side with hostile creatures such as scorpions, spiders, rattlesnakes, javelina and hippies are just a few of the spicy ingredients that give Conditions of My Parole its unique flavor.”

Conditions of My Parole was recorded in Jerome, Ariz. this spring with tracking done amidst the wine barrels from Keenan’s Caduceus Cellars. The album was produced by Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Josh Eustis.  Contributing musicians for the new album include the aforementioned Keenan, Mitchell, and Eustis as well as Carina Round, Juliette Commagere, Matt McJunkins, Jeff Freidl, Gil and Rani Sharone, Jonny Polonsky, Tim Alexander, Devo Keenan, Alessandro Cortini, Sarah Jones, and Jon Theodore.

Puscifer’s debut album, the infamously censored V is for V***** (2007), charted on both the rock and dance singles charts simultaneously (the full album at #9 on the Billboard Rock Album and “C*ntry Boner” at #1 on Billboard’s Dance Singles Chart).  V is for V***** entered the Billboard Top 200 at #25.

The band turned multimedia troupe carried out Keenan’s vision of an evening that seamlessly combined music, recorded skits and live character sketches over two U.S. tours which were described as an “X-rated episode of Hee-Haw” (Spin) and “a performance art spectacle equal parts comedy cabaret show and guerilla theater” (Las Vegas Review Journal).   Keenan has often stated in interviews that his concept for Puscifer required nearly two decades to pass before the technology was available to create the live performance.

A North American tour kicks off in early November with more information to come.

www.puscifer.com

facebook.com/puscifermusic

twitter.com/puscifer

Photo credit: Meats Meier *** Left to right: Matt McJunkins, Carina Round, Mat Mitchell, Jeff Freidl, Maynard James Keenan, Josh Eustis

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m83-copyM83’S NEW DOUBLE ALBUM ~ HURRY UP, WE’RE DREAMING ~ OUT OCT. 18TH

M83 has announced details for what has become one of this autumn’s most anticipated releases.  M83 (aka Anthony Gonzalez) will release his epic new double album, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, on October 18.

Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, NIN, The Mars Volta, Goldfrapp) and including contributions from Brad Laner (from 90s band Medicine) on guitar, Saturdays=Youth vocalist Morgan Kibby, and guest vocalist Zola Jesus, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is a double-album journey that takes us to the horizon and introduces us to new landscapes. About awakening, craving, and conquering, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming pushes into new vocal territory for M83. Here we see Gonzalez test out different ways of singing, ranging from a spectral breathy whisper to a howling scream.  “I think it is a reflection of my 30 years of being a human being. It’s a compilation of all my previous music together. It’s a retrospective of myself,” says Gonzalez.

M83 fans have the opportunity to hear and download the first single, Midnight City,” now. The humid, adrenaline-driven dreamlike track is unlike anything we have heard from M83 in the past. Midnight City” adeptly sweeps you through abandoned concrete streets swimming in broken neon light. To download the track, visit M83’s official website ilovem83.com/midnight-city or stop by the M83 SoundCloud page to stream it.

The fall tour dates will be M83’s first live shows in over two years.  M83 last toured in support of the widely adored Saturdays=Youth, which saw the band on the road with The Killers in the US, Kings of Leon in the UK, and Depeche Mode in Europe.  Tickets are on sale now.

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is the follow-up to the John Hughes inspired and critics’ favorite Saturdays=YouthPitchfork called it, “An unaccountably alive, complete album,” giving it an 8.5 rating, while the New York Times said, “The music recalls the pumping beats and keyboard hooks of the 1980s as if through a haze of time, floating in lush echoes that round off the edges.”

M83 is Los Angeles based French artist Anthony Gonzalez.

Download “Midnight City” Free On Ilovem83.Com/Midnight-City and check out M83 live on November 20 at The Paradise in Boston.

ilovem83.com | facebook.com/m83music | mute.com

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UH HUH HER COMES TO THE PARADISE

The critically acclaimed electro-pop duo Uh Huh Her ~ Leisha Hailey (keyboards, bass) and Camila Grey (keyboards, guitar) ~ are getting ready to release their forthcoming full-length album Nocturnes and will be headlining the first-ever Keep A Breast music tour supporting breast cancer prevention and awareness throughout October ~ the official National Breast Cancer Prevention Month ~ and beyond. The trek ~ produced by House of Blues Entertainment ~will be stopping in Boston on Tuesday, October 11 at Paradise Rock Club.

“I became a part of Keep A Breast since, like so many others, I’ve been directly affected by breast cancer in my family,” explains CAMILA.  “Luckily, both my grandmothers are breast cancer survivors. Awareness and education are so important in treating this disease since if it’s detected early enough, chances of survival are greatly increased.  I’m happy to be a part of something that will reach young and old alike, and what better way than through music.”

Due out October 11 on Plaid Records (Tunecore/Topspin), Nocturnes was produced by CAMILA and Wendy Melvoin (Prince & the Revolution, Wendy & Lisa) and is the follow-up to their debut album Common Reaction. Recorded at Wendy’s personal studio inside the famed Henson Studios compound in Los Angeles, the 11-song mix perfectly melds moody dance pop with guitar and synth-driven electro. It’s a musical blend that prompted the LA Weekly to describe it as “…a combination of against-the-grain grit and pop ambition that live, delivers a little snarl and a lot of swoon.” (Chris Martins, 4/1/11). Mixed by Tchad Blake and Chris Galland and mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway, album highlights include the anthemic, synthesizer-driven songs “Another Case,” “Wake To Sleep” and “Human Nature” as well as “Same High,” written for and featured in the Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated film The Kids Are All Right. Fan can pre-order the album from the Topspin store: uhhuhher.spinshop.com/

For more info about UHH, visit:

www.uhhuhher.com / www.facebook.com/uhhuhher / twitter.com/uhhuhhermusic

Click here to view the Keep A Breast tour trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcAtzoQ1kLw

For Keep A Breast tickets, visit: www.houseofblues.com.

About Keep A Breast:

The Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by informing young people about methods of prevention, early detection and support. Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being. For more information, visit: www.keep-a-breast.org/tag/keep-a-breast-tour and www.keep-a-breast.org.

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RADIOHEAD

Throughout the summer of 2011, Radiohead has been releasing a series of seven 12-inch singles featuring remixes of tracks from its current album The King Of Limbs by electronic artists and producers who have been exciting and inspiring the members of the band.

The 12-inches, released to independent retailers every two weeks since July 5, will be collected on the 19 track double CD TKOL RMX 1234567. The double CD/download, which brings together all 19 remixes in chronological order, will be released on tbd Records on October 11.

The CD track listing is:

CD1

CARIBOU Little By Little Rmx

JACQUES GREENE Lotus Flower Rmx

NATHAN FAKE Morning Mr Magpie Rmx

HARMONIC 313 Bloom Rmx

MARK PRITCHARD Bloom Rmx

LONE Feral Rmx

PEARSON SOUND Morning Mr Magpie SCAVENGER Rmx

FOUR TETSeparator RMX

CD2

THRILLER Give Up The Ghost HOUSEGHOST Rmx

ILLUM SPHERE Codex Rmx

SHED Little By Little Rmx

BROKENCHORD Give Up The Ghost Rmx

ALTRICE TKOL Rmx

BLAWAN Bloom Rmx

MODESELEKTOR Good Evening Mrs Magpie Rmx

OBJEKT Bloom Rmx

JAMIE XX Bloom Rework

ANSTAM Separator Rmx

SBTRKT Lotus Flower Rmx

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PAUL D’AMOUR’S FEERSUM ENNJIN TO RELEASE SELF-TITLED DEBUT

Founding Member of Tool Returns with New Band

paul-copyPaul D’Amour, founding member of Tool and Lusk, returns to the world of heavy music with Feersum Ennjin’s self titled debut on Nov.1, marking D’Amour’s first rock release since 1995’s Aenima.

Following his work with Tool, D’Amour created the psychedelic outfit Lusk with Brad Laner (Medicine), Greg Edwards (Autolux, Failure) and Chris Pitman (Gun N’Roses).   Lusk released one critically-acclaimed and Grammy-nominated release, Free Mars, in 1997 but their label imploded shortly thereafter and the group subsequently disbanded.  D’Amour moved on to film composition, where he has spent the next dozen years quietly working on music for film and television.

Feersum Ennjin really started as a series of studio experiments but gradually took on a life of its own.” Explains D’Amour on the reasons why he decided the time was right to create a new band after all of these years.  “All of the different musical experiences of my past took form as I found a melodic thread to tie them all together as one sound.  I’m looking forward to taking the next step, to make Feersum Ennjin a living, breathing entity that exists beyond the studio.”

Feersum Ennjin was recorded at various Los Angeles studios with D’Amour acting as producer.  The band will announce tour dates shortly.

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COLDPLAY’S NEW STUDIO ALBUM MYLO XYLOTO

cp-copyColdplay’s fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto (pronounced my-lo zy-letoe), will be released in the U.S. on October 25th by Capitol Records. Produced by Markus Dravs, Daniel Green and Rik Simpson, with enoxification and additional composition by Brian Eno, Mylo Xyloto follows 2008’sViva La Vida, which charted at No. 1 in 36 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Mylo Xyloto will be released in digital, CD and vinyl formats. The 180-gram vinyl edition will include a 12″ x 36″ poster. A special limited edition Pop-Up Album version will also be available, which will include a 12″ x 12″ hardback book containing graffiti pop-up art designed by David A. Carter, vinyl, CD and exclusive content including photographs, excerpts from the studio diary and the band’s personal notebooks. The “reversible” cover art was just revealed at  http://coldplay.com” coldplay.com. Half of the CDs will be packaged with the full color artwork as the cover while the other 50% will have the CD booklet flipped, showing the silver initials “M X” via a die-cut sheet placed over the color image.

“Paradise,” the follow-up to Coldplay’s current single “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” will be released as a commercial single on September 12th. It will ship to radio the same day.

Coldplay ~ Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin ~ is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Billboard, which is out today. The band has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including seven GRAMMY® Awards, six Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards.

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ANIMALS AS LEADERS ANNOUNCE WEIGHTLESS STREET DATE

animals-as-leaders-animals-as-leaders

Progressive instrumentalists Animals As Leaders have announced the release date for their second full-length endeavor, Weightless. The album will be released by Prosthetic Records in North America on Nov. 8. and was produced by drummer Navene Koperweis and Animals as Leaders and mixed by guitarist Javier Reyes. The album marks the recording debut of Koperweis and Reyes with Animals as Leaders and contains the following twelve tracks:

1. An Infinite Regression
2. Odessa
3. Somnarium
4. Earth Departure
5. Isolated Incidents
6. Do Not Go Gently
7. New Eden
8. Cylindrical Sea
9. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless

12. David

The band is currently in Europe supporting Between the Buried and Me following a string of shows as direct support to the Deftones. They will kick off an extensive North American tour alongside Between The Buried And Me on Oct. 27.  More information on Weightless will be revealed in the near future.

Don’t miss Animals at Leaders and their amazing sound on 10/30 in Boston, MA @ House of Blues!

www.myspace.com/animalsasleaders

www.facebook.com/animalsasleaders

prostheticrecords.com/?p=499

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dtl-copyTo preview his upcoming full-length debut album Enter The Night out later this year via Ultra Music, New York-based producer/DJ Drop The Lime’s has announced a North American tour and is bringing his live show to Boston on Wednesday, October 26 at Brighton Music Hall.

Fifties rock ‘n’ roll and bass-heavy club music aren’t two genres you’d typically put together, but in the mind of Drop The Lime’s, they’re a perfect combination. Drop The Lime’s live show pushes the boundaries of electronic dance music by combining his two passions: classic rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll and bass-pumping dance music.

Joined onstage by vintage-costumed backup singers/dancers and a live drummer, Drop The Lime’s fronts the full band as he sings live vocals with guitar strapped in hand.  He masterfully switches to the DJ decks to create a new sound that blends vintage rock with electronic music, all the while holding down his signature New York bass style on tracks like “Shake Baby,” “Let’s Go” and “Hot As Hell.”  Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Drop The Lime’s debut live show at New York’s Music Hall of Williamsburg here: www.vimeo.com/24773610.

Drop The Lime’s current single “Hot As Hell” is available now via Ultra Music and will be the first offering from his album. “Hot As Hell” was first released in the U.K. earlier this year to critical acclaim and had Mixmag hailing the music as “…a hellraising, rockabilly road trip…” Adds Culture Of Me, “…what he’s done with the single, mixing in his voice and an only-for-the-dance-floor drumming beat is nothing short of amazing…Maybe all the chola girls and greaser guys will go back and pick up 7″ records from the likes of The Collins Kids and Wanda Jackson to rip out their parts for more of the billy-bass tunes that may well all come from this. For now, though, we have ‘Hot As Hell,’ and you guys have a good time coming your way.” The song is also receiving support from U.S. tastemakers like KCRW in Los Angeles and the New York Post. Check out the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_KdLVgQkwE.

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ppnd-copyPOP PUNK’S NOT DEAD TOUR FEATURES NEW FOUND GLORY, SET YOUR GOALS, THE WONDER YEARS, MAN OVERBOARD AND THIS TIME NEXT YEAR

Man Overboard will be touring the United States this fall on the Pop Punk’s Not Dead Tour alongside New Found Glory, Set Your Goals, The Wonder Years and This Time Next Year. The tour will start October 6th, hot on the heels of the release of the band’s self-titled debut for Rise Records, hitting stores on September 27th. Man Overboard’s self-titled album was produced by Steve Klein and will feature 12 new songs. Pre-orders and a new track will be coming very soon.

Pop Punk’s Not Dead Tour comes to the House of Blues in Boston on October 27.

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nsn-copyNEVER SHOUT NEVER’S TIME TRAVEL NOW AVAILABLE

HEADLINING TOUR COMES TO HOUSE OF BLUES IN BOSTON ON OCTOBER 25

Never Shout Never have just released their new album, Time Travel, in stores ($9.99 at Target for a limited time) and online (iTunes, Amazon). AOL has the exclusive premiere of the video for the title track. Rolling Stone, who premiered the album in advance of the release, approves: “Time Travel was produced by the musicians themselves, acting for the first time as a real band. And it shows. What follows is the sound of a fully realized, four-piece unit at their moment of self-discovery.”

The band will kick off their headlining tour in Denver and Alternative Press is running a contest for a pair of tickets to each show on the tour.  The grand prize winner will win a private acoustic show by the band at their home.  Check out their performance of the new tracks “Silver Ecstasy” and “Simplistic Trance-Like Getaway” Live at Webster Hall in NYC for MTV.

After several Never Shout Never releases as Christofer Drew’s solo project, Time Travel is the first release to feature a full permanent band consisting of Chris’ longtime friends from Joplin, MO: Caleb Denison (Guitar/Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), Taylor MacFee (Bass/Backing Vocals) and Hayden Kaiser (Percussion/Backing Vocals).  The band produced the entire record themselves.

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enttaking-back-sunday-copyTAKING BACK SUNDAY ANNOUNCE NATIONWIDE HEADLINING FALL TOUR

NEW ALBUM, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, OUT NOW

Fresh from an almost completely sold-out summer tour, Taking Back Sunday will return to the road for a nationwide headlining run this fall. The string of dates, which take the band to towns they haven’t yet visited on this album, kick off October 1 in Pharr, Texas. Arizona five-piece and Warner Bros Records label mates The Maine will support, along with Bad Rabbits.

Taking Back Sunday is touring in support of their self-titled new album; recorded in Los Angeles with producer Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, All American Rejects), Taking Back Sunday is the band’s fifth studio release, three of which have been certified gold.

Critical praise for the album has been effusive: SPIN lauded their “crafty songwriting,” calling the songs “…a fury of crunching guitars, call and response melodies, and bruised, introspective lyrics.”  Guitar World called Taking Back Sunday “…a big leap forward for an American alt/rock band that pretty much defies categorization,” and Entertainment Weekly rated it a B+.

The video for first single “Faith (When I Let You Down),” directed by Chris Marrs Piliero (Black Keys, Britney Spears) premiered on MTV in August and the track is at radio now. Check out the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4AelQt5Fv0

A small allotment of VIP tickets will be available for select shows through Taking Back Sunday and Artist Arena. The VIP ticket gives fans access to an exclusive Q&A and meet and greet with the band along with autographed merchandise and a cut the line pass to be first into the venue. For more information, please visit www.takingbacksunday.com, and check out the band on Oct. 30 at the Pearl Street Ballroom in Northampton, MA.

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entpeter-gabriel-copyPETER GABRIEL RELEASES NEW BLOOD

On the heels of a limited sold-out U.S. summer tour that earned Peter Gabriel some of the best reviews of his career, he will release a full-length CD New Blood on October 11, 2011 distributed by EMI. A continuum to his recent Scratch My Back release, the New Blood album will feature some of Gabriel’s biggest hits from his prodigious career, reconstructed and re-imagined with orchestral arrangements and recorded live with the New Blood Orchestra. Gabriel hand-selected the songs and enlisted the help of longtime collaborator John Metcalfe for the arrangements and Ben Foster as conductor of the 46-piece
New Blood Orchestra.

This treatment is applied with painstaking attention to detail and stunning effect on songs such as “Mercy Street,” “Digging In The Dirt,” “Don’t Give Up,” “San Jacinto” and Gabriel’s all-time classic “Solsbury Hill.” The intention was not to simply rework Gabriel’s biggest songs, but rather, find songs that were enhanced by the massed strings, brass, woodwind and percussion. “Don’t Give Up” ~ now with Norwegian singer Ane Brun’s vulnerable, cracking vocals replacing those of Kate Bush ~ rides a stirring, uplifting coda. Where the twinkle of San Jacinto was originally supplied by loops from a Fairlight sampler, piano and bows now provide the otherworldly magic. But probably the most extraordinary reinterpretation is that of “Rhythm of The Heat,” where Metcalf has recast the original’s extended African drum jam into a dizzying, swirling orchestral maelstrom.

And in front of orchestra, taking centre stage when necessary, retreating into the shadows when not, is Peter’s rich voice. Retaining its trademark emotive power, it returns to lyrics written 20 or 30 years ago, reinvesting them with new meaning and heightened poignancy.

“The orchestra provides different dimensions to the music that weren’t there initially,” confirms Peter. “Rock artists work slowly in studios, building up layer by layer, and one of the great, powerful advantages of an orchestra is all these musicians playing at one moment with all sorts of colors and personalities.”

The album will be available as a standard single-disc and digital download. A special 2-CD version will include the standard album plus an added disc of instrument versions. There will additionally be a heavyweight vinyl version available November 8th that is released with a bonus 7″ featuring “A Quiet Moment” and “Solsbury Hill.” The filmed concert New Blood – Live in London, recorded October 23rd, 2010 at the Hammersmith Apollo, will be available in 3D, blu-ray and standard DVD on October 25th.

TRACKLISTING

1. Rhythm of the Heat
2. Downside Up (featuring Melanie Gabriel)
3. San Jacinto
4. Intruder
5. Wallflower
6. In Your Eyes
7. Mercy Street
8. Red Rain
9. Darkness
10. Don’t Give Up (featuring Ane Brun)
11. Digging in the Dirt
12. The Nest That Sailed the Sky
13. A Quiet Moment
14. Solsbury Hill (bonus track)

Special 2CD Edition – includes instrumental disc plus bonus track “Blood of Eden”

1. The Rhythm of the Heat (instrumental)
2. Downside Up (instrumental)
3. San Jacinto (instrumental)
4. Intruder (instrumental)
5. Wallflower (instrumental)
6. In Your Eyes (instrumental)
7. Mercy Street (instrumental)
8. Red Rain (instrumental)
9. Darkness (instrumental)
10. Don’t Give Up (instrumental)
11. Digging In The Dirt (instrumental)
12. The Nest That Sailed The Sky (instrumental)
13. Blood of Eden (studio track)

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transit-copyTRANSIT RELEASES THEIR DEBUT FULL-LENGTH, LISTEN & FORGIVE

Boston, MA’s TRANSIT has announced an October 4 release for their highly-anticipated Rise Records debut full-length, Listen & Forgive.

Recently named as one of Alternative Press’ “Top 20 Must-Hear Fall 2011 Releases”, Listen & Forgive features 11 tracks (plus a bonus track on the physical release) with guest vocals on one of the songs (“All Your Heart”) contributed by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) to one of

Listen & Forgive was written and recorded this summer at Maximum Sound Studios in Danvers, MA by producer Gary Cioffi, and was mixed by Steven Haigler (Brand New, Pixies, Quicksand, As Tall As Lions).

“Music is about connecting with people, and that’s what we focus on more than anything else,” says Transit’s vocalist Joe Boynton.

While clearly drawing inspiration from seminal groups such as Saves The Day and Lifetime, as well as from the Northeast US pop-punk scenes that all five members grew up in, Transit has swiftly evolved into a group with a more alternative, indie rock sound. “We all grew up listening to a wide variety of music, but bands like Archers of Loaf, Braid, Osker and American Football demonstrated to us that there are always refreshing ways to create a new style and feel,” explains guitarist Tim Landers.

Transit’s prolific output is impressive by any measure, having put out seven releases over the last four years. The Boston, MA act’s highly acclaimed LP, Keep This To Yourself, released in August 2010 on Run For Cover Records, inspired AbsolutePunk to rave: “Good luck keeping Transit’s passionate and infectious tunes a secret. Once you hear the first chords of opener “Dear Anyone,” you’ll immediately go out and tell all your friends about the best pop-punk album of 2010.” Transit also released acoustic EP Something Left Behind this February on Mightier Than Sword Records, as well as a limited edition Record Store Day 7″, Promise Nothing, this April on Rise Records that sold out well in advance.

Transit has consistently played throughout North America and overseas alongside Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years, Less Than Jake, Rival Schools, Bayside, Man Overboard, Senses Fail and many others.

Tickets for the band’s tour with Saves The Day and Bayside are already on sale.

Transit is Joe Boynton (vocals), Tim Landers (guitar), Torre Cioffi (guitars), PJ Jefferson (bass) and Daniel Frazier (drums).

www.transitband.com
www.facebook.com/transitmakesmusic
www.youtube.com/transit706
@transitma
www.riserecords.com

Catch the show on Oct. 8 and 9 in Boston at the Royale Night Club.

***
JASON BONHAM’S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE COMES TO BOSTON

The critically acclaimed concert Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience will be returning for a fall run through North America. Celebrating the life and music of Jason’s father, the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, the tour will be coming to Boston on Monday, October 31 at The Wilbur Theatre.

“I never imagined that the tour would have received the overwhelmingly positive reactions that it did,” says Jason Bonham. “It’s been beyond my wildest dreams to come out represent my family, my father and the music of Led Zeppelin.”

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience is a unique trifecta of an over-the-top rock concert featuring the unforgettable blues-rock music of Led Zeppelin, atmospheric video and light displays and the history that Bonham shares with the legendary rock n’ roll band. The show features Jason Bonham on drums, Tony Catania on guitar, Stephen Leblanc on keyboards/pedal-steel guitars, Dorian Heartsong on bass and James Dylan on lead vocals. Bonham teamed with Annerin Productions, the heralded company behind “The Pink Floyd Experience” and “Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles” to create this once-in-a-lifetime concert.

The band performs 20 iconic Led Zeppelin songs encompassing the band’s albums including their 1969 debut Led Zeppelin (“Your Time Is Gonna Come,” “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Good Times Bad Times”), 1969’s Led Zeppelin II (“Thank You,” “Lemon Song and Moby Dick”); 1970’s Led Zeppelin III (“Since I’ve Been Loving You” and “Celebration Day”); 1970’s Led Zeppelin IV (“When The Levee Breaks,” “Black Dog,” and “Rock and Roll”); 1973’s Houses Of The Holy (“The Ocean,” “Over The Hills And Far Away”); 1975’s Physical Graffiti (“Kashmir”) and many more Led Zeppelin favorites.

For more information, check out www.jblze.com.

Photo: Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience live at The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo credit: Randall Michelson.

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gch-copyOUTASIGHT CONFIRMED FOR GYM CLASS HEROES AND THE DIRTY HEADS FALL TOUR

DEBUT ALBUM SET FOR EARLY 2012

Fresh off a triumphant performance at New York’s Webster Hall with Hoodie Allen, rapper/singer/songwriter Outasight will be joining Gym Class Heroes and The Dirty Heads on tour this fall.  Outasight’s video for “Figure 8,” the title track from his latest Figure 8 EP, features Outasight looking dapper amongst scenes from his native New York City. He also posted a behind the scenes video shot on location in Brooklyn on his Youtube channel.

Yonkers, New York native Outasight is hard at work on his debut full-length.  His recently released Figure 8 EP is available for purchase on iTunes or to download here.  He also just released a brand new song called “Setting Sun” as a thank you to his loyal fans.

Outasight On Tour With Gym Class Heroes and The Dirty Heads Come to the House of Blues in Boston on 10/24.

www.iamoutasight.com

www.facebook.com/IamOutasight

www.youtube.com/iamoutasight

“Figure 8” Video: youtu.be/QX86cP9_B78

“Setting Sun” Download Link: soundcloud.com/iamoutasight/outasight-setting-sun

Figure 8 EP iTunes Buy Link: itunes.apple.com/us/album/figure-8-ep/id431762498

Figure 8 EP Free Download Link: outasight.bandcamp.com/album/figure-8

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entgameday-regulars-copyGAMEDAY REGULARS’ DEBUT EP …BUT IT’S HELL IN THE HALLWAY OUT NOW

Brooklyn, NY indie Mightier Than Sword Records has announced the signing of Bronx, NY based trio Gameday Regulars.

“When one door closes, another opens but it’s hell in the hallway,” says bass player Kenny Fletcher. “I kind of feel like that sums up everything we have been doing musically for the past 13 years.” …But it’s Hell in the Hallway is the debut EP from the New York City natives, and while the band may be new, the members are far from wet behind the ears. Veterans of the tri-state area DIY punk scene dating back over a decade, brothers Will and Gino Romeo, along with childhood friend Kenny Fletcher, have been in their fair share of local hopefuls. Gameday Regulars, however, is far from needing hope in order to secure future plans. Mightier Than Sword Records released …But it’s Hell in the Hallway on September 27th, and now the band will embark on full US tour with label mates Nightmares For A Week. Dates for the fall tour will be announced soon.

Staying true to their distinct sound, the band has crafted an EP that packs a punch, while remaining constantly poetic and catchy from beginning to end. “The meaning of the lyrics on this record have to do with stories of people I have come across in life,” says singer and guitar player Will Romeo, “battling addiction, depression, and misfortunes. In ways, I have related to their stories, which have helped craft these songs.”

Regarding the meaning behind the name the band states, “We are big sports fans, we are gameday regulars.” 2011 has been a busy year but very rewarding one for the band. “The whole process of creating this record was truly an amazing experience from start to finish. We believe that we captured exactly what we wanted,” says Will Romeo, “the essence of Gameday Regulars.”

www.gamedayregulars.tumblr.com

www.facebook.com/gamedayregulars

www.mtsrecords.com

***


sp-copyTHE SMASHING PUMPKINS ANNOUNCE U.S. FALL TOUR THAT WILL INCLUDE MATERIAL FROM THE BAND’S UPCOMING ALBUM OCEANIA

The Smashing Pumpkins ~ singer/guitarist Billy Corgan, guitarist Jeff Schroeder, drummer Mike Byrne and bassist Nicole Fiorentino ~ will return to the road this fall for an intimate 12-city U.S. tour that will serve as a warm-up to a big year of touring for the band in 2012.

Mixing classics, deep cuts and a few songs from the upcoming album Oceania ~ now due out in early 2012 (exact date TBA) and featuring 13 new songs ~ the Pumpkins will be joined by two support acts: Fancy Space People (featuring Don Bolles, whose credits include the Germs, Celebrity Skin and 45 Grave) and Light FM, the band Nicole Fiorentino was in before joining the Pumpkins.

The Pumpkins are now hard at work putting the finishing touches on Oceania, which will mark their first full album since 2007’s Zeitgeist. Oceania is “an album within an album,” part of their in-progress 44-song work Teargarden By Kaleidyscope.

Also this fall, EMI Music will honor the legacy of THE SMASHING PUMPKINS with an extensive campaign that will see the iconic band’s albums from 1991-2000 reissued in fully remastered deluxe versions, each with bonus material.

With the full support and guidance from The Smashing Pumpkins ~ who’ve created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history, selling over 30 million albums ~ EMI will roll out the global catalog campaign with the band’s 1991 debut album Gish and 1993’s Siamese Dream, both of which are due in stores November 15.

The excitement will continue into 2012 when EMI will reissue the 1994 compilation album Pisces Iscariot, 1995’s nine-times-platinum double album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, 1996’s five-disc box set The Aeroplane Flies High and 1998’s Adore.

In 2013, their 2000 albums Machina/The Machines Of God and Machina Ii: The Friends & Enemies Of Modern Music will be unified into one package.  A best-of compilation will also be released in 2013. The pivotal group’s many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation.

Catch the Pumpkins on 10/19 at Lupo’s in Providence or on 10/21 at the Orpheum Theatre in Boston.

www.smashingpumpkins.com
www.facebook.com/smashingpumpkins
twitter.com/#!/billy
www.myspace.com/smashingpumpkins

***

online-tours-and-new-reANTHRAX, TESTAMENT, AND DEATH ANGEL BRING THE THRASHFEST EXTRAVAGANZA

Thrash titans Anthrax and Testament, who haven’t toured together in more than a decade, are set to co-headline a U.S. tour beginning Friday, October 14 in Grand Rapids, MI. Anthrax will close all shows, and Death Angel will be main support for the entire tour.  The coast-to-coast trek will figure to decimate more than two dozen cities over a five-week period, with both Anthrax and Death Angel debuting brand new material from their new albums, both set for summer/fall release; Testament’s new album is set to be released in 2012.  For more information or to purchase tickets, log onto anthrax.com, www.testamentlegions.com/ or http://deathangel.us.

“We’ve been tight with the guys in Testament for a long, long time,” said Anthrax’s Charlie Benante.  “so we’re really looking forward to hanging out with them on the road.  And all of us in Anthrax are big Death Angel fans, so this is going to be a monster of a good time – for all of us and for the fans.  Plus, with the incredible success of The Big Four shows over the last year, we wanted to tour with some of the ‘second wave’ of thrash bands.”

The tour follows Anthrax’s Big Four “hometown” appearance at Yankee Stadium on September 14, with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth.

“We’re excited to do this tour because Anthrax was actually the first band we ever toured with,” adds Testament vocalist Chuck Billy.  “It’s an accomplishment 20 odd years later that we’re going to do it again.  The tour kick-off date is actually about five days difference from the kick off date of the first tour 20 years ago.  The first time we performed with Anthrax, we only had a total of ten songs, so obviously now we have many songs to pick from so it will be very different. It’s good to see that a lot of the faces in the bands are the same as back when we first did this original tour 20 years ago.”

The thrashfest brutalizes The Palladium on Nov. 11.

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online-tours-and-new-relea-copyINSANE CLOWN POSSE EMBARKS ON THE “AMERICAN PSYCHO TOUR”

The Insane Clown Posse’s “American Psycho Tour” includes supporting artists Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie and began its nationwide stint on September 26 and will wrap up on Halloween night in Detroit with the duo’s Hallowicked show.

Like with any tour that ICP headlines, anyone attending the “American Psycho Tour” can expect devastating, colorful stage sets with dancing zombies and clowns, plus massive crowds of Faygo covered Juggalos chanting “Whoop Whoop”.  And to create even more anticipation and excitement in the underground, Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J decided to bring along label cohorts Twiztid and Blaze, making this Psychopathic Records’ biggest, nationwide campaign to date.

Not only will ICP, Twiztid and Blaze perform their individual sets at all scheduled “American Psycho Tour” dates, but on separate dates the three artists will combine to perform as the independent label’s “Super Groups” – Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas.  Dark Lotus will perform at its own shows, which will be separate dates from the “American Psycho Tour” dates.  As for Psychopathic Rydas, this group will perform at official after parties only.  Be on the lookout for all Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas dates, as only a few have been scheduled thus far.  Lastly, as Psychopathic tradition has held for the past seventeen years, ICP will celebrate Halloween night in Detroit, MI with its infamous Hallowicked event, ending the “American Psycho Tour” with a Bang! Pow! Boom!

Additionally, Psychopathic Records is releasing a CD to help commemorate the historic tour, which will properly be entitled American Psycho. This release will be a collection of new music, including ICP and Twiztid tracks, plus one ICP/Twiztid collaboration.  The album will be available for sale at each show and online at www.hatchetgear.com, eventually making its way into stores nationwide.  Juggalos will go rabid over this rare release!

“American Psycho Tour” with ICP, Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie takes over The Palladium on October 15. Please visit www.insaneclownposse.com for more info, including after-party information.

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NICKLEBACK IS BACK!

Multi-platinum rock band Nickelback has announced that they will be releasing Here and Now November 21 on Roadrunner Records, a Warner Music Group label.  As a testament to Nickelback’s rare versatility to achieve multiple successes at various radio formats for more than a decade, Roadrunner Records released two singles simultaneously.  “When We Stand Together” and “Bottoms Up” shipped to pop and Rock radio stations respectively on September 26 and became available for sale digitally September 27 Nickelback will embark on a new world tour in support of the release in early 2012 with dates to be announced shortly.

Produced by Nickelback and recorded at Mountain View Studios, Vancouver, BC, Here and Now is Nickelback’s seventh studio record and is the follow up to 2008’s widely successful Dark Horse which has been certified 3-times platinum, racking up over five million digital single sales and more than 52 million video plays over the course of the album’s campaign.

“We’re four people who love making music, the way we like to make it,” says Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. “We entered the studio this year with a vision, and it all came together. We’re extremely happy with the results, and can’t wait to share them with our fans.”

Roadrunner Records President Jonas Nachsin added, “Through our many years of working with Nickelback, we have always been amazed by the band’s continuing ability to record songs and albums that inspire and thrill millions.  After hearing the newest material, we are sure they have done it again, and we are dedicated and eager to promote the band across the globe.”

Nickelback is one the biggest rock bands in the world having sold almost 50 million albums worldwide. Since their 2001 breakthrough hit song “How You Remind Me,” Nickelback has sent 18 singles rocketing onto various Billboard charts.

Nickelback’s now classic All The Right Reasons insured Nickelback an indelible place in rock history, spending a staggering 112 consecutive weeks in the Top 30 of the Billboard Top 200, certified 8-times platinum in the U.S. and having sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, topping charts in four countries. All The Right Reasons spun off seven multi-format singles and made Nickelback the first band in Nielsen BDS history to send five singles onto the CHR charts. All five of the album’s videos hit No. 1 on VH1’s playlist, while Nickelback has sold more than 12 million single digital downloads and more than 9 million ringtones of the album’s songs. All The Right Reasons won the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and helped the quartet to three Billboard Music Awards in 2006 and a pair of Juno Awards in Canada. And on the road, Nickelback has sold more than 2 million concert tickets over the course of the album cycle.

www.nickelback.com

www.facebook.com/Nickelback

twitter.com/nickelback

www.myspace.com/nickelback

www.youtube.com/nickelbacktv

www.roadrunnerrecords.com

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deadmau5

deadmausWorld-renowned electronic music producer/performer deadmau5, is bringing his Meowingtons Hax tour to Boston, MA for a special 4-night stand at House of Blues Tuesday, Oct. 11 – Friday, October 14. The evenings will feature deadmau5 and an array of his mau5trap label artists ~ including Tommy Lee & Aero, Excision and SOFI ~ along with supporting acts Feed Me and Baltimoroder.

deadmau5 will also perform in Amherst, MA on Saturday, October 15 at Mullins Center @ Univ of Massachusetts.

Named after his cat Professor Meowingtons, deadmau5’s Meowingtons Hax show debuted at Lollapalooza in Chicago where SPIN.com hailed it as the #1 set at the festival.  It features incredible production-a menagerie of lights and LED (check out a clip from Lolla here: vimeo.com/27430969)which compliments deadmau5’s live repertoire of hits, classic cuts and brand new music.  During his set, deadmau5 is joined by vocalist SOFI on “Sofi Needs a Ladder” and “One Trick Pony.” (Look for her Locked and Loaded EP to be released this month).

In conjunction with the tour, Ultra Music ~ deadmau5’s North American label ~ has made available deadmau5-LIVE @ EARL’S COURT, a live DVD that captures deadmau5’s 2010 performance as the first electronic artist ever to sell out London’s historic 19,000-capacity Earl’s Court. The package includes the hour-long performance with the electronic artist performing a selection of his songs from his catalog enhanced by captivating visuals and of course his one-of-a-kind LED face mau5head all helmed from his cube. Check out the trailer at: community.hottopic.com/ht_music/news/exclusive-premiere-watch-deadmau5s-live-earls-court-dvd-trailer.

As DJs and producers, Tommy Lee & Aero’s sound is dirty, filthy, nasty electro-house. The pair recently signed with deadmau5’s mau5trap label and their new singles “Static” and “LFO Tool” can be found on the Meowingtons Hax Tour Trax compilation on sale now via Beatport.  The video for “Static,” which features LEE & AERO along with deadmau5, SOFI and other friends, is available for viewing at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0uai7hvBJw&feature=player_embedded.

The Meowingtons Hax Tour Trax album also features new and exclusive tracks from deadmau5 and a host of artists featured on the tour, as well as a selection of tracks from new additions to the label that you can expect to hear a lot more from in the coming months: Skrillex, Feed Me, Tommy Lee & Aero, Excision & Datsik, Zedd, Moguai featuring SOFI, Al Bizzare and James Njie.

About deadmau5

Joel Zimmerman, more commonly known as deadmau5 (pronounced ‘dead mouse’) is one of the world’s most respected electronic producers of modern times. Enjoying international chart success with his singles “Sofi Needs A Ladder,” “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” and “I Remember,” he has also released three critically acclaimed albums 4×4=12, For Lack Of A Better Name and Random Album Title. The GRAMMY-nominated artist is ranked #4 in the world by DJ Mag followers and was recently voted Artist of the Year by the Beatport Community. His ability to push the boundaries of his talent grows at an equal rate to his fan-base, of which counts over 3.8 million on his Facebook page. deadmau5’s current offerings include a remix package for “Raise Your Weapon” and the new deadmau5 Touch Remix app.  deadmau5-Live @Earls Court, a live DVD, is available now on Ultra Music.

www.deadmau5.com

www.facebook.com/deadmau5

www.twitter.com/deadmau5

www.myspace.com/deadmau5

www.ultrarecords.com

www.msopr.com/?q=node/4061

About Tommy Lee & Aero

Although legions of Mötley Crüe fans may not realize it, drummer Tommy Lee has always been a “closet dance music fan.” Ever the open-minded musician with an insatiable appetite for good music, Lee set out to shatter the public’s preconceived notions of popular music with his solo project Methods of Mayhem and in 2000, when Mix Master Mike was unable to join the tour, Lee teamed up with turntablist DJ Aero. The two have been collaborating together ever since forming a DJ team and playing electro sets at festivals and clubs around the globe. Static is their debut recording and is available now through mau5trap recordings.

www.facebook.com/pages/Tommy-Lee-Dj-Aero/102327063148872

www.facebook.com/mau5trap

www.tommylee.com

www.twitter.com/mrtommyland

www.djaero.com

www.twitter.com/djaero

www.msopr.com/?q=node/6816

About SOFI (SomeOtherFemaleinterest)

sofiAs the voice behind deadmau5 singles “Sofi Needs A Ladder” and “One Trick Pony” from his album 4×4=12 (Ultra Music), show, music and acting influence and shape SOFI’s life. An entertainment trifecta ~ singer, dancer and actor ~ SOFI co-choreographed Avril Lavigne’s most viewed YouTube video “Girlfriend” and later on was enlisted to co-choreograph, sing and dance on her world tour directed by mastermind Jamie King. She’s also worked with Fall Out Boy, will.i.am, Butch Walker, The Von Bondies, Tommy Lee and Nelly Furtado just to name a few and has appeared on numerous TV and award shows all over the world. After touring the world as backup singer for Britney Spears on her Circus 2009 World Tour, SOFI joined rock legends Motley Crüe on Crüe Fest 2. Born in Germany and raised within a Greek family, SOFI currently calls Los Angeles home. Her Locked And Loaded EP will be released later this month.

www.facebook.com/someotherfemaleinterest

www.youtube.com/sofiofficial

www.twitter.com/sofiofficial

www.sofisworld.tumblr.com

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entflametal-copyFLAMETAL RELEASES A NEW FLAMENCO-METAL MASTERPIECE:  VISION

Flametal guitarist Benjamin Woods releases his latest masterpiece, VISION, on Flametal Records and once again ~ with the help of special guests  Steve Stevens (Bily Idol), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy), Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth, ex-King Diamond), Sean Reinert (Cynic, ex-Death), Uriah Duffy (ex-Whitesnake) and more ~ defies all expectations of an instrumental metal guitar album. “I’ve always thought of Flamenco Guitar Music as kind of like ‘Acoustic Progressive Metal,’ so with this album, I really expanded upon that idea,” says Woods. In a world of clones and “guitar shredder” albums, this goes way beyond the beaten path.

Listen now: www.wix.com/benwoods66/vision

Woods is a new breed of virtuoso and a speed metal guitarist from the start. By a twist of fate, Woods’ gear was stolen by a junkie, leaving him with only a Spanish guitar to practice on. This was the defining moment that ignited a passion for flamenco guitar. After spending years studying and performing authentic Flamenco, Woods created the genre-bending group FLAMETAL, earning him an international reputation as the master of Flamenco and metal.  Playing metal without a pick or distortion would seem impossible to most, but through his training and creativity, Woods is the first and only musician to successfully combine the two. Here he pays tribute to some of his favorite metal tunes, played in the flamenco idiom, with traditional accompaniment.

Woods’ raw energy ~ combined with exotic and sophisticated acoustic playing and the talent of a new-generation shred-master ~ is a much needed breath of fresh air to the instrumental rock genre.

For more information, go to www.flametal.com.

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PORTISHEAD TO PERFORM LIVE OCT 5 ON “LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON” IN SUPPORT OF THIRD

portishead_third_coverNobody sounds like Portishead.  The progression of their albums has clearly established their uncompromising stance towards their future. Portishead play ATP followed by a U.S. tour which is the first time they’ve played live in the U.S. since 1998. While in New York City, playing 2 sold out nights at Hammerstein Ballroom, the band will perform live on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” This is the band’s first U.S. television appearance since performing on “Saturday Night Live” in January of 1998.

The trek kicks off at this year’s All Tomorrow’s Parties presentation ~ I’ll Be Your Mirror ~ Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2 in Asbury Park, N.J.  Portishead co-curated these two days of the 3 day festival.  According to Adrian Utley, “We’ve always thought that we must come back to tour in the states, something we wanted to do with the release of Third, but our schedule just wouldn’t allow it. Being that we were asked to curate I’ll be your Mirror, this just seemed like a good start to touring the states ~ it sets it off in absolutely the right way. We are absolutely delighted to come back.”

After an 11- year hiatus, Portishead’s album Third, the long-awaited follow up to their 1997 self-titled release, debuted at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, received rave reviews,  and has been hailed as an “unexpected yet totally impressive return” by Rolling Stone Magazine, and “…worth the wait” by Newsweek.   “Third is more polymorphous, more extreme, more propulsive and often harsher than previous Portishead albums,” claimed New York Times.  “…anyone can make abrasive music, but few can do something new and compelling with apocalyptic heaviness,” wrote Spin Magazine.

Joining Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley on stage are Jim Barr (bass), Clive Deamer(drums), and John Baggott (keyboards).

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O’Brother Set to Release Debut Full-Length ~ Garden Window ~ in November via a Newly Inked Deal with Triple Crown Records/Favorite Gentlemen

o-brotherAtlanta’s O’Brother is excited to announce the November 2011 release of their debut full-length ~ Garden Window ~ via a newly inked deal with Triple Crown Records/Favorite Gentlemen.  For the debut album the band teamed up with Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull and Robert McDowell on production duties and enlisted the talents of Mike Sapone (Brand New, Public Enemy, Taking Back Sunday) to mix.  The result is a powerful and dynamic progressive rock record with haunting vocals that captures the band as they come into their own.

Garden Window is the follow up to the band’s 2009 debut EP The Death of Day ~ also produced by Andy Hull from Manchester.  O’Brother spent the next year honing their skills as musicians and touring ~ in fact they spent the greater part of 2010 on the road with a variety of artists including The Features, Thrice, Biffy Clyro, Circa Survive and The Dear Hunter among others.  At the end of the year, O’Brother ~ Anton Dang (bassist), Johnny Dang (guitarist), Aaron Wamack (guitarist), Tanner Merritt (vocalist, guitarist), and Michael Martens (drums) ~ began the writing process for Garden Window and spent the first half of 2011 making the album. 

In May, O’Brother headed out on the road with Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant for a full US trek which was followed by another US tour with The Dear Hunter.  Now the band is not only gearing up for their first full-length studio album, but another US trek ~ this time with Thrice.  The nearly six week run will give the band a chance to play the new songs for fans and pre-sell Garden Window leading up to the November release on Triple Crown Records/Favorite Gentlemen.

Catch the band w/Thrice, MovingMountains and La Dispute on October 18 at Royale Night Club in Boston!

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…AND SOME COOL NEW STUFF TO CHECK OUT!
White Mystery
Rock & roll brother-sister duo White Mystery debuted the first video from their sophomore LP Blood & Venom this week on MTV.  Check out the super fun video for “Birthday” ~ a track that, in the words of MTV, is “…on the looser edge of the retro, fifth-gear sonic acreage that Blood & Venom occupies.”
The Parson Red Heads
Praised for their “richly textured, harmony-soaked stunner of comely, gently psych-folk” by My Old Kentucky Blog, the Parson Red Heads debuted their video for “Burning Up the Sky” filmed during their first trip to Boston.  The Parsons are some of the loveliest people around and their live show is just stunning. Check out the video and grab the MP3 for the track.
Black Box Revelation
If you were thinking to yourself, “Man, I need a favorite band from Belgium, have I got a band for you.  They get lots of comparisons to early BRMC and MBV, so if those acronyms make you excited, BBR might just be your new favorite band.  They’ve had a ton of praise in Europe and are releasing their first US effort, the Shiver of Joy EP, later this fall. Here are EP tracks “Shiver of Joy,” and a video for “High On A Wire.”
Mikal Cronin
Mikal Cronin’s debut self-titled LP came out this week via one of our favorite labels, Trouble in Mind, and pretty much every review uses the phrase “ridiculously catchy.”  Not every West Coast garage rock dude would have the cajones to whip out flute and sax riffs on the same LP.  Check out “Get Along” and “Apathy.”
Miracles of Modern Science
Described as “Bowie meets Bartok,” MOMS have emerged from the studio with an LP that will undoubtedly make you marvel that songs can rock so hard without a guitar in sight.  The new LP is called Dog Year and you can check out album tracks “Tensity” and “Eating Me Alive” for a taste of what’s to come.