04.08.05 (RockAndMetal.com) To coincide with the 25th Anniversary of its worldwide theatrical release, THE SEX PISTOLS' "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle" will finally be released on DVD for the very first time in 5.1 Surround Sound on May 30th by Sony BMG Music Entertainment in association with Shout! Factory Records. The DVD includes a new and exclusive interview and audio commentary with the movie's director Julien Temple and rock journalist Chris Salewicz. Considered by many to be the definitive Punk music documentary from one of the most influential and seminal bands ever, this is the first time "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle" has made it to DVD. The VHS version has been out-of-print since the Eighties, and has only rarely been shown at midnight cinema screenings since 1990. "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle" features over 17 classic performances including 'God Save The Queen,' 'Anarchy In The UK' and 'Pretty Vacant,' filmed entirely at the band's final concert in San Francisco, California. This hilarious, chaotic and spontaneous fly-on-the-wall documentary charts the rise and fall of Punk's most notorious band through the eyes of their calculating and grandiose manager, the infamous Malcolm McLaren, and boasts a special guest appearance form the recently re-incarcerated "Great Train Robber" himself, Ronnie Biggs. Written and directed by Julien Temple, the film combines animation, midgets and footage of some of THE SEX PISTOLS' most electrifying live performances. Originally released in cinemas in 1980, the film presents the band's success as an elaborate scam perpetrated by McLaren to generate a million pounds at the sole expense of record companies, outraged moralists, the Royal Family, as well as fans and fellow band members. "The main objective was to swindle our way to the top of the rock 'n' roll industry," explains McLaren. "It was a plan that, within two years, was to bring us close to a million pounds and a household name as the most notorious, filthy, disgusting, dirtiest rock 'n' roll band in the whole bloody world."

04.08.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Finnish Metallers MACHINE MEN have signed a long-term, worldwide deal with Century Media. "Elegies," the band's upcoming debut for the label, was recorded by THUNDERSTONE's Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump Studios (Omnium Gatherum, Thunderstone) and mastered at Finnvox Studios. Scheduled for a July 25th release, a video clip for a still undetermined track is also in the works, along with a complete European touring schedule in support of "Elegies." Influenced by bands such as IRON MAIDEN and vintage QUEENSRYCHE, MACHINE MEN got their start in the Fall of 1998 when four of its members, who had been playing IRON MAIDEN covers together, were joined by guitarist J-V. Their first demo recordings by the band were made several months later in May of 1999. That Summer, MACHINE MEN began playing gigs locally in Finland, and in the Fall the track 'Through My Tomb' from the band's demo recording was chosen to compete in the Jyrki Hit Challenge semifinals as one of the 24 songs that were chosen from 500 songs that had been submitted to the contest. The second MACHINE MEN demo session took place in December of 1999, the demo receiving an honorable mention in "Demosedan Merkki" in Finnish music magazine Soundi. In the Winter of 2000, three of the members of MACHINE MEN were forced to start their compulsory military service in the Finnish army, which meant a six month break for the band, after which they spent the Summer of 2000 playing more gigs and songwriting. In the Summer of 2001, the band took part in the Big Boom band competition, their success in that contest giving MACHINE MEN an opportunity to have their song 'Failed Trick' published on a compilation CD. In the Fall of 2001, the band returned to the studio to record two songs in 'Behind The Wall Of Scene' and 'Eye Of The Truth,' the quality of which led MACHINE MEN to sign their first recording deal with Finnish label Dynamic Arts Records. After releasing a 5-song EP for the label in June of 2002, the band's debut album, "Scars & Wounds," was issued at the end of 2003.
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04.07.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian Neo-Psych Pop/Rockers THE HIGH DIALS are currently holed up in a Montreal studio recording the follow up to their epic concept debut album, "A New Devotion." The band's upcoming new album, entitled "War Of The Worlds," will be released in May on Rainbow Quartz Records around the world. THE HIGH DIALS' Trevor Anderson had this to say regarding the band's sophomore release: "We're making wintery, medieval, Leonard Cohen-style Turkish ballads, anthemic stadium rock, post-punk dance rave-ups with country hooks, spacey folk-dub psychedelia, easy listening for summer picnics by the riverside, delay-drenched, jangly, shoegazer pop, lush mellotron laments, banjo-driven salsa about the devil with recorder flourishes and jaw harp, a lost-at-sea country/celtic ballad for the pub... the usual shit!" THE HIGH DIALS are comprised of vocalist/guitarist Trevor Anderson, guitarist Robbie MacArthur, bassist/vocalist Rishi Dhir and drummer Robb Surridge, the current line-up evolving out of a modish, three-piece incarnation known as THE DATSONS in 2001. after which THE HIGH DIALS recorded a brilliant and eclectic CD of bright tones and textured arrangements ranging from soft, pastoral Pop to groovy, Garage rave-ups and everything cool in between. They were then snatched up by New York City-based Rainbow Quartz shortly afterwards, "A New Devotion" having been issued worldwide by the label in 2003. Like the great bands of the 1960s they make no secret of admiring, THE HIGH DIALS strung their little pop pearls into one long, glittering necklace on "A New Devotion" - yep, a concept record with a hidden storyline. The 18 songs on that album told the tale of a mysterious and troubled boy known only as "Silas" and his attempt to escape evil powers in a nightmarish city of the future. Drawing on everything from science fiction, old comic books, movie soundtracks and Psychedelia to Trevor's garden, "A New Devotion" came off like some dark-but-beautiful kaleidoscopic cartoon.
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04.07.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Syracuse-based BRAND NEW SIN will head out on a string of Northeastern dates with Glam Rock veterans FASTER PUSSYCAT from April 19th to April 24th, leading into two shows alongside Speed Metal legends MOTORHEAD. The group recently wrapped up highly successful strings of dates alongside MOTORHEAD, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and LIFE OF AGONY in support of their new full-length album, "Recipe For Disaster," now set for a May 31st release. BRAND NEW SIN vocalist Joe Altier checks in with the following tour report: "We are home safe and sound, trying to stop the ringing in our ears and most importantly giving our livers a rest. The Motorhead tour was everything we expected and more. We wanna thank Motorhead, C.O.C., Zeke and all their crews for making it memorable and at times real fucking fuzzy. We also thank all the old diehard sinners for showing their faces again and for not forgetting us and we welcome all the new converts and look forward to seeing you all again real soon. A big thanks also goes out to our brothers in Life Of Agony for hooking us up with a few shows on our way home, and of course we must give a shout out to our fans in Flint and Detroit. We have a string of dates coming up on the East Coast from April 19th to the 24th and then join back up with the Motorhead tour on May 4th and 5th. Look for our new video for 'Black And Blue' to make its Headbangers Ball and Uranium debuts next month, and we will be announcing our Summer plans real soon. Don't forget our new full-length album, 'Recipe For Disaster,' will drop on May 30th for everyone across the pond in Europe and May 31st for all you here in the U.S. In the meantime, you can check out our 'Black And Blue' EP, featuring the title track (our first single) along with three exclusive new cuts. This is available through our website and at all of our live shows. If you see me sitting in a random bar in Syracuse, hit me up because I will have a few of them in my back pocket. See all of you real soon."
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04.06.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Capitol Records recording artists THE REDWALLS have set June 21st as the release date for their label debut, entitled "De Nova." Recorded with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliot Smith, The Vines), the album finds the Chicago-based quartet offering up a baker's dozen tracks of brilliantly natural harmonies, roaring riff packages, and crisp Rock melodies. THE REDWALLS are preparing to preview "De Nova" to audiences later this month with a set of cross-California dates in support of ROONEY beginning April 15th at the Glass House in Pomona, CA. A series of UK dates with the Manchester-based NINE BLACK ALPS will also kick off May 2nd at the Garage in London. The twin itineraries follow the group's recent North American trek in support of KEANE and THE ZUTONS. THE REDWALLS' Logan Baren, 22 (guitar), Justin Baren, 19 (bass), and Andrew Langer, 20 (guitar), are childhood friends and neighbors from the suburban town of Deerfield, Illinois (practice home to the Chicago Bulls and site of the famed Tooth Fairy Museum) who have been playing together since Baren was in junior high school. All three write, sing and even play a little piano. The band is rounded out by 21-year-old drummer Ben Greeno. In other "De Nova" news, album track 'It's Alright' will be featured next month on HBO in an episode of the Mark Wahlberg-executive produced comedy series, "Entourage." In addition, the band will soon be seen in an upcoming MTV News installment of "You Hear It First." THE REDWALLS' 2003 debut album, "Universal Blues" (Undertow), along with their non-stop hooks, thrilling harmonies and electrifying grit have already won over audiences around the U.S. THE REDWALLS have toured extensively with the likes of THE BLACK CROWES' Chris Robinson and ROONEY, shared stages with THE JAYHAWKS, THE LONG WINTERS and Ike Reilly, also wowing crowds at Twangfest and International Pop Overthrow.
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04.06.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Canada's INTO ETERNITY resume their Canadian tour today in Winnipeg, although members of the band are still ailing from prolonged bouts with strep throat and pneumonia. They have vowed to once again bring their intense live show to dedicated audiences after being forced to cancel several of their late March appearances supporting AMORPHIS after guitarist Rob Doherty sought emergency medical treatment in Atlanta. Diagnosed with pneumonia and advised to enter the hospital, the band immediately returned to Canada where Doherty, vocalist Stu Block, and guitarist/vocalist Tim Roth were all treated for pneumonia. Doherty explains: "About 2 weeks into the tour, Adam came down with the flu and sore throat. From there, it just started to run through the van. Tim went down next, and after the Canadian shows we had a day to rest, but his fever was out of control and he began to cough very bad and get the phlem. By the time we hit BB King's in N.Y., he couldn't talkafter which it hit me about 3 hours before we were gonna play. We went to one clinic and they declined us because they said they couldnt take our medical coverage we had bought in Canada, but they assured us that the hospital would cover us. By the time we all saw the doctor and got treated, it was 8:30 and our set was scheduled for 10:00. Finally around 9:00 we got to a pharmacy where we got our medicine and by this time it was 9:45, then on our way to the club our driver was kinda lost and by the time we rolled up it was 10:15 and we could hear the band playing, we were told that they had been playing for a bit and at that point there wasnt much to do but try and rest. I have never missed a show in my life, and if we could have gotten back earlier I would have played. I am however really grateful to the guy that drove us because looking back getting to the doctor was the smartest thing to do. Despite losing 15 pounds in 5 days, I am feeling better slowly and i believe everyone else is much better as well, so there ya have it... Thanx alot for everyone's concern for the band. See ya soon!" - Rob
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04.05.05 (RockAndMetal.com) WAKEFIELD are back with a brand new album entitled, "Which Side Are You On?" The new offering is scheduled to be released on May 17th via Jive Records. Also, the band just finished shooting a video for their new single, 'C'mon Baby.' "Which Side Are You On?" is the sound of a band maturing, fast. Where some bands go on tour, this one went to school. Between hearing the BEATLES-inspired 'C'mon Baby,' which changes time signatures between the chorus and verses but still manages to be as hooky as a tackle box, or the smart riffs and layered harmonies of 'Quietly Complaining,' you'd be forgiven for wondering if this really is the same band that debuted with the buoyant Pop/Punk styles of "American Made" not long ago in 2003. Ryan Escolopio and J.D Tennyson, WAKEFIELD's vocalist and lead guitarist, first teamed up as high school freshman with the addition of Ryan's brother Aaron, former GOOD CHARLOTTE drummer, and cousin Mike Schoolden on bass. After years of playing in cover bands and booking their own tours, they had a serious talk to discuss their goals. The foursome eventually found their way to Arista Records, who released "American Made." But when an opportunity to start fresh presented itself, says JD, they were ready for a change: "We scratched what we knew and started over with everything. It just felt right for us," WAKEFIELD now making their home at Jive Records - evidence of the band's medical journal-worthy growth spurt is "Which Side Are You On?.' 'C'mon Baby' takes a page from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"'s 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and features the aforementioned time-signature shift: "The verse is somewhere around 142 bpm," Ryan says, "and the chorus maneuvers to completely different tempo - it was kind of a 'Let's see if we can do this' type thing." The song also drags 30 year-old Power Pop conventions into the 21st century by dropping a jabbering Rap right in the middle.
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04.05.05 (RockAndMetal.com) The reunited pre-1993 lineup of ANTHRAX -- Joey Belladonna (vocals), Frank Bello (bass), Scott Ian (guitar), Dan Spitz (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums) -- were the special guests on on the "Friday Night Rocks" show on New York's Q104.3 FM this past weekend. The reformed group discussed their upcoming tour, new DVD plans and the possibility of a new studio album, among other topics. Here are several excerpts from the interview: On how the "reunion" came about? Charlie Benante: "Last summer we were in Europe doing a bunch of shows, whatever... We just got to the end of it, and I had this idea. 'Wow, it would be great to do something really special for our 20th anniversary,' which was last year. It would be great to do a reunion tour -- put everybody back together and get that thing going. And I think I put the spark in Scott's head, and then we waited a few months, we got new management, and they put it into place, actually -- they got it going. And that was it. It came together. It was the right time to do it." Scott Ian: "And actually it came together really easily, and that was the key, because if it was a case where it was gonna have to be like: 'Well, so-and-so is not into it and there's arm-twisting or whatever...' I mean, if it came down to that, then there would be no reason to do it. Because why would we do this unless we were gonna have fun doing it? "None of us are gonna end up on (MTV's) 'Cribs' because of this reunion tour. So the idea was, 'Let's go have fun.' Let's commemorate our career by doing this." On why a previous attempt (in 2000) to have Belladonna touring with the band alongside then-singer John Bush fell through and why a reunion with Belladonna is happening now? Joey Belladonna: "At this time, we feel that this is right, so... That just didn't pan out. I think it was kind of a tight squeeze to get it together and it just didn't work. I don't know if anybody really said that they didn't wanna do it. I've always been into it, from the beginning." On how... [full story]
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04.04.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Calgary, Canada's CHIXDIGGIT have signed a European recording deal with Swedish label Bad Taste Records. The band previously released one album on Sub Pop Records and two albums on Honest Don's/Fat Wreck Chords. CHIXDIGGIT's upcoming new full-length album, "Pink Razors" (BTR 90), will be released via Bad Taste in Europe (minus the UK) and on Fat Wreck in the rest of the world. The story of CHIXDIGGIT doesn't start with a record release though... 13 years ago in a Calgary high school, four friends made up a story of this awesome new band they supposedly just started called "Chixdiggit." They printed up some T-shirts, and in a matter of weeks the sales of those T-shirts more than exceeded their wildest expectations. Soon, the pressure from their new-found fans to see them play (or at least hear some music) became too great, so they pooled the money they made together from the T-shirts to fund the costs of their first instruments. Rehearsals started and the "band" decided to play one show as sort of a joke on their friends. However, the joke backfired on the members of CHIXDIGGIT, resulting in increasing the hype even more, after which there was no turning back - forcing the band members to learn how to play their instruments. And quickly did those early local gigs in Calgary turn into "real" tours with the likes of LAGWAGON, THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, GROOVIE GHOULIES and SOCIAL DISTORTION. So after numerous singles, three albums and a grip of compilation and collaborative releases, you come to "Pink Razors" (due April 19th), the title inspired by an inevitable juncture for a guy in a relationship: The day you move in with your girlfriend and are surrounded by pink disposable razors. Features speedy-beat selections in 'Get Down' and 'Earthquake,' a tribute to on-line romance in 'Geocities Kitty,' as well as dysfunctional love songs in 'I Remember You' and 'C.G.I.T. (Canadian Girls In Training),' "Pink Razors" is bound to catch the attention of anyone still ignorant of the mini-vacation known as CHIXDIGGIT.
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04.04.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Explosive Southern California quintet MANNTIS have officially signed a worldwide deal with Century Media. The group's debut album, "Sleep In Your Grave," is set for a June 28th release. The disc was produced by Cameron Webb (Danzig, Motorhead, Social Distortion) and features 11 blistering tracks of unrelenting Metal intensity. MANNTIS have been influenced by a diverse number of bands ranging from the likes of MESHUGGAH to PANTERA to KILLSWITCH ENGAGE to ZAO, and their pummeling sound reflects the combination of those influences. MANNTIS originally formed in 2000 and immediately began playing anywhere and everywhere possible. With an undeniable stage presence, the buzz spread quickly throughout the underground, but their biggest break would come in 2004 when they gained worldwide recognition from their participation on the hit MTV show "Battle For Ozzfest." The group are now out to prove that they can easily go head-to-head with the genre's elite. MANNTIS posted the following message on their official website today regarding the signing: "We are proud to announce we have just joined the family at Century Media Records, with such bands on the roster as God Forbid, Shadows Fall and Heaven Shall Burn. We would like to thank Phil Hinkle (A&R) and Marco Barbieri (President) for giving us this opportunity." MANNTIS vocalist Jake Sirokman further conveyed his excitement over the recording deal: "We're extremely happy to be with Century Media Records. We love the other bands on the roster and are proud to be alongside them for years to come. One thing is for sure: some people may have heard about us because of the 'Battle for Ozzfest' show, but we're a dedicated band with over five years on the scene, not just some reality show posers looking to extend our 15 minutes of fame. No doubt that 'Battle for Ozzfest' was a great opportunity, but we're grateful that Century Media saw through the smoke and mirrors of TV and saw us for the band we are. Bottom line, we're here to bring the fucking metal. See ya on the road."
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[Music News: 03.28.05 - 04.03.05]
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