05.06.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Rock veterans GENE LOVES JEZEBEL will release a new album on the Track Records label on June 6th, succinctly titled "Exploding Girls." The band has taken on several different labels over the years, having variously been called hip, anarchic, Gothic, Rock, melodic and fascinating. In other words, they defy a neat description. GENE LOVES JEZEBEL have been around in various permutations since Goth diverged from the early Eighties UK romantic scene, and currently comprise a four-strong band. The line up for their latest release consists of Michael Aston (vocals/guitars), Michael Ciravolo (guitars/keyboards), Pando (bass) and Michael Brahm (drums). Frontman Aston, now living in California (and whose twin brother Jay lost the rights to the band name in 1997 after the brothers' bitter split) is more Goth-ish than Gothic and has a flair for the dramatic. He also knows how to use it. And there's no pussy-footing around on the new GENE LOVES JEZEBEL album. "Exploding Girls" is a smouldering, melodic meditation on Wafa Idris, Palestine's first female suicide bomber. Other topical and personal insights surface amid edgy tunes shot through with exotic flavors. They range from the slinky Electronic groove behind the bittersweet '2 Hungry Women' to the African-style percussion driving 'Blue Mary.' "Exploding Girls" is an album that holds a special appeal for those who fondly recall the days when Goth was more about romantic yearning (in the Bronte sense) and gritty Pop/Rock than fetish gear and down-tuned guitars. It is an album that's comprised completely of songs that Aston penned about women who have affected his life, and could be considered by some to be the strongest work that GENE LOVES JEZEBEL has ever made. "Exploding Girls" is near flawless in its U2 meets THE CURE-meets HUMAN LEAGUE-style delivery. The songs are strong and catchy and the thought-provoking lyrical content makes it all the more intriguing. Twenty-odd years after first taking the stage with GENE LOVES JEZEBEL, Michael Aston leads them through the new album, which raises some serious questions... [full story]
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05.06.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Relapse Records recording artists NILE have announced a number of pre-release listening parties in support of their much-anticipated forthcoming album, "Annihilation Of The Wicked," slated for release in the U.S. on May 24th. Special NILE "Annihilation Of The Wicked" listening parties have been confirmed to take place in San Francisco, CA, New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA and Chicago, IL. Attendees at those events will hear the brand new album from one of the most heralded Modern Metal bands, and will have a chance to win limited edition NILE giveaways and/or special promotional copies of "Annihilation Of The Wicked." The first listening party takes place in San Francisco, CA tomorrow night at the 540 Club, while the others take place Sunday, May 15th at the B-Side in New York City, Monday, May 16th at Tritone in Philadelphia and Sunday, May 22nd at the Metal Factory in Chicago. NILE are also currently in the midst of a U.S. tour alongside KING DIAMOND, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and BEHEMOTH, and are debuting new material from "Annihilation Of The Wicked" for fans each night. Upcoming Tour Dates: 05/06 Portland, OR [Roseland] • 05/07 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 05/08 Los Angeles, CA [House Of Blues] • 05/09 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 05/11 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theater] • 05/12 Albuquerque, NM [Sunshine Theater] • 05/13 El Paso, TX Club [Xscape] • 05/14 San Antonio, TX [Sunset Station] • 05/15 McAllen, TX [La Villa Real] • 05/17 Dallas, TX [Gypsy Ballroom] • 05/18 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 05/20 New Orleans, LA [House Of Blues] • 05/21 Tampa, FL [Masquerade] • 09/07 London, UK [Camden Palace] • 09/08 Munster, Germany [Live Arena] • 09/09 Hardenberg, NL [Podium] • 09/10 Antwerp, Belgium [Hof Ter Loo] • 09/11 Paris, France [La Locomotive] • 09/12 Essen, Germany [Zeche Karl] • 09/13 Osnabruck, Germany [N-8] • 09/14 Berlin, Germany [K17] • 09/15 Zlin, CZ [Golem] • 09/16 Engelsdorf, Germany [Hellraiser] • 09/17 Vienna, Austria [Planet Music] • 09/18 Salzburg, Austria [Rockhaus] • 09/19 Pratteln, Switzerland [Z7]
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05.05.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Capitol Records recording artists OK GO have announced the August 30th release of their second album, "Oh No." The album, which follows their 2002 self-titled debut - was recorded in Malmo, Sweden in late 2004 with Tore Johansson, who is well-known for his production on the debut album from FRANZ FERDINAND. Mixing engineer Dave Sardy, whose many credits include work with NINE INCH NAILS, JET and SYSTEM OF A DOWN, also joined the band in the studio. "Oh No" finds OK GO stepping forward with a leaner, rawer sound: 13 manic and melodic rockers, soulful ballads, and riff-filled three-minute anthems. On May 24th, the Chicago-based quartet - which consists of vocalist/guitarist Damian Kulash, guitarist/keyboardist Andy Ross, bassist Tim Nordwind and drummer Dan Konopka - will kick off a nearly month-long North American club itinerary, during which they will preview "Oh No" tracks for fans eager for a first listen. Throughout May and June, OK GO will team with Leeds, England's high-flying KAISER CHIEFS for a series of dates across the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast - including a May 31st hometown gig at Chicago's Park West. During the tour, fans can check in with the band via a series of self-produced OK GO podcasts. Hosted by long-standing comrade Jorge Just, the free podcast audio reports represent a groundbreaking approach to fan outreach by a major label band. The first two installments in the series - offering intimate and exceptionally chatty insights into the world of OK GO - are already available at www.okgo.net. Podcasts may also be downloaded as mp3 files from the OK GO site or are available via a subscription service. Fans can begin by pasting into iPodder (or other podcast software). New podcasts will be automatically delivered to subscribers the moment they become available. OK GO have previously shared the stage with THE DONNAS, THE VINES, FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE, PHANTOM PLANET, THE MUSIC, MAROON 5, SUPERDRAG, THE PROMISE RING, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, THE VINES and THE CRANBERRIES.
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05.05.05 (RockAndMetal.com) New York quintet MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD are in the studio recording what will be their third full-length release for Trustkill Records. The album's tentative title, "Merciless," encompasses both the lyrical themes and music found on this new release. "The songs are a culmination of years and years of life experience: Betrayal, loss, grief, abandonment but forever trudging on in the face of immortal adversity. Life is merciless as are all the new songs," says MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD guitarist Justin Brannan. Though it promises to be the band's most punishing release yet, MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD have also expanded their musical repertoire to include Orchestral and Electronic sounds. The band, who produced "Merciless" themselves along with Dean Balutonis, plans to follow up the recording of the new album with a tour across the UK with NAPALM DEATH and DIECAST. MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD's mix of aggressive riffs and scathing social commentary have been an integral part of the current Hardcore scene -- particularly New York Hardcore -- following in the footsteps of forbearers like AGNOSTIC FRONT and SICK OF IT ALL, both of whom they have toured with. MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD have always been adamant about bringing the message with Hardcore. Working with animal welfare organizations like PETA and the ASPCA, distributing literature, speaking out and generally living by the Hardcore philosophy, the band members remain true to their roots and have not been afraid to court controversy for their beliefs. The cover of their last album, "Our Lady Of Annihilation," was released to furor from retailers everywhere who refused to stock the album which featured a female depicting the Lady Madonna with a bomb strapped to her chest. "The ferocity of the songs on this album will cause the controversy this time," Brannan says. "We've never been afraid to try new things and we're not going to stop now, but we know what's what and this will be a bonafide Most Precious Blood hardcore album - more pissed off than ever before, and 100 percent justified."
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05.04.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Drive-Thru Records recording artists HALIFAX spent April in the recording studio with Lou Giordano (Goo Goo Dolls, Taking Back Sunday, Sunny Day Real Estate) laying tracks for their forthcoming full-length debut. The album, entitled "The Inevitably Of A Strange World" is slated for release in September. Working with Giordano has been a purely positive and amazing experience for the band. HALIFAX lead vocalist Mike Hunau says: "Lou is the perfect producer, especially for first-timers like us. He really works with you, and makes it a team effort. He totally gets it." "The Inevitably Of A Strange World" includes upbeat songs and ballads featuring Halifax's signature hooks and sing-along choruses. Hunau says of the forthcoming release: "It's the best thing I've ever done." In early 2004, HALIFAX released the EP "A Writer's Reference" on No Milk Records. After signing with Drive-Thru Records later last year, the label remastered and re-released the EP with new artwork and a bonus track. As described by Outburn Magazine, the EP "throbs with urgency and melodics catchier than germs from a baby," while A Writer's Reference has sold about 10,000 copies to date. HALIFAX are also listed as one of Alternative Press magazine's "100 Bands You Need To Know In 2005," and topped their "Reader's Chart" at number one in the April issue. So what does the Summer have in store for HALIFAX? The band are joining fellow Drive-Thru label-mates HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW, ALLISTER, and I AM THE AVALANCHE on the "Drive-Thru UK Invasion" tour during this month, then it's back to the United States for 17 dates with FROM FIRST TO LAST, a quick headlining tour, then July will be spent by the band on the Warped Tour. HALIFAX features Hunau on vocals, Chris Brandt on guitars and backing vocals, Adam Trabbish on guitar and Tommy Guindon on drums.
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05.04.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Former Rob Zombie guitarist Riggs' new band SCUM OF THE EARTH is getting ready to tour the United States along with BRAND NEW SIN and SOCIETY 1 this June through July. The band are supporting their debut release, "Blah...Blah...Blah...Love Songs For The New Millennium," which was released in October via Eclipse Records. SCUM OF THE EARTH's current single from the album, 'GetYour Dead On,' is still experiencing rotation on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball as well as many radio stations throughout the U.S. The strong Rob Zombie influence that one hears in SCUM OF THE EARTH's material is no coincidence. Riggs, the in-your-face vocalist/guitarist, songwriter and producer who spent six years in Zombie's employ, wrote and played all the Rob Zombie guitar grinds on radio hits such as 'Dragula,' 'Living Dead Girl,' 'Superbeast' and others. SCUM OF THE EARTH's line-up is filled out by a fellow Rob Zombie bandmate and drummer John Tempesta along with his brother, guitarist Mike Tempesta from POWERMAN 5000. Tour Dates: 06/14 Springfield, MO [The Rockwell] • 06/15 Cudahay, WI [Vnuks Lounge] • 06/16 Madison, WI [The Annex] • 06/17 Chicago, IL [The Metro] • 06/18 Freeport, IL [Freeport Convention Center] • 06/19 Omaha, NE [The Ranch Bowl] • 06/20 St. Louis, MO [Creepy Crawl] • 06/21 Grand Rapids, MI [Ten Bells] • 06/22 Westlake, MI [The Token Lounge] • 06/23 Buffalo, NY [The Continental] • 06/24 Orono, ME [Ushuaia] • 06/25 Manchester, NH [Bomb Shelter] • 06/29 White Marsh, MD [The House Of Rock] • 06/30 Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 07/01 Raleigh, NC [Lincoln Theatre] • 07/02 Atlanta, GA [The Imperial Lounge] • 07/03 Mobile, AL [The Cellblock] • 07/04 Fayetteville, AR [The Gypsy] • 07/08 Dallas, TX [The Galaxy] • 07/11 Tucson, AZ [The Ghost Lounge] • 07/12 Corona, CA [Showcase Theatre] • 07/13 Concorde, CA [Bourbon Street] • 07/14 Modesto, CA [Fat Cat Music House] • 07/15 Seattle, WA [Studio Seven] • 07/16 Portland, OR [Rock & Roll Pizza]
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05.03.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Capitol Records is responding to requests from BOB SEGER's online fan community for reissues of the Detroit rocker's more obscure works by releasing a newly remastered version of his 1972 release, "Smokin' O.P.'s," on June 7th. With a career spanning almost 40 years and nearly 50 million records sold, the Grammy-winning Seger is known for his extraordinary depth of songs that capture both the hope and the heartbreak implicit in the American Dream. With the original release of "Smokin' O.P.'s," BOB SEGER took a month long break from songwriting and constant touring to record the album with TEEGARDEN & VAN WINKLE of "God, Love And Rock & Roll" fame. The title is BOB SEGER shorthand for "smoking other people's songs." The album was recorded at Pampa Studios in Detroit, Michigan, which at that time resided in the basement of the Pampa Lanes Bowling Alley. The bowlers had to be stopped from time to time in order to record the tracks. As Punch Andrews, BOB SEGER's long-time manager recalls: "Sometimes the bass was enhanced by the rumble of the bowlers on Lane 17." In addition to his interpretations of some of that era's songs, "Smokin' O.P.'s" included covers of his own 'Heavy Music' and 'Someday,' which Seger had recently penned about hardships encountered in the music industry. BOB SEGER made his Capitol Records recording debut in 1968, and has remained with the label ever since - except for a three-year break. Touring almost continually, Seger set up his own distribution company, Palladium, for the release of "Smokin' O.P.'s." With the success of the single 'If I Were A Carpenter,' an immediate hit in Detroit, Seger seemed to be on track for stardom. In fact, the record began to take off so well that even small independent distributors were screaming for more records. So when Palladium ran out of resources to press records, they signed on to the Reprise Records label for distribution through Warner Bros.. However, but by the time their plants were up and running the momentum had passed, and BOB SEGER would have to struggle for three more years before his music would receive widespread commercial success.
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05.03.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Newcomers GIZMACHI release their debut album, "The Imbuing," via Big Orange Clown/Sanctuary Records today. Brutal and beautiful are two words that accurately describe the potent music of GIZMACHI. Simultaneously, it is and is not Heavy Metal, and therein lies the tantalizing challenge for listeners. GIZMACHI's unclassifiable music is what each individual listener wants it to be. GIZMACHI are the flagship artist on Big Orange Clown Records, and "The Imbuing" is also the label's first release. Lead vocalist Sean Kane, guitarist Jason Hannon, guitarist/backing vocalist Mike Laurino, bassist Kris Gilmore and drummer Jimmie Hatcher recorded "The Imbuing" with mentor and Big Orange Clown chief M. Shawn Crahan as producer. Crahan is better known as "Clown," or #6, in SLIPKNOT. "The Imbuing" is Crahan's first production project. "The brutality and vision of this band encourages me because it's not designed around anger or hate like a lot of other bands. It's unique in today's world of metal. That's why I'm in," says Crahan. The eight songs on "The Imbuing" are the first single and video 'The Answer,' 'Wandering Eyes,' 'Bloodwine,' 'Burn,' 'Romantic Devastation,' 'Wearing Skin,' 'People Show' and 'Voice Of Sanity.' Gizmachi formed in 1999. It is a testimony to the quintet's originality that the members did not travel the typical, well-worn paths followed by most bands in their development. "I met Jason in high school and we started jamming just for fun," says Gilmore. "We met up with Jimmie and then Mike came along. We would play in our friends' basements sometimes. Once we got together with Sean we really started to take the music more seriously and develop our own style. Sean has a lot of drive and focus. We take our art very seriously, and it's been an evolution," says Kane. "We've built up what we started with by adding more layers to our music. Heavier elements were added as time progressed." The music is what matters, and Gizmachi relentlessly and obsessively focused on songwriting and creating a united vision devoid... [full story]
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05.02.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Lost Highway Records is set to release the first-ever live album from Grammy Award-winning artist LUCINDA WILLIAMS. "Lucinda Williams: Live @ The Fillmore" will be released on May 10th, and features 22 tracks on a two-disc set. "Lucinda Williams: Live @ The Fillmore" was recorded at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, CA in early 2004. The double album includes such favorites as 'Joy,' 'I Lost It,' 'Essence' and 'Blue,' but LUCINDA WILLIAMS digs even deeper into her past on the new offering with gritty versions of 'Pineola' and 'Changed The Locks.' 'Lucinda Williams: Live @ The Fillmore also features songs from the highly-acclaimed, Grammy-Nominated 2003 release "World Without Tears," such as the gorgeous 'Ventura,' 'Overtime' and the Paul Westerberg-influenced 'Real Live Bleeding Fingers And Broken Guitar Strings.' "Lucinda Williams: Live @ The Fillmore" also features one of the best touring bands on the road today with guitarist, pedal steel and background vocalist Doug Pettibone anchored by Taras Prodaniuk on bass and Jim Christie on drums and percussion. Their performances of LUCINDA WILLIAMS' songs are an extraordinary balance of aggression and finesse that perfectly complement her unique vocal style and songwriting. LUCINDA WILLIAMS will embark on a brief upcoming North American tour beginning June 15th in support of "Lucinda Williams: Live @ The Fillmore." Tour Dates: June 15th San Diego, CA [Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay] • June 16th Saratoga, CA [Mountain Winery] • June 18th Reno, NV [Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater] • June 19th San Francisco, CA [Stern Grove Festival] • June 21st Veneta, OR [Secret House Vineyard] • June 22nd Portland, OR [Crystal Ballroom] • June 24th Seattle, WA [South Lake Union Park] • June 25th Vancouver, BC [Stanley Park] • June 28th Boulder, CO [Boulder Theater] • June 29th Denver, CO [Denver Botanic Gardens] • July 2nd Saint Paul, MN [Music In The Zoo - Outdoor Amphitheater] • July 14th New York, NY [Beacon Theater]
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05.02.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Expect the unexpected when New Jersey's AGENTS OF MAN unleash their debut album, "Count Your Blessings," on June 14th. The album was produced at Purple Light Studios with acclaimed producer Mike Barilie (Candiria, 40 Below Summer), and is an extremely dynamic offering that can appeal to almost any audience. AGENTS OF MAN recently shot a video for the track 'Death Of Me' with acclaimed director Dale Resteghini (Fear Factory, Hatebreed, Dillinger Escape Plan), slated to make its network debut in June. Composed of former members of such acclaimed Hardcore acts as BULLDOZE, ONE 4 ONE and TRAIN OF THOUGHT, and with a new rock-solid lineup recently completed by bassist Mike Couls (Sworn Enemy, Cold As Life), AGENTS OF MAN appear more determined now than ever before. Couls comments on his his excitement over the upcoming release of "Count Your Blessings" and the new video: "Things are getting busy as we gear up for the release of our debut record. The video should be completed in about two weeks, and we are very excited to see the finished product. To all of our supporters, we can't thank you enough and we truly appreciate it. To the newcomers who haven't yet heard of us, keep an open mind and let the music speak for itself. We look forward to seeing you all soon." AGENTS OF MAN spent years honing their craft by combining a stunning blend of underground and Pop culture alike, which evolved into a brilliant fusion of catchy and melodic yet aggressive music that can't easily be categorized. Meanwhile, AGENTS OF MAN's first release, the 2001 "AOM EP 01" EP, has sold over 7,500 copies to date - despite very limited distribution. The group has already toured the U.S. with reputable bands such as 36 CRAZYFISTS, CANDIRIA, FULL BLOWN CHAOS and SWORN ENEMY, and have also played some shows with more established acts like BIOHAZARD, GOD FORBID, HATEBREED and THURSDAY.
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[Music News: 04.25.05 - 05.01.05]
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