07.15.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Upcoming Rockers AMERICAN MINOR will release their self-titled debut album on August 16th via Red Ink/Jive Records. The album comes as a complete surprise, sounding like a missive from an alternate, more perfect universe where TELEVISION opened for BAD COMPANY and THE GUN CLUB toured with TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS. AMERICAN MINOR are five working-class young men from rural West Virginia who write songs about real life instead of their record collections. They know that GRAND FUNK RAILROAD was like the MC5, but with a better looking lead singer. Most importantly, AMERICAN MINOR know more about living in house trailers than living off trust funds. Produced by Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith (founding members of BLIND MELON) and mixed by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Foo Fighters, The Vines), "American Minor"'s eleven songs display a natural confidence and ease that spring from a lifetime of shared experiences growing up in Huntingon, West Virginia. Unfettered by the rules and taboos of a local scene, the band's sound developed naturally. "We didn't have anyone telling us what was and wasn't cool," says AMERICAN MINOR vocalist Robert McCutcheon. "Led Zeppelin and Pavement, Neil Young and Fugazi, Tom Waits and Elliott Smith, it was all rock music to us." That freedom allowed AMERICAN MINOR to develop something special: a completely contemporary sound that's firmly grounded in Classic Rock records made before anyone in the band was born. Even though AMERICAN MINOR played its first shows in 2002, the band's roots go all the way back to the 2nd grade, when guitarist Josh Gragg and drummer Josh Knox were both sent to the principal's office for setting off bottle rockets at recess. While waiting to see the man in charge, they discovered a shared interest in AEROSMITH's "Pump" album (especially the 'Love In An Elevator' video). Gragg and Knox remained fast friends through high school, eventually landing coveted jobs at the Teays Valley Dairy Queen. "The DQ was definitely the prestige job among kids in our hometown," says Robert McCutcheon. "Once you'd worked there long enough, you got to change the letters on the marquee out side the restaurant, using one of those long magnetic poles to reach the sign. And since a new message on the Dairy Queen sign qualified as big news in our town, everyone thought the sign was hilarious, so being the official 'Sign Guy' made you a local celebrity." DQ... [full story]
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07.15.05 (RockAndMetal.com) According to Terra.cl, DEICIDE's previously announced concert in Santiago, Chile will go ahead as planned tonight, despite objections from local church officials. The performance by the long-running Florida-based Death Metallers was previously said to be in jeopardy after the Chilean church had asked the authorities to prevent the group from playing in country out of respect for an Italian Catholic priest who was murdered by a DEICIDE fan almost a year ago. Rodrigo Orias slit Father Faustino Gazziero's throat, smeared his face with the victim's blood, and then stabbed himself several times in the chest and neck with the same knife at the conclusion of a Mass at Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral almost a year ago on July 24, 2004 while hundreds of churchgoers watched in horror, according to published reports. Mauricio Moreno, webmaster of the Chilean metal portal Metal.hub.cl, praised the organizers of the upcoming DEICIDE concert and pointed out the band's immense popularity in Chile (at press time, more than half of the concert's 3,500 available tickets have been sold). "Deicide are a pioneering band in death metal, and they have served as an inspiration to many local bands," he said. Regarding the church's attempts to get the concert cancelled, Moreno said: "Although Deicide's lyrics are strongly against Christianity, they are just that - lyrics. Rodrigo Orias had psychological problems which caused him to do what he did, and I do not believe that a normal, well-adjusted person would even contemplate doing something like what he did. The position of the church does not bother me, because I believe that adult people will have no problems understanding that this is just music and nothing more." He added that "each person is responsible for his or her own actions, and if a band's lyrics can influence you to live your life a certain way, you have to go a psychologist." Enrico Lopez, host of the Chilean program "Rock Avalanche" on Radio Valdivia, stated about DEICIDE's lyrics: "these are just words, and they are not to be taken literally. Many people of Valdivia are going to travel to Santiago to see Deicide perform. They are a group who are recognized for their contributions to the metal scene." The case of Rodrigo Orias does not worry Lopez, who says "He [Orias] was not thinking very clearly. A normal person is not going to do what he did, and it is unfair to lump all metal fans in with someone like that."
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07.14.05 (AP) Although bassist/vocalist ROGER WATERS dabbled with operatic themes in PINK FLOYD's "The Wall," he's never written a traditional opera - until now. Waters will debut "Ca Ira (There Is Hope)," his opera about the French Revolution, September 27th with a two-disc CD and DVD project via Sony Music. Though the production includes baritone Bryn Terfel and other Classical music veterans, Waters believes "Ca Ira" might spark some skepticism from the Classical music world. "I'm in some state of trepidation because I feel that I'm putting my head on the chopping block," he told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday. "It's actually very melodic and it's unashamedly emotional. So, if the intellectuals of the modern opera world are catty about it, so be it. I fully expect some resistance. There will be a lot of, 'Who does he think he is?'" The idea for the opera came in 1989, around the time of the revolution's bicentennial, when songwriter Etienne Roda-Gil approached ROGER WATERS with his libretto, illustrated by Roda-Gil's wife, Nadine. "He wanted to know if he could use my old songs," Waters said. "I looked at it and sort of fell in love with it ... after six weeks I had a demo that was over two hours long." The death of Roda-Gil's wife from leukemia halted work on the project, but Waters and Roda-Gil eventually began working together again. Waters wrote both French and English versions of the opera. He said the themes of "Ca Ira" are especially relevant today. "It's not just a piece about the French Revolution, it's about revolution in a much broader sense, and it's about the capacity that human beings have for personal change," Waters said. "The piece is an exultation and an encouragement to those of us who believe the human race can discover its humanity and its capacity for empathy to the point where it may be possible for us at some point to guarantee the basic human rights of the individual (around the world)." "Ca Ira" will be performed in concert in Rome in November, but ROGER WATERS' ultimate goal is to have it produced by an opera company. As for his Rock career, Waters, 61, is working on new album. But those hoping for a PINK FLOYD project after the group's reunion at the Live 8 concert in London will be disappointed. "The chances of further developing with the Pink Floyd reunion are very slight," he said. "The Live 8 reunion couldn't have been better, it was terrific, I was really glad it happened, we got along famously and it was absolutely fine, but (guitarist) Dave (Gilmour) and I do have major musical, philosophical, political and artistic differences," he said with a laugh. "So for us to reconvene would probably not be the most brilliant idea."

07.14.05 (RockAndMetal.com) After a month-long delay, Technical Death Metal destroyers ANATA are now in the process of recording the follow-up to last year's "Under A Stone With No Inscription," entitled "The Conductor's Departure." ANATA Drummer Conny Pettersson checks in with news on how the first few days have panned out: "Finally, the time had come to begin the recording of Anata's fourth full-length album. And it was up to me to begin with the drums. Some work had already been done with the drums since I recorded with Trendkill one month earlier in Studiomega. So the drums were in place and most of the microphones. But the Studiomega engineer Christian Silver thought that Anata deserved something extra for this album and bought four new microphones only to be used on the cymbals. So with a microphone for each drum and cymbal, it ended up with 18 microphones for the drums to get perfect sound and separation of the drum kit. After two days of sound checking we could start the recording of the first track. My first choice was to begin with the heaviest song, 'I Would Dream Of Blood' - the 'ballad' of the album, so to speak. Then I continued with Anata's only instrumental song ever, called 'Children's Laughter.' After this warm up it was time for some real action and I recorded 'Downward Spiral Into Madness', 'Renunciation' and 'Complete Demise.' Well, on and on each track was recorded and a lot of hard work was put into it by both me and the engineer. If you compare this recording to 'Under A Stone With No Inscription,' I can say it was more demanding both physically and mentally. I hit the drums twice as hard, the songs are much faster, and there are a lot more details to keep in mind. In some fills and blast beats I thought my arms would break in half, but fortunately they didn't." ANATA frontman Fredrik Schalin recently had this to say regarding the new recording: "The working title for this album is 'The Conductor's Departure,' which symbolizes the losing of control of your own life. You have all these abilities and potential, but it's all going to waste because you can't make something out of it. Like an orchestra without the conductor, hence the title! In general, this album is a lot faster than our last one, but it also has a lot of slower, heavy and groovy sections. When it comes to brutality, impact and assault, I think most people should know what to expect from Anata. It will be brutal as hell, but it's also much more interesting when it comes to harmonies, which are much deeper this time around."
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07.13.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Former PORNO FOR PYROS guitarist PETER DISTEFANO's new solo album, "Soul Trigger," is scheduled for release July 26th via Sanctuary Records. The new offering is the follow-up to 2004's well-received "Gratitude" album. "Soul Trigger" will be available exclusively online via various digital music services, while CDs will be sold through fan-run website www.peterdistefano.com and at PETER DISTEFANO live shows. "Soul Trigger" is truly a solo album, as DiStefano recorded the music entirely by himself. He sang and layered the guitar and bass parts on top of Garage Band drum samples, the "live" feel being the result of recording the parts in one take. Musically, the majority of the album has a stripped down Pop/Punk sound - the inspiration for that able to be traced in part to RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea, also a good friend of PETER DISTEFANO. "Flea invited me to the Ramones tribute concert that was held at the Avalon in Hollywood last year. Then I saw the new Ramones movie 'End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones' and got their first album. I missed The Ramones and The Germs when they first came out. I wasn't into punk at the time," DiStefano says. Lyrically, DiStefano takes a brutally honest, unflinching look at his troubled life on "Soul Trigger," much like he did on "Gratitude." He has lived a life that would kill most people, battling and overcoming severe heroin, crack and alcohol addictions and an overall decadent lifestyle which peaked during the 1992-1997 PORNO FOR PYROS years. After conquering those demons, PETER DISTEFANO successfully beat cancer after grueling chemotherapy. He then took on the task of gradually rebuilding his career. "'Gratitude' was the gift of me getting off of heroin and crack. 'Soul Trigger' is straight-edge," DiStefano says. "I'm fighting to be honest. I can only write about what I've lived. I can use my past mistakes to help people. Both albums can be described by one word: Honesty." PETER DISTEFANO has no illusions that he has permanently conquered his demons. "The title track of 'Soul Trigger' is about me still having that urge. I still have the devil in me, like a loose cannon with a cannonball," he says. However DiStefano is winning the war. His career is back on track, he and his wife have two children and he channels aggression into healthier outlets such as his guitar playing and extreme sports such as surfing, motocross and skateboarding. "We emptied Flea's pool to skateboard in it," laughs DiStefano.

07.13.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Newly signed chaotic Death/Thrash Metallers URKRAFT are due to enter Antfarm Studios with renowned producer Tue Madsen this Saturday, July 16th to begin a two week recording session for their hotly anticipated Earache Records debut. As previously revealed, the album is entitled "The Inhuman Aberration," and deals with issues such as the subjective human perspective, megalomania and general full-on aural battery. URKRAFT frontman/guitarist Thomas gave a little insight into the band's thoughts and feelings as they prepare to enter the studio: "Well, we have reached the point where we can't get much more ready for the studio as a band. As individuals, we might do some more practicing at home though. During the last few days we have been working with the small details on all tracks, been doing some last minute changes and I think this has given the final touch some of the tracks needed. We are really exited about releasing the next album. Urkraft were expected to do deep Death Metal on our debut, but obviously surprised some people by putting in more thrash than earlier. We still play a combination, but this release will be both a new side of Urkraft, as well as moving a little back to the old days. It will be more noisy and chaotic, a lot faster, more brutal, and with that overall dark feeling to it that the 'Eternal Cosmic Slaughter' album had. Especially, the keyboard will have a more conspicuous role. It is not just used as a lay over, but will also be a part of the chaos and help support the attacks in the music. Regarding the lyrics, on the title track 'The Inhuman Aberration' the subjective human perspective on things is questioned. The voice in the song might belong to a sick megalomaniac mind, but at the same time, a mind that can comprehend and dare to face the primordial horrors that exist underneath human made ideas of reason and logic. 'The Inhuman Aberration' is not a concept album as such. Different voices speak and contradicting views exist within the lyrics. Overall the lyrics attempt to describe what man can not control: The subconscious powers within and the subversive grinding of the cosmos." Formed in the small Danish provincial town of Svendborg and now residing in Copenhagen, URKRAFT blend an unnerving sense of aggression, speed and flesh-peeling vocals with atmospheric, soul-penetrating keyboards to create a massive sound.
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07.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS' new song 'Blue Sky' has been recognized as the theme song of the Space Shuttle's much-anticipated return to flight. As a result of this, NASA has invited the Rock trio to be on hand as VIP guests at the Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, July 13th, when the space shuttle Discovery lifts off on a 13-day mission commanded by Eileen Collins, the first woman to helm a shuttle exploration. 'Blue Sky' just became available today exclusively through iTunes here, and will also be on the BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS' next album. BHTM vocalist/guitarist Todd Park Mohr wrote 'Blue Sky' at the urging of John Horan, Deputy Program Manager for ASRC Aerospace Corporation, NASA's research and development contractor. "John's a fan and came on our BHTM Fan Cruise in January," says Mohr, referring to a week-long excursion of the British Virgin Islands which the band hosts for 240 fans each spring. "We got to talking, and he said they've used 'Rocket Man' so much, and wanted a song specifically about the American shuttle program." After the tour, Mohr returned to his solar-powered studio in the Colorado mountains and started doing research about NASA. "I drew on my experience from visiting the Kennedy Space Center with Brian and Rob, where we were given a behind-the-scenes tour, as well as astronauts' autobiographical material posted on the NASA website. I am a believer in space exploration, and believe the effort is in many ways the cream and flower of human achievement." BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS (Mohr, bassist Rob Squires and drummer Brian Nevin) were friends in high school and formed the group in 1986 while attending Littleton, Colorado's Columbine High School. Their latest releases include the "Crimes Of Passion" album and the "Live From The Fillmore" DVD, both available via Sanctuary Records. BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS have released nine albums, including the platinum-selling "Sister Sweetly" and continue to tour relentlessly. The band's radio hits include the songs 'Broken Hearted Savior,' 'Sister Sweetly,' 'Bittersweet' and 'Resignation Superman.' [FREE MP3]

07.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Montreal Extreme Technical Metallers CRYPTOPSY have completed recordings for their still-untitled upcoming album, slated for an October release via Century Media. CRYPTOPSY guitarist Alex Auburn checked in with the following wrap-up: "We have finished the fifth full-length Cryptopsy album. Eleven tracks totaling about 50 minutes, this is a concept album where every song has its own identity, and we made sure to have a lot of flavors and different rhythms and tempos throughout the whole process. The goal this time around was to focus on writing excellent songs, which we did. Finally, this album will be out soon, and we can't wait to see you all when we hit the road with this new material." CRYPTOPSY will kick off an extensive North American tour this Fall with SUFFOCATION and ABORTED. Tour Dates: 09/28 Farmingdale, NY [Downtown] • 09/29 Nashville, TN [The Muse] • 09/30 Tulsa, OK The [Pinkeye] • 10/01 Houston, TX [Mary Jane's] • 10/02 McAllen, TX [Villa Reel Convention Center] • 10/04 San Antonio, TX [White Rabbit] • 10/05 Ft. Worth, TX [Ridglea Theater] • 10/06 Albuquerque, NM [Launch Pad] • 10/07 Tempe, AZ [The Clubhouse] • 10/08 San Diego, CA [Soma] • 10/11 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 10/12 West Hollywood, CA [House Of Blues] • 10/13 Orangevale, CA [The Boardwalk] • 10/14 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 10/15 Portland, OR [Meow Meow] • 10/16 Seattle, WA [Studio Seven] • 10/17 Victoria, BC [Sugar] • 10/18 Vancouver, BC [Commodore Ballroom] • 10/19 Prince George, BC [The Generator] • 10/20 Calgary, AB [Warehouse] • 10/21 Edmonton, AB [Starlite Room] • 10/22 Regina, SK [Riddel Center] • 10/23 Saskatoon, SK [Roxy On Broadway] • 10/24 Winnipeg, MB [Pyramid] • 10/25 Minneapolis, MN [Ascot Room] • 10/26 Chicago Heights, IL [Mr. Kelleys] • 10/27 Cleveland, OH [Peabody's] • 10/28 Detroit, MI [Harpo's Concert Theatre] • 10/29 Toronto, ON [The Opera House] • 10/30 Ottawa, ON [Capital Music Hall] • 10/31 Royun-Noranda, QC [Petit Theatre Du Vieux Noranda] • 11/01 Chicoutiml, QC [Poly Laure Conan] • 11/02 Rimouski, QC [La Coudee] • 11/03 Quebec City, QC [L'Imperial] • 11/04 Montreal, QC [Medley] • 11/05 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 11/06 West Springfield, VA [Jaxx] • 11/07 New York, NY [BB King's]
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07.11.05 (RockAndMetal.com) The upcoming release of "Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" on September 12th, PAUL McCARTNEY's 20th studio recording since the 1970 breakup of THE BEATLES, marks an end to a nearly four-year hiatus since his last studio recording, 2001's platinum-certified "Driving Rain." The new 13-track album is co-produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Travis and Beck) and McCartney, and was recorded in London and Los Angeles over the course of the past two years. Its release coincides with the September 16th launch of PAUL McCARTNEY's all new 37-city "US" Tour, his fastest-selling concert tour ever. "Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" is a return to the basics for McCartney. The album successfully fuses his songwriting talents with his underrated musicianship. In fact, McCartney is credited with playing the majority of the instruments on the album (including less traditional ones including the block flute, harmonium and flugelhorn), which is somewhat reminiscent of his first solo album, 1970's "McCartney," on which he was credited with playing all of the instruments. "Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" is a mix of up-tempo, piano-driven songs such as 'Fine Line' and 'Promise To You Girl,' and more introspective tracks such as 'At The Mercy,' 'Too Much Rain' and 'Riding To Vanity Fair.' One of the highlights is a track entitled, 'Jenny Wren,' which McCartney describes as "the daughter of 'Blackbird,'" as well as 'Follow Me,' which McCartney debuted at The Glastonbury Festival while on his '04 Summer European Tour. But "Chaos And Creation In The Back Yard" would not have been either if not for the suggestion of legendary BEATLES producer Sir George Martin. Familiar with Nigel Godrich's credentials and his published desire to work with an established artist, McCartney made the call that finally put the two together in the studio. The collaboration seemed an unlikely one, and thus the rumors began. "I did not want to rush this album," said McCartney, who despite repeated inquiries, touring commitments and pressure from his record label, managed to maintain his focus. "I think it was worth the wait though. The music became more interesting over time, and I'm really proud of what we did." "We really made a lot of it up as we went along," added McCartney. "I'd try something, and if it didn't work I'd try something else until it did. It was like making a go-cart in the backyard." "When Paul and I got together we had a common goal," says Godrich. "We wanted to make a great album that was true to Paul. I think that's exactly what we did."

07.11.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Black Market Activities recording artists FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW checked in recently with the following update: "Hello everyone! We are still alive and well from touring the country, though we had a few close calls in Death Valley braving 120 degree temperatures while riding in our van and traveling upon mountaintops with an endless chasm below. The shows have been fun, the kids are amazing, and it has been fantastic being out. Right now, we have a few things to announce. First, we had a great show in Chicago on this tour and have spoken with Blood In, Blood Out about our past encounter with them. I speak for everyone in my band when I say they were some of the nicest and most sincerely apologetic dudes we have ever met and they rocked it out with us. It was probably one of the best moments in my life because it was all a huge misunderstanding and they realized this and we are now cool with each other. I have to admit, they were actually fucking awesome live too. Look for us to do shows in the future with them because like us, they definitely are a serious band that wants to get out there and share their message with people. NOW, as for other things, we just got announced for this year's Hellfest and I hope we see everyone in lovely NJ. We also are co-headlining the first day of the Midwest Death Fest in Detroit Michigan. That is the day after we drop off the tour with The Red Chord and Between The Buried And Me. I know there might be some misinformation about when we are playing and where because some dates have been changed on us, but for right now, our website is completely up to date and accurate. Please if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us. Once we get back home, we are planning on doing a few select shows here or there and for the most part, finish the new CD. Expect more good news soon but for now, we will keep going. Take care and see you on the road and again, if you can offer us a place to stay or bring us food/drinks, please talk to us at a show and help us out. Love, fassw."
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[ Music News: 07.04.05 - 07.10.05 ]
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