08.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) One of the most successful Progressive Rock bands in history unleashes almost four hours of unreleased live performances that span nearly two decades as Rhino Records releases YES' "The Word Is Live" on August 23rd. The three-disc set will be available at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $49.98. This 26-track collection follows YES' evolving sound, from early performances of 'Then' and 'For Everyone,' recorded back in 1970 on John Peel's Sunday BBC Program (the only previously issued tracks included in this compilation) to several songs recorded in 1988 at The Summit in Houston, Texas, including an excellent medley that features the songs 'Make It Easy' and 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart.' "The Word Is Live" also spotlights the different incarnations of YES from 1970-1988, with performances from the original lineup of lead vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Tony Kaye and guitarist Peter Banks, as well as songs that feature guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Patrick Moraz, vocalist Trevor Horn, keyboardist Geoff Downes and guitarist Trevor Rabin. "The Word Is Live" captures one of Rock's preeminent live bands in full stride as they gallop through concert staples 'Yours Is No Disgrace' and 'I've Seen All Good People,' performed at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London in 1971, a euphoric 18-minute version of 'Awaken' at Chicago's International Amphitheater in 1979, as well as 'The Big Medley,' recorded in 1978 at The Forum in Los Angeles, which gives each virtuoso member a turn in the spotlight. Also included in "The Word Is Live" is an elaborate booklet featuring rare photos, an essay by vocalist/bassist Greg Lake of EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, recollections from friends and fans about their favorite YES concerts (including Mike Tiano, who manages YES' website, and author and YES expert Bill Martin), as well as heartfelt tributes by some other unlikely artists, including RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' John Frusciante, RUSH's Geddy Lee, Matthew Sweet, Duncan Sheik, THE POSIES' Joe Skyward and FOO FIGHTERS' Taylor Hawkins. Founded by Anderson, Squire and Bruford in 1968, YES has been a dominant force in Rock music for more than three decades, and has created some of FM radio's most enduring and compelling hits. To date, YES have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and were recently honored with Rhino/Elektra's career-spanning five-disc CD box set, "In A Word: Yes (1969 - )."
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08.12.05 (RockAndMetal.com) ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, the new Swedish band featuring vocalist Johan Lindstrand (formerly of THE CROWN), have set "21st Century Killing Machine" as the title of their upcoming debut album, due in early 2006 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band are scheduled to enter Bohus Studios on September 10th to begin recording the album. The band are also scheduled to perform at the Swedish Metal Expo, held in Stockholm at Fryshuset/Klubben on August 27th. "It will be an intense show that will include one brand new song," Lindstrand says. ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET previously recorded a demo CD, entitled "When Hatred Comes To Life." Soon after the breakup of THE CROWN, Johan Lindstrand starts to write some music, thinking of doing something on his own. As the music became more interesting, he decided to put some stuff down on tape. He then contacted bassist and old friend Valle Adzic of IMPIOUS to help out with a demo, which they begin recording with Adzic at the controls at his own Deadline Studios. ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET is a name that haunted Lindstrand since the beginning of the writing process, and as the demo sessions came to an end, promotion was begun on a brand new homepage. In December of 2004, ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET begin the recording process for the "When Hatred Comes To Life" promo, with six songs slated to be put down. Lindstrand also handled the rhythm guitar for the sessions, along with Adzic on bass and Fredrik Bergqvist on drums until the band would find itself some permanent members. Before putting the bass tracks on tape, Adzic expresses a desire to try out for the band as a full-time member, which occurs. In the early stages of recording, Adzic also suggests a guitarist in Mikael Lagerblad, who fits the band perfectly. During the recording process, the band put an ad on their website for a drummer and a rhythm guitarist, from which Lindstrand got a good response from musicians over in the United States. However, the fact that the band was based in Sweden presented itself as a problem. Eventually, guitarist Pekka Kiviaho was added as a member, as well as drummer Marek Dobrowolski from the band RECLUSION rounding out the five-man lineup for ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET, all of whom got together for the first time in February of this year.
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08.11.05 (RockAndMetal.com) "Back Home," ERIC CLAPTON's first album of new original material in nearly five years, will be released on Reprise/Duck Records on August 30th. Featuring twelve songs, five of which were penned by Clapton with creative collaborator Simon Climie, "Back Home" also includes 'Love Comes To Everyone' by the late George Harrison, THE SPINNERS' 'Love Don't Love Nobody,' a rendition of Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright's 'I'm Going Left,' and compositions by Vince Gill, Doyle Bramhall II and others. Produced by ERIC CLAPTON and Simon Climie, who together also wrote the album's debut single, 'Revolution,' "Back Home" additionally spotlights an all-star backing band, many of whose members have worked extensively with Clapton over the years, including drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Nathan East, guitarists Andy Fairweather Low and Doyle Bramhall II, and keyboardists Billy Preston and Simon Climie. Among the special guests appearing on "Back Home" are Steve Winwood (synthesizer), John Mayer (guitar), Robert Randolph (dobro), Chris Stainton (Fender Rhodes), Stephen Marley (percussion), Abraham Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Pino Palladino (bass) and Toby Baker (keyboards). The album also highlights string arrangements by Nick Ingman and performances by the KICK HORNS. "I wanted to make a studio album without quite knowing what it was going to be," remarks Clapton on the creative impetus behind "Back Home." Working closely with Climie, Clapton began recording over a year ago, working around his touring schedule and family commitments. "We kind of resigned ourselves to the fact that it was going to take a long time, but when we got stuck or if it wasn't moving fast enough we'd stop and do a Robert Johnson song. That would clear the air, and we'd go back and carry on for the new album. As a result, we ended up with a complete Robert Johnson album first, which was released last year as 'Me And Mr Johnson.'" It was through that writing and recording process, Clapton explains, that the theme of "Back Home" emerged. "One of the earliest statements I made about myself," he reveals, "was back in the late '80's, with 'Journeyman.' This album completes that cycle in terms of talking about my whole journey as an itinerant musician and where I find myself now, starting a new family. That's why I chose the title. It's about coming home and staying home. Even though," he adds with a laugh, "I'll be out on the road again next year, playing this music."
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08.11.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Relapse Records recording artists HIGH ON FIRE have announced a string of U.S. tour dates in support of their current album, "Blessed Black Wings." The Oakland, CA trio will team up with EVERY TIME I DIE for a month long, 27-city trek that is scheduled to launch on September 7th in Poughkeepsie, NY. HIGH ON FIRE - vocalist/guitarist Matt Pike (ex-SLEEP), bassist Joe Preston (THRONES, ex-MELVINS) and drummer Des Kensel -- who have toured relentlessly since the release of "Blessed Black Wings" -- just completed a successful nationwide run as part of the inaugural "Sounds Of The Underground" tour alongside OPETH, LAMB OF GOD, CLUTCH and others. The band's latest video for the song 'Devilution' is currently in rotation now on both MTV2 and FUSE. HIGH ON FIRE are a supersonic exercise in conquest-by-volume. Equal parts molten Metal and earthquake panic, HIGH ON FIRE's MOTORHEAD-meets-SLAYER roar is outrageously loud and absolutely punishing. On "Blessed Black Wings", Matt Pike unleashes a devastating combination of bombastic guitar and howling war cries, weaving fantastical tales of supernatural beasts, forgotten battles and rivers of blood over an unstoppable bass and drum assault. HIGH ON FIRE are a class unto themselves, manhandling Rock music while locking into grooves that transcend time. Joining HIGH ON FIRE and EVERY TIME I DIE on the upcoming tour tour will be THE CHARIOT, THE RED CHORD and THE ESOTERIC. Tour Dates: 09/07 Poughkeepsie, NY [The Chance] • 09/08 New York, NY [Irving Plaza] • 09/09 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 09/10 Philadelphia, PA [TLA] • 09/12 Towson, MD [Recher Theater] • 09/13 Richmond, VA [Alley Katz] • 09/14 Charlotte, NC [Tremont Music Hall] • 09/15 Nashville, TN [Rockettown] • 09/16 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 09/17 Tampa, FL [Masquerade] • 09/19 Houston, TX [Engine Room] • 09/20 Dallas, TX [Trees] • 09/21 Austin, TX [Emos] • 09/23 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theater] • 09/24 San Diego, CA [Soma] • 09/25 Los Angeles, CA [House Of Blues] • 09/26 San Francisco, CA [Slims] • 09/27 Portland, OR [Loveland] • 09/28 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 09/30 Salt Lake City, UT [Lo-Fi Cafe] • 10/01 Denver, CO [Cervantes] • 10/02 Lawrence, KS [Granada] • 10/03 Minneapolis, MN [Ascot Room] • 10/04 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 10/05 Detroit, MI [St. Andrew Halls] • 10/06 Cleveland, OH [Peabody's] • 10/07 Buffalo, NY [Sphere Entertainment Complex]
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08.10.05 (RockAndMetal.com) DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE are set to release their new studio album, "Plans," on August 30th, the group's first release for Atlantic Records and the follow-up to their 2003 album, "Transatlanticism" (released on Indie label Barsuk Records). "Plans" was produced by DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE guitarist Chris Walla, who also produced the group's previous four releases. Never ones to stay off the road for long, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE begin a seven-week North American headlining tour October 3rd in Vancouver, BC. Meanwhile, the band are keeping themselves occupied this Summer with select shows including Japan's famed Summer Sonic festival this weekend, a sold-out show at New York City's Central Park Summerstage August 18th and the Austin City Limits Festival on September 24th. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE recently performed as part of the Lollapalooza festival and San Diego Street Scene ,where they previewed a few songs from the new album. The band are also slated to make their national television debut in support of "Plans" with a performance on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on Tuesday, September 27th. Additionally, the band's Spring 2004 tour was documented on the recently released Plexifilm DVD, "Drive Well, Sleep Carefully," which was directed by noted filmmaker Justin Mitchell. The DVD features 13 live songs along with candid backstage and interview footage. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE are slated to play the following confirmed tour dates in the Fall: 10/03 Vancouver, BC [Commodore Ballroom] • 10/04 Vancouver, BC [Commodore Ballroom] • 10/05 Walla Walla, WA [Whitman College] • 10/07 Salt Lake City, UT [In the Venue] • 10/08 Denver, CO [The Fillmore Auditorium] • 10/10 Minneapolis, MN [First Avenue] • 10/11 Minneapolis, MN [First Avenue] • 10/12 Chicago, IL [Riviera Theatre] • 10/14 Ann Arbor, MI [Michigan Theatre] • 10/15 Toronto, ONT [Kool Haus] • 10/16 Montreal, QC [Le Spectrum] • 10/17 Boston, MA [Orpheum Theatre] • 10/19 New York, NY [Hammerstein Ballroom] • 10/21 Carlisle, PA [Dickinson College] • 10/22 Providence, RI [Lupo's At The Strand] • 10/23 9:30 Club [Washington, DC] • 10/25 Philadelphia, PA [Electric Factory] • 10/28 Nashville, TN [War Memorial Auditorium] • 10/29 Atlanta, GA [The Tabernacle] • 10/30 Orlando, FL [Hard Rock Live] • 11/04 Dallas, TX [Ridglea Theater] • 11/05 Austin, TX [Stubb's Barbeque] • 11/08 Phoenix, AZ [Marquee Theatre] • 11/09 San Diego, CA [Soma] • 11/11 Los Angeles, CA [The Wiltern] • 11/13 San Francisco, CA [Warfield Theatre] • 11/16 Portland, OR [Crystal Ballroom] • 11/18 Seattle, WA Paramount [Theatre]
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08.10.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Abacus Recordings has announce the signing of New York Metalcore outfit SWORN ENEMY. The band are currently out on a headlining tour with FULL BLOWN CHAOS and SCARS OF TOMORROW ending with their performance at this year's Hellfest in New Jersey. The band recently finished up their sophomore album, "The Beginning Of The End," in San Diego during the month of June at Big Fish Studios. The album, which was produced by Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying), engineered by Steve Russell and mixed by Zeus (The Red Chord, Shadows Fall), will see a release date of October 18th. When discussing the mission of the new record, the response is simple, "To set the tone for the new age of metal," says SWORN ENEMY vocalist/frontman Sal Enemy. "This record signifies a new chapter for us as a band, a new style of music." Revolving around topics of politics, religion and everyday life, "The Beginning Of The End" showcases the band in their element - delivering heavy-hitting music with themes anyone can relate to. Forget what you know about them, SWORN ENEMY are pushing their personal metallic assault way into the red without any care or regard to the current Metalcore scene. "We don't follow any trends. We do it from the heart." Shaped by ideals surrounding everyday life's trials and tribulations with an honest desperation and urgency, Metal and Hardcore have been as much about attitude as about the music. Ushering in a new age of crossover, paved by acts such as ANTHRAX, AGNOSTIC FRONT and other New York-based vets, you can now add SWORN ENEMY to the list of bands forming a caustic hybridization of thrashy, intense Metal with the thud, and grit of Hardcore. Formed in the borough of Queens in late 1997, it didn't take long for the music world to take notice of the band's crushing sound and delivery. While the Hardcore underground boiled with excitement over the band, SWORN ENEMY recorded their debut EP, "Negative Outlook," for Stillborn Records, the label started by Jamie Jasta of HATEBREED in 2001. As the band's popularity grew, they signed to Elektra Records in early 2003 and released their debut full-length album, "As Real As It Gets," a lesson in brutal Metal/Hardcore crossover. SWORN ENEMY earned a coveted spot on Ozzfest 2003, and continued to tour in support of the new album. Parting ways with Elektra, but undeterred in their quest for delivering no-frills metallic Hardcore, the band re-solidified their line-up with Jamin Hunt on bass to replace Mike Couls, who went on to join AGENTS OF MAN.
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08.09.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Rhino Home Video releases the first-ever JERRY GARCIA BAND DVD today, entitled "Live At Shoreline." The disc's release marks marks the 10-year anniversary of Garcia's passing in 1995. Later this month on August 23rd, Rhino Records will unveil LEGION OF MARY's first official release, "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary." "Live At Shoreline" includes the JERRY GARCIA BAND's entire two-hour-plus performance in 5.1 Surround Sound, while "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary," a two-disc set, features 14 live performances recorded during a series of West Coast concerts performed by the band in the mid-1970s. The "Live At Shoreline" DVD was recorded September 1st, 1990 at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California and remains one of the very few JERRY GARCIA BAND concerts to be filmed. A GRATEFUL DEAD show was originally scheduled for that date, but the band could not play due to the tragic death of their keyboardist Brent Mydland a few weeks earlier. Instead of canceling the show, the JERRY GARCIA BAND stepped in and delivered a poignant performance. Throughout the evening's two sets, the band performed an inspired mix of emotional covers including Motown classics 'How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You' and 'I Second That Emotion,' THE BEATLES' 'Dear Prudence,' Bob Dylan's 'Tangled Up In Blue' and 'I Shall Be Released,' Van Morrison's 'And It Stoned Me,' Peter Tosh's 'Stop That Train,' plus 'Run For The Roses' and 'Deal' from Jerry Garcia's solo work. In addition to the entire concert, "Live At Shoreline" also includes Blair Jackson's interview with GRATEFUL DEAD lyricist Robert Hunter, a mini-documentary, various interviews with band members, and photo galleries. Jerry Garcia formed LEGION OF MARY in 1974 for a seven-month concert run that spawned a treasure trove of electrifying performances known only to a few lucky concertgoers and dedicated tapers. The band -- Garcia, keyboardist and long-time collaborator Merl Saunders, saxophonist and flutist Martin Fierro and drummer Ron Tutt -- came together in December of 1974 to play an adventurous mix of Jazz and Funk. "The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion Of Mary" includes passionate interpretations of some Rock 'N' Roll classics. Blair Jackson's exhaustive liner notes include stories from former members about the band's development, and clear up some long-standing confusion surrounding the group's actual history.
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08.09.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Long-time EXODUS guitarist Rick Hunolt has officially confirmed his departure from the band via the following post on the band's official forum: "22 years... Wow, that's longer than a lot of you have been alive. "I'm sitting here writing this post and the last 22 years are racing through my head like you wouldn't believe. From the drive to Gary's [Holt] house the first time I ever played with Exodus in Gary's mom's garage, my very first gig at Wolfgang's with Loudness, all the gigs at Ruthies, The Mab, The Stone, The Kabuki, etc., etc., etc., they just go on and on and on. I feel so fortunate to be a part of something that started out as some guys playing their guitars as fast as we could, to say, playing in front of 80,000 people at Dynamo and touring all over the world doing what we loved to do. Words cant describe the emotions I am feeling right now. One minute I am laughing, the next I am sobbing like a little baby. This is by far the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, bar none. But I look over to my right and see my two little boys -- Odin, 3, and John, 16 months -- sleeping and I know it is the right one. I just can't see myself being away from them anymore, I just can't. Exodus deserves 110 percent from me, and I just can't give them that anymore. My boys need me. Like I said, this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and it is breaking my heart. I am crying so hard right now I can barely see what I am typing. I don't know in words how to show my appreciation to every one that has supported me in the last 22 years. God, if I had to list them, it would reach from S.F. to N.Y. To all of the people that have helped us over the past two decades (you know who you are), we seriously couldn't have survived without you. And to the fans that I have cherished with all of my heart, thank you for 22 years of incredible memories, and as I always said, you were Exodus - we were just five guys playing the music that we loved. And to the band, you were my heart and soul for a long time we had some great times and played some great shows. I know you will find a shredder to replace me and I wish him the best of luck. "And finally, I would like to say to my brother, Gary Holt -- my partner in crime, my best friend who I love and respect with all of my heart -- you've put up with my sometimes flakey ways and everything else, you have always been there for me Gary, and you deserve more than I can give right now. We have jumped every hurdle that they could throw at us. and we still kept going. We were the 'H Team,' and no one can take that away from us. We made our mark in history, [and] that I am very proud of. The new material is killer and I hope the new album does well, but it is time to hang up my axe for now my boys need me. Much love and respect, Rick Hunolt."
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08.08.05 (RockAndMetal.com) British Rockers THE THIEVES have officially joined the lineup of Liquor And Poker Music. The label will release the group's new album, "Tales From The White Line, on October 4th. The U.S. home to bands such as NEBULA, THE HELLACOPTERS and BACKYARD BABIES, Liquor And Poker released THE THIEVES' "The White Line" EP late last year. The group felt so at home with the label that they soon signed a full deal to record "Tales From The White Line," their American full-length debut. Formed in the university town of Oxford, England, THE THIEVES -- consisting of the brothers Stokes (vocalist/guitarist Hal and bassist Sam) and drummer Jamie Dawson -- first made an impression through energetic live shows and a self-produced demo that managed to make it all the way to the BBC airwaves. But like fellow Oxfordites SUPERGRASS and RADIOHEAD, THE THIEVES' ambitions were global, and soon they found themselves bound for America with little more than three one-way tickets to Los Angeles in their pockets. There, they quickly caught the attention of Liquor And Poker, who soon released "The White Line." Although its sole intent was to raise the band's profile, that plan exceeded all expectations, earning positive reviews in major music publications and key national newspapers. Two nationwide tours -- including a stop at South By Southwest this past Spring -- helped THE THIEVES gain additional exposure, as did radio airplay on L.A.'s Indie 103.1. But "The White Line" was only a sign of things to come, as the band soon entered L.A.'s Royaltone Studios (Audioslave, No Doubt) with producer Chris Brown (Radiohead, Muse) in tow earlier this year, where THE THIEVES recorded eight additional songs to go alongside the four from the EP to complete "Tales From The White Line" - the result being not unlike AC/DC on acid, PINK FLOYD on uppers or THE WHO on a pub crawl. And while THE THIEVES are just one of many British exports to the U.S. in recent years, one listen to their infectious blend of Garage Rock, power chords and Britpop proves that they are not simply just another faceless new-wave-of-this-or-that outfit, or just some darlings of the latest trend. Simply put, THE THIEVES rawk like a proper British Rock band is supposed to.
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08.08.05 (RockAndMetal.com) Century Media has announced the worldwide signing of Belgian death/grinders ABORTED. "It's been a very hectic, intense and heavy year for Aborted," says founder and lead vocalist Sven De Caluwe. "Yet a year in which we have done tons of amazing things, went to amazing places and met a lot of cool new people. One of those amazing things is being signed to a label we believe will be able to lift this band to new heights. They believe in us 200%, and are going to help us take the next step in our careers." ABORTED are gearing up for a North American tour this Fall with SUFFOCATION, CRYPTOPSY and DESPISED ICON, which will serve as the band's first full U.S. tour ever. As anyone who saw the band at their Maryland Deathfest appearance can attest, fans should not miss out on the upcoming tour. "With our North American tour we will finally be able to get out to the U.S. and Canada and do some damage," De Caluwe says. 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 [Sanctuary] • 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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[Music News: 08.01.05 - 08.07.05]
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