05.31.06 (RockAndMetal.com) HALIFAX showed strongly on the Billboard charts this week, nabbing the #1 Heatseeker position for their first full-length release, "The Inevitability Of A Strange World," which was released released May 23rd by Drive-Thru Records. Produced by Lou Giordano (Taking Back Sunday, Sunny Day Real Estate) and Machine (Armor For Sleep, Lamb Of God, Boys Night Out) "The Inevitability Of A Strange World" is a full-throttle Rock record replete with slick guitar work and gut-wrenching power ballads. The album's first single, 'Our Revolution,' is an homage to 80's era Motley Crue-inspired Rock 'N' Roll, while an accompanying video directed by Ahmi Manson highlights Halifax's love of the finer things in life. 'Our Revolution' will impact Rock radio on June 12th. In addition to #1 Heatseekers, Inevitability debuted at #130 on the Top 200 this week. "The Inevitability Of A Strange World" is the follow-up to Halifax's 2004 EP, "A Writer's Reference." The band are currently on tour with Bayside and Hawthorne Heights through July, after which Halifax will join up with the Warped Tour in August. Tour Dates: 05/31 Carlsbad, NM [Skabrones] • 06/01 Tempe, AZ [The Clubhouse] • 06/02 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 06/03 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 06/04 San Diego, CA [Soma Sidestage] • 06/05 Las Vegas, NV [Jillian's] • 06/06 Victorville, CA [Trilogy Theatre] • 06/07 San Francisco, CA [Bottom Of The Hill] • 06/08 Reno, NV [Stoney's Point] • 06/09 Salt Lake City, UT [Avalon Theatre] • 06/10 Denver, CO [The Marquis Theatre] • 06/11 Omaha, NE [Sokol Underground] • 06/13 Des Moines, IA [House Of Bricks] • 06/14 Chicago, IL [Beat Kitchen] • 06/16 Cincinnati, OH [Top Cats] • 06/17 Detroit, MI [Magic Stick] • 06/18 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] • 06/19 Fort Wayne, IN [Piere's Entertainment Center] • 06/20 Grand Rapids, MI [Orbit Room] • 06/22 Rochester, NY [Water Street Music Hall] • 06/24 Baltimore, MD [Sonar] • 06/25 Allentown, PA [Crocodile Rock Cafe] • 06/27 Johnson City, NY [Magic City Music Hall] • 06/28 New Haven, CT [Toad's Place] • 06/29 Levittown, NY [Ritual] • 06/30 Wilmington, DE [Big Kahuna] • 07/11 Philadelphia, PA [Trocadero] • 07/12 Hampton Beach, NH [Hampton Beach Casino] • 07/13 Quebec City, QU [Festival D'ete] • 07/14 Montreal, QUE [Metropolis] • 07/15 Ottawa, ON [Bluesfest] • 07/19 Thunder Bay, ON [Community Auditorium] • 07/20 Winnipeg, MB [Burton Cummings] • 07/21 Saskatoon, SK [Praireland] • 07/22 Calgary, AB [MacEwan Hall Ballroom] • 07/23 Edmonton, AB [Shaw Conference Center] • 07/25 Vancouver, BC [Croatian Cultural Centre] • 07/30 Farmingville, NY [Brookhaven Amphitheatre Arts & Cultural Center]
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05.30.06 (RockAndMetal.com) EVERY MOVE A PICTURE will release their full-length debut album "Heart = Weapon" next week on June 5th through V2 Records. Formed three years ago, the band quickly surfaced as a West Coast counterpart to the synth-heavy Rock of an outfit like The Faint. Hailing from San Francisco, their story begins with a childhood friendship between vocalist/guitarist Brent Messenger and bassist Joey Fredrick. Setting up in a friend's rehearsal space and spending a total of $290, the band recorded 3 songs in 2004. The three tracks -- 'Signs Of Life,' 'Chemical Burns' and '12AM' -- made their way into the hands of a few early tastemakers, and soon they were on the radio in San Francisco and Los Angeles as the likes of KROQ's Rodney Bingenheimer and others embraced the band's Dance Punk vibe. The songs filtered across the Atlantic to the UK - with XFM spinning the band's tracks and Steve Lamacq playing 'Signs Of Life' on Radio 1 as well. Meanwhile, the Every Move A Picture fanbase rapidly grew on their home turf as they played various underground parties before moving on to San Francisco's prestigious Popscene club, and support slots with the Kaiser Chiefs and Louis XIV. At SXSW in 2005, the 28-hour drive southeast from Northern California to Austin would also pay dividends, as they were annointed as one of the buzz bands of the festival, recording an interview with Radio One's Zane Lowe and playing the hipster-central Fader party. NME soon began talking about them in the UK, describing the band as "test tube perfect... keyboards by The Killers, trousers by Franz Ferdinand." The three demo songs were then issued along with two others in 'You're So Predictable' and 'St. John's Night' as a limited EP entitled "Blink And You'll Miss It" on the Indie DIY...Or Else label. Impressing British listeners with their first UK tour in May of 2005 -- a run of dates that included shows with Radio 4, The Rakes and Ladytron -- the band were then asked to play last year's Reading Festival, from which a growing ensemble of fans would expand as people began to sit up and really take notice. Unlike many other "neo new wave" acts that have popped up in the past few years, Every Move A Picture actually have something to say musically and lyrically. They're also a rare combination of a four-to-the-floor Rock band with allusions to the expressive, color wheel-type chords of early U2.
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05.30.06 (RockAndMetal.com) MNEMIC have recently employed the writing talents of guitarist/producer Roy Z. for one song that will surface on the band's upcoming album, due out in early 2007. The talented and heralded guitarist/songwriter for Tribe Of Gypsies, as well as producer of such recent Metal classics as Bruce Dickinson's "Chemical Wedding", Halford's "Resurrection" and Judas Priest's "Angel of Retribution," Roy Z. collaborated on guitar recently with Mnemic as the band prepare to start recording their untitled third album. The band commented: "The track has turned out really good. You can hear the heavy mixture of Roy's along with the Mnemic style. We've been a fan of Roy's work since first hearing his production on the Dickinson and Halford albums, and he always comes out when we are playing in L.A. and is a good friend of the band. We've actually never collaborated with other musicians before when it came to composing songs, so we thought we could combine some of his heavy groove with some of our polyrhythmics and make a song." Mnemic are also in the final stages of selecting a new vocalist once again. The band "pretty much decided who it's going to be, but we need to concentrate on getting the recording going for this next album before announcing anything," explains the band. "The song with Roy should be a great addition to the songs that we've had ready to go for a while now, we can't wait to get busy!" Genre-wise, Mnemic are hard to categorize, although their sound is definitely modern and heavy, with the quintet reaching from northern Europe and Denmark - having been in existence for about five years now. Listeners have described them as a mix of Hard Rock, Thrash Metal, Progressive Metal and Nu Metal, so Mnemic currently describe their sound as "Fusion Future Metal." The music is supported by keyboards, samples and guitar synths, to create a spacy atmosphere. For instance, their "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" release is described by the band as "a product of a thousand physical and psychological impressions gathered through the constant bombardement of everyday life in all its forms," with Mnemic having worked through ideas evolved from both images and atmospheres put together and then torn apart to create a vibe of energy and a level of intense creation not easily found elsewhere.
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05.26.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Norwegian Glam Rockers WIG WAM are set to make a return this Summer with a new album, "Wig Wamania," which is slated to be released on June 30th via Napalm Records. The band will also hit the Summer festival circuit in support of "Wig Wamania" with a scheduled performance at the MC-Festival in Hannover, Germany on July 15th. Europe sat up and took notice of WIG WAM with their strong performance in the 2005 Eurovision final (finishing an impressvie 9th), with the band's song 'In My Dreams' having already made an impact there by soaring to #1 on the Norwegian charts, earning the quartet a platinum record. The album "Hard To Be A Rock 'N Roller" has also sold platinum there. Despite all the recent success, WIG WAM still haven't enjoyed an easy climb to the top. The four band members pursued individual musical careers with bands such as DREAM POLICE, ARTCH, SHA-BOOM, OLE EVENRUDE, ALIEN and solo projects during the 80's and the 90's, which resulted in very little commercial success. But in February 2001, the four began getting together for weekly jam sessions, which led the way to a life-changing show on February 24th of that year at Halden's most popular Rock club, Hannestad Gaarden. The band quickly took advantage of their ever increasing fan base and recorded their first demo. Despite their growing popularity, a record deal escaped them until 2004, when the band made it to the Norwegian Eurovision final with 'Crazy Things,' after which WIG WAM signed a licensing deal with Global Music to release "667...The Neighbour Of The Beast," which was followed by a successful tour during the Spring and Summer of 2004. After parting ways with Global Music, the band signed with Norway's biggest independent label VME/Voices Music; the result of their participation on that label's KISS tribute album. WIG WAM's version of 'I Was Made For Loving You' even featured the prowess of former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. VME later re-released "667...The Neighbour Of The Beast" with the new title "Hard To Be A Rock 'N Roller." A music video for the track was later banned from Norwegian broadcasting due to light nudity. Suprisingly, the Norwegian Broadcasting Association invited WIG WAM back to participate in the Norwegian Eurovision final 2005. Since they found themselves in the midst of recording their new album, the band had ample material from which to choose. 'In My Dreams' would catapult the band to stardom, going straight to the top of the charts. The song and album were subsequently licensed to Napalm Records for distribution in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland - the Napalm version of the album containing an exclusive rendition of the classic 'Dschinghis Khan,' plus two bonus videos for the songs 'Bless The Night' and 'Hard To Be A Rock 'N Roller.'
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05.25.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Capitol Records recording artists MORNINGWOOD are set to headline a Summer "Tour Off Your Clothes Tour," a reference to their strip-tastic anthem, 'Take Off Your Clothes.' What the New York Post described as "Somewhere between a high school pep rally and a lap dance...one of the most visually entertaining, musically seductive concerts in memory," The tour kicks off June 13th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with support from Rock Kills Kid, among others. While on the East Coast, MORNINGWOOD will perform on The Late Show With David Letterman on June 21st, after which the band will wrap up the tour on the West Coast in mid-July at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre opening for THE GO-GO'S before jetting off to the U.K. and Japan. MORNINGWOOD's self-titled debut album entered Billboard's "Heatseekers" chart at #1 earlier this year, with lead single "Nth Degree" having recently proved a favorite at Modern Rock radio. The band has also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call With Carson Daly, DIRECTV's "CD USA" and MTV2's "Subterranean," and Claret appears as a commentator on VH1's "40 Greatest Metal Songs" special, airing throughout the Spring and Summer. Tour Dates: 06/13 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Room] • 06/14 Orlando, FL [The Social] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/15 Tampa, FL [State Theatre] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/16 Atlanta, GA [Roxy] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/17 N. Myrtle Beach, SC [House Of Blues] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/19 Winston-Salem, NC [Ziggy's] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/20 Baltimore, MD [Recher Theatre] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/21 Brooklyn, NY [Warsaw] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/22 Philadelphia, PA [Theatre Of Living Arts] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/24 Northhampton, MA [Pearl Street] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/25 Boston, MA [Axis] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/27 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 06/29 Cleveland, OH [House Of Blues] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 06/30 Cincinnati, OH [Jillian's] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 07/02 Indianapolis, IN [The Vogue] (with Rock Kills Kid) • 07/07 San Francisco, CA [The Independent] • 07/08 Santa Cruz, CA [The Catalyst] • 07/09 Orangeville, CA [The Boardwalk] • 07/11 Anaheim, CA [Chain Reaction] • 07/13 San Diego, CA [Belly Up] • 07/14 Los Angeles, CA [Greek Theatre] (opening for The Go-Go's)
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05.25.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Looks like the coming holiday season is shaping up for BLIND GUARDIAN fans in the U.S. and Canada, as the band have just announced the preliminary routing for their upcoming North American tour throughout November and December in support of their upcoming new album, "A Twist In The Myth," which is slated for a Fall release via Nuclear Blast Records. Described by Billboard Magazine as "a larger-than-life sound which incorporates the harmonies and drama of Queen with an aggressive, modern sensibility," the BLIND GUARDIAN discography has sold over 120,000 copies in North America alone and their first-ever limited edition single debuted on the Singles Chart in 2002 by selling 5,200 copies. Lead vocalist Hansi Kursch checks in about the new album, the new songs, and the upcoming tour: "As you all most probably know, we have finished the album some days ago and started doing some first shows already. With this album, I think, we have widened the range of the BLIND GUARDIAN universe more than we have ever done before. In terms of quality, we had a very good feeling during the whole recording session. Some of the new songs will be presented on the road when we will start touring. Everything and everyone is in pretty good shape. All preparations for the fall tour are on schedule and the interest in tickets for the tour is really high. One more time, we would like to thank you for your patience and can't wait to hear and see your reaction to the new songs. As soon as there are some download samples, we will let you know. Your endurance will be rewarded." Between now and the launch of the U.S./Canadian tour, BLIND GUARDIAN will stay busy by hosting listening parties in Europe for their new album, shooting a video for 'Another Stranger Me' (featuring new drummer Frederik Ehmke), and touring throughout Europe and Scandinavia in September and October. "A Twist In The Myth" Track Listing: 01. This Will Never End (5:07) • 02. Otherland (5:14) • 03. Turn The Page (4:16) • 04. Fly (5:43) • 05. Carry The Blessed Home (4:03) • 06. Another Stranger Me (4:36) • 07. Straight Through The Mirror (5:48) • 08. Lionheart (4:15) • 09. Skalds And Shadows (3:13) • 10. The Edge (4:27) • 11. The New Order (4:49)
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05.24.06 (RockAndMetal.com) ROB ZOMBIE infiltrated New York City with a morning visit to the Howard Stern Show and a live performance by Zombie and his band performing their new Billboard Top 20 hit 'American Witch' off the new "Educated Horses" CD live on the Late Show With David Letterman last night. "Educated Horses" (Geffen Records) was produced by Zombie and long-time producer Scott Humphrey (Metallica, Motley Crue), who together also produced the platinum albums "Hellbilly Deluxe" and "The Sinister Urge." Continuing Rob Zombie's tradition as a pioneer of new horror media and music, he was also live in the FUSE studios Tuesday night to introduce the video for 'American Witch,' which first hit the airwaves April 24th and is currently on Billboards Top 20 Mainstream chart after only five weeks out. "Educated Horses" also entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #5. This week's video premiere also sets the tone for Rob Zombie's upcoming "American Witch Tour," slated to start June 30th in El Paso, Texas at the County Coliseum. Joining Zombie will be Thrash icons ANTHRAX. Tour Dates: 06/30 El Paso, TX [County Coliseum] • 07/01 Lubbock, TX [Lone Star Amphitheater] • 07/02 Wichita Falls, TX [Kay Yeager Coliseum] • 07/05 McAllen, TX [La Villa Real Special Events Center] • 07/07 North Little Rock, AR [North Shore Riverwalk] • 07/08 Springfield, MO [Jordan Valley Festival Grounds] • 07/09 Wichita, KS [Kansas Coliseum] • 07/11 Council Bluffs, IA [Mid-America Center] • 07/12 Oklahoma City, OK [Fairgrounds Arena] • 07/14 Grand Rapids, MI [DeltaPlex] • 07/15 Cleveland, OH [Tower City Amphitheater] • 07/16 Fort Wayne, IN [Allen County War Memorial Coliseum] • 07/18 Evansville, IN [Roberts Stadium] • 07/19 Moline, IL [The Mark Of The Quad Cities] • 07/20 Green Bay, WI [Resch Center] • 07/22 Mankato, MN [Midwest Wireless Civic Center] • 07/23 Fargo, ND [Fargo Civic Memorial] • 07/24 Sioux Falls, SD [Ramkota Exhibit Hall] • 07/26 Rapid City, SD [Rushmore Hall] • 07/27 Casper, WY [Casper Events Center] • 07/28 Billings, MT [Shrine Auditorium] • 07/30 Saskatoon, SK [Prairieland Park] • 07/31 Edmonton, AB [Shaw Conference Center] • 08/01 Calgary, AB [Stampede Corral] • 08/03 Vancover, BC [Pacific Coliseum] • 08/04 Salem, OR [Salem Armory Auditorium]

05.23.06 (RockAndMetal.com) "The Volume Of Self," TWIN METHOD's debut for Crash Music, Inc., is set to be released on June 13th, which will be followed by a U.S. tour. With a unique look and sound and a high-energy live show that is visually over-the-top, they also intend to put an end to the stigma that Liverpool, England is just another "one-band-wonder." Hailing from that city, there's no question that TWIN METHOD will invariably be foreshadowed by the imperial sovereignty of THE BEATLES. In fact, there has yet to be a band like themselves to commercially break out of the musical barriers of that illustrious town since the Fab Four. Recorded at Audio Lab Studios in Los Angeles with producer/engineer Logan Mader (Machine Head), "The Volume Of Self," featuring such standout tracks as 'Flawless' and 'Defeated,' and takes a lyrical stance -- or better said -- a lyrical attack on people. According to lyricist/vocalist Jason: "I generally write about certain people who do things without thinking and cause problems for others...people who are basically idiots." TWIN METHOD encompass a wide variety of musical influences, as guitarist Dean grew up on L.A. Glam with bands like Motley Crue, vocalist Jason grew up with harder-edged bands like Megadeth and Metallica, bassist Matt always liked UK Drum & Bass, while drummer Adam was more intrigued by the emerging Punk bands of the '90s like NOFX and Green Day, with Yan's influences ranging from Massive Attack to Soundgarden to Nine Inch Nails. Growing up in Liverpool hasn't always been a stroll down Penny Lane either, as the environment of that city is not so forgiving. According to Jason: "It's difficult looking the way we do without getting hassled. Trying to be different in Liverpool is slightly harder than most other places since there's such a clique of people that attack you for being what they consider odd." Needless to say, Liverpool is much more conservative than big cities such as London, although Jason admits, "There is a good metal scene currently in Liverpool, an abundance of local bands, and there are always gigs to play." Adam, Matt and Jason (all three are brothers) and childhood friend Yan met Dean at a Liverpool nightclub a few years back. Robin Carter Potticary joined the band in early 2005, completing the line-up. As it turns out, Dean had met with Hollowpoint Management president Shawn Barusch when he was in a previous band. According to Dean: "I kept in touch with Shawn, and soon after we formed Twin Method, I gave him a demo recording and he loved it."
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05.23.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Two DIO albums are being re-released in Steamhammer/SPV Records' "Super Value" lineup next week throughout Europe in "Angry Machines" and "Dio's Inferno - The Last In Live." "In 1996 we released 'Angry Machines,' an album that would follow 'Strange Highways,' and a project that would bring a new guitarist, bassist, and keyboard player to the Dio band. It proved to be a much more transitional than any thing we had done before. It was more rhythmically slanted and more lyrically and musically "angry" then any Dio album that preceded it. Listen to it with an attitude. That's the way we made it," said vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Regarding "Dio's Inferno - The Last In Live, " the singer said: "'Dio's Inferno - The Last In Live' was a combination of shows recorded in Japan, Germany, and the U.S. Touring with Motorhead and My Dying Bride, we took the time to preserve a great set of songs that have stood the test of time and still burn with the fire they were created with." From the beginning, Ronnie James Dio has always pursued a brand of music that proudly existed outside of any prevailing trends, along the way selling millions of albums all over the world and building one of the most devoted concert followings of any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal artist. A native of a small town near Syracuse, New York, Dio -- whose real name is Ronald James Padavona -- grew up in a tightly-knit community of family and friends. His twin interests were music and romantic fantasy literature such as the works of Sir Walter Scott and the Arthurian legend. These would play an important role later on in the development of his musical persona. Studying trumpet as a teen, then switching to bass when he discovered Rock 'N' Roll, Dio formed the band ELF in the early 70's, and recorded several LP's with them. As DEEP PURPLE's opening act, Dio came to know that band's guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, with whom he would later form RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW. After three years and five albums, Dio left RAINBOW to become lead singer for BLACK SABBATH. He recorded two studio albums with them, "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules," in addition to a live album, "Live Evil." Soon realizing there was more personal vision to follow, Dio parted company with co-writer Tony Iommi and Sabbath - stripping down to his soul as he began to structure an internationally popular band built around his name. Garnering a reputation as "the voice" early on in his career, both sides of the Atlantic would blister with the unrelenting impact of DIO's full-throttle writing and sound in classic albums such as "Holy Diver," "The Last In Line," "Sacred Heart" and more.
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05.22.06 (RockAndMetal.com) As they gear up to headline the Family Values Tour this Summer, KORN will release a new DVD entitled "Live On The Other Side" on June 20th. The DVD features a special in-flight performance where 50 contest winners from Europe joined the band on a private 757 jet as they made their way to deliver a sold-out performance at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. "Live On The Other Side" will also include bonus extras such as rare behind-the-scenes footage, never before seen interviews with the band members, music videos and more. On June 19th, the eve of the DVD's release, KORN fans can catch an exclusive world premiere of the program in over 100 movie theatres in approximately 70 markets nationwide. For theatre listings stay tuned to www.korn.com. In other Family Values Tour news, tickets went on sale for the first ten shows this past weekend, for which confirmed dates and venues are listed below. To preview what's to come this Summer on the Family Values Tour, KORN also made a special free appearance in Chicago this past Thursday, May 18th, as did Family Values tourmates Deftones in their hometown of Sacramento, Stone Sour in Kansas City, and Flyleaf in Spokane, Washington. Tour Dates: 07/27 Virginia Beach, VA [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre] • 07/29 Nashville, TN [Starwood Amphitheater] • 07/30 Atlanta, GA [Hi-Fi Buys] • 08/04 San Antonio, TX [Verizon Wireless] • 08/15 Denver, CO [Coors Amphitheatre] • 08/18 Phoenix, AZ [Cricket Pavilion] • 08/20 Sacramento, CA [Sleep Train] • 08/24 Kansas City, MO [Verizon Wireless Amphitheater] • 08/26 East Troy, WI [Alpine Valley] • 09/15 Camden, NJ [Tweeter Waterfront] "Live On The Other Side" DVD Track Listing: 1. Here To Stay • 2. Twist • 3. Got The Life • 4. Liar • 5. A.D.I.D.A.S. • 6. Coming Undone • 7. Dirty • 8. Falling Away From Me • 9. Twisted Transistor • 10. Did My Time • 11. Shoots And Ladders • 12. One • 13. Freak On A Leash • 14. Another Brick In The Wall/Goodbye Cruel World • 15. Blind • 16. Somebody Someone • 17. Hypocrites • 18. Y'all Want A Single
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05.22.06 (AP) Finns poured into the streets Sunday to fete their monster victory in the Eurovision Song Contest and their President even congratulated latex-masked Metallers LORDI for breaking that country's losing streak. After 40 years of trying and eight last-place finishes, Finland finally won the melody contest late Saturday in Athens with the band's unconventional piece, 'Hard Rock Hallelujah.' Fears that LORDI would give Finland a bad name gave way to celebration as hundreds of people cheered in the streets of Helsinki, waving Finnish flags and singing the LORDI song. Cars honked their horns and sped through the wet city streets. "I don't claim to be a rock fan, and it's not my favorite music, but I admire these guys," said Nina Laisi. Erkki Turunen, holding a beer glass in one hand, shouted that Finland won "because it put on a genuine show." "This wasn't some sort of rubbish. This was really cool," Turunen said. President Tarja Halonen congratulated the band with a telegram, and Culture Minister Tanja Karpela said LORDI's victory showed that Finnish music could be successful abroad. Since March, when LORDI won the competition for the Finnish entry, many in this highly self-conscious nation feared the Hard Rock/Metal band would damage the country's reputation. LORDI's apocalyptic piece was heatedly debated on radio and TV shows, and the exploits of the band, which performs in costume and does not reveal its members' names, regularly hit tabloid headlines. The leader of Greece's powerful Orthodox Church deplored the mock-Satanist band's victory, saying the contest result "shows that people are seeking something to prop themselves on and fill their empty souls." In his Sunday sermon, Archbishop Christodoulos asked, "Who would have expected that the first prize could have gone to those who showed up (looking) like monsters, like Satans? Is this art?" Band leader Mr. Lordi said its performances are entertainment, and LORDI may have changed the face of Eurovision -- known for its bland Dance music and bubble-gum Pop -- for good. "This is proof that there were rock fans watching Eurovision," Mr. Lordi said in Athens. "Our victory was also a victory for open-mindedness. Eurovision fans are now accepting other kinds of music in addition to pop and ballads." Finnish officials vouched that the Nordic country will stage one of the best Eurovision competitions when it hosts the show next year. "This is a jackpot for Finland," said Mikael Jungner, managing director of national broadcaster YLE which will stage the contest. "Other small countries have managed to stage the show. Somehow, we'll find the money."
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05.19.06 (RockAndMetal.com) A new EP from ESCAPE THE FATE is due to drop next week on Tuesday May 23rd via Epitaph Records. Entitled "There's No Sympathy For The Dead," the release is a symphony of many things. Combustible-constructive discord. A frustrated type-A, caffeine-addicted firecracker of a singer who longs for fame like an orphan wishes his parents were still alive. Add an equally hungry guitarist with a measured intensity and gracious sensibility and three more guys just as starved. In the first 22 seconds of the first song, 'Dragging Dead Bodies In Blue Bags Up Really Long Hills,' you hear the history of ESCAPE THE FATE. A taut snare roll (the sound of something about to burst) underscores tense, cutting octave chords (clarion concerns clamoring for attention). This unravels into tom-tom drubbing not unlike a 10-move Mortal Kombat kombo that gives way to a brief double-kick-drum blast and a final, ominously ringing chord. Truly, there is no clear narrative -- this song and the others could be about many things. There is only the implicit confidence of a young band in a full-tilt sprint away from failure and irrelevance. Aside from some basic agreements that contemporary Rock 'N' Roll is bad, that's one of the few times singer Ronnie and guitarist Omar will agree. What they also agree on is that mainstream Rock music has become irrelevant, and such insignificance is inversely proportionate to success. Whore yourself out and you hit the jackpot. Stick to your guns and earn the empty wage of creative integrity. Theirs is a combustible, but constructive, discord that propels them away from an end that nips at every band's heels. "I don't wanna come off like an asshole," says outspoken Ronnie, "but we're gonna make a change in music. I have a vision. I want people to have fun, put their fists in the air." Simultaneously, this impetuous melange of Hard Rock and Metal shows ESCAPE THE FATE running straight for Rock stardom, making Rock what it used to be. "It used to be fun," Ronnie says. "Girls used to come to shows and show their titties. They had big hair, and there was stadium reverb on the drums. If that doesn't come back, I don't know what I'm gonna do. It's gonna happen," he concedes. "Watch. I'm not jokin'. We're gonna be the biggest thing. So huge - I know it."
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05.19.06 (RockAndMetal.com) EYES OF FIRE are currently annihilating crowds on the "One Nation Undivided" tour with Ill Nino, God Forbid, Silent Civilian and Bleed The Sky. The Jagermeister-sponsored, 28-city major market assault, which kicked off on May 10th and runs through early June, is the group's first major national run in support of their new album, "Prisons," which was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders (Tool, Nine Inch Nails) with renowned producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis). Dan Kaufman (guitars, vocals) checks in with the following report: "Hey everyone we're currently sitting backstage in Houston getting ready to fucking destroy the stage once again on the 'One Nation Undivided' tour. The shows so far have kicked some major fucking ass and to make things that much better our video for 'It All Dies Today' will make its Headbangers Ball debut this Saturday night. This is something that we are all extremely excited about. Be sure to check it out and tell all your friends about it. Also, everyone better get out to these shows early. The shows have early door times and we are switching off set times with our brothers Bleed The Sky, so get there early and support some great metal. This tour has been fun so far and we're just getting started. We're one giant family out there and all the bands are having a blast with each other. Until next time keep on listening and we hope to see you all soon." Collectively, EYES OF FIRE have grown greatly as musicians and songwriters over the past year after adding new members Bobby Thomas (guitars), Nicky Bernardi (drums) and Pete Traux (keyboards) to the fold. The group toured relentlessly on major packages with the likes of Apocalyptica, Danzig, Trivium and Kataklysm, as well as high-profile shows with Lacuna Coil, Opeth, Strapping Young Lad and Moonspell, further helping them garner a loyal, rabid underground following. "Prisons" further develops the sound introduced on EYES OF FIRE's debut offering, "Ashes To Embers," which lashed out with a barrage of intensity and sonic pummeling, while still walking a fine line between melody and brutality. The group succeeds in areas where most heavy bands today don't even bother venturing: songwriting, hooks and emotion - drawing similarities to such cult icons as Anathema, Katatonia and Neurosis.
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05.18.06 (RockAndMetal.com) BIG 10-4 have just released their debut album, "Testing The Atmosphere," via Universal/Republic Records. Combining lush melodies and seductive rhythms onto a narrative lyrical style the album has a sound that recalls such AOR acts as Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Boston to modern rockers Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind and fellow Orlando act Matchbox Twenty. The album was produced by the legendary Matt Wallace, who has applied his hit-making touch to the likes of Maroon 5, Train, Faith No More and the Replacements, among many others. The band's name came to Dan Verduin even before the band, back when he was doing open mic nights as a student at the University Of Central Florida, before adding his older brother Matt on guitar ("I needed someone I could trust and he could certainly play"), James Russo on drums, and newest addition, bassist Matthew Reed. Once you hear anthems like the first single 'Walking Disaster' and 'Long Night (Sleepless),' as well as emotional, flick-your-cell phone torch songs such as 'Tangled' and 'Oxygen,' it seems only a matter of time that Big 10-4 will translate their regional success in their home state -- where they regularly sell out 500-seat venues and open at the local House Of Blues -- to national recognition. "I try to tell a story so that, by the end of the third verse, you get the point, the whole picture is painted," says Dan. "Matt Wallace called it 'raising the chalice.'" And raise the chalice they do, with cathartic guitar and piano soundscapes that bring out intense emotions which deal in real-life issues like self-doubt, the contradictions of being a rocker by night and still having a day job ('Irony Is Thick'), the sturm und drang of romantic relationships ('Super Powers,' 'Smell Of Familiar,' 'Long Distance') and the frustration of not being able to speak your mind ('Hold That Thought'). "The subject matter is all close to home," admits Verduin. "It's all truth, stuff I've gone through with family, with women. I write personally, based on what goes on in my life. I like to paint movies, describe rooms, recall conversations... fill in the spaces." That means, there's plenty of longing that takes place in smoky, late-night bars fueled by alcoholic consumption, love at first sight across a crowded room, as well as the inevitable pain when the reality doesn't live up to those lofty dreams. For Big 10-4, that passion is as essential as the air they breathe in 'Oxygen,' part of the primal elements, musical and otherwise, that went into recording "Testing The Atmosphere" in Los Angeles at producer Wallace's home studio, Studio Deluxe. "Matt is one of the..." [full story]
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05.17.06 (AP) Given that Jack White is the creative force behind THE WHITE STRIPES and has left his musical imprint on a host of other projects, it would seem safe to assume that his new creation, THE RACONTEURS, is yet another White-dominated outlet meant to occupy the rocker's time between WHITE STRIPES albums. For White, sitting with the rest of his new band - rocker Brendan Benson and THE GREENHORNES' Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler - it's an assumption that he has come to expect, and a frustrating one. But White believes there's one foolproof way to show people that his band is truly a band, and not his backup group. "The only way to defeat that is to play live in front of everyone," says White. "I think we're seeing that wherever we go playing live, we're getting a fair chance," he continues. "The more you keep pushing and keep going with it, the less and less people think side project, because side project usually means some flippant thing - you're not even paying too much attention to it." "If that doesn't work, we'll all wear the same thing and get the same haircuts," deadpans Benson, prompting the foursome to break out in laughter. Their debut album, "Broken Boy Soldiers," was produced by White and Benson. Both also wrote the tunes, while Keeler's drumming and Lawrence's bass round out the band's Garage Rock sound. But, initially, there had been no concrete plans for a quartet - or a band, period. Benson and White, long-time friends who lived down the street from each other in their native Detroit before White moved to Nashville, were simply collaborating with each other when they sensed something greater in the making. "We always talked about it - playing together, get a band together or make a record together, or whatever," says Benson. "Then after we wrote 'Steady, As She Goes,' it really just became apparent - let's make a record," Benson said of the band's first single. "I know I was sort of hoping and anticipating a different sound - something, but I had no idea what it was going to be, I was just excited," adds Benson. "I was a fan going into it, and a fan making it." It didn't take long for them to create the album, recorded in Benson's sweltering attic during one summer - "Over the course of a few days, I think we recorded all the tracks," Benson says. "It was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up ... It was an opportunity that I wanted to do forever." "We're really all dedicated. We decided to put aside everything else to go on tour and push this album, be this band that we wanna be. We didn't put any limit on it," says White. "Everybody felt this is open ended." "I'm in the band that I've always wanted to be in," added Benson.
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05.17.06 (RockAndMetal.com) HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak has posted the following studio update on the bands official website: "Woke up hearing the voices of the others in the kitchen and decided it was time to get up as well. The day started out with some computer work, so Anders [Johansson, drums] and I decided to invent a couple of new table tennis-based sports using, among other things, pool cues and balls as well as our own hands instead of rackets. The proposed single is called 'Natural High' (for the time being, at least) was next. It's a moderately fast song (like 'Renegade,' for example), with a very melodic chorus. What we do over these first five or so days is that we lay the foundation for the whole production, the ground work on top of which everything else is supposed to fit. So it's very important that the drum patterns follow the guitars - something I already have done on the demos. But what we also do here is try to come up with more interesting patterns in places where that is needed, or ones that makes sense when mine doesn't. It is a process that requires Anders to play through the songs quite a few times before we all have agreed on what to do. Granted, the changes are usually minor, but in my experience it is the attention to details that separates a good recording from a great one. Plus, I don't want to be stuck changing the guitars later on just because we were sloppy when laying down the drums. And if there's one thing that [producer] Charlie [Bauerfeind] is not, it's sloppy. He's got that sort of obsessive-compulsive behavior of dissecting every little segment almost to the point of (German?) madness. I'm exaggerating, of course, but this one of the things Charlie does best. Plus, he's got amazingly good ears - nothing escapes them. After finishing the track, Anders and I went to McDonalds for a late lunch. Not my first choice today but it served its purpose. Went to a new supermarket called Loevebjerg to get more food and whine on the way back. Snuck in a quick nap and then took a bite out of 'The Fire Burns Forever', another moderately fast song but with a lot of backing vocals and Joacim [Cans] singing as high as he (probably) can. Should be interesting. The drum patterns I had laid out didnt make it through the Charlie filter, so they set about rearranging almost every part in this song. Finally, everyone was happy and the track turned out really cool. We watched some more ice-hockey and then I helped Anders change heads on the drums, and that was it for today. Being a good soldier, Anders went to bed to feel rested tomorrow, while Charlie fiddled around with something and I wrote this." HAMMERFALL's new album is tentatively scheduled for an October 2006 release.
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05.16.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Long Island's THIS IS HELL's full-length debut album, "Sundowning," has just been released via Trustkill Records. The Hardcore quintet have been killing it as of late on tours alongside the likes of MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, COMEBACK KID, IGNITE and FIRST BLOOD. this past month, and have been hard at work touring incessantly in the U.S. and Europe as well. THIS IS HELL recorded "Sundowning" at Atomic Studios with producer Dean Baltulonis (Most Precious Blood, Sick Of It All) in February and March. At the beginning of the year, Alternative Press tapped the band as one of the "Top 100 Bands To Watch" for 2006. In June of 2004, former SCRAPS AND HEART ATTACKS vocalist Travis Reilly joined forces with Jeff Tiu, Joe Osolin and Dan Bourke from THE BACKUP PLAN to form a new project. After adding Long Island Hardcore stalwart Rick Jimenez on guitar, the finished lineup for THIS IS HELL was in place. Collectively, they come with lots of experience, with the individual band members having previously shared the stage with THE MOVIELIFE, EVERY TIME I DIE, and Hardcore legends BANE, amongst others. "Scraps And Heart Attacks and Backup Plan used to play together a lot, we always talked about starting a side project but it turned into a full time band," says THIS IS HELL's Reilly. Two full, self-booked, U.S. tours have also seen this motivated crew trek across the country impressing audiences alongside the likes of KILL YOUR IDOLS, BARS, and WITH HONOR. "Being in Scraps And Heart Attacks, I pretty much realized that if you want your band to make any progress you need to get motivated and be willing to do it by yourself. So, we did that. I booked our first tour, 2 months all over the U.S.," says Reilly. After almost selling out of their 1,000 self-released, four song demos, Run For Cover Records caught wind of THIS IS HELL and their re-released demo, which was now out on vinyl. While out on their first cross-country tour, 500 seven-inch vinyl copies were pressed and all were purchased by fans in under a month. "The 7-inches went up for pre-order, and before we knew it 200 of them were gone like that. We took 150 on our first tour and they were gone within two weeks. And before we knew it, the release was completely sold out," describes Reilly. With a growing buzz across the globe, THIS IS HELL have also earned strong support from Australian Alternative radio. "It's the most refreshing, catchy hardcore I've listened to all year, I can't help but sing along every time I hear them on the radio," exclaims Sarah De Borre, music director for PBS FM in Australia.
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05.15.06 (RockAndMetal.com) SPITFIRE are currently wrapping up a trek in the U.S. with UNDEROATH, POISON THE WELL and AS CITIES BURN, with the sold-out tour coming to an end on Wednesday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. After that, the band are confirmed to play the Ichthus and Cornerstone Music Festivals in June and July, and will be announcing more tour dates in support of their "Self-Help" release shortly. After a near four-year hiatus, Virginia's SPITFIRE have made a returned to introduce a new audience to their aural insanity. One of the biggest disappointments of 2001 was when the band decided to prematurely call it a day after the release of their CD EP with new label Goodfellow Records, with whom they are back and who released "Self-Help" on February 28th - a slab of music destined to become one of the heavy music comebacks of 2006. SPITFIRE issued several releases themselves and contributed to a number of compilations before first signing to Solid State Records (Underoath, Zao, Norma Jean), the aggressive music imprint label of Tooth And Nail Records (Further Seems Forever, MxPx). The band, then a trio, released "The Dead Next Door," its only full-length for Solid State, in 1999. Following their stint on that label, SPITFIRE would regroup as a quartet, issuing a CD EP on Goodfellow entitled "The Sideshow Whiplash" in 2001. The EP was well received upon its release, but the band itself was in turmoil. After several months of rumors, they split in late 2001, with several of its members moving on to other musical projects. The band reformed in 2005 as a quintet, having added guitarist Scottie Henry from Metal outfit Norma Jean and Dan Tulloh from the shock-rocking Scarlet into their ranks - The current incarnation of the group definitely the most menacing version yet. Musically, the modern-day SPITFIRE plays a hybrid of Hard Rock, Metal and Hardcore that's comparable to bands such as EVERY TIME I DIE, THE MELVINS and even VOIVOD, as well as the speedy Punk of HOT SNAKES. Recorded and engineered at Virginia's Red Planet Studios by Andreas Magnusson (The Black Dahlia Murder, Hot Cross, Scarlet) and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side, "Self-Help" marks a dramatic improvement in the band's style and sound. The most confident, concise SPITFIRE album to date, fans of frantic, chaotic Technical heavy music should check out this underrated and under-appreciated band.
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05.12.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Another chance for Pink Floyd fans to see DAVID GILMOUR live will happen this Tuesday, May 16th via a simulcast in theaters across the U.S. As mentioned on Gilmour's official website, there's a chance to see David Gilmour's live show in one of over 100 U.S. cinemas that day. Thanks to a set-up in the United States whereby various concerts can be shown on cinema screens for a limited period, David Gilmour's live appearance at London's Mermaid Theatre has been scheduled to run for one day only in cinemas in nearly every U.S. state. "David Gilmour: On An Island" will be presented by National CineMedia and Network LIVE in high-definition and Surround Sound at more than 100 participating Regal, United Artists, Edwards, Cinemark, AMC and Georgia Theatre Company cinemas stateside. Check out the official ticket sales site at www.bigscreenconcerts.com, where a couple of clicks connect you to a web page where you can purchase a ticket. You can search by zip code to find the location of your closest theater as well. The concert, which took place on March 7th, 2006 at London's Mermaid Theatre, was filmed in high-definition for the BBC. The footage has since been edited and enhanced by director David Mallet (Queen, U2, David Bowie and much more). It was the first public appearance of the 2006 David Gilmour touring band, and the presentation was scaled down for the small theater, which means there are no lasers for instance, but the powerful performances more than make up for it. The concert showing consists of tracks from David Gilmour's UK Number One album "On An Island" like 'Castellorizon,' 'On An Island,' 'The Blue,' 'Take A Breath' and 'Smile.' There are also stellar renditions of Pink Floyd classics including 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' 'Wearing The Inside Out, 'High Hopes' and 'Comfortably Numb.' The evening's program has also been extended by the inclusion of the full promo clip for 'On An Island,' and the Electronic Press Kit for the "On An Island album," which includes David Gilmour himself talking about the album's creation, plus footage from the album recording sessions. Gilmour said: "We had a great time touring the US, and I'm glad that more of the fans will be able to see the show because of this initiative." Tickets are on sale now, priced at $10.00 in advance and $12.50 on the day of the show.
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05.12.06 (RockAndMetal.com) RAGE recently wrapped up their European tour in support of their latest album, "Speak Of The Dead." Guitarist Victor Smolski has issued the following post-tour update at his official website: "Enjoying all conveniences of my flat after more than 5 weeks in the tour bus, I would like to say 'thanks a lot' to all parties for their efforts at the great success of the Rage European tour (apart from some shows in Scandinavia - we really have to build up this market). The tour was quite exhausting and tight, but perfectly planned and organized by our booking agency, Dragon Productions. Thanks also to Peavy and Mike for their part at the success of the tour and for the raving volume on stage (it's still whistling in my ears...haha). Furthermore, special thanks to the best Rage crew of all times (Charly/sound engineer, Sascha/guitar tech, Jurgen/light & stage design), and our 'Queen of Merch', Jenny, who took care of our fans' heart-warming, and at Helge, our bus driver, who brought us home safely. Thanks also to our support band Freedom Call and for the great support of our endorsement companies and Nuclear Blast. I would like to excuse for the sound, which was particulately not perfect, but we have to work with the material which is provided. That's sometimes not easy and burdening to the nerves, but due to the great fans -- 'thanks a lot'-- it hasn't changed anything at the great vibes during the concerts! To get away from that Rock 'N' Roll trip, I will concentrate myself at some race training and at the first two championshipd of RTCC (Russian Touring Car Championship) in St. Petersburg and Moscow. On the circuit, I will collect lots of energy to be fit enough for a test flight with a Mig 29!! Furthermore, motorsports fans should notice of the days from the 15th up to the 18th of June. At that time I will take part at the Castrol-Haugg-Cup with my black BMW Alpina B6, and with a white Alfa Romeo Cup racecar at the 24h race on the Nurburgring." See you....Victor. The RAGE story begins way back in 1984 when AVENGER first got together. Following the arrival of their debut album, "Prayers Of Steel," and an EP, AVENGER changed their name and became RAGE, releasing "Reign Of Fear" in 1986. Albums came out at regular intervals, and RAGE toured with RUNNING WILD, U.D.O., MOTORHEAD and SAXON in the early '90s. Their 1992 album release " Trapped" marked their international breakthrough - a major highlight being the band's tour of Japan that year.
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05.11.06 (AP) A former manager of the band GREAT WHITE whose pyrotechnics ignited a nightclub fire that killed 100 people was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison, drawing sobs and groans from victims' relatives who hoped to see the man serve more time behind bars. Some were so angered by the sentence given to Daniel Biechele -- who could have received 10 years -- that they stormed out of the courtroom. One man yelled "Typical (expletive) Rhode Island." "What do you think of your son now?" Patricia Belanger shouted to Biechele's mother. Belanger, who lost her 30-year-old daughter, Dina Ann DeMaio, told reporters afterward: "Now it's her turn to suffer, just like we've been suffering because of her son." Before sentencing, Biechele gazed downward and choked back tears as he apologized for the February 20th, 2003 blaze at The Station nightclub in West Warwick. "I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anyone else to," he said, his lip quivering. "I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. I never imagined that anyone ever would be." Testimony from victims' relatives Monday and Tuesday left lawyers, court officials and at one point the defendant himself in tears. Some described a grief so powerful that they could not get out of bed in the morning, and said they looked forward to nothing except being reunited with their loved ones in death. Biechele, 29, pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in February in a deal he struck with prosecutors. He was the tour manager for Great White when he lit a pyrotechnics display that ignited highly flammable foam that lined the walls and ceiling of the nightclub. The foam was used as soundproofing and was placed there by the owners after neighbors complained about noise. Victims included the band's guitarist Ty Longley. Many of those killed were quickly overcome by fumes emitted by the foam or became trapped in a crush at the front door. Superior Court Judge Francis Darigan Jr. gave Biechele less than half the sentence he could have received. Victims' families briefly thought Biechele was getting a 15-year sentence, but the judge suspended 11 years of that term. "We've already suffered almost that long - four years. We've already suffered that long," said Annmarie Swidwa, whose 25-year-old daughter, Bridget Sanetti, died in the fire. DeMaio's sister, Jessica Garvey, called the sentence "infuriating" and "ridiculous." "Four years is nothing," she said outside court. In explaining his sentence, Darigan told Biechele: "The greatest sentence that can be imposed upon you has been imposed upon you by yourself, that is having to live a life, an entire life..." [full story]

05.10.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Pollstar recently released their Top 100 World Tours Chart and NICKELBACK ranked third highest in worldwide ticket sales for the first quarter of 2006, with sales of nearly 415,000 concert tickets. The band's numbers were exceeded only by those of U2 and upcoming touring companions Bon Jovi, who they will tour with in Europe from May 15th through June 11th and return to North America in July to play select dates as special guests on Bon Jovi's North American stadium tour through July 29th. NICKELBACK will then play a five-week run of confirmed headlining dates in the U.S. beginning August 8th at "Rock N The Rally" in Sturgis, South Dakota. Tour Dates: 06/30 Cincinnati, OH [US Bank Arena] • 07/02 Indianapolis, IN [Conseco Fieldhouse] • 07/03 Cleveland, OH [Quicken Loans Arena] • 07/05 Milwaukee, WI [Marcus Amphitheater] • 07/07 Columbus, OH [Schottenstein Center] • 07/08 Buffalo, NY [HSBC Arena] • 07/10 Albany, NY [Pepsi Center] • 07/11 Portland, ME [Cumberland Civic Center] • 07/13 Montreal, Canada [Parc Jean Drapeau] (with Bon Jovi) • 07/15 Philadelphia, PA [Citizens Bank Ballpark] (with Bon Jovi) • 07/18 East Rutherford, NJ [Giants Stadium] (with Bon Jovi) • 07/19 East Rutherford, NJ [Giants Stadium] (with Bon Jovi) • 7/21 Chicago, IL [Soldier Field] (with Bon Jovi) • 07/22 Detroit, MI [Joe Louis Arena] • 7/23 Pittsburgh, PA [Heinz Field] (part of the Steelers' Superbowl Celebration) (with Bon Jovi) • 07/26 Columbia, MD [Merriweather Post Pavillion] • 07/27 Foxboro, MA [Gillette Stadium] (with Bon Jovi) • 07/29 East Rutherford, NJ [Giants Stadium] (with Bon Jovi) • 08/08 Sturgis, SD [Rock N The Rally] • 08/09 Denver, CO [Coors Amphitheater] • 08/11 Salt Lake City, UT [Delta Center] • 08/12 Boise, ID [Idaho Events Center] • 08/14 Reno, NV [Lawlor Events Center] • 08/15 Sacramento, CA [Arco Arena] • 08/17 Anaheim, CA [The Pond] • 08/18 Fresno, CA [Selland Arena] • 08/19 Las Vegas, NV [TBA] • 08/22 Albuquerque, NM [Tingley Coliseum] • 08/24 Wichita Falls, TX [Kay Yeager Coliseum] • 08/25 Houston, TX [Toyota Center] • 08/26 Dallas, TX [Smirnoff Music Center] • 08/28 Lafayette, LA [Cajundome] • 08/29 Tupelo, MS [Bancorp South Center] • 08/31 Little Rock, AR [Alltel Arena] • 09/01 Birmingham, AL [Birmingham Jefferson Arena] • 09/03 Raleigh, NC [RBC Center] • 09/05 Tallahassee, FL [Leon County Civic Center] • 09/08 Knoxville, TN [Thompson-Boling Arena] • 09/09 Nashville, TN [Gaylord Entertainment Center] • 09/11 Allegan, MI [Allegan Fair] • 09/12 Moline, IL [The Mark Of The Quad Cities] • 09/14 St Paul, MN [Xcel Energy Center] • 09/15 Sioux City, IA [Tyson Center] • 09/16 Kansas City, MO [Kemper Arena]
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05.10.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Avant Garde Technical Instrumental trio DYSRHYTHMIA continue to press on with an extensive string of U.S. tour dates with YAKUZA and BEHOLD...THE ARCTOPUS (with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN beginning 7/15) throughout the Spring and Summer in support of their new album. Having established themselves as one of the finest instrumental bands in the world, DYSRHYTHMIA make the standard trio (guitar, bass, drums) setup sound like so much more, and complex, innovative music sound easy. On "Barriers And Passages," the band's new release on Relapse Records, the band raise the bar once again with their exceptional playing and unwavering dedication to forward-thinking song craft. Time signatures bend and shift intuitively as rich washes of melody and layers of noise are the voices that punctuate crisp musical constructions on the new album. Engineered by Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Dresden Dolls, Swans, Helmet, Brian Eno), "Barriers And Passages" is simply a modern technical tour de force. Tour Dates: 05/25 Philadelphia, PA [Khyber Pass] • 05/26 New York, NY [Tap Bar @ The Knitting Factory] • 05/27 Allston, MA [O'Brien's] • 05/28 New Haven, CT [Bar Nightclub] • 05/29 Fredericksburg, VA [The Bourbon Room] • 05/30 Charlotte, NC [The Milestone] • 05/31 Charleston, SC [Cumberlands] • 06/01 Myrtle Beach, SC [The Social] • 06/02 Athens, GA [Tasty World] • 06/03 Memphis, TN [Hi Tone] • 06/04 New Orleans, LA [One Eyed Jacks] • 06/05 Beaumont, TX [Vortex] • 06/06 San Antonio, TX [Sanctuary] • 06/07 Austin, TX [Emo's] • 06/08 Dallas, TX [Darkside Lounge] • 06/09 Albuquerque, NM [Launch Pad] • 06/10 Phoenix, AZ [The Tribe House] • 06/11 Los Angeles, CA [Alterknit Lounge @ The Knitting Factory] • 06/12 San Francisco, CA [Elbo Room] • 06/13 Portland, OR [Rock N Roll Pizza] • 06/14 Seattle, WA [El Corazon] • 06/15 Boise, ID [Grove St] • 06/16 Salt Lake City, UT [Club Vegas] • 06/17 Denver, CO [Larimer Lounge] • 06/18 Lawrence, KS [Replay Lounge] • 06/19 Minneapolis, MN [Triple Rock] • 06/20 Dubuque, IA [Busted Lift] • 06/21 Madison, WI [High Noon Saloon] • 06/22 Milwaukee, WI [Vnuks] • 06/23 Chicago, IL [Beat Kitchen] • 06/24 Dayton, OH [Elbo's] • 06/25 Columbus, OH [High Five] • 06/26 Cleveland, OH [Beachland Ballroom] • 06/27 Rochester, NY [Bug Jar] • 06/28 Williamsburg, NY [Union Pool Bar] • 07/14 Tucson, AZ [Skrappy's] • 07/15 Albuquerque, NM [Launch Pad] • 07/18 Houston, TX [Walter's On Washington] • 07/19 Dallas, TX [Gypsy Tea Room] • 07/20 Austin, TX [Emo's] • 07/21 Fayetteville, AR [The Music Hall] • 07/22 Des Moines, IA [House Of Bricks] • 07/23 Madison, WI [The Annex] • 07/28 Papillion, NE [The Rock] • 07/29 Wichita, KS [Headway Skatepark]
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05.09.06 (AP) GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose made a surprise radio appearance to proclaim that the band's 10-years-in-the-making "Chinese Democracy" album will finally hit store shelves this Fall. The comments on Eddie Trunk's syndicated radio show marked the first interview the painfully private Rose has given since his failed 2002 comeback tour, which was abruptly scrapped midway amid riots and canceled shows. Rose's impromptu appearance came when former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, who was co-hosting the show, called Rose's cell phone and patched the call through the studio. Quizzed on when the near-mythical album would come out, Rose said, "Sometime this fall or late fall." His band could be heard rehearsing in the background. "It will be out this year." Trunk invited Rose to drop by the studio, and about an hour later he did. Asked about the aborted 2002 comeback tour, which ended when Rose failed to appear for a gig in Philadelphia, Rose told Trunk he felt pressured into doing it before he was ready. But he insisted he has no regrets, since the short-lived tour helped the new band members to gel. (The 2002 lineup included keyboard player Dizzy Reed from the original Guns N' Roses, former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Tommy Stinson from The Replacements, guitar shredder Buckethead, drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia formerly of Primus, guitarist Richard Fortus from The Psychedelic Furs/Love Spit Love, and keyboard player Chris Pittman.) "Can you tell people why the tour ended at that point?" asked Trunk. "Umm, no, not exactly," said Rose, declining to discuss it. Plans are currently in the works for Rose to relaunch his comeback by playing four shows at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom over the next 10 days, then head to Europe to play several music festivals. Rose said the band at the Hammerstein shows will be similar to the one that played the 2002 tour, except for a new lead guitarist, whom he declined to identify except to say it's not an old GNR member. Buckethead left the band in 2004. However, later in the broadcast, Rose seemed to contradict himself when he said he's been hobnobbing with former GNR guitarist and songwriter Izzy Stradlin, and strongly hinted that Stradlin may show up for the Hammerstein shows. Former GNR guitar maestro Slash may end up back in the band as well, but probably not before the Hammerstein shows.
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05.09.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Sweden's SOILWORK have acquired guitarist Daniel Antonsson (Dimension Zero, Pathos) as the replacement for Peter Wichers, who left the band in December to pursue a career in producing. Wichers had this to say last December: "Soilwork has not only been my band but my second family and very good friends for almost 10 years. I'm just worn out from all the touring, and I have reached a point in my life where touring is just not possible for me anymore. I have decided to continue with my second passion in life, which is music production and recording, and in order to achieve this goal I need to put all my time and energy into it. Soilwork and me will remain great friends and I wish them all the success in the future." Soilwork will make their North American live debut with Antonsson this fall when return for a five-week tour that will take them coast to coast starting October 5th. Also appearing on the bill will be Darkest Hour, Mnemic and Threat Signal. Tour Dates: 10/05 Springfield, VA [Jaxx West] • 10/06 Poughkeepsie, NY [The Chance] • 10/07 Hartford, CT [Webster Theatre] • 10/09 Toronto, ON [The Opera House] • 10/10 Quebec City, QC [L'Imperial] • 10/11 Montreal, QC [Foufounes Electriques] • 10/12 Cohoes, NY [Saratoga Winners] • 10/13 Worcester, MA [The Palladium] • 10/14 Cleveland, OH [Peabody's Down Under] • 10/15 Mokena, IL [The Pearl Room] • 10/16 Omaha, NE [Sokol Underground] • 10/17 Englewood, CO [Gothic Theatre] • 10/19 San Francisco, CA [The Pound] • 10/20 Hollywood, CA [House Of Blues] • 10/21 Anaheim, CA [House Of Blues] • 10/22 Tempe, AZ [The Clubhouse] • 10/23 Albuquerque, NM [Launch Pad] • 10/24 San Antonio, TX [White Rabbit] • 10/25 Houston, TX [Warehouse Live] • 10/27 Ft. Lauderdale, FL [Culture Room] • 10/28 St. Petersburg, FL [The State Theatre] • 10/29 Lake Buena Vista, FL [House Of Blues] • 11/01 Atlanta, GA [The Masquerade] • 11/02 Jacksonville, NC [Planet Rock] • 11/03 Norfolk, VA [The Norva] • 11/04 Baltimore, MD [Sonar] • 11/05 New York City, NY [B.B. King's Blues Club] • 11/07 Philadelphia, PA [Starlight Ballroom] • 11/09 Pittsburgh, PA [Rex Theatre] • 11/10 Rochester, NY [Penny Arcade] • 11/11 Detroit, MI [Harpo's Concert Theatre]
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05.08.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Horror Rock king and former Murderdolls frontman WEDNESDAY 13 has signed a new recording deal with Restless/Rykodisc Records. The label has set a late Summer release date for a new album, "Fang Bang," the follow up to 2005's "Transylvania 90210: Songs Of Death, Dying And The Dead (Roadrunner). Restless will first be releasing "Little Box Of Horrors" this week, a limited-edition box set of Wednesday 13's pre-Murderdolls band, Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13. Before becoming frontman for the very successful Slipknot offshoot Murderdolls, Wednesday 13 lead the ultra-depraved Frankenstein Drag Queens for four albums before putting the band on hold in 2002. Featuring five CDs and one DVD, "Little Box Of Horrors" is a treasure trove of ghoulish delights and spans the band's history from 1996-2001 and includes all four of their original albums in "The Late, Late, Late Show," "Night Of The Living Drag Queens," "Songs From The Recently Deceased," "Viva Las Violence," plus the rarities disc "Rare Treats - A Previously Unreleased Collection Of Outtakes & Rarities" (which includes early versions of Murderdolls tracks) and a DVD entitled "Transvestite Chainsaw Massacre" which contains selections from a live concert in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1998. Wednesday 13 has also announced an all-new band line up which reunites him with fellow Murderdoll Eric Griffin. Wednesday 13 comments: "I will be teaming up with my old Murderdoll band mate Eric Griffin, long-time friend Racci Shay (Genitorturers) and new pal Brix (Skrape/Dope) for the next chapter of rock 'n' roll debauchery in my life. I can't predict what this year will be like with this band, but I guarantee it will be nothing short of complete chaos...sorry in advance, and we'll see you all in hell!!!" Though best known for fronting the Murderdolls, Wednesday 13 is a Rock veteran who's been playing in bands since he was 15 years old. He adopted his stage moniker in 1995, naming himself after Wednesday of The Addams Family and the address, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, of The Munsters. A year later he formed Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, who were named in the spirit of legendary B-movie director Ed Wood.
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05.08.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Roadrunner Records USA has announced the signing of Connecticut's HATEBREED to the label. The band, a modern-day Hardcore institution who celebrated their 10-year anniversary in 2005, land at Roadrunner following the announcement of their 2006 Ozzfest participation and the release of their exclusive track on MTV2 Headbangers Ball: The Revenge. Having already worked with Roadrunner internationally for some time, Hatebreed vocalist and host of MTV2's Headbangers Ball Jamey Jasta says of the signing: "I speak for the whole band when I say that we are more than excited to have our next album be released on Roadrunner Records worldwide. We are all big fans of the label. We're proud that Roadrunner is the new home for our music and message." "Not only have Hatebreed been one of the most influential bands of the past decade - there's no doubt that their best days and most crushing music is ahead of them. It's a privilege to be working with not only Hatebreed but also with Jamey Jasta, the very face of aggressive music," says A&R man, Mike Gitter. Hatebreed has spent the past decade clawing its way up the Metalcore ranks, becoming one of the scene's best-selling bands, thanks to a strong work ethic, a busy tour schedule, and a seamless fusion of Hardcore and brutal Metallic riffs. The band worked on their first Roadrunner release, "Supremacy" -- due to street on August 29th -- with long-time producer Zeuss (Shadows Fall, Terror), and mixer Mike Frasier (Metallica, The Cult). Says Jasta of the album: "We feel that our new material is beyond anything we've ever done as far as ferocity and pure adrenaline goes. It is our most brutal and focused album to date while remaining true to our hardcore roots. We've added more thrash, death and crossover elements, and have been able to keep the songs memorable and precise. To me every song on this album is an anthem. Every song gives me chills and makes me feel completely charged." Ozzfest has tapped Hatebreed for the main stage this year. In previous years, the band played and headlined the second stage. Bassist Chris Beattie says of the Ozzfest opportunity: "It's an honor and privilege for us to be asked to fill a main stage slot and we promise not to disappoint any of our diehards out there! See you this summer!"
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05.05.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Melbourne, Australia's THE LIVING END have signed a recording deal with Adeline Records in the U.S., and will release their new album, "State Of Emergency," on July 11th through East West. The band is confirmed for three weeks of Warped Tour in July followed by a U.S. headlining tour in August. The Living End are Chris Cheney (vocals/guitar), Scott Owen (bass) and Andy Strachan (drums). The band enlisted noted producer Nick Launay (INXS, Gang of Four, Midnight Oil, Silverchair) for "State Of Emergency," the bands fourth full-length release, where it was released in February on Capitol Records in Australia, where it debuted at #1 and is about to go platinum. The album dishes out some of the best Punk energy of The Living End's career - songs like the Midnight Oil-flavored anthem 'Wake Up,' the shimmering, Phil Spector-like psychedelia of 'Order Of The Day,' or the jazzy edge of 'Nowhere Town' - complete with horns. "I don't think we're in danger of becoming AC/DC, even though there is something cool about that the way you know what you're getting with them," says Chris Cheney. "But I like our fans to be excited about getting a new album, because they like our sound, and they get that with a few new twists every time. This time, yeah, we're doing some different things, but it sounds like The Living End doing different things, not like The Living End trying to sound like a different band." Confirmed Tour Dates: 07/01 Orange County, CA [Hootenany Festival] • 07/02 Tucson, AZ [Plush] (Headlining) • Warped Tour: 07/03 Las Cruces, NM [NMSU Practice Field] • 07/05 Phoenix, AZ [Peoria Sports Park] • 07/06 San Diego, CA [Coors Amphitheatre] • 07/07 Pomona, CA [Fairplex Park] • 07/08 San Francisco, CA [Pier 30/32] • 07/09 Fresno, CA [Selland Arena] • 07/11 Ventura, CA [Seaside Park] • 07/12 Los Angeles, CA [Dodger Stadium Lot] • 07/13 Sacramento, CA [Sleep Train Amphitheatre] • 07/14 Boise, ID [Treasure Valley Speedway] • 07/15 Seattle, WA [The Gorge Amphitheatre] • 07/16 Portland, OR [Columbia Meadows] • 07/18 Vancouver, BC [Thunderbird Stadium] • 07/20 Calgary, AB [Race City Speedway] • 07/22 Salt Lake City, UT [Utah State Fairgrounds] • 07/23 Denver, CO [Invesco Field] • 07/25 St. Louis, MO [UMB Bank Pavillon] • 07/26 Cincinnati, OH [Riverbend Music Center] • 07/27 Pittsburgh, PA [Post Gazette Pavilion] • 07/28 Indianapolis, IN [Verizon Amphitheatre] • 07/29 Detroit, MI [Co-America Park & Street] • 07/30 Chicago, IL [First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre] • Headlining Tour (More Dates To Come): 08/01 Toronto, ON [The Mod Club] • 08/02 Montreal, QB [Le National] • 08/04 Boston, MA [Axis] • 08/05 Philadelphia, PA [Theatre Of Living Arts] • 08/07 Asbury Park, NJ [Stone Pony] • 08/08 New York, NY [Avalon] • 08/09 Atlanta, GA [Masquerade] • 08/13 San Antonio, TX [White Rabbit]
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05.05.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Fremantle Home Entertainment will release "Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life," the definitive Metal documentary on May 22nd. The 2-disc DVD package provides a no-stone-unturned account for one of the most enduring forms of popular music the world has ever known. Packed with new interviews with dozens of movers and shakers of the Metal business, amazing live performances, rare archive footage and with a soundtrack of over 70 tracks, "Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life" is a good bet for Metal fans of all ages. Created by award winning duo director Dick Carruthers (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The White Stripes) and producer Jim Parsons (MTV Headbangers' Ball, New Kings Of Rock 'N' Roll, Re:covered) this is a long overdue film that unravels the music, the myths and the mayhem of Metal. Since its arrival in the late 60's, Metal has stood alone as a musical creative force, untouchable for emotion, power and longevity. From pioneering bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, through the 80's with Iron Maiden and into the 90's with the likes of Metallica and Pantera, there has never been a document which considers the continuing story of Metal like "Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life." It looks at the origins of Metal, how the genre grew, and how it has transcended fashion, misunderstanding, ridicule and ignorance. It is dedicated to the memory of Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott who was murdered on stage on December 8th, 2004, and features testimonials on his personal contribution and heavy influence on the modern Metal genre. With a total run time at over 4 hours in length including special features, some of the personalities interviewed in "Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life" include: Rob Halford, KK Downing and Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Ronnie James Dio, Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield (Metallica), Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody and Neil Murray (Whitesnake), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Paul Dianno (Iron Maiden), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Phil Taylor (Motorhead), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Bobby Ellsworth (Overkill), Mitch Harris (Napalm Death), and members of some of today's modern Metal outfits such as Static-X, Kittie and God Forbid.

05.04.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Glasgow, Scotland's Princes Square will be dramatically transformed into a unique concert venue on Friday, May 5th at 3:00pm when Boston's hottest exports, THE DRESDEN DOLLS, perform an entirely free 30-minute gig amidst their UK tour. It's the only chance the people of Glasgow will have to catch the Boston-based piano and drum duo, as the bands evening gig at the city's infamous Cathouse is completely sold-out. The Dresden Dolls will showcase songs from their recent album with an exclusive performance in the centre's courtyard. The bands second album, titled "Yes, Virginia," was last week's number one selling new release in the U.S., debuting at No.42 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Described as "Brechtian Cabaret Punk Rock," the dramatic environment of Princes Square centre will provide the perfect stage for the bands colorful show - a show which has made an instant impact on the music scene and gained the band a cult following. Formed in 2001, The Dresden Dolls merges the musical theatre and New Wave background of singer and pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione to create their own distinctive mix of classic German Cabaret, Gothix Rock, Alternative Pop, and the cathartic songwriting style of artists like Tori Amos and PJ Harvey. A spokesperson for Princes Square, said: "We are delighted to have such an up-and-coming U.S. band perform at Princes Square. The Dresden Dolls' live shows are very energetic and theatrical, so regular afternoon shoppers are in for a real treat or even a bit of a scare. "Princes Square's courtyard area lends itself perfectly to the occasion, and whether you're a passer-by, a visitor to Glasgow or a huge Dresden Dolls fan, come down and combine some shopping with 30 minutes of the Dolls' unique brand of rock in a truly impressive setting." The band have been enjoying a whirlwind schedule that has included headlining sold-out tours on four continents, opening for Nine Inch Nails, performing at the world's biggest festivals including Coachella, Fuji Rock, Roskilde and Glastonbury to the Edinburgh Fringe. Princes Square shopping centre is a beautifully restored B-listed building located in the heart of the city centre. Tiered with balconies, the stunning location boasts four levels - all with excellent views onto the mosaic courtyard where the band will be performing.
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05.04.06 (RockAndMetal.com) This July, SHADOWS FALL will headline the third annual Strhess Tour, which will be their only U.S. run in support of their highly anticipated new release, "Fallout From The War." The trek is set to kick off with confirmed dates running from July 12th through August 11th with more dates to be announced, featuring an array of cutting edge acts that the Metalcore genre currently has to offer. This year's Strhess Tour also features Poison The Well in the direct support slot in addition to It Dies Today and Still Remains, with other acclaimed acts such as Darkest Hour, Bury Your Dead, Himsa, Throwdown and Suffocation joining the tour in select markets. Fans in Phoenix and San Diego will have the chance to witness history as The Strhess Tour joins forces with The Sounds of The Underground for two very special festival style shows. Visit the tour's official site at www.strhesstour.com for up-to-date information on tour news, opening acts in each market, and directions. Meanwhile, June 13th is the confirmed release date for "Fallout From The War," which contains 11 tracks. The album sessions were once again produced and mixed by long-time friend Zeuss (Hatebreed, God Forbid) at Planet Z Studios in the band's home state of Massachusetts. "Fallout From The War" follows the group's most acclaimed disc to date, "The War Within," which originally debut at #20 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, has gone on to sell over 250,000 units in the U.S. alone, and features the Active Rock hit and Grammy-nominated track, 'What Drives The Weak.' Tour Dates: 06/10 Kansas City, MO [Liberty Memorial Park] (Rockfest) • 07/12 Norfolk, VA [The NorVa Theater] • 07/13 Washington, DC [9:30 Club] • 07/14 Buffalo, NY [Town Ballroom] • 07/15 Detroit, MI [Harpo's] • 07/16 Milwaukee, WI [Eagles Ballroom] • 07/17 Minneapolis, MN [The Quest] • 07/19 Denver, CO [Ogden Theatre] • 07/20 Salt Lake City, UT [Avalon Theatre] • 07/21 Boise, ID [Big Easy] • 07/22 Seattle, WA [Showbox] • 07/26 Mesa, AZ [Mesa Amphitheatre] (Sounds Of The Underground) • 07/27 San Francisco [The Fillmore] • 07/28 San Diego, CA [Soma] (Sounds Of The Underground) • 07/29 Hollywood, CA [Avalon] • 08/01 Dallas, TX [Gypsy Tea Room] • 08/02 Houston, TX [Meridian] • 08/04 Lake Buena Vista, FL [House Of Blues] • 08/05 Atlanta, GA [The Masquerade] • 08/07 Cincinnati, OH [Bogart's] • 08/08 Chicago, IL [House Of Blues] • 08/10 New York, NY [Nokia Theatre] • 08/11 Philadelphia, PA [Electric Factory]
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05.03.06 (RockAndMetal.com) World renowned Australian band INXS have announced their first European tour dates since 2002. The band, who are in the midst of a sold-out North American tour, will perform for the first time with their new lead singer, J.D. Fortune, who won the coveted role of stepping into the void left by the late Michael Hutchence in last year's wildly successful TV show, "Rock Star: INXS." Kicking off at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on Thursday October 12th, INXS play a series of highly intimate venues as they reconnect with their ardent European fans. Tickets go on sale today via fan club pre-sale, and on Friday, May 5th to the general public. The tour follows on the heels of the recent release of the band's eleventh studio album, "Switch." With a career spanning nearly 27 years and more than 30 million records sold worldwide, countless awards from peers and fans, platinum certification, and a history documented with outstanding achievements, INXS are arguably Australia's most successful Rock export. What hasn't changed is the band's unique ability for writing classic songs that fuse modern Rock and Dance styles, that sound having made them one of the most popular bands globally. They've scored no less than 17 Billboard hits (7 of which were top 10), 23 UK hits, 33 Australian hits, and 6 consecutive Top Ten UK and U.S. albums. Over the course of their career, INXS have performed over 4,000 live concerts in front of more than 25 million people across roughly 50 countries. At the auditions for "Rock Star: INXS," J.D. Fortune made a strong impression on guitarist Tim Farriss and guitarist/saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. "There was something about him that captured what we wanted," says Farriss. "He didn't have anyone to accompany him, but said he could sing an INXS song. Kirk got up on stage and played acoustic guitar with him on 'Never Tear Us Apart.' When he was finished, we looked at each other and said, 'this guy has to be on the show.'" "From his first day in the band," says Andrew Farriss, "he's realized the pressure we're under and came in ready to work. "It's also been fun," Tim Farriss adds, "to watch a neophyte performer adjust to the life of a rock star. You forget that it's his first album, his first video, first photo shoot. We've been doing this for 30 years, but it's all new to him. J.D. brings a mix of innocence and knowingness to the process." Tour Dates: 10/12 London, UK [Shepherd's Bush Empire] • 10/13 Amsterdam, Netherlands [Paradiso] • 10/14 Koln, Germany [Live Music Hall] • 10/16 Copenhagen, Denmark [Pumpehuset] • 10/17 Oslo, Norway [Rockefeller] • 10/18 Stockholm, Sweden [Berns] • 10/20 Hamburg, Germany [Grunspan] • 10/21 Berlin, Germany [Postbanhoff] • 10/22 Warsaw, Poland [Stodola] • 10/24 Stuttgart, Germany [Longhorn] • 10/25 Munich, Germany [Backstage] • 10/26 Zurich, Switzerland [Volkshaus] • 10/28 Milan, Italy [Teatro Ciak] • 10/30 Barcelona, Spain [Razzmatazz] • 11/01 Paris, France [La Cigale] • 11/02 Gent, Belgium [Vooruit]
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05.03.06 (RockAndMetal.com) SOCIETY 1 have set "The Years Of Spiritual Dissent" as the title for their first release through Crash Music, Inc. "The Years Of Spiritual Dissent" is a collection of Society 1's first two albums, "Slacker Jesus" and "Words As Carriers", which were both self-released on frontman Matt "The Lord" Zane's Inzane Records. "The Years Of Spiritual Dissent" also includes two cover songs, a brand new track entitled 'This Is The End,' and a bonus DVD. Crash Music -- with whom the band signed a new recording deal in late March -- has scheduled July 25th as the street date for the new release. Meanwhile, with the FX Network scheduled to air a documentary entitled "Revelation 666" on May 9th at 11:59 P.M., the show discusses the end of the world, the antichrist and the significance of the number 666 within Pop culture. Society 1 are the only band featured within the special, and were asked a variety of questions concerning their use of suspension, symbols, and magical rituals that have been integrated into their music and image. Society 1 are set to ring this century's 666 day (June 6, 2006) by headlining the "Satan's Rockin' Eve" event in Los Angeles on Monday, June 5th. The show is hosted by www.radiofreesatan.com, and features many Industrial, Metal, and Punk acts from around the world, and is Society 1's only U.S. performance of the year. The band will then head into the studio soon afterwards to record their next album, "Sadist Messiah" which is due out next in early 2007. Also be sure to check out Matt "The Lord" Zane's outrageous weekly radio show, "Why Do We Live." Matt Zane and Co-host Berzerk Kirk will talk about everything from music and politics to religion and sex. "Why Do We Live" airs every Thursday on www.radiofreesatan.com. Society 1 first rose to notoriety in 1999 with "Slacker Jesus" - adding to the media frenzy was