SHAI HULUD TEAMS UP WITH NO SLEEP RECORDS ON UPCOMING RECORD

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July 23, 2015 – Los Angeles, CA – Huntington Beach independent label No Sleep Records announces today they’ve partnered with revered and influential Florida bred hardcore band, Shai Hulud.  Recently, the label leaked a new song from the band called “Colder Than The Cold World,” which will be featured on the band’s upcoming record and can be streamed now at http://bit.ly/1D4akIv. Fans can sign up at https://nosleeprecords.com/product/7789 for notifications about the upcoming release.
Statement From Shai Hulud:
“Warmth and gratefulness runs as deeply within Shai Hulud as cynicism and misanthropy. Since the band’s inception we have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to affiliate ourselves with record labels we not only respect, but whose output helped shape both our band and our individual lives. This is something we could never take for granted. Having been respectively welcomed into the Revelation Records and Metal Blade Records families has been a boon, professionally, and personally, nothing short of a fanciful dream made real.
Come 2015, this continual windfall of opportunity led us to work with No Sleep Records, arguably a leading underground label with drive, heart and ethics. We have respected Chris Hansen and company years before No Sleep became a staple label who broke some important and game-changing bands. At risk of repeating a same sentiment, it’s an honor to have been brought into such a discerning and respectable fold – fully contradicting Groucho Marx’s classic take on membership.
As a band who came from less than nothing, recognizing we are not owed anything by anyone, our long and often arduous journey has been given seemingly inexhaustible secular blessings. It’s with inexpressible gratitude we announce our collaboration with No Sleep Records on the upcoming release. It’s the latest in a series of very fortunate events. Now, if we only had a fraction of such a blessing with tour vehicles, we’d truly be unstoppable.
Excelsiors, one and all.”
-Matt Fox / Shai Hulud
Shai Hulud formed in Pompano Beach, FL in 1995 and were originally signed to Revelation Records and featured a young, unknown singer Chad Gilbert, who would eventually go on to found New Found Glory. Over the years the band consisted of an array of musicians with Matt Fox (guitar) and Matt Fletcher (bass) being the longest standing members.
Shai Hulud’s legacy was cemented with the release of their 1997 debut full-length record, Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion, which received critical acclaim and influenced hardcore bands over the next decade. The band would follow their intrepid release with three more records, including their most recent, 2013’s Reach Beyond the Sun.
Now Shai Hulud begins the next chapter of their storied career in partnership with No Sleep Records. Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/ShaiHuludUninc for more information and catch them on their current summer tour. Dates are listed below.
Shai Hulud Tour Dates:
July 22 – Milwaukee, WI – Borg Ward (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 23 – Green Bay, WI – Lyric Room (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 24 – Peoria, IL – The Brass Rail (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 25 – Lakewood, OH – The Foundry (w/Ghost Key, Cryptodira)
July 26 – Amityville, NY – Revolution
July 28 – Lynchburg, VA – Parkview Church
July 29 – Greensboro, NC – Greene Street Club
July 31 – Tallahassee, FL – Pug’s Live (w/No Forty Winters)
Aug 1 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 2 – Huntsville, AL – Lowe Mill (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 3 – New Albany, IN – New Albany Production House (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 4 – Chicago, IL – Reggies (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 5 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary Detroit (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 6 – Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theater (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 7 – Altoona, PA – The Anvil (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 8 – Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 10 – Albany, NY – The Fuzebox (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 11 – New York, NY – Webster Hall (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 12 – Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes (w/Bishop, No Forty Winters)
Aug 13 – Fredericksburg, VA – KC’s Music Alley (w/Bishop)
Aug 14 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern (w/Bishop)
Aug 15 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Rockin’ Hard Saloon (w/Bishop)
Aug 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Burro Bar (w/Bishop)
Aug 17 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 18 – Houston, TX – Walters (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 19 – El Paso, TX – Mesa Music Hall (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 20 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 21 – San Diego, CA – Soma (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 22 – Bakersfield, CA – The Gate (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 23 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 24 – Salinas, CA – La Movida (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 25 – Portland, OR – Analog Cafe (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 26 – Seattle, WA – Studio Seven (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 28 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 29 – Calgary, AB – Distortion (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar (w/Lions Lions)
Aug 31 – Denver, CO – Roxy Theater (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 1 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Conservatory (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 2 – St. Louis, MO – Fubar (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 3 – Lansing, MI – The Loft (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 4 – Guelph, ON – DSTRCT (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 5 – Gatineau, QC – Heart Fest (w/Lions Lions)
Sep 6 – Salem, NH – Salem VFW (w/Lions Lions)
For More Information:

Slim Wray – Post No Bills

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[rating: 8/10]

slim_wray_coverIt’s a rare stormy day here in San Diego. I’m kicking it on the sofa with my headphones on, listening to a new EP by the garage/surf act Slim Wray. If I had to to choose one word to describe this new release, (even a made up word) I’d go with “retrolicious.”

The new EP, eponymously titled “The Slim Wray EP” (As it turns out, this EP is actually entitled “Post No Bills”, but you try telling that to my media player du jour! Never the less, all else applies except where prohibited) provides six tracks of 60s flavored garage rock tinted with pop sensibilities akin to Neil Diamond, Tommy James, and The Monkees. The throwback aside you get modern quality recording (so the garage aspect must be by design) and a sound that is well balanced and engineered.

This release is a bit on the outside of my typical genre spectrum, but if you dig retro 60s pop rock, I suspect you’ll wanna check this one out.

The lightning is cutting through the sky outside my window. I can hear a slight rumble of thunder through the cans and rain hitting the concrete in the space in between the tracks. I’m gonna rock The Slim Wray EP out until the tracks end.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

PEARS – Go to Prison

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[rating:9/10]
(c) 2015 Fat Wreck Chords

pearsDamn! PEARS “Go to Prison” is the best, most intense, and my favoritist new release since maybe the Classics of Love “Walking in Shadows” EP.

Barreling straight at you out of the Crescent City, this hardcore punk rock unit is down with intensity and rapidity.

I’ll have to check my references, but I believe it was something on the order of eight weeks (nope, it was totally five) from formation to this albums release on Fat Wreck Chords. I understand the label’s interest. The band has chops, guts, the energy of Suicide Machines (minus the ska), hardcore intensity, and some hooks like NOFX.

I’ll cut this short for now, because I’m into the whole brevity thing. This album rules. It’s my current new favorite. It’s a whipped up mix of punk and hardcore to the benefit of both genes. Frankly I’m a bit jealous that my band didn’t have its shit together like PEARS.

I’d have given this a perfect 10, but it’s about two tracks to short to make the full drive to work. … Maybe I should live closer. Read on if you want the full press release.

Cheers!
Jerry Actually

Continue reading PEARS – Go to Prison

Beastfest 2015

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Lineup everyone and get your tickets to an all-day hardcore event in Secaucus, NJ.

Beast Entertainment, the fine folks who have been bringing badass shows to your doorsteps all this year, present Beastfest 2015. This is the first of a hopefully annual hardcore music showcase at the Blue Room in Secaucus, NJ. Here’s a lowdown on the showdown:

Bands:
Endwell
Knuckle Up!
Doomsday Mourning
Binary Code
Me With Creeps
Silence Equals Death
Low Road
Strength Through Suffering
No Fucking Chance
Full Scale Riot
Under the Red Hood
Hope It Dies
The Dead Drop

Location:
The Blue Room
201 Secaucus Rd.
Secaucus, NJ

Date:
Saturday, August 8th, 2015

Time:
3:30 PM

Cash:
$10 in advance
$12 at the door

Age:
18+

Booze:
21+

Tickets:
Beast Entertainment NJ

Castoff release new EP

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castoff_band
California skatepunk band Castoff release new EP “Lines And Passages”!

San Diego, California based melodic punk rock four-piece Castoff have released their new EP “Lines And Passages” on Morning Wood Records and Bird Attack Records today!

Influenced by melodic punk stalwarts Bad Religion, Pennywise, Strung Out and Propagandhi, “Lines and Passages” blends vocal harmonies, fast guitar riffing with technical flourishes and a furious rhythm section. Castoff incorporate thought provoking lyrics around societal issues and the ups and downs of human existence.

After releasing DIY efforts “The Dividing Line” (EP, 2013) and “Acquisition” (EP, 2014) and sharing the stage with Guttermouth, ImplantsCounterpunch, After the Fall and others, they spent months of writing new material. As a result Castoff went into Doubletime studios to work with Jeff Forrest (Blink 182, Rocket From the Crypt, As I Lay Dying) to track and mix their first effort with the new lineup. The result is “Lines and Passages”, which was mastered by Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Castoff: “We’re four nerds who like to play punk rock with some metal. We also like to sing about important stuff.”

Reality: Fast, ripping 90’s skatepunk with shredding guitar work, interesting melodies and catchy vocal harmonies!

DEFEATER TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

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DEFEATER TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
‘ABANDONED’
OUT AUGUST 28 ON EPITAPH

Watch the video for a new song “Spared in Hell

Boston hardcore act Defeater will release their fourth studio album, Abandoned, on August 28 on Epitaph. The band has released a video for a new song, “Spared in Hell“.

Unlike most bands—and especially most hardcore bands— Defeater don’t write songs so much as they write histories, and specifically the history of a never-named New Jersey family whose already troubled lives disintegrate into torment, rendered all the more tragic for the depth and detail of singer Derek Archambault’s lyrics. Abandoned is the most relentlessly raw and uncompromising chapter so far, powered by a renewed sense of artistic ambition and a plot twist no one expected.
Continue reading DEFEATER TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

The Doped Up Dollies – Make Your Own Sunshine

avatars-000148719717-qp9617-t500x500I’d be remiss if I didn’t help share this brand new track by The Doped Up Dollies. You might be familiar with DupD as the awesome harmony vocals both backing and sometimes leading tracks for Big D. and the Kids Table. Well, now they’re taking the reins on a brand new album. I look forward to hearing the entire new release, but in the meantime, here’s a great new track.

–Jerry Actually

The Doped Up Dollies:

Sirae Richardson – Vocals
Brie McWane – Vocals
Erin MacKenzie – Vocals

Alex Stern – Guitar / Vocals
Ben Basile – Bass
Derek Davis – Drums
David McWane – Percussion, Vocals, Dubs, Tongue Drum
Casey Gruttadauria – Organ, Piano, Melodica

Andy Bergman – Bari / Tenor Saxophone
Paul E. Cuttler – Trombone
Dan Stoppelman – Trumpet

Special guest vocals – Billy Kottage
Credits:
Recorded and mixed by Benny Grotto in a small cottage in the woods of New England
Assisted by Steph Durwin
Mastered by Jeff Lipton @ Peerless Mastering
Songs written by: Big D and the Kids Table and the Doped Up Dollies
Produced by David McWane, Benny Grotto, Alex Stern & The Doped Up Dollies

Getting to Know Slim Wray

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slim_wray (585x800)Where are you from and when did you get started?

We’re based out of Brooklyn and formed Slim Wray in 2012 – but prior to that, Howzr and Chris have been playing around the NYC scene in punk/grunge band, “Ten Pound Strike.” Brian later joined after he and Chris met while some session work at the Vault Studios in Hoboken. We also recorded our debut album “Sack Lunch” at the Vault with producer, Dan McLoughlin.

Who are you and who does what in the band?

I, Chris, I Drummer

I, Howzr, I Singer and Guitarer

I, Brian, I Bass

How would you best describe the sound?

A 1960’s high school dance that starts with guys on one side of the gym and girls on the other side. Very sweet and innocent. But then some smart-ass spikes the punch with grain alcohol, creating “Jungle Juice” for the first time ever. Pandemonium ensues. The band starts playing backwards revealing satanic verse, then the kids start dancing crazy like that scene from Matrix 3, a motor cycle gang crashes the party and does wheelies on the basketball court, that kid from Science Class sees a bra for the first time, likes it, paratroopers repel from the ceiling, Ms. Kalinsky’s face melts revealing she is –in fact- ZAAR –the alien explorer from the planet Klanduu on a 5000-year mission to observe Human mating rituals, a bucket of blood is dumped on the prom queen. She retaliates with fire made from her mind. Burns the place down. Cats and dogs living together. You know, mass hysteria.

Dream rock moment (real or not)?

I don’t know if you heard, but a few weeks ago, Dave Grohl fell off stage and unfortunately broke his leg. But, so great was his commitment to rock, that he got right back up there with a makeshift cast and finished the set. It was an epic day. One day, I hope to break my leg on stage, and have Dave Grohl pick me and hold me in his arms as I finish playing the set. Then I know that I can retire on top.

Still got day jobs?

You know, everyone in bands has day jobs these days. Even the big stars you wouldn’t expect, like for instance, The Edge from U2. Seriously. Yeah, true story: our tour van pulled up to a Hardees drive-thru somewhere – West Lafayette, Indiana, I think. And there, working the window was The Edge from U2! I’m like, “dude, what the hell? Why aren’t you on tour right now?” And he’s like, “yeah, man, we want to but you know, we gotta save some money right now for gas and tolls.” Its crazy. I mean, if even The Edge has to save-up for tour gas money…

But we got it all figured out. It’s our startup called chikknn. It’s this app on your phone that, no matter where you are, will locate the nearest fried chicken joint. If there is somebody else in the same vicinity that has the app, it will tell you they also like fried chicken. We’re seeking outside investments. So if you know anyone…

Any regrets?

Howzr – That I quit my high school band metal band, Meatmuffin. We were once the top house party draw in Butler, IN, and top slinger of Sabbath riffs east of the Mississippi. It was a simpler time.

Chris – That I never reached-in and petted that tiger at the Bronx zoo -even though the sign said “don’t feed the tigers.” It would be easier to play drums with 5 fingers instead of 2.

Listen to “Take It or Leave It” HERE.

Cheers!

-Jerry Actually