Category: Music News

Smoke or Fire – Release 2010

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Smoke Or Fire are set to release their third full length on Fat titled The Speakeasy on November 9th, recorded by Matt Allison at Atlas Studio. A member change welcomes Ryan Parrish (Darkest Hour) who lends his talent on drums; while this recording marks the first time Gwomper (AVAIL) was part of the writing process since he took over stewardship of bass when long time member Ken Gurley left the band. The Speakeasyis a complete album in the truest sense, lacking nothing, while offering varied, yet equally enthralling melodies and music on each of the 13 tracks. Constructed around the cornerstone of the guitar driven, heavy punk rock sound they are known for, this album evolves much further. Innovative melodies are ushered along by clever guitar work as gruff vocals give way at times to a more polished pitch. Catch Smoke or Fireon a wee east coast run and be sure not to miss them at our CMJ showcase on October 23rd! Take a peek at what Joe McMahon had to say about recording The Speakeasy below:

We were so happy to be able to record the new record with Matt Allison in Chicago. Matt is not only a great friend of ours, but really becomes the 5th member of the group when you’re in the studio with him. We were working with a pretty slim time period on this record, and everyone really showed up. Ryan Parrish killed it on drums, and made such great contributions during the writing process. It was also a lot of fun to watch Gwomper record his Bass on the record. He gets so into it, I think he moves around more while he’s recording than he does on stage. The only hitch we ran into was me losing my voice half way through recording vocals. When that happens all you can do is wait until it comes back, and you have no idea how long that’s going to be. It took 6 days before I could start singing again. When the record was finished, Jeremy and I both agreed it was the first time we had left the studio with everything coming out exactly the way we wanted. The songs, the artwork…everything. We couldn’t be happier with this record.

WEEZER TO ROCK THE “TONIGHT SHOW” ON WEDNESDAY

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September 13, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – Grammy® award winning alternative rock heroes Weezer will be performing their hot new single “Memories” live on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on September 15 at 11:35PM/10:35CT in celebration of the their new album, Hurley, which is in stores everywhere tomorrow.  Fans can purchase the single “Memories” now on iTunes (http://tinyurl.com/29gxd3r) and stream it along with the entire new album now at www.myspace.com/weezer.

Weezer recently enlisted the help of longtime friends Johnny Knoxville and the crew from Jackass to shoot a high-energy, rambunctious new video for the first single from Hurley, and the result was a hilarious concoction of bowl shredding skaters and an outrageous, must-see performance by the band and crew.  Watch the video now at http://tinyurl.com/33zhcoy.

Weezer Pre-Order

WEEZER PRE-ORDER LINKS:

 

KingsRoad:

iTunes:

Amazon:

WEEZER RETURN TO INDIE-ROCK ROOTS WITH NEW ALBUM

Alternative Rock Heroes Are Back With New Album via
Epitaph Records on Sept 14

August 11, 2010 – Influential multi-platinum, Grammy® winning alternative rock band Weezer have announced plans to release a new studio album entitled Hurley this September 14th on Epitaph Records.  Starting today, fans are invited to pre-order the physical album now at EpitaphStore.com or on Amazon.com.  The album’s first single, “Memories,” can be streamed now at MySpace.com/Weezer and purchased on iTunes.

Innovative rockers Weezer have inked a deal with leading independent label Epitaph Records signaling the next phase of their acclaimed career and the return to their indie roots with a highly personal and sonically exploratory album guaranteed to delight their fans.

“So far we’ve had a really good creative collaboration with Brett Gurewitz and the other people at the label, and I’m looking forward to collaboration with other like-minded alternative music fans at the label,” Rivers Cuomo recently shared with Los Angeles Times.

“I’ve been a fan of Weezer from the beginning, and I’ve loved all their records,” says Epitaph president and founder Gurewitz.  “So it’s amazing to find myself working with them on the new one!”

“Weezer is a great band,” adds labelmate and Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong.  “I’m stoked they’re going to be part of the Epitaph family.” Continue reading WEEZER RETURN TO INDIE-ROCK ROOTS WITH NEW ALBUM

New Devil’s Brigade Album

July 14, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – Celebrated Bay Area punk legend Matt Freeman of Rancid and Operation Ivy fame will release the long awaited, self-titled debut album for his side project Devils Brigade on August 31 via Hellcat Records.  The bass player has assimilated a touring band to join him this fall when they hit the road with labelmates Street Dogs on a US tour.

Devils Brigade was conceived in 2000, when bassist Matt Freeman began writing songs with Tim Armstrong between Rancid tours.  This led to a few EPs and some songs on Hellcat’s Give Em The Boot compilation, but the project was put on the back burner when Rancid began touring and recording again.  Years went by and after Rancid took a break from touring on the Let The Dominoes Fall record, Matt got the itch to reactivate the project with a new studio album.

“The original concept for this record was going to be a musical,” says Freeman.  “Tim had been kicking around an idea of doing a musical about the building of the Golden Gate Bridge.  He had the title “Half Way To Hell Club.”  This was based on the name for the bridge workers who fell off the bridge while it was being built and fell into the safety net that was between them and the ocean.  We grew up in the East Bay looking at that bridge and it has always been a part of our lives.  Six of those songs ended up on the Devils Brigade record.  The other songs were all original Devils Brigade songs from the first demo.  We thought they were still good and we should record them again.”

In early 2010, Matt and Tim entered the studio with DJ Bonebrake from the influential punk group X and recorded twelve quick tempered songs featuring Matt’s signature, snarling vocals along with his snap, thumping upright bass, which shine through on roots driven punk tracks like  “I’m Moving Through,” “Who’s Gonna Save Your Now” and “My Own Man Now.”

“It was a great vibe in the studio,” Matt adds.  “The record has a real live and loose vibe.  Loose in a good way.  Tim’s guitar style blended really well with DJ and everything clicked very quickly.  We had a lot of fun making this record.  I am going to take it out on the road whenever I can when Rancid is not doing anything.”

Street Dogs New Release

July 13, 2010 – Los Angeles, CA – The Boston bred punk band Street Dogs return to champion the working class and to re-ignite punk rock with their finest and most urgent record to date, their self-titled fifth studio album, due out on August 31 via Hellcat Records.  Following the release, the band will be touring in support of the new album along with Matt Freeman’s (Rancid) side project, Devils Brigade, and this year’s Celtic punk heroes Flatfoot 56.

Co-produced by bass player Johnny Rioux and Rick Barton and engineered and mixed by Jason Livermore (Rise Against, NOFX) at the infamous punk rock recording studio The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO., the self-titled Street Dogs album is a vigorous testament to the band’s longevity and ability to write inspiring punk rock that touches the soul and raises the fists.

Having spent time as a soldier in Gulf War and serving his community as a firefighter, the original Dropkick Murphys’ singer Mike McColgan sings from experience and from the heart on punk anthems like “Rattle And Roll,” “Up The Union,” “Yesterday” and “The Shape of Other Men.”

“We have songs about personal empowerment, personal freedom and the search for personal redemption on our record,” explains McColgan.  “We have a song called “Hang Em’ High” that talks about the corruption of Bernie Madoff and a song called “Wild In Portland” that speaks of economic downturn and it’s fallout.”

“There are also songs that eulogize our fallen friends who didn’t fair too well in the game of life and songs that praise our family and our roots. And a song entitled “Up The Union” for EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act) legislation which would make it less difficult for employees to organize labor unions and lessen the chance of employer reprisal for organizing.  We’ve got a Saturday night, punk rock throwdown anthem in our song “Punk Rock And Roll” and with “Rattle And Roll.”  I pay homage once again to Dorchester and Dot Rats!”

“The album is self-titled because it’s collectively as a group coming forward and saying this is our best and most definitive work so far.”

Punk rock runs deep in the veins of Street Dogs, with McColgan’s uncompromising lyrics alongside bassist Johnny Rioux, guitarists Marcus Hollar and Tobe Bean III and drummer Paul Rucker’s fist pumping street punk anthems.  The band burst onto the scene in 2002 and has released a string of classic albums including 2008’s State of Grace, which critics called “a raucous and purposeful working man’s ride” (Dallas Morning News) with “the kind of political streak rarely heard since the Clash” (Cleveland Scene).

After incessant tours around the world alongside bands like The Offspring, Alkaline Trio, Anti-Flag, Reverend Horton Heat and headlining tours in US and Europe in support of State of Grace, Street Dogs will once again lead the fight against social and political injustices with their signature style of rabble rousing punk rock and the release of their fifth studio album on August 31 followed by a headlining US tour.

Raise your fists and pint glasses with Street Dogs this fall!

Epitaph iTunes Sale

I’d like to remind you that Epitaph is having a massive summer sale on iTunes.com happening right now!!!  We have eighteen albums (listed below) for the low low price of $7.99.  Check them all out here: www.iTunes.com/EpitaphRecords

Additionally, we have the compilation New Noise: Vol. 1 for the insanely low cost of $2.99, which features fourteen tracks from artists/bands like Alkaline Trio, Every Time I Die, Escape The Fate, Frank Turner, Parkway Drive and more!!!

$7.99 Epitaph Album Sale:

Alkaline Trio – This Addiction

Bad Religion – All Ages

Bad Religion – New Maps of Hell

Bring Me The Horizon – Suicide Season

Converge – Axe To Fall

Escape The Fate – Dying Is Your Latest Fashion

Escape The Fate – This War is Ours

Every Time I Die – New Junk Aesthetic

Frank Turner – Poetry of the Deed

Hearsounds – Until We Surrender

I Set My Friends on Fire – You Can’t Spell Slaughter Without Laughter

New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight

Off With Their Heads – In Desolation

Our Last Night – We Will All Evolve

Rancid – Let The Dominoes Fall

Set Your Goals – This Will Be The Death Of Us

Sing It Loud – Everything Collide

Veara – What We Left Behind

JFA To Release Speed of Sound

JFA To Release Band’s First Studio Record in Over 12 Years

Legendary skate punk band JFA will be releasing the groups first studio record in over 12 years on July 27th with DC-Jam Records.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 13, 2010  – Skate punk legends JFA are about to release the band’s first full length studio album, the group’s first since the 1999 release of “Only Live Once.”

“Speed of Sound” is scheduled to be released on DC-Jam Records on July 27th, 2010 through both digital download & CD and will eventually be made available on a 12″ vinyl picture disc as well.

The new record will be supported by two new music videos from the song’s “Wilson” & “Danny Sargent’s Trucks”, both which can be seen on www.BlankTV.com with the latter making it’s world premier on July 13th.

“We’re stoked to finally have this record out,” said JFA frontman Brian Brannon. “Fans of our early material will dig our new tunes that reach back to our hardcore skate punk roots.”

Pre-orders for the CD will begin on July 14th at www.Interpunk.com along with a contest for a drawing that will give away 3 new JFA skateboard decks.

Blood for Blood Reuniting

Blood For Blood are reuniting and heading out on tour after 6 years. An official statement from the band.

“First off, we would like to thank all our fans for hanging in there over the last six long years.  As of December 2010 Blood for Blood will embark on our first tour since 2004.  Blood for Blood has agreed to join the Persistence Tour in Europe sharing a stage with long time friends Sick of it All as well as other acts soon to be announced.
The decision to play again was not an easy one to make.  Over the last few years we have tried time and time again to contact Rob about a possible Blood for Blood reunion, but he has ignored every single attempt we have made.  Therefore, we were left with no other choice but to find someone else to fill in for his BFB responsibilities.  Now, let’s make this perfectly clear: we have no ill will towards Rob whatsoever.  We wish him well and Blood for Blood will always be open to him.
That being said, we were left with the conundrum of finding a fill-in for Rob.  After some careful thought we believe we found a perfect fill-in.  We are pleased to announce that Billy Graziadei of Biohazard will be joining Blood for Blood on stage for Persistence Tour 2010.
Again thanks for all the countless emails and support letters from all our fans over the years.  We are looking forward to seeing all your ugly faces again”.

BLOOD FOR BLOOD

About Blood For Blood:

If the ghost of Johnny Cash was to unexpectedly rise out of its tomb and supernaturally resurrect its musical soul in the form of a hardcore band, the result would be an anthemic, outlaw punch not unlike Boston’s favorite white trash hardcore hooligans, BLOOD FOR BLOOD.
While Cash grew up as a restless farm boy who longed for fast cars and fast women, the boys in BLOOD FOR BLOOD were reared in the projects and their outlaw spirit reflects the callous surroundings from which they were rendered. Blood For Blood are from outside. They stand on the threshold of society with all but a few toes tangling off the edge with a maniacal desperation, longing for sanity. Theirs is a journey from one end of alienation to the other – only to be flung violently back to the hole from which they crawled out of. “I been held down my whole life. This band is my opportunity to spit in society’s face…” says guitar player Rob Lind.
Inspired by bands such as Sheer Terror, Breakdown, Carnivore and Raw Deal, Blood For Blood formed as a reaction to the existing heavy music scene in Boston back in 1995. “We couldn’t relate to anything that was going on in Boston at the time,” says vocalist Erick Medina, “We wanted to hear music about the shit we saw and faced everyday. The scene at the time was a fashion show.” Blood For Blood make no mistake about what their talents are – and what talents they lack. They don’t sing. They don’t rap. They don’t dance. They don’t act. And they definitely ain’t too pretty. They are white trash hardcore rock and roll. And they have just begun their invasion of today’s hair-and-nails conscious heavy music scene.
Blood For Blood have cultivated a large, and dangerously loyal, fanbase since their inception almost a decade ago. Having toured with such acts as DROPKICK MURPHYS, TERROR, and SICK OF IT ALL, exposing their venom to the nation, the band has left an indelible and hungry mark on the scene. The band has successfully put five recordings under the belt, with four of them having been released through VICTORY RECORDS and having had received countless praise in the press worldwide. Blood For Blood has always garnered real, genuine admiration among their fans as well – fans who have been known to willingly bruise, bleed, and become scarred for them at their notoriously ‘high risk’ live shows. 
Musically, few bands can touch the viscously aggressive hardcore/punk rock sound of Blood For Blood which is served up like a platter full of Sheer Terror, Madball, and The Bruisers.
Lyrically, Blood For Blood combines the depravity and pain of the world they see outside their door every day with the experiences of their own dead end lives in an outlaw-poetry style that truly affects its listeners in a deep way. “We get letters from dudes in prisons in New York, Boston, Detroit and even Alabama, telling us that our shit (music) gets them through and helps ’em face another day,” says guitarist Rob Lind. Like Cash playing his outlaw songs to the inmates decades ago, today’s redemption-seeking inmates are turning to the choruses of BLOOD FOR BLOOD for solace in hard times.

If you’ve plowed through all your dead ends and need to find friendship in a cold hard world…If loneliness and solitude is all you’ve know and you long to find family when you had none…If rock bottom has ever left you praying under cold street lights…If in your neighborhood, you’ve seen one too many stolen cars drive by, well, then it’s time you raise your fist in the air and join in the outlaw anthems of Blood For Blood.

BLOOD FOR BLOOD’s last album, “Serenity”, was released in May 2004.

Good Riddance

GOOD RIDDANCE, the legendary pioneers of melodic hardcore, are set to releaseCapricorn One on July 6th. In between putting out many acclaimed full-length albums,GOOD RIDDANCE kept themselves busy releasing a bevy of material via 7” singles.Capricorn One is a comprehensive collection of all these singles, as well as 6 previously unreleased tracks and other rarities. All the songs on the album have been digitally remastered by Jason Livermore of Blasting Room (Rise Against, Descendents, NOFX) fame. To complete the package, Capricorn One features a track by track commentary written by singer Russ Rankin. Here’s a little taste of what he penned regarding the album as a whole:

Throughout the history of Good Riddance there have been numerous songs which, for whatever reason, we weren’t able to include on our primary releases. Many of these tunes were frequently played live and most of them are still some of our own personal favorites.

Now that we are finished we felt it would be cool for our fans to be able to check out these hidden or obscurely released snapshots of our band during the apex of it’s existence. We hope they bring back fond memories for our fans and that, even if just for a moment, they can be transported back to a different time and place.