Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

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Diva_Cover_200

Tour Dates:
03/18/14 Los Angeles, CA at House of Blues w/ Bad Cop/Bad Cop
03/19/14 San Francisco, CA at Slim’s

In that mythical era known as the 90’s, five brave young men emerged from the legendary halls of some of the mightiest bands on Fat Wreck Chords with a single mission: make all the rest of these dildo punk bands covering popular songs obsolete. They crowned themselves Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and the world rejoiced. Now, seven records, scores of singles and nearly a thousand years later, having tackled every genre under the sun, the bold young knaves known colloquially as the Gimmes have ridden their success hard, and decayed into desiccated, old divas. Yet, the diva, she is immortal. And thus, imbued with the old-world, Mystic Pizza-esque swagger of Cher, the modern pop-art sensibility of Lady Gaga and the enthusiasm-for-drug-consumption of Whitney Houston, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have returned from their beauty rest, busting out of their sequined gowns, and throwing vases at their assistants in order to present you with their latest opus, entitled Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!, slated to be released on May 13, 2014 on none other than Fat Wreck Chords. And you’d best believe, whether because of their tantrums or their virtuosity, once you hear these fat ladies sing, there’s not gonna be a dry eye in the house.

For the uninitiated, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes consist of Lagwagon frontman Joey Cape on the guitar, Shiflett brother (and Foo Fighter) Chris Shiflett on the other guitar, Lagwagon drummer and Fat Wreck utility superhero Dave Raun on the skins, and are rounded out by Fat Wreck-head-honcho/NOFX main-dude Fat Mike, and incomparable crooner Spike Slawson. Together, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes—an outfit that has always operated more like a beer-hall Pussycat Dolls than a regular mortal band—contain so much hot air, so much pomp, so much attitude, that it’s a wonder that these guys can still manage to pull their five individual tour buses into the same parking lot, put their differences aside and belt out the ballads without clawing each other’s eyes out. But they do, for the love of the fans, the music, and of course, the applause.

Continue reading Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Jolie Holland Announces New Album

NEW JOLIE HOLLAND ALBUM WINE DARK SEA OUT MAY 20th

The A.V. Club Premieres Video For “Waiting For The Sun”

Anti- Records is proud to announce that JOLIE HOLLAND will release her bold new album Wine Dark Sea this May 20th. In anticipation of the release, the A.V. Club is premiering a video for the joyous slice of deconstructed r&b, “Waiting For The Sun.” You can watch here: http://www.avclub.com/article/get-an-exclusive-first-look-at-jolie-hollands-new–201505

JOLIE HOLLAND has always embodied everything weird and wonderful in the history of American music, but Wine Dark Sea takes it to a new level. Raw and unrestrained, bristling with kinetic energy, Wine Dark Sea is unlike anything she’s ever recorded, but is also the purest and most assured evocation of HOLLAND’s vision to date.

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A joyfully unrestrained masterwork, the record delivers: louder, noisier, raw and visceral. It is an inventive and fiery reimagining of delta blues, free jazz, classic r&b and country, infused throughout with a no wave abandon.
The album features symphonic swaths of noisy electric guitars and percolating polyrhythms supporting some of the most powerful vocal performances of HOLLAND’s career.  This combined with some of her most direct and memorable songs make Wine Dark Sea her most joyful and fully realized work to date.

Wine Dark Sea was self-produced by HOLLAND who mined New York’s fertile downtown jazz and experimental scene for an ensemble of talented musicians including Doug Wieselman (Lou Reed, Antony and the Johnsons), Indigo Street and others.  The sense of fun they had recording the album is tangible. Says HOLLAND:

“I told Doug Wieselman I wanted an Ethiopianesque bass clarinet solo on ‘All the Love’ and he said, ‘yeah, I got that.’  I asked him to give me a tremolo guitar like Pops Staples, and he brought that spirit through for ‘Dark Days.’   I asked Geoffrey Muller, the bassist, to give us a bass line for ‘Waiting for the Sun’ like a sweet boyfriend telling his lady he’s picking up the whole bill for their vacation on the beach. I wanted it to have that comforting, manly vibe.   And he hooked us up.”

In case you couldn’t tell, we’re pretty excited about this!

Jolie Holland – Wine Dark Sea Track Listing

  1. On And On – 3:56
  2. First Sign of Spring – 4:52
  3. Dark Days – 5:17
  4. Route 30 – 4:50
  5. I Thought It Was The Moon – 4:01
  6. The Love You Save – 5:13
  7. All The Love – 4:10
  8. Saint Dymphna – 6:14
  9. Palm Wine Drunkard – 6:06
  10. Out On The Wine Dark Sea – 5:51

Morning Glory Complete Work on New Album

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MORNING GLORY have completed work on their new album War Psalms. It’s packed with 13 memorable songs and will be released on March 4th. Listen to the brand new song, “Nationality Anthem,” which appears on both War Psalms and the limited edition split EP with Off With Their Heads. Read what Ezra Kire, singer of Morning Glory, had to say:

We took the summer off to record this record. We were driving Jesse (Cannon) nuts by camping out in his studio. I was up to writing at all hours of the night, taking brief naps under the piano. In the end we had 27 tracks from which to assemble this album. People who like earlier M-glory are definitely gonna like it. It’s faster, heavier, & more raw & stripped down than Poets, but retains that anthemic morning glory message. Brian Viglione (dresden dolls, and now violent femmes) added massive strength to the entire record with his powerhouse drumming style. Music is a forward moving journey & I can’t wait for it to be released. Everyone who’s heard it agrees that this record rocks.

War Psalms track listing:

1. Calm and Alarm
2. Standard Issue
3. Natas Behind Me
4. I Am Machine Gun
5. Nationality Anthem
6. I Want Control
7. War Haka
8. War Dance
9. Punx Not Dead, I Am
10. Karry On
11. This Kool-Aid Is Delicious
12. Know Your Wrongs
13. Home Free

15 Years

I was checking on my domain registration recently and it turns out that upstarter.com is officially 15 years old today.

I’d like to say thank you to all the bands and labels and fans and friends that have helped make !upstarter what it is through good times and bad.

Cheers,
Jerry Actually

I Killed the Prom Queen Stream New Album

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I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN

Stream New Album Beloved at Alternative Press Now!
Listen by Visiting: altpress.com/iktpq

Australian purveyors of metalcore, I Killed The Prom Queen, stream their new album, Beloved, in its entirety two weeks before their February 18 US release date, out February 14 in Australia / February 17 in Europe. Visit Alternative Press to listen now: altpress.com/iktpq.

To pre-order Beloved, visit: smarturl.it/iktpqbeloved.

Beloved is the first new album from I Killed The Prom Queen in 6 years and they are primed for their re-launch of epic proportions. Since forming in Adelaide, Australia in 2000, I Killed The Prom Queen have maintained a standard of excellence that has placed them head and shoulders above the pack. Hitting their peak around 2006 with the release of their sophomore effort, Music For The Recently Deceased, the five-piece garnered local chart success and built a loyal worldwide following. However in 2008, mounting pressure and internal strife led to their premature demise. Yet, ironically, the hugely successful ‘Say Goodbye’ Australian tour, which was to be the band’s swan song, gave them the impetus to continue

For several years the band lay dormant, as members went on to play in other bands. In 2011, I Killed The Prom Queen reclaimed their sound, style, history, and legacy with an all new line up, and original member Jona Weinhofen who spent time with Bleeding Through and Bring Me The Horizon. Joined by new screamer Jamie Hope, Shane O’Brien on drums, Kevin Cameron on guitar, Benjamin Coyte on bass, and of course, Jona bringing vocal choruses, guitar, and keyboard to the mix.

IKTPQ entered the studio in 2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden with Fredrik Nordström (Bring Me The Horizon, At The Gates, In Flames, Dimmu Brogir, Architects UK) to record Beloved, their much-anticipated third album.

“We’ve really extended ourselves,” says Weinhofen, “But we’ve done it in a way where it’s tasteful and it makes sense with the music. It’s not like we’ve gone from sounding like a metalcore band to sounding like Dimmu Borgir. It still sounds very much like Prom Queen.”

Having overcome so much adversity during their 13-year existence, I Killed The Prom Queen have a fresh lease on life and a newfound desire to leave an indelible mark on the world stage. Look out, planet.

Catch I Killed The Prom Queen on the Take Action Tour this March through April, with The Devil Wears Prada, The Ghost Inside, and Dangerkids. Tickets are on sale now and moving fast. To purchase, visit: http://takeactiontour.com/

TAKE ACTION TOUR DATES

Mar 12 Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
Mar 13 Pomona, CA – The Glasshouse
Mar 14 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
Mar 16 Grand Prairie, TX – South By So What Fest?!
Mar 17 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 18 Odessa, TX – Club Patron
Mar 19 Corpus Christi, TX – La Hacienda
Mar 21 Nashville, TN – Rocketown
Mar 22 Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
Mar 23 Jacksonville, FL – Murray Hill Theatre
Mar 24 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Mar 25 Baltimore, MD – Sound Stage
Mar 27 Lancaster, PA – Chameleon
Mar 28 Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Mar 29 Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak
Mar 30 Albany, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
Apr 01 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Apr 02 Columbus, OH – Newport

I Killed The Prom Queen is:
Jona Weinhofen (guitar/vocals/keyboards)
Kevin Cameron (guitar)
Jamie Hope (vocals)
Benjamin Coyte (bass)
Shane O’Brien (drums)

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/iktpq.

Tim Armstrong Solo Art Show in Los Angeles

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TIM ARMSTRONG PRESENTS FIRST EVER SOLO ART SHOW IN LOS ANGELES

Tim Armstrong: Avenues & Alleyways

Presented by SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS / Shepard Fairey

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24
Exhibition Dates: January 24 – February 22, 2014
Special live performance by Tim Timebomb & Friends on opening night

Tim Armstrong is having his first ever solo art show in Los Angeles at SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS, a gallery founded by Shepard Fairey and Blaze Blouin, January 24 – February 22, 2014. Opening night is January 24, and will feature a special live performance by Tim Timebomb & Friends.

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS is proud to present Avenues & Alleyways, featuring never before seen artwork. The raw, hard-edged spontaneity in Armstrong’s art mirrors his approach to music making, exemplifying a “passion is more important than precision” aesthetic that speaks to the creative rebellion dwelling inside us all.

Avenues & Alleyways features drawings, paintings, watercolors, and mixed media works on found materials that have been collaboratively selected by Armstrong and Shepard Fairey. The range in medium, size, and subject matter provide a well-rounded presentation of Armstrong’s honest and unrefined artistic charm. The imagery includes figures in Armstrong’s life, tools of his trade, album covers for deceased musicians, and poetic ruminations scrawled across simple line drawings.

Continue reading Tim Armstrong Solo Art Show in Los Angeles

First So-Cal Screening of FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL

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Vannen Watches, Epitaph Records & LB Art Theatre
Present First So-Cal Screening of
FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL 
Plus: Filmmaker Intro/Post Q&A 

Sunday, August 25th @ 11AM at The Art Theatre of Long Beach

 

Vannen WatchesEpitaph Records, and the Art Theatre [2025 E. 4th, Long Beach] are excited to bring FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALLto Southern California for a FREE fan screening on Sunday, August 25th at 11AM at the Art Theatre [2025 E. 4th Street, LBC 90814].

Long before Green Day and Blink-182 inflicted punk-rock’s puncture wound on the map of mainstream music, the Descendents were in a garage concocting the perfect mix of pop, angst, love, and coffee. FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL follows band leader/drummer/square-peg Bill Stevenson and his “caffeinated retardedness” as he pushes his rotating door of bandmates to “achieve ALL,” his philosophy of going for greatness at all costs. Stevenson is a force to be reckoned with, proving that not even a grapefruit-sized brain tumor can keep him down. Featuring interviews with the band, along with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Mike Watt (Minutemen), Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion) and many more reveal the story of a band – if not THE band – responsible for pop-punk as you know it.

TICKETS: This is will be the FIRST Southern California showing ofFILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL, unfortunately space and tickets are limited, so we’re holding a lottery and picking people at random to attend. Please register by visiting the following link:
http://filmagesun.eventbrite.com

Click on “Register” button and once entered, your name will be added to the lottery list. We’ll pick the lucky attendees at random on August 21st, and all winners will be notified immediately by email. If you are not contacted, or not sure that you were contacted, you can go to VannenWatches.com to see the full list of lottery winners.

Support your community! The filmmakers encourage you to support our great community resource by making a donation to the Art Theatre of Long Beach (a public corporation for the arts), which generously donates its time and space to worthy arts-oriented organizations and causes. While donationsdo not guarantee you’ll be granted entry to FILMAGE, you’ll be a hero by supporting a great institution. Click the PayPal link HERE to contribute to this wonderful neighborhood resource. Or, if you’re one of the lucky ones who’ll be attending the screening, you can make a donation (in cash or via credit) at the theatre. Thanks for your support, and good luck!

Disclaimer: By registering for this lottery it does not guarantee entrance into the screening; you are only registering to be entered into a lottery to win tickets. Winners will be chosen at random. By entering the lottery your info will also be added to our mailing list. If you do not want to be added to our list, please let us know. No purchase necessary, but lottery entries are limited to one per person. Thanks for entering, and good luck!
FILMAGE TICKET LOTTERYhttp://filmagesun.eventbrite.com/

FILMAGE WEBSITEhttp://www.filmagemovie.com

FILMAGE TRAILERS:
http://vimeo.com/43951523
http://vimeo.com/67954204
http://vimeo.com/23539352

THEATRE DONATIONS
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B2DDXTNXU4M7C

Tony Sly Tribute Album Details

One year ago today, on July 31, 2012, we lost a true original, Tony Sly. While we continue to mourn Tony our friend, we also celebrate Tony the artist through his songs. On October 29th, we will officially release The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute. we can’t express how much it means to us and Tony’s family that each of the artists and bands on this album took the time and effort to contribute such meaningful and interesting interpretations of Tony’s songs. All proceeds from this compilation will go to the Tony Sly Memorial Fund.

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Retox Documentary

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RETOX RELEASE NEW DOCUMENTARY

with guest appearances by Nick Zinner (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs), Buzz  Osbourne (The Melvins)

YPLL OUT MAY 28th via Epitaph

Band On Tour Now

(April 15th, Los Angeles, CA)  RETOX have released a 60 minute documentary that is available with purchase of their forthcoming record, YPLL  out May 28th. The documentary explores the realities of making  an album, what it’s like to be in a touring band today and  features interviews with Buzz Osborne from The Melvins and Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who also appears on the new record.

The full documentary is currently  available to watch courtesy of alarm-magazine.com, who also named YPLL,  one of their favorites of the week here: http://alarm-magazine.com/?p=63248

“You kind of have to ruin your life to be in a punk band,” states Justin Pearson, currently on tour with new band Retox and renowned for his work with groundbreaking noise outfit THE LOCUST. Retox, along with some high-profile guests, shed light on the hardships and rewards of doing what you love instead of what you’re “supposed to,” discuss days and nights of relentless touring and the intense emotions experienced on stage and making music.

With YPLL, Retox deliver a mission statement in 12 blistering tracks, the vast majority of them clocking in at two minutes or less. It’s the type of rallying battle cry that inspires lingering and dormant primal urges and too-long-suppressed societal dissatisfaction in those who encounter its punk rock lineage and postmodern crash-and-ban.

RETOX  is on tour now.

RETOX Tour Dates:

5/15/2013 The Middle East Upstairs Cambridge MA
5/16/2013 The Acheron Brooklyn NY
5/17/2013 Pianos New York NY
5/18/2013 Philamoca Philadelphia PA
5/19/2013 Golden West Cafe Baltimore MD
5/20/2013 The Milestone Charlotte NC
5/21/2013 Purgatory at the Masquerade Atlanta GA
5/22/2013 Circle Bar New Orleans LA
5/23/2013 Rudyards Houston TX
5/24/2013 The Mohawk Austin TX
5/25/2013 Train Yard Las Cruces NM
5/26/2013 Trunk Space Phoenix AZ
5/27/2013 Punk Rock Bowling Las Vegas NV
5/28/2013 Che Cafe San Diego CA
5/29/2013 Vacation Vinyl Los Angeles CA
5/30/2013 The Smell Los Angeles CA