Skratch News: APRIL 2004

Hey, you should share that!
Your mother always taught you to share, and that’s exactly what Audio Karate is doing. Sharing the road and venues with Tokyo Rose, and Big Collapse! These east coast tour virgins are having a great time getting there name out and meeting the fans who already not only know there name, but all their songs! Audio Karate also recently finished up the cover art for their second album, which is sure to be a treat! Make sure to get to one of their shows; there are plenty of dates, including a bunch on Warped Tour. Get the list at website!

Two thumbs up!
Everyone loves a good movie, and why wouldn’t they? Why not ditch the chick flick you had planned for tonight, and log on to website for some exclusive access to the Drive-Thru UK Invasion Tour videos! So why not pull the couch in front of your computer, grab some popcorn, and get all action that you couldn’t get from buying a ticket. Call it a “nice night at home” and your girlfriend won’t have to know you’re broke!

Uh, is that the right way?
There is a right way to do everything, and metal is no exception. In Flames is very aware of this, and Soundtrack To Your Escape is a perfect example of that! This may be one of the most anticipated albums to date from In Flames. People talk about taking steps forward as musicians, but these guys are taking leaps! This album is sure to be an extreme, mind-blowing experience every time it hits your CD player!

It’s right in front of your face!
Don’t you hate it when the coolest things are right under your nose, and you don’t even realize it?! Well don’t let that happen to you again! Hidden In Plain View has a new website up and we won’t even make you search for it! website has tons of awesome stuff like tour dates with Allister, and some video footage that you won’t want to miss! Why not surf over to the site and see what you were missing!

Ready, aim, FIRE
Loaded Bomb Records is about to explode with the help of a new artist! Recently signed, Puthetik will surly take their tunes and beat their way right into your heart this summer when their album hits the shelves! Keep your eye on these crazy kids, and your ear on their tunes!

Chicks dig nerds!
Everyone loves a good nerd, and if you’re anyone, you’ll be in love with these guys. The Hired Geeks, hailing from Kenosha, Wisconsin, have recently teamed up in the studio with solo artist Coolie Ranx (formerly of The Toasters, and The Pilfers). Coolie is featured on the first track of the Geeks' upcoming full-length album. The guys are expecting to throw a CD release party this June and Coolie will be flying out from NY to join them for a special live performance. Defiantly not something you’ll want to miss! Check out website for all the goods and gossip on the band.

Don’t fuck with me!
Have you ever been so pent up and angry that you just want to go outside, and scream for the whole world to hear? Well Raunchy feels the same way! Only these guys take their anger out on their instruments. If aggression could be bottled, Raunchy would own the market! Confusion Bay, the latest release from the Danish metalers, lets you experience the ultimate in power and anger so much so that you may find yourself kicking doors, punching walls, driving faster and telling everyone to just F off! If you having “one of those days” why not pop in their CD, and let the whole town know?

On the open road
Moneen is hitting up the open road! You’ve seen em on tour with bands like Brand New, Alkaline Tri, and Taking Back Sunday, but something will be a little different this time around. The guys are taking off on tour solo style this time. They kick off the tour April 18th, and hit up over 30 national cities across the U.S! Check out website for the complete tour line up!

It’s gonna take how long?!
The organizers for Lollapalooza 2004 are gathering so many vital artists for this year's traveling caravan; they can't fit it all in one day! Thusly, Lollapalooza 2004 - in it's 9th Year - has emerged as the first 2-day music festival on wheels! Morrissey, String Cheese Incident, Sonic Youth, Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse and Polyphonic Spree are just a taste of what this year's Main Stage has to offer. More incredible artists joining the line-up, full routing, and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Only time will tell what other tricks the Lollapaloozians' have up their sleeve for 2004!

On Fire!
After kicking ass for four years, Southern California natives, If All Else Fails, is taking the independent scene by storm and putting out a rockn’ new demo for Columbia Records. Producer, John Dolmayan, also the drummer of System of a Down, is hoping that the demo will spark something big in the scene…and we all know how easily wildfire spreads in California! Check em’ out at website!

And it’s a landslide
Talk about a clean sweep! Coheed and Cambria’s video for "A Favor House Atlantic" came in #1 on Oven Fresh on Fuse every day for a week straight, meaning it’s now in the vault with all the other “keepers”. If you're unfamiliar with Oven Fresh, it is a television show on Fuse where people vote all week for their favorite new music video via Internet or mobile phone. For more information on the show, and to get the dealio on how to make your vote count visit fuse.tv. Why not make your love for your favorite band public?! Vote away kids, vote away!

Sneaky aren’t you?
From Autumn To Ashes is gettn’ sneaky! The Long Island based band has been creeping up on everyone in the same respect that Thrice and Thursday have done! So far the band is selling around 900 copies a week of The Fiction We Live. And we should also mention that their first release is now up to 60,000 copies sold. THIS BAND ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE. But that’s no threat; it’s just to let you know that this band is ready for your response. So why not get on it! Check out more info at website

Take a load off
Down time? The guys from The Beautiful Mistake haven’t had much of that lately! The guys recently returned home from tour, and are busting ass to get things in place for the May 4th release date of their new album, This Is Who You Are. Also they are looking forward to this summer with anticipation, as they will take on The Warped Tour! But don’t worry; they always have time for their fans! website.

We’re Coming Home!
Israeli prog-metallers Orphaned Land, who will be releasing their new album Mabool through Century Media in the U.S. on April 6, 2004, recently hosted a hometown CD release party. Over 1200 people were in attendance, and had their socks rocked off for an hour and a half straight! Check out all the goods and news at website

Expecting?
Watch out, great things are soon to be expected from Jersey natives, Output! These crazy kats recently returned home from an insane Canadian tour with groups like Steal My Sunshine, IRS, and Len. Keep your eye on these kids at website!

It’s in the air
Spring is in the air, and all kinds of artist are letting it be known, with new tours, new releases, and lots out scheduled out door shows! Are you in a band that is looking for a way to get their name about, and get in on all the perks of being known? Of course you are! Well here is some good news for you then. The Nashville New Music Conference is now accepting submissions. This educational and showcase event is open to all musicians in all generas. Check it out at website.

I have 5 friends that want to meet you!
These guys are kicking ass! Knuckle Sandwich is in the process of recording new material for their follow-up to the debut album, Nice. They have six amazing songs recorded and besides all that hard work, will continue touring the tri-state area. Impressed? We are. SO why not check the website website for updated news and show info.

And the winner is…
The 2003 Orlando Punk and Ska Awards were held in January in Orlando, FL. And that was a good time for Mikey Cortez from the Spitvalves! Mikey walked away from the awards winning Guitarist of the year. And if that wasn’t enough good news for the Spitvalves, Chris Young and Rick San Jose walked away winning Horn Section of the Year. These guys kick ass, and everyone knows it. If you don’t, get off your ass and check em out at website!

From yellow to gold!
The guys from Yellowcard aren’t looking through their rose colored glasses, but more so their gold colored glasses, as that seems to be a color they have been seeing a lot of lately! Yellowcard’s, Ocean Avenue, has recently been RIAA certified Gold, making one of the biggest leaps on the Billboard 200! You don’t want to miss these guys, check em out at website

Another rockin’ episode!
Episode 11 of the oh-so-popular DVD series, “The Show Must Go Off” is now available to the masses! “Goldfinger, live at the house of blues” has been getting rave reviews and is sure to please with killer extras like bonus footage, a photo gallery, and some randomness thrown in by the band themselves! Don’t let your series lack an episode so get your greedy little hands on it at website!

Hot Hot Hot!
Things in Iceland are heating up! Singapore Sling is on fire, having already recorded seven new songs for a follow up album to their debut! The guys have been working hard and they will all be in and out of the studio in the next month or so finishing things up. This is not something you will want to miss, especially if you live in the northern’ states, and could use some help heating up summer! Check out website for all the goods!

TAKE THAT
Slapping their inventive metal core down on CD for this summer is Boston quintet Diecast! The much anticipated album, Tearing Down Your Blue Skies, is the first album since their debut full length a whole THREE YEARS ago. For more info about the band and show dates check out The Official DIECAST Website - website!

Small?
Two Smallman Records bands are very busy this spring touring. Moneen is checking out the Midwest and then heading out west for a tour with Northstar, The Fight, and Chronic Futur! Choke is also heading out on grueling tour of Canada with Mad Caddies, Pulley, Irish Car Bomb, and Closet Monster. Check out website for more info about the bands and tour dates!

String cheese with your crackers?
The internationally known String Cheese incident is off on an international tour! They’re hitting up Japan, Australia, and Europe to follow up their February release of “Untying the Not.” The band is starting off their tour in Interlaken, Switzerland and will continue onward to the rest of the world. This is not something you’ll want to miss!

Trapped in Suburbia?
With the recent release of “Last Stop Suburbia”, Allister is on their last nationwide tour. As a special promotion with preordered tickets, the band will be giving away FREE limited edition posters (While supplies last) with every preordered ticket purchased! Check out their site for details and tour dates, website or Drive-Thru records site website.

Hey Kid!
Congrats to Comeback Kid who was recently just confirmed for this year’s New England Metal and Hardcore Fest!! They’ll also be on tour this may with Bleeding Through! Check out website or website for more info and tour dates!

Rawwwwrrr!
A massive hardcore/metal tour is on its way to take over the U.S. Solid State Records tour of 2004 was kicked off in mid-march and will continue into mid April on the east coast Rocking this tour are Norma Jean, Underoath, Beloved, Dead Poetic, and newcomers Haste the Day. Make sure to get your tickets fast because last years tour sold out nearly every venue! Check out tour dates, journals, and band downloads at website!

Let’s put some drums in it!
Mystery Index is now in search of a drummer after the recent departure of Matt Byers. He has decided to leave the band to pursue other things in life, and is on good terms with the band. This means Mystery Index is searching for a new dedicated drummer! Any drummer interested should contact the band at miseryindexbooking@hotmail.com !!

SKApples?
On April 17th the Ska is Dead Tour is teaming up with piles of area Wisconsin bands and beyond for a full day of reckless skanking at the annual SKAppleton festivities in Appleton, WI. The amazing line-up includes Big D and the Kids table, Mustard Plug, Catch 22, and the Planet Smashers from the Ska is Dead tour and locals The indecisives, I Voted For Kodos, Something To Do, Stamp’d, The Otis Coates and more! More info on website or website

God Forbid!
Thrash Metal driven guitar licks and violent harmonies is God Forbid’s specialty on their new album entitled Gone Forever. The band has been getting TONS of reviews about the band and all the attention is sending the band on a tour kicking off in May and ending with a bang as this year Ozzfest. For more info and tour dates check out website

A cult…. of sugar?
Sugarcult are proud to announce the release of their sophomore album Palm Trees and Power Lines set to hit stores April 13th. They’re planning on joining the Vans Warped Tour on the main stage this year after their own tour, but the tour is on hiatus due to medical condition. They will return on their tour when they feel the singer is not at risk on stage and when they return they will be doing special acoustic shows to assist the singer’s tinnitus (ringing of the ears).

Poor?
Were you too poor to make it to the U.K. for Drive-thru records Invasion tour, but want to check out all the action? Not surprising. You can now check out the insanity of the U.K. tour on video! Just go to website and enjoy tons of videos from the tour!

Split up
The Hope & Suicide / Emmaneul.7 split CD is out now through Protocol One Records. Both bands will be on tour throughout the summer with confirmed dates being announced soon. Make sure and check out website for the latest information on tours and to check out mp3s from the release or to order it.

Ready for some bells and whistles?
Ace Enders has been a very busy guy in between touring with a CD expected out in June. This album includes everything from acoustic and electric guitars to keyboards and drums to a steel guitar and strings and the best of all bells and whistles!! To see what he’s been up to check out website.

Batteries anyone?
Alkaline Trio has just announced that they will be performing once again on the main stage at this year’s Warped Tour. Dates and cities are posted on the Vans Warped Tour site website.

I *heart* New York
Congrats to On the Might Of Princess who will be featured in Tone Library’s upcoming compilation. The goal of the comp is to prove that there’s more than tourists and buisnessmen coming from Long Island, NY. So check out On the Might of Princess and pick up this diverse NY comp!

A18 Record with Paul Miner of Death By Stereo
A18 have entered For The Record studios in Orange, CA to track their second Victory album! The CD is still untitled, but the record is scheduled for release in June 2004. A special sauce has been splashed on by Scott Vogel of Terror who recorded guest vocals!

Handsome? You bet!
Strapping Young Lad has recently re-signed with Century Media Records and are working on a follow-up album! A DVD has also been created and will be released this Summer!! Check out band info and more at website

Twilight zone
Having completed a triumphal five-week tour of Europe, the twilight singers are preparing to record an EP of covers. The’ve arranged seven songs that they plan to record and include on the EP which will be known as: "she loves you." More info at website

» BACK TO TOP