April 2006 Punk and Indie News

R.I.P.
Blood or Whiskey, who last year released CA$HED OUT ON CULTURE (Punk Core) lost a member recently. Said frontman Beano, "Just a note to you all to say that Alan Confrey, Blood or Whiskey tin whistle player, tragically died from a heart attack on Thursday the 23rd at the young age of 33.We had just returned that day from an English and Scottish tour with Stiff Little Fingers and it is some consolation that he died at home. Messages of consolation can be left on the band's Myspace site www.myspace.com/bloodorwhiskey or at www.bloodorwhiskey.ie."

STEP ONE: SIGN WITH THORP
Thorp Records welcomed Philly's All Else Failed to the fold in March. The band, who've been pulverizing the metal/hardcore scene with their unique sound for a decade, will enter the studio this spring to record their Thorp debut, GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE GIRLS WE ROLL WITH, with Nick Rotundo (Boysetsfire). The record will be mastered by Alan Douches (Converge) and shall feature five new studio tracks as well as a bunch of out-of-print and unreleased tracks spanning their career. It'll be out late summer.

ASBO YOUTH ARRIVE
Gabba, Toby, and Steve from old-school British punks Chaos UK and Brad Logan of F-Minus/Leftover Crack fame have come together to form ASBO Youth. Their first release will be a four-way split-7" on Blacknoise Records with The Unseen, Self Destruct, and The Career Soldiers, out this spring. Hear the pretty rad song "ASBO Kid" at www.myspace.com/blacknoise.

CLAYTON WITH MURDER JUNKIES
ANTiSEEN, who's last record was 2004's BADWILL AMBASSADORS (TKO), will soon be releasing their picture-disc split-7" with Hank III on TKO. In the meantime, vocalist Jeff Clayton will be on tour with The Murder Junkies (once again), playing shows throughout the Midwest and South during April. So pay tribute to the 13th "anniversary" of GG Allin's death and catch the band. Dates are at www.myspace.com/antiseen.

REPLACEMENTS RECORD
The surviving members of '80s faves The Replacements-vocalist/guitarist Paul Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars (guitarist Bob Stinson died in 1995 from an overdose)-have decided to reunite to record two new songs (both written by Westerberg) for a best-of record. "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive" mark the Minneapolis band's first recording together since '91.

THE TOURING STATESIDE
Beginning April 6, Crime in Stereo joined up with the "Set Your Goals" tour. This comes two weeks earlier than planned due to poor logistics and too many cancellations on the current Against All Authority tour they were supposed to complete. The band then head out again in June with Guns Up! And Verse and are set to hit up some Warped Tour dates. The band are touring on their newest album, THE TROUBLED STATESIDE (Nitro), out April 18. www.nitrorecords.com

TROMPE LE MONDE
During last month's SXSW film festival in Austin, the Steven Cantor- and Matthew Galkin-directed LOUDQUIETLOUD: A FILM ABOUT THE PIXIES premiered.
The documentary chronicles the Pixies' year-long reunion tour that began in 2004, starting with the first rehearsals and ending with the band's quiet dissipation and features live footage as well as material resulting from the filmmakers' personal access to the band on- and off-stage. The Pixies disbanded in 1992 under tense circumstances and those sentiments were still apparent even after 12 years of separation. The film also deals with personal issues of the individual band members-Frank Black, Kim Deal, David Lovering, and Joey Santiago. From what he experienced filming, Cantor said he doesn't expect another reunion or even another album to come from the band. The film will be screened in L.A. April 26 and during the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC, which takes place April 25 to May 7. No word on any wide release date yet.

KEEP THEM CONFUSED
Austin's Riverboat Gamblers release their latest album, TO THE CONFUSION OF OUR ENEMIES (their first for Volcom) April 25. Hear songs and find out tour dates at www.myspace.com/theriverboatgamblers.com. This summer, once again, the Gamblers will be getting Warped with labelmates Valient Thorr.

OZZFEST UNEARTHED
Unearth are finishing recording their second album on Metal Blade with producer Terry Date (Soundgarden, Pantera) and will then embark this summer on the Ozzfest second stage (The festival runs July 1 to August 8). Vocalist Trevor Phipps had this to say: "Ozzfest 2006, another summer of drinking Miller Lite and Jagermeister. Another summer of playing for and hanging out with the best metal fans on the planet. Another summer of BBQ-ing and boozing with all of our friends' bands. And another summer of kicking people's ass with a new record. Honestly we are looking forward to this more than any tour we have ever done. We are straight up honored to be part of this tradition once again. See you all this summer!" The album comes out August 8.

I AM THE HUNTED
Philly's A Life Once Lost, who's last release was HUNTER (Ferret), have also been confirmed for Ozzfest (which also features Atreyu, Full Blown Chaos, All That Remains, Bleeding Through, and more) The band just finished a tour with Darkest Hour, Himsa, The Acacia Strain, and Dead to Fall, and then will be out with Cephalic Carnage, Through the Eyes of the Dead, and label-mates Scarlet from April 19 to May 14. www.alifeoncelost.com

A7X TABS
Ever since Avenged Sevenfold's CITY OF EVIL was released last summer the band has been flooded with e-mails asking for official tablatures, so now A7X is excited to announce they've finally been released and are available for purchase. To learn more and get your copy, go to:
www.musicdispatch.com.

SPITFIRE BACK AT IT
After a four-year absence, Spitfire released their new album with new material on Goodfellow Records, titled SELF HELP. With members of Norma Jean and former members of Scarlet, the band showcases a hybrid of sounds from metal, hardcore, to math-metal. Spitfire will hit the road May 3 with Underoath, Poison the Well, and As Cities Burn until May 16. Then, July 7, they play the Cornerstone Festival.

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Bergenfield, NJ's The Finals release their debut full-length PLAN YOUR GETAWAY May 16 via Immortal Records. Stream the album at http://finals.immortalrecords.net. The album follows their 2004 EP LONG STORY SHORT (Stab Me) and was recorded in June at Nada Recording in NY. The band hit the road with Clearwater Kills, Near Miss, and The Transit War in May and June. www.myspace.com/thefinalsband

FROM SPRINGFIELD TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU
Well, after being on the air since it started as a segment of Fox's THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW in '87-'88, THE SIMPSONS will be making their big-screen debut July 27, 2007. A 25-second "teaser" announcing the film's release appeared prior to the opening of ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN, and featured a bumbling Homer in his undies. Just the way we like him.

ACTION!
Toronto's Action are back with a new album coming later this year. During the spring, though, the band will be on tour with Monster Squad and The Ghouls. They started at the end of March and will be out till early-May. www.punkcore.com

CHARLIZE THERON AND…RAP?!
At the SXSW festival, Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron premiered the rap documentary she produced with Cuban directors Juaretsi Saizabitoria, Emilia Menocal and producer Juan Carlos Saizabitoria. The film (which also was financed by the actress), EAST OF HAVANA, details the life of three aspiring rappers in Cuba and shows how the artists deal with poverty and attempt to rise above it all amidst a heavily-politicized music industry. Theron also took part in a SXSW panel on documentaries.

WARPED TOUR PRE-PARTY
The Vans Warped Tour celebrates its 12th anniversary this summer, so a party, of course, is in order and will take place April 20 at 7pm at the Key Club on the Sunset Strip. This show will be headlined by Underoath, along with special guests Paramore and Kennedy. Tickets already went on sale and are $10.00 (plus applicable facility fees and service charges) through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The actual tour starts June 15 in Columbia, MD and ends August 13 in Montreal, Quebec. Bands slated to play Warped include Bouncing Souls, NOFX, AFI, Rise Against, Thursday, and Less than Jake, among a slew of others. www.warpedtour.com

GIVE UP ALREADY!
In our never-ending quest to bring you the latest in the backwards evolution crusade, we give you this good news from last month: South Carolina's state board of education rejected a proposal to change high school standards on evolution by calling on students to "critically analyze" the theory. Science teachers complained the wording was an attempt to force the teaching of religious-based alternatives (i.e. creationism, "intelligent design"). State Representative Bob Walker had suggested that state lawmakers might vote to change the curriculum through legislation.

TURKEY VULTURE NEWS
No Class Citizen will be hitting the road this May in support of their upcoming release DRESS TO IMPRESS on Turkey Vulture Records. The tour will be hitting the Midwest and promises to be their best yet. www.noclasscitizen.com. Meanwhile, 40 Oz. Fist have completed recording their debut album LET'S FIGHT ABOUT IT, which will be released this summer. The 10-song full-length showcases the band's unique blend of hardcore, punk, and metal. www.40ozfist.com. And hardcore act New Society of Anarchists will be touring this summer, supporting their 20-song album FOR THE FORGOTTEN (to be released in the fall), their most brutal release to date. www.newsocietyofanarchists.com.

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT
Fearless has posted some songs and the cover art/track-listing for the PUNK GOES '90s comp that comes out May 9 and includes songs from Mae, Bleeding Through, Emery, Cartel, Eighteen Visions, and others, covering everything from "Hey Jealousy" (Gin Blossoms) to "March of the Pigs" (Nine Inch Nails). Check www.myspace.com/punkgoes90s.

METAL HEARTS ON A ROLL
Indie rockers Metal Hearts, who wowed crowds (and MTV) at this year's SXSW, and have previously released the album SOCIALIZE (Suicide Squeeze) earlier this year, will be touring well into the summer. Dates are posted at www.myspace.com/themetalhearts.

LIFE WON'T WAIT
The first leg of the "Death Can Wait Tour" featuring TKO Records punks Complete Control and Krum Bums began April 13 in Austin, TX, and wraps up May 1 in Oklahoma City. Additional touring will take place this summer as will the release of the DEATH CAN WAIT split-EP featuring the two bands. See www.tkorecords.com for info.

WYNONA SIGNS THE MCRACKINS
Vancouver power-pop punk icons The McRackins signed to Italy's Wynona Records, and the band are celebrating their twelfth year together by releasing BAT OUT OF SHELL.
Recorded over a 14-month period, the album, mastered by John Golden (Green Day, Sonic Youth), comprises 12 hook-filled songs to be released in North America, Europe, and Japan later this year. A full-European tour will follow in early 2007. www.wynonarecords.com

LORENE DRIVE ON THE ROAD
Lorene Drive have been on the road since March, and are still going strong, playing from April 24 to May 2 with Down to Earth Approach before hooking up with Chiodos and The Number Twelve Looks Like You from May 4 to 14. Check www.lorenedrive.com for details.

BORN TOO LOOSE
Psychobilly veterans The Phantom Rockers will be in Southern California Friday, April 21 at The Key Club and Saturday, April 22 at The Showcase Theater alongside The Frantic Flinstones, The Coffin Draggers, Tabaltix, and more. These dates are part of the Phantom Rockers' West Coast tour to promote their latest album, ON THE LOOSE, which blends the speed, bass, and ripping guitar of old school psycho with a touch of Texas style. Along with The Meteors, TPR is cited as one of the first bands to bring psychobilly to the American masses. Check www.myspace.com/phantomrockers for all West Coast tour information.

STAVESACRE LIVE WITH A CURSE
The decade-old rock band Stavesacre release their latest album, HOW TO LIVE WITH A CURSE, April 18. After releasing three full-lengths on Tooth & Nail and a self-titled album for Nitro, CURSE marks the SoCal band's first release for Abacus and the label is calling it "hands down the band's best work." Stavesacre have long been considered "the best band you've never heard of," due to their fervent underground following. www.abacusrecordings.com.

SELF-PRESERVATION
Strikefirst Records announced in March the signing of Florida's Call to Preserve, a young hardcore band "with passion, discipline, and integrity to be a positive influence to anyone that they may encounter," according to the label. "Whether it's sharing their beliefs and faith with someone or encouraging a drug-free lifestyle, Call to Preserve are genuine, honest and real in both their music and message." For more info, check www.myspace.com/calltopreserve.

YOU'VE BEEN WARNED
On May 16, new Punk Core signees The Warning release the album ALL SYSTEMS DEAD. Plans are currently in the works for the band's U.S. tour with labelmates Damage Case. Preview "Social Disease" off the album by visiting Punk Rock Radio at www.punkcore.com. Find more about The Warning at www.thewarningpunks.com.

WHY ARE WE WHISPERING?
Tom DeLonge's new band Angels and Airwaves release their debut album WE DON'T NEED TO WHISPER (Suretone/Geffen) May 23. The blink-182 guitarist/vocalist is joined by guitarist David Kennedy (also of Tom's other band Box Car Racer), drummer Atom Willard (ex-The Offspring), and bassist Ryan Sinn (formerly of The Distillers). Of the new endeavor Tom says, "The overall message on every AVA song is that tomorrow could be the best day of your life." The first single off the album is "The Adventure".

PEACE THRU VANDALISM
At the beginning of April, for 10 days, old stalwarts The Vandals again brought their insane brand of punk rock to the troops, playing a bunch of shows in the Afghan region-even though their European tour was boycotted last year for their playing Iraq at the end of 2004. Said bassist Joe Escalante: "We've played a lot of fun shows in a lot of interesting places in our 17-year history but believe it or not, none has been more satisfying personally as playing for soldiers that are laying down their lives for their country." Pennywise's Byron McMackin joined on drums (his second time going to the region with The Vandals. Josh Freese is busy on tour with Nine Inch Nails). This tour is all about supporting the troops and helping make their day a little better with some entertainment.

NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARDCORE FEST!
This year's New England Metal & Hardcore festival takes place on two stages at The Palladium in Worcester, MA from April 28 to April 30. Friday tickets are $35.00; Saturday and Sunday individual day tickets are $40.00. Three-day passes are $109.50. Tickets available from www.tickets.com. The three-day show will host numerous metal, hardcore, and metalcore bands, including A Perfect Murder, Black Dahlia Murder, Ed Gein, Haste the Day, Scarlet, Arch Enemy, Caliban, Cryptopsy, Embrace the End, Ramallah, Subzero, Suffocation, Terror, Turmoil, xlookingforwardx, and Daughters, among MANY others. Check out www.metalandhardcorefestival.com for more info.

EAST COAST OI! FEST 2006!
During the same weekend, in Allentown, PA at the Sterling Hotel, East Coast Oi! Fest 2006 takes place. Bands playing over the weekend include Murphy's Law, Agent Orange, Blanks 77, Chelsea, Wretched Ones, Broken Heroes, Weekend Warriors, Skin Disorder, Iron Cross, Vinny Stigma (Agnostic Front!), The Radicts, The Messengers, and Niblick Henbane, to name but a few. Ticket info at: www.thesterlinghotel.com.

SHIT LUCK
Jerry Garcia's toilet was stolen recently from a driveway along with three other toilets and a bidet. The late Grateful Dead frontman's salmon-colored toilet was the subject of a legal battle before it was finally moved to Sonoma, to await shipment to a Canadian casino. As yet, it's unknown if a regular thief stole the commode or a drugged-up Deadhead. Last month, Henry Koltys (who bought Garcia's house in '97) sold the toilet for $2550 to online casino Goldenpalace.com (which also, as we reported, auctioned off William Shatner's kidney stone), which planned to use it as part of a traveling marketing exhibit. The casino is offering a $250 reward for its safe return.

AIDEN'S DARK OATH
Aiden are quite the busy band. They're on tour now with 30 Seconds to Mars, will hit the U.K. for some dates at the end of the month, and for all of May, will be going out with H.I.M. before heading out on this year's Warped Tour. They're still touring on their Victory debut, NIGHTMARE ANATOMY, but April 18 sees the label re-releasing their early album, OUR GANG'S DARK OATH, with all new artwork and enhanced with three early Aiden videos: "Fifteen", "I Set My Friends On Fire", and "Knife Blood Nightmare", making it highly collectible. See www.victoryrecords.com for dates and info.

ABACUS SIGNS CLIFTON
On April 3, Abacus announced the signing of Salt Lake City's Clifton, a band that combine modern hardcore a la As I Lay Dying and In Flames with the Southern dirge of Eyehategod or Crowbar. Clifton have shared the stage with many diverse acts including Kittie, Sworn Enemy, Isis, and Converge. Their debut for the label, WE NEVER CHANGE, is to be released June 13, with tons of touring in support being planned. Visit www.myspace.com/clifton to hear some songs.

DELIGHTFUL DEATHWISH
Two of Deathwish's heavy-hitting hardcore hellions are featured on the "A Season in Hell" tour, along with the band Guns Up! Blacklisted are touring on …THE BEAT GOES ON, while Rise and Fall are celebrating INTO OBLIVION. The dates are from April 21 until April 30 and the tour just hits the East Coast. For info go to www.deathwishinc.com.

JADETREE GETS SERIOUSLY FUCKED UP
Fucked Up will be releasing HIDDEN WORLD via Jadetree, while Deranged Records will put the album out on vinyl, a double LP. The Toronto-based hardcore punks have just started recording for this monster and should see a release date in early fall. The band has been compared to heavyweights Poison Idea, Black Flag, Negative Approach, and Cro-Mags, and Jadetree proclaims their new material "marks a turning point for Fucked Up, transcending the boundaries of traditional hardcore with melody, aggression, and expansive songwriting structures. Fucked Up taps into its collective influences, but in a challenging way that's off the beaten path of current hardcore traditions." A new mp3 is available at http://www.jadetree.com/news/article/70/660. The band tour the U.K. mid-April on their latest single TRIUMPH OF LIFE (Vice Records).

THE SOULS LAST STAND
The Bouncing Souls will be having a week-long party at the Knitting Factory in NYC to celebrate the release of the beast on 06/06/06 also known as their new album, THE GOLD RECORD. Tickets for the six shows (June 1-6) went on sale mid-March. Supporting acts change nightly and include way cool bands Sticks & Stones, Blanks 77, Paint It Black, The Explosion, World/Inferno Friendship Society, and The Slackers. And yes, for fanatics, there is actually a six-night pass available, which gets you some fine swag too! Get more information and tickets at www.rocksoff.com.

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