Skratch News: June 2004

Absenteeism is not acceptable
Well it was bound to happen, and it did. Everyone was excited to see the line up for the 2004 Warped Tour, but as life has it, there have been some adjustments. You’ll have to make the best of your Warped Tour experience, even if Anatomy of a Ghost, Saosin, Boys Night Out and As I Lie Dying won’t be there to rock it out for you. Don’t be sad though, there are still tons of awesome bands and tons of rockn’ stages to satisfy your hardcore craving so don’t go and sell your ticket!

Bad News
Everyone knows life is a roller coaster, and the guys from Bleed the Dream know this better than anyone. After rocking out one of their best shows ever, things took a turn for the worse. Drummer, Scott Gottlieb, wasn’t feeling so hot after the show, so off to the hospital it was. After a couple hours, the bad news was set loose, and Scott was informed he has Leukemia, a form of cancer. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the realization that he didn’t have insurance set it. He is currently in the Betty Ford Center getting treatment. Scott, and the rest of the guys are asking for help. They are asking fans, friends, and family, anyone who can afford it for any dollar amount they can spare. If you have paypal, hit it up! It’s located under awkwarddave@hotmail.com, or try snail mail, Shelley Gottlieb/ Scott fund
23641 Sandalwood St W Hills CA 91304.

2+2=?
You don’t have to be a math major to know that black ice + vans = accidents. The guys from The Beautiful Mistake know this first hand. While driving back from a show in Salt Lake City, on their way to Denver, the guys hit a patch of black ice, which sent the trailer swaying. To make a long story short, the guys walked away with out a scratch, but the same can’t be said for the trailer. It’s totaled beyond repair. So anything you could do for the guys would rock, a hug at a show, some love’n in the mail, a donation though paypal, would all be appreciated! Get the emails flowing to sean@crushmm.com!

Coast to coast roast!
Nothing says summer like a Reel Big Fish tour ('cept maybe sandy beaches, surfboards, BBQ'd weenies, girls in bikinis and lemonade...but whatever.) To help usher in another rockn’ summer, everyone’s favorite ska band is teaming up with an unbelievable crew to hit the roads and make for an unforgettable summer tour. Rx Bandits, Catch 22, Lucky Boys Confusion, Big D and the Kids Table, Jenoah and Suburban Legends are bringing the music to fans for a jam-packed, non-stop, live music extravaganza, officially known as the Coast To Coast Roast. You know you want to go, so why not check out www.reelbigfish.com for all the dates!

Word is…
The Adored are certainly the buzz about town. And rightfully so! They are kicking ass as they played some festivals in June, as well continuing to write new jams! Word has it that several major labels have been flying into recent shows in the St. Louis and Nashville areas. Of course, they'll continue to look around and weigh their options, but who knows where this band will go! Make sure to check em out if you don’t know what the buzz is all about already! http://www.theadored.net

Pee before you party!
Are you a fan of Please Mr. Gravedigger? Well if you are, then go to the bathroom before you read on, or don’t blame us for the urination in your pants! As I’m sure you know, "Here's To The Life Of The Party", hits stores on June 22. Such a long, long ways away isn’t it? Well fret no longer, as you are now able to preorder the CD. And if that wasn’t enough, order now and get a FREE poster and sticker mixed along in the box of goodness! How can you resist? I knew you couldn’t! Hit up pleasemrgravedigger@yahoo.com to get your order set up!

Huge? Massive? Ginormious?
Horse The Band is in the final stages of finalizing their summer tour schedule. This line up is massive, were talking massive like your obese neighbors underwear. 80 date trek throughout the US, Canada, the UK and mainland Europe are lined up for these ambitious guys! The final list of all dates will be posted soon. Horse The Band will also be invading HellFest in July, so there's one more reason why this year's HellFest will be the biggest and best ever! Make sure to check them out!

Bands duke it out!
Are you a fan of your local battle of the bands? Well take that times one hundred and you get the 6th annual Battle of the Bands Festival. Unlike your local battle of the bands, this battle tours across the country hitting up big cities such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Phoenix, Tacoma, Denver, and San Diego. The festival kicks off on June 4th and continues on through the summer with the finals taking place in Las Vegas on September 4th. If you would like to register your band, be a sponsor, be a venue, or to volunteer. contact "B.O.B." and his friends at (702) 353-8178 or email: rod_belford@yahoo.com.

AHHHH!
Watch out for Comeback Kid as they are taking over the scene like knats on a watermelon! Check them out on the cover of this month's "Highwire Daze" and their new video for "Die Tonight" that is receiving tens of thousands of downloads! They’re also on tour, heading your way this June, July, and August! June 27 - Denver, CO, July 1 - Dallas, TX, July 6 - Phoenix, AZ, July 7 - San Diego, CA , July 9 - San Francisco, CA , July 10 - Portland, OR , July 14 - Chicago, IL , July 19 - Syracuse, NY . Check out more dates and info at www.comeback-kid.com

What color is your heart?
Eulogy Recordings has proudly announced the signing of Boston, MA's BLACK MY HEART to their roster. Busting out their signature aggressive straight edge hardcore the way the Eulogy family likes it, BLACK MY HEART are a great addition. Expect a debut album which will likely be released sometime in late 2004. www.eulogyrecordings.com(10)

Ready for some grave robbing?
After a short hiatus the legendary Dinah Cancer is back with a new project: Dinah Cancer and The Grave Robbers! --- a living tribute to 45 Grave. The new band has just finished recording a demo and are hard at work putting together a tour later this summer. Want to help Dinah and the Grave Robbers celebrate twenty five years of 45 Grave? Well just visit the website at geocities.com/dinahcancerpft to find out how!

Hey punk!
Punk legends Stiff Little Fingers are hitting the road in the US this summer to promote the release of their album Guitar & Drum, in stores July 13th in the US and Japan on Kung Fu Records! They’re kid-napping label-mates The God Awfuls, which will mark their first nationwide tour of the US. Come watch these bands rock it up, kid-napped and burning up! The tour kicks off August 3rd in Seattle, WA. Tickets for all shows go on sale June 4th, and tickets for most shows are available at, yes it’s scary, www.Ticketmaster.com.

You’re special!
" IF IT PLAYS...", a compilation featuring PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS (you may have seen them on many of the Plea For Peace Tour dates),
THE VELVET TEEN, THE GREAT REDNECK HOPE, RESCUE, THE RED HOT VALENTINES, WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE, and more, comes out in stores on June 29th. But, since you’re special, you can get it NOW!!! Order it online at www.interpunk.com or at www.smartpunk.com. It's got 19 unreleased and rare tracks from some amazing bands and it doesn’t cost you a pretty penny!

Tired of other countries getting the extra tracks?
In June Potshot is releasing their fifth album on Asian Man Records! These crazy Japanese ska punsters have always brought awesome recordings to keep you off your feet, their newest is entitled "Dance to the Potshot Record". Potshot has that big bouncy sound, with a horn section and ska energy, and this album has more of a Ramones-y punk sound to it. This CD was originally released in Japan, but the U.S. version will include 2 BONUS TRACKS not on the Japanese version, YAY!!

Want to spend an arm and a Leg?
The loss of these two appendages might be worth the greatness piled high in this line-up. Jam Cruise 3 which sets sail from Jacksonville, Florida on January 3, 2005, just finalized their line-up for this amazing tour. Galactic, (the amazing) Les Claypool, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Jazz Mandolin Project featuring Jamie Masfield and Jon Fishman, North Mississippi Allstars, Ozomatli, Umphrey's McGee, MOFRO, DJ Logic, and DJ Harry are just a few. Before you check out www.jamcruise.com be sure to strap on some depends before you check out the destinations and more importantly the ticket prices.

Sad news in the world of Texas Terri
On Friday, May 18th, friend and former band mate to Texas Terri, Derek Frigo passed away. He was an amazing guitar player for Texas Terri (which experienced an extraordinary time from last Sept. until Feb. 2004) with Derek on guitar and Vik Foxx on drums. Derek is gone, and his amazing guitar duties in the band and his sweetness will be greatly missed. There are articles up at antimusic.com and metalsludge.com.

Where do the shadows go?
The explosive thrash metal quintet SHADOWS FALL have titled their fourth full-length release as The War Within , which is scheduled for an early September release. The band is nearing completion of the album and then they'll hit the road in Europe on the New Wave of American Heavy Metal Tour featuring Killswitch Engage, Chimaira and labelmates God Forbid! The tour will be followed by the group’s highly anticipated summer U.S. headlining tour also featuring As I Lay Dying, Himsa and Remembering Never. The tour kicks off on July 16th and runs through August 19th. Be sure to check the tour’s official website www.strhesstour.com for dates and all current news.

*Insert ‘heavily distorted guitars and much screaming’ here*
DARKEST HOUR is confirmed to rock the second stage all summer long on Ozzfest 2004! They will be joining friends like Atreyu and Lamb Of God in bringing the new generation of metal to the masses. Influenced by the very early days of Ozzfest Darkest Hour is quite pleased with the news, and can’t wait to get on the tour with some of the greatest metal bands today. The band is also re-releasing 'Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation' w/ bonus DVD! Get more info at www.victoryrecords.com

Deploy Lift Now Tour
Your favorite local ska band has done it again. I Voted For Kodos has recently set off across the nation on yet another tour. Word from the guys is that everything is going great, and if that weren’t enough…they have been guaranteed a spot on the Warped Tour, as it heads though the Milwaukee area! Lace up your chucks, and find that checkered shirt, as you surly won’t want to miss any of this action. Check out www.IV4K.com for updates from the guys, and a tour schedule, as well as some bitchn’ merch!

Incoming!
Hit The Deck has finished recording "Look Alive" and it is on the way to West West Side Music to be touched up and finalized. Be prepared to be transported back to the days of big hair, and neon stretch pants! Hit The Deck would be the perfect addition to any show that Minor Threat, Negative Approach, Gorilla Biscuits and Bold played back in the day! While they are not trying to re-live the "glory days" of hardcore, they are still trying to rock out, and taking influence from some of those rockn’ bands! For a taste of what you may be missing, check out www.strikefirstrecords.com (20)

Dooooolaaataaa
Christopher Lawrence is gearing up for a worldwide tour in support of his forthcoming debut full-length artist album All or Nothing, which is scheduled for a July release. The album is licensed to KinkyBeat by Christopher’s new label Pharmacy Electronic Music, and his way to give back to the trance scene, which he loves so much. Here are a few upcoming tour dates: July 30 in Huntington Beach, CA, July 31 in San Francisco, August 5 in Denver, August 13 in San Diego, August 14 in LA – Circus. More info at www.christopherlawrence.com

Need to shed some tears?
Get ready for an emo tour hitting the west this June! Val Emmich has signed on for a string of early June West Coast tour dates with Dashboard Confessional, Thrice, and The Get Up Kids. Val and his band will then head out on his own for the remainder of June in the west and will hit the rest of the country in July and August. Current confirmed shows are online at canarypromo.com/val.

Hey Aussie!
Elektra/Atlantic recording group Jet will be celebrating their success from their recent album with an eagerly awaited North American headlining tour, sponsored by Verizon Wireless. The tour is set to kick off in Buffalo, New York on July 1stand is expected to include performances at Toronto's annual Edgefest on Friday, July 2nd at the Molson Amphitheatre, followed by a Sunday, July 4th headline appearance at Milwaukee's famed Summerfest. The Melbourne-based foursome is currently in the midst of their first-ever national Australian tour. Jet will follow that milestone by hitting Europe in late May for a series of dates.

Stripes, missiles, and sharp claws?
June 29 TIGER ARMY will be unveiling their new album III: GHOST TIGERS RISE on Hellcat/Epitaph, and the band will celebrate the CD release with two headlining gigs at the House Of Blues Sunset Strip on July 10 and 11.TIGER ARMY continues to bring increased attention to the genre--a musical mélange of punk and fifties rockabilly twang complete with stand-up bass and an infusion of the macabre so to be sure to pick up this much anticipated album!

Make some more room on that calendar of yours!
Josh Todd (former singer of Buckcherry) and his new band simply called JOSH TODD--Josh (vocals), Jesse Logan (guitars), Mike Hewitt (guitars), Mark John (bass) and Kent Ross (drums)—are in the midst of U.S. tour in support of their debut album, YOU MADE ME! Now comes word that they’re continuing with a new round of East coast and Midwest dates which will include several festival shows and will keep them on the road through June. More dates are being added as the tour progresses so keep your eyes peeled!

The adventures of Fall Out Boy!
Tooth & Nail artist Anberlin have just recently kicked off the Believer’s Never Die tour with Fall Out Boy and Don’t Look Down! Right after the tour, the band will be heading to Seattle to start recording the follow up to their debut album Blueprints for the Black Market. Exciting isn’t it? Be sure to catch them on tour if you adore they’re old stuff before they start playing all the new. 6/13 – Boston, MA, 6/16 – NYC, NY, 6/18 – Sayreville, NJ, 6/19 – Pittsburgh, PA, 6/20 – Freeport, IL

The Great Gatsby?
Gatsby’s American Dream (gatsbysamericandream.com) they are hard at work in the studio making sure their "in the land of lost monsters" EP will be amazing. July 6th is the release date and pre-orders start June 1st, check Website below for details. They’re also on tour all summer with some really great bands, check out the following dates/details.6/22/2004 TBA San Francisco, CA, 6/24/2004 Jerry’s Pizza Bakersfield, CA 6/25/2004 Old Krikorian Theatre San Diego, 6/27/2004 Showcase Theatre Corona, CA 6/28/2004 The Knitting Factory Los Angeles, 6/29/2004 Modified Phoenix, AZ, 7/2/2004 Rock Island Denver, CO, 7/5/2004 The Creepy Crawl St Louis, MO Empress Ballroom Danbury, CT 7/24/2004 All About Records Boston, MA Always check LLRRECORDS.COM for the latest news.

See a punk rock show at home on your couch!
Zebrahead: Live at the House of Blues is now in stores worldwide and ready for the masses to rip open that impossible plastic and gently peel off the ‘security device enclosed” stickers. This DVD showcases the band playing to their hometown Orange County crowd. Bonus features on this DVD include band commentary, photo gallery, extra pre- and post-show footage, English and Japanese subtitles, and plenty more. You can buy the Zebrahead DVD at your local retailer, or at our online store with FREE shipping in the US.

Fake?
Counterfeit have a national tour with Finch in July and August coming up. Dates will follow as soon as they are confirmed. If you’re aching for a taste now, their debut video for "Better Late Than Never" can be seen on the MTV Website. Also, be sure to check out their latest release, "Super Amusement Machine For Your Exciting Heart" on Negative Progression Records. Check the Website for more info and new tour dates www.counterfit.net

Grandmas + Broken bones?
The Broken Hipsters, the hit Philadelphia indie-rock opera, is coming up on June 18th and 19th at the Producers Club II in NYC. Complete with giant babies, chinchilla fetishes, rock n' roll grandmas (who actually don’t have broken hips) and general wackiness, this is a show for people who don't normally go to the theater. Since this is a limited engagement, tickets have been selling fast and you don’t want to be left in the cold now do you? For more info and tickets, go to brokenhipsters.com. (30)

Oh No!
Worst case scenario. You missed the live show of Hypocrisy mayhem. Well fret no more, someone answered your prayers. You need to sit back and relax as you stream the hot video off of www.evileyesight.com. You could never forgive yourself if you missed it twice!

Humble begins always end up big
Vans Warped Compilation '04 once again is a who's who of today's scene, featuring rare and unreleased tracks on a double CD including songs from Vans Warped Tour veterans THE CASUALTIES, BAD RELIGION, FLOGGING MOLLY, NEW FOUND GLORY, SIMPLE PLAN, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, NOFX, YELLOWCARD, PENNYWISE AND ALKALINE TRIO to name a few along with newcomers GO BETTY GO, THE F-UPS & JERSEY making this CD a collection of strong sounds in varying shades of punk. This compilation CD was inspired by a love for music and to pay homage to Vans Warped Tours past and present. From its humble beginnings in '95, when it was fueled exclusively on belief, to its current status as America's largest, most established and longest running festival. The Vans Warped Tour kicks off its tenth year on June 25 in Houston, TX.

Get your umbrella
Watch out! Here they come on a kick ass tour, and they won’t stop for anything. Well, besides pretty girls, or good food. The Krays are hitting the nation by storm as they take off on what will be a killer tour fo-sho! Check out www.tkorecords.com for all the goods and word on tour dates.

Show me the non-perishable food items baby!
The Conscious Alliance and The Dead will be staging a large-scale food drive project in conjunction with this summer's Wave That Flag Tour. The food donations will benefit local America's Second Harvest Food Share Affiliates (www.secondharvest.org) and impoverished Indian Reservations across the greater western United States. And to make it better, at every show this summer, the first 1,000 people to donate 10 non-perishable items will receive a free limited edition commemorative poster designed by famed Grateful Dead artist, Stanley Mouse!

Stomp your feet to the beat
Keep an eye out this summer for the "The Move Your Feet To The Beat Tour" featuring The Rocket Summer, Plain White T's, NUMBER ONE FAN and Kevin Devine. This tour promises not to have a deceiving title, but why not check it out yourself and see what the deal is! More info at www.themilitiagroup.com/feat

Mom likes me better
With talk of warped tour being word of the mouth, and thought of the mind lately, it would seem that Lollapalooza was being forgotten about. Well let not that be the case my friend! There is a killer line up this year, and a ton of rockn’ dates, no need to pick favorites. Go to both, Warped tour, and Lollapalooza! Check out www.stringcheeseincident.com

New EP’s…mmmmm.
Gatsbys American Dream’s new EP "In the land of lost monsters EP" is now in stock at the web store. The CD hits stores on July 6th, preorders will be shipped July 2nd. Also, as an added bonus, the first 2,500 copies will have special clear disc artwork. Look for new Gatsbys American Dream merchandise to be in the web-store very soon. Everything looks hot! But don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself!

Road Trip!
You can now stream "My City Of Ruin", the debut album from Deep Enough To Die, in it's entirety by visiting purevolume.com. Pre-orders for the album will be handled by Smartpunk, and the first 20 orders will come with a free DTK CD sampler and a DETD sticker. The month of June will see Deep Enough To Die hitting the road solo style in support of "My City Of Ruin". The band will venture from PA to CA making many expected and unexpected stops along the way. Check out their website for show dates.

Sounds like…
What do you think of when you hear Underoath, From First to Last, Over It, 18 Visions, The Matches, Hidden in Plain View, Brazil, Dont Look Down, Dynamite Boy, Emery, The Bled,Yesterdays Rising, and Underminded? If it’s “Man that’d be a cool show”, then your in luck, as all of these bands have been finalized for the SmartPunk stage for all warped tour dates! Make sure to check it out!

It’s those Midwest kids…
Hailing from Rochester, Minnesota, The F-UPS are barley eighteen, just out of high school and about to release their self-titled debut on Capitol Records on July 13! Also they are realizing their dream of going on the Vans Warped Tour and playing alongside veterans punks and childhood inspirations like Bad Religion, Anti-Flag, NoFx, The Casualties and the Vandals. If you haven’t checked out thir stuff, make sure to put it on your to do list!

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