Skratch News: MARCH 2004

Rules? What rules?
Everyone knows that heavy metal is supposed to be loud and unsafe, but when it comes to the art and emotion of black metal, there have never been rules. Placed deep within a storm of controversy for weeks now, Norway's black metal act Gorgoroth have been the focus of attention in the metal scene worldwide due to a recent, and shocking show they performed in early February. Naturally the guys were rocking out as hard as possible, as they were being filmed for and upcoming DVD, but things got a little out of hand as the show featured naked women being “crucified” and covered in sheep blood. And as disturbing as that may be, let’s hope there were no vegans in the crowd, as sheep heads were placed on spikes and blood was thrown around the stage and in the crowd. In short…it was quite the show. www.unrestrainedmag.com/u23Gorgoroth.html for details from an interview the guys did shortly after this killer show.

These adolescents aren’t
They're not old school, they ARE the school! And they are heard to teach you how to rock! Long-time punk rockers, The Adolescents put on an amazing show at the House of Blues last summer, and thankfully someone was there with a camera in their face the whole night. “The Adolescents: Live at the house of blues”, the 10th episode of “The Show Must Go Off” series hit shelves in late February. Like past releases from The Vandals and Guttermouth, this will be a double-format release, meaning you can purchase it as a DVD with bonus live CD, or as a CD with bonus live DVD. It's the same product, just in two different packages. If your “The Show Must Go Off” collection is missing this, then you’re missing out! Get your little hands on it at www.showmustgooff.com!

In the studio, and in touch
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple months, you already know that Tsunami Bomb is kicking some major ass in Boston as they hit up the studio. What you may not know is that the band is serving their loyal fans the entire time, by keeping an online journal! Want to see what kind of mischief they are getting into? Check out punknews.org for their exclusive studio journal.

A new beginning
Following some major success in the UK, The Features are about to release “The Beginning”, a melodic rock 'n' roll concept EP. Haven’t heard much from this group? Then this is a perfect introduction to a band that is sure to have its name plastered all over the rock scene. With a full-length album due out this summer, you won’t be able to avoid The Features, even if you wanted to, which of course, you don’t!

Hardly homesick!
Well one this is for sure, Yellowcard sure doesn’t seem to be getting homesick! Having recently finished tours across Europe, Japan and New Zealand, they guys will embark on a co-headlining U.S. tour with Something Corporate beginning March 18th in San Francisco, hitting markets including Chicago, Denver, Seattle and Dallas, among others. Yellowcard has also been confirmed as a headliner for this summer's Vans Warped Tour. If you can’t make it out to Warped Tour, make sure to hit up one of these dates. March 20, Mesa, AZ, March 26, Jacksonville, FL, April 11, Lake Buena Vista, FL. This is just a sample of all the dates hittn’ up the US this summer. Check out their website to get more info!

Local!
Local H is taking off from the comforts of their local scene. The guys hit the road in support of their new CD, “Whatever Happened To PJ Soles”. Not only does the CD hit store shelves on April 6ht, but the band also hits the road the same day! Make sure to check out one of their dates, and your local music store! And good news for you Chicago natives, their April 9th show will also be their CD release party, not something you want to miss! Click www.earshotmedia.com for all the dates!

An Instant dream!
Are your IM’s getting boring? Well now you can get your very own Metal Blade artist Buddy Icon for AOL IM! Icons for As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse, King Diamond, Six Feet Under, Beyond The Embrace, Cattle Decapitation, and Unearth are now available for download on the Metal Blade site! What are you waiting for? Make your whole buddy list jealous, and get started at www.metalblade.com

Put your money where..!
With a new record to back them up, the Chicago natives, Split Habit are going on tour! The hot record, “Put your money where your mouth is°±, drips profusely with crunchy power chords, irresistible hooks, sing-along choruses and candy-coated harmonies! Is this really something you want to miss? Didn’t think so! Why not head over to one of these shows for a rockn’ time? March 25, Denver, CO Rock Island. March 29, St. Cloud, MN Java Joint. April 1,LaCrosse, WI. There are lots more dates so check out www.splithabit.com!

Culture Shock!
There are so many American bands, why not get some culture in your musical selection? Israel's, Orphaned Land, returns after 7 years with their newly released CD “Mabool”. This is the Century Media debut and long-anticipated third album from the group. The CD tells the biblical story of three heroes (three of seven sons) who join together to hold back God’s wrath - The Flood. Eastern and Western influences are incorporated with agility, power and grace in Orphaned Land’s striking concept album steeped in the religion and tradition from whence they come. This is defiantly something that will mix up your CD collection so go check it out! www.centrymedia.com for more information! (10)

We want YOU to open!
California is crawling with musicians, and if your one of them…WE WANT YOU! The folks from the Autry National Center are looking for a band to open for TSOL, The Dickies, D.I., and Channel 3, on June 19, 2004 at the Autry National Center in L.A. 50 submissions will be accepted, and will be narrowed down to 10. From those ten, one will be chosen to open for the bands, and will have full backstage access and a chance to chill with the guys! The Deadline is April 15th, 2004! Visit www.autry-museum.org for all the info.

Oh, I forgot to say..
The highly anticipated debut album from J.A.W is now available! “Things Left Unsaid” is full of pop-ska tunes that are sure to be in your head all day! These Minnesota rockers are doing it all, as they are currently finishing up a mini tour in Wisconsin, and lining up shows in their home state! Get your hands on the ska-tastic CD at www.justaddwaterband.com. Don’t worry; the guys are friendly, well most of the time…

Calling All Rudies
Has your life been lacking a little ska lately? If so, you can more than make up for it on April 10th! Ska Weekend is invading Tennessee! Not like you needed a reason to go see tons of good ska bands, but here’s one anyways. All the food being collected at the door is being donated to Second Harvest of East Tennessee! With bands like Big D and the Kids Table, The Know How, Bum Ruckus, and Perfect Orange just to name a few, this will be on insane show. Also this is your last chance to catch I Voted For Kodos as the band you once knew! Make sure to find a way to get to Tennessee for this! Check out www.perfectorangemusic.com for the down low!

I’ll trade my surfboard for…
Smogtown is back in action! They put down their bongs and surfboards, well; maybe just their surfboards, and replaced them with their guitars! Smogtown is playing March 20th at China Beach in San Clemente. Be there or be square. Check out www.disasterrecords.com for more info!

Gday’ Mate!
With their newest album “Modern ARTillery” still new to stores after the March 2 release, the guys from Australia’s, The Living End have a lot on their plates. They have recently been invited to join the majority of the dates on the high profile No Doubt and Blink-182 U.S. tour, launching June 1 in Indianapolis. The arena/outdoor amphitheater trek will include the June 26 finale at San Bernardino, California’s massive Hyundai Pavilion. No matter where you live in the US, you have no reason to miss this tour, check out www.msopr.com for a full line up of dates and bands!

Shake me up
The news is already out, but it's all over for Thirty Called Arson. The band has decided to break up due to more member shakeups in their short history, than most bands ever experience in their whole career! The new EP that was planned for release is not happening. Check out www.thirtycalledarson.com and see what is left, then pack up all your Thirty Called Arson stuff and have a mini-band funeral.

And the winner is…
Punk is no longer all about anarchy, and Drive-Thru Records is here to prove that! Drive-Thru Records is a proud member of www.PunkVoter.com. Go to their site where you can print out a voter registration form, find info on local elections, read up on current politics, and most importantly, find out what shocking things are taking place in our country to limit our freedom, right to choose, and right to free speech. Don't forget what happened in the election of 2000. YOUR VOTE COUNTS! Make it count here http://www.punkvoter.com

Cheese heads
Wisconsin is usually noted for cheese, not musicians, but there are a few bands that want to change that. Snapdragon records are releasing a compilation CD full of Wisconsin native, and Midwest based bands! Also, Snapdragon records recently put on their anniversary party at The Rave in Milwaukee. It was full of 12 hours of music, free comps, and food to boot! Check out www.snapdragonrecords.com for all more information.

Unicorns and Beans?!
Yes its true! The Unicorns have just announced they will be doing a large number of dates with the incredible BEANS! You won’t want to miss this show, so check out one of these dates, or www.solidpr.com for a complete list of dates. March 23, Phoenix, AZ. March 28, Portland, OR. April 5, Detroit, MI.

Who has time for sleep!
Armor For Sleep has workn’ like mad the last few weeks. They're currently on tour with From Autumn To Ashes, Walls of Jericho, Silverstein and The AKAs. Following this tour, they'll head home, continue writing some more, and then head out on the Equal Vision Tour with label mates Bane, Alexisonfire, Bear Vs. Shark, Silent Drive and Liars Academy. That will take them down to SXSW, and then back home to New Jersey. Keep an eye out for some exciting new release news from them soon! If you haven't checked it out before, make sure to pick up a copy of their debut LP "Dream To Make Believe" on Equal Vision Records. This CD will be in your disc changer for weeks at a time!

Swedish rock!
With a barrage of bombastic melodies, a ferocious double-bass assault and mind-blowing dual-guitar shredding, the Swedish quintet Nocturnal Rites has effectively marked its triumphant return. “New World Messiah” their sixth assault hits stores April 6, 2004. Northern Sweden’s true metal warriors are also proud to announce six weeks of European dates supporting Edguy and Brainstorm and a few dates with label mates Tad Morose. Check out www.nocturnalrites.com for more goodies from the band.

coming in loud and clear!
Loud and Clear Records has signed San Diego’s Via Satellite. They will be hittn’ the studio in March, plans are to release an EP in July. Make sure to bug your local music shop employees about this one till it’s in your hands! And keep yourself informed, and involved with the band while the process unfolds! Check www.viasatellite.ws for the low down!

Heartbroken?
Out on the hunt for some indie/emo boys? Or do you need to let out a little aggression towards your new ex? The line-up this killer tour of heart break and torment include headliners The Early November, Spitalfield, Hidden in Plain View, Hey Mercedes, Limbeck, The Progress, and even a closing show in New York with Socratic! Make sure you come early to check out Spitalfield, I just returned from an awesome show on their way out to California to kick off the tour! Check http://www.drivethrurecords.com for a complete listing and updated dates. 3/16/04 Chicago, IL @ Metro, 3/17/04 Detroit, MI @ The Shelter, 3/22/04 State College, PA @ Crowbar, 3/27/04 Albany, NY @ Valentines, 3/28/04 Farmingdale, NY @ The Downtown.

It’s about time!
After a decade, The Planet Smashers FINALLY got themselves a Website. Applause! The new site has the basics like shows, bios, and media BUT it includes even more than the normal site would contain. These delectable extras not only include tabs, reviews, and lyrics, but interviews too! Go hit up www.planetsmashers.net for a whole new experience on the Internet.

More tours!
Tooth and Nail records is taking the U.S. by storm and dominating local scenes all over with bands like Anberlin, MewithoutYou, Watashi Wa, and Emery all crammed into one amazing tour! The tour is already 1/3 over! So if it hits near your town be sure to get tickets early because shows are selling out fast. The last show will definitely be one not to miss as Mae and Slow Coming Day join forces with this already dominating line-up...3/15 Birmingham, AL - Zydeco w/ Mae, Slow Coming Day, 3/17 Little Rock, AR - Vino's w/ Mae, Slow Coming Day, 3/20 Austin, TX - The Back Room - Tooth & Nail SXSW Showcase w/ Mae, Anberlin, mewithoutYou, Watashi Wa, and Emery.

Album please!
Another album is in the works for In Passing with help from hard core’s own Matt Goldman from Underoath and Copeland. Check up on their site for an appearance of a new mp3! The album is being mixed by the illustrious Rodney Mills. Watch out April 20th when this masterpiece is expected to hit stores! Check them out on tour with Lightweight Holiday In March! March 16 Wilkes Bare PA, 17 Buffalo NY, 18 Cleveland OH, 19 Toledo OH @ Longhorn Saloon, 20 Wheaton IL, 21 Valparaiso IN, 22 Indianapolis IN, 23 Cincinnat OH, 24 Columbus OH...

Warped Tour!
It’s that time of year again kids; THE VANS WARPED TOUR presale has started! This is the tenth annual tour of blood, sweat, and punk so be sure to come mash it up in the pit! The line up this year is exploding with talent. From punk legends Bad Religion and NOFX to the newer pop punkers New Found Glory and Good Charlotte. The full line-up can be found at www.warpedtour.com. Find a comfortable chair because you’ll be reading and drooling for quite awhile. June 25th is the kick off date for this 8-week tour across the U.S. Make it out to this punk rock show or you’ll be sorry!

And then there were three…
Wanted: Half of a 3rd wave ska band. Tragedy has struck the underground ska scene as Wisconsin’s own I Voted For Kodos will temporarily be on hiatus due to lack of half their band. As their guitarist and sax player recently left for personal reasons following their drummer who departed in December, I Voted For Kodos is now on the search for members ready to take on the ska world by storm! YOU could be the next kid up on stage meeting their 1000’s of fans and having the time of his/her life touring. If this sad story has left you teary eyed please drop the band a line and leave the word that you want to be in the band, or know someone who should be in the band, or even just want to state your sympathy for the band, you can reach them at info@iv4k.com. Good luck!!

Homecoming!
Watch out Tampa! Jag Panzer is about to travel from their home in Colorado and invade Florida for Tampa’s Sun and Steel Festival Saturday March 6, 2004. This is the band’s first time playing in their “second home” after 20 years! The reason they call Florida their second home is because it’s the home of where every recording has taken place. Well they’ve tempted you long enough Florida, they’re playing this time!

Take forever!
They’re back for the attack! No, not the Impossibles, the founders of Bay Area Thrash Metal, Exodus, are returning after TWELVE years with a new album!! Tempo Of The Damned, hitting the streets on March 23rd, 2004, an album worthy for a comeback with clobbering riff attacks, murderous drumming and hardcore vocal outbreaks. On March 11th, 2004 EXODUS will rock the stage to officially break the silence of the bay at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA!!

If at first you don’t succeed…
Emerging from the steamy ground of Canada’s spring is Silverstein. They’ve pummeled into the world of touring without the help of an agent or even a manager. All that was helping them onto their feet was their new album, "When Broken Is Easily Fixed," college radio, and the press. That is the recipe that has gotten Silverstein to continue growing and make it to the Billboard New Artist Chart at #111! Keep an eye out for these uprising stars in March on tour with Strike Anywhere before heading out with From Autumn To Ashes in April.

Can’t keep me down
On a lovely Tuesday band equipment was trashed and a gas tank punctured due to the drowzyness of a semi driver. Monday In London’s van was rear ended by a semi on their way to a show in New York with The Juliana Theory and Bayside. They’re trailer was destroyed along with most of their equipment. Luckily none of the band members were injured more than a few bumps and bruises. Word is they did make it to their show that night, what troopers!

Something is missing
Change the scenery! Or maybe just the band. Jude the Obscure have just returned form hiatus and are planning to tour this summer. But what’s this? The band looks a little different. Ah ha! They’re missing a guitarist. It seems as though there is no bad blood between the band members and the split was a clean cut. The band will return to work on their sophmore album after they take a few months to find a replacement guitarist.

Sexy tour
Those handsome Italian boys in Lacuna Coil are coming to the U.S.! That’s good news if I’ve ever heard it. They will be joining the gorgeous Sweden boys Blindside along with P.O.D. and Hazen St. May 01st Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium, May 03rd Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theatre, May 04th Dallas, TX - NextStage, May 07th St. Louis, MO - The Pagaent, May 08th Milwaukee, WI - Eagle's Ballroom, May 09th Cleveland, OH - Agora, May 11th Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom, + mich more.

DIM THE LIGHTS
Word, check out that hair, or lack there of in Norway's king band of Black Metal DIMMU BORGIR. Give them a round of applause because they have won the Norwegian Grammy award "Spellemannsprisen" for their current album "Death Cult Armageddon"! The band triumphed over Enslaved and Old Man’s Child that were also nominated in the "Metal" category. Congratulations!

Mullets rock!
“Mullets and Alcoholics,” doesn’t sound like a very appealing title unless you’re a lover of the o-so fashionable mullet does it? Well the maniacs who put together the first comp from Hussieskunk are going to do it all over again it was so much fun! If you’re in a band and want to be in the newest comp from Hussieskunk + please go ahead andContact Matt at mattg@hussieskunk.com before March 20th, 2004.

Hot Hot Hot!
After having a VP/Director as a stalker watching all their moves as a band growing professionally and artistically, Show Drop was signed to Askaic Records. This San Diego band is as hot as the California sun on a un-lotioned shoulder. Right now the band is in the studio expecting an early 2004 release!!

D.I.Y.
D.I.Y.!! That’s how Philly grind punksters An Albatross booked their entire two and a half month tour. That takes talent, so go out to the show and buy their merch so they can get gas money to get back home. March 19th Austin, TX @ Emo’s -- ACE FU/GSL Daytime Party ,24th - Orlando, FL @ Ballard & Corum T25th - Tampa, FL@ Orpheum 27th - Gainesville, FL @ Wayward Council S 28th - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn (MJQ) APRIL 2nd – Harrisonburg, VA, Macrock Festival S 3rd - Harrisonburg, VA, 30th - San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe MAY 01st - Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts 02nd Albuquerque, NM @ TBA 05th - St. Louis, MO @ Lemp Arts Center.

Don’t Blink!
Don’t blink or three piece Bsontonites Officer May will zip right past you!! 3/13 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Project Space 211, 3/15 - Nashville, TN @ The Deck, 3/16 - Little Rock, AR @ Blank Gen, 3/19 - Austin, TX (SXSW) @ Emo's (Indoors) - Daytime, 3/22 - Anaheim, CA @ Cero's, 3/28 - Portland, OR @ Twilight Bar, 3/29 - Seattle, WA @ Graceland, 3/30 - Spokane, WA @ The B-Side, 4/06 - Trumansburg (Ithaca), NY @ The Rongo, 4/07 - Easthampton, MA @ Flywheel Arts.

Hot commodity
There's a new band from St. Louis, Mo, joining Asian Man, a fantastic duo featuring Heather Dallape and Theodore Moll. The female/male vocal harmonies with layers of guitar melodies to creating awesome rock songs about love, space/time travel and the promise and fear of scientific endeavor. If you’re a fan of Mates of States, The Flaming Lips, Rainer Maria, Built to Spill, and RAY BRADBURY you MUST download & listen to BAGHEERA'S song "Long Division"

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