Skratch News: May 2004

Valedictorians of rock
Graduation has come and gone for the boys of The F-Ups, and they are taking the next big step in their lives! July 13th marks the release date of the self-titled debut album on Capitol Records. And talk about summer plans, while most kids are off working fast food, and going camping…these guys are hitting up the stage on the Vans Warped Tour, with punk legends like Bad Religion, NoFx, and The Vandals. If you get a chance to escape the hallows of your summer job, why not check out these guys, and wish you were them!

But I’m colorblind!
H Is Orange is getting a taste of what it’s like to have everyone listening to their music! The guys currently have albums being sold in 35 states, and three foreign countries! Talk about getting your sound out! Well they aren’t content with just having their sound out; they want to be out too! They will be performing on the San Diego stop of the Vans Warped Tour and are looking for shows all over! To get more info on em check out www.hisorange.com!

Best friends, or worst enemies?
Worst Enemy…no I’m not talking about that bitchy girl in your calculus class, I’m talking about the hot new EP from Go Betty Go! This five-track album is full of pop-punk goodness. Not sure if you want to buy the album? Why not check out Go Betty Go on the first leg of the Vans Warped Tour before you commit to the CD, but believe us…you’ll be buying it anyways!

Just getting started
You think the Dead Kennedy’s would be burnt out from the killer UK tour they recently finished up, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing the goods! For starters, word of their new six song EP, Pink Afro’s, has surfaced and will be available to get your hands on towards the end of May! If you think you know the Dead Kennedy’s be prepared to be surprised when the new tunes hit your ears! And if you haven’t picked it up already, check out “Live From The Deaf Club 1979”. Need more info? Of course you do…check out www.kisforkennedy.com.

WWW…
What’s your homepage? Yahoo? Google? Bigtits.com? Well if it’s not www.bandvideos.tk you need to change it! Think you’ve seen it all from your favorite bands like RxBandits, Finch, and The Chain Reaction? Well we bet you haven’t. There is all kinds of unbelievable footage from these and many other bands that you don’t want to miss! So get your ass over to www.bandvideos.tk maybe it will load faster than your porn!

I’ll pencil you in
The boys of The Higher have got to have palm pilots with everything they do, how else could they keep it all straight?! With mini tours, new videos, and a debut EP, how do they find time to sleep? Well sleep is overrated anyways, and they will be able to catch up on it while on the road with Silverstein, Alexisonfire and Emery. If you wanted to catch the new video, you should check out www.fiddlerrecords.com! Why not check out one of their shows and grab the new EP!?

Like that will keep me from it..
Time and Distance is not letting either keep them from updating their rockn’ site! They now have a tour diary up on the site, which is always full of funny anecdotes from the road! You will want to keep an eye on their purevolume site as well (www.purevolume.com) as new songs are sure to make their way on. And like you have nothing better to do; don’t forget to check out their debut record "Blood Loss for an Excuse" on I Surrender Records!

Hot Hot Hot
You might want to carry around a fire extinguisher in July, because that month will be on fire! Taking Back Sunday will be releasing their debut album off Victory Records and word on the street is it will be insanely awesome! Expect to hear something that is very much so Taking Back Sunday style, but with a little bit more mature attitude, and more rock and roll. Now honestly, can you beat that?! Also, in June, the guys are taking off across the big blue, to do a UK tour, after retuning, They will finish up in August with some awesome shows on the Vans Warped Tour! You won’t want to miss any of this so make sure to keep up to date on the guys!

Spring fling? Hardly!
Spring is upon us. Time to peel off the winter coats and get ready for tours, parties, cookouts and outdoor activities. Girls get your tube tops and daisy dukes out and boys get the chucks ready to rock! Why not give “tailgating” a new meaning and start doing it before shows, god knows there will be enough this summer to start a trend! With bands like Death Angel, Disbelief, and Edguy all hitting the road and rocking out! Check out www.nuclearblast.com for the low down!

It goes on and on and on!
Kung Fu Records is cranking out episodes of “The Show Must Go Off” faster than test tubes in an Alabama meth lab! Episode 12 is preparing for launch. Zebrahead: Live at the House of Blues features the band playing to their Orange County hometown scene, and you'll be stoked on it. Fans of the DVD series will be happy with the continued quality in editing and improved bonus features. If you thought you had the full collection, think again! Grab up this episode, and leave plenty of room for future episodes!

Sold Out
Ever wonder how bands can get a sold out crowd at a venue? Well talk to the guys from Comeback Kid and they might know, seeing as that’s what they’ve been doing! Their new video is a pretty damn good example of how they pull it off, "Die Tonight" from their album 'Turn it Around' is now posted online too! Check out www.facedownrecords.com/media-videos.htm for the rockn’ video, and why not hit up one of their tour dates with Bleeding Through and Between the Buried and Me!!

My vote goes to…
Are you a fan of Deerhoof? What’s that? You are! Well then get off your ass and vote for them! Incase you didn’t know, Milk Man, the sixth record from the band has been nominated for California Music Awards, formerly known as the Bammies! If you think Deerhoof should take home the gold, then click your way over to the voting box at www.californiamusicawards.com!

Super Mario Brothers Rock
Before the X-Box, and before game cube, there was the original Nintendo! Now common, everyone had one, at least all the cool kids did! And everyone can hum all the theme songs to every game (Super Mario Brothers anyone?) Well the guys from The Advantage have taken it one step farther. Since 1998, the group, which has undergone many member change ups, has been playing Nintendo songs and has finally come out with their self-titled album. With over 1000 demos floating around, the guys have made a vow to cover every Nintendo song by the time each member lie dead. Talk about goals in life…

Not again..
In an over saturated post punk and rock and roll scene in New York City, FRESH KILLS take a turn for a more heavy and artsy song structure. With bands like Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Drive Like Jehu, and Nation of Ulysses as influences, Fresh Kill stands out from the crowd. With members who have done time in bands of all genres of underground sounds, they get a final product like nothing else. This is not something you’ll want to miss! Make sure to check em’ out!

Just a taste please
Watch out this July as Odd Project is releasing their debut album! Can’t wait that long to get a sneak taste of what you’re in for with the new album? Well you don’t have to as they have just finished filming the video for “Tear Stained Lies”. Word is the video rocks, but the album will blow it out of the water! Good videos, good albums what more could you want? Check out www.indianolarecords.com for the goods!

Drummers Needed….AGAIN
As seems to be the problems with all the best bands these days, Backstabbers Incorporated are again undergoing drummer issues. If you're interested in being in a band that will tour frequently and plays hardcore (as opposed to technical metal core) Then get off your ass and get in contact with the band. And honestly who wouldn’t want to drive around in a van with a bunch of other dudes? If your interested, and I know you are drop a line to backstabbersinc@hotmail.com for more information.

Candy and Metal?
Lollipop is proud to be a sponsor of this year's New England Metal and Hardcore festival. With 62 bands playing, some one was awesome and felt it'd be cool to build a resource page where each band playing gets a band page with all their CDs, links to reviews or features that were done for the band over the years, a bio, photo, and links to the band and label websites so fans can listen to mp3s, order stuff, that kinda thing. Doesn’t that rock?! Damn straight it does, so check it out! www.lollipop.com/metalfest for all the details and goodies!

Download away!
The first single from Audio Karate's second album Lady Melody, has recently been posted for your listening enjoyment! The song is called "Jesus is Alive and Well (and Living in Mexico)." You'll immediately notice the new direction of these guys, and it's likely you'll love it as much as everyone else we've talked to. A second MP3 should be out shortly in a few weeks, followed by the video for "Jesus is Alive and Well". Keep checking www.kungfurecords.com for updates.

But were not even senior citizens
What do you get for lasting two years on the Billboard New Artist Chart? RETIRED! Taking Back Sunday now joins a very exclusive club of artists who, after bubbling under on the New Artist Chart for two years, are moved to the Top Catalog chart, where it can compete against Poison's Greatest Hits and various Yanni albums. Ah, the price of success. It must be rough. The guys are far from being over though so make sure to keep up to date with them!

Hittn’ the open road
With a couple of modern rock radio staples behind them, such as the smash, “Bound For The Floor,” off of their second album, As Good As Dead Local H returned to record stores last month with a 14-song assault entitled, Whatever Happened To PJ Soles? The guys are taking off on a 3-month tour in support of the new album. Make sure to check out one of their shows. For more information, check out www.localh.com!

Last chance
Moneen is finishing up the tail end of a killer tour they did with bands like Northstar, Fullblast, Park, and The Fight! There are still a few tour dates left so why not check out www.smallmanrecords.com to plan a road trip with your pals and see a rockn’ show!

Released, again?
The re-release of Fear Before The March of Flames' blistering debut album, Odd How People Shake, is in stores now on Equal Vision/Rise Records. The album features all 10 songs from the original, plus exclusive enhanced video content only available on this disc. If your cheap and want to listen to some of the songs before you commit to the whole album, check out www.purevolume.com/fearbeforethemarchofflames. The guys will soon be starting on their sophomore efforts in the form of a new CD. Keep your eye on these guys as they will be surly taking off!

Vetiver hands?
Devendra Banhart, Vetiver and Joanna Newsom will embark on an extensive U.S. tour in June and July, starting June 4 in Portland, OR. The tour is in support of Banhart’s release of his second album, Rejoicing In The Hands in late April and his close colleagues Vetiver release of their eponymous debut Vetiver in early May. Catch up on more reading at howlinwuelf.com

“Hello my name is…”
Name Taken’s impressive debut CD is now in stores on Fiddler Records. The CD will take you through an intense emotional spectrum. With their lyrics dig into your feelings of love, regret, independence, and control. “Hold On” is available at many CD stores!

Die-hard musicians
It’s all about the music for Journey. That’s why the band--Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Steve Augeri (vocals) and Deen Castronovo (drums)—kicked off a new stretch of headlining U.S. shows that will keep them on the road over three months starting fromWest Palm Beach, FL at the SunFest Music Festival. Although they don’t have new material to promote, the constant desire by their die-hard fans to experience Journey live continues to give the band the opportunity to bring their music to the masses.

Vintage
Dropbox, newly signed to Godsmack Sully Erna's Realign/Universal Records, will help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the popular Transformers characters along with Atari, which will roll out the new Transformers video game for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system on May 11. Featured in the game will be several unlockable bonus tracks including the band's first single, "Wishbone" from their self-titled debut slated for April 13 release, and a specially composed instrumental version of the Transformers theme song.

Take it easy
Taking a break between legs of the bone-crushing and sold-out Metallica tour, Godsmack kicks off a sold-out headline tour of their own today with Ill Nino and Dropbox. Adding gas to Godsmack's already burning fire, is the recent release of THE OTHER SIDE, their acoustic record, which debuted last week at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Godsmack heads back out with Metallica, April 20 in Uniondale, NY.

Hard to Decide?
Deicide's first-ever video, for the title track off their Earache debut, 'Scars Of The Crucifix', premiered Saturday, April 10, on Headbanger's Ball on MTV2 Directed by acclaimed UK director Pete Bridgewater (Morbid Angel, December), Deicide's "Scars Of The Crucifix" video is a headbanging wake-up call to the world that this legendary band is only getting stronger.

Yet another Vacation overseas
The Into Eternity May/June Europe tour dates should be posted in the next few weeks! Century Media is still working out all the details. In the meantime the band is rehearsing for the tours. Big things are on the way in the next few months!! Buried in Oblivion, the band’s latest release is also getting killer reviews so check it out!

Working the street corner
Hailing from Burlington, Ontario the members of Jersey-- Greg Taylor (Vocals and guitar) Sean McNab (Guitars and vocals) Johnny Lubera (Bass and vocals) and Jordan Hastings (Drums) are pumped to bring you the release of their full-length US debut 'Generation Genocide' on East Coast Independent label Stay Gold with distribution through Universal Music Group-CD on the street NOW!

Lolla-what?
The infamous Lollapolooza has just announced their line-up for the biggest summer tour. Morrissey, The String Cheese Incident, The Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Polyphonic Spree, and Sonic Youth amongst others to be announced at a later date. Come and enjoy some amazing bands and join in on the largest gathering of youth culture in music, art, fashion, technology and politics.

Political and into Metal? What more could you ask for?
Female fronted politically charged metal band Otep will e going on tour with Ozzfest this summer in support of their upcoming album, “House of Secrets.” Otep and Capitol Records July 27th bring the release date for the new album to you. The band also has a video in rotation on MTV2! More info at www.otep.com

Sadistic?
Watch Them Die has taken off on a nation wide tour this May with fellow metallers GWAR. The tour will be wrapped up in June but not before it hit’s the east coast. Their debut self-titled disc is sure to appeal to any fans of metal ranging from Hatebreed to Goatwhore and beyond! Find out more info at www.watchthemdie.com

Twins!
The long awaited release of ORPHANED LAND's Mabool and NOCTURNAL RITES - New World Messiah has happened! Both of these albums have gotten astonishing reviews, and they keep pouring in! Congratulations on Century Media Records new baby albums. www.centurymedia.com

Stomp on the welcome mat
Japanese-psyche-rockers Acid Mothers Temple have been added to the Solid PR roster in support of their upcoming album "Mantra of Love" on Alien8 Recordings, as well as a full US tour...
6/1 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Café
6/2 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pub
6/4 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
6/7 – LA, CA @ The Knitting Factory
6/8 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
6/13 – Houston, TX @ Mary Jane’s
6/14 – New Orleans, LA @ Mermaid Lounge
6/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ The First Unitarian Church
6/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw

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