Skratch News: September 2004

Broken Drumming Sticks
Sparta's drummer, Tony Hajjar, broke his wrist while playing in Sparta's and Incubus's daily intramurals on August 8. Sparta planned on dropping off their tour with Incubus until Incubus's drummer and bass player decided to help fill in for Hajjar. The tour ended August 18 in L.A., and Hajjar started playing again soon after that.

MCS at your CCs and Us
Motion City Soundtrack (MCS) is looking to play a few colleges this fall. If you would like to hook this up at your school, contact roast@wma.com.

Social Distortion Joins Tiger Army
Social Distortion will be touring in support of their new album, SEX, LOVE, AND ROCK 'N' ROLL, with Tiger Army and The Explosion throughout October. Tiger Army also has a new album out on Epitaph Records entitled III: GHOST TIGERS RISE. Learn more at www.socialdistortion.com and www.epitaph.com.

The New Bayside
The New York pop/rock band, Bayside of Victory Records, has a new drummer, John, and new bassist, Nick. Although this spawned many rumors of their break-up, it was never in their sights, and they report that they are content with their new members. See www.baysiderocks.com for more info.

Listed Numbers
Fall Out Boy gets a free phone from Samsung. To have some fun, they posted the number on the Internet throughout their Warped Tour dates. They say the only times they haven't answered the phone is when they are sleeping, playing, and eating. The number is (312) 351-0493 if you want to give them a ring. Read more at www.falloutboyrock.com.

The Unofficial RNC Welcoming Committee
An estimated 400,000 people marched in the streets of New York against the Bush administration and the Iraq war the day before the kick-off of the Republican National Convention (RNC). Although there were no reports of violence, 100 people were taken to police holding pens.

Sum More 41
Sum 41 is set to release their third full-length album, CHUCK, October 14. It is said to have their classic punk sound, which leans a bit more towards the hardcore side. Check it out at www.sum41.com.

Shame on those Shady Advertisers
The music news Website, punkhardcore.com, is collecting donations right now. Some of its advertisers have failed to pay them, which has added up to some $3,000. Now, they say that they may have to shut down permanently without a successful fundraiser.

Lobster says Ouch!
Steve Lubarsky, owner of Lobster Records, wrecked on his bike and broke his hip. He went in for surgery in August, and is currently recovering. Send your well-wishes to Steve@lobsterrecords.com or Lobster Records, Attn: Get Well, Steve!, P.O. Box 1473, Santa Barbara, CA 93102. Check for updates at www.lobsterrecords.com.

Following the Trail
?And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead is hinting at reuniting with their recently separated bass player. Neil Busch parted ways with the band in July due to some medical issues. Also in Trail of Dead news, their recently recorded album's release has been pushed back to January from October due to conflicting schedules with other Interscope artists, including U2, Eminem, and No Doubt. Keep on the Trail by visiting www.trailofdead.com.

Victory for XDOANEX
Victory Records has signed a deal to distribute the DVD label XDOANEX exclusively in North America. XDOANEX is owned and operated by filmmaker and videographer Darren Doane in L.A. The first video will feature Every Time I Die and A Static Lullaby. Find out more at www.victoryrecords.com.

Spitfire Reignites
Although Spitfire reportedly broke up in late 2001, they have reformed a couple of times to release material with Goodfellow Records and with Solid State Records. They are currently in the studio recording for a new full-length and for a split. Their most recent formation is Matt Beck, Chris Raines, Jon Spencre, and Jimmy Reeves.

Changeover for Takeover
Takeover Records is changing their name to Old Guard Records reportedly due to some legal complications. The new site should be running soon at www.odlguardrecords.com. Until then, stay posted at www.takeoverrock.com.

Over My Dead Band
Over My Dead Body is said to be breaking up after their two-month tour of Europe. The California hardcore band's final show will be at the Che Caf? in San Diego on November 27. Keep track of them at www.indecisionrecords.com.

Hope is Not Dead
Hope did not die for the metal/hardcore band, As Hope Dies, because after breaking up for one year, they are back together recording new material again (although it is rumored not with all original members). The band's first show back will be October 8 in Anaheim, California. Check it out at www.undecidedrecords.com.

No More Earache for the Angel
Metal band Morbid Angel departs from Earache Records after 15 years of working with them. This comes after Steve Tucker resigned from the band after eight years as their vocalist and bassist. Dave Vincent is taking over vocals and bass, and Morbid Angel is currently scouting for a new label. Visit www.morbidangel.com for more details.

FATA Member Changes
From Autumn to Ashes (FATA) bassist Mike Pilato has decided to leave the band. FATA also lost their guitarist this year. Their new guitarist is Jon Cox, and temporarily filling in on bass is Josh Newton, who has played with Reggie and the Full Effect, Shiner, and Unsane. Learn more at www.fromautumntoashes.com.

Music Marathon Mayhem
New York's CMJ Music Marathon happens October 13-16, and features thousands of music performers, not to mention exhibition areas, keynote speakers, and panel discussions on the music industry. And, this year, you can catch Jade Tree bands at their showcase at CBGB's as part of the marathon. Other record labels participating include Eyeball, Fat Wreck Chords, Drive Thru, Lookout!, Victory, and many, many more. Check it out at www.cmj.com.

Once Loved, Always Loved
The new band, The Loved Ones, has signed to Jade Tree Records. Formed out of pieces of Kid Dynamite, The Curse, and Trial By Fire, they truly are a group of loved ones. Formed in May 2004, they are set to release their debut album early next year. Learn more at www.jadtree.com.

Eat Up Some New Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World has remained relatively quiet on the music scene since their last big release, BLEED AMERICAN, in 2001. Now, they are feeding their newest CD to their Jimmy-starved fans. FUTURES is set to release October 19, but you can get some previews at www.jimmyeatworld.com.

Rise Against and Bad Religion Together
Bad Religion has set their tour with Rise Against and From First to Last for the month of October. They will be touring the South and the East Coast with more dates to come. Stay posted for them coming to your neighborhood at www.epitaph.com.

2004 Olympics Summary
The 2004 Athens Olympics are over, and in summary we want to give you some sort-of-wins, wins, and losses. Paul Hamm, who won the very first U.S. individual all-around gold medal for men's gymnastics, was asked to return the medal due to scoring errors, and did not with support from the U.S. Olympic Committee. This year's sand volleyball created a stir with its party atmosphere, including dancing cheerleaders in bikinis and the U.S. taking their first gold in the sport. The Iraqi soccer team's surprise success took them within sight of a medal. Finally, Adrian Annus of Hungary was ordered to return his gold medal in the men's hammer throw after neglecting to drug test.

Rocking Your Face Off
New York rockers, Earl Greyhound, formed together early last year. They have recently signed to Some Records, and have stated they will "rock the world's face off." Their debut EP is set to be released in October. To see if it rocks your face off, visit www.some.com.

Shadows Fall Going Off in Your Living Room
Kung Fu Records has released their newest DVD in their live DVD series, THE SHOW MUST GO OFF! This one features Shadows Fall at House of Blues in Anaheim, California. For more info, visit www.kungfurecords.com

One Man Army at Ease
BYO Records band, One Man Army, popularized by their song, "SOS", have sent out their official break-up notice. The band's members are dabbling in other bands now, including vocalist/guitarist Jack Dalrymple joining Swingin' Utters on guitar. Read about it at www.byorecords.com.

Getting Some with Simple Plan
Pop-punk sweethearts, Simple Plan, will release their newest on October 26. The album has been donned the title, STILL NOT GETTING ANY?, which seems highly unlikely for this group of Canadians. For more, go to www.simpleplan.com.

Bled For Life
Just when we thought Bled member Josh Sorbello had left the band to move to Texas, he is back and shredding bass lines with them once again. How could we ever have doubted that when their Website is www.bled4life.com?

Metal Plus Jager Equals Kick-Ass Tour
The fourth annual Jagermeister Music Tour will kick off on October 29 in Missouri. Headlining for the second year in a row is Slayer, who will be joined by Killswitch Engage and Mastodon for the entire tour. Different Jagermeister-sponsored bands will also be added to the line-up for each show. Check www.jagermeistermusictour.com for dates.

Strung Out on X
Strung Out just finished recording their next release, EXILE IN OBLIVION, and they left time to play in the X-Games as well as, according to the Fat Wreck Chords site, participating in the extreme croquet showdown and naked bungee paintball events! EXILE IN OBLIVION is scheduled for release on November 2, and Strung Out says it is their "heaviest CD to date." Visit www.strung-out.com.

Beer, Beer, Beer
October brings to mind lederhosen and drunken Germans. The celebration beer-drinkers long for year round is finally back! Octoberfest is traditionally celebrated in the first weeks of October (and sometimes late September), so keep your beer goggles focused on what bands are playing your town's celebration of this glorious day.

Matchbook Plus Motion
Matchbook Romance and Motion City Soundtrack have come out with an acoustic split album. For a little taste of the artwork and details, visit www.epitaph.com.

From FATA to One True Thing
Melanie Willis, the girl who guest vocals for From Autumn To Ashes has her very own band, One True Thing, who put out their first album, FINALLY, on Play the Assassin Records last December. Find out more at PlayTheAssassin.com.

Flogging Molly Again
Flogging Molly has released their newest CD, featuring 15 brand new songs on Side One Dummy. The title is WITHIN A MILE OF HOME, and if you would like to listen to it before you buy, go to www.sideonedummy.com/floggingmolly. Also in Flogging news is their next tour, which will be with the Street Dogs and The Briggs. See www.sideonedummy.com for details.

Revived Site Brings Live Audio Interviews
Punkinterviews.com has re-launched their site with over 100 live audio interviews for you music enthusiasts to get your hands on. They also provide info about other interviews throughout the net, so check them out at www.punkinterviews.com.

Bands Set for Next Warped
August 20 marked the end of this year's Warped Tour, but many are already looking towards next summer. Avenged Sevenfold, The Transplants, and My Chemical Romance are already confirmed for next year's roster. Warped2005.com will be up and running by January, but until then, check for updates on warped2004.com.

Adding a Little Punk to Late Night
NOFX performed on LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN on August 10, which was the same day the ROCK AGAINST BUSH VOLUME II compilation came out. This gave NOFX the perfect chance to promote their anti-Bush agenda and create a little punk rock chaos on late night TV. Visit www.nofxofficialwebsite.com for more on NOFX.

Meet AFI This Holiday
Nitro Records will be releasing a retrospective CD of AFI November 2. The 13-track CD will feature songs from each of the six albums AFI released with Nitro. Nitro hails this to be the perfect little Christmas present for you kiddies who only know the over-10-year-old band through their latest album, SING THE SORROW. See www.nitrorecords.com for details.

New Shadows Release
Century Media Records has released Shadows Fall's new album, THE WAR WITHIN. Preview the new metal album at www.centurymedia.com/thewarwithin.

Fully Automatic Grieves
Fully Automatic Records lost their core staffer, Rob Robbins, when he passed away August 28. All of Fully Automatic's operations were on hold for 24 days in remembrance, and to give them time to grieve. I think we speak for a lot of the music community when we say that Rob will truly be missed. See fullyautomatic.org for contacts and info.

Fat Wreck Chords' Only Crime
Only Crime's debut CD, TO THE NINES, has been released on Fat Wreck Chords as the label's newest band. Only Crime is made up of ex-members of such bands as Good Riddance, Bane, and Descendents. More at www.fatwreck.com.

Drum Roll Please
DRUM MAGAZINE has released their annual readers' poll, and the top four punk rock drummers have been named: Blink 182's Travis Barker, Perfect Circle's Josh Freese (also played with The Vandals and Suicidal Tendencies, among others), Strung Out's Jordan Burns, and Green Day's Tre Cool. Read more at www.drummagazine.com.

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