Luna Lounge Is Booking Some Solid Acts

Well, NorthSix closed with a fizzle as ConEd turned off the power a day early (See BrooklynVegan's site for more details) but it looks like some strong acts are being booked into Luna Lounge. Right now, Rob Dickinson (former vocalist for The Catherine Wheel) is playing on Feb. 28th (tickets are $12) and The Young Knives and The View are playing on March 3rd (tickets are $10).

With all the hype around The View's show at The Merc last month, I am surprised tickets are still available.

Below is a picture from The Comas show from the club's opening night (thxs Rob)

Friendly Bears to Play Water Street Lounge, Brooklyn on Saturday (Feb. 3rd)

Water Street Lounge continues to book an interesting mix of artists. The next show is Saturday, Feb. 3 and below is the list of acts that are playing:

8:45 : LOMF
(An instrumental four piece from NY and NJ, LOMF is like nothing else you've encountered. The best way to describe LOMF is not with words only sounds.)
lomfmusic.net

9:45 : Hi Red Center
("Hi Red Center has found a nice balance of pop and noise, but they're not particularly close to either pole. That's to their credit!"- Dusted Magazine)
hiredcenter.com

10:45: Yoshiko O'hara
(An accomplished visual artist from Osaka, Japan who has come to the U.S. to play music at the risk of her life and give birth to the biggest band in the world.)
bloodypanda.com

11:45 : Friendly Bears
(Avant-(garde) rock with influence of heavy jazz fusion.)
friendlybears.net

Lamb of God to Perform on Conan O'Brien Show

2007 is turning into an interesting year. A few weeks ago Slayer made their national television debut and now Lamb of God will be making their television debut on the Conan O'Brien show next Friday night (Feb. 9th).

On Lamb of God's website, drummer Chris Adler is quoted as saying:
"It's exciting to think that national television has come far enough in our direction to actually let a metal band like us on the air! We are very excited for the opportunity not only for ourselves, but for the doors it will help to break down for heavy metal in general. We are flattered to be in this position, thankful to Conan and his staff for their invitation, and looking forward to proudly kicking some serious ass on National TV!!!"

2/16 Update: I have been waiting for the law suits to start ever since Google purchased YouTube. Lamb of God's performance on Conan was posted to YouTube and has now been pulled down. This is what is posted in its place:

This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NBC Universal

Kittie Cancel Show in Asbury Park

I didn't know Asbury Park was that dangerous a place put Kittie just released the following announcement:

"We regret to inform all of you hoping to attend the [February 11] Asbury Park, New Jersey show at the Fastlane that the show has been cancelled. We were advised by the promoter to cancel the show after an increase in gang violence and a recent drive-by shooting in the area. We apologize for the inconvienence but our safety as well as your own is in all of our best interests! We'd hope that any of you wanting to attend that show would head to B.B. King's in [New York City] on February 12th, or The Crocodile Rock on Valentine's Day!"

The Dwarves @ Knitting Factory, NYC Jan. 24, 2007

It is hard to believe that The Dwarves have now been at it for over 20 years. If anything, the band had gotten more musical and their sets tighter over the years. Even the set times seem to be getting longer (I remember 20 minute sets in the late-80s and early-90s).

The band played about a 45 minute set last Wednesday and ran through highlights from most of their releases. I wasn't keeping track of the songs but remember them playing Free Cocaine, Astroboy, Dairy Queen, I will Deny, Salt Lake City and many others.

The Dwarves latest release is a DVD entitled FEFU. The Dwarves website describes the disc as follows:

The FEFU video is made by BOB SEXTON with a little help from naked pin-up nymphets the SUICIDE GIRLS. Fetish artist DAVE NAZ contributes a huge dose of perversion as the Dwarves premiere a video that can't be shown for a song that can't be broadcast. Nudity, violence and dwarf love make FEFU the most popular GREEDY/MVD release yet and stations across the country spread the video virus while a full length FEFU dvd showcases 20 years of live insanity following the Dwarves from their midwest origins all the way to intercontinental infamy.

BLAG DAHLIA has also released his second novel NINA along with a spoken word cd. The reaction to this depraved tale of a wayward teenage girl is swift and harsh.

Quiet Riot Live Rockline Performance Posted Online

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali just posted the band's Jan. 10th live performance on Rockline on his site. The band played an electric set consisting of four tracks from their latest CD Rehab. Tracks performed are:

• Free
• South of Heaven
• Old Habits Die Hard
• Strange Daze

Unsane @ Knitting Factory, NYC Jan. 24, 2007

It doesn't get much better than a double-bill of Unsane and The Dwarves.
Both bands looked great @ the Knitting Factory on Wednesday night. It is great to see Unsane back in action and playing around town again. Unsane has a new CD, Visqueen, due out on Ipecac on March 13, 2007.


Dave Curran - Unsane @ Knitting Factory, Jan. 24, 2007

The View Banned from Travelodge Chain in the UK

The news item below was originally posted to www.Music-News.com.

A rock band have been banned from an entire hotel chain after causing thousands of pounds of damage, the hotel has said. Up-and-coming Dundee four-piece The View damaged several rooms at a Travelodge in Liverpool following a show in the city in November. Damage was eventually estimated at about £7,000, and a bill was presented to their manager. Travelodge also sent a letter to the band's management this week advising them the musicians were banned from all of its 300 UK hotels. A Travelodge spokesman said: "The View are banned from every Travelodge in the country. "We don't care who they are, they acted offensively and were anti-social to other residents. They are not welcome back. "This rock and roll behaviour is not acceptable. People come to us for a good night's sleep and we have to be mindful of that." The Daily Record newspaper reported that staff at the hotel were forced to break into the band's room to turn off taps and stop a ceiling from caving in from flooding.

Emperor Returns to NYC on June 1st

Emperor is returning to the US this summer for three shows, including one at BB King's in Times Square on June 1st. The band sold out two shows last year at BB King's so tickets should go quickly for this show.

Last year, Samoth did not play with the band as he had visa trouble and couldn't get into the US. This year the band states that "all visas are in order and the band will appear in its full command."

Other dates on this mini-tour are:
May 30 - The Metro - Chicago, IL
Jun. 03 - Key Club - West Hollywood, CA

About.com has a review of last year's show on its site.

Clown (from Slipknot) Hosting New Music Showcase @ Sin-e on Jan. 29th

Sin-e just added to the calendar a showcase hosted by Clown, the percussionist from Slipknot.

The show is on Jan. 29th and it is an early show with doors at 6PM and the first band scheduled to take the stage at 7PM.

Bands are:

• aFREUDIANSLIP (@ 7PM)


• Murder of Crows (@7:40PM)


• Gizmachi (@8:15PM)
  
• Tickets are only $5.00
  

Augustana - All The Stars and Boulevards CD Review

This CD falls outside of the genre that I normally listen to but I have really enjoyed this disc. After repeated plays, the music continues to hold my attention.

I wasn't that familiar with the band prior to getting this CD so I have been doing some online research just to see what others are saying. I think Augustana gets incorrectly lumped into the "piano rock" genre. While there are some piano-based songs on this disc, the brunt of the disc isn't that close to Keane or The Fray. A closer comparison would be to The Hooters or The Goo Goo Dolls. What I really like about this disc is that Dan Layus' voice isn't mixed above the band so this really comes across as a complete work by a proficient band and not a singer/songwriter with a backing band.

A lot of the online reviews that I read focus on the track Boston, which is the CD's piano ballad. I think Bullets and Mayfield are much stronger tracks and are more indicative of the rest of the CD. Both of these tracks are catchy mid-tempo rock songs and have strong melodies and choruses. I also really enjoyed the song Feel Fine which channels the vibe of the early 80s California bands like The Plimsouls and The Beat.

I don't care much for some of the slower tracks on the disc (like California's Burning and Wasteland) as they seem to drag but, overall, this is a solid CD by an up-and-coming band. They are definately worth checking out.

Augustana is playing at Webster Hall on February 2nd with support from Vega4.

The Hidden Hand (Southern Lord) are Playing Two Local Shows in Feb.

Southern Lord recording artists The Hidden Hand have announced two dates in the area in February.

2/13 - Brooklyn, NY @ Club Europa
2/14 - New York, NY @ Club Midway w/Unearthly Trance






The new Hidden Hand LP/CD, entitled The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote, is scheduled for release on February 20. It is safe to assume that there will likely be a limited edition colored vinyl LP edition available only through the Southern Lord website.

Augustana CD Giveaway

Contest is now closed and winners notified. Thanks for everyone who entered. Look for a new contest coming soon.

I have 5 copies of the latest CD from Augustana to give away. Just click on the Contest Entry link below and send us your full name and mailing address. One entry per person please.

All entries must be received no later than January 31, 2007. Winners will be notified via E-Mail.

Contest Entry

For more info on Augustana, check out these links:

Augustana's Main Website

Augustana on MySpace

Augustana Performing Live on VH1

Checking In on Adrian Erlandsson (x-At the Gates/The Haunted Drummer)

Lately I have been listening to a lot of At the Gates and the band members' post-ATG work.

Adrian Eralndsson is keeping very busy since leaving Cradle of Filth last year. On his MySpace page, he just announced his first drum clinic.

I am doing my first Drum clinic for 2007 on the 6th Feb!
Check out the guys profile here.

Kev and the irrepressable Drumcrew have been hard at work organising the next show which will take place on Tuesday 6th February 2007.
7pm: doors £5.00 entry

Show starts at 7.20pm with a 'TBA' drummist, followed some bloke who hopefully will have a grip on current sound technology; Mike Ellis, then onto Nuneaton's favourite; Jordan Terris and finally, Swedish HM drummer Adrian Erlandsson.

As usual, there will be lots of freebies to be grabbed as well as prizes for t'raffle from various generous drum companies!!Queens Hall, 75 Queens Road (Above "The Crew"), Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5LA. +44 (0)2476 347402 www.queenshall.net

Adrian is currently playing drums for Nemhain and the band just uploaded the initial mix of a new track, Dirty Weekend, to their website. Nemhain also recently recorded a Misfits cover for KEG Rocks Misfits 30th anniversary tribute compilation which will be released February 2007

Law & Order to Reunite for Two Shows

Early 90's rockers Law and Order are reuniting for two shows in the area over the next few weeks. They are playing the Heart 4 Mila benefit show at Chubby's in Red Bank, NJ on Jan. 27th and following this with a show at Don Hill's on Feb. 18th.



Shane (vocals) and Rob Steele (drums) return from the band's original lineup along with two new members. This should be a fun night as band put on a great show at their first reunion show in 2004 at Don Hill's. Here is a link to some pictures from the first reunion show.

I was doing some research on the band and hadn't realized that their third record was finally released. The band's third release The Glass House (originally recorded in 1992 and MCA sat on it for years) was finally released in 2005 on Z Records in the UK and is available from Dynasty Metal Music in the US. I also ran across an interview that SleazeRocks did in late 2004 with original Law & Order guitarist Phil Allocco where he discusses this [then upcoming] release.

Heaven and Hell Confirm NYC Show - Radio City Music Hall on March 30th

There has been a lot of anticipation about the reunion of the Dio-era Black Sabbath lineup. The first NYC show for band (who are calling themselves Heaven and Hell) be March 30th at Radio City Music Hall. According to www.black-sabbath.com, there will be no opening act for this show and the band is expected to play an extra-long set at this concert. Ticket prices range betwwn $54.00 - $74.00 and go on sale Friday, January 26 at 10:00 a.m.

As this lineup hasn't played together since Black Sabbath's 1992 Dehumanizer tour, I would expect this show will sell out within minutes.

The new Black Sabbath compilation Black Sabbath: The Dio Years will be released April 3rd and will contain three new tracks that were written by Ronnie and Tony.

Eddie Trunk is scheduled to air his interview with the band on Feb. 10th and there is an interview posted to Eddie's site where Rudy Sarzo (now part of Dio's band) discusses both Dio and Heaven and Hell.

Tenacious D - The Pick of Destiny CD Review

Spinal Tap move over -- this is a really funny disc. Tenacious D's songs are a throwback to the late 70s/early 80s epic metal balladry of Meatloaf, Rainbow/Dio and Iron Maiden. The disc is the soundtrack to the film The Pick of Destiny and contains numerous between-song soundbites from the film. (The only exception is that The Government Totally Sucks is a new song that wasn't included in the film) The band's playing is competent and solid but the fun is listening to Jack Black's lyrics.

From "The Government Totally Sucks":

Ben Franklin was a rebel indeed.
He liked to get naked while he smoked on the weed.
He was a genius but if he was here today,
the government would fuck him up his righteous A!

From "Kickapoo":

You've disobeyed my orders son, Why were you ever born?
Your brother's ten times better than you, Jesus loves him more.
This music that you play for us comes from the depths of hell.
Rock and roll's the devil's work, He wants you to rebel.
You'll become a mindless puppet; Beelzebub will pull the strings!
Your heart will lose direction, And chaos it will bring.
You'd better shut your mouth, You better watch your tone!
You're grounded for a week with no telephone!
Don't let me here you cry, Don't let me hear you moan!
You gotta praise The Lord when you're in my home!

Ronnie James Dio and Dio very fittingly are guest vocalists on the song Kickapoo and Dave Grohl adds drums and guest vocals to the song Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown).

POD was released as a single and the video has been posted to YouTube:


If you are looking for good mindless fun -- this CD is worth checking out. It offers enough musically that it should hold up to repeated play.

NME.Com Just Ran a Feature on the Reopening of the Luna Lounge

NME.Com published this yesterday...

The new Luna Lounge moves to Brooklyn

New York venue Luna Lounge is set to reopen in it's new location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn this Friday (January 19). The venue, which closed its doors on Ludlow Street in June 2005, was a significant venue for much of the Lower East Side music scene for ten years. The venue saw performances from many of the city's most successful indie rock bands including Interpol, The Strokes and Stellastarr*. The venue's relaunch will see a performance from lauded Brooklyn/Chapel Hill band The Comas, and will continue to operate on weekends until February when it will announce a nightly schedule.

Car Bomb - Centralia CD Review

Car Bomb's first full-length CD, Centralia, is set for release on Feb. 6th. I have had this CD for about a week now and have been playing the hell out of it. This CD clocks in just under 40 minutes and the band really showcase their abilities across the disc's 11 tracks. Stellar production highlight all of the band members contributions but it is Elliot Hoffman's jazz-influenced drumming and Greg Kubacki's intricate guitar work that really caught my ear.

This is a great metal CD that compares well with a lot of the Relapse releases. The band has a lot of diversity that goes beyond traditional metal/hardcore as the band is able to channel a variety of influences in their songwriting (ranging from straight-forward hardcore to math-metal to jazz). Tempos and song structures change up throughout the disc and the whole thing works. There isn't a bad cut on this disc.

For anyone unfamiliar with the band, the first video from this CD M^6 showcases the band's strengths and is a good indication what the rest of this CD sounds like.

Car Bomb is playing the Precious Metal show at the Lit Lounge in NYC on Feb. 19th.

Car Bomb's website is www.carbombcult.com.

Modest Mouse Release Behind the Scenes Footage from Video Shoot

Modest Mouse has released behind the scenes footage from the band's new video shoot on YouTube. The video/song Dashboard is from the band's forthcoming release We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank which is due out early this year.

New Release from Walter Schreifels post-Gorilla Biscuits project Moondog

Revolver Magazine reports that Anthology Recordings is releasing previously unissued demos from Walter's post-Gorilla Biscuits project Moondog. These seven tracks feature Schreifels singing and playing all the instruments except the drums(which feature Luke Abbey).

Anthology is a mp3-only label and these demos are available for download for $6.98.

The View (UK Buzz Band) to Release Ltd. White Vinyl LP on Monday Jan. 22

If The View weren't hot enough after their brief US tour...

Next Monday (Jan. 22nd), The View's new release will be issued on white vinyl and this release is limited to 1,000 copies. The View's website lists all the UK merchants who will be stocking this. Here is a link of the stockists.

I would strongly suspect very few retail copies will make it to the States and anyone interested will be paying eBay prices.

Rock n' Roll Fantasy Camp (or if only I had an extra $10,000)

Last Friday, PR Newswire issued the following release (below). Now if only I had a spare $10,000, I could go.

Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp (RRFC) goes Hollywood (Presidents' Day Weekend, 2/15-19) - giving campers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn rock from the masters. Over five-days - and guided by a Who's Who of rock legends - campers of all musical abilities and backgrounds will form bands, hone their skills, jam with their idols and become "rock stars." The camp culminates in a Battle of the Bands blowout at the House Of Blues on Sunset.

The camp's professors of rock include: PAUL STANLEY (KISS), Brian Wilson (co-founder, THE BEACH BOYS), Mickey Hart (GRATEFUL DEAD), BRET MICHAELS (POISON), Dickey Betts (ALLMAN BROTHERS), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), legendary guitar player STEVE VAI, Simon Kirke (BAD COMPANY, FREE), Spike Edney (QUEEN), Kelly Keagy (NIGHT RANGER), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Jane Wiedlin (GO-GO'S), Artimus Pyle (LYNYRD SKYNYRD), Sully Erna (GODSMACK), SPENCER DAVIS, Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER) and Clem Burke (BLONDIE).

When RRFC comes to Hollywood, there will be events galor to make rock dreams come true:

- Grateful Dead Night (2/17) -- Featuring the Grateful Dead's drummer Mickey Hart leading a jam with each band.

- Beach Boys Night (2/18) -- Beach Boy's co-founder Brian Wilson serves as judge as the bands compete in a play-off featuring Beach Boys songs.

- Original Song Contest (2/18) -- Each band will perform its original song -- which will be judged, mixed, recorded, and put on CD and on iTunes!

- House of Blues Battle of the Bands (2/19) -- Paul Stanley (lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of KISS) will perform a KISS song on stage live with every band at the House of Blues Battle of the Bands. Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers will join each band for some Southern rock.

The RRFC dawn-to-midnight schedule includes master classes, private sessions, dinners with the stars, late night jams with renowned studio musicians and special guests. Offering pointers throughout are some of rock's royalty, who help the bands come together, collaborate and create. Campers get the opportunity to rock with their idols on top-notch instruments and stay at the glamorous Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Cost for this five-day experience is $9499.

The RRFC frenzy doesn't stop in Hollywood-coming up is RRFC London (5/24-29, Memorial Day Weekend), where campers - joined by English rockers including Jack Bruce (CREAM) and Gary Brooker (PROCAL HARUM) - will have the incredibly rare chance to record at London's Abbey Road Studios and perform at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the Beatles got their start.

Genesis P-Orridge (Breyer P-Orridge) Has 5 Pieces in The Perfect Man Show Exhibit

Genesis P-Orridge and Lady Jaye have five pieces on display as part of The Perfect Man Show Exhibit at White Columns Art Gallery. The exhibit opened last Tuesday (Jan. 9th) and will be on display until February 10th.

White Columns is located at 320 West 13th Street in Chelsea.

Luna Lounge Reopens Next Friday, Jan. 19th, in Williamsburg

After losing its lease on the Lower East Side 18 months ago, the Luna Lounge reopens next weekend in Williamsburg. The new location of the club is 361 Metropolitan Avenue (which is right off N. 4th). The new space is bigger than the previous location (I have read the capacity is between 300 - 350 people) which makes the club slightly bigger than The Mercury Lounge.

Bands for opening night are The Comas and Falcon. Tickets are $10.00.

All That Remains Headline Their First Tour and Play Irving Plaza on Feb. 21st

All That Remains have started their first headline tour and are playing Irving Plaza on Feb. 21st. Tickets are only $14.50 in advance and $16.00 day of sale. Other bands on the bill are Misery Signals, The Human Abstract, and Cellador.

All That Remains are a solid live band and they have been touring non-stop for the last few years. In 2006 the band played the European leg of the Sounds of the Underground tour, had a stateside run on Ozzfest and just finished a tour with Dragonforce and Horse the Band.

The band is continuing to tour behind their third release, The Fall of Ideals, which was released last summer. This CD, produced by Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) is more melodic than its predecesor but the band hasn't given up any of their intensity. Check out the video for the leadoff track from the CD, This Calling, which was used in the movie Saw 3.



Drummer Shannon Lucas left the band last year so the band is currently searching for a full-time drummer. The band is requiring interested candidates to submit videos of them playing "This Calling" and "The Weak Willed" (both from The Fall of Ideals). There are a number of audition video posted to YouTube that are fairly interesting to watch.




The band starts their tour on the 23rd of January and complete tour dates are:

1/23 Huntington, WV – Hyamp
1/24 Nashville, TN – Exit / In

(with Misery Signals, Light This City)
1/26 Houston, TX – Meridian – Red Room
1/27 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
1/28 Fort Worth, TX – Ridglea Theater
1/30 Tempe, AZ – The Clubhouse Music Venue
1/31 West Hollywood, CA – The Whisky

(with Misery Signals, The Human Abstract)
2/01 San Diego, CA – Soma Sidestage
2/02 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
2/03 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
2/05 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
2/06 Vancouver, BC – Croatian Cultural Centre
2/07 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
2/09 Salt Lake City, UT – Avalon Theater
2/10 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
2/11 St. Louis, MO – Creepy Crawl
2/13 Covington, KY – The Mad Hatter
2/14 Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under
2/16 Chicago, IL – Metro
2/17 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
2/18 Toronto, ONT – Opera House
2/19 Montreal, QC – Club Soda
2/21 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
2/23 West Springfield, VA – Jaxx
2/24 Troy, NY – Revolution Hall
2/25 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts

Brooklyn Band Proud Simon's Van Stolen

Brooklyn-based band Proud Simon's van was stolen two days ago. Below is a letter that band leader Brian Keenan posted to the band's MySpace page.

An open letter to thieves and sympathizers.

Music lives on, belongings are nothing, and life is the stories you have to tell.

I have countless memories from the years of driving my gray van. It has taken me across the country, through treacherous mountain roads and back again. It was good to me and I will surely miss our adventures.

On January 8, 2007 my 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan was stolen from under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in broad daylight. New York license plate number CEU-1599. If anyone has any information regarding its safe return, please contact me via this account.

To artists everywhere with holes in your wallets, this is a road we all take someday. Be well.

Brian

LA Guns to Tour East Coast in March

The Phil Lewis led version of LA Guns is touring the East Coast in March. Right now, no NYC dates have been announced. It would be nice to see the band play somewhere local, but most of the clubs LA Guns have played in the last few years are gone (The Continental, L'Amours, Bottoms Up). Don Hill's is probably the only club that would book the band and they just hosted the Tracii Guns led version of LA Guns.

LA Guns are continuing to tour in support of their latest album, "Tales from the Strip". This new release and tour has gotten positive reviews thus far so this show should be worth checking out.

Current tour dates are:
Jan. 17 - Omaha, NE - Chrome Lounge
Jan. 19 - Mankato, MN - Busters
Jan. 20 - Burnsville, MN - Renegades
Mar. 17 - Bloomington, IL - U.S. Cellular Coliseum (w/ WARRANT, FIREHOUSE)
Mar. 23 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak (w/ WARRANT, FIREHOUSE)
Mar. 24 - Westfield, MA - Bentley Billiards
Mar. 25 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights

Quiet Riot To Perform Electric Set on Rockline Tonight (Jan 10th)

Quiet Riot is scheduled to play a full-band electric set on Rockline tonight. In the NYC area, Rockline airs at 11:30PM tonight on Q104.3.

The band is expected to play a 30 minute set and, if the show on Staten Island last year is any indication, this should be a great show. I know there is a lot of Quiet Riot haters out there but I have seen the band play live numerous times and I have never seen them fail to deliver a great set.

The band released its 11th album Rehab last year on Demolition Records.

The Early Years Playing Three Shows in NYC in Late January

Beggar's Banquet recording artist The Early Years are playing three dates in the area in late January.












The band's debut full-length CD The Early Years, which was released in the UK in Sept. '06, will be released in the US on Jan. 20th with four bonus tracks. An EP of new material will follow in February '07. For anyone unfamiliar with the band, there are both audio and video tracks posted to the download section of the band's website.

Shows are:

Jan. 25 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC
Jan. 26 @ Union Hall, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Jan. 27 @ Union Pool, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Vega4 Concert Ticket Giveaway - Webster Hall, NYC Feb. 2nd

I have a pair of tickets to give away to see Vega4 at Webster Hall on February 2nd. Just click on the Contest Entry link below and send us your full name and mailing address. One entry per person please.




All entries must be received no later than January 19, 2007. Winner will be notified via E-Mail.

Contest Entry

For more info on Vega4, check out these links:

Vega4's Main Website

Vega4 on MySpace

Previous Post on Vega4

The Avengers Return to NYC for a Show @ Bowery Ballroom on Feb. 5th

The Avengers are returning to the East Coast for a one-off show at the Bowery Ballroom on February 5th. Tickets are $13 dollars.

The band puts on a great live show and , aside for a show last year at Maxwell's and the Trash Bar, the band rarely plays on the East Coast. Given this, I would consider this a "must see" show.

Latest Ian Gillan Solo CD to be Reissued with Bonus Tracks & Live Tour Footage

The Italian Deep Purple fan site reports that Ian Gillan's latest CD Gillan's Inn will be reissued by Immergent Records with both bonus audio and video tracks (which includes one track from the NYC show last summer).








Bonus audio tracks are:
Have Love, Will Travel (House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA - 9/14/06)
Wasted Sunsets (House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA - 9/14/06)

Bonus video tracks are:
No Laughing In Heaven (Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON - 8/17/06)
Hang Me Out To Dry (Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON - 8/17/06)
Into The Fire (Concert Hall Of NYC, NYC - 8/23/06)
Moonshine (Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI - 8/30/06)
Sugar Plum (Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI - 8/30/06)
Men Of War (Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI - 8/30/06)

The Shins Hit NYC on Promo Tour for New CD

The Shins new CD/LP Wincing the Night Away is due to be released on Jan. 23rd and the band is making a number of promo stops in NYC to promote the upcoming release.





Here is the current schedule:
- The band is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live next week (Jan 13th)

- The band will be playing live at midnight at Virgin Records in Union Square on Jan. 22nd.

- The band is the musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman on Jan. 23rd

The band is off on a limited tour right after this (with, unfortunately, no NYC area dates scheduled). Tour dates are:

Feb. 8: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
Feb. 9: Milwaukee (Eagles Ballroom)
Feb. 10: Chicago (Congress Theatre)
Feb. 11: St. Louis (Pageant)
Feb. 12-13: Lawrence, Kan. (Liberty Hall)
Feb. 15: Denver (Fillmore)
Feb. 16: Salt Lake City (In the Venue)
Feb. 20: Seattle (Paramount Theatre)
Feb. 21: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
Feb. 25: London (Astoria)

Car Bomb (Relapse Records) Release First Video from Upcoming CD

Long Island's Car Bomb just released released the first video M^6 from their upcoming Relapse Records debut. The new CD, Centralia, is scheduled to be released Feb 6th with a full tour to follow.

Freddy Madball to Play First Solo Show In London

Freddy Madball will be performing his solo/hip hop project on January 11th,at the Scala in London. This will be his debut show! He has been invited to open up for underground hip hop artist NECRO, on his first visit to the UK.

Get tickets now as the show is on its way to being SOLD OUT!

Vega4 Playing Webster Hall on Feb. 2nd

London's Vega4 is touring the US with Augustana and will be at Webster Hall on February 2nd. Fans of U2 and Snow Patrol should really check out the band as this should be a great show. Tickets are only $18 and are still available through Ticketweb.

Vega4's latest CD You and Others was released in the UK late last year and a US release is scheduled for sometime this year. Vega4 has already gotten some buzz in the US when their single Life Is Beautiful [MP3, 5MB] was featured in a Nov. '06 episode of Grey's Anatomy. The band also topped the Irish charts with You And Me, the lead-off song from the CD. This CD was produced by Garret "Jackknife" Lee who has done production work for U2 (How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb), Snow Patrol, Kasbian and many other.

Check out the band's promo video for You and Me on YouTube

The View Live @ Mercury Lounge, Jan. 2, 2007

The View made their US debut tonight at a sold-out show at the Mercury Lounge. It took a few songs for the music to grow on me so it was unfortunate that the band only played a 30 minute set. After tomorrow night's show (also sold out), this is likely this is the last time the band will play this small a club in the area.

Unsound Moves to The Pussycat Lounge

Unsound is moving to The Pussycat Lounge and is starting the year off with a bang.



The first show is next Saturday (Jan. 6th) and the lineup is:

JAMES PLOTKIN & TIM WYSKIDA (x-Khanate)
UNEARTHLY TRANCE (Relapse recoding artists)
DEEP IN VEIN
NEGATIVEHATE
NOVELIST

Admission is $10 and doors @ 9PM

The Growing & Telepathe Playing Friday (Jan. 5) @ The Syrup Room

One of my current favorite bands is The Growing and I just found out they are playing a Todd P show this Friday night at the Syrup Room. (For whatever reason, this show is not listed on the band's website). Also on the bill is Telepathe who records for the always interesting Social Registry label and Bow & Arrow (no clue about these guys).


Here are some details from Todd P's site:

[ SYRUP ROOM ]100 Ingraham St @ Porter EastWilliamsburgIndustrialPark, BklynL to Morgan ALL AGES 8pm no phone $tba