Road Crew Magazine
Music Magazine with News, Reviews, Photos and Video

By Ryan   Fri, Feb 26, 2010

On their Denver stop of their tour we got a chance to sit down and chat with Rob Reiner of ANVIL. Check out the interview above.

www.anvilmetal.com

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Iron Maiden will go out on tour this summer in North America in support of their new album entitled "The Final Frontier" which is due out late this summer. The band will hit Canada and The United States from June 9th to July 20th and will bring along progressive metal band Dream Theater!

Tickets for the Canadian shows will go on sale to the public on Saturday, March 13 at 10 a.m. PST (10 a.m. EST for Toronto and 12 noon EST Montreal). Exclusive first access to the tickets will be available to IRON MAIDEN fan club members on Wednesday, March 10 at 10 a.m. PST through to Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m. PST (EST for Toronto). Regretfully due to technical reasons an exclusive pre-sale in Montreal is not possible.
Tickets for the U.S. shows will go on sale to the public on Saturday, March 20 at 10 a.m. EST. Exclusive first access to the tickets will be available to IRON MAIDEN fan club members on Wednesday, March 17 at 10 a.m. EST through to Thursday, March 18 at 6 p.m. EST.

"The Final Frontier 2010 North American Tour" dates:

Jun. 09 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
Jun. 11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jun. 12 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
Jun. 14 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jun. 16 - Albuquerque, NM - The Pavilion
Jun. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jun. 19 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheatre
Jun. 20 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
Jun. 22 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Jun. 24 - Vancouver, BC - GM Place
Jun. 26 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
Jun. 29 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Center
Jun. 30 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Center +
Jul. 03 - Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
Jul. 07 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Jul. 11 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC
Jul. 12 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Jul. 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagra Pavilion
Jul. 15 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 17 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 18 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 - Washington D.C. - Jiffy Lube Live

+ DREAM THEATER will not perform in Winnipeg

for fan club info and tour info visit:

www.ironmaiden.com

www.dreamtheater.net

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By   Sat, Mar 27, 2010

LOUDER, HARDER, and HEAVIER than their debut, 16 SECOND STARE breaks new sonic ground with their new self-titled album releasing April 27 on Goomba Music.

With the aggressive sound of their new self-titled record, 16 SECOND STARE is ready to take their place in the vanguard of the international metal scene. Fueled by the ferocious vocals of Chris Davis, who stepped out from behind his drum kit to prowl the stage like a madman, and driven by the onslaught of guitarist Angry Tim Shanks, the band has been winning legions of fans with its uncompromising stage show. During the summer of 2009, on the road with Crüefest 2, 16 SECOND STARE showed what they were made of winning over huge crowds with their radical onslaught. Now they're unleashing an equally radical album.

16 SECOND STARE took a year to make and, during that time, the band underwent a transformation. "I started singing lead and everything clicked into place,' says singer and drummer Chris Davis. “We used to think about radio play, but this time decided to go for the jugular. We're going to get right up in your face and if people like it, that's fine. If not, fuck'em. Anyone who's seen us live knows we kick ass, so we decided to kick ass in the studio too. Making Chris the singer was the best move we ever made.”

Standout tracks on 16 SECOND STARE include the current single, Bonnie and Clyde, a heavy stomping rocker, with the grinding guitars of Shanks complimenting the processed vocals Davis lays down over his own brutal backbeat. The shrieking harmonies of Davis and Shanks add another sinister element to the mix. Bonnie and Clyde is already being played on Sirius Satellite's Octane channel, AOL's Extreme Alt Rock station, and is climbing the Media Base Active Rock chart.

Come out and hear the Hot Ticket of the year, 16 SECOND STARE on tour now with COLD and NONPOINT. The trek will begin on February 17, 2010 at Juanitas in Little Rock Arkansas.

MARCH

Wed 17    Little Rock AR                       Juanitas    
Fri 19        Houston TX                           Scout Bar   
Sat 20      Dallas TX                               Tree's  
Sun 21     San  Antonio TX                    Scout Bar     
Tue 23     Colorado Springs CO           Black Sheep  
Wed 24   Denver CO                           Marquee       
Fri 26        Boise ID                                Knitting Factory   
Sat 27      Spokane WA                        Knitting Factory    
Mon 29    Reno NV                              Knitting  Factory   
Tue 30      Orangevale CA                   Boardwalk   
Wed 31    Chico CA                            Senator   

APRIL

Thu 01       Santa Rosa CA                   Last Day Saloon  
Sat 03        Los  Angeles CA                 Roxy   
Sun 04       Tempe AZ                           Marquee     
Tue 06       Albuquerque NM                Sunshine   
Wed 07     Lubbock TX                         Jakes    
Fri 09          Abilene TX                          Midnight Rodeo  
Sat 10        Odessa TX                           Dos Amigos   
Sun 11       Corpus  Christ TX                Brewster Street Ice House   
Tue 13       Jacksonville FL                    Freebird  
Wed 14     Ft Walton FL                         The Swamp        
Fri 16          Melbourne FL                     County Line  Saloon   
Sat 17        Orlando FL                         Lyrica  

For more information go to www.16secondstare.com or http://www.myspace.com/16secondstare.

By   Sat, Mar 27, 2010

Sir Elton John today announced from Cape Town, South Africa, the granting of a £984,000 award to mothers2mothers (m2m) to be used to help prevent hundreds of thousands of babies across Africa from contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through mother-to child transmission and assist mothers in staying healthy to care for their children.

The award, a multi-year grant from The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), will enable m2m to work to develop effective programmes to support clinical efforts preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, across sub-Saharan Africa and develop a gold standard for delivering and monitoring these programmes.

Each year, an estimated 1.4 million women living with HIV become pregnant. Without effective medical intervention and education, up to 40% of these women will transmit HIV to their children, either during pregnancy or in the first years of the infant’s life. Scientific advances and high-quality medical care have almost eradicated pediatric AIDS in resource rich countries. 91% of the global cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV emanate from sub-Saharan Africa, where there are overwhelming systemic, societal and economic barriers to care. The grant from the EJAF will enable m2m to explore and roll out effective and affordable client interventions in over 600 health care facilities across Africa.

‘I visited mothers2mothers’ programme at Site B clinic in Khayelitsha a couple of years ago’ comments Sir Elton, ‘and was knocked out by how effective the Mentor Mother approach can be. We want an HIV-free generation in Africa and m2m is going to help us get there.’

m2m works in health care facilities partnering with doctors and nurses to meet the comprehensive needs of HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers. The organisation recruits HIV-positive mothers after they deliver their babies and trains them to work as paid professional health care providers in the clinics and maternity wards where they once received medical care. These peer educators, called “Mentor Mothers”, engage, educate and support HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers, guiding them in measures to prevent HIV transmission to their babies and in steps to ensure they will remain healthy to raise their children. These efforts contribute to empowering women and reducing stigma by teaching people to “live positively” with HIV.

Dr. Mitch Besser, Founder and Medical Director, and Gene Falk, Co-founder and President of mothers2mothers commented: “We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This grant comes at a pivotal time in mothers2mothers’ growth as we strive to provide more care to more mothers and babies, ensuring that they receive, understand and embrace all of the medical services that contribute to healthy HIV-free children and healthy mothers. This grant will be transformational for our organization’s ability to measure the impact of our efforts and ensure we are providing the most effective services to our families. We are thrilled to be part of this strategic partnership with EJAF.”

Since 2001, m2m has grown from a local program in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa, to a multinational organization that employs and empowers more than 1600 women living with HIV in more than 600 health care facilities in seven African countries. Currently, m2m is located in South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia, with expansion planned in 2010 into Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania. In 2009, mothers2mothers enrolled nearly 300,000 pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV into its programme.

About EJAF
Since its establishment in 1992 by founder and Chairman Sir Elton John, EJAF has raised over $175m to support HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes in 55 countries around the globe. EJAF focuses on supporting community based, direct care services to people living with HIV/AIDS and those highly vulnerable to the disease. This includes HIV counseling and testing, medical treatment access, food security, shelter, psychosocial services, harm reduction, legal aid, and condom distribution.

For more information on the work of the Foundation visit www.ejaf.com or contact:
Anne Aslett, Executive Director   - anne(dot)aslett(at)ejaf(dot)com
Simon Prytherch, Director of Fundraising – simon(dot)prytherch(at)ejaf(dot)com

For more information on the work of mothers2mothers visit www.m2m.org or contact:
Steven Guy, Development Communications   steven(at)m2m(dot)org +27 (0)82 839-4222.

By   Sat, Mar 27, 2010

BOSS continues its top-selling tradition of portable, affordable multi-trackers with the new BR-800 — a battery-powered studio to go. The sleek new design is made possible by touch-sensor switches and SD-card recording media. Up to four tracks can be recorded or eight tracks played back simultaneously, plus an additional stereo track dedicated to the built-in rhythm generator.

Whether you’re creating intricate, multi-layered songs or point-and-capture field recordings, the BR-800 makes the recording process fast and easy. Beginners will love the new EZ Recording mode that interactively guides you through the recording process. Other helpful features include the convenient RETRY function, which re-cues automatically to fix mistakes, and SONG SKETCH recording for instant, one-touch capture. There’s also a built-in stereo condenser microphone, plus a DR-880-quality rhythm generator for adding drum and percussion tracks to your songs.

Enhance your recordings with the powerful BOSS effects onboard the BR-800. Many of the effects are derived from BOSS’ flagship processors, including vocal effects from the VE-20, COSM® guitar/bass effects from the GT-10 series, and modeled acoustic-guitar body effects from the AP-1 preamp, which imparts pro-quality miked-up sound and rich body tone to line-recorded acoustic guitar. You’ll be amazed at how much processing power is built into this little recorder, and how excellent the effects sound.

You can power the BR-800 from the included AC adaptor, or for ultimate mobility, it can be powered from six AA batteries. Record anywhere! The BR-800’s USB compatibility enables a variety of functionality with computers. Connected to a PC, the BR-800 will function as an USB audio interface for recordings that utilize the internal effects. The BR-800 can also function as a control surface for DAW software.

No matter where you roam, you’ll never miss a moment of musical inspiration with the portable new BR-800. The BR-800 is expected to be available in May with an MSRP of $525.00. For more information, please visit www.RolandConnect.com.

Thu, Mar 18, 2010

By   Thu, Mar 18, 2010

DBZ Guitars travels to Frankfurt, Germany next week to reveal the new Venom Snake Skin  guitar along with its entire line of guitars at Musikmesse, the world’s leading trade fair for music. This is the first time Dean Zelinsky will take his new company, DBZ Guitars, to display at the show and is in direct response to the international success the new line has experienced during its first year.  The new Snake Skin finish achieves unparalleled realism, in both looks and feel, using Zelinsky’s proprietary techniques.

Master guitar builder Dean Zelinsky has earned the reputation of taking guitar building to the next level.  In 2008, Zelinsky severed ties from his previous company and established DBZ Guitars to pursue new opportunities and production techniques currently being ignored by the guitar industry.  The Venom Snake Skin represents a new standard in guitar design and encourages Zelinsky to continue expanding on his 30-plus years of innovation.  The Venom Snake Skin guitar is an art form brought to life by artisans who meticulously airbrush and hand finish each guitar to the finest detail —a true milestone and a symbol of his extensive guitar building career that started back in 1976. 

In addition to the new textured Snake Skin finish, features of the Venom Snake Skin include:

25.5” Set Neck

Mahogany Body

Etched Hard Rock Maple Top

Mahogany Neck/Ebony Fingerboard

24 Frets

Premium Arrow Pearl inlay at 12th Fret

Dean B. Zelinsky Signature USA Pickups

Gold Hardware

Original Floyd Rose Tremolo System

Optional String Thru Body Fixed Bridge

To learn more about the new Venom Snake Skin, and the entire DBZ Guitars collection, visit the company website at http://www.dbzguitars.com  or visit their booth at Musikmesse Hall 4.1 F18.

By   Sun, Mar 14, 2010

EXTREME is releasing their ‘Take Us Alive’ live CD and DVD on Frontiers Records world-wide April 23rd in Europe & May 4^th In USA. In 2008, following a 13 year hiatus, the band returned to the stage for their ‘Take Us Alive’ world tour, which encompassed 75 cities and multiple continents in support of their new and groundbreaking record, Saudades de Rock.

This recording captures EXTREME at the peak of their game with a renewed enthusiasm led by Gary Cherone’s spellbinding stage performance and powerful vocals, Nuno Bettencourt’s ferocious guitar, Pat Badger’s flawless bass and Kevin Figueiredo’s pounding drums not to mention the Extreme trademark, spot on, back up vocals.

This brilliant performance was recorded on the last night of their tour at the House of Blues August 8, 2009 in EXTREME’s hometown of Boston, MA .  “We wanted to do something really special for our hometown fans that were there for us since the beginning… the club days,” states Nuno.  “It was the last night of the tour and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by bringing it back to where it all started… Boston.”

The concert showcases material from all 5 EXTREME albums and exhibits the bands broad stylistic abilities. Features include a blistering rendition of the Zeppelin-minded “Comfortably Dumb,” the scorching “Play With Me,” the funked-up “Cupid’s Dead” as well as the anthemic “Get The Funk Out.” Songs like their #1 hit “More Than Words” and the top 5 “Hole Hearted,” highlight the crowds enthusiasm and loyal support their fan base has had for this beloved foursome. “As much as we enjoy recording, for me, I’ve always loved playing live for the fans,” Cherone says. “We couldn’t wait to get out there and play for our fans.”

The DVD will contain 4 unreleased bonus videos from their latest record Saudades de Rock. Videos include the songs “King of the Ladies”, “Interface”, “Run” and “Ghost.” The videos were produced by Nuno Bettencourt. “This DVD/CD is a culmination of all the years we played together and the chemistry the four of us put out live,” explains Bettencourt.  

Concert Track Listing

Decadence Dance, Comfortably Dumb, Rest in Peace, It ('s a Monster), Star, Tell me Something I Don’t Know, Medley - Kid Ego - Little Girls -Teachers Pet, Play With Me, Midnight Express, More Than Words, Ghost, Cupid’s Dead, Take us Alive, Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee, Get the Funk Out, Am I Ever Gonna Change, Hole Hearted. 

Bonus Music Videos (DVD only)
King of the Ladies, Interface, Run, Ghost

About EXTREME:

To date, the Grammy-nominated EXTREME have released five albums, plus a greatest hits set—selling over 10 million records worldwide. They also achieved a #1 hit single, “More Than Words”—from their 1990 multi-platinum album Extreme II: Pornograffitti—on the Billboard Hot 100, which they followed with the Top Five “Hole Hearted.”  Although these two acoustic hits brought the band great mainstream success, the band’s trademark sound has always been more a mix of hard rock funk—fueled by guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt’s signature style, Gary Cherone’s resonant vocals and socially conscious lyrics, Pat Badger’s rock solid bass, and the hard hitting Kevin Figueiredo on drums.

Weblinks: www.extreme-band.com / www.myspace.com/extreme   /  www.frontiers.it   /   www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords

By   Sun, Mar 14, 2010

The latest addition to Roland’s industry-leading KC-Series keyboard amplifier lineup, the KC-110 Stereo Keyboard Amplifier (http://www.rolandus.com/products/KC-110), is now shipping. It combines two industry firsts for a portable keyboard amp—AA battery-powered operation and true stereo sound—with a host of additional features that make it flexible for a variety of performance applications.

The KC-110 features 30 watts of stereo power driving two 6.5" woofers and two tweeters. Most modern keyboards feature stereo sound output, and the KC-110 enables musicians to experience the full, rich stereo sound of their instruments while using a small amp. Power can be supplied with eight AA batteries (including NiMH rechargeable types) or AC power, and there’s even a removable battery case for quick and easy battery replacement.

Featuring a multi-channel mixer with a Mic/Line input, two stereo inputs, and two AUX inputs for connecting devices such as MP3 or CD players, this versatile amplifier is suitable for compact PA applications as well as keyboards. High-quality stereo digital effects are also built in, allowing performers to sweeten their sound with reverb, chorus, or a special “wide” chorus effect.

Compact size, battery operation, and superb stereo sound make the KC-110 the perfect portable keyboard amp for nearly any playing situation, from primary amplification duty in intimate settings such as coffee houses, restaurants, or street performances to personal monitoring on large stages. The KC-110 also features an integrated tilt stand for enhanced sound projection, as well as a pole mount for use with the optional ST-A95 Speaker Stand when maximum coverage is needed.

The KC-110 is now shipping with a suggested retail price of $469.00.

About Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With over 35 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit http://www.RolandUS.com.

By   Sun, Mar 14, 2010

Fueling a guitar lover's dream, Taylor Guitars is hitting the road again to bring the company's well-loved and award-winning Road Show to authorized Taylor dealers across the U.S. and abroad in 2010.
 
Now in its fourth year, the Road Show brings enthusiasts, Taylor clinicians and experts straight from the company's factory in El Cajon, California together for a lively in-store gathering. At each event, Taylor's Road Show team shares insights on the company's guitar making process and demonstrates how body shapes and woods affect tone. After the demonstration, players are invited to take part in the "Petting Zoo": an opportunity to pick up and play a variety of different models, as well as rare and custom Build to Order models. Admission to each Road Show is free.
 
The 2010 Road Show tour will kick off at the end of March with multiple dates in Florida and Texas, followed by several dates on the East Coast and throughout Canada. Each Road Show attendee will receive a complimentary digital subscription to Premier Guitar magazine and while supplies last, TaylorWare gear and Elixir® strings. Attendees will have the chance to enter to win the grand prize, an opportunity to build their own custom guitar through Taylor's Build To Order program. 

In 2010, Taylor brought the Road Show to over 170 locations in the United States and Canada, plus another 40 throughout Europe.  The Taylor Guitars Road Show was awarded the 2008 Supplier Excellence Award from Music Inc. magazine in the category of Events for putting "the excitement of the company's factory tours into retail dealers across the country."
 
For more information on Road Show dates and locations, please visit the official Taylor Guitars Road Show calendar at www.taylorguitars.com/roadshow

By   Sat, Mar 13, 2010

MVD Visual is proud to announce the DVD release of the Final 24 television series on DVD starting with the first set of titles on April 20: Janis Joplin, Keith Moon, Gianni Versace, and Nicole Brown Simpson. Each DVD will have a retail price of $14.95.

Final 24 is a compelling drama documentary series unlocking the hidden secrets, psychological flaws and events that result in the tragic deaths of global icons. Every episode maps out the final 24 hours of a different famous person's life. The series weaves the star's back-story with events from their last day, which lays bare the threads of fate that led inextricably from childhood to the moment of death. These are no ordinary biographies. They're psychological detective stories attempting to uncover the mystery of why the celebrity died.

"Final 24 goes to the very heart of how these celebrities lived - and died", said Nick Godwin, Executive Producer of Final 24.

Final 24 is a Cineflix and Nextfilm co-production in association with Global Television (Canada), BIO (US), BSKY (UK) and Discovery Networks (Europe).

April 20 Releases: Janis Joplin , Keith Moon , Nicole Brown Simpson , Gianni Versace

June 29 Releases: Sid Vicious , John Belushi ,Anna Nicole Smith , David Koresh

Scheduled for August 24:

River Phoenix (died on October 31, 1993, at age 23 - drug-induced heart failure)

Marvin Gaye (died on April 1, 1984, at age 44 - shot by his father)

Hunter S. Thompson (died on February 20, 2005, at age 67 - suicide by gun)

Scheduled for October 19:

John F. Kennedy Jr. (died on July 16, 1999, at age 38 - plane crash)

Jim Morrison (died on July 3, 1971, at age 27 - heroin overdose)

Tupac Shakur (died on September 13, 1996, at age 25 - victim of a hit)

By   Sat, Mar 13, 2010

Bullet For My Valentine have announced dates for their US headline tour in support of the band’s upcoming third release, FEVER, in stores April 27th and featuring the blistering single “Your Betrayal” which was the #1 most added track on alternative radio. This marks the bands first trip back to American soil since playing the main stage at The Mayhem Festival last summer.

The tour starts in Worcester, MA on April 30th at the Palladium and concludes on May 30th in Detroit, MI at the Fillmore. Joining Bullet For My Valentine on tour will be Chiodos and Airbourne. Tour highlights include New Jersey’s Bamboozle Festival on May 1 and Columbus, Ohio’s Rock on the Range on May 23rd.

Fever was produced by Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Good Charlotte) and recorded in both Wales and Los Angeles. Fever is the follow up to 2008’s Scream Aim Fire which has sold over one million copies worldwide and debuted at #4 on The Billboard album chart.

Bullet For My Valentine have just wrapped up shooting 2 videos in support of their upcoming album and have revamped and launched a new website www.bulletformyvalentine.com, which is a one stop shop for anything Bullet! Stay tuned and check back to the site for updates and announcements!

Bullet For My Valentine are vocalist/guitarist Matt Tuck, guitarist Michael Paget, bassist Jason James and drummer Michael Thomas.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE HEADLINE TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS CHIODOS AND AIRBOURNE:

DATES:
April 30            Worcester, MA                      Palladium
May 1               East Rutherford, NJ               Bamboozle
May 2               Baltimore, MD                      Ram’s Head
May 4               Atlanta, GA                          Tabernacle
May 5               Nashville, TN                        Rocketown
May 7               Dallas, TX                            House Of Blues
May 8               TBA
May 9               Tulsa, OK                             Diamond
May 11             Phoenix, AZ                          Marquee
May 12             Las Vegas, NV                     House Of Blues
May 14             Anaheim, CA                        The Grove *Main Support TBA
May 15             San Diego, CA                      SOMA *Airbourne not on this date
May 16             San Francisco, CA                 Regency Center Ballroom
May 18             Salt Lake City, UT                 Great Salt Air
May 19             Denver, CO                           Gothic Theater
May 21             St Louis, MO                         The Pageant
May 22             Chicago, IL                            Rivera
May 23             Columbus, OH                        Rock On The Range
May 25             Milwaukee, WI                       Eagles Ballroom
May 26             Minneapolis, MN                    1st Avenue
May 28             Grand Rapids, MI                   The Orbit Room
May 29             TBA
May 30             Detroit, MI                             The Fillmore 
 
www.BulletForMyValentine.com

Mon, Mar 08, 2010

Hello friends and Welcome to This Day In Rock. I certainly hope your weekend was a good one. Lets take that walk down musical memory lane.

On this day in 1959 "Venus" by Frankie Avalon is #1 on the charts.

The Beatles appeared on television for the first time on this day in 1962. Pete Best was still playing drums for them.

On this day in 1963 The Four Tops Sign with Mowtown Records.

On this day in 1964 The Dave Clark Five appear on Ed Sullivan for the first time.

On this day in 1973 Paul McCartney was charged with growing Marijuana outside his farm home.

On this day in 2006 Boy George Pled guilty in court to filing a false burglary report.

Well friends thats all for today.Until tomorrow...

PEACE...

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Justin Timberlake, Penelope Cruz and Leonardo DiCaprio will soon feel the Imprint difference.

“The Imprint Comfort Mat by Sublime is a hot, new, eco product that is good for your health and your environment,” said Sublime President and CEO Philip Risk. “The unique cushioning system in the Imprint Comfort Mats makes everyone feel like a star.” Through a partnership with Distinctive Assets, the Imprint Comfort Mats will be delivered to leading “green” celebs on Earth Day, April 22.

In addition to being eco, Imprint Comfort Mats offer a solution to a problem for homeowners who stand in front of their kitchen sinks, stoves, and washers/dryers. Risk added, “The mats bring cushion to everywhere you stand and actually help relieve foot and back discomfort.”

Imprint Comfort Mats are made out of a new technology that is environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and is manufactured without the use of toxic, heavy metals. The mats actually conform to the shape of your feet and support the arches, resulting in increased blood flow and soothing relief from pressure that is often felt from standing on hard surfaces.

Great for the kitchen, laundry, bathroom or garage, the ergonomic floor mats are attractive, waterproof and washable. Found at leading retailers including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon.com and Grandin Road. Imprint Comfort Mats are available in two patterns, three sizes and seven colors at a comfortable price point of less than $80.

About Sublime
Sublime designs and manufactures premium, environmentally friendly consumer products. Featuring ImprintTM Comfort Mats and Recycled Coolers, Sublime’s products are available at top national chains, specialty retailers and online. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sublime's team is passionate and determined in providing consumers with innovative products at great values. More details at www.sublimeco.com.

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Atlanta-based five piece rock n roll outfit DEATH ON TWO WHEELS is embarking on a jaunt of select shows to support their upcoming AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME EP.  The EP will be released in March via The Ghost Umbrella / Favorite Gentlemen.  

DO2W is Trae Vedder – lead vocals, guitar, Andrew Knox – organ, piano, vocals, Paul Doss – lead guitar, David Fountain – bass, vocals, and Greg Neel – drums, vocals.  Again For The First Time is a reinvention of their exhilarating debut, Separation Of Church & Fate, and a mature step forward for the band.  This release is their first as part of the Favorite Gentlemen community of artists that includes Manchester Orchestra, Kevin Devine, and tour mates Winston Audio.

In addition to touring and releasing the new EP, the band is currently hunkered down in a Nashville studio working on their second full length album due to be released before the end of 2010.
 
Come see what Atlanta has known all this time – DEATH ON TWO WHEELS slaying your town soon! For the latest news, tour dates, and muses straight from the band, follow them at www.twitter.com/do2w.

Get your free download of DEATH ON TWO WHEELS and Winston Audio’s cover of Crazy Mary at http://www.favoritegentlemen.com/crazymary

DEATH ON TWO WHEELS SHOW DATES:
(all dates alongside Winston Audio)

Feb 27 - Chicago, IL- The Elbo Room
Feb 28 - Lansing, MI - Mac’s Bar
Mar 2 - Grand Rapids, MI - Mixtape Café
Mar 3 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
Mar 4 - Evansville, IN - The Wired Cafe
Mar 5 - Lexington, KY - Buster’s
Mar 6 - Nashville, TN - The Basement

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Bleeding Through has posted a new song called “Breathing in the Wrath” on MySpace www.myspace.com/bleedingthrough.

The band will release its long-awaited self-titled Rise Records debut on April 13^th.

Pre-order the CD here: http://new.merchnow.com/catalogs/bleeding-through

Bleeding Through is one of the most important bands to take the mixture of metal and hardcore to international prominence in the last decade, touring with Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Bullet For My Valentine, AFI, HIM, Cradle Of Filth, Ozzfest, Vans Warped Tour and MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball: The Tour.

After wrapping up a Japan/Australian tour with Machine Head and Hatebreed, Bleeding Through will embark on a US headlining tour in support of their upcoming release. Their ominously self-titled new album, their first for Rise Records, is the perfect distillation of their past with a solid look forward to the future: dark, aggressive, full of rage and sorrow.

Catch Bleeding Through on "The Spring Breakdown Tour: 2010" with support from Born of Osiris, Sleeping Giant, Oceano and fellow Rise Records band Legend, at your favorite venue this spring! 

www.myspace.com/bleedingthrough
www.riserecords.com

Headlining tour dates:

Bleeding Through, Born of Osiris, Sleeping Giant, Oceano and Legend

4/09-San Diego, CA @ Soma
4/10-Fresno, CA @ Club Retro
4/12-Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/13-Boise, ID @ The Venue
4/14-Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
4/15-Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
4/16-Tulsa, OK @ Marquee Theatre
4/17-St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
4/18-St. Paul, MN @ Barfly
4/19-Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
4/20-Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
4/21-Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
4/22-Dayton, OH @ The Attic
4/23-Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
4/24-Detroit, MI @ Harpos
4/25-Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theatre
4/26-Toronto, ON @ Opera House 
4/27-Montreal, QC @ Tulipe
4/29-Long Island, NY @ Crazy Donkey
4/30-Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
5/01-Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
5/02-Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
5/04-Orlando, FL @ Club Firestone
5/05-Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
5/06-Pensacola, FL @ The Ready Room
5/07-Houston, TX @ Meridian
5/08-San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
5/09-McAllen, TX @ Incubator
5/10-Ft. Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
5/12-El Paso, TX @ Club 101
5/13-Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad
5/14-Phoenix, AZ @ The Clubhouse
5/15-Las Vegas, NV @ 702 Skatepark
5/16-Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre (CALIFORNIA METALFEST IV)

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

 Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, is proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of the Gibson Guitar App. This free to download App will be available exclusively for all Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users directly from the Apple App Store 25th February 2010. This is one App every guitarist and fan of Gibson Guitar must own. Over the past two years over 3 Billion Apps have been downloaded around the world, the Gibson Guitar App cements Gibson’s reputation as the industry’s leader in innovation and music technology.

The Gibson Guitar App includes a number of special features, such as a traditional chromatic tuner which starts in “All Notes” mode that tracks whatever is played. Owners of the App can choose a tuning on the “Mode” page so the tuner will only track notes for that particular tuning. Also included is a standard chromatic tuner, a simple tuner which allows less advanced users to tune to Standard tuning Open G, Open D etc by touching the key. For iPhone users, the Gibson headstock inlay will automatically change color indicating if the string is sharp, flat or in tune. For iPod Touch users they can turn the “Play Notes” option on so they can hear the appropriate tuning since they do not have a microphone facility.

The Gibson app also features a standard metronome that allows users to choose a specific BPM or tap the screen three times to automatically set the tempo. Other key features of the app include over 30 chord charts with finger markings to help the user with mastering the chord. For those who prefer to learn new guitar riffs, licks or chord sequences via video tuition can now have that option from their Gibson App. The app will be updated frequently with new video content so users of all guitar ability can improve their technique from the comfort of their home.

For those who want to keep up with everything Gibson Guitar related including the announcement of new products, artist activity, news stories, interesting and factual features, exclusive contests and special events to name a few can now do this via the Gibson.com option. By popular demand the Gibson Guitar App is a multi-purpose and fully interactive guitar application which can be used at home, on the road or in the Studio. It’s a must have for guitarists and music enthusiasts of all ability and style, and best of all its free. Get yours today.

Hi-res images of app graphics available for media upon request.

About Gibson Guitar
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. The Gibson Les Paul guitar is the best selling guitar of all time and bears the name of the late, great Les Paul. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar, the Gibson Robot Guitar, Gibson's Dark Fire and the new Gibson Dusk Tiger represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. The Gibson Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Gibson Guitar Corp., and dedicates its time and services to making the place a better world for children through its support of music, education, health and human services. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazo, Michigan , and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Baldwin, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com.

About Learn & Master Guitar
Learn & Master Guitar is produced by Legacy Learning Systems, Inc., the world leader in video instruction for music and the arts. Its renowned Learn & Masterseries provides the most comprehensive multi-media courses available anywhere for learning guitar, drums, piano, ballroom dance and painting, each containing between 17 and 25 instructional DVDs and CDs for up to two year's worth of instructional content per course. For additional information on the innovative company that has made truly comprehensive music and arts training available in the home for the first time, visit www.LearnAndMaster.com.

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

The recently completed ninth annual Take Action Tour just wrapped up with one last triumphant hurrah in Dallas on March 2, 2010. The tour, whose mission is to create a better world, continues to inspire and make change in a proactive manner.

The Impact of the 2010 Take Action Tour:

• Over $60,000 raised to help further the mission of Patrick Pedraja and his organization Driving For Donors

• Over 30,000 fans in 31 cities proved that the world can be made a better place 

• Tour reaches goal enlisting over 2010 fans to sign up for the National Marrow Registry!

• Nearly 8,000 copies of the Take Action Volume 9 compilation sold 

Headlining band We The Kings, along with Mayday Parade, A Rocket To The Moon, There For Tomorrow, Stereo Skyline, and Call The Cops united an impressive amount of fans across the U.S. and Canada that cared about more than just attending a great show. The active and engaged audience stood up to make a difference by raising funds, awareness and actual life saving donor volunteers for Driving For Donors (an organization started by now 14-year-old Patrick Pedraja who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10) whose mission is to sign up people to the National Marrow Registry.

Take Action 2010 raised over $60,000 for Patrick Padraja's mission through the unique model of donating 10% of each ticket sold to charity, along with other fundraising efforts including donating 5% of the suggested retail price of each Take Action Volume  9 compilation sold.

Hopeless/Sub City would like to thank all the bands and labels involved this year that brought the message directly to fans that each one of us can take action and make the world a better place. 

Take Action looks forward to continue to support Patrick Pedraja and Driving For Donors' mission of saving lives and everyone at Hopeless Records & Sub City Non Profit is grateful for the opportunity to organize this tour to benefit him and be involved in such a great cause in even a small way. Hopeless Records & Sub City Non Profit is hard at work on the next Take Action Tour and will be announcing the next benefiting charity soon. All The latest information can always be found at Takeactiontour.com.

2010 Take Action! Tour Artists:

We The Kings, Mayday Parade, A Rocket To The Moon, There For Tomorrow, Stereo Skyline, Call The Cops

2010 Take Action Tour Sponsor:

Presenting sponsor Hot Topic has worked with the Take Action Tour since the tour's inception in 1999 and their commitment to helping make a positive impact continues to be as strong in 2010 as it has ever been. The music lifestyle mall retailer (hottopic.com) is a natural fit as a presenter, because they demonstrate a passion for music in everything they do.

Additional generous sponsors of the 2010 Take Action Tour:

MySpace Music, Alternative Press, Absolutepunk.net, TouchTunes Interactives Networks, Go! Merch, Hopeless Records, S-curve Records, Atlantic Records, Fueled By Ramen, Myspace Records

2010 Take Action Tour Charity: 

Driving For Donors exists to draw donors, attention, and funds to the National Marrow Registry. The non-profit organization is the brainchild of now 14-year-old Patrick Pedraja who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10. In 2007, at age 11, Patrick and his family started Driving For Donors and traveled around the country in a special "Donormobile" with the mission of signing people up for the National Marrow Registry to help find bone marrow matches for people in need of a transplant. Since then they have added over 22,000 donors to the registry, saved more than 24 people's lives with matches and raised over $100,000 for tissue typing fees and drive expenses by selling advertising on Patrick's bald head.

About Hopeless Records & Sub City Non Profit:

In 1999 Hopeless Records formally started supporting non-profit organizations under the Sub City banner with charitable albums, tours, and events. Now itself a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, Sub City continues this mission of raising funds and awareness for worthy causes, and to date has raised nearly $2 million dollars for over 50 non-profit organizations.

Additional Resources:

Takeactiontour.com

Subcity.net

DrivingForDonors.com

Hottopic.com

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

ASIA and AOL join forces to bring you an exclusive track off the bands new release OMEGA on Frontiers Records. FINGER ON THE TRIGGER is the first single and can be yours free at:

www.aolradioblog.com/2010/03/02/asia-finger-on-the-trigger-free-mp3-download/

ASIA, rock’s first important super-group of the 80s - featuring members from Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles – will release Omega, its highly anticipated new album of original material. The record is due in the spring of 2010 on Frontiers Records.

Geoffrey Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton, the four original ASIA members, reunited in 2006, twenty-three years after all four had last played together. The much publicised reunion resulted in highly successful world tours, a double live LP and DVD (entitled Fantasia: Live In Tokyo) and an acclaimed studio album Phoenix in 2008 which debuted at number 73 in the Billboard charts in the USA and entered the top 100 in several European countries.

OMEGA will be released in the first pressing in digipak with one exclusive bonus track:

Finger on the Trigger; Through My Veins; Holy War; Ever Yours: Listen Children; End of the World; Light The Way; Emily (*); Still The Same; There Was a Time; I Believe; Don't Wanna Lose You Now.

(*) Bonus track first pressing in digipak.

For All Things ASIA, please visit:

www.originalasia.com

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Last night, for the very first time, Jimmy Kimmel Live! began offering fans the chance to meet JET in conjunction with the musical guests’ performance on the show. Fans who purchase their tickets through a link at www.YouTube.com/JimmyKimmelLive <http://www.YouTube.com/JimmyKimmelLive> can experience a special meet & greet with the band at their local show.  Tenth Street Entertainment and Jimmy Kimmel Live! are combining efforts to create a new way of offering additional fan interaction and engagement by providing multiple opportunities for direct connection with the band.  JET performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, Wednesday, March 3. To view the performance, please visit www.YouTube.com/JimmyKimmelLive <http://www.YouTube.com/JimmyKimmelLive> .
 
JET recently performed at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver at the Whistler Medals Plaza. Following their performances at the Olympics and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the band kicked off the launch of the 2KSports Major League Baseball 2K10 video game with SPIN Magazine at a special show in San Francisco before embarking on a North American headlining tour on March 5 in Toronto.

With more than four-million albums sold worldwide and four Top Ten Modern Rock hits, JET recently returned to form with Shaka Rock, an album that parallels their smash, Get Born which produced hits like “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and “Cold Hard Bitch.”  The new album closes the gap between the raw roots of Get Born and the grace and melody of Shine On (recorded just after the passing of Nic and Chris Cester’s father), which together went on to make JET an international band of style and substance.  Shaka Rock captures the charisma and energy of classic rock and roll with just enough punk swagger and contemporary flair to create something uniquely JET.
 
Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca serve as co-executive producers. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Studios. For more go to www.jimmykimmellive.net

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

Rock’s legendary voice, Brian Howe finds himself preparing for a history-making event and concert. Four March concerts are scheduled for Kuwait and Iraq and one is a “command performance” for the historic “Change of Command Ceremony”– Baghdad – March 12, 2010.

The Bad Company/Brian Howe/Kuwait/Iraq mini-tour is funded (and supported) by the U.S. Forces Iraq/Entertainment Branch. The “Change of Command Ceremony” marks the day the Iraq national police take partial command of Baghdad and it is the first phase of President Obama’s overall withdrawal of US troops – Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Baghdad-based U.S. Forces Iraq had Bad Company’s Brian Howe on “their short list”. They called group’s agent, who told the band there was an offer from the Iraq Entertainment Branch requesting Brian and the band to perform four concerts in March. The call came however, just as Brian was making promotional plans for “Circus Bar”. Quick and simple – “Circus Bar’s launch” would be postponed for a week or two.

This out-of-the-blue “command performance” for the troops was an honor the band did not expect that day. The concerts in Kuwait and Iraq were not going to be ordinary concerts – there is a risk element in the mix. Brian and the band decided that even with their commitment to a heavy 2010 touring schedule, they could not pass up this chance of lifetime to give back to our men and women serving overseas.  

“At first news, I could not believe what I was hearing – me going to Iraq? What are they going to do - parachute me in and ask me to sing on the way town to scare the Taliban? Seriously though, the boys and girls in uniform have been there for awhile without any real Rock ‘n Roll that I know of. I could not pass up the chance of doing concerts in Iraq. This time Baghdad is going to be rocked in a different way.

We are heading to a city where bombings occur on a daily basis. However, this time, it will be our explosive rock ‘n roll show that shakes Baghdad – Bad Company style.

The U.S. Forces division and their production expertise are well-known. This isn’t their first concert. Also, Jeff Thornton of Lone Wolf Entertainment is managing the dates along with my management/booking agency, Artists International Mgt. (Boca Raton, FL.). So I’d say we have our bases covered – Iraq and Baghdad here we come,” Howe said.

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

 Internationally acclaimed artist and activist Yoko Ono is the latest of surprisingly big names to come out in support of Social Entrepreneurs in Reno, Nevada for their unique efforts to help feed the homeless. This is the latest of surprising big name support for a brand new concept.

The Spread Peace Cafe, garnered a home page story on Ono’s imaginepeace.com Web site over the weekend and Yoko continues to mention the venture on her twitter page. The Spread Peace Cafe was founded by Roberta and Randy Tams and Tysha and Chris Tinney who said the it all started, "with the simple idea of serving one meal to the homeless for every meal sold at the cafe."

Driving much of the interest is their unique plan to broadcast all aspects of the operation live on the Internet. Everything from feeding the homeless to volunteers making sandwiches will be broadcast every day from www.Spreadpeacecafe.com. Without any advertising the venture already has tens of thousands of people following videos about the cafe and their work feeding the homeless being posted on social networks like facebook.com and others.

Vern Martin, a Restaurant Consultant hired for the project said, "In more than 30 years of helping launch some of the biggest restaurant ventures around the world I've never seen anything close to what's happening here in Reno, Nevada."

The Tinney's and Tams were inspired from their work with Spread Peace Reno, a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding and helping the area’s homeless. "We intend for the Spread Peace Cafe to become an example locally, nationally and internationally of the positive role a business can play in a community. We want it to be a place that inspires people to look at what they can do to help others in need." said Randy Tams.

The 4,000 sq. ft. dining and entertainment venue will include an open kitchen, natural foods market, theater and events facilities, Internet cafe and is all wired to broadcast live on the Internet from www.SpreadPeaceCafe.com. Roberta Tams said the menu will be "healthy and environmentally conscious having a wide selection of organic, vegetarian and vegan fare."

Every day the cafe will host events and special activities geared toward inspiring the public take action in the community. Randall Tams, who sold a multi million dollar manufacturing company several years ago in Reno, commented, “In 9 years I've never seen anything as unique as this. That's actually what inspired me to become involved. The Cafe is already exceeding my expectations. Yoko Ono and others speaking out in support of what we're doing tells me we're going to have the support needed to create something very special here. We hope the Cafe inspires other businesses in Reno to work with the Spread Peace Foundation and eventually offer a meal to every one of the 5,000 to 6,000 homeless people estimated to be on the streets of Reno on any given."

Spread Peace Cafe is scheduled to open May 1 at 50 North Sierra Street, Reno, NV 89501

By   Fri, Mar 05, 2010

The Shirts for a Cure Project and Photo Finish Records are very proud to announce this year’s SXSW day party will feature 7 Seconds, Rival Schools, Fucked Up, Steel Train, Riverboat Gamblers, Envy on the Coast, Strike Anywhere, The Downtown Fiction, Dead to Me, I Fight Dragons, Ashtree Close and a very special guest.  This FREE event will be held on two stages at Red 7 (611 East 7^th Street) on Friday March 19th, doors open at noon sharp.  Donations will be collected at the door and are strongly encouraged.

This is the fifth year Photo Finish and Shirts for a Cure have produced a showcase for SXSW. Performers in the past have included My Chemical Romance, Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls, Circa Survive, Head Automatica, Lifetime, Bane and many more.  This years show promises to be one of the best.

There will be limited space at this event, so please arrive early to be assured entry.

www.syrentha.org

http://www.merchnow.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=SFAC

Tue, Mar 02, 2010

Hello friends and welcome to this twisted Tuesday edition of This Day In Rock. Lets take that walk down musical memory lane!

On this day in 1955 Bo Diddley records for the first time.

On this day in 1963 The #1 hit was "Walk Like A Man" By The Four Seasons.

On this day in 1968 Cat Stevens Falls Ill and is diagnosed with tuberculosis. he would spend three monts recovering in the hospital.

On this day in 1975 Paul McCartney and his wife Linda are pulled over by police in Los Angeles. Charges were filed aginst Linda when Marajuana was found in her purse after a search.

On this day in 1983 The compact disc is introduced to the music world. I remember thinking "this will be a flop".......Boy was I wrong!

In 1984 Elizabeth Scarlett Jagger was born to Mick Jagger and his wife Jerry Hall.

Well friends that is all for today. Until tomorrow....

PEACE!!!

Mon, Mar 01, 2010

Hello Friends and welcome to another edition of This Day In Rock. Its another manic Monday so lets take that walk down musical memory lane.

On this day in1957 The Everly Brothers Record "Bye Bye Love" which would make it all the way to #2 on the charts!

In 1961 Elvis Presley signed a 5 year movie deal.

Two Beatles Facts for this day in 1964!!

  1.They started filming "A Hard Days Night" on this day.

  2.The top two spots on the billboard charts were held by the "Fab Four" and they were "She     Loves You" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

On this day in 1965 "Downtown" By Petula Clark goes gold.

On this day in 1968 Elton John releases his first record only in the UK. The record failed by never even making it onto the charts and his record company dropped him soon after.

On this day in 1969 Jim Morrison is arrested in Miami following a concert for inedcent exposure.

On this day in 1975 The Eagles have the #1 album with "Best Of My Love"

On this day in 1977 "Blinded By The Light" by Manfred Mann gets a gold record. and here is a suprising fact, Did you know the writer of that song was Bruce Springsteen?

On this day in 1984 Cyndi Lauper Performs on television for the first time on the Johnny Carson Show. She performed her current hit at the time "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

Well friends thats all for today! Until tomorrow...

PEACE!!!!!!

By   Sat, Feb 27, 2010

New Jersey based Rock & Pop Festival THE BAMBOOZLE will hit the road for their 3^rd nationwide tour this Summer kicking off May 21 in Columbia, MD.  The tour features headliners Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, Third Eye Blind, & LMFAO, along with a stacked billed of support and is set to hit 26 major U.S. cities.

THE BAMBOOZLE ROADSHOW 2010 will be an ALL-DAY Event with 2 stages of talent, a main stage with rotating artists ALL TIME LOW, BOYS LIKE GIRLS, LMFAO, THIRD EYE BLIND, GOOD CHARLOTTE,  HANSON, FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS, HELLOGOODBYE, & CARTEL, and a Second Stage showcasing the talents of many up & comers.  More artists to be announced soon!  (All festival dates may not feature all artists, check your local listings.)

Pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, March 2, and run though 10 p.m. on Friday March 5, with Public on-sale beginning Saturday March 6 @ 10 a.m. Local Time. Pre-sale tickets are available here: http://www.thebamboozleroadshow.com.

Maryland’s All Time Low is currently finishing up a sold out Australian tour. The band’s two latest Hopeless Records releases, Nothing Personal and MTV Unplugged have been comfortably perched on Billboard’s top indie charts since their release. Their original song “Painting Flowers” also appears on Almost Alice, the soundtrack to the upcoming Tim Burton film, Alice In Wonderland.

www.alltimelow.com

THE BAMBOOZLE ROADSHOW Routing:

(All dates may not feature all artists, please check local listings)

More dates will be added, so stay tuned!!

 Check out the tour site:

www.thebamboozleroadshow.com

By   Sat, Feb 27, 2010

 Norma Jean is back in the studio this month to record their fifth studio album and debut for new record label, Razor & Tie.  The currently untitled album will be released this summer, and is being recorded in Atlanta, GA at Glow in the Dark Studios with producer Jeremy Griffith.

A new live music video for the demo of the song "Kill More Presidents" is now available as a free download with sign up for the Norma Jean email list.  It is comprised of video shot by fans during the EXPLOSIONS 2009 Tour with HORSE The Band and The Chariot.  The band ran a contest for fans to submit live concert footage, which was made into a live music video for the new song.  A grand prize winner was chosen at random to receive a large prize pack including the existing Norma Jean catalog and products from such companies as Activision, Alternative Press, Rockett Clothing, Keep A Breast, Monster Energy, Denny's and Hot Topic.

Norma Jean have also launched a new fan club to give fans unprecedented access to the beast they call the NORMACHINE.  Head to NORMACHINE.com to become an official member and gain exclusive access to custom merch, select meet & greets, and unique contests.

"Kill More Presidents" will appear on the forthcoming release from Norma Jean, out this summer on Razor & Tie.  Shortly after the release the band will head out on the road on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, playing the "Mayhem Festival Stage" with Atreyu, In This Moment and 3 Inches of Blood.

By   Sat, Feb 27, 2010

ASIA, rock’s first important super-group of the 80s - featuring members from Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles – will release Omega, its highly anticipated new album of original material. The record is due in the spring of 2010 on Frontiers Records.

Geoffrey Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton, the four original Asia members, reunited in 2006, twenty-three years after all four had last played together. The much publicised reunion resulted in highly successful world tours, a double live LP and DVD (entitled Fantasia: Live In Tokyo) and an acclaimed studio album Phoenix in 2008 which debuted at number 73 in the Billboard charts in the USA and entered the top 100 in several European countries.

Formed at the dawn of the MTV era, Asia’s first release was the best selling album in the world in 1982 and sat at the number 1 spot in the USA for 9 weeks, powered by the classic rock anthem, “Heat Of The Moment,” and four other radio hits.  Asia’s 1983 sophomore  album, Alpha, also went multi-platinum  and enjoyed several hit singles, including the #1 smash, “Don’t Cry”. During the recording of its third disc, the band splintered, and by the 1990s, only Geoff Downes remained from the original line-up.

The reunion came to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the band, but morphed itself into an ongoing endeavour. In 2008, they returned with the first new studio album, Phoenix, which had been strongly influenced by the fusion of talents and heritages that the band excited the music world with back in 1982. Omega shows a new renaissance for this amazing group of musicians, which seem to live up to a joie-de-vivre that stands the test of time.

Begun during the summer 2009, the writing and recording sessions of Omega, immediately showed inspiration and good feelings. “We were looking to create something different with Omega,” says keyboardist Geoff Downes. “Of course, the sound of the 4 band members of Asia will always have a certain hallmark when we play together. That's a given. But we approached the song writing with a mind to getting a degree of variety into these compositions. Hence, you will hear areas of textures where arguably we have never gone before.”

Add lead vocalist/bassist/guitarist John Wetton: “Asia is an English prog-rock band with a pop edge, always has been, and hopefully always will be. Accessible, melodic, anthemic songs with great playing, luxuriating in a bed of lush orchestration, with lyrics that strike a sympathetic chord in even the most cynical heart. There you have it; Omega is a themed album in Asia's fine tradition, without the millstone of a concept.”

Steve Howe adds that “the whole recording process has been inspiring and rewarding, and I’m very excited about the result”.  “I would say these are all strong individual songs” says drummer Carl Palmer. “It was a very smooth experience, and arguably one of our best records.”  

For the first time since the debut album, ASIA worked with an outside producer, Mike Paxman (Uriah Heep, Status Quo) who managed to create a truly special sounding album with the highs, lows and lots of dynamics. He helped the band to put together a tapestry of sound, which demonstrates the rich strata of Asia's music.  Paxman was able to achieve this through the songs which spun real stories of actual events and experiences in locations around the globe. “The songs always have a message, hopefully positive,” says Wetton. “My songs are almost always autobiographical, so there is hope and experience in there, too. The lyric will never leave you on a negative thought. “

As with the most popular of ASIA releases, the cover art specifically designed for the project by acclaimed artist Roger Dean. The concept of the title (Omega) and the 'Year of the Tiger' referencing of the cover art underline the fact that this is real Asia. John Wetton explains: “The title 'Omega', as any fan of the band will tell you is 'very Asia' (as is the album, by the way). It no more means 'final' than 'Alpha' means 'the first' (which it wasn't). It's a great sounding/looking word, and a bookend to 'Alpha'. In many ways, musically and conceptually, the two albums share commonality.”

“We are embarking on our European tour around the middle of April, then straight in to Japan for the middle of May” says Downes. “It's going to be fun working out the new set list because obviously we have another album under our belt now with Omega.”

After touring Europe and Japan, ASIA will embark on a US tour late in the summer of 2010.

Omega will be released in the first pressing in digipak with one exclusive bonus track:

Finger on the Trigger; Through My Veins; Holy War; Ever Yours: Listen Children; End of the World; Light The Way; Emily (*); Still The Same; There Was a Time; I Believe; Don't Wanna Lose You Now.

(*) Bonus track first pressing in digipak.

ASIA EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

Apr. 21 - Helsinki, Finland - House of Culture
Apr. 22 - Moscow, Russia - B1 Club
Apr. 24 - Rome, Italy - Auditorium
Apr. 26 - Prague, Czech Republic - Lidovy dum Kbely
Apr. 27 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Salzhaus
Apr. 28 - Graz, Austria - Orpheum
Apr. 30 - Paris, France - Casino De Paris
May 1 - Uden, Netherlands - de Pul
May 2 - Asschaffenburg, Germany
May 3 - Nuremburg, Germany - Hirsch
May 4 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
May 6 - Reichenbach, Germany - Die Halle
May 7 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche Prinz-Regent-Strasse 50-60
May 8 - Osnabruck, Germany - Rosenhof Rosenplatz 23
May 9 - Bonn, Germany - Bruckenforum

For All Things ASIA, please visit:

www.originalasia.com

By   Thu, Feb 25, 2010

Direct seller of music gear Musician’s Friend proudly offers three variations of Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Guitars released this month to commemorate the last original production year for the Les Paul “Burst” guitar.

The Gibson 1960 Les Paul guitar has been played by many famous musicians—John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Howard Leese (Heart/Bad Company), Paul McCartney (Beatles), and Paul Kossoff on the rock classic “All Right Now” among them—and has secured its spot as a well-loved mainstay in many artists’ collections.

Appealing sunburst finishes, top-hat control knobs, and characteristic neck profiles are part of the package; and the subtle differences among the three variations narrate how the specs evolved over the course of 1960.

Gibson Custom Les Paul - Version 1
At the start of 1960, the Gibson Les Paul retained the same specs as its predecessor from 1959, although it did receive the official "Les Paul Standard" designation in place of the former "Les Paul Model" (a name that its headstock nonetheless still retained). So the first version of the 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar might be confused for a 1959 Les Paul Model if not for the 1960 serial number stamped into the back of the guitar's headstock at the dawn of the decade, and the R0 serial number of this 50th Anniversary model. It’s available in Heritage Cherry Sunburst and Heritage Dark Burst finishes.

Gibson Custom Les Paul - Version 2
Available from Musician’s Friend now, the Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary Les Paul Standard Guitar represents the neck's transition from full to slim. This progression was gradual, rather than sudden—in the form of a Custom Shop 50th Anniversary Gibson Les Paul with thinner, yet still somewhat rounded and "elliptical" neck profile, based on painstaking research and detailed scans of several transitional '60s Les Paul electric guitars that were studied by the Custom Historic and Engineering team. To represent this alteration visibly, Version 2 of the 1960 Gibson Les Paul is offered in two classic "faded" Burst colors: Light Iced Tea Burst and Sunset Tea Burst.

Gibson Custom Les Paul - Version 3
The third variation of Gibson Custom 50th Anniversary 1960 Les Paul Electric Guitar Regular ’60s Cherryburst is represented by a guitar with the slim-taper neck for which late-'60 Les Pauls have become famous, along with the double-band tuners and gold top-hat control knobs with the "new" silver inserts that were fitted to these guitars. Furthermore, Version 3 accurately represents the changes in the finishing process at Gibson in the latter part of 1960—in its more vibrant, colorfast Cherry Sunburst, a finish that stood the test of time somewhat better than many of the sunbursts that preceded it.

These Gibson guitars all come with a Custom Shop hardshell case and a 50th Anniversary Certificate of Authenticity.

About Musician’s Friend:
Musician’s Friend, Inc. is the world’s largest direct marketer of musical instruments and has been headquartered in Medford, Oregon, since its inception in 1983. With more than 70,000 unique products for sale, the company covers a wide range of musical needs, including guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, live sound, recording equipment, drums, percussion, woodwind, brasswind, and orchestral stringed instruments, as well as related accessories that are marketed through its print catalogs and websites, including musiciansfriend.com.

The Musician’s Friend website also offers informative musicians’ resources, including in-depth buying guides, tech tips, hands-on gear reviews, articles from highly respected music industry professionals, interviews with well-known artists, and 860,000 customer-written product reviews and ratings.

With warehousing in Kansas City, Missouri, and a call center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Musician’s Friend can be contacted at 800-776-5173.

Musician’s Friend is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guitar Center, the world’s leading retailer of musical equipment.

By   Thu, Feb 25, 2010

"Rare and Unseen", the second title in this exclusive and all new DVD collection for fans, takes an inside look at the sheer audacity of the band that took RnB and made it into mainstream rock: The Rolling Stones.

From smalltime band to megastar rockers, The Stones have certainly had a major impact in the music world. They played, they recorded and they conquered the planet for five decades.

This brand new DVD release is a collection of rare footage you won't find elsewhere! Features original rare film and videos of the band, newsreels and photographs from private collections.  

Including:
- Mick Jagger on World in Action talks at length on responsibility and the law
- Keith Richards at the Berlin Film Festival
- Charlie Watts in a rare sound bite or two
- Bill Wyman talks tours and life
- Rare footage of Brian Jones 1964
- Rare and Unseen footage of each of the band talking
- Local TV reports thought lost and now restored
- Rock'n'Roll, Tours and Nostalgia  
- Unseen interview footage from Belfast

 Direct Link to Purchase:http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=MVD4993D

By   Wed, Feb 24, 2010

Frontiers Records is very proud to announce the signing of legendary rock band WHITESNAKE.

David Coverdale and band are gearing up for their latest endeavour. WHITESNAKE has already started composing new material that promises to deliver one of the finest chapters in WHITESNAKE'S career. “We are off to a very good start, with the new songs taking positive shape. It feels good, fresh & exciting,” explains Coverdale.

The next release already feels like a solid, natural progression to their last opus, the successful, critically acclaimed ‘Good To Be Bad’ album, awarded by the influential Classic Rock magazine as “Best Album of the Year” in 2008. “As always, we want to take it to the next level,” states’ Coverdale. “I feel that with the last album we achieved a strong WHITESNAKE ‘cocktail’ that comfortably embraced & mixed all the previous musical aspects & styles of the band’s history, while taking our identity a little further... all on one album..."

Born in 1977, WHITESNAKE have been among the most influential representatives of the their genre, having produced numerous rock music classics such as ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Is This Love’, ‘Still Of The Night’, ‘Fool For Your Loving’, ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’ or ‘Walking In The Shadows Of The Blues’.

Coverdale said the production team for the new album will most likely be the infamous Brutal Brothers, or Los Bros Brutalos, who handled the recording of "Good To Be Bad”. “The new songs are in the very familiar and recognizable WHITESNAKE territory of soulful, bluesy, melodic power rock, with a couple of ballads thrown in for good measure... It can’t be a WHITESNAKE album without ballads, mate!”

WHITESNAKE have conquered the love and respect of the audiences all over the world with their driving shows and music. The new album promises to follow in the steps of a great heritage of solid and timeless songs.

For more information, please visit www.whitesnake.com and www.frontiers.it

By   Wed, Feb 24, 2010

When an artist, regardless of his significance, lists his favorite musicians and performers it is usually met with little fanfare, as over time the names mentioned are almost certainly going to change. But when Frank Zappa did likewise, and actually published a record of his most important influences on the inside cover of his debut album, it became a road map to the music he was to make over the following forty years. Even in the early 1990s, when asked about his most-loved composer's, musicians and artists, he would repeat names from this, by then legendary, index.

This film explores the musical roots of Frank Zappa by putting "The Freak Out List" under the microscope and tracing the lineage from the most pivotal names therein to the recordings and performances of the man himself.

Featuring rare footage of Zappa and the Mothers plus archive film of Freak Out List artists, exclusive interviews with The Mothers Of Invention's Ian Underwood, Don Preston and George Duke, 1950s Doo Wop legends, The Cadillacs, contributions from Zappa biographers Ben Watson and Greg Russo, Edgar Varese biographer Alan Clayson, experimental modern music historian Professor David Nicholls, soul and R'n'B expert Robert Pruter and many others.

Also features numerous seldom seen photographs, news archive, radio spots and a host of other features which all together make for a uniquely fascinating program.

Direct Link to Purchase:http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=SIDVD555

By   Wed, Feb 24, 2010

Yamaha Drums introduces the new Rock Tour drum set, designed from the ground up to appeal to rock drummers looking for affordable, high-quality drums with an edgy look.

   
“Yamaha drums have always been known for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail,” said Dave Jewell, marketing manager, Yamaha Drums. “Though we’re maintaining these same standards, the new Rock Tour kits represent a hipper side of Yamaha and offer an aggressive sound that younger rock musicians are looking for.”

Constructed with True Mahogany shells in sizes that are perfect for rockers, the Rock Tour kit offers pro features at a nice price. Yamaha’s staggered diagonal seam Air Seal System construction ensures that each shell is perfectly round and eliminates gaps in the bearing edges. The textured Ash finishes, originally developed for Yamaha’s flagship acoustic PHX series acoustic drum sets, are combined with satin nickel hardware and look as good as the kits sound.

“Our exclusive drum shell manufacturing process is the key to creating drums that will take the punishment that rock drummers dish out,” said Jim Haler, product manager, Yamaha Drums. “The shells have a tone that is ‘microphone friendly,’ making it easier for drummers to get a good sound in the studio or on stage. They have a musical tone, without sacrificing the projection needed to cut through a wall of loud guitars. The new finishes are visually engaging, too, and offer an exciting dimension to any band’s look.”

As part of the roll-out for this product, Yamaha Drums will give kits to selected young, unsigned drummers who are actively performing. As part of the agreement for receiving a kit, they will regularly post online videos of the kit in action, along with other content.

Rock Tour drum sets are expected to ship in April, 2010.

For more information on the Rock Tour Drum Sets, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Yamaha Drums, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; visit www.yamahadrums.com.

About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of musical instruments and sound reinforcement products to the U.S. market. Products include: acoustic and digital pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio products, and innovative technology products targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, and installation markets

By   Wed, Feb 24, 2010

Inspired Instruments, a Los Angeles-based start up, recently unveiled the You Rock Guitar, a mobile digital guitar that is being received as one of the “must have” entertainment products of 2010. Bridging the worlds of music-making and gaming, the You Rock Guitar is a digital guitar that plugs into an amp, but also connects wirelessly to any video game console to control the popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games and plugs into computers as a MIDI controller.

Based on the reaction to the You Rock Guitar during the Consumer Electronics Show and NAMM, the premier musical product trade show, Inspired Instruments’ You Rock Guitar seems to have struck a chord with those following music, tech and gaming products, including those at leading press outlets such as USA Today, PC World, GamePro and G4TV’s “Attack of the Show.” The company is confident this product will achieve breakout success among gamers, beginning and established guitarists, as well as anyone who has been waiting for the right nudge to pick up a guitar to play and learn.

An entirely new entertainment platform, You Rock Guitar is designed to appeal to musicians of all levels and gamers who play the wildly popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band video game titles, a combined market of more than $12 billion and 130 million consumers. However, Inspired Instruments believes You Rock Guitar has even more mainstream success potential with the millions of people who have little or no guitar playing background and will be drawn to the instrument’s “You Rock Mode,” which enables anyone to play along with its built-in song library without making audible mistakes and also to play leads over songs stored on iPods and iPhones.

"The guitar is cool, period,” said company co-founder and CEO Kevin Kent. “Millions have gotten a whiff of the guitar experience through games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and though they’re not actually playing music, they are undeniably having fun. This is a real instrument that lets anyone rock right out of the box, but it will also support them as far as they want to take their quests to learn, play, record or compose music.”

The beauty of the product line “is that it appeals to many different markets: musicians, aspiring guitar players, composers, educators, and video gamers,” said company co-founder and President, Cliff Elion. “It’s a large market opportunity.”

“The You Rock Guitar is the first product in a line of digital instruments that we are creating to inspire this generation of music makers of all skill levels,” said company Executive VP of strategic development, JR deSouza. “As musicians and gamers, our management team shares the passion our target audience has for music and gaming. As a result, we have created a very engaging digital music solution that connects with the key devices of today’s lifestyle -- iPods, iPhones, computers, and video games.”

The Development of You Rock Guitar

In developing You Rock Guitar, Inspired Instruments created a core of patented intellectual property and operational software to take advantage of this new technology. This unique new platform offers unprecedented versatility as a video game controller that also doubles as a stand-alone portable guitar and MIDI device that can be played with standard guitar amps or headphones. It can also be used in conjunction with iPods and MP3 players for playing along with favorite songs and with Macs and PC’s for creating and recording compositions. This feature set and a consumer-friendly price point of $199.99 SRP have been generating a lot of buzz since its release.

While current gaming guitars increase awareness of the six-string’s glories and a desire to play and perform on real music instruments, only the You Rock Guitar offers a realistic playing experience and encourages and enables the transition from gaming to music-making. The company also offers individual GameFlex cartridges ($24.99 SRP) that make the device compatible with Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, iPhone and PC, as well as other accessories.

About Inspired Instruments Management Team

Bringing You Rock Guitar to market is a management team with deep experience in the guitar and musical instrument, electronics and consumer products categories, as well as in marketing and manufacturing, which includes:

Kevin Kent, co-founder and CEO, has developed and marketed musical instruments and software for more than 25 years. He was instrumental in introducing the polyphonic synthesizer, MIDI, digital sampling, digital drum machine and MIDI guitar. Formerly president of Filmsonix, he helped launch Apple into the music and film markets. As principal of his own production company, Inspired Arts & Media, LLC., Kevin has produced interactive media for Paramount, Disney, Universal Pictures, FOX, MGM, Sony, Sesame Street and Fox Sports.

Cliff Elion, co-founder and president, invented and designed You Rock Guitar. He has 25 years of experience developing consumer products, musical instruments and toys. His long career in guitar-building includes interactions with the renowned inventor and guitarist Les Paul and work with companies such as Gibson Gibson, Jakks Pacific, Mattel, Seymour Duncan, Leapfrog and Microsoft, among others. Over the course of his career, he has brokered long-term relationships with Asian sources and manufacturers.

JR deSouza, executive VP of business development, helped start the company after a long career in high technology, electronics, and consumer goods. JR helped create and build brands that have become house-hold brand names. He was the original product manager for the Pronto remote control and TiVo television services. He also held key commercial roles at Philips Electronics, TiVo, Samsung, and the Walt Disney Company.

“The company has been in operation for a little over one year, and has put together an impressive infrastructure and business operating plan” says deSouza. “Cliff’s invention is a wonderful product and when joined with Kevin’s vision and leadership, the You Rock Guitar will be the entertainment product everyone will be talking about.”

For more information about Inspired Instruments and the You Rock Guitar, please contact Inspired Instruments at info(at)inspired(dot)com or visit the company Web site at www.YouRockGuitar.com. Also on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube as YouRockGuitar.

By   Sat, Aug 01, 2009

By   Tue, Jun 23, 2009