In the wake of tremendous format changes, one record label has managed to take the lead in revitalizing the contemporary jazz industry.

Since re-opening its doors in 2007, NuGroove has launched a succession of chart-topping hits that have earned widespread critical acclaim. Starting with the success of Jay Soto’s “Slammin”, which hit #2 on the R&R Smooth Jazz Chart, along with the recent signing of superstar saxophonist Michael Lington and the #8 Billboard hit (NewUrbanJazz.com) by Bob Baldwin, NuGroove is indeed at the helm of a contemporary jazz revolution.

“NuGroove is proud to have a collection of some of the most phenomenal artists in the recording industry today. This past year has been absolutely fantastic. It has indeed been my honor to help these artists bring their ideas and music to life.” said David Chackler, CEO and founder.

The signing to NuGroove marks a return home for Michael Lington, who launched his first CD with the label in 1997. “It’s great to be back at NuGroove. The label is on the cutting edge of the trends in the industry and believe in creating viable artistic partnerships by allowing the artists the freedom to do what they do best…create great music,” said Lington.

About the NuGroove label:

In January 2007, smooth jazz took a step “back to the future.” The legacy label NuGroove records was re-launched after an almost 10-year hiatus. Original founder David Chackler decided to revitalize the legendary label, re-acquiring the rights to the name from his prior partners who had acquired the company in 2004 from Chackler, and two years later shuttered it.

Originally the home of Michael Lington and “Down to the Bone,” NuGroove had been the benchmark for aggressive, funky and genre bending smooth jazz. David Chackler, in conjunction with NuGroove Records co-founder John Salstone and the folks at RedSony Distribution, have harnessed the essence of the industry and re-staked NuGroove’s claim on the smooth jazz market.

In addition to the #2 R&R hit by guitarist Jay Soto, NuGroove artists have continued to gain attention in both the States and Canada. Bassist Michael Manson has climbed up to the Top 20 and two artists have received a total of four nominations at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. Saxophonist Darren Rahn has been nominated as Wind Instrumentalist and Album of the Year. Guitarist Dave Sereny was nominated as Guitarist of the Year and Album of the Year as well.

For more information, go to:

NuGroove Records Official Website
Michael Lington Official Website

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has nominated Pride Tiger’s ‘The Lucky Ones’ for a 2008 Best Rock Album Juno Award. The Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys, will be handed out on April 6, 2008 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.

Vancouver’s Pride Tiger finds Matt Wood, Sunny Dhak, Bob Froese and Mike Payette coming together to produce a hook-laden, vintage rock album. On their Juno-nominated release, ‘The Lucky Ones’, produced, engineered and mixed by Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet, Fu Manchu), they weave Wood’s vocals and Dhaks’ guitar lines with ease, resulting in 13 exhilarating songs that range from the bluesy wail of “A New Jones” to the heart-pumping stomp of “Let ‘em Go.”

The album will be released in the US on March 11, 2008 on Caroline Records.

Caroline is the pioneering Indie Label that has released classic albums from the Misfits, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Bad Brains, Monster Magnet, White Zombie, Pussy Galore and countless others. It is the current home of 69 Eyes, Pride Tiger and Bat For Lashes.

Don’t miss Pride Tiger at SXSW!

Saturday 3/15 10 PM at Esther’s Follies (Musebox Showcase)

Caroline Records

Pride Tiger on Myspace
Pride Tiger – video
Pride Tiger Official Website

Two years after the death of iconic poet and musician Ivor Cutler, his family have announced a new release of ‘A Flat Man’, Ivor’s final album.

Originally released on Creation Records in 1998, this much-sought-after album has been unavailable since 1999. The release also marks the launch of Hoorgi House Records, a new company set up by Ivor’s family, which is destined to become the major label for Ivor Cutler material.

Jeremy Cutler, Ivor’s son, says: “Ivor was a prolific artist but his work can be hard to locate. We not only aim to bring back into circulation some on the material which is currently unavailable, but also look to release new material which has never been publicly available before. Ivor has fans all over the world and Hoorgi House will help to ensure that they can continue to enjoy his work.”

Ivor Cutler, recently revealed as the inspiration behind Franz Ferdinand’s song “Jacqueline”, counted John Lennon, Bertrand Russell and Billy Connolly amongst his fans.

He recorded 21 live sessions for John Peel, appeared in the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film, and published over 30 books and 10 albums. Often called Scotland’s alternative poet laureate, Ivor died on 3 March 2006, aged 83.

‘A Flat Man’ is released on 17 March 2008, with a new sleeve featuring Ivor’s artwork, and notes by his son Jeremy:

“This is possibly Ivor’s darkest collection of songs, stories and poems. The macabre is permeated, however, with veins of nostalgic sweetness. Ivor’s humorous mastery of the inappropriate is also here, together with his granite acuity.” – Jeremy Cutler

Title: A Flat Man
Artist: Ivor Cutler
Label: Hoorgi House Records
Release Date: 17 March 2008
Catalogue number: HHCD01
Format: Mid-price CD
Playing time: 50mins 50secs
Distribution: Proper Music
Digital Distribution: Kudos
48 Tracks including: “A Bubble or Two”, “I Ate a Lady’s Bun”, “Living Donkey”, “My Next Album”, “I Built a House”, “Knocking at My Door”.

Ivor Cutler on amazon.co.uk

About Hoorgi House Records

The label was established by Ivor’s family in 2007 to ensure the continuing availability of Ivor Cutler material for new and existing fans, and to extend the range of material available. ‘A Flat Man’ is the label’s first release; further releases are in the pipeline. The name Hoorgi House is taken from a story of that title in Gruts, Ivor’s first published work. Ivor Cutler’s own illustration of the story is the logo of the new company – an appropriate flag to hoist over the extraordinary realm of the creative and productive Cutler.

Hoorgi House Records Official Website

About Ivor Cutler

Ivor Cutler, loved by generations of fans for his unique brand of music and poetic humour, published 30 books, produced 10 record albums, and was a phenomenal stage presence for 50 years. He is also famous for his radio work – especially his 21 sessions for the legendary John Peel.

For more information, go to:

Ivor Cutler Official Website

Friends Of The Bride are a haircut band. They like to keep things neat and tidy: the sort of band you could take home to your mother. The sort of band you could take anywhere, in fact.

Their new disc is equally well-groomed and comes freshly pressed by the notorious Brainlove Records label (Napoleon IIIrd, Bishi, Applicants). The sort of label that only the most happening mothers will be wise to: The sort of label you’d only take to the coolest places.

“You Can’t Take Him Anywhere” comes hot on the heels of previous platters “Buckle up, Sunshine!” and “So, You Think You Can Dance?” (both on Young and Lost Club Records) and is a sinister, picaresque journey into the heart of contemporary social conduct. The sort of formidable, unpredictable record that could – ultimately – take you anywhere…

Friends Of The Bride – “You Can’t Take Him Anywhere” is set for release 17th March, 2008 on Brainlove Records as limited edition 7″ and download.

About FRIENDS OF THE BRIDE, a pop group from London:

Increasing despair of the charmless whining and shouting that seemed to dominate the indie music scene drove righteous sharp BOBBY GRINDROD [singer] to telephone KERIN SMITH [bass] (who had recently discovered the Joe Meek potential of his home computer-cum-studio) and enlist him to play in a new band.

OSAMU YANO [guitar] – a graduate of the Royal College of Music – caught wind of the plan and was intrigued by the seedy world of indie pop. An invite was swiftly dispatched to old friend FELTHAM [drums] who had recently inherited a well-appointed garage and was a known car owner.

Within weeks, Friends of the Bride had won the London leg of the BBC Electric Proms talent trek and had secured a prestigious gig as part of the festival alongside The Who.

After a gang of thrilling concerts around London’s hip nite-spots, the band were discovered by the UK’s most fashionable record label, Young and Lost Club.

Their words are an exploration of contemporary mores, their tunes are guitar-led Cool Jazz grooves, with a nouveau-J.J. Burnell bottom end. It’s European in attitude, soulful in style and sharp in wit – a unique sound that has entranced the critics. Is it ’swingdie’? Is it ‘Indie Bop’? The Times thinks it’s “nu croon” and who are we to argue?

Friends Of The Bride UK tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Friends Of The Bride’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

9th February 2008 – No One Died @ The Enterprise, Chalk Farm (onstage 9.00pm)
4th March 2008 – White Heat SINGLE LAUNCH @ Madame Jo Jo’s (with Keyboard Choir and Modernaire)
23th March 2008 – London, New Cross Inn – ‘Shoot Low, They’re Riding Shetlands’ Easter Sunday Matinee for under 18s, then night-time do for the grown ups!
24th March 2008 – Neverland @ The Soho Revue Bar
6th April 2008 – Pennfest @ Dry Bar in The Barbican

“The hippest band in town!” – Metro

“Positively Proustian, Daddio!” – Guardian

Friends Of The Bride on Myspace

Dancers from Thriller LIVE perform Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance in front of unsuspecting members of the public to celebrate 25th year anniversary of Thriller.

The biggest selling album of all time went underground when London commuters were taken by storm with a filmed performance of the famous Thriller Dance on the London district line tube.

Already an instant hit on YouTube, the video shows passengers looking flabbergasted as the impromptu performance by fellow commuters kicks off. One viewer said: “This is amazing!!! Slick as hell. I love the people who pretend they’re not interested.” Another Internet watcher said: “The polite applause at the end is the best bit – very British.”

The video has been picked up across the world with the Metro paper running a huge feature together with TV coverage on ITV London Tonight. This has clearly captured the imagination of the London commuters with a serious debate across blogs, websites and YouTube about this dance extravaganza.

The dance was performed by professional dancers from Thriller LIVE which is a full budget mega-show celebrating the music of the World’s Greatest Entertainer.

Kicking off its UK tour on March 27th, 2008 the dance crew got together with Sony BMG to plan the 25th anniversary of the release of Thriller and thought it would be fun to perform the Thriller dance in various locations around London.

The first “tube” video has been hugely popular…where might they appear next?

Watch video – Thriller Dance on the London Tube:

Upcoming:

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller – 25th Anniversary Edition’ – Release Date 11th February, 2008 (UK)

“The Girl Is Mine” – Physical Release date – 4th February 2008

Thriller LIVE UK Tour 27th March – 25th May 2008

Michael Jackson Official Website UK

Thriller Live Official Website

Nonesuch Records releases ‘Punch’, the debut album from Punch Brothers, on February 25, 2008 in the UK (February 26, US). The band – composer-singer-mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile’s new venture – includes Chris Eldridge (guitar), Greg Garrison (bass), Noam Pikelny (banjo), and Gabe Witcher (fiddle).

In conjunction with the release of the album, the ensemble’s first for Nonesuch, Punch Brothers performed on January 16, 18, 20 and 23 in Glasgow as part of the Celtic Connections festival, and at London’s Bush Hall on January 24.

The line-up of Punch Brothers – whose name is taken from the Mark Twain short story, Punch, Brothers, Punch! – is formidable. Chris Thile released the first of five solo albums when he was just thirteen and, by the time he was 20, he was attracting a following among pop, country, and alternative-rock audiences as a member of the Grammy Award-winning Nickel Creek.

NPR’s Bob Boilen recently said “I’ve seen many musicians in my day, but my jaw dropped listening to and watching Thile play…The command he had of his instrument, from frenetically fast strumming to tasty quiet fills, it was just first-rate.”

His band-mates are among the most in-demand performers in the worlds of bluegrass, folk, and traditional music. Guitarist Chris Eldridge was a founding member of the Nashville-based The Infamous Stringdusters and occasionally sits in with his dad Ben’s band, The Seldom Scene; bassist Greg Garrison has played with trumpeter Ron Miles and Leftover Salmon – along with banjo player Noam Pikelny. Pikelny has performed and recorded as a solo artist and has collaborated with acoustic music heavyweights John Cowan and Tony Trischka. Violinist Gabe Witcher, a life-long friend of Thile’s, is a sought-after session man whose fiddle-playing has been featured on the soundtrack of films ranging from Toy Story to Brokeback Mountain. Witcher also has recorded with a range of artists from Willie Nelson to Beck to Randy Newman and played in dobro master Jerry Douglas’ band for six years. Thile says, “I can’t imagine being more excited about a project than I am about Punch Brothers. The possibilities are endless with these guys!”

‘Punch’ is centered around Thile’s four-movement composition, “The Blind Leaving the Blind”. “I had this idea of a long-form composition that was grounded in folk music,” Thile explained, “Though much of it reads like a string quintet, there are parts that read like a jazz lead sheet. There is plenty of improvising and lots of stuff that is loosely dictated.” The album also includes four shorter compositions co-written by Thile and his bandmates: “Punchbowl”, “Sometimes”, “It’ll Happen” and “Nothing, Then”.

The group (then known as The Tensions Mountain Boys) premiered The Blind Leaving the Blind last spring at the John Adams-curated In Your Ear Redux Festival at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. The band strived to retain the live feeling of this initial performance when it came time to record the album. “We didn’t want to do any overdubbing,” Thile expands. “Nothing was added. The studio was an amazing room…and the recording captures the beauty of that kind of room.”

“Can anyone, anywhere, play anything any better than Chris Thile plays the mandolin? (Clue: they can’t.)” – The Word

‘Punch’ track listing:

1. Punch Bowl
The Blind Leaving the Blind:
2. First Movement
3. Second Movement
4. Third Movement
5. Fourth Movement
6. Sometimes
7. Nothing, Then
8. It’ll Happen

Catalogue information:
CD: 7559 799 828 DMD: 7559 799 827

Punch Brothers US tour dates (highly recommended):

Dates could be added or changed! Go to the Punch Brothers Website for the latest tour dates and information.

13 February 2008 Higher Ground, Burlington, Vermont
14 February 2008 Lebanon Opera House – On Sale 12/7, Lebanon, New Hampshire
15 February 2008 The Strand Theatre, Rockland, Maine
16 February 2008 Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, Maine
17 February 2008 The Swyer Theatre at the Egg, Albany, New York
20 February 2008 The Allen Room at Time Warner Center, New York, New York
22 February 2008 Wintergrass Music Festival, Tacoma, Washington
23 February 2008 The Independent – 2 SHOWS: 7:00P & 10:00P, San Francisco, California
25 February 2008 Sierra Nevada Tap Room, Chico, California
27 February 2008 Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, California
28 February 2008 Troubadour – on sale 12/10, Los Angeles, California
1 March 2008 Soho Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara, California
6 March 2008 Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, Bloomington, Indiana
7 March 2008 Southern Theatre, Columbus, Ohio
9 March 2008 Clemons Fine Arts Center, Paducah, Kentucky
27 March 2008 Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall, Asheville, North Carolina
28 March 2008 Carolina Theatre, Greensboro, North Carolina
29 March 2008 The Clayton Center, Clayton, North Carolina
30 March 2008 North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square), Charlotte, North Carolina
2 April 2008 The Kent Stage, Kent, Ohio
3 April 2008 Seton Performance Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio
5 April 2008 Gild Hall – On Sale 1/12, Arden, Delaware
6 April 2008 Shubert Theater, New Haven, Connecticut
9 April 2008 Rams Head On Stage – EARLY SHOW, Annapolis, Maryland
9 April 2008 Rams Head On Stage – LATE SHOW, Annapolis, Maryland
25 May 2008 Delfest, Cumberland, Maryland

Punch Brothers – Punch on amazon.co.uk

Punch on amazon.com

Nonesuch Records Website

Punch Brothers Official Website
Punch Brothers on Myspace

“I’m down with what Moshpit Tragedy is doing 100%,” stated Mike Williams (EYEHATEGOD and ARSON ANTHEM vocalist). “Younger, newer underground bands need to be heard and noticed in these modern digital days without signing their lives away to some bloodsucking record label right outta the gate. It’s a very honorable and DIY way to get things done.”

OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson (whose favorite bands on the label includes THE SKUDS, HULLUUS and FILTHPACT) even goes so far as to say “This model could very well be the future of all indie labels.” Co-founder Rayny Forster agrees, “RADIOHEAD and NIN have done a similar thing, so we just took that and tried to improve upon it.”

Staying true to their motto ‘Burning down the record industry’ in an increasingly digital age means taking advantage of falling CD sales and disillusionment with big-name record labels.

In a recent interview in Metal Edge, MOTORHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister says “It’s killing itself, isn’t it? I mean, they (record companies) are too dumb to realise. They just kept on overcharging and kept on f@!*ing people over, and now the chickens are coming home, you know? I think they’re all gonna be out of business in 10 years.”

Soon announcements will be made regarding some major bands who are already known and loved by many, who have chosen to join them in this campaign against paying too much for music.

For more info visit:

Moshpit Tragedy Records

Uber.com, in conjunction with A&R Worldwide’s MUSEXPO, Atlantic Records, Peer Music Publishing, Rebel Group/ADA Distribution and The Agency Group, announced the launch of the online music talent search, You Bring The Talent contest.

The winning musician/band will receive:

-An EP deal with Atlantic Records
-A music publishing deal with Peer Music
-A Booking Deal with The Agency Group
-Distribution through ADA from The Rebel Group
-A Showcase at The House of Blues in Hollywood, CA

HOW TO ENTER:

1) Sign up on Uber.com and make sure to check the Musician box on the form (this will allow you to add your music to your page.)

2) Gussy up your page with photos, music, your bio and make it all fancy-like, which is super easy on Uber.

3) Head over to the You Bring the Talent page on Uber and grab the embed code for your Voting Module, so you can pop it on your Uber page, or anywhere else you want people to vote for you.

WHAT TO KNOW:

1) The contest is open until March 31st, 2008 so there’s plenty of time to sign up and get people to vote for you.

2) Your fans can vote ONCE EVERY 24 HOURS. That’s right – all of your friends and fans can vote for you once every day, so let people know at your shows and on your website (where you can definitely put up your Voting Module.)

3) Think about this – If you’ve got 1000 MySpace friends and half of them vote for you three times a week, that’s 15,000 votes. Not too shabby.

4) You can check out the official rules here.

For more information, please visit:

You Bring the Talent Contest on Uber

Uber Official Website

C Sharp Consulting, Ltd. announces the addition of recording artist Michael Manson to its roster of clients, as he releases his third CD, ‘Up Front’, January 22, 2008. Additionally, C Sharp announces the addition of Steve Stiles-Kames as a partner in the organization where he will share in the co-management responsibilities’ of Michael Manson as well as oversee the newly created booking agency division of the company.

About Michael Manson:

A native of Chicago, IL, Michael Manson joined City Lights and began performing regularly on Chicago’s jazz circuit in the late 80s. In the mid-90s, Manson joined Brian Culbertson in support of the City Lights CD (Long Night Out) and continued to play the Chicago jazz scene with band mate Steve Cole. An invitation to play the Montreux Casino Lights Festival in 1999 would put Manson on the road to national notoriety. Sharing the stage with the likes of Boney James, George Duke and Kirk Whalum at this festival led to connections that blossomed into a spot performing on the Montreux Jazz Tour. Since that time, the bassist has rapidly emerged as one of the new stars of contemporary jazz displaying his remarkable dexterity and command of the 5-string and piccolo basses.

Michael displays his remarkable gift of musical versatility, passion and precision both in concert and on recordings. As a producer/composer he penned his first Top 10 hit “Outer Drive,” followed by the R&R charting track “Just Feelin’ It” and most recently, the Top 20 “Coming Right At Ya.” With both unrelenting power and laid-back grace, the recording artists’ third CD entitled ‘Up Front’ will be available January 22nd and will be released under the quickly expanding Nu Groove Records label. Guest artists on the new CD include; Norman Brown, Steve Cole, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Najee and Paul Jackson Jr.

Regarding the release of ‘Up Front’, Manson said,

“In the making Up Front were moments of great joy, extreme focus, and some very exciting performances. We’ve taken some artistic license and “jammed” a little more on this project. I’ve made some new friends who have shared their gifts and old friends who chimed in as well. I’m very excited to share this with the people who love music. Enjoy.”

“I wish I could turn on the radio today and find a station that can guarantee all their music will sound as good as Michael Manson’s.” – Pop Matters

“…he has moved persistently from strength to strength, one association leading inevitably to another in a career that has brought him front and center with the most esteemed names in jazz, gospel, R&B, pop and rock.” – Echo Smooth Jazz

For additional information visit:

C Sharp Consulting, Ltd.

Michael Manson Official Website

After enjoying the interest of several labels, New York City hard rock band Fixer has signed with Riker Hill Records, a newly launched IDN distributed label eager to take aggressive action with a short list of talented rock bands. Michael Morrison, Founder and CEO of Riker Hill, couldn’t be more enthusiastic about securing Fixer’s services. “They’re ambitious and totally dedicated,” he says. “I love their vitality and musicality. Their songs grabbed me from the first time I heard them.”

Lynn Lendway, Riker Hill’s COO, agrees that not only were they immediately attracted to the band’s sound, it was also love at first sight. “The minute we saw these guys live we knew they were the next wave. Fixer combines pop sensibilities with the persona of the great rock icons. They’re bringing authentic showmanship back to music.”

The founding members of Fixer came together in college and the band has been cultivating a fervent fan base ever since. Their intense work ethic – rehearsing, writing, recording, and touring constantly – has turned Fixer into a well-oiled machine with monster chops to match. This combination of brains and brawn excites Riker Hill, which strongly believes in live performance and opts to focus on artists willing to hit the road hard, old school-style, in support of a release. With its muscular, crafted sound falling somewhere between GNR, STP, and Green Day, Fixer delivers on that MO. Their Riker Hill debut, ‘Before The Sun’ is scheduled for an early Spring release.

With a road dog mentality, Fixer is most comfortable on tour. Barely unpacked from the last stretch, they’re repacking and heading out again in early February, this time with Fosterchild, featuring members from Fuel and Tantric. (for dates, please check www.MySpace.com/FixerMusic)

The band – singer Evan R. Saffer, guitarist Tommy Zamp, bassist J Brown, and drummer Rev Swank – feels equally enthusiastic signing with Riker Hill. “They have great people working with us and the whole label is young and fresh,” says Saffer. “We’ve spent many months hanging out with them, getting to know them, and now we feel like we have the ultimate team. It’s an invigorating time for everyone.”

Adds Lendway, “As a label, we’re interested in bands who offer the complete package: great music, charismatic live shows and non-stop, fearless ambition. Fixer definitely fulfills that description and we know everyone else will agree.”

NYC hard rock band Fixer joins Riker Hill execs at their NYC office to finalize their new deal:

(l-r top row) J Brown (bass); Riker Hill GM Joe Belle; Tommy Zamp (guitar); Gary Adelman (Sr. VP of Strategic Planning & Business), Lynn Lendway, COO; Michael Morrison, Founder and CEO, RHR; Bob Held (Sr. VP of A&R and Production) (and seated l-r) Rev Swank (drums) and Evan R. Saffer (vocals).

Their CD, ‘Before The Sun’, is scheduled for an early Spring release and is distributed by IDN. The band hits the road with Fosterchild in February.

Fixer 2008 tour dates:

Dates and could change! Go to Fixer’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

February 2 – 9:30PM – Fuzion Lounge – California, MD
February 6 – 8:00PM – Hooligans – Jacksonville, NC
February 7 – 8:00PM – Graffiti Music Hall – Arden, NC
February 8 – 9:30PM – Zakks Coffee House – Murfreesboro, NC
February 9 – 8:30PM – Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
February 10 – 6:00PM – The Soundgarden – Myrtle Beach, SC
February 13 – 8:00PM – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL
February 14 – 8:30PM – Backstage Lounge – Gainesville, FL
February 15 – 10:15PM – Bourbon St. Nightclub – New Port Richey, FL
February 16 – 8:00PM – The Power Station – Macon, GA
February 19 – 7:00PM – Sohos – Columbus, GA
February 21 – 9:00PM – Thunders Tavern – Pascagoula, MS
February 22 – 8:00PM – Clicks – Baton Rouge, LA
February 23 – 8:00PM – Clicks – Tyler, TX
February 27 – 8:00PM – The Underground – St. Louis, MO
February 29 – 8:00PM – The Whiskey Lounge – Grand Rapids, MI
March 1 – 10:30PM – Motorheads – Michigan Center, MI
March 2 – 7:00PM – The Ritz – Warren, MI
March 28 – 11:00PM – Around the Corner – Johnstown, PA

For more information go to:

Fixer Official Website
Fixer on Myspace

Breakout British group The Horrors (Stolen Transmission Records) and director Marvin Scott Jarrett (Nylon Magazine) will attend the 2008 Sundance Film Festival with the documentary film “Counting In Fives”.

The documentary follows the group through the streets of London and the US, in the studio writing their second record, and throughout concerts in the UK and the US, ultimately exploring how these dynamic personalities came to form The Horrors. The inspirations, the dress, and the explosive live performances of the band are all showcased in the feature.

The Horrors have released a self-titled EP and full length ‘Strange House’ on Stolen Transmission, and have toured the US with label mates Schoolyard Heroes.

The band will be in Park City, Utah starting Friday, January 18th, 2008 at the Marquee Lounge, where they will kick off the Sundance Film Festival with a huge bash, sponsored by Hugo Boss. The Horrors will be hosting and DJ’ing with Peaches Geldoff guest DJ’ing as well.

Sarah Lewitinn, aka Ultragrrrl, will be a guest blogger for Nylon Magazine at Sundance film festival. She will be covering all The Horrors parties! So check it out, for up close and personal information on the band.

“It’s weird, because when we do gigs we just set out to play our songs and not annoy or wind up anyone – but we often cause loads of trouble in the process”, explains keyboardist Rhys ‘Spider’ Webb evenly. “Still, we’re not interested in pleasing everybody. And we certainly don’t have a problem with pissing people off in the process. We don’t care what people think of us. If we upset people we’re not bothered in the slightest.”

Watch video: The Horrors documentary – “Counting In Fives” trailer:

The Horrors on Myspace
The Horrors Official Website

Envy & Other Sins won T4’s mobileAct unsigned in the live final on 23 December, 2007. The Birmingham-based band beat Lily Allen’s favourites, Revenue, to walk away with a record deal from A&M Records, headed by mobileAct judge Simon Gavin.

Envy & Other Sins were announced winners at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith after an online public vote deemed them the best unsigned band in Britain. Alongside Simon Gavin, the judging panel comprised Radio 1’s Jo Whiley and Blur’s Alex James.

Following their triumph, Envy & Other Sins will introduce the world to their unique brand of ‘furniture rock’ via self-penned single, “Highness”, due for release on 11th February 2008. The single was recorded at Olympic Studios, where the band is currently working on their debut album, which will be released on 3rd March, 2008.

Jarvey Moss, Envy & Other Sins pianist, came up with this natty little soundbite: “This is the dawning of the age of furniture rock – we never expected our big break to be on a reality show; we’ve always been about making music and now we’ve got the chance to do it on a bigger stage.”

For more information and to listen to Envy & Other Sins’ music, go to:

Envy & Other Sins Official Website
Envy & Other Sins on Myspace

Alter Bridge have announced they will release the single, “Ties That Bind” through Universal/Island Records on 21st January 2008.

The track is taken from their Top 40 album ‘Blackbird’ which was out in October, and will be released in three formats – CD, 7″ picture disc and download.

The band comprise of Myles Kennedy (vocals) and former members of Creed – Mark Tremonti (guitars), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Philips (drums). They are currently on an extensive US tour which will wrap up in mid December. Alter Bridge have then confirmed a string of UK dates in January.

Watch Alter Bridge “Ties That Bind” video on Yahoo:

Alter Bridge January 2008 UK tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Alter Bridge’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

Friday 18 January – Glasgow QMU
Saturday 19 January – Newcastle Academy
Sunday 20 January – Manchester Academy – SOLD OUT
Tuesday 22 January – Birmingham Academy – SOLD OUT
Thursday 24 January – Southampton Guildhall
Friday 25 January – Bristol Academy
Saturday 26 January – London Astoria – SOLD OUT

Tickets are available from the venues and from all usual ticket outlets. Regional tickets are 15 GBP and tickets for the London show are 17.50 GBP.

Alter Bridge Official Website
Alter Bridge on Myspace

Kerli’s life story is nothing short of a Cinderella story. Growing up in Elva, Estonia, a then Russian-occupied town of 5,000 residents, Kerli had dreams and aspirations that pushed way beyond the boundaries of her communist surroundings. A product of “tough love,” she spent most of her childhood trying to mentally escape and did so by immersing herself in the arts, studying singing, ballet, acting and classical piano. However, she soon realized what would be her main focus. “By the time I turned 14, I was so sure that my life was going to be all about singing, I quit everything else,” Kerli recalls.

Her first breakthrough came with participating in Fizz Superstar 2002, a young Baltic talent competition equivalent to American Idol. She first heard of the contest through a television advertisement that stated 15 as the minimum age to enter. Being 14 wasn’t going to stop her, so she lied about her age and entered. Her unquestionable natural talent shined through and she was crowned the winner, gifted with a record deal as the prize. Unbeknownst to her, her career was about to skyrocket.

Eventually she caught the ear of executives at Island Records, a label based over 4,000 miles from where she got her start. In June of 2005, Kerli was invited to perform for IDJ Chairman L.A. Reid; he was blown away by her performance and she was signed to Island on the spot.

Kerli takes inspiration from everything and everyone around her. She cites the universe as her muse. “I appreciate all the music in the world. Music is sacred. It’s the language of God.” Her songs encapsulate emotions of heartbreak and rebellion but are sung with a twinge of playfulness. The songs are somber and intense, but also mischievous and impishly dynamic.

“I’m trying to create a world around my music. And this world needs to be pure, real, honest and beautiful but still a little interesting, dark and definitely mysterious.” Kerli notes “Love Is Dead” as her favorite track off her debut album. “It’s hard and dark enough, yet beautiful and light. When I shot the video for that song, I looked into that camera and sang to every person who has ever hurt me. It was almost like a therapeutic experience.”

Kerli has undoubtedly created anthems for the youth of today. Her beautiful voice is strong, determined and at some times unpredictable, not unlike her personality. She has admitted to not wanting to follow the example of any of her musical peers or predecessors. “Silence and my own thoughts are much more inspiring to me than someone else’s song. I don’t think any other artist has ever even influenced me that much, really. Music just comes from such a sacred place and it either comes to you or not.”

Listen to “Love Is Dead,” the first single from Kerli’s Island Records debut EP ‘Kerli’.

The EP is now available for purchase on iTunes.

For more Kerli information, visit:

Kerli on Myspace
Kerli on Island Records

The new Jailhouse! Records Teenage Rehab E.P. street release is set for March 25th, 2008. The release will be available two months early exclusively at any tour dates!

Also The Moral Crux s/t re-release of their 1986 album has a street date of April 15th, 2008. It comes in four different colors vinyl, hand numbered, with a full length CD of previously unreleased material.

Below are the tour dates. More west coast dates filling up February 2008 are TBA with Moral Crux within the next couple of weeks.

Teenage Rehab 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Jailhouse! Records or Teenage Rehab’s Website for the latest tour dates and information.

January 17 2008 NYC ? w/ Electric Frankenstein
January 19, 2008 Alley Katz Richmond, VA w/ The New Threat, So Damn Thirsty/ElectricFrankenstein
January 20, 2008 SPAZZATORIUM GALLERIA! Greenville, NC w/ The New Threat
January 22, 2008 Transition Art Gallery Tampa, FL w/ The New Threat/Pink Lincolns/The Attack
January 23, 2008 Back Booth Orlando, FL w/ The New Threat/The Attack
January 24, 2008 The Pit Jacksonville, FL w/ The New Threat/The Attack/Social Disease
January 25, 2008 The Atlantic Gainesville, FL w/ The New Threat/The Attack
January 26, 2008 Springwater Supper Club Nashville, TN w/ Middle Class Trash
January 27, 2008 Lanhuck’s Evansville, IN w/ Middle Class Trash
January 28, 2008 The Dame Lexington , KY w/ Middle Class Trash
January 29, 2008 Berlin Fort Wayne, IN w/ Middle Class Trash
January 30, 2008 Poison Room Cincinatti, OH w/ Middle Class Trash
February 01, 2008 Aldos Altoona, PA w/ Middle Class Trash
February 02, 2008 Bernie’s Distillery Columbus, OH w/ Middle Class Trash/Joey & The Blackhearts
February 04, 2008 Now That’s Class Cleveland, OH w/ Middle Class Trash/ Hollywood Blondes
February 05, 2008 Reggie’s Rock Club Chicago , IL w/ Middle Class Trash/The Infected
February 06, 2008 The Annex Madison, WI w/ Middle Class Trash
February 07, 2008 Melody Inn Indianapolis, IN w/ Middle Class Trash/ Gay Black Republican
February 08, 2008 Off Broadway St. Louis , MO w/ Middle Class Trash/ The Haddonfields
February 09, 2008 Roadhouse Saloon San Antonio, TX w/ Middle Class Trash
February 13, 2008 Brick by Brick San Diego, CA w/ Moral Crux
February 16, 2008 Blue Lamp Sacramento, CA w/ Moral Crux /The Secretions

For more information go to:

Teenage Rehab on Myspace

The New Threat on Myspace

Moral Crux on Myspace

Jailhouse! Records Official Website