Motley Crue, the world’s most notorious rock band, has revealed that this summer they, along with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, SIXX:AM and Trapt, will head out on the road for what will undoubtedly be the hottest ticket of the year for rock fans - “Crue Fest ‘08.”

The tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on July 1st, 2008 and will hit over 40 major North American and Canadian cities by the end of August. Fans that can’t wait for this weekend’s online sale can get their tickets early by going to TheRockvine.com.

On-site activities will include a 2nd “Stage” presented by Rock Band where fans attending the show can play the part of “rock star” while playing the game. A special Crue Fest CD featuring tracks from all of the bands on the tour will be available exclusively at Best Buy beginning June 17th, 2008.

Motley Crue also announced the upcoming release of ‘Saints of Los Angeles’, their first new studio album recorded with all of the original band members in over a decade, hitting stores on June 17th. The band premiered the brand new single, “Saints Of Los Angeles,” at today’s press conference in LA.

Listen to Saints Of Los Angeles single

Motley Crue on amazon.com

The song includes backing vocals by Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), James Michael (SIXX:A.M.) and Chris Brown (Trapt). In an industry first, the song was also made available as a download for the Rock Band video game simultaneously with its single release.

Lyrically, the new album follows the story of the band’s NY Times best-selling memoir The Dirt, a no-holds-barred tell-all that features every gritty detail of the band’s exploits as one of the world’s biggest rock bands.

Crue Fest U.S./Canada 2008 Tour Dates:

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

July 1 – West Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
July 3 – Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre
July 5 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
July 6 – Virginia Beach, VA – Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
July 8 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 9 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 10 – Sarnia, ONT – Bayfest
July 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Susquehanna Bank Center
July 13 – Washington, DC – Nissan Pavilion
July 15 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 16 – Chicago, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 18 – Indianapolis, IN – Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
July 19 – Milwaukee, WI – Marcus Amphitheater
July 20 – St. Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
July 22 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 23 – San Antonio, TX – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 24 – Dallas, TX – Superpages.com Center
July 26 – Albuquerque, NM – Journal Pavilion
July 27 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
July 31 – Phoenix, AZ – Cricket Wireless Pavilion
August 1 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – Glen Helen Pavilion
August 5 – Sacramento, CA – Sleep Train Pavilion
August 6 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
August 8 – Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheatre
August 9 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
August 11 – Vancouver, BC – General Motors Place
August 13 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
August 14 – Calgary, AB – Pengrowth Saddledome
August 15 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
August 17 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
August 19 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Amphitheatre
August 20 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
August 22 – Boston, MA – Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
August 23 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
August 24 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
August 28 – Toronto, ONT – Molson Amphitheatre
August 29 – Albany, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
August 30 – Scranton, PA – Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
August 31 – Pittsburgh, PA – Post-Gazette Pavilion

For more Motley Crue information, visit:

Motley Crue Myspace
Motley Crue

Tune in right here on Band Weblogs for the live announcement:

Announced: Crue Fest 2008 + Saints Of Los Angeles album + tour dates

Motley Crue

The concert is the second of a 12-date monthly music series hosted by Miller Brewing Company and Event-Based Social Network Going.com.

The French Kicks feature Massachusetts native drummer Aaron Thurston, lead singer/keyboardist Nick Stumpf, bassist Lawrence Stumpf, and guitarists/vocalist Josh Wise. Boston Glam Rockers Bon Savants open.

Join the Miller Lite Music page NOW for a chance to win 2 VIP passes to the French Kicks Show:

www.going.com/millerliteseries

WHEN: February 26, 2008
Doors Open at 8:00 p.m.
21+; valid ID required
TICKETS: FREE with RSVP: www.going.com/millerliteseries
WHERE: Harpers Ferry
158 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA
(617) 254-9743

Going.com

French Kicks on Myspace
French Kicks Official Website

England’s finest rebellious young rockers, The Subways, will be playing a one-off homecoming gig at The Green Room in Welwyn Garden City on 22 February, 2008 as part of the ‘Bring it on Back’ gig series brought to you by Red Stripe, Jamaican lager beer.

In the fourth instalment of their Bring It On Back series, which previously saw The View, Hot Club De Paris and The Rifles return to their respective home towns for up close and personal gigs, we have the explosive return of The Subways to the town where it all started for them, the place where early friendships were formed and dreams started to be realised.

2008 looks like being The Subways best year yet. Fresh from recording their second long player in Los Angeles the band are heading for a busy time ahead as this album is heavily tipped as one of THE rocking releases of 2008 with a full live tour and several incendiary festival performances to follow.

Ahead of all of the attention about to be heaped upon them, The Subways are delighted to exclusively unleash their new material along with old favourites at this truly unique gig and would love to offer you the chance to join the party!

Red Stripe Competition

We’ve teamed up with Red Stripe to offer one reader / listener a pair of tickets to the gig in Welwyn Garden City along with a year’s supply of Red Stripe (12 cases).

So keep that date free and visit http://www.redstripe.net/thesubways NOW, where 100 pairs of tickets will be up for grabs!

For more information, go to:

The Subways on Red Stripe Official Website

The Subways on Myspace
The Subways Official Website

How many bands that were started in 1972 out there are still alive and playing? How many bands out there have both – a father and a son teamed up to make music? How many bands out there can still rock’n'roll? There is at least one: The Seventh Season.

The Seventh Season was established in 1972. Led by Yuri Batygin, in the years 1972-1975 the band performed at various stages, trying to find it’s own sound. From 1976 to 1979 the band spent their time mostly recording numerous songs in their home studio.

The Seventh Season restarted again in 1998. In its current form, The Seventh Season has been around since the spring of 2001. Consisting of three members, the band decided to record a full-length EP prior to any other action. They released their first CD, ‘Fall Within’ in March 2003. The CD quickly made it to Amazon.com and started getting airplay at radio stations and reviews by various magazines. In 2006 they released DVD/CD ‘Transposition’ with live concert performed on 23 February 2006 in Emeryville College for Digital Arts, Emeryville, CA. In 2007 the band released their third CD album ‘Liquid Water’.

‘Liquid Water’ is a collection of distinctive and irreplaceable songs, a work of talented musicians and clearly good friends. After their breakout album, ‘Fall Within,’ the artists have perfected their style and are ready to give their old fans something to look forward to, and show their new fans just what they’re made of.

The excitement of the performers shines through the melodic and energizing guitar solos and pumping bass riffs, while the clean and honest drum beats lead one song through to the next and leave you wanting more. This versatile rock band will nourish your interests and will surprise you with their uplifting contemporary style in a world of stamped music.

The Seventh Season on amazon.com

The Seventh Season on Myspace
The Seventh Season Official Website

Friday, February 1, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Roses On Her Grave www.myspace.com/rosesonhergrave

The Stranger’s Six www.myspace.com/thestrangerssix

A Third Wish Granted www.myspace.com/a3wg

Monday, February 4, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Indie 103.1 Presents…Check One Two Mondays

FREE w/ RSVP @ www.myspace.com/mondayscheckonetwo

$3 Dewar’s All Night!

The Icarus Line www.myspace.com/theicarusline

“If rock ‘n’ roll had nothing to do with music and everything to do with attitude, the Icarus Line would be the greatest fucking band. Oh wait, rock ‘n’ roll does have everything to with attitude, and the Icarus Line are the greatest fu@!*ng band.”? – Pitchforkmedia.com

Ungdomskulen www.myspace.com/ungdomskulen

Ungdomskulen (youthschool in English) is a Norwegian rock band. Their sound is founded on bass, drums and guitar. Taken individually, the drum beats seem inspired by the city, the bass is syncopated and sonic, and the jazz-like guitar sounds as if it’s possessed by rock demons. And finally, there’s a light but authoritative male vocal on top.

Sub Rosa www.myspace.com/subrosa

Idyllists www.myspace.com/idyllists

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Private Vice/Scion Event

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Halestorm www.myspace.com/halestorm

The Kings Royal www.myspace.com/thekingsroyal

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Doors: 8:30 PM

Hell Ya!/Girl School & KROQ Presents…

The Vacation www.myspace.com/thevacation

Katy Perry www.myspace.com/katyperry

The Santa Barbara, CA-born Perry is currently wrapping up work on her debut full-length album, which she recorded with an array of noted producers and collaborators, including Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas), and Greg Wells (Natasha Bedingfield, Rufus Wainwright). The full length album is due from Capitol Records in spring 2008.

Troy This www.myspace.com/troythis

“He’s the bastard child of urbanism & digitalism, a mixture of electro soul & amusing pop rock. His music awakes a lot of memories from the “Tape” days & his sex-dosed vocals & original music virtually resurrects moments only Janet Jackson could pull off successfully, making the cheesy fashionable again. There’s even a demo titled “Slap Kiss Beautiful Later” that could easily be mistaken for a “Michael Jackson & Darren Hayes” early unreleased duet session! But don’t get carried away with the comparisons here as it’s just merely a point out to a style or an era, ‘Troy This’ music has that ambiance that makes you feel familiar.” – OHHCRAPP.net
LMFAO www.myspace.com/lmfaouno
Hyper Crush www.myspace.com/hypercrush

For the latest bands, dates and information, go to:

Viper Room Official Website

It’s been awhile since we recorded a Band Weblogs Podcast Show! We’ll do another one soon – but the good news is that Hot Springs just released a video for their single “Headrush” which we played on our latest show, #27.

I added a clip of their song “Headrush” to my first attempt at creating a promo video for the Band Weblogs Podcast Show (click to watch).

Hot Springs are from Montreal, Canada, and man can they ROCK!! If you can catch them at a live show – then you’re the lucky one! They’ll be playing around Canada winter 2008 as well as at Maggie Mae’s for the M for Montreal SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas on March 14th.

Watch Hot Springs – “Headrush” video:

Hot Springs February/March 2008 tour dates:

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

2 February 2008 L’azile Joliette, Quebec
14 February 2008 The Reverb Toronto, Ontario
16 February 2008 L’Embuscade Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
20 February 2008 Hunters Ale House Charlottetown, Prince Edward
21 February 2008 The Paramount Moncton, New Brunswick
23 February 2008 Capital Bar Fredericton, New Brunswick
28 February 2008 Pub O’Callaghan w/ Le Nom, Sorel, Quebec
1 March 2008 LION D’OR – AFTER-PARTY DES MIMI’S, Montreal, Quebec
3 March 2008 The Casbah, Hamilton, Ontario
7 March 2008 CMW Showcase @ Sneaky Dee’s, Toronto, Ontario
14 March 2008 Maggie Mae’s (M for Montreal SXSW showcase), Austin, Texas
20 March 2008 Republik Nightclub, Calgary, Alberta
21 March 2008 Velvet Underground, Edmonton, Alberta

Hot Springs Official Website
Hot Springs on Myspace

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

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

Cage The Elephant (average age of 20) are a five piece from Bowling Green, Kentucky who are set to win hearts and minds in the UK in 2008 as they bring their incendiary live show back to the UK.

Like Beck’s anti-hero anthem “Loser”, Cage The Elephant’s first single “In One Ear” is a tounge-in cheek riposte to any possible doubters: “They say the devil is my pal / I do a lot of drugs / The crowd will only like me if they’re really f*@k!ing drunk”. Ushered in by a bass line of Herclean proportions, it soon becomes apparent Cage The Elephant don’t just want to rock hard, they want to make people dance.

Onstage fights and broken amps being hurled into the audience are just some of the elements likely to occur at a Cage the Elephant show. Most importantly, the staple of all of their live performances is brilliant rock ‘n’ roll music: as thrillingly aggressive as the Stooges and as anthemic and raw as the Kings of Leon’s first LP, coupled with the groove of Rage Against The Machine, this is a band that will remind you why you fell in love with rock ‘n’ roll.

Led by brothers Matt and Brad Shultz, the band create a real sense of drama, tension and heart-in-mouth thrills with their onstage love-hate relationship. A recent show saw lead singer Matt compliment his brother by launching him across the stage, face first, into the front row barrier: Brad returned the favour with an equally affectionate gobful of spit to his brother’s face.

The band are one of the buzz acts in the US going into 2008. This is off the back of their explosive performance at Lollapalooza last summer and some riotous gigs during main tour supports with Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother. On the QotSA North American tour last year, Cage won over many of the Queens’ fans and struck up a strong rapport with the band during their time together on the road.

Cage The Elephant then came across the pond to support Foals, The Ravonettes and Wombats on their respective UK Autumn / Winter tours. Some legendary nights were had and friendships struck as Cage proceeded to tear up venues and win many new friends up and down the country.

Lock up your daughters: Cage The Elephant are coming to town…

Upcoming show: NME Show with 9 Black Alps – Koko, Camden, London – Friday 8th February, London

More UK live dates to be announced shortly.

Their proper first single “In One Ear” is set for release March 10th, 2008 on Relentless / DSP. Format: CD single / 7″ vinyl / digital download (download release: March 2nd).

“Who needs indie whimsy when you’ve got scorched-earth desert punk as venomous as this?” – NME

Cage The Elephant are: Matt Shultz – Vocals; Brad Shultz – Guitar; Jared Champion – Drums & Percussion; Daniel Tichenor – Bass/Vocals; Lincoln Parish – Lead Guitar

For further details please check:

Cage the Elephant on Myspace

I’ve been listening to country singer Gary Allan’s latest album, ‘Living Hard’ the last couple of days. He has a cool voice and the songwriting and musicianship on the album is superb.

The ‘Living Hard’ CD is actually my first introduction to Gary Allan and his music. For some reason, I had never known too much about him before. You would think that I would have, considering that he’s been on the country music scene since 1996, when he released his first studio album, ‘Used Heart For Sale’ through Decca Records. Since then he’s released seven studio albums – with three of them going platinum as well as #1 hit singles under his belt.

There’s obviously quite a few Gary Allan fans out there, but with all that he’s done with his career, I wonder why he wasn’t high on my country music radar like other male singers in his genre? Does he not get as much attention in the media because he’s considered an outsider, as he’s originally from California? Also, his music has more of a rock edge to it than your ‘typical’ country sound – but that’s not really a new thing in modern country music.

That rock edge to Gary Allan’s music does appeal to me and he’s a bit of a chameleon – and seems to have an open mind, musically. Like the way he’s singing on “We Touched The Sun”. Makes me think that Elvis could have done that song justice as well. Then there’s “She’s So California”, with a Tom Petty vibe.

“Watching Airplanes” was the obvious right pick for the opening track and first single release off of ‘Living Hard’. It’s a great song and is most certainly worthy of a Country Music Award.

“Like It’s a Bad Thing” is ‘in the pocket’ with a rocking groove. “Learning How To Bend” could easily be a contender for a Country Music Charts hit. “Wrecking Ball” is a fun song with heavy guitar riffs, high quality musicianship, with lyrics about a guy who can’t get enough: “she blows into town, loves me up and down just to watch me fall. She picks me up and then knocks me down again I’m a wreck y’all, she’s a wreckin’ ball”.

“Yesterday’s Rain” is an outstanding ballad, and closing track “Living Hard” captures the energy of a live band playing to a packed to the rafters bar, but with the polished Nashville sound that you would expect from Gary Allan.

‘Living Hard’ – highly recommended.

Track listing with songwriting credits:

1. Watching Airplanes (Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton)
2. We Touched the Sun (Gary Allan, Odie Blackmon, Jim Lauderdale)
3. She’s So California (Gary Allan, Jon Randall, Jaime Hanna)
4. Like It’s a Bad Thing (Neil Thrasher, Tony Martin, Wendell Mobley)
5. Learning How to Bend (Gary Allan, Matt Warren, James LeBlanc)
6. As Long As You’re Looking Back (Scotty Emerick, Dean Dillon, Aaron Barker)
7. Wrecking Ball (Keith Gattis, Audley Freed)
8. Yesterday’s Rain (Gary Allan, Matt Warren, James LeBlanc)
9. Trying to Matter (Gary Allan, Odie Blackmon, Casey Beathard)
10. Half of My Mistakes (Radney Foster, Bobby Houck)
11. Living Hard (Gary Allan, Odie Blackmon, Bob DiPiero)

Living Hard on amazon.com

For music, the latest news and tour dates go to:

Gary Allan on Myspace
Gary Allan Official Website

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

In a grand commemoration of the 50th Celebration of the GRAMMY® Awards, Shout! Factory and The Recording Academy®’s GRAMMY Recordings announce an electrifying 7-CD series encompassing GRAMMY winners from four of the legendary awards’ major genres.

With a personal introduction written by 27-time Grammy winner and 50th Celebration Ambassador Quincy Jones, this series is a sumptuous ode to the biggest hits in music history and a must-have for music lovers and collectors alike.

“We look forward to celebrating the past five decades of GRAMMY-winning music with music fans everywhere through our comprehensive CD compilations,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “It is exciting to have such classic recordings in the marketplace all at once; we hope people enjoy listening to some of the best music of the last half century as much as we did when compiling this remarkable catalogue of material.”

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to join The Recording Academy in celebration of this historic milestone,” says Shout! Factory CEO Richard Foos. “For 50 years, the GRAMMY Award has been recognized as music’s highest honor. This series pays tribute to the artists who have helped make it so.”

Ultimate GRAMMY® Collection: Contemporary R&B and Contemporary Pop was recently released on Nov. 27, 2007.

Just in time to get music fans primed and ready for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards to be held on February 10, 2008, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, five more Ultimate GRAMMY® Collection CDs will be released on January 8, 2008. Ultimate GRAMMY® Collection: Classic R&B, Classic Pop, Contemporary Rock, Classic Country and Contemporary Country.

A portion of the proceeds from the Ultimate GRAMMY Collection CD series will benefit the MusiCares Foundation® and The GRAMMY Foundation®, two charitable arms of The Recording Academy. MusiCares provides a safety net of critical health and human services and financial assistance for music people in times of need. The GRAMMY Foundation cultivates the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture through music education programs for young people and activities that promote and preserve music’s rich cultural heritage.

Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras.

The company’s audio catalogue boasts boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica , California. Its fine products are distributed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc. For more information, visit Shout! Factory Official Website

The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards – the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music – The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit GRAMMY.COM.

Track Listings:

Ultimate GRAMMY® Collection: Contemporary R&B (November 27, 2007)

1. Anita Baker “Giving You The Best That I Got” (Single Version)
2. Terence Trent D’Arby “Wishing Well”
3. Soul II Soul Featuring Caron Wheeler “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)”
4. Luther Vandross “Here And Now”
5. Ray Charles “A Song For You”
6. Sade “No Ordinary Love”
7. Toni Braxton “Breathe Again”
8. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love To You”
9. Blackstreet Featuring Dr. Dre “No Diggity”
10. R. Kelly “I Believe I Can Fly”
11. Brandy & Monica “The Boy Is Mine”
12. TLC “No Scrubs”
13. Whitney Houston “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”
14. D’Angelo “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”
15. Usher “U Remind Me”
16. Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z “Crazy In Love”

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Contemporary Pop (November 27)

1. k.d. lang “Constant Craving”
2. Seal “Kiss From A Rose”
3. Annie Lennox “No More I Love You’s”
4. Eric Clapton “Change The World”
5. Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home”
6. Sarah McLachlan “Building A Mystery”
7. Jamiroquai “Virtual Insanity”
8. The Brian Setzer Orchestra “Jump Jive An’ Wail”
9. Madonna “Ray Of Light”
10. Macy Gray “I Try”
11. Nelly Furtado “I’m Like A Bird”
12. Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why”
13. Justin Timberlake “Cry Me A River”
14. Los Lonely Boys “Heaven”
15. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone”
16. John Mayer “Gravity”

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Classic R&B (January 8, 2008)

1. Aretha Franklin “Respect”
2. Sam & Dave “Soul Man”
3. Otis Redding “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”
4. The Isley Brothers “It’s Your Thing”
5. Ike & Tina Turner “Proud Mary”
6. Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine”
7. Billy Paul “Me And Mrs. Jones”
8. The Temptations “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” (Single Version)
9. Gladys Knight & The Pips “Midnight Train To Georgia”
10. Natalie Cole “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”
11. The Emotions “Best Of My Love”
12. Donna Summer “Last Dance”
13. Earth, Wind & Fire “After The Love Has Gone”
14. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing”
15. Rufus and Chaka Khan “Ain’t Nobody”
16. Commodores “Nightshift” (Album Version)

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Classic Pop January 8

1. Petula Clark “Downtown”
2. The Mamas & The Papas “Monday, Monday”
3. Jose Feliciano “Light My Fire”
4. Harry Nilsson “Everybody’s Talkin’”
5. The 5th Dimension “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”
6. Dionne Warwick “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”
7. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together”
8. Janis Ian “At Seventeen”
9. Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Love”
10. The Doobie Brothers “What A Fool Believes”
11. Kenny Loggins “This Is It”
12. Toto “Rosanna”
13. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got To Do With It”
14. Phil Collins “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”
15. Steve Winwood “Higher Love”
16. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life”

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Contemporary Rock January 8

1. Living Colour “Cult Of Personality”
2. Melissa Etheridge “Ain’t It Heavy”
3. Soul Asylum “Runaway Train”
4. Stone Temple Pilots “Plush”
5. Soundgarden “Black Hole Sun”
6. Blues Traveler “Run-Around” (Album version)
7. Tracy Chapman “Give Me One Reason”
8. The Smashing Pumpkins “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”
9. The Chemical Brothers “Block Rockin’ Beats”
10. Fiona Apple “Criminal”
11. Lenny Kravitz “Fly Away”
12. Coldplay “In My Place”
13. Dave Matthews “Gravedigger”
14. The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army”
15. Evanescence “Bring Me To Life”
16. Green Day “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Classic Country January 8

1. Roger Miller “King Of The Road”
2. Jeannie C. Riley “Harper Valley P.T.A.”
3. Tammy Wynette “Stand By Your Man”
4. Johnny Cash “A Boy Named Sue”
5. Lynn Anderson “Rose Garden”
6. Ray Price “For The Good Times”
7. Johnny Cash & June Carter “If I Were A Carpenter”
8. Jerry Reed “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”
9. Donna Fargo “Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.”
10. Crystal Gayle “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”
11. Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”
12. Kenny Rogers “The Gambler”
13. The Charlie Daniels Band “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”
14. George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
15. Dolly Parton “9 To 5″
16. Willie Nelson “Always On My Mind”

Ultimate GRAMMY Collection: Contemporary Country January 8

1. Vince Gill “When I Call Your Name”
2. Mary Chapin Carpenter “Down At The Twist And Shout”
3. The Judds “Love Can Build A Bridge”
4. Brooks & Dunn “Hard Workin’ Man”
5. Dwight Yoakam “Ain’t That Lonely Yet”
6. Asleep At The Wheel and Lyle Lovett “Blues For Dixie”
7. The Mavericks “Here Comes The Rain”
8. LeAnn Rimes “Blue”
9. Alison Krauss and Union Station “Looking In The Eyes Of Love”
10. Trisha Yearwood “How Do I Live”
11. George Jones “Choices”
12. June Carter Cash “Keep On The Sunny Side”
13. Tim McGraw “Live Like You Were Dying”
14. Gretchen Wilson “Redneck Woman”
15. Emmylou Harris “The Connection”
16. Carrie Underwood “Jesus, Take The Wheel”

Ultimate Grammy Collection: Contemporary Pop on amazon.com

For more information, please visit the Ultimate GRAMMY Collection Official Website

Age 0 – Winnipeg, Canada, the coldest major city in the world. I’m born in the dead of winter 1987. My birth completes the band lineup of Dave 4, and Kyle 2.

Age 5 – Because there’s not much else to do when it’s -40C, my brothers and I become obsessed with our Dad’s old vinyls in the basement. The Rolling Stone’s “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out” is our introduction to rock n’ roll, followed by “Who’s Next”, “London Calling”, and “Something Else” by The Kinks.

Age 8 – We discover a cassette of Green Day’s “Dookie”, and buy our first guitar! It’s a cheap old Yamaha Spanish guitar. This crappy little orange instrument becomes a hot commodity in the house and we lose interest in anything else…we sell our Nintendo. With that guitar in our hands we begin writing our own songs, one of which was called “inward eye”, the song is scrapped but the name sticks.

Age 9 – After saving up our money from clearing snow from driveways and mowing lawns all year we buy our first electric guitar, it’s made in Korea so you know it is good. A Fender bass soon follows. Dave and Kyle, being older, manage to keep the guitars away from me so I’m forced to be the drummer. I beat on plastic kitchenware, pots and pans as we jam in our basement. Due to the amount of broken cookware and splintered wooden spoons in the house, our parents break down and buy me a drumset for Christmas!

Age 12 – We play our first show at our community center’s winter carnival in February 1999. We play five 40-minute sets playing originals and classic rock covers. I can barely see over my drumset. They pass around a hat at the end of the night and we get a hundred bucks, we like being a band. We quit hockey.

Age 16 – We realize we’ve been playing in this band for most of our lives and we’ve only ever played with each other…no member changes! The musical chemistry and genetic pre-disposition to like the same music makes our band special. As a 3-piece, there’s nowhere to hide so we perfect our technique and learn to fill out our sound. We start gigging heavily in our hometown and build a local following. I become an expert at sneaking into clubs underage. I have especially fond memories of opening up for amateur strip nights at a Winnipeg Club called “the Zoo”. The gigs get better from here…

Age 18 – By the time I get to my senior year in high school, they want to kick me out of school for always being away on tour. I manage to convince the school principal to allow me to study while on tour and I squeak by and graduate. Dave and Kyle are patient and wait for me to finish high school while holding down part-time jobs. We keep the band going by playing any and every show we can find. Two months after my final exam, we go into the studio.

Age 19 – We write and demo songs for a year with our friend and mentor Arnold Lanni. We get to open for our musical idols the Who on their Canadian tour! We keep touring across North America and road-test our material.

Age 20 – In the fall of 2006 we set up home base in Temecula, California for the next year while making our record and touring wherever they’ll take us. Now the album’s finished and we’re heading back out on the road!!

Download “You Know I Know” MP3 by Inward Eye

Inward Eye on Myspace

Strictly from an observers point of view, I must admit I am curious. It’s hard not to be from all of this excitement. To be able play a video game where up to four players can play instrument-based peripherals – guitar, bass, drums, and a microphone for the singer seems like fun. However, as a singer and musician, I would be interested to know if musicians really can have fun playing Rock Band without getting bored quickly. After all, what’s better than experiencing the real thing? Then again, after a few drinks…

Hats off to the developers, though. Rock Band does seem like it could be a great party game and it is quite the innovative idea.

I’ve been growing more fascinated with the use of music in video games. They’re a great platform for music and will continue to create more opportunities for bands and artists in the years to come.

Now that MTV is involved, it will be interesting to see where we go from here. Rock Band is opening up the playing field and breaking independent bands alongside major artists within the game. I think that’s a great idea and I’m all for it (even with the inclusion of some of the Harmonix staff who are in bands like Freezepop and Bang Camaro!).

The song list is impressive. Just looking through the set list, there are some standout tracks that would be fun to sing and play along to like “Ballroom Blitz”, “Creep”, “Dani California”, “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, “Foreplay/Longtime”, “Tom Sawyer” and a few others.

It was announced at one point that Steven Van Zandt, a.k.a. Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band) was going to “head up the board as the chairman with a select group of celebrity musicians and industry experts to select songs.” I’m not sure who was responsible for the band Boston being included, but it’s funny to see, considering Rock Band was created by a Boston based company.

I can imagine there will be many people out there wondering why certain bands and artists aren’t included yet. Like, where’s Jimi Hendrix? I know that Experience Hendrix (Janie who handles his estate) can be strict with his music but if anything, this would be a great platform for his music. Better than having his image printed on golf balls, but I digress.

The song list is also lacking in female singers. Heart (“Barracuda” would be a rockin’ number to sing) and Pat Benatar would be fun additions, but maybe they’ll add more in time. Little Steven certainly has his hands full, and I’m sure will be getting requests for bands on a daily basis.

When or if I do end up playing Rock Band, I’ll be sure to include a full review of my experience with the game here on Band Weblogs.

Watch the Rock Band video demo review by IGN:

Rock Band Song List:
(In alphabetical order)

Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Ballroom Blitz – Sweet
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones
Celebrity Skin – Hole
Cherub Rock – Smashing Pumpkins
Creep – Radiohead
Dani California – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dead on Arrival – Fall Out Boy
Detroit Rock City – Kiss
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
The Electric Version – The New Pornographers
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Epic – Faith No More
Flirtin’ with Disaster – Molly Hatchet
Foreplay/Long Time – Boston
Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
Go with the Flow – Queens of the Stone Age
Green Grass and High Tides – The Outlaws
The Hand That Feeds – Nine Inch Nails
Here It Goes Again – OK Go
Highway Star – Deep Purple
I Think I’m Paranoid – Garbage
In Bloom – Nirvana
Learn to Fly – Foo Fighters
Main Offender – The Hives
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mississippi Queen – Mountain
Next to You – The Police
Orange Crush – R.E.M.
Paranoid – Black Sabbath
Reptilia – The Strokes
Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
Say It Ain’t So – Weezer
Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
Suffragette City – David Bowie
Tom Sawyer – Rush
Train Kept A-Rollin’ – Aerosmith
Vasoline – Stone Temple Pilots
Wanted Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi
Wave of Mutilation – Pixies
Welcome Home – Coheed and Cambria
When You Were Young – The Killers
Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who

13 bonus tracks by established bands and independent artists that can be unlocked as you play the game:

Song List:

29 Fingers – The Konks
Blood Doll – Anarchy Club
Brainpower – Freezepop
Can’t Let Go – Death of the Cool
Day Late, Dollar Short – The Acro-Brats
I Get By – Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives
I’m So Sick – Flyleaf
Nightmare – Crooked X
Outside – Tribe
Pleasure (Pleasure) – Bang Camaro
Seven – Vagiant
Time We Had – The Mother Hips
Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld – Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld

Downloadable song packs will also be available.

Rock Band is currently available for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 consoles. PS2 in December 2007.

Rock Band on amazon.com

Rock Band IGN video review link

For more information, go to:

Rock Band Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Despite mounting pressure to make their lives easy with all of the desirable lunches and dinners A&R expense accounts bought Enter Shikari, in November 2006 this band from St. Albans, England took it upon themselves to make the (possibly reckless) decision NOT to sign to a major label. Instead, they took a loan from their distributor, Vital/Integral, and announced they would be releasing their debut album on their own Ambush Reality label.

Enter Shikari’s debut album ‘Take To The Skies’ was released in the UK, Europe and Japan in March 2007 and quickly slammed into the Number 3 spot on the UK album charts – not to mention two singles hitting the number one spot.

Then, in true punk form, Enter Shikari rejected US label options and partnered with label imprint Tiny Evil Records (Jimmy Eat World, Brand New, AFI) for the October 30th, 2007 stateside release of ‘Take To The Skies.’ The main benefits of this route are that Enter Shikari has never had to listen to anyone else’s advice but their own. They have taken themselves from ‘one man and his dog’ to capacity crowds. All without ever having to wait for a ‘tastemaker’ deem them this afternoon’s ‘next big thing’. Not bad for a bunch of St. Albans lads.

Edges that were once rough (and would surely have been smoothed over and dulled by advice from those with an interest in shifting product) have instead been sharpened by the road, turning Enter Shikari into one of the most exciting, brutal and explosive live bands on Britain’s screamo / post-hardcore / whatthefu**ever ’scene’ to this date.

After playing a packed to rafter tent at 2006’s Download Festival and then opening up for My Chemical Romance, the loyal “Army of Shikari” was steadily growing at a rapid pace. Validating all their hard work, perseverance and a no compromise attitude, the lads went on to sell out the London Astoria, being the second band ever in the world to achieve such a feat without a record deal or album out.

How do they feel about being asked to play [the Give it a Name Tour]?

“We’re very excited about playing. And it’s some massive venues, with like seventeen thousand people. It’s a crazy line-up. I mean, we’re above Senses Fail, which is just incredible because we love them…I’m looking forward to seeing bands like Thursday and Brand New…AFI…HIM” – Big Cheese

When the late and greatly missed Tony Wilson walked into the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Show town hall one evening back in June 1976, he stumbled across a little known band called Sex Pistols, playing to a half empty room consisting of a bunch unenthused northern union workers and overeager junior industry folk. At that very moment Wilson knew he’d just discovered a band so utterly groundbreaking, exciting and ultimately inspiring upon that stage. A band that had credible music critics baffled and scratching their heads, ranting what a joke they were. Yet soon became genre defining icons, symbolic of a subculture that still resonates in various forms to this very day.

Last summer Tony Wilson himself, was ranting away to many about another band he’d also found in the UK in the summer of 2006. In came Enter Shikari…

Two parts post-hardcore, the other half synth-rock trance. With obvious nods to the 90’s UK rave scene along with another to punk and hardcore, they’ve managed to rally up even the most stoic of fans to mosh like madmen and wave their hands in the air like the most dedicated of ravers!

Enter Shikari has been called everything from punk to trancecore, trance emo to flat out screamo. UK Press labeling aside, what we have here is another groundbreaking and genre defying band. They’re the only band who walked away with 2 prestigious Kerrang Magazine Music Awards this year for Best British Band, and The Spirit of Independence Awards.

In true Keith Moon fashion, Rolfe is quite possibly the wildest member in the band, he is blatantly unable to physically stay behind his drum kit through out the set, continually moving stage front during (the) synthesized parts of songs – he’s a key element into what gets the crowd excited and what makes this band so utterly unique in their performances.

“Rou Reynolds’s snarled verses give way to choruses that are literally choral-unison vocals whose sustained notes and purity of tone uplift the spirit like sunlight pouring through stained glass”. – Blender

“We want to do things differently”, says Reynolds, “we always have. We want to do things ourselves and we want to take responsibility for the things we do. We want to make something that’s personal, because otherwise how can people be expected to relate to it? How can they be expected to like us?”

Watch video – Enter Shikari “Mothership” Live at Reading Festival:

Finally bowing to pressure from the fans they’ve collected online, this past spring they embarked on their first ever US tour. This was without any label behind them, they managed to wow the crowds in North America all on their own, with a short run of dates in Anaheim, Pomona, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Toronto, Worcester and New Jersey to start.

When they recently played in NYC at an all ages Bowery Show, over 300 kids who moshed and raved, then broke out the windmills, oozing the angst so familiar to audiences who went to see the Pistols back in the late 70’s. The enthusiasm of the Bowery crowd is a testament to Enter Shikari’s loyal fan base and, importantly, their ability to put on a kick-ass live show. The live performance this band delivers is supreme – complete with glow sticks and a heart-felt rapport with the audience.

In December 2007 they embark on a West Coast tour from Portland to San Diego to celebrate the long-anticipated release of ‘Take To The Skies’. But if this tour is anything like their previous New York show, fans will be screaming every lyric back at the band, despite an official album release duration of only one month.

Enter Shikari formed while still in school in 2003. As soon as the summer came around, they climbed in the van and hit the road. They’ve pretty much never come home since. It seems nothing will stop them and they have no plans of doing such a thing. Catch the intensity and infamous notoriety that is, Enter Shikari.

Read what some people are saying about Enter Shikari:

“Genuine musical phenomena” – The Guardian (UK)

“Enter Shikari bring a fresh twist to the frequently botched dream of rocktronica. Where the Prodigy merged rave dynamics with cartoon punk tantrums, Shikari mesh hacking guitar riffs with serenely celestial synth-ripples…As fervent about dance culture’s hands-in-the-air rituals as punk and metai’s moshing and stage-diving…Shikari are all about the release of constructive aggression.” – Blender

“An immeasurably thrilling proposition, tonight Enter Shikari ruled – in front of their own crowd they’re going to slay” – NME

“Enter Shikari…have become the figureheads of a new anything-goes generation…Their marriage of both types of hardcore (techno and punk) and a flirtation with the trappings of rave culture have resulted in a unique combination that fuses the hard-hitting wide-eyed delivery of the Prodigy with the proto-screamo dynamics of Refused…” – Alternative Press

“One of the most inventive UK bands in years” – Uncut Magazine

“It’s as if the Prodigy got eaten by Muse’s crazy younger brother” – Observer Music Monthly

Winter 2007 North American Tour Dates:

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

November 30th – Portland, Oregon – Satyricon
December 1 – Vancouver, Canada – Plaza Club
December 2 – Seattle, Washington – Chop Suey
December 4 – San Francisco, California – Bottom Of The Hill
December 5 – Los Angeles – Troubadour
December 6 – Anaheim – Chain Reaction
December 7 – San Diego – Soma

Watch Enter Shikari “Sorry You’re Not A Winner” video

“Britain’s hottest band” – Sunday Times Culture

“Sounds like Pantera getting off their nut at Manumission…Euphoric House forcibly buggered by teenage screamo tykes” – NME

Band Members:

Rou Reynolds – Vocals/Electronics
Chris Batten – Bass/Vocals
Rory Clewlow – Guitar/backing Vocals
Rob Rolfe – Drums

More videos on YouTube – Ambush Reality
Enter Shikari on Myspace
Enter Shikari Official Website

One of the best things about discovering bands and listening to new music online is when you can turn what initially begins as a virtual experience into a live music experience. The first time that I heard Souljacker was on their Myspace page after I was tipped off by a friend to check them out. I really liked their sound and had to wait about three weeks to see them play live at the Temple Bar in Oxford, England – and last Saturday the wait was finally over.

The Temple Bar has been around for quite a few years now, and in the “old days” was a place where a lot of musicians would gather and hang out. Over the years, there hasn’t been much going on there and I never really heard anyone talking about the Temple Bar – good or bad.

Things are different now. New owner Barry has opened the doors to musicians and has set up an open mic night on Wednesdays and live music on Saturday nights. There’s a great atmosphere, the bar staff are friendly and you can’t beat Barry’s enthusiasm toward live music and helping bands and musicians hone their craft, while entertaining the punters.

It was good to see the room begin to fill up as Souljacker started their set. They play guitar rock – originals that sound like old classics (“Jimmy Drank My Tea”), along with classic covers by bands like Free, Motorhead and Jimi Hendrix Experience. They even played a funky cover of “Ghostbusters”, which caught me by surprise. The crowd loved it.

Souljacker played two sets – and for each set, the crowd was engrossed. The band is full of confidence which, considering how young they are, is refreshing to see. Singer/guitarist Patrick Burley (and his soulful vocals) is entertaining and interacts with the crowd like an old pro. Same goes for guitarist Hamish Denny. The guitar solos are stand-out and drummer Josh Catling is incredible. As a unit they’re tight and sound like they’ve been playing for years.

I think that it’s easy to forget that while the area (Oxford) tends to be over-saturated with indie bands, that there are other styles out there. Saturday night proved to me that the public is hungry for something else.

If steered in the right direction, Souljacker could reach many more people who have missed hearing new rock bands on the scene. They are definitely a band to watch out for, and if they’re playing in a town near you, I highly recommend going to check them out.

Souljacker Band Members:

Patrick Burley – Guitar/Vocals
Hamish Denny – Guitar
Rowan Mayo – Bass
Josh Catling – Drums
Robbie Moore – Keyboards

For more information and live show dates go to:

Souljacker on Myspace

Photo Credit: Dave Tommo

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs