Legendary rapper GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, also know as the "Genius," will team up with his hometown blogger Brooklyn Vegan to lend their expertise and knowledge of music in deciding the winner of the inaugural Dickies Battle of the Bands in Austin, TX on Friday, March 20, 2009.

DJ Josh Madden, founder of the DCMA Collective, will DJ the event.

They will be partnered up with one final celebrity judge in the music industry to be announced shortly.

Submissions are still open for the Dickies Battle, but time is ticking! 8 independent/unsigned bands will be selected to compete for the $10,000 grand prize in this monumental war for the title. All entries are accepted via the Dickies Battle of the Bands website (http://dickiesupstart.com/) or by mail.

Deadline for submissions has been EXTENDED to Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:59pm EST. Bands chosen to compete will be announced March 2, 2009 on http://dickiesupstart.com.

About Dickies

Founded in 1922, Dickies has worked its way up to become the largest work wear manufacturer in the world. Every Dickies garment, from work pants and work shirts to denim jeans, women's work wear and kids' school wear, stands for the quality, toughness, and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker-traits mirrored in the rugged lifestyle that any independent / unsigned artist endures while grinding away to share their music with the masses.

The Dickies name has been built on strength and durability, qualities most bands will need as today's music business becomes more of a struggle than ever. Don't miss your chance to come out on top-enter the Battle of the Bands now!

While Dickies Battle of the Bands is taking place in Austin during SXSW, it is not an official SXSW event. This also means it's free and open to the public.

For more information, go to:

Dickies Battle of the Bands Official Website

To celebrate the highly anticipated release of Afro Samurai: Resurrection, The RZA will be appearing on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson both as the lead panel guest and the music guest tonight (Tuesday January 27th), on the album's release date.

LA based future-soul band and collaborators, Stone Mecca, will back RZA up as his live band to perform the "Afro Season II Open Theme" from the soundtrack followed by a transition directly into, "You Can't Stop Me Now", off the critically acclaimed RZA/Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, out now.

The show airs at 12:35 ET/PT on the CBS network.

RZA on amazon.com

RZA on amazon.co.uk

'Afro Samurai: Resurrection' is the soundtrack to season two of Spike TV's critically lauded animated television show and DVD featuring the voice of Samuel L Jackson. The soundtrack hits stores just two days after the series premier, which aired January 25, 2009, and will be quickly followed by a broadcast edition, special 2 disc bonus edition, and director's cut blu-ray edition DVDs.

Also available on January 27th is an Afro Samurai video game for PS3 and Xbox 360 which hit gold status based on pre-orders alone. Each includes the exclusive soundtrack musically produced entirely by Wu Tang Clan's The RZA who has produced a number of albums for the Wu Tang Clan, its affiliates, and other A list artists that have lead to sales in the millions.

He has a successful movie career and as appeared in films with Bill Murray (Coffee & Cigarettes), Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe (American Gangster), Angela Bassett (Gospel Hill), Jude Law & Forest Whitaker (Repossession Mambo), Clive Owens (Derailed).

RZA's also created soundtracks for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Afro Samurai, the cult-classic Ghostdog: The Way Of The Samurai and the up and coming Judd Apatow / Seth Rogen flick (Funny People). He's revolutionized the hip-hop world while simultaneously creating an empire upon it.

RZA's latest single "Whar" features Ghostface, Kool G Rap, Tash and Mahagony and is already one of the most talked about tracks of the year since hitting digital stores this month. Check out "Whar" and other tracks from the album at WuMusicGroup.com.

Wu Tang Clan Official Website

Afro Samurai: Resurrection

RZA MySpace

Singles release dates and information could change! This is not a complete list - other releases could be added.

Go to the bands and artists official websites for the latest release dates, news and information.

7th January

Basshunter - Now You're Gone
Bodyrox feat Luciana - What Planet You On?
British Sea Power - Waving Flags
Celine Dion - Eyes On Me
Clocks - All I Can / That Much Better (7") [Limited]
Daughtry - Home
Dave Armstrong & Redroche feat H-Boogie - Love Has Gone
DJ Jeroenski - Back Once Again
Envy Corps - Story Problem
Hoosiers - Worst Case Scenario
Jamie Scott & The Town - Standing In The Rain
The Kills - U.R.A. Fever (7")
Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses
Matt Costa - Mr Pitiful (7")
Parka - Disco Dancer
Ringo Starr - Liverpool 8
Robots In Disguise - We're In The Music Biz
Turin Brakes - Something In My Eye

14th January

Annuals - Dry Clothes
Britney Spears - Piece Of Me
Cass McCombs - That's That (7")
Circuits - City Of Lights / Before It's Over (7")
Client - Lights Go Out
Courteeners - What Took You So Long?
Daniel Rachel - Let It Be Mine
Dave Gahan - Saw Something / Deeper And Deeper
David Ford - I'm Alright Now
Eastern Conference Champions - Single Sedative
Ernesto Vs Bastian - Unchained Melody (12")
Fischerspooner - The Best Revenge (12")
Furry Phreaks feat Terra Deva - All Over The World
The Grit - Surrender
Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
Jennifer Lopez - Hold It Don't Drop It
Jody Watley - I Want Your Love
Joss Stone - Baby Baby Baby
Justice - Phantom
Kanye West feat Chris Martin - Homecoming
Lightspeed Champion - Tell Me What It's Worth
Lupe Fiasco feat Matthew Santos - Superstar
Madness - NW5
The Mars Volta - Wax Simulacra
Noah & The Whale - 2 Bodies 1 Heart / Rocks & Daggers
Palladium - White Lady
Presets - My People (12")
Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Robyn - Be Mine
Sons & Daughters - Darling (7")
Stephen Fretwell - Now (7")
Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha Man (7") [Limited]
Trashcan Jack vs Billy Idol - Club Wedding
Underworld - Beautiful Burnout (12")
Will I Am - One More Chance
Wombats - Moving To New York

21st January

Adele - Chasing Pavements
Alter Bridge - Ties That Bind
Avenged Sevenfold - Afterlife
Bullet For My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire
BWO - Sunshine In The Rain
Cass McCombs - That's That (7")
Colin MacIntyre - tba
Cut Off Your Hands - Oh Girl (7")
Das Pop - Fool For Love
Jay Sean - Ride It
Kid Sister feat Kanye West - Pro Nails
The Little Ones - Ordinary Song
One Night Only - Just For Tonight
Paula De Anda feat The Dey - Walk Away
Siouxsie - About To Happen (7")
These New Puritans - Elvis
Thom Yorke - And It Rained All Night (Burial Remix) (12")
Tim Deluxe - You Got Tha Touch (12")
Wu Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps

28th January

Atomic Kitten - Anyone Who Had A Heart
Bob Mould - The Silence Between Us (7")
Cajun Dance Party - The Race (7")
Cassie - Is It You
Dominatorz - Do You Love Me?
The Duke Spirit - The Step And The Walk
Elliot Minor - Still Figuring Out
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Kelly Rowland - Work
Laura Marling - Ghosts
Mary J Blige - Just Fine
Matchbox Twenty - These Hard Times
Michael Jackson featuring Will.I.Am - The Girl Is Mine
Morrissey - That's How People Grow Up
New Sins - It Doesn't Work Like That
Primary 1 - Hold Me Down
Richard Hawley - Valentine
School Of Language - Rockist
Thom Yorke - Atoms for Peace (Four Tet Remix) (12")
Those Dancing Days - Hitten
Tin Man - Tonight
Urbnri - Young Free & Simple
Wallis Bird - Counting To Sleep
Yves La Rock - Zookey

If you have any queries please contact manickangaroo at havenforum.co.uk

The band will perform behind the pioneering rap group in front of crowds of 20,000 or more in the U.S. this summer. As one of the main headliners, along with bands like Rage Against the Machine and The Roots, the Clan will even the playing field by incorporating live instruments into their set.

The group Stone Mecca, which has two songs featured on The RZA Presents: Afro Samurai Soundtrack, first became affiliated with Wu-Tang when they performed with RZA on CBS's The Late Late Showin 2004. "I think joining Wu on stage is a wonderful opportunity for us," says Tru James from the group. "It will also bring a different flavor, a different energy to their show." He adds, "Some of the Wu fans already know us as part of the Wu Family, but this will help us gain some new fans and recognition."

For tour dates, tickets, and a complete list of performers, visit the Rock the Bells Official Website.

For more info visit them at Stone Mecca on Myspace.

Wu-Tang Clan Official Website

About Touch the Music Records

Touch the Music Records is a newly formed independent label based in Los Angeles, CA. This grassroots label is committed to delivering progressive, soulful music to audiences who yearn for something more than interchangeable, cookie-cutter songs. With in-house production and a focus on artist development, Touch The Music Records is a sanctuary for creative, expressive minds. Their goal is to become a safe haven for the talented artists who would be lost in the economic shuffle of major labels. The company's mission is to transform the world one song at a time. For more info, contact Nicole Cheray at nicolecheray@touchthemusicrecords.com.