New at Band Weblogs: we’ll be reviewing stand-up comedians as well as comedy releases such as DVD’s, TV shows, CDs, etc. and basically pointing you in the right direction for a good laugh …
New at Band Weblogs: we’ll be reviewing stand-up comedians as well as comedy releases such as DVD’s, TV shows, CDs, etc. and basically pointing you in the right direction for a good laugh.
Because God knows we all need a good chuckle in these days of Credit crunching. Although there was light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately it had to be turned off due to the recession. I know, we shouldn’t laugh at misfortune……but, F**** it! We’ve been laughing at the man falling over since cave man days (and do you know what? It just gets funnier)! Look I can prove it – check out this clip:
If you are a stand-up comedian or an agent / manager, please send us information of gigs, books or releases and we’ll endeavor to review and/or publish press releases for you.
Simply email: info at bandweblogs dot com with your information and enquiries.
In the meantime, I would like to play you some of the late great Bill Hicks. In my opinion one of the cleverest comedians to spit into a mic’. Now this show was the first time I had seen or heard of Mr Hicks and it freaked me out!!
Sit back “smoke a cigarette” or eat some popcorn and laugh at this man.
I’ve been listening to Grace Jones’ new “Williams’ Blood” single and remixes. They are GREAT. Especially the Mad Professor remixes. Excellent track. When I first listened to ‘Hurricane’, “Williams’ Blood” stood out – and the ‘Amazing Grace’ bit at the end gave me shivers up and down my spine. – Jenny May, BandWeblogs.com …
I’ve been listening to Grace Jones‘ new “Williams’ Blood” single and remixes. They are GREAT. Especially the Mad Professor remixes. Excellent track. When I first listened to ‘Hurricane’, “Williams’ Blood” stood out – and the ‘Amazing Grace’ bit at the end gave me shivers up and down my spine. – Jenny May, BandWeblogs.com
Press Release:
8th December 2008 will see the release of “Williams’ Blood”, off of Grace Jones‘ breathtaking new album, ‘Hurricane‘, released on the Wall Of Sound label. “Williams’ Blood” is released on 12″ and digital download.
Enigmatic Grace, who this month released her first studio album in nearly twenty years, has been enjoying a stunning return. ‘Hurricane’, the new LP co-produced by Grace herself along with Ivor Guest, has seen Ms Jones collaborate with old friends Sly and Robbie as well as the likes of Brian Eno.
2008 has seen the recently crowned Q Awards Idol winner reenter the public consciousness with a sensational show at this year’s Meltdown Festival that was the live event of the year and startling recent appearances on Tonight With Jonathan Ross and Later… with Jools Holland.
A dramatic, uplifting and positive track, “Williams’ Blood” projects Grace’s versatility and relevance in today’s pop culture. With guest vocals from Grace’s mother, Marjorie, the track is a personal insight into the World of Ms Jones.
A video directed by the elusive (and highly selective) Chris Cunnigham is also in production, promising to add further kudos and attention to this already iconic campaign.
Remixes of the track come courtesy of Mad Professor, Greg Wilson and Ivor Guest – with more to be announced in the very near future.
The album, ‘Hurricane’, was released 3rd November 2008.
“Amazing Grace” – Observer Music Monthly
“Pop icon pulls back up to the bumper, baby” – Uncut
“Beware, the bitch is back” – Clash
“The results are extraordinary” – GQ
“Did you have any doubts that Grace’s re-emergence could be, well, amazing? Fear not: Hurricane will blow them all away” – Attitude
Limited Edition 12″ Vinyl (WOS042T)
A1: Williams Blood (Album Version)
A2: Williams Blood (Mad Professor Remix)
B1: Williams Blood (Greg Wilson Version)
B2: Williams Blood (Ivor Guest Remix)
It’s raw and emotional. It’s freight-train-to-nowhere lonely. It’s hard-rockin’, no-apologies country music that has traded in its twang for a gravelly growl millions of fans recognize as the voice of Gary Allan …
It’s raw and emotional. It’s freight-train-to-nowhere lonely. It’s hard-rockin’, no-apologies country music that has traded in its twang for a gravelly growl millions of fans recognize as the voice of Gary Allan. And with ‘Living Hard’, his latest release from MCA Nashville, Allan once again proves that, though times may change, the thread of truth at the center of his music remains the same.
“I think the fans are gonna feel that this record is different,” he says, “but the most important thing is that what I do is authentic. I’ve never pushed for a certain image. I’ve just always done my own thing.”
This time around, Allan says, that includes letting listeners ride along through his personal landscape over the past year. “The record has taken about a year to make,” he says, “and I think the whole thing reflects change. I think every record sort of reflects where I’m at, and I’ve made a ton of changes this year, just mentally and in how I’m approaching everything. “Oh,” he adds with a grin, “and I think it’s much more rockin’ than anything I’ve done.”
Allan decided to crank it up musically. “I just felt like I was growing so much and wanted the music to reflect that. I think the result has more of an edge.” More edge, from the man who’s already got a reputation as a bit of a Nashville outsider? “Hopefully country music feels like they need somebody like me in the fold just to shake things up,” he laughs.
Not that this was all his idea – Allan feels some of the changes come from the fans themselves. “It’s not like I was trying for a new direction, it’s almost audience driven, too. l feel like I’ve got this young crowd with me now, I’ve got these rocker kids in my audience. And I grew up with that music, too,” says the California-bred singer, “so to me that stuff is right alongside Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings. The people really dictate the music, too. I feed off the audience, whatever they’re really wanting is what they drag out of me. I’ve got the edgy side of the country crowd – and I want to keep them.”
No danger of losing them – ‘Living Hard’ is an all-out rocker with a heavy Rolling Stones influence, and in “Like It’s a Bad Thing” he lets it rip with a song that reads like a Gary Allan bad boy manifesto. “That song does sound like me, doesn’t it?” he says. “I think if anything, that sort of renegade spirit is even more prevalent on this album. We’ve always danced to our own tune.”
Gary Allan, whose life is a whirlwind of hard-driving touring, also made a conscious decision to carve out more songwriting time for this album than ever before. “It’s the most I’ve written on any album,” he says. “I usually only write on my time off because I’m going so much that I hardly have time to ponder and sit around enough to want to write. Last year I sort of forced myself into it early so that I could write more for the record.”
He was pleased with the result: “I’m usually more critical on my stuff,” he says, “but I feel like I’m writing better, and obviously the more you’ve been through, the more you’ve got to say and the deeper you can express those emotions.”
If you’ve been to his shows, Allan says, you know that when he sings about “baring my soul for the price of your ticket,” he’s not just blowing smoke. Since his last studio album, 2005’s ‘Tough All Over’, which drew on his experiences coping with the death-by-suicide of his wife, Angela, in 2004, Allan has become known for putting all his emotions on the line in his songs. “I’m exactly the same on the stage as I am off the stage,” he says, “and what I found is, the bigger the arena, the more you’re standing in the middle of those people, the more transparent you are. You can tell when somebody’s not authentic or they’re trying to be something they’re not.”
In songs like “Learning How to Bend,” he admits he’s still exploring some rough terrain as he makes his way back into everyday life and the possibility of a new relationship. “I think my favorite song that I wrote on this album is “Learning How to Bend” he says. “I woke up one day with that title. And it’s me, you know – I’m still learning, learning how to bend.”
And in “We Touched the Sun” he moves forward while looking back at the beautiful times he shared with Angela. “There’s a small circle of us that write songs together, and it’s like group therapy,” he says with a chuckle. “And the result is it’s real. We rented a house in Costa Rica just to write, and “We Touched the Sun” is one of the songs that came out of that session. It’s a very reflective song, looking back at Angela. But it could be anybody you loved, just all the fond memories.”
Thanks in part to all of that musical therapy, says Allan, these days “I’m in a good place, definitely happy.” And, he assures his fans, if you’ve been through tough times yourself, or you’re just wondering how he’s coping these days, all you have to do is listen to his music. “I don’t really talk to people about my situation,” he says, “but I feel like since I do write about my life and where I am, you can watch me heal through my music. It’s lots easier on me, and I do hope that the music speaks to you.”
With ‘Living Hard’, Allan is sure to find his music speaking to an ever-growing number of fans. “I want to reach even bigger audiences,” he says. “I feel like I’ve got so much to say and so much to do right now and things are moving so fast. It’s great to have something new to throw at people.”
Most of all, he says, he just wants people to come along for the ride – and hear the sounds of a life in progress. “It’s a good listen, I think,” he says. “I’m excited for people to hear it. It’ll take you through a whole range of emotions, and I think it’s going to take you on a journey. That’s my goal.”
Dates could be added or changed! Go to Gary Allan’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.
January 18 2008 – Kinder, LA @ Coushatta Casino Resort
February 16 2008 – San Antonio TX @ AT&T Center
March 15 2008 – Sydney, Aus @ CMC Rocks the Snowys
March 19 2008 – Toowoomba, QLD, Australia @ Empire Theatre
March 20 2008 – Tweed Heads West, NSW, Australia @ Seagulls Club
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 …
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?”
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
This October and November 2007, Robbers On High Street will be making their rounds across the US with Great Northern (Eenie Meenie Records) in support of their new album ‘Grand Animals’ […]
This October and November 2007, Robbers On High Street will be making their rounds across the US with Great Northern (Eenie Meenie Records) in support of their new album ‘Grand Animals’, available now via New Line Records.
See what people are saying about ‘Grand Animals’:
“Soulful and tight like the Jam but with a more laid-back 1970s AM radio feel.” – Playboy Magazine
“Robbers On High Street return with a fresh crop of melodically driven, 60s-centric gems … the Robbers elaborate on their pop throwbacks by blending assertive lyrics with balladeering instrumentation for a big and funky final product.” – CMJ
“A shining amalgamation of what good rock can be.” – URB Magazine
Robbers On High Street 2007 tour dates:
Dates could change! Go to Robbers On High Street’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.
October 17 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY (CMJ with The Little Ones)
with Great Northern
October 23 – Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
October 24 – The Village Tavern – Mt. Pleasant, SC
October 25 – The Bottletree – Birmingham, AL
October 26 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
October 27 – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL
October 28 – The Social – Orlando, FL
October 29 – Beta Bar – Tallahassee, FL
October 30 – House of Blues Parish – New Orleans, LA
November 1 – The Mink – Houston, TX
November 2 – Club Deville – Austin, TX
November 3 – The Cavern – Dallas, TX
November 4 – Opolis – Norman, OK
November 6 – Modified – Phoenix. AZ
November 7 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
November 8 – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA (Great Northern headlines)
November 9 – Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA (Great Northern headlines)
November 10 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR (Great Northern headlines)
November 12 – The Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA
November 15 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
November 16 – The Jackpot Saloon – Lawrence, KS
November 17 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
November 18 – Schubas – Chicago, IL
Robbers On High Street’s ‘Grand Animals’ is available online and in stores now.
“Run-Away” is the second single to be taken from the Super Furry Animals’ latest and highly acclaimed album, ‘Hey Venus!’ and is set for release in the UK on October 29, 2007 on Rough Trade […]
“Run-Away” is the second single to be taken from the Super Furry Animals‘ latest and highly acclaimed album, ‘Hey Venus!’ and is set for release in the UK on October 29, 2007 on Rough Trade. A clear stand out from the start and drawing praise from many an LP review, it boasts a chorus worthy of any home stereo, festival soundsystem or radio playlist.
The single comes complete with new tracks “These Bones” and “That’s What I’m Talking About”.
“Run-Away, a regretful admission of reluctance to confront troublesome situations, is a fine piece featuring the Spector-esque dynamic of Rhys’s harmonies tumbling through the chorus, over a block of declamatory drums, tambourine, percussion and massed guitars.”**** The Independent
With universal love for this band not showing any signs of easing up, taking in an extremely prolific 11 year career, SFA continue to go from strength to strength offering up a wealth of musical craftsmanship and inventiveness many would give their right arm to possess.
“In an exhibition of quality control almost unparalleled in modern music, Super Furry Animals have never made a bad album. Into this enviable back catalogue Hey Venus! Arrives as the band’s most immediate, accessible record yet.” – Sunday Times Culture
Having put in the hours at this year’s summer festivals, Super Furry Animals live showdown continues apace. Their ‘Hey Venus!’ 2007 UK tour begins on October 16 and climaxes at two shows at London’s Roundhouse in early November.
Super Furry Animals tour dates:
Dates could change! Go to Super Furry Animals’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.
October 2007
16th Dublin – Vicar street
17th Belfast – Mandela hall
19th Liverpool – Carling Academy
22nd Nottingham – Rock City
25th Southampton – Guildhall
26th Oxford – Carling Academy
28th Birmingham – Academy
29th Bristol – Academy
30th Leeds – Town Hall
November 2007
2nd London – Roundhouse
3rd London – Roundhouse
Some further praise for ‘Hey Venus!’:
“‘Hey Venus!’ is a fantastic pop record. It squirts at the seams with many of the greatest moments of the Furries’ career – a career that could still be yet to peak. Today and for years to come, people will discover ‘Definitely Maybe’ and ‘Everything Must Go’ and fall in love with the bands that made them. But while it’s hard to imagine your younger sibling going nuts for Oasis after hearing ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’, melodies on ‘Hey Venus!’ are certain to ensnare new hearts in a way hardly any bands who’ve been around as long as the Furries can.”8/10 NME – Album Of The Week
“Intricate and optimistic with the sunshine cut by delicious clouds of questioning melancholy, (Hey Venus!) reaffirms SFA’s position as one of the few genuinely populist, genuinely cult acts in the UK” – Plan B
“These Welsh super heroes continue to shame lesser outfits with their fluency, imagination and easy depths…if ever there was a record to restate the loveliness of the Furries with loud punctuation, Hey Venus! is it”Observer Review – Album Of The Week
Schoolyard Heroes’ new album ‘Abominations’, their Stolen Transmission debut, is set for release on September 18, 2007 and is now available for pre-order through SmartPunk. With every pre-order, you’ll also receive an autographed poster from the band (while supplies last) […]
Schoolyard Heroes’ new album ‘Abominations’, their Stolen Transmission debut, is set for release on September 18, 2007 and is now available for pre-order through SmartPunk.
With every pre-order, you’ll also receive an autographed poster from the band (while supplies last).
Here’s what people are saying about ‘Abominations’ and Seattle punk/horror band Schoolyard Heroes:
“…Lead singer (Ryann Donnelly) has a voice that can be charming and endearing one minute and then out of nowhere attack you with dark and violent imagery that this band does so well with.” – TruePunk.com
“Like the Misfits, they have that horror movie vibe to them and adds an eerie factor as well. Even with the album cover you know your in for some creeps. I would highly recommended this to fans of punk rock.” – Melodic.net
“Opening up with the danceable “Dude, Where’s My Skin?” Abominations is an eerie roller coaster ride of horror punk, merging the technical aspects and lightning fast guitar riffs of Protest The Hero with the synth melodies of The Epoxies and the general eeriness of The Creepshow and AFI.” – ThePunkSite.com
If you missed Bumbershoot this weekend, Schoolyard Heroes pretty much rocked the whole festival. The band was given the opportunity to play the festival twice, with one performance on the Main Stage with Gym Class Heroes in front of thousands of adoring fans. Here’s a shot of Ryann Donnelly getting close with the crowd…
Schoolyard Heroes’ video for their single, “Plastic Surgery Hall of Fame” will be released soon.
Schoolyard Heroes 2007 tour dates:
Dates could be added or changed! Go to Schoolyard Heroes Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.
September 10 – Miramar Theater – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 13 – Grand Emporium – Kansas City, Missouri
September 14 – Club Roxbury – Omaha, Nebraska
September 15 – Marquis Theatre – Denver, Colorado
September 16 – Avalon – Salt Lake City, Utah
September 17 at 11 PM – Sonic Boom Records In-Store – Seattle, Washington
September 18 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA (RECORD RELEASE)
September 21 – Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
September 22 – Rochester Institute of Technology – Rochester, NY
September 23 – Headliners – Toledo, OH
September 26 – St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI
September 27 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
September 28 – Metro – Chicago, IL
October 2 – Cain’s – Tulsa, OK
October 3 – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
October 4 – Beaumont Club – Kansas City, MO
October 7 – Big Easy – Boise, ID
on amazon.co.uk
on amazon.com
on amazon.com
