Music News Net

HEARTLESS BASTARDS Continue Touring Routine

      MUSIC NEWS - The Heartless Bastards have confirmed a very impressive and exciting summer 2009 touring schedule, after finishing up their first tour overseas and a powerful performance at Bonnaroo, and supporting Wilco.  

Next happening for the Austin, TX-based quartet are three of this summer's high profile tours ---supporting Jenny Lewis, The Decemberists and The Avett Brothers, as well as being invited by Andrew Bird himself to open for him at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and festival performances at Lollapalooza, All Points West, Outside Lands and Austin City Limits.   Main Bastard Erika Wennnerstrom and her fantastic new backing band (Dave Colvin on drums, Jesse Ebaugh on bass and Mark Nathan on guitar) are touring to support the critically acclaimed The Mountain, and are garnering new fans and rave reviews along the way. 

The Decemberists' guitarist Chris Funk has said, "It's been a few years since I've had a voice on repeat in my mind. This voice seems to arrive in my ears while sound checking, often before the shows on a pre-show play list and after shows too -- the songs are just perfect and the band has found their spots behind this incredible woman. A unique and enduring artist arrived into our world once again."

U2 Tour's Massive Carbon Footprint Revealed

     MUSIC NEWS -  Dispite U2's "save the planet" positions, actions like Bono and team's decision to register their companies off-shore, and therefore avoid Irish tax, impacts on Ireland's ability to give aid to the third world and the Edge's multi-unit construction project in Malibu, CA, many question the band's sincerity.  And now, a new green report on their current tour is quite shocking.  It seems their new 360 Degree World tour will have a carbon footprint equivalent to that of 6500 average UK residents combined for an entire year.  Or, 65,000 tons of CO2 !!!

Helen Roberts, environmental consultant at CarbonFootPrint.com told The Quietus: "The carbon footprint generated by U2's 44 concerts this year is equal to carbon created by the four band members travelling the 34.125 million miles from Earth to Mars in a passenger plane. You also have to add the carbon emissions from the same number of concerts again next year. Just looking at the 44 concerts this year, the band will create enough carbon to fly all 90,000 people attending one of their Wembley concerts to Dublin. To offset this year's carbon emissions, U2 would need to plant 20,118 trees". WOW !

GET UP KIDS Are Up Again, and a 10th Anniverary Release Announced

     MUSIC NEWS - After several instantly sold out reunion shows at NYC's Gramercy Theater, Los Angeles' Troubadour and San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, the Get Up Kids have announced a full USA tour. The tour kicks off September 11 at Harrah's in the band's native Kansas City and will coincide with the 10th anniversary deluxe reissue of its landmark second album, Something to Write Home About, releasing September 8 via Vagrant Records.

The Get Up Kids formed in 1995, released a series of formative singles and EPs and in 1998 gave us the first album, Four Minute Mile, before establishing  the lineup that debuted on 1999's Red Letter Day EP and recorded Something To Write Home About; vocalist and guitarist Matt Pryor, brothers Ryan and Rob Pope on drums and bass respectively, guitarist Jim Suptic and keyboard player James Dewees. Subsequent Get Up Kids studio albums included the Scott Litt-produced On A Wire (2002) and Guilt Show (2004). The band officially broke up after a July 2, 2005 hometown swansong at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City.

But the Get Up Kids members have kept themselves active in the interim between their original break-up and the current reunion: the Pope brothers now run Black Lodge, the studio (which is for sale, btw) formed to record the Guilt Show album,  while Rob Pope now plays bass in Spoon.  Pryor has continued the New Amsterdams band he formed while still in the Get Up Kids, and has also released two albums of children's music with the Terrible Twos as well as his first solo album, Confidence Man. Suptic formed Blackpool Lights and co-founded the Curb Appeal label, while Dewees has continued his Reggie and the Full Effect project, and served as touring keyboard player for My Chemical Romance and New Found Glory.

LISSY TRULLIE Signs to Downtown Records, Recovers from Flu

      MUSIC NEWS - New Yorkers' Lissy Trullie have recently signed to Downtown Records in North America, and Wichita Recordings for the UK and other territories, and are currently in the studio writing songs and prepping to record their debut full-length, with a planned early 2010 release. With that, the band is excited to build upon the success of their debut EP Self Taught Learner, which since its release in February '09, has garnered praise from many corners including SPIN, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Blurt, and VICE among others.

This spring they also made their late night debut on Last Call With Carson Daly and played for and chatted with ABC Amplified's Dan Harris at their practice space.  Following a summer full of writing and recording, Lissy Trullie returns to the road in the UK with The Cribs and Adam Green this September. USA  tour dates are in the works.

Though they did have a challening Spring! After completing a tour of the US with The Virgins and Anya Marina in May, Lissy Trullie trudged on and crossed the Atlantic for what was to be a very fun and successful run through Europe and the UK. Yet after a couple of shows prospects headed south in Hamburg as bass player, Ian Fenger was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus (aka Swine Flu) on June 7th and was committed to a local hospital. 

SOULIVE New "Up Here" Release Out Now

     MUSIC NEWS - Soulive, the New York-based funk-powerhouse trio, now with their own record label, Royal Family Records, having released it's latest studio effort, UP HERE, as a download earlier this year, today released it on CD with a bonus live DVD. The band has toured nationally this past Spring, launched their own festival, the Royal Family Get Down, and will hit the road again this Fall (itinerary below).

The physical release of UP HERE includes a bonus DVD of footage filmed live at the Blue Note in Tokyo in Summer 2008. UP HERE is the debut release on the band's Royal Family Records. The album was recorded in Soulive drummer Alan Evan's Play on Brother Studio in Hatfield, MA in Fall 2008. "This is the Soulive album I've always wanted to record - I've been hearing it in my head for years," says Evans, who also tracked and mixed the record.

Soulive's fall tour begins on Sept 12 at their festival, The Royal Family Get Down. The line up features Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Charlie Hunter Trio, Nigel Hall and Soulive's own headlining set with special guest, jazz guitarist,  John Scofield. Soulive then heads out west for a series  of dates anchored by stops at the Monterey Jazz Festival and four nights at Yoshi's in Oakland and San Francisco. The fall tour will then head back east for a series of Northeast dates including the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and Burlington's Higher Ground.

VAN MORRISON Returns to USA for Brief East Coast Tour

     MUSIC NEWS - After several successful LA and NYC concerts last winter and earlier this year to perform his  "Astral Weeks" album in full, VAN MORRISON has announced his return with new USA shows this summer.  He's booked four gigs on the East Coast, starting in Boston on August 4 at the Wang Theatre, continuing on August 6 & 7 in Washington , DC at DAR Constitution Hall and then a final night at Caesars Ballroom in Atlantic City, NJ on August 8th.  This time, the concerts will include two sets, the first dedicated to his 1968 release, Astral Weeks and the second set a mixture of Van classic tunes.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now for all shows.

Van Morrison USA 2009 tour itinerary:

August 4	Boston, MA	Wang Theatre
August 6-7	Washington, DC	DAR Constitution Hall
August 8	Atlantic City, NJ	Caesars Ballroom

Andrew Bird's Endless Tour Plans

     MUSIC NEWS - Andrew Bird has confirmed the last segment, this fall, of his "Noble Beast" tour to follow this summer's trek through the USA and abroad. St. Vincent will support on all of Bird's fall headline dates.   The summer dates kick off with a July 10 headline date at Los Angeles' Greek Theater with support from Ra Ra Riot and Heartless Bastards.  He then follows by several dates with the steallar acts like Death Cab For Cutie and the Decemberists.   Andrew continues to tour supporting his excellent, recent album, Noble Beast, was released January 20 via Fat Possum Records.

 

After his appearance at Lollapalooza, Bird spends the remainder of August on a run of European and UK festival dates returning to the USA for the fall tour, which starts up September 19 at the Forward Music Festival in Madison WI, includes a show at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, a stop at the Austin City Limits festival (Bird taped a performance for an episode of the ACL TV show to air this fall as well), multiple night stands in Carrboro and Milwaukee, and wraps up with an October 28 return to Washington DC.   Fan pre-sales are availabe at AndrewBird.com for all dates, with standard on sales begining July 10 (Buffalo and Madison are available July 11).

 

THE SOUNDS, Free MP3 and Tour News

    MUSIC NEWS - The Sounds return with their third album, Crossing The Rubicon and new tour news (joining No Doubt on most dates).   ...Rubicon is a career defining twelve song set that shows us the type of growth that can only come from a band in total command of their talents.  Their synth-pop, guitar driven sound still takes center stage, but there's an ambition and sophistication to both the songs and production that reveals new layers of depth to the overall aesthetic. Recorded in Sweden, Los Angeles and NYC, Crossing the Rubicon delivers hook-filled songs full of the punch and swagger that helped bring the band from Helsingborg to the world.  With energy filled songs, like the dance electro-funk of "Beatbox," and the powerful combination of cockiness and pop synth on "Four Songs And A Fight," the new album presents a deeper version of the sound that established the band as one to watch THE SOUNDS on tour (full itinerary below).

And now, The Sounds have dished up their new single "No One Sleeps When I'm Awake" as a free mp3 beginning today! 

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

ALICE IN CHAINS Tour and Album News

     MUSIC NEWS - Alice in Chains has announced their 2009 tour plan this week as they ready their first new album release in over ten years !  The band will kick off a  one-month run on September 4 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.  So far, we only have word of eleven gigs which will end September 28 at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA. Only one non- USA show is part of the tour,  in Canada on September 15 at Opera House Concert Venue in Toronto, ON.

No news yet on tix on sale dates, keep checking the venues.  Alice in Chains will be promoting their upcoming release, "Black Gives Way to Blue," which is scheduled to hit on September 29. The band consists of William DuVall, vocals, who took over from their original singer Layne Staley who died, and original members Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney (guitar and drums), and bassist Mike Inez, who joined AiC in 1993.  The band is also giving you a copy of their new tune, A Looking in View, just sign up.  

PLASTICINES To Join Cobra Starship Tour

     Music News - Plasticines are performing the last date of the NYLON Summer Music Tour with Patrick Wolf today. Take a look at this tour highlight as Patrick joins the band onstage  for their song "Bitch" here.   Now, the band has announced they'll make a coast to coast run with Cobra Starship!  Full tour itinerary below.
 
The French rockers new album and NYLON Records debut,"About Love", will be in stores on August 4 and is already available digitally. They've taken their Parisian garage rock to the next level on the new album, which was produced by Butch Walker (Katy Perry, Pink) and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand, Muse). Prior to this year's NYLON Summer Music Tour, they also stormed US shores and garnered rave reviews at Coachella 2008. They've also received a commendation in Paris last year presented by Pete Doherty, along with French Minister of Culture.  Be sure.  Be sure to catch Plastiscines taking over a stage near you and check out the video for their single, Barcelona, below-

Cobra Starship  / Plastiscines Tour Itinerary-

8/3 Columbus, OH @ The Basement (6PM)
8/4 Madison, WI @ The Stage Door (6PM)
8/5 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock (5:00PM)
8/6 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck (6PM)
8/7 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep (6:30PM)
8/11 West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour (6PM)
8/12 Tuscon, AZ @ Club Congress (6:00PM)
8/14 Austin, TX @ Emo’s Alternative Lounge – Inside (6PM)
8/15 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit (6PM)
8/16 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues (6PM)
8/18 Nashville, TN @ The Rutledge (6PM)
8/19 Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl (6PM)
8/21 West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable Street (6PM)
8/22 Orlando, FL @ The Social (6PM)
8/23 Charlotte, NC @ Casbah at Tremont Music Hall (6PM)
8/25 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club (6PM)
8/26 Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel (6PM)
8/27 Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey (6PM)
8/28 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground (6PM)
8/31 Providence, RI @ Club Hell (6PM)

WILCO the Album Out, New Tour Dates Added

     MUSIC NEWS - Wilco has just announced added dates to their current tour plans (see itinerary below) on the day of the release new music from the band; their newest album, WILCO - THE ALBUM (out via Nonesuch Records).  The special guests appearing at most of their gigs, are listed.  Also, Jeff Tweedy and associates recently put out a new DVD recently, Ashes of the American Flag.

 

WILCO 2009 Tour Itinerary-
June
30 - Jacksonville, Ore. @ Britt Pavilion *
July
3 - Morrison, Colo. @ Red Rocks *
8 - Vienna, Va. @ Wolf Trap +
10 - Wilmington, Del. @ Frawley Stadium +

11 - Lowell, Mass. @ LeLacheur Park +
13 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Keyspan Park %
17 - Portland, Maine @ Maine State Pier +
18 - Wappingers Falls, N.Y. @ Dutchess County Stadium +
19 - Lewiston, N.Y. @ Art Park +
23 - Detroit Lakes, Minn. @ 10,000 Lakes Festival

CARE BEARS ON FIRE, Free MP3 and Tour News

     MUSIC NEWS- Care Bears on Fire are offering up a free MP3 of their song "Superteen" as a sneak peak of their forthcoming album "Get Over It!" (our via S-Curve Records on July 14). The song makes the pressures and insecurities of adolescence relatable to both current and former teens. You can download the song, here.  Care Bears on Fire say turn up your stereo, and Get Over It !. Get over bubble gum pop, and paint-by-the-numbers rock, and get real because this pop-punk trio of indie girl rockers want you to know what it’s like to be a teenager today in 09. A real “DIY” spirit and an infectious rebelliousness make Care Bears on Fire unique among their peers. Converse recently included singer / guitarist, Sophie, in an ad campaign with indie rock compatriots MGMT, Santigold, Deerhunter and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.

Friends since kindergarten, Sophie and Izzy (drums) started playing their unique brand of pop-punk in clubs in and around Brooklyn at the ages of ten and eleven, rocking out like the little sisters of The Runaways. Jena (bass) rounded out the band after their 2008 tour.   Little Steven’s radio show, The Underground Garage, has just chosen Care Bears on Fire’s new single, Everybody Else as their “Coolest Song in the World.” The weekly feature spotlights the most exciting new music hitting the airwaves. The show is syndicated nationally including Sirius channel 25 and XM channel 59.   Everybody Else” is the lead single from the forthcoming album “Get Over It!” The band just completed a brand new video for the single. The kaleidoscopic video, directed by James Houston, features custom animation, collaged elements, and sees the band playing in outer space! 

MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA Joins The Silversun Pickups for August Tour

     MUSIC NEWS - Atlanta, GA natives, Manchester Orchestra have announced a batch of tour dates in August supporting Silversun Pickups. Cage the Elephant will also be joining the two bands in the opening slot.  After wrapping up a successful headlining US tour earlier this month, MO is said to be excited to get back on the road in support of their latest album, Mean Everything To Nothing (out via Favorite Gentleman /  Columbia Records - buy thru MNN below) .  Manchester Orchestra  kicks off the tour on August 3rd at the Ram's Head in Baltimore, MD, and ends at the Washington County Fairground in Hillsboro, OR, on August 22nd.  The band will also be opening the main stage at this year's Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL, on August 7th (full tour itinerary below).  You can get a free download of "I've Got Friends" and enter to win a trip to see the band at Lollapalooza via Twitter. Check out ManchesterOrchestra.com.

Also, Manchester Orchestra has released the ninth installment of their video series in association with the Emmy Award winning directing team of Clay Lipsky and Jason Bognacki of Destroy Rock Music Inc. The video for "Tony The Tiger" follows the storyline that was first introduced in mid-March. A video has been made for every song on the new record. All of the videos to date can be seen here: Manchester Orchestra Video Channel.

CAGE the ELEPHANT Join Silversun Pickups on the Road This Summer

     MUSIC NEWS  - Cage the Elephant today announced they will be joining Silversun Pickups for a series of North American dates this summer.  Cage... has also signed on to key festival spots at All Points West (8/1), Lollapalooza (8/9) and Outside Lands Music Festival (8/30), full itinerary below.   Cage The Elephant’s current single “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”, off their April 2009 self titled album Jive Records release, continues to grow at Alt Rock radio.  Cage the Elephant are Bowling Green, Kentucky natives Matt Shultz (vocals), his brother Brad (guitar) and their friends Daniel Tichenor (bass), Lincoln Parish (guitar) and Jared Champion (drums). 

And, the band will be making their US television debut on The Late Show With David Letterman Thursday, July 30.

BEASTIE BOYS Confirm HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE Part 1 Release Details

     MUSIC NEWS - The title, release date and complete track listing for Beastie Boys' eighth studio album is finally confirmed: Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will be released September 15 by Capitol Records in multiple configurations, including a 5.1 surround mix (full track list is below)
  
  The first Beastie Boys headline date confirmed to follow the album's release, the band's debut gig at the famed Hollywood Bowl, is sold out !  Further dates are expected. In the meantime, Beastie Boys recently began a summer festival mission with a set at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester TN that rocked the crowd of 70,000+ and will continue their mission throughout the summer and with upcoming appearances at the All Points West and Lollapalooza festivals, the latter of which will be preceded by a just-announced intimate Beastie Boys show at the Congress in Chicago on Thursday, August 6. 
  
The last installment of the deluxe, remastered, expanded and altogether awesome Beastie Boys catalogue reissues will be releasing in advance of the new record: the band's multi-platinum 1998 opus Hello Nasty will be given the 2-CD/vinyl box set/multi-format treatment beginning with an August 17 pre-order/digital release and will be in stores on August 25.  Buoyed by the launch of the 360 in the round tour, Hello Nasty would yield  B Boys classics "Body Movin'," "Three MCs and One DJ," "Remote Control," "Super Disco Breakin'" and more, win two Grammys, see the band presented with an MTV Video Vanguard lifetime achievement award, and ultimately sell some 7 million copies worldwide.