MxPx Sell Out Farewell Show
On Sunday, July 18, 2010, MxPx played a retirement concert for drummer Yuri Ruley in Las Vegas at Wasted Space. After 18 years and nearly 2.5 million records, having helped pave the way for pop-punk music, Ruley will be departing the band in order to focus more on his family life. he night was a celebration of the band at its height, with the original line-up and playing crowd favorites. In an unprecedented performance, the band played the entirety of their breakthrough album Life In General, which included tracks “Chick Magnet” and “Move To Bremerton”. The sold-out show was met with a mix of joy, passion and energy as the group’s most faithful fans joined to see the band in their element, many having flown or driven from other states to be part of MxPx history. While this may have been a farewell to Ruley, this was a celebration of epic proportions.
Set List:
Middlename
My Mom Still Cleans My Room
Do Your Feet Hurt
Sometimes You Have To Ask Yourself
The Wonder Years
Move To Bremerton
New York To Nowhere
Andrea
Your Problem My Emergency
Chick Magnet
Today Is In My Way
Sorry So Sorry
Doing Time
Correct Me If I’m Wrong
Cristalena
Destroyed By You
Southbound
Encores:
End
Secret Weapon
Heard That Sound
Responsibility
I’m OK, You’re OK
(I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles
Punk Rawk Show
Blessthefall Release New Video
The wait is over – you can now watch blessthefall’s video for “To Hell And Back”. Check it out here! The video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis (A Rocket To The Moon, Breathe Carolina) and is taken from the band’s storming new album Witness. The video was featured on MTV Headbanger’s Ball on 7/26. Want more? Then take a look at the behind-the-scenes video on Revolver Magazine’s website! The band is currently traveling the U.S. on Cool Tour with As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between The Buried & Me, The Acacia Strain and Cancer Bats. BLESSTHEFALL – Beau Bokan (lead vocals), Eric Lambert (guitar/vocals), Mike Frisby (guitar), Jared Warth (bass), Matt Traynor (drums) – stormed to the forefront of the new evolution of the post-hardcore/metalcore genre with the release of critically-acclaimed second album Witness. Produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Incubus, Escape The Fate, Story Of The Year), the album debuted in the Billboard Top 200 at #56 and the Independent Chart at #6. After Cool Tour, blessthefall heads to South America and Europe with August Burns Red this August-October.
For All Those Sleeping Album Hits
Grab your copy of For All Those Sleeping’s debut album Cross Your Fingers, out today! The CD is now available exclusively at Hot Topic for just $9.99, and as a digital exclusive on ShockHound.com and iTunes. FOR ALL THOSE SLEEPING – Mike Champa (vocals), London Snetsinger (bass/vocals), Jerad Pierskalla (guitar/vocals), David Volgman-Stevens (guitar), Ethan Trekell (drums) – formed in 2007 in St Cloud, MN, and soon gained a reputation for their blend of pop, hardcore and a killer live show. Having already built a loyal following in the Midwest, the band is ready to take their sound global with the release of debut album Cross Your Fingers. The band is currently touring the U.S. on the Pyknic pArtery Tour with Drop Dead, Gorgeous.
Tour Dates:
7/28 – Boise, ID
7/30 – Salt Lake City, UT
7/31 – Denver, CO
8/01 – Colorado Springs, CO
8/03 – Minneapolis, MN
8/04 – Chicago, IL
8/05 – Pontiac, MI
8/06 – Indianapolis, IN
8/07 – Toledo, OH
8/08 – South Hackensack, NJ
8/09 – NYC, NY
8/10 – Worcester, MA
8/11 – Providence, RI
8/12 – Vineland, NJ
8/13 – Lancaster, PA
8/14 – Allentown, PA
8/15 – Greensboro, NC
8/17 – Douglasville, GA
8/18 – Orlando, FL
8/19 – St. Petersburg, FL
8/20 – Metairie, LA
House Of Heroes Releases New Album On August 3rd
House Of Heroes is set to release their latest effort, SUBURBA on August 3 on Gotee Records, produced by Mark Lee Townsend (Relient K, Deas Vail) and mixed by J.R. McNeely (The Almost, Paramore). Band set to kick off August tour dates. Look for House of Heroes to tour nonstop through out the late summer, fall and winter of 2010 in support of SUBURBA. New video for track ‘God Save The Foolish Kings’ is out now along with exclusive full stream of ‘Suburba’ at absolutepunk.net/houseofheroes. “The message of the song “God Save The Foolish Kings” is to choose your battles wisely so you can lead a more productive life. We think the video director, Nathan Corrona, drove that point home with the video… the video does a great job relaying the song’s message.” states frontman, Tim Skipper.
Tour Dates:
8/1 – St. Louis, MO
8/3 – Chicago, IL
8/4 – Grand Rapids, MI
8/6 – Akron, OH
8/7 – Columbus, OH
8/11 – Richmond, VA
8/14 – Lewisberry, PA
8/20 – Wilp – The Netherlands
9/4 – Albuquerque, NM
9/5 – Worthington, SD
The Choir Returns
Making it an even dozen, iconic indie rock act The Choir announces the release of their 12th studio disc, Burning Like the Midnight Sun. Produced by band members Steve Hindalong and Derri Daughtery, the album was recorded and mixed at Daugherty’s Sled Dog Studio in Franklin, TN, and will be released on the band’s own Galaxy21 Music label. Boasting a history that spans nearly three decades, The Choir features founders Hindalong and Daugherty along with long time members Dan Michaels and Tim Chandler, and once again Marc Byrd (Hammock) who produced the band’s ‘05 release O How the Mighty Have Fallen. This critically-acclaimed lineup continues to garner praise and accolades – including a Grammy nod — long after most other bands have burned out or faded away. “Perhaps more than any other album by The Choir, Burning Like the Midnight Sun integrates the musical personalities of all five individuals,” Hindalong says. “The recording process was smooth and satisfying. We’re thrilled to offer it to our listening friends.” In recent months, the band has given fans a peek inside the recording process by releasing a series of “in the studio” videos online. The finished product, Burning Like the Midnight Sun, will be available physically online through thechoir.net and sold at live shows. It will also be available in select independent retail outlets for download & streaming on iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, Napster and other digital service providers. Always the innovators, the band continues to find new ways to get their music to the masses. Their die-hard fan base has already responded enthusiastically to pre-order packages that include a “director’s cut” audio interview CD, mix stems so fans can create their own productions of the songs that the band will post and share online, as well as a VIP gathering at Michaels’ Nashville home featuring an acoustic concert, swim party and barbecue. Complementing this beautiful new music is a cover image by New Orleans-based visual artist R.R. Lyon, known for using salvaged or reclaimed pieces of his own art that he re-contextualizes to give new purpose. Later this fall, the band will be traveling to The Big Easy, as the artist is creating a painting to go along with each of the songs on Burning Like the Midnight Sun.
Norma Jean Impresses In Debut Week
Norma Jean’s Meridional is certainly living up to its buzz. The band’s widely- acclaimed new album debuts impressively at #44 on Billboard’s Top 200 on sales of 9,819. In addition the album comes in at #6 on the Hard Music chart, #15 on the Rock chart, #34 on the Digital Albums chart and #2 on the Contemporary Christian chart. Meridional has been the recipient of some of the highest critical acclaim given to any heavy rock album this year. Alternative Press declared the album “Norma Jean’s first true masterpiece,” while Revolver gave it four stars saying it “hits plenty hard,” and Decibel called it “career defining” and that their “songwriting has never been stronger.” “Norma Jean delivered a phenomenal album, and the positive reaction has been beyond our expectations,” said Razor & Tie’s Vice President of Marketing Jeremy Kramer. “We’re incredibly proud to be associated with the band, and look forward to continuing to spread the word of the Almighty Norma Jean and Meridional!” Also impacting this week is Norma Jean’s new video for “Deathbed Atheist”, which had its exclusive world premiere yesterday on MySpace Music. The intense video, which features some amazing animation was helmed by innovative Swedish director Linus Johansson of Popcore Film who has done three previous clips for the band. Additionally, three tracks off Meridional are available for purchase on the Rock Band Network for the Xbox Marketplace. Fans can now download “The Anthem of the Angry Brides,” “Deathbed Atheist,” and “Leaderless and Self Enlisted” for their use on Rock Band, with players able to emulate any of the band members as they play along.
Tour Dates:
7/28 – Holmdel, NJ
7/30 – Tinley Park, IL
7/31 – Noblesville, IN
8/1 – Atlanta, GA
8/2 – Charlotte, NC
8/3 – Raleigh, NC
8/4 – Virginia Beach, VA
8/6 – Clarkston, MI
8/7 – Burgettstown, PA
8/8 – Bristow, VA
8/9 – West Columbia, SC
8/10 – Tampa, FL
8/11 – West Palm Beach, FL
8/13 – Dallas, TX
8/14 – Oklahoma City, OK
Starflyer 59 Return With Another Indie Album
Tooth & Nail Records’ Starflyer 59 is back with another independent rock album titled “The Changing of the Guard,” which hits stores and digital outlets on August 10th. With another hit release looming, Starflyer 59 is one of the most underrated independent bands fronted by one of the most underrated men in indie music. Following their 2008 release “Dial M,” Starflyer 59 is back with ten new tracks that chronicle the ebb and flow of different phases in life. The first single posted online today, “Truckers Son” is about the realization that the dream life someone wanted in their twenties – like being a famous musician – is not grounded in reality as they grow older. Instead the reality is the “son” becoming exactly what he tried so hard not to become – like his dad. SF59 has always been a band that delivers albums of interest, not just singles. The upcoming release follows this pattern. This time the album talks about how things change, and you have to learn to accept the fact that things change. “To sum things up, God has been good to me and my family, and I need to trust He will continue to do so,” shares frontman Jason Martin. “Things change and will continue to change, and I’m learning to accept my own changing of the guard.” Since 1993, Starflyer 59 and Martin have been with Tooth & Nail Records. Martin has also been involved with numerous side-projects including Bon Voyage, Neon Horse and The Brothers Martin. With over ten albums under their belt and 15 years of experience, Starflyer 59 has become the most reliable, most dependable and yet unpredictable messengers of album after album and “The Changing of the Guard” is no exception. This upcoming release is produced once again by Martin (Cold War Kids) and mixed by JR McNeely (Paramore, Relient K). “I have gotten used to self-producing,” Martin says. ”The idea of booking out 12 days in the studio where you have to get things done for better or worse, then getting home with the songs and thinking about all the things you would like to change, but knowing you can’t. I love the idea that if I don’t like something I can always go back in my place and do it until I think it is right. Everyone has limitations on what they can do, but if you find something you can do reasonably well stick with that…you gotta just do what you do, and this approach works best for me.”
For more information on Starflyer 59, visit:
myspace.com/starflyer59
Big3 Records Offer Stryper Preview
Following the success of their 25th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year, legendary rock band Stryper headed into the studio to work on their upcoming album, The Covering, tentatively scheduled for release October 13th from Big3 Records/SONY. For a limited time, fans can preview the new album by following Stryper frontman Michael Sweet on Twitter, where he will be revealing a hidden website where fans can hear exclusive song clips not available anywhere else. The Covering, produced by Michael Sweet, will be unlike any previous Stryper recording, in that it’s a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including past hits from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Kansas and many others. A cover of Black Sabbath’s hit “Heaven and Hell” will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. The Covering will also include “God,” a new original recording from Stryper. “Stryper recorded The Yellow and Black Attack (Enigma Records) back in 1983, and it was released the following year,” says Michael. “Twenty six years have passed and after seven studio releases and multiple compilation and live projects, we decided to show our fans where our roots lie musically. The Covering consists of particular songs and groups that molded and shaped us and made us who we are today.” One of the highlights for Stryper fans is that The Covering is the first studio album in nearly two decades on which all four original members, plus longtime keyboardist Charles Foley, have recorded together. “This record includes the original lineup,” explains Michael. “Tim, Robert, Oz and I haven’t recorded a full-length project together since 1990’s Against the Law (Enigma Records), so this is truly history in the making. We also had what was probably the best time we’ve ever had recording a record together and I believe that this comes through in the energy and the spirit of each track. We’re all extremely excited about this record and more importantly, we’re all extremely confident about the future of Stryper and the four of us making music together for years to come.”
Stars Go Dim News
Stars Go Dim have just announced some awesome things happening for them in their latest newsletter: “Hello everybody! We miss you all. Looking forward to seeing your smiling faces here soon at some upcoming shows. You and your friends can still download ALL our music FREE here. All we ask is that you share it with as many people as possible. Deal? We are very excited to be performing in some new areas soon like Michigan, Nebraska, and Ohio. California! Watch for us in later September. Florida! Watch for us in November. Dates being posted soon. If you love Stars Go Dim (do you?) please consider joining our Street Team and helping us get the word out in a massive way. Join the team HERE! We are working hard on new music right now. We are very excited about the new songs. There is no release date set as of yet. We still have lots of work to do. You all don’t understand how much we appreciate you all. We read every email and every Facebook post. You have a special place in our hearts. Thanks for all your love and support. The Lifetime Network show Army Wives is using Stars Go Dim’s song “Crazy” in commercials this week to promote the upcoming Episode 14 (Season 4) airing this Sunday. Watch the commercial HERE! They also used “Come Around” a few weeks ago. Somebody is on the SGD train! Stars Go Dim has had the pleasure of opening for John Mayer, Chris Daughtry, Jason DeRulo, Justin Bieber, Switchfoot, and many more. On August 6 at Crossroads KC in Kansas City, MO Stars Go Dim will be opening than none other than Better Than Ezra. You remember the hits “Good” and “Desperately Wanting”? Well, I do! We hope to see many of you at the show. Get info and tickets HERE!
Chevelle Announces Anniversary Concert In Hometown
After 10 successful years in music, multi-platinum, Epic Records recording artist Chevelle kicks off their “Ten in 10” anniversary celebration as look back at the bands top ten greatest hits, over the past 10 years which include The Red, Send The Pain Below, Closure, Vitamin R, The Clincher, Well Enough Alone, I Get It, The Fad, Jars and Letters From A Thief. In an effort to give back to the fans that made it all possible, the band will perform two nights at the Metro in Chicago on Oct. 28 and 29th, the venue where they got their start a decade ago. “After more than 10 years of writing and releasing records, we thought; what better place to come back to than the place where we were first inspired,” said Chevelle. “We saw our first real rock show at the Metro is 1988 and we thought it would be amazing to mark this point in our career with a show there.” Joining Shinedown on the road for shows across N. America, the band will not only be celebrating but promoting the third single Shameful Metaphors from their current album. The Chicago trio has supplanted themselves as one of rocks most unique, successful and relevant alternative post grunge bands of the decade, and is taking 2010 to celebrate with their fans. To kick off the celebration, fans will have the opportunity to upload personalized video messages for the band on the newly created Happy Anniversary section of chevelleinc.com. The most inventive fan message will win a signed guitar from the band making it the ultimate memorabilia. VEVO, the web’s leading premium music video and entertainment service, is also celebrating Chevelles’ success by featuring their music as a premiere playlist as well as all Ten in 10 videos throughout the summer.
Eleventyseven Offers Free Music
As back-to-school season is just around the corner, Eleventyseven is offering free music and a chance at $25,000 cash for fans who team up with them. Eleventyseven is a part of the Five Star brand, which is giving teens free music and a chance at the grand prize as a part of The Five Star Music Insider promotion. This back-to-school season, qualifying Five Star notebook purchases will earn students free music downloads from 10 up-and-coming artists, including Eleventyseven. To qualify for the cash prize, teens 13 years of age and older need only visit FiveStarMusicInsider.com, listen to sample songs from the 10 artists and vote for Eleventyseven. One grand prize winner will win a $25,000 cash prize just for voting. Also, with the purchases of specially marked Five Star notebooks, students will earn free music download codes – on average, three per product – that they can redeem to download songs from the featured musicians. Multiple songs will be available from each artist. In addition to the music downloads and sweepstakes entry, www.FiveStarMusicInsider.com will feature artist blogs, videos, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and comments from fans. Those purchasing specially marked Five Star Flex® NoteBinders® and notebooks also will be eligible to see VIP online content on the site, including additional artist footage and interviews. Eleventyseven is fresh off of a spring tour in Asia, where they spent two weeks playing back-to-back club shows all over China from Shanghai to Beijing. They also played at Japan’s largest spring festival, Punkspring along side of bands, 311, Newfoundglory, Relient K, and many others from around the world. Also, Eleventyseven recently performed in Sweden. In addition to working the Mead summer competition Eleventyseven released a remake of “Ah ha” Take on me in late June.
Newsboys Break Out
Born Again, the critically-acclaimed 15th studio project just released from Newsboys, is the biggest project ever to release in the band’s history. Even better? Newsboys‘ Born Again is the 2nd highest Christian artist debut on Billboard’s Top 200 and the 3rd highest debut on CCM Soundscan for 2010! According to Soundscan, Born Again has sold an astounding 45,311 units in just one week, placing Born Again at #4 on Billboard’s Overall Chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting and M.I.A. In its first week of release, Born Again also placed Top 4 on iTunes’ Overall Chart, sharing company again with Sting and charting before the Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack. Born Again officially released July 13th, courtesy of Inpop Records. Even before sales numbers were released, it has been reported that Born Again is the best project Newsboys has ever released. It has also been said that the band is “wonderfully rejuvinated,” “amazing” and “The ‘Boys are back…simply the best!” It’s been months and months of hard work for Newsboys leading up to the release of Born Again, and it’s certainly paying off. Along the way, the band has received tremendous support from retail, radio stations, media outlets, and dedicated fans across the nation. From kicking off a few of their new songs and doing local tour promotion earlier this year during the WinterJam 2010 tour to now, Newsboys have been so ready to share Born Again with the world. “The record-setting number of sales today reflect the dedication and hard work of Newsboys to create another groundbreaking musical creation,” exclaims Andrew Patton, General Manager, Inpop Records. “The amazing support of Christian radio stations, festival promoters, our hard-working Inpop staff, and our partners at EMI CMG distribution have all earned our thanks today.” For an amazing eight weeks, Born Again’s first radio single, “Born Again,” claimed the top spot at CHR radio, while the song continues it’s climb to the top on the Christian AC charts, currently Top 10. To further promote the CD’s release, Newsboys traveled around the country last week via ISDN radio hook ups to talk to radio stations and listeners from coast to coast. The band was featured on numerous morning shows and stations around the country, including K-LOVE; Air 1; Star 99.1 New York; WCSG Grand Rapids, MI; WAY-FM Network; His Radio Greenville, SC; KSBJ Houston; WFFH Fish Nashville; and KFIS Fish Portland. The band set up a special ustream page allowing stations to include LIVE video into each of the interviews.
©2010 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
More news from last week:
still fresh (as far as you know)
About the Author
