Ra Offering Christmas Download

antiMusic reports: Normally we skip news on bands on this "label" but we have to make an exception here. Criminally underrated rockers Ra are offering up their fans a very special Christmas present. Frontman Sahaj announced on the band's Myspace page that in the spirit of the season they are giving away a download of their new single. Here is Sahaj's report: "On Christmas day 2007 for 24 hrs the new Ra single 'Broken Hearted Soul' will be downloadable! After that it will be on our myspace page for preview. Black Sun will follow early 2008. Don't miss out on the free download. We think this new track is easily one of our best to date but of course that's for you to decide."

Back in May they posted a blog about the new CD here is what they had to say: Recording for Black Sun is well underway. We have more than half of the tracks done and we already have our "lead track" which we are stoked about! its ethnic, its heavy, its danceable, and its catchy as all hell! We are however at alittle bit of a stand still at the moment while we move the studio to a new location. We hope to have the record done by the summers end and have it out by early fall.

If anyone is wondering what to do to support the band in the meantime...you can never call your local radio station enough and request your favorite RA song! It lets them know that you guys are always in need of some Ra on the radio. Aside from that, you can tell your friends about the band, play them the music(hell download it for them for all we care) just turn people on to the music! - more on this story

State Radio Soph

MSO reports: State Radio are set to release their second studio album Year Of The Crow--an amalgam of rock, punk and reggae that's as distinctive as it is sublime--February 5 on their own Ruff Shod Records.

Hailing from Boston, the musically inventive, socially and politically charged trio fronted by Dispatch member CHAD STOKES and rounded out by bassist CHUCK FAY and drummer MAD DOG are currently on a U.S. headlining tour with Australia's Beautiful Girls. Fans can expect the group to preview songs from YEAR OF THE CROW--the follow-up to 2006's Us Against The Crown--during the month-long trek.

Produced by Tchad Blake (Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Soul Coughing), YEAR OF THE CROW was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World studios in Wiltshire, England. The eclectic 13-song disc features the furious blues-thumping anti-Halliburton missive "Gang of Thieves" and the uplifting, trombone-bolstered ska-touched "Barnstorming." - more on this story

Elvis is King Again

BBC reports: Elvis Presley has regained his crown as the highest-earning dead celebrity, with an annual income of $49m.

The King last topped the list in 2005, after being beaten into second by Nirvana's Kurt Cobain last year.

John Lennon ranked second with $44m, while Peanuts cartoon creator Charles M Schulz was third on the list, complied by US website Forbes.com
- who else made the list?

Rush Eye Xmas 08 For DVD Release

antiMusic reports: Those hoping for that Rush live DVD under their Christmas tree will have to hold on a bit longer as it still might be under your tree, just not this year as BW&BK reports:

RUSH's Snakes & Arrows tour kicked off June 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia, and came to a close October 29th, in Helsinki Finland. The 6th highest US tour gross of the summer with $21 million, third among rock acts, over 38 shows Rush had an attendance of 399,000 with 67% of seats filled according to USA Today. To commemorate the tour, the band filmed a live concert DVD in Rotterdam October 16th and 17th, likely to be released in time for the 2008 holiday season.

Although the tour is over, there have been rumors that Rush will tour again from April through July of 2008, hitting the east coast and areas in the south and southwest which were passed up on the first leg of the tour, as well as possible dates in South America and Asia. - more on this story

Sons And Daughters Set Release

Filter reports: Scotland's own Sons And Daughters have set a release date for their new album This Gift. This Glasgow four piece will release their third full length album January 29th on Domino.

The follow up to 2005's The Repulsion Box was produced by ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler (who also produced albums by 1990s and The Veils) and will be preceded by lead single "Gilt Complex," available for download.
- more on this story

Metal Bands Injured in Bus Crash

Candlelight reports: Russia's Darkside webzine has reported that several members of the Polish extreme metal acts Decapitated and Crionics were badly injured in a bus crash which took place when the two bands were traveling to Gomel, Belarus (located in the former Soviet Union) to perform a concert Monday night (October 29) as part of their joint tour.

Two members of Decapitated are reportedly in intensive care at a local hospital while the bus itself is said to be "beyond repair."

More information will be made available soon. - more on this story

Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos Sign with Epic

PR reports: Epic Records is thrilled to announce the signing of Indianapolis, IN's Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos. The 8-piece is a circle of young friends who, in the spring of 2005, quietly released one of the most beloved indescribable records in recent memory, The Dust of Retreat. The band is currently working with producer, Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse, Califone) on their second full-length record, Animal, which is slated for release in early 2008.

Despite the shutting of their label, V2/Artemis Records, Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos never stopped forging ahead. The band has clocked more than 100,000 miles on the road, playing sold out shows in New York, Chicago, and of course, Indianapolis, in a beat-up black school bus with no air conditioning in the summer months and no heat in the worst of the Midwest winters. - more on this story

Interpol Limited Edition

PR reports: Interpol release a limited edition of their critically acclaimed album, 'Our Love to Admire' on 19th November on Capitol/Parlophone. The album features a live DVD EP with songs taken from, 'Our Love to Admire' as well as the previous album, 'Antics'.

Tracks were recorded at a show at the London Astoria earlier this year. It also includes the videos for 'Heinrich Maneuver' and 'No I in Threesome' and is available on CD and Download.

Tracklisting as follows: Pioneer (Live) - Narc* (Live) - Heinrich Maneuver (Live) - Mammoth (Live) - Slow Hand * (Live) - Evil * (Live) Bonus: Heinrich Maneuver Video - No I In Threesome - Video

Check out the "No I In Threesome" behind the scenes video - here

DJ Krush Seminar

PR reports: On Friday, November 2, Scratch DJ Academy and Campus Circle present a very special exhibition by acclaimed Japanese DJ/producer DJ Krush. Set to take place at Scratch DJ Academy in West Los Angeles, this event marks DJ Krush's first ever DJ seminar. On the agenda this evening is a special live performance of DJ Krush's original production "Drum," a special Q&A session with Scratch DJ Academy students and a screening of DJ Krush's new DVD History Of DJ Krush/ Suimou Tsunenimasu.

This event provides a rare opportunity for fans and aspiring DJs and producers to get one-on-one with one of the most respected artists in the world. The event is open to the general public by RSVP via Campus Circle's website link at the end of this article.

In addition to the Scratch Academy seminar, DJ Krush will headline Knitting Factory on October 31 with a special extended 4-hour set. He will also be available for in-person and phone interviews on Friday, November 2. - RSVP for the seminar here

Hilary McRae Starbucks Debut

PR reports: Twenty-one-year-old artist Hilary McRae will release her debut album on Hear Music in spring 2008, making her the first developing artist signed to the label launched by Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group earlier this year. The album features a stunning mix of contemporary pop and old-school, horn-drenched R&B, all anchored by McRae's rich, soulful voice. McRae, an accomplished pianist and vocalist, penned all of the album's songs.

"Hilary has a great soulful sound and we are excited to play a significant role in the launch of what will be a long and successful career," said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who oversees Hear Music. "Hear Music has a strong belief in fostering the talent of quality musicians and we believe we've found a gem in this artist."

McRae collaborated with producer Zach Ziskin on the album. - more on this story

Tokyo Police Club Join the Woodies

PR reports: mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today announced that up-and-coming indie rock set Tokyo Police Club has been added to the performance lineup for the 2007 "mtvU Woodie Awards" – the only awards honoring the music voted best by the college audience.

The high energy Toronto quartet will take the "Woodies" stage November 8th at Roseland Ballroom in New York, joining an eclectic, powerhouse roster that includes Amy Winehouse, The Academy Is… and Spank Rock. Additionally, today mtvU announced that Annie Lennox, Q-Tip, Tom Delonge and Dave Kennedy of Angels & Airwaves, Talib Kweli, Motion City Soundtrack and Lupe Fiasco are among those confirmed to stand side-by-side with college students, presenting this year's "Woodies" performers and awards. On hand to watch it all go down will be a mix of nominees, perennial college favorites and surprise guests including Gym Class Heroes, Guster, EL-P, Say Anything, Peter and Bjorn, Boys Like Girls, Cage, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and RJD2 – who will also dj the pre-show.

The 2007 "mtvU Woodie Awards" will premiere simultaneously on mtvU and mtvU.com Thursday, November 15th at 8pm ET. Given the buzz around this year's "Woodies," MTV has joined in to showcase a special 30 minute version of the show, premiering Saturday, November 17th at 10pm ET / PT. The 30 minute version will also get an encore run on MTV2 November 18th at 12:30am ET / PT. - more on this story

I Heart Benefit

PR reports: I Heart [The Indie Rock Outreach] and The Bombshell Alliance Launch Party / Benefit Concert will take place at 8PM on November 15, 2007 at the Hotel Cafe Hollywood.

Performers will include Abby Travis, Arrica Rose & The ...'s, Charlotte Martin, Correatown, Holly Conlan, Jonneine Zapata, Laura Martin, Lissie, Meiko, Penny Relentless, Quincy Coleman & special guests

100% of profits from the door as well as the Bombshell Alliance calendar sales go to the Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children. And, One lucky young girl will be awarded a scholarship to the Silverlake Music Conservatory for 1 year. Admission will be $8 or $5 if you dress up 1940's style. - more on this story

Johnny Rotten Having Sex with Leno? No Sex Pistols Playing Leno

PR reports: This week, look for the Sex Pistols--John Lydon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook And Glen Matlock--to make their debut on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Tuesday, October 30 and "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" Wednesday, October 31.

Next up for the PISTOLS: five sold-out shows at The Brixton Academy in London (November 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14). Additional shows in Manchester at the MEN Arena (November 17) and at SECC in Glasgow (November 18) have been added due to overwhelming demand. - find out who showed up for their LA club gig (aside from the drink tossing fan)

Otep Celebrating Halloween with CD and Tour

PR reports: OTEP are currently gearing up for the October 30 release of their long-awaited new album, The_Ascension. The band enlisted producer Dave Fortman (Mudvayne, Evanescence) for The_Ascension, and also called on Grammy nominated guitarist Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne, HELLYEAH) to co-write three songs. OTEP are currently working on the videos for two songs from the album, "Confrontation" and "Breed," to be directed by P.R. Brown (Smashing Pumpkins, James Blunt).

October 30 also marks the start of the BALLS VOLUME STRENGTH Tour. OTEP will be performing alongside HELLYEAH and bloodsimple to support The_Ascension. The tour kicks off in Detroit, MI at The Fillmore and wraps up on December 7 at The Palladium in Worcester, MA. - more on this story

.... Review: HIM - Venus Doom

In the eternal struggle between alienating longtime fans and releasing the same album over and over again, HIM strikes a decent balance with Venus Doom. It's far more guitar-centric than previous CDs with plenty of Sabbath-esque riffs and even some shredding solos (4.5 stars) - Read the full HIM - Venus Doom review

.... Review: Ted Nugent - Love Grenade

It has been many years since the Motor City Madman made a record worth a listen. Love Grenade is worthy of multiple listens. Proceed with caution, loincloths and carcasses required. (3.5 stars) - Read the full Ted Nugent - Love Grenade review

.... Review: Animosity - Animal

Animosity focuses more on the death and less on the core in this album. Animal in conclusion includes thrashing solos and fewer breakdowns. The album is well structured and clearly mapped out. - Read the full Animosity - Animal review

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