Poison Seven Days Live CD Coming

James Taylor Cover Album

PR reports: Hear Music announced today that it will release James Taylor's exceptional collection of covers from notable recording artists from the fifties, sixties and seventies. The album is aptly titled 'Covers' and will be available at all traditional retail outlets and Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada on September 30.

"An album of other peoples' music is something I've been wanting to do for years," says Taylor. "I've enjoyed performing these songs over the years but to record them live in a room with these incredible musicians was just extraordinary."

The album was recorded last January when James Taylor gathered his 'Band of Legends' for a rare 10-day recording session in a converted barn on his property in western Massachusetts. Band arrangements of material featured on the album include covers of Big Mama Thornton's version of "Hound Dog," Junior Walker's "(I'm A) Road Runner" and "Wichita Lineman," (one of the most revered country songs penned by Jimmy Webb). These songs were improvised on the spot and recorded live with some of the best players in popular music. - more on this story

Rilo Kiley's Reeder Solo Release Out Next Week

PR reports: "Everyone is looking out for the little piece that they've saved away," sings Pierre de Reeder in "Not How I Believe," the closing track of his debut solo album, The Way That It Was. Already revered by one of music's most passionate fanbases as the bassist for wildly successful indie-pop quartet Rilo Kiley, Pierre is finally ready to share his own "little piece" in a series of poignant and engaging plaintives on love, life and the reflective moments that weave throughout them.

The Way That It Was, which will be released on Little Record Company on August 12th, 2008, sees Pierre transition seamlessly into the role of frontman after years on the road and in the studio with his Rilo Kiley bandmates. As one of the band's co-founders, Pierre has been front and center as they have progressed from local fan-favorite to celebrated critical success, with their latest album Under the Blacklight landing at #8 on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 albums of 2007 and #10 on Blender's Best Albums of 2007.

For his solo debut, Pierre decided to eschew the lush powerpop and smooth beats of the band's current stylings in favor of creating an intimate collection of songs that feed from the singer songwriter tradition of classic folk-rockers like Harry Nilsson. However, the influences of his musical past can be heard in the strong melodic structures and pop sensibilities that permeate the album. - more on this story

Sister Hazel's Beres Releasing Children's Book

Skye Media reports: Jett Beres, bassist of the band Sister Hazel, plans to release a children's book entitled "Starfish, A Lullaby" on September 23, 2008. The book is based on the lyrics to the song "Starfish," which is featured on the band's platinum-selling album "Somewhere More Familiar," and it will be released by independent publisher SeaTails, LLC.

Beres plans to self-distribute the book by selling it online at the band's website and at Sister Hazel shows. Additionally, the book will be available online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and www.StarfishLullaby.com, as well as at select Borders stores.

"I am a father," says Beres. "I read to my kids every night when I'm not on tour and understand the importance of reading to children. It will be a thrill to have my own book to read to my kids at night. This is also a great way to introduce children to Sister Hazel through a bedtime story. Our fans are becoming parents now, and this song has always been a fan favorite, especially among children." - more on this story

Ben Kweller Fall Tour

Big Hassle reports: ATO Records is proud to announce that Ben Kweller has just confirmed tour dates throughout the fall with Whitley.

This special tour will kick off in Dallas, TX, on September 25th, and come to a close on November 2nd in Austin, TX. Kweller will be previewing new material from the highly anticipated fourth album, Changing Horses, tentatively scheduled for a January 2009 release.

The venues featured will be intimate club settings. Fans will get the chance to hear new music for the first time, as well as the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise. - dates

The Secret Machines Set Release

PR reports: The Secret Machines are set to release their forthcoming third album on October 14th. The record, simply entitled Secret Machines, is the follow up to 2006's critically-acclaimed Ten Silver Drops, and the first since the band's departure from Reprise Records. Secret Machines will be the first offering from the band's own, newly-formed label TSM Recordings, which is distributed through World's Fair Label Group.

Secret Machines, recorded in the band's adopted home of New York City and produced by the band and Brandon Mason is a sonic tour de force, full of expansive instrumental swells and psychedelic sounds.

From the driving beat of opener and first single "Atomic Heels" to the steady drone of "The Fire Is Waiting," Secret Machines sees the band mapping out new musical terrain while retaining the elements that have made them favorites amongst music fans since the release of their first album, Now Here Is Nowhere, in 2004. - more on this story

An Evening With Neal Smith

Glass Onyon reports: Rock drum legend Neal Smith, whose is best known for his innovative drumming and outrageous stage antics with the original Alice Cooper Group, will be featured on a three-hour radio special.

The Electric Ballroom radio show, featured on 95.9 The Wrat in Point Pleasant/Belmar, New Jersey, will air 'An Evening With Neal Smith', which features an extensive interview with the legendary drummer, on August 10th, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST.

Along with Smith's interview will be the airing of songs from his latest critically acclaimed CD KillSmith 'Sexual Savior' as well as classic Alice Cooper, Plasmatics, and Buck Dharma (solo) tracks, plus a few surprises. The program can be accessed - here

Any Moment Now Koufax Will Release A New Album

PR reports: Koufax is offering up a taste of their upcoming album Strugglers with a digital release of the first single "Any Moment Now" on August 5th. (Strugglers hits stores September 23rd via Doghouse Records.)With a crazy horn section and tales of a shady downtown drug deal, the frantic funkiness exudes the musicianship and wit that sets Koufax apart from the pack.

Also available is the exclusive b-side "George Michael Issues"- a look at the distracting popstar scandals that fill our news while more important issues remain unnoticed. This one, as most know, takes place in a Beverly Hills bathroom.

Returning from his Czech outpost, Suchan and band hit the road in August including select dates with Smoking Popes. - dates

Totally Michael in October

Ink-Tank reports: A one-man music machine with a penchant for sugar-sweet melodies, potty-mouthed humor and extensive audience participation, Totally Michael has perfectly captured the feeling of his freewheeling live shows on his debut self-titled full-length, due October 14 on IHEARTCOMIX (Matt & Kim, Toxic Avenger).

Self-produced and recorded in his hometown of Bloomington, Indiana, the Arkansas transplant laid down 11 dizzying, electro-injected tracks that straddle the line between hyperkinetic punk and bouncy pop. Over 31 minutes, Totally Michael delves into such hot topics as prom ("Prom Night"), Winona Ryder ("Winona"), one-night stands ("Casual Satisfaction") and the life-questioning dilemma that faces us all ("Cheerleaders Vs. Drillteam").

Launching with the feel-good Casiofied anthem "Summertime," Totally Michael introduces us to his world where everyday is a summer dance party fueled by cherry Kool-Aid, an electric guitar and a laptop. - more on this story

Is It Basnectar or Bassnectar? Fall Tour Announced For Whoever It Is

PR reports: Bassnectar's wobbling sounds of womp are swirling into a storm that will descend on North America for another round of full throttle live shows. With nearly every show on his last tour hitting full capacity, this Fall Basnectar hosts his fall tour: "The Other Side."

Featuring Bassnectar DJ sets and Live PA and a diverse list of special guests including Beats Antique (featuring members of the Yard Dogs Road Show), Fort Knox Five, Seasunz and other friends and artists from the US, the UK, and Canada (plus live custom visuals of Videolicious, Android Jones, and iLL Gates), the tour hits almost 75 markets with stops in New York, Miami, Seattle, and all points in between.

Also this fall, Bassnectar releases new singles and remixes, including "Art Of Revolution" - offering a host of wicked mixes and bonus tracks - as well as the long awaited live mix set. Stay tuned for details as they become available. - more on this story

Natalie Walker Plans to Go Clubbing This Fall

Press Here reports: Natalie Walker has announced a fall club tour in support of her sophomore album With You (Dorado Records/ Fontana/ Universal), scheduled for release on August 19th. Walker will hit both the East and West Coast starting September 6th and is sure to impress all with her enchanting mix of pop and new wave melodies.

Born and raised in Indiana, vocalist Natalie Walker is an artist whose lilting, lush voice and lyrical reveries reflect a life journey of determination and self-discovery. With musical influences ranging from Alison Krauss to LCD Soundsystem, Jewel to Beth Orton and Bjork, the former lead singer of downtempo electronic group Daughter Darling delivers her own unique, haunting sonic landscape that is at once organic, ethereal, elegant and entrancing.

With You comes on the heels of last year's Urban Angel, Walker's debut that has become an indie favorite among electronic fans and garnered significant critical acclaim. - more on this story

Atmosphere To Paint the Nation this Fall

WMG reports: Atmosphere are ready to "Paint The Nation" and will do so by playing over 50 shows across the US this Fall in support of their new album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.

The trek kicks off September 10th in Fargo, ND and includes festival dates including Monolifth in Denver, Street Scene in San Diego, Edge Fest in Phoenix and KFMA Fall Ball in Tucson.

The full lineup of the "Paint The Nation" Tour is Atmosphere featuring special guests Abstract Rude, Blueprint and DJ Rare Groove. The first leg of the tour is below and the second leg will be announced next week. - more on this story

Morgan Freeman in Serious Car Accident

TMZ reports: Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman has been injured in a serious car accident in Mississippi.

Cops tell us the "Dark Knight" star was in a one car accident around 11:30 PM last night north of Ruleville, Miss. He was airlifted from the accident scene to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn. We're told alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the wreck.

Freeman's condition is unknown, but state troopers tell us he was talking at the scene before he was taken to the hospital. The condition of an unidentified female passenger in the car is also unknown. - more on this story

Biomechanical Concepts Explained

Earache reports: Wormwood Chronicles had the opportunity to speak with Biomechanical mastermind, John K about the concepts that intertwine all of the band's records together and the real life concepts that inspired the frenzy of albums like Cannibalised:

"The whole thing started in 1999 when I decided I wanted to write a metal album. Before that, I concentrated a lot in studying composition, instrumentation and orchestration so that I would have the right knowledge to get involved in film music.

My love for film music led me to write an album that followed a story rather than to write a few songs and then use the most appropriate tracks for the album. The story grew though and I realized that it would be better to get it done on three albums. The titles of the albums were there pretty much from the beginning. Also their content (story wise) and a general idea of the musical style too. Also the concept behind the story that runs through the albums doesn¹t necessarily run from A to B but is used as a vehicle to describe issues that I wanted to talk about through the BIOMECHANICAL music. - more on this story

. Moneen - It All Started With A Red Stripe DVD

If nothing else, Vagrant sure hasn't skimped in the portions for its Moneen DVD. For a band with only three full-length CD releases to date, It All Started with a Red Stripe will tell you everything you always wanted to know about Moneen - and then some. (3.5 stars) - Read the full Moneen - It All Started With A Red Stripe DVD review

. Ihsahn - AngL

AngL is an interesting album from a lone soul with plenty of dark shadows still lingering in his psyche. Fans of symphonic or progressive black metal, Ihsahn, Emperor, or unique music in general will be well pleased with this album. - Read the full Ihsahn - AngL review

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