Tapes 'N Tapes Soph

Filter reports: Minneapolis indie rockers, Tapes 'N Tapes are set to release their sophomore album, Walk It Off.

The follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album, The Loon, will be unleashed April 8th via XL Recordings.

The band's signature shaky vocals and bursts of low-fi guitar work was produced by renowned producer, Dave Fridmann (best known for his work with Flaming Lips and Weezer). - more on this story

Heath Ledger RIP

antiMusic reports: Sad news today as Heath Ledger would found dead in his home. TMZ has sent over a ton of stories today about Ledger's death. Here are part of some of those stories: He was found in Soho, dead in his bed. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they believe it was not a crime.

A cleaning lady for Heath arrived at the apartment first, followed soon thereafter by a masseuse. They both entered the room at around the same time and discovered Heath's lifeless body. The cleaning lady called police. The masseuse, we're told, called the bodyguard for the Olsens. She called him because they're friends and he's an EMT. The bodyguard was around the block at Ashley's and he immediately went over. By the time he arrived, the cops were already there.

Law enforcement sources confirm to TMZ sleeping pills were strewn around the bed of Heath Ledger. TMZ has learned Heath Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died today in NY. - The latest from TMZ

Ministry Set April Fools Day Release

PR reports: "We don't just bitch about Bush and global oligarchies. We're still a rock band and 'Cover Up' is THE Ministry party album," said Ministry's Al Jourgensen about "Cover Up," recorded by Ministry & Co-Conspirators and set for an April Fools Day (April 1) release.

"Cover Up" simply is one of the hottest, nastiest rock'n'roll albums ever recorded and sees Jourgensen and Co-Conspirators paying tribute to some of the most memorable PAR-TEE rock songs, mostly from the 8-track era, and to those artists who first laid them down - Deep Purple, T-Rex, ZZ Top, The Doors, Mountain, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and more.

The April Fools Day release of "Cover Up" coincides with the launch of Ministry's final world tour - C U LaTouR - which kicks off March 25 in Spokane, WA. - more on this story

Ringo Vs Regis

AP reports: Ringo Starr is known for being the amiable Beatle, but the rock star showed his tough side Tuesday when he walked off the set of "Live With Regis and Kelly" rather than cut short one of his songs.

Starr, who is promoting his new album, "Liverpool 8," planned to perform the title song with fellow rocker Dave Stewart. However, due to miscommunication between his publicist, Elizabeth Freund, and the musical director, Starr didn't realize the performance had to be 2 1/2 minutes or less, Freund told The Associated Press.

"We offered to cut back our chat time and asked them to fade or go to commercial. They were not willing to do that and Ringo was not willing to cut it further, so without a compromise we were not able to stay," Freund said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Ringo left saying, 'God bless and goodbye. We still love Regis.'" - Regis' people tell a different tale.

Candace Night and Geoff Tate Starring in New Film

PR reports: Blackmore's Night's Candace Night will be making her feature film debut in House of Eternity, produced by New York City's Fires at Midnight Films. Queensrÿche's Geoff Tate will co-star in the film.

Here is the official PR on the film: Fires at Midnight Films has officially announced the start of preproduction on the supernatural thriller House of Eternity. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Danielle Sykes and the desperate search that ensues amid the deep North Carolina woods. The search party, led by her husband, Jeremy, quickly discovers they are in no ordinary woods, but a terrifying haunting ground. And even as Jeremy desperately fights his way against impossible odds towards her, Danielle is locked in a mortal struggle to save her own soul.

Queensrÿche frontman Geoff Tate makes his long-awaited acting debut as Alder Grayson, the film's antagonist, husband to Emily Grayson, portrayed by Candice Night, lead vocalist of Blackmore's Night. The movie will feature new music by Candice Night and Blackmore's Night. Additional artists TBA. The official movie website can be found at - www.houseofeternity.com.

Minus the Bear Tour Plans

PR reports: Minus the Bear is currently supporting its latest release, Planet of Ice on Suicide Squeeze Records. The Seattle based outfit is gearing up to tour Australia and Japan this February, in addition to select dates in Hawaii and Florida.

The tour will begin in Brisbane, AU on February 8 and will include appearances at the Langerado Music Festival on March 9 and Coachella Music Festival on April 25.

Tour Dates
2/8 -- Brisbane AU -- The Zoo
2/9 -- Sydney AU -- The Metro
2/10 -- Melbourne AU -- The Hi Fi
- more dates

Coachella East Now All Points West

NME reports: The so-called 'east coast Coachella' festival has been named 'All Points West' it is being reported.

The event, scheduled to be held in Liberty State Park an island between New York City and New Jersey, is being held by organisers of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, New Jersey-based Liberty Event Management and New York City's Highline Ballroom.

The inaugural 'All Points West Music & Arts Festival' is scheduled to take place August 8-10 - more on this story

Through The Eyes Of The Dead Lose Another Member

Metal Underground reports: Through The Eyes Of The Dead frontman, Nate Johnson (Premonitions of War), has apparently left the band and joined Massachusetts hardcore/metal outfit Since The Flood.

Johnson, who only joined TTEOTD in March, is the third member to leave the group in recent months. Johnson will reportedly perform his first show with Since The Flood on Sunday, January 27th at the Waterfront Tavern in Holyoke, MA.

As previously reported, drummer Josh Kulick quit the band earlier this month and guitarist Chris Anderson quit the band back in October of 2007. - more on this story

This is Your Koch On Dope

Metal Underground reports: KOCH Records has announced the signing of Chicago-based hard-rock/nu-metal act Dope. The band's fifth release titled "No Regrets" will be released on June 10th, 2008.

Dope lead vocalist / rhythm guitarist Edsel Dope and long time lead guitarist Virus have revamped Dope's line-up for "No Regrets." Joining the band on bass guitar and backing vocals is Tripp Tribbet (former lead vocalist for Ozzfest 2002 band Twisted Method and younger brother of Mudvayne/ HellYeah guitarist Greg Tribbet). On drums, Dope recruited former Genitorturers drummer Angel Bartolotta.

Zack Wylde lent his signature guitar squeals to Dope on the new track "Addiction." A video for "Addiction" is currently in development.
- more on this story

Betty Blowtorch Tribute

PR reports: THE DOGS DIVINE will be a featured artist on the upcoming BETTY BLOWTORCH TRIBUTE ALBUM. For the tribute THE DOGS DIVINE have recorded the track 'Rock N Roll 69' from the 2001 release Are You Man Enough?

The legendary Los Angeles-based, all-women rock/punk band BETTY BLOWTORCH is the subject of an upcoming Tribute Album that will benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Created in memory of late BETTY BLOWTORCH frontwoman BIANCA "BUTTHOLE" HALSTEAD, the collection will feature bands from around the globe celebrating Bianca's life and music for a worthy cause.

Scheduled for a late spring 2008 release, the BETTY BLOWTORCH TRIBUTE ALBUM has received the full blessing and support of surviving Betty Blowtorch members BLARE N. BITCH, SHARON NEEDLES and JUDY MOLISH. In fact, Blare has officially signed on to perform on the album with her current band, SUCKERSTAR. More information on the BETTY BLOWTORCH TRIBUTE ALBUM can be found at - www.myspace.com/bettyblowtorchtribute

M83 Explains Youth

PR reports: M83 releases "Saturdays = Youth" on Mute, April 15, 2008. The idea of youth - wasted, gilded or otherwise - has always featured prominently in M83's music. "I loved being a teenager," says Anthony Gonzalez, who is M83. "That's when I discovered music and started to take drugs and party with my friends."

That time of discovery – and of course the era in which Gonzalez was a teenager – greatly impacted the making of "Saturdays = Youth." "On this record I wanted to have the feeling of a teenager mixed with this period of the Eighties," Gonzalez explains.

If the doomy synthetic romance of his earlier work hinted at a fetish for Eighties goth staples such as Sisters of Mercy and The Cure, this album's chiming astro-pop finds Gonzalez taking a stroll on the sunnier side of the decade. Main influences for the album are English bands such as Tears For Fears and Cocteau Twins, as well as classic John Hughes teen movies such as "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles" (The red-haired Molly Ringwald look-alike on the cover is no mistake). - more on this story

Penthouse Straps

PR reports: Penthouse Media Group Inc., in collaboration with Perri's Leathers Limited, launched a new line of Penthouse licensed guitar straps and accessories this past weekend at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. The 20 high quality leather and suede 2.5 to 3.5 inch guitar straps, with matching picks and bags that were on display, feature hi-resolution custom artwork and will be available in the Spring of 2008.

"Guitar straps are not just a fashion accessory and not just a rock and roll accruement," says Anthony Perri, President of Perri's Leathers Ltd. "They are a connection to your heart and how you express it. Penthouse is a connection to fantasy and there is no better brand to communicate these forces with. The tagline 'Rock your Fantasies' is to be embraced by musicians who hold their aspirations close, but their guitars even closer!"

"Penthouse is excited to have joined with Perri's Leathers in producing these high quality guitar straps and accessories," says Amanda Byrd, Director of Licensing for Penthouse Media Group. "They have an excellent reputation in the music industry and we're looking forward to offering a unique product line from two renowned and symbiotic lifestyle brands." The official licensed guitar straps, picks and bags will retail at music stores nationwide and can be viewed at - www.perris.ca

Randy Jackson's Music Club

Cheddar reports: American Idol judge Randy Jackson has called upon every aspect of his career to produce Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1, his first solo album, which is due March 11, 2008, on his new label, Dream Merchant 21, and released through the Concord Music Group.

The album includes an ensemble of artists and features the return of fellow Idol judge Paula Abdul who's track "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" is her first release of new music in over a decade.

Other guests on the album include Idol standouts Katherine McPhee and Elliot Yamin, U.K. phenom Joss Stone, country trailblazer Travis Tritt, pop-rock hitmaker Jason Mraz, ace country songwriter-producer John Rich (of Big & Rich), R&B luminary Sam Moore and Bon Jovi guitarist-harmonizer Richie Sambora. Randy also works once more with the incredible Mariah Carey who guests on the gospel track "Understand" along with Bebe Winans and Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell & Rance Allen. The collection also features major up and coming talent such as the wonderful Barbie Esco on the track "My R&B" and Kelli Selah on "Who's Gonna Love You Now" among many others. - "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" Audio Stream

Babatunde Olatunji Final Studio Recordings

PR reports: Bay Area-based independent label MansMark Africa is proud to announce a very special upcoming release featuring the final studio work of legendary world music icon Babatunde Olatunji.

In 2000, Baba began recording his final studio project, initially titled "Safari to Musical Africa, "on the MansMark Africa label. The exuberance and joyfulness he infused into these recordings shines through in every aspect of the finished tracks, leaving little room for doubt that this project was to be his crowning effort. Sadly, his untimely passing in 2003 made it clear that the then-unfinished album would in fact be Babatunde Olatunji's posthumous fond farewell. Upon completing his dear friend's final legacy, MansMark CEO Ayo Ajisebutu became inspired to rename the album "Spirit of Musical Africa", in reference and reverence to a cultural and musical icon whose spirit will forever resonate within the rhythmic beat of the African drums.

"Spirit of Musical Africa" is set for release in summer 2008. Singles from the album will be released digitally on April 6 and 7 to mark Babatunde Olatunji's birthday on April 7. On April 6 MansMark will give away one of Baba's new songs for free on www.mansmark.com.
- more on this story

.... GNR Legends Week: Revolutionary Illusions

We continue our GNR Legends week with Tony's personal look at the Use Your Illusion albums. "The 'Use Your Illusion' albums continue to invigorate me almost sixteen-years later proving how audacious these albums truly are." - Read the full GNR Legends Week: Revolutionary Illusions review

.... Minipop - A New Hope

While every song on this Minipop release is solidly structured, there is little to be found on this disc any more creative than releases 15 years ago from the likes of That Dog and Juliana Hatfield. (2 stars) - Read the full Minipop - A New Hope review

.... Elvenking - The Scythe

Marking ten years in music and a departure from metal, The Scythe urinates over everything that could have, would have, and should have been. Ironically, The Scythe is a very fitting title as it quickly slices Elvenking’s legacy across the jugular. - Read the full Elvenking - The Scythe review

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