Indianapolis Metal Fest Returns

The festival includes an assortment of headliner-status and personally-chosen unsigned artists, including three bands that will be making their U.S. debuts. Bands already confirmed are: Dew Scented, Kittie, Divine Heresy, Mustasch, Daylight Dies, Bleed The Sky, Into Eternity, Ekotren, Skeletonwitch, The Destro, Gigan (ex-Hate Eternal), Psyopus, Level-C, Obszon Geschopf, Black Chapel, Demiricous, Gates of Slumber, Threat Signal, and The Absence. In all, the festival will host 60 bands over the two days. - more details

Denny's Gets Warped

PR reports: Denny's AllNighter has teamed up with the Warped Tour to host a series of late-night concert after parties over the coming weeks.

Following five select Warped Tour dates, your favorite Warped artists are taking over the local Denny's from 10pm-Midnight and inviting fans out to hang out and chow down with them.

Say Anything, Forever The Sickest Kids and the cherry chapstick-loving Katy Perry are down to attend each party with bands like From First To Last, Shwazye & Cisco and We The Kings joining the fun on select dates. - more on this story

Scandal Reunite

PR reports: With a platinum album, The Warrior, and a self-titled debut that is the best-selling EP in Columbia history, Patty Smyth and Scandal are one of the '80s signature female-fronted rock bands, scoring the Top 10 single "The Warrior" and standards like the MTV hit "Goodbye to You," "Love's Got a Line on You," "Beat of a Heart," "Hands Tied" and "No Mistakes."

Spurred by an impromptu reunion in 2004 on VH1's Bands Reunited series and a stint on the network's "We Are the '80s" tour in the summer of 2006 with Rick Springfield, Patty Smyth and Scandal have regrouped, including two original members in guitarist Keith Mack and keyboardist/guitarist Benjy King along with the new rhythm section of bassist Tom Welsch and drummer Eran Asias, with plans to tour and record new material.

"I really wanted to get back out there gigging and doing shows," says Smyth, who also attributed the decision to the fact her kids are now all grown up. "People think I have this comfortable married life, so I'm not serious about working. But this is something I really need to do, and want to do." - Read more about this as you ponder "Whatever happened to Quarterflash?"

Skeletonwitch Comment on Blackest of the Black Tour

Prosthetic reports: Athens, Ohio's Skeletonwitch are proud to be announced as part of this year's Blackest of the Black Tour alongside Danzig, Dimmu Borgir, Moonspell and Winds of Plague.

Skeletonwitch guitarist Scott Hedrick comments: "Cheers and beers, heshers!!! Here's a quick Skeletonwitch update; proof that we've been doing Something since returning from Europe (besides gorging on Taco Bell). As you may have read, we're privileged to be a part of this year's Blackest of the Black Tour. We are beyond stoked to be a part of this killer lineup. About six years ago, I can recall [Skeletonwitch guitarist] Nate one Halloween half shit-canned, with half a 30-pack, and a Marshall half-stack, standing on his roof playing Danzig riffs. Back then we certainly never thought we'd have an opportunity like this!! A huge thanks goes out to Danzig for inviting us to be a part of this tour. Please come out early and check out our set.

"Also, in early August we're hitting the road with Valient Thorr and Early Man, as well as playing several solo dates. - more on this story

Susperia Feeling Festive This Summer

Susperia reports: Norwegian melodic thrashers Susperia will headline the XV Revoltallo Festival on Friday, August 15 at Monte Alba, Vigo, Spain.

The Revoltallo Festival runs for seven days, with each day dedicated to a different kind of music. Susperia will headline the metal day, with other bands to be announced soon.

The band then play the Metal Rock Festival, Lillehammer, Norway on Saturday, August 16. Other bands appearing include Opeth and My Dying Bride. - more on this story

The Motion Sick Finalist in Coldplay Tour Contest

PR reports: Integrating pop-melodies with socially voyeuristic lyrics, Boston-based band, The Motion Sick, garners finalist status in Opening Act for Coldplay contest.

Voters and fans alike are encouraged to visit the Coldplay on tour website to cast their vote for the band's "30 Lives" music video. Being held around Coldplay's major North American tour markets, the contest's winner joins Shearwater and Santogold in opening for what is no doubt one of the world's biggest musical acts. - more on this story

Sea Wolf Team with Okkervil River For Western States Tour

PR reports: Having just wrapped up a highly successful national headlining tour, Sea Wolf recently crossed the pond to unveil his debut full-length to UK audiences for the first time. Joined by his full band, Alex Brown Church just performed a handful of gigs, including this past weekend's Wireless Festival in London, to usher in his critically acclaimed LP, Leaves in the River, due July 28 on Dangerbird Records (Silversun Pickups, Darker My Love).

Upon return from British soil, Sea Wolf will have a month to recover before embarking on a brief West Coast run with Okkervil River, corresponding with the one-year anniversary of his debut full-length album, Leaves in the River.

Released last September in North America, the album recently surpassed the 25,000 sold mark. Meanwhile, the five-song introductory EP, Get to the River Before It Runs Too Low, released in May of last year just exceeded 10,000 sold. - dates

Zonaria Make Jump To Century Media

Pivotal Rockordings reports: Pivotal Rockordings congratulates Swedish death metallers Zonaria on its signing with Century Media Records. Guitarist Emil Nyström comments on the amicable parting of ways with his band's now former label:

"So it might seem weird that we leave Pivotal Rockordings after releasing only one album, but it's nothing like that! We put out a great debut on the greatest small label in the world. They have been like our brothers in supporting us since day one with everything they had in them. Pivotal made sure we got to do several tours and got us good press, so much so that it allowed for a lot of bigger labels to become interested in us. And since the staff of Pivotal is 100% in it for the music and gives all the money they make back to the bands without pocketing a cent, they helped us to develop further as artists. Zonaria would like to thank them for the time in every way possible."

Adds Pivotal Rockordings co-founder Alexi Front: "We are very proud to see Zonaria - a band we spent years developing -move onto a large label like Century Media. The 'Infamy And The Breed' release was a great success, indicative of not only the band's hard work, but also our ability to help them get to the next level. Now that they are there, we look forward to seeing their continuous success. We will continue to work with the band to certain extents, and we look forward to seeing Zonaria succeed in their upcoming releases through Century Media. Zonaria leaves Pivotal Rockordings on the best of terms, and we know that the future will only bring them success." - more on this story

The Moody Blues Live CD and DVD Coming

Kayos reports: Eagle Rock Entertainment will release one of the all-time Classic Rock sets when on August 26, Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 on CD by The Moody Blues, hits stores nationwide. Expect a DVD of the same set in 2009.

Bassist John Lodge, Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Justin Hayward, Keyboardist Michael Pinder, drummer Graeme Edge and Singer/Songwriter Flautist Ray Thomas were riding high in 1970 when they took the stage at one of Rock's most cherished festivals. They had reinvented themselves from their R'n'B roots (after having had a major hit with a cover version of an obscure '50s American soul song by Bessie Banks called "Go Now") into being what was then called an "Art Rock" band, paving the way for the whole Progressive Rock movement yet to come. Fusing classical music with hard rock made them pioneers of the era and albums such as 1967's Days Of Future Passed, 1968's In Search Of The Lost Chord and 1969's To Our Children's Children's Children transcended the band into icon status. - more on this story

Darzamat Begin Work on New Album

MMP reports: One of the most interesting bands on Polish dark metal scene, Darzamat, have begun the work on their new album, a successor of the 2005 album "Transkarpatia". It was their best album so far, but also one of the most intriguing records in the history of Polish metal music! Perfect quality sound and original arrangements prove that Darzamat joined the elite of Polish metal scene. "Transkarpatia" satisfied the most refined metal tastes of all those who love dark, heavy, climatic black/death metal.

The band remained silent for three years so now it's time for a new material. Darzamat's vocalist Flauros explains: "There was no sign of life from us during the past few months, yet the silence was only apparent. There were a few factors contributing to this, yet I can assure that we weren't on holiday during that time. The whole group was engaged in a very hard work on a few projects. Obviously, the most important one is Darzamat's new album but the rest is not less interesting. First of all, our keyboard player, Spectre, has been very strongly wrapped up in the new fantastic undertaking. He was asked to prepare a film soundtrack for Discovery channel! It's a dusky and dismal picture about serial killers ravaging in Poland. Nera was also engaged in this undertaking - she sang a couple of truly insane musical backgrounds. As far as I know, the film will be broadcast sometime this year." - more on this story

Double Dose of Chronical Diarrhoea

MMP reports: Metal Mind Productions presents a double release of Chronical Diarrhoea's albums – "Solomo Says…" (1988) and The Last Judgement" (1990). New digipak edition is limited to 2000 numerated copies.

Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process on golden disc. The release date is set up for 28th July 2008 in Europe and 30th September 2008 in USA (via MVD).

In the late 80's the European metal scene was heavily influenced by such genres as thrash metal, punk rock and hardcore. Various bands begun to copy the American sound and forge it into new, fascinating forms. Eventually, the crossover genre was born, beginning a new era in metal. Germany's Chronical Diarrhoea was one of the groups that started the commotion in Europe, bringing ultra-fast and ultra-violent music with a specific punk & hardcore twist. "The Last Judgement" is unquestionably their finest work, delivering all the best elements of the crossover genre and simply destroying everything in its way! The album was a big step forward in the group's musical evolution. 15 slightly longer tracks presented a lot more variety than on the previous album, joining together thrash and punk riffs, cool intros, groovy drum patterns and even acoustic parts. While their debut album "Solomo Says…" might have been considered a joke, "The Last Judgement" proved that Chronical Diarrhoea can be pretty serious about their music. - more on this story

Three 6 Mafia Announce Free Myspace Show

Myspace reports: MySpace Music is proud to announce that Three 6 Mafia will be performing a free show for their MySpace friends in Miami on July 11 at 9 p.m. at Sobe Live.

Memphis, TN's most beloved and innovative "get buck" rap outfit is currently promoting its fifth major-label album, The Last 2 Walk, which was released on June 24, 2008 on Columbia Records.

As the group's latest propulsive offering, The Last 2 Walk is another album that further solidifies Three 6 Mafia's rightfully earned place among rap's elite innovators. Despite the group's past lineup changes, Juicy J and DJ Paul have remained firm on the band's ideology, an ideology of persistence that has managed to attract the interest of platinum acts such as Ludacris, Chingy and Young Buck for their own production needs in the past. As the "last to walk," Juicy J and DJ Paul are focused on keeping the spirit of the group alive despite what obstacles lie ahead. "We've been putting it down since day one," explains Juicy J. "In this business, you've got to be focused and a lot of people aren't focused. I understand what all artists go through, and that's the main thing that keeps us going -- the grind and staying focused." - more on this story

Republic Tigers Summer Tour Plans

Atlantic Records reports: Chop Shop/Atlantic recording group the Republic Tigers have announced details of their upcoming live schedule.

The Kansas City-based quintet is touring in support of its critically acclaimed debut album, "KEEP COLOR," which is now available in stores and at online retailers.

The headline tour kicks off July 19th at the Conservatory in Oklahoma City, and then travels the western half of the nation through early August . A further slate of North American tour dates will be announced in the coming weeks. - more on this story

Clay Walker Charity Classic Hits Hole In One

PR reports: Multi-platinum country music artist Clay Walker and his inaugural "Clay Walker Charity Classic" managed to raise over $72,000 on behalf of his non-profit charity Band Against MS (BAMS).

"Our first BAMS Charity golf event was more successful than we could have hoped for! Not only did we raise over $72,000 for BAMS, but we all got to spend three days in the California sunshine on the greatest golf courses in the world – we are thrilled to announce that our inaugural tournament was a huge success," said Walker.

The tournament, which took place June 30th through July 2nd at famed Pebble Beach Resorts in Pebble Beach, California, featured three competitive rounds of golf, an awards ceremony, a very special performance by Walker and his band and a live auction which included autographed instruments and items from Miley Cyrus, Kevin Costner, Hank Williams Jr., Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels and The Eagles.

Band Against MS is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing education material for those living with MS as well as funding research that may one day lead to a cure. For more information visit - www.bandagainstms.org

80/35 Fest A Success

PR reports: The inaugural 80/35 music festival presented by [corp name removed] exceeded organizers expectations with an estimated attendance of 30,000 of which 13,500 were paid attendees for the gated main stages.

On July 4 and 5, overflowing audiences were entertained by more than 40 acts on two main stages in a gated paid-area and two free side stages. Critically acclaimed acts from across the country made a stop at 80/35 including The Flaming Lips, The Roots, Jakob Dylan, Black Francis, Drive-By Truckers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Andrew Bird, and many more. The festival also put a spotlight on the amazing local music scene with more than twenty talented bands from across Iowa.

"The results of 80/35 prove that Des Moines has a viable and enthusiastic audience for cutting-edge progressive acts. A multi-day music festival will be supported not only by the businesses that sponsored the event, but also by the tens of thousands who attended," said Amedeo Rossi, Greater Des Moines Music Coalition project manager. - more on this story

. Tom Petty Live

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers stop at the United Center in Chicago found a band completely in control of their craft. For over two-hours, the band surpassed my unrealistic expectations performing six songs I had never seen before and a few new and novel arrangements. (5 stars) - Read the full Tom Petty Live review

. Mike Zito - Today

Mike Zito's raspy vocals (reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughn) are the perfect compliment to his guitar that straddles the line between blues and rock. He shows a broad range of influences, both from the world of blues and rock. (4 stars) - Read the full Mike Zito - Today review

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