The Aggrolites Announce Album and Tour Plans

On the heels of the highly successful Green 17 Tour with Flogging Molly, The Aggrolites are gearing up to hit the pavement again. - more on this story

Barcelona Revisit Absolutes

Universal reports: Seattle-based trio Barcelona are set to release an expanded and remixed version of their acclaimed debut album Absolutes on April 28th via Universal Motown. In anticipation of the release, the band offers an exclusive stream of an acoustic version of the new track "Come Back When You Can."

Originally released in August 2007 on the band's own NBD Music, Absolutes received rave reviews from coast to coast. Believing that Absolutes has not yet reached its fullest potential and scoring a major label deal with Universal Motown, the band decided to reissue their debut, amended with a number of recent songs.

The new material – which includes the outsized "The Takers" and the plaintive ballad, "Come Back When You Can" – point to an even greater confidence than before, a skillfulness gleaned from countless nights on the road. Barcelona also took the opportunity to have Absolutes remixed by three-time Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Michael H. Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer). The sonic tweaking amplifies the album's already substantial power, bringing out the full force of the band's spirit and emotion. - more on this story

Exodus Plan Live DVD

PR reports: Exodus guitarist Gary Holt and frontman Rob Dukes were interviewed in Montreal last Saturday during the band's current trek with Kreator, Belphegor, Warbringer, and Epicurean. Holt offers these details about their upcoming live DVD:

"Right now, we're working on finishing up our first official live DVD, Live At Wacken... which also comes with a bonus audio-only CD, so you actually are getting a live album out of the deal, and like an hour-and-a-half of behind-the-scenes insanity." - Rob tells you a little of what you can expect

Behemoth Go From Apostasy To Evangelion This Summer

PR reports: Polish extreme metalers Behemoth have set Evangelion as the title of their 9th full length studio album due out this summer. Evangelion marks the follow up to the bands extremely successful 2007 release The Apostasy. Evangelion see's Behemoth, Daniel Bergstrand and Woytek and Slawek Wieslawscy as producers with Colin Richardson (Machine Head, Slipknot, Napalm Death, Carcass) set to mix the album.

Here's what frontman Nergal has to say; "I've had this title in my head for almost a year now and it grew on me. It sounds nothing but powerful and epic which perfectly mirrors the essence of the new album. Evangelion comes from a Greek word 'Spreading the word of God' or 'spreading the good news'…oh well, you already know that we love to play with the meanings and symbolism. We're here to show you our interpretation of what Evangelion really is."

In support of the band's 9th full-length studio album Evangelion, Behemoth will be touring on what is sure to be this summer's largest and most bone crushing metal festival; the Mayhem Festival. Behemoth will be conquering the [Corporate Sponsored] stage alongside label mates Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Job for a Cowboy and Whitechapel on over 25 dates this summer so make sure to catch the masters of blackened death metal live when they come to a city near you. - more on this story

Chairlift Gets Major Release and Big Tours

Columbia Records reports: Chairlift with be releasing their debut album, Does You Inspire You, on Columbia Records on April 21st.

The acclaimed album has been remastered and includes 2 new songs: "Dixie Gypsy" and "Le Flying Saucer."

The band will be supporting the release by joining their indie cohorts, Peter Bjorn and John, on the road starting April 21st thru May 2nd. After that they'll hit the road with The Killers on a short string of dates in which they were hand picked by The Killers to support. - more on this story

Drop Dead, Gorgeous Set New Album Release

PR reports: Drop Dead, Gorgeous are set to return with The Hot N' Heavy, an explosive thrill-ride* of a record due out June 2 on Suretone. [not our way over used cliche] Bolstered by the same crushing intensity that first earned the Denver-bred band a loyal global following, DDG's electrifying and adventurous new studio disc and third album overall--appropriately dubbed The Hot N' Heavy--will leave its metalcore peers in the dust.

Drop Dead, Gorgeous are currently on tour with Alesana debuting new songs for fans (see dates below). In June and July, the five-piece will launch a headlining U.S. trek with He Is Legend, Before Their Eyes and Then There Were None supporting.

The disc's first single "Two Birds, One Stone" stays true to Drop Dead, Gorgeous' patented heavy style while possibly netting the group its first bona fide radio anthem. Although the song is airwave worthy, frontman Danny Stillman explains, "We'll never compromise our beliefs of how any of our songs should sound for the radio." Likewise, guitarist Kyle Browning adds, "Although it's poppier than any song we've ever written, it unmistakably ours." "Two Birds, One Stone" is set to impact radio June 1. Look for more news soon on the forthcoming video for the band's smash-in-waiting. - more on this story

See Who Is Rockin Kimmel

PR reports: Jimmy Kimmel Live has a busy musical schedule coming up in the next month. ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs in high-definition weeknights at 12:05 am ET/PT.

Here is who he has on tap ** Notes performances that will take place on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Outdoor Stage.

April: 16 Franz Ferdinand** | 17 Pete Yorn | 21 Billy Bob Thornton | 22 The Whip | 23 Depeche Mode **Hollywood & Vine** | 24 – Jamie Foxx** | 28 – Asher Roth | 29 – Lame Camero | 30 – Kumail Nanjiani

May: 1 – Jason Aldean** | 6 – Black Eyed Peas** | 7 – Flo Rida** | 8 – Scott Weiland | 13 – Ciara** | 14 – The Airborne Toxic Event | 21 – Ben Harper** -

SSS Hit the Road With the Cancer Bats

PR reports: Liverpool's crossover thrashers SSS are currently gearing up for a UK tour in a couple of weeks with Canadian punks Cancer Bats.

SSS bassist Mark Magill reports on what the band have been up to since the release of their critically acclaimed second album, THE Dividing Line, last year:

"It's been a while since we've been out and about, so we can't wait to hit the road this month. Dave had a baby, I insulated my loft, Foxy has been making brownies and Pete has been researching the dynamics of paper airplanes. We've also written 14 new songs for our next record and they're getting so short, fast and heavy it's ridiculous. Come down and say hello!" - more on this story

HBO's True Blood Gets a Soundtrack

Atlantic Records reports: Elektra/Atlantic Records has announced the upcoming release of "True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series," due in stores and online on May 19th. The album features tracks from the acclaimed HBO drama's first season, including the sultry theme song, "Bad Things" performed by Jace Everett. The hugely anticipated second season of True Blood is slated to premiere on HBO on June 14th, while True Blood: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 19th.

"True Blood – Music From The HBO Original Series" features songs performed by a wide-range of Louisiana natives, reflecting the series' steamy backwoods setting. The artists span the Bayou State's distinctive musical heritage, from Lucinda Williams, Slim Harpo, and Lee Dorsey to Allen Toussaint and the legendary Dr. John (see attached tracklisting). The soundtrack also includes "Bleed 2 Feed," an exclusive new song written expressly for the series by Lafayette-based swamp rocker CC Adcock.

Also among the highlights are tracks from such diverse talent as Ryan Adams, Cobra Verde, The Watson Twins, Little Big Town, and Th' Legendary Shack Shakers. In addition, "True Blood – Music From The HBO Original Series" includes "The Golden State," performed by the one-and-only John Doe, which will be featured in the series' upcoming second season. - more on this story

Soundset Festival Returns This Summer

PR reports: Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents bring you the second annual Soundset Festival: the official Midwest kick-off of the summer with over eight hours of the best independent Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN (rain or shine).

Confirmed artists for Soundset 09 include: Atmosphere, The Pharcyde, MF Doom, Brother Ali, Freeway & Jake One, Sage Francis with B. Dolan, Immortal Technique, P.O.S, El P with Mr. Dibbs & TMQ, Eyedea & Abilities, Abstract Rude + Aceyalone & Myka 9 = Haiku D'Etat with DJ Drez, Prince Paul, Buck 65, Blueprint with DJ Rare Groove, DJ Numark, Heiruspecs, Cunninlynguists, Blue Scholars, Sims of Doomtree, One Be Lo, I Self Devine, Awol One, Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak = Hand Over Fist of Doomtree, Toki Wright, Grieves, Unknown Prophets, Lil Buddy Mclain, Just.Live, Kristoff Krane, El Guante, Plain Ole Bill, BK One, King Otto, and DJ Nikoless.

In 2008, Rhymesayers and Rose Presents brought the first year of Soundset to an outdoor festival setting at the Metrodome parking lot in Minneapolis with over 14,000 people in attendance, including: two stages with over 40 artists performing, b-boy battles and live DJs throughout the day, live skateboard demos and a low rider car show. - more on this story

Mickey Mouse Clubber and Rifleman Child Star Johnny Crawford Sets New Album Release

PR reports: Recording artist, orchestra leader, actor and former child star, Johnny Crawford, is releasing a new album for the first time in more than 40 years with a genre of music that has been dancing through his veins and putting a skip in his step for decades. After 17 years of entertaining audiences with live performances, The Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra's first album, "Sweepin' the Clouds Away" will go into wide release on Tuesday, May 19 to bring early 20th century dance band music back into the spotlight.

Crawford's music career began in 1955 as one of the original Mouseketeers on Walt Disney's popular Mickey Mouse Club. He became famous for his role as Chuck Connors' son, Mark McCain, in "The Rifleman" for which he received an Emmy® nomination in 1959 as Best Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Series.

"Sweepin' the Clouds Away," a Crawford Music release, is an album incorporating 15 authentic dance band orchestrations of romantic and uplifting songs from the 1920s and 1930s; the type of songs that provided inspiration and emotional escape during the Great Depression. Crawford, the director and vocalist for the orchestra, says the release of this album comes at a perfect time to help brighten people's spirits during the current economic downturn. - more on this story

.... MorleyView: Gregg Rolie (Santana)<

Gregg Rolie has a new live DVD coming out shortly that borrows heavily from the Santana songbook as well as his own solo work. It was with great pleasure that Morley spoke to him recently to find out about it as well as reminisce about his storied career. - Read the full Gregg Rolie (Santana) MorleyView

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