Society 1 Shopping for a Deal

"We are at that point that enough of the record is done that we can show people how things are sounding and what direction the band is going. So we figured it was time to put some of the new tracks out there and see if anyone was interested. Depending on what feedback we receive from labels will determine how the record is released." Says
Zane - more on this story

Mewseum: A Sonic Experience with Mew

Sony reports: Columbia Records presents Mewseum at Zune L.A. which will consist of a six day still and cinematic installation and a special performance event on August 31st. The Danish art rockers are internationally renowned for their visually and musically captivating experience filled with originally produced animations and layer upon layer of dreamy melodies, bass and percussion.

Special Performance Event: On August 31st, Mew will perform an intimate show, as well as, premiere a video trilogy for their first three album singles created by award winning director Martin De Thurah. This will include the world premiere of their videos for "Repeaterbeater" and "Beach."

The gallery will showcase the Martin de Thurah videos all week long as well as videos from the bands past releases. Images and stills from the current album and videos will also be displayed and a limited edition will be available for purchase along with the cd and vinyl. - more on this story

Sam Bush Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

PR reports: Sam Bush doesn't seem old enough to be a musical legend. And he's not. But he is. In September, the Americana Music Association with its Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist award will honor Bush, who is alternately known as the King of Telluride and the King of Newgrass.

"It's overwhelming and humbling," says Bush of the honor. "It goes along with the title cut of my new album, Circles Around Me, which basically says, how in the hell did we get this far? In my brain I'm still 17, but I look in the mirror and I'm 57."

Circles Around Me, Bush's seventh solo album and sixth with Sugar Hill, will be released Oct. 20. The album is an aurally inspiring mix of bluegrass favorites and complementary new songs. "I don't know why, but it felt right at this moment in my life to go back and revisit some things that I've loved all my life, which is bluegrass and, unapologetically, newgrass," says Bush. "After all these years of experimenting --and there's experimentation on this record too --I've come full circle." - more on this story

Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Brandi Carlile and More Having AIDS Concerts

PR reports: (RED) and Live Nation today announce new dates for (RED)NIGHTS, an innovative series of 26 concerts in the U.S. to generate money and awareness for the ultimate goal of eliminating AIDS in Africa. The new set of shows will feature concerts by (RED)NIGHTS artists Built to Spill, Thievery Corporation, Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Joshua Radin and Sondre Lerche at venues such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, The Paradise in Boston and the House of Blues in Chicago.

The new (RED)NIGHTS dates follow a successful first round of concerts. For the first set of shows, Fall Out Boy, Katy Perry, Gomez, Santigold, O.A.R., Lisa Hannigan, The Veronicas, Matisyahu and K'Naan each turned one of their concerts (RED) to bring the (RED) experience to life in a new way. At each of these shows, (RED)NIGHTS and the community of acclaimed artists aimed to inspire fans to participate in (RED)'s mission to eliminate AIDS in Africa by pausing to highlight the many ways to get involved and encouraging those in the audience to share the message and experience with others.

"I believe no person deserves to suffer from a preventable, treatable disease simply because they can't afford medicine," said Marc Roberge of O.A.R. "If bringing awareness to what (RED) is doing helps one person receive antiretroviral treatment and live a healthy life, we have accomplished our goal." - more on this story

New Queen, Velvet Underground and Neil Diamond Illustrated History Books Announced

PR reports: Voyageur Press continues to establish itself as America's leading publisher of pop and rock books with the impending arrival of three eye-popping illustrated history packages.

Three of music's top journalists are on board to study a trio of universally renowned (and interestingly varied) artists: Jim DeRogatis (Chicago Sun-Times) with THE VELVET UNDERGROUND: An Illustrated History of a Walk on the Wild Side; Jon Bream (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) with NEIL DIAMOND IS FOREVER: The Illustrated Story of the Man and His Music; and London-based Phil Sutcliffe (Mojo, Q) with QUEEN: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock. All three books will arrive in succession (one month apart from each other), starting Sept 15, 2009.

All three volumes are beautifully packaged, and jam-packed with photos, artifacts, and comprehensive histories of each artist. Undoubtedly, these "Illustrated History" books capture the heart and soul of the Velvet Underground, Neil Diamond, and Queen. With the holiday season fast approaching, these gorgeous and highly informative tomes will serve as the perfect gift for the long-time fan, and soon, you'll get the opportunity to see these titles for yourself. - more on this story

Official Statement On Alice Cooper Ban Over Suspicious Values

antiMusic reports: Alice Cooper's publicist sent this official statement out last night after we ran a report on this ban. Here is what AC's camp had to say on the matter: Alice Cooper has been barnstorming concert venues in North America, Australia and Europe with his latest, and hugely popular, stage production Alice Cooper's Theatre of Death. Now comes word that he is banned from performing it an arena in Tampere, Finland's third largest (pop 205,000) city.

Critics have lauded the show by rock's progenitor of gnarly theatricality in no uncertain terms. Stephanie De Pasquale, writing in Davenport, Iowa's Quad City Times raved, "Alice Cooper's Theatre of Death is hands down the best concert I have ever seen...There's nothing that Disney would approve of...Between Cooper's energy and the driving music that never stops, Theatre of Death is one fast ride from beginning to end. It left the crowd of 12,000 screaming for more...The show was just amazing." Kansas City Confidential's Brian McTavish observed, "The master of mayhem and his killer four-man band decimated the sold-out Star Pavilion with a meticulously executed rock-theater extravaganza."

While critics and fans, clearly, have no problem with Alice's over-the-top spectacle, a venue operator in Tampere, Finland has put the kibosh on Alice's scheduled performance at Tampere Arena originally set for December 11. After a legal contract was consummated with Kalle Keskinen of Speed Promotion, a local concert promoter, Alice's management were informed that the organization that owns and operates the facility, which typically hosts hockey games, is based on "Christian values" and will not permit performances which may be construed as insulting to Christianity, spelled out - as follows

Riot Fest Returns This Rocktober

PR reports: Five years. What does it all mean? Five years equals 25,336 fans, over 150 bands, 946 stage dives, 4 barbarian bouncers, 2632 cases of beer, 172 hours in line, 1 FBI Sting, 23 business suits and too many broken ribs. That, my friends is something.

In 2005 Mike Petryshyn started Riot Fest, creating his dream festival, the one he would want to attend. With one eye on the legendary Chicago punk scene and the other on the bands that inspire them, he started building the festival, with an ambitious multiple show/venue format despite his inexperience. He put special emphasis on reuniting influential punk and underground bands who hadn't shared the stage in years and chicago's rich punk history has always been a huge part of the Riot Fest roster, this year 11 bands from the area are confirmed so far.

This week, Riot Fest added 7Seconds, Cobra Skulls, The Bomb, Beer Nuts, Deal's Gone Bad, Das Kapital, She Likes Todd and The Pinstripes. See 7Seconds at a small, intimate show at Beat Kitchen on Thursday October 9th. - more on this story

Minnie Driver Is Not Dead, She Is Hosting the Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Celebration

Rounder reports: Rounder Records celebrates 40 years of making music with a special event to benefit NARAS' Grammy in the Schools Programs. Grammy winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas will join in this momentous celebration along with musical host, Minnie Driver and special guests (yet to be announced) on October 12 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. "I am excited and honored to be a part of this stellar line-up and historic event that celebrates 40 years of great music while supporting a worthy cause" said Driver.

The show, which will include performances by Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Minnie Driver, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck, Irma Thomas and special guests will be filmed by High Five Entertainment for a PBS television special that will begin airing on the network in March 2010. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to NARAS' Grammy® in the Schools Programs to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Grammy® Foundation influences the lives of young people by opening the windows of opportunity that music can provide for their futures.

Rounder Records was founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin. With only their passionate enthusiasm for American roots music lighting the way, the three Boston area college students cast their lot into the perilous music industry. "Before founding Rounder, we were basically music fans," says Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin. "None of us," echoes co-conspirator Bill Nowlin, "had any record industry experience whatsoever." - more on this story

Paul Revere and the Raiders Not Retiring Anytime Soon

PR reports: Paul Revere and the Raiders have named Buddy Lee Attractions as their exclusive World Wide Agency for all of their personal appearances.

Paul Revere continues to tour extensively -- entering his fifth decade in the music business -- performing hit gems such as "Just Like Me" (#11 in 1965); "Kicks," (#4 in 1966); "Hungry, " (#6 in 1966); "Up and Downs," (#22 in 1967); "Him or Me – What's it Gonna Be?," (#5 in 1967) amongst others with covers of many more hit classics.

"(Fans) enjoy hearing the music they grew up with and they enjoy hearing me relate to them and what we all grew up in and the fact that we're older now... and so what!?" said Paul. - more on this story

Damon and Naomi Anthology

PR reports: 1001 Nights is a comprehensive anthology of the ethereal Damon and Naomi, including videos and live performances by the duo from 2001 through 2009, being released via Factory 25, a new Brooklyn-based independent film and music label.

This decade-long road trip includes live footage of the musicians and friends including Michio Kurihara, The Clientele, Ghost, Richard Youngs, Rheinallt H. Rowlands, Thom Revolver, Bhob Rainey, Masaki Batoh and Helena Espvall. Damon and Naomi curated 1001 Nights and included a rare live version of "Blue Thunder," a song originally performed by their legendary first band Galaxie 500.

A special, limited edition LP/DVD bundle includes the DVD, Live in San Sebastian on vinyl and a three-dimensional 1001 Nights calendar. - more on this story

Misguided Aggression Release New Video

PR reports: Misguided Aggression have released their video for the song "Our Kingdom Come" online. The video was directed by Black Fawn Films' Chad Archibald (Arise and Ruin, Farewell To Freeway) in Kitchener, Ontario.

"When we were tossing around ideas for a video, Chad and Black Fawn came up with this idea to stage an underground Fight Club that we thought was brilliant," says Misguided Aggression guitarist Ben Dobson. "It was a long day; we shot about six hours of fight footage and then we had to shoot the performance aspects afterwards. Overall it felt like the equivliant of playing a show for like ten hours straight and was completely draining. In the end it was worth it because the video turned out fantastic and I'm sure fans are going to love it."

"Our Kingdom Come" is the lead single from Misguided Aggression's debut album "Hatchala", which was recently released by Year of the Sun Records. The album was recorded at Icehouse Studios by producer Thomas Ireland and mixes bone crushing brutality with head-banging grooves to create the soundtrack to a drunken bar brawl between Lamb of God and Meshuggah. Sputnik Music hailed the album as, "One of the neatest records of extreme metal from an upcoming band I've heard in quite a while." - watch it here

A.A. Bondy Adds More Dates

PR reports: A.A. Bondy has announced additional headlining dates from September 12th through 16th around the September 1st release date of his sophomore album, When The Devil's Loose, on Fat Possum.

He'll then travel to Europe with The Felice Brothers in October before returning to the U.S., where he will head out on the road again with Elvis Perkins in Dearland in November.

That tour will begin November 3rd at The Southern in Charlottesville, VA and wrap up November 21st in Chicago, IL. - more on this story

. (Santana's) Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand

Ortiz is a trumpet player whos gained considerable notoriety as a member of Santana. From Where I Stand is primarily a jazz album that sounds nothing like Ortiz work with Santana but it has many of the same qualities. (4 stars) - Read the full (Santana's) Bill Ortiz - From Where I Stand review

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