Eyes Set To Kill Previewing New CD

Lyrically, Eyes Set To Kill's "The World Outside" is like an unguarded look into the heart and mind of front woman Alexia Rodriguez. It's here that the singer-songwriter shines brightest, offering listeners a front row seat to watch her battle the singer-songwriter's darkest demons. Confronting difficult subjects such as her own insecurities, the pain of lost love and dealing with the expectations from fans, Alexia channels it all into the album. The album's title track confronts her own insecurity of being thrust into the spotlight, while the chilling album closer "Coming Home" is an open letter to her father who abandoned her at an early age. - Myspace link

High Def Motor City Mayhem From Ted Nugent

Kayos reports: Sparks seriously fly on Motor City Mayhem, the new live 2CD, DVD and Blu-ray release from Ted Nugent, out June 30 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Shot July 4, 2008 in front of a house packed with a wildly enthusiastic crowd at the outdoor DTE Energy Music Theatre in the Motor City Madman's hometown of Detroit, the disc documents the celebration of Nugent's 6000th live performance, including guest appearances and a set list of nearly two dozen Nugent favorites honoring his blues and soul roots. Of course, Ted is already looking ahead to his 7000th show: "I'm having a camouflage electronic walker built now."

The multi-platinum guitar icon, author, outspoken activist, television personality and avid outdoorsman celebrated this landmark event in true ultra Nuge style. Flanked by troops from the Selfridge Air National Guard, Ted kicked off the celebration with his electrifying version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Meanwhile, the Nuge crew wheeled out a 7 foot-tall red, white and blue cake, from which WRIF-FM Rock Girl Cristy Lee emerged to surprise the rocker. - more on this story

Pete Yorn Announces Summer Tour

PR reports: In July, acclaimed singer and songwriter Pete Yorn will kick off a headlining tour in support of his anticipated new album 'Back And Fourth' (June 23, Columbia).

Backed by his new band - a well-credentialed group of musicians including guitarist Jonny Polonsky who also played on the album, Joey Kennedy on keys, Scott Seiver on drums, Mark Noseworthy and Zak Schaffer on guitar - Yorn will preview the tour with a special album release show at the Roxy in LA on June 24. Tour highlights include multiple nights at LA's Henry Fonda Theatre, NYC's Webster Hall, and Chicago's Park West.

Pete Yorn is currently on the road with Coldplay, through June 4. His first album in three years, 'Back and Fourth,' marks a bold new chapter for Yorn, who recorded in Omaha, NE, with producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley). Columbia's Co-Chairman Rick Rubin also helped guide the project. The result is Yorn's most personal statement to date. - more on this story

Mother Hips Family Hipnic

PR reports: (((folkYEAH!))) & The Mother Hips will be hosting the 1st Annual Mother Hips Family Hipnic over 4th of July weekend in Big Sur, CA. The event will take place at the historic Henry Miller Library over two days - July 3rd and 4th, 2009. The other artists set to peform include Little Wings, Moondoggies, Everest, Citay, Emily Jane White, Chuck Prophet, Parsons Redheads, Red Cortez, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Sparrow's Gate, and These United States.

The event was curated by both The Mother Hips, who will headline both nights, and (((folkYEAH!))) Presents. "Big Sur has always been an inspirational place and a hideout for artists of all kinds. It's exciting to congregate there and make music," says Tim Bluhm, Mother Hips front-man, singer-songwriter, and guitarist.

The Mother Hips plan to unveil new songs at the festival. In between tour dates, the band has been putting finishing touches on a new album, due for Fall 2009 release. A recent show preview by The New Yorker described the veteran Bay Area quartet as "a romping strain of countrified psychedelic power pop laced with traces of Merle Haggard, Barry Gibb, and the Eagles." - lineup and more info

B.B. King and John Mayall Team Up

Noble reports: B.B. King returns to the UK to embark on four arena concerts from June 24th at the Manchester MEN Arena. Special guest is John Mayall.

Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues, due to popular demand, B.B. King comes out of retirement and returns to the UK and will embark on four arena concerts in June 2009.

The blues guitar icon will team up with the legendary British blues virtuoso John Mayall to share the once in a lifetime double bill for what is set to be one of the most spectacular rhythm'n'blues concert tours ever to hit the UK in years. - more on this story

Book of Love Reunite and Announce Sire Catalog Reissues

conqueroo reports: One of the premiere first wave electronic groups, Book of Love emerged out of the New York City scene in the mid-'80s in the wake of UK synthpop stalwarts Yaz, Erasure and Depeche Mode. Signed to a label deal with Sire Records by the legendary Seymour Stein, art-students-turned-musicians Ted Ottaviano, Susan Ottaviano (oddly no relation), Jade Lee and Lauren Roselli recorded just four albums, but their influence can heard today more powerfully than ever, from the chart-storming dance pop of Ladyhawke and La Rouxto the darker leanings of indie electro darlings Little Boots and Goldfrapp. Yet as these albums — Book of Love, Lullaby, Candy Carol and Lovebubble — are readied for a July 21 reissue on Collectors' Choice Music's Noble Rot label, the reunited bandmates are preparing their first tour since 2001.

The reissues were annotated by Michael Paoletta, former editor and dance music columnist at Billboard magazine, who observed: "Memorable melodies and provocative lyrics reigned supreme. Book of Love's songs were cathartic, ebullient and life-affirming: solemn celebrations if you will."

Between 1986 and 1993, the band delivered 12 singles culled from the four studio albums about to be reissued. Songwriting duties were handled primarily by Susan and Ted though Lauren contributed more to this process on Candy Carol and Lovebubble, while Jade's writing chops were showcased on the first and final albums. - more on this story

He Is Legend Preview New Album And Plan Summer Long Tour

PR reports: As North Carolina's favorite sons, He Is Legend prepare to release their third album, It Hates You, on July 21st, the band have decided to give their fans a little taste of what's to come by streaming the first single "The Primarily Blues" on Myspace.

He Is Legend vocalist, Schuylar Dane had this to say about the bands new label, "Working with Tommy at Tragic Hero Records has allowed us to feel like a band doing what bands are supposed to do... Make and play music without all the ridiculousness of the behind-the-scenes music scene." When asked about the sound of the new record Dane states, "It Hates You has that classic He Is Legend sleaze with sexy new underwear."

On June 2nd He Is Legend will embark on a 54 date tour beginning in Omaha, Nebraska with Drop Dead Gorgeous, Before Their Eyes, Watchout! There's Ghosts, Eyes Set To Kill, and And Then There Were None. - more on this story

Red Rocks and Love Hope Strength Team up to Fight Cancer

PR reports: Red Rocks Amphitheatre's summer concert calendar for 2009 will have one major difference from previous years, concert goers will have the opportunity to save someone's life at every show this season. The Love Hope Strength Foundation (LHS), an international charity dedicated to fighting cancer through the power of music is teaming up with world renowned venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the world's largest bone marrow donor center, DKMS to host one of the most comprehensive, concerted bone marrow registration drives in history.

Last year with a limited effort at just a handful of concerts, similar LHS drives resulted in more than 1,000 donors registering and twelve potential donor matches being identified. The drive will take place on the top plaza at legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre all summer long.

"We are thrilled at the opportunity to host the Love Hope Strength Foundation's bone marrow registration drive at Red Rocks this summer," said Erik Dyce, Chief Marketing Officer for Denver's Division of Theatres and Arenas. "Love Hope Strength located four matches at just one show last summer; imagine how many lives we can save over the course of an entire summer concert season at Red Rocks!" - more on this story

SXSW Panel Picker

SXSW reports: South by Southwest (SXSW) will kick off the 2010 season by extending the popular "Panel Picker" online voting application to include panel submission ideas for all three annual industry events (Music, Film, and Interactive).

The Panel Picker interface, which was launched by the Interactive Festival in 2006, received 350 entries in its inaugural year. Last season was the biggest yet, with over 1,400 submissions for the Interactive event alone. SXSW will maximize its impact by integrating the Panel Picker interface across the board, further enabling the unique SXSW opportunity for the intersection of creative and professional minds throughout all three events.

"The Panel Picker interface is a natural extension of the creative intermingling that takes place during the festival itself," says Roland Swenson, SXSW's Managing Director. "We are excited that we can provide a forum for new ideas to debut and flourish year-round." - more on this story

. Quick Flicks: Ministry- Jeff Buckley- Ice T- Billie Holiday

Kevin Wierzbicki takes a look at new DVD releases including Ministrys Adios…Puta Madres, Jeff Buckleys Grace Around the World, Ice Ts Live in Montreux, and Billy Holidays The Life and Artistry of Lady Day - Read the full Ministry- Jeff Buckley- Ice T- Billie Holiday review

. Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom

I cannot help but feel that Hornets is merely a good album, not a great one. The drumming here is largely inconsequential, inoffensive fare, while the guitars for all their innovative riffing suffer from a hollowness which weakens the blow. - Read the full Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom review

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