Local H and Caviar Supergroup The Prairie Cartel Release Video From Forthcoming Debut

For 10.5 months of the year there is little else to do in Chicago besides drink heavily. The Prairie Cartel started as an excuse for Scott Lucas (Local H), Blake Smith and Mike Willison (both ex-Caviar) to do this in Mike's basement while playing their favorite records. Albums on DFA, Matador, Wax Trax, Modular and Creation were all in heavy rotation during those dark months except when the whisky came out and it went all Ummagumma on them. The obligatory, possibly illegal, and definitely messy DJ gigs followed. Warehouses and lofts trembled before their can't-mix, won't-even-try-to-mix majesty. They developed a reputation for sets that were somehow gloriously disheveled but still extremely satisfying. - more on this story

Aimee Mann Christmas Show

PR reports: Aimee Mann announces the return of her annual holiday extravaganza for the fourth year in a row. Fresh off of the road from summer and fall tour dates throughout the East and West Coast with international dates in Japan, Argentina, Chile, Singapore and Australia, Aimee will bring back her fan favorite Christmas variety show for two dates only at the legendary Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles on December 13th & 14th.

With a full year of touring, a recent speaking date at Yale, a new album in the works, writing a musical and co-illustrating a graphic novel, Aimee has been staring down at a full plate. Mann considered giving the Christmas show a year off until visions of scrooge began to surface. In response she decided to put together a two day run in Los Angeles to appease the Christmas ghosts. This year's line-up will bring back a host of old favorites along with some new faces to the Largo, Aimee's home away from home (recently immortalized in film.)
See Largofilm.com for further information and screenings.

Mann's homage to the holiday variety show of yore has consistently played to sold-out crowds across the U.S, featuring a mixture of music from One More Drifter in the Snow, hosting comedians Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt and Fred Armisen along with special drop-in guests that have included Jackson Browne, John C. Reilly, Amos Lee, Chuck Prophet, Rachel Yamagata, Nellie McKay, Josh Ritter, Ben Lee, Ben Gibbard, comedienne Morgan Murphy and fellow singer-songwriter Grant Lee Phillips. The New York Times has described the holiday pageant as "Delightful…a Santa-stupefying balance of naughty and nice…with the giddy warmth of an eggnog buzz. Hangover included of course." - more on this story

Immolation Working On New Album

PR reports: Unique-disharmonic-blackend-death-metal legends Immolation, have entered Millbrook Sound Studios in New York with longtime producer Paul Orofino to begin recording their Nuclear Blast Records debut and eighth over all album. The band checked in from the studio today to offer the following details and update:

"Today we have begun the recording process for our eighth full-length release. Once again we have entered Millbrook Sound Studios in upstate Millbrook, New York and will start tracking with Paul Orofino tomorrow. This will be our sixth time visiting Millbrook Studios and we are really looking forward to the whole process.

"The new album will contain ten songs of the strongest material we have ever written. The new material is more violent and aggressive, with fast sections that take us to a new level of speed and intensity, while complementing the dark and sullen heavier moments. There are plenty of miserable and militant movements to please the die hard and new Immolation fans alike. - more on this story

Genitorturers Instores

Adrenaline reports: The Genitorturers are excited to announce two in-store signing sessions in support of their new album "Black Heart Revolution" in Seattle and Las Vegas.

The Seattle signing takes place on Thursday October 29th at Silver Platters located at 701 5th Ave N. (Corner of Roy St) at 7:00 PM. The Las Vegas signing will take place at Zia Records located at 4225 S. Eastern Ave.

GEN had the following to say about the premiere of "Revolution" on their MySpace page and the upcoming signing sessions, "It's a week before the release of our new album "Black Heart Revolution" so we wanted to debut this ass kicking track, to give you a taste of what is to CUM. We are looking forward to hanging with our fans at both of these signing sessions and bringing the Black Heart Revolution to a town near you." - more on this story

Premature Life On Repeat

Equal Vision reports: Although the official release date isn't until December 1st, Life On Repeat are giving fans a chance to get their new EP, As I Grew, over a month early! Furthermore, Life On Repeat and Equal Vision Records are empowering fans by allowing you to choose your own price for the album.

Just over two months ago, Life On Repeat entered Brian McTernan's Salad Days Studio in Baltimore to record what would become As I Grew. "We had more than enough material written," says guitarist, Andrew Baylis. However, the band narrowed it down to four songs: "Southern Girls", "The Message Is You", "Buzzkill", and "Separation". Even with just four tracks, the band's wide range of influences can be heard loud and clear, from catchy pop hooks to heavy breakdowns, and come together seamlessly.

In support of the new album, Life On Repeat will head out on tour in December with Sent By Ravens (Tooth & Nail) and Hollywood Lies - dates

Mortiis Mini Tour

PR reports: Mortiis will be unleashing their collective demons on Holland and Belgium during a four-show jaunt to continental Europe.

"We're all looking forward to going back to Holland," said band namesake Mortiis. "We haven't played there in a long time and we always had a great time there. We're also doing a couple of towns there we haven't played before, so that will be interesting as well."

Following the three Dutch shows, the band will head to Belgium for the Hermes Project Event, where they will play with Clan of Xymox. Mortiis has been putting the finishing touches on "The Great Deceiver," the group's long-awaited follow-up to 2005's "The Grudge." Tracks from the record can be heard - and seen - via the videos for "Doppelganger" and "Zeitgeist" on Mortiis's YouTube channel. Mortiis also promises to preview several new songs during the live shows. - more on this story

Bluesman Sugar Blue Sets New Album Release

conqueroo reports: "We have chosen the title Threshold because the tunes open new musical territory for us," says bluesman Sugar Blue of his new album, due out January 26, 2010 on Beeble Music. The album follows the acclaimed 2007 album Code Blue, which hinted at a widening musical path.

In addition to Sugar Blue on harmonica and vocals, Threshold features guitarist Rico McFarland (Albert King, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, James Cotton, Lucky Peterson); guitarist Moto Makino (Los Lobos); Noel Neal, bass; James Knowles, drums; and Ilaria Lantieri, bass; with guests Bill Dickens, the "Buddha of Bass" (Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, George Michael, Jerry Harrison) and percussionist Samuel Torres (Pancho Sanchez, Tito Puente, Chick Corea, Pete Escovedo). The album, produced by Sugar Blue, was recorded in both Chicago and Tokyo.

The nine original songs were co-written by Blue with Lantieri and Makino and range from blues to rock, funk, jazz and ballads. "Stop the War" is a cry for peace punctuated by Dickens' bass line. "Cotton Tree" is an homage to living blues harmonica legend James Cotton, mentor to Sugar Blue as well as hundreds of harp players worldwide. "Noel News" celebrates the strength of the people of New Orleans. "Ramblin'" is a duet featuring Blue on both harmonica and Chromonica, a bass harp. The album also contains two covers: "Messin' With the Kid" by Junior Wells and "Trouble," the Lieber & Stoller-penned Elvis Presley hit. A spoken interview with Blue finishes the CD. - more on this story

Clint Black to Chair Campaign to Accelerate Treatments and a Cure for Rett Syndrome

Submitted News reports: Inspired by recent breakthroughs in research, today the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) announced a major fundraising initiative entitled Research to Reality: Funding Progress. Funds raised by the campaign are earmarked to accelerate the progress of crucial research, and bring promise to reality. Country music sensation Clint Black, whose niece Courtney lost her battle with Rett syndrome in 2003 at age 16, will serve as Honorary Chair of the campaign. The foundation hopes to raise $3-5 million in proceeds, over and above its annual $2.5 million research budget, for scientists at major institutions who are committed to Rett syndrome research and other neurological disorders.

"At this pivotal time, I am honored to serve as chair of this important campaign to help accelerate treatments and a cure of Rett syndrome," said Mr. Black. "My family has experienced first-hand the devastation caused by this neurological disorder, and I am eager to support the exciting research on the horizon that can help reverse Rett syndrome."

Additionally, IRSF announced that it is the recipient of a lead one million dollar matching gift challenge donation from The Pioneer Fund, a private family foundation created by the late Helen M. McLoraine, to kick off the Research to Reality campaign. This gift came about as a result of a great friendship that developed between Mr. Black and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, who serves on the board of The Pioneer Fund, while the two were teammates on the 2009 Celebrity Apprentice. - more on this story

Lonely H Add a Member

PR reports: As the story goes, the last time Don Henley sat at the same booth as the rest of the Eagles, he ordered "Concrete Class." Now, what is "Concrete Class?" "Concrete Class" is the third full-length from Seattle, Washington's own The Lonely H.

Now a quintet, The Lonely H have added a fifth member. The new member, Casey Frasier, will handle guitar and keyboard duties, allowing front man Mark Fredson to solely sing. The band is rounded out by Brothers Whitman - Eric Whitman (guitar) and Johnny Whitman (bass) - and drummer Ben Eyestone.

Frasier, 20 years old, and the shortest member of the band, had this to say about joining The Lonely H: "Now I gotta grow a mustache?" - tour dates

. Lucero Live

Finding middle ground between the E Street Band and Social Distortion, Lucero delivers a two-hour plus show nightly where the band tears through nearly thirty songs, through a melding of influences, proving they are a force to be reckoned with. - Read the full Lucero Live review

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