1/2 of Big Business on stage w/ Melvins at MHoW (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

While the remainder of their other bands are out doing deliciously obnoxious things like playing basements or every single state in the nation, Big Business have plotted out a good old-fashioned US tour for September and October. The "Wild Kingdom" US tour kicks off in San Jose, CA on September 1st and stretches out to the NYC area by the end of that month, hitting Maxwell's in Hoboken on 9/25 (tickets on sale on 7/20 at noon), The Studio at Webster Hall on 9/29 (tickets on sale on 7/20 at 10AM) and Death by Audio on 9/30.

House of Lightning (mem Floor) will support Big Business at the DbA show and for a few days following, though support for the bulk of the trek is still TBA. All dates on that tour are below, along with a video from their recet Mind The Drift LP.

Continue reading "Big Business hit the road this fall, with three NYC area dates"

The 2012 edition of MusicFestNW takes place in September 5 - 9 at 18 venues in Portland, OR and will feature performances from over 150 bands, including Passion Pit, Hot Snakes, Girl Talk, Danny Brown, Beirut Silversun Pickups, Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh, many more.

In addition to those previously announced artists, MFNW has just added The Hives, Flying Lotus, Wild Nothing, DIIV, Quasi, Moon Duo, My Goodness, DZ Deathrays, and Strand Of Oaks to the already impressive line-up. Wristbands, available various levels and packages, and tickets to individual shows are on sale now. Check out the complete MFNW lineup below.

Continue reading "MusicFestNW 2012 lineup expands (The Hives, Flying Lotus, Quasi, DIIV, Passion Pit, Hot Snakes, Beirut, Swans & many more)"

by BBG

Melvins at MHOW (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

When we previously posted dates for the then-burgeoning Melvins Lite tour, our schedule listed Boise, Idaho in September and Brooklyn a month later. Little did we know that those dates are part of an insane string of shows for the trio

The Melvins will attempt to become the Guinness World Record holders for the first band to tour the full United States and D.C. in 51 days..."We figured it was time for us to do something REALLY crazy," said Osborne. "51 shows in 50 states plus 1 on D.C. and all in 51 days? Jeez! I wonder if we can do it?"

The tour, which will feature the Melvins Lite line-up of Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Trevor Dunn, also marks the first time in the band's near 30-year history that they will perform in Alaska, New Hampshire, Delaware and Hawaii.

Full tour schedule is listed below, including the newly announced Maxwell's on October 5th (ticket info forthcoming). Reminder, tickets for Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 4th go sale on Friday (6/8) at noon.

Continue reading "Melvins attempting to make Guinness World Record for "Fastest Tour of the U.S. by a Band""

by BBG

The Melvins with Trevor Dunn at Webster Hall in 2009 (more by Ryan Muir)

The Melvins Lite is not intended as a slander on the combined weight of the current lineup but knowing the deviant sense of humor of the crew, I guess it could be. The "Lite" version sheds the Big Business side of the band (Jared and Coady) in favor of bassist Trevor Dunn, and its this version that will welcome their new LP Freak Puke tomorrow via Ipecac. Stream it in full at AOL. Buzzo commented on the lineup difference:

"The Melvins have a long history of mixing up our line-ups and I think that's what has kept us relevant for so long. Consider the Freak Puke record the fifth side of the four-sided Melvins triangle."

Melvins Lite will also have a tour coming up with shows in Canada and the West Coast in July, as well as what looks like a second leg of dates in September and October. That second leg hasn't been fully revealed yet, but a few shows have been announced including a NYC show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 4th. Tickets for that show go sale on Friday (6/8) at noon.

In addition to Freak Puke and the previously mentioned The Bulls & The Bees, the band recently released a split seven-inch picture disc with the great Hammerhead.

Check out a video of The Melvins (NOT lite) on Carson Daly below, along with a list of all tour dates...

Continue reading "Melvins Lite prepare 'Freak Puke'; touring (dates)"

by BBG

"Sure it's not just me, but every time I see the Melvins I think @reggiewatts needs to do a cover." -Dusty Rose

"Melvins show at Webster reminded me how vast/sturdy their catalog is. Songs from Lysol, Nude w/ Boots, Bulls/Bees, Stag, Senile Animal, more" -Hank Shteamer

Melvins & Unsane @ the Mohawk (more by Tim Griffin)

Melvins teamed with NYC noise-rock gods Unsane to lay waste to Webster Hall last night (4/29), part of their tour together that recently swung through Austin and hit The Mohawk (pictures). The pairing is a wet-dream for fans of the Amphetamine Reptile roster, and the show was also special, if you want to call it that, due to Unsane's lineup on stage. Vinnie Signorelli is recovering from an undisclosed illness and so the Melvins drum duo sat in for him (wow).

Melvins' set has remained somewhat constant for the duration of their tour, dipping into classics from Lysol and even covering the Wipers classic "Youth Of America" (which appeared on a 12"). Did you go? If so, did you score that Melvins/Unsane split?

If you missed the show, at least you can live vicariously through video. The Melvins performed "The War On Wisdom" on Last Call with Carson Daly on April 25th and someone captured all of a recent Unsane set (with Coady and Dale). Videos and recent setlists below.....

Continue reading "Melvins & Unsane played Webster Hall (with Coady Willis & Dale Crover filling in for an ailing Vinny of Unsane)"

by BBG

Unsane at Santos (more by Keith Marlowe)

As discussed, Melvins WILL tour with Unsane, logging dates from coast to coast including Webster Hall on April 29th. Tickets go on AMEX presale at noon on 1/18 and regular sale on Friday. All dates have now been announced and are listed below.

The shows will coincide with the release of a NEW Unsane LP, Wreck, due via Alternative Tentacles on March 20th. Recorded by Unsane and Andrew Schneider at Brooklyn's Translator Audio, the new LP features nine new tracks as well as a cover of Flipper's "Ha Ha Ha". Check out the album art/tracklisting with all tour dates below.

Continue reading "Melvins/Unsane announce full US tour; Unsane prepping new LP for Alternative Tentacles"

by BBG

Karp was a post-hardcore band from Tumwater, Washington, that formed in 1990 and lasted until 1998. The band was formed by Chris Smith aka Chris "Slayer", Jared Warren, and Scott Jernigan. They released three full length albums entitled Mustaches Wild, Suplex, and Self Titled LP. (Note that "Self Titled LP" is a literal title. The title is not "Karp." Even the CD version of the record is titled "Self Titled LP.") They also released several EPs and 7" records. Their recordings were released by several Northwest-related labels such as K Records, Kill Rock Stars, and Punk In My Vitamins. Karp managed to mix the terror of hardcore, The Melvins, and Black Sabbath with an ear for pop-influenced song assembly. The band name is inspired from a newsletter/zine that Chris Smith put out in highschool and is an acronym that stands for "Kill All Redneck Pricks".

Members went on to play with Tight Bro's from Way Back When, The Whip, Dead Air Fresheners, and Big Business (currently playing with The Melvins). Drummer Scott Jernigan died in a boating accident on June 10, 2003.

Spectacle Theater will host a bunch of music related films in the coming weeks as part of "ROCKUARY", "music-themed special events and films of all kinds- ranging from features, documentaries, shorts, remixes, live performances, and many special guests." The current slate of films include a documentary on Friends Forever, Shamans of The Blind Country (which will be scored by Diamond Terrifier), a documentary on Morrissey's impact on Latino culture (Passions Just Like Mine), Deadlock (which was scored by Can) and much much more. Head to the Spectacle site for more details.

In semi-related news, Pygmy Shrews and The Men have BOTH cancelled their 1/13 appearance at Union Pool.

All Kill All Redneck Pricks screenings and some videos are below.

Continue reading "Karp Lives! - Karp documentary on screening tour, screens tomorrow at Spectacle Theater (part of ROCKUARY)"

by BBG

Big Business at MHOW last week (more by Justin Tyler)

Big Business welcomes their Quadruple Single EP Tuesday via their own Gold Metal Records. The offering is the band's first with Scott Martin (Crom / 400 Blows) and is streaming in full below! Meanwhile, the Big Biz/Torche/Helms Alee triple threat is ongoing. Full tour schedule is below.

In related news, members of Crom serve in the great Despise You who will tour the East Coast for the first time ever this fall. Look for them at Shea Stadium on 9/11.

All tour dates and the EP stream, along with a video of Greg Gutfeld (Fox's Red Eye) discussing the mosh pit at MHOW, below...

Continue reading "new Big Business EP - "Quadruple Single" (stream it here)"

photos by Justin Tyler, words by BBG

Torche (and wig) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Torche headlined a triple threat of massive riffery with Big Business and Helms Alee at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Wednesday (7/20) as part of their larger tour together. For Helms Alee, the show was one of two that night with the band signing on for a late night show with The Austerity Program at The Charleston. The HydraHead trio of bands are currently in upstate New York and tour their way back to the West Coast by early August before splitting with Helms Alee and linking up with Thrones for more dates.

Big Business are currently touring in support of their new Quadruple Single EP out July 26th via their own Gold Metal Records imprint. Look for a full EP stream on Monday at BrooklynVegan.

Stream audio from part of Torche's set alongside more pictures of the band, Big Business, and Helms Alee below....

Continue reading "Torche, Big Business & Helms Alee played MHOW (pics)"

by BBG

Helms Alee at Cake Shop (more by Markus Shaffer)

Similar to their labelmates Torche and Big Business, Helms Alee mixes the sweet with the blistering on their latest LP, Weatherhead. The Seattle band, which contains Ben Verellen of the much revered Harkonen, doles out booming riffs and catchy melodies in their hardcore inflected confections that will have you raising your clenched fist in celebration while you sing along. Weatherhead is currently on sale via Hydrahead with its official release date set for Tuesday, but you can exclusively stream it in its entirety here and now, below.

After a record release celebration with Akimbo, Brothers of The Sonic Cloth, and Norska on June 29th at Neumos in Seattle, Helms Alee will pick up a show in Austin at Red 7 on 7/6 before joining Torche and Big Business on tour in July. The trio will tag Music Hall of Williamsburg on 7/20 and tickets are still available. OR, if you're feeling lucky you can try your hand at winning a pair AND a 2LP copy of Weatherhead at our Facebook!

All tour dates and that album stream is below.

Continue reading "Helms Alee releasing Weatherhead (stream it here), touring with Big Business & Torche (dates & a contest)"

by BBG

Steve Brooks of Torche at The Charleston (more by Samantha Marble)

Torche will hit the road with Big Business and Helms Alee for a US tour that kicks off in Texas in July and swings into Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 20th. Ticket info is forthcoming. All dates are listed below.

The NYC date is a shade more than three months after Steve Brooks (Torche) will hit the same venue with his other outfit, Floor. They play MHOW on 4/13 with Magrudergrind & Hawks. Tickets are still available.

Torche recently announced that they are a trio no more!

Tilts vocalist/guitarist Andrew Elstner is joining the well-regarded stoner-metal band Torche. The latter group, which has members in Atlanta, Gainesville and Miami, has known Elstner since he was the vocalist/guitarist for Riddle of Steel. When that band ended a few years ago, it coincided with Torche splitting with guitarist Juan Montoya.

"[Torche] singer/guitarrer Steve Brooks found out I was a free agent, and we've been in touch ever since," Elstner says. "He's also a big fan of Tilts too, so we'd been trying to coordinate a jam/hang session for a long time and scheduling has been tough."

That session finally happened this week in Gainesville, Florida -- and by all accounts, it went well.

"It's been sleep, eat, jam since I got here," Elstner says. "Surreal and awesome."- [River Front Times]

In also related news, Melvins (which features all members of Big Business) are playing some classic LPs over two nights at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and tickets are still available for June 6th featuring Lysol, Eggnog, and Houdini in its entrety, and June 7th featuring Bullhead & Stoner Witch (tickets).

Right next door to Floor on the same night, you can catch The Ocean at Public Assembly with East of The Wall & Flourishing.

All Torche dates and some video is below.

Continue reading "Torche have four members again, announce tour w/ Big Business & Helms Alee (2011 dates)"

RIP JD Salinger

RIP Howard Zinn

tonight in NYC
* Psychic Limb @ PS1
* Evan Dando @ Joe's Pub
* Toshi Reagon @ Joe's Pub
* Simone Felice @ Pete's Candy Store
* Earl Greyhound, Naam @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Dimitri From Paris & Danny Krivit @ Santos
* Mission of Burma, The Dig @ Bowery Ballroom
* The Giraffes, Steel Phantoms @ Mercury Lounge
* Meg Baird, Chris Forsyth @ Issue Project Room
* Michael Friedman @ Lincoln Center - Allen Room
* Super Vacations, PoPo, PC Worship @ Market Hotel
* Uninhabitable Mansions, New Mexicoe @ Bruar Falls
* Major Stars, Effi Briest, Orleans/Gunn @ Cake Shop
* Mike Bones, Family Band, $100, Brothers @ Union Pool
* Wild Yaks, Violent Bullshit, Ill Ease @ Bruar Falls
* Balthrop Alabama, Tim Robinson @ Abrons Art Center
* Field Music, The Spinto Band, The Mugs @ The Bell House
* Damon & Naomi (& Kurihara), Sharon Van Etten @ 92Y Tribeca
* Diehard (playing all '90s covers), Sally Head @ Union Hall
* The Entrance Band, Lights, Orphan @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Cubic Zirconia, Cage, Telephoned @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Rain Machine, Antipop Consortium @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
* Javelin, Shark?, Ava Luna, Dinowalrus, The Shivers @ House of Yes
* Bad Credit No Credit, Carnivores, Girls At Dawn, Sleepies @ Death By Audio
* Stalkers, Tough Shits, The Nouvellas, Bang Language, The Anti Job @ The Cameo
* New York Night Train Soul Clap Dance Off w/ DJ Jonathan Toubin @ Glasslands
* Weekends, Golden Girls, Sisters, Fluffy Lumbers, Total Slacker @ Shea Stadium
* Julianna Barwick, Knyfe Hyts, Grooms, MNDR, Noveller @ DCTV aka Engine company # 31 (87 Layfayette St)

LESS ARTISTS MORE CONDOS PRESENTS:
THIS SATURDAY JAN 30TH
@ DCTV aka Engine company # 31
87 Layfayette between White and Walker in Manhattan
11PM: JULIANNA BARWICK
10PM MNDR
9PM KNYFE HYTS
8PM GROOMS
7PM NOVELLER

Molina & Johnson were to play (Le) Poisson Rouge tonight before their tour was canceled.

Mos Def and DOOM were supposed to play Nokia Theatre. That's been postponed.

Behemoth isn't playing Gramercy Thetare tonight.

Sharon Jones sings with Michael Buble on Saturday Night Live tonight.

Naomi Shelton plays a Haiti benefit at Knitting Factory on Monday.

A Xiu Xiu video interview below...

Video of Angel Deradoorian doing karaoke at Bar Matchless the other night, below...

Big Business's new video for "The Drift" below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

by Black Bubblegum

Melvins at Oya in Norway (more)

These days everyone is looking back, and the Melvins (sans members of Big Business) are no exception, as evidenced by their 25th Anniversary tour which will feature a performance of their album Houdini as well as portions of Mangled Demos. That tour impacts NYC on FRIDAY (5/15). Tickets are still available. Seriously?

Meanwhile, ex-Melvins bassist Joe Preston will also be in town. He brings his solo project Thrones 'round the bend for No Fun Fest at the MHOW on May 15th, a show on May 21st at Coco66 with Blues Control, and one on May 22nd with Wolves in The Throne Room at Europa (tickets for Europa still on sale).

Like passing strangers, the other half of the USUAL Melvins lineup, Big Business, played both Mercury Lounge and Union Pool with Tweak Bird last weekend. The two pairs will reunite to play ATP NY with Animal Collective, Jesus Lizard, The Flaming Lips, Boredoms, and more.

Joe Preston's (old???) band, Harvey Milk, will be in Brooklyn at MHOW on July 26th with Torche (tickets still on sale).

King Buzzo of the Melvins was on Red Eye (again) last night. That video and Melvins & Thrones tour dates are below....

Continue reading "Melvins almost here, Thrones too - 2009 Tour Dates"

photos by Justina Villanueva, words by Black Bubblegum

Coady and Toshi of Big Business

"After much anticipation, Los Angeles based rock heroes BIG BUSINESS have just released their latest and most epic album to date. Entitled "Mind The Drift," the album is available courtesy of the renowned Hydra Head Records, and was produced by Phil Ek (Built To Spill, Fleet Foxes, The Shins) in his Seattle studio.

Featuring the ferocious vocals and bass duties of Jared Warren (ex-Karp, Tight Bros From Way Back When), dominating drumming abilities of Coady Willis (also of the newly revived Murder City Devils), and for the first time, guitar madman Toshi Kasai (also a respected producer in his own right), "Mind the Drift"... [PR]

The Big Business and Tweak Bird train landed at Union Pool on 5/9 and Mercury Lounge on May 10th (with Titan). All tour dates, and more pictures from the Brooklyn show below...

Continue reading "Big Business (new album out now & streaming) & Tweak Bird @ Union Pool in Brooklyn - pics (and tour dates)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Big Business - "Gold and Final" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tweak Bird - "Whorses" (MP3)

Tweak Bird @ SXSW (more photos here)

Big Business and Tweak Bird have announced more dates together, a 2nd NYC show included. As previously mentioned, the two bands will be at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan on May 10th (tickets here). They're also playing Union Pool in Brooklyn on May 9th (no advanced tickets).

Big Business is prepping ther new album, Mind The Drift, due on May 12th via Hydra Head records. You can stream that bad boy in it's entirety here and download "Gold & Final" above.

Tweak Bird is coming off of a pair of NYC dates; on 4/4 with Crocodiles @ Pianos and yesterday (4/5) at Union Pool. The duo were scheduled to play a third show tonight (4/6) at K & M Bar, but that show has since been cancelled... in favor of ANOTHER show at Pianos TONIGHT FOR FREE (4/6, 11pm). Tweak Bird for free? Kick ass!

Tweak Bird dropped the Reservations EP last year, and will have copies of that EP in green vinyl on tour.

All dates below...

Continue reading "Tweak Bird - free show tonight, updated Big Business dates"

by Black Bubblegum

Big Business

Big Business and Tweak Bird are teaming up for a NYC show at Mercury Lounge on May 10th. Tickets are on AMEX presale now, go on regular sale Friday at noon.

The show is one of FOUR NYC shows for Tweak Bird in the coming months. The other three are April 4 at Pianos, April 5 at Union Pool, and April 6 at K&M Bar. Full Tweak Bird dates are below.

Big Business drops Mind The Drift at the end of March. We'll be hosting a listening party at the beginning of our Wednesday day party at SXSW. The band also have another few dates laid out (below), and more dates probably TBA, though Big Business will not be playing with the Melvins when they perform Houdini four times in May.

All TB & BB dates below...

Continue reading "Big Business & Tweak Bird - a NYC show, other tour dates "

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Young Widows - "Old Skin" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Young Widows - "The Heat Is Here" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Young Widows - "The Charmers" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Annihilation Time - "Splashback" (MP3)

The Bronx

What are you up to Wednesday, March 18th? If you're in the greater Austin region, it might be a good idea to slide on down to Emo's for a day of killer bands, suds, and full on badass-ed-ness. To get all official and shit, we'd like to announce the FREE BROOKLYN VEGAN/SOLID PR DAY PARTY featuring

• 5:45pm: The Bronx
• 5:00pm: Young Widows
• 4:15pm: Annihilation Time
• 3:30pm: Trash Talk
• 2:45pm: Psychedelic Horseshit
• 2:00pm: Garotas Suecas

This all goes down inside Emo's on the 2nd stage on the afternoon of the first day of SXSW Music. Happening at the same time on the main stage of the same venue is the also-killer, also-free Fat Possum Records day party with King Kahn & BBQ, Wavves, Thomas Function, Strange Boys, Crocodiles, Thomas Function and more.

Later that same night is the official BrooklynVegan SXSW showcase at Club De Ville, about a block away. We're (BrooklynVegan) also doing sorta-TBA, free day parties on the Thursday and Friday of SXSW (full details coming shortly).

---

Young Widows recently dropped the video for "Old Skin" from Old Wounds, a song that premiered right here on BrooklynVegan. The band is logging some miles in the coming months (dates below), linking up with Australian band My Disco for the trek and playing Europa in Brooklyn with The Austerity Program & Tournament on April 1st in the process (tickets here). The pair will also drop a split 7", one of a series with the likes of Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Pelican, and Melt-Banana.

The Bronx are touring the US like mad dogs including playing a show at Bowery Ballroom with Trash Talk on April 20th (tickets here), and a show at Maxwell's on April 22nd (tickets here).

NYCers will have FOUR chances to check out Garotas Suecas in the coming month, three in person and one on the Pat Duncan Show on WFMU on March 26th. The band has lined up live appearances at Mercury Lounge on March 24th (tickets here), Death By Audio on April 5, and Zebulon on April 6th.

Psychedelic Horseshit have a "a self released LP collecting our very first and oldest 4 track recordings" due in "March or April" entitled Golden Oldies as well as a TON of new material including Shitgaze Anthems 12" EP on Woodsist (spring 09), Acid Test 12" EP on Troubleman Unltd. (late spring/early sum 09), Beached Wails 7" with a "surprise release date", and their second LP, Too Many Hits, on Slitbreeze (late summer 09). The Columbus, Ohio crew have a few dates on the calendar as well, check THOSE out, along with everyone's tour dates, below...

Continue reading "a BrooklynVegan/SolidPR day party @ Emo's and other YOUNG WIDOWS & THE BRONX & TRASH TALK tour dates"

by Black Bubblegum

Houdini is an album by Melvins released in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It is regarded as one of the band's more accessible records. Melvins were one of Kurt Cobain's favorite bands; he is given co-production credit alongside Melvins six tracks. Cobain played guitar on "Sky Pup" right handed on a right handed guitar even though Cobain was left handed. He also added percussion to the percussion-only sprawling noise of "Spread Eagle Beagle". -[Wiki]

That's right! The Melvins celebrate their Silver Anniversary this year! Lots of fun and surprises are coming! To kick off the festivities, the boys are doing some select shows performing the Houdini record in it's entirety. One Mr. Trevor Dunn will be handling the bass duties while the B.B. boys are touring their new album "Mind The Drift". Also along for the ride is original drummer Mike Dillard. The boys will play songs from the Mangled Demos record with Dale Crover playing the role of Matt Lukin [Bass]! -[MySpace]

This is not the first instance that the band has performed all of Houdini. The band originally played Houdini as part of ATP's Don't Look Back series in 2005, later reenacting it in 2006 as A Live History of Gluttony and Lust with a live recording of a performance in California.

The other half of the Melvins, aka Big Business, will NOT be along for the trek, and are currently prepping their new album Mind The Drift (vinyl due on Mar 31st). Big Business is twittering about it.

In other Melvins news, the band is teaming up with Mr. Brian Walsby to create Manchild 4, "100 pages of illustrations and stories from a comic artist who's been poking fun at subversive youth culture, pop culture, your favorite band, and himself since the early 80s". Included with Manchild 4, "an in depth Melvins 2008 tour diary" and Pick Your Battles, a "15 song CD of live Melvins tunes recorded in 1989 at the 924 Gilman St. Project in Berkeley, Ca. and in 2008 at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston". Schweet. There are only 3000 of those so order them here NOW.

All dates below...

Continue reading "Melvins performing 'Houdini' at 4 shows, including 1 in NYC"

DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death - "The Silence Is Deafening" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death - "Low Life"(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death- "When All Is Said And Done" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Amesoeurs- "Gas In Veins / Amesouers" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Cobalt- "Arsonry" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hellmouth- "Praying For Plague" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Big Business- "Gold & Final" (MP3)

Absu

With Absu's new self-titled LP due only a few weeks away (Feb 24th), the band have announced their participation in CIII along with French black metallers Glorior Belli, Austin's Averse Sefira, and Sothis, including a date at BB Kings on June 21st! Tickets are currently on presale here and go on sale to the general public on March 5th. Glorior Belli recently dropped a preview of their upcoming album.

Funeral Mist, the black metal crew featuring Mortuus of Marduk, have announced their NEW album, Maranatha due on Norma Evangelium Diaboli (link NSFW) on Feb 23rd! Funeral Mist's last album, Salvation, was released in 2006. In related/as exciting news, Marduk have announced more dates for their previously reported US trek with Mayhem, Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage, and Withered including Irving Plaza on May 21! No ticket details as of yet, but we'll let you know when they surface. Full tour schedule below.

Javelina have announced the more details about their previously announced Sanford Parker-produced LP coming soon on Translation Loss. Their sophomore effort will include nine original tunes, as well as a Buzzov*en cover ("Whisky Fit") that will be featured on a upcoming tribute record (which will also feature contributions from Sourvein, Deadbird, Fistula, Kylesa, Zoroaster and many more). Look for the new record in late summer or early fall with song titles like "You're Going to Hate This", "Towers of Silence", "The Black Blizzard" and "Stepchild".

Grace of Landmine Marathon

Landmine Marathon have scheduled an East Coast tour including TWO nights in NYC! On April 13th, Grace and the boys will descend upon Lit Lounge (Precious Metal) backed by Wizardry and Seizure Crypt. Three days later (4/16), the band have set aside the day to play an additional show in Brooklyn... details are forthcoming. Landmine Marathon are also on board to play both the New England Hardcore & Metal Fest, as well as the Los Angeles Murderfest. Full tour schedule below. Speaking of Wizardry, the band will record their entire live show at Union Pool on Feb 25th for later release.

Pelican have signed with Southern Lord! The band is currently recording material at Red Room studios in Seattle for what will be their debut EP for the label. Look for the new material to be "heavier, darker and very riff-oriented," according to guitarist Trevor De Brauw. Pelican also announced a slew of tour dates with Tombs (none in NYC), including a stint with Wolves In The Throne Room that will bring the trio to SXSW as part of the Southern Lord showcase. WITTR have a new EP AND LP on the way, and recently dropped a live LP, Live at Roadburn.

Deathspell Omega's Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum - Chaining the Katechon EP, culled from their split with S.V.E.S.T. is out NOW at Southern Lord, and if you were a fan of their last LP, I highly reccommend it. Also of note at Southern Lord: Wolves in The Throne Room's previously mentioned Malevolent Grain EP, the new and mega-rare Boris/Michio Kurihara Cloud Chamber LP (1500 total copies) as well as the Boris Vs. Choukoku - More Echoes, Touching Air Landscape reissue. WITTR's new album Black Cascade is due on Mar 31st.

Speaking of WITTR, Scion Rock Fest is a little more than two weeks away, and we have 10 PAIRS of tickets and 10 Josh Graham designed posters for giveaway. In the meantime, dig on the recently posted set times below (thx anon)!

As we originally reported in September, sunn o))) has a new album on the way that we THOUGHT was called Dimensions. Turns out, according to an interview with The Quietus, the new album is due in May, will be entitled Monoliths & Dimensions, and will feature Jessika Kenney, Eyvind Kang, as well as frequent contributors Oren Ambarchi, Attila Csihar (Mayhem) and Dylan Carlson (Earth). Check out the tracklisting below. Speaking of Stephen O'Malley, the previously discussed Aethenor record, Faking Gold & Murder is out NOW.

Napalm Death, Malkuth, Hellmouth, Cynic, Reverend Bizarre and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (02/10/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

Ocean

My favorite of the two Oceans, the one missing a definite article in front of their name (Ocean of Maine), will be the next heavy band to headline Show No Mercy at Public Assembly (Feb 15th). As part of some sort of bizarre doom-off, Ocean will try to out rumble and underpace the mighty Salome, Riff Cannon, and Batillus who are also on board for the (anti-) festivities. Both Ocean (profiled here) and Salome (who we profiled in August) released full-length LPs last year... Pantheon of The Lesser and S/T respectively. Riff Cannon will drop their debut LP in 2009 and Batillus recently made their new self-titled EP available for free download here.

Speaking of Salome, lead vocalist Kat will make her first Agoraphobic Nosebleedappearance on Agorapocalypse, the latest LP from Scott Hull's pummeling grindcore project. Due April 14th, Agorapocalypse won't be the lone AnB in 2009; the band plans a series of splits for this year with a wide array of bands including Despise You, ANS, Agents of Satan and Thrones!

Mayhem, Marduk, Cattle Decapitation, and Cephalic Carnage have added a date together in Seattle Washington @ Studio Seven on June 5th. Pleasegodletitbeafulltour... Pleasegodletitbeafulltour... Cattle Decapitation's The Harvest Floor dropped on Jan 20th.

Brutal Truth recently announced their involvement in the Auditory Assault Festival (with Gadget, Kill The Client, Jig-ai and others), and now comes word that the band will have released their new record before then! Enter Evolution Through Revolution, recorded at Watchman Studios by Doug White (Psyopus) and due on April 14th via Relapse. Stokeage. Brutal Truth drummer Richard Hoak will do double duty at the Auditory Assault festival, also playing with his Total Fucking Destruction project.

Isis announced their new album, Wavering Radiant, due on May 5th via Ipecac Records! Produced by Joe Baressi (Tool, Queens of The Stone Age), look for the wax to hit the streets on Apr. 21. Tool's Adam Jones contributed guitar tracks to a pair of songs on Wavering Radiant.

Sweet do, Jared Big Business!

Big Business have announced their new album, Mind The Drift due in April via Hydra Head Records. Produced by Phil Ek (The Shins, Earth, Fleet Foxes, Built To Spill), the record is the first to feature new guitarist Toshi Kasai. Stream the new track "Gold and Final" at their myspace.

Ahhh... NOW I know why 1349 are heading out on tour.... Revelations Of The Black Flame is the name of the recently announced new album by the black metallers! Recorded at StudioStudio Nyhagen in Bøverbru, Norway, 1349 have enlisted Tom Gabriel Fischer to help man the boards! Look for it sometime this spring. Meanwhile, Tom Gabriel Fischer's new venture post-Celtic Frost, Triptykon, is currently in the demo phase. 1349 will be at BB Kings on March 2nd, tickets are available here.

The sickos in Sourvein have scheduled a few new dates, including an NYC date that looks to be part of an upcoming US tour. No details just yet, but set aside April 19th until then. Tour dates below.

The previously announced Converge show at Europa on March 27th (tickets here) just got a little bit nuttier with the addition of Genghis Tron, Ceremony, Rise and Fall, and Pulling Teeth.

Lair Of The Minotaur's new DVD, WAR METAL BATTLE MASTER is out NOW at Southern Lord. Meanwhile, bassist Nate Olp (Demiricous) has been sent in to replace the departed DJ Barraca for live gigs. DJ recently left LOTM to joined Harpoon, who's new record, Double Gnarly / Triple Suicide is due on Feb 10th via Interloper Records.

News on Sublime Cadaveric Decomposition, Weekend Nachos, Carcass, Blut Aus Nord, Lamb Of God, Javelina, and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (01/23/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Khanate - "Wings From Spine" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Grey Machine - Vultures Descend (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Outlaw Order - Siege Mentality (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Millions - "Lest the Professor Catches Fire"(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Orphan - "Bogman"(MP3)

Hmm.... who's guitar rig could this be?

In his own special way, Stephen O'Malley dropped a bunch of news on his upcoming projects via a detailed discography. SOMA posted the following unreleased, unannounced records:

SUNN O)))
Che (SUNN O))) & Pan Sonic do a Suicide cover, pic 10" 2009)
Dimensions (TBA) (2xCD & 2xLP 2009)

Æthenor
Faking Gold & Murder (CD & LP 2008)

Khanate
Clean Hands Go Foul (LP & Picture Disc 2008, CD & CD Japan 2009)

David Tibet sings and contributes lyrics on the forthcoming Æthenor album; other guests are Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver) and long time Æthenor collaborator Alexander Tucker [who just played ATP].

Tentatively titled 'Faking Gold and Murder' from a line in the text, Æthenor is the project of Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley, Vincent de Roguin (Shora) and Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo)

The long lost 4th KHANATE album Clean Hands Go Foul will finally emerge later this year. This was recorded directly after the Capture & Release album at Bisi Studio Brooklyn February 2005.

Mastodon's Brent Hinds had a little run-in with King Khan over the weekend, and while we have heard King Khan's side of the story, ridiculous pictures included, we haven't heard a peep from Brent Hinds. My thoughts echo that of one astute Blabbermouth reader: "The real victim here is the beer". Brann Dailor of Mastodon was recently interviewed by Metal Injection.

Justin Broadrick (Jesu, ex-Godflesh) dropped a bombshell of sorts.... a new project, Grey Machine, featuring Aaron Turner (Isis), Diarmuid Dalton (Jesu), and Dave Cochrane (Transitional)! From the upcoming album Disconnected, the band posted "Vultures Rise" available for download above!

Crom is back on the west coast, but evidence from their east coast killing spree is popping up all over the net. Check out pics from their show in Worcester, MA at Return To The Pit, an interview with a shirtless Crom at Vice magazine, as well as audio (and video below) from their appearance at WFMU.

Crom Live at WFMU, Mayhem, Amon Amarth, Baroness, Tweak Bird, Bison BC and more below.....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (09/30/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

And behold, King Buzzo of The Melvins shouted down upon the five boroughs.... there will be rock. The ashen-haired lord decreed a visit by Big Business and a surprise (to me anyway) opening set by Porn at the Bowery Ballroom (August 14, 2008). And it was good. Real good.

Well, except until moshers possibly cost everyone an encore. Buzzo was clearly irritated but expressed it calmly and with his trademark humor:

"I'm not Wavy Gravy. It isn't all about peace and love"

"Captain" Jared (also of Big Business) looked a little more peeved and menacing. Even while wearing a white suit and an utterly ridiculous sailor cap.

"Are you gonna' apologize to that girl you just kicked in the head?"

The discussion went on for another minute or so and in alot of ways reminded me of the "ice cream eating motherfucker" incident captured on the Fugazi Instrument DVD.

Until that moment (and after that) the Melvins were, as the Brits might say, "smashing". Tighter than a Kim Kardashian skirt, the band covered most of (A) Senile Animal and Nude with Boots, even paying tribute to The Who by covering "My Generation" in a way that only they could. The Dale Crover/Coady Willis two drum attack, while in alot of ways unnecessary, sounded fantastic in that room, but dwarfed the guitars. Buzzo and Jared's voices mesh together seemlessly and judging by the current poppy-Melvins phase the band is going through, Jared is a great addition on bass.

After "the incident", the band closed with Bullhead fave "Boris" (yes, the one that the band takes their name from) closing with Buzzo solo on guitar. I have seen my share of shows (of varying genres) at Bowery, and rarely have I seen a show peppered with as many whistles and "woo!"s as on Thursday night... Great, but I also could have used a little bit of Houdini or Stoner Witch era jams.

The same lineup played Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brookln one day earlier. Buzzo also appeared on Fox News yesterday. Video from that is below...

Continue reading "Melvins played 2 NYC shows and....Fox News (video)"

by Black Bubblegum

Melvins: Dudes know how to take a picture!

Melvins have announced the first leg of their US tour to support Nude With Boots and along for the ride are, you guessed it, Big Business! Tour dates are below including a date at Music Hall Of Williamsburg and Bowery Ballroom (Aug 13th and 14th respectively) (no tickets yet)

Melvins are also playing Jello Biafra's 50th, but SANS Big Business because Big Business will be working on their new record in LA instead.

Speaking of Jello's birthday party, Akimbo are on board for that, and they recently gave us a brand new MP3 from their Neurot Recordings debut Jersey Shores. (in case you missed it)

The other big news is that Melvins are curating this year's ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas with Mike Patton (in case you missed that too). It's the party that Portishead curated last year, Thurston Moore the year before that, and The Mars Volta before that.

Melvins' Nude with Boots drops July 8th on Ipecac (the label co-owned by ATP co-curator Mike Patton). The album cover, the tracklist, a video, and all tour dates below....

Continue reading "Melvins & Big Business - 2008 Tour Dates, ATP & album art"

by Black Bubblegum

Om - Al Cisneros & new drummer Emil Amos

Om is back on its feet after it was dealt a crippling blow in the loss of Chris Hakius. The band, or rather ex-Sleep-er Al Cisneros, has announced new seven-inch on Sub Pop (date forthcoming) featuring the song "Gebel Barkal" AND Om's new drummer, Emil Amos (of touring partners Grails).

Speaking of Grails, they have a new album on the way as well. Take Refuge In Clean Living is due out May 13th on Important Records. They're also playing a NYC show with Nadja at Knitting Factory on June 26th. Tickets are on sale for that.

Still no word on the previously mentioned Om live album.

In other Om-related news, Chris Hakius has also dropped out of the Shrinebuilder project, but have no fear because in his place is none other than Dale f'n Crover (Melvins)! Melvins also have a new album on the way.

The other half of the Melvins, Big Business, are currently at work on a new record produced by Phil Ek with their new guitar/keyboard player, Tochi Kasai (of Altamont -his blog is here). Look for Big Business AND Melvins to hit the road this summer.

Some overseas OM dates below.....

Continue reading "OM - new drummer, Sub Pop, Grails, Melvins & Shrinebuilder"

by Black Bubblegum

Melvins in Norway (more)

Annnnnnd... new Melvins album. Whaaa? Yep. Melvins have announced a new album due July 8th via Ipecac Records (aka Mike Patton's label) to follow up the awesome (A) Senile Animal. Here's what we know: it was recorded in January in LA, it (again) features our current favorite band-as-rhythm section, Big Business, and it is entitled Nude With Boots. I hope it doesn't come with a DVD... no offense guys (I prefer you CLOTHED with boots).

Ipecac IS releasing another DVD though, The Fantomas/Melvins Big Band Live From London 2006 DVD featuring commentary from Buzzo, Greg Werckman (Ipecac co-owner), and Danny Devito (?!?). For those who don't know/can't remember, the Fantomas/Melvins Big Band is the union of Melvins (Buzzo, Dale Crover) and Fantomas (also Buzzo, Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, Dave Lombardo).

Check out some Melvins videos below....

Continue reading "Melvins announce new album on Ipecac"