by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Weezer - Memories (MP3)

Weezer @ Williamsburg Waterfront in July (more by Kurt Christensen)

Weezer have recently gone indie again, in the literal sense at least, by signing to Epitaph Records for the release of their eighth full length album Hurley. "I've been a fan of Weezer from the beginning, and I've loved all their records, so it's amazing to find myself working with them on the new one!" says Brett Gurewitz, president and founder of Epitaph Records and also guitarist and songwriter in Bad Religion (who have upcoming tour dates!).

The album comes out September 14th (and features Jorge Garcia, the actor who played Hurley from 'Lost', on the cover) and is available for preorder now. An MP3 of the song "Memories" is available above, and a video of lead vocalist and guitarist Rivers Cuomo talking about the album is below.

In addition to going 'indie', Weezer has also increased their 'cred' by announcing ideas for a possible Blue Album/Pinkerton tour. "We have this really exciting idea to do a tour where we spend two nights in each city, and the first night, we play the entire Blue album, and the second night, we play the entirety of Pinkerton. We're just running it by promoters right now to see if there's sufficient interest in the markets to do something like that, and if they're on board, it's gonna happen," says Rivers Cuomo in an exclusive with MTV News. There are no official dates for the tour right now, which is still just an idea, but according to Cuomo, "the fan response has been incredible so far for the idea, and, if they want to, they can contact their local promoter and tell them to make it happen."

Weezer does also have a few current tour dates listed below and a fall tour is soon to be announced. Also, tonight (8/20), Park Slope's Bar 4 is hosting The LC Tribute to Weezer: The Blue Album Vs Pinkerton. The show will feature various solo acts covering The Blue Album and a full band covering Pinkerton in its entirety (though no specific lineup seems to be announced).

dates and videos below..

Continue reading "indie Weezer releasing new album, may do Blue Album/ Pinkerton tour, NYC bands pay tribute @ Bar 4 (tonight)"

DOWNLOAD: Gallows - Orchestra of Wolves (MP3)

Brett's Top 5 Songs of 2007
1. DJ Felli Fell - "Get Buck In Here"
2. LCD Soundsystem - "All My Friends"
3. Arcade Fire - "Antichrist Television Blues"
4. Gallows - "Orchestra Of Wolves"
5. The Weakerthans - "Vitute The Cat Explains Her Departure"

Brett's Top 5 Live Performances of 2007
1. Daft Punk - Los Angeles, CA
2. Arcade Fire - Los Angeles, CA
3. Gallows - Pomona, CA
4. Beach Boys - Los Angeles, CA
5. LCD Soundsystem - Indio, CA

Keep in mind of course that Brett Gurewitz, besides being a member of Bad Religion, is also the owner of Epitaph Records who put out the Gallows record. That said, it makes sense (besides from a business point of view) that he would love a band he signed (of course he also thinks the Killers & Fall Out Boy put out two of the best albums this year, but whatever...).

Gallows ("an English Hardcore Punk band from Watford" who "recently signed a one million pound four-album deal with Warner Bros"), This is Hell and Cancer Bats are playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on February 8th, and Bowery Ballroom the next day. All dates below....

Continue reading "Brett Gurewitz says GALLOWS are good - 2008 Tour Dates"