by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Celeste - Misanthrope(s) LP (Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ulcerate - "Caecus" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ulcerate - "Tyranny" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black September - "Purification" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Bloody Panda - "Miserere" (Excerpt) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Oak & Bone - "Build Walls" (MP3)

Ulcerate

Back to bludgeon.... it's This Week in Metal! This week, we kick things off with a death metal record that is currently in high rotation, Ulcerate's searing new LP Everything is Fire. Out NOW via Willowtip, check out a pair of MP3s from that LP available above. This New Zealand band are able to hit that seemingly impossible sweet-spot where brutality meets technicality and melody meets dissonance. Highly recco'd!

Bloody Panda is back a new LP due on Profound Lore, Summon. Due August 11, the band will release a CD/DVD for Summon which will include seven tracks, one of which ("Miserere", an excerpt above) is interpreted visually on DVD. Yoshiko Ohara, their signature vocalist and a known visual artist, is responsible for the cover art. The DVD was shot, in Brooklyn and Indonesia, and edited by band members Bryan Camphire, Blake McDowell, and Josh Rothenberger. Josh also told us that...

the whole DVD project came about through our collaboration with Cave dance studio on Grand St. in Williamsburg. It was there that we met Berlin-based Butoh dancer Yuko Kaseki a few years ago. We Asked her to dance to one of our tunes last year, and then shot most of the DVD at Cave with her last August/Septemeber.

Fresh off of a triumphant set at Maryland Deathfest, Asphyx is back and will domestically release their new album, Death...The Brutal Way via Ibex Moon. Due September 1st, the record will also be released in a limited edition version with a live DVD, Live at Party.San Open Air Festival 2007. Asphyx recently welcomed Martin van Drunen (Pestilence, Hail of Bullets, Bolt Thrower) back into the fold after his departure 17 years ago.

Black September, who first came onto my radar via their work with Thou and Winters In Osaka, has a new 7" out NOW, The Sermon of Vengeance. Mastered at The Boiler Room by Collin Jordan (Nachtmystium, Minsk), check out "Purification", one of two new tracks by the black metal punks from The Sermon of Vengeance above and order that 7", as well as other releases here.

Pelican's new EP, the tour only CD Ephemeral, is out on 12" at Southern Lord packaged with a Seldon Hunt designed tee. In addition, Earth's previously rare Radio/Live LP is available via Southern Lord as well.

Filth-ridden hardcore is the order of business for Syracuse's Oak & Bone, a badge the band wears with pride on their debut 7" out NOW via Hex Records (one time home to Ed Gein, Engineer, Playing Enemy, and Cursed). Check out "Build Walls" from that 7" above. The crew recently played NYC with another fave of mine, crusty black-metal punks Infernal Stronghold, and are prepping to release a split 7" with Like Wolves on Barbarossa Records. Pick up their debut 7" and look for that split!

Anaal Nathrakh's Mick Kenney is back with his former bandmates in Mistress to resurrect Fukpig, who released their last LP Nuclear Apocalypse in 2003. Pick up Spewings From A Selfish Nation before it's gone (100 copies total!). Anaal Nathrakh's In The Constellation Of The Black Widow is out June 26th via Candellight. Preorder the vinyl at Mick/Shane Embury's FETO records.

A preview of that Fukpig, as well as news on Down touring with Melvins(!!!) Jucifer, Celeste, Mastodon, Clutch, and much more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (06/16/09)"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Ryan Muir

The Melvins, in retro formation, played Webster Hall on Friday (5/15) as part of their 25th Anniversary celebration. As advertised, the band played the complete and slightly reconfigured Houdini, as well as portions from their 2005 collection of early demos, Mangled Demos.

Mangled Demos material leans more toward their hardcore roots, and I was always more of a fan of their heavier Sabbath-y material. That said, it was interesting to see Dale Crover on bass (he was introduced as ex-bassist, and ex-Mudhoney member, Matt Lukin) for a few songs. The trio for this opening portion of the night also consisted of Buzz, and original drummer Mike Dillard. Then Dillard left the stage and The Melvins became just Dale and Buzzo, sans bass (Dale moved back to drums) - all of the low end punch was gone out of the instrumentation.

Luckily, the Melvins-as-hardcore-duo was short-lived, and Trevor Dunn arrived later in the set clad in a camo druidian robe to set Webster Hall a-rumblin'. With Melvins the trio now on stage, Houdini was disassembled and played out of order with the band closing the show with a drum solo (with Trevor Dunn and Mike Dillard providing additional percussion) and a short Trevor Dunn bass solo. No encores (natch). As an experiment, I tried to listen to as little of Houdini as humanly possible before Friday, attempting to try and get a fresh perspective on a record that I had admittedly played to death years ago. Houdini classics such as "Honey Bucket", "Hooch", "Going Blind" were fantastic, and for a moment, they helped erase the fond memories of latter day Melvins with Coady and Jared (of Big Business). Smiles.

Packing in a smidge over two hours worth of material, Melvins finished just in time for Webster Hall curfew, and luckily I had Grey Wolves, Thrones, and Bastard Noise at No Fun Fest (at Music Hall of Williamsburg) to keep my energy and spirits high. More on that later.

More Melvins pics, a couple of videos, and the full setlist, below...

Continue reading "the Melvins (25th anniversary) @ Webster Hall - pics, setlist"

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"

Boss Hog @ Maxwell's (more by Tim Griffin)

Friday will feature a first New York show in a long time by The Jesus Lizard and newly announced, ATP favourites Iron and Wine. They will join the Don't Look Back shows also taking place on Friday: The Feelies performing Crazy Rhythms, New York's finest Suicide performing their first LP, Dirty Three performing Ocean Songs and The Drones performing Wait Long By The River... The evening will be rounded off with the Comedy Stage hosted and curated by the one and only David Cross.

Saturday is curated by ATP and is headlined by Animal Collective and an exclusive performance by Panda Bear. Other confirmed acts include the newly announced Boss Hog, Deerhunter and Bridezilla, plus the previously announced Melvins, Black Dice, Dead Meadow, Autolux, EL-P, Akron Family, Antipop Consortium, Atlas Sound and the hotly tipped Sleepy Sun.

Sunday is curated by the outlandish Flaming Lips. Every act that plays will perform an exclusive special show, bespoke for this event. First up are the Boredoms who will continue their BOREDRUM [BOADRUM?] series, performing with 9 drummers on stage. No Age will perform a whole LP by Husker Du including special guest vocalist [um... Bob Mould?]. Deerhoof will perform with special visuals by Martha Colburn. Caribou will perform as Caribou Vibration Ensemble, with a 4 piece horn section, 4 drummers and a choir and guests that include Kieran Hebden (Four Tet/Fridge/Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid), Koushik (Stones Throw Records), John Schmersal (Enon, Brainiac), Kathryn Bint (One Little Plane), Ahmed Gallab (Sinkane) and more. Finally Stardeath and White Dwarfs also join the line-up, with lots more to be announced!

Continue reading "ATP NY 2009 adds more acts & crazy stuff w/ Boredoms, Iron & Wine, Boss Hog, Deerhunter, No Age & more..."

JESUS LIZARD, MELVINS, EL-P AND MORE FOR ATP NY! DAY TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Today we're pleased to announce the second group of announcements for our second ATP New York festival which runs from 11th-13th September 2009 and is co-curated by The Flaming Lips. The first event received widespread rave reviews and the second is shaping up to be just as good.

On Friday 11th September, joining the previously announced Dirty Three performing Ocean Songs, Suicide performing their legendary first LP and David Cross curating a comedy stage, we have:

THE JESUS LIZARD - their first New York show in many many years
THE DRONES - performing Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of The Enemies Will Float By

On Saturday 12th September, joining the previously announced Animal Collective, Panda Bear, Black Dice, Antipop Consortium, Autolux and Atlas Sound we have:

MELVINS
EL-P
DEAD MEADOW
AKRON FAMILY
SLEEPY SUN

We will be announcing some of the bands that THE FLAMING LIPS, our Sunday headliners, have announced in the near future.

Tickets are on sale now for $235 with or without accommodation at an extra cost.

We are also placing on sale today a VERY limited amount of day passes
for this festival. Friday day passes cost $75, Saturday and Sunday
passes cost $95 per day. These are on sale now and due to high demand
are not expected to be available for very long.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS! (thx Jason!)

Melvins are also performing some shows in May, where, unlike at ATP, they'll be playing their album Houdini from start to finish.

The Drones, coming all the way from Australia, will also be here in the States this month. Unlike at ATP though, they won't be performing an album from start to finish this time around.

I wonder who the Flaming Lips will add. As some have already pointed out, we know it won't be Arcade Fire.

Sleepy Sun is an ATP Recordings-signed band from San Francisco who are also playing SXSW. Check out a video below...

Continue reading "The Jesus Lizard, Melvins, Dead Meadow & others added to ATP NY!! -- limited day passes on sale NOW"

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"

by Black Bubblegum

If there's one thing that ATP is good at, it's a reunion. One gaze through the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas 2008 lineup and it becomes evident that the Melvins and Mike Patton haven't let us down with the addition of Boss Hog. The Jon Spencer/Cristina Martinez (husband-wife) project (formed post-Pussy Galore and pre-Blues Explosion) will be, though technically not broken up, playing their first gig in over seven years.

A little history, courtesy the world's most accurate online encyclopedia:

Boss Hog was formed in 1989, as something of an accidental side project, when Jon and Cristina were told of a last minute vacancy on the bill at the influential New York punk club CBGB's. The pair put together a group of musicians from members of The Honeymoon Killers and Unsane, along with Kurt Wolf from Pussy Galore. The gig is reported to have been an underground sensation in New York, not least because Cristina performed the whole show naked.

The same line-up of Spencer, Martinez, Charlie Ondras, Jerry Teel and Kurt Wolf recorded the mini-album Drinkin', Lechin' & Lyin' for the record label Amphetamine Reptile in 1989. Martinez continued the sexual notoriety by appearing on the cover naked save for thigh-length black leather stilletto boots and arm-length black leather gloves.

Jon Spencer has also been keeping busy lately with his band Heavy Trash. They played a few NYC shows back in August. We're not sure what else Christina is up to. All Boss Hog dates and a video below...

Continue reading "Boss Hog (Jon Spencer) - ATP UK, Maxwells & Bowery too?"

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)"

today in NYC & NJ
* FREE STUFF
* Sky Larkin @ Pianos
* Passion Pit @ Pianos
* Wilco @ McCarren Pool
* Evangelicals @ Cake Shop
* TWTGDSD & MABR @ Bowery Ballroom
* Jennifer O'Connor @ McCarren Pool
* Slick Rick @ Jackie Robinson park
* Electric Six & Tragedy @ Maxwell's
* Rancid & Sick of It All @ Irving Plaza
* Kyp Malone and friends @ Death By Audio
* Bob Dylan @ Convention Hall in Asbury Park
* Special Disco Version @ Santos Party House
* Joel Dorn tribute @ Lincoln Center Outdoors
* Melvins & Big Business @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Bodies of Water, Port O'Brien & Peasant @ Mercury Lounge

Neil Diamond is taking tonight off.

Evangelicals opened for Conor Oberst at Bowery Ballroom yesterday. They are done touring with Conor now and tonight they are at Cake Shop.

Sadly, it appears there are still tickets available for The Melvins show at MHOW tonight. Happily, that means there are still tickets available. Either way that means it's possible to see The Melvins right after Wilco which will be over at 10 and is right down the street.

What else?

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Melvins - "Nude With Boots" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Graf Orlock - "A Shocking Interrogation" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Anaphylactic Shock - "Ultimatum" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Adai - "Hawkins" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Rob Halford - Metal Hammer interview podcast (MP3)

Weedeater sets fires while Jeff Matz (High On Fire, Zeke) admires (wusspie)

Smoke monsters Weedeater have announced a co-headlining tour with Black Cobra, including one date in NYC at the Knitting Factory! Tickets are on sale. Tour details are below. Black Cobra's Feather & Stone is now available on gatefold LP at their webstore. Weedeater is still touring off the might of God Luck & Good Speed.

Just because At The Gates doubleheader (July 9th & 10th @ Irving Plaza) (and many of their announced dates) is sold out, doesn't mean that the Bjorler twins are forgetting their day job. The Haunted dropped an update on their new record and plans to tour the US in 2009!

Roooooadtrip! Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down, Kingdom Of Sorrow) has announced that Crowbar and the legendary Eyehategod will share the stage in New Orleans at One-Eyed Jack's on August 29th for their 20th anniversary show! Crowbar also recently announced that they will tour "every country that's got electricity" with their forthcoming 2009 album.

Totimoshi and Nebula announced a US tour, sweeping coast to coast in early August and concluding in mid-September. NYC has been blessed with August 25th at the Knitting Factory with Tournament. Tickets are on sale. Nebula have just finished an EP, Heavy Psych, though there is no release date as of yet. Totimoshi will drop Milagrosa on July 8th celebrating with a record release party with Big Business and Triclops! Check out the newly minted video "Gnat" featuring Eugene Robinson of Oxbow....

That video, Watain, Graf Orlock, Carcass, Converge, and much much more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (07/07/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

Red Sparowes might be sans Josh Graham (A Storm Of Light, Neurosis, etc), but all that means is leaning harder on members of Isis, The VSS, Halifax Pier, and Angel Hair a little more, which could be ALOT worse.

The band hit the studio with producer and new Big Business member Toshi Kasai in May and will drop the EP Aphorisms digitally on August 1 (Vinyl/CD this fall) via Sargent House. Dig on track uno at their myspace, the concisely titled (Red Sparowes are sooo good at that) "We Left The Apes To Rot, But Find The Fang Still Grows Within".

Red Sparowes will also hit the road this week for a set of mostly UK dates including an intersecting show with an ongoing Harvey Milk/Oxbow tour (dates below for that) and concluding with an appearance at the Wickerpark Fest with Isis, Don Caballero, High On Fire, Okkervil River, Russian Circles and approximately one metric shit-ton of other great bands. Dates below.

Harvey Milk is currently streaming one of my favorite albums so far this year "Life.... The Best Game In Town" here. Melvins are also streaming their entire new album.

Big Business & Melvins will be in town very soon, and have their own ATP to curate.

The VSS recently reissued Nervous Circuits. High On Fire may be playing with Opeth. Tour dates below....

Continue reading "Red Sparowes EP, tour dates, Harvey Milk, Oxbow, Melvins"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: F*ck The Facts - "The Storm" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: F*ck The Facts - "Absence & Despite" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Amenra - "Razoreater" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Grand Magus - "Like The Oar Strikes The Water" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Grand Magus - "Silver Into Steel" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Soulfly - "Unleash" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Humanfly - "Shot Into Space" (EDIT) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Cavalera Conspiracy - LIVE in Arendal, Norway on June 26 2008 (PROFESSIONALLY SHOT WMV, Megaupload)

Welcome to This Week In Metal, Special Potty Mouth Edition! Fuck The Facts shall rage from sea to sea as they begin "Grinding Into Cataclysm" (their tour name) with Psyopus, War From A Harlot's Mouth, and Left To Vanish. FTF have a new record, Disgorge Mexico, due July 22nd on Relapse Records and have been kind enough to bless us with some tracks for download! Check out "The Storm" and "Absence And Despite" above and check 'em out at the Knitting Factory on August 18th (ticket info forthcoming). Full tour dates are below. Fuck The Facts also have an upcoming split LP with Leng Tch'e.

Opeth has announced two new dates as part of their previously mentioned North American tour. Here is the best part (as if THAT wasn't good enough): Word is that High On Fire & Baroness will open the shows! As more dates roll in, you'll have em, but so far all we have are Chicago on September 24th and San Fran on October 6th. Pics from their last NYC show at Terminal 5 HERE.

Doomriders have announced a show at Europa in Brooklyn on August 24th! Tickets are on sale.

Doom riff lords Grand Magus will drop Iron Will on July 9th in the US via Candlelight and recently sat down with Metal Hammer to go over Iron Will track by track. Check out "Like The Oar Strikes The Water" and "Silver Into Steel" downloadable above.

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (06/30/08)"

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

DOWNLOAD: Deathwish Inc. Summer Sampler (MP3 ALBUM ZIP*)
DOWNLOAD: AKIMBO - Great White Bull (EXCLUSIVE MP3) from the forthcoming Jersey Shores

Lemmy Is God (Rui M Leal)

I haven't even seen it yet, but I have hereby declared the following as one of the most metal movies of 2008. It's called Lemmy: The Movie. A feature-length documentary on the man, the legend, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead. In case you had some doubt about how amazing this will be, check out this video of Lemmy and his then drummer "Philthy Animal" trashing a hotel room. Motorhead are one of the Metal Masters, and tickets are still available.

Downloadable above, check out the first tasty nugget from Akimbo, pulled from their upcoming Jersey Shores LP! Akimbo's new concept album, about how "sharks.... will totally fuck you up" is due later this year on Neurot Recordings. Akimbo are scheduled to play Jello Biafra's 50th BDay party with the Melvins.

While all of us are getting riled up for Monticello, All Tomorrow's Parties have announced the curators for 2008's Nightmare Before Christmas.... Melvins & Mike Patton! Info is limited so far, but we do know it'll take place between December 5 - 7 at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead and you can expect to see the following confirmed performers: Melvins, Isis, Neil Hamburger, Dälek, Big Business, The Locust, Zu, and Fantômas performing The Director's Cut! More deets are available here. Melvins will drop Nude with Boots this July on Ipecac. Mike Patton recently released a soundtrack to a short film, A Perfect Place.

keep going....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (06/03/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

Fugazi @ Gilman 1988 (acrofish)

Alternative Tentacles released a trailer for their upcoming documentary of the legendary punk venue 924 Gilman in Berkeley, CA. Check it out down below. For those of you east-coasters who aren't up on Gilman, here's a little bio courtesy of the world's most accurate encyclopedia:

The 924 Gilman Street project, alternately the Alternative Music Foundation, is the Berkeley, California street address and official business name of the all-ages, non-profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "Gilman.".... On December 31, 1986, the club held its first show. Since then, 924 Gilman Street has been one of the longest-running independent music venues in the United States..... 924 Gilman... was started in part because of the lack of punk venues in the San Francisco Bay Area during this era, particularly all-ages venues.

Fugazi went on to break up which I'm really only mentioning so I can remind you again that you can catch one of their members live in NYC tonight (May 27).

The documentary trailer, and info on Jello Biafra's 50th birthday party, below.....

Continue reading "924 Gilman, documentary, Jello Biafra's 50th birthday party"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Pulling Teeth - Live @ Sound & Fury 2K7 (ALBUM ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: Gnaw Their Tongues - Bubonic Burial Rites (ALBUM ZIP), ALBUM ART
DOWNLOAD: Gnaw Their Tongues - Vomiting Helplessly (ALBUM ZIP), ALBUM ART

Opeth!

Twenty six. Thats how many days we have left until the new Opeth record hits the streets. Mikael Akerfeldt & the boys have put in WORK when it comes to publicity for this record so check out a few interviews that they did here, here, here, here, here, and a seven-parter here. Whew! And here's a taste of their setlist from the Universal City, CA date (May 2nd) of the Progressive Nation Tour:

Master's Apprentices
Baying of the Hounds
In My Time of Need
Wreath
Heir Apparent
The Drapery Falls

More dates have been added to the Cavalera Conspiracy tour.... check for the full tour dates below. Missed the presale? Don't worry, tickets are back on sale as of Friday morning @ 10am.

Speaking of the Cavaleras, check out the cover for the new Soulfly record Conquer here, as well as the tracklisting below. Conquer will feature guest appearances by David Vincent (Morbid Angel) and Dave Peters (Throwdown).

Speaking of two nights at the venue formerly known as Irving Plaza, tickets are still on sale for the first of two At the Gates reunion shows. The second night is sold out.

much, much more...............

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (05/09/08)"

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"

DOWNLOAD: Meat Puppets - Look at the Rain (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mudhoney - Halloween (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Melvins - Going Blind (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Nirvana - Even in His Youth (MP3)

Meat Puppets formed in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Melvins formed in the early 80's too - in Montesano, Washington. Mudhoney formed in 1988 - out of the ashes of Green River, and with Matt Lukin (who had recently left the Melvins) on bass - in Seattle, Washington. Nirvana became Nirvana in 1988 too - in Aberdeen (or Seattle), Washington (Dave Grohl joined in 1990).

Mudhoney cites Meat Puppets as an influence. Nirvana was influenced by Mudhoney & the Melvins. Kurt Cobain even unsuccessfully tried out to be in the Melvins. The Melvins' Dale Crover played drums with Nirvana for a bit, and then the Melvins' Buzz Osborne eventually introduced Dave Grohl to Nirvana. Kurt Cobain later became a fan of Meat Puppets after seeing them open for Black Flag.

Meat Puppets and Mudhoney both opened for Nirvana at the State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona on October 18, 1993. In November 1993, members of Meat Puppets appeared on MTV Unplugged with Nirvana - the Meat Puppets were then mainstream. Kurt Cobain died on April 8, 1994. Meat Puppets went on their first hiatus in 1996. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) later formed a short-lived band called Eyes Adrift. The Melvins, Meat Puppets & Mudhoney are all currently active bands (again).

Upcoming shows in NYC/NJ, 2007
Oct 05 - Melvins @ Irving Plaza (info)
Oct 06 - Melvins @ Luna Lounge (info)
Oct 17 - Meat Puppets @ Pianos (BrooklynVegan free day show)
Oct 17 - Meat Puppets @ Lion's Den (info)
Oct 18 - Meat Puppets @ Maxwell's (info)
Nov 30 - Mudhoney @ Maxwell's (info)
Dec 01 - Mudhoney @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (info)
Dec 02 - Mudhoney @ Bowery Ballroom (info)

DOWNLOAD: Melvins - The Brain Center at Whipples (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Melvins - Talking Horse (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Melvins - Sweet Willy Rollbar (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Melvins - Civilized Worm (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Melvins - Going Blind (MP3)

I saw a lot of bands at the four day Oya Festival in Norway this year, but only a few performances REALLY stuck out. One of them was Nine Inch Nails, another was Gogol Bordello, and another one of my favorites was by the Melvins. I always need a little metal in my life to balance out all the folk & indie rock, and - with the help of two drummers - Melvins rocked so hard. It was perfect. The second they were done playing, I was thinking I wanted to see them again. It was tempting to try and go find the afterparty they were playing in Oslo, but I never did.

I think I'll go see them again when they play in NY - October 5th @ the Fillmore Irving Plaza, or the next day at Luna Lounge in Brooklyn. Tickets go on sale Friday. More pictures and tour dates, below....

Continue reading "Melvins - 2007 Tour Dates & pics from Oya"