photos by Tim Griffin

Austra just finished a tour that stopped by Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin last month. Pictures from their set are HERE and HERE and HERE, and we've got another set in this post.

Their excellent debut LP, Feel It Break, which came out this past May on Domino, was reissued as a deluxe edition by the label last week (11/29). The deluxe edition comes with a bonus disc which features the b-sides "Identity," "Young and Gay," and "Energy," which have appeared as b-sides to the band's singles and have been appeared in many of their live sets. It also includes a few unreleased b-sides, a remix of "Beat and the Pulse" by Clown of Slipknot (whose bandmate is coincedentally playing Highline Ballroom tonight) (why are we talking about Slipknot???), which can you can stream below, and covers of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" and a recently recorded cover of Roy Orbison's "Crying," which you can also stream below. The album is available now at the Domino webstore.

Austra also recently filmed a live acoustic version of "Believe Me," which appears on disc 2 of the album, for Paper Bag, their Canadian label. That video, more FFF pics, the album's tracklist, and song stream is below...

Continue reading "Austra LP deluxe edition out now -- Roy Orbison cover & Clown remix streams ++ more pics from FFF Fest"

Attention People of New York City:

Hello. This is your man Dave Hill writing to let you know that Thursday, October 15 at 8:00pm, I will performing my brand new one-man show "Dave Hill: Big in Japan" like a motherf@#ker for the very third time over there at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in historic Chelsea. Attendance is mandatory unless you hate having a really, really nice time that might also lead to sex. Anyway, I realize there has been a lot of confusion- especially in the Scandinavian press- about my new one-man show. And while there is some truth to the rumor that my new one-man show is a coming-of-stage tale based on my early years as a young Austrian girl who wanted nothing more than to express herself through dance even if her pimp Danny had different plans for her, it is mostly about one man's (me, silly!) undying will to rock the f@#k out of people and also this one time I went to Japan and rocked the f@#k out of people with my rocking rock Valley Lodge. Also- and I cannot stress this enough- it is NOT the same show as the Dave Hill Explosion so stop thinking that, dammit. However, my new one-man show is explosive in nature and possesses similar heatbringing properties and an almost identical bang quotient (sin(ax)sin(bx) - k cos(ax)cos(bx) = number of chicks who totally want to bang me). Anyway, I really hope you can make it. Aside from all the heat I will be bringing to the show, it is directed by the great Jeff Tomsic and assistant directed by the super dupes Nicole Brodeur. It also features the winsome Chris Chuang and the fiery Zachary Danziger in the roles of a lifetime. And as if all of that is not enough, my show is immediately followed by Pangaea 3000 Sucks, a great show that you totally don't have to pay extra for. So come, you know, if you want. I'm tired of fighting about it. You can get tickets right here.

Love,
Dave Hill

That "Big in Japan" show is TONIGHT (10/15). The next "Dave Hill Explosion" is at the same venue on October 22nd and features special guests Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes and the RETURN of Dick Cavett (not to be missed). Tickets are on sale.

In between those two UCB events you can catch Dave Hill playing two roles in one night. I'm talking about the official BrooklynVegan CMJ showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 20th where Dave is both playing guitar in the Walter Schreifels Band (expect Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Rival Schools and more), AND telling some jokes and hosting the night. Tickets are still on sale.

"Big In Japan" happens again on October 29th at UCB. The flyer along with a very recent video of Walter performing solo in a store... IN JAPAN, below...

Continue reading "in addition to being funny, and playing for Walter Schreifels (and hosting BV CMJ), Dave Hill is big in Japan! (@ UCB)"

DO NOT BRING

Offensive weapons or anything that may be considered offensive, even if you're planning to use it for camping ( it won't be allowed in )

This includes: ANY glass containers, Prams or pushchairs ( the festival site is not suitable for them or their occupants!) ANY pets, Laser pens ( they are dangerous and may result in eviction without refund )

Gas cylinders and petrol fuelled cookers will not be permitted in the main campsite. Anyone found in possession of a gas cylinder or petrol may be asked to leave.

The suggested cooking stoves allowed are any solid fuel type such as Disposable BBQ's, Hexi Stove with solid fuel block

Standard compact cameras will be permitted, though you will not be able to take in a professional camera e.g. One with interchangeable lenses.

Faith No More's first confirmed 2009 appearance has been announced. As you can see above, they one of three headliners at this year's Download Festival in Donington Park ("where the three counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire meet. - The ley-lines of ROCK!!"). Take a look at that lineup... I guess the haters win round one on this reunion (thx Zach).

P.S. "Faith No More's appearance at Download 2009 will be their ONLY UK date this year."

Continue reading "Faith No More playing the 2009 UK Download Festival"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: The Sword - "Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Soilent Green - "Antioxidant" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Iron Maiden - "Intro", "Aces High", & "Two Minutes To Midnight", Live in Tokyo Feb 16th, 2008 (VIDEO, WMV)

Neurot Recordings have announced details for THREE Neurosis-related releases in the next two months! First up, a new solo album from the mighty Scott Kelly, who will release The Wake on May 5th, his first release in the seven years since his debut Spirit Bound Flesh. Two weeks later, the world's most intense elementary school teacher Steve Von Till drops A Grave is a Grim Horse, his first non-Harvestman release in six years (Harvestman recently collabo'd with Fear Falls Burning). More details on A Grave Is A Grim Horse can be found here. The third we knew about, but has now gone official: A Storm Of Light's debut And We Wept the Black Ocean Within will be released on June 2nd. Read our recent interview with Josh Graham here.

Tickets for the previously mentioned second At The Gates show go on sale Thursday April 3rd at 10 AM here. Tomas Lindberg's other band, the mighty Disfear, have announced a few more dates, including another show in Brooklyn at Europa on May 22nd with Trap Them and Bloodhorse! Ticket info for Disfear at Europa isn't available, but there are still tickets for their show at the Knitting Factory. New tour dates are down below.

MUCH MORE..............

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (04/02/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

Mastodon @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple, NYC (Kid Swinging) (more about that)


Mastodon has announced plans to tour with the supremely dubious named "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour", providing support for (ugh) co-headliners Slipknot & Disturbed, as well as Machine Head, Dragonforce, The Red Chord and many others. Tentative dates are below...

Continue reading "Mastodon going on Rockstar Energy Mayhem Tour "