words by BBG, photos by Jesse Lindmar

Though they just played Cake Shop on 3/13 with Todd and Sewerkraut (pictures in this post) followed by a string of shows at SXSW, according to a post from Hardcore Gig Volume, Drunkdriver officially called it quits just two days before their Saturday night record release party at Market Hotel (which has now been moved to 538 Johnson).

Message boards are lighting up, as the timing of the break up coincides with a new wave of old allegations from drummer Jeremy's past life in the band Wives (Dean & Randy pre-No Age):

This is Jeremy from drunkdriver. I am not a rapist. This is based on an accusation from when I was 15 years old. Years after that when I was 23, a friend of mine and I got drunk and slept together. We were on tour and a friend of her's overheard about the incident from when I was 15 (from that girl's best friend) and put this story together like so.

After all this Dean and Randy were by my side. I got irresponsibly blackout drunk in Texas and was inappropriate, woke up with my clothes on but I definitely did not rape anyone or do anything that could be called rape. I was a drunk asshole that night. NEVER was the word "NO" or any force ever used in ANY of the instances.

After years of being there for me, Dean and Randy of Wives couldn't continue being in a band with me and that was the end. Roy did play drums for the rest of the tour with them. When I got back home to LA I called my family and found out that some real-life, non punk issues that put this whole thing into perspective for me, all the while a friend was convincing me to visit New York.

I came out to visit and it seemed like my life could use a big change, so I stayed. I've been here for 5 years and I feel like my entire life has changed for the better. Had I stayed in LA I'm sure I could have defended myself, but I most definitely did not flee here. If I were fleeing I would not go where everyone ends up a few times a year. I am just trying to go on with my life and be a good friend to the great friends I have. This is also a very short version of this but if you would like to know more you can email me here: worktodeathrecords@gmail.com

More pictures from Cake Shop and the amended 538 Johnson show lineup below...

Continue reading "Drunkdriver played Cake Shop (pics) & SXSW, but broke up (why?) & cancelled their Saturday record release show"

by BBG

Salome at BV-BBG at CMJ (more by Samantha Marble)

Wow just turned into OMFG. Wolves In The Throne Room and Salome have been announced as support for the previously discussed 3/11 Shrinebuilder show at NYU. Ticket Info is forthcoming, but NYU students can expect to pay $2 and non-NYU-ers pay a whopping $5.

And while we are on the topic of killer bands, we'd like to announce that Salome will play the two-stage BrooklynVegan Day Party on March 17th at Emo's in Austin, Texas! For those counting at home, that's Salome plus Torche and Fucked Up! More artist announcements are on the way.

Salome will also play the 20 Buck Spin / Profound Lore official SXSW showcase at Headhunters in Austin on 3/19. As expected, the labels have teamed up for a killer lineup of underground metal greats: Yakuza, Liturgy, The Endless Blockade, Coffinworm, White Mice, + two more bands TBA.

That same night (3/19) at Spiro's, just down the street from the 20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore Showcase will be the WFMU/Aquarius showcase which, much like last year, is brimming with great and forward thinking music of heavy/punk persuasion. Liturgy will also be featured at the two-stage show along with Speedwolf, Iron Man, Moon Duo, Shit and Shine, Pierced Arrows, Dengue Fever, Epileptinomicon, Drunkdriver, Home Blitz, Headdress, Sonny & the Sunsets, True Widow, and Todd. For more on the upcoming WFMU show, head to their site. Decisions!

Drunkdriver's other upcoming shows include other SXSW gigs and Cake Shop in NYC on 3/14 with Todd.

Pierced Arrows are scheduled for two NYC area shows with Lullabye Arkestra, March 5th at Mercury (tix) and March 6th at Maxwell's (tix).