Friday, January 16, 2009

Music News & Notes

Details of Jon Snodgrass's new album revealed

By Dave Herrera


Jon Snodgrass, one-half of the almighty Drag the River, is preparing to release his debut solo effort. The album, Visitor's Band, which is slated for release on Tuesday, February 4, on Suburban Home Records, features a slew of guests including, Two Cow Garage, Chad Rex, Joey Erg, Chris Pierce and Eric Powers, among others. According to label owner Virgil Dickerson, the tracks melds the "hard-edged rock you expect from Armchair Martian," Snodgrass's previous band, with "the more rootsy sounds you might expect to hear with Drag the River."

Last week, we debuted a track from the record called "Remember My Name" on Mile Hi-Fidelity and have had the chance to listen to the rest of the disc. Needless to say, Dickerson's assessment is pretty spot on.

Visitor's Band will be available on disc and vinyl -- 300 copies on black vinyl and 700 on clear vinyl -- and Dickerson reports that he's currently trying to get Snodgrass to co-sign a batch of new merch, in particular, a shirt with his face above the slogan, "What would Jon Do?" So far he's not having much luck. Ditto a "What would Jon drink" pint glass.

And just in case you couldn't get enough Drag in your diet, the band is also preparing to issue a new release with a title that is bound to continue to confound fans regarding the band's status. Broke up? Not broke up? That disc, fittingly titled Bad at Breaking Up, will reportedly contain tracks that were previously only available on 7-inch vinyl, B-sides and tunes from the group's split with the Dents.

If all that sounds good to you, head over to the Suburban Home website to listen to tracks from Jon's new record and to pre-order both releases. If you're one of the first 1,000 folks to purchase the Drag disc, you'll get your hands on a Drag the River guitar pick. In the meantime, here's the full tracklisting for Visitor's Band.

Track Listing:
1. Brave With Strangers
2. Thru The Fan
3. Remember My Name
4. Song For Jake Nichols To Sing
5. Finally
6. Fast In Last
7. Long Way Found
8. Fast One Sloe
9. Not That Rad
10. Murderfield
11. Visitor's Band

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Jamey Johnson Releasing Vinyl LP, Appearing on Tonight Show

Jamey Johnson will release a vinyl LP version of his Mercury album, That Lonesome Song on Jan. 27 and has scheduled a Feb. 5 appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Johnson has received three nominations at the Grammy Awards show taking place Feb. 8 in Los Angeles. That Lonesome Song is up for best country album, and one of the tracks, "In Color," is nominated for best male country vocal performance and best country song. Johnson co-wrote the song with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto. Johnson says, "The critical acclaim for the album and the Grammy nominations are so cool, but what has been the most overwhelming thing for me so far is when we're playing live and the crowd sings every word of 'In Color' back to us. As a songwriter, I can't even explain what that feels like."

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News - Minus the Bear Release "Acoustics" on Vinyl

"Minus the Bear is excited to announce the release of "Acoustics," an exclusive seven-track EP, available from Suicide Squeeze in a limited edition run. "Acoustics," couples newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites from the Seattle quintet's prolific career with a new track, entitled, "Guns & Ammo." Originally released as a tour-only CD - during the band's 2008 headlining tour - this is the first time "Acoustics" will be available on vinyl, in stores, anywhere. Limited to 5000 copies pressed to baby-blue/crème wax. Order your copy from Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com

Track Listing for Acoustics EP: Release Date Feb 17
Guns & Ammo
We Are Not a Football Team
Burying Luck
Knights
Pachuca Sunrise
Throwin’ Shapes
Ice Monster

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Get Up Kids Release

Doghouse Records has announced plans to reissue the Get Up Kids favorite, Something To Write Home About, on vinyl next month. The CD was released ten years ago, on Vagrant Records. Doghouse is promising that only 2000 copies will be made available and that they will be pressed on Opaque Purple vinyl. The record is due out February 17, 2009. The disc is the second in a series of vinyl reissues that Doghouse has begun. The label released 1997's Four Minute Mile in December.

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