Thursday, July 22, 2010

Music News & Notes

ELVENKING: New Album Title, Artwork, Track Listing Revealed

Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING have set "Red Silent Tides" as the title of their new album, which is tentatively due this fall via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Piranha studios in Karsdolf, Germany with producer Dennis Ward (ANGRA, PINK CREAM 69, PRIMAL FEAR). The album's cover artwork was created by Samuel Araya, who has previously worked on CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography" CD.

ELVENKING's last "electric" album, "The Scythe", was released in Europe in September 2007 via AFM Records.







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METALLICA's 'Death Magnetic' Certified Double Platinum In US

METALLICA's latest album, "Death Magnetic", was officially certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 28, 2010 for shipments in the United States in excess of two million copies.

METALLICA will end the "Death Magnetic" world tour later this fall with shows in Australia and New Zealand before taking a break.

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I Call Fives to release EP on vinyl

Press Release:

Broken Rim Records is proud to present the exclusive and limited vinyl release of I Call Fives’ sophomore EP Bad Advice.

The record will be available on the Broken Rim Records online store brokenrimrecords.storenvy.com starting July 21st, 2010. All orders will be shipped no later than August 3rd, 2010. Additionally, fans have the opportunity to enter to win a test press of the vinyl edition of Bad Advice by ordering a 3 LP bundle. After 25 bundles have been sold, one person will be selected at random to win.

Quickly becoming recognized as leaders in the next generation pop-punk, I Call Fives has recently been compared to the youthful and upbeat sound of pop-punk legends, The Starting Line. ICF joined the No Sleep Records family earlier this year, and is currently on tour through the end of August. Bad Advice has received excellent reviews, and attention from Alternative Press and AMP magazines.

Don’t miss this chance to pick up this edition of the record, that features:
- Exclusive Vinyl Track "Everyone Knows"
- Silk Screened B-Side
- 3 Limited Colors
- Hand Numbered

Pressing Information:
- 50 Green records
- 150 Purple records
- 250 Blue records

http://www.myspace.com/icallfives
http://brokenrimrecords.com/

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Rush sued by angry fan

Iconic progressive rockers Rush have found themselves on the receiving end of a lawsuit after a disgruntled fan sued the band for cancelling a recent performance. The class action was filed by Rush fan, Christopher Langone who took umbrage with the group’s cancellation of their Chicago show due to bad weather on July 7th.

As Noise Creep reports:

“When Rush cancelled the show due poor weather, it apparently sent Langone into a tizzy and to a lawyer. He is seeking reimbursement for ticket, airfare and other expenses he incurred while making the trek across several states to see the Canadian prog warriors.

Langone is actually going as far as to claim 'breach of contract,' since the ticket and promotional materials stated the show was a 'rain or shine' event.”

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Pink Floyd, Zeppelin Album Cover Artist Announces Show

Storm Thorgerson, album cover artist for Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, is presenting 20 never before seen pieces of art at the San Francisco Art Exchange for his August show Lovers of Covers.

The show will also feature Storm's classic collection of surreal images and album covers. Storm himself is visiting San Francisco Art Exchange on Saturday, August 14 at the invite only reception celebrating the opening night of his show

Also attending the reception is Storm's design partner, Aubrey Powell. The two visionaries created Hipgnosis, the design company that produced album covers for some of rocks biggest musicians and bands including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Steve Miller Band, Alan Parsons, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Mars Volta, Muse, The Cranberries, The Scorpions, Black Sabbath, Phish, and many more.

San Francisco Art Exchange is the world's leading dealer of Storm Thorgerson's artwork. The gallery is honored to work with an artist of such legendary status, worthy of Pink Floyd's praise.

"Storm's images were created without any of the software that we take advantage of now," said San Francisco Art Exchange co-owner Theron Kabrich. "The content of most of his amazing images were constructed scenes, assembled or built in real time as on a movie set. Long before programs like Adobe Photoshop were ever dreamt of, Storm was visualizing and developing images that boggled the mind and provoked the imagination. This leads me to believe those who invented such programs most likely would have been inspired by the imagery Storm created."

San Francisco Art Exchange has been the world's leading dealer of popular icon art and photography since 1983. It is the home of pin-up artist Alberto Vargas' collection of drawings and paintings. SFAE has developed relationships with legendary artists, photographers and celebrities around the world and has represented the art of Ronnie Wood, Rolling Stones guitarist since 1987.

In addition to imagery of and by well-known personalities, SFAE has also enjoyed long relationships with famed album cover artists Storm Thorgerson (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin), Roger Dean (Yes, Asia), and Stanley Mouse (Grateful Dead) and some of the most significant rock and celebrity photographers in the world.

All unique artwork and rare photographs can be viewed in the gallery located in Union Square at 458 Geary Street between Mason and Taylor, and online at www.sfae.com. Gallery Hours: Mon-Wed 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thu-Sat 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sun 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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Todd Rundgren Plots New Album

(Gibson) Todd Rundgren has inked a record contract with California-based Gigatone Entertainment, which will release his new, 15-track album.

In a statement out Tuesday, Gigatone said Rundgren would approach the recording of his new LP with the same innovative spirit that's informed prior hit albums. The '70s icon – who made his name both behind the microphone (with pop songs like "Hello, It's Me") and the mixing console (producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell) – will take part in Gigatone's myRecordFantasy program, which allows fans to executive produce their favorite artist's new album during a three-day camp.

Gigatone is also home to Eddie Money and The Monkees' Micky Dolenz, who also will participate in a myRecordFantasy recording session this August.

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In Performance at the White House: Jack White




Making the rounds today:

Frontier Records Celebrates 30th Anniversary As Southern California's Premier Independent Label

LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ It's Alive! Media & Management) - Frontier Records (http://www.frontierrecords.com/ ), the independent Los Angeles-based record label founded in 1980, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with their 100th release, YES L.A., scheduled for later this year. Owned and operated by Lisa Fancher, Frontier is instrumental in releasing classic punk, alternative country, paisley underground, goth and pop records that are considered classic 'must-haves' to critics and serious music collectors alike.

Among the first to tap into the Los Angeles punk scene, Frontier Records' initial success was releasing the classic Circle Jerks record Group Sex.

This was later followed by Orange County's Adolescents' debut known as the Blue Album TSOL's Dance with Me and Christian Death's Only Theatre of Pain. However, it was the eponymous debut LP from Suicidal Tendencies that spawned the unexpected MTV smash 'Institutionalized' that put Frontier on the map. If you caught the Don Johnson vehicle Miami Vice episode featuring Suicidal, you'd know the mainstream finally caught up with the underground.

In light of these early successes in punk rock, it is easy to overlook the fact that Frontier has also released well-known records from bands from a variety of genres: The Long Ryders, Thin White Rope, The Three O'Clock, Young Fresh Fellows, American Music Club and Heatmiser, Elliott Smith's first band. All of these groups and more released full-length-albums on Frontier Records that were as important to the labels evolution as any punk rock angst the label is best known for.

Perhaps most importantly, a woman starting her own independent record label in an overwhelmingly male dominated music industry in 1980 was key in shattering the notion that 'chicks can't rock'. Simply put, women didn't start their own record labels then, especially in the testosterone-drenched L.A. punk rock scene. For founder Lisa Fancher to have survived as an indie label for thirty solid years on, having seen her fair share of record distributors go belly up and put her label in financial jeopardy, makes its survival almost as impressive as its inception.

'When I founded Frontier Records in 1980, I had no idea what running a record label entailed, I just wanted to turn other people onto the local bands I loved,' said Frontier Records founder Lisa Fancher. 'It's pretty cool to have outlasted so many independent – and major – labels thirty years later but what really still makes me want to continue is to continue to release great music that still needs to be heard. Especially now!'

Having begun her music career as a teenage clerk at the Bomp Records store on Magnolia Blvd in North Hollywood— concurrently fan club president for L.A.'s The Dickies and publisher of Biff!Bang!Pow! fanzine— Lisa learned the ropes on how to jumpstart an indie label from the best possible mentors a person could have, Greg and Suzy Shaw at Bomp Records. While her first success came from releasing soon-to-be classic punk titles by new bands, Fancher gradually delved into the world of reissuing out-of-print catalog as well, including Born Innocent from Redd Kross, two legendary slabs of punk vinyl from The Weirdos: Weird World Vol. 1 & 2,Dangerhouse Vols 1 & 2 featuring crucial 45s by X, The Avengers, Weirdos, Black Randy, et al.), the Adolescents' Complete Demos 1980 – 1996 and The Middle Class' compilation Out of Vogue.

In late 2010, Frontier will re-release the digitally remastered Christian Death classic Only Theater of Pain with Rozz Williams' original artwork as well as Dangerhouse's Yes L.A. compilation and other nuggets soon to be announced. Additionally, Frontier has always been a vinyl-oriented label, which considers the limited edition colored vinyl LP their calling card – so expect more colored wax reissues in the coming months.

A 30th anniversary event honoring Frontier Records is in the works and will be announced shortly.

ABOUT FRONTIER RECORDS
Frontier Records was founded in Los Angeles, CA. 1980 by Lisa Fancherand is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Frontier was one of the first independent labels to document the nascent L.A. and O.C. hard-core punk rock scene before branching out into other scenes and sounds such as the so-called "Paisley Underground" and (always) guitar-based bands along with genres such as goth, alternative country, pop and more. Bands releasing records on Frontier include: Circle Jerks, Adolescents, The Weirdos, TSOL, China White, Redd Kross, Thin White Rope, Heatmiser, Young Fresh Fellows, Christian Death, Dharma Bums, American Music Club, The Long Ryders, The Three O'Clock, The Pontiac Brothers

SOURCE: http://top40-charts.com

This Date In Music History - July 22

Birthdays:

George Clinton - Parliament, Funkadelic (1941)

Keith Sweat (1941)

Bobby Sherman (1943)



Ric Davis - Supertramp (1944)

Don Henley - Eagles (1947)

Mick Pointer - Marillion (1956)

Emily Saliers - Indigo Girls (1963)

William Calhoun - Living Colour (1964)

Pat Badger - Extreme (1967)

Chris Helme - Seahorses (1971)

Daniel Jones - Savage Garden (1973)

Rufus Wainwright (1973)


They Are Missed:

In 2004, French singer and guitarist Sacha Distel died after a long battle with deteriorating health. As a professional jazz guitarist he worked alongside Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett.

Singer, songwriter and producer Arthur Crier died of heart failure in 2004. Member of The Chimes and had worked with Little Eva, Gene Pitney, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Ben E. King, Johnny Nash and The Coasters.

Founder member and singer with The Chi-lites, Eugene Record died of cancer in 2005. Had the 1972 US #1 single "Oh Girl." He also released three solo albums.



Born on this day in 1944, Estelle Bennett, The Ronettes. Died at her home in Englewood, NJ on Feb 11, 2009 (age 67).


History:

Buddy Holly cuts "That’ll Be The Day" in Nashville in 1956. The track was credited to Buddy Holly & The Three-Tunes (his backing band before the Crickets). The song was re-recorded before becoming a hit.

The Beatles' first U.S. album, "Introducing The Beatles," was released in 1963. By the way, the LP is the most counterfeited album in the world, see web page that explains all the mystery here: http://www.eskimo.com/~bpentium/beatles/intro/intro.html

In 1965, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman from The Rolling Stones were each fined £5 at East Ham Magistrates Court, London after being found guilty of insulting behaviour at a Romford Road service station. The three had all urinated against a wall.

Quicksilver Messenger Service and Big Brother & the Holding Co. appeared at the Convention Hall, San Diego, California in 1967.

Vanilla Fudge made its concert debut in New York in 1967.

The Doors perform/lip-synch "Light My Fire" and "Crystal Ship" on American Bandstand in 1967.

The Byrds' "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album was released in 1968.

In 1969, Aretha Franklin was arrested (disturbing the peace ) for causing a disturbance in a Detroit parking lot.

In 1971, John and Yoko spent the second day filming the ‘Imagine’ promotional film at their home in Tittenhurst Park Ascot, England. Today's footage included the morning walk on the grounds though the mist and John Lennon singing "Imagine" in the white room on his white piano.



"If You Really Love Me" by Stevie Wonder was released in 1971.

Just nineteen days after lead singer Jim Morrison’s untimely departure (death), the Doors were awarded a gold record for their “L.A. Woman" album in 1971.

Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested in Sweden for possession of drugs in 1972.

The Who's "Join Together" was released in 1972.



In 1977, Stiff Records released 'My Aim Is True' the debut album from Elvis Costello in the UK.

In 1979, Little Richard, now known as the Reverend Richard Pennman told his congregation about the evils of rock & roll music, declaring 'If God can save an old homosexual like me, he can save anybody.'

Former actress Martika started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "Toy Soldiers."

The soundtrack album 'Batman' by Prince started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1989.

In 1996, Donovan was forced to postpone a comeback tour of the US because of a 30-year-old marijuana conviction in the UK. American authorities delayed granting him a waiver to enter the country.



Also in 1996, the parents of a teen-age murder victim sued the band Slayer contending that the band's lyrics were "satanic" and inspired 3 teen-age boys to rape, torture and stab the girl to death. Yeah, it was the music ?.....

Simple Minds closed their official fan club in 1999 due to dwindling membership. Pretty smart.

In 2000, Oasis appeared at London's Wembley Stadium, the gig was broadcast live around the world on TV. I still don't see what all the fuss was about.......

The soundtrack to the Bob Dylan movie "Masked And Anonymous" was released in 2003. It contained new Dylan material and an eclectic collection of performers covering Dylan songs.

In 2004, Peter Frampton sued Billabong clothing company for using "baby I love your waves" as a marketing slogan. Frampton claims it is "an obvious reference" to his hit song "Baby, I Love Your Way." No kidding.

The Kerry/Edwards ticket faced another onslaught from the left in 2004 when David Crosby and Graham Nash announce they are running to be co-presidents. Regardless of the fact the Nash, born in England, can`t be president, vice president or even co-president, the pair have an interesting agenda which includes: the cleaning out of Area 51 "to address the illegal alien issue," free money and a night in the Lincoln bedroom to donors who can pay $200 grand for the privilege. I like the idea of free money.....

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford participated in the 2005 Carlisle Summer Bike Fest. A customized motorcycle featuring images of Aerosmith members also made an appearance. The three day event took place in Carlisle, PA (of course).

In 2005, research by a car insurance company showed that listening to the wrong sort of music when driving can lead to aggression and distraction. Dr Nicola Dibben a music psychologist said “singing while driving stimulates the mind.” Songs recommended included Pulp’s "Disco 2000" and "Hey Ya" by Outcast, but the Dr said songs like The Prodigy’s "Firestarter" should be avoided.

Kinks frontman Ray Davies played Austin in 2006. The concert was taped for an episode of PBS' Austin City Limits.

Johnny Cash was at #1 on the US album chart in 2006 with ‘American V: A Hundred Highways.’ Released posthumously on July 4, the vocal parts were recorded before Cash's death, but the instruments were not recorded until 2005.

In 2007, Ja Rule and Lil Wayne were arrested after a concert in Manhattan on charges of carrying illegal firearms. The rappers were arrested separately, Rule was stopped for speeding when a weapon was discovered in his car and officers who arrested Wayne for smoking marijuana also found a pistol in his car.

Remastered versions of U2's first three albums, ‘80's "Boy," ‘81's "October" and ‘83's "War" are in stores in 2008. The reissues are available in single-CD, vinyl and two-disc editions, with the double-CD sets featuring various B-sides, outtakes and performance tracks.

"Live In Santa Monica '72," a David Bowie concert album previously available only as a bootleg gets its official US release in 2008. "You can hear that we are all pretty high on ourselves," says Bowie. "We train wreck a couple of things . . . but overall I really treasure this bootleg."

The soundtrack to Led Zeppelin’s ‘76 concert film, 'The Song Remains The Same,' was released in a vinyl box set featuring audiophile-quality in 2008. The package includes updated sleeve notes and six extra tracks.

And lastly, there's another soundtrack in 2008. This one is from the Neil Young-directed Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tour documentary, CSNY: Déjà Vu. "It's got rough spots all the way through it, which I think is refreshing," says Young. Acting as the project’s promo guy Young claims that it’s the "best album the quartet has ever made."