Music News & Notes

WARBEAST: Final 'Krush The Enemy' Artwork Unveiled

WARBEAST (formerly TEXAS METAL ALLIANCE), the band which features RIGOR MORTIS vocalist Bruce Corbitt, GAMMACIDE guitarists Rick Perry and Scott Shelby, GAMMACIDE/DEVILFIST bassist Alan Bovee and DEMONSEED drummer Joe Gonzalez, is set to release their debut album, "Krush The Enemy," on April 27 via Philip Anselmo's (DOWN, PANTERA) Housecore Records. The record features ten tracks covering a wide range of metal terrain aimed squarely at the neck-snapping headbanger in the front row.

Not only does Anselmo run the label that WARBEAST's debut album is being he released on, he produced the record as well. Corbitt had the following to say about signing to Housecore Records and working with Philip on the production of the album:

"WARBEAST is proud to be signed with Housecore Records. I like the fact that their expectations are high for what they want out of a band. They also have a way of creating this family vibe between the band and the label while making it obvious that they believe in us. That is all the motivation we need to want to kick some ass for their label at all times.

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Trina Looks 'Amazin' in Cover Art of Her New Album

The female rapper looks stunning as she stares at the camera with droopy eyes in the 'Amazin' artwork. As her release date for the new album "Amazin" inches closer, Trina revealed the cover art for her May 4 release. In this artwork, the female rapper is photographed lying down and starring at the camera with droopy eyes.

Trina recently debuted a music video for a single called "Million Dollar Girl" which has cameos from her featured guests P. Diddy and Keri Hilson. The song is produced by Mario Winans and C.P. Hollywood, while the clip is directed by Gil Green.

Beside P. Diddy and Keri Hilson, other big stars lined up for the forthcoming album include Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, Lady GaGa, Monica, Rico Love and Kalenna of Dirty Money. The album is preceded with the release of a mixtape called "The Definition of a Million Dollar Girl".



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Christina Aguilera Pictured as Half Cyborg in 'Bionic' Cover Art

Christina Aguilera has released an official picture to be featured on the front page of her upcoming studio album "Bionic." While the previous photo for "Not Myself Tonight" artwork has the singer with devil's horns and tail, Christina Aguilera now appears as a human-machine hybrid for 'Bionic' cover art.

Christina's fourth effort, "Bionic" is scheduled to be released in the US on June 8. The lead single "Not Myself Tonight" was produced by Polow da Don and described as a "fiercely energetic anthem." The track will be debuted on March 30 at 6 P.M. EDT, receives radio airplay on April 5 and will be available on iTunes on April 13.







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Courtney Love’s Hole Unveil ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ Tracklisting and Cover Art

Hole have unveiled the album artwork and track list for their upcoming album "Nobody’s Daughter." It is set for release via Mercury/Island Records on April 11th, and is the band’s follow-up to 1998’s "Celebrity Skin." ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ was recorded in Hollywood and New York over a five year period with production from Michael Beinhorn and Micko Larkin.

The ‘Nobody’s Daughter’ tracklisting is as follows:

1. Nobody’s Daughter
2. Skinny Little Bitch
3. Honey
4. Pacific Coast Highway
5. Samantha
6. Someone Else’s Bed
7. For Once in Your Life
8. Letter to God
9. Loser Dust
10. How Dirty Girls Get Clean
11. Never Go Hungry

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The Dead Weather Announce Tracklisting and Release Date For ‘Sea of Cowards’

The Dead Weather have announced that "Sea of Cowards," the follow-up to 2009’s "Horehound," will be released on May 11th. According to the band’s official website, first single “Die By the Drop” will hit digital music services on March 30th. A 7” inch version of “Die,” backed by Cowards closing track “Old Mary” will be available to pre-order through White’s Third Man Records starting March 30th.

Sea of Cowards Tracklisting:
1. “Blue Blood Blues”
2. “Hustle And Cuss”
3. “The Difference Between Us”
4. “I’m Mad”
5. “Die By The Drop”
6. “I Can’t Hear You”
7. “Gasoline”
8. “No Horse”
9. “Looking At The Invisible Man”
10. “Jawbreaker”
11. “Old Mary”

The Dead Weather Tour Dates:

Apr. 14, 15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Apr. 17 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Apr. 18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl Concert Theater
Apr. 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
Apr. 22 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
Apr. 23 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Capital Federal Park
Apr. 24 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Apr. 26 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Apr. 27 – Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Soundstage
Apr. 28 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
Apr. 30 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ
May 1 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
May 2 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
June 12 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Festival


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Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr’s Debut Solo Album Set For Release

LOSTBOY!, the new solo project by Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, will release his debut album in the UK on 16th May through earMUSIC. The self-titled record has been produced by Kerr’s Simple Minds cohort Jez Coad and features bassist Charlie Jones, who has worked with Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant and Goldfrapp amongst others, as well as long-time Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor.

Described as a ‘noisy and juvenile explosion’, the project was initiated by Kerr’s desire to create something fresh after years with Simple Minds: “I had a yearning to create something brand new,” he said. “Something that involved going back to the very beginning, something without past glories to depend on.”

However, the new direction does not signal an end to Simple Minds:

“Lostboy! AKA can and will move into the future in parallel with the continuing story of Simple Minds,” says Kerr, who also confirmed he will take the record out on the road. “Lostboy! AKA was born to play live, likewise the music is screaming to be heard in a live context.”

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Jimi Hendrix Rock Band Edition Confirmed

It's being reported that a deal has been made for Jimi Hendrix’s music to become the latest edition of the hugely successful ‘Rock Band‘ series. As a deal with Harmonix, MTV Games and Experience Hendrix, Jimi’s entire back catalogue will be made available as downloadable content, beginning with the his second album, ‘Axis: Bold As Love‘, and single ‘Valleys Of Neptune‘ on March 30th.

Commenting on the deal, Janie Hendrix, Jimi’s stepsister and CEO of Experience Hendrix, said: “Much like Jimi’s music, we feel that Rock Band represents an amazing, innovative medium for music discovery and interaction that can have a profound affect on those who experience it. We are extremely pleased to be able to have Jimi Hendrix’s genius musical legacy continue to live on and touch people the world over through Rock Band.”





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AT WAR: 'Infidel' To Receive Limited-Edition Vinyl, Cassette Release

On March 30, "Infidel" — the first album in 20 years from reunited Virginia thrash metal legends AT WAR — will be released as a limited edition of 500 vinyl LPs in a gatefold jacket and an extremely limited edition of 100 cassette tapes.

AT WAR has launched a brand new web site which features a library of streaming audio and video content as well as an archive of photos and show flyers spanning the band's 27-year history.

"Make Your Move", the new video from reunited AT WAR, can be viewed below. The song comes off "Infidel", which was released in August 2009 via Heavy Artillery Records. The CD's stunning cover artwork comes courtesy of legendary illustrator and photographer Claudio Bergamin.




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HELMET To Release 'Seeing Eye Dog' In June

Heavy-rockers HELMET have set "Seeing Eye Dog" as the title of its new album, which is due on June 22 via Work Song, the label imprint shared by singer/songwriter Joe Henry and HELMET mainman Page Hamilton's manager.

Regarding the musical direction of the new CD, Hamilton tells AOL's Noisecreep, "It's a cool album. I'm really into it. It's really good. The mastering guy was freaking out. That makes you feel good. You have to take some time to step back from it. I'm the singer, songwriter, guitar player, producer. I do all the backing vocals and all the extra instruments. It's just about putting everything into it and making it great. You can't really worry about what people are going to say ... a lot of people have a musical agenda or a stylistic agenda. 'I like emo.' Well, we're not emo. 'OK fine.' We're not metal. We're not hardcore. It's just HELMET."

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ROBERT PLANT And BAND OF JOY Planning New Tour, Album

LED ZEPPELIN frontman Robert Plant has resurrected his pre-ZEPPELIN band BAND OF JOY for a new album and tour. The group, features a diverse group of musicians — Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals; including co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals and they will embark on a 12-city North American tour in July, to be followed by further dates in the fall.

The album is set for release late summer/early fall on Rounder.

Kicking off in Memphis on July 13 (see full tour schedule below) the tour will feature Plant and the BAND OF JOY — the same musicians who also appear and play on the album.

Says Plant: "It's been a blast working on these new songs…and I'm enjoying such creativity and vitality. It's been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove."

Robert Plant and the BAND OF JOY tour dates:

July 13 - Memphis, TN - The Orpheum Theater
July 15 - Little Rock, AR - Robinson Center Music Hall
July 16 - Tulsa, OK - Brady Theater
July 18 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Casino Amphitheater
July 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
July 21 - Tucson, AZ - Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
July 23 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Hall
July 24 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
July 26 - Austin, TX - Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
July 28 - Mobile, AL - The Saenger Theatre
July 30 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
July 31 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Park Amphitheater

Michael Fremer Album Review

Fuck Buttons (new release)
Tarot Sport


ATPR Records LP35 2 180g LPs


Produced by: Andrew Weatherall
Engineered by: Steve Boardman
Mixed by: Steve Boardman
Mastered by: Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service

 Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-03-01

Icy cold vistas, shards of broken electronic glass, relentless thumping disco beats and possible mysteriously encrypted bits of dialogue may not sound like something that would be particularly inviting on a full range audio system, but somehow Fuck Buttons makes it so on this album of artificial mayhem and just plain noise.

The more you listen, the more your brain can begin to unravel the sonic components that produce these enticing synthesized soundscapes. On the other hand you might just want to do a popper and relive the ‘70s, depending upon your experiences and predilections because this oddly modern yet retro music can sound like either outer space or a drugged out disco inferno.

The “tunes” aren’t so much composed as they are programmed over steady beats. The duo blends deep, ring modulator like feedback-drenched squiggles with high pitched squeals set to simple, shifting three chord triads to produce a wide band treat for some ears and just plain shit-noise for others.

Clearly Fuck Buttons’ studio creations will not please every musical taste and Brian Eno they are not, nor obviously do they aspire to be, but in my musical world, this kind of cold, abrasion acts as a pleasing audio palette cleanser.

Aside from being oddly therapeutic and sounding really good (not at all harsh and bright) and producing a wide and deep artificial soundstage, some of the thrash-noise engraved in the grooves of this well pressed double 180g vinyl set just might act as a good system demagnetizer.

That’s a possible added benefit as you listen while fingering the cool, smooth orange (fuck?) buttons embossed on the album jacket. Can’t do that with a download, nor would it sound as good as this. If you’ve got bass, Tarot Sport will exercise your woofers. Speaking which, judging by the picture on the inner gatefold, these two young guys are already sporting big studio midriff tires. Some Pilates guys...


Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/  for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.

Copyright © 2008 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved Reprinted by permission

This Date In Music History-March 26

Birthdays:

Diana Ross - Supremes (1944)

Fred Paris - Five Satins (1946)

Richard Tandy - Electric Light Orchestra (1948)

Steven Tyler - Aerosmith (1948)



Fran Sheehan - Boston (1949)

James Jonas Iha - Smashing Pumpkins (1968)

Kenny Chesney (1968)

Juvenile (1975)


They Are Missed:

One-man blues band Duster Bennett was killed in a car accident in 1976. Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac and B.B. King.

Jon Paulus (Buckinghams) died of a drug overdose in 1980 (age 32).

Born today in 1953, William Lyall, keyboards, Pilot. Also worked with Sheena Easton and The Bay City Rollers. Lyall died in 1989.

Rapper producer, and record executive Eazy-E (Eric Lynn Wright) died of AIDS in Los Angeles in 1995 (age 31). Formed Ruthless Records, worked with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.

Randy Castillo drummer with the Ozzy Osbourne band died of cancer in 2002 (age 51). Worked with Osbourne during the 1980s and early 1990s. Also worked with Lita Ford and Motley Crue

In 2004, Jan Berry of Jan and Dean, died at the age of 62, after being in poor health sustained in a 1966 car crash. Had the 1963 US #1 single "Surf City" (co written by Beach Boy Brian Wilson).

In 2005, Australian drummer Paul Hester died (age 46), after he "attempted suicide" and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne. He had been a member of Crowded House, Split Enz and Largest Living Things.

Born on this day in 1950, Teddy Pendergrass, soul singer. One time member of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. Died on Jan 13, 2010 at the age of 59 following a difficult recovery from colon cancer surgery.


History:

Ricky Nelson recorded his first tunes-- "I'm Walkin'" and "A Teenager's Romance" in 1957.

In 1961, the Beatles performed at the Casbah Coffee Club, West Derby, Liverpool, their last performance before traveling to Hamburg, West Germany, for their second visit.

The photograph for the "butcher" cover for the Beatles' American "Yesterday And Today" album was taken in 1966.



In 1970, Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary pleaded guilty to 'taking immoral liberties' with a 14 year old girl in Washington D.C. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months in jail. Just days earlier, the trio had won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children for their album, 'Peter, Paul and Mommy.'





Mott The Hoople announce they were finished in 1972. David Bowie, a major fan, offered a song to keep them recording. They choose “All The Young Dudes” which becomes their biggest hit.




The film "Tommy" premiered in London in 1975.

Hall and Oates started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1977 with "Rich Girl," the duo's first US #1 hit.

The first single by Elvis Costello, "Less Than Zero" was released in 1977.

The Police became the first Western pop group to play in Bombay, India for over ten years when they played a one off gig in the city in 1980.

In 1985, radio stations in South Africa banned all of Stevie Wonders records after he dedicated the Oscar he had won the night before at The Academy Awards to Nelson Mandela.

Guns N' Roses were signed to Geffen Records in 1986.

Michael Jackson started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Man In The Mirror."

Soundgarden entered the US album chart at #1 in 1994 with 'Superunknown.'

In 2000, Phil Collins won an Oscar at the Academy Awards for Best Original Song with "You'll Be In My Heart" from the Disney animated feature 'Tarzan.'

The toy figure of Eminem was facing a ban from UK shops in 2001. Woolworth's and Hamleys were refusing to stock the dolls. Psychologists warned parents who buy the dolls for children will be inadvertently giving their approval to bad language.

In 2006, readers of Total Guitar magazine voted the guitar solo by Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway To Heaven" as the greatest guitar solo of all time. The 1971 track was voted ahead of tracks by Van Halen, Queen, Jimi Hendrix and The Eagles by its UK readers.



Also in 2006, U2's The Edge donated his favourite guitar a 1975 Gibson Les Paul to a charity he co-founded to replace instruments lost or destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit the US.

Digital downloads of all of Elton John's albums were available for purchase exclusively (for a little over a month) by iTunes in 2007. The releases include nearly 400 tracks from John's four-decade career.

In 2008, a new promotion was launched promising a free can of Dr Pepper to nearly everybody in America if Guns N' Roses release their long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" album in ‘08. "It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients," says Pepper marketing director Jaxie Alt. "So we completely understand and empathize with (frontman) Axl (Rose's) quest for perfection." 2008

Also in 2008, the Los Angeles Times apologised for claiming rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was involved in a 1994 shooting of hip-hop star Tupac Shakur. The LA Times, which published the original story on its website, initially said its claims were based on FBI records, witness accounts and other unnamed sources. The apology followed a claim that the newspaper was conned by a prisoner who doctored the documents used.

Johnny Maestro (1939 - 2010)

Thanks to www.vintagevinylnews.com for this indepth look at the remarkable career and voice of Johnny Maestro

Johnny Maestro, the Brooklyn-born singer who had success with both the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge, passed away in Florida on Wednesday from cancer and a possible heart attack. He was 70.

Maestro was born John Mastrangelo in 1939 and, at the age of 17, joined the fledgling doo wop group the Crests under the stage name of Johnny Mastro. The group recorded their first single, Sweetest One, for the Joyce label, scoring a regional hit in 1957 and reaching number 86 nationally. The next year, they moved to the Coed label where their single Sixteen Candles flew to number 2 on the pop and number 4 on the R&B charts.

The Crests continued having hits for the next two years, making them one of the most successful of the integrated doo wop groups. While never equaling the success of Sixteen Candles, they did place eight more songs on the charts including four that reached the top 40 (Six Nights a Week (1959/#28 Pop/#17 R&B), The Angels Listened In (1959/#22 Pop/#14 R&B), Step by Step (1960/#14 Pop), Trouble in Paradise (1960/#20 Pop).

Maestro left the group in late-1960 to attempt a solo career, scoring with Model Girl (1961/#20 Pop) and the minor hits What a Surprise (1961/#33 Pop) and Mr. Happiness (1961/#57 Pop).

For the next seven years, Maestro recorded for a series of labels (Apt, Cameo-Parkway, Sceptre, United Artists), at times with different Crests lineups, but had no chart success. It wasn't until 1967 that he was invited to join the group the Del-Satins who had been around New York for a decade recording their own songs and backing Dion after he left the Belmonts. At first, Maestro turned them down but eventually relented.

In 1968, the Del-Satins joined forces with another group called the Rhythm Method. They changed their name to the Brooklyn Bridge and signed with Buddah Records. Like the Buckinghams before them and artists like Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago after, the group combined smooth vocals with a rhythm and horn section. They covered a song originally recorded by the Fifth Dimension as their first single and went straight to number 3 with The Worst That Could Happen.

Like the Crests, they peaked early and spent the rest of their recording career much lower on the charts, reaching the top 50 with the double sided hit Blessed is the Rain/Welcome Me Love (1969/#45 & #48 (each side of the record charted separately at the time)) and Your Husband-My Wife (1969/#46).

Even after the hits stopped coming, the group continued to perform and record with various changes in the lineup, shrinking as low as five members and expanding back to eight when turing demanded it. Their last album, Today, Volume 2, was released in March of 2009.

Maestro is in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame twice, with the Crests (inducted in 2004) and the Brooklyn Bridge (2005). The Brooklyn Bridge are also in the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.




SOURCE: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/