great story from california about a decades old vinyl haven and the people trying to keep it that way:
Norwalk Records still vibrant after 54 years of music
by Christian Brown, Staff Writer
NORWALK – Richard Snead was a freshman in high school when he went to work for Auction City Records.
"It was always busy, it was great," said Snead. "All there was was vinyl. We sold Top 40 stuff, whatever was on the radio. Frankie Avalon, Elvis, Jimmy Dean."
Snead worked at the music store from 1958 until 1965 when he was drafted into the army, but little did he know he would return one day and expand the humble music store into one of the premier music retailers in Los Angeles County.
Founded by Arthur and Lillian Walker in 1958, Auction City Records, now known as Norwalk Records, started on the southwest corner of Studebaker Road and Firestone Boulevard.
Once a skilled electrician in Los Angeles, Arthur Walker was inevitably influenced by the nearby record industry and desired to open his own music store.
Read more at The Downey Patriot
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Iron Maiden Announce 2012 Tour with Alice Cooper, Coheed and Cambria
Anne Erickson
They’re back! Iron Maiden are invading the U.S. with their latest blockbuster tour, billed the “Maiden England World Tour,” and the British metal vets are bringing Alice Cooper and Coheed and Cambria with them.
The men of Maiden – vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bass player Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers – step foot in the U.S. in Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 21 and finish up their tour in Houston, Texas, on August 18. Alice Cooper performs with Iron Maiden from June 21 through July 21, and Coheed and Cambria picks up after July 21. Find a complete list of North American tour dates at the end of the story.
The “Maiden England World Tour” will resemble – in terms of production and content – the original 1988 concert video of the same moniker, shot during the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour.”
“We have great fun playing the History of Maiden Tours because it gives us an opportunity between new albums to go out and play songs from our earlier catalogue,” singer Bruce Dickinson said
Read more and get the tour dates at Gibson
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Beach Boys 2012 US Tour Dates
The Beach Boys 50th anniversary tour brings back together Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks for the first time in more than two decades. The first leg of shows will hit over 40-plus cities with some already adding second shows due to fast sellouts.
04/24 – Tucson, AZ – Anselmo Valencia Ampitheater
04/26 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre
04/27 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz Fest
04/29 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Ampitheater
05/02 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Ampitheater
05/04 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
05/05 – Tampa, FL – David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
05/08 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater
05/09 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater
05/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Bendum Center for the Performing Arts
05/12 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
05/13 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
05/15 – White Plains, NY – Westchester County Center
05/17 - Bethlehem, PA – Sands Bethlehem Events Center
05/19 – Atlanta City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino
05/21 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
05/27 – Las Vegas, NV – Red Rock Casino
06/01 – Berkley, CA – Greek Theatre
06/02 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
06/08 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
06/10 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music Festival
06/13 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
06/15 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
06/16 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
06/17 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
06/19 – Toronto, ON – Molson Ampitheatre
06/20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
06/22 – Bangor, ME – Waterfront Park
06/23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
06/26 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
06/29 – Darien Lakes, NY – DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/01 – Milwaukee, WI – Markus Ampitheater (Summerfest)
07/03 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live
07/10 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Ampitheatre
07/13 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
07/14 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Ampitheater
07/15 – Stateline, NV – Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Ampitheater
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Boston Announces 2012 Tour Dates
Classic rocker's Boston are returning to the road this summer. Frontman Tom Scholz joked in his announcement to fans, this latest run of dates comes just in time for the end of the world!
“Just 10 months till the end … at least till the end of the Mayan calendar, anyway,” quipped Scholz. “I wonder, did they mean to prophesize the end of the world, or was the December 21st planetary alignment just a convenient place to stop chiseling stone tablets on a really long calendar project? Some people think it is the same thing, so why take a chance? If I was making a bucket list, it would definitely include going out one more time to play some Boston shows — before time runs out!”
Boston 2012 Tour Dates:
06/28 — Hollywood, Fla.
06/29 – Clearwater, Fla.
06/30 — Valdosta, Ga.
07/1 — St. Augustine, Fla.
07/3 — Orlando, Fla.
07/26 — Rama, ON
07/27 — Belleville, ON
07/28 — London, ON
07/29 — Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
08/1 — Columbus, Ohio
08/7 — Sturgis, S.D.
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TRIXTER: New Album Track Listing, Release Date Announced
Frontiers Records has announced the return of good-time rock 'n' rollers TRIXTER; the band's first new album in 20 years, "New Audio Machine", will be released in North America on April 24.
Featuring TRIXTER's original lineup, "New Audio Machine" was produced and engineered by Chuck Alzakian (ELTON JOHN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, TESLA) and includes songwriting contributions by SKID ROW's Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan and STYX's Glen Burtnik.
Get more information at our friends at Blabbermouth
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE BODIES OBTAINED - NEW ALBUM –– WHO KNOWS WHO’S RIGHT –– OUT NOW
LISTEN & DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE
“Life After Life”
“A unique world that isn’t for everyone, though a star gate for any fan of Eno, Throbbing Gristle, morbid fantasies, and the hours long after the sun goes down. Lay down your psychic noise” - ParasitesandSycophants.com
“Like Vangelis Papathanassiou’s Blade Runner score and Tangerine Dream albums, TBO is a listening experience not unlike traveling through an alien landscape: strange and at times incredible” - Popwreckoning.com
The Bodies Obtained return with their fourth album, Who Knows Who’s Right, out now on NY independent label Finding You Attractive. Listen and download the new single “Life After Life”, a track that destroys what you thought was possible in the realm of experimental electronica. Like what you hear? Please download the free album by visiting The Bodies Obtained on SoundCloud or Bandcamp.
The elements of the first three long-players are all there: More songs constructed around plaintive tones, more not exactly “pop”, more head-scratching while shuffling your feet, more inner turmoil, more darkwave-tinted shadows and bizarre obscure places to run from, and more music for broken robots and love songs for masochists.
Who Knows Who’s Right is timeless yet contemporary, melding the best parts of experimental rock, electronica, prog and Krautrock.
The Bodies Obtained are a duo based in Detroit, Michigan.
To stream, download, and post Who Knows Who’s Right visit:
Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/the-bodies-obtained
Bandcamp:
thebodiesobtained.bandcamp.com
Who Knows Who’s Right Tracklisting:
Life After Life
What Did She Say About Me
Find Another Way
Better Than Me
So Many Ifs Ands & Buts
From A To Z
If Not Today
Rolling Down Your Leg
Don’t Feel You Feeling Me
Not Sure I Trust Your Smile
www.thebodiesobtained.com / www.myspace.com/thebodiesobtained
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NEW SINGLE “FILL US WITH FIRE” OUT MARCH 13, 2012
WATCH THE NEW KALEIDOSCOPE VIDEO FOR “FILL US WITH FIRE” NOW!
TOMORROW’S WORLD BRAND NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
(CD, SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE CD & DOWNLOAD)
Pop pioneers Erasure release a new single, “Fill Us With Fire” on March 13th 2012, taken from the latest album, Tomorrow’s World, out now.
“Fill Us With Fire” is an euphoric declaration of love and comes backed with a new track “Shot To The Heart”, produced by Vince Clarke at The Cabin at the end of the album sessions and available here for the first time, plus remixes from Gareth Jones, JRMX (Katy Perry, The Saturdays) and Liam Keegan (Madonna, Rihanna). In addition, Timothy Wiles aka Überzone / Q who mixed VCMG’s Ssss, the forthcoming Vince Clarke and Martin L Gore album, has remixed “A Whole Lotta Love Gone Riot” and DJ Yiannis has remixed “Be With You”. Check out the full tracklisting below.
Erasure release a new Video for “Fill Us With Fire” today, the kaleidoscope Video was filmed during the band's 2011 tour in support of their Frankmusik produced Tomorrow's World album, which was released in October 2011.
Tomorrow’s World, produced by Frankmusik (Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys, Ellie Goulding), sees synthetic melodies and electronic beats as dominant as ever. It’s the sound of Erasure rebooted, rejuvenated and fully recharged. Timeless and universal, they never look back. Such is the essence of great pop: a glorious celebration of right here, right now.
Tomorrow’s World was written in New York, London, and at Vince Clarke’s cabin studio in Maine following a short break for Erasure, which saw Andy Bell recording and releasing his second solo album Non Stop, and Vince Clarke reuniting with former Yazoo partner Alison Moyet for a recent tour. Tomorrow’s World was recorded in Maine, London and Los Angeles, with Vince using his vintage collection of analog synths for the final touch. The end result is a collection of electronic songs that sound totally contemporary and classic at the same time. All songs are written by Bell and Clarke.
From Lady Gaga to Metronomy, the futurist, electronic sound Erasure championed is more relevant today than ever and once again re-charging the global music scene. The award-winning duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell unleashed on the nation a succession of both influential and chart-topping pop anthems. Songs like “A Little Respect”, “Sometimes”, “Victim Of Love”, “Ship Of Fools”, “Chains Of Love”, “The Circus”, and “Breathe,” ensured a formidable presence on the singles charts complemented by five consecutive No 1 albums including “The Innocents”, “Wild!”, “Chorus” and the beginning of the worldwide Abba revival “Abba-esque”.
Erasure also release a limited edition Abbey Road Live album of their 2011 Roundhouse performance. Hear a sampler over HERE including new single, “Fill Us With Fire” plus live favourites “Blue Savannah” and “Chorus”.
FILL US WITH FIRE TRACKLISTING
Fill Us With Fire - Single Mix
Shot To The Heart
Fill Us With Fire - 'Fired Up' Mix by Gareth Jones
Whole Lotta Love (Wayne G & Andy Allder Atlantis Anthem)
Fill Us With Fire - JRMX Club
Whole Lotta Love - Q Remix
Fill Us With Fire (Liam Keegan Remix)
Be With You - Yiannis Unruly Mix
“Fill Us With Fire” Video:
youtube.com/watch
www.erasureinfo.com
www.facebook.com/erasureinfo
www.twitter.com/muteusa
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THE LAKE EFFECT REINCARNATES THE MUSIC CAREERS OF CANADIAN PUNK ROCK LEGENDS WITH FRESH INDIE-FOLK-ROCK SOUND
DEBUT EP “EXPECT DELAYS” TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 13
PREMIERE ETHEREAL TRIP-FOLK SINGLE “FALLEN FROM SKY” NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD
OTTAWA, CANADA, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 – The Lake Effect is a music collective comprised of some of the most prominent artists established during the wildly mad yet glorious punk scene in Ottawa, NYC, Dublin and UK in the late 1970’s. Fast forward to 2012, and core members of The Lake Effect and respected industry veterans Phil Hogarth and Dave Bignell have rejuvenated their passion for music as well as reinvented their sound and image to create a fervent band that emotes sonic landscapes of loss and longing, redemption and love. The Lake Effect will be releasing their inaugural EP on March 13, followed by the release of their long awaited debut full-length album due for Summer 2012 release. The Lake Effect proves that musical prowess has no expiration date, as their forthcoming EP release presents a fresh collection of indie pop-rock tracks that lightly treads on psychedelic folk.
Bringing together some of the most celebrated veterans of the Canadian music scene, The Lake Effect sings transcendent tales that are pain stakenly candid and unfeigned. With songs that were built on decades of empathetic real-life experiences and revelations, The Lake Effect has revealed themselves as a sound comparable to The Acorn and Bob Pollard …yet their incredible story of dedication to their craft puts them in the realm with fellow artists Ray Lemontagne and Leonard Cohen, whom have also been there and back a few times.
The story of The Lake Effect is basically a story of commitment, and the roots of the band’s core members, Dave Bignell and Phil Hogarth, stretch way back into the glorious murky madness of the late 70’s punk scene in Ottawa, New York, Dublin and the UK.
Bignell’s first band, the infamous Red Squares, released one of Canada’s first DIY singles in late 77, were quickly named as a ‘pick to click’ by British DJ John Peel, and subsequently went on to share the stage with the likes of Ultravox, John Cale, and XTC. The Red Squares’ dedicated fans were legion, and rare copies of the band’s seminal Transmitter single are still trading for hundreds of dollars on record collector sites and eBay.
Around the same time the Red Squares were dissolving in 1980, The Lake Effect’s lead singer Phil Hogarth was recording his first EP with Bugs Harvey Oswald at U2’s Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland. Returning to Canada in ’82, Hogarth released a follow-up disc and spent a number of years playing high profile stages in NYC and elsewhere with like-minded bands the Fall, Bauhaus, 10,000 Maniacs, and the Ramones.
Since the 80’s, Bignell and Hogarth have dedicated themselves to many interesting art and music projects in Canada and internationally, but they have always remained committed to the same personal, political and poetical goals that inspired them in the first place. They may be older now, and much water has passed beneath the proverbial bridge, but that is clearly a good thing. Stripped of all pretension, they have finally come together, cracked the shell and found the glistening pearl within.
The Lake Effect’s songs are unique in their strength and beauty, and the band’s live performances are quickly earning them a host of enthusiastic new fans. Refreshingly relaxed, candid and chill, The Lake Effect rules the stage with an easy humor and professional grace that reflects their extensive experience as major players on Canada’s national scene. They’re smart, they’re soulful and they’re sexy, and that is what the best music is really all about. Dreams may fade and empires fall, but the beautiful songs of Lake Effect fly sky high above them all.
The Lake Effect’s highly anticipated premiere EP will be released on March 13, 2012.
"Expect Delays" Track Listing:
1) Fallen From The Sky
2) Mind
3) Camera
4) HotHouse
For more information & music streams from The Lake Effect, please visit:
download.themusebox.net/the_lake_effect
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Tomahawk Reissuing All Of Their Albums on Vinyl For Record Store Day Release
Tomahawk will be releasing all three of their albums on vinyl on April 21st, just in time for Record Store Day. The three albums will be part of a vinyl set titled “Eponymous to Anonymous,” and the set will also have a spot for the group’s upcoming fourth album.
Led by Duane Denison, Tomahawk is made up of Mike Patton, John Stanier, and Trevor Dunn. The alternative rock super-group has worked together on three albums, Tomahawk, Mit Gas, and Anonymous. The band was formed in 2000 when the musicians had all left previous bands, including Mr. Bungle, The Jesus Lizard, and Helmet.
The band is honoring Record Store Day, which was officially started in 2007 to celebrate the art of music.
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love this album cover art!
Revel In Flesh Cover Art For New Release
Revel In Flesh's new album 'Deathevokation' will be released on March 23rd via FDA Rekotz. Featuring members and former members of Immortal Rites (R.I.P), Dawn Of Dreams and Apophis, Germany's Revel In Flesh formed in 2011 to pay tribute to the impure way of classic 90s European style old school death metal. The album was mastered by Dan Swano.
Tracklist:
Culpa Et Inferna
Shadowbreeder- Until Hell Freezes Over
Wings of Death
Iron Coffin
Bloodfeast
Slavish Obedience
Opus Putrescence
Black Paled Elegy
Crowned In Darkness
Subconscious Error
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The Dandy Warhols' New Album Due in April
The band will issue their eighth studio album,‘This Machine‘ on April 24th. The LP was recorded in the band’s multi-functional studio The Odditorium during the course of 2011 with their long-term producer Jeremy Sherrer. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor has described the new albums as "stripped down, woody and extremely guitar centric." The record has been mixed by Tchad Blake. ‘This Machine’s artwork was designed by the Portland, Oregon painter Hickory Mertsching.Tracklist:
1. Sad Vacation
2. The Autumn Carnival
3. Enjoy Yourself
4. Alternative Power To The People
5. Well They’re Gone
6. Rest Your Head
7. 16 Tons
8. I Am Free
9. SETI vs Wow! Signal
10. Don’t Shoot She Cried
11. Slide
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album cover art for the day:
CRYSTAL VIPER: New Album Track Listing, Cover Artwork Unveiled
Polish female-fronted traditional heavy metal act CRYSTAL VIPER will release its new album, "Crimen Excepa", in Europe on April 27 and in the U.S. on April 24 via AFM Records. The concept effort about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction is mixed with historical facts, was produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR) and recorded with sound engineer Mariusz Pietka (MORTICIAN, LONEWOLF).
"Crimen Excepta" will feature two special guests: David Bower, vocalist of HELL will appear in the title track, while VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek will be heard in the cover version of the classic VADER song "Tyrani Piekiel", which will be available as the bonus track on the first, limited edition of the album.
Read more and get the tracklist at Blabbermouth
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Slash Reveals Album Art and Title of New Release
Slash recently announced that his next album will be called ‘Apocalyptic Love.’ The top-hatted one has once again joined forces with producer Eric Valentine for the May 22 release.
“I’m a band guy,” Slash told Rolling Stone of his decision to record ‘Apocalyptic Love’ with a full band. “I still have my name on the marquee and everything, but I’m just not a dictator, I don’t want to rule anything. I like to hear what other people’s ideas are and so on and so forth.”
Slash is reported to appear with the original members of Guns N’ Roses for their April 14 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
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The 50 Sexiest Album Covers Ever!!
They certainly will raise a few eyebrows...
With the crazy success of Adele's album '21' (the most simple and non-sexual album cover out there) it got us thiking..does sex really sell?
We at Gigwise thought that we would search through the bowels of time to bring you the 50 dirtiest and sexiest album covers of all time (okay there are a couple of singles too).
Every trick in the book is used here - from blatant nudity to the simple power of suggestion.
In our list below, you'll find artwork from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Katy Perry and Red Hot Chili Peppers - it seems no artist is averse to posing provocatively, or at least putting some more of sexuality into their album covers.
See the slide show and read more at Gigwise
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Rainbow Picture Disc Out On Record Store Day
On April 21st, Niji Entertainment Group will help celebrate Record Store Day by reissuing "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" as a numbered/limited edition picture disc, which features the album's classic cover art on the front of the disc, and a crowd shot (originally featured in the gatefold of the original album) on the back. The effort was remastered under the supervision of long time Dio engineer, Wyn Davis.
Dean Schachtel, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Niji Entertainment Group, says, "I feel very confident that this will be one of the more popular Record Store Day items, as only 2,500 deluxe picture discs were made, and each LP is individually numbered. And to top it all off, this is the very first picture disc from Rainbow."The last Dio-related picture disc to be released on Record Store Day ('Killing the Dragon') sold out its 2,500 pressing in less than a week. So act quick to secure your copy of this one-of-a-kind Rainbow/Dio release!
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Trophy Scars Vinyl Release
The pride and joy of New Jersey, Trophy Scars, are scheduled to reissue their pivotal album 'Alphabet. Alphabets.' on vinyl. According to an interview with theNJunderground.com, they will also celebrate the release by playing the album in its entirety at Maxwell's on March 10th & 11th.
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CYMBALS EP Coming In April
CYMBALS are set to release their new EP 'Sideways, Sometimes' via Tough Love on the April 23rd.
Following the elusive release of their album 'Unlearn' - which was released on limited hand-screen printed vinyl - there's been a lot of interest generated around the four-piece.
'Sideways, Sometimes' was mixed and produced by James Yuill, D/R/U/G/S and Rory Brattwell, and gets released in April.
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don't know anything about the band, but i like their name......
Weekly Chatter: Carolina Chocolate Drops make smooth transition to new lineup
By Alan Sculley/Special to the Caller-Times
CORPUS CHRISTI — The edition of the Carolina Chocolate Drops that is on tour behind its new CD "Leaving Eden" (out on Feb. 28) is notably different from the group fans had seen.
Fiddle player Justin Robinson left the Grammy-winning group (which also includes guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/singer Dom Fleming and singer/multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens) last year and was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins. In addition, touring beatboxer Adam Matta has been replaced by cellist Leyla McCalla.
Read more at caller.com
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our friends over at vintagevinylnews.com have this news:
Mike Bloomfield, Furry Lewis, Allen Toussaint Among Blues Hall of Fame Inductees
The Blues Hall of Fame has announced the performers, non-performing individuals, recordings and books to be inducted in 2012.
The class is led by such noted artists as Allen Toussaint, Furry Lewis, Lazy Lester and Mike Bloomfield while non-performers include Doc Pomus and DJ Pervis Spann. Recording are also being inducted by Magic Sam, Tampa Red, Pine Top Smith, Buddy Guy and the Robert Cray Band.
Inductees are chosen by the Blues Hall of Fame committee which includes scholars, record producers, radio programmers and historians and is chaired by Jim O'Neill, the founding editor of Living Blues magazine. The induction will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at the Memphis Marriott Downtown, the night before the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards.
See the list of inductees at vintagevinylnews.com
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and in an expanded edition of music history for february 17th:
Born on this day in 1905, Orville ‘Hoppy’ Jones, bassist, singer and cello player with the Ink Spots, who had a 1955 UK #10 single with "Melody Of Love." He died October 18, 1944.
Born on this day in 1922, Tommy Edwards, singer who had the 1958 US & UK #1 single with "Its All In The Game"). The song was written by US Vice President Charles Dawes. Edwards died on October 22, 1968, aged 47.
circa 1967
Born on this day in 1941, Gene Pitney, singer, who had the 1962 US #4 single "Only Love Can Break A Heart." Also had over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits. Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel on 5th April 2006. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness.
In 1955, at the recommendation of R&B artist Lloyd Price, Richard Penniman, who is currently leading an ensemble called Little Richard and The Upsetters, sends a demo tape to Specialty Records founder Art Rupe. After some initial reluctance, Rupe will sign Penniman to a contract that will pay the singer a half cent for every record sold.
In 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Believe What You Say" and "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It." They became the "A" and "B" sides of the fifth single to earn him a Gold Record.
In 1960, after achieving more than 15 million in sales with Cadence Records, The Everly Brothers sign a ten year, $1 million contract with Warner Brothers records, where they will enjoy eight more US Top 40 hits over the next seven years.
Also in 1960, Elvis Presley receives his first Gold record for the album 'Elvis.'
In 1962, Gene Chandler had the top tune on the Billboard Pop chart with "The Duke Of Earl", the first of his six US chart hits.
In 1964, Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass appear in their first major concert in Los Angeles. Over the next three years they will become one of the most successful instrumental acts in history, achieving twelve Billboard Top 40 hits.
In 1966, the Beach Boys begin recording sessions for Brian Wilson's masterpiece, "Good Vibrations," a song he had written with the group's Mike Love. Brian spent six months working on the tracks, recording in seventeen different sessions in four Los Angeles studios, using 13 additional musicians (besides the Beach Boys themselves), at a cost of more than $50,000. The recording engineer later said that the last take sounded exactly like the first one, made six months earlier. Although the record would top charts around the world and sell millions of copies, it would be the Beach Boys' last to reach the Billboard Top 10 for ten years.
Also in 1966, in Sheffield, Alabama, Percy Sledge recorded "When A Man Loves A Woman." Before the recording session, the song had no title or lyrics. The session proceeded, the instrumental track was laid down, with the expectation that Sledge would eventually reveal the lyric sheet for the vocal takes. But when it came time to record the vocals, Sledge improvised the lyrics with minimal pre-planning using the melody as a guide for rhythm and phrasing. The performance was so convincing that everyone working on the session assumed he had the lyrics written down.
In 1966, 25-year-old Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler receives two Gold records for the single "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and the album of the same name.
In 1966, Nancy Sinatra was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "These Boots Are Made For Walking," Frank's eldest daughters first #1 hit.
In 1967, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" at Abbey Road studios, London. John's lyrics for the song came almost entirely from an antique poster advertising a circus performance scheduled to take place in Rochdale, Lancashire, in February 1843. John had purchased the poster in Sevenoaks on January 31 while The Beatles were on location for the filming of the 'Strawberry Fields Forever' promotional film. The track was completed on March 31. It was one of three songs from the "Sgt. Pepper" album banned from airplay on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the horse" combined two words that were individually known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied the connection.
In 1968, Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring singer Janis Joplin, played the Anderson Theatre in New York City, their first East Coast concert.
In 1969, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan had a recording session in Nashville, TN. "Girl from the North Country" was the only duet released from the session. The track appeared on Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline' album.
In 1970, Joni Mitchell announced her retirement from live performances. She returned to the stage within a year.
In 1971, James Taylor made his TV debut on The Johnny Cash Show. Other guests included Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Tony Joe White.
In 1972, Pink Floyd premiered some material that was scheduled to appear on the 'Dark Side of the Moon' album, including the song "Eclipse", at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Eventually, the playing of live versions of songs yet to be released would have to be stopped, as bootleg copies of their material started to appear before the studio releases.
Also in 1972, Los Angeles radio station KDAY played two new Rolling Stones tracks non-stop for a day after obtaining stolen tapes from a producer's home.
In 1973, War started a two-week run at #1 on the Billboard album chart with "The World Is A Ghetto".
In 1973, the rock ensemble Free, who reached #2 in the UK and #4 in the US in 1970 with "All Right Now", play their final show at Florida's Hollywood Sportatorium. Vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke will move on to form Bad Company.
In 1975, AC/DC released their debut album 'High Voltage.' The album featured a cover of 'Baby, Please Don't Go' a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams and 'She's Got Balls' which was written about singer Bon Scott's ex-wife Irene - the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics. Prior to the release of the international version of High Voltage, AC/DC had already released their debut album under the same name High Voltage a year before in Australia only, which had a different track listing. The international release only included two tracks from the original release, with the rest of its songs being pulled from AC/DC's second album T.N.T..
In 1976, the Eagles released their legendary 'Greatest Hits' LP. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) comprises nine best-selling singles released between 1972 and 1975, as well as "Desperado", which had never been previously released as an A-side. All single tracks but "Tequila Sunrise" charted in the top 40, with five in the top ten, and "One of These Nights" and "Best of My Love" both topping the singles chart. With such airplay success in the span of a little over four years, the band became a formidable presence on American commercial radio in the 1970s, and Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart upon its release.
On February 24, 1976, the album achieved the distinction of being the first to receive the RIAA Platinum award, in recognition of one million shipments in the United States. On November 10, 1999, it became the all-time best-selling album in the United States when it was certified 26× Multi Platinum. It was certified at 29× Multi Platinum on 30 January 2006, and has sold over 42 million copies worldwide to date.
In 1976, Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical society gives its annual Women of the Year award to Bette Midler. Upon accepting, Bette says: "This award characterizes what the American male wants in a woman...brains, talent and gorgeous tits."
In 1979, the Clash opened its first U.S. tour in New York City, opening with a mainstay of their live act called "I'm So Bored With The USA".
In 1979, Blondie scored their first UK #1 album when 'Parallel Lines' started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles "Heart Of Glass," "Hanging On The Telephone" and "Sunday Girl."
In 1982, jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk died after a stroke at 64.
In 1988, a 12-year old fan of Motley Crue set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the band's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body.
In 1989, R.E.M. Hoodoo Gurus and The Go-Betweens all appeared at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia.
In 1990, Aerosmith appeared on "Saturday Night Live". The performed the Wayne's World theme song while appearing in the skit as themselves.
In 1996, a Platinum American Express card once belonging to Bruce Springsteen was sold for $4,500 (£2,650) at a New York memorabilia sale. The singer had given the expired card to a waiter in a LA restaurant by mistake and let them keep it as a souvenir.
In 1998, Destiny Child's self-title debut album was released.
In 2000, John Lennon's Steinway piano, on which he composed 'Imagine', went on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, England. The piano was set to be auctioned on the Internet later in the year and was expected to fetch more than £1 million ($1.7 million).
In 2004, the Recording Industry Association of America filed 531 "John Doe" lawsuits against suspected users of peer-to-peer file-sharing services. Once a John Doe suit has been approved by a judge, the record-label plaintiffs can subpoena the information necessary to identify the defendant by name.
In 2004, winners at this years Brit awards included, Daniel Bedingfield who won Best British male, Dido won Best British Female, The Darkness won Best British group, Best Rock group and Best British album with 'Permission To Land', Busted won British Breakthrough act and Duran Duran won Outstanding Contribution to Music.
In 2005, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar belonging to Jimi Hendrix sold for £100,000 at an auction in London. Other Hendrix items sold included a poem written two weeks after his appearance at the Monterey Festival which went for £10,000 and the first Jimi Hendrix Experience's single 'Hey Joe', signed by all the band sold for £2,000.
In 2006, singer/songwriter/guitarist ("Hair," "Indian Lake,"The Rain The Park & Other Things") Bill Cowsill, lead vocalist of the Cowsills, died at the age of 58 from complications of emphysema, Cushing's syndrome and osteoporosis.
In 2008, Little Richard got a standing ovation from a crowd of 2,400 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville without playing a single note. The 75 year old Rock 'n Roll pioneer was seated at the rear of the auditorium during a concert by The Temptations and The Four Tops when he was introduced by The Temp's Otis Williams.
birthdays today include (among others): Buck Trent (inventor electric banjo) (74), Rick Medlocke (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd) (62), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) (40) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) (40)
Norwalk Records still vibrant after 54 years of music
by Christian Brown, Staff Writer
NORWALK – Richard Snead was a freshman in high school when he went to work for Auction City Records.
"It was always busy, it was great," said Snead. "All there was was vinyl. We sold Top 40 stuff, whatever was on the radio. Frankie Avalon, Elvis, Jimmy Dean."
Snead worked at the music store from 1958 until 1965 when he was drafted into the army, but little did he know he would return one day and expand the humble music store into one of the premier music retailers in Los Angeles County.
Founded by Arthur and Lillian Walker in 1958, Auction City Records, now known as Norwalk Records, started on the southwest corner of Studebaker Road and Firestone Boulevard.
Once a skilled electrician in Los Angeles, Arthur Walker was inevitably influenced by the nearby record industry and desired to open his own music store.
Read more at The Downey Patriot
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Iron Maiden Announce 2012 Tour with Alice Cooper, Coheed and Cambria
Anne Erickson
They’re back! Iron Maiden are invading the U.S. with their latest blockbuster tour, billed the “Maiden England World Tour,” and the British metal vets are bringing Alice Cooper and Coheed and Cambria with The men of Maiden – vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bass player Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers – step foot in the U.S. in Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 21 and finish up their tour in Houston, Texas, on August 18. Alice Cooper performs with Iron Maiden from June 21 through July 21, and Coheed and Cambria picks up after July 21. Find a complete list of North American tour dates at the end of the story.
The “Maiden England World Tour” will resemble – in terms of production and content – the original 1988 concert video of the same moniker, shot during the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour.”
“We have great fun playing the History of Maiden Tours because it gives us an opportunity between new albums to go out and play songs from our earlier catalogue,” singer Bruce Dickinson said
Read more and get the tour dates at Gibson
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Beach Boys 2012 US Tour Dates
The Beach Boys 50th anniversary tour brings back together Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks for the first time in more than two decades. The first leg of shows will hit over 40-plus cities with some already adding second shows due to fast sellouts.
04/24 – Tucson, AZ – Anselmo Valencia Ampitheater
04/26 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre
04/27 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz Fest
04/29 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Ampitheater
05/02 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Ampitheater
05/04 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
05/05 – Tampa, FL – David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
05/08 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater
05/09 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater
05/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Bendum Center for the Performing Arts
05/12 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
05/13 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
05/15 – White Plains, NY – Westchester County Center
05/17 - Bethlehem, PA – Sands Bethlehem Events Center
05/19 – Atlanta City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino
05/21 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
05/27 – Las Vegas, NV – Red Rock Casino
06/01 – Berkley, CA – Greek Theatre
06/02 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
06/08 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
06/10 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music Festival
06/13 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
06/15 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
06/16 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
06/17 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
06/19 – Toronto, ON – Molson Ampitheatre
06/20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
06/22 – Bangor, ME – Waterfront Park
06/23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
06/26 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
06/29 – Darien Lakes, NY – DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/01 – Milwaukee, WI – Markus Ampitheater (Summerfest)
07/03 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live
07/10 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Ampitheatre
07/13 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
07/14 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Ampitheater
07/15 – Stateline, NV – Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Ampitheater
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Boston Announces 2012 Tour Dates
Classic rocker's Boston are returning to the road this summer. Frontman Tom Scholz joked in his announcement to fans, this latest run of dates comes just in time for the end of the world!
“Just 10 months till the end … at least till the end of the Mayan calendar, anyway,” quipped Scholz. “I wonder, did they mean to prophesize the end of the world, or was the December 21st planetary alignment just a convenient place to stop chiseling stone tablets on a really long calendar project? Some people think it is the same thing, so why take a chance? If I was making a bucket list, it would definitely include going out one more time to play some Boston shows — before time runs out!”
Boston 2012 Tour Dates:
06/28 — Hollywood, Fla.
06/29 – Clearwater, Fla.
06/30 — Valdosta, Ga.
07/1 — St. Augustine, Fla.
07/3 — Orlando, Fla.
07/26 — Rama, ON
07/27 — Belleville, ON
07/28 — London, ON
07/29 — Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
08/1 — Columbus, Ohio
08/7 — Sturgis, S.D.
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TRIXTER: New Album Track Listing, Release Date Announced
Frontiers Records has announced the return of good-time rock 'n' rollers TRIXTER; the band's first new album in 20 years, "New Audio Machine", will be released in North America on April 24.
Featuring TRIXTER's original lineup, "New Audio Machine" was produced and engineered by Chuck Alzakian (ELTON JOHN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, TESLA) and includes songwriting contributions by SKID ROW's Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan and STYX's Glen Burtnik.
Get more information at our friends at Blabbermouth
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE BODIES OBTAINED - NEW ALBUM –– WHO KNOWS WHO’S RIGHT –– OUT NOW
LISTEN & DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE “Life After Life”
“A unique world that isn’t for everyone, though a star gate for any fan of Eno, Throbbing Gristle, morbid fantasies, and the hours long after the sun goes down. Lay down your psychic noise” - ParasitesandSycophants.com
“Like Vangelis Papathanassiou’s Blade Runner score and Tangerine Dream albums, TBO is a listening experience not unlike traveling through an alien landscape: strange and at times incredible” - Popwreckoning.com
The Bodies Obtained return with their fourth album, Who Knows Who’s Right, out now on NY independent label Finding You Attractive. Listen and download the new single “Life After Life”, a track that destroys what you thought was possible in the realm of experimental electronica. Like what you hear? Please download the free album by visiting The Bodies Obtained on SoundCloud or Bandcamp.
The elements of the first three long-players are all there: More songs constructed around plaintive tones, more not exactly “pop”, more head-scratching while shuffling your feet, more inner turmoil, more darkwave-tinted shadows and bizarre obscure places to run from, and more music for broken robots and love songs for masochists.
Who Knows Who’s Right is timeless yet contemporary, melding the best parts of experimental rock, electronica, prog and Krautrock.
The Bodies Obtained are a duo based in Detroit, Michigan.
To stream, download, and post Who Knows Who’s Right visit:
Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/the-bodies-obtained
Bandcamp:
thebodiesobtained.bandcamp.com
Who Knows Who’s Right Tracklisting:
Life After Life
What Did She Say About Me
Find Another Way
Better Than Me
So Many Ifs Ands & Buts
From A To Z
If Not Today
Rolling Down Your Leg
Don’t Feel You Feeling Me
Not Sure I Trust Your Smile
www.thebodiesobtained.com / www.myspace.com/thebodiesobtained
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WATCH THE NEW KALEIDOSCOPE VIDEO FOR “FILL US WITH FIRE” NOW!
TOMORROW’S WORLD BRAND NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
(CD, SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE CD & DOWNLOAD)
Pop pioneers Erasure release a new single, “Fill Us With Fire” on March 13th 2012, taken from the latest album, Tomorrow’s World, out now. “Fill Us With Fire” is an euphoric declaration of love and comes backed with a new track “Shot To The Heart”, produced by Vince Clarke at The Cabin at the end of the album sessions and available here for the first time, plus remixes from Gareth Jones, JRMX (Katy Perry, The Saturdays) and Liam Keegan (Madonna, Rihanna). In addition, Timothy Wiles aka Überzone / Q who mixed VCMG’s Ssss, the forthcoming Vince Clarke and Martin L Gore album, has remixed “A Whole Lotta Love Gone Riot” and DJ Yiannis has remixed “Be With You”. Check out the full tracklisting below.
Erasure release a new Video for “Fill Us With Fire” today, the kaleidoscope Video was filmed during the band's 2011 tour in support of their Frankmusik produced Tomorrow's World album, which was released in October 2011.
Tomorrow’s World, produced by Frankmusik (Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys, Ellie Goulding), sees synthetic melodies and electronic beats as dominant as ever. It’s the sound of Erasure rebooted, rejuvenated and fully recharged. Timeless and universal, they never look back. Such is the essence of great pop: a glorious celebration of right here, right now.
Tomorrow’s World was written in New York, London, and at Vince Clarke’s cabin studio in Maine following a short break for Erasure, which saw Andy Bell recording and releasing his second solo album Non Stop, and Vince Clarke reuniting with former Yazoo partner Alison Moyet for a recent tour. Tomorrow’s World was recorded in Maine, London and Los Angeles, with Vince using his vintage collection of analog synths for the final touch. The end result is a collection of electronic songs that sound totally contemporary and classic at the same time. All songs are written by Bell and Clarke.
From Lady Gaga to Metronomy, the futurist, electronic sound Erasure championed is more relevant today than ever and once again re-charging the global music scene. The award-winning duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell unleashed on the nation a succession of both influential and chart-topping pop anthems. Songs like “A Little Respect”, “Sometimes”, “Victim Of Love”, “Ship Of Fools”, “Chains Of Love”, “The Circus”, and “Breathe,” ensured a formidable presence on the singles charts complemented by five consecutive No 1 albums including “The Innocents”, “Wild!”, “Chorus” and the beginning of the worldwide Abba revival “Abba-esque”.
Erasure also release a limited edition Abbey Road Live album of their 2011 Roundhouse performance. Hear a sampler over HERE including new single, “Fill Us With Fire” plus live favourites “Blue Savannah” and “Chorus”.
FILL US WITH FIRE TRACKLISTING
Fill Us With Fire - Single Mix
Shot To The Heart
Fill Us With Fire - 'Fired Up' Mix by Gareth Jones
Whole Lotta Love (Wayne G & Andy Allder Atlantis Anthem)
Fill Us With Fire - JRMX Club
Whole Lotta Love - Q Remix
Fill Us With Fire (Liam Keegan Remix)
Be With You - Yiannis Unruly Mix
“Fill Us With Fire” Video:
youtube.com/watch
www.erasureinfo.com
www.facebook.com/erasureinfo
www.twitter.com/muteusa
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THE LAKE EFFECT REINCARNATES THE MUSIC CAREERS OF CANADIAN PUNK ROCK LEGENDS WITH FRESH INDIE-FOLK-ROCK SOUND
DEBUT EP “EXPECT DELAYS” TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 13
PREMIERE ETHEREAL TRIP-FOLK SINGLE “FALLEN FROM SKY” NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD
Bringing together some of the most celebrated veterans of the Canadian music scene, The Lake Effect sings transcendent tales that are pain stakenly candid and unfeigned. With songs that were built on decades of empathetic real-life experiences and revelations, The Lake Effect has revealed themselves as a sound comparable to The Acorn and Bob Pollard …yet their incredible story of dedication to their craft puts them in the realm with fellow artists Ray Lemontagne and Leonard Cohen, whom have also been there and back a few times.
The story of The Lake Effect is basically a story of commitment, and the roots of the band’s core members, Dave Bignell and Phil Hogarth, stretch way back into the glorious murky madness of the late 70’s punk scene in Ottawa, New York, Dublin and the UK.
Bignell’s first band, the infamous Red Squares, released one of Canada’s first DIY singles in late 77, were quickly named as a ‘pick to click’ by British DJ John Peel, and subsequently went on to share the stage with the likes of Ultravox, John Cale, and XTC. The Red Squares’ dedicated fans were legion, and rare copies of the band’s seminal Transmitter single are still trading for hundreds of dollars on record collector sites and eBay.
Around the same time the Red Squares were dissolving in 1980, The Lake Effect’s lead singer Phil Hogarth was recording his first EP with Bugs Harvey Oswald at U2’s Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland. Returning to Canada in ’82, Hogarth released a follow-up disc and spent a number of years playing high profile stages in NYC and elsewhere with like-minded bands the Fall, Bauhaus, 10,000 Maniacs, and the Ramones.
Since the 80’s, Bignell and Hogarth have dedicated themselves to many interesting art and music projects in Canada and internationally, but they have always remained committed to the same personal, political and poetical goals that inspired them in the first place. They may be older now, and much water has passed beneath the proverbial bridge, but that is clearly a good thing. Stripped of all pretension, they have finally come together, cracked the shell and found the glistening pearl within.
The Lake Effect’s songs are unique in their strength and beauty, and the band’s live performances are quickly earning them a host of enthusiastic new fans. Refreshingly relaxed, candid and chill, The Lake Effect rules the stage with an easy humor and professional grace that reflects their extensive experience as major players on Canada’s national scene. They’re smart, they’re soulful and they’re sexy, and that is what the best music is really all about. Dreams may fade and empires fall, but the beautiful songs of Lake Effect fly sky high above them all.
The Lake Effect’s highly anticipated premiere EP will be released on March 13, 2012.
"Expect Delays" Track Listing:
1) Fallen From The Sky
2) Mind
3) Camera
4) HotHouse
For more information & music streams from The Lake Effect, please visit:
download.themusebox.net/the_lake_effect
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Tomahawk Reissuing All Of Their Albums on Vinyl For Record Store Day Release
Tomahawk will be releasing all three of their albums on vinyl on April 21st, just in time for Record Store Day. The three albums will be part of a vinyl set titled “Eponymous to Anonymous,” and the set will also have a spot for the group’s upcoming fourth album.
Led by Duane Denison, Tomahawk is made up of Mike Patton, John Stanier, and Trevor Dunn. The alternative rock super-group has worked together on three albums, Tomahawk, Mit Gas, and Anonymous. The band was formed in 2000 when the musicians had all left previous bands, including Mr. Bungle, The Jesus Lizard, and Helmet.
The band is honoring Record Store Day, which was officially started in 2007 to celebrate the art of music.
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love this album cover art!
Revel In Flesh Cover Art For New Release
Revel In Flesh's new album 'Deathevokation' will be released on March 23rd via FDA Rekotz. Featuring members and former members of Immortal Rites (R.I.P), Dawn Of Dreams and Apophis, Germany's Revel In Flesh formed in 2011 to pay tribute to the impure way of classic 90s European style old school death metal. The album was mastered by Dan Swano. Tracklist:
Culpa Et Inferna
Shadowbreeder- Until Hell Freezes Over
Wings of Death
Iron Coffin
Bloodfeast
Slavish Obedience
Opus Putrescence
Black Paled Elegy
Crowned In Darkness
Subconscious Error
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The Dandy Warhols' New Album Due in April
The band will issue their eighth studio album,‘This Machine‘ on April 24th. The LP was recorded in the band’s multi-functional studio The Odditorium during the course of 2011 with their long-term producer Jeremy Sherrer. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor has described the new albums as "stripped down, woody and extremely guitar centric." The record has been mixed by Tchad Blake. ‘This Machine’s artwork was designed by the Portland, Oregon painter Hickory Mertsching.1. Sad Vacation
2. The Autumn Carnival
3. Enjoy Yourself
4. Alternative Power To The People
5. Well They’re Gone
6. Rest Your Head
7. 16 Tons
8. I Am Free
9. SETI vs Wow! Signal
10. Don’t Shoot She Cried
11. Slide
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album cover art for the day:
CRYSTAL VIPER: New Album Track Listing, Cover Artwork Unveiled
Polish female-fronted traditional heavy metal act CRYSTAL VIPER will release its new album, "Crimen Excepa", in Europe on April 27 and in the U.S. on April 24 via AFM Records. The concept effort about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction is mixed with historical facts, was produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR) and recorded with sound engineer Mariusz Pietka (MORTICIAN, LONEWOLF)."Crimen Excepta" will feature two special guests: David Bower, vocalist of HELL will appear in the title track, while VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek will be heard in the cover version of the classic VADER song "Tyrani Piekiel", which will be available as the bonus track on the first, limited edition of the album.
Read more and get the tracklist at Blabbermouth
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Slash Reveals Album Art and Title of New Release
Slash recently announced that his next album will be called ‘Apocalyptic Love.’ The top-hatted one has once again joined forces with producer Eric Valentine for the May 22 release.“I’m a band guy,” Slash told Rolling Stone of his decision to record ‘Apocalyptic Love’ with a full band. “I still have my name on the marquee and everything, but I’m just not a dictator, I don’t want to rule anything. I like to hear what other people’s ideas are and so on and so forth.”
Slash is reported to appear with the original members of Guns N’ Roses for their April 14 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
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The 50 Sexiest Album Covers Ever!!
They certainly will raise a few eyebrows...
We at Gigwise thought that we would search through the bowels of time to bring you the 50 dirtiest and sexiest album covers of all time (okay there are a couple of singles too).
Every trick in the book is used here - from blatant nudity to the simple power of suggestion.
In our list below, you'll find artwork from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Katy Perry and Red Hot Chili Peppers - it seems no artist is averse to posing provocatively, or at least putting some more of sexuality into their album covers.
See the slide show and read more at Gigwise
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Rainbow Picture Disc Out On Record Store Day
On April 21st, Niji Entertainment Group will help celebrate Record Store Day by reissuing "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" as a numbered/limited edition picture disc, which features the album's classic cover art on the front of the disc, and a crowd shot (originally featured in the gatefold of the original album) on the back. The effort was remastered under the supervision of long time Dio engineer, Wyn Davis.Dean Schachtel, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Niji Entertainment Group, says, "I feel very confident that this will be one of the more popular Record Store Day items, as only 2,500 deluxe picture discs were made, and each LP is individually numbered. And to top it all off, this is the very first picture disc from Rainbow."The last Dio-related picture disc to be released on Record Store Day ('Killing the Dragon') sold out its 2,500 pressing in less than a week. So act quick to secure your copy of this one-of-a-kind Rainbow/Dio release!
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Trophy Scars Vinyl Release
The pride and joy of New Jersey, Trophy Scars, are scheduled to reissue their pivotal album 'Alphabet. Alphabets.' on vinyl. According to an interview with theNJunderground.com, they will also celebrate the release by playing the album in its entirety at Maxwell's on March 10th & 11th.
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CYMBALS EP Coming In April
CYMBALS are set to release their new EP 'Sideways, Sometimes' via Tough Love on the April 23rd.
Following the elusive release of their album 'Unlearn' - which was released on limited hand-screen printed vinyl - there's been a lot of interest generated around the four-piece.
'Sideways, Sometimes' was mixed and produced by James Yuill, D/R/U/G/S and Rory Brattwell, and gets released in April.
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don't know anything about the band, but i like their name......
Weekly Chatter: Carolina Chocolate Drops make smooth transition to new lineup
By Alan Sculley/Special to the Caller-Times
CORPUS CHRISTI — The edition of the Carolina Chocolate Drops that is on tour behind its new CD "Leaving Eden" (out on Feb. 28) is notably different from the group fans had seen.
Fiddle player Justin Robinson left the Grammy-winning group (which also includes guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/singer Dom Fleming and singer/multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens) last year and was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins. In addition, touring beatboxer Adam Matta has been replaced by cellist Leyla McCalla.
Read more at caller.com
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our friends over at vintagevinylnews.com have this news:
Mike Bloomfield, Furry Lewis, Allen Toussaint Among Blues Hall of Fame Inductees
The Blues Hall of Fame has announced the performers, non-performing individuals, recordings and books to be inducted in 2012.
The class is led by such noted artists as Allen Toussaint, Furry Lewis, Lazy Lester and Mike Bloomfield while non-performers include Doc Pomus and DJ Pervis Spann. Recording are also being inducted by Magic Sam, Tampa Red, Pine Top Smith, Buddy Guy and the Robert Cray Band.
Inductees are chosen by the Blues Hall of Fame committee which includes scholars, record producers, radio programmers and historians and is chaired by Jim O'Neill, the founding editor of Living Blues magazine. The induction will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at the Memphis Marriott Downtown, the night before the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards.
See the list of inductees at vintagevinylnews.com
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and in an expanded edition of music history for february 17th:
Born on this day in 1905, Orville ‘Hoppy’ Jones, bassist, singer and cello player with the Ink Spots, who had a 1955 UK #10 single with "Melody Of Love." He died October 18, 1944.
Born on this day in 1922, Tommy Edwards, singer who had the 1958 US & UK #1 single with "Its All In The Game"). The song was written by US Vice President Charles Dawes. Edwards died on October 22, 1968, aged 47.
circa 1967
Born on this day in 1941, Gene Pitney, singer, who had the 1962 US #4 single "Only Love Can Break A Heart." Also had over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits. Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel on 5th April 2006. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness.In 1955, at the recommendation of R&B artist Lloyd Price, Richard Penniman, who is currently leading an ensemble called Little Richard and The Upsetters, sends a demo tape to Specialty Records founder Art Rupe. After some initial reluctance, Rupe will sign Penniman to a contract that will pay the singer a half cent for every record sold.
In 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Believe What You Say" and "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It." They became the "A" and "B" sides of the fifth single to earn him a Gold Record.
In 1960, after achieving more than 15 million in sales with Cadence Records, The Everly Brothers sign a ten year, $1 million contract with Warner Brothers records, where they will enjoy eight more US Top 40 hits over the next seven years.
Also in 1960, Elvis Presley receives his first Gold record for the album 'Elvis.' In 1962, Gene Chandler had the top tune on the Billboard Pop chart with "The Duke Of Earl", the first of his six US chart hits.
In 1964, Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass appear in their first major concert in Los Angeles. Over the next three years they will become one of the most successful instrumental acts in history, achieving twelve Billboard Top 40 hits.
In 1966, the Beach Boys begin recording sessions for Brian Wilson's masterpiece, "Good Vibrations," a song he had written with the group's Mike Love. Brian spent six months working on the tracks, recording in seventeen different sessions in four Los Angeles studios, using 13 additional musicians (besides the Beach Boys themselves), at a cost of more than $50,000. The recording engineer later said that the last take sounded exactly like the first one, made six months earlier. Although the record would top charts around the world and sell millions of copies, it would be the Beach Boys' last to reach the Billboard Top 10 for ten years.
Also in 1966, in Sheffield, Alabama, Percy Sledge recorded "When A Man Loves A Woman." Before the recording session, the song had no title or lyrics. The session proceeded, the instrumental track was laid down, with the expectation that Sledge would eventually reveal the lyric sheet for the vocal takes. But when it came time to record the vocals, Sledge improvised the lyrics with minimal pre-planning using the melody as a guide for rhythm and phrasing. The performance was so convincing that everyone working on the session assumed he had the lyrics written down.
In 1966, 25-year-old Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler receives two Gold records for the single "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and the album of the same name.
In 1966, Nancy Sinatra was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "These Boots Are Made For Walking," Frank's eldest daughters first #1 hit.
In 1967, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" at Abbey Road studios, London. John's lyrics for the song came almost entirely from an antique poster advertising a circus performance scheduled to take place in Rochdale, Lancashire, in February 1843. John had purchased the poster in Sevenoaks on January 31 while The Beatles were on location for the filming of the 'Strawberry Fields Forever' promotional film. The track was completed on March 31. It was one of three songs from the "Sgt. Pepper" album banned from airplay on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the horse" combined two words that were individually known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied the connection.In 1968, Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring singer Janis Joplin, played the Anderson Theatre in New York City, their first East Coast concert.
In 1969, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan had a recording session in Nashville, TN. "Girl from the North Country" was the only duet released from the session. The track appeared on Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline' album.In 1970, Joni Mitchell announced her retirement from live performances. She returned to the stage within a year.
In 1971, James Taylor made his TV debut on The Johnny Cash Show. Other guests included Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Tony Joe White.
In 1972, Pink Floyd premiered some material that was scheduled to appear on the 'Dark Side of the Moon' album, including the song "Eclipse", at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Eventually, the playing of live versions of songs yet to be released would have to be stopped, as bootleg copies of their material started to appear before the studio releases.
Also in 1972, Los Angeles radio station KDAY played two new Rolling Stones tracks non-stop for a day after obtaining stolen tapes from a producer's home.
In 1973, War started a two-week run at #1 on the Billboard album chart with "The World Is A Ghetto".
In 1973, the rock ensemble Free, who reached #2 in the UK and #4 in the US in 1970 with "All Right Now", play their final show at Florida's Hollywood Sportatorium. Vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke will move on to form Bad Company.
In 1975, AC/DC released their debut album 'High Voltage.' The album featured a cover of 'Baby, Please Don't Go' a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams and 'She's Got Balls' which was written about singer Bon Scott's ex-wife Irene - the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics. Prior to the release of the international version of High Voltage, AC/DC had already released their debut album under the same name High Voltage a year before in Australia only, which had a different track listing. The international release only included two tracks from the original release, with the rest of its songs being pulled from AC/DC's second album T.N.T..In 1976, the Eagles released their legendary 'Greatest Hits' LP. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) comprises nine best-selling singles released between 1972 and 1975, as well as "Desperado", which had never been previously released as an A-side. All single tracks but "Tequila Sunrise" charted in the top 40, with five in the top ten, and "One of These Nights" and "Best of My Love" both topping the singles chart. With such airplay success in the span of a little over four years, the band became a formidable presence on American commercial radio in the 1970s, and Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart upon its release.On February 24, 1976, the album achieved the distinction of being the first to receive the RIAA Platinum award, in recognition of one million shipments in the United States. On November 10, 1999, it became the all-time best-selling album in the United States when it was certified 26× Multi Platinum. It was certified at 29× Multi Platinum on 30 January 2006, and has sold over 42 million copies worldwide to date.
In 1976, Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical society gives its annual Women of the Year award to Bette Midler. Upon accepting, Bette says: "This award characterizes what the American male wants in a woman...brains, talent and gorgeous tits."
In 1979, the Clash opened its first U.S. tour in New York City, opening with a mainstay of their live act called "I'm So Bored With The USA".
In 1979, Blondie scored their first UK #1 album when 'Parallel Lines' started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles "Heart Of Glass," "Hanging On The Telephone" and "Sunday Girl."
In 1982, jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk died after a stroke at 64.In 1988, a 12-year old fan of Motley Crue set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the band's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body.
In 1989, R.E.M. Hoodoo Gurus and The Go-Betweens all appeared at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia.
In 1990, Aerosmith appeared on "Saturday Night Live". The performed the Wayne's World theme song while appearing in the skit as themselves.
In 1996, a Platinum American Express card once belonging to Bruce Springsteen was sold for $4,500 (£2,650) at a New York memorabilia sale. The singer had given the expired card to a waiter in a LA restaurant by mistake and let them keep it as a souvenir.
In 1998, Destiny Child's self-title debut album was released.
In 2000, John Lennon's Steinway piano, on which he composed 'Imagine', went on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, England. The piano was set to be auctioned on the Internet later in the year and was expected to fetch more than £1 million ($1.7 million).In 2004, the Recording Industry Association of America filed 531 "John Doe" lawsuits against suspected users of peer-to-peer file-sharing services. Once a John Doe suit has been approved by a judge, the record-label plaintiffs can subpoena the information necessary to identify the defendant by name.
In 2004, winners at this years Brit awards included, Daniel Bedingfield who won Best British male, Dido won Best British Female, The Darkness won Best British group, Best Rock group and Best British album with 'Permission To Land', Busted won British Breakthrough act and Duran Duran won Outstanding Contribution to Music.
In 2005, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar belonging to Jimi Hendrix sold for £100,000 at an auction in London. Other Hendrix items sold included a poem written two weeks after his appearance at the Monterey Festival which went for £10,000 and the first Jimi Hendrix Experience's single 'Hey Joe', signed by all the band sold for £2,000.
In 2006, singer/songwriter/guitarist ("Hair," "Indian Lake,"The Rain The Park & Other Things") Bill Cowsill, lead vocalist of the Cowsills, died at the age of 58 from complications of emphysema, Cushing's syndrome and osteoporosis.
In 2008, Little Richard got a standing ovation from a crowd of 2,400 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville without playing a single note. The 75 year old Rock 'n Roll pioneer was seated at the rear of the auditorium during a concert by The Temptations and The Four Tops when he was introduced by The Temp's Otis Williams.
birthdays today include (among others): Buck Trent (inventor electric banjo) (74), Rick Medlocke (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd) (62), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) (40) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) (40)
