Monday, August 31, 2009

Share your story with Pasadena Museum of History Wednesday

Community Feedback Day
Wednesday, September 2, 12- 5 pm
Pasadena Museum of History,
470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena 91103


Free Admission – Videotaped Interviews – Refreshments

The public is invited to view the exhibition Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy free of charge on Wednesday, September 2, from 12-5 pm, and share your comments with us.

Videographers will be interviewing select visitors to document the exhibition’s impact on individuals. Museum staff, docents, and some members of the featured families will also be on hand to answer questions and obtain community feedback. West San Gabriel Valley residents, business owners/employees, and students of all ages are welcome.

The interviews will be edited into a short film that will serve as a kickoff to a panel discussion moderated by Larry Wilson, Pasadena Star News Public Editor, at the culmination of a free Community Celebration on Sunday, October 11, at the Museum.

The groundbreaking exhibition Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy features the personal, multi-generational chronicles of six longtime Pasadena families. The stories of the Duncan, Gertmenian, Lowe, Stevenson, Kawai, and Mejia families shed light on the experiences of our African-American, Armenian-American, Chinese-American, Euro-American, Japanese-American, and Latino communities, respectively.

Tickets: Free; for more information call 626.577.1660, ext. 10.

www.pasadenahistory.org

Jive Mother Mary release new album

Precious few up-and-coming rockers nowadays seem to have studied the recordings of such vintage hard blues rockers as Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. But Jive Mother Mary is not your average up-and-coming rock band. Hailing from Alamance County, North Carolina, the group - which consists of Mason Keck (guitar and lead vocals), Nathan Coe (bass and vocals), Seth “Fluff” Aldridge (drums) - have just released their full-length debut, ‘All Fall Down.’ Recorded and produced in Raleigh by John Custer (Cry Of Love, COC, Dag) - who first met and recorded the band’s first self titled EP at the end of 2007 - the album is sure to catch the attention of rock fans worldwide, as evidenced by such standout tracks as “Save Me,” “Out of Love,” “Let Me In,” and “All Fall Down” (all of which are available for streaming on the band’s Myspace page).

“I feel the album is different from a lot of others,” explains Keck, “Mainly for the fact that it manages to integrate both new and old sounds, and many of the songs could easily cross from the cliche label of ‘classic rock’ to something new and exciting. Also the many layers that are in the album makes for a fun listen.”

Adds Coe - “The recording experience was great, especially working with John Custer. I feel like the new album is more of the sound we were trying to pursue. It’s still ‘in your face rock-n-roll,’ but with our own little twist to it.”

Jive Mother Mary originally formed when all of its members were only 14 years old. Fast forward three years, and the group (which is still in high school) has played over 150 shows - in addition to giving back to the local community by playing shows for local charities.

So far, 2009 has seen Jive Mother Mary heighten their profile via syndicated radio marketing, regional radio in the Southeast, and tour stops with Easy Rider Magazine in several markets.

Along with their own headline shows, JMM will soon be sharing events with well known artists as they have in the past (David Allen Coe, Leon Russell, Jackyl, Dokken, The Black Crowes, The Wailers).

"We have matured a great bit over the past year,” says Alrdridge. “We can just read each other onstage without even looking. We are so use to each others playing we can just play off of one another and that makes for a really fun live show."

The group has played consistently throughout 2009, and will continue to do so in the coming months - catch this fast-rising band now!

‘ALL FALL DOWN’ TRACK LISTING:
1) Let Me In
2) Bedroom Eyes
3) Out of Love
4) Another New Never
5) Save Me
6) Fever
7) Catalina
8) Holly Roller
9) Move On Home
10) All Fall Down

TOUR DATES
SEPT 5 EASYRIDERS RODEO TOUR 2009 CHILLICOTHE, OH
SEPT 6 EASYRIDERS RODEO TOUR 2009 CHILLICOTHE, OH
SEPT 12 THE OTHER PLACE.W MOTHERS FINEST BURLINGTON, NC
SEPT 19 CLUB OASIS WINSTON SALEM, NC
SEPT 25 SUCK BAND BLOW MURELLS INLET, SC
SEPT 26 DEEP SOUTH BAR RALEIGH, NC
OCT 30 TATOO MUSIC FEST BURLINGTON, NC
NOV 14 STUMBLIN' PIG MEBANE, NC
NOV 28 AFTER HOURS TAVERN HIGH POINT, NC

JIVE MOTHER MARY recently has been endorsed by BOGNER AMPLIFIERS, MARSHALL AMPLIFIERS and DEAN MARKELY guitar strings.

www.myspace.com/jivemothermary

Brother news and shows

BROTHER cross the country this month in a collection of festivals and shows both new and familiar:

Friday September 4, 10pm
On The Waterfront Festival, Centerstage (Rockford, Illinois)
http://onthewaterfront.com/music-festival/

Sunday September 6, 8pm
The Miramar Theater (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
http://www.themiramartheatre.com/home/

Friday, Saturday, Sunday September 11-13
Long's Peak Scottish;Irish Highland Festival (Estes Park, Colorado)
http://scotfest.com/Scottish_Festival/Home.html

Saturday September 19
Irish 200 Music And Arts Festival (Albany, New York)
http://www.irish2000fest.com/choice.asp

Saturday, Sunday September 26, 27
Northern California Renaissance Faire Celtic Rock Concert Series (Casa de Fruta, Hollister California)
http://www.norcalrenfaire.org/concerts.html

New blog from Angus 8/30/9:
BROTHERjournal.blogspot.com

If you know a good festival in your neighborhood you'd like your BROTHER to play,
let us know and we'll do our darndest to get there.

Lang Mae Yer Lum Reek
BROTHER

www.BROTHERmusic.com

The Subjects release new EP and announce tour with Bad Veins

The Subjects Release EP New Soft Shoe / Limited Edition 7"
Announce Co-Headlining US Tour With Bad Veins

Despite their clandestine and controversial beginnings (two band members were teachers and two were students at the same high school), The Subjects have managed to carve a name for themselves that sounds more like "Rushmore" than "School of Rock."

Back in 2002, guitarist Joe Smith and bassist/vocalist Dave Sheinkopf were splitting their time between writing songs and syllabi, while drummer/vocalist Matt Iwanusa and guitarist Jimmy Carbonetti were about to bust out of the same Manhattan school. Since both parties were in desperate need of a full band, they held some rehearsals and once it became clear that the quartet's chemistry was pretty damn combustible, the Subjects were born.

Fast-forward a few years and things get a bit more complicated. The Subjects’ debut is dropped (2007’s With the Ease Grace Precision and Cleverness of Human Beings) and they hit the road, at first on their own and then with the Walkmen a few months later.

“We were always serious about playing music,” says Iwanusa, “but when we started meeting and playing with bands that were making music for a living we got to see how they did it.”

Keeping that career path in mind, the Subjects dove right into the demo stages for New Soft Shoe, firing up minimalist recordings in the style of their first full-length. Once those songs were ready for a proper studio, the band headed over to Key Club Recording Co. a couple hours outside Chicago. By working closely with Key Club’s masterful engineers, William Skibbe and Jessica Ruffins (see also: rock-solid releases from Cass McCombs, The Kills and Fiery Furnaces), the Subjects were able to whip up their wildest ideas, expanding their arsenal with everything from old-fashioned organs to honky-tonk pianos to Matt’s mom on saxophone.

“A lot of the instrumentation on this record came from stuff I learned in school—stuff I never thought I’d use,” says Sheinkopf, citing his training in classical harmony.

The first thing you’ll notice about the final product is the vocals—the way the melody in “Winter Vacation” unfolds like a spare Animal Collective A-Side; the brilliant shuffleboard beats/honeyed harmonies of “Right2Know.” Beyond that, the ep spreads the Subjects’ various strengths across the divergent tastes of four distinct songwriters in just 10 minutes. Well, divergent in terms of pulling cues from several eras and subgenres. All and all, the current state of the Subjects is as cohesive as a dictator-less band gets.

“Most of the arrangements on the first record are within the constraints of a four-piece band,” explains Iwanusa. “Now everyone’s more comfortable trying to sing and play different instruments. We all stepped it up this time.”

US Tour Dates
Sat 9/26 - MPMF Festival - Cincinnati, OH $
Sat 10/3 - Middle East Upstairs - Boston, MA *
Mon 10/5 - Club Cafe - Pittsburgh, PA #
Tue 10/6 - The Bishop - Bloomington, IN #
Wed 10/7 - Lager House - Detroit, MI #
Thu 10/8 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL #
Fri 10/9 - TBA - Lincoln, NE #
Sat 10/10 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO #
Mon 10/12 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT #
Tue 10/13 - Reef - Boise, ID #
Wed 10/14 - High Dive - Seattle, WA #
Thu 10/15 - Rotture - Portland, OR #
Fri 10/16 - Sam Bond's Garage - Eugene, OR #
Sat 10/17 - Luigis - Sacramento, CA #
Mon 10/19 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA #
Tue 10/20 - TBA - Los Angeles, CA #
Wed 10/21 - TBA - Tucson, AZ #
Fri 10/23 - Emo's Jr. - Austin, TX #
Sun 10/25 - Cicero's - St. Louis, MO #
Tue 10/27 - The Cambridge Room @ HOB - Cleveland, OH #
Wed 10/28 - DC Nine - Washington, DC #
Thu 10/29 - Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA #
Sat 10/31 - Santo's Party House - Halloween Party - New York, NY

$ = w/ Chairlift, Micachu and the Shapes, Heartless Bastards
* = w/ The Soft Pack
# = w/ Bad Veins

http://www.myspace.com/thesubjects

Chevelle's new album out today

Multi-platinum Epic Records recording artists Chevelle have just released their fifth album this morning: Sci-Fi Crimes.

The band’s first single from their new album “Jars” is one of their biggest hits ever becoming their seventh Top 5 hit at rock radio. “Jars” is also currently #12 on the modern rock chart and climbing.

Later this week on Thursday September 3rd Chevelle will take part in three events in their hometown of Chicago, IL. Early that afternoon the band will be on hand for an induction ceremony at the Hard Rock Café. Chevelle will be donating an item to the restaurant for display.

Following the conclusion of that event Chevelle will perform two special hometown shows at the Lasalle Power Company. At 4:30pm that day Chevelle will perform a 30-minute set for the first 350 fans who show up and purchase the new album. Later that evening the band will perform a full set for Q101 listeners. Tune into Q101 to find out how to win tickets for that private show.

“There’s nowhere we’d rather be than in our hometown during our release week, remarked lead singer Pete Loeffler. “Our Chicago fans have been a huge part of our success since we started and we’re thrilled to be doing two special shows just for them.”

Chevelle begins a national headlining tour on September 11th with Atlantic Records recording artists Halestorm opening all dates.Sci-Fi Crimes is the follow up 2007’s smash album Vena Sera. The Chicago-based trio spent seven weeks co-producing Sci-Fi Crimes with Brian Virtue (Jane’s Addiction, 30 Seconds to Mars, Deftones) in Nashville, Tennessee.

Formed in 1995, the Chicago-based band has remained a staple in the rock scene with six Top 5 Modern Rock hits under their belt, including the #1 songs “Send the Pain Below” and “Vitamin R (Leading Us Along)” as well as fan favorites, “The Red” and “The Clincher”. The band is made up of Pete Loeffler (vocals, guitars), brother Sam Loeffler (drums), and brother-in-law Dean Bernardini (bass).

CHEVELLE - SCI-FI CRIMES TOUR DATES
Friday, September 11 Nashville, TN Riverfront Park
Saturday, September 12 Huntington, WV Harris Riverfront Park
Sunday, September 13 Flint, MI The Machine Shop
Monday, September 14 Grand Rapids, MI The Orbit Room
Wednesday, September 16 Windsor, ON CANADA / University of Windsor
Friday, September 18 Sayreville, NJ / Starland Ballroom
Saturday, September 19 Baltimore, MD / Bourbon Street Ballroom
Monday, September 21 Norfolk, VA / The Norva
Tuesday, September 22 Knoxville, TN / Valarium
Thursday, September 24 Orlando, FL / House of Blues
Friday, September 25 Charlotte, NC / Amos’ Southend
Sunday, September 27 North Myrtle Beach, SC / House of Blues
Wednesday, September 30 Richmond, VA / The National
Saturday, October 3 Mobile, AL / Bayfest Downtown
Tuesday, October 6 Omaha, NE / Sokol Auditorium
Wednesday, October 7 West Des Moines, IA / Val Air Ballroom

More Dates Will Be Announced Shortly


www.chevelleinc.com
www.MySpace.com/Chevelle

The Black Crowes release new album today

In-stores nationwide today, THE BLACK CROWES release Before The Frost... Until The Freeze on Silver Arrow/Megaforce. The band is also scheduled to be the musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman on September 1, 2009 to celebrate the release and perform selected tracks from the collection.

Before The Frost… features eleven new and previously unreleased Black Crowes songs recorded live over a series of five nights, in front of a fans-only audience, at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. The second album, titled …Until The Freeze, is a free, download only, CD – accessible through a unique download code included in Before The Frost… – and included specifically as a “thank you” to fans for two decades of continued support. The free bonus CD …Until The Freeze is a nine-song collection featuring eight new original Black Crowes songs plus a cover version of the Stephen Stills classic So Many Times.

Before the Frost... and its corresponding free album …Until The Freeze are studio albums of all new material performed and recorded in front of an intimate audience of the band’s fans. Credit for the creative concept of the recording and release of Before the Frost... Until The Freeze belongs to bandleader and founding member, Chris Robinson.Critical acclaim and popular success has seen THE BLACK CROWES sell over 20 million albums worldwide.

As they approach the 20th Anniversary of the release of Shake Your Money Maker -- widely held as one of rock’s most influential records – THE BLACK CROWES are time and again hailed as one of Rock and Roll’s best. The bands’ 2008 studio album, Warpaint debuted at # 5 in Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart, # 2 on the Indie Chart and # 1 on the Internet Chart.

THE BLACK CROWES are:
Chris Robinson (vocals),
Rich Robinson (guitar, vocals),
Steve Gorman (drums),
Sven Pipien (bass),
Adam MacDougall (keyboards)
and Luther Dickinson (guitar).

Before The Frost… (CD Track Listing)
Good Morning Captain
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
Appaloosa
A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
I Ain’t Hiding
Kept My Soul
What Is Home
Houston Don’t Dream About Me
Make Glad
And The Band Played On
Last Place That Love Lives

…Until The Freeze (Free Download Album Track Listing)
Aimless Peacock
Shady Grove
Garden Gate
Greenhorn
Shine Along
Roll Old Jeremiah
Lady Of Avenue A
So Many Times
Fork In The River
Before the Frost

…Until The Freeze was produced by Paul Stacey and will be released through The Black Crowes label, Silver Arrow Records and Megaforce Records.

For more information, go to www.blackcrowes.com.

Carrie Underwood to release new album in November

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner, ACM Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner Carrie Underwood has clearly amassed not only the respect of the industry, but also the adulation of fans who are anxiously awaiting the arrival of her third album, which Carrie has titled Play On.

Releasing November 3, Play On draws its title from the name of a song featured on the new album, but it’s certainly appropriate for the feelings of the countless fans who’ve come to love Carrie’s music over the past four years. Since the release of her debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005, Underwood has amassed sales of more than 10 million albums with Some Hearts and 2007’s Carnival Ride. Along the way, she has consistently broken new ground and earlier this year became the first country artist in history and the only American Idol winner ever to achieve 10 #1 singles from their first two albums.

Carrie is currently continuing work on Play On, once again teamed with producer Mark Bright, who helmed her Carnival Ride collection as well as seven tracks from Some Hearts.

Brooke Waggoner kicks off tour tomorrow

Brooke Waggoner returns on November 3rd with her second full-length album titled Go Easy Little Doves. All twelve songs on the album were not only written and composed by Waggoner, as with her previous releases, but Go Easy Little Doves was entirely self-produced.

With Go Easy Little Doves, Waggoner expands and surrounds her sound with lush orchestration, moving melodies and introspective lyrics. Waggoner’s new album begins with two instrumental songs “Query” and “Ruminate” which beautifully fade into the title track “Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine.” The album plays more like a symphony rather than a standard pop release. Songs such as “Chromates Soft Love” and “Find Her Floods” reveal dynamics that could be suitably described as cinematic.

Waggoner describes the process of writing the material for the album and inspiration by commenting, “This is a collection of music I've wanted to record correctly for a very long time. Some of the songs were written over ten years ago. And some were written the night before I was scheduled to record. The project is full of Q&A, pensiveness, elasticity, and romance. It truly follows my story from beginning to its current state. This is the one I've always dreamt of making.”

Independently released on Swoon Moon Music in September of 2008, Brooke Waggoner’s Heal For The Honey received mass critical acclaim and coverage, including the New York Times’ description of it as “… an eclectic, 10-track album that favors a serene voice quietly singing about the tribulations of love against a backdrop of classical piano crescendos.” Paste Magazine wrote, “In a music world overpopulated with acoustic guitars, warbling voices and tinkling piano keys, Brooke Waggoner and her cache of mesmerizing tunes stand out.”

Brooke Waggoner has a full run of tour dates starting in Chapel Hill, NC on September 1st with Denison Witmer. Following the conclusion of that tour, Waggoner will join Owl City on the road beginning October 8th in Des Moines, Iowa.


Track listing for Go Easy Little Doves
1. Query
2. Ruminate
3. Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine
4. Meek; Wild
5. Chromates Soft Love
6. Femmes
7. Godwin
8. Find Her Floods
9. Body
10. Wish for Bridges
11. Burden of Our Courage
12. Get Too Close


BROOKE WAGGONER 2009 Fall Tour Dates

Sep 1 Local 506 w/ Denison Witmer Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Sep 2 The Boot w/ Denison Witmer Norfolk, Virginia
Sep 3 Tea Bazaar w/ Denison Witmer Charlottesville, Virginia
Sep 4 Iota Club & Cafe w/ Denison Witmer Arlington, Virginia
Sep 5 Kung Fu Necktie w/ Denison Witmer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sep 6 Union Hall w/ Denison Witmer Brooklyn, New York
Sep 8 Mercury Lounge w/ Denison Witmer New York, New York
Sep 9 Cafe 939 w/ Denison Witmer Boston, Massachusetts
Sep 11 Beachland Tavern w/ Denison Witmer Cleveland, Ohio
Sep 12 Garfield Artworks w/ Denison Witmer Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sep 13 The Treehouse w/ Denison Witmer Columbus, Ohio
Sep 14 Southgate House w/ Denison Witmer Newport, Kentucky
Sep 15 Grace College w/ Denison Witmer Winona Lake, Indiana
Sep 16 Vollrath w/ Denison Witmer Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 17 Pygmallon Music w/ Denison Witmer Champaign, Illinois
Sep 18 Forward Music Festival Madison, Wisconsin
Sep 19 Subterranean w/ Denison Witmer Chicago, Illinois
Sep 20 Cactus Club w/ Denison Witmer Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sep 21 Turf Club w/ Denison Witmer St. Paul, Minnesota
Sep 22 Picador w/ Denison Witmer Iowa City, Iowa
Sep 23 Record Bar w/ Denison Witmer Kansas City, Missouri
Sep 24 Off Broadway w/ Denison Witmer St. Louis, Missouri
Oct 8 House Of Bricks w/ Owl City Des Moines, Iowa
Oct 9 The Waiting Room w/ Owl City Omaha, Nebraska
Oct 10 Bluebird Theater w/ Owl City Denver, Colorado
Oct 12 The Venue w/ Owl City Boise, Idaho
Oct 13 Big Dipper w/ Owl City Spokane, Washington
Oct 15 The Biltmore Cabaret w/ Owl City Vancouver, British Columbia
Oct 16 Neumos w/ Owl City Seattle, Washington
Oct 17 Hawthorne Theatre w/ Owl City Portland, Oregon
Oct 19 Slim’s w/ Owl City San Francisco, California
Oct 20 Troubadour w/ Owl City Los Angeles, California
Oct 22 Chain Reaction w/ Owl City Anaheim, California
Oct 23 Epicentre w/ Owl City San Diego, California
Oct 24 Martini Ranch w/ Owl City Scottsdale, Arizona
Oct 25 Launchpad w/ Owl City Albuquerque, New Mexico
Oct 27 Marquee w/ Owl City Tulsa, Oklahoma
Oct 28 House of Blues w/ Owl City Dallas, Texas
Oct 29 House of Blues w/ Owl City Dallas, Texas
Oct 30 Emo’s w/ Owl City Austin, Texas
Oct 31 Meridian w/ Owl City Houston, Texas
Nov 12 Furman University w/ Tyler James Greenville, South Carolina

Elevation to release music video featuring Kimberly Stewart

After months of anticipation, Elevation releases their debut music video for single "Razoreyes" starring celebrity, socialite and fashion icon Kimberly Stewart on September 9th, 2009. The release comes after Elevation spent part of the summer touring in the Middle East with Armed Forces Entertainment and gearing up for an East Coast tour this fall.

The video has already been gaining buzz throughout the industry and will be featured on Yahoo VIDEO, Y! Entertainment, and will be the video of the day on both AOLMusic.com and Bebo on September 17th. All of which comes shortly after Elevation plays a free show in New York City at The Studio at Webster Hall on September 14th, 8:00pm, with Hotspur. The video can also be seen on mtv.com, mtvU.com, XM & Sirius Radio, YouTube and iTunes.

This music video will mark firsts for both Elevation and Kimberly Stewart. This is the bands official debut music video along with the first time Stewart will play leading lady in a music video. Despite the pop punch that "Razoreyes" delivers, the video displays the dark, alluring tone and feel that the lyrics possess.

About Elevation
"Razoreyes" was remixed by highly acclaimed music producer/remixer, Mark Endert, who has worked with Madonna, The Fray and Maroon 5. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Elevation is taking the country by storm with the release of their debut album, Strangelove.

Dubbed one of the top ten indie bands to watch in 2009 (Muchmusic.com), Elevation continues to develop a repertoire that is unforgettable. With such a full and sweeping sound, the band has captured audiences nationwide and has successfully filled a void in the musical community.

In Elevation, rock has returned to its southern roots, genuinely reviving the genre where most other bands have failed, whilst providing a refreshing and positive appeal to a modern audience. Elevation consists of lead singer Nathan Smith, lead guitarist Andrew Averso, rhythm guitarist Luke Hickok, bassist Matthew Perez and drummer Stephen Bailey.

See: www.myspace.com/elevation
See: www.elevationstrangelove.com

Barry Big B Brenner performances this week

Barry Big B Brenner
+ This Week At +
***********************

The Foundry on Melrose
BLUESY TUESDAY: September 1st, 8-11pm
7465 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
(323) 651-0915
http://www.thefoundryonmelrose.com
***********************

The Elephant Bar : Santa Barbara
WEDNESDAY NIGHT : BLUES PATIO PARTY
September 2nd, 6-9pm
521 Firestone Road
SANTA BARBARA 93117
(805) 964-0779
http://www.elephantbar.com
***********************

BIG B BRENNER will be the Opening Act at this year’s
SIMI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL
SATURDAY LABOR DAY WEEKEND
September 5th @ 10am
http://www.simiblues.com
***********************

Firefly Bistro
SUNDAY : BLUES BRUNCH
SEPTEMBER 6th : 11am-2pm
1009 El Centro Street
SOUTH PASADENA 91030
(626) 441-2443
http://www.eatatfirefly.com
***********************

For a Complete List of Big B’s Upcoming Shows, Go to...
http://www.myspace.com/barrybigbbrenner

The 88, Dengue Fever, Great Northern and Mumiy Troll concerts

The 88 (www.the88.net )
09/01 @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (Residency)
09/08 @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (Residency)
09/15 @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (Residency)
09/19 @ House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV (with the B-52s)
09/20 @ Belly Up Tavern, Solano Beach, CA (with the B-52s)
09/22 @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (Residency)
09/29 @ Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (Residency)

Dengue Fever (www.myspace.com/denguefevermusic )
8/27-8/30 @ Red Vic Theater, San Francisco CA “Sleepwalking Through The Mekong” (Q&As 8/27 & 8/28 w/Senon & Zac)
8/29 @ Outside Lands Music and Art Festival, San Francisco, CA

Great Northern (www.greatnorthernmusic.com )
9/10 @ Endfest, Seattle, WA
9/11 @ Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR

Mumiy Troll (www.mumiytroll.com/en )
10/02 @ The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza, New York, NY
10/03 @ Café Nine, New Haven, CT
10/04 @ Jerky’s Live Music Hall, Providence, RI
10/05 @ Middle East Downstairs, Boston, MA
10/06 @ Pearl Street, Northampton, MA
10/08 @ Les Saints, Montreal, Quebec CANADA
10/09 @ Babylon, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
10/10 @ MOD Club, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
10/11 @ Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
10/12 @ Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
10/14 @ Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, IL
10/16 @ First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
10/17 @ Slowdown, Omaha, NE
10/18 @ Record Bar, Kansas City, MO
10/20 @ Blubird, Denver, CO
10/21 @ Urban Lounge, Salt Lake, City, UT
10/23 @ Starlite Room, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
10/24 @ The Den, Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
10/25 @ Teatro De Ciudad, Mexico City, Mexico (with Omar Torres)
10/27 @ Cervantino International Festival, Guanajuato, Mexico (with Omar Torres)
10/28 @ Berbati’s Pan, Portland, OR
10/29 @ The Independent, San Francisco, CA
10/30 @ Key Club, Los Angeles, CA
11/02 @ Casbah, San Diego, CA
11/03 @ Martini Ranch Scottsdale, AZ
11/05 @ Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
11/06 @ Emo’s Alternative Lounge - Inside, Austin, TX (with Electric Six)
11/07 @ Meridian, Houston, TX.
11/09 @ Republic, New Orleans, LA
11/10 @ Club Downunder, Tallahassee, FL
11/14 @ The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
11/16 @ Cat’s Cradle, Carboro, NC
11/17 @ Canal Club Downstairs’ Lounge, Richmond, VA
11/18 @ Black Cat, Washington, DC
11/19 @ Theater of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
11/22 @ Chop Suey, Seattle WA

The 88 residency at Spaceland

Just got in the (nearly) finalized lineups for The 88's Tuesday night residency at Spaceland, presented by Filter.

General show info:
All shows are 21+,
doors are at 8:30pm
and tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door,
$6 w/flyer downloadable at http://the88.net/shows.html

Lineups subject to change.

Tues Sept 1
12 - TBA
11 - The 88
10 - TBA
9 - Daniel Brummel

Tues Sept 8
12 - TBA11 - The 88
10 - Dirty Sweet
9 - Gringo Star

Tues Sept 15
12 - Extra
11 - The 88
10 - Hanne Hukkelberg
9 - Simon Lynge

Tues Sept 22
12 - Jeremiah Streeter
11 - The 88
10 - AM
9 - Adeline and the Philistines

Tues Sept 29
12 - Pierre De Reeder
11 - The 88
10 - Quazar and the Bamboozled
9 - Oh Darling

Strung Out to tour in suppport of new album

Having lost count of the number of shows played over two decades across five continents, punk veterans STRUNG OUT have announced their first round of tour dates in support of the band’s seventh album, Agents Of The Underground, out September 29th via Fat Wreck Chords (see all tour dates below). In anticipation to the group’s new release, Spin.com is unveiling the first song off the album entitled “Black Crosses,” which can be downloaded here: http://www.spin.com/articles/exclusive-download-strung-outs-new-single.

"We have had the whole summer off to sit and wait for this bomb to drop,” says Strung Out vocalist Jason Cruz. “And starting in Texas seems an appropriate place. We are a new band with this release and we’re looking forward to those all night drives, waffle house dinners and overall chaos that comes with life on the road."

Celebrating their 20th anniversary with Agents Of The Underground, Cruz recently said, “This album is truly the culmination of everything we’ve done.” Produced by Cameron Webb (Motorhead, Social Distortion, Ignite), Agents Of The Underground flawlessly melds Strung Out’s signature sound of punk rock fury executed with metal precision and technicality. Long time fans of the band sporting the iconic Astrolux logo (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Astrolux) will headbang and mosh approvingly to new cuts like “Black Crosses,” “Ghetto Heater,” and “Jack Knife,” while fans being introduced to the band for the first time will feel at home shouting along to “Vanity” and “Carcrashradio” in sweaty clubs across the country.

Strung Out is Jason Cruz (vocals), Jake Kiley (guitar), Rob Ramos (guitar), Chris Aiken (bass), and Jordan Burns (drums).

Strung Out live dates:
Sep 5 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones (21+)
Sep 6 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones (18+)
Sep 25 - Long Beach, CA @ The Shore
Oct 1 - San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom
Oct 2 - Austin, TX @ Red Seven
Oct 3 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
Oct 4 - Houston, TX @ Meridian
Oct 5 - New Orleans, LA @ Howlin’ Wolf
Oct 7 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Engine Room
Oct 8 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
Oct 9 - St. Petersburg, FL @ The State Theatre
Oct 10 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
Oct 11 - Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Café
Oct 12 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade – Downstairs
Oct 14 - Fayetteville, NC @ Jester’s
Oct 15 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 Tavern
Oct 16 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Ohana’s Night Club
Oct 17 - Jermyn, PA @ Eleanor Rigby’s
Oct 18 - Columbus, OH @ The Basement
Oct 19 - Toledo, OH @ Frankies
Oct 20 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
Oct 22 - Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Oct 23 - Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
Oct 24 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Oct 25 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Oct 27 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre
Oct 28 - Casper, WY @ Downtown Grill
Oct 30 - Layton, UT@ V2
Oct 31 - Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
Nov 1 - Victorville, CA @ Karma

www.myspace.com/strungout
www.strungout.com
www.fatwreck.com

Shadow's Fall on Fuse TV tonight

Shadows Fall will make a special guest appearance on the brand new Fuse TV show “Let It Rock” Monday August 31st at 7:00 pm EST. The band talks about their forthcoming album Retribution and they also show the music video for their first single off of the album “Still I Rise”. The show will re-air on the following days and times:

Tuesday 9/1 @ 3a & 3p
Wed 9/2 @ 12am
Sunday 9/6 @ 5p
Friday 9/11 @ 2am
Saturday 9/12 @ 6pm

Let it Rock premiered Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm EST Fans can get the inside track on all things rock with Fuse’s brand new weekly series, “Let It Rock.” Hosted by Juliya, “Let It Rock” will air the latest videos and update viewers on the wide world of rock with news, interviews and special guests. Juliya, Fuse’s resident rock and metal expert, previously hosted Fuse programs “Uranium,” “Slave to the Metal” and “No. 1 Countdown,” and has also been featured in Maxim magazine and Stuff.

Retribution is available for pre-order now. You can choose from a CD, a limited edition CD with a DVD, limited edition VINYL or the extremely limited DELUXE BOX SET, which comes with a CD, DVD, VINYL, an exclusive T-SHIRT, POSTER, PATCH and a FAN CLUB ONLY LAMINATE. It’s all packed up in a sweet RETRIBUTION box. Orders will go fast so get yours now.

If that’s not enough SHADOWS FALL fans can win amazing prizes just from pre-ordering the album! By pre-ordering any version of Retribution fans have the chance to win an extremely limited special “Golden Ticket” that will feature some exclusive prizes and gear from SHADOWS FALL, ESP, Pro-Mark, Zoom, Samson, The Rock Doctors and more.


www.myspace.com/shadowsfall

Friday, August 28, 2009

End o' week musings







It's kinda funny how things come to me when I least expect them. For example, my Friday last week had been looking dull until a friend invited me to join him for "Spamalot." Wow! What a great show~ I think I laughed the entire time.




We ended our outing with a late dinner at the Del Taco next to the Burbank Airport. It was an interesting spot for both people and plane watching.




Saturday I performed with Zaynah at "Dancing Colors" at Cal State San Bernardino. There wasn't a huge crowd, but they seemed to be into the show and enjoyed our choreography. Photographer Richard Lowe was capturing all the action, which you can see by visiting his Web site http://www.renaissancefaire.net/


Sunday I went into my office. My deadlines are piling up and it's a case of just too much to do and not enough time, so I decided to knock out a few stories before my next one- a didgeridoo lesson at the Folk Music Center in Claremont. I got a little bit of noise from my didg, but you'll have to watch http://www.sgvn.com/ for the full tale.


If you go to http://www.sgvn.com/ right now, you can read my stories about Pasadena Playhouse's "The Night is a Child," Melting Pot Tours walking and tasting outings and artists Nancy and Sonia Romero (Nancy has a show opening at the Folk Tree in Pasadena this weekend).



The highlight of this week's interviews was Joe Dexter of Orange. He has a nice voice and is quite a good songwriter. He is also a very friendly and funny guy. Orange will be releasing a new album and hitting the road. I recommend that you check them out and try to catch them live, as they are great on stage.


This weekend I am planning to take my mom to a dog show Saturday and then catch 3 Generations at the VFW in Industry. Sunday I'm meeting DaBelly and SGVN movie critic Vernor Rodgers for "Taking Woodstock." And wouldja believe that the rest of my week will be quiet until Thursday when the new group exhibit opens at the Gallery of the End of the World in Altadena? Here's the scoop on the fun four-day event and by the way, a certain blogger (me) will be dancing there on Sept. 4 (what a great way to celebrate my birthday eve!):





Group Show featuring more than 25 artists
Noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6
Gallery at the End of World, 2475 N. Lake Ave., Altadena
Free
(626) 794-8779
http://www.galleryattheendoftheworld.com/

Also:
Artist's reception 6-9 p.m. Thursday, free.

1st Friday Art Club with entertainment and refreshments 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, $5.

Potluck barbecue noon-6 p.m. Saturday, bring dish to share.

Brunch noon-6 p.m. Sunday, dish to share welcome.




In rotation this week: Jewel, Sacha Sacket, Native Window, Mark Isham & Kate Cebrano, Dredg, Motley Crue and Horrorpops.


Photos we got 'em: Two pet pics from stuffonmycat.com and stuffonmydog.com, a portrait of my new friend, photographer Jeff Sham, who I met during the L.A. Art Walk and two photos by Richard Lowe from the "Dancing Colors" show.





Thought o' the Week: Be creative. All the fires this week have truly dampened my spirits. It's so sad to think of all the wildlife and nature that is being destroyed, as well as the homes and people that are threatened. I have another connection with the devastation of the fires, as I have asthma and it has been very hard to breathe comfortably over the past few days.





I have had to keep my inhalers handy and I have had to close all my windows at home and turn on the A/C and my fans to keep things circulating. I couldn't go on my walks and yesterday I had a mild asthma attack at work and had to cancel the evening's dance practice. The problem is that even though the meds make it easier to breathe, they also make me feel ill. I'm just not myself today after all the treatments I needed to do to avoid ending up in hospital.


Now what does this have to do with creativity? Well, I needed to figure out what else I could do to bide my time and stave off cabin fever. I found a couple of interesting books to read, I did some Web surfing, I made a few phone calls, paid bills, balanced my checkbook, listened to music, reframed a picture and so on.... In general I caught up with all the odd things I usually have to stick in between all the other stuff I do.


Being stuck with a situation you don't really like isn't the end of the world, it just makes you find other options. Be thankful for all you have and can do. Find your own little spot of happiness or zen, if you will~ the more creative, the better!

Keep on rockin'
Mickie















Dave Morrison at Kulak's tonight

Aug. 28, 2009

Hey Kids,

I'm joining Paul Zollo and four other wonderful singer-songwriters, at Kulak's. The show starts at 8. Each of us will do three songs.

I just spent the day in the studio (Thursday), and the record is slowwwwly taking shape. Though I have to slog through another day at the day-job, I'm feeling exuberant and ready for the weekend. I hope you'll come out and hang with your friends at the'shed.

Here's the line-up in order of appearance. If you cannot make it, watch online and send an email heckle.
http://www.kulakswoodshed.com/webcast.shtml

1. Paul Zollo
2. Lorin Hart
3. Dave Morrison
4. Lisa Nemzo
5. Alan Wachs
6. Smokey Miles

Kulak's Woodshed
5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91607

Yerz, Dave

http://www.myspace.com/davemorrisonmusic
http://www.davemorrisonmusic.com
YouTube: "Times Like These" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD-G11Eeg7s
YouTube: "Almost A Relief" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zZl-nEEEwk&feature=related
YouTube: "Standing By The Bridge" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li0VDr8cMG0
Buy The Album: http://cdbaby.com/cd/davemorrison

Shimmy Showcase Sunday

August 30: NEWSFLASH – LIVE MUSIC THIS SUNDAY! Xandra is thrilled to welcome ELAN for a return engagement! If you missed Marguerite and Rico’s debut Shimmshowcase performance two weeks ago, you DON’T want to miss this Sunday! Kamar, Samia, and Devon will bring Coffee Haven’s magic carpet to life with their movements to the amazing sound of Elan. PLUS, we just had a dancer cancel, so there is an OPENING for someone who would like to perform with these excellent musicians. If that is you, please contact us at shimmyshowcase@yahoogroups.com.


***ATTENTION DANCERS*** In addition to this Sunday’s last minute opening, we have openings in October! PLEASE check out the upcoming Showcase Calendar below and contact us if you’d like to perform!

Everyone is invited to this cozy haven for a relaxing evening among friends. Select your favorite beverage, hot or cold, from an assortment of coffees, teas, smoothies or juice; add to that a tasty sandwich or pastry; and then seat yourself alongside our magic carpet to enjoy some really great dancing at NO cover charge!

The SHIMMY SHOWCASE begins at 7 p.m. at the COFFEE HAVEN in Long Beach (1708 E. Broadway -- 562-437-3785).

Below is our upcoming schedule for the next several Sundays at the Coffee Haven in Long Beach. If you are a dancer interested in performing at an upcoming showcase, please check out the schedule below for open dates and then email us at
shimmyshowcase@yahoogroups.com
with the dates on which you'd like to perform.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING SHOWCASE CALENDAR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 6: DARK (Labor Day weekend)

September 13: Shimmyshowcase coordinator Abraiha welcomes May and Ana and newcomers Constance, Sabrina Moyes, and Nazi to Coffee Haven’s magic carpet.

September 20: Alexiis will be coordinating another Live Music evening with ANSUZ. (Yes—Ansuz is back!) Guest dancers will be Saphira, Gaea, Kalila, Ilana, and Yasmin. Come on down to Coffee Haven and let this illustrious group of performers entertain you!.

September 27: “Fringe and feathers” is the theme for this Shimmyshowcase. If you are a fan of vaudeville, old fashioned burlesque and love glam and glitter, this is the show for you! Our creative coordinator Saviya will be joined by Maria Elena, Devon, Xandra and the Om Sisters. This is always a fun theme, so please come down and let us entertain you!

October 4: Shimmyshowcase founder Alexiis presents her students for this special evening of American Tribal Style (ATS) dancing at Coffee Haven. They welcome you to their annual student recital night at Shimmyshowcase.

October 11: Saviya presents “Gothic Inspiration” with Live Music by Ansuz! Saviya and guest dancer Katerina will mesmerize you with dance images drawn from the dark fantasy amid the mist, whispers and candle light. Dancers who hear the call of the midnight butterfly, raven, and shadow goddess please contact us at Shimmyshowcase@yahoogroups.com. for a performance spot.

October 18: Shimmyshowcase welcomes Ansuz for another evening of dancing to Live Music! She seeks guest dancers who like performing with this very nice group of talented musicians. If you’re interested, please contact us at shimmyshowcase@yahoogroups.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please allow time for parking to avoid missing any of the fun. Since street parking around Coffee Haven is scarce, we recommend you try the perimeter of the park located two blocks west of Coffee Haven at Broadway and Cherry. Please try to arrive before 7:00 PM (earlier if you’re a performer!) as we try not to start the show until everyone has settled with a tasty beverage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

for additional information, please visit our website at: www.ShimmyShowcase.com

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Sunday Shimmyshowcase!

Langham, Huntington launches September spa special

The Huntington Spa Announces September Special
Anti-Cellulite Treatment Visibly Firms and Smoothes Skin


WHAT: The Huntington Spa at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena is pleased to announce an amazing Anti-Cellulite treatment which firms skin and can drastically reduce the appearance of cellulite by breaking up the connective tissue in fat cells. The Anti-Cellulite Treatment is perfect for guests looking for visible results before special events such as weddings or beach vacations.

· Anti-Cellulite Treatment – target areas are massaged with Babor Thermal Lotion to stimulate the skin and given a deeper cellulite reduction massage to break up the connective tissue in fat cells. A Babor Body Pack and Algae Powder Castile mask is applied to the target areas to reshape and firm the skin. After the mask has hardened, it is removed and Babor’s Stop Cellulite Activator with Lifting Bust and Body Treatment is applied for ultimate skin smoothing.

A series of treatments is recommended for those looking for longer term results. Areas targeted include the front and back of legs, gluteus and arms.

o One session (80 min.) - $248.40 (reg. $276)
o Three session series - $703.80 and includes Babor Body Shaper massager (reg. $828)
o Six session series - $1,407.60 and includes Babor Body Shaper massager and Stop Cellulite Day & Night Activator cream (reg. $1656)
o Twelve session series - $2,649.60 and includes Babor Body Shaper massager and Stop Cellulite Day & Night Activator cream (reg. $3,312)
o Regenerating Anti-Stretch Mark Cream add-on during treatment - $15

WHEN: September 2009

WHERE: The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106

Live Nation to present Straight No Chaser

On Sale Saturday, August 29th At 10 AM Exclusively At www.livenation.com
STRAIGHT NO CHASER
The Wiltern
November 29, 2009

Natty Brooker to debut work in U.S.

British artist Natty Brooker, best known for his collaboration with legendary UK bands Spacemen3 and Spiritualized is debuting his life’s work in the United States in October 2009 at Substrate Gallery, Los Angeles.

This run is the first in a series of shows in art capitals around the world, including New York, London and Berlin, where Brooker’s work will be seen as a whole for the first time.

Curated by friend and former band-mate Will Carruthers, the show is the culmination of a lifetime’s work for Brooker. “Natty is a genius, pure and simple. His influence as an artist on the British music scene was far reaching. What many people don’t know is that Natty now has terminal cancer, so this will be the first and last time people will have the opportunity to see his amazing work as a collection.”

Brooker was responsible for much of the Spacemen3/Spiritualized aesthetic. He introduced founding members Pete Kember and Jason Pierce (aka J.Spaceman and Sonic Boom) to blues and gospel; played drums on the first Spacemen3 album Sound of Confusion; and also appeared on the classic demos release Taking Drugs to Make Music to Take Drugs To.

It was Natty's iconic Devil and Angel design that adorned the first Spiritualized album cover Lazer Guided Melodies and it was his endlessly recurring threes that graced the last Spacemen3 album Recurring.

Putting the show together has been a labor of love for Brooker and Carruthers, having spent months collecting the original art work from around Europe.

“Natty had a tendency to give his work away once finished. We’ve spent the last 6 months tracking down his friends and asking for the work back so that we could get it scanned and make it available to other people.”

Often Brooker painted on wooden boards, plastic sheets, and other discarded objects with whatever was at hand; in biro, felt tip or leftover emulsion paint. Between the scavenged materials and extreme subject matter, Brooker’s work is peculiar, unsettling, humorous - and always tipping a wink to mortality.

“Spacemen3’s music was once described as ‘music to blow your mind inside out’” says Carruthers, “and that’s exactly how Natty would describe his art now. It’s a rare pleasure to be able to show the public Natty’s life’s work, particularly at this time.”

The LA opening will take place on the evening of October 3rd 2009. Los Angeles’ shoegaze band THE MEEK will be spinning a DJ set of the genre’s classics. Prints of all the works are available as a signed and numbered set of 14 for $1600. Individual signed and numbered prints are available starting at $200.

Rehasher added to Paper + Plastick Records' offerings

Paper + Plastick Records is proud to announce that the new REHASHER album will be added to the labels growing catalog of vinyl. High Speed Access To My Brain can be pre-ordered beginning today exclusively at www.paperandplastick.com, where fans can also get a taste of the new album by downloading the recently released P+P summer sampler, containing the track “Turn Around.”

The Gainesville punk band is lead by guitarist/vocalist Roger Manganelli, P+P label owner Vinnie Fiorello’s band mate in Less Than Jake, and boasts members from local punk bands Army of Ponch, Bullets To Broadway and Savage Brewtality. The band self-recorded their sophomore album at Manganelli’s own Moathouse Studios, and self-released the CD on their Moathouse Records, which will be released on vinyl via Paper + Plastick on September 11th.

“Rehasher are a group of friends of mine from Gainesville that happen to also make great melodic punk,” says Fiorello. “This record is them on their ‘A’ game and is hands down, flat-out amazing… and I’m not just saying that because one of the dudes sleeps 15 feet away from me six months a year.”

Tracklisting for
High Speed Access To My Brain:
1. Turn Around
2. 5 Extra Long Miles
3. My Compass Must Be Broken
4. No Eye In Team
5. Cold Stone
6. Saving Face
7. Out of Ideas
8. Lose My Limits
9. Y.S.C.
10. Hangin' on the Telephone
11. SuperFan
12. Finish What i Started

The band formed in 2002 as an excuse for a group of friends to hang out and play music, and resulted in the 2004 release of Off Key Melodies via No Idea Records. PunkNews.org lauded the album, and stated “The all-star lineup comes through and ignites simplistic three-chord punk rock via a vigorous charge,” and AbsolutePunk, which commented, “ brings back the days of Lagwagon and NOFX-style punk.”

Due to the members' other musical endeavors, touring is difficult, but fans will be able to catch what is undoubtedly going to be an unforgettable live show at this year’s edition of The Fest, happening in Gainesville from Oct 30 – Nov 1.

www.myspace.com/rehasher
www.paperandplastick.com

Bridezilla coming to the Echo

Consisting of Holiday Carmen-Sparks (vocals, guitar), Daisy Tulley (violin), Pia MayCourtley (guitar), Millie Hall (saxophone) and Josh Bush (drums), Bridezilla have become one of the most talked about new bands in Australia thanks to their unique sound and compelling live performances.

Releasing their 2007 debut EP while still in high-school, Bridezilla have become a favourite at Triple J and independent radio, garnering comparisons to everyone from the Dirty Three and Cat Power to PJ Harvey. Two years later and now signed to respected indie label Inertia, the band are now free from school, exams, and all the corresponding pressures that once demanded their time and attention. Bridezilla are now singly focused on taking their twisted blend of jazz, folk and pop to the next level.

The Sydney based band have been holed up in a barn in rural NSW recording their debut with iconic US producer Kramer. Recording has finished, and the album is set to be released in the US in 2010.

An industry legend, Kramer has played as part of bands including Ween, Bongwater and Butthole Surfers; spawned his own label & recording studio; as well as produced for the likes of Galaxie 500 (whose entire catalogue he produced), Low (whom he discovered and produced), Daniel Johnston, Palace Songs (aka. Will Oldham/Bonnie “Prince” Billy), King Missile, Half Japanese and Urge Overkill.

The band was hand picked by Nick Cave to play at the Australian ATP Festival and will now share stages with some of the world's biggest acts at ATP Festival in up state New York in September.

With ATP's international endorsement signaling a rapid expansion of Bridezilla’s profile, and Kramer’s involvement on their album hinting at a dramatic extension of their already remarkable sound, you can bet that 2010 will be a big year for Bridezilla. Stay tuned!

US Tour Dates
9/9 - Bell House - Brooklyn, NY
9/10 - Club NME - The Annex, NYC
9/12 - All Tomorrow's Parties - New York
9/14 - Bowery Ballroom W/ Sleepy Sun & Autolux - New York
9/17 - The Echo W/The Drones - LA

www.myspace.com/bridezillaa
www.inertia-music.com
www.myspace.com/inertia

Helping Heroes to discus human trafficking

Helping Heroes will host a BlogTalkRadio “Voices for Justice-Human Trafficking: the dark secret of America” show this coming Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 3-4p.m. (Pacific Time). Join us as a guest panel takes listeners on a journey into the dark secret of America; Human Trafficking IS in our Backyard and its time we take a stand and have a Voice for Justice!

One of the speakers includes Bill Hillar: In 1988, while she was traveling with schoolmates in Southeast Asia, kidnappers pulled Bill Hillar's 17-year old daughter off a train and forced her into the sex industry. Despite an exhaustive, multi-country search, her father, a Special Forces Colonel, was unable to save his daughter from the fate that ultimately took her life. The recent movie “Taken,” with Liam Neeson is partially based on Bill Hillar’s personal story.

On Wednesday Dr. Hillar, now an adjunct professor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, will discuss the international web of human trafficking and global approaches to combating this horrific practice.

Other speakers include: Transitions Global and Suzanne Stanford, Orange County Human Trafficking Coalition.

Please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/helpingheroes for more information.

Listeners can call-in on Sunday by calling (347) 838-8622.

Autry Center to celebrate "Bonanza"

The Autry National Center proudly announces a celebration in honor of Bonanza, the second-longest running television Western and one of the most beloved series in the world. Bonanza Day will celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary and highlight the career achievements of its creator, David Dortort, who will be in attendance. A special announcement will be made regarding the David Dortort Archive acquisition and a financial contribution to the Autry by the Dortort family.

The event features a daylong viewing of the series’ best episodes, starring Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon, and special film clips in the Imagination Gallery’s Western Legacy Theater. Jeffrey Richardson, Assistant Curator of Film and Popular Culture, will moderate a panel discussion addressing the history, making, and filming of Bonanza.

The panel of speakers will feature series regular Mitch Vogel, who played “Jamie Cartwright;” Kent McCray, Bonanza production supervisor; and Andrew J. Klyde Esq., an archivist and historian, executive producer of the DVD set Bonanza: The Official First Season (which will be released in North America on September 15), and an attorney for Bonanza Ventures.

Adding to the Autry’s significant popular culture collections, the David Dortort Archive offers researchers a close look at the business of Western entertainment and the role played by producer and writer David Dortort, creator of the television series Bonanza and The High Chaparral. Containing primary and secondary resources such as correspondence, draft and final scripts, audience rating records, awards, photographs, periodicals, and reference books, the archive documents the history and influence of Western television.

When fully processed, the David Dortort Archive will be accessible to the public online in the library catalog and Collections Online, the Autry’s digital database, and available for research through the Autry Library. The financial donation will assist in preserving the items so that future generations can benefit from the documents and material in perpetuity. In addition, part of Mr. Dortort’s collection, including the original hand-written pilot for Bonanza, has been and will continue to be displayed in the Autry’s Imagination Gallery.

“The David Dortort Archive is a significant gift to the Autry as it provides a rare glimpse into television history that the Autry can now make accessible to the general public and researchers,” said John Gray, President and CEO of the Autry. “In addition, generations to come will take note of his business sense. From his astute strategy of filming Bonanza in color to his continued merchandising savvy, he has achieved what few individuals have ever accomplished and taught long-lasting lessons with wholesome values in the process.”

To date, Bonanza continues to influence countless individuals and is one of the longest-running and most beloved television series in history. The High Chaparral, with its culturally diverse cast, was ahead of its time and presented a kind of Western ranch life that was more complicated than generalized heroics and slapstick antics.

About Bonanza
More than a successful television series, Bonanza is part of a small yet elite group of programs that have become part of American folklore. Dortort created the story of the legendary Cartwright family and their magnificent Ponderosa Ranch, hand-picked the perfect cast, and pioneered color television. Bonanza was the first hourlong dramatic series broadcast in color. The most popular program in the United States for an unprecedented three consecutive seasons, Bonanza garnered numerous accolades, including Emmys, TV Guide awards, Western Heritage awards, and favorite series awards across the world. Almost half a billion people in over 80 countries have viewed the series. Bonanza ended its remarkable run, which included 433 hours over 14 years, on NBC in 1973.

About David Dortort
One of the most respected and influential individuals in television history, David Dortort produced over 600 hours of television including Bonanza, one of the most honored and recognized programs in the world. Born and raised in New York City, Dortort traveled alone across the United States while still in his teens. Married in 1940, he was stationed in Los Angeles during the Second World War, and soon after wrote his bestselling novel, Burial of the Fruit. His second novel, The Post of Honor, was also critically acclaimed. After working for a time in New York as a writer of magazine stories and television dramas, he moved his family to California to try his hand at screenplay writing. He wrote and cowrote several motion pictures and teleplays for numerous series during TV’s “golden age.”

After producing John Payne’s series The Restless Gun for two years, Dortort began Bonanza, and quickly developed his reputation as a hard-working, efficient producer who was always willing to give a break to aspiring and talented individuals in front of and behind the camera. The High Chaparral and more accolades followed. Other series produced by Dortort were The Cowboys (1974) and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the Bonanza characters called The Ponderosa (2001). In 1979–1980, he created the 13-week CBS miniseries The Chisholms, starring Robert Preston, Rosemary Harris, and Ben Murphy.

In recent years, Dortort received honors from the President of the United States, he was given the Golden Boot Award for contributions to the Western genre, and his alma mater, City College of New York, recognized his lifetime of achievement. His company, Bonanza Ventures, controls merchandising and licensing rights worldwide to all elements of his television series.

About the Autry National Center
The Autry National Center is an intercultural history center dedicated to exploring the experiences and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West. The Autry celebrates the cultures of the American West through three institutions on two Los Angeles campuses: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Mt. Washington; the Museum of the American West in Griffith Park; and the Institute for the Study for the American West, which comprises the Braun Research Library and the Autry Library and is headquartered in Griffith Park.

The Autry National Center’s hours of operation at its Griffith Park location have changed. The new weekday hours for the Autry’s Museum of the American West are Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum store’s new weekday hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours for the museum and the museum store are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Thursdays from July 1 to August 31, hours for the museum and museum store are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The museum and museum store will continue to be closed on Mondays.

Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for students and seniors 60+, $3 for children 3–12, and free for Autry members, veterans, and children 2 and under. Admission is free on the second Tuesday of every month.

Robert Francis at the Glass House Sept. 26

Recent Atlantic Records edition Robert Francis will be performing at the Glass House in Pomona on September 26th to promote his upcoming album Before Nightfall. Francis and his band (bassist Alex Kweskin, drummer Richard Gowen, and guitarist Graham Lathrop) will be performing with Portugal. The Man. We see great things in store for this young talented artist.

Since Francis' indie Aeronaut Records release One by One in 2007, he has been attracting fans and those-in-the-know all across the country. One By One earned positive reviews from critics who compared Francis to a young Townes Van Zandt. The attention led to a record deal with Atlantic Records, which is releasing Before Nightfall on October 20th.

With Francis' upcoming album he recalls the voice of a simpler and more truthful era when people were singing about things that mattered. Growing up in Los Angeles as the youngest in a family of musicians, he possesses a maturity far beyond his years. With Francis' husky baritone voice, finger-picked acoustic melodies, and uncluttered arrangements he injects one hundred percent truth and emotion into each of his songs. His music is full of spirit and resonates with the soul evoking a feeling that fills the heart with something real.

The songs on Before Nightfall glow with an earthy, homespun quality that draws on everything from country, to folk, to blues, to roots rock. The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer D. Sardy (Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marilyn Manson, etc).

For more information regarding Robert Francis, please visit
www.myspace.com/RobertFrancis

Danny Diablo to release new album

The best of hip hop and hardcore collide with the release of Danny Diablo's new album, International Hardcore Superstar, due out on Hellcat Records on Oct 6. Part singer, part actor, part entrepreneur, Diablo, AKA Lord Ezec, is an underground virtuoso with one foot in the New York hardcore scene and the other in thugcore hip hop. Not for the timid or weak, International Hardcore Superstar brings the heat with a blending of thick body rocking beats, heavy guitar riffs and confrontational in-your-face rhymes that'll leave you moshing, shaking your ass or both
Hailing from Queens, Diablo embraced the street mentality at an early age, becoming infamous within the underground under the assumed moniker of Lord Ezec. Having access to the booming New York hardcore scene in Jackson Heights, his ultra rebellious attitude was a natural fit with the aggressive scene, and, in the early nineties, Diablo became a roadie for bands Sick of it All and Biohazard. Always one to do his own thing, Diablo eventually formed the much respected underground band Crown of Thornz. In 1995 Diablo found his notorious "thugcore" side when he created the aggressive side-project Skarhead with members of Madball and Subzero. He'd go on to release and EP and full-length with the band and tour with Hatebreed and Gwar among others.

One of the first New York hardcore people to move into the hip-hop world, Diablo began blending the lines between hardcore and hip-hop, working with artists like Danny Boy (House of Pain) and bands like Transplants. He released his first solo album Thugcore 4 Life in 2008, which included production by Tim Armstrong (Rancid) and guest appearances from Daddy X (Kottonmouth Kings), DJ Lethal, Skinhead Rob (Transplants).

On Oct 6, Diablo returns with his follow-up, International Hardcore Superstar, a collection of fifteen down and dirty songs covering the gambit from brutal to sexy. Racy and pulse pounding, the album's first single "Don't You Want Me," a Human League mash up, is an instant hit with Diablo's unforgettable vocals over the song's catchy beats with seductive guest vocals from the sultry Natasha Nicholson.

The record opens with "Sex and Violence," a hard-hitting hip hop/dance take on The Exploited's classic Oi song featuring vocals by Everlast and Tim Armstrong, and it doesn't slow down with tracks like the rapcore riff-rhyming of "Working Class," the thugcore crowd pleaser "Kill Em Dead," the infectuous "Give Me A Chance" and street life ballad "2 Hip." Diablo shows his versatile style and skills on the mic on hardcore rap anthems like the album's title track and the shout out to his borough "Queens Killaz."

"I been a lot of places in my life," states Diablo. "Places within this world and places within myself. This record is reflection of that crazy I lived and I made sure there is a song for everyone on it. So sit back let the music play and enjoy. In life you have to take the good and the bad and make the best out it. It has been 2 and half years of highs and lows while making this record. Now people can hear some examples of how hardcore my life has been. "

International Hardcore Superstar cements Diablo not only as the king of the "thugcore" scene, but also establishes him as one of the most innovative and creative up-and-coming forces in mainstream hip hop.

International Hardcore Superstar Tracklisting:
1. Sex And Violence
2. Kill Em Dead
3. International Hardcore Superstar
4. Working Clas
5. Massive (Beer)
6. Give Me A Chance
7. Blood Money
8. Don't You Want Me
9. Shot Gun Blast
10. PS I Love You
11. The Chosen Few
12. 2 Hip
13. Hands Up
14. Queens Killaz
15. Goodbye Farewell

For More Information:
www.myspace.com/dannydiablo
www.hell-cat.com

Air Supply to release two new albums and tour

The 80’s hit making duo AIR SUPPLY (www.airsupplymusic.com) is busy on the tour trail covering ground from multiple cities across North America to exotic destinations in Southeast Asia including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

More than two decades after dominating the pop charts with romantic perennials like "All Out of Love," "The One That You Love," "Lost In Love" and "Making Love Out of Nothing At All," Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply are making fans fall in love. The duo is also making waves with the two indie projects: Free Love, released this summer, and The Singer and the Song, slated for release on Sept. 15.

The albums are licensed by Odds On Records, a Las-Vegas based independent label which Air Supply signed a deal with earlier this year. Distributed by E1 Music (formerly Koch) and headed by former Warner Bros. marketing and promotion executive Ted Joseph, the full-service company (www.oddsonrecording.com ) plans to release a new Air Supply studio album in 2010, also the group's 35th anniversary.

Check out Air Supply's current 2009 tour schedule:

8/28 Twin River Events Center Lincoln, RI

8/29 The Great Auditorium Ocean Grove, NJ

9/3-9/6 The Orleans Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, NV

9/11 Humphries San Diego, CA

9/12 The Grove of Anaheim Anaheim, CA

10/1 Clark Expo Angeles City, Philippines

10/2 18th Hole, Lagao General Santos City, Philippines

10/3 Araneta Coliseum Quezon City, Philippines

10/4 Arena of Stars Genting, Malaysia

10/6 The Aryadutha Convention Center Palembang, Indonesia

10/7 Sun City Hall/Ballroom Jakarta, Indonesia

10/9-10/10 Hoa Binh Theatre Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

10/12 Koronadal Cultural Center Koronadal City, Philippines

10/15 Ceremonial Court - Qatar Foundation Qatar

10/17-18 The Rose Theatre Brampton, Ont. Canada

10/21 Escenica Monterrey, Mexico

10/22 Coliseo Centenario Torreon, Mexico

10/23 La Velaria Cerretera Mezquital Durango, Mexico

10/24 University of Colima Arena Colima, Mexico

10/25 University of Jalapa Arena Jalapa, Mexico

11/7 San Cristobal Hotel Santiago, Chili

11/13 John A. Walker Community Center Wilkboro, NC

11/14-15 Harrah's Cherokee Ashville, NC

11/20 Cher-AE Heights Casino Trinidad, CA

11/21 Emerald Queen Casino Tacoma, WA

11/27 Avalon Nightclub Santa Clara, CA

11/28 The Canyon Club Agoura, CA

Ford adds J.A.M. Session featuring salsa Sept. 10

The 2009 season’s J.A.M. (Jazzed and Motivated) Sessions have been so popular that the Ford in collaboration with Koffeehouse Music Productions LLC. has added a bonus one focusing on salsa dance. Liz Lira, who has won five salsa world championships, leads “Salsa Under the Stars” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 10. Two classes, one for beginners and the other for intermediate/ advanced dancers, run simultaneously from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants salsa dance on stage from 8 to 10 p.m.

The bonus session, like all J.AM.s, is free. Reservations can be made at www.FordTheatres.org - click on Events, then J.A.M. Sessions - or by calling the Ford Box Office at 323 461-3673.

The interactive J.A.M.s were expanded from seven to nine in 2009 and attracted over 800 participants during the regular schedule which ended August 24.

“If you’ve never been to a J.A.M, here’s one more chance to try one this summer,“ says Adam Davis, Managing Director of the Ford Theatres for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. “Dancing on the stage allows you to experience the Ford in a new way – from the performer’s perspective. A great spirit develops among J.A.M.mers so the stage becomes like a club in a spectacular outdoor setting.”

The multi-level Ford complex is located in a Los Angeles County Regional Park and affords
breathtaking views of the surrounding Hollywood Hills.

Liz Lira, the "Rose of Salsa," was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and immigrated to the United States at the age of eight. For more than a dozen years, she trained at the most respected dance studios with top ballet coaches and traveled with her dance company, Salsa Soleil, performing both on television and live in front of thousands. She emerged onto the LA salsa scene in 2001. Her dancing has been referred to as a fusion of graceful motion and explosive energy. Her outstanding teaching skills also made her a favorite among salsa students at establishments such as the Mayan and Conga Room. She captured her first major salsa dance championship at the Mayan World Championships in the summer of 2002. Performances have taken her to Bolivia, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and Japan. She has also won more than a dozen competitions with former partner Salomon Rivera. Liz is currently a five-time World Salsa Champion and a seven-time US Salsa Champion. Liz also choreographed the semi-finals and finals routines for Mark and Shawn, the first-place winners of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 8, and the feature film “The Ugly Truth”starring Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl.

This J.A.M. Session is presented by the Ford Theatre Foundation and Koffeehouse Music with major support provided by The James Irvine Foundation.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open one hour before J.A.M. Sessions start with time for picnicking. On-site parking is free!

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2009 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County- based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org

The Ford Theatre Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1994, supports the performing arts and education activities that are presented at the Ford Theatres. The foundation’s Community Bridges program builds audiences by encouraging and facilitating participation in the theatres’ programs and brings Ford performers to youth and social service centers based in Asian Pacific Islander and Latino communities throughout Los Angeles County. The foundation also produces the Big!World!Fun! Family Series, which is free for children.

Koffeehouse Music Productions, LLC is Los Angeles’ premier, grassroots live music production company, best known for creating unique outdoor performance spaces for the most talented emerging singer-songwriters and bands. Koffeehouse takes pride in giving these artists a platform to share their extraordinary ability with music industry executives and music lovers alike. Koffeehouse won the 2006 Community Service Award from the LA Music Awards, and in beginning of 2008 became an official partner of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, in connection of the Ford Amphitheatre 2008 and 2009 Seasons. www.koffeehouse.com

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Laura Zucker, Executive Director, provides leadership in cultural services of all disciplines for the largest county in the United States, encompassing 88 municipalities. In addition to programming the John Anson Ford Theatres, the Arts Commission provides leadership and staffing to support the regional blueprint for arts education, Arts for All; administers a $4.5 million grants program that funds more than 300 nonprofit arts organizations annually; oversees the County’s Civic Art Program for capital projects; funds the largest arts internship program in the country in conjunction with the Getty Foundation; and supports the Los Angeles County Cultural Calendar on ExperienceLA.com. The Commission also produces free community programs, including the L.A. Holiday Celebration broadcast nationally. The 2009-10 President of the Arts Commission is Araceli Ruano.

Electric Six release new album and tour

Detroit's ELECTRIC SIX lives in a world filled with double entendres, subversive scenarios, and a soundtrack that relies on equal parts rhythm and melody. On October 20, 2009, that world takes a murderous direction with their sixth album KILL on Metropolis Records.

"Basically it's kind of like our first record Fire," explains vocalist Dick Valentine. "We noticed an abundance of references to fire in the lyrics on that record. Same thing here. After listening to the mixes, it became clear that the word 'kill' was prevalent. Plus, it's a word we use quite frequently when we are on the road."

The band will be kicking off their "I'm Trying to Cut a F*cking Spot, Tony" Tour in support of KILL, starting Oct. 15th in Rochester, NY and circling around the US straight through the end of November (tour dates below).

"We feel terrible for the thousands of ticket holders in London who won't get to see Michael Jackson this summer. We offer ourselves as a stand-in."
- Dick Valentine, Electric Six

Produced by guitarist "The Colonel" a.k.a. Zach Shipps (who, aside from the last three Electric Six records, has produced The Meatmen and The Hard Lessons, among many others), KILL is a bigger, heavier record that's packed solid, as he explains, with, "more of everything. The stuff we'd normally throw at an album, we threw ten times more of it. It's fucking intense. If you like guitars, there's tons of guitars. If you hate guitars, then there's no guitars. It's literally the most intense thing you've ever heard. If you want more rock, it's more rock... and more dance. We used different techniques this time around... I can't really talk about it."

"I think this is a record that, if left to its own devices, could be considered our most 'experimental'," adds Dick. "But we consciously dressed it up with heavy guitars to sort of reign it in. I think this record is reminiscent of our first record, with the big guitars. The difference is that record was made by guys in their twenties and this was made by guys in their thirties. These are big angry guitars with a mortgage and a retirement account."

More of everything and big angry guitars isn't too far off either. With "Egyptian Cowboy" as a case study, KILL is filled with synth bloops and bleeps, slash and burn guitars, a banging bassline, frenetic and powerful drums, and Dick's trademark hilarious lyrics ("there's no such thing as an electric tuba") alternately sung in the commanding carny vocals as well as his velvety falsetto. The melodically chugging "Escape from Ohio" is a big anthemic rock track which Dick says, "I am a sucker for the poppy rock goodness of that song. It really sums up my feelings about that state perfectly."

The first single "Body Shots" is a quintessential Electric Six song that will undoubtedly wind up as an encore staple at their live shows. The video (which is still in production) was directed by Nabil Elderkin who most recently directed Kanye West's "Welcome to Heartbreak" video (as well as John Legend's "PDA").

Electric Six's previous album Flashy received high marks all around from SPIN ("despite the ironic humor, there’s a compassion in the music that’s unexpected coming from a band best known for a Taco Bell–referencing novelty hit") to the sadly-missed Blender ("Flashy is the sardonic sextet's fifth album of apocalyptic buffoonery shot through with metal, new wave and disco, all of it hilarious, none of it a joke") to Rolling Stone ("a saxed up, disco-metal epic").

Electric Six is Dick Valentine (vocals), The Colonel (guitar), Johnny Na$hinal (guitar), Smorgasbord (bass), Tait Nucleus? (synths) and Percussion World (drums). Their sixth album, KILL, will be released on Metropolis Records on October 20, 2009.

I'M TRYING TO CUT A F*CKING SPOT, TONY Tour*
ELECTRIC SIX w/ The Gay Blades, Millions of Brazilians

Oct 15 Penny Arcade Rochester, NY
Oct 16 Hiro Ballroom New York, NY
Oct 17 Middle East Cambridge, MA
Oct 18 Southpaw Brooklyn, NY
Oct 20 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
Oct 21 Black Cat Washington, DC
Oct 22 Sonar Baltimore, MD
Oct 23 V Club Huntington, WV
Oct 24 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
Oct 26 The Earl Atlanta, GA
Oct 27 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, FL
Oct 28 The Engine Room Tallahassee, FL
Oct 29 Culture Room Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Oct 30 The Social Orlando, FL
Oct 31 Exit / In Nashville, TN
Nov 03 Bottle Tree Birmingham, AL
Nov 05 Rock Bottom Bar San Antonio, TX
Nov 06 Emo’s Austin, TX
Nov 07 The Boiler Room Denton, TX
Nov 09 Plush Tucson, AZ
Nov 10 The Casbah San Diego, CA
Nov 11 Key Club West Hollywood, CA
Nov 12 The Independent San Fran, CA
Nov 13 Dante’s Portland, OR
Nov 14 WOW Hall Eugene, OR
Nov 15 Neumos Seattle, WA
Nov 16 Neurolux Boise, ID
Nov 17 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 18 The Hall of Champions Casper, WY
Nov 19 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
Nov 20 The Waiting Room Omaha, NE
Nov 21 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
Nov 23 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
Nov 24 Mad Planet Milwaukee, WI
Nov 25 Small Planet East Lansing, MI
Nov 27 St. Andrew’s Hall Detroit, MI
Nov 28 Otto’s Nightclub DeKalb, IL

www.myspace.com/electricsixmusic
www.electricsix.com

The Used to offer Twitter album listening party

On Monday August 31st THE USED will rock the Twitter-sphere with the FIRST EVER 24-hour tweet-for-ticket album listening party for fans. The admission? ONE TWEET GETS YOU IN. Built by Culture Jam Labs and Warner Bros Records, the virtual listening party for Artwork, the new album from The Used, will give fans the chance to stream the entire album in exchange for one tweet on the release date. The listening party will be hosted exclusively on http://twitter.theused.net.

Fans can enter this exclusive album listening party by turning their social Twitter updates into digital currency – essentially purchasing a ticket to the event with one tweet by tweeting the suggested message “You can listen to the new @wearetheused album #Artwork today for 24 hours only at http://twitter.theused.net. ONE TWEET GETS YOU IN.”

Once inside the listening party, fans can stream Artwork in its entirety, see other fans participating in the listening party, and be some of the first to purchase the album on itunes, Rhapsody or TheUsed.net. As a special bonus, fans will also be able to stream two B-sides, “On The Cross” (Save Yourself Mix), and “In A Needle” along with the album.

Artwork is the fourth studio album from Reprise Records artists The Used. Early critical acclaim for the Matt Squire-produced Artwork has been effusive. Outburn (which the band currently graces the cover of) praised its “humbling ability to sound scrappy and raw while being perfectly polished and huge,” while Alternative Press states "The Used have delivered not only the definitive album of their career but arguably one of the best records you'll hear in 2009. 4 ½ stars."

ABOUT CULTURE JAM LABS:

At Culture Jam Labs we are engineering innovative solutions for digital content marketing. We seek to synthesize curiosity, creativity, and content into web applications built on new value propositions for online audiences. Culture Jam Labs has been innovating the market by turning social interactions into a new form of digital curency. Stay tuned for many more exciting updates and initiatives from Culture Jam and Culture Jam Labs: http://culturejam.com/

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pasadena imparts info on dealing with poor air quality and hot weather

PRECAUTIONS URGED DURING POOR AIR QUALITY AND HOT WEATHER

With smoky conditions and temperatures approaching triple digits for the rest of the week, the Pasadena Fire Department and Pasadena Public Health Department remind everyone to take care of themselves, their children and their pets.

“Due to the Morris Fire near Azusa and resulting poor air quality in Pasadena, elderly residents and other sensitive individuals, including adults and children with heart disease, emphysema, asthma, or other lung diseases, should stay indoors as much as possible,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, Pasadena public health officer. “As a precaution, in areas of visible smoke or an odor of smoke, all individuals are urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.”

Schools that are in session should suspend all outdoor physical activities including physical education and after-school sports until conditions improve.

Non-school related sports organizations for children (such as Little League) and adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices in areas where there is visible smoke, soot or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke. This also applies to other recreational outdoor activities such as hikes and picnics.

Air conditioners in vehicles should be set on recycle or recirculate mode to avoid drawing in smoky air.

Closing up a home by shutting windows and doors can give protection from smoke. This is recommended only if the home has air conditioning designed by default to recirculate indoor air; otherwise fans are recommended.

The air quality, combined with excessive heat, can cause heat stroke, exhaustion, heat cramps and dehydration. Insufficient water or salt intake may lead to a deficiency in the production of sweat, which may cause heat exhaustion. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, pale and clammy skin, rapid and weak pulse, fast and shallow breathing, muscle cramps and intense thirst. Anyone with these symptoms should be removed to a cooler, shaded location and given fluids such as water or sports drinks.

“Anyone experiencing diminished judgment, disorientation, pale and clammy skin, rapid and weak pulse and/or fast and shallow breathing should receive immediate attention,” said Fire Chief Dennis Downs.

There are several ways to manage the heat:

* Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

* Drink fluids often; don’t wait until you are thirsty.

* Offer assistance to shut-ins in your neighborhood and check on them frequently during hot weather.

* During peak heat hours, stay in an air-conditioned area. If you don’t have access to air conditioning in your home, visit public facilities such as shopping malls, community centers and libraries to stay cool or find a list of cooling stations at www.ladcss.org.

* Avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. Wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, when out in the sunlight.

* Use the buddy system: Check in regularly with those you know who are senior citizens, ill or with compromised immune systems to make sure they are staying cool and drinking fluids.

* Never leave children, seniors or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.

For more information, call Pasadena Fire Department at (626) 744-4675 or Pasadena Public Health Department at (626) 744-6005. Visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster for more specific emergency preparedness information.

# # #

Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
(626) 744-4755
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs/citynews.asp
www.pasadenapio.blogspot.com

Chris Garneau announces three West Coast shows

It is easy to perceive Chris Garneau's new record El Radio as a dramatic seasonal change, an event horizon, perhaps a carnival or even a birthday. It's that way for the best of records: the ones that change from pieces of plastic and wax into something that penetrate the heart and the mind. There’s a twinkle in the eye of this young Brooklyn songwriter and more than a bit of magic in that vulnerable yet brave voice of his, floating above us all yet tethered by the silky strands of the songs themselves.

Chris’ debut album Music For Tourists (2007) was sad and sparse and gorgeous, drawing inspiration from Chris’ own life for its subject matter. The album found its audience like a migrating colony of butterflies and every week since the album’s release, thirty, fifty, hundreds of people have captured it or perhaps been captured by it. When a record finds its audience in this way and those butterflies flutter brightly in all directions and you start seeing blog posts (outside the so-called sphere) and tweets and interview mentions that say, “one of my favorite singers, Chris Garneau,” well, it’s more satisfying and real and special.

In the summer and autumn months that followed, Garneau and friends piled into a van with as many instruments as they could fit and traveled north to New Hampshire to begin creating El Radio. Surrounded by the simplicity of lake and mountains, the intricate process of making an utterly organic record began. The result exceeds all expectations.

A rich harmonium and a wave of strings opens the album in "The Leaving Song". Chris describes loss of life as standing in the desert on a warm spring day. A hummingbird lands in the palm of his hand. When it flies off, the metaphor in the song is born.

"You have to let them leave and pretend like you don't want to go with them, and you have to pretend this forever," he says.

The album's genesis also parallels Garneau's perspective as a songwriter as El Radio sees him draw lyrically from sources outside himself and his own experiences to those of other characters, both real and imaginary. There is still a poignant melancholy and bold sincerity that permeates all of Garneau's music, but those qualities are augmented by a playfulness in his melodies and arrangements. You can hear examples of this in the sublime retro-pop of "Fireflies", the album's incredibly catchy standout first single "No More Pirates", and the deceptively upbeat and Baroque-styled "Dirty Night Clowns" (a song inspired by a true life tale of a child molesting dwarf who’d sneak into homes in the dark of night dressed as a clown). Garneau's extensive cast of characters unavoidably comment on the social and political forces that pull us unpredictably through time while rollicking to the rhythms of an organ grinder.

Countering these plays on life, the ever literal "Hands on the Radio" expresses the nostalgia, empathy and embrace for Juarez, Mexico - a border city fraught with the great despair of its infamy, the unsolved murders of hundreds of women, while remaining a rapidly growing metropolis filled with hope.

And "Hometown Girls" is an anthem to an American archetype, in which Garneau watches tumbleweeds blow over the lives of girls whom he wishes we loved more.

This volley of the violent and the whimsical, the sweet and the sinister, the carnival and the funeral, plays throughout the album.

Broadcasting was originally a gardening term referring to the scattering of seeds. This shining new record, El Radio, is a thirteen-song radio station that will transmit its seeds all over the planet. Hear them grow.

West Coast Tour Dates
9/13 - Mississippi Studios - w/ Holcombe Waller - Portland, OR
9/20 - Spaceland (Free) Hell Yeah! Night - Los Angeles, CA
9/22 - Bootleg Theater with Soko - Los Angeles, CA

http://www.chrisgarneau.com/
http://www.myspace.com/chrisgarneau