Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Reel Big Fish to take main stage on Warped Tour

Southern California ska-punk stalwart Reel Big Fish has been blazing a trail of angst-filled, shenanigan-loaded rock for 15 years now. And it seems their legendary summer treks are always a rite of passage for fans. This summer will be no different when the band takes its hi-jinx brand of ska/punk rock to the main stage of the Vans Warped Tour on a daily basis.

Touring in support of their self-produced Monkeys For Nothin’ And The Chimps For Free release, singer Aaron Barrett is anxious to hit the road.

" We can't wait to get back out on tour and get our hands dirty,” Barrett declares, “and since it's the Warped Tour, probably everything else dirty too. Oh and playing music will be fun as well! "

In case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard the new tunes on Monkeys For Nothin’ And The Chimps For Free expect weirder and sillier songs this time around. The record covers classic Reel Big Fish fare, including random gibberish, love songs, hate songs, drinking songs and even songs about girlfriends (even though the band members are all married now).

"It's everything you ever wanted, needed and never expected from Reel Big Fish," Barrett points out.

Currently in the studio working on a hush-hush, top secret project of epic proportions, please stay tuned for further details.

Having just won over a bevy of fans in Mexico City last month, RBF will play Brazil for the first time in the fall after Warped Tour wraps up.

For more information see www.reel-big-fish.com and www.myspace.com/reelbigfish.

CATCH REEL BIG FISH ON THE VANS WARPED TOUR THIS SUMMER:

June 20 @ Fairplex Park – Pomona, CA
June 21 @ Pier 30/32 - San Francisco, CA
June 22 @ Seaside Park - Ventura, CA
June 25 @ Cricket Wireless Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ
June 26 @ New Mexico State University - Intramural Field - Las Cruces, NM
June 28 @ Utah State Fair - Salt Lake City, UT
June 29 @ Invesco Field At Mile High - Denver, CO
July 1 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St Louis - Maryland Heights, MO
July 2 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Bonner Springs, KS
July 3 @ Superpages.com Center (formerly Smirnoff Music Center) - Dallas, TX
July 5 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Selma, TX
July 6 @ Sam Houston Race Park - Houston, TX
July 9 @ Lakewood Exhibition Center - Atlanta, GA
July 10 @ Central Florida Fairgrounds - Orlando, FL
July 11 @ Vinoy Park – St. Petersburg, FL
July 12 @ Bicentennial Park - Miami, FL
July 13 @ St Johns County Fairgrounds - Elkton, FL
July 14 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Charlotte, NC
July 15 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Virginia Beach, VA
July 16 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
July 17 @ Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City - Cleveland, OH
July 18 @ Comerica Park - Detroit, MI
July 19 @ Downsview Park Allen Road - Toronto, ON
July 20 @ Park Jean Drapeau - Montreal, QC
July 23 @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts - Mansfield, MA
July 24 @ Darien Lake P.A.C. - Darien Center, NY
July 25 @ Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
July 26 @ Nassau Coliseum - Uniondale, NY
July 27 @ Toyota Pavilion - Scranton, PA
July 28 @ Raceway Park - Englishtown, NJ
July 29 @ Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake - Pittsburgh, PA
July 30 @ Riverbend Amphitheatre - Cincinnati, OH
July 31 @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Noblesville, IN
Aug 1 @ Marcus Amphitheater - Milwaukee, WI
Aug 2 @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
Aug 3 @ Canterbury Park - Shakopee, MN
Aug 5 @ Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, SK
Aug 6 @ Race City Speedway - Calgary, AB
Aug 8 @ Idaho Center Amphitheatre - Nampa, ID
Aug 9 @ Gorge Amphitheatre - George, WA
Aug 10 @ Columbia Meadows - St. Helens, OR
Aug 13 @ Save Mart Center - Fresno, CA
Aug 14 @ Coors Amphitheater - Chula Vista, CA
Aug 15 @ Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA
Aug 16 @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre - Marysville, CA
Aug 17 @ The Home Depot Center - Carson, CA

The Acacia Strain is on the road

Brutal Massachusetts four-some, The Acacia Strain, are set to leave a nationwide path of destruction as they embark on a month long headlining tour this summer. The SUN YOUR BUNZ tour, which kicks off in Buffalo on May 30th, will run through the end of June, leveling 26 cities along the way.

Adding to the onslaught are fellow Massachusetts hardcore veterans, Since the Flood, and Nuclear Blast’s, All Shall Perish, who will be along for the duration of the tour. The Warriors (Victory Records) and Eternal Lord (Ferret Music) round out the lineup as they perform on select dates.

SUN YOUR BUNZ will finish up on June 29th in Holyoke, MA, just minutes outside The Acacia Strain’s hometown of Springfield, where the band will have their set filmed for an upcoming DVD. The band will then bring the brutality overseas for a European tour with Annotations of an Autopsy and Knights of the Abyss.

"This is the best time of year to tour,” says The Acacia Strain vocalist, Vincent Bennett. “I couldn't ask for a better group of dudes to spend my time on the road with. Excited to see old friends and meet new ones. It is going to be a killer June. Come on out and SUN YOUR BUNZ!"

The Acacia Strain are also gearing up for the release of their fourth studio album, Continent, which is due out on August 19th on Prosthetic Records. The band had the opportunity to work with acclaimed producer, Zeuss,(Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, God Forbid) on the release.

"We don't remember when writing a record felt this good,” explains the band’s guitarist, DL. “Continent has something to it that we never really tried before; some uncharted territory, but at the same time still left us room to do what we love doing best. There's a little something for everyone on this one...even that guy."

Be sure to catch The Acacia Strain on the SUN YOUR BUNZ tour, coming to a city near you…

6/03 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
6/05 – Fargo, ND – Aquarium
6/06 – Omaha, NE – Sokol Underground
6/07 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
6/09 – Boise, ID – The Venue
6/10 – Spokane, WA – The Boulevard
6/11 – Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
6/12 – Portland, OR – Satyricon
6/13 – Sacramento, CA – The Boardwalk
6/14 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
6/15 – San Bernardino, CA – Hudson Theatre
6/16 – Bakersfield, CA – Jerry’s Pizza
6/18 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock
6/19 – Las Cruces, NM – Las Cruces Live
6/20 – Austin, TX – Red 7
6/21 – Lewisville, TX – Fat Daddy’s Sound Shack
6/22 – Tulsa, OK – Crush Lounge
6/24 – Nashville, TN – The Muse
6/25 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
6/26 – Fredricksburg, VA – KC’s Music Alley
6/27 – Lemoyne, PA – Champion Ship
6/28 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
6/29 – Holyoke, MA – Waterfront Tavern ***SHOOTING FOR DVD***


The Acacia Strain with Annotations of an Autopsy, and Knights of the Abyss
7/12 – Bayreuth, Germany – Komm
7/13 – Berlin, Germany – Cassiopeia
7/14 – Prague, Czech Republic – 007
7/15 – Banska Bystrica, Slovakia – Klub 77
7/16 – Wein, Austria – Arena
7/17 – Turin, Italy – Soundfactory
7/18 – Pinarella di Cervia, Italy – Rockplanet
7/20 – Trier, Germany - Exhaus
7/21 – Paris, France – Batofar
7/22 – Cardiff, UK – Barfly
7/23 – Nottingham, UK – Junction 7
7/24 – Glasgow, UK – Ivory Blacks
7/25 – Sheffield, UK – Corporation
7/26 – Stoke-On-Trent, UK – The Sugarmill
7/27 – Norwich, UK – The Queen Charlotte
7/28 – London, UK – Underworld
7/29 – Manchester, UK – Music Box
7/30 – Plymouth, UK – The White Rabbit
7/31 – Swindon, UK – The Furnace
8/01 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique
8/02 – Bochum, Germany – Matrix
8/03 – Karlsruhe, Germany – Stadtmitte

Jewel to release new country album today

Three-time Grammy nominee Jewel, will release her highly-anticipated new country album, Perfectly Clear, on Tuesday, June 3rd on The Valory Music Co., sister label to Big Machine Records. In support of her new release, Jewel will perform on Live with Regis and Kelly and Late Night with Conan O’Brien on June 4th; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 17, followed by Jimmy Kimmel Live on June 18th.

In addition, Jewel will return for her second season on NBC’s Nashville Star on June 9th. Jewel will serve as a mentor/judge, along with her friend and Perfectly Clear co-producer, John Rich of Big and Rich. Billy Ray Cyrus hosts this season’s Nashville Star.

“I am so excited to be a part of Nashville Star, to help mentor young artists and cultivate their singing, songwriting and playing and to encourage and continue that tradition,” said Jewel.

Jewel kicks-off a tour on June 11th in Albuquerque, NM, with Brad Paisley’s Hershey’s Presents The Paisley Party Tour. The cross-country tour continues into the fall, with more dates to be added to the touring schedule. For additional information please visit www.jeweljk.com.

Finally, Jewel fans will be treated to behind-the-scenes glimpses into Jewel’s life during her album release week. The star’s video blogs, made from the road, will be found exclusively on social networking website iLike (www.iLike.com), beginning June 2nd.

Jewel, hailed by The Times of London as “the most sparkling female singer-songwriter since Joni Mitchell,” has sold over 27 million albums worldwide, enjoying career longevity rare among her generation of artists. An acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet, actress and painter, Jewel has explored fresh musical avenues for more than a decade that have taken her from the simplicity of acoustic-driven folk to the embrace of rock, pop, country, blues, jazz and classical influences.

Jewel remains committed to her philanthropic endeavors, including Project Clean Water, a program she founded in 1997. The non-profit charity foundation is working to improve the quality of life for millions of people, by helping to provide clean water on a global scale. Jewel also serves as the U.S. charitable ambassador for Sir Richard Branson’s charity, Virgin Unite.

FanDoodle.com helps artists get music to fans

FanDoodle.com is pleased to announce a music industry first - a system for Fans to distribute digital downloads as partners with Artists or labels.

"We have released an interface that gives Artists the ability to instantly allow their Fans to distribute their music," said Michael Penfield, Founder of FanDoodle.com. "This interface lets the Artist/label easily manage downloads being sold, the banners used by Fans for marketing, and the content of the web page used for completing the sale."

Once an Artist/label has uploaded music, banners, and text content, Fans can begin selling downloads and receive 20% of the sales that they generate. Fans place banner code or textlinks in their emails, web sites, MySpace or Facebook pages, blogs, or forums. When a friend or visitor clicks-through and purchases a download, the Fan receives 20%.

While the ability for Artists to distribute downloads is nothing new, the ability for them to instantly distribute downloads in partnership with their Fans is new. An Artist/label can sell music through thousands of distribution points rather than just a handful.

"How cool is it that the day I perform or record," said rising pop star Lauren de Miranda, whose latest release is available at FanDoodle.com, "I can upload my track and begin selling immediately! Not to mention my fans and friends can sell it and also make a cut! Sweet simplicity!"

FanDoodle calls this service FanDoodle Digital and has priced it at $9.95 for set-up. Artists receive 60% of sales (Fans and FanDoodle split the remaining 40%) and have the ability to set the price of their downloads.

Def Jam Recordings' Shakir Stewart promoted

Shakir Stewart has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings, it was announced today by Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. Mr. Stewart will report directly to Mr. Reid, and to Steve Bartels, President & COO, Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. Stewart will be based in Atlanta and New York.

In his new post, Mr. Stewart will assume overall responsibility for the day to day activities of the Def Jam label, including the acquisition and development of new talent, overseeing producers and guiding the creative vision and brand recognition of the legendary label.

“The bold young management style that Shakir has established at Def Jam is one of the major reasons behind the label’s success today,” said Mr. Reid. “From his solid roots in music publishing, he has grown to master the world of hip-hop and urban music.”

“The past four years have been an unforgettable experience for me,” said Mr. Stewart. “Having the opportunity to work with a brilliant music man such as L.A. Reid, along with the most amazing team in the music business, has afforded me the knowledge and inspiration to take the next step in my career and continue to amplify and expand Def Jam's stellar reputation in the industry."

"Shakir has been an integral part of Def Jam's chemistry ever since he joined the company in 2004," said Mr. Bartels. "His instincts for searching out new artists is talked about throughout the industry. In addition, his understanding of every facet of Def Jam's business operation makes us confident in his leadership of the company into its third decade."

Since September 2006, Mr. Stewart has served as Senior Vice President, A&R, Def Jam Record­ings. That followed two years as Vice President, A&R, Def Jam Record­ings, where his new artist signings included hip-hop stars Young Jeezy and Rick Ross. Mr. Stewart came to the company from Hitco Publishing, where he was Senior Vice President & General Manager since 1999, and signed BeyoncĂ© to the firm. During that same period, he served as an A&R consultant to LaFace Records and (from 2000 to 2004) Arista Records, where he signed R&B sensation Ciara. Mr. Stewart was graduated from Morehouse College in 1996, with the Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing.

TV Land Awards celeb list grows

TV Land has lined up an array of television, film and musical icons for the sixth annual “TV Land Awards.” The network announced today that Steve Carell, Justin Timberlake, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Jack Klugman, the cast of “The Office,” “She’s Got The Look’s” Kim Alexis and Beverly Johnson and more are set to appear, and musical sensation Lionel Richie will take the stage for a musical performance.

They join previously-announced honorees Mike Myers, Garry Marshall, the casts of “Roseanne” and “The Golden Girls” and Jonathan Winters. The show will tape on Sunday, June 8 at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA and will premiere on TV Land on Sunday, June 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. M&M'S® Brand Chocolate Candies is the presenting sponsor of the annual celebration that recognizes television, music and motion picture’s rich history.

The “TV Land Awards” is the network’s annual salute to the best and brightest in the world of entertainment. This year, the show will feature reunions of some of the most memorable casts from TV, showcase an iconic musical performer and the always-popular television show parody, and for the first time ever, honor favorites in movies.

Honorees and presenters include:

Justin Timberlake will present The Legacy of Laughter Award to Mike Myers. This is presented to performers who are funny and then funny and then funny again. They create timeless comedy by mixing the strange and the familiar, bringing to life characters, stories and moments that are both comically absurd and, at some level, completely real.

Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams. Henry Winkler, Jack Klugman and Dick Van Dyke will present The Legend Award to Garry Marshall. This award is presented to an entertainer who has stood the test of time and ranks among the most memorable and celebrated in TV and movie history.

Robin Williams will present The Pioneer Award to Jonathan Winters. This is given to performers who have distinguished themselves by pushing back the frontiers of the media and bringing true originality to the world of entertainment.

The Innovator Award will be presented to the cast of “Roseanne.” This award is presented to a series whose influence is still felt and is evident in television today; a show that carved out new territory, redefining elements of the genre and opening new pathways for others to follow.

The Pop Culture Award will be awarded to “The Golden Girls.” This award is presented to a show that has crossed the line from television series to pop culture phenomenon.

Michael Levitt (“TV Land Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Producers Guild Awards”) is executive producer, Emmy Award winning Jeff Margolis is director (“Academy Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Screen Actors Guild Awards”), Greg Sills serves as supervising producer (“VH1 Rock Honors,” “The Teen Choice Awards,” “Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards”) and TV Land’s Sal Maniaci and Larry W. Jones are executive producers.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Join Tequila Mockingbird for karaoke and live shows

Here's the latest happenings from Tequila Mockingbird:
The Rainbow is having
ALL STAR KARAOKE
with
Tequila Mockingbird, Miss Kimmy, The Twinny Twins, Dave Anger, Hey Dee Ramone
and More
on the Sunset Strip!
Every Tuesday Night 9pm-1am
-------------------------------------------

Coming soon the 01 gallery benefit for Burma
with
The Hammersmith Comedy Troup
Siggy
Doug Knott
Big Daddy Beat
DJ Tequila
DJ Surfer Mike
and special guests

Woodstock museum opens today

My friend Maria told me about a cool museum devoted to Woodstock that opens today. She sent me a link, so here's some of the info. You can learn more at
www.bethelwoodscenter.org
~M

Opens June 2, 2008 at Noon

The Museum at Bethel Woods is an immersive and captivating multi-media experience that combines film and interactive displays, text panels and artifacts to explore the unique experience of the Woodstock festival, its significance as the culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation, and the legacy of the Sixties and Woodstock today.

For information: 866-781-2922

For tickets: 845-454-3388

Email: museum@BethelWoodsCenter.org

Phone: 845-295-2572

Get ready for the Big Read in San Marino!


Pick up Eric Davenport's effort

Local artist Eric Davenport has been getting rave reviews from critics and fans alike for his "Carbon McCartney" album released under the band name of Legal Tender. If you like grooves harkening back to the days of the Beatles filled with excellent guitar work and moving vocals, check this out! Available at the store below and online.

Rhino Records store
235 Yale Ave.
Claremont Village CA
(909) 626-7774
www.mclegaltender.com