My favorite video star, Busta Rhymes, is to release a new album on Dr. Dre's label Aftermath, as Busta's deal with J records finished in 2002. Dre & Rhymes collaborated well together on "Break Ya Neck" so expect a good album m'ere.
On the roster from Matador Records at the South by Southwest festival are Mission Of Burma, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Preston School Of Industry, and Seachange. They will all be together, on one stage (though not simultaneously) Thursday night, March 18 at La Zona Rosa, 612 W. 4th St., Austin, TX.
Speaking of Mission of Burma (scroll down one) OnOffOn is the out May 4. That would be the first new studio recordings in 22 years from Mission. The 16 track CD is divided into 2 sets, much like the band's recent performances, with a brief silent intermission. The vinyl version of ONOffON will include 1 bonus track, a cover of The Dils' "Class War."
Calla begin a fifteen-date tour on March 5th in Washington, D.C. The group's self-titled debut was re-released earlier this month, as we mentioned before.
Rivers Cuomo and former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp are officially pals again, at least by the looks of it at Sharp's California State Fullerton solo gig on February 12th. The guys shared the stage for the first time since 1997, doing numbers like "Undone (The Sweater Song)" and "Say It Ain't So," and a new tune, "Time Song," that the ex-bandmates recently wrote together. More on their collaboration as it unfolds, but according to RollingStone.com, the pair are writing together but not actively shopping their wares to labels yet.
Video footage of Howling Wolf and Son House is included in the Alan Lomax Collection, which was recently acquired by the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Check it out, literally.
The Militia Group are getting all Willy Wonka on you, as their new sampler, Hello, We Are The Militia Group Vol. 1 will hold a golden ticket. Well, at least one copy will. If you get the CD with the golden ticket in it, you can sing with your granpa, then The Militia Group will pay for you to record a song to appear on Volume 2 of the sampler series. Tracklisting, which includes The Lyndsay Diaries, Copeland, and The Beautiful Mistake, is given as usual.
We've been slogging along trying to get the skinny on Fiona Apple's upcoming album, and now, thanks to the March issue of SPIN, here it is: The album is titled, for now, Extraordinary Machine and due later this year with producer Jon Brion. Fiona's been reading a lot, according to the article, and it shows through in the songs. Fiona told SPIN: "There's a song called 'Better Version of Me' that is jam-packed with stuff word-and-phrase from word-and-phrase origin books, another called 'Red, Red, Red' is inspired by a book about optical illusions." Apple also has what she calls a "you-hurt-me-ballad" called "Oh Well." More when we know.
The best band to yet release an album, Autolux, will be playing in San Francisco on March 23rd at Bimbo's with Blonde Redhead. The band also reports that they have finished mixing their debut album with Dave Sardy (NIN, RHCP, Dandy Warhols, Supergrass, Jet, etc. etc.). The disc is expected to be available in late March or early April if all continues to go well.
Fantomas are playing out in support of their album Delirium Cordia.
Trent Reznor has said that the new Nine Inch Nails album Bleed Through is expected to be finished this summer and released later this year. " It's going to be twelve good punches in the face -- no fillers, no instrumentals, just straight to the point," he said of the forthcoming disc. The new material is also expected to be previewed in an upcoming tour.
The (International) Noise Conspiracy have now finished recording their latest album and are currently mixing the record. The disc, Armed Love, was produced with Rick Rubin and the band hopes to have it ready for release this summer.
The score to the previously mentioned award-winning British documentary Bodysong will be released tomorrow. If you want to check out Johnny Greenwood's new masterpiece, go here and stream the entire thing.
Last time we checked in with a Wilco update we mentioned that they were in the studio working on their follow-up to Yankee Foxtrot Hotel. Well the record is finished and will be released on June 8th. The record was originally to be titled W*lco Happens but is now entitled A ghost is born. Click more for tracklisting.
Death Cab for Cutie's new video "The Sound of Settling" will premiere on MTV.com tommorow, Thursday February 19. The video features the band as well as a giant gingerbread man.
Coheed and Cambria have emerged with a video for "A Favor House Atlantic" from their latest album In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth:3. Check it out in Windows Media and Real Audio.
The Vines have set up a Digital Street Team in celebration of the release of their new album, Winning Days. Join the DST here and be sure and check out the newly-announced pre-sale tickets for the shows below:
While you were having a regular old night last night, Screeching Weasel reunited at the Fireside Bowl to play seven classic tracks. Check out pictures here. Whoa!
Did you know that The Casualties have a new album out in stores now? Check out the ecard for more info.
I am sure you are aware of Punkvoter.com, spearheaded by Fat Mike (of Nofx), which is very vocal about its liberal views and stance against President Bush. Now, Conservativepunk.com has sprung up tp provide an opposing view and some healthy debate. Check out both for some interesting viewpoints.
