Thursday Sign to Epitaph Records+New Album Sping 09

After months of speculation and wait, New Brunswick's Thursday have finally announced they have signed to Epitaph Records. The band is planning to release its fifth full-length album next Spring. No further detail are available. On November 4 the band is releaseing a split album with Tokyo's Envy.

"We've always believed that music has the power to change lives and that all of us who have been lucky enough to make music for a living have a responsibility to try and make the world a more compassionate and livable place in any small way that they can," Rickly adds. "We hope that with Epitaph's help and guidance, we can do our part."

"One of our biggest concerns was that we find a situation where we could be free to just be Thursday," explains Thursday frontman, Geoff Rickly. "Epitaph have continually voiced their desire to help us become the band that we have always wanted to be. It's a great feeling to have a label encourage you to be more socially conscious and politically active. It's a great feeling to have a label owner push you to explore the most experimental and challenging aspects of your band's music instead of dissuading you. It's a truly great feeling to be working with a label that all of our friends have had so many great experiences with."

New Minus the Bear EP out October 7+Fall Headlining U.S. Tour

photo by Ryan Russell


















Minus the Bear will release "ACOUSTICS," a new 7 track EP on October 7. The EP was recorded at the new Redroom studio in Seattle, WA. The release features some acoustic guitars, tambourines, swizzle stix, snare drums, organ pipes, and vocal chords. The EP features a new song, "Guns & Ammo" and acoustic versions of old favorites. The band will premiere the new song on its upcoming U.S. tour, plus another new song.

The band's upcoming tour will run from October 8- November 22. The band visit's Webster Hall in New York City on October 25 and The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on October 26. Opening bands are Annuals and Sylvie.

The official press release and tour dates are below.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

"Minus The Bear is excited to announce the release of ACOUSTICS, an exclusive seven track EP available this fall. The self-released EP via Tigre Blanco Records will be available in two formats and feature newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites from the Seattle quintet's prolific career and one new track entitled "Guns & Ammo." Beginning October 7th, ACOUSTICS will be sold digitally via online outlets such as iTunes, Amazon and Emusic. Physical copies of the EP will be sold exclusively on the bands headlining tour beginning in Spokane, WA on October 8th.

A band known for their unique brand of rock n roll full of finger-taping guitar riffs mixed with memorable melodies and progressive arrangements, ACOUSTICS is an excellent inside look into the band's history of winning and entertaining a rabid and rapidly growing fan base.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Guns & Ammo (new track)
2. We Are Not a Football Team (from the album, Highly Refined Pirates)
3. Burying Luck (from the album, Planet of Ice)
4. Knights (from the album, Planet of Ice)
5. Pachuca Sunrise (from the album, Menos El Oso)
6. Throwin' Shapes (from the album, Planet of Ice)
7. Ice Monster (from the album, Planet of Ice)"

MINUS THE BEAR- 2008 U.S. Tour Dates

Oct 8-- Spokane, WA @ Service Station
Oct 9 -- Missoula, MT @ The Other Side
Oct 10 -- Casper, WY @ American Legion
Oct 11 -- Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Oct 12 -- Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
Oct 13 -- Iowa City, IA @ The Picador
Oct 15 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
Oct 16 -- Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
Oct 17 -- Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
Oct 18 -- Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Oct 19 -- Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
Oct 20 -- Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Oct 21 -- Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre
Oct 22 -- Washington, DC @ 930 Club
Oct 23 -- Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
Oct 24 -- Providence, RI @ Lupo's at the Strand
Oct 25 -- New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Oct 26 -- Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Oct 28 -- Richmond, VA @ The National
Oct 29 -- Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
Oct 30 -- Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
Oct 31 -- Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
Nov 1 -- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Nov 3 -- Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Nov 4 -- Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
Nov 5 -- Jacksonville, FL @ Free Bird Cafe
Nov 7 -- New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Nov 8 -- Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Nov 9 -- Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov 10 -- Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Nov 12 -- Sante Fe, NM @ Warehouse 21
Nov 13 -- Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Nov 14 -- San Diego, CA @ Soma
Nov 15 -- Pomona, CA @Glass House
Nov 16 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Nov 18 -- Sacramento, CA @ Empire
Nov 19 -- San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's 365 Club
Nov 22 -- Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market

An Horse- 2008 Tour Dates (Maxwell's and CMJ Show) + New Label & Album

photo by Amelia Shaw























An Horse have announced that they will be embarking on a U.S. tour in October and November. The Australian duo featuring Kate Cooper and Daimon Cox, will be out with Bishop Allen, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and The Brakes. The band will be at Maxwell's in Hoboken on October 21 and the 205 Club, part of the CMJ Music Marathon on October 22.

The band will also have copies of their new finished debut album, "Rearrange Beds" available on the U.S. Tour. It will also be available on iTunes soon. The album will be officially released early 2009 via Mom & Pop, a new indie label based in New York City. The band will then play three Australian dates with Tegan and Sara. Their latest ep, "Not Really Scared" featured 5 song including "Postcards," and "Company."

An Horse- 2008/2009 Tour Dates

w/ The New Pornographers
Oct. 5- The Annandale Sydney, New South Wales
Oct. 12- The Annandale Sydney, New South Wales

w/ Jessica Lea Mayfield
Oct. 20- Arlington, Virginia @ IOTA Club & Cafe
Oct. 21- Hoboken, New Jersey @ Maxwell's
Oct. 22- CMJ Music Marathon ~ 205 Club New York, New York
Oct. 21 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ The Khyber
Oct. 24 Boston, Massachusetts @ Cafe 939 (w/ The Brakes)
Oct. 28 Chicago, Illinois @ The Abbey
Oct. 29 Detroit, Michigan @ The Pike Room
Oct. 30 Covington, Kentucky @ Mad Hatter
Nov. 1 Nashville, Tennessee @ The Basement

w/ Bishop Allen
Nov. 2 Hill, North Carolina @ Local 506 Chapel ( also w/ Electric Owls)
Nov. 5 Norman, Oklahoma @ Opolis
Nov. 6 Lubbock, Texas @ Bash Rip Rock's 2
Nov. 7 Denton, Texas @ Hailey's
Nov. 11 Los Angeles, California @ The Echo
Nov. 12 San Francisco, California @ The Independent
Nov. 14 Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court

w/ Tegan & Sara:
Jan. 8 Sydney, New South Wales @ Enmore Theatre
Jan. 9 Melbourne, Victoria @ The Palace Theatre
Jan. 11 Adelaide, South Australia @ HQ

Screaming Females/ The Pussy Pirates/The Invicible Gods/ Slaw @ NJ Basement Show

For a few years now, I’ve heard about the legendary basement shows in Meat Town USA, the city that breeds punk bands like Thursday, Lifetime, The Ergs, and the infectious, guitar drenching, chaotic explosion called Screaming Females. The 3-piece performed with Ann Harbor, Michigan’s, The Pussy Pirates, Slaw, and Invincible Gods, my first house show on September 16.

I would be in for a treat. As the night went on the room would fill with eager fans ready to dance. At 7 p.m. the show began with a fast, catchy punk set by The Invincible Gods, led by singer Candace. There was complementing vocals provided by the guitarist. She sung and screamed in such a way that made me smile. They started off the night right.

Slaw played straight fast punk. The 20 minute set with by quickly, but got the crowd moving. It’s tough to move around in a basement given the small space, all the items off to the side, and the low ceiling. Nonetheless there was a small pit and a few people dancing all around. 

The Pussy Pirates with their mo-hawks and alto and tenor saxophones, drummer in a jock strap, and vocals from everyone provided a delicious punk-fusion. There set was nice, it was fun to watch, dance, and listen to. The five players were all female, except the drummer. There was also so Spanish singing and a rendition of “La Bamba.” Never before I had heard a sound like the one The Pussy Pirates created, so bravo to them. It was an enjoyable set. 

The anticipation built for Screaming Females. Before long the band started playing. With all the handle and rawness in her, Marissa played the guitar with ripping chords. The songs are so rockin’ and everyone in the band rocks as hard as they can. It’s always incredible watching SF, even though it was only my second time, I’ve seen video to prove their awesomeness. Tonight they would not play “Boyfriend,” my favorite song. It got pretty hot in that basement and everyone looked to be sweaty, bodies collided, people were singing, and dancing all around. It was indeed a "fun" show. 

This is where the do it yourself punk ethic came from. This is the social-political bands came out of. This is the kinda thing helps that keeps me interested in music. Yay, for the basement show. 

Screaming Females will play the following area dates before they head off to tour until Mid November.

September 25: Record Release and Tour Kick Off @ Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ with Hunchback and Full of Fancy. The band will be releasing two new split 7 inches featuring both bands. 

September 26: The Fort in Brooklyn, NY with Stupid Party

September 27: Silent Barn in Brooklyn, NY with Neptune, These Are Powers, and Marnie Stern

Also, check out the Pussy Pirates for more tour dates.

Apologies. Re-Vamped Blog Coming in October.

Fellow Blog Readers,

I sincerely apologize for the lack of new entries. I'm working on refining this blog so that it is consistent and updated regularly. I am a college student and with the new semester underway, I've become focused on my studies. But don't fret because by October this blog will be up and running. I appreciate your reading and hope that serves to enterain, interest, or inform you to music and new ideas in some way.

Tomorrow, I am going to this rad house show in New Brunswick. I am excited it'll be my first show in this city that breeds some amazing bands. Screaming Females is a beast. This 3-piece play a brand of rock that is captivating and punk and so rockin'. Check em out:

SCREAMING FEMALES with The Pussy Pirates, Slaw and Invincible Gods
Meat Town USA
215 Hamilton St
New Brunswick, NJ
All Ages
6pm
$5

Til' October or before should I have something exciting to say.

All the best,
Star Child

Everclear & The B-52's Headline 2-Day Family Fun and Music Event in Cranford, NJ this weekend

THE B-52'S & EVERCLEAR HEADLINE MUSICFEST 2008 LINEUP CONFIRMED FOR FREE: TWO-DAY FAMILY FUN AND MUSIC EVENT

Three Stages of Well-Known Acts and Rising Stars
Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6
In Nomahegan Park in Cranford

"The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with presenting sponsor Overlook Hospital has confirmed two jam-packed days of music on three stages at MusicFest '08, including Everclear, who will headline Friday, September 5, and The B-52's, who will headline on Saturday, September 6, at Nomahegan Park in Cranford." [Union Country Music Fest]

Free to the public, the 11th installment of this annual event will feature more than 20 performers, among them a contingent of rising musical stars from New Jersey on both days.

“On behalf of my colleagues on the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank all of our sponsors for making it possible for thousands of Union County residents to enjoy two days of free, high quality, family entertainment,” said Angel G. Estrada, chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “I would especially like to thank our stage sponsors - Overlook Hospital, The Hartford, Walmart, and Elizabethtown Gas – and our other main sponsors including PSE&G, Kean University, Verizon, and Commerce Bank.”

Last year, a single-day version of MusicFest drew an estimated 50,000 attendees to take in two stages of music, making it one of the state’s premier entertainment draws. Beyond expanding to two days, this year’s event will feature even more musical entertainment on a third stage, a larger version of Kids Kingdom in a new location in the park, additional food vendors, a marketplace, and the return of the Love, Hope, Strength charity walkathon, paired with a newly added 5k race.

MusicFest '08 will officially open Friday, September 5, at 3 p.m. The music will continue bright and early on Saturday, September 6, at 8 a.m. to coincide with registration for the Rock On Walkathon and 5k Rock N’ Run. Both nights will close at 10 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are welcome.

Friday's musical highlights will include:

Everclear, the alternative rock band originally formed in Portland, Ore., and known for such hits as “Santa Monica,” and “Father of Mine." The Art Alexakis-led group will take the stage at approximately 8 p.m.

Cracker, a modern rock group formed by former Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery. The band rose to prominence in the 1990s, scoring hits with "Low," "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" and "Get Off This."

Jenny Owen Youngs, a singer/song writer from Montclair, N.J., who has received strong national reviews for her debut album, "Batten the Hatches."

Val Emmich, a singer/songwriter and actor haling from Manalapan, N.J. His new album, "Little Daggers," is due to be released September 30. Along with a recurring role on ABC's "Ugly Betty," he has been seen in NBC's "30 Rock" and ABC's "Cashmere Mafia."

A host of local acts sponsored by The Crossroads of Garwood -- including a solo performance by Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio, Beale Street Love, Tom Vella, 3rd Party and others will perform on MusicFest '08's newly added Walmart-sponsored third stage.

Helena Maria, a New Jersey born-and-bred duo, will open the main stage. Their music has been featured in MTV’s “The Hills” and the upcoming movie, “In My Sleep.” HelenaMaria also appeared on mtvU’s “Meet or Delete: Best Music on Campus” episode.

Saturday's musical highlights will include:

A headlining set by legendary party rock band, The B-52s. Known for scores of hits, including “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” "Private Idaho" and “Roam," the band released "Funplex," its first new studio album in 16 years, in March to universally positive reviews. The band will close out MusicFest '08 with a bang.

Tokyo Police Club, a young indie rock band from Toronto that has been featured on MTV, and critically acclaimed in Spin, Rolling Stone and other leading music publications since the release of their full-length debut, “Elephant Shell,” earlier this year.

The Gin Blossoms, a power-pop act whose classic 1992 album, “New Miserable Experience” sold 3 million records thanks to several hits, including “Hey Jealousy,” "Found Out About You" and "Allison Road."

· Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals. The voice of one of the biggest groups in the country from 1965-69 will perform such beloved hits as "Good Lovin'," "Groovin'," "A Girl Like You," "A Beautiful Morning" and "People Got to Be Free."

· Dan Zanes, described by People magazine as "the crown prince of contemporary kids music." A Grammy award-winning artist and former member of legendary rock band The Del Fuegos, Zanes and his band are regularly seen and heard on PBS' "Sesame Street" and Playhouse Disney, and known far and wide for his incredible family-friendly musical performances.

· Mike Peters with the NJ Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players. The founder and lead singer of The Alarm will return to MusicFest without his band for a very special solo performance of his well-known songs with orchestral accompaniment.

·Glen Burtnik & Friends performing a set of classics from The Beatles catalog. Based in New Brunswick, N.J., Burtnik is a successful and respected singer, guitarist and songwriter. A one-time member of Styx, he is also well-known for his portrayal of Paul McCartney in the original Broadway production of "Beatlemania."

· Danielia Cotton a fiery, blues rock artist from Hopewell, N.J., who has earned raves for her stage performance and three original studio albums, including the recently released "Rare Child." Cotton and her band have toured with many notable artists, including Gregg Allman, Flaming Lips, Buddy Guy and fellow New Jerseyans Bon Jovi.

Several local acts -- including Jobonanno and the Godsons of Soul featuring Vini Lopez, the Roadside Graves -- will perform on MusicFest '08's newly added Walmart-sponsored third stage.

Additionally, MusicFest '08 will feature several performances by The What Cheer? Brigade, a rowdy 19-piece roving brass band from Providence, R.I., across both days.

Other attractions will include:

· The Major League Baseball Traveling Road Show, which includes pitching and batting cages and video game kiosks, was a very popular attraction at last year's event and will return to the MusicFest grounds in 2008.

· The Marketplace, expanded for MusicFest '08, will add a variety of vendors and a host of new food merchants.

· As previously announced, the Rock on! Walkathon and 5k Rock N’ Run (on a certified USATF course) will open the festival on Saturday, September 6 (7:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run start, 9:15 a.m. walk start) to benefit the Love Hope Strength Foundation (www.lovehopestrength.org) and The Valerie Fund (www.thevaleriefund.org).

· Saturday includes Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee, an entertainment show featuring rides and amusements for children, which will be staged in an expanded area at Shane Walsh Field, which is adjoining Nomahegan Park. Kids Kingdom makes several stops in Union County Parks through the year, concluding with MusicFest.

· The Shane Walsh Field area will also include a stage for family acts, a petting zoo for children, arts and crafts.

· A laser tag area for adults and children will also be located in the Shane Walsh Field area. A height of 52” is required to participate.

In the event of rain, MusicFest will be held at Kean University, however the Rock on! Walkathon and 5K Rock N’ Run will be held in Cranford. Sponsors include Overlook Hospital (presenting sponsor), The Hartford, Elizabethtown Gas, Wal-Mart, Anheuser-Busch, Kean University, Commerce Bank, Verizon, Ceasar’s, Rio22 and others. The Holiday Inn on Route 22 in Springfield will again provide discounted room rates for MusicFest attendees.

Additional information is available at ucmusicfest.com.