Hot Music Beat

Vancouver, Canada’s THE VEER UNION have just released their major label debut, Against The Grain, on Universal/Motown Records. The album features the guitar-driven single, “Seasons,” which is already making headway on Modern and Active Rock radio. Recorded by Greg Archilla (Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Buckcherry) with a couple tracks produced by Brian Howes (Hinder, Hedley, Daughtry, Rev Theory), the collection is packed with arena-sized vocal hooks around every corner. The entire album is streaming on their Ultimate-Guitar profile page for one week only. In support of the release, the band has joined forces with Hinder and Theory Of A Deadman for a tour around the continental US.

Make sure to check out THE VEER UNION all Spring and Summer and pick up your copy of their new album, Against The Grain, in stores now!

ALBUM LISTENING PARTY:

Hollywood hair metal dreamers Steel Panther have launched an all out attack on the pop mainstream with their newest video “Death to All But Metal”. Asserting their alpha male dominance with plenty of hairspray, spandex, and sick stage moves, Steel Panther have taken shots against anyone NOT flying the hair metal flag. Kanye West, Madonna, and 50-Cent are among the superstars targeted by lead singer Michael Starr’s wrath in the clip.

“Death to All But Metal” is an homage to Van Halen’s classic “Hot For Teacher” video and also features a cameo by smart mouth comedienne Sarah Silverman as the school principal.

Steel Panther’s new album, Feel The Steel, hits stores on 6/9 (how fitting is that date?!)

Check out Steel Panther’s new video for “Death To All But Metal” below:

“Death to All But Metal” Video

The band has recently been asked by the infamous PETA to change their name to something that would encourage much more friendly behavior towards animals. PETA supposedly asked Pet Shop Boys to change their name to Rescue Shelter Boys. A statement was written on the band’s official website: “PETA has written to the Pet Shop Boys with a request they are unable to agree to but nonetheless think raises an issue worth thinking about.” I bet whoever wrote that just said it so that PETA would lay low at least for a little while longer. What would the point of Pet Shop Boys changing their name anyway? Does PETA actually think that the band’s name encourages the purchasing of animals from pet shops?

Jimmy Chamberlin who till last week was the drummer of rock band Smashing Pumpkins
Has opened up on the reason why he abruptly quit the band and how the whole thing has affected his terms with frontman Billy Corgan.

In a blog post which Jimmy has address to his fans he has written: “I can no longer commit all of my energy into something that I don’t fully possess. I won’t pretend I’m into something I’m not. I won’t do it to myself, you the fan, or my former partner. I can’t just, ‘Cash the check’ so to speak.”

Go on Jimmy there is nothing that can stop a creative person from creating his own destiny since when has brotherhood been the bottom line for working together. We all believe that till its worth doing something we do it and there after just dump it cos’ we’ve outgrown ourselves so immensely that others become unsightable.

Bad Flirt checked in before their show in NYC last week for a quick songwriting lesson. Watch Evan talk about their new instruments from Phil Collins and Laura rock out on the hand flute.

The Montreal-based band also share another in-depth history lesson, this time about Pittsburgh, including how the city was settled by pirates and was the birthplace of the Rolling Stones.

Catch Bad Flirt on tour in the US now in support of their album Virgin Talk.

Songwriting Video in NYC:

Pittsburgh History Lesson Video:

Larry Mullen Jr., the drummer from U2, wishes that the band would dissolve now while it’s at the height of its glory. Larry Mullen Jr. explains: “There will be a time when it’s like, ‘It’s time to go.’ I would like that to be on a high when you’re still achieving as opposed to the curve down. That’ll be sad for me. I think it’ll be a more dignified time to go.” Of course, the drummer does not rule out the possibility of occasional reunions of the whole band… you know, just to keep the flame alive and the bank accounts full: We might come back in five years’ time and may do something together for old times’ sake because we know we’ll want to. That’ll be a beautiful end to a long beautiful career. It can’t go on for ever. It just can’t.” But I don’t think Larry Mullen Jr. is right about it not lasting forever. How can U2 not last forever? They have Bono and he can do anything!

These Green Eyes “Sucker Punch”-ed their way to a win this week on mtvU’s The Freshmen. The post-hardcore outfit from Connecticut crowns their win with a sweet reward, their video added to rotation on mtvU.

Things are looking up for These Green Eyes, who not long ago lost a friend to suicide and journied through the healing process while writing their second full length Relapse To Recovery which will hit stores March 24th.

These Green Eyes can be seen live at Bamboozle and select Warped Tour dates. For more information on the band check out their MySpace, www.myspace.com/thesegreeneyes.

“Sucker Punch” video embed:

Sucker Punch (Wont Get Away With It) – These Green Eyes

Pussycat Dolls have just premiered the video for their version of A R Rahman’s Oscar winning “Jai Ho!” “It was such a great honor to be able to re-write my own version of the lyrics,” said PCD’s Nicole Scherzinger who worked with producer Ron Fair on the new interpretation of the track. The Dolls shot the video for “Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)” at an abandoned train station museum in snowy Vienna with director Thomas Kloss (Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus).

EMBED the “Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)” video:

Razorlight’s former drummer, Andy Burrows, who quit the band last week, has recently said that being in the band was not a happy camping trip. Andy Burrows had this to say about working with Razorlight: “It was hell. I’m glad I’m finally out of it. I hated being in the band. Johnny and I didn’t get on. Now I’ve got my freedom. He never wanted people to know we both wrote songs and I couldn’t be in control. I’m happy again now.” It sounds like Razorlight’s front man was a real evil stepmother for Andy Burrows. In that case you have to wonder what the “fairy godmother” element in this story was. Maybe Andy Burrows will tell us about that too at a later time.

Roughly 16,000 Metallica fans were preparing to rock it with their favorite band and they got to see them all right. However, the band members sans frontman James Hetfield, went up the stage only to tell them that the show would not go as scheduled. Hard rocking idol Metallica canceled their second and last gig in Stockholm after James Hetfield suffered from dehydration as a result of a stomach bug right before the concert started. So instead of performing for their fans, James Hetfield was confined to a Swedish hospital.

Drummer Lars Ulrich apologized to the audience for the last minute cancellation and told them that as much as the rest of the band want to go on with the show, he is assuring the audience that none of them would want to hear him, Kirk Hammett or Rob Trujillo sing. Metallica also posted the cancellation on their official website and reported that James Hetfield is seeking medical attention at the hospital. The canceled concert was supposed to be the second of two shows scheduled in Stockholm. Metallica promised to come back soon and will reschedule the show sometime this spring. James Hetfield has been released from the hospital and is back in the United States. The show may have been canceled but Metallica’s recent enshrinement to the Rock and Roll hall of Fame will make sure that fans will be there waiting for them when they come back to Stockholm.

UK rock / drum’n'bass / hardcore / trance quartet Enter Shikari return to the USA for the first time since 2008’s Coachella to play four sets at this year’s South By Southwest in Austin, Texas.

The band can be found blowing minds and bursting ear drums at the following events

Thursday 19th March
2.15pm(-ish) – EMOS – Artery Foundation show (free entry… all ages. no badge / no wristband. first come first served)
5.15pm(-ish) – THE WAVE. 6th St – Kerrang / Guitar Hero party (rsvp for this one to Kerrangparty@xtaster.co.uk).

Saturday 21st March –
10pm – EMOS ANNEX (this is the band’s official SXSW showcase, so all the usual wristband / badge etc required)
1am @ PUREVOLUME HOUSE (rsvp for entry – http://www.purevolume.com/thehouse)

Enter Shikari have just completed work on the follow up to their debut album ‘Take To The Skies’ entitled ‘Common Dreads’.

‘Antwerpen’, a track from the forthcoming album, was released as a free download via the band’s website – www.entershikari.com – just a few days ago, and just for laughs.

The band will be available for all manner of promo during SXSW. To connect with the band send an e-mail to info@entershikari.com

Headbanger’s Blog has just premiered the new MASTODON video, “Divination.” The epic clip was helmed by Roboshobo, who also directed the video for “All Nightmare Long” from Metallica.
The clip depicts the band members on a rock n’ roll mission, trudging through the frozen tundra. “We’re climbing a mountain looking for a creature named Brent.” guitarist Bill Kelliher told HeadbangersBlog.com. “We were mountaineers — explorers like in John Carpenters ‘The Thing.’”
“It’s a really fun video,” adds guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. “I’m an old caveman trapped in a block of ice. Explorers find me and they put the flying V [guitar] up to the ice and it melts me. I grab the guitar, do the solo and then I kill them.”
“Divination” comes off Crack The Skye which hits stores on March 24th on Warner Bros Records

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Cinema Bizarre. Who would have thought those two words could so perfectly sum up this five piece Berlin based band? The individual look, the explosive shows and the glamour of the movies tied in with a sound that refuses to be pigeonholed. First and foremost there is the music. Glam, New Wave, Electro, New Romantic, Rock. It’s a fusion of all of these and more! As lead singer Strify explains, “Our sound stands for a big firework – musically and emotionally. We want to fascinate the people and lead them to another world with our songs.”

Along with Strify, Kiro, Yu, Shin and Luminor found each other on the internet – a series of chance emails and a shared love of ‘Visual Kei’ the Japanese youth culture. It’s all about individuality, self development and rebellion and for many in Japan a way of showing the world that won’t be suppressed. The bond is natural. As bassist Kiro says, “Every one of us is fascinated with Visual Kei and it’s a part of us – together as a band, we’re taking it one step further and making something of our own out of it.” From cyberspace, they met up for the first time at a Manga/Anime convention and secured a record deal shortly after. Just three easy steps!

And then the album. “Final Attraction”. A collection of songs that reflect the individual music tastes of each of the band whilst still having that Cinema Bizarre sound! The album went Top 10 on initial release in the crowded album market at the end of last year whilst the first single “Love Songs’” followed the same path. And in keeping with all that Cinema Bizarre are about, the video for “Love Songs” has already been viewed over a million times on YouTube! The follow up single “Forever Or Never” is showing the same credentials with over 100,000 views of the video in it’s first week.

And it is the internet where Cinema Bizarre has grown from the very start. Naturally, organically and at an incredible rate! There are websites and forums dedicated to the band all over the world. In far flung areas where their individual look and sound has been welcomed like an oasis in the musical desert. Over 10,000 visitors a day visit sites to find out the latest on the band.

And this interest and passion for the band has extended to luminaries like King of Punk, Malcolm McClaren, who has offered to write for the band and Depeche Mode, who gave the band rare permission to sample one of their hits, Everything Counts, on “Escape To The Stars”. Some praise indeed!

With this kind of backing coupled with a rapidly expanding army of Cinema Bizarre lovers around the world promises great things for a band whose look and sound are undeniably different. The release of Final Attraction looks likely to turn into a case of First Love for anyone that hears it!

A completely sold out Final Attraction Tour 2008 with thousands of fans all across Europe and Eastern Europe reflects once more that Cinema Bizarre are on a successful path and ready to conquer the world.

The New Year has already started with another milestone: In January 2009 Cinema Bizarre was awarded with the “European Border Breaker Award” for best selling debut album of a German band in Europe.

“Lovesongs (They Kill Me)” video:

Lovesongs (They Kill Me) – Cinema Bizarre

The British rock band is having a bit of trouble legally since Joe Satriani has stated that their song “Viva la Vida” is based on one of his own creations, “If I could fly”, and has hired a team of legal representatives to present Coldplay with lawsuit papers at the Grammys. Coldplay’s drummer, Will Champion, said: “It’s so far-fetched and ridiculous. But that’s about all we can say at the moment. We’re waiting to see what’s happening but it’s frustrating and annoying and totally unfounded.” What perplexes me is the following: are Coldplay really that good that they can copy something from Joe Satriani?

The red hot REV THEORY is heading back on the road for a headlining tour and is giving 10 fans for each show, VIP ticket upgrades to not only see the band live, but attend an acoustic performance, receive an autographed poster, AND meet the band in person. Please note that this is NOT a contest, each VIP upgrade is $35 USD and there are only 10 upgrades per show, so get your tickets now before it’s too late! And if you haven’t already, pick up a copy of Light It Up in stores and all digital markets everywhere!

Tour Dates:

February 20th Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
February 23rd Lafayette, LA @ Punk and Crunk Festival w/ Shinedown
February 25th Jackson, MS @ Touch Night Club
February 27th Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar
February 28th Goose Creek, SC @ The Dive
March 3rd Townson, MD @ Recher Theatre
March 4th Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
March 5th Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom

Video Embed Code for “Light It Up”

Light It Up – Rev Theory

It has been announced that the newly released “Shout” video from thrashers BLACK TIDE will be featured on mtvU’s new artist show, The Freshman. The show spotlights emerging artists both on air and online, with a chance for one of the competing videos to get an automatic add into rotation on the channel the following week. Be sure to visit freshmen.mtvu.com and vote! Fans can vote as many times as they want.

On the strength of their electric debut album, Light From Above, BLACK TIDE has been voted “Best New Artist” from several media outlets including Guitar World, Kerrang!, and TheGauntlet.com.

BLACK TIDE is currently overseas in the UK touring with Bring Me The Horizon, Mindless Self Indulgence and others. The band will return home in February to kick off a US tour with Escape The Fate. BLACK TIDE will also be a main stage performer all summer long on Warped Tour 2009.

Black Tide w/ Escape the Fate:
2/5 – Pomona, CA – Glasshouse
2/6 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee
2/7 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine
2/8 – El Paso, TX – Chic’s Billiards
2/10 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
2/11 – San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
2/12 – Houston, TX – Meridian
2/13 – Metairie, LA – High Ground
2/15 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
2/16 – Orlando, FL – Firestone
2/17 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
2/18 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’s Southend
2/19 – Towson, MD – Recher Theater
2/20 – Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
2/21 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
2/22 – Boston, MA – Middle East
2/24 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
2/25 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
2/27 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
2/28 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
3/1 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
3/3 – Milwaukee, WI – Rave II
3/4 – Minneapolis, MN – Station 4
3/6 – Denver, CO – Cervantes
3/7 – Salt Lake City, UT – Murray Theatre
3/8 – Idaho Falls, ID – ICON
3/9 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
3/10 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
3/11 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
3/13 – Orangevale, CA – Boardwalk
3/14 – San Francisco, CA – Slims
3/15 – Bakersfield, CA – The Dome
3/17 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
3/18 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues

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RISE AGAINST’S ‘AUDIENCE OF ONE’ VIDEO PREMIERS ON MYSPACE MUSIC

NEW SINGLE BEING PLAYED AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST RADIO STATIONS IN THE COUNTRY WITH OFFICIAL ADD DATE STILL TWO WEEKS AWAY

Chicago’s punk rock outfit Rise Against has a new single ready to storm the modern rock radio charts. “Audience Of One” is already being played at some of the biggest radio stations in the country with the official add date still two weeks away. The video for “Audience Of One” makes its debut, today, Thursday, January 15th, on MySpace Music.

Directed by Brett Simon the video for “Audience Of One” was shot in Los Angeles last month and features the band performing in a miniature world on the White House lawn.

Rise Against released their fifth studio album, Appeal To Reason, on DGC/Interscope Records last fall and it debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart as well as spending one week at # 1 on the iTunes album chart. First single, “Re-Education (Through Labor),” was a top 2 hit at modern rock radio.

Rise Against will embark on a European tour starting in early February follow by some dates in Australia and Japan. The band will play the Bamboozle Festival in East Rutherford, NJ on May 3rd with No Doubt. For complete list of tour dates please visit riseagainst.com.

Video embed:
Rise Against – Audience of One

Every Time I Die, The Bronx and Stick To Your Guns have embarked on the hard hitting November Reign Tour. DiNG has teamed with Every Time I Die to involve fans with the tour.

DiNG, holder of the world’s largest catalog of music and band licenses for their product, will select one winner from each date on the November Reign Tour to receive an exclusive opportunity to stand on the side of the stage and watch Every Time I Die. Fans can enter at dinglife.com/everytimeidie.

One lucky Grand Prize winner will receive an XBOX 360 DiNG’d with Every Time I Die and a $100 DiNG Gift Card. Five runner-ups will receive a $50 DiNG gift card and 20 second runner-ups will receive a $5 DiNG Gift Card for use at dinglife.com.

Every Time I Die singer Keith Buckley felt he should thank Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose for the great tour name, a play on the GNR classic “November Rain.” Buckley stated,. “You haven’t put out a GNR record in 10 years and the month we decide to go out on a tour cleverly named NOVEMBER REIGN, you find it prime time for “Chinese Democracy” to hit shelves…we’re doing it anyways. Starting November 1st, we’re going to Quebec City! and then we’re going to Milwaukee! And then we’re going to JOPLIN…AND NASHVILLE…AND RICHMOND AND THEN WE’RE GOING TO FARMINGDALE TO TAKE BACK THE CRAZY DONKEY!!! BEYYYYYAAAWWW!!!!!”

DiNGS are currently available for over 100 devices including cell phones, gaming systems and controllers, MP3 players and laptops.

DiNGS are full color, high-resolution and custom-fit to each electronic device. They can be removed easily without damage and do not leave any adhesive residue.

DiNGLIFE.COM

Tour Dates:

Nov 4 2008
Opera House Toronto, Ontario

Nov 5 2008
Call the Office London, Ontario

Nov 6 2008
The Intersection Grand Rapids, Michigan

Nov 7 2008
Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Nov 8 2008
Picador Iowa City, Iowa

Nov 9 2008
Blue Note Columbia, Missouri

Nov 11 2008
Diamond Ballroom Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Nov 12 2008
The Foundry Music Theatre Joplin, Missouri

Nov 13 2008
New Daisy Theatre Memphis, Tennessee

Nov 14 2008
Rocketown Nashville, Tennessee

Nov 15 2008
Handlebar Greenville, South Carolina

Nov 17 2008
Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina

Nov 18 2008
The Soapbox Laundrolounge Wilmington, North Carolina

Nov 19 2008
The Canal Club Richmond, Virginia

Nov 20 2008
Recher Theatre Towson, Maryland

Nov 21 2008
School of Rock South Hackensack, New Jersey

Nov 22 2008
The Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, New York

Nov 23 2008
Lost Horizon Syracuse, New York

The All-American Rejects are back and have set November 18th to release When The World Comes Down, the follow up release to the double-platinum, Move Along that featured the smash hits “Move Along,” “Dirty Little Secret” and “It Ends Tonight.” The band has just unveiled the first single, “Gives You Hell,” from the new record, and in true Rejects fashion, the track is undeniably catchy with an anthemic chorus that will be sure to send the band back atop the charts. Listen to “Gives You Hell” now on allamericanrejects.com or the band’s official imeem page.

EMBED “Gives You Hell” audio:

Last week was the official release of Metallica’s new album, Death Magnetic.

For many fans, the wait has been unbearable, since Death Magnetic is the band’s first studio album since 2003’s multi-platinum St. Anger. With over 90 million records sold over their 25 year career, Metallica proves they are more powerful than ever.

Head over to iTunes to purchase Death Magnetic, and don’t forget to sign up at MissionMetallica.com, for your chance to enter contests, and receive exclusive Metallica content.