Music Is My Weapon

The Misfits

2007-12-28T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Misfits are a punk rock band formed in 1977 and led by singer and songwriter Glenn Danzig and later, bassist Jerry Only. They were highly influential on the genres of heavy metal, punk and rock music in general. Though they ceased recording and performing in 1983, a new version of the band (led by Only and without founder and former frontman Danzig) began operations in 1995.

The early Misfits were often quite melodic, featuring Danzig's versatile singing, which had a style rooted in Italian tenors such as Mario Lanza and in 1950s doo-wop. Musically, the band has also displayed some Rockabilly influences (but not as much as Psychobilly bands). Early Misfits songs tended to have catchy, sing-along choruses, initially backed by Danzig's distorted keyboard accompaniments and later by willfully crude guitar-rock. The band began as a largely untrained ensemble. After several lineup changes and increasing international acclaim, Danzig disbanded the original Misfits in 1983.

The band often wore corpse paint when performing, and bassist Jerry Only reputedly invented a hairstyle called the devilock (a variation of the "tidal wave" hairstyle) with the front coming to a point in front of the nose or chin, a style still worn by fans (a.k.a. Fiends) today and contributed to the foundation of Horror punk.

When the band originally reformed, it featured Michale Graves on vocals, Jerry Only on bass, Dr. Chud (Cannibalistic Human Underground Drummer) on drums, and Jerry's brother Doyle on guitar. Doyle is currently estranged from the group and is working with a new group named Gorgeous Frankenstein, which formed in 2005. Doyle recently reunited with Glenn Danzig's band Danzig to perform special sets of Misfits songs on Danzig's Blackest of the Black 2005 and 2006 tour.

A third, touring incarnation of the band, without Danzig, is presently led by the only other constant original member, bassist Jerry Only. Members of the touring group have included Marky Ramone (of the Ramones), and both drummer ROBO (who was a member of the original band), and guitarist Dez Cadena of Black Flag fame.

AK1200

2007-12-11T04:52:00.000-08:00

AK1200 is the stage name of a Florida-based musician Dave Minner working in the jungle and drum and bass genres.

He started DJing in 1989 playing mainly Electro, and in 1990 he opened a record store in Orlando, Florida called The Hottie Shop. His early working relationships were with record labels such as Suburban Base and Moving Shadow. He teamed up with DJ Jeffee to publish the U.S. jungle fanzine Junglized.

His first production effort was a 1993 remix of a track by Flex and Fats called Somebody and, as this was released on both Suburban Base and Moving Shadow, became the first U.S. Jungle producers to release a track in the U.K. (the country of origin of Jungle/Drum and Bass). AK1200 was also the first U.S. DJ to play on U.K. pirate radio, alongside Mampi Swift and DJ Zinc on Format FM.

Throughout the 1990s he tried his hand at just about every variation on the high speed breakbeat musical idiom and has collaborated with many influential jungle and drum and bass artists including Aphrodite (Artist), DJ Dara, Danny Breaks, Dieselboy, and MC Navigator, as well as with hip hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest.

In 2000 he joined forces with fellow U.S. DJs Dieselboy and DJ Dara to create Planet of the Drums and toured the U.S. to great acclaim. His debut album, SHOOTTOKILL was co-produced with Rob Playford, of Moving Shadow fame. A prominent American artist in the jungle scene, AK1200 has been credited for helping to bring jungle and drum and bass to the forefront in the United States, due to his reputation for impressive live performances and prolific remixes, as well as for playing for free to help promote the spread of the style.

Blood Music, Dead Celebrity Status

2007-12-11T02:41:00.000-08:00

I have this album on repeat, because it's hot. They lyrics are extremely original, even if not the most creative. Does that make anysense? Well listen to it and you'll see what I mean. It's hot.
Rap that's a mix between Eminem and Twiztid. This album has the creepy vibe of a legend and once that fades, you get the incredible We Fall, We Fall track. You get the feeling of the trailer for an epic movie. Every track is so well done you wonder how in the hell this band is not bigger than they already are. I definetly recommed this if you haven't gotten it or if you like Hip hop and underground.
Stupid images don't work right now, so when I can get them working I'll totally post them.

UGK Rapper Pimp C Found Dead In L.A.

2007-12-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

UGK rapper Pimp C was found dead this morning (Dec. 4) in his room at the Mondrian Hotel on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip. He was 33. Police found the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, dead in his bed after responding to a 911 call.

UGK's publicist at Jive Records confirmed Pimp C's death to Billboard.com. "He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person," Jive president/CEO Barry Weiss says. "He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing Southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family."

In August, UGK released "Underground Kingz," its first studio album in five years. The set, which spawned the popular single "Intl' Players Anthem" featuring OutKast, debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, a first for the group.

UGK, which also features rapper Bun B, was derailed in 2002 when Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison on an assault charge. He was released on Dec. 30, 2005, at which point he quickly began working on new music.

His 2006 solo album, "Pimpalation" reached No. 3 on The Billboard 200. But it was understood that his stint in jail affected the artist's mental and physical health dramatically, to the point where he was unable to promote "Underground Kingz" in a meaningful way.

Pimp C had performed in Los Angeles Saturday night with labelmate Too Short.

Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry

2007-11-28T15:00:00.001-08:00

Okay, so the title is kinda lame, but I can say with 100% of my heart, that I'd hit it. But believe it or not I am not a Fergie fan. In fact I haven't really been into her music at all. I heard this song and really like it. It just has a certain vibe that I really like. She has a great way of caressing those notes, what a voice. And also, I'd hit it.

Roni SIze

2007-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

Roni Size (born Ryan Williams, 29 October 1969, Bristol) is a British music producer and DJ who came to prominence in 1997 as the founder and leader of Reprazent, a drum and bass collective. That year they won the Mercury Prize for their album New Forms.

Williams, son of Jamaican immigrants[1], grew up in the Bristol suburb of St. Andrews. He cites reggae as one of his early influences. Size was expelled from school[1] at the age of 16 and started attending house parties run by Bristol soundsystem The Wild Bunch (a predecessor of Massive Attack). He learned the basics about music production at his local youth club before setting up his own home studio.

His future musical partner, Krust, enjoyed an early dalliance with fame as part of the Fresh 4, whose "Wishing On A Star" reached the Top Ten of the UK Singles Chart in late 1989. After meeting up with Krust, Suv and Die they founded Full Cycle Records as an outlet for their innovative sounds.

Size was keen to describe the mélange of influences as intuitive: "If Krust walks into the studio and his head is nodding, that's enough. I know I've got a result there. He doesn't need to touch a button or tell us what he thinks, 'cos we already know what he's thinking."

Much of the acclaim centred around Size's melding of the new with the old - the propulsive jungle beats accompanied by live drums and double bass. The band - Size (compositions/programming), DJ Krust, Onallee (vocals), Dynamite MC and rapper Bahamadia (a former protégé of Gang Starr) - came together on Bristol's highly fertile and disparate club scene. As a result, Reprazent's sleek, highly musical take on drum 'n' bass is equally informed by hip-hop, funk, soul and house.

In consolidation of their mainstream breakthrough (the most significant for jungle since Goldie's debut), Reprazent set out to become the summer sound of 1997 with a series of festival appearances (including Tribal Gathering).

Size subsequently teamed up with DJ Die and Leonie Laws in Breakbeat Era, before returning to Reprazent to record the second album, October 2000's uncompromising In The Mode, which included guest vocals from Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine and Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan.

Discography
Music Box (1995)
New Forms (1997)
Ultra-Obscene (1999) with DJ Die under the alias "Breakbeat Era"
Through the Eyes (2000)
In the Mode (2000)
Touching Down (2002)
Touching Down, Vol. 2 (2005)
Return to V (2005)
Dirty Beats
Share The Fall
Triphop Drum and Bass
Circles Remix
Sing
Switchblade

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Modest Mouse

2007-11-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, bassist Eric Judy, and guitarist Dann Gallucci.

Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, their lineup has centered around Brock, Green and Judy. Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined the band in May 2006, to work on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Since being signed to Sony's Epic Records in 2000, the band has attained significant popular success.

Elements of Modest Mouse's early sound have been likened to or inspired by that of Pixies, Built to Spill, and numerous other alternative rock bands. Their name derives from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall" which reads "...and very frequent even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people...

Studio albums
This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About (1996)
The Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
The Moon & Antarctica (2000)
Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004)
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007)

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Review: Artic Monkeys

2007-11-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, I just learned about these guys through pandora.com
Arctic Monkeys are a UK phenomenon, with last year's debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" selling more than any other debut album, EVER, in UK chart history. It was a great album, no question. Now, only a year later, comes the follow-up album.

These guys just rule. It's a tight, concise album, that thankfully avoids the sophomore slump of trying to make a "Big Artistic Statement" (*cough* bloc party *ahem* killers) and instead focuses on rocking hard. There are no wasted notes or time on this album - none! The album is filled with razor sharp hooks and terrific musicianship, particular the spectacular drumming of Matt Helders. The often cryptic, but snidely clever and evocative lyrics and singing of Alex Turner is a real asset as well. Those involved in the recording, mixing, producing etc. deserve kudos as well - the sound just jumps out of the speakers! I love this album! Since I have no life, I listen to a LOT of music and I usually burn through albums quickly, listening once or twice and moving on, but this one I keep coming back to again and again and again.

But music isn't enough, and even the punchy rhythm of "Teddy Picker" is brought down by hypocritical rants, "This House Is a Circus" uses the "word" berserkus for a rhyme(!), and the laughable story of the trying-too-hard "Fluorescent Adolescent" turns a forgettable track into an awful one. On the other end of the spectrum, "Only Ones Who Knows" is relatively well-said but drags along with a sluggish melody that's more likely to put one to sleep than to make one feel something. If Arctic Monkeys hope to have any shot at earning the accolades they once drowned in, they'd better do it fast. Remember when everyone loved the Strokes? And how often do you hear people talking about them in the present tense? And hell, those guys actually DESERVED most of their attention back then.

Best cuts: "Brainstorm," "Do Me a Favour," "Old Yellow Bricks," "If You Were There, Beware," "D Is For Dangerous," "The Bad Thing"

VNV Nation

2007-11-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

About two years ago I was introduced to a great band by the name VNV Nation by my girlfriend Katie (who is also an editor of this Blog). From the First time I listen to them I was in love. There music is like no other and speaks to people of all kinds. The music is not just danceable but also uplifting and inspirational. The song Airships is the best song by them in my eyes. The music itself is on a level like no other song by them, and the lyrics just won me over from the first lyric

I pressed my face against the glass,
smiled as my breath made some pattern or other, The world beneath unfurled before me like a sail, glinted in gold from this rich dawn sky Awaiting the ship they had told me would come, quietly anticipating that which was to come.)

I have spent many nights listening to this song and really trying to understand what they are talking about. I believe that it something of a song that talks about passing away and waiting on your spirit to leave your body and go to heaven. Since the afterlife is something that is unknown he speaks of it like he is just waiting for the unknown. I could be wrong but I also think the leave it for everyone own interpretation.

But I think if you have not heard of this band and want a breath of freshness in your music collection then please support these guy and buy there cd’s and if you get a chance go see them in concert. Here is a little back ground information on the band that is VNV Nation.

VNV Nation is an electronic music group originally from Dublin and London, now based in Hamburg, that combines elements of trance, synthpop and electronic body music (EBM), into what they call futurepop. Earlier works also include some electro-industrial influences. The members are Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson. The "VNV" in the name stands for Victory, not Vengeance, in keeping with the groups' motto, "One should strive to achieve; not sit in bitter regret."

The group's first album, Advance and Follow, was released in 1995. This was a mixture of danceable synthesizer melodies and harsh electronic beats firmly in the tradition of middle-era EBM, supplemented with elements of orchestral music. Their next release, 1998's Praise the Fallen, continued largely in this vein, and they began to enjoy a larger degree of commercial success.

Review: Songbones

2007-11-19T17:01:00.000-08:00

HYENA Lable just put together 3 microphones, two chairs, a guitar and a violin. What happened next? Recorded at New Orleans' 9th Street Pickin Parlor, Grayson let the tape roll, cutting the entire album in less than five hours. Appropriately titled "Songbones," Grayson's original renditions of songs like "Washboard Lisa," "I Can't Hear You," "Slidell" and "Mermaid," that have since become staples in his repertoire, are featured. Also included are rarities that have never been officially released like "Junior & The Old African Queen," "Guitar" and "Psychic Channel Blues." It's a pristine recording that captures Grayson's songwriting, voice and guitar-picking in all of its unadorned glory. Only 5000 copies of the album are being made available as a collector's piece for Grayson's diehard fans. "Songbones" is intimate, front porch music, honest, down-home and pure; all of the traits that make Grayson Capps one of the most important songwriters to emerge from the South in recent memory. Yeah this was recorded a while ago, but guess what. It's worth the mention.

Radiohead

2007-11-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

Radiohead are an English rock band. Formed in Oxfordshire in 1986, the band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, electronics), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, other instruments), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar, synthesisers) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion).

Radiohead released their first single, "Creep", in 1992, followed by their debut album Pablo Honey (1993). Though it was initially unsuccessful, the song became a worldwide hit by the time it was re-issued a year later. Radiohead's popularity in the United Kingdom increased with their second album, The Bends (1995). The band's dense, textured guitar atmospheres and Thom Yorke's expressive falsetto singing were warmly received by critics and fans. Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), propelled them to greater attention. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation, it was acclaimed worldwide, often being named a landmark record of the 1990s.

The band's next recordings, Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001), saw Radiohead reach their peak of global popularity even as their music divided fans and critics.[4] The period marked a change in the band's style, with influences including experimental electronic music as well as Krautrock and jazz.[5] Radiohead's shift away from standard rock songwriting also resulted in greater flexibility, with each member playing a wider range of instruments in the studio and at live concerts. The band's sixth album, Hail to the Thief (2003), was seen to blend styles from throughout their career, mixing guitar-driven rock, electronic influences and contemporary lyrics.

Radiohead subsequently left their record label EMI, and released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), through their own website as a digital download for which customers could select their own price.[7] Radiohead plan to release In Rainbows as a "discbox", as well as on a standard CD in December 2007, through XL Recordings and TBD Records. The band plan to embark on a world tour, beginning in late spring 2008.[

The Ramones

2007-11-13T19:47:00.001-08:00

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The Ramones are the first punk rock band. Other bands, such as the Stooges and
the New York Dolls, came before them and set the stage and aesthetic for punk, and bands that immediately followed, such as the Sex Pistols, made the latent violence of the music more explicit, but the Ramones crystallized the musical ideals of the genre. By cutting rock & roll down to its bare essentials -- four chords; a simple, catchy melody; and irresistibly inane lyrics -- and speeding up the tempo considerably, the Ramones created something that was rooted in early '60s, pre-Beatles rock & roll and pop but sounded revolutionary. Since their breakthrough was theoretical as well as musical, they comfortably became the leaders of the emerging New York punk rock scene. While their peers such as Patti Smith, Television, Talking Heads, and Richard Hell all were more intellectual and self-consciously artistic than the Ramones, they nevertheless appealed to the same mentality because of the way they turned rock conventions inside out and celebrated kitschy pop culture with stylized stupidity. The band's first four albums set the blueprint for punk, especially American punk and hardcore, for the next two decades. And the Ramones themselves were major figures for the next two decades, playing essentially the same music without changing their style much at all. Although some punk diehards -- including several of their peers -- would have claimed the band's long career wound up undercutting the ideals the band originally stood for, the Ramones always celebrated not just the punk aesthetic, but the music itself.

Based in the Forest Hills section of Queens, NY, the Ramones formed in 1974. Originally, the band was a trio consisting of Joey Ramone (vocals, drums; born Jeffrey Hyman, May 19, 1951), Johnny Ramone (guitar; born John Cummings, Oct. 8, 1951), and Dee Dee Ramone (bass; born Douglas Colvin, Sept. 18, 1952), with Tommy Ramone (born Tom Erdelyi, Jan. 29, 1952) acting as the group's manager. All of the group's members adopted the last name "Ramone" and dressed in torn blue jeans and leather jackets, in homage to '50s greaser rockers. The group played their first concert on March 30, 1974, at New York's Performance Studio. Two months after the show, Joey switched to vocals and Tommy became the band's drummer. By the end of the summer, the Ramones earned a residency at CBGB's. For the next year, they played regularly at the nightclub, earning a dedicated cult following and inspiring several other artists to form bands with similar ideals. All of the Ramones sets clocked in at about 20 minutes, featuring an unrelenting barrage of short, barely two-minute songs. By the end of 1975, the Ramones secured a recording contract with Sire; discounting Patti Smith, they were the first New York punk band to sign a contract.

Early in 1976, the Ramones recorded their debut album for just over 6,000 dollars. The resulting album, Ramones, was released in the spring, gained some critical attention, and managed to climb to 111 on the U.S. album charts. On July 4, the band made their debut appearance in Britain, where their records were becoming a big influence on a new generation of bands. Throughout 1976, the Ramones toured constantly, inaugurating nearly 20 years of relentless touring. By the end of the year, the group released their second album, Ramones Leave Home. While the album just scraped the U.S. charts, Leave Home became a genuine hit in England in the spring of 1977, peaking at number 48. By the summer of 1977, the Sex Pistols and the Ramones were seen as the two key bands in the punk rock revolution, but where the Pistols imploded, the Ramones kept on rolling. Following the U.K. Top 40 hit "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker," the Ramones released their third album, Rocket to Russia, in the fall of 1977.

Tommy Ramone left the band in the spring of 1977, although he produced the group's subsequent album. He was replaced by former Voidoid Marc Bee, who immediately changed his name to Marky Ramone. With their new drummer in place, the Ramones recorded their fourth album, Road to Ruin, which was released in the fall. Road to Ruin marked the band's first significant attempt to change their sound; not only were there stronger bubblegum, girl group, surf, and '60s pop influences on the music, it was the first of their albums to run over a half hour. Although their sound was more accessible, it didn't gain the band a noticeably larger following. Neither did Rock N' Roll High School, the 1979 Roger Corman film in which the Ramones had a pivotal part. The soundtrack to Rock N' Roll High School and the U.K.-only live album It's Alive were the band's only releases of 1979. For most of the year, they were in the studio recording their fifth album with legendary '60s pop producer Phil Spector. The title song to the Corman movie was the first track released from the sessions, although the soundtrack album did feature a number of older Ramones songs remixed by Spector. End of the Century, the Spector-produced Ramones album, finally appeared in January of 1980 to mixed reviews. Despite the lukewarm reception to the album, the record's cover of the Ronettes' "Baby I Love You" became their only Top Ten British hit; in America, none of the singles made an impact, although the record became their biggest hit, peaking at number 44.

The Ramones continued their attempts at crossover success with their sixth album, Pleasant Dreams, which was released in 1981. Featuring a production by former Hollies and 10cc member Graham Gouldman, the record was a commercial disappointment in both America and England. The band was relatively quiet during 1982, spending most of their time touring. In the spring of 1983, the band returned with Subterranean Jungle, which was produced by Ritchie Cordell and Glen Koltkin, the heads of the American indie label Beserkley Records. Not only did Subterranean Jungle fail to gain the band the larger audience they desired, it continued the erosion of the band's diehard fan base, as well as their decline in the eyes of many rock critics. Following the album's release, Marky Ramone left the band; he was replaced by Richard Beau, a former member of the Velveteens, who changed his name to Richie Ramone.

With 1984's Too Tough to Die, the Ramones delivered a belated response to America's burgeoning hardcore punk scene that was largely produced by Tommy Erdelyi. The album helped restore their artistic reputation, as did the 1985 single, "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg," an attack on President Ronald Reagan's 1985 visit to Germany. Instead of continuing with the sound of Too Tough to Die, the Ramones began pursuing a more streamlined, stylized, and conventional take on their songwriting formula with 1986's Animal Boy. This was a direction the group followed for the remaining ten years of their career. Following the release of 1987's Halfway to Sanity, Richie Ramone left the band and Marky Ramone re-joined the group. In 1988, the career retrospective Ramones Mania appeared. In 1989, the Ramones contributed the theme song to the Stephen King movie Pet Semetary, and the track was included on Brain Drain, which was released in the summer of that year. After its release, the group's bassist, Dee Dee Ramone, left the band to pursue a career as a rapper called Dee Dee King; after his debut rap recording failed miserably, he formed the band Chinese Dragons. Dee Dee was replaced by C.J. Ramone (born Christopher John Ward).

In the early '90s, the Ramones sobered up, with both Joey and Marky undergoing treatment for alcoholism. The band returned to recording in 1992, first releasing the live Loco Live and then Mondo Bizarro, their first studio album in three years. Mondo Bizarro turned out to be a commercial failure, as did their 1994 covers album, Acid Eaters.

Following the release of Acid Eaters, the mainstream guitar rock audience in America finally embraced punk rock, in the form of young bands like Green Day and the Offspring. Sensing that the climate may have been right for the crossover success they had desired for so many years, the Ramones immediately followed Acid Eaters with Adios Amigos, claiming that unless the new album sold in substantial numbers, the band would call it quits after a final farewell tour. Adios Amigos only spent two weeks in the charts. Nevertheless, the Ramones embarked on a long farewell tour that ran throughout the rest of 1995. The band was set to split in the beginning of 1996 when they were offered a slot on the sixth Lollapalooza, and they toured with the festival that summer. Following the completion of the tour, the Ramones parted ways, 20 years after the release of their first album. Just a few years later, Joey Ramone passed away on April 15, 2001, at age 49, the victim of lymphoma. Little more than a year after Joey's death, Dee Dee Ramone was found dead in his home in Los Angeles on June 5, 2002. Johnny Ramone passed away two years later on September 15, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Noel by Josh Groban

2007-11-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's time to do holiday music. Nobody likes repetitious holiday music, so if you have to hear it, might as well hear something good, right? The Grammy-nominated, twenty-something, pop-classical phenomenon's fourth studio album is an expertly accomplished entry to the holiday marketplace. Noël tackles the familiar sounds of holiday music with a charmingly eclectic array of guest vocalists and a wide range of material. The songs range from the sacred to the secular, while Groban--buoyed in spots by none other than the London Symphony Orchestra--soars in his duets with Brian McKnight, Faith Hill, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. There's even a song with a gospel choir directed by Kirk Franklin. Produced yet again by crossover maestro David Foster, the arrangements never overwhelm the songs. Groban's smooth and supple vocals can be hard to categorize--seeing how his range is somewhere in-between a high baritone and a low tenor--but he always finds and emphasizes the emotional core of these songs. And whether they have origins in pop or classical music seems not to matter. The addition of messages from troops stationed in Iraq on top of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is undeniably heart-wrenching, while the album's highlight is its most spare song, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," which finds Groban alone at his piano, sounding very much like some kind of angel

DragonForce

2007-11-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

DragonForce was formed in 1999 from the remnants of black metal band Demoniac (and various other extreme metal groups) under the name of DragonHeart, they got their name from their favorite game Dragon Warrior but soon changed their name to DragonForce before releasing any commercial albums due to possible commercial issues with Brazilian band Dragonheart. Their career began with the publishing of their early songs on the first incarnation of MP3.com claiming the top of the site's heavy metal charts. The hit song "Valley of the Damned" reached over 500,000 in the first few months. Two of the original members, Steve Williams and Steve Scott quickly left the band to form power metal outfit Power Quest.

DragonForce has enjoyed increasing popularity over the years, publishing three albums and touring extensively while supporting Helloween, W.A.S.P. and Iron Maiden. Their 2005 tour in support of the Sonic Firestorm album included support from Angra and Mendeed during their passage through the UK. On the October 28, 2005 bassist Adrian Lambert announced his departure from the band in order to focus more time on raising his young son[1] (Lambert later revealed in an interview that he had left due to musical differences with Herman and Sam [citation needed]). Less than a month after Lambert's departure, on November 23, 2005, DragonForce was signed to Roadrunner Records in the United Kingdom, France, Australia and New Zealand, who released their most recent effort, Inhuman Rampage on January 9, 2006. Lambert was replaced in 2006 by Frédéric Leclercq, who was made an official member after a performance on tour.

DragonForce will embark on the "Black Crusade" tour across Europe with several other Heavy Metal artists including Arch Enemy and Trivium. Once they have finished, they have planned to make a remix of their debut album, Valley of the Damned including remastered and remixed versions of all the tracks, as well as a bonus DVD including live performances, interviews and backstage footage of the band. All the original songs from Valley of the Damned are to be remixed and remastered on the new CD.

A master track of the song "Through the Fire and Flames" is featured as a bonus song in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and is generally considered the most difficult song included in the game.

DragonForce's musical style includes:

Emphasis on fast, twin-guitar harmonies
Generally optimistic and uplifting chorus sections
Lyrics of a fantastical or epic nature
Use of background choral singing throughout songs
Use of keyboards throughout songs
Video game influenced melodies and guitar noises
Unorthodox guitar-playing methods and on-stage tricks
Although the band take their musicianship seriously, they do not embody the themes in their music. In an interview with Metal Hammer, guitarist Herman Li has stated "Oh no, it's completely serious, we just have fun doing it...".[2] DragonForce's influences are drawn from all kinds of metal, melodic rock, and in particular video games such as "Wonder Boy in Monster World",[3] with lyrics comparable to themes present in fantasy games.

The band have frequently referred to their style not just as power metal, but extreme power metal. Despite this, their style differs from extreme power metal in that it doesn't use harsh vocals nor the aggressive feel that is portrayed by other extreme power metal bands such as Children of Bodom. Herman Li commented on descriptions of the band's style in an interview with Guitar World: "'Nintendo Metal,' 'Iron Maiden on Crack,' 'Bon Jovi on Speed,' 'Journey Meets Slayer,' ...people are always coming up with weird labels for us." [4]

Inhuman Rampage (2006)

Through the Fire and Flames

Exclusive MP3 From The New Album

Papoose

2007-11-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

Born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Papoose made his first attempts at being a rapper at the age of eleven. He was given his name by his grandmother because of his childhood resemblance to a Native American child. Inspired by rap legends Rakim, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane, he has been well respected on the underground hip hop circuit for a long period of time now.

In early 2006, his StreetSweepers crew linked up with Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Inkprint to co-executive produce Papoose's first official album. On August 24, 2006, his official website announced that he signed with Jive Records, a deal which, according to his management's official website was worth $1.5 million.

Papoose has recently become known for engaging in charity work, visiting sick children[citation needed] and donated to causes including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to various Hurricane Katrina charities.

On September 19, 2007 DJ Kay Slay announced that Papoose and himself have parted ways from Jive records. "We have officially gotten our release from Jive fuckin records. It was like a fuckin year of hell... Unfortunately, we almost became victims of A&R hell." On the radio show slay was asked what was next for Papoose, and he said "You know we can't talk about that man." The future of the album is unknown at this time, but they said to own the records that were created under Jive.

One of his most notable songs, which fans generally recommend to new listeners, is a song where Papoose raps using all the letters of the alphabet entitled "Alphabetical Slaughter."

More recently he made a song called "Change Gon’ Come (50 Shots)", that talks about the Sean Bell shooting, in which an unarmed man was shot fifty times by New York police. The song concludes with a sample of fifty gunshots.

He has made appearances on songs by Nas, Common, Talib Kweli, Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, Busta Rhymes, Tupac Shakur (on his most recent posthumous record Pac's Life), Chamillionaire, Raekwon, Jadakiss, Cam'ron and Jim Jones.

His debut album is entitled The Nacirema Dream (the title from a backwards spelling of "American"). It is expected that production will come from The Heatmakerz, Swizz Beats, DJ Premier, Kanye West, DR Period and Pharrell Williams. Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Benny Donaghy have also been speculated. Nas may be featured on a track, and possibly Talib Kweli.

Papoose said: "The album is your diploma. The mixtapes are high school. The album is like-it's a whole different level. You're reaching a whole new level. Everything is strategic that I did. From "Sharades," to "Monopoly," to "Chess," I dropped 17 mixtapes. The album is a whole other level from the mixtapes."[cite this quote]

He has released his 18th mixtape Streetsweepers Presents Papoose: Internationally Known.

Speaking on the album, Papoose said:

“ At the end of the day, my material, my music speaks for itself. I never came into this with no gimmick. I never had to diss nobody to get no attention. I always came with pure talent, pure material. I ain't gon let ya'll down with this album, straight up and down. My album gon' make history.

Placebo

2007-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

Placebo are an alternative rock band currently consisting of Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal. The band was founded in London in 1994 when Molko and Olsdal, who went to the same school but apparently never spoke, met again by chance in London and subsequently formed 'Ashtray Heart'. Drummer Steve Hewitt left the band on October 1, 2007, citing "personal and musical differences".[1]

Placebo was founded when former Luxembourg schoolmates Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal met by accident at South Kensington tube station in 1994 and decided to form a band. They attended the American International School of Luxembourg, and Molko also attended the European School of Luxembourg.

While briefly known as Ashtray Heart, the band quickly settled on the name Placebo - when they were choosing a name for the band, they noticed that many bands at this time had a drug name. They decided to name the band after a drug with no effect. The band could not decide on a drummer at first with Steve Hewitt and Robert Schultzberg alternating on the spot. While Hewitt was the preferred choice, he also had other commitments as drummer for London band Breed, leading to Schultzberg being the drummer when the band signed its contract with Caroline Records. The band officially says "personal demons" were the reason for his absence. As Molko was having difficulty getting on with Schultzberg, they persuaded Hewitt to rejoin the band in 1996.[2]

Hewitt returned to the band after the departure of Schultzberg. The band gained some measure of notoriety for the sexualities of its members (Olsdal is homosexual, Hewitt is heterosexual and Molko is bisexual), Molko's androgynous image, and their excessive lifestyles, often chronicled in their songs. Placebo encountered resistance from the British music industry upon release of the single "Special K" from their third album Black Market Music (2000) due to its use of a Ketamine high as a metaphor for love. The 'single' was released in Australia before eventually being made available in the UK as an extended EP featuring the b-sides and remixes that would have filled out a conventional two disc single release. At the time the band claimed this was due to dissatisfaction with the two disc single format, a claim somewhat undermined by their subsequent single releases all being made available in two cd formats accompanied by a 7inch vinyl.

The singles "Nancy Boy", from Placebo (1996), and "Pure Morning", from Without You I'm Nothing (1998), were the peak of their British success, both charting in the top ten. Since Without You I'm Nothing the band have received less positive coverage from the British music press, who on occasion have mocked the perceived pretentiousness of frontman Molko. However, the band retained a huge popular and critical following in continental Europe. By way of their English-accented fluent French, France has become their very first target market in Europe - which has led them to gain huge popularity there, in excess of even their British fan base.[3]

Their style altered little from Placebo through Black Market Music (2000), based around fairly straightforward guitar playing, often influenced by the style of 1970s British and American rock, and Molko's high-pitched vocals. Sleeping with Ghosts (2003) was more adventurous, experimenting with dance tunes, electronic music influences and a less polished rocky guitar sound, though keeping the traditional sound for several songs, including the first single "The Bitter End".

The band was asked to play at David Bowie's fiftieth birthday party at Madison Square Garden. Placebo played "20th Century Boy" live with David Bowie at the BRIT Awards show in 1997. The band's glam connections continued in 1998 when they recorded a cover of T. Rex's "20th Century Boy" for the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack. The band also appeared in this film. In the same year, their peak album Without You I'm Nothing was recorded and released. The song "Without You I'm Nothing" from this album has had a version released in which David Bowie duets with Molko.

Molko has been open about his use of recreational drugs; in a 1997 interview with New York Doll, admitting at one point that heroin was "probably the only drug on this planet I haven’t tried".[3] However, he later admitted to experimenting with heroin as well. [4]

Stefan Olsdal performing in CollegnoIn the autumn of 2004, Placebo released the Singles Collection Once More with Feeling (on both CD and as a DVD featuring the band's videos) and played a one-night-only gig at Wembley Arena. Robert Smith of The Cure guested with them on two tracks, "Without You I'm Nothing" and a cover of the Cure's "Boys Don't Cry". This performance was to be their last UK gig until 2006. After the Wembley gig, Placebo went on a short "Once More With Feeling" tour in South America. On July 2, 2005, the group performed "Twenty Years" and "The Bitter End" at the Live 8 concert, at the Palais de Versailles in France (see Live 8 concert, Paris). Their 2006 tour of the UK sold out in one weekend.

In September 2005, the band finished the recording phase of their new album with Daniel Waite formerly of K.D.E, which was released on March 13 (Delayed in U.S. until April 4th). The first single on the new album to be released in the UK on March 6th was titled "Because I Want You". The album was mastered from October to January.

Two songs feature duets with American singers. "Meds" with Alison Mosshart of The Kills and "Broken Promise" with Michael Stipe of REM.

The band's fifth album Meds was leaked over the Internet on January 17, 2006. No details are available on how the album was leaked. The official release date of Meds was March 13, 2006, making the leak almost two months early. The video for the single "Because I Want You" was shot on the 24th of January at Koko in Camden, London. The leak was projected by the band's record label to potentially cause a very dangerous loss of profit upon the albums release, never the less in most countries the album debuted relatively well, at #4 in Australia, and #7 in the UK. The second single from Meds was "Infra-Red", it was released on June 19, 2006 in the UK.

With Meds being the last album on Placebo's contract with Virgin Records and the title track said to be the last single it is rumoured that a B-Side album is to be released due to the sudden release of 2 brand new B-Sides (Lazarus and UNEEDMEMORETHANINEEDU, being the only B-Sides to be released since Detox-Five in 2004). Placebo are currently looking for a new record label.

In October 2006, their debut, self titled first album Placebo was digitally remastered and re-released with the title "10th Anniversary collectors edition". The box set includes a DVD containing music videos, concerts and TV performances.

End of March 2007, Placebo announced they were recruiting fans to star in the video for their newest single "Running Up That Hill", a cover of the famous Kate Bush song. [5] Placebo joined Linkin Park and various other acts, including My Chemical Romance, Julien-K, HIM, Saosin, and Taking Back Sunday for 2007's Projekt: Revolution tour.

On 1st October 2007, Steve Hewitt left Placebo due to personal and musical differences. Placebo have stressed that the parting with Hewitt was amicable, but that the band members "can no longer live under the same roof, so to speak...Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal will begin work on Placebo’s 6th studio album next Spring, and are in no rush to find an immediate replacement for Steve".

Lord of Acid

2007-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Is a Belgian acid house band from the 1990s that started as a spinoff of Praga Khan with the controversial New Beat single "I Sit on Acid" in 1988. Their debut album, 1990s Lust (along with additional singles "Rough Sex" and "I Must Increase My Bust") became famous within the electronic music and dance music communities for their outrageously sexual lyrics and sound samples - perhaps their most popular song, "I Sit on Acid", begins with the a cappella lyrics "Darling, come here / fuck me up the…" only to be interrupted with a grinding rave beat. Their second album was Voodoo-U, which featured a more industrial sound. This was followed by Our Little Secret (1997), Heaven Is an Orgasm (1998) and Expand Your Head (1999). In 2000 they released a more rock-influenced album entitled Farstucker and in 2003, after being in the business for fifteen years, released a greatest hits album called Greatest Tits. Their fans formed an online community called Children of Acid.
Lords of Acid also performed as Digital Orgasm, with a less sex-based and more rave-influenced sound.

Interpol

2007-09-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

This is the best of their three albums thus far. A must have if you are an Interpol fan.

Solid album though no songs particularly stood out for me like they did on their two previous albums. Save for the last more ambient sounding song "The Lighthouse", it's pretty typical Interpol: grim, tight, textured, and with Paul Bank's usual oblique lyrics. While they're not really breaking any new ground with this album, if you're already a fan of the band, it's a satisfying record, just not as dramatic or memorable as their others.

Moving up to a major label has hardly lifted Interpol's spirits. This is a good thing. Even with the twisted Wild Kingdom album cover and bassist Carlos Dengler's unexpected Wild West makeover, on its third studio album the black-clad New York quartet still sounds inflexibly menacing, grasping tighter than ever to its doomy post-punk influences and delving further into frontman Paul Banks's emotional unrest. Everything sounds a little bigger and brighter, sure, but at their core songs like "Rest My Chemistry" and "Wrecking Ball" are heroically sinister, goaded on by prickly riffs and slow-bleeding rhythms. The group briefly jumps to life on the buzzing "Heinrich Manouver" and exhibits an unexpected dash of humor on "No I in Threesome," but it's the closing "Lighthouse" that best defines the set--a late-night lament that simply steals away into the dark.

The New Pornographers: Challengers

2007-08-28T23:53:00.000-07:00

Pay no attention to the reviews that imply the New Pornographers have "grown up" or "matured" or "drifted away" from the perfect-pop promise of their first three records. For if you throw darts at the songs on Challengers, an ambitious soundscape that had members of the all-star Canadian band recording their parts all over North America, you'll hit one flawless song after another.

It runs head-on into the title track, "Challengers." It's not only one of my favorite tracks on the album, but probably one of my favorites of 2007. Neko Case takes over the vocals here, and she once again nails it. Each line, each note is sung perfectly with Carl harmonizing gently in the background. Everything about the song is beautiful, from Neko's declaration that "We are the challengers of the unknown!" to simple "Nah nah nahs" on the bridge. The song succeeds in being moving and poignant without the help of a chorus or any sort of climax. In my opinion, the song is just like one big climax, it starts off strong and never falters. Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

The New Pornographers are two bands in one. On the one hand, there is the studio version of the band that includes non-touring members like the great Neko Case and Dan Bejar. Then there is the touring version of the band, that takes these amazing songs and performs them live. Both versions are centered around Carl Newman. He helps assure that the Pornographers are a great live band, even without its distinguished non-touring members, but with all members involved, this is one of the truly great studio bands in the world. CHALLENGERS is their fourth album. I honestly can't describe it as their best or their worst album. All four of their albums seem to me to be absolutely masterpieces and I was astonished to discover just how great this album has turned out to be. It isn't quite like earlier albums. For one thing, almost all the songs on CHALLENGERS are slower and statelier than almost any of the songs on previous albums. The first three cuts on the disc - "My Rights Versus Yours," "All the Old Showstoppers," and the title track represent the slowest beginning of any of their albums, but by no means are any of them weak songs. "All the Old Showstoppers" starts off almost delicately, but it gradually builds into a march as one new musical wrinkle after another is introduced to the mix. More than any other band, I would love to see these guys working on a recording. They are just dripping with talent and it would be wonderful to see who is responsible for introducing each new element. An individual song might be written initially by Newman or Bejar, but by the end of the recording process, it has been transformed into something that is obviously a group effort.

Here's to sleeping: trancey-cinematic acoustica

2007-04-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

Like fine wine, some music takes time.

From the opening minute of Gregor Samsa's 27:36 (titled after the EP's running time and exotically on Luxembourg label Own Records), you know you'll have to wait for the real beauty to begin, and begin it does with Nikki King's haunting pleas.

This is a lullaby of sound (poetically referred to as "trancey-cinematic acoustica"), never quite rising to an urgent crescendo, but instead rising and falling like a gentle rock of the sea. This is music for which those Windows Media Player animations were designed for - the melodies (as do the songs, all untitled, as was their debut EP on Boston's Iodine Recordings) effortlessly blend into one another, and you're taken on a ride of electronic sound, crashing guitar, and light motives.

You may begin listening, tune out, then be struck suddenly by an inexplicable urge to jump into an abyss of sound - don't let the quiet melodies fool you. Long after the album's come to an end, you'll be asking yourself why Gregor Samsa couldn't have titled the record 55:12... er, like their latest release this March on Kora Records. The longer, debut full-length gives you 8 lusciously layered tracks, following off where 27:36 ended, this time with song titles and even a bit more lyrics (which still don't make much sense, so don't expect literary genius here). The ambiance remains, however, to sweep you into dreaming away the afternoon.

Don't expect to download or hear single tracks online; you'll only be short-changing yourself. Here are examples of albums that, start to finish, are clearly designed to take your hand for a journey, and maybe even unwittingly change you, ala The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka, from which the band got its name).

But quietly.

FFO: Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky, M83

Lexi Street's Music

2007-04-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

Get turned on by Lexi Street's music. By fusing elements of jazz, rock, and pop, Lexi Street, in true indie fashion, has categorically screwed themselves. Creating a sound that's not emulative of anything you have heard before, yet somehow you can't quite put your finger on why it feels so familiar. It can only be the sticky hooks and awesome melodies that make this such a great and memorable album. Oh, and the help of producer Orlando Calzata did not hurt either. Girl I used to be&bends and curves to words that, for some, will raise the hair on the back of your neck, and for others, at least an eyebrow. Lexi Street writes breathy music with sweltering lyrics that would make you want to come down to the Deep South and stay awhile. But she's no singing "Southern Belle" since her roots go back to the Chicago suburbs. However, spending most of her formative years growing up out side of Raleigh, North Carolina, it's here where she attributes her influence of, not music, but southern charm. The kind of charm you'll find in Track 9's bitter sweet "Beautiful South". A mesmerizing song that, as a last track, veers a very different road from the edgy path it began.

Lexi was a solo singer/guitarist that eventually became the lyrical girl Friday to then unknown guitarist, Gary O'bryan (now known as one of the musical co-writer of B. Spears'/Madonna single "Me Against the Music"). O'Bryan just recently signed a Publishing deal with Peer, and just as quickly as he lost it. Seems since the Britney song, his follow up material isn't quite on par with the pop princess' hit single. A pity it would seem to tiny teeny boppers across the land, but to loyal Street fans, it's a badge of honor. O'bryan has his share of other tricks up his sleeve since he is also credited with co-writing "Gon Girl" off Billy Crawford's 2004 release, "Big City". His guitar antics can also be found on B2K's album Pandemonium. And all this is a far cry from the music that he makes right here in Atlanta, GA. The new band (post album) is bursting forth new material that they've all been so fervently writing. It has all the yen appeal of our now favorite bands new beginnings. Check out their new track Summer at www.lexistreet.com and get turned on to the music.

Sean-Gemini

2007-04-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

Sean-Gemini

Webpage: http://www.sean-gemini.com

Location: brooklyn, new york, usa

Description: Sean-Gemini, can easily be described as the perfect mix of Hip Hop & R&B.He is definitely a product resulting from the merging of urban music, main genres, Hip Hop & R&B. Sean-Geminis Vocal ability, with a combined with hot tracks and emotion evoking lyrical content make, Sean-Gemini someone to watch for and a force to be reckoned with in music. Tune into Sean-Gemini by visiting his website www.sean-gemini.com

Biography: The name Sean Gemini describes a talent that has the ability to become a dominant musical model for the 21st century. Street smart, charismatic, and determined to persevere, Sean's debut solo project, Inner Me reveal his complexity and range as an artist.
Inner Me gives an account of the artist's intense sexuality, romanticism, spirituality, and political consciousness. The sixteen R & B songs expose Sean's enthralling scenarios and distinctive storytelling style. Remaining true to his zodiac. The project shows the dual, elusive, and contradictory nature of Sean Gemini. Sean adds, "Every track of 'Inner me' reflects my thoughts, experiences, loves, hates and beliefs. Every subject is fair game."
The project uncovers a number of talents and collaborations. Inner Me is filled with the virtue of versatility. "Stairway to Heaven", a brilliant story of the hardships
of life and the desire to escape life's trials. Howie Tee, veteran mastermind, produced Fallen Love, a beautiful love song with the retrospective appeal of a 1950's soda pop song. Troy Hightower, multi-platinum engineer, blessed the album with the production of "Father", a spiritual plea to the heavens. The talents of producer Greg "Mr. Speed" Brown are displayed throughout the Inner Me project. "Speed is one of my best friends and he knows how to bring out the best in me in the studio. We compliment each other."
This arena is not a new avenue for this artist. He started engaging in the industry in 1985 as a rapper. In 1990, he performed alongside Ice Cube and YoYo at the Pallidium in Baltimore, MD. In 1999, his group "The What" launched his musical career into high gear. "The What" performed at the Rap Sheet Concert in Atlanta, GA on the same bill as Wu Tang Clan, Run DMC, and a number of established artists. The album was independently released and began to take off. Before receiving the critical acclaim deserved, financial setbacks occurred. Doggedly pursuing his goals and dreams, Sean adds, "I feel I have grown into a more rounded artist through the years. I see the obstacles with "The What" as a stepping-stone. It wasn't my time to shine. The time is now."
Sean notes his creative influences as Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Sean is well prepared and determined to take his rightful place among urban and pop music's finest. He is truly a man with mission. "I want to take R&B, hip-hop and even pop to another level, so I can achieve what every artist ultimately wants -- longevity."
True to himself, his music, family, friends and fans, Sean is indeed capable of achieving global success and a long lasting musical legacy. Indeed the Gemini in him demands nothing less. Failure is not an option. ###

Press
Release:

PARTHINIE ENTERTAINMENT/LIGHTYEAR SET TO RELEASE SEAN GEMINI'S INNER ME

Up and Coming Recording Artist Sells Over 100, 000 Copies of Product

New York, NY MAY 2005 What would you do if you sold 114,000 copies of a six-song EP in just six months? You finish the album and start your own music label, right? Thats exactly what Sean Gemini did this year and the result is Inner Me (Parthinie/LightYear), the album debut CD (R&B/POP) set for release in JUNE 2005. This project promises to showcase the complexity and distinctive sides of the talented artist and his many facets.

The New York born (he now resides in Los Angeles) Sean Gemini first hit the music scene in 1999 as a member of THE WHAT, an up and coming Hip Hop trio, whose first single, Turn It Up reached # 39 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart. Sean not only rapped on the song but he also sang background on the track. Sharing the stage with the likes of ICE CUBE, RUN DMC, ICE T and THE WU TAN CLAN was considered a dress rehearsal for his solo career. Before an album could be released the company ran into financial difficulties so I didnt quite take off as well as I would have liked. However I was able to grow and become well-rounded because of the experience. remarks the 66 Gemini.

As a solo artist Sean Gemini toyed with the option of either being a singer or a rapper. The answer was made for him with the release of an EP last May on the internet. As a result of his strong entrepreneurial spirit, the product sold 114,000 pieces over a period of three months. Because I dont consider myself like other artists, I didnt want to put myself out there (to the music industry) as such. I researched the internet and found that there were several notable recording artists and authors (Prince, Malcolm Jamal Warner, etc), that were utilizing the internet to sell their product. Creative marketing via the chat rooms as well as internet cafe flyers created a fast buzz and a fan-base was quickly formed. Sean remembers I sent the album to a few labels (LightYear being one of them). Greg Riles (title) finally took a listen to it was in his words was blown away. Unfortunately, Riles couldnt find his contact information and had to track Sean down via the internet.

The end result is Inner Me. Inner Mes (R&B) 16 tracks support Seans intense sexuality, spirituality and political awareness.The first single ,Cocain,(B-side is Champagne) an R&B/Hip Hop flavored song that describes the addicting love affair Sean Gemini once had with a beautiful woman, is scheduled to be shipped to radio in January 2006.. This marketing strategy is designed to allow the listener to uncover all that Sean Gemini is-- versatile, gifted and most of all ever-changing.

Executives at Parthinie Entertainment are confident that Sean Geminis R&B Style will appeal to record buyers around the country. The music label is now preparing a creative marketing/promotion/internet campaign that will involve street promotion strategies in various markets, as well as an extensive national retail campaign for the album. Sean will go out on a six city promo tour in February where he will visit radio stations, retail outlets and perform in the hottest clubs in each market. The label will also seek out opportunities for Sean Gemini to open on a few of the Hip hop and R&B tours scheduled for first quarter of 2006.

RIGHTNOISE. 2005

All the Roadrunning by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris

2007-04-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

Alanna from Amazon writes: Over the last seven years, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris quietly recorded an album by stealing "a few precious hours of studio time here and there," as the ex-Dire Straits singer/guitarist puts it. Good thing they kept it largely under wraps--expectations would have pushed through the clouds, especially as Knopfler conjured 10 of the 12 cuts, and Harris, who writes potently, but little, contributed two ("Love and Happiness," "Belle Starr"). Yet now that it's here, All the Roadrunning--while beautiful--seems somehow underwhelming, and without a true centerpiece. Anyone familiar with the artists' famous catalogues would expect the repertoire to be poetic and brooding, and that Harris's ethereal soprano would add light to Knopfler's dark Prozac rumblings. But the surprise is that the album is too tame, never breaks out of its midtempo groove, and never takes any big chances.

That said, there is much to like: The marital scrapbook romp of "This Is Us," the bluesy bickering of "Right Now," the wrenching poignancy of the 9/11-inspired ballad "If This Is Goodbye." Knopfler, ever the hypnotic guitarist, turns in some thrillingly droll and laconic vocals, and Harris brings the spirited coltishness of her early work to "Belle Starr." In the end, though, this is not so much a duet album as two famously melancholy musicians singing together--at times, strikingly so.

NOFX's overdue review

2007-03-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Just because it's long overdue, this is an article on NOFX. They seem to have gathered momentum with Bush's recent follies as president. NOFX is a skate punk band from San Francisco, California, United States, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles.

The original lineup included singer/bassist Mike Burkett, drummer Erik Sandin, and guitarist Eric Melvin. Since 1991 Aaron Abeyta has played second guitar and trumpet. The band's sound is diverse, utilizing elements of skate punk, hardcore punk, ska, and other music genres. Their lyrics generally satirize issues such as politics, society, various subcultures, racism, the music industry, and religion, often using a large amount of comedy.

In 2002, NOFX sifted through countless tapes and recording sessions, eventually collecting 47 songs for 45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records. "Pimps and Hookers," which was the only new song on the album, was recorded in one day. Later that year, BYO Records got the band to release the NOFX/Rancid split album BYO Split Series, Vol. 3. This particular album had Rancid covering six NOFX tracks while NOFX returned the favor by switching up six Rancid songs. The four-song EP Regaining Unconsciousness came out in March 2003 and served as a teaser for May's The War on Errorism, released on Fat Wreck and littered with political criticisms. With the band's outspoken and leftist nature, it was then not surprising when they launched Punk Voter, a movement of punk bands that sought to politically empower disenfranchised youth and vote George W. Bush out of office. The organization still remained in action, even after Bush's 2004 re-election. Back on the music front, NOFX next released the EP Never Trust a Hippy in March 2006, and the full-length Wolf in Wolves' Clothing followed a month later.

NOFX has released 10 studio full lengths, 10 EPs, and many 7" singles. The group has sold over 6 million records worldwide, and are one of the most successful independent bands of all time.

Their name is derived from the Boston hardcore band Negative FX. Fat Mike and other band members are admitted fans of Straight Edge bands like Minor Threat, and some members of NOFX have experimented with the Straight Edge ethos.

Yo Majesty

2007-03-01T01:14:00.000-08:00

Yo Majesty is an up-and-coming lesbo rap-punk-crunk group is awesome. In fact, lemme just let the press take care of my gushing...

"Absolutely timeless... they sound like Gangsta Boo over JJ Fad tracks... Brilliant. You need this." - Vice Magazine

"First amazing surprise of SXSW07: The glorious electro-rap of Yo Majesty, three party ladies from Florida... Think ESG meets The Geto Boys. Or something. Beautiful." - The Onion AV Club

"Our current get-up-and-go-out soundtrack. 'Fuck that shit' is as much as we can memorize on our favorite cut 'Club Action,' but we're alright with that. Your DJ nights need this track: - Stereogum

"Yo Majesty take their cue from ESG and bang out hip hop infused new wave disco jams." - DJ Magazine

"At last punk-funk-crunk rap!" - Mixmag

"They've coined a female equivalent of macho that is far removed from the hypersexualized come 'n' get it attitude." - Time Out London

"Regular rhythmic shifts, an abundance of pop smarts and a soulful aggro." - Plan B Magazine

"'Daaaamn!' That's all we can say when we listen to the rap riot that is Yo Majesty, three freaky Florida femmes with rhymes spicier than Salt -N-Pepa and bombastic beats that'd make J.J. Fad proud (eat your humps out, Fergie). This old-school girl trio may be naughty — check out the choppy synth bobs and bossy braggadocio of "Kryptonite Pussy" and "Hustle Mode" — but the fierce delivery makes it come off fresh, never forced." - LA Weekly