Check out the latest punk rock band that have surfaced this winter in Russia. Pussy Riot are a protest movement who play impromptu shows in Russia to stand up for their rights and are taking their stance on Putin and feminism to the Kremlin.
Get your pillows stuffed this weekend and hit your local supermarket armed with a small PA, dressed in a pink balaclava, we dare you!
Oh dear. This was posted on the Sabbath’s drummer’s facebook page 2 hrs ago:
Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,
At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.
Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.
Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’shappening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”
The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, Ialso have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.
If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.
So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.
My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.
That’s the story so far.
Stay safe and stay strong.
I love every single one of you.
–Bill Ward
Download Festival has announced 14 bands for their 10th anniversary line-up.
As previously announced, headliners for the weekend of June 8th-10th are The Prodigy, Metallica and Black Sabbath and the bill now includes Slash featuring Myles Kennedy, Megadeth, Rise Against, Steel Panther, Billy Talent and Black Label Society. As if that weren’t enough, festival go-ers will also be able to see Kyuss Lives, Five Finger Death Punch, Terrorvision and As I Lay Dying.
The deadline for cheaper weekend arena tickets has been extended to Thursday February 2nd before reverting to the £155 price from then on. Organisers are urging fans to take advantage of the extension with the tickets from www.downloadfestival.co.uk.
Kevin Devine has announced his first full UK tour in four years in February, with his band The Goddamn Band.
The tour follows the release of their new album Between the Concrete & Clouds and the Goddamn Band now features the line-up of: Brian Bonz (keyboard), Chris Bracco (bass, keyboard), Mike Fadem (drums, percussion), Russell Smith (electric guitar), and Mike Strandberg (guitar, mandolin).
The tour dates are:
21.02 – Kingston The Cricketers
23.02 – Manchester Night & Day
24.02 – Southampton Joiners
25.02 – Bristol Thekla
26.02 – Oxford Jericho Tavern
27.02 – London Borderline
28.02 – Leeds Brudenell Social Club
29.02 – Glasgow King Tuts
Del The Funky Homosapien will re-release his debut album this year.
I Wish My Brother George Was Here was originally released by the Hieroglyphics member in 1991 and was rumoured to be an ode to George Clinton. The Oakland MC, who is also Ice Cube’s cousin, will re-issue the album to celebrate its anniversary and will include a bonus poster.
Here’s a classic track from the original:
Cancer Bats have dropped a new video.
The visuals are for the track Old Blood, which is taken from their upcoming album Dead Set On Living, which is due out in April through Hassle.
The Borderline
24th January, 2012
Former Thieves have had some bad luck over the past couple of days with van trauma in mainland Europe and illness plaguing the band’s members. Yet they’re gracious and potent on stage tonight, their visceral yet carefully paced set pulsating through the venue despite a largely unmoving crowd. This two band bill makes for a show that rivals La Dispute’s last London appearance at the Underworld with Touche Amore. The rather more intimate feeling of The Borderline lends itself well to both bands’ clear desire to connect with the audience. Despite everyone’s lack of movement for the openers, you can tell they’re being well received as attention is fully on the music emanating from the stage. The bar is quiet. It’s the music everyone is here for tonight.
La Dispute have already proven themselves as live favourites amongst those in the know on these shows. Their deeply emotive music verges on the uncomfortable at times but tonight’s unrelenting emotion is delivered with a rawness and a sincerity that is undeniable and ultimately appealing. Perfectly crafted songs balance sparse textures with dramatic riffs and vocals that sound so close to breaking, you can’t help but empathise with the lyrics.
Ever the socially conscious, La Dispute have chosen to donate a portion of their merch sales to Teenage Cancer Trust tonight. They also requested a donation (of any amount) from those lucky enough to be on the guestlist for the event. There’s certainly a sense that this is far more than a token gesture and that this a band who really want to make a difference wherever they can. And it’s oh so evident that their performance tonight has made a difference to each person present. Stirring stuff.
Winegums
Sennen will release a new single on March 5th.
The Norwich quartet, now mostly based in London, will release Vultures on 10″ vinyl and digital download on March 5th, giving fans a taste of what to expect on the upcoming album Lost Harmony, out in April. The vinyl is limited to just 500 copies and is sure to go fast.
A video for the track has been made by Ashley Dean, formerly of iLiKETRAiNS which you can see below.
Hevy Fest have announced the first wave of bands for this year’s festival.
The event takes place on the weekend of August 3rd-6th at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent with tickets costing £96 for the weekend with camping, which includes entry to the Animal Park.
The bands announced so far include Protest The Hero, Converge, Will Haven, A Wilhelm Scream, Sharks, Pianos Become The Teeth and Set Your Goals amongst others. If you fancy some of that, then the place to grab tickets and further information is www.hevy.co.uk
The initial line up of curators and opening, guest act have been announced today for this year’s Camden Crawl 2012. The North London festival has invited us back for the 3rd year running to curate one of the venues on the Crawl so we are proud to announce that we will be hosting bands and more at the Electric Ballroom this year all day on Saturday, 5th May.
Enjoy the initial line up from the announcement made this morning with Death In Vegas (Richard Fearless) opening the event. We will give you more information of who will be playing live and other fun stuff we will have planned for the Crawl this year soon as the process of elimination takes place. We will also be aiming to have a party in the evening after the daytime event, so look out for updates as they roll out.
Get your tickets in advance before this prestigious event sells out now from here. You can follow all of the updates through Facebook and Twitter.
