Description: One night some months ago we had a dream. Not like a Martin Luther King-type dream, with little kids of all races and nationalities holding hands and shit like that. No, we had a more realistic dream—okay, okay, it was the middle of the day and we were high and maybe jerking off, so technically it was more of a fantasy—but the dream we had was that one of our favourite bands would be on our label and together we would release one of the most satisfying records in the history of forever. And the heavens would part, the Billboard charts would collapse under the sheer sonic awesomeness, and the world would become a better place—a place where everyone had free health care and a money tree in their backyard and a hot trophy wife or strapping young houseboy or whatever. And that band, ladies and gentlemen, was Torche. And wouldn’t you know it, that shit totally came true (we’re waiting on the health care, the money tree, the houseboy and the Billboard thing, but still). And that record—in case you’re having trouble keeping up here—is Meanderthal. Call it the band’s second official full-length (after their 2005 self-titled debut via our good friends at Robotic Empire) and follow-up to last year’s six-song mini-epic In Return, released exclusively on hallucinogenic vinyl. Call it the latest and greatest bomb-string stoner pop/thunder rock/doom pop classic from Torche mastermind Steve Brooks and his fellow hook heroes. Call it the sweetest, catchiest, hugest riff colossus since Sky Valley. Shit, call it Album Of The Year if you want. That’s what we’re going with, anyway.

Track Listing:

• 1. Triumph of Venus (1:44)
• 2. Grenades (2:53)
• 3. Piraña (1:32)
• 4. Sandstorm (2:20)
• 5. Speed of the Nail (1:40)
• 6. Healer (2:07)
• 7. Across the Shields (3:03)
• 8. Sundown (3:17)
• 9. Little Champion (0:34)
• 10. Without A Sound (2:06)
• 11. Fat Waves (4:34)
• 12. Amnesian (6:24)
• 13. Meanderthal (3:54)

www.hydrahead.com

APRIL UK TOUR WITH SIA

Har Mar Superstar is back! He’s been on the road in North America supporting Sia and at this year’s SXSW Festival 2008 in Austin, Texas and is now coming to a venue near you! Har Mar says, “The shows have been huge and fun. Get your tickets quickly. I have a feeling they won't be around for long. Once again, I will be joined onstage by Denver Dalley and Nick Slack, my Nashville comrades, and we will rock the parties with a bunch of new jams and classic hits. Also, keep an eye out for DJ gigs and Har Mar headlining dates too. We don't like days off. Love, Har Mar Superstar”.

APRIL TOUR (Main Support to Sia)

Thursday 3 Edinburgh Studio 24 [headline show]
Friday 4 Glasgow Oran Mor
Saturday 5 Manchester Manchester University
Monday 7 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Tuesday 8 Brighton Komedia
Wednesday 9 London Koko **SOLD OUT**
Friday 11 Liverpool Liverpool Academy
Saturday 12 Oxford Oxford Academy
Sunday 13 Sheffield Plug
Tuesday 15 Dublin Crawdaddy
Friday 18 Bristol Carling Academy [headline show]

Also check out Trick for Treat, a track featuring Har Mar, taken from the hot new Neon Neon record . It's the first single from their amazing concept album about John De Lorean.

New Har Mar jams will be ready soon. Get ready!

www.harmarsuperstar.com

www.myspace.com/harmarstar

YOUTHMOVIES

YOUTHMOVIES PERFORM LIVE SOUNDTRACK FOR OSCAR NOMINEE ELLEN PAGE’S INDEPENDENT FILM - THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS AT THE EAST END FILM FESTIVAL.

“..Creating soundscapes that rage with a relentless brutality and aching compassion”. The Independent on Sunday

Youthmovies will perform a live soundtrack for new independent film THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS on Wednesday 23rd April at Vibe Lounge in Brick Lane as part of the East End film festival 2008.

During the 50s and 60s, the emergence of teenage culture became a major force in cinematic storytelling. The East End festival highlights this ongoing trend by showcasing emerging young stars like actress Ellen Page (Oscar nomination for Juno). Ellen Page stars as the 15-year-old protagonist in the London premiere of THE TRACEY FRAGMENTS (Wed 23 April, 7:30pm Rich Mix). Employing multi-frame editing to startling effect, Bruce McDonald’s film manages to visualise the mix of reality and fantasy that fill the mind of a teenager. This will be followed by a post screening party, TRACEY REMIXED (Wed 23 April, 9pm, Vibe Lounge Brick Lane), with VJ Buzzard Buzzard mixing an exclusive visual set alongside a live soundtrack by Youthmovies

Other live shows:

Thurs 3 - London, ICA w/ Tired Irie and Lovvers

Sat 5 - Leeds, Library 0113 2440794

Fri 18th- London Dingwalls Camden Crawl

Sat 19th – Oxford Abort Retry Fail

Wed 23rd- London Vibe Lounge (Tracey Remixed/East End film festival)

Sat 26- Kingston The Peel w/Oceansize

‘Good Nature’ is out now on Drowned In Sound records

www.eastendfilmfestival.com/

www.myspace.com/youthmovies

Blondie, The Levellers and The Australian Pink Floyd Show will headline the main stage of GuilFest on 4/5/6th July 2008, which this year is sponsored by Commercial Radio for the first time.

Folk-punk legends The Levellers headline the opening night on Friday 4th July. These festival favourites return to GuilFest with a full line-up for the first time since 1997 to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Hits such as ‘What a Beautiful Day’, ‘One Way’, and classics such as ‘Liberty’, ‘The Boatman’ and ‘Sell-out’ have placed The Levellers firmly as one of the UK’s top acts. The Levellers won the “Best Festival Feel Good Act” award at the 2007 UK festival awards and their performance at GuilFest 2008 will definitely be a not-to-be-missed occasion.

Blondie, who have sold over 40 million albums since their inception in late 1970s, will headline on Saturday 5th July. Expect a whole host of top ten hit singles including ‘Atomic’, ‘Denis’, ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘Hanging On The Telephone’, ‘Union City Blue’ ‘One Way or Another’, ‘The Tide is High’, ‘Maria’ and many more. Fronted by the iconic Deborah Harry, the band have played tons of huge gigs all over the world and in 2006 were inducted into the prestigious “Rock n Roll Hall of Fame”. Blondie’s Saturday night set at GuilFest 2008 promises to be an amazing experience!

The Australian Pink Floyd Show will bring the festival to a close on Sunday 6th July with a “must be seen to be believed” spectacular psychedelic lightshow that’s sure to provide GuilFest with an incredible, unmissable finale! One of the biggest tribute acts in the world, who have sold out the Royal Albert Hall numerous times in the last few years, they are also the only Pink Floyd tribute act ever to play for any Pink Floyd member - In 1996 performing, by request, at David Gilmour's 50th birthday. Prepare to be blown-away by this audio-visual feast for your senses.

Multi-platinum selling psychedelic rock band Kula Shaker are special guest act on Saturday July 5th. Expect to hear a set of classics such as ‘Tattva’, Govinda’ and ‘Hey Dude’ from the band’s seminal first two albums “K” (1996) and “Peasants, Pigs and Astronauts” (1999) combined with fresh tracks from their 2007 album “Strangefolk”.

Following their sold out 2007 UK tour, From the Jam featuring two-thirds of the original line up of The Jam (Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, alongside new members Russell Hastings and Dave Moore) are confirmed for Sunday July 6th, as is charismatic Welsh singer-songwriter Cerys Mathews, formerly of Catatonia, while acid jazz funksters Freak Power! headline the second stage on Friday 4th July.

Tickets are priced at. Adults - £40 day, £90 weekend, £100 weekend with camping. Children between 12 – 16 years old - £30 day, £50 weekend, £60 weekend with camping. N.B. Children between 12 – 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged under 12 have free entrance with ticket holding adult. Camper vans tickets are £80 and can only be used in conjunction with an adult with camping ticket.

For tickets and information go to www.guilfest.co.uk or call ticket hotline 0871 424 0050.

The band are already confirmed on the line up of Endorse It festival in the summer this year.

www.myspace.com/thescratch

FIGHTSTAR

FIGHTSTAR ANNOUNCE ‘RIDE THE DEATHCAR TOUR 2008’ IN MAY AND DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL APPEARANCE in JUNE 2008

FIGHTSTAR will be hitting the road again in May for their ‘Ride The Deathcar Tour 2008’. The band have also been added to the second stage at this year’s Download festival on 13th – 15th June. This is the band’s second Download appearance, about which Charlie Simpson says, “We are really pleased that we have been asked to come back and play the infamous Download Festival for a second time. Download is one of our favourite festivals of the season and we are going pull out all the stops. Bring on the pits!”

This year has seen the band make their mark with storming performances on the Kerrang Relentless Energy Drink Tour and the release of their most important single to date, ‘Floods’. The single was supported by a brand new video which included stunning CGI animated footage from the $30 million feature film, “Flood”, courtesy of the European producer and distributor Power, which made the movie. (www.flood-london.com).

Dates as follows:

• ‘Ride The Deathcar Tour’ May 2008
• Monday 19 Derby University SUB
• Tuesday 20 Mansfield Intake Club
• Thursday 22 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
• Friday 23 Liverpool Academy 2
• Saturday 24 Glasgow Garage
• Sunday 25 Leeds Slam Dunk Festival Leeds University
• Tuesday 27 Stoke Sugarmill
• Wednesday 28 Manchester Academy 3
• Thursday 29 London Islington Academy
  Friday 30 Birmingham Academy 2

Tickets for Slam Dunk in Leeds are £17.50 adv and now on sale at www.seetickets.com

The band will be playing Download festival (13th – 15th June) date tbc

www.fightstarmusic.com

www.myspace.com/fightstar

Black Tide’s debut single, Shockwave is out on Interscope through
Polydor Records on April 14th 2008
Light From Above is out now

www.myspace.com/whitelies

Press release
For immediate release

TaMJaM Music proudly present - Bollocks to Poverty on Tour (Surrey mk 1)

At the Boileroom, Guildford - Thursday 24th April

KOOPA

PIED PIPER RECORDS SIGN KOOPA AND CONFIRM

MARK HOPPUS OF BLINK 182 SIGNS ON TO PRODUCE ALBUM

Pied Piper Records, Nashville, USA have confirmed that Koopa will join forces with Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus to produce their debut album. The band recently joined the label’s roster, signing a four-album deal.

Over the past year, Koopa has made music history by becoming the first ever unsigned band to make it into the UK Top 40. They have had three singles in 2007 chart in the UK top 40, most recently reaching number 16 with their latest release “The Crash” in November 2007.

With Blink 182 being a major influence on Koopa, the band are excited to have the opportunity to work with Mark Hoppus on the album. Mark is well known for producing Blink-182 and +44, but he has also produced albums for New Found Glory, Simple Plan and Motion City Soundtrack"They will cut the record at the Los Angeles studio owned by Hoppus and Travis Barker. Long-time Rick Rubin protégé Chris Holmes (Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Stadium Arcadium), will engineer the record.

The three-piece band combines the talent of brothers Ollie Cooper (guitar and vocals) and Stu Cooper (drums) along with Joe Murphy (bass and vocals). Koopa, who originally formed in 2002, has taken the UK by storm and created a buzz seldom seen by an unsigned band. Their eclectic mixture of punk, pop and rock has seen them develop into the most exciting act in the UK music scene today.

Craig Cumming, President of Pied Piper Records, has anxiously awaited the addition of the group to the label.

“Koopa is one of the most exciting bands in the world right now. Their success so far as an independent, unsigned group is admirable. We are proud to be their label and look forward to bringing the world their music for years to come” said Cumming.

Koopa capped an amazing 2007 by winning 3 awards at The Glasswerk Music Award in London late last year and the band also recorded with the likes of Christian Wright, who has recently worked on projects with Kaiser Chiefs, Graham Coxon, Biffy Clyro and Hot Chip.

Work on their album is due to start in early April 2008. A tour of the USA will follow the album’s release including a performance at Wave on March 15th 2008 as part of the infamous South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX. Shows in the UK and Australia will also follow.

See Koopa online at www.myspace.com/koopa.

ELLIOT MINOR

New Single: ‘Parallel Worlds’ out on Warner Bros. / Reposession Records April 7th 2008

4-Apr-08, birmingham, the sanctuary 5-Apr-08, Leeds, Met Uni
6-Apr-08, Newcastle, Academy 7-Apr-08, Glasgow, Garage
9-Apr-08, Manchester, Academy 2 10-Apr-08, Norwich, Waterfront
11-Apr-08, Cardiff, Uni 12-Apr-08, London, Astoria

28th march – portsmouth pyramid 29th march – cardiff solus
30th march – bristol academy 2 31st march – dublin spirit 57
1st april – glasgow garage 2nd april – manchester academy 2
3rd april – oxford academy 4th april – norwich uea
5th april – nottingham rock city 7th april – birmingham academy 2
8th april – leeds cockpit 9th april – london Astoria
10th april- brighton concorde 2

THE MACCABEES

The Maccabees announce surprise tour of intimate venues to unveil new songs

Praise for debut LP “Colour It In”:
“Brilliant” 8/10 NME
“Excellent” **** UNCUT
“A major UK talent” **** The Fly
“The most exciting band in Britain” 8/10 Drowned in Sound
“A consistently excellent, wilfully eccentric debut.” The Observer

The competition is a search for the best new band in the UK with the grand final being staged in Manchester in April with a judging panel consisting of Andy Rourke, Owen Morris, Rowetta, BBC's Manchester's Natalie Eve Williams, Michelle Hussey and David Wilson and other star names.

Bands from around the UK lining up for the final are : I Pariah, Spheres, The News, The Sticks, Propax, The Chimneys, Priory Falls, Fine 69, Captain Backfire, 16 Days and Guerilla Farm.

You can find out more about the final and Channel M interview at www.myspace.com/fat_cat_promotions

Stagepass have had many sell out shows and put on bands who have gone on to make it in the music world. Later this year (May) Stagepass Promotions are launching Stage*Pass Best unsigned band 08/09 which will be the largest competition of it's kind in the country.

The competition will run in 20 cities in the UK and will stretch across the whole country from North to South we are again staking a £5000 1st prize and a total prize pool of £20,000. As well as cash prizes we are offering the winner a record deal with distribution and a video shoot for the 1st single.

In this years Best of the Bands Stagepass have shown that we can stick to a time scale and overcome obstacles assisted with running a huge competition as well as meeting all the promises we have made eg- prize money

The Final in April has attracted attention from music industry 'A listers!' including Owen Morris (Oasis Producer) & David Nolan award winning music author as well as attracting many more admirers…

…we played a couple of rounds in Sheffield this year. the set up was superb and very professional,the sound was sweet,venue was perfect say no more...cheers all.

URBAN TWENTIES

I've been to a few of your heats and finals around the country and my friends in captain backfire won the York final. It's a great idea and gives up and coming young bands a stage to be heard. I'm sure somewhere in the hundreds of bands you've got involved is the next Arctic's or Kaisers.

POSTED BY : BAKER

…thanks a lot for the opportunity to play! although we didn't get through we enjoyed every minute of it, the sound was amazing on stage the atmosphere was awesome! we will sure to be back next year!!!

POSTED BY: LESSER KNOW BREED

It's Stagepass Promotions aim to help unsigned bands move forward and get exposure on both a local and national level we think that this exposure helps them by the structure of the competition and the stage pass' experience in operating gigs.

www.themusic.co.uk
www.myspace.com/themusic

The feature film SHINE A LIGHT, directed by Martin Scorsese, is on UK national cinema release from 11 April 2008

‘Shine A Light’ the album is released on Polydor/ Universal Music on 7 April 2008

Album track listing:
CD 1
Jumpin’ Jack Flash ,Shattered ,She Was Hot, All Down the Line ,Loving Cup (with Jack White) ,As Tears Go By ,Some Girls, Just My Imagination, Faraway Eyes, Champagne and Reefer (with Buddy Guy), Tumbling Dice ,You Got The Silver, Connection.

CD2
Sympathy For The Devil ,Live with Me (with Christina Aguilera), Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Paint It Black, Little T&A, I’m Free, Shine A Light.

Album Credits:
Produced by the Glimmer Twins
Co-produced by Bob Clearmountain
Recorded and mixed by Bob Clearmountain

Mick Jagger : vocals, guitar, harmonica
Keith Richards: guitar, vocals
Charlie Watts : drums
Ronnie Wood : guitar
Darryl Jones : bass guitar
Chuck Leavell : keyboards
Bobby Keys : saxophone
Bernard Fowler: vocals
Lisa Fischer : vocals
Blondie Chaplin: vocals
Tim Ries : saxophone, keyboards
Kent Smith : trumpet
Michael Davis : trombone

‘Martin Scorsese’s homage to the Rolling Stones has the most stunning concert footage I’ve seen’........There’s something indestructible about their energy.....The concert itself is a piece of Technicolour magic’ - James Christopher, The Times

‘This is Dynamite’ ‘I’ve always been struck by how the Stones have remained so vital’ ‘The Rolling Stones keep exploding over the decades, defying their age and keeping us satisfied’ - Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail

‘[It] will blow you away, as it did me’ ‘Shine A Light is a technical tour de force, a visceral hit and a film...One sees Wood, Watts, Jagger...and Richards, for what they are; extraordinary, exotic, extravagant creatures’. - Bryan Appleyard, Sunday Times Culture

‘Shine A Light radiates a genuine, heartening joy in performance’ - Andrew Mueller, Uncut

‘Blood Stays On The Blade’ 6 track mini album

St Albans hardcore outfit Your Demise will release their mini album, “Blood Stays on The Blade” through Leeds based indie label Thirty Days of Night (Gallows, Architects, Eternal Lord, Bring Me The Horizon). Having gone through approx. 11 member changes since their conception in 2004, the quintet are back with firm line up, and six tracks of crushing metallic hardcore. Using elements of early 80’s punk, thrash metal and modern hardcore, “Blood Stays On The Blade” is a musical tour de force, and one that is certain to throw the band up with the leaders of UK hardcore.

Coming from the same area as UK heroes Gallows, Enter Shikari and Friendly Fires the band are quick to show their appreciation for the bands. “We actually put on their first ever show and Lee (Barratt, drummer for Gallows) has drummed with us before on a few occasions” says front man George Noble. The band have spent the last few years playing all over the UK & Europe (+2 nights spent in an Antwerp jail, on charges of intent to use and possession of BB guns!) with literally hundreds of bands including Earth Crisis, Sick of it All, Shai Hulud, Bring Me The Horizon, The Chariot, Sworn Enemy, Madball and I Killed The Prom Queen and have recently completed a mammoth tour with

Enter Shikari and Hundred Reasons.

Track listing for ‘Blood Stays On The Blade’:

Too Little Too Late
No Half Measures
Blood Stays On The Blade
Bitterness Will Prevail
Un-Bound By Blood
Burning Ashes

The video for the first single, also titled ‘Blood Stays On The Blade’, was shot in a warehouse by Adam Powell (The Ghost of A Thousand, *Shels, Architects) , with many of the bands friends and showcases the bands intense and powerful energy that they possess live. Catch the band at the Camden Underworld on the 1st April 2008 or on tour throughout the UK at the end of March.

www.myspace.com/yourdemise

THE METROS

Tour Diary - Episode 1

"The Metros are on tour right now to promote debut single "Education Pt.2", out Monday 17th March, and have sent back some footage of their on-the-road shenanigans for you to enjoy. See what the lads get up to in backstages across the country, and hear what their fans think of the tour so far!"

Youtube link
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V58o98gddQE

March
Mon 3rd Leeds Cockpit (14+)
Tues 4th Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire
Wed 5th Aberdeen Tunnels (14+)
Thurs 6th Glasgow King Tut’s (14+)
Fri 7th Liverpool Korova
Sat 8th Bedford Esquires (16+)
Mon 10th Bristol Louisiana
Tues 11th Exeter Cavern (16+)
Weds 12th Cardiff Barfly (16+)
Fri 14th Southampton Joiners (14+)
Sat 15th Brighton Free Butt (16+)
Sun 16th Oxford Academy 2 (14+)

www.themetros.com
www.myspace.com/themetrosband

The creature, aka Aldo Struyf, was born when the 13th Floor Elevators were recording Bull Of The Woods, was still young when the Butthole Surfers wrote The Revenge Of Anus Presley, can't get enough of Barkmarket's Gimmick and is waiting for the new Ween album to come out. While still best known as the guitar and keyboard player in Millionaire and/or Mark Lanegan’s chosen one for synths on his last album 'Bubblegum' and European touring, the creature is raising the stakes with his own project and very first full album «I Am The Golden Gate Bridge» . This first full-length is the band's third contribution to the history of rock after the two previously released and aptly titled 12 inch EPs «The Snake» (2005) and «Kill The Snake» (2006). Creature's melodic sensibilities tend to be shaped by the soaring pop of '60s and '70s bands like the largely forgotten but utterly fabulous 13th Floor Elevators and Butthole Surfers, while amping up the raw power and nihilistic energy and propelling it into the post-punk age. His thin razor-edged guitar is wonderfully completed by the nervous low-end rattling machine-gun percussion of Millionaire drummer Dave Schroyen (also ex-Evil Superstar), while long time friend and colleague Jan Wygers, one of Mauro’s Grooms (and ex bassplayer of the legendary Sexmachines), vouches for bass riffs that help make the sudden time changes and the sometimes not-quite-linear song structures all the more intriguing. Recently, after being blown away by the (unfortunately) late Belgian hardcore band 'Dead Stop', the creature also invited Michiel Van Cleuvenbergen (guitarist and songwriter of Dead Stop) to join the band. «I Am The Golden Gate Bridge» makes up for a sharp and explosive yet strangely melodic album, while guest vocals by buddies Tim Vanhamel and Mark Lanegan prove to be the perfect icing on the cake. Beware and enjoy!

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CREATUREWITHTHEATOMBRAIN www.myspace.com/jezusfactory

Guest notes…
Mark Lanegan sings on Black Out, New Hit and Crawl Like A Dog. Tim Vanhamel

(Millionaire, Evil Superstars, Eagles of Death Metal) also

sings on Crawl Like A Dog. (Mark and Tim wrote some of the lyrics for Crawl

Like A Dog)

Herman Houbrechts (Dead Man Ray, Mauro & The Grooms, Nemo) sings backing on

‘Broken Flowers Grow’

Originally formed by 3 sole members Sinic, Lethargy & Diverse, the groups story is a different one, the main members are from different musical backgrounds Sinic (A hardcore singer with Iron Monkey, Murder One & My War), Lethargy (Mc with Non-Thespian & Lyricist Hobos) & Diverse (Mc with Lyricist Hobos & founding member of the Beastmangoat Collective). All these elements and a passion for music combined to form a dense sounding and moody approach to Hip Hop. In 2002 Sincs untimely demise put the project on hold. Mc Blugrass stepped into the frame in 2007 along with Mc Kworyl and vocalist GZ-Tyrrel (3rd Stone & O.F.T.C) to reform the group, which has now set the wheels back in motion….

“Self-Titled” hosts an array of talent from all musical backgrounds featuring Mc’s, Vocalists, and live musicians, with one sole aim - to bring a sound that is hard hitting and unique. Featured artists include Grindcore singer; 8Ch (Phantom Limb Management), Mc’s; Duke01, Monkey D, Treble7, and Bass player RJ Chisholm (Old Basford). While production credits include Sinic, dWyZak (Sophie Johnson-Hill & Non-Thespian) Paul K (Basilica), Blugrass & The Moot Group…

With five new tracks combined with classic tunes dating back to 2000, the album is a complete chronology of music, which is set to have those speakers popping. The music itself pays homage to the days of original concepts with a direct approach to the true essence of creating music. The project is far from over, believe us, keep your ear to the ground for the rumble of the distant drums, “Self-Titled” marks the beginning, the darkness is here to bring forth the light…

www.myspace.com/tuskencoalition

www.tuskencoalition.co.uk

Canadian legend returns for 11th studio album, new single
and unique tour reaching 11 countries in 11 days

Bryan Adams storms back with his 11th studio album, entitled ‘11’ on March 17th through Polydor Records, packed full of unmistakeable rockers and signature ballads.

www.bryanadams.com

Release New Album

‘Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings’

Out March 24th

**plus headlining Wireless on Sunday July 6th**

Counting Crows are back with their first studio album in over five years entitled ‘Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings’ which will be released through Geffen Records on March 24th.

‘Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings’ will be the Counting Crows fifth studio album and comes almost 14 years after ‘Mr Jones’ became a surprise hit helping the band gain mass fame as well as selling seven million copies of their debut album ‘August and Everything After’ which went on to become the fastest selling album since Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’.

The album is split into two distinct themes with the first encompassing the ‘Saturday Nights’ part, presenting a descent into the darkness, the losing of your sense of self through drink and medications. The second side to the album, ‘Sunday Mornings’, is about the realisation of the next day, the hangover so to speak, it’s not so much redemption as understanding why Saturday Night happens and what next?

Counting Crows enlisted British producer and long time friend Gil Norton for the ‘Saturday Nights’ part of the album who (apart from previously working on the band’s second album ‘Recovering Satellites’) has also produced records for Pixies, Foo Fighters, Echo & The Bunnymen and Maximo Park. They then got Brian Deck (Modest Mouse and Iron & Wine) to produce the Sunday Mornings portion of the album in an attempt to emulate a modern version of some of the great folk based albums like Carole King’s ‘Tapestry’ and Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ which both had the feel of an unplugged album through innovative recording techniques.

The Counting Crows have always been more an album than a singles band and in the current byte-sized modern culture they feel it more important than ever not to cooperate with the quick fix, so enjoy ‘Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings’ in its entirety – the way a great album should be.

The band have also just been announced as the headline act at Wireless on Sunday July 6th.

In 2007, alternative rock's most significant pioneers Dinosaur Jr, released their first album for 18 years. “Beyond” received rapturous reviews and the trio of guitarist J, Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph have been touring in Europe and the US ever since.

Their last show in the UK was at the Reading festival, and now the band have been added to the bill of All Tomorrow’s Parties on May 17th and 18th 2008. They will also be playing a one-off headlining show at London’s Koko.

The Koko show is on Thursday May 15th 2008, Tickets are £17.50, doors at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available from www.seetickets.com, www.ticketweb.co.uk, www.wegotickets.com, www.gigantic.com & www.stargreen.com

J. Mascis will also be appearing solo at a few shows in Austin, Texas next week at the SXSW festival.

Check out the band at http://www.dinosaurjr.com/

Or www.myspace.com/dinosaurjr

Mon 25 Feb – BBC Wales Introducing
Sun 20 Mar - Barfly, Cardiff

The five piece rock/funk band from South Wales comprise of Lewis Fall (vocals/guitar), Wrighty (guitar), Thom Rowlands (keyboards), Phil Davies (bass/backing vocals) and Gethin Hale (drums). Their debut EP "Good Intentions" has recently been released on CD and online via iTunes worldwide. Following the success of the recording of the EP at Longwave Recording Studio, Cardiff, The Hustle are currently completing recording Things I Wish Were Mine with producer Romesh Dodangoda (Manic Street Preachers, The Blackout, Kids In Glass Houses, Dopamine)

Taking the best of American indie and melding it with British rock, the band create a ferocious live show. The Hustle live are about people in front of the stage dancing, pogoing, nodding their heads, or just doing whatever the hell they want to do. It's about having a laugh. It's about four-to-the-floor. It's about the incredible live performance you only get from a band which has such chemistry that they can finish each other's sentences - you don't often see a band who feed off each other's energy and fire as much as The Hustle. They seem to grow to fill a bigger stage, not by being outrageous, but with a cool self-confidence and belief in their ability and songs.

A balance of showmanship and studious, fluid playing, and of economy and extravagance in equal measures, all combining to create a loud, ballsy, powerhouse rhythm section that's tighter than a pair of 80s football shorts, pounding like a heartbeat through the band. Layering classic rock and funk infused guitars on top, with riffs that grab you by the throat and punchy solos that are over before it becomes dull. It's about a love of the sound of Hammond organs, Fender Rhodes pianos, clavichords and synths. Occasionally, it's about brass.

It's not about wearing scarves in all weathers and out-of-tune guitars, or standing up off stools and taking your blazer off when there's a key change. It's about nailing a great groove, then riding it for four minutes or so.

Workers work, Hustlers hustle.

www.myspace.com/thehustlerock

CHILDLINE ROCKS
announces addition of
Lulu
to Line-Up

IndigO2 Concert to Celebrate 21 years of ChildLine

ChildLine: ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people, with trained volunteer counsellors available to comfort, advise and protect. In February 2006, ChildLine formally joined with the NSPCC in a move that will ensure even stronger services and a more influential voice for children of all ages. The ChildLine service, now one of the NSPCC’s listening services, still has the same well known telephone number – 0800 1111 – and children and young people can still call 24 hours a day and receive the same crucial service.

*******************************************************
Johnny Panic release 'The Rebel' on April 28 !
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The Rebel is the second track to be lifted from their album 'The Good Fight' and will be available on 7"" picture disc and download.

A typically anthemic rocker from the London four-piece that boasts a lyric which recalls The Specials' Too Much Too Young.

Delivered with a biting sing-along chorus The Rebel is that