SONISPHERE DAY SPLIT ANNOUNCED

We’ve announced over 30 awesome acts, confirmed 18 exclusive festival appearances and details of the BOHEMIA festival village with all sorts of fantastic attractions to make this an unforgettable festival experience. Now we can confirm the day split and running order for the first ever UK SONISPHERE FESTIVAL.

Look out for further band announcements plus more attractions in the BOHEMIA area coming soon. The exact running times are still being finalised , but as previously announced the outdoor stages will be running alternately to avoid scheduling clashes, meaning you will be able to see all 24 of the two main stage bands.

LINE UP SO FAR:
METALLICA **
LINKIN PARK *
AIRBOURNE ***
ALICE IN CHAINS ***
ANTHRAX ***
THE ATARIS *
ATTACK! ATTACK!,
AVENGED SEVENFOLD *
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE ***
CANCER BATS
COHEED AND CAMBRIA *
COREY TAYLOR * ACOUSTIC SET (UK Debut!)
DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS * (UK Debut!)
FEAR FACTORY (UK Comeback debut)
FEEDER
FIGHTING WITH WIRE
FUCKED UP
HEAVEN AND HELL ***
HUNDRED REASONS
KILLING JOKE
LAMB OF GOD **
MACHINE HEAD **
MASTODON ***
NINE INCH NAILS ***
PEPPER
ROLO TOMASSI
SKINDRED
THE SWORD
TAKING BACK SUNDAY ***
THIN LIZZY
TWIN ATLANTIC
THE USED ***
ZEBRAHEAD ***

*   - ONLY UK SHOW IN 2009!
**  - Only remaining UK show in 2009!
*** - Only UK Festival in 2009!

***Toploader, Ginger, Lisa Hannigan, Neck & more added to the GuilFest 2009 line up***

Toploader are confirmed for the Main Stage sponsored by University of Surrey on Saturday 11th July.  Formed in Eastbourne in 1997, the feel good white soul band enjoyed huge chart success in a relatively short space of time, hitting the number 4 and number 3 spots in the UK charts with their first two albums, Onka’s Big Moka and Magic Hotel.  Onka’s Big Moka sold over 1.7 million copies and contained the hit Toploader are most famous for, “Dancing in the Moonlight” – A track that has achieved global success on a huge scale.

Having split up in 2003, the band has reformed for 2009 - GuilFest are delighted to have Toploader performing their classic hits on the Main Stage at this year’s festival.

Rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Ginger will be entertaining crowds on the Main Stage on Friday 10th July.  Lead singer of seminal English hard rock band The Wildhearts, Ginger has become an icon of the nation’s rock scene, notching up a massive 13 top 40 singles and releasing over 17 studio albums (either solo or under his various guises, including several incarnations of The Wildhearts) and selling out venues wherever he goes, playing to packed crowds of his loyal fans.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Hannigan will be performing on the Ents24 stage on Sunday 12th July at GuilFest 2009.  Best known for her work with Damien Rice, Lisa has forged success recently as a solo artist – releasing her debut album ‘Sea Sew’ last year to universal praise from critics and receiving a Choice music prize nomination as well as two Meteor music nominations for Irish album of the year, best Irish album and best Irish female respectively.  Fresh from her recent appearance on Later… with Jools Holland, Lisa will be supporting Will Young at this year’s festival.

London-Irish band Neck will be performing on the Ents24 stage on Friday 10th July. A leading force in the Folk Punk scene over the past 8 years, Neck’s exhilarating live shows have earned them a massive following and bookings at events and festivals all over the world.  Their sound combines traditional Irish music (fiddle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes and banjo) with full on punk, creating a swirling energy that’s bound to get you dancing. 

Also newly confirmed for this year’s festival are Simon Friend from the Levellers performing an acoustic set and The Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra playing a special performance of ABBA’s greatest hits; both on Sunday 12th July on the Ents24 stage.  Also Indie three piece The Le Brocks, and country roots rockers Two Fingers of Firewater will be performing on Saturday 11th July on the Ents24 stage. 

The additions in this announcement join a massive line up of artists, widely regarded as the best ever at GuilFest, including: Motorhead, Brian Wilson, Happy Mondays, The Wailers, Will Young, The Charlatans, Athlete, The Stranglers, Joe Bonamassa, The Lightning Seeds, Eddi Reader, The Beat, Linda Lewis, Skaville UK, Los Albertos, September, Ironik, Fugative, The Hamsters, Nouvelle Vague, Imelda May, Pendulum (DJ set), We are the Ocean, Ghost of a Thousand, Hexes, Sharks, Brotherhood of the Lake, DJ Yoda, Rusko, Chris Liberator, The BossHoss, The King Blues, Eat Static, Tom Middleton, Subgiant, Mood Deluxe Live, Liquid Ross, IPcress, Subsource, Wobbly Squadron and The Rock Choir.

There are still loads more acts to be confirmed, including a few big names that will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Other festival attractions include the Acoustic Stage, The rock disco, the brand new 70s disco, the eFestivals Cosmic Comedy Stage, The Man In The Moon Theatre Tent, The KidZone, The UNISONzone, the incredibly popular Farmer Giles’ Barn Dance, superb cocktail bars, street performers, great arts and crafts stalls, a fabulous selection of food from around the world and, as usual, the massive 150’ long bar means nobody has to wait very long for refreshment!

The festival caters for visitors with disabilities – both the Main and 2nd stages have viewing platforms - and the dedicated camping area in leafy Stoke park is close by and easily accessible.  Car parking is also right next to the festival site so no long walks heaving camping gear are necessary for anybody. Visitors with disabilities are recommended to visit the accessibility pages on the festival’s web site.

GuilFest 2009 looks set to be by far the most successful to date – book your tickets now to avoid disappointment!

Ticket Hotline: 0871 4240050.
Book tickets via the website: www.guilfest.co.uk
Visitor information: 01483 454159           

ENTER SHIKARI – Remixes of ‘Juggernauts’

Single ‘Juggernauts’ is released next week 1st June

www.myspace.com/entershikari

www.entershikari.com

Enter Shikari’s new album ‘Common Dreads’ is fast approaching its 15th June release but, in the meantime, their latest single has been going down a storm on the A-list at Radio One. The single in question is titled ‘Juggernauts’ and is released next Monday June 1st, but in the meantime the band have unleashed two fantastic remixes of the track which you can check out at the links below.

Enter Shikari’s front man and DJ Rou Reynolds had this to say about the choices of remixes for this particular single:

BLUE BEAR - TRUE TIGER REMIX - http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17823878001?bctid=24014430001 

‘A Local label to us and good mates who we thought could give Juggers a tidy dubstep mix; and that's exactly what they've done! They've kept the feel good vibe of the track which isn't really heard much in the dubstep world but I think it really works and sounds gorgeous.’

NERO REMIX: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid13590588001?bctid=24014432001

‘We've always really looked up to Nero as drum and bass producers, and felt they could do a great job with Juggers. He really accentuates the euphoria of the tune and rivals any big dance floor club banger with this!’

The original single track itself was produced by writer/re-mixer/producer Andy Gray (whose bafflingly eclectic mix of credits includes Korn, U2, Gary Numan, Tori Amos and writing the theme to televisual atrocity Big Brother) at Arreton Manor on the Isle Of White. ‘Juggernauts’ takes the band’s hardcore and metallic roots and injects them with a 1000x amplified take on the melodic rock and atmospheric pop that was hinted at on the debut album, then it splashes a punishing hyperactive synth sequence all over it and sets it loose to cause trouble in the park.

PLACEBO ANNOUNCE UK AND IRISH TOUR IN DECEMBER

NEW ALBUM ‘BATTLE FOR THE SUN’ RELEASED JUNE 8th

Brian Molko – guitar/vocals | Stefan Olsdal – bass | Steve Forrest – drums

www.placeboworld.co.uk

“Placebo at their breathtaking, irresistible best.” - Mojo

“New album ‘Battle For The Sun’ is among some of Placebo’s finest work.” - Kerrang!

“Nothing is beyond Placebo, who continue to break the mould and ‘Battle For The Sun’ takes them on an Icarus-like ascent.” - Rock Sound

Following the success of their recent warm-up shows, Placebo are pleased to announce a UK and Irish arena tour in December including The 02 Arena in London. The dates are as follows:

December -

Tuesday 08th                       Birmingham LG Arena

Wednesday 09th               London The O2 Arena

Friday 11th                           Bridlington Spa

Saturday 12th                      Manchester Central

Monday 14th                       Glasgow SECC

Tuesday 15th                       Dublin Olympia Theatre                               

Tickets go onsale Friday 29th May at 9am.

Tickets £25 regional / £26.50 London

Dublin tickets are 40 Euros inc booking fee

www.gigsandtours.com 24 hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260

Placebo are also set to return to the main stage of the Reading/Leeds Festivals this August, and make a headline appearance at Rockness Festival, Scotland, on June 14th

With a thirteen year history that takes in five studio albums, ten million album sales, breakdowns, clean ups and the dizzy swell of global success, ‘Battle For The Sun’ is Placebo’s first new album since the release of ‘Meds’ in 2006.

Recorded over three months by producer Dave Bottrill in his Toronto studio (chosen by the band largely because of his work with Tool) and mixed in London by My Bloody Valentine, Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails supremo Alan Moulder, Placebo’s sixth album is a startling, alive, vital and boundary-vaulting record that marks a whole new era for a band.

RANCID’S NEW ALBUM ‘LET THE DOMINOES FALL’ NOW STREAMING IN ITS ENTIRETY ON MYSPACE

RELEASE DATE – 1st June, 2009

Single ‘Last One To Die’ released this week

(Hellcat/Epitaph)

www.RancidRancid.com  |  www.myspace.com/Rancid  |  www.letthedominoesfall.eu

Rancid’s much-anticipated new album ‘Let The Dominoes Fall’ is streaming exclusively on the band’s MySpace page right now! (http://www.myspace.com/rancid)

Don’t forget to keep checking out the band’s daily webisodes this week prior to the album’s release at http://www.hellcatrecords.com and http://www.youtube.com/hellcatrecords (use this link to get the embeddable video codes).

Seminal punk band Rancid - Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals), Lars Frederiksen (guitar/vocals), Matt Freeman (bass/vocals), and Branden Steineckert (drums) – will release Let The Dominoes Fall (Hellcat/Epitaph), their first studio album in six years, next week. The platinum-selling band recorded at George Lucas' Skywalker Sound Studio, with production by Epitaph Records founder/Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz.  Let The Dominoes Fall features nineteen new songs, all written by Rancid.  Special guest and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Booker T contributes Hammond B3 organ on one track, ‘Up To No Good.’

Let The Dominoes Fall is Rancid's seventh album and first studio release since 2003's Indestructible, which reached #15 on the Billboard Top 200. It can be preordered here!

“ALICE COOPER’S THEATRE OF DEATH”
TOURS THE UK IN THE AUTUMN

They Keep Killing Him… But He Keeps Coming Back!

Alice Cooper’s shows not only rock, they have astounded, shocked and even terrified those in the front row….. However, Alice Cooper’s Theatre of Death Tour, which comes to 10 UK cities in November and December, is set to surpass all previous spectaculars.

Featuring many of Cooper’s massive hits including School’s Out and Poison plus newer material from his 2008 "Along Came A Spider" album..." “Alice Cooper’s Theatre of Death” is a very different show than any that has gone before.    Always expect the unexpected from the unpredictable Alice Cooper…

This time the King of Shock Rock has specifically chosen to stage this more visual UK tour, in smaller more theatrical venues for the first time in many years, in order to offer fans a closer look at the gruesome action.

Of his latest tour, Alice says, "I ALWAYS prefer to play theatres because it makes the theatrics of our show so much more intense.   With this being a new show, with things we've never done before, we're proving that Alice is totally indestructible.   It's still pure rock 'n roll of course.   The great thing is that England always gets our shows better than anyone else."

The band features long time Alice Cooper regulars Damon Johnson and Keri Kelli, guitars; Chuck Garric, bass and Jimmy deGrasso, drums.   

Support for the tour will be Man-Raze, who are Def Leppard’s Phil Collen (vocals, guitar); Paul Cook (drums), founder  of The Sex Pistols one of the most influential bands of all time and Simon Laffy (bass) who was a member of Collen’s pre-Leppard outfit, Girl.

Full tour details:-

Date                                City                                   Venue                                                         Box Office

Tues 24th Nov                Manchester                      Apollo                                                   0844 4777 677
Wed 25th Nov                 Glasgow                           Clyde Auditorium                                 0870 040 4000
Fri 27th Nov                    Newcastle                         City Hall                                                0191 261 2606
Sat 28th Nov                   Sheffield                           City Hall                                                0114 278 9789

Date                                City                                   Venue                                                         Box Office

Sun 29th Nov                  Swindon                            Oasis                                                    0179 344 5401
Tue 1st Nov                     Wolverhampton                Civic Hall                                              0870 320 7000
Wed 2nd Dec                  Plymouth                           Pavilions                                               0845 146 1460
Fri 4th Dec                      Nottingham                       Royal Concert Hall                              0115 989 5555
Sat 5th Dec                     Brighton                            Centre                                                   0870 900 9100
Sun 6th Dec                    London                              HMV Hammersmith Apollo                0844 844 4748

Tickets go onsale on Friday 29th May at 9.00am.  Ticket prices are £33.50 in London and £32.50 regionally (all subject to booking fee).  Buy online at www.livenation.co.uk.  Credit cards 0844 576 5483 (24 hours).  Doors will open at 7pm at all venues.

Alice Cooper is one of rock’s all-time icons. He has influenced countless generations of performers from Kiss to Marilyn Manson.  Bob Dylan has described him as, “an overlooked songwriter” and Johnny Rotten auditioned for the Sex Pistols by singing “I’m 18”.  In addition to his numerous studio albums and live concert recordings, Alice has also appeared in a number of feature films, including Nightmare on Elm Street and Wayne’s World.   Alice’s radio show is syndicated to over 100 cities worldwide, and is featured as the weekday breakfast show on Planet Rock Radio in the UK.

 THE STUPIDS

THE KIDS DON’T LIKE IT

Boss Tuneage Records

Release Date: July 13th

www.bosstuneage.com

THE STUPIDS are back! The band that were the pioneers for the whole UK melodic hardcore scene have reformed, and produced not only their first new album in 21 years, but arguably their most complete album ever. This isn’t a tired old rehash living on former glories – THE STUPIDS are back, and are stronger than ever!

Following on from last years critically acclaimed reissues of their entire back catalogue which introduced the band to a whole new generation, allied to a loyal committed existing fan base, the limited edition “Feel the Suck” single sold out its first pressing via mailorder only in 3 weeks and received brilliant reviews in the press all round. “THE KIDS DON’T LIKE IT” has taken almost a year to make, and features 16 new tracks that stand proud alongside their illustrious back catalogue.

Archetypically STUPIDS, but the STUPIDS for the 21st century sounding fresh and bang up to date – it’s like the last 2 decades never happened. As one reviewer commented – “this is a first – a band that comes back, but comes back a stronger band than before” The band are doing significant touring to promote the album including a high profile slot at this years Rebellion Festival.

Live Dates:

JUNE 7th : LONDON The Old Blue Last – ALBUM LAUNCH GIG w/SHITTY LIMITS and SECTION 13

JUNE 12th : SHEFFIELD  Casbah w/SECTION 13

JUNE 13th : NOTTINGHAM The Old General w/SECTION 13 (NOTTINGHAM PUNKS PICNIC)

JUNE 14th : BOSTON Indian Queen w/SECTION 13

JUNE 26th: BRIGHTON Hobgoblin w/SOUTHPORT

JUNE 27th : KINGSTON Fighting Cocks (support TBC)

JULY 12th: WAKEFIELD Escobar (Headlining Beefstock – 3 day punk fest)

AUG 2nd : LONDON Camden Underworld w/ADOLESCENTS

AUG 9th : BLACKPOOL Winter Gardens REBELLION FESTIVAL

AUG 28th : MARGATE The Westcoast

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

‘WAR IS THE ANSWER’ : NEW SECOND ALBUM TITLE ANNOUNCED AND RELEASE SET FOR EARLY AUTUMN ’09
VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS UK…

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have officially unveiled the title of their upcoming second studio album; ‘War Is The Answer’ will see a late Summer/early Autumn release through Spinefarm Records UK.
 
Comments band guitarist and main songwriter, Zoltan Bathory:-
 
“The new record has been co-produced by Kevin Churko, who was heavily involved with Ozzy’s ‘Black Rain’ album, and the plan is for it to be mixed by Randy Staub, whose track record includes Metallica amongst many others …
 
“In terms of the overall style, I would say that we’ve continued the journey we started on the first album, so there’s a healthy balance of melody and aggression, and as always we concentrated on writing strong metal songs in the traditional sense.
 
“There’s some epic moments on the record, and there’s some straight-up home-wreckers, too. All I can say is, those who liked our first album are going to LOVE this one!”

FFDP’s debut outing ‘The Way Of The Fist’ has now sold close to 400,000 copies worldwide; it was released in January 2009 via Spinefarm Records UK.

http://www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com | http://www.myspace.com/ffdpukfans

Promising Preston mob FAILSAFE have completed work on their new video for their new single “A Common Goal”, out July 6th. Produced by director Tim Fox (Kids In Glass Houses, SIkth), “A Common Goal” sees the band draining the colour out of their city while rocking out the song. After the huge success of previous video “Hope” - which saw the band steal a NUMBER ONE SPOT on the MTV2 MySpace charts - the band are confident this new effort will fair as well if not better.
 
“We absolutely love playing 'A Common Goal' in our set so it makes perfect sense for us to release it as a our next single,” comments singer Jim Norris. “Tim has managed to capture a different vibe altogether in the footage. He had a strong vision of what he wanted to achieve in this video and I think he's managed it amazingly. The guy is awesome at animation too and in some parts it looks like we're rocking out in the middle of Metal Gear Solid or something! The visuals tie in well with the artwork to our latest record, with lots of light trails, darkess and light, and in a lot of respects is completely contrasting to the first video, which is only a good thing in my opinion.”

“A Common Goal” should hit the small screens just around the time the band set of for a run of dates to support the new single. Says Jim; “Our headline tour plans for June have turned out to look great, and we're all stoked to get back on English turf again. We get to play some cool events this summer too like Face down and Ghost fest, which will give us the exposure we've been working hard for and need right now. I'm urging Failsafe fans to come out and show their faces on this next stretch of gigs, we're hitting up some venues we've never played in before so it would be amazing to get rowdy and rock it up with you all! See you on the road, all of you!

Catch Failsafe at the following shows:
 

JUNE:

Fri 5 UK, London Scala* Club Night
Mon 8 UK, London Barfly (supporting Dead By April)
Thur 18 UK, Exeter Caver Club
Fri 19 UK, Soutampton Joiners
Sat 20 UK, Brighton Freebutt
Mon 22 UK, Guildford Boileroom
Tue 23 UK, Bristol The Croft
Wed 24 UK, Birmingham Academy 3
Thur 25 UK, Peterborough Club Revolution
Fri 26 UK, Derby The Royal
Sat 27 UK, Nottingham Rock City
Sun 28 UK, Leeds GHOSTFEST
Tue 30 UK, Preston Mad Ferret
 
JULY
Wed 1 UK, Leeds Cockpit 3
Thur 2 UK, Newcastle Academy 2
Fri 3 UK, Edinburgh GRV
Sun 5 UK, Glasgow Ivory Black
Mon 6 UK, Manchester Satans Hallow
Tue 7 UK, York Fibbers
Thur 9 UK, Oxford Academy 3
Fri 10 UK, Northampton Roadmender
Mon 13 UK, London Barfly
 
“A Common Goal” is released via Small Town Records on July 6th
Look out for more summer dates coming soon!
 
 
www.myspace.com/failsafemusic <http://www.myspace.com/failsafemusic>

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND NEW VIDEO FOR ‘BRIGHT LIGHTS’

Single released 25th May

Album ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ set for release 1st June 2009

 (Epitaph Records)

www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand  |  www.theghostof1000.com  |  www.purevolume.com/theghostofathousand

“This is a definite shout for album of the year.” – Rocksound 9 / 10

“One of the albums of the year.” – Kerrang! KKKK

“This deserves to be listened to very loud.” – Big Cheese Single of The Month 5 / 5

Check out The Ghost of A Thousand’s brand new music video for ‘Bright Lights’ here -

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57663915

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The Ghost of A Thousand are in the midst of live dates across the country this summer and they’ll be playing with a variety of bands including Gallows, Alexisonfire and Anti-Flag. TGOAT’s headlining tour starts in July with support ably provided by The Computers and Sharks. The already critically-acclaimed second album from TGOAT is titled ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ and will be released on Epitaph Records on 1st June with the single preceding the week before.

LIVE DATES –

21 May 2009        Forum, w/ Gallows & ETID                  London

24 May 2009        University, Slam dunk festival                            Leeds

30 May 2009        Audio w / This City  (16 +)                                  Brighton

01 June  2009       Bloomsbury Bowling – album launch!              London

06 June 2009        Harlequin                                                              Redhill

11 June 2009        Borderline w / Alexisonfire                               London

HEADLINE TOUR w / The Computers and Sharks –

Wed 01 Jul 2009  Liverpool               Barfly
Thu 02 Jul 2009    Carlisle                   The Brickyard
Fri 03 Jul 2009      Glasgow                 King Tuts
Sat 04 Jul 2009                     York                        Barfly
Sun 05 Jul 2009    Sheffield                Corporation
Mon 06 Jul 2009   Birmingham          Eddies
Tue 07 Jul 2009    Cardiff                    Barfly
Wed 08 Jul 2009   Plymouth              White Rabbit
Thu 09 Jul 2009    Exeter                    Cavern
Fri 10 Jul 2009      Canterbury           Lounge on the Farm Festival
Sat 11 Jul 2009     Cumbria                 The Canteen
Sun 12 Jul 2009     Guildford              Guilfest - Rocksound Cave
Mon 13 Jul 2009   Milton Keynes                     Crawford Arms
Tue 14 Jul 2009     Oxford                  Bar Academy
Wed 15 Jul 2009   Southampton       The Joiners
Thu 16 Jul 2009     London                 Barfly

FURTHER LIVE DATES –

Sun 26 Jul 2009                    Oxford   Truck Festival        Rocksound Stage

Thu 06 Aug 2009                 Barnsley                                 Citrus Rooms

Sat 08 Aug 2009                   Newquay                               Boardmasters - Vans Stage

Tue 25 Aug 2009                 Colchester                             Arts Centre W/Anti-Flag

Wed 26 Aug 2009               Stoke                                      Sugarmill W/Anti-Flag

Fri 28 Aug 2009                   Reading Reading Festival   Lock Up Stage

Sun 30 Aug 2009                 Leeds     Leeds Festival       Lock Up Stage

The Gaslight Anthem announce new single ‘The ’59 Sound’ out June 15th

Summer invasion of Europe includes many festivals and headline date at the London Forum

www.gaslightanthem.com | www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

“This band could be born to run and run ****” - The Guardian

“Simply one of the most inspirational rock shows we've seen all year” - NME

"They have the ability to conjure both feelings of joyous celebration and powerful pangs of nostalgic yearning that hit deep in your gut and send chills racing across your back” KKKKK -Kerrang!

“Rarely is a gig with this much hype attached to it played with such genuine passion and conviction.” - Rock Sound

“Simply awesome.” - Classic Rock

“One of the year’s most exciting new albums” – Music Week

New Jersey’s favourite sons The Gaslight Anthem return to the UK this summer twice, for a headline show at The Forum in London on June 4th and again on June 28th in support of “The Boss” at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park.  Tickets for The Forum show are priced at £15.00 and are available from www.livenation.co.uk.  Tickets for Hard Rock Calling are already sold out. The band will also be playing the Radio 1 / NME stage at Reading and Leeds festivals.

June 15th also sees the release of the title track ‘The ’59 Sound’.  This single will be available via download, as well as in 7” and CD versions.  The B-sides include Gaslight’s brilliant cover version of ‘State of Love and Trust’ by Pearl Jam and ‘We Came to Dance’ off the band’s first full-length SINK OR SWIM.

One of the hardest working bands in rock n roll (they have performed over 200 shows in the last 8 months), The Gaslight Anthem will bring their explosive live performance to the following shows and festivals in the UK and Europe this summer:

June:

1st           Netherlands - Pinkpop Festival

3rd           Finland, Tavastia in Helsinki (headline show)

4th           UK, The Forum in London (headline show)

6th           Germany, Nurburgring - Rock Am Ring

7th           Germany, Nuremberg - Rock Am Park

9th           Netherlands, Effanaar in Eindhoven (headline show)

10th         Netherlands, Doornrosje in Nijemegen (headline show)

11th         France, Maroquinerie in Paris (headline show)

12th         France, Toulouse – Skabazac Fest

13th         Italy, Milan - Rock In Idro

15th         Germany, Zenith in Munich (w/Social Distortion)

16th         Germany, Stadt Halle in Offenbach (w/Social Distortion)

17th         Germany, Philippshalle in Dusseldorf (w/Social Distortion)

19th         Austria, Nickelsdorf - Nova Rock

20th         Germany, Neuhausen Obeck - Southside

21st         Germany, Schessel - Hurricane Festival

22nd        Denmark, Radio House Studio 2 in Copenhagen (headline show)

24th         Norway, Hove - Hove Festival

25th         Sweden, Goteborg - West Coast Riot

26th         Switzerland, St. Gallen - Open Air

28th         UK, London - Hard Rock Calling

July:

3rd           Germany, Munster - Vainstream Fest

4th           Germany, Wiesbaden - Vainstream Beastfest

5th           Finland, Turku - Ruisrock Festival

9th           Spain, Bilbao - BBK Live Festival

10th         Portugal, Lisbon - Alive Festival

11th         Ireland, Dublin - Oxegen Festival

12th         Scotland, Glasgow - T In The Park

16th         Switzerland, Bern - Gurten Festival

17th         France, Briouze - Art Sonic Festival

18th         Belgium, Dour - Dour Festival

25th         Japan, Fuji - Fuji Rock

August:

29th        UK, Leeds - Leeds Festival

30th        UK, Reading - Reading Festival

Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, The Gaslight Anthem’s anthemic tales of American life have captured the imagination and hearts of fans and media alike. THE ’59 SOUND was hailed as one of the best albums of 2008 and Kerrang! magazine put The Gaslight Anthem on the cover before they had ever written a word about them. NME called THE ’59 SOUND one of the “best albums of 2008”, and immensely positive press poured in from Q Magazine, Rock Sound, Big Cheese, Clash and The Sun as well as great American press, including a cover feature in Alternative Press and major features in Rolling Stone and SPIN.  Playlist action at Radio One, XFM and 6 Music are also media highlights of this band’s incredible rise to success over the last 12 months.

Juliette Lewis announces  UK tour dates for October ‘09

Following on from her recent London shows and Brighton’s Great Escape appearance, Juliette Lewis has just announced her own headline tour of the UK for October 2009

Tickets are available from Wednesday 20 May @ 9am from the usual outlets. 

Juliette will be releasing her next album “Terra Incognita” in the autumn.  Instrumental in creating the sound for this new record is the album’s producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, leader of Mars Volta and together they have translated her ideas into an emotionally guttural and ultimately melodic and unpredictable, new sound. There is a deep undercurrent on the entire record of contrasting themes; romance and tragedy, dreams and disillusionment. "Everything she's feeling, it's just right there for you," said Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of the recording. "It's just honest. It's her. All the music encapsulates her and it's driven by her, and it's made for her." The record was mixed by the legendary Rich Cosey (NIN, Muse, Foo Fighters).

Juliette Lewis  will be announcing additional album details and tour news in the coming weeks. For more information please go to:  www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

The tour dates are as follows: 

October 2009

Wednesday 21st                       Glasgow Garage / tickets £12.50

Thursday 22nd                           Manchester Academy 2 / tickets £12.50

Friday 23rd                               London Shepherds Bush Empire /tickets £14.00

Saturday 24th                            Bristol Lazarette Festival/tickets £15.00

Sunday 25th                              Portsmouth Wedgwood Rooms /tickets £12.50

Doors are 7 pm except for Bristol which is 2 p.m.

Check out Juliette at www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

The Relentless Boardmasters in association with Vans, Europe’s largest action sports and music festival is back for 2009!

The Relentless Boardmasters in association with Vans returns to Newquay, the home of British surfing, in 2009 for what will be the most complete Boardmasters to date. The event will now take place over 5 days from 5th-9th August.

The Relentless Boardmasters in association with Vans is proud to announce its largest headliner to date, The Streets, who will play the main stage on the stunning cliff top venue at Watergate Bay on Friday 7th August with legends Cypress Hill headlining Saturday 8th August. Previously known as Unleashed the event this year will feature three stages with an increased capacity of 12,500 per day from 7-8th August.  Other highlights include Super Furry Animals, Calvin Harris, Noisettes, King Blues, Roots Manuva, Fanfarlo, Le Sac Vs Pip and more!
The music festival will feature something for all music lovers and more in the form of more action sports such as FMX.

The Beach Sessions, now in their 4th year, will be providing a platform for a mix of the best in new and established music acts to an 800 capacity in the Beach Bar overlooking Fistral Beach.  All acts will be announced next week- and we have some great ones!

Vans increased support and heritage in skateboarding will provide additions and improvements to the long standing skateboarding history of the event. 2009 sees the tenth anniversary of Vert skateboarding and as such skate and bmx will be celebrated in the appropriate manner, with over $30,000 dollars available over vert, street and mini ramp events, Vans will be shaking up the Boardmasters village and Newquay’s Wooden Waves Skatepark.

The $120,000 5 star WQS International surfing event will host the worlds best surfers at Fistral beach in what is the highest quality surfing event in England. In addition to this, Relentless will once again demonstrate the most radical and progressive form of surfing with the Relentless Aerial Assault. Using a jet ski, surfers are towed into waves enabling them to perform moves impossible in regular surf conditions.

In short The Relentless Boardmasters in association with Vans 2009 is the most complete event for lovers of music, surf and action sports. With 3 sites across Newquay offering surf, skate, bmx, daily live music acts and a music festival for 12,500 people the Relentless Boardmasters in association with Vans 2009 will be the highlight of the UK summer.

Tickets are available at the website www.relentlessboardmasters.com at the following rates:

• Beach Sessions - £14.50
• Boardmasters Watergate Bay Day ticket 29.99
• Boardmasters Watergate Bay Weekend £54.99
• Charger - £89.00

HEAVEN & HELL CONFIRM ONLY UK FESTIVAL APPEARANCE

COHEED & CAMBRIA - ONLY UK APPEARANCE OF 2009

THE USED EXCLUSIVE FESTIVAL APPEARANCE

THE ATARIS, FUCKED UP, HUNDRED REASONS AND ZEBRAHEAD AT BOHEMIA

LINE UP SO FAR:

METALLICA **

LINKIN PARK *

AIRBOURNE ***

ALICE IN CHAINS ***

ANTHRAX ***

THE ATARIS *

ATTACK! ATTACK!,

AVENGED SEVENFOLD *

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE ***

CANCER BATS

COHEED AND CAMBRIA *

COREY TAYLOR * ACOUSTIC SET (UK Debut!)

DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS * (UK Debut!)

FEAR FACTORY (UK Comeback debut)

FEEDER

FIGHTING WITH WIRE

FUCKED UP

HEAVEN AND HELL ***

HUNDRED REASONS

KILLING JOKE

LAMB OF GOD **

MACHINE HEAD **

MASTODON ***

NINE INCH NAILS ***

PEPPER

ROLO TOMASSI

SKINDRED

THE SWORD

TAKING BACK SUNDAY ***

THIN LIZZY

TWIN ATLANTIC

THE USED ***

ZEBRAHEAD ***

*   - ONLY UK SHOW IN 2009!

**  - Only remaining UK show in 2009!

*** - Only UK Festival in 2009!

PENDULUM

Release debut DVD ‘Live At Brixton Academy’ on June 15th on Warner Bros. Records / Ear Storm

www.pendulum.com

“One of the most enthusiastic reactions afforded a main stage act in Big Day Out history. Phenomenal doesn’t even come close” – Kerrang!, Big Day Out live review, January 2009

“Right throughout the summer they’ve been killing the crowds, they’ve just got it right. The right band for the right times.” – Zane Lowe

One of the defining highlights of last summer’s festival circuit, Pendulum completed 2008 with a sold-out tour that saw them play to a combined audience of over 50,000 people. Now Pendulum can confirm the June 15th release of their ‘Live At Brixton Academy’ DVD that offers an irresistible monument for fans eager to relive the glorious chaos of the Pendulum live experience.

Recorded at Brixton Academy on December 4th and 5th 2008, the DVD highlights a full live set directed by Paul Caslin. Caslin was recently nominated for a Grammy in the Long Form Music Video category for his work on Rihanna’s ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ DVD release. An added feature in the shape of an eighty minute audio CD of the Brixton gigs makes for an essential purchase for Pendulum’s devoted and ever growing fan base.

‘Live At Brixton Academy’ features scintillating performances of Pendulum’s biggest hits and killer tracks to date including ‘Showdown’, ‘Propane Nightmares’, ‘Granite’, ‘Slam’ and ‘Another Planet’. The DVD also features Pendulum’s explosive interpretation of The Prodigy’s 1994 cult hit ‘Voodoo People’ and their incendiary take on the Metallica classic ‘Master of Puppets’.

Aside from the standard DVD / CD release, ‘Live At Brixton Academy’ will be also be available as a single DVD / deluxe double CD package that will be sold exclusively through www.pendulum.com as well as an iTunes exclusive format. Further details of both the deluxe version and the iTunes format of ‘Live At Brixton’ will be announced imminently.

In the UK, Pendulum’s ‘In Silico’ album debuted at #2 in the album charts, has since reached double Gold status and is fast approaching Platinum. Their single ‘Propane Nightmares’ hit the Top 10 and was nominated for a Kerrang! Award for Best Single. Backed by a number of the summer’s most memorable festival appearances, including Creamfields, Download, Reading / Leeds and T in the Park, Pendulum have become a vital live act – aptly demonstrated by how their gigs have continually moved onto bigger venues on each successive tour. Continuing support from Radio 1 included a special Pendulum documentary that ran over Christmas.

Pendulum are also repeating their phenomenal success on the other side of the Atlantic. Appearances on Carson Daly and Jimmy Kimmel relived the growing demand for their live shows created by the contagious reaction to their headline tours and a set at last year’s Coachella. They were also the hot name at this year’s Miami’s Ultra Music Festival where they headlined alongside The Prodigy and Bloc Party.

Now Pendulum are set to be the band of the summer. Having proven to be too big for the tents at last summer’s festivals as huge audiences flocked to catch them in action, Pendulum have been elevated to the main stage for this year’s dates at Download (where they’re due to play ahead of Marilyn Manson), V, T In The Park, Isle of Wight and Oxegen. Growing demand for the band has been rewarded with the confirmation that they will headline their first major UK festival at Global Gathering in July.

‘Live At Brixton Academy’ tracklisting

CD

Intro

Showdown

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Another Planet

Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)

Propane Nightmares

Blood Sugar

The Other Side

Different

Master Of Puppets

Slam

Hold Your Colour

Tarantula

Granite

The Tempest

DVD

Intro

Showdown

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Another Planet

Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)

Propane Nightmares

9,000 Miles

Midnight Runner

Mutiny

Blood Sugar

The Other Side

Different

Master Of Puppets

Slam

Hold Your Colour

Tarantula

Granite

The Tempest

Credits

INNERPARTYSYSTEM ALBUM TRACK AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

IPS ALSO RELEASE NEW EP ‘HEART OF FIRE’ TODAY 18th MAY!

www.innerpartysystem.com  |  www.myspace.com/innerpartysystem  |  DOWNLOAD LINK - http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/reg/reg.pl?id=3492-85980

“It’s hard not to think of arena crowds and festivals going apeshit to this music” – Kerrang!

“Innerpartysystem are the perfect dance music for the rock generation” – The Sun

 “A whirlpool of late Eighties electronic nostalgia coupled with searing guitar riffs” – Musicweek

Because Innerpartysystem release their brand new EP ‘Heart of Fire’ this week and they’re feeling rather generous, the band has made a stunning track from their critically acclaimed debut album available for free at this link -  http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/reg/reg.pl?id=3492-85980. ‘This Town, Your Grave’ is the perfect example of the band’s unique take on rock music which sees them blending in elements of electronic, ambient and dance music in a way unlike any of their contemporaries. The new ‘Heart of Fire’ EP features previously unreleased material and the video for the title track is characteristically creative. Check it out here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnNn2wkJMQ0

Innerpartysystem recently played a run of headline dates in the UK as well as a duo of extremely well-received Camden Crawl sets and a slot on the Give It A Name festival in Manchester and London that also took in much of mainland Europe. A more extensive headline tour of the UK earlier this year saw numerous venues upgraded and enthused audiences going wild to the unique innerpartysystem sound across the country. High profile slots on festivals such as Projekt Revolution and 02 Wireless introduced the band to the UK last year and since then they have gone from strength to strength with unbridled support from the likes of Scuzz TV, Kerrang!, Zane Lowe, Jo Whiley and Dan Carter and last single ‘Don’t Stop’ being playlisted at Radio 1 and MTV2.  Viewer voting stats for ‘Don’t Stop’ sky-rocketed at MTV2 and Scuzz TV.

The four members of innerpartysystem hail from the small towns that surround Reading, Pennsylvania. The rural, stark nature of the landscape has certainly had an effect on the band’s sound which incorporates throbbing electronic beats with the aesthetic of a rock band whom, like Nine Inch Nails, Pendulum and Prodigy, aren’t afraid to mix styles and mess with the formula. Innerpartysystem worked with a stellar line-up of producers and engineers on their self-titled debut album, released last year -  Stuart Price (Madonna, Missy Elliott, The Killers, Gwen Stefani), Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine) and Mark 'Spike' Stent (Marilyn Manson, Linkin Park).

 ALLEGRO are just not like every band nowadays. 

It's not enough to tell tales of Spanish transvestites, old boys on the run in Spain, pixies enchanting ones dreams, or even to simply declare that they are gonna Steal Your City Lights (which they undoubtedly will). It's not even enough that the songs they play are instantly recognisable like one of your old favourites, even though you know you've never heard them before.

These are mere footnotes though my friends, because the true delight is that ALLEGRO are something to believe in. And love God dammit. Their cheekiness endearing, their songs enchanting, exuding a fuzzy romance and doffing a cap at the world they have created, they really will change everything... or at least your Friday night. This band will steal your hearts and souls and fall in love with you. Just as you will fall in love with them.

ALLEGRO were formed from the birth of many an animated Friday conversation in the mythical Kings Arms pub. Ian, now the band’s drummer, and Dan, now the keyboardist, DJ`d indie, motown and anything else that took their fancy every Friday night and people in the know would flock from miles around to come and party. Austin, now ALLEGRO’s lead singer, would regularly take the decks for a few songs, and the merits of everything from Joe Strummer’s haircut to Robert Johnson’s deal with the devil were discussed at many an after hours lock in. It soon became apparent that the next obvious step to take was to start up a band and take over this merry world. Austin recruited the die-hard punk Nick as lead guitarist, and the final piece of the jigsaw came to fruition when Austin’s childhood friend Nicky, otherwise known as ‘Mayhem’, returned like the prodigal son from his self imposed 18 month exile, and declared that he would learn the bass to complete the band.

The obvious birthplace to show the world what had bloomed was the Kings Arms...and in fact a farewell gig as the Arms was to shut. What ensued was a raucous celebratory night that is still talked about in hushed tones by anyone who was there, and a clear statement of intent for the future!

They haven’t looked back since, with the ALLEGRO ARMY [or the AA as the eclectic group of beer boys, poets, punks and St Trinians that follow them are known] always in tow as their trusty followers. ALLEGRO have graced the stage at the Clapham Grand and twice headlined the Dublin Castle. They’ve gone on to play supports with ex-Libertines John Hassel’s band Yeti and Reverend and the Makers. And these are just their gigs in the south. Mayhem’s 18-month exile saw him wander, and he now has a base both in Kent and Manchester, with the ALLEGRO boys bridging the north south divide with music for the people by the people.

As well as the continual gigging with the ‘fashionistas’ in Hoxton and all over Camden in venues such as Proud Galleries, ALLEGRO are set to play their first festival this year. The Red List Festival will see 15,000 people through its gates. ALLEGRO will go wherever the AA follows. The future’s bright. Allegro forever!!

May 22 - Bar 59, Gravesend (video shoot) / June 5  - Monto Water Rats, Kings Cross / June 10 - The Cuban Bar, Camden Market / June 20 - Red List Festival / July 11 - 333 Mother Bar, Hoxton / July 23 - Sound, Leicester Square

Sing It Loud ‘Come Around’ on 1st June

Debut UK Tour Supporting Cobra Starship May 2009

Minneapolis rock/pop quintet Sing It Loud release their debut album  ‘Come Around’ in the UK on June 1st 2009.  Signed to punk label Epitaph Records, Sing It Loud have spent the last 12 months touring the shit out of the US which in turn led to ‘Come Around’ hitting #44 on the Billboard’s prestigious Heatseekers chart.  Having successfully laid waste to the US, Sing It Loud are turning their attention to the UK, bringing their blend of uber-infectious pop rock in support of Cobra Starship for a nine-date UK tour throughout May. ‘No One Can Touch Us’ featuring All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth will be released as the band’s debut single on May 25th 2009 and is already causing a stir at radio.

Produced by Motion City Soundtrack guitarist Josh Cain (Metro Station) and mixed by Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182), ‘Come Around’ combines bright catchy melodies, buzzing synths and rocking riffs for one of the year’s most vibrant power-pop albums. Sing It Loud have crafted eleven non-stop, head-bopping songs like the contagious, hook laden title track ‘Come Around’, the defiant ‘Don’t Save Me’, the emotive sing-along ‘Best Beating Heart’ and summer anthem ‘Over You’. ‘Come Around’ includes cameos by Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack on ‘We’re Not Afraid’ and All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth on ‘No One Can Touch Us’.

Sing it Loud grew out of a friendship between vocalist Pat Brown and guitarist Kieren Smith (they are cousins), and took shape on the Minneapolis music scene. The band was offered a contract with Epitaph Records after playing only seven shows together. They’ve toured with We the Kings, All Time Low, Cobra Starship, Motion City Soundtrack, Spill Canvas and Ludo among others. Their debut UK tour sees Sing It Loud hook-up once again with New York disco punks Cobra Starship (label mates of Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Panic at the Disco) for a nine date UK tour that kicks off in Nottingham on May 20th and closes with two London show’s before they jet back to the US to do the entire Vans Warped tour on the Hurely Stage.

Full UK tour dates:
DATE                     CITY                                       VENUE
20th May                 Nottingham                           Rescue Rooms
21st May                Glasgow                                Garage    
22nd May                Manchester                           Academy 2
23rd May                 Birmingham                       Academy 2
24th May                 Leeds                                     Leeds University Union
26th May                 Cardiff                                   Clwb Ifor Bach
27th May                 Portsmouth                           Wedgewood Rooms
28th May                 London                                  Kings College London SU
29th May                 London                                  ULU

www.myspace.com/singitloud

ALICE COOPER & BARACK OBAMA SHARE STAGE

Alice Cooper has never mixed music with politics... until now!  On Wednesday night, Alice Cooper ‘opened’ for US President Barack Obama, when Obama addressed Arizona State University's graduation ceremony.

Many students would cringe at the thought of their parent performing in front of their mates, but ASU student Dash Cooper’s dad is a rock legend.  Alice joined Dash’s band, Runaway Phoenix onstage and kicked off the evening’s proceedings with a rousing performance of his 1972 hit “School’s Out” at Arizona’s Sun Devil stadium, that had the 70,000 guests up on their feet.  
 
Cooper said, "Of all the people I've ever shared a stage with, Obama is the biggest rock star,” adding, "And I'd like to thank him, in advance, for changing the national anthem to 'Schools Out'.”

And when asked if any of his other hits could accompany Obama’s address, he replied “Elected, No More Mr Nice Guy and how about Welcome To My Nightmare... that's a good one!”

Alice Cooper kicks off his World Tour in Europe this week.  He will visit several territories from Spain and The Ukraine to Russia and Cyprus as well as performing at The Montreux Jazz Festival before hitting the USA, Australia and New Zealand in August, September and October.  UK dates are expected to be confirmed shortly.  Full tour details on alicecooper.com.

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND ANNOUNCE HEADLINE TOUR SPONSORED BY ROCK SOUND IN JULY

PLUS DATES WITH ANTI-FLAG AND FESTIVALS

Album ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ set for release 1st June 2009

Single ‘Bright Lights’ will precede on 25th May

(Epitaph Records)

www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand  |  www.theghostof1000.com  |  www.purevolume.com/theghostofathousand

Tom Lacey – Vocals / Keys | Jag Jago – Guitar / back-ups  |  Memby Jago – Drums / back-ups  |  Gareth Spencer – Bass  |  Andy Blyth – Guitar / back-ups

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND are proud to announce an extensive headline tour in July. The Rock Sound-sponsored attack on the UK works around the band’s multiple festival appearances all across Europe and TGOAT will be ably supported by The Computers and Sharks. Vocalist Tom Lacey says of the tour “The fact that The Computers and Sharks, the two best new bands in the country, are touring together is awesome enough but that it's with us they're coming out with and to celebrate our album release definitely makes this the punk rock tour of the summer". TGOAT will also be playing a couple of dates with Anti-Flag towards the end of August, prior to their slot on the Lock Up Stage at Reading and Leeds festivals. The Ghost of A Thousand’s second album ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ will be released through Epitaph on 1st June.

LIVE DATES –

16 May 2009        Great Escape Festival                                          Brighton

20 May 2009        iBar                                                                         Bournemouth

21 May 2009        Forum, w/ Gallows & ETID                  London

24 May 2009        University, Slam dunk festival                            Leeds

30 May 2009        Audio w / This City  (16 +)                                  Brighton

01 June  2009       Bloomsbury Bowling – album launch!              London

06 June 2009        Harlequin                                                              Redhill

11 June 2009        Borderline w / Alexisonfire                               London

HEADLINE TOUR w / The Computers and Sharks –

Wed 01 Jul 2009  Liverpool               Barfly
Thu 02 Jul 2009    Carlisle                   The Brickyard
Fri 03 Jul 2009      Glasgow                 King Tuts
Sat 04 Jul 2009                     York                        Barfly
Sun 05 Jul 2009    Sheffield                Corporation
Mon 06 Jul 2009   Birmingham          Eddies
Tue 07 Jul 2009    Cardiff                    Barfly
Wed 08 Jul 2009   Plymouth              White Rabbit
Thu 09 Jul 2009    Exeter                    Cavern
Fri 10 Jul 2009      Canterbury           Lounge on the Farm Festival
Sat 11 Jul 2009     Cumbria                 The Canteen
Sun 12 Jul 2009     Guildford              Guilfest - Rocksound Cave
Mon 13 Jul 2009   Milton Keynes                     Crawford Arms
Tue 14 Jul 2009     Oxford                  Bar Academy
Wed 15 Jul 2009   Southampton       The Joiners
Thu 16 Jul 2009     London                 Barfly

FURTHER LIVE DATES –

Sun 26 Jul 2009                    Oxford   Truck Festival        Rocksound Stage

Thu 06 Aug 2009                 Barnsley                                 Citrus Rooms

Sat 08 Aug 2009                   Newquay                               Boardmasters - Vans Stage

Tue 25 Aug 2009                 Colchester                             Arts Centre W/Anti-Flag

Wed 26 Aug 2009               Stoke                                      Sugarmill W/Anti-Flag

Fri 28 Aug 2009                   Reading Reading Festival   Lock Up Stage

Sun 30 Aug 2009                 Leeds     Leeds Festival       Lock Up Stage

Motörhead link up with all female,
flat track roller derby team, the Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls.

“Because you know we do it right, a mission every night...it’s a Bomber, it’s a Bomber!”

It’s all about hot chicks, fast wheels, fishnets and bruises...no surprise then, that the Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls have managed to secure sponsorship from Motörhead! 

Roller Derby is fast paced, hard hitting and has enduring appeal...hell, it’s a lot like Motörhead’s sound... and did we mention the hot girls?!  The band spoke out about the Bombers, saying “One look at these wild women is enough to make it clear that we’re a match made in hell!  These girls are so mean that if they moved in next door, not only would your lawn die, but they’d kick yer ass too!”

In a two year sponsorship deal, the Bombers are pleased to announce that they will be supported by the band and proudly wear the Motörhead logo on their team shirts, flying the flag out on the track for Lemmy, Phil and Mikkey.  Team Captain She’za Payne says “We want to say a huge thanks to Motörhead, for their support towards Team LBRG, with added fuel we will kick some roller girl ass!”

If you’re not familiar with the all-girl, full contact game on quad skates, be sure to catch the action track side soon, it’s guaranteed to be the most sweaty, aggressive fun you’ll ever see on 8 wheels!

For further information on the Lincolnshire Bombers Roller Girls please visit –
www.lincolnshire-bombers.com
for more press, media or general information please contact minx a’matosis on -
minx@lincolnshire-bombers.com

Motörhead website is:
www.imotorhead.com

Hot off their tour with Swedish Deathglam heroes DEATHSTARS, THE DEFILED are set to go back on the road again, this time with LA Industrial Metallers STATIC-X
 
“After all the debaucherous shenanigans from the Deathstars Tour we’re really looking forward to getting back out on the road again, especially with a band that have been vacant from Europe for far too long.” Says bassplayer Drex Exel.  “We’re still nursing a fair few injuries from our last trek and I’m sure we will have a few more additions to the list after this one (although we’re definitely going to be keeping our drummer away from the roof of the tour bus this time around). We’re also looking forward to playing some shows overseas as the only time we’ve managed to get off this island previously have been for our annual family outing to Guernsey. Our bags are still unpacked from the last tour so we’re ready and raring to go.”
 
THE DEFILED will play the following shows with Static-X:
 
14/06/09   Glasgow - Cathouse
18/06/09   Sheffield - Corporation
19/06/09   London - Islington Academy
23/06/09   Munich - 59:
25/06/09   Koln - Underground
30/06/09   Aschaffenberg - Colos Saal
01/07/09   Dordrecht - Bibelot    
 

www.myspace.com/thedefiled

‘The greatest album of all time’ – NME
‘It is perfect’ – Noel Gallagher

On 10th August, 2009, exactly twenty years to the day from the moment when four Manchester musicians stepped on to the stage of the Blackpool Empress Ballroom for what would become a legendary gig, Sony Music re-release the classic album that is ‘The Stone Roses’ in 4 brand new formats. Over two decades, the impact of the band’s debut album has increased exponentially, inspiring musicians to form bands, marking a re-engagement of guitar music with the mainstream and creating a youth culture that retains its influence across music, fashion, politics and art to this day.

The Collector’s Edition of this landmark UK album features a fully re-mastered version of the album by original producer John Leckie and Ian Brown alongside a host of bonus discs, unseen footage, additional tracks and interviews with famous Roses fans. The full DVD of that legendary Empress Ballroom show is enclosed whilst Disc 2 delivers a complete set of re-mastered B sides and non album A sides for the band’s Silvertone singles, including such favourites as ‘Mersey Paradise’, ‘Elephant Stone’, ‘Fools Gold’, ‘What The World Is Waiting For’ and ‘One Love’. And most importantly, the third CD features ‘The Lost Demos’, a previously unheard and much sought after selection of early recordings of the album tracks B side single tracks, plus the never before heard track ‘Pearl Bastard’. Whilst three heavyweight vinyl’s collate the material across 6 sides.  Further unheard and unseen material comes in the form of five backwards tracks and John Leckie’s personal home movie  ‘Up at Sawmills: The Making of Fools Gold’, which are contained on a Lemon shaped USB - in homage to the album’s iconic sleeve art.  The DVD in this collection features the legendary Blackpool gig itself, plus all 6 of the promotional videos made during this period

A 48 page bound book within the Collector’s Edition features a host of unseen images of the band and brand new interviews with the members of the band, including a poem and sketch by Reni exclusively for the collection, as well interviews from high profile fans including the likes of Noel Gallagher, Peter Hook, Mark Ronson, Glasvegas and many others, and also those who were involved, including super producer John Leckie himself. This remarkable Collector’s Edition also includes 6 John Squire 12” card art prints for the tracks ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, ‘She Bangs The Drums’, ‘Elephant Stone’, ‘Fools Gold’, ‘One Love’ and ‘I Am The Resurrection’

A Legacy Edition of the album, featuring the re-mastered album, The Lost Demos and the Blackpool Live DVD will also be made available on 10th August, plus there will be a further reduced 1CD Special Edition, which will contain the re-mastered album plus the full 9:53 version of ‘Fools Gold’ bonus track, presented in a new gatefold digipack. On top of this there will also be a limited edition Gatefold Vinyl re-issue that will contain the re-mastered LP on heavyweight vinyl plus a bonus white label 7” of ‘Pearl Bastard’

In addition to all of this,  the five classic singles, ‘Elephant Stone’, ‘Made Of Stone’, ‘She Bangs The Drums’, ‘Fools Gold’ and ‘One Love’ will be released as re-mastered 7”’s, and on iTunes, weekly throughout July and into August, in the lead up to the album release.

The full content for the Collector’s Edition and Legacy Edition of the album are listed overleaf.

THE STONES ROSES – ‘THE STONE ROSES’

THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION

CD 1 – The Stones Roses (20th Anniversary Re-Master)
I Wanna Be Adored – She Bangs The Drums – Waterfall – Don’t Stop – Bye Bye Bad Man – Elizabeth My Dear – (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister – Made Of Stone – Shoot You Down – This Is The One – I Am The Ressurection

CD 2 – The Extras (20th Anniversary Re-Master)
Elephant Stone (12” Version) – Full Fathom Five – The Hardest Thing – Going Down – Guernica – Mersey Paradise – Standing Here – Simone – Fools Gold (Full Length) – What The World Is Waiting For – One Love (Full Length) – Something’s Burning (Full Length) – Where Angels Play

CD 3  - The Lost Demos
I Wanna Be Adored – She Bangs The Drums – Waterfall – Bye Bye Badman – Sugar Spun Sister – Shoot You Down – This Is The One – I Am The Resurrection – Elephant Stone – Going Down – Mersey Paradise – Where Angels Play – Something’s Burning – One Love – Pearl Bastard

Vinyl Album 1
SIDE A
I Wanna Be Adored – She Bangs The Drums – Waterfall – Don’t Stop – Bye Bye Bad Man
SIDE B
Elizabeth My Dear – (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister – Made Of Stone – Shoot You Down – This Is The One – I Am The Resurrection

Vinyl Album 2 – Extras Part One
SIDE A
Fool’s Gold – What The World Is Waiting For
SIDE B
One Love (Full Length) – Something’s Burning (Full Length) – Where Angels Play

Vinyl Album 3 – Extras Part Two
SIDE A
Elephant Stone – Full Fathom Five – The Hardest Thing – Going Down
SIDE B
Guernica – Mersey Paradise – Standing Here – Simone

DVD
The entire legendary Blackpool Empress Ballroom show plus videos for the five Silvertone singles.

The Book
48 page bound soft back book containing unseen images, brand new band interviews, interview with John Leckie, and high profile fans including Noel Gallagher and Peter Hook.

Lemon USB
All audio content
Five previously unheard backward tracks
Brand new Ringtones
Digital Booklet

Merchandise
6  x 12” John Squire artprints taken from the 6 singles: I Wanna Be Adored/She Bangs The Drums/ Elephant Stone/ Fools Gold/ One Love/ I am The Resurrection

The Legacy Edition

CD 1 -The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses (20th Anniversary Re-Master)
 1.      I Wanna Be Adored, 4:52
2.      She Bangs The Drums, 3:42
3.      Waterfall, 4:38
4.      Don't Stop, 5:17
5.      Bye Bye Bad Man, 4:00
6.      Elizabeth My Dear, 0:59
7.      (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister, 3:25
8.      Made Of Stone, 4:11
9.      Shoot You Down, 4:10
10.     This Is The One, 4:59
11.     I Am The Resurrection, 8:12

CD 2- The Lost Demos

1. I Wanna Be Adored : 3:45
2. She Bangs the Drums: 3.46
3. Waterfall:  04:45
4. Bye Bye Badman:  04:20
5. Sugar Spun Sister: 3.30
6. Shoot You Down (1 version): 4.20
7. This Is The One: 4.00
8. I Am Resurrection:  6.44
9. Elephant Stone: 3.10
10. Going Down: 2.40
11. Mersey Paradise:  02:49
12. Where Angels Play: 3.06
13. Something's Burning   03:00
14. One Love: 06:22
15. Pearl Bastard: 3.45

DVD
Blackpool Live-
1. I Wanna Be Adored
2. Elephant Stone
3. Waterfall
4. Sugar Spun Sister
5. Made of Stone
6. She Bangs The Drums
7. Where Angels Play
8. Shoot You Down
9. Going Down
10. Mersey Paradise

Videos

1. Waterfall
2. Fools Gold
3. I Wanna Be Adored
4. One Love
5. She Bangs The Drums
6. Standing There

KASMS
DEBUT ALBUM ‘SPAYED’ RELEASED MAY 11TH
(TROUBLE RECORDS)
www.myspace.com/kasms

“This album is definitely built to last. In fact, it’s an instant classic” – Artrocker
“Never less than hallucinogenic, hysterical and intoxicating” – Clash
“Sizzling with brilliant no-wave scorn. 8/10” - NME

KASMs release their much anticipated debut album ‘SPAYED’ through Trouble Records on May  4th. The album, like all of KASMs recordings thus far, was speedily recorded live on a reel-to-reel tape machine and mixed at their studio space by band member Rory Brattwell. The idea behind this freeform style of recording was to capture the live energy in which their snowballing reputation is rooted, creating an album that documents the exhilarating sound and attitude they have created during their short time together as a band.

KASMs are London-based Rachel Mary Callaghan, Gemma Fleet, Scott R. Walker and Rory Brattwell. All four members have been other bands: Rachel was the singer in Sin o the East, along with Rory on guitar; Gemma was in London based grunge-pop band Wolfie; Scott was in an ethnic/improv band called Aum Sahib and Rory was in quite a few bands, the most well known being short-lived NME favorites Test Icicles.

I guess you could say KASMs sound is Punk/Deathrock but they coined the genre “Shriekbeat” to describe their music, which pretty much encapsulates the essence of what KASMs are all about. Taking in varied influences starting with dark, pulsating, rhythmic bands such as Trial, Crash Worship, Live Skull and better known dark 80s stuff such as Bauhaus and Death in June, they cite their sound as being more heavily skewed by recent Alternative American punk bands such as Subtonix, Nation of Ulysses and Six Finger Satellite.

KASMs’ dark, melodramatic tendencies are laced with energetic melody translating to their live shows, which start off intense and brutal and have been known to end up with mesmerizing front-woman Rachel making “assaults on photographers and members of the audience” (The Guardian, January 2009). In the short time they’ve been together rumours of their unpredictable and intense performances have spread at an intense rate, stoking the fire and propelling them forward.

During their first year together they have played in New York, Paris, Berlin, Milan and toured the UK with contemporaries Televised Crimewave. They signed to Trouble Records (birthplace of acts such as Crystal Castles) in April 2008 with their first two singles ‘Taxidermy’ (which sold out all 2000 copies, touching number 12 in the charts)and ‘’Bone You’ winning them support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, NME and Artrocker.

See KASMs live:

* supporting THE GOSSIP on tour

BLOODSTOCK ADDS FUEL TO THE FIRE
FUEL GIRLS TO OPEN FESTIVAL
DOC INSANE EXTREME CIRCUS SHOW
CELESTY ADDED TO LINE UP

With the METAL box solidly checked owing to a fantastic cast of some of the top names in heavy music, BLOODSTOCK are living up to the festival side of the name with the announcement of two acts perfectly matched for what will be the UK’s Metal Festival experience of the Summer. THE FUEL GIRLS are the hottest, craziest and most sought-after group of performers to hit the rock, metal and extreme sports scene. If it’s not their wild fire and whiskey fuelled stage show, it’s their arena show, with a fire spitting buggy, bikes, cars, quads and t-shirt cannons! Having performed all over the world, from Las Vegas to Puerto Rico, THE FUEL GIRLS are now bringing their thrilling roller-coaster of a show to this year’s BLOODSTOCK, to kick of proceedings on the Thursday night.
 
Perhaps not as easy on the eye, but as - if not more - extreme, DOC INSANE will be bringing his controversial live show to the fields of Derby. The spawn of a Hell’s Angel, this maniac rock’n’roller will treat the BLOODSTOCK audience to a performance that will make Jackass look like a Punch and Judy puppet show. Expect fire, nail beds, sledgehammers and hooks in places where they just plain don’t belong.
 
Of course BLOODSTOCK is also about bringing awesome new music to the UK. The first to bring greats such as NIGHTWISH, WITHIN TEMPTATION and BLIND GUARDIAN to England, BLOODSTOCK has always prided itself on it’s ability to pick out Metal’s future superstars, and this year we’re excited to bring you hotly tipped Finns CELESTY. These Epic-Metallers are a must-see for fans of acts such as Sonata Arctica, Manowar and Rhapsody Of Fire and a welcome addition to the already outstanding BLOODSTOCK line up. Formed in 1998, these Finns have just released new album “Vendetta” via Spinefarm Records. Orchestrated by Kalevi Ollie, better known for his work with the Finnish National Opera, with the Tampere City Orchestra lending their skills as well, the album is a grandiose tour-de-force, and the live show promised to take BLOODSTOCK attendees on a journey through the enchanted kingdoms of Epic Symphonic Power Metal.
 
 
Line up so far: AMON AMARTH, APOCALYPTICA, ARCH ENEMY, BATTLELORE, BLIND GUARDIAN, CANDLEMASS, CARCASS, CELESTY, CRADLE OF FILTH, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, ENSLAVED, EQUILIBRIUM, EUROPE, GIRLSCHOOL, GWAR,  KATATONIA, KREATOR,  MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, MOONSPELL,  MUNICIPAL WASTE,  SATYRICON,  SAXON,   TURISAS,  THE HAUNTED,  SABATON, EUROPE
 
Date:       14th, 15th, 16th August 2009-01-26
Location: Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire
 
TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW GO TO  www.bloodstock.uk.com <http://www.bloodstock.uk.com> BLOODSTOCK IS OFFICIALLY SPONSORED BY METAL HAMMER MAGAZINE www.metalhammer.co.uk

CHART-TOPPING SWEDISH ROCKERS ANNOUNCE DEBUT UK DATE WITH SONISPHERE APPEARANCE TO FOLLOW

‘LOSING YOU’, #1 FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN SWEDEN, SET FOR DIGITAL SINGLE RELEASE THROUGH SPINEFARM RECORDS UK

DEAD BY APRIL – the ‘modern melodic metallers’ from Gothenburg, Sweden – have been confirmed for the Sonisphere Festival, set to take place on August 1st & 2nd at Knebworth in Hertfordshire.
 
Headlined by Metallica and Linkin Park, with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Thin Lizzy, Mastodon, Avenged Sevenfold and many more rounding out the bill, Dead By April will be appearing on the newly announced Bohemia stage, with performance times to be revealed shortly.
 
DBA will be released their debut digital single through Spinefarm Records UK on May 11th. Titled ‘Losing You’ and produced by Henrik Edenhead, the song – still #1 in the Swedish charts! –  is available with bonus cut “My Saviour” plus the video for the title track.
 
“Losing You” is taken from the quintet’s debut self-titled album; this 13-track affair also numbers such major Myspace faves as “Angels Of Clarity”, and is scheduled for a UK summer 09 release.
 
Prior to this, on June 8th, DBA will be making their debut UK appearance with a headline show at the Barfly in Camden Town, North London. Tickets are priced at £6.00p and are available from http://www.ticketweb.co.uk <http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/> . Support will be provided by Failsafe and The Dirty Youth.

The Auteur release their debut EP Nightcap via LAB records in June and have just announced a July UK tour.

Full tour dates are -

 15-The Gander, Bournemouth / 16-The Ocean Rooms, Brighton / 17-Purple Turtle, London / 18-Club 85, Hitchin / 19-Satans Hollow, Manchester / 21-Cockpit, Leeds / 22-Vivaz, Scarborough / 23-Rock Café, Blackpool / 24-Blues Loft, High Wycombe / 25-Koko Gorillaz, Cardiff / 26-Cellars, Portsmouth

The guitar pop four piece debut single ‘Hey! Watch This’ was added to the main daytime rotation playlist for BFBS Worldwide Forces network radio station and also featured on the Kerrang Radio and XFM networks.

Everything you have ever heard but a bit better and a bit more English.

That's the confident claim made by Brighton's The Auteur on their thriving online community – and only a band with the songs and live show to back up such a statement could pull it off.  Fortunately, the band have both - and are quickly generating a real buzz around their electro-tinged powerpop, creating waves within a scene dominated by American artists.

',,,packed solid with hook-laden goodness. it will account for 100% of your average daily allowance.'

Is This Music

‘A headrush of power chords, swirling electronics and soaring vocals’

Fuse Magazine

Having formed in October 2007, Alex Rumble (vocals, guitar), Julian Bowen (drums, samples), Kerry Williams (bass, vocals) and Kevin Deverick (guitar) spent 2008 honing their sound, building a fanbase and perfecting a dynamic live set.

By the end of the year they had played sold out shows with some of the fastest rising bands in the country – Attack! Attack! and Lights & Sounds – and single b-side 'To Cut A Short Story Shorter' debuted on their MySpace profile with a staggering 7,000 plays in the first 24 hours it was online.

Such was the attention the last single attracted the band were added to the prestigious Slam Dunk Festival and have just announced a full UK 12 date tour in July.

Dates are : 15-The Gander, Bournemouth / 16-The Ocean Rooms, Brighton / 17-Purple Turtle, London / 18-Club 85, Hitchin / 19-Satans Hollow, Manchester / 21-Cockpit, Leeds / 22-Vivaz, Scarborough / 23-Rock Café, Blackpool / 24-Blues Loft, High Wycombe / 25-Koko Gorillaz, Cardiff / 26-Cellars, Portsmouth

www.myspace.com/theauteuruk  / www.labrecords.co.uk

Skaville UK, Los Albertos, & Tom Middleton, all confirmed for GuilFest 2009!!!

All-star UK Ska super-group Skaville UK join the bill on the Main Stage on Sunday 12th July.  Comprising three original members of Bad Manners (Nick Welsh, Louis Alphonso and Martin Stewart) as well as double grammy award winning drummer Al Fletcher, Skaville UK are quite simply one of the best live ska bands in the UK. 

Keeping on this years ska revival tip, Los Albertos, confirmed for the Ents24 Stage on Saturday 11th July, are a six-piece ensemble of trilby adorned ska-dance protagonists who’ve been transmitting their hi-energy melodies to the nation since their formation in 2002. Christened by the barmaid at their debut gig, their fistful of grinning 2-tone skank with a twist of Santana has drawn attention from far beyond the pebbled beaches of their hometown Brighton, leading to regular appearances at Glastonbury and Beautiful Days festivals.  2009 sees the release of Los Albertos’ third album of musical tureen; Dish It Up, released on May 11th – proclaimed as “their biggest, bounciest, ass-shakingly awesome album to date.” Organisers are delighted to welcome the band to GuilFest for the first time.
Tom Middleton, recording artist, music producer, remixer and DJ will take to the decks in The Funky End Dance Tent on Sunday 12th July before DJ Yoda.  A classically trained pianist and cellist, Middleton has worked Aphex Twin, Mark Pritchard, and many other top electronica artists.  Specialising in experimental techno, ambient music, electro funk and house music and really just any forms of dance music, Tom has become famous for his ability to seamlessly switch between styles and please crowds with whatever he plays. 
These three fantastic artists join what many are calling the best GuilFest line ever! – Announced so far on the Main Stage (this year sponsored by University of Surrey) on Friday are the amazing Motorhead, supported by old-Guildfordians, The Stranglers. Saturday features the legendary Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, headlining, with support from The Charlatans, Athlete, and Linda Lewis; Whilst on Sunday, the Main Stage is headlined by mad mancunians Happy Mondays, with The Wailers, The Beat and Skaville UK also on the bill.  There are many more top acts still to be announced on the Main Stage over the next 8 weeks.

The Ents24 stage this year is also looking stronger than ever, with acclaimed punk jazz ironists Nouvelle Vague headlining Friday, supported by Imelda May; Blues guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa headlining Saturday, supported by The Lightning Seeds with Eddi Reader, Los Albertos, Subgiant and Wobbly Squadron.  Sunday will be headlined by the incredibly popular Will Young, with September, Ironik, fugitive and lots more acts to be confirmed.
Opening both the Main and Ents24 Stages on Saturday and Sunday will be the wonderful Rock Choir.  The 800 strong outfit will create a spectacle of slick choreographed routines and a wall of tremendous harmony to create the opening showcase for both stages.
The Rocksound Cave, as ever, has a superb line up of the best the UK rock scene has to offer with The King Blues, We are The Ocean, Ghost of a Thousand, Hexes, Sharks and Brotherhood of the Lake announced so far and loads more to be announced very soon including Friday and Saturday’s headline acts – watch this space! 
The Funky End Dance Tent boasts the best the UK dance scene has to offer on all three days, with Eat Static headlining on Friday, supported by Chris Liberator, Mood Deluxe Live, Liquid Ross and IPcress amongst others.  A Pendulum DJ set featuring MC Jakes tops the bill on Saturday, supported by dubstep pioneer Rusko and Nagual Sound Experiment, while on Sunday the tent will be headlined by crowd pleaser DJ Yoda, with support from the legendary Tom Middleton.  Aside from world class DJs, this tent will also feature a state of the art soundsystem, full colour lasers and lighting, projections, and décor throughout.

The Surrey Advertiser and Ben Sherman live club stages will be on site, bringing a brilliant mix of the best unsigned bands to the festival.  Running all day long on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this is where you may just catch “the next big thing!” 

Elsewhere, the eFestivals Cosmic Comedy Tent is back - this year featuring headliners Robin Ince, Bob Mills and Alistair Barrie plus a whole host of other comedians to tickle your ribs.  The Acoustic Lounge returns with a yet to be announced line up of acoustic acts, as do the The Man in the Moon Theatre Tent, The Rock Disco, Farmer Giles Barn Dance, 70s Disco, The UnisonZone, The KidZone and numerous impromptu street performances on site. As well as our massive 150ft Bar, there will be numerous Cocktail Bars and stalls purveying food and drink from around the world, all in a family friendly atmosphere you simply wont find anywhere else.

We even have the fabulous Guildford Lido for outdoor swimming and showers, and Guildford Spectrum leisure centre for indoor swimming and various other activities right next door!

The campsite opens @ 10am Thursday morning, while the main site opens 10am Friday Morning.  Make sure you’re in the campsite on Thursday night for our bar and disco.

Tickets still available – Buy now to avoid disappointment at:

http://www.guilfest.co.uk or call 08714240050

 “The Best Of Black Sabbath”

Released 15th June via UMTV

www.black-sabbath.com

Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne – four names that resonate throughout Rock’s recorded history as clear and sublime as the bell that tolls the opening to the bands eponymous debut album from 1970.

Collectively, they formed Black Sabbath and forged the most haunting and hypnotic rock sound of all time. From humble beginnings, the Birmingham quartet enslaved the minds and souls of millions of rock fans around the world and continue to do so into the new millennium. The musical genre they created inspired countless musicians and spawned countless bands, all of which have attempted to emulate the Heavy Metal originators. Few have come close to rival the uniquely powerful musical make-up of the all powerful Black Sabbath.

Sabbath’s massive influence on modern music cannot be underestimated. VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock ranked them second, behind only Led Zeppelin, in importance and influence. Black Sabbath have sold multiple million albums worldwide to date.

“The Best Of Black Sabbath” is a 14 track collection of classic tracks from across the bands first eight albums – including tracks from 1970’s debut “Black Sabbath” and follow up “Paranoid”, 1971’s “Master Of Reality”, 1972’s “Volume 4”, 1973’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and 1978’s “Never Say Die”. The album brings some of the best loved and most influential rock songs of all time together on one album – including such classics as “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”, “Black Sabbath”, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, “War Pigs” and the original version of “Changes” (a song that went on to become a UK No1 in 2003 when re-recorded by Kelly Osbourne feat Ozzy Osbourne).  “The Best Of Black Sabbath” is a must have for any self respecting music fan…

Full Tracklistings (including original albums)

1 – Paranoid (Paranoid)

2 – Iron Man (Paranoid)

3 – Changes (Volume 4)

4 – Fairies Wear Boots (Paranoid)

5 – War Pigs (Paranoid)

6 – Never Say Die (Never Say Die)

7 – Children Of the Grave (Master Of Reality)

8 – The Wizard (Black Sabbath)

9 – Snowblind (Volume 4)

10 – Sweet Leaf (Master Of Reality)

11 – Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games) (Black Sabbath)

12 – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)

13 – Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)

14 – N.I.B. (Black Sabbath)

THE WORLOCKS

NEW ALBUM ‘THE MIRROR EXPLODES’

RELEASED JUNE 15TH

www.myspace.com/thewarlocks | www.thewarlocks.com

 “They’re among the best at doing spaced-out fuzz psych and with each release they become more persuasive” – The Stool Pigeon

Time isn’t constant or concrete. It’s made of color and shade. Time flows, blurs and fades away in dim morning light. Time melts. And The Warlocks are the ecstatic, hazy, foreboding, holy tick tock of time that isn’t anything at all.

For five albums, The Warlocks have lived in between and beyond minutes and hours. Sway to The Warlocks live and loud and songs will drift and envelop each other like fog. Listen to the records and you’ll hear soundtracks to fuzz-freaked, bacchanalian stomps, pre-dawn city prowls, sleeping late with new crushes, and the elation and exhaustion that wash in and recede deep in the wee hours.

The Warlocks’ new LP ‘The Mirror Explodes’ speaks and whispers from all of these places. But where the band’s last long player, ‘Heavy Deavy Skull Lover’, tweaked time in a icy-cool, white-noise swirl that evoked a decadent lysergic night, ‘The Mirror Explodes’ is disorientation through a longer lens —pictures of luck, longing, losing, moods and fever dreams scrambled in the haze of near and distant memory.

On the 8 songs of ‘The Mirror Explodes’, the band’s signature amalgam of White Light/White Heat attack; space panoramas, fuzz, melancholy, and melody is present and potent. But there is vivid focus too. Throbbing bass lines, distant rolling thunder drums, and zombie rattlesnake shake are a heartbeat of strange, ominous vitality. Guitars howl, slash and bounce like light. Bobby Hecksher’s vocals sound oddly alone and unsettlingly intimate all at once. And just when you think you understand the sum of these sonic elements, they become something else entirely…

Tracklisting:

1. Red Camera
2. The Midnight Sun
3. Slowly Disappearing
4. There is a Formula to Your Despair
5. Standing Between the Lovers of Hell
6. You Make Me Wait
7. Frequency Meltdownh
8. Static Eyes

NEVER MIND THE RECESSION… HERE’S SONISPHERE SAVINGS

BOOKING FEES ABOLISHED

GUITAR HERO: METALLICA

AWESOME PACKAGE DEAL FOR TICKETS AND GAME

PLUS – FREE COACH TRAVEL TO KNEBWORTH

We are proud to say we are following in the footsteps of the granddaddy festival Glastonbury and we have abolished booking fees on weekend and weekend camping tickets. The festival has been working closely with all ticket agents and we have negotiated with the House of Commons that we will be putting booking fees through on MP’s expenses. We feel they owe you!  That is a saving of £11.50 per ticket!  Not only is this saving open to all future purchases of weekend and weekend camping tickets , but as we don’t want  fans who have already bought tickets to miss out; everyone who has bought a weekend or weekend camping ticket will receive an £11.50 booking fee refund per ticket. All customers will be contacted by point of purchase.

Participating agents are; SEE, Ticketmaster, Gigantic, Star green, Ticket line, Ticket Factory, Last Minute.com, HMV,

Local ticket outlets include;

Wales-  Derricks Music / Ticket, East Anglia- Ticket Queen (Norwich Ticket Shop), Glasgow- SECC Ticketing, Edinburgh - Ripping Records, Southampton -Guildhall Ticket Shop, Brighton - Rounder Records and Resident Records, Midlands -Midland Box office  and Music Mania Stoke, Birmingham – Swordfish. Manchester -Piccadilly Records, Newcastle -RPM records, London -Sister Ray, Resurrection Records, All Ages Records, View Tickets (View London) and Rough Trade East , Oxford  - Rapture Records, High Wycombe -Counter Culture, Stevenage - Coda Music(Guitar Shop),  Hertford -Gig Gear (Instrument Shop), Letchworth -The Music Place (Instrument Shop), Welwyn garden City- City Sounds, Leeds  - Luna Tickets

With ‘METALLICA and LINKIN PARK headlining at the home of UK rock - what more could any self-respecting mosher need?’  How about a discounted copy of the hottest gaming release on the planet, Guitar Hero: Metallica, to really prepare for the coming of the SONISPHERE headliners?  That would be awesome, right?

In a world first, SONISPHERE fans receive a huge discount when they buy a ticket and a copy of Guitar Hero: Metallica. THE most anticipated video game of the year isn’t out until May 29th so you can pre order your copy from us and guarantee you won’t miss out!

Become a legend this year with Guitar Hero: Metallica as you play through the stunning musical career of the world’s greatest metal band. Shred on guitar, rip on drums and wail on the mic as you turn into metal legends Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and thrash like the explosive, world-renowned metal and rock bands METALLICA and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as SONISPHERE allies ALICE IN CHAINS, MACHINE HEAD, MASTODON, THIN LIZZY and THE SWORD.

The Guitar Hero deals work out as follows:

 As Festival sponsors, Guitar Hero are also laying on the chance to play Guitar Hero: Metallica on the main stage at SONISPHERE and the opportunity for two winners to meet METALLICA themselves.

There is limited availability for this amazing offer and it will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.  Go to Sonispherefestivals.com/uk to participate in this limited offer.

SONISPHERE is also going greener and we are reducing our carbon footprint with the single biggest action we can by helping you arrive at the stunning setting of Knebworth house by coach (as its greener than car). We have arranged free coach travel from Manchester, Birmingham and London with the good people at National Express.  Coaches are going to run on Friday and drop you off  right into the festival site in time for all the Bohemian craziness running on Friday night and will leave on Monday morning again from the site, so all you need to do after your weekend of madness is pack your tent up and sleep the whole way home!

Pick up/drop off points are

This fantastic deal has limited availability and will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis. Go to Sonispherefestivals.com/uk to participate in this limited offer.

Our fans already have the best line-up and SONISPHERE wants you to have the best deals too. Go to www.sonispherefestivals.com for full details.

SONISPHERE is shaping up to be THE Festival experience of the summer, and as you’ll see with more announcements to come in the next coming weeks  it’s only going to get better.

LINE UP SO FAR:

METALLICA

LINKIN PARK

AIRBOURNE

ALICE IN CHAINS

ANTHRAX

ATTACK! ATTACK!,

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

CANCER BATS

COREY TAYLOR (SOLO)

DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS

FEEDER

FIGHTING WITH WIRE

KILLING JOKE

LAMB OF GOD

MACHINE HEAD

MASTODON

NINE INCH NAILS

ROLO TOMASSI

SKINDRED

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY

THE SWORD

THIN LIZZY

TWIN ATLANTIC

RELENTLESS NASS FESTIVAL

N*E*R*D & CKY more at Relentless NASS 2009
 

Relentless NASS returns for 2009 with new dates as the UK’s premier action sports and music festival. 2008 saw a return to form for the NASS festival thanks to new ownership and increased support from title sponsors Relentless.
 
The 15,000 capacity Relentless NASS Festival will take place from 10-12th July 2009 at The Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet in Somerset. The event features the best in action sports including skateboarding, BMX, freestyle moto-x and inline skating as well as a world class music bill over the 3 days.   The ONLY event of its kind in the UK!
 
Relentless NASS is proud to announce headliners N*E*R*D on the main stage on Friday 10th July and CKY on Saturday 11th July.  Both acts are backed by an incredible lineup of the best in rock, drum and bass, hip hop and more.
 
N*E*R*D, fronted by Pharrell Williams will be bringing their blend of booming hip-hop beats and rollercoastering rock riffs to the showground for what will likely be the best live music act in the South West of 2009.  Other highlights include Chase and Status, one of the only time they will perform completely live with special guests Kano and Plan B. Chase and Status have been dominating the drum and bass scene since the late nineties, and can count drum and bass’ finest Andy C, Fabio and Pendulum as fans.
 
Another confirmed acts on the main stage is the super talented Lethal Bizzle, Tinchy Stryder & Chipmunk.
 
Heading up Saturday 11th July are CKY (stands for ‘Camp Kill Yourself’) –newly signed to  Roadrunner records, CKY have previously hit the road with Guns ‘n Roses, opened for Metallica, appeared on Jackass (Bam Margera’s brother is in the band!) and toured extensively around the world.  Their headline appearance at Relentless NASS is their first UK show since their sell out show at the Astoria in London back in June 2005.
 
Supporting CKY will be Zane Lowe, bringing his live set to the main stage at this years Relentless Nass Festival. The New Zealand born presenter has become renowned for his frenetic live show, incredible DJ skills and his presenting work on MTV2’s show Gonzo. Other acts include punk, reggae activists The King Blues, Hexes, Attack Attack, Sharks and more.

NASS Indoor Arena, in association with CGI Events. CGI, run by DJ/Producer Charlie G, has put together a fantastic lineup- highlights include the legendary Scratch Perverts, The Nextmen, Freestylers & Jaguar Skills.
 
Relentless NASS is also happy to announce its third stage, currently known as the Exmoor Bar. Friday night will witness Daniel P. Carter of the Radio 1 Rock Show followed by Kerrangs very own Katie P while Saturday will play host to the Propaganda Club Night featuring Andy Burgess and The Postman. Both Friday and Saturday will be opened by the awesome NASS favourites, the Streetwise DJ’s.
 
FULL LINEUP ATTACHED

For the best in action sports and music check out www.relentlessnass.com <http://www.relentlessnass.com/>  . Tickets available now:

Ticket Prices

  Ticket   Type   Price   
  Adult Weekend   Fri - Sun   £64.99   
  Child* Weekend   Fri - Sun   £34.99   
  Adult Day Tickets   Fri/ Sat/ Sun   £29.99   
  Chid Day Tickets   Fri/ Sat/ Sun   £14.99  

Child is classed as 8 – 13 yrs old inclusive. Under 7 years old go free
Event opening times

  Day   Open   Close   
  Friday   10am   3am*   
  Saturday   11am   3am*   
  Sunday   11am   8pm   
  *Friday and Saturday closing times only apply to day ticket holders  

3OH!3

DON’T TRUST ME- SINGLE RELEASED 29TH JUNE 2009
 
 OVER 1.1 MILLION SALES IN USA (Platinum cert)

“3OH!3 mix up block-rocking beats, hip-hop trash talk and pop hooks” Rolling Stone
“3OH!3 strike pop gold…” The Guardian
“They’re frisky pups begging to be loved and we’re along for the ride. It’s a fun ride…” NME
 

You don’t get more gangsta than Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte – two natives of Boulder, Colorado- AKA 3OH!3.   They have been packing clubs and liberating libidos with their trademark blend of dirty synths and even dirtier come-ons. So much so, that Don’t Trust Me has sold in excess of 1.1 million copies in the USA alone and their myspace has reached over 145 million plays to date!

Don’t Trust Me will be released in the UK on 29th June and is set to be a surefire summer hit with its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and electro beats- guaranteed to get any dance party started.  3OH!3 came over to the UK earlier this year in support of Katy Perry, leading to widespread critical acclaim from the NME to the Guardian.
           
The duo are about to take their live show – spiked with synchronized dance moves – and the ability to whip capacity crowds into a gang-sign-throwing, finger-licking frenzy across the USA headlining the Warped tour this summer before returning to the UK later this year for more shows.  More details to be announced soon!

Debut album ‘Want’, which sees these homeboys crumble their crackers into a saucy stew of hip-hop hardness, electro eroticism and 80s pop pabulum will be out late Summer on Photofinish/ Asylum records.

www.myspace.com/3oh3 <http://www.myspace.com/3oh3>  
www.3oh3music.com

BOBBY LONG

LONDON SHOWS ANNOUNCED
 
NUMBER 1 ON TWITTER TRENDS
 

Bobby Long is an old soul.  When hearing his Bob Dylan inspired blues folk it’s hard to tell he is just 22 years old.  Somewhat of story teller, Bobby Long writes songs which breathe a labyrinth of imagery that is both fragile and heartrending.  His live show is entirely captivating - allowing his endearing charm to sparkle with pure intimacy.
 
It is his talent for song writing that got the track ‘Let Me Sign’ (co written by Marcus Foster) to be one of the featured songs in the blockbuster film ‘Twilight’- sung by the lead character, Robert Pattinson.

Bobby Long has just returned from doing sold out shows in LA, New York and Nashville- The reaction out there has been unprecedented, resulting in his 2 month jaunt later this year being almost sold out already.  Bobby Long was the number 1 most talked about ‘trend’ on Twitter and single Left To Lie went to number 1 on Itunes in the singer songwriter chart for the UK and number 8 for the world.  All this and he is still unsigned!
 

May 7 The Willmington Arms London
May 8 The Brady Centre, London
May 14 The Portland Arms UK
Jun 6 The Sellindge Festival, Kent

For up to date news visit www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong <http://www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong>

Man Raze new album: ‘Surreal’. Release: 1st June 2009

(Surrealist Records / Universal Music)

Eire date and Download Festival 2009

www.manraze.com  |  www.myspace.com/manraze

As is often the case, the most exciting and inspiring new music regularly comes from the most unexpected of sources. You see, Man Raze is not your average debut artist - they are a band whose members have already achieved multi-platinum sales worldwide in previous guises but are going back to their roots in the form of a straight up rock three piece.

Man Raze is:

Phil Collen (vocals/guitar) – Phil joined Def Leppard in 1982, and with band mate and best friend Steve Clark was able to create the band’s highly influential and incredibly successful trademark dual guitar sound. Def Leppard have sold over 60 million albums world-wide to date. 20 years on from the release of their seminal ‘Hysteria’ album, the band are fresh out of a sold out UK arena tour and critically acclaimed new album ‘Songs From the Sparkle Lounge’.

Paul Cook (drums) – Founder member and mainstay with one of the most influential bands of all time – The Sex Pistols. The band’s 1977 album ‘Never Mind The Bollocks…’ has launched a thousand imitators and is constantly name checked by generation after generation of musicians. Paul Cook has also played with the likes of Johnny Thunders, Edwyn Collins and Greedy Bastards (alongside Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham) and is currently back touring with The Sex Pistols.

Simon Laffy (bass) – long time friend of Phil Collen and member of Collen’s pre Def Leppard outfit Girl. Simon handles the bulk of Man Raze’s production duties also.

‘Surreal’ is a band at its very best. From the punky punch-to-the-face opener ‘This Is’ to the dub tinged ‘Runnin’ Me Up’, from the pop fused ‘Every Second Of Every Day’ to the angular guitar rock of ‘Skin Crawl’ (originally a limited edition single in late 2005), from the dirty riffage of ‘Turn It Up’ (already used extensively across ESPN sports channel) to the mid tempo ballsy chorus of album closer ‘Shadowman’, Man Raze is much more than a sum of its parts. Freed from the expectations of their former (or current) outfits, the band can play whatever they like. The sound is truly eclectic – a mix of the classic and contemporary influences that have shaped the individual members as musicians - from the Police and Trojan Records through to Bowie and Nirvana. All recordings are self recorded and produced.

Already given a critically acclaimed release in the USA, the UK album will come with a special European edition bonus disc. The bonus disc will feature 5 previously unreleased tracks – ‘You’re So Wrong’, ‘Low live in Burbank 08’, ‘Turn It Up (Deep Dub)’, ‘Runnin’ Me Up (Instrumental Dub)’ and ‘Can’t Find My Own Way’ – Live Acoustic (Gary Crowley show).

Man Raze are set for UK and Eire dates in June 2009:

Wed 10th June   Academy 2, Dublin, Eire www.theacademydublin.com

Sat 13th June       Download Festival, UK www.downloadfestival.co.uk

HEARTLESS BASTARDS

ANNOUNCE UK TOUR

ALBUM RELEASED APRIL 6TH

(Fat Possum Records)

www.heartlessbastards.com | www.myspace.com/heartlessbastards

“The aural equivalent of Wild Turkey for breakfast” – 8/10 NME

“Wennerstrom has a unique voice that’s simultaneously ethereal, vulnerable and captivating” – Big Cheese

“Whirlwind tunes, piercing vocals and a shameless hankering for drama… If you like The Duke Spirit you’ll want to hear Ohio power trio Heartless bastards” – The Mail on Sunday

Heartless Bastards are Erika Wennerstrom (vocals, guitar), Jesse Ebaugh (bass) and Dave Colvin (drums). The story starts in Dayton, Ohio, where Wennerstrom found the name on a multiple choice video trivia game at a bar.

As a songwriting teenager during a time when GBV and Brainiac were packing local bars and three of The Breeders were still in town, Wennerstrom used to sneak into clubs to check out the scene. "I would just see those people—my music heroes—hanging out at the bar like everyone else," she remembers. "I could see myself in them. It gave me inspiration to do my own thing."

After doing the usual business of playing local shows, the trio set out the following year on a regional tour. One of the first gigs of the trip took them to a bar in Akron, where Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney just happened to be one of only a handful of people in the audience. This chance encounter led Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards to Fat Possum Records, with whom they released their debut, ‘Stairs and Elevators’, in early 2005.

The band moved on with critical praise in their back pocket, including a four-and-a-half star review from Rolling Stone, which took note that, when Wennerstrom “opens her throat on Stairs and Elevators … she sounds like she’s wailing on the shoulders of giants; her sad and angry vocals channeling all the swagger and spit of a young Robert Plant”

‘All This Time’, was released during the summer of 2006, it received even more widespread critical acclaim than ‘Stairs and Elevators’. The Bastards played hundreds of shows to support the record, they played huge festivals and toured with Wilco & Lucinda Williams. Wennerstrom’s songs appeared often on TV shows & in films. This would be measured by most as a huge success, though in Wennerstrom’s mind her sound and band were still evolving, and she knew it was time for a change.

In true ascetic discipline, she moved to Austin, Texas in 2007 for a change of inspirational scenery and a new recording project. With the help of producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), she assembled a group of musicians with whom she gave the songs life and uncovered yet another layer of herself and the Heartless Bastards. The two new Bastards aren’t Texas ringers, but fellow Dayton brethren Dave Colvin on drums, and Jesse Ebaugh on bass, who actually played on the original demo that hooked Fat Possum.

The album, entitled ‘The Mountain’, delivers the powerful howl that fans expect from the Heartless Bastards, but also weaves in adventure with mandolins, banjos, strings and Erika’s transcendent voice.

The Mountain, a powerful howl, is due in March 2009, and the band will tour its ass off.

May

11th       London Hoxton Bar & Grill

12th       London Dublin Castle

13th       London 229 (Club Fandango)

14th       London Pure Groove instore

16th       Brighton Great Escape

17th       Minehead Butlins ATP curated by The Breeders

IN FLAMES ON GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR

On May 21st 2009 you can download and play IN FLAMES “Disconnected” on Guitar Hero World Tour.
For info on how to download the track, click:

http://www.inflames.com/ghwt/

This is the second time IN FLAMES are featured on a Guitar Hero game. This time around it is the fifth track pack which is released for Guitar Hero World Tour and features the track “Disconnected” on May 21st. As many of you remember and know In Flames was also featured on Guitar Hero 3 – Legends Of Rock with the track “Take This Life”
”It is a great honor to be part of the Guitar Hero experience for the second time. Guitar Hero is a great social game which has become even better with the added instruments to Guitar Hero World Tour. We have tried our new track “Disconnected” and it’s as hard, if not even harder than “Take This Life” (Guitar Hero 3) so we sure have some practicing to do. And so do you!” – In Flames
“Disconnected” is taken from In Flames latest album “A Sense Of Purpose” which was released in April 2008.
In Flames are one of the biggest and most influential bands in the genre and have to date sold a total of over 2.3 million albums worldwide and keep getting bigger and bigger!
 

“Disconnected” will (from May 21st) be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system for $5.49.  All songs in the Track Packs will be released as downloadable singles for Xbox 360 for 160 Microsoft Points, PLAYSTATION 3 system for $1.99 and Wii™ for 200 Wii Points each. 


How to play IN FLAMES “Disconnected”:

You will need a Guitar Hero World Tour and a Live account for Xbox360, Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii.

In the Main Meny choose Downloads then Musicstore

In there you will find "Disconnected"

Now you are ready to rock!

http://www.inflames.com/ghwt/

http://worldtour.guitarhero.com



For more info on IN FLAMES check:

http://www.inflames.com
http://www.myspace.com/inflames
http://www.jesterhead.com
 
Additional information from Activision/Guitar Hero:

Guitar Hero World Tour transforms music gaming by expanding Guitar Hero’s signature guitar gameplay into a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless controllers with new revolutionary online* and offline gameplay modes including Band Career and 8-player “Battle of the Bands,” which allows two full bands to compete head-to-head online.  The game features a slick newly redesigned guitar controller, drum kit controller and a wired microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock ‘n’ roll anthems.  Music creators are also able to share their recordings with their friends online through GHTunesSM where other gamers can download and play an endless supply of unique creations.

 

Guitar Hero World Tour is now available for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.  The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

*Online gameplay is only available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ and may require an additional subscription.

The Ruskins debut single Slow Down Jessica is released June 1st on 645 Records. (Available via i-tunes) 

 "Anyone who can stick the words 'cycling proficiency' in their song deserves to be on my show!!" Steve Lamacq, Radio 1

"More than sweet, they sound brilliant" Huw Stephens, Radio 1

"This band is right up my street" Steve Harris, XFM

"The Ruskins are the missing link between Country Ska and Indie!" NME

"Definitely a decent young band who are tight live, and definitely had the crowd going!" Record Of The Day

Eamon, Dave and Ricky, otherwise known as The Ruskins, have gone from strength to strength since appearing on the scene in 2007. From jamming at home on Isleworth's Worton Estate in West London to whipping the crowd into a stage-invasion frenzy at London's legendary Islington Academy.

These lads are making waves and drawing kudos from the likes of BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens, XFM's Steve Harris, NME and The Sunday Times. Hardly surprising really when you hear their catchy, ska-infused take on modern rock inspired by the likes of Kings of Leon, The Cribs, Johnny Cash and The Streets. In a scene that's saturated with generic indie-pop bands trying to be "the next hot shit," The Ruskins are a band that dare to differ.

Their debut single 'Slow Down Jessica' was recently chosen by Steve Lamacq as his 'Demo of the Week' on BBC Radio 1 where he paid tribute to lead singer Eamon's lyrical prowess. This cheeky, charming trio are gonna go far and are definitely ones to watch for 2009.

Catch The Ruskins live at the following venues and festivals

May 9 – Bullingdon Arms, Oxford / May 12 – 02 Academy, Oxford /  May 21 - Rave Su Ball, Kent / May 27 – Barhouse, Chelmsford / June 3 – Death Disco, London /  

 June 6 – The Fleece, Chelmsford / June 16 – Beach Break Festival, Cornwall /  June 19 - Remix Hitchin, London / July 15 - Proud, Camden /

July 18 - Bugjam VW Festival, Santa Pod Raceway / Aug 8 - Absolute Radio live session / Aug 15 – Under The Bridge Festival, London / 

Aug 29 - Shakster Festival, Chelmsford /  Sep 19 – Southsea Festival    

    www.myspace.com/theruskins  

Black Lips Premiere GZA Collaboration
At AOL, Prep iTunes Exclusive EP

www.myspace.com/theblacklips  www.black-lips.com

One of the defining moments of this year’s SXSW was the pair of surprise collaborations between Atlanta garage rock rabble-rousers The Black Lips and Wu Tang impresario GZA. This first took place off

the beaten path at The Compound for Dickies Battle of the Bands, inspiring the unlikely pair to enter into a whole new chamber together. Soon thereafter, rumblings shot down 6th Street that the unlikely collabo might occur again at The Vice Records Showcase later that night at Emo’s. Sure enough, immediately after the band took the stage, GZA emerged to a roomful of cheers and slack jaws. The following week, the web was atwitter with reports from both events and a grainy MTV video documented a piece of the experience.

But now anyone who missed the display of hip-hop and gutter-rock allegiance has a chance to get in on the action. Indeed, the Lips are releasing an iTunes EP including “200 Million Thousand” fave “Drop I Hold” along with a never-before-heard version of the song featuring verses from the Genius himself, GZA. In addition, the release will feature an instrumental version of the track and the video for the

album-version of “Drop”. All this, for a whopping $1.99 during its first week of availability, beginning Tuesday, May 5th. Hear for yourself below:

http://black-lips.com/items/view/355/download-black-lips-and-gza-the-drop-i-hold

Black Lips are also on tour in the UK throughout May on the following dates:

14th  – Brighton, The Fly  at Great Escape  
15th  - Nottingham, Trent University  
 16th - Sheffield, Rollerpalooza
17th - Cardiff, The Globe      
20th - Leeds, TJS  
21st - Liverpool, City Sound Festival
22nd - Dublin, Crawdaddy  
23rd - Glasgow, Oran Mor  
24th - Manchester, Academy 3  
26th - London, Electric Ballroom  

THE URGENCY

Tyler Gurwicz - vocals
Ian Molla - guitars
Kevin Coffrin - bass
Guerin Blask - drums
Ryan Siegel - guitars

Hailing from Burlington, Vermont- this 5 piece alternative rock band are a little different from any others in the scene.   The Urgency combine a pop strength to the group’s ferocious, rhythmic attack which is a subtle influence from the jazz and jam groups that their home town is known for, Molla says “There’s a lot of time there to live a laid-back lifestyle,” the guitarist says. “So you have to figure out how to entertain yourself and what you want to do.”
 
After being found by Paramore's producer, David Bendeth who personally requested to work with the band.  They then met up with LA Reid and signed a big contract to Mercury/Island/Def Jam under David Massey, all the while being backed by Rihanna's Production/Management duo (Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken).
 
Though diverse, the songs on The Urgency’s debut remain consistently powerful and intensely memorable. “Fingertips,” the opener and band’s first single, is a steamy, sexually charged rocker about seduction.  Elsewhere, the group weaves in elements of their heavier influences(“Crimes,” which starts soft and explodes into a speedy chorus), Police-style rock (“Stop”), contemplative pop (“Memories”) and even ventures into the ethereal, as the dreamy, muffled “Lullaby” gently winds down the album. But even as the songs weave in and out, the “groove” that Bendeth and the group wanted is ever-present.
 
Having toured constantly in the US with acts such as Circa Survive, 311 and more, The Urgency earned themselves a spot earlier this year touring with We Are The Ocean in the UK.  The Urgency will be over  again later this month supporting The Blackout on their UK tour
 
On tour with The Blackout
 
Sat-May-16                 Dublin                   IRE            Academy                                     0818 719 300
Sun-May-17                Cardiff                                    Solus                                                       029 2078 1458
Mon-May-18              Yeovil                                      Westland Leisure Complex                  0871 2200 260
Wed-May-20              Manchester                          Academy 2                                    0161 832 1111
Thu-May-21                Norwich                                 Waterfront                                     01603 508 050
Fri-May-22                  Wolverhampton                  Wulfrun Hall - 14+                   0870 320 7000
Sun-May-24                Leeds                                    Slam Dunk Festival                   0113 245 4650
Mon-May-25              Glasgow                                QMU                                                       08444 999 990
Wed-May-27               Newcastle                          University                                     0191 263 5000
Thu-May-28                Liverpool                           Academy                                     0844 477 2000
Fri-May-29                  London                              Forum                                                       0844 847 2405
Tickets:Dublin € 17.50/UK regional dates: £12.50/ London: £14
 
The self titled album will be out on Mercury later this year.

The Beat, Linda Lewis & The Rock Choir all confirmed for the fantastic, family friendly GuilFest 2009!!!

2 tone ska revivalists The Beat are confirmed to perform on the Main Stage sponsored by University of Surrey on Sunday 12th July.  Famous for three albums: I Just Can't Stop It, Wha'ppen? and Special Beat Service, and a string of singles, including "Mirror in the Bathroom", " Too Nice To Talk To", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Hands off She's Mine" and "All Out To Get You", The Beat Hail from working class, industrial Birmingham – appearing on the music scene in 1979 - a time of social, political and musical upheaval. Over the years the band have split and changed line ups but their energy and ability to make people dance has never diminished.  Having re-established The Beat in the UK, the band has had continued success in recent years with their tours of the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australia.

Singer/songwriter and guitar player Linda Lewis is confirmed to perform her blend of soul, folk pop and reggae on the Main Stage on Saturday 11th July.  It is something of a mystery that an artist as talented as Linda is not a household name in her own country, though recent collaborations with the likes of Turin Brakes, Jamiroquai, and Midfield General show how highly regarded she is by our hottest chart acts.

Linda began her music career in 1967 with pop group Ferris Wheel and achieved chart success as a solo artist in the 1970s with “Rock a doodle do” and her cover of The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in his kiss) - reaching number 6 in the UK singles charts.  Over the last 40 years, Linda has released 17 albums, truly cementing herself as one of world’s true soul giants.  Organisers are delighted to welcome Linda back to GuilFest.

 The nationally acclaimed and well loved Rock Choir will be opening both the Main Stage and Ents24 stage this year on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July at 12-midday.

 The 800 strong Rock Choir will create a spectacle of slick choreographed routines and a wall of tremendous harmony to create the opening showcase for both stages. With numbers including 'Signed Sealed Delivered', 'Love Really Hurts Without You', 'Walking on Broken Glass', 'Something Inside So Strong' 'Joyful Joyful' 'Mamma Mia' and 'Dancing in the Street' audiences will feel invigorated and on a high as they listen, dance and sing along with the Rock Choir.

 Recently featured in the Sunday Times Culture magazine, and on the BBC and the Paul O'Grady Show, Rock Choir has been described by the media as a phenomenon, allowing the general public of all ages to learn to sing and perform at a professional level with contemporary music. The Rock Choir Team behind the concept suggest it is their teaching formula and professional feel-good and caring approach that attracts so many individuals to the choir -  a choir like no other. The media frenzy that surrounded Rock Choir earlier this year pushed the brand Rock Choir into the National arena and with over sixty new Rock Choirs for all ages starting in September around the South, South-East and London, new members from the public are already waiting for their new Rock Choirs to begin.   

GuilFest is the perfect festival for families with children; Having been nominated as best family festival in the UK for the last 5 years running at the UK festival awards and winning the prestigious award in 2006, not only does the festival offer free access to children Under 12, but also reduced ticket prices for Under 16’s!!. The fabulous Kidzone returns this year, in which there will be all sorts of amazingly talented performers such as stilt walkers, balloon makers and puppeteers working alongside qualified children’s stewards to keep your little ones entertained.  It doesn’t stop there however; there will also be fun rides, face painting, games, drawing and creative costume making for the annual parade! GuilFest's family friendly attitude is reflected in the cleanliness of all the toilet and baby changing facilities (a rarity at festivals!), the easy access parking and the reassuring presence of both the local police and St John Ambulance.

GuilFest hosts hundreds of stalls offering a wide range of services and goodies, from fashion and craft to massages and bubble swords!  Moreover, there will be an extensive variety of stalls filled with deliciously scrumptious food from light bites to any continental delicacy you can imagine. Even when it comes to beverages GuilFest has a broad selection on offer from Fairtrade Coffee to smoothies, and a late licensed 150ft Bar and also a Cocktail bar .

If you want to relax and enjoy the arts, you could pop into our Theatre Tent, which will be showcasing entertaining productions by fine actors, or you may prefer to drop into our eFestivals Cosmic Comedy Lounge to get your annual 'Comedy Fix', where everyone leaves in stitches of laughter and an even bigger smile than when they entered!

With music from the already announced Motorhead, Brian Wilson, Happy Mondays, The Wailers, Will Young, The Charlatans, Athlete, The Stranglers, Joe Bonamassa, The Lightning Seeds, Eddi Reader, September, Ironik, Fugative, The Hamsters, Nouvelle Vague, Imelda May, Pendulum (DJ set), We are the Ocean, Ghost of a Thousand, Hexes, Sharks, Brotherhood of the Lake, DJ Yoda, Rusko, Chris Liberator, The BossHoss, The King Blues, Eat Static, Subgiant, Mood Deluxe Live, Liquid Ross, IPcress, Subsource and Wobbly Squadron to boot, this years festival is truly an event not to be missed!

Loads more acts have still to be announced for this year’s festival on all stages.

Tickets are on sale now but going very fast from 0871 424 0050 or via http://www.guilfest.co.uk

BROKENCYDE

invade the UK

Parents have long had a history of hating the music that drive the youth wild. During the ‘70s Black Sabbath was considered the devil’s music, while the ‘80s had Motley Crue and NWA hitting new levels of excess while driving the youth to record stores in drives. Not since those days has an artist provoked an instant reaction quite like Albuquerque, NM based Crunkcore innovators Brokencyde. Now with the release of their eagerly anticipated debut full-length, “I’m Not A Fan But The Kids Like It”, Brokencyde is out to prove that their highly addictive blend of screamo and Top 40 hip-hop is no joke.

The album’s title is a knowing reference to the polarised opinion of the band that, having experienced first hand, they are acutely aware of. Says Mikl: "We might have a lot of people that don't like our music, but for everyone that isn't a fan we have just as many that love the band and the music and those people are the reason we do what we do."
 
He may be understating the case somewhat. The level of attention his band are receiving is unprecedented for a “scene” band yet to release their debut album. With well over 34 Million plays already racked up on their MySpace page, and growing each day, word of mouth is spreading like wildfire, and it’s going to take more than the hoses of any naysayers to extinguish the flames.
 
Brokencyde’s hybrid musical style has not only been infecting fans, but also members of the industry. Appearances on MTV’s TRL, record sales on ITunes and invitations to perform at the Bamboozle Left Festival, as well as tours alongside Drop Dead Gorgeous, Hollywood Undead and Senses Fail resulted in platinum recording artist E-40 and Daddy X, leader of counter-culture icons the Kottonmouth Kings, offering to make guest appearances on the group’s debut. Daddy X spits 16 bars on “Get Up”, while the King of the hyphy movement himself, E-40 lends his distinctive flow to the infectious lead single “Booty Call”.
 
Now BrokeNCYDE prepare to make their first impression on the UK, with the release of the album being preceded by a run of dates.
 
“We are more then overwhelmed and ready to go overseas and meet all of our amazing fans! It’s truly a dream for us and we are going to give it our all so they remember us forever,” says Mikl from Brokencyde. “The Crunk Kids Tour is going to be amazing and we hope to see all of our crunk kids out there. Be sure to bring everyone you know so we can have one massive CRUNK party!”
 
Love it or hate it, the fact remains that Brokencyde’s blend of musical styles has captivated the youth of today unlike anything the music business has seen in well over a decade. With the release of “I’m Not A Fan But The Kids Like It” this rag-tag bunch from Albuquerque, NM has written an album so highly addictive that even the harshest of detractors will find it hard not to join in and GET CRUNK!!!!
 
www.myspace.com/brokencyde
 
“I’m Not A Fan But The Kids Like It”, is released via BreakSilence Records on June 15th.
 
Catch Brokencyde in the UK at the following shows:
 
Thursday 21st May              Southampton                        Joiners
Friday 22nd May                  Weymouth                 The Queens
Saturday 23 May                 Brighton                     Freebutt
Sunday 24 May                    Milton Keynes          The Craufurd Arms
money 25 May                     Bournemouth           I-bar
Tuesday 26th May               Exeter                                    The Hub
Wednesday 27 May            Swindon                    The Furnace
Thursday 28th May                         Port Talbot                Bank Club
Friday 29th May                   Cardiff                                    Barfly
Saturday 30 may                 High Wycombe        The Loft
Sunday 31st May                 Yeovil                         Orange Box
Tuesday 2nd June              Peterborough           Met Lounge
Thursday 4th June              Glasgow                    Ivary Blacks
Friday 5th June                    Aberdeen                  Moshing Lulu
Saturday 6th June               Edinburgh                 GRV
Sunday 7th June                 Newcastle                 Cooperage
Tuesday 9th June                Sunderland               Inderpendent
Wednesday 10th June       Nottingham               Seven
Thursday 11th June                        Southend-On-Sea   Chinnerys     
Saturday 13th June             Manchester               Road house

WYCHWOOD 2009 LAUNCHES THE WORLDS FIRST CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL
WITHIN A FAMILY MUSIC FESTIVAL

NEWLY-ANNOUNCED POET LAUREATE CAROL ANN DUFFY CONFIRMED TO APPEAR

BBC RADIO 4S ARTHUR SMITH TO APPEAR ON MUNDO JAZZ CURATED COMEDY LINE-UP

Wychwood Festival has today cemented its position as the most innovative family-focussed festival with the launch of the very first Children¹s Literary Festival to be staged onsite across the weekend.  Set up in collaboration with the University of Worcester, and with the support of nationwide book retailer Borders, the inaugural Children¹s Literary Festival will set new standards in child orientated entertainment at a music festival in the UK. A line-up of best-selling children¹s writers, illustrators, storytellers and poets will lead readings, workshops and sign copies of their latest titles across the weekend of 29 -31 May 2009 at Cheltenham Racecourse.  The full line-up includes OEddie Dickens Trilogy author Phillip Ardagh, Jeremy Strong, Karen Wallace, Ulf Stark, Heather Dyer, Kristina Stephenson, The Adventures of Jake writer and illustrator Annette & Nick Butterworth, Hannah Shaw, Cat Weatherill, Ruth Symes, Siobhan Parkinson, Hilda Offen, and John Sampson. Last but by no mean least appearing on Sunday 31 May will be Carol Ann Duffy CBE who has just been confirmed as the new Poet Laureate replacing Andrew Motion and making history as the first ever female Poet Laureate.

The literary festival line-up has been curated by Wychwood¹s Festival Director Graeme Merrifield with the help and expertise of the Professor of International Children¹s Literature at the University of Worcester, Jean Webb: The childrens authors at Wychwood represent the newest, most exciting, award winning and established creators of fiction from across Europe, for children at the present time. They write fantasy, magic, Oblow your mind¹ stories.

Regularly making Wychwood a funnier place, Mundo Jazz have once again been asked to curate this years Comedy stage, in association with eFestivals.co.uk. Providing the laughs for 2009 will be Sol Bernstein, OGrumpy Old Man¹ and BBC Radio 4 presenter Arthur Smith, Phil James, Gareth Jones, Matt Barnard, Stuart Goldsmith and Daniel Bland.

Adult weekend tickets are priced at £110 and can be purchased from the festival box office on 01993 772580, Ticketmaster.co.uk on 0844 847 1681, WeGotTickets.com or SeeTickets.com.  Also available are adult day tickets
starting at £35.

www.wychwoodfestival.com

KASMS

SINGLE ‘MALE BONDING’ OUT MAY 4TH

DEBUT ALBUM ‘SPAYED’ OUT MAY 11TH

(TROUBLE RECORDS)

www.myspace.com/kasms

KASMs release their much anticipated debut album ‘SPAYED’ through Trouble Records on May  4th. The album, like all of KASMs recordings thus far, was speedily recorded live on a reel-to-reel tape machine and mixed at their studio space by band member Rory Brattwell. The idea behind this freeform style of recording was to capture the live energy in which their snowballing reputation is rooted, creating an album that documents the exhilarating sound and attitude they have created during their short time together as a band.

KASMs are London-based Rachel Mary Callaghan, Gemma Fleet, Scott R. Walker and Rory Brattwell. All four members have been other bands: Rachel was the singer in Sin o the East, along with Rory on guitar; Gemma was in London based grunge-pop band Wolfie; Scott was in an ethnic/improv band called Aum Sahib and Rory was in quite a few bands, the most well known being short-lived NME favorites Test Icicles.

I guess you could say KASMs sound is Punk/Deathrock but they coined the genre “Shriekbeat” to describe their music, which pretty much encapsulates the essence of what KASMs are all about. Taking in varied influences starting with dark, pulsating, rhythmic bands such as Trial, Crash Worship, Live Skull and better known dark 80s stuff such as Bauhaus and Death in June, they cite their sound as being more heavily skewed by recent Alternative American punk bands such as Subtonix, Nation of Ulysses and Six Finger Satellite.

KASMs’ dark, melodramatic tendencies are laced with energetic melody translating to their live shows, which start off intense and brutal and have been known to end up with mesmerizing front-woman Rachel making “assaults on photographers and members of the audience” (The Guardian, January 2009). In the short time they’ve been together rumours of their unpredictable and intense performances have spread at an intense rate, stoking the fire and propelling them forward.

During their first year together they have played in New York, Paris, Berlin, Milan and toured the UK with contemporaries Televised Crimewave. They signed to Trouble Records (birthplace of acts such as Crystal Castles) in April 2008 with their first two singles ‘Taxidermy’ (which sold out all 2000 copies, touching number 12 in the charts) and ‘’Bone You’ winning them support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens, NME and Artrocker.

See KASMs live:

May

8th           Liverpool Korova*

9th           Leeds Faversham*

10th         London Cargo

13th         London Rough Trade Instore – single launch

16th         Brighton Great Escape

22nd         Liverpool Soundcity

* on tour with Die! Die! Die!

THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND play free album release shows at Bloomsbury Bowling on 1st June 2009 / at Brighton Audio on 30th May 2009

‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ will be released 1st June 2009

London Support acts - OUTCRY COLLECTIVE and WARSHIP

Brighton Support acts - THIS CITY and BLACKHOLE

www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand  |  www.theghostof1000.com  |  www.purevolume.com/theghostofathousand

Brighton’s very own The Ghost of A Thousand will be releasing their thrilling album ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ on 1st June and, to coincide, the band will be playing at Bloomsbury Bowling in the evening that very same day. In the mood to celebrate, there will be no charge for entry so that everyone (over 18) can join the party! Giveaways from Epitaph, Jagermeister, Vans, Criminal Damage and Rockstar will help make this a night to remember.

TGOAT will precede this immense event with a special album release show in their hometown of Brighton at Audio on 30th June with the rather excellent This City (www.myspace.com/thiscitymusic) and Blackhole (www.myspace.com/blackhole). This event is free to attend too. Having kicked, screamed and fought their way out of Brighton, England in early 2007 with awe-inspiring debut full-length This Is Where The Fight Begins, The Ghost Of A Thousand have rapidly become of one of the UK’s most valuable and unique musical assets, thanks to their unhinged, uncompromising and utterly invigorating style. Their new album that doesn’t just tear up the rule book, it sets it ablaze and leaves it on your doorstep in a middle of the night drive by.

Support at Bloomsbury Bowling in London comes from UK hardcore crew Outcry Collective (www.myspace.com/outcrycollective). Frontman Steve Sitowski says "We can't wait to play this show. It’s gonna be a great party... imagine like The Big Lebowski, crossed with Van Wilder, set to the soundtrack of proper British rock n' roll. Absolutely everyone is welcome, unless you have swine flu." The band's debut album 'a r t i c l e s' will be out this summer on Visible Noise Records. Opening the show will be New York based duo, Warship (www.myspace.com/mywarship), who will be playing their first London date as part of their debut UK tour. The band, fronted by Fran Mark, ex-front man of From Autumn To Ashes, released their debut album ‘Supply & Demand’ on Vagrant last November.

TGOAT ALBUM RELEASE PARTIES –

30 May 2009                       Audio w / This City  (16 +)                                                                             Brighton, UK

1 June   2009                       Bloomsbury Bowling w / Outcry Collective and Warship (18 +)     London, UK 

FURTHER LIVE DATES FROM THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND  –

6 May 2009                         Academy 1 w/ Gallows and ETID               Manchester, UK

8 May 2009                         ABC w/ Gallows and ETID                             Glasgow, UK

16 May 2009                       Great Escape Festival                                     Brighton, UK

20 May 2009                       iBar                                                                        Bournemouth, UK

21 May 2009                       Forum, w/ Gallows & ETID                           London, UK

24 May 2009                       University, Slam dunk festival                    Leeds, UK

01 June 2009                       Bloomsbury Bowling – album launch!     London, UK

06 June 2009                      Harlequin                                                            Redhill, UK

11 June 2009                      Borderline w / Alexisonfire                          London, UK

10 July 2009                        Lounge On The Farm Festival                      Canterbury, UK

11 July 2009                        The Canteen                                                      Cumbria, UK

12 July 2009                        Guilfest – Rocksound Cave                          Guildford, UK

08 Aug 2009                        Boardmasters – Vans Stage                         Newquay, UK

28 Aug 2009                        Reading Festival – Lock Up Stage              Reading, UK

30 Aug 2009                        Leeds Festival – Lock Up Stage                   Leeds, UK

BOBBY LONG

LONDON SHOWS ANNOUNCED
 
NUMBER 1 ON TWITTER TRENDS
 

Bobby Long is an old soul.  When hearing his Bob Dylan inspired blues folk it’s hard to tell he is just 22 years old.  Somewhat of story teller, Bobby Long writes songs which breathe a labyrinth of imagery that is both fragile and heartrending.  His live show is entirely captivating - allowing his endearing charm to sparkle with pure intimacy.
 
It is his talent for song writing that got the track ‘Let Me Sign’ (co written by Marcus Foster) to be one of the featured songs in the blockbuster film ‘Twilight’- sung by the lead character, Robert Pattinson.

Bobby Long has just returned from doing sold out shows in LA, New York and Nashville- The reaction out there has been unprecedented, resulting in his 2 month jaunt later this year being almost sold out already.  Bobby Long was the number 1 most talked about ‘trend’ on Twitter recently and single Left To Lie went to number 1 on Itunes in the singer songwriter chart for the UK and number 8 for the world.  All this and he is still unsigned!

He plays the following shows:
 

May 7 The Willmington Arms London
May 8 The Brady Centre, London
May 14 The Portland Arms UK
Jun 6 The Sellindge Festival, Kent

For up to date news visit www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong <http://www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong>

CHILDREN OF BODOM’s ALEXI LAIHO BREAKS SHOULDER IN TOUR BUS MISHAP; FINNISH GUITAR HERO VOWS TO “FORGE AHEAD” WITH BAND’s MASSIVE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

    
Alexi Laiho, guitarist and front man for the award-winning Finnish metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM has sustained a serious injury while on the road as part of the “No Fear Energy Tour” alongside Lamb of God. Laiho, who was recently named as the world’s "Best Metal Guitarist" in the 15th annual Guitar World reader's poll, broke his shoulder when he was ejected from his bunk as a result of the band’s tour bus taking an irregularly harsh sharp turn.  Laiho and CHILDREN OF BODOM are touring North America in support of the band’s critically acclaimed album Blooddrunk.

      Against recommendation, Laiho has decided to remain on tour and will “bite the bullet” to give metal fans the electric live performances they have come to love from the Finnish act.  For the duration of the tour – set to run through May 15 -- Alexi will be resigned to wearing the arm in a sling, restricting movement at all times when he is not on stage.

      When asked for comment, the celebrated axe-slinger said, “"Four nights ago I fell out of my bunk in the tour bus and came down pretty damn hard as the driver was taking a sharp turn.  It turns out I have a broken shoulder as well as internal bleeding.  I am going through a great deal of pain every second that I am awake.  However, I can still play the guitar and I will give everything I have to try to finish this tour and play every remaining show!  I would just like to apologize in advance for not being able to move around or sing with my full power at all times and I hope the COB fans understand.  What can I say?  I’m jinxed!  End of story.  See you out there.”

‘Best of’ album FROM SWEDISH GROOVE-ROCKERS set to be released on May 25th 2009 via Spinefarm Records UK

FORMED IN 1988, Swedish groove-metallers the Electric Boys achieved recognition around the known rock’n’roll world with signature hit single “All Lips N’ Hips” plus a series of albums that tapped into the very essence of long-haired, leather-trousered, late-night cool.
 
Touring alongside bands such as Thunder and Mr. Big, and drinking from the same well as rock legends like Aerosmith, the band offered an alternative to the late ’80s hair-metal scene, fusing hard rock and heavy funk to create an instantly recognisable style (‘Groovus Maximus’) built riff by riff on the sturdiest possible foundations, unswervingly provided by drummer Niklas Sigevall.
 
Lauded by the media, feted by the industry, respected by the top producers of the day (including Bob Rock) and supported by a genuinely international fanbase, the Electric Boys – led into action by flamboyant frontman Conny Bloom, who has continued to play and record both under his own name and with Silver Ginger 5 and Hanoi Rocks, as well as appearing in TV ads for Jameson Whiskey – consistently showed that the great rock’n’roll dream was available in many colours, and that the sitar did indeed have a serious part to play!
 
And now, some 20 years down the line, it’s time for the band’s early career to be celebrated with
a 20-track Best Of, titled ‘Now Dig This!’, featuring songs from their three studio albums; these include “Psychedelic Eyes”, “Mary In The Mystery World”, “Groovus Maximus”, “The Groover”, “Rags To Riches”, “Captain Of My Soul” plus a 2009 remix of “All Lips N’ Hips”, along of course with the original version, a longstanding staple of rock clubs around the world.
 
And for fans of the ’Boys, there’s now even better news, with the original line-up - Franco Santunione (guitars) and Andy Christell (bass), plus the aforementioned Sigevall and vocalist / guitarist Bloom – back together and heading out on the road, with UK dates confirmed for July. These are as follows :-
 
9th July @ Underworld (London) ------------------------ Headline show

10th July @ Civic Hall (Wolverhampton) -------------- Special guest to Thunder

11th July @ Hammersmith Apollo (London) ---------- Special guest to Thunder

http://www.myspace.com/electricboysofficial