Thursday to release Common Existence in February

from Epitaph…

To Announce Headlining Slot On Taste Of Chaos Tour Beginning February 14^th

Groundbreaking post-hardcore pioneers, Thursday, will make their triumphant return with the release of their highly anticipated new album, Common Existence, due out on February 17^th from Epitaph.   Recorded with producer/mixer Dave Fridmann (A City By The Light Divided, Mogwai, MGMT, Flaming Lips) at Tarbox Road Studios in Cassadaga, NY, Common Existence is Thursday’s fifth studio album since the band’s inception in 1997.   Packaged presales for the new album will begin on December 10^th through the band’s fan club The Thursday Doves, and the album’s first single, “Resuscitation of a Dead Man,” will be available for stream on December 9^th and available for digital download on December 23^rd.  Additionally, in support of the new album the band will be headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour, which will kick off at the Palladium in Los Angeles on February 14^th.

Since Thursday burst on the scene in 1998 with the release of their debut album Waiting followed by their classic LP Full Collapse in 2001, the media has often scrambled to type cast the band into a certain genre, unsure and unaware of where they exactly fit in.  With each album the band has continually expand the breadth of their music by exploring vast musical soundscapes, transcending boundaries and experimenting with new techniques and styles, all while staying true to who they are, avoiding the passing trends and disproving naysayers.  Often accused of wearing their hearts on their sleeves by the media, not that they mind, it’s that passion that has led them to the creation of their forthcoming masterpiece, Common Existence, a thought-provoking and socially conscious album that relies heavily on their roots yet isn’t afraid of venturing forward into stimulating new territories.

“The record is called Common Existence, and I think that this record in a lot of ways is the first time that I‘ve looked at a lot of the same things…all the big life events that happen from a more adult perspective.” singer Geoff Rickly recently explained in an exclusive interview with SPIN.com.  “No matter how big the tragedy seems in your life, that’s just the same thing every other person out there is going through.  So in a way this is like an answer to War All The Time.  When we did that record it was about how every little interaction is like this crazy war going on in our lives, and this one says ‘now, well even the biggest things in our lives are very just common place,’ and I think that’s reflected in a lot of themes in the songs, where there’s an overarching theme that’s illustrated by something very specific in that sense it’s a lot like a Bruce Springsteen record.”

Thursday spent a better part of a year writing and recording Common Existence and their efforts have certainly paid off.  From the cathartic “As He Climbed The Mountain” (which is probably the first distortion-drenched hardcore song to feature a slide-guitar break) to the stripped-down post-hardcore anthem “Friends In The Armed Forces” and the simultaneously dizzying and jaw-dropping first single “Resuscitation Of A Dead Man,” Common Existence takes all of the elements of the band’s previous evolutions and manages to create a cohesive sound all their own. With further progression of new-wave and indie-rock influences on their sound, the will undoubtedly continue to confuse cynics who want to slap the latest musical tag on Thursday.

Common Existence Tracklisting:

1. Resuscitation of a Dead Man
2. Last Call
3. As He Climbed The Dark Mountain
4. Friends In the Armed Forces
5. Beyond the Visible Spectrum
6. Time’s Arrow
7. Unintended Long Term Effects
8. Circuits of Fever
9. Subway Funeral
10. Love Has Led Us Astray
11. You Were The Cancer

Static X to release Cult of Static in 2009

Hollywood, CA – STATIC X, the Purveyors of Metal will be bringing the shred like you have never heard them do before. CULT OF STATIC [Reprise Records] has brought the band to new heights and is an album that will change all preconceptions about STATIC X.

The official release date is March 17, 2009 and National tour starts early April. More details on this monster album and tour coming your way!

For more information on STATIC X click on www.static-x.com or www.myspace.com/staticx.

MASCOT-PROVOGUE RECORDS U.S.A. Announces 2009 Releases

Hollywood, CA  – Mascot U.S.A announces today the new releases for 2009. This news follows on the coattails of a very successful first year as a new Indie label in the U.S.A. President Ed van Zijl talks of the first year in the states:

“The first year is actually the first half year as we started releasing album per June 2008. Volbeat is the only none US band that we released this year and we have been getting such a great response on them in the US that their new album “Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood” will be scheduled for release in March 2009 with the band touring the US in May as support to Nightwish.Walter Trout is getting the best response ever and he will be starting his second leg of the US tour in March with us releasing the single “All My Life” early 2009. Further releases of Pat Travers (live), Devil’s Slingshot, Marty Friedman (live), Don Airey. The release this month of Science Faxtion will round off our first “year” in the US. 2009 will see the release of some great albums on the label by artists such as Volbeat, Paul Gilbert + Paul Nelson, Vinnie Moore, Billy Sheehan, John Norum, Andreas Kisser in the guitar arena, as well as Dutch metal act Pestilence (the second non- US act on the label – and will be playing the Maryland Death Fest). Although markets are tough everywhere the Mascot-Provogue labels are doing well and we have confidence that we will be able to further build our roster in the US and make the label as successful here as it is in Europe.”

2009 RELEASE SCHEDULE (not necessarily in order of release dates):

Andreas Kisser    Hubris I&II   

Pestilence    Resurrection Macabre   
Volbeat    Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood   
Vinnie Moore    To The Core

John Norum    Magnetic Soul   

Billy Sheehan    Holy Cow   

Paul Gilbert & Freddie Nelson    United States   
Within The Mind (James Murphy) -  In Homage to the musical legacy of Chuck Schuldiner

Heathen        **Title to be announced

KEEL’s to reunite for 25th Anniversary

HOLLYWOOD, CA – The year 2009 will mark iconic metal band KEEL’s 25^th anniversary, and the passing of two decades since the original lineup played on stage together. Unlike most of their contemporaries, none of the members has ever performed as KEEL since 1989.

Ron Keel, guitarists Marc Ferrari & Bryan Jay, drummer Dwain Miller along with Geno Arce (Ron’s long-time bassist) are preparing to perform again for the first time in 20 years. “It would not have been right without these guys,” expresses Ron Keel. With the high volume of requests for the band to reunite, the members felt the time is right to deliver the show fans everywhere have been demanding: a KEEL reunion.

In 1985, “The Right To Rock” became the fastest-selling debut album in A&M Record’s history. Selling over 2 million albums the band was proclaimed the Best New Band by Metal Edge and Circus Magazines.

The title track was a hit on radio & MTV and remains a staple on VH1 Classic, in addition to the group’s subsequent hits “Tears Of Fire,” “Because The Night,” “Somebody’s Waiting,”and “Rock & Roll Outlaw.” They developed a reputation as one of the genre’s most entertaining live acts, opening for heavyweights like Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Van Halen amongst many others.

Plans are for KEEL to reunite at a select number of festivals and showcase dates in 2009 to perform all their hits and classic favorites in celebration of 25 years of rock n roll history. The KEEL “Debut Reunion Concert” will take place in Hollywood on Saturday, January 31^st. The location for this historic event will be Club Vodka at The Knitting Factory – visit the Web site and MySpace for details.

Asia Featuring John Payne

Ramone’s new outfit touring

HOLLYWOOD, CA (November 12, 2008) – Legendary drummer, Marky Ramone of the RAMONES, announces his first string of tour dates with his new project Marky Ramones Blitzkrieg, with line up Michale Graves (ex-MISFITS) on vocals, Alex Kane (Anti Product) on guitar and Clare (Anti Product) on bass. Their set will consist of all the Ramones classics which led to Marky’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

TOUR DATES – More to come

11/26 Venue La Gabbia Padova, Italy

11/27 SKC (Student Cultural Center) Belgrade, Serbia

11/29 Taksirat X Festival Skopje, Macedonia

12/01 Venue B-Side Cosenza. Italy

12/04 TBA Rome, Italy

12/05 Mylos Club Salonica, Greece

12/06 2^nd Screamin’ Athens Horror Athens, Greece

Festival – Gagarin club

Other news for Marky: Marky Ramone and Hilfiger Denim will launch their first clothing line consisting of a leather jacket, jeans and t-shirts. The line will hit stores early 2009.

Coming soon… A documentary entitled “THE JOB THAT ATE MY BRAIN” THE MARKY RAMONE STORY… The film consists of clips of over 40 interviews with various artists, band members and people close to Marky throughout his career. Featuring DUST, WAYNE COUNTY AND THE BACKSTREET BOYS, RICHARD HELL AND THE VOIDOIDS, RAMONES, etc…

Marky was recently inducted into The Long Island Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his friend, drummer CARMINE APPICE, accepted his award.

ANTI offers free sampler today

from Epitaph…

ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today online via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from 10 of ANTI’s latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.

Anti- Records 08/09 Sampler tracklisting:

1. “Mexico City” – Jolie Holland

2. “Pieces Of You” – Islands

3. “Say Hey (I Love You)” – Michael Franti & Spearhead

4. “Whispers” – Lyrics Born

5. “Freedom Highway” – Mavis Staples

6. “Big Mistake” – Tim Fite

7. “Rabbit Habits” – Man Man

8. “Spacious Thoughts” (feat. Tom Waits & Kook Keith) - N.A.S.A.

9. “DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!!” – Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds

10. “Old Devils” – William Elliott Whitmore

11. “Freedom” – Billy Bragg

12. “Real Estate” – Cadence Weapon

13. “This World As We Know It” – Xavier Rudd

14. “Very Temporary” – Bob Mould

15. “Friend For Life” – Ersi Arvizu

16. “New World” – DeVotchKa

17. “Soul Of A Man” – Ramblin’ Jack Elliott

Participating retailers:

STINKWEEDS	Phoenix	AZ
Zia	Phoenix	AZ
BOO BOO RECORDS	San Luis Obispo	CA
Fingerprints	Long Beach	CA
Lou’s Records	Encinitas	CA
M-THEORY	San Diego	CA
Rasputin	San Francisco	CA
Rhino/Mad Platter	Claremont	CA
Salzer’s	Ventura	CA
Streetlight	San Jose	CA
Twist and Shout	Denver	CO
EXILE ON MAIN ST	Branford	CT
Rainbow Books Music	Newark	DE
CD Connection	Jacksonville	FL
Central Square	Santa Rosa	FL
Park Avenue CD	Orlando	FL
Uncle Sam’s	Miami Beach	FL
VINYL FEVER – TAMPA	Tampa	FL
CRIMINAL RECORDS	Atlanta	GA
CRIMINAL/AURORA	Atlanta	GA
Record Exchange	Boise	ID
Indy CD & Vinyl	Indianapolis	IN
LANDLOCKED MUSIC	Bloomington	IN
LUNA MUSIC	Indianapolis	IN
LUNA MUSIC	Indianapolis	IN
Kief’s	Lawrence	KS
CD CENTRAL	Lexington	KY
earX-tacy	Louisville	KY
Newbury Comics	Boston	MA
Bull Moose	Portland	ME
ROCK-A-BILLYS	Utica	MI
Electric Fetus	Minneapolis	MN
VINTAGE VINYL	St Louis	MO
Schoolkids	Raleigh	NC
Homer’s	Omaha	NE
Lakeshore Record	Rochester	NY
Looney Tunes	West Babylon	NY
Record Archive	Rochester	NY
CULTURE CLASH	Toledo	OH
Finders Records	Bowling Green	OH
Magnolia Thunderpussy	Columbus	OH
SHAKE IT	Cincinnati	OH
Guestroom Records	Norman	OK
Guestroom Records	OKC	OK
CD World	Eugene	OR
JACKPOT RECORDS	Portland	OR
JACKPOT RECORDS	Portland	OR
Music Millennium	Portland	OR
Earshot	Greenville	SC
52.5	Charleston	SC
Disc Exchange	Knoxville	TN
GRIMEY’S	Nashville	TN
Cactus	Houston	TX
END OF AN EAR	Austin	TX
GOOD RECORDS	Dallas	TX
Waterloo	Austin	TX
SLOW TRAIN	Salt Lake City	UT
Plan 9	Richmond	VA
Pure Pop	Burlington	VT
Easy Street	Seattle	WA
HOT POOP	Walla Walla	WA
SONIC BOOM	Seattle	WA
SONIC BOOM	Seattle	WA
ATOMIC RECORDS	Milwaukee	WI

What’s Kid Rock up to?

Detroit’s native son is chillin’ like a villian at Caesars Palace. A friend of mine took this picture over the weekend in Vegas.

White Zombie Box set nears release

The musical horror show that mixed dark pop culture with metallic hard rock has been resurrected on the 4-CD/1-DVD box set, Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, (Geffen/UMe), releasing on Nov. 25.

The CDs bring together for the first time all 64 original studio recordings released by the band led by Rob Zombie during its 1985-1996 career. The DVD offers nine music videos, 10 live performances, and some hidden gems.

Among the DVD’s videos are those for “More Human Than Human,” winner of the MTV Video Music Award for Best Hard Rock Video, as well as “Thunder Kiss ’65,” “Black Sunshine,” “Super-Charger Heaven,” “I’m Your Boogieman” and “The One.” Live performances include “Soul-Crusher,” “Spiderbaby (Yeah Yeah Yeah),” “I Am Hell” and “Creature Of The Wheel.”

Becker #27 on MMN

HOLLYWOOD (November 8, 2008) – Becker is # 27 on Music Monitor Networks 1st Day Sales Chart. Music Monitor Network is a coalition of indie chain stores approximately 500 strong.

Jason Becker releases the JASON BECKER “COLLECTION” on Shrapnel Records. This pure work of genius contains three new recordings totaling over 20 minutes in length and includes new performances by some of Becker’s guitar buddies: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins, Marty Friedman, Steve Hunter and Greg Howe. In addition the CD is enhanced and contains some bonus material playable on computer.

Gripping virtuoso guitar licks and a glimpse at history as it was being made can accurately summarize Becker’s new album, “Collection.”

www.jasonbecker.com or www.shrapnelrecords.com