Men Women & Children, which features former Glassjaw guitarist Todd Weinstock, have parted ways with Warner Bros. The band explained:

Our forthcoming album will NOT be affiliated with WBR nor will it suffer from the poor distribution our debut endured. We are very lucky for this freedom to explore the “right” options for us since most contractually obligated bands can end up crippled by a lack of both passion and resources. We have been hoping for this for quite some time now and for it to finally be the reality of our situation is both liberating and motivating. As soon as we find a new home for MWC, surrounded by forward thinking and passionate people, you will all be of the first to know.

The band released Men, Women & Children last year. Their song, “Dance In My Blood” also appeared on Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
Source Continue reading Men Women & Children leave Warner; animals take on record label labor →

While hard rock act Drowning Pool isn’t a band we often cover here, the group has taken some of their profile and used to address their concerns about the soldiers involved in ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The band recently performed a USO tour for American troops currently abroad and noted concerns about health care for veterans:

Once home in the United States, we connected with Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans who have returned home. Though back on safe shores, these individuals are facing a steep uphill battle to reclaim their health after facing the trauma of war.

We are seeking an opportunity to testify before Congress on behalf of these troops and veterans who need mental, emotional and medical support services,” said Benton. That goal will be accomplished with the return of Congress from over the weekend as the calendars and agendas in Washington are being marked to welcome Drowning Pool during the course of the next 6 months.

To that end, the band wrote a letter addressing the issues of healthcare and concerns for the troops on their return home, which was placed in the President’s personal reading file. The band is now set to participate in a Congressional hearing where Drowning Pool will testify to both parties of the U.S. Congress, addressing the facts of treatment of the American soldiers upon their return home from the Middle East.

The White House is not the only government outlet that has given attention to the letter written by the band. Several of the 2008 Presidential candidates have accepted the letter and issue with open arms from Drowning Pool.
Source Continue reading Drowning Pool talking to Congress, president →

1917 Records has posted an e-card featuring new music from Syracuse, NY’s Attitude. The three new songs will be featured on a 7″ entitled Turn Into Stone, due out August 7, in time for the band’s tour with Crime in Stereo.

You can check out Turn Into Stone in its entirety here.

The band released We All Go Down Together in 2006.
Source Continue reading Attitude e-card posted →

Dirtnap Records has released a new song from the Riff Randells upcoming album Doublecross. You can check out the song “Traitor Of The Heart” now. The 11 song CD, which has been in the can for a while as the band sought out a label, hits on August 21st with vinyl to follow on Germany’s Alien Snatch Records.
Source Continue reading Riff Randells “Traitor of the Heart” →

Blaqk Audio, the electronic sideproject of AFI‘s Davey Havok and Jade Puget have posted some more new music from their upcoming album.

The duo will release their debut full length CexCells on August 07, 2007 via Interscope Records. The 12 track album was mixed by Dave Bascombe, who fittingly worked several synth-appreciative new wave acts like Depeche Mode and Tears For Fears.

You can find “Stiff Kittens” on their myspace page.

AFI released Decemberunderground last year.
Source Continue reading Blaqk Audio: “Stiff Kittens” →

Cursive has posted the winners (and remixes) for their recent remix contest. The band had asked fans to take their song “Bad Sects” and produce a remix which would appear on an upcoming single.

You can check out the winners on the official site and check out the remixes here.
Source Continue reading Cursive’s “Bad Sects” remix contest winners →

This week, DJ Rossstar will be playing host a number of guests. Dollyrots and Kill Hannah will be interviewed tonight. Tomorrow’s program will feature Boys Night Out and Dear & Departed.

The show runs from 7-8pm PST on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The stream will be available from here and questions and comments for the band can be sent via this link.
Source Continue reading Dollyrots, Boys Night Out, Dear and Departed, Kill Hannah on Rossstar →

We recently spoke with UK-based The Automatic Automatic. The band has quickly become quite a phenomenon in the UK on the strength of their singles, “Raoul” and “Monster.” (You can check out both on their Punknews.org Profile) Taking a sound that is equally influenced by bands like At the Drive-In, The Futureheads and Blur, the band will be bringing their new album to the States later this month. The record is titled Not Accepted Anywhere and is due out June 26, 2007.

Source Continue reading Interviews: The Automatic Automatic →

Mae has announced that they’ll release a new album entitled Singularity on August 14. Singularity, the band’s third full-length, will be released through Capitol Records.

The band is currently on tour with the Fray and OK Go.
Source Continue reading Mae sets title, release date; touring with OK Go and the Fray →

Hydrahead has announced two highly anticipated new releases set to hit streets this July.

The first comes from pioneering hardcore act Botch. The label will be releasing American Nervoso on July 10, 2007. Originally announced last September, the original album was recorded in 1998 and was the band’s full-length debut and first release on Hydra Head. The new edition will feature the remastered entirety of the original plus a new track, “Stupid Me,” three demos and an extended version of “Spitting Black.”

Two weeks later, the label will be releasing Deadverse Massive Vol. 1: Daelek Rarities 1999-2006 on July 24, 2007. The record compiles a number of rarities, instrumentals, and remixes from pioneering hip hop act Dälek.

Source Continue reading Hydrahead announces Botch, Dälek releases →

The Swellers recently released their debut LP, My Everest. To celebrate, they want to give you some free stuff. But there’s a catch. You see, the boys have a little vice. For some bands, it’s designer drugs, while others like to booze it up. For the Swellers…burritos. The bigger and sloppier, the better.

Here’s the deal. The band will give three lucky winners a copy of My Everest, a Swellers t-shirt and sticker pack, and a t-shirt from Offset Clothing. How do you win one of these prize packages? Well, we’ll help the band pick a winner for each of three categories relating to, you guessed it, burritos.

• One winner for Tastiest burrito concept
• One winner for Best burrito name
• One winner for Most original burrito idea

Source Continue reading Contests: The Swellers: “My Everest” is the ULTIMATE burrito →

Rancid has posted an update on the progress towards their long-awaited new album. The band’s newest addition, drummer Branden Steineckert, explained:

A lot of people have been asking me about the new Rancid record. Here’s what’s planned right now. We are getting together this Fall to begin writing the new record with plans to record it Jan 08. Check out the Rancid myspace or rancidrancid.com for official updates and band info. Meanwhile pick up Tim Armstrongs solo record “A Poets Life”….it will give you what you need til then.

The legendary East Bay punk rockers have not released any new material since 2003’s Indestructible. The band went on an unofficial hiatus in 2004 while all members were busy concentrating on their own project. They did, however, reunite last year to embark on a successful tour before their original drummer Brett Reed left the band and then Used drummer Steineckert replaced him.

Frontman Tim Armstrong recently issued his solo full length, A Poet’s Life
Source Continue reading Rancid posts update, plans to record in January 2008 →

Electronic Arts has lined up 45 songs for their upcoming skateboarding title, Skate Included in the lineup are classics from the Sex Pistols (“Pretty Vacant”), ZZ Top (“Just Got Paid”), and the Ramones (“Psycho Therapy”). Also featured are a number of favorites ’round these parts, including The Exploding Hearts, Slayer, The Falcon, The Dwarves, Agent Orange, Bad Brains, Children of Bodom, The Briefs and many more.

According to Gamespot, the game is due out in autumn 2007. Gamers explore the fictitious city of San Vanelona while showing off their own unique style of tricks. EA’s worldwide head of music and marketing, Steve Schnur, commented, “We talked to hardcore skaters around the country to help pick many of the songs for Skate.”

Source Continue reading Agent Orange, Bad Brains, Children of Bodom, Briefs, Falcon, Sex Pistols on EA’s Skate →