Paul Raven, bassist behind influential post-punk/industrial outfit Killing Joke has died of an apparent heart attack.

The 46 year-old was the second bassist in Killing Joke and remained with the band until their first break up in 1991. After that, he performed with both Prong and Godflesh and later collaborated with Ministry for their 2006 full length, Rio Grande Blood.

Killing Joke keyboardist Rez Udhin told one media outlet:

Paul was a very amazing man who I loved and trusted very much. He always had great ideas, ventures and always looked out for me as if I were a little brother to him.

“I was very fortunate to be in contact with him several times in his last week and I had great conversations with him, we laughed and joked, which was an integral part of his personality. “Paul will be greatly missed by music fans, friends and mostly his family; his bands will miss him terribly. He was a great man and a unique bass player who has died at such a tragically early age.

Ministry’s Al Jourgenson also commented:

I am in total shock. The world of music is a sadder, emptier place. Not only was Raven an extraordinary talent, but one of my closest dearest friends. Our condolences and prayers go to his immediate family. He will be truly missed by artists, musicians and his fans the world over.

Our condolences to his friends and family.
Source Continue reading Paul Raven of Killing Joke/Prong/Ministry (1961-2007) →

Time Again has announced that they will be releasing their new solo album early next year. The record is titled Darker Days and is due out February 18, 2008.

It is the follow-up to The Stories Are True which was released in 2006. The band is promising some new material from the album soon.
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Hopeless Records pop-punk act Amber Pacific is the latest band to see a member succumb to the long arm of the law. The band’s touring guitarist, Rick Hansen explained the situation:

The basic summary of the night would be our drummer Dango was a victim of completely unnecessary force used by a Philadelphia Police officer for absolutely no reason. If you are queasy about swearing, as used by this officer and others, you can stop here. If you want the whole story, read on!

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Impending Doom has posted the video for “Silence The Oppressors,” a track featured on their debut album Nailed. Dead. Risen. You can check out the video through Facedown Records here.

The band signed to Facedown in January.
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Maritime has posted some tour dates throughout the month of November.

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Feeling like you want to be retro-punk but can’t bear the thought of growing a mohawk? German “goth” outfitter Venom and Bootie has put together a “replacement” mohawk package. All that’s required is a shaved head, £55 and the dream of looking like a member of The Exploited.

The site explains the product:

After 20 years of rock’n’roll’n’gin the surviving gothic-punk is rather thin (on top). But thanks to our secret formula your mohawk can be instantly regenerated.

Our hand made mohawks are designed to look perfectly realistic and stay that way all day and all night, using techniques from special FX film make up to bond to your head!

It’ll go great with your tattoo sleeves.
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Saves The Day has posted an e-card featuring the track “Radio” from their forthcoming, October 30 release Under the Boards.

You can check out the e-card here.
Source Continue reading Saves the Day post e-card →

Post rock outfit Explosions in the Sky have been named as curators for the upcoming 2008 edition of All Tomorrow’s Parties. The event, which takes it’s names from a Velvet Underground song is a frequent festival wherein the performers are chosen by a notable band or group with a tendency towards post-rock, avant-garde, and underground hip hop.

Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore once described the event as the “ultimate mix-tape.” For their run, Explosions will be naming more than 30 performers and the first batch have now been confirmed: Broken Social Scene, Iron and WIne, Dinosaur Jr, And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and Adem.

More details are expected in the coming months.
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Influential shoegaze/rock act Swervedriver will be reuniting next year after a 10-year absence

Swervedriver formed in Oxford, England in 1989 and released a series of EP’s followed by their debut full-length, Raise, in 1991 on Creation Records in the UK and A&M Records in the U.S. Mezcal Head followed in 1993, then in 1995 Ejector Seat Reservation came out on Creation in the UK, but was only available as an import in the US. Their last release, 99th Dream, was released by Zero Hour in 1998. A posthumous collection, Juggernaut Rides ’89–’98 was issued in 2005.

Tour dates for Swervedriver will be announced shortly..
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Blacklisted, who are preparing to enter God City Studios on October 23 with Converge‘s Kurt Ballou have started a blog documenting the band’s early days, tours and albums.

The band most recently released Peace on Earth, War on Stage this past summer.

To read the Blacklisted blog, click here.
Source Continue reading Blacklisted start autobiographic blog →

It’s official – a Kurt Cobain biopic will be hitting theaters. Variety has reported that a film adaption of Charles Cross’ Cobain biography Heavier Than Heaven has been picked up by Universal Pictures.

Courtney Love has landed herself an executive producer role along with her lawyer Howard Weitzman. The film will be written by David Benioff, who most recently adapted The Kite Runner.

The studio has not decided on a name for the film, nor have they determined what direction it will take.

To read the story, click here.
Source Continue reading Kurt Cobain biopic in the works →

The White Barons have just completed a song at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco for a split 7″ with the Dead City Rockers from Sweden, which will be available in the USA on Champagne and Cocaine Records, and in Sweden on A-Bomb Recordings.

The White Barons will be returning to Hyde Street in January to complete recording of their sophomore album on Gearhead Records.
Source Continue reading The White Barons and Dead City Rockers releasing split →

As with previous releases, Thrice has selected a charity to receive a portion of proceeds from their new album, The Alchemy Index: Volumes I & II: Fire & Water. The organization is Blood Water Mission.

Blood:Water Mission exists to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa, tangibly reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression. Blood:Water Mission is building clean water wells, supporting medical facilities, and focusing on community and worldview transformation, both here in America and in Africa. Blood:Water Mission is partnering with groups and individuals to empower Africans to build healthier communities through sustainable clean blood and clean water solutions, while developing social responsibility in the U.S. through initiatives that provoke personal engagement and ownership.

Yesterday, the band kicked off a tour in support of the record.
Source Continue reading Thrice names beneficiary of The Alchemy Index →