The always odd duo that makes up The Mars Volta recently spoke to MTV about their upcoming album. Apparently, the band’s new “concept” record is derived from lyrics and ideas given to the band by an archaic occult item not unlike a Ouija board. Cedric Bixler-Zavala explained:

We kind of stumbled across our own version of Captain Howdy.

[We] were being contacted by at least three people on the board that would come up as one person. We wrote down a lot of the messages they gave us, and we used it in the lyrics, and we also tried to fasten the lyrics into sort of like a good-luck charm, by putting positive elements into it.

Because such a strange impact was left by using the board, we decided to make a record based on … the stories we were getting from the things or spirits we were contacting

You can read the rest of the article here.

The new record is titled The Bedlam In Goliath and is due out January 29, 2007. It is the follow-up to Amputechture which was released in 2006.
Source Continue reading Mars Volta talks about new album →

Our friends at Quote Unquote have updated us on the current state of the label and what they’re looking forward to in the future on their one year anniversary of existence. They posted a hella long blog about it, and we’ve managed to suss out the important stuff.

First off, this Tuesday marks the internet release of the O Pioneers split with Bomb The Music Industry, which you can already stream here at the Org via their respective band profiles.

They also have some “surprises” for the month of December, reminding us that their lack of reliance on “store” allows them to keep schedules that most record labels cannot. So, in their words: “watch out after Thanksgiving for some new bands that we’re working with, some old bands that we’re finally working with, some reissues maybe, shit, a comp with unreleased jams too.”

They also have their own take on the recent press that Radiohead has been getting for their donation-based album.

What did we get up getting? Iffy bitrates, no album art, and not even a complete track listing of the next record. Granted, them giving their music away for free is a really nice gesture but when it’s uncovered as marketing it doesn’t seem as revolutionary. At the same time, the new Saul Williams record has just been release under a donation basis by another 90’s-rock-legend-turned-flat-out-rock-legend. This record is available for free download, or a higher quality download for 5 bucks. And obviously, these records have gotten more press than the stable of Quote Unquote unknowns.

To cap it off, the obvious question: “Is this a bummer? Who knows.” You can read the rest of the story here.
Source Continue reading Quote Unquote updates, “response” to Radiohead and Saul Williams →

The first ten minutes of a new short film about homelessness by director James Jackson has been released online. The film features discussions with homeless people, normal citizens and stories from touring bands like NOFX, Anti-Flag, Queers, The Used, MxPx.

Titled Spange (Spare+Change), the film is a short form version of a much larger project. The director explained:

For the past year and some change ive been traveling the country making a documentory on homelessness in america and interviewing bands and fans along the way on there views on homelessness. This past 2 monthes ive been traveling the country on the Vans Warped Tour promoting and finishing my film. My movie is due out in early 2008 but i made a short film called “Spange” which you can check out below.

Source Continue reading Documentary on Homelessness with NOFX, Anti-Flag, Queers, The Used, MxPx →

Sum 41 has cancelled all touring for the remainder of the year. The band explained:

As many of you have already heard, Deryck has suffered a herniated disk in his back and we were forced to cancel all shows scheduled for this year. We’re sorry that this has happened and we hope our fans understand that there was nothing we could have done to prevent this. We wish Deryck and quick and full recovery and can’t wait to reschedule all these shows in the new year and finally get back out on the road.

The band released Underclass Hero earlier this year.
Source Continue reading Sum 41 calls off all touring for 2007 →

Anti- has announced the signing of Man Man. The unusual band recently began a second slate of touring with Modest Mouse and continued to support their 2006 effort, Six Demon Bag.

The Philadelphia band’s debut for the Epitaph-affiliated Anti- is due out in the spring of 2008. You can check out some music on their myspace page.
Source Continue reading Anti- signs Man Man →

As promised, Hot Water Music have reunited and have booked some shows in support of their upcoming compilation. The record is titled Til The Wheels Fall Off and is due out January 22, 2008.

The band has also addressed some of the questions that have been streaming in from fans. First of all, both the Draft and Chuck Ragan‘s solo career will continue to exist. It’s also far too soon for any word on a new proper studio record.

As for further shows or touring beyond the three confirmed gigs:

“We haven’t put a limit on it, but it’s not anything we’ve really thought about, either.”

Update: Tickets will go on sale this Saturday.
Update 2: There are no plans for further shows at this point. The band adds:

So, to clarify, we’re not looking at doing shows in between these shows. I’m not going to swear that these are the only three show we’re doing, because we haven’t made that decision. So, while we really appreciate everyone wanting us to come play their respective cities, it’s just not in the cards right now.

Source Continue reading Hot Water Music announces three shows only →

As promised, Hot Water Music have reunited and have booked some shows in support of their upcoming compilation. The record is titled Til The Wheels Fall Off and is due out January 22, 2008.

The band has also addressed some of the questions that have been streaming in from fans. First of all, both the Draft and Chuck Ragan‘s solo career will continue to exist. It’s also far too soon for any word on a new proper studio record.

As for further shows or touring beyond the three confirmed gigs:

“We haven’t put a limit on it, but it’s not anything we’ve really thought about, either.”

Source Continue reading Hot Water Music announces shows →

Stone Rider, from Atlanta, GA, has posted a track from their upcoming Trustkill debut Three Legs of Trouble. You can hear “Rush Hour” at their MySpace page.

The album is due out January 29, 2008.
Source Continue reading Stone Rider debut single from upcoming album →

Lansing, MI’s Cheap Girls have recently posted a new song, “Kind Of On Purpose”, in addition to their 3-song demo (recorded by Rick Johnson of Mustard Plug) on their MySpace page. Cheap Girls consists of ex-Van Ermans and Shoelace members and will begin touring in January.

Call It Fire have posted two songs from their forthcoming full length on their MySpace page. So far the album has no title, no release date and no associated label.

Red Tape Parade, which features members of Static 84, La Par Force, John Deere and more, has released their 8 song demo at their webpage. You can grab it here.
Source Continue reading Cheap Girls, Call It Fire, Red Tape Parade →