Though it’s not entirely clear why punks and hot sauce seem to be so frequently intertwined, a small hot sauce company from Brooklyn has been selling their own brand of Minor Threat hot sauce.

The famously anti-commercial Ian MacKaye has apparently given some approval for the “indie” sauce to use the name, but has shyed away from any serious endorsement. The company itself chose the name in reference to the sauce, but was not unaware of the double meaning:

When it came to making this muted hot sauce that was less threatening than something like Inner Beauty, ‘Minor Threat’ sort of rolled off the tongue,” But being a Minor Threat fan, I knew how staunchly anti-commercial they are.”

The producers even put together a light-hearted parody of the famous Minor Threat “Bottled Violence” cartoon though the band wasn’t so thrilled with it.

So, if you’re strolling through Brooklyn, be sure to grab a jar of the sauce. It’s not exactly endorsed by Minor Threat, but they don’t mind.
Source Continue reading The story of Minor Threat’s hot sauce →

Conor Oberst may be many things: the heart of the Saddle Creek label; the inspiration for a million depressed YouTube videos; or the “crown prince of emo”; but a Radar Magazine writer now claims that Oberst’s depressing lyrics contributed to the tragic mall shootings in Omaha.

According to the story:

Are we to believe that the man who single-handedly masterminded the hormones-and-Zoloft cocktail that is emo bears no responsibility in this latest example of adolescent anger-turned-deadly? Bad poetry and asymmetric haircuts can only contain an artful young man’s angst for so long. He will escalate.

Oberst’s band, Bright Eyes, released Cassadaga in 2007. The artwork from the album was nominated for a Grammy award.
Source Continue reading Writer blames Conor Oberst for Omaha shootings →

Henry Rollins has booked another leg for his Provoked spoken word tour. The tour will be subtitled, An Evening of Quintessentially American Opinionated Editorializing and Storytelling and will feature Henry’s unique assortments of anecdotes, arguments and poetry.

In related news, Mr.Rollins had the following update on his other projects:

Things have been fairly busy as we close out the year at the company and I get ready for things happening in 2008. I work another day on this film called Ice 44 tomorrow. I have about 5 or 6 days of work left on it and have only worked one day so far but it’s been cool and I am looking forward to getting back on the set tomorrow morning and getting to work. I spent most of the weekend between house and office, working on radio stuff and a book project I want to have in 2nd draft by May. That’s going to take a lot of work but I think I can pull it off. I will get a lot of work done on it over the Christmas break.

Source Continue reading Tours: Henry Rollins (Europe) →

The Mars Volta have posted another new video from their upcoming album. The song, “Goliath” comes from their record, titled The Bedlam In Goliath, which is due out January 29, 2008.

In related news, the band has posted the trailerfor their recently announced online video game companion to the album. You can find that here.

Source Continue reading The Mars Volta: “Goliath” →

On the heels of the news that Universal was limiting song length on myspace comes the news that Imeem is the indirect benefiary of the deal. The music social-networking site has completed negotiations with Universal and now is legally allowed to stream music from all four of the major labels. In exchange, Imeem will provide a cut to Universal.

In recent years, the major labels have become increasingly desperate for a new revenue stream with CD sales drying up, and single-track iTunes-style sales cutting into revenue. The labels have maintained fairly strict control over streaming music, so this deal provides access to the largest music catalogues available.
Source Continue reading Imeem streaming all four major labels →

Senses Fail bassist Mike Glita has decided to quit the band. The announcement was made via myspace bulletin:

There are no hard feelings involved with his decision; Mike simply wants to move on and pursue personal ventures and feats he has put on hold for the last 5 years. We all had a good talk about it and wish him nothing but the best.

As for the four of us (Buddy, Dan, Garrett, Heath), we will continue Senses Fail and see you all next year on tour. We began the writing process last week for our follow up to Still Searching and will keep everyone up to date with videos, photos and blogs!

The band reissued Still Searching earlier this year.
Source Continue reading Senses Fail down one man →

In anticipation of his upcoming full length debut for Anti-, legendary post-punk pioneer Bob Mould has scheduled a new digital-only single for January. The single is titled The Silence Between Us and is due out January 08, 2008. It precedes his upcoming album, District Line which is scheduled to appear on February 05, 2008.

The single will include “The Silence Between Us” which surfaced last week, and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind,” Mould’s post-Husker Du band.

Both releases follow Body Of Song which was released in 2005.
Source Continue reading Bob Mould plans new digital single →

Circle Takes The Square has posted the live version of a new song titled “Ritual of Names” online. You can check it out, in two parts, on MySpace.

The band hasn’t released new material since 2004’s As The Roots Undo.
Source Continue reading Circle Takes The Square: “Ritual of Names” (live) →

Fueled by Ramen has signed Los Angeles-based Phantom Planet. The band will release their label debut for FBR in spring of 2008, it follows up 2004’s Epic released Phantom Planet.

Aside from their recorded output, the band is notable for once featuring actor Jason Schwartzman on drums. The band’s song “California” was also the theme song for popular Fox television series The O.C..
Source Continue reading Fueled by Ramen signs Phantom Planet →

The recently announced Foo Fighters/Against Me! has been amended with two weeks of Canadian dates including shows in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and London.

The Foos are supporting their 2007 full length Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace while Against Me! is backing their major label debut New Wave.

Source Continue reading Tours: Foo Fighters / Against Me! (Canada) →

The recently announced side project from at least a few members of Green Day has posted the entirety of their debut EP. Titled Stop Drop and Roll, the album includes six songs and the entire thing can be downloaded free right now.

You can check out the album here.
Source Continue reading Foxboro Hot Tubs (members of Green Day) post debut EP →

Less than a year after signing to Universal Republic, Straylight Run has parted ways with the major label. The band explained:

Today I found out we were officially dropped from Universal Republic. I can’t say I’m dissappointed though.

We did everything in our power to avoid the horrible situation we were put into, but I guess that wasn’t enough. I guess the label is kind of in shambles. I mean, if you feel like the man that brought you The Killers and Fall Out Boy is expendable; what the hell are we?

Whatever… most people in the “record industry” are shitheads, and don’t have a clue what they’re doing. That is the real resaon why records aren’t selling anymore. I only know that my band is going to keep on keepin’ on (as I like to say) and that we are already working on some badass new music. I feel like I want to fight for this more than ever before.

Source Continue reading Straylight Run dropped from Universal Republic →

Anxious Arms and Disarming Arctica will be hitting the road together this January for a few weeks worth of East Coast and Midwest shows.

Source Continue reading Tours: Anxious Arms / Disarming Arctica →