In preparation for the holidays, here’s a special Video of the Week. We’ll be back in the new year with Part 2 of the Cobra Skulls interview.

This special video features two of the best things about the Christmas holiday…tacky houselights and the greatest Christmas carol of all time…Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis”.
Source Continue reading Video of the Week: Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis (Christmas houselights) →

With Hot Water Music back together and on the road, Chuck Ragan is planning to play a number of acoustic solo gigs in between the band’s much anticipated shows. He’ll be supported by Ben Nichols of Lucero and Joshua English of 6 Going On 7.

Chuck recently announced a self-released collaboration with Joe Gaunt, Austin Lucas, Bob Lucas and Digger Barns. The 12 song record features three Chuck Ragan originals, four from Austin Lucas, three Ragan/Lucas joint efforts, one original by Bob Lucas, and two old standards. Chuck described the record as having a “very strong sense of bluegrass, folk and old time gospel.” A release date is to be announced.

Chuck released his studio solo debut, Feast or Famine, earlier this year on SideOneDummy.
Source Continue reading Tours: Chuck Ragan / Ben Nichols / Joshua English →

Fearless Records has signed Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s The Morning Light. The five piece recently released an EP titled The Sounds Of Love. You can check some of it out via MySpace. There’s no word yet on their release plans with the label.
Source Continue reading The Morning Light signs with Fearless Records →

Calgary’s This Is a Standoff have been forced to pull out of their tour supporting Gob. A member of the band was recently hurt and the band’s postponed any further shows until their planned European gigs next year. The nature of the injury was not specified in the band’s announcement.

This Is A Standoff, which features members of Belvedere and Forty Cent Fix, released Be Excited this year.
Source Continue reading This Is A Standoff cancel Gob dates →

Every Avenue have posted two songs from their upcoming record Shh, Just Go With It. You can stream “Days of the Old” and the new version of “Where Were You?” at the band’s MySpace page. The album was produced and recorded by Zach Odom and Kenneth Mount (Cartel, Mayday Parade) and will hit stores on February 19.
Source Continue reading Every Avenue: “Days of the Old” / “Where Were You?” →

The Modern Machines‘ have posted an update on their future plans. The band announced:

We’re writing and learning new songs at our hideout in Ridgewood, Queens. We’re driving around in Danny’s Chevy coupe, playing nearby cities and towns for the sake of punk rock and roll. And soon, we’ll record a 7″, for the spring. We’ll tour the eastern half of the US, then. By then, we won’t be called the Modern Machines Hovercraft, I hope!

Oh, right. The band’s calling themselves the Modern Machines Hovercraft apparently. We’re not sure how serious they are. The band’s most recent full length was 2006’s ’Take It, Somebody!’, which arrived via Dirtnap.
Source Continue reading Modern Machines writing, planning new 7″ →

In celebration of both the holiday season, and the recent release of their new DVD, THE LOUDER NOW DVD: PARTTWO, Long Island heartthrobs Taking Back Sunday are offering a special holiday package for one lucky winner which includes a copy of the DVD. But the holiday fun doesn’t end there, as the winner will also receive DVD’s of holiday favorites such as A Christmas Story, A Charlie Brown Christmas and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Source Continue reading Contests: Taking Back the Holiday Season (Taking Back Sunday) →