Popular internet retailer Amazon has announced that they will be launching their own iTunes competitor music store, but unlike any other major service, the store will be entirely free of usage restrictions and support the ubiquitous MP3 format.

The site is promising 12,000 labels, though the only major label on board is EMI. While this is certainly the most substantial undertaking by a major retailer, other DRM-free stores have existed with substantial indie prescence for a number of years. Besides leader Emusic.com, companies like Audiolunchbox.com, Downloadpunk.com and others have existed DRM-free since their respective foundings.

No launch date has been announced yet, but they are promising “later this year.” Since the publication of an open letter decrying DRM by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, a number of companies have come forward to push for unrestricted music download services.
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Mustard Plug has announced their summer tour plans. Among the dates are a short tour with Buck O Nine and Satori that kicks off tomorrow, stops at the Warped Tour and Ska Weekend 2007.

The band has been working with producer Bill Stevenson on a new album, destined for release in 2007.
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A Wilhelm Scream have posted an update. The band has begun work on the follow up to 2005’s Ruiner and the band is currently at the Blasting Room in Colorado recording again with Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore.

We’ve been in Fort Collins, Colorado for almost a week now working on the new record. Nick’s drums are done and Brian’s almost done with his bass already and I gotta say they both sound fucking insane on this. Me and Chris worked with Jason on guitar tones last night and we’re gonna start tracking today.

The guitars are a bit more gain-y (or bad-ass, as they say) than the last two records, and alot closer to our live guitar tone. Nuno might start singing today, we’ll see. We got here last week with 18 songs and we’re gonna do 15 this time. The other 3 will go on the next record for sure. Bill says the songs are a lot more “intense” sounding than the last two records. No title yet, but we’re working on it.

The band posted a new track/video in early March.
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Though it might not be the most reliable source of information, Less Than Jake has updated their myspace page to reflect a label of “None” suggesting that the band may have parted ways with Warner Bros.

The band released two albums and one b-sides compilation via the label and recent messages from the band and other changes suggest that they are looking for a change of musical direction. Even drummer Vinnie has posted some cryptic notes on his official blog, which serve only to increase speculation:

Pouring over detailed notes, numbers and sketches. I’m going to be the first to say there are big things headed our way. When i stop and think i can almost feel it in the air, it has an excitement and electricity in it. I am almost home to Gainesville and “the ville” will be slow, college is out – kids are gone, traffic is almost non existent and I’ve been told it will be 90 degrees out when I get there. Perfect timing for some hard thought and planning.

As a final note, the band has also taken control of their official website and it has been relaunched with a minimalist blog-type structure.
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The preliminary dates for a European tour featuring Bane, Have Heart and Ceremony have been posted. You can click Read More to check out the dates.

Bane continues to tour in support of 2005’s The Note, while both Have Heart and Ceremony tour in support of 2006 releases: The Things We Carry and Violence Violence, respectively.
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HORSE the Band has posted a new song on MySpace. David Isen (guitar) had this to say about the track:

Its the first taste of what “A Natural Death” (8/28/07) has to offer. Its called ‘Murder’ and its about Indians killing the white man on the plains. Its not racist though, its just science. This song is really awesome. Check out my controlled harmonious guitar feedback, and the innovative use of gameboy programming.

You can check out “Murder” here.

The band released Pizza last year through Combat Records.
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Treephort has reunited and announced a short tour set to kick off in June. The shows represent the band’s first shows since January 29, 2005.

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Aereogramme has announced, through a MySpace blog, that they’ve decided to call it quits:

It is with heavy hearts that we tell you all that Aereogramme have decided to split up. Reasons are multiple and complex. It is however fair to say that the never ending financial struggle coupled with an almost superhuman ability to dodge the zeitgeist have taken their toll, ensuring that we just don’t have any fight left in us. We are immensely proud of the four albums that we made over the past seven years. We hope that they continue to grow in your hearts.

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Baltimore’s Videohippos has some new music posted.The album is called Unbeast the Leash and it comes out June 19. The ‘hippos are part of Baltimore’s Wham City! collective that includes Ponytail, Ecstatic Sunshine, and Dan Deacon. You can check out the music via these mp3s: “The List.” and Kool Shades.

Escapist Records act This Time Next Year has debuted some music online.Two tracks from the band’s debut album, A Place for You, have been made available for streaming. You can check out the music on their myspace page

Bullet Train to Vegas side project Prescriptions has posted some new music.The band features Dan Sena of Bullet Train to Vegas. The project draws influences from early era sub pop bands like Sebadoh to others like Dinosaur Jr and the Smiths. You can check out the music on their myspace page

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Rolling Stone magazine has assembled a list of what they are deeming the Worst albums by Great Artists. The list was assembled from nominations submitted by readers and includes a number of albums you might find familiar, including The Clash’s post-Mick Jones outing, Cut The Crap, Elvis Costello’s, Mighty Like A Rose, Morrissey’s, Kill Uncle and a more.

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The Flaming Lips have released a new clip from their upcoming live package. The record is titled UFOs At The Zoo: The Legendary Concert In Oklahoma City and is due out July 10, 2007. It comes after the band’s last studio full length, At War with the Mystics, which was released in 2006.

The track is perhaps the most well-known song from the esoteric act, having originally been released on their 1993 album, Transmissions from the Satellite Heart. The track even earned a mention on The Simpsons, when Lisa remarks ‘Milhouse likes vaseline on toast’ a reference to the songs protagonist.

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Canadian post-hardcore outfit Silverstein have posted the details for their upcoming full length. The record is titled Arrivals And Departures and is due out July 03, 2007. It is the follow-up to both the compilation, 18 Candles: The Early Years which was released in 2006 as well as their last full length, Discovering The Waterfront.

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No talking pirate lightbulbs this time, but Queens of the Stone Age have some new live videos recorded during the band’s recent appearance on Channel 4 (UK). The two performances feature songs from their upcoming record. The record is titled Era Vulgaris and is due out June 12, 2007. It follows up 2005’s Lullabies To Paralyze.

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