Beastie Boy and devout buddhist Adam Yauch has sent an email out encouraging fans and friends to join him in meditating against cancer. The musician and producer explained:

A few friends and I are meditating at the same time twice a day. 9:30am and 6:30pm eastern standard time, for about an hour and half. We are picturing smashing apart all of the cancer cells in the world. We are visualizing taking the energy away from the cancer, and then sending it back at the cancer as lightening bolts that will break apart the DNA and RNA of the cells. If you have the time, please join us in whipping up this lightning storm. mind over matter.

If you prefer to sit then sit, but if you are not used to meditating, or sitting quietly doesn’t sound like fun, put on some music and dance while you do the visualization, and if you want to do it at some other time, or picture curing some other illness that’s fine too. Yoko [Ono] will be joining the meditation by visualizing all of us dancing with joy to celebrate the world without cancer. all variations are welcome. This is really just being done with a wish for all beings to be cured of all illnesses and to find true lasting happiness.

In December 2009, Yauch revealed a positive prognosis in his fight against cancer which was diagnosed in July of that year. Adam was found to have a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. A thread has been launched on their official message board as well.
Source Continue reading Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys asks fans to “meditate against cancer” →

Our stream today comes from Brooklyn, NY-based Night Birds, who features an ex-member or so of the Ergs!. We’ve got a stream of their new 7″, Night Birds.

You can check it out on their Punknews.org Profile.
Source Continue reading Night Birds: ‘Night Birds’ 7-inch →

A new song from Hartford, CT’s Hostage Calm has been posted. “Ballots/Stones” will appear on Vol. 3 of the Enough is Enough compilation series, which aim to raise funds and awareness for equal marriage rights.

Check out the song here.
Source Continue reading Hostage Calm: “Ballots/Stones” →

Most Precious Blood and Indecision guitarist Justin Lee Brannan is considering a run of state senator in New York State representing southwest Brooklyn. Brannan, who also is a Wall Street veteran from Bear Stearns, commented on the run:

We need a new brand of invigorated leadership. I see great changes in the community. We need an advocate, not a politician with an insatiable ego. We need new leadership in the face of a dysfunctional state government in Albany. When I look at [incumbent] Marty Golden, I see a legislator resting on laurels. Yes, he has delivered for our community. But Marty Golden represents provincial Bay Ridge. I represent progressive Bay Ridge. have a background in business, media and international affairs. I can bring common-sense solutions that New York so desperately needs now. I am a music professor, a musician, a financier on Wall Street and [I] raise money for a charity.

Check out the report here.
Source Continue reading Most Precious Blood guitarist aims for state senate seat →

No Sleep Records has added Agoura Hills, CA outfit The Sheds to their roster. The band’s first release for the label will be an as-yet-untitled 7-inch which was produced by El Hefe of NOFX and Jordan Burns of Strung Out. More details on that are expected soon though a 2010 release is expected.

A song can be heard at the band’s MySpace page.
Source Continue reading No Sleep signs The Sheds →

Paint It Black will be heading west in June for three shows in California.

The band last released Surrender in 2009 via Fat Wreck Chords.
Source Continue reading Tours: Paint It Black announces three California shows →

Chicago, IL’s The Please and Thank Yous have posted a new video for “Peas n’ Cheese,” a song from their recent full-length Mind Yr P’s & Q’s.

Source Continue reading The Please and Thank Yous: “Peas n’ Cheese” →

Pontefract, UK’s Above Them have posted a new song. “Temper Like a Hand Grenade” will be on an upcoming four-way split 7″ with New Bruises, The Measure [SA] and Chillerton for Kiss of Death Records.

Check out the song at the band’s MySpace page.
Source Continue reading Above Them: “Temper Like a Hand Grenade” →

This weekend, the reunited 88 Fingers Louie will be releasing a new DVD entitled Lives. The disc chronicles the band’s hometown reunion set that took place at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge back in August 2009, and was recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Dan Precision. The DVD will first be available at this weekend’s Groezrock festival in Belgium, where the band is scheduled to perform.

Source Continue reading 88 Fingers Louie to release ‘Lives’ DVD →

Millencolin will be replacing Sunny Day Real Estate at this weekend’s Groezrock festival in Belgium, who were forced to cancel due to the Icelandic volcanic ash. Other notable cancellations include Snapcase and Saves The Day, though there’s no word yet on if those bands will be replaced in the lineup or not.

Millencolin last released Machine 15 in 2008.
Source Continue reading Millencolin replacing Sunny Day Real Estate at Groezrock →

The A.V Club is hosting a new track from the upcoming solo debut of ALL/Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton. The record is titled The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton and it’s due out on May 11, 2010 via Paper and Plastick, and will feature a slew of big-name guests.

Head here to check out “Fire’s On,” featuring Jon Snodgrass.
Source Continue reading Stephen Egerton: “Fire’s On” (featuring Jon Snodgrass) →

We’ve posted some new reviews. You can check them out below:

• Nada Surf – If I Had a Hi-Fi
• Various – Take Action Volume 9
• Greymachine – Disconnected
• Dangers – Messy, Isn’t It? 12″ LP
• Advent – Naked and Cold
• Dance for Destruction – When Color Was Real…
• Arranged Marriage – Dearly Beloved
• Not Sorry – Moving On 7″ EP
• Birds & Wires – Birds & Wires 12″ EP
• Charles Hamilton – The Pink Lavalamp

You can check out any of our 9216 reviews right here.
Source Continue reading Tuesday, April 20, 2010 →

The Flatliners, hot on the heels of the release of Cavalcade, are making their way across Canada with Broadway Calls and Cobra Skulls. The band has agreed to drop in and give us some dispatches, the first of which we bring you tonight.

Source Continue reading The Flatliners: Episode 1 →