The Vandals ongoing battle with Variety Magazine took a more cerebral tone this week when two members of the New York Law School began looking into the case and bassist/lawyer Joe Escalante’s defence. They noted:

Statements to the press and fans by Joe Escalante, the Vandals’ bassist and its attorney, have stressed that the original album art is protected by the First Amendment as parody. And while that may be true, it’s actually irrelevant to the case at hand. The media is mischaracterizing the current lawsuit as a free speech issue. Because the band signed the settlement agreement rather than litigating the underlying issue six years ago, only contractual issues arising from that document are up for dispute.

Joe responded in a separate discussion:

In 2004, they bullied artists to sign an agreement and permanent injunction to give up their 1st amendment rights or face burdensome litigation. This underlines the need for anti-SLAPP motions in federal court cases like this. The Vandals are involved in the public process as artists. The Daily Variety and Reed Elsevier should have to prove they are damaged by our parody to the extent that public policy would favor censoring us and people like us from creating art and parody, like for instance the television program Saturday Night Live. We will seek to overturn this “contract” because it violates public policy by restricting free speech.

Check out the discussion here.
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Fat Wreck Chords‘ newest signing, Old Man Markley, have posted the title track from their newly released 7-inch, For Better, For Worse. The 7-inch was released yesterday and features a cover of the Screeching Weasel favorite, “The Science of Myth,” on the flipside.

Find the song via Fat.
Source Continue reading Old Man Markley: “For Better, For Worse” →

If you couldn’t get enough of the comedian after his pro-copyright rant, Victory Records has once again enlisted Gilbert Gottfried to host the 63rd episode of their web series, VictorVTV. The episode features A Day to Remember, Taproot, Ill Nino and The Sleeping.

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Make Do And Mend‘s new album, End Measured Mile, is now streaming online.

Check it out here.
Source Continue reading Make Do and Mend: “End Measured Mile” →

Foo Fighters have announced two shows at the UK’s Milton Keynes Bowl in July 2011. The band will be performing on July 2nd and 3rd and have enlisted support from Biffy Clyro for both shows, Death Cab For Cutie on the first night and Jimmy Eat World on the second.

The Foos last released Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace in 2007. Since then, frontman Dave Grohl released a album with Them Crooked Vultures, guitarist Chris Shiflett released a solo record as did drummer Taylor Hawkins.
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American War, which shares members with The Sidekicks, have posted their Daytrotter Session. The session coincides with the release of the band’s debut full length, Rhetoric, which is available for donation-suggested download or Shout Out Loud vinyl.

Check it out here.
Source Continue reading American War (the Sidekicks) posts Daytrotter session →

Adolescents have booked some US and Brazilian tour dates in November and December as well as a handful of shows in the first week of 2011. The band’s long-awaited new album, The Fastest Kid Alive, is expected soon.

Source Continue reading Tours: The Adolescents (USA, Brazil) →

New Brunswick, NJ-based Screaming Females were featured on NPR‘s All Things Considered this week. The episode includes music and an interview with the band.

Check it out here.
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Punchline have posted the video for “Seventy.”

Source Continue reading Punchline: “Seventy” →

Jukebox Romantics have unveiled another new video from their self-titled album.

Source Continue reading The Jukebox Romantics: “Keith Haring” →

Underground Communiqué has posted a new, free 14 song sampler with some upcoming label’s releases and a few songs from previous releases. The 14 song compilation includes new/unreleased music from Vacation Bible School, Olehole & Mexican Cheerleader as well as previously released songs from Hellmouth, Voice in the Wire, Explode and Make Up, the Copyrights, xONE WAY, Shot Baker, the Methadones, the Honor System, Get Rad and the highly anticipated vinyl re-release of the debut from the Killing Tree.

Check it out and download it here.
Source Continue reading Underground Communiqué announces free sampler →