Pepper Announce New EP, "Stitches," + US Tour w/ Shwayze and Brother Ali!

PEPPER, comprised of guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman, bassist/vocalist Bret Bollinger and drummer Yesod Williams, formed in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1997. Having grown up surfing on the island, it’s not a wonder that they would mix their rock “shock and ah” flare, along with their mellow island rhythm roots to create their own truly diverse sound. They have also been known to hypnotize fans of all walks of life with their incredibly sweet harmonies all the while keeping bodies moving on the dance floor. The trio played mostly house parties and garages before finally shipping out to San Diego, CA in 1999 to push their first studio release Give’n It.

In 2001, they entered the Volcom warehouse studio with Steve Kravac (Blink 182, Less Than Jake, MxPx) to record Kona Town, which included the hit single “Give it Up (Dirty Hot Sex)” - which has become one of KROQ’s most played songs to date. On the heels of that success, PEPPER retreated into The Hive, a completely analog studio and home of 311, with legendary producer Ron “The Saint” St. Germain (Bad Brains, Living Colour, 311, Tool, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden) to record In With the Old. When the dust settled from the flurry of large-scale tours, the band recorded the expansive No Shame (originally released by Warner Bros.), which featured a slew of exciting producers including 311’s Nick Hexum, No Doubt’s bassist Tony Kanal and current partner in crime Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers.

PEPPER has sold over half a million records independently and founded their own record label, LAW Records - through which three other artists’ music is distributed: IRATION, Passafire, and The Supervillians. Their music has appeared in many movies (including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Good Luck Chuck), television shows and video game soundtracks as well as having had a number of album tracks appear on Billboard’s “Alternative Songs” chart (including No Shame’s “No Control,” which peaked at 18, and “Give It Up” which peaked at 34). Their song “Your Face,” also from No Shame, is now available for Guitar Hero World Tour.

The band has also amassed a large and loyal following stemming from their non-stop touring which includes numerous rounds on the Vans Warped Tour and outings with reggae legends The Wailers, 311 and Snoop Dogg, to name a few. PEPPER has performed at several festivals including Lollapolooza, Mile High Festival, West Beach Music Festival, as well as many others. In 2008, PEPPER made the rounds through Europe twice alongside Flogging Molly in the spring and Less Than Jake in the fall. They spent their summer of that year celebrating the July release of PINK CRUSTACEANS AND GOOD VIBRATIONS, which peaked at number 11 on Billboard’s “Independent Albums” chart, by hitting up US amphitheatres with longtime friends Slightly Stoopid, and headlined the very first “Here Comes the LAW Tour” - which featured other Law Records artists, The Supervillains and Passafire. The madness continued through the spring of 2009 when PEPPER ventured out for the second time co-headlining the Jagermeister Music Tour with punk rock legends, Pennywise. In the Fall, PEPPER took the party to the streets of Los Angeles playing the second annual Sunset Strip Music Festival with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.

After spending the early months of 2010 writing and recording new music, PEPPER spent their summer on the annual Unity Tour with long time friends 311, and The Offspring. They played twenty-five big dates including several amphitheaters and arenas. Between Unity Tour, new music, a single, “Wake Up” accompanied by a B side, ”Mirror,” which were released this past July, and plans for a 45+ major market national headlining tour this fall in support of the forthcoming release of their Sitches EP due out Oct 12, 2010, PEPPER fans are sure to get the fix they’ve been craving since 2009!



Stitches Track List
1. Wake Up
2. Drunk Girl
3. Mirror
4. Lonely
5. Mirror (acoustic)


Pepper Live!

w/ Shwayze
Sep 15 Grove of Anaheim Anaheim, CA
Sep 16 Grove of Anaheim Anaheim, CA
Sep 17 Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff Flagstaff, AZ *
Sep 18 Rialto Theater Tucson, AZ
Sep 19 Sunshine Theatre Albuquerque, NM
Sep 21 White Rabbit San Antonio, TX
Sep 22 House of Blues Houston Houston, TX
Sep 23 Stubb's Bar-B-Q Austin, TX
Sep 24 House of Blues Dallas Dallas, TX
Sep 25 Howlin Wolf New Orleans, LA
Sep 26 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Sep 29 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sep 30 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL *
Oct 01 Jannus Landing St Petersburg, FL
Oct 02 Floyd's Music Store Tallahassee, FL
Oct 03 Freebird Live Jacksonville, FL
Oct 05 The Music Farm Charleston, SC
Oct 06 The National Richmond, VA
Oct 07 The Norva Norfolk, VA

w/ Brother Ali
Oct 08 House of Blues Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ
Oct 09 House of Blues Boston, MA
Oct 10 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
Oct 12 HighLine Ballroom New York, NY
Oct 13 HighLine Ballroom New York, NY **
Oct 14 Webster Theater Hartford, CT
Oct 15 9:30 Club Washington, DC
Oct 16 Starland Ballroom Sayreville, NJ
Oct 17 Met Cafe Providence, RI
Oct 19 The Crofoot Pontiac, MI
Oct 20 House of Blues Cleveland Cleveland, OH **
Oct 21 Metro Chicago, IL
Oct 22 Majestic Theatre Madison Madison, WI **
Oct 23 Cabooze Minneapolis, MN **
Oct 24 Granada Theatre Lawrence, KS

* = no Shwayze
** = no Brother Ali

+ More Dates To Be Announced Soon!




For more information, visit:
www.pepperlive.com
www.law-records.com

Herra Terra Announce US Tour + Dates w/ Yeasayer, New Song off Upcoming Album, "Quiet Giest," Out September 14th on The Mylene Sheath!

Stream new song "Organs For The Afterlife" here!

HERRA TERRA was conceived by Vocalist, John Paul Tonelli and Guitarist, Gregg Kusumah-Atmadja. The duo released a 3 song EP in 2008 entitled “Organs For The Afterlife” with help from other Boston based musicians (Bad Rabbits, Irepress) and Sound Engineer, Mike ”Mo” Lapierre (Death Cab for Cutie, Brand New, Dropkick Murphy's). Not being able to find a permanent fixture on drums, the band played as a two piece electronic act in the New England area until 2009. After rigorously searching for a drummer, the band recruited Brad Caetano (Arms & Sleepers, Seneca, AM/PM). Ever since, the group has melded together and enhanced their electronic and live elements. Now adding Adrian Bettencourt Andrade on Bass, HERRA TERRA has finally transitioned into the electro/rock outfit they’ve been threatening to become this entire time. The band mixes elements of Depeche Mode, Le Tigre, Head Automatica, and Duran Duran to create an exciting new album that is just as easy to dance to as it to listen to analytically. This is definitely more than just a party, but it IS a party.

HERRA TERRA is heading out on a full US tour this fall in support of the new LP, "Quiet Geist," which is set for release on September 14th, 2010. HERRA TERRA has shared the stage with some outstanding artists such as: Shiny Toy Guns, Piebald, Damone, Freeze Pop, Green Jelly, Appleseed Cast, Hot Rod Circuit, Chk Chk Chk (!!!), Bad Rabbits, Irepress, Semi Precious Weapons and many others. Now the band is ready to get out on the road and bring the dance party to new places who’ve yet to witness it. As Emma Goldman once said: “If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.”

* Pre-order "Quiet Geist" direct from The Mylene Sheath here!



Quiet Geist Track List
1. Ejection Seats
2. Lost In Labyrinth
3. Make A Scar
4. You Were The Accelerator
5. No Tricks
6. Nothing Is Yours To Keep
7. White Cells Rush
8. Organs For The Afterlife
9. (Passing)
10. Symbiotic Spires

Herra Terra Live!
9/21 - Boston, MA - Middle East
9/24 - Rochester, NY - California Brew Haus
9/25 - Canton, OH - Muggswigz
9/27 - Kalamazoo, MI - Papa Pete's
9/28 - Chicago, IL - Hinsdale Teen Center
9/30 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird w/ Yeasayer
10/2 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade w/ Yeasayer
10/3 - Tarpon Springs, FL - Neptune's
10/4 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
10/5 - Savannah, GA - The Jinx
10/10 - Charlotte, NC - Milestone w/ Junius
10/15 - New York, NY - Ace Of Clubs
10/22 - Providence, RI - Firehouse 13
10/23 - Worcester, MA - Ralph's Diner

+ More Dates Coming Soon!



For more information, visit:
Herra Terra on Facebook
www.myspace.com/herraterra
www.mylenesheath.com

Torche Announce US Tour w/ High On Fire and Kylesa * August 24 iTunes Single Release of New Song "U.F.O.!"

“Dude, it’s just a rock band.”
- Steve Brooks, Torche

All due respect to Doctor Brooks, but if Torche were JUST a rock band, Daddy would be at the bar right now knocking back a couple of stiff ones instead of typing up all these words you’re about to ignore.

The thing with Torche is that when you put one of their records on, it’s like you just swallowed a magical happy pill that also plays killer riffs and sings super-triumphant feel-good jams about... well, our man won’t actually tell us that. “The lyrics are stream-of-consciousness,” Brooks says. “It’s like you’re in a dream and nothing makes sense. That’s why I don’t print the lyrics, actually. I don’t want anyone overanalyzing every little stupid thing I say.”

Fair enough. But what about the music? The music is like one of those SSRI deals without the crappy robot feeling or even crappier erectile dysfunction. It’s like sunshine and blue skies and fluffy clouds and mountaintop glory. We’ll spare you the various genre tags the band has been saddled with over the years and just say this: When you’re listening to Torche, everything takes on the rosy hue of unlimited success.

On with the back-story (i.e. shit you should already know) and prelude to current events:

Birthed whole in 2004 like some kind of Dade County wildebeest, Torche is Steve Brooks on guitar & vocals, Rick Smith on drums, and Jonathan Nuñez on bass. Their 2005 self-titled debut and six-song follow-up, In Return, were released by everyone’s pals at Robotic Empire. Then shit started to blow up like Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Or at least like Dolph Lundgren in that one flick where he beats on those dudes with no mercy.

But we say it with a dead-earnest straight face when we say that the band’s 2008 full-length, Meanderthal, was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou - AND when we tell you that we were not the least bit surprised when it was named “Album Of The Year” by Decibel magazine. In fact, we called that shit in advance. Meanwhile, the astute folks at Paste described it as, “Pummeling, earth-shattering noise married to gorgeous melodies. It’s the golden egg so many underground acts have searched for, but only a handful have had the chops to pull off.” A-fucking-men to that.

Similarly, no one was particularly shocked when Torche were voted “Sexiest Band Alive” by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in 2009. They also went on tour with living legends Harvey Milk that year, which was awesome unless you slept through it. Or they didn’t hit your town or whatever. And Torche’s high-profile festival appearances were the delicious outdoorsy icing on the accolade-filled layer cake: All Tomorrow’s Parties, Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, L.A.’s Fuck Yeah Fest, etc.

But let’s talk about the here and now: Torche’s new EP is called Songs For Singles. Hydra Head honcho Juan Perez came up with the title - and you know that fucker is psyched to see his name here. But we have to admit his idea was a hot one: It’s like songs for the charts AND songs for those of us who are out trolling for some strange. And, okay, everyone else. Torche is nothing if not all-inclusive. Recorded and mixed by bassist Jonathan Nuñez at his own La Casa Nuñez studio, this self-produced eight-song banger includes some of the band’s shortest (“Lay Low” clocks in at a whole 53 seconds, which just leaves you wanting more) and longest jams (closer “Out Again” tops six minutes, and is a riveting example of Smith’s ultra-modern, Adderall-enhanced percussion technique). Fast on the heels of Torche’s sold-out split 10-inch with Japanese megastars Boris, Songs For Singles is yet another soaring, riff-roaring crowd-pleaser destined for those year-end “Best Of” lists that everybody loves so much. How do we know? Because we’re never wrong. And the shit is just that good.

Bottom line, though? Dude. Torche is back. Get psyched.

* Torche will release the first song from Songs For Singles, entitled "U.F.O.," on August 24th via iTunes. Pre-order Songs For Singles NOW at BlueCollarDistro.com!



Songs For Singles Track List
1. U.F.O.
2. Lay Low
3. Hideaway
4. Arrowhead
5. Shine On My Old Ways
6. Cast Into Unknown
7. Face The Wall
8. Out Again

Torche Live!
9/22 New Orleans, LA @ The Big Top Three Ring Circus
9/23 Dallas, TX @ The Nightmare
9/24 Austin, TX @ Red 7
9/26 Scottsdale, AZ @ Martini Ranch
9/27 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater w/ Mountains of Blow

w/ High on Fire and Kylesa
9/29 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
9/30 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
10/1 Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
10/2 Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad
10/3 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
10/5 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
10/6 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
10/8 Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company
10/9 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
10/10 Chicago, IL @ Metro (Riot Festival)
10/11 Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird
10/13 Newport, KY @ Historic Southgate House
10/14 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
10/15 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/16 Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
10/17 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
10/19 Halifax, NS @ The Paragon Theatre (Halifax Pop Explosion)
10/21 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
10/22 Providence, RI @ Club Hell
10/23 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
10/24 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom
10/27 Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
10/29 Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds (FEST 9)



For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/torche
www.hydrahead.com

Pyramids' R. Loren Announces New Project, White Moth, feat. Alec Empire, Dälek, Lydia Lunch, + Mems of Krallice, Frodus, Zs, Asunder, and More!

Listen to "You Texas, Dark Star" by White Moth here!

Denton, TX

“...a milestone on an indefinite journey, much of which is documented here- a series of deeply intimate works crafted with the help of those that have inspired my own growth and musical bloodflow for its duration...”

Conceived in June of 2009 by R. Loren (Pyramids), after fifteen years adrift with the moth, a collaboration ensued unlike any other. The result could not have come any closer to the original vision.

Following the recently announced Sailors With Wax Wings project featuring a stellar all-star lineup of indie-rock and metal pioneers past and present, Pyramids frontman R. Loren has announced his second star-studded project, entitled White Moth, whose debut release will see the light of day this October.

White Moth enlists the collaborative musicianship of:

R. Loren
vocals, textures

C. Rogers
vocals

Ashley Scott Jones (Treasure Fingers, Evol Intent)
beats, electronics

Colin Marston (Krallice)
guitar, bass

Sam Hillmer (Zs)
saxophone

Jacob Kirkegaard (Touch Records)
processed field recording

Christoph Heemann (H.N.A.S.)
guitar, piano, electronics, percussion, moog

Lydia Lunch
vocals

Dälek
vocals

Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot)
vocals, tr 808, linndrum, roland jupiter 8, roland rs-202, arp solina, arp 2600, minimoog

Shelby Cinca (Frodus)
vocals

John Gossard (Weakling, Asunder)
vocals

Chet W. Scott (Blood Of The Black Owl, Glass Throat Records)
artwork and design

More information, including album art, track list, and release date coming soon!



For more information, visit:
www.youtexasdarkstar.tumblr.com

Clutch Announce "Robot Hive / Exodus" Expanded Reissue + DVD And Headlining Dates on Black Label Society Fall US Tour

Maryland hard rock band Clutch is coming up on their 20th year, maintaining a consistent following with constant touring, unique wit, and fearless tendency to mix metal with genres like blues and funk. - Billboard

With over a dozen recordings, Clutch has routinely pushed itself creatively for each album. The progress has been subtle enough that the band has never been accused of abandoning its core musical ideals, yet noticeable enough to create an expectation for new sets of ideas with each new release. - Relix

Clutch have announced the track listing for the expanded-dual disc edition re-issue of "Robot Hive/Exodus" which will be released worldwide on September 28th through Weathermaker Music. Currently out of print, "Robot Hive/Exodus" was at one point the band's largest selling title of the decade due to the strength of its three extremely powerful yet diverse singles, "Burning Beard," "10001110101" and "Mice & Gods." In addition to upgraded artwork and new "digi" packaging, this expanded edition will feature a bonus DVD which includes a classic 33 minute outdoor performance recorded on location at the Sounds of the Underground festival in July of 2005 in Sayreville, NJ. Also included is the Jeremy Hunt directed "Burning Beard" video clip, which was the first ever Clutch single to reach the "year end" Top 10 most played on MTV's Headbanger's Ball.

In total, the "Robot Hive/Exodus" re-issue contains 23 songs and over 90 minutes of music. This is the second of three planned extended double disc re-issues, as Weathermaker has already released "From Beale Street to Oblivion" in July, and plans to issue forth the "Blast Tyrant" package in November. For the uber Clutch fan and/or retro rocker, Weathermaker will see to it that all three releases will make their way onto limited edition vinyl.

On September 22nd, Clutch will embark on a nine week tour with Black Label Society and Children of Bodom. In addition to 40+ dates with Zakk Wylde's widely popular hard rock act, the veteran rock band from Maryland have just announced six headline concerts that will be placed within the Fall tour, giving their North American fanbase close to 50 opportunities to see the band perform a combination of classic Clutch material as well as current fan favorites like "50,000 Unstoppable Watts," "Let a Poor Man Be" and "Abraham Lincoln" from the band's latest, Top 40 soundscan charting, "Strange Cousins From the West" full-length album.

* Download a clip from the Robot Hive / Exodus DVD here!
(courtesy Weathermaker Music and Space Monkey Studios)



Robot Hive / Exodus Reissue Tracklist

Disc 1 (CD)
The Incomparable Mr. Flannery
Burning Beard
Gullah
Mice & Gods
Pulaski Skyway
Never Be Moved
10001110101
Small Upsetters
Circus Maximus
Tripping the Alarm
10,000 Witnesses
Land of Pleasant Living
Gravel Road
Who's Been Talking

Disc 2 (DVD)
Mercury --Live Sounds of the Underground
Profits of Doom --Live Sounds of the Underground
Mice & Gods --Live Sounds of the Underground
Gullah --Live Sounds of the Underground
Burning --Beard Live Sounds of the Underground
Impetus --Live Sounds of the Underground
The Mob Goes Wild --Live Sounds of the Underground
Gravel Road --Live Sounds of the Underground
Burning Beard video clip



Clutch Live!

w/ Black Label Society, Children of Bodom, and 2 Cents
9/22 Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum
9/24 Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Expo Centre
9/25 Regina, SK @ Agribition Hall
9/26 Calgary, AB @ Big 4
9/28 Winnipeg, MB @ Winnipeg Convention Centre
9/29 Fargo, ND @ The Venue *
9/30 Omaha, NE @ Anchor Inn
10/1 Clive, IA @ 7 Flags
10/2 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
10/3 St. Paul, MN @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium
10/4 Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company *
10/5 Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
10/8 Asbury Park, NJ @ Convention Hall
10/9 Lewiston, ME @ The Colisee
10/10 Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
10/12 Halifax, NS @ Cunard Centre
10/14 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
10/15 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
10/20 New York City, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
10/22 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
10/23 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
10/24 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
10/25 Augusta, GA @ Sky City *
10/26 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock
10/28 Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater
10/29 Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete St. Amphitheater
10/30 Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre - Grand Prairie
10/31 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Pavilion
11/2 Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
11/3 Tulsa, OK @ Brady Center
11/4 Sauget, IL @ Pop’s *
11/5 Grand Rapids, MI @ DeltaPlex
11/7 Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
11/9 Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory
11/10 Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion
11/11 Jonesboro, AR @ Brickhouse Grill *
11/12 Wichita, KS @ Cotilion
11/13 Kansas City, KS @ Uptown Theater
11/14 Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
11/15 Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater *
11/16 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
11/18 Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre
11/20 San Francisco, CA @ Warfield

* = Clutch headlining performance



For more information, visit:
www.pro-rock.com
www.myspace.com/clutchband
www.weathermakermusic.com

NPR Premieres New Siskiyou Single, "Never Ever Ever Ever Again" * Debut Album Out September 7th on Constellation Records!

All Songs Considered:
Siskiyou "Never Ever Ever Ever Again"



* Listen to Siskiyou's "Never Ever Ever Ever Again" off the band's forthcoming debut self-titled album here!

Bandwagon Roadshow Event Details Announced feat. Performances by Snoop Dogg, Sublime w/ Rome, Florida Roadshow Competition and More!

SUBLIME WITH ROME, SNOOP DOGG, UNWRITTEN LAW, REVEREND HORTON HEAT, MIX MASTER MIKE, ROYAL CROWN REVUE, UNKNOWN HINSON AND MORE PROMOTE CUSTOM CAR CULTURE AT FLORIDA MUSIC FESTIVAL!

ORLANDO, FL – Top Speed Adventures and 101one, WJRR-fm announce the first annual Bandwagon Roadshow, which brings a collision of car culture and live music to Festival Field at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on September 4, 2010! The Labor Day Weekend event attracts a wide ranging demographic of classic car enthusiasts and music fans alike to enjoy over 15 nationally known acts on two stages. The Florida Roadshow Competition will feature hundreds of classic cars from around the state, from hot rods to low riders and everything in between vying for $10,000 in cash, prizes and custom built trophies. A celebrity panel of judges will award one lucky winner the coveted best in show “Bad Hat” trophy containing a $2,500 cash prize.

Prior to thundering on to Festival Field, the celebrity car procession will take to the streets of downtown Orlando at 5:00 PM, featuring the finest 15 cars of the competition, including top celebrity drivers to be announced in upcoming weeks.

As national and regional acts perform live music on the Main Stage and The Bad Hat Big Top Stage, car aficionados and music fans can enjoy a wide selection of food and beverage, beer, liquor (over 21), a vendor village, an artist compound and interactive games at the Midway.

Following the launch of The Bandwagon Roadshow in Orlando, the touring production will roll into multiple markets throughout the U.S. again combining a car show and music festival to further capitalize on the explosion of interest in car culture and live music, a global trend that continues to gain momentum.

Event Information:
Show date – September 4, 2010
Venue – Festival Field at the Orlando Citrus Bowl

Ticket prices:
Car Show: $10 Pit Pass
Music Festival: $48 General Admission, $130 VIP Package - available through Ticketmaster.
Car show – 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Festival – 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

For more information, visit:
www.radiobandwagon.com

Kayo Dot Premiere "Stained Glass" August 24th In New York!

Junius Announce Dates at Fun Fun Fun Fest and Gainesville Fest * Add More Dates w/ Orbs, Valient Thorr and Howl!

A stunning balance of brutality and beauty. Their latest album, The Martyrdrom of a Catastrophist, is a concept record about catastrophe theorist Immanuel Velikovsky, exploring his insistence on a chaotic universe. Its songs are spellbinding and heartbreaking, gripping from the first note to the last. A hard rock dream come true. - Rolling Stone

In spirit and sound, the Boston quartet are closest to darkwave bands of the 1980s, a kinship that only begins with lead singer and guitarist Joseph E Martinez's pitch-perfect Robert Smith wail. Like the bands they resemble (Tears for Fears, the Cure, and Depeche Mode, primarily), Junius have a knack for translating weepy melodrama into anthemic choruses. Almost every song makes its careful way through a maze of subsections, but this maneuvering is often hidden behind an instantly memorable hook, which tends to make the record's esoteric conceit melt away instantly. - Pitchfork

Boston-based shoegaze-rock phenoms Junius have been causing a major stir in the past few months. Following the release of their critically acclaimed full-length album, "The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist," and being heralded by some of the country's largest press outlets, the band repeatedly impressed audiences at this year's SXSW marathon, helping to land them on two upcoming US tours which begin next week (one this month with rock supergroup Orbs, and the other happening this Fall supporting Volcom rock heroes Valient Thorr and Relapse Records' newest and most brutal signing, Howl).

Now, just as they prepare to set off on months of non-stop touring, Junius have announced appearances at two of the year's most renowned music festivals, Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest (sharing the stage w/ Devo, MGMT, Polvo, Man Man, Capn' Jazz, The Hold Steady and more), and the other at Gainesville, Florida's punk rock gathering, The Fest, where they'll perform alongside some of the most worshipped acts in the underground punk scene including Frank Turner, High on Fire, Leatherface, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Teenage Bottlerocket, and countless others.

Junius Live!

w/ Orbs
featuring members of Between The Buried & Me, Fear Before, Abigail Williams, and Cradle of Filth
Aug-19 Greensboro, NC @ Legitimate Business
Aug-20 Louisville, KY @ Skull Alley
Aug-21 Nashville, TN @ The End
Aug-22 Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's
Aug-23 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
Aug-24 Austin, TX @ Red 7
Aug-26 Phoenix, AZ @ Underground
Aug-27 San Diego, CA @ Radio Room
Aug-28 Los Angeles, CA @ Cobalt Café
Aug-30 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
Aug-31 Portland, OR @ Backspace/Satyricon
Sep-01 Seattle, WA @ Studio 7
Sep-02 Boise, ID @ The Red Room
Sep-03 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Sep-04 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Sep-05 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room

w/ Valient Thorr and Howl
Sept-8 Raleigh, NC @ King's Barricade
Sept-9 Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox Laundrolounge
Sept-10 Charlotte, NC @ Milestone Club
Sept-11 Atlanta, GA @ 529 Club
Sept-12 Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
Sept-13 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
Sept-14 St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Sept-15 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Sept-16 Indianapolis, IN @ Rock Lobster
Sept-17 Columbus, OH @ The Summit
Sept-18 Erie, PA @ The Crooked I
Sept-19 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Sept-20 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose
Sept-21 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Sept-22 Philadelphia,PA @ North Star Bar
Sept-23 Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw
Sept-25 Providence, RI @ Club Hell
Sept-26 Boston, MA @ The Middle East Upstairs
Sept-27 Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
Sept-28 Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee's
Sept-29 Hamtramck, MI @ Smalls
Sept-30 Chicago, IL @ The Double Door
Oct-1 Madison, WI @ The Frequency
Oct-2 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
Oct-3 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar

US Festival Appearances
Oct 29-31 Gainesville, FL @ The Fest
Nov 5-7 Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest



For more information, visit:
www.juniusmusic.com
www.myspace.com/junius
www.mylenesheath.com

Middlewest Fest Announces 2010 Lineup!

Located ninety minutes from Chicago, two hours from Madison and three hours from Iowa City is a lovely little town called DeKalb, IL, home to Northern Illinois University, nestled in-between a sea of cornfields just off I-88. In the first year of its existence, Middlewest Music & Arts Fest will take place on the weekend of September 10th and 11th. The fest has already amassed an eclectic lineup of bands, including Murder By Death, P.O.S, William Elliot Whitmore, The Smoking Popes, Owen, Maps & Atlases, and Cartoon Network’s, ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ star, mc chris, and has just announced the addition of critically acclaimed artists Frank Turner and Hawthorne Heights.

Similar to other popular, block party-style, festivals such as South By Southwest and Noise Pop, the festival’s performances take place throughout downtown DeKalb, including such well known local venues The Egyptian Theatre, Ottos Nightclub, The House Café, O’Leary’s Irish Pub, Tapa La Luna and SMLTWN Skate Shop as well as other various businesses downtown.

Middlewest is not a genre-specific festival. Variety is the spice of life, is it not? You may find a singer-songwriter plucking away at his acoustic guitar in a tiny corner bistro, a boisterous heavy metal band playing a rock club down the street while the art gallery next-door hosts an independent film viewing. Middlewest is the convergence of the local music and art communities and a celebration of the vibrant culture of the Northern, IL area!

What is Middlewest?
Middlewest Fest is Northern Illinois' annual celebration of the live music and arts, taking place on the dates of Sept. 10th and 11th in DeKalb, IL. All Middlewest events will be hosted at The Egyptian Theatre, Ottos Nightclub, Ottos Underground, The House Cafe, O'Leary's Irish Pub, SMLTWN Skateshop, Tapa La Luna as well as various art spaces, halls and local business in the lovely and historic downtown DeKalb, just a stones throw away from Northern Illinois University.

In addition to a weekend full of live-music, Middlewest will be hosting, 'Against The Wall', an independent film festival, as well as a local Arts and Crafts Market on the primary day of the festival, Sat. Sept. 11th. 'Against The Wall' event will be held at Debutante's School Of Cosmetology (145 N. 3rd St.) and will feature 15 Midwestern and NIU Student Film Makers screening comedy, drama, experimental and documentary min-features. The Art Market will take place in Palmer Ct, located in the heart of downtown DeKalb, featuring over 20 arts and craft vendors.

Middlewest Fest is produced by Kickstand Productions, a Northern, IL-based concerts and event production company. In addition to acting as the in-house buyer for, DeKalb venues, The House Cafe and Ottos Nightclub, Kickstand Productions produces events monthly at many other fine venues in the Northern, IL area. Previous artists proudly produced by Kickstand include; Dinosaur Jr, GWAR, Umphrey's McGee, Boys Like Girls, MGMT, Of Montreal, Mates Of State, Alkaline Trio, Dan Deacon, Crystal Castles, Rusted Root, OK Go, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Thrice, Anberlin, We The Kings, As I Lay Dying and Minus The Bear.

How Does Middlewest Work?
Ticketing for Middlewest will be handled in one of three manners. A ticket may purchased for a single show through the venue's box office, as per a standard concert, the attendee may purchase a single day pass or a two-day, 'Megaticket'. Both the day passes and the Megaticket allow entry into all Middlewest events. A Two-Day, 'Megaticket' is $30, with day passes affordably priced at $20 and single-show tickets ranging between $10 and $15.

Confirmed Acts (As of 8/11)
* More acts and full schedule to be announced shortly!

Murder By Death
P.O.S
mc chris
Frank Turner
Smoking Popes
Hawthorne Heights
William Elliot Whitmore
The Main Street Gospel
Maps & Atlases
Owen
Native
Jonny Craig
Ha Ha Tonka
Mondo Drag
Dr. Manhattan
The Color Morale
Lucky Boys Confusion
Miss May I
Gold Motel
The Frantic
Treaty Of Paris
Sleeping With Sirens
The Felix Culpa
Fight Fair
The Divine
Samantha Crain
Mark Rose
Suns
Breathe Electric
Mod Sun
Action Blast
Big Science
Cealed Kasket
Black Bear Combo
Dorian's Decay
Alumni Club
Geronimo!
Just Left
Elephant Gun
Clifton Roy & Folkstringer
Chase This City
Another Hero Dies
Joie De Vivre

Full Line-Up and More Information Available at:
www.middlewestfest.com

Torche Live Reviews: New York, Chicago, Louisville and More!

Torche is currently wrapping up a small run of dates on which they met up w/ special guests Boris, Baroness, Russian Circles, High on Fire and more. Below are a few reviews of just some of those shows:



Punknews (Torche w/ Baroness in Chicago)

Brooklynvegan (Torche w/ Boris and Russian Circles in New York)

Buzzgrinder (Torche w/ High on Fire in Louisville, KY)

NY Press (Torche w/ Boris and Russian Circles in New York)

The Nashville Scene (Torche w/ Beings in Nashville, TN)

Sailors With Wax Wings Unveil Album Details and New Song w/ Video

Denton, TX

“...the texts herein are born of [an] encounter, in which [Stephen] Crane himself ran fluid in my walls chanting verses from the Black Riders and War Is Kind...”

Conceived in June of 2009 by R. Loren (Pyramids), after a horrific encounter with the late Stephen Crane, this took many hands to birth. After traveling the world, the result could not possibly adhere any closer to the original vision. The debut, self-titled release from Sailors With Wax Wings will feature contributions from the following group of renowned artists:

R. Loren - vocals / textures
J. Leah - vocals
Ted Parsons (Swans, Jesu, Godflesh) - drums
Simon Scott (Slowdive) - electronics
Aidan Baker (Nadja) - guitar
Colin Marston (Krallice) - guitar
Vern Rumsey (Unwound) - bass
Prurient (Dominick Fernow of Hospital Productions, Cold Cave, etc) - noise / electronics
James Blackshaw (Young God Records solo artist, Current 93) - piano
Hildur Gudnadottir (Touch Records) - cello
Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride) - vocals
Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) - vocals
Marissa Nadler (Kemado Records solo artist, appears on Xasthur’s latest record) - vocals
David Tibet (Current 93) - cover art
Faith Coloccia (Mamiffer) - design, layout, painting, collage



Sailors With Wax Wings Track List
1. Soft gardens near the sun, Keep your distant beauty
2. There came a drooping maid with violets
3. If I should cast off this tattered coat
4. And clash and clash of hoof and heel
5. Yes, I have a thousand tongues, And nine and ninety-nine lie
6. God fashioned the ship of the world carefully
7. There was one who sought a new road
8. Strange that I should have grown so suddenly blind



Listen to the new song "And Clash And Clash of Hoof And Heel" w/ accompanying video here / download it here!

Album Produced by R. Loren and Colin Marston
Mixed by Colin Marston at Menegroth
Engineers: Ashley Scott Jones (New York), Steve Fisk (Seattle), John Devoy (Phoenix), Austin Johnson (Dallas)
Mastered by James Plotkin
Cover Art by David Tibet
Collage, painting and design by Faith Turner Coloccia

Prurient appears through the courtesy of Hospital Productions.
Jonas Renkse appears courtesy of Peaceville Records.
Aaron Stainthorpe appears courtesy of Peaceville Records.



For more information, visit:
youtexasdarkstar.tumblr.com

Masters of Reality Announce New Album, "Pine / Cross Dover," Out September 14th on Cool Green Recordings!

Watch the video for new song "Always," created by Masters of Reality member John Leamy, here!

On maps, or from the air, the Mojave Desert is usually deemed brown... a blotch in the lower stomach of California that bulges against Arizona and Nevada. For fifteen years, the Mojave Desert has been the adopted home of one songwriter / performer / producer who calls himself 'one half of Masters of Reality.' Meet Chris Goss. About 2,800 miles East by Northeast; New York City. Another man sits at the head of Manhattan's media design giant Spontaneous. Director / illustrator / songwriter / drummer, and former member of New York noise and space rock bands Surgery and Dr. Mars, he is the "other" half of Masters of Reality. Meet John Leamy.

For nearly 20 years, the intermittent and somewhat reclusive collaborative musical efforts of Goss and Leamy, collectively known as the avant-renegade rockers Masters of Reality, (a relationship that began with Leamy painting the cover of their very first Masters album), have changed the face and character of rock and roll music around the world. Hence, these two ain't part time hobbyists. Goss describes himself as a "parallel aesthetician." "Art and music can be loaded with aesthetic and esoteric nano-timebombs, each level of delivery and digestion can and should be emotionally manipulated and shaped for the future... and the best part is, no one knows what we're building because it will never be finished. Look how the world of food is fusing, well, that's happening to a million things simultaneously. Our brains and nervous systems, even in our rock and roll, hopefully."

They are what's called in the 'biz' as 'musician's musicians.' Goss explains "With John and I wrapped up in so much media production in our day to day lives, when we get together to record and tour a new 'Masters of Reality' album, it's the white rat thrown into the cage of two hungry pythons. It's nothing short of a quick ecstatic feast. We have absolutely no intentions other than making music that we want to hear, and other musicians definitely sense that wonderful freedom and experimentation and try to emulate it, to great profit. Proof of good design, I'd assume."

And if a band's musical history and credibility are still relevant in today's American Idol, vocal tuned, studio buffed pop world; Goss began working with music-mega-mogul Rick Rubin in the mid 80's by recording the longest running 'Top of the Hour' theme music for MTV. Followed shortly by the release of the first Masters of Reality LP on Rubin's Def American Records. Goss soon reformed the band's line-up to join forces with none other than Cream's Ginger Baker, a collaboration that lasted nearly three years and resulted in an LP that sent the single "She Got Me (when she got her dress on)" to Number 8 on the Billboard charts. Simultaneously, Goss began working and forming what's now known as the 'California Desert Rock Scene,' producing three legendary albums with Kyuss and soon after began producing and even giving the name Queens of the Stone Age to a young musical protege' Joshua Homme. A musical partnership that still exists now nearly 20 years later and the start of a production career that has made Goss one of the world's most sought after rock and roll studio wizards and songwriters. His collaborations include The Cult, Stone Temple Pilots, PJ Harvey, UNKLE, Mark Lanegan, SOULWAX, Dave Grohl, Marilyn Manson's Twiggy Ramirez and many many more, but it's Masters of Reality that delivers the true core of Goss' and Leamy's musical powers, and the reason that the musical world has been paying close attention for over two decades.

Both improvisation and rhythm have always been major components of the unmistakable Masters of Reality sound, but on their new album, ‘Pine/Cross Dover’ (the band's brand new, two-headed beast of a full-length recording), the group pits the finer elements of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Public Image Limited against each other. The end result? A Masters of Reality album that rocks, rolls, and grooves like one devilish son of a gun.

Joining Goss and Leamy, includes a host of special guests, including Eagles of Death Metal bassist Brian O’Connor and guitarist Dave Catching, Merle Jagger guitarist Mark Christian, background singers Shawnee Smith and Missi Pyle, as well as former Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Brendon McNichol. With a tour currently being planned, it’s only a matter of time until the latest batch of Masters of Reality classics take on a new life on stage.



Pine / Cross Dover Tracklisting:

1. King Richard TLH
2. Absinthe Jim And Me
3. Worm In The Silk
4. Always * video
5. Johnny's Dream
6. Up In It
7. Dreamtime Stomp
8. Rosie's Presence
9. The Whore Of New Orleans
a) The Pharacies Fall
b) The Wicked Flood
10. Testify To Love
11. Alfalfa



For more information, visit:
www.mastersofreality.com
www.coolgreenrecordings.com

Envy Announce New Album, "Recitation," Out October 12th on Temporary Residence * US Tour Dates w/ Trash Talk, Touche Amore, La Dispute and More!

Think about the loudest band with the most impassioned vocalist you’ve ever listened to, then multiply it by somewhere around 50. Congratulations; your mind is now prepared to absorb the awesomeness that is Envy. - Alternative Press

There is a precise point early on in Recitation where it dawns on us that there truly is no other band quite like Envy. 90 seconds into album opener “Guidance,” amid a subtle symphony of synth washes, backwards guitar harmonics and chiming bells, a solitary female voice recites what sounds like a poetry in a language that few Envy fans outside of Japan can understand. And yet, its beauty is undeniable, and the emotional resonance is transcendent, sounding like a Japanese love letter to Brian Eno. This is why labels like “post-hardcore” feel so clumsy and slippery when slung at Envy; such tags assume a starting point that’s miles away from where Envy began and worlds away from where they are now.

It’s no surprise that Envy have increasingly found inspiration in cinematic rock and experimental ambient music – genres that historically circumvent cultural trappings. With each album since their inception in the early ‘90s the group have chipped away at the linguistic and cultural barriers inherent in international rock music. Their breakthrough came with 2003’s A Dead Sinking Story, the groundbreaking third album that replaced familiar hardcore breakdowns with the sound of actual emotional breakdowns, and – along with similarly celestial groups like ISIS and Explosions In The Sky – helped blur the lines between more than a few genres. That began a transition that leads straight to Recitation, by far the most dynamic, technically diverse and emotionally complex album of Envy’s two-decade career.

All the touchstones of classic Envy are there: Enormous dynamic range, soaring melodies that feel equally inspired by late 80s power ballads and dramatic film scores, and tortured, impassioned vocals that, even in a foreign language, vaguely recall 19th Century romantic poetry. The difference with Recitation is in its execution. Where recent co-releases with fellow underground rock icons Thursday and Jesu hinted at a band in transition, Recitation is a fully-realized vision from a band at their most inspired. Packed with more songs than any previous Envy album – songs lengths range from 90 seconds to nearly 9 minutes – Recitation is more than most any Envy fan could have hoped for, a triumph for the band and an inspiring leap forward for heavy music the world over.

Since their inception in 1992, Envy has become a dominant band in the independent heavy music scene in Japan, alongside fellow innovative head-splitters like MONO, Boris, Corrupted and Melt-Banana. Their music, through their own evolution, encompasses a sound where pure emotional intensity and elegant, fragile beauty perfectly coexist. They have recorded countless singles and albums, including split releases with Thursday, Jesu, This Machine Kills, Endeavor, Six Pence and Yaphet Kotto. They have toured Japan and Europe with the likes of friends and UK labelmates Mogwai and ISIS. In 1997 and 2000, they toured throughout Asia, playing to audiences in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Korea. Envy have toured Europe four times, including two invitations to perform at the legendary All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. They have toured North America only twice in their two decade career, in 2005 and 2006; this year will see Envy return to the United States for their lengthiest tour yet. They are one of the most innovative and world-renowned independent Japanese bands and are widely considered to be one of the best live bands in the world.

Members:
Tetsuya Fukagawa - Vocal, Sequencer
Nobukata Kawai - Guitar
Masahiro Tobita - Guitar
Manabu Nakagawa - Bass
Dairoku Seki - Drums



Recitation Track List
1. Guidance
2. Last Hours Of Eternity
3. Rain Clouds Running In A Holy Night
4. Pierces Of The Moon I Weaved
5. Lights And Solitude
6. Dreams Coming To An End
7. Imcomplete
8. Worn Heels And The Hands We Hold
9. A Hint And The Incapacity
10. A Breath Clad In Happiness
11. 0 And 1
12. Your Hand

Envy Live
09/25/10 Baltimore, MD The Ottobar *
09/26/10 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church *
09/28/10 Allston, MA Harper's Ferry **
09/29/10 Providence, RI Jerky's Live Music Hall **
09/30/10 New York, NY Santos Party House**
10/01/10 New Haven, CT Lily's Pad at Toad's Place**
10/02/10 Toronto, ON Sneaky Dee's**
10/04/10 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place**
10/05/10 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater **
10/06/10 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop **
10/07/10 Detroit, MI Magic Stick**
10/08/10 Chicago, IL Reggie's Rock Club**
10/09/10 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock**
10/10/10 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall**
10/12/10 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater**
10/13/10 Ogden, UT The Basement**
10/15/10 Seattle, WA El Corazon***
10/16/10 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater***
10/18/10 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord ***
10/19/10 Anaheim, CA Chain Reaction ***
10/20/10 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour***
10/22/10 San Diego, CA The Casbah***
10/23/10 Mesa, AZ The Underground***
10/25/10 Denton, TX Rubber Gloves***
10/26/10 Austin, TX Emo's Alternative Lounging (Indoor) ***

* Touche Amore, And So I Watch You From Afar
** Trash Talk, Touche Amore, And So I Watch You From Afar
*** La Dispute, Touche Amore, And So I Watch You From Afar



For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/officialenvy
www.sonzairecords.com/envy.html
www.temporaryresidence.com

Caspian Announce North American and European Tour Dates

Just back from their recent trip to China and Russia for select festival appearances and one off performances, Boston's instrumental-rock juggernaut Caspian have announced a string of headlining September tour dates around the US and Canada, followed by a month of dates in Europe kicking off in early November.

Caspian are currently supporting their critically acclaimed full-length album, Tertia, as well as recent reissues of their fan-approved You Are The Conductor EP and Four Trees full-length.



Caspian live at the Qianyang Music Festival in China

Caspian Live!

North America
Sep 9 2010 LILLY'S PAD Hamden, CT
Sep 10 2010 STUDIO AT WEBSTER HALL New York, NY
Sep 11 2010 NORTHSTAR BAR Philadelphia, PA
Sep 12 2010 GARFIELD ARTWORKS Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 13 2010 BEACHLAND TAVERN Cleveland, OH
Sep 14 2010 RADIO RADIO Indianapolis, IN
Sep 15 2010 REGGIE'S Chicago, IL
Sep 16 2010 THE STRUTT Kalamazoo, MI
Sep 17 2010 TBA TORONTO, CANADA
Sep 18 2010 BAR ST. LAURENT Montreal, CANADA

Europe
Nov 4 2010 ROISIN DUBH Galway, IRELAND
Nov 5 2010 THE FORUM Waterford, IRELAND
Nov 6 2010 THE ACADEMY Dublin, IRELAND
Nov 7 2010 LIMELIGHT Belfast, IRELAND
Nov 8 2010 RUBY LOUNGE Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 9 2010 KING TUTS Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 10 2010 COCKPIT 2 Leeds, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 11 2010 02 ACADEMY Birmingham, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 12 2010 02 ACADEMY London, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 13 2010 ARTS CENTRE Norwich, UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 22 2010 KLEIN FREIHEIT Osnabruck, GERMANY
Nov 24 2010 STEINBRUCH Duisburg, GERMANY
Dec 6 2010 B72 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Dec 7 2010 KRANHALLE Munich, GERMANY
Dec 8 2010 MAGNET CLUB Berlin, GERMANY

Nothing less than an exemplary and genuinly revelatory excercise in emotionally devastating post-rock. 8/10 - ROCKSOUND

Caspian, a Massachusetts post-rock crew, knows that "epic" doesn't have to mean an album of five 16+ minute songs, and the crew have the melodies to prove it. - BROOKLYN VEGAN

This batch of songs is anchored by brilliant, restless songwriting. No boring twenty-minute crescendos here. Tertia is full of surprises... There's scarcely a better post-rock record on the horizon. 9/10 - PREFIXMAG

Tertia is just as effective when it sparkles as when it storms. Caspian has the instrumental firepower to make a big noise when it feels like it. But the melodies, timbres and harmonics are so fully realized that "Tertia" would be mighty, even without its climaxes. - THE WASHINGTON POST

A dense work of post-rock with purpose. - RHAPSODY



For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/caspiantheband
www.mylenesheath.com