MATES OF STATE RE-ARRANGE US OUT MAY 20 ON BARSUK

Sasquatch Festival Appearance Confirmed for May 25 Followed by May 28 Headline Date at Henry Fonda Theater

Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, the he and she music factory known as Mates of State, have confirmed the May 2008 release and track listing for their fifth full length album, Re-Arrange Us. They have also confirmed that Mates of State will appear at the Sasquatch Festival Sunday, May 25, followed by a May 28 date at Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theater, and a full headlining tour and numerous other festival dates to be announced shortly. The tour will mark Mates’ first extensive road trip since NPR’s This American Life tour last February, where they provided musical interludes between Ira Glass, Dave Eggers, Dan Savage, Sarah Vowell and David Rakoff’s readings to 3000+ crowds across the U.S.

Produced by Peter Katis and Mates of State, the track listing for Re-Arrange Us is:

Get Better
Now
My Only Offer
The Re-Arranger
Jigsaw
Blue and Gold Print
Help Help
You Are Free
Great Dane
Lullaby Haze

Re-Arrange Us also features the most complex packaging of any Mates of State release to date.  The reversible and multi-layered cover art allows fans to “Re-Arrange” it into no less than eight different configurations.

The packaging of Re-Arrange Us could well be seen as a reflection of the growing complexity of Mates of State’s music. While, until recently, Jason and Kori have performed exclusively as a duo, Mates of State have never failed to generate a trademark wall of sound built on dozens of varied voicings of keys, drums, and alternately lushly layered and playfully dueling vocals. On Re-Arrange Us they move beyond these boundaries with additional instrumentation-not to mention a quantum leap in song craft apparent on instantly indelible gems like “Now,” “Jigsaw” and “Get Better.” Throughout Re-Arrange Us, Kori’s piano and the emergence of both Mates’ lead vocals from their trademark harmonizing signal the next stage of Mates of State’s evolution.

BOSTON Kicks Off Summer Tour On June 6, 2008

Remastered Greatest Hits CD Release from Sony Legacy

The legendary band BOSTON will headline the outdoor festival at Marina Parkon Friday, June 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, at one of the Canadian stops of the Great Race 2008.  The ‘round-the-globe motor sports event will be making a pit stop in Thunder Bay as a part of its centennial anniversary. The show kicks off a summer of stadium, concert and festival dates that will span the United States and Canada.

BOSTON will be bringing two new recruits on tour this year. 

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet, veteran Stryper frontman will both sing and trade riffs with Gary and Tom on guitar.  Unexpected phenomenon Tommy DeCarlo, the fan that posted his BOSTON covers on his myspace.com page and ended up on stage, will also be belting out the classics that skyrocketed the band to worldwide fame.

Many remember where they were when they first heard “More Than a Feeling” or “Hitch a Ride” on the airwaves back in 1976.  BOSTON’s self-titled first album has sold over 17 million copies to date, and was the highest selling debut of all time.  It remains a rock classic, and has seen a resurgence in sales after it was remastered by Scholz, along with their second album, “Don’t Look Back,” in 2006.  “Amanda,” off 1986’s Third Stage, shot to the top of the charts and held a record-breaking stay at #1, in spite of being the only hit single that year not accompanied by a TV video.

With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, hits like “Peace of Mind,” “Smokin’,” and “Rock and Roll Band” are still as ubiquitous on rock and roll radio as they were when they were new. Coinciding with the summer tour is a fully re-mastered Greatest Hits CD (Sony Legacy.)  Lead-off singles from all five BOSTON albums will be included, as well as new photos from throughout the years and liner notes written by Tom Scholz.

BOSTON will be performing many of their classics, including some fan favorites that have not been on the set lists for many years. 

The Band BOSTON – Tour Summer 2008

June 6 Thunder Bay, ON CAN Marina Park *

June 13 Hinckley, MN Grand Casino*

July 2 Los Angeles, CA Gibson Amphitheater*

July 17 Cadott, WI Rock Fest*

July 18 Monticello, IA Great Jones Fair*

July 26 West Bend, WI

Aug 4 Bethlehem, PA Musikfest*

Aug 6 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena*

Aug 15 Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal, Etess Arena*

At press time, these dates have been confirmed. Please check www.bandboston.com for updates

FOUL MOUTH JERK RETURNS WITH HIS FOURTH FULL-LENGTH LP, STREETLIGHT MUSIC, ON APRIL 22nd 2008

STREET LIGHT MUSIC FEATURES APPEARANCES BY MASTA ACE, MURS, EL DA SENSAI and GRANDMASTER CAZ

Once again back is the incredible rhyme animal known as the Foul Mouth Jerk. Foul Mouth Jerk is an independent Hip-Hop artist raised in northern New Jersey. Growing up in the late 80’s & early 90’s, he participated in what is often referred to as Hip-Hop’s “Golden Age.” FMJ began rapping in 1988 and he spent his high school years battling fellow emcees in parks, school cafeterias and street corner cyphers. Later he would cut his teeth on stage at open mic’s in Newark & Manhattan and perform at various parties around NJ & NYC.

Not long after graduating FMJ decided to see as much of the world as possible and began traveling the country, earning gas and food money as a street performer, freestyling over the hand drums of his traveling partner. This vagabond journey took FMJ to numerous cities around the US, from Burlington VT, to Miami, from Boulder, Colorado to New Orleans famous French Quarter.

It was along these travels that Foul Mouth met the people with whom he would later form the hip hop/funk collective GFE. In 1997 the group based itself out of the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina & began recording as an eight piece live band. The band began touring nationally shortly thereafter playing in nearly every state in the union, at clubs, colleges & festivals. They opened for such legends as Run DMC and P-Funk, as well as current stars such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Atmosphere. The group has also recorded with such heavyweights as George Clinton, Eric Krasno of Soulive and Tame One.

Foul Mouth has maintained a steady work ethic throughout his ten-plus years as a professional musician, touring & recording with GFE and as a soloist. He currently has four full length albums with the band and after three-years is about to drop his forth solo outing, Streetlight Music, which will be released on 4-22-08.

Streetlight Music is an homage to the earliest days of Hip-Hop, when jams were thrown in the park and electricity was boosted to power the turntables, amps and equipment. The content of the LP is both a throwback to the days when originality was king and a push towards new styles and developments; which is reflected by the inclusion of rap legends Masta Ace, Murs of Living Legends, El Da Sensai of The Artifacts and one of Hip-Hop’s original godfathers Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers; its blue collar Hip-Hop for blue collar fans laced with intelligence and FMJ’s sharp cynical wit.

Tracklisting and credits for Streetlight Music:

1.) Streetlight Music
2.) The Jerks Theme
3.) NJ Transit f/El Da Sensai
4.) Small Town USA f/Masta Ace
5.) Tryin To Eat
6.) One Room Shack
7.) Neighborhood Drug Dealer
8.) Day one f/Grandmaster Caz and TopR
9.) The Decider
10.) Culture Of Life
11.) Played Out
12.) Lost In The Sauce f/Breez Evahflowin
13.) Mr. Green f/Hardy Cooper
14.) Take The Money And Run
15.) The Hard Part (Remix) f/Murs and G.Cutty
16.) Monopoly (Remix)

You can DL “Small Town USA” f/Masta Ace by clicking on this link:
DOWNLOAD HERE!

TRUTH UNIVERSAL SET TO RELEASE DEBUT, SELF DETERMINATION, ON 4-8-08

DEBUT FEATURES APPEARANCES BY WISE INTELLIGENT (POOR RIGHTEOUS TEACHERS), DOODLEBUG (DIGABLE PLANETS) & STIC.MAN (DEAD PREZ)

Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Truth immigrated to the U.S. in 1977 with his parents at the age of 4. Growing up in New Orleans, LA, Truth learned early lessons of respect, discipline and perseverance from his working-class Caribbean upbringing.

TU was exposed to large amounts of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Jazz and R&B at a very early age and as the years passed, he and all of his friends became heavily involved in hip-hop. At age 9, his family moved to the New Orleans East 9th Ward, and Truth began to immerse himself in the multiple roles of B-Boy, DJ, Producer and Emcee. Over time, he would become an energetic showman, with a veteran stage presence and crowd control.

In early 2006 Truth approached Paris with his work-in-progress debut album project and impressed Paris so much he quickly became a member Paris’ Guerrilla Funk family (Truth’s sophomore LP, Decolonization, is slated to be released in October 2008 on Paris’ Guerilla Funk label). Fully embodying Truth Universal’s social and political awareness, Self Determination, is a tour de force which showcases his DIY attitude and his West Indian and New Orleans backgrounds. Self Determination encourages dialogue on topics that trouble communities of color across the planet. Truth touches on self-hatred, the struggle New Orleans residents to attain the right to return to their homes “post Katrina, “culture theft, policies of “the George Bush regime,” the Prison systems inequities and big business mentality.

Even with such serious topic matters being addressed, Truth always keeps his eyes on the prize with Self Determination and delivers his insightful and informative verses in an entertaining (edutainment) fashion and that is verified by collaborations with Wise Intelligent (formerly of Poor Righteous Teachers), Digable Planet’s Doodlebug and Dead Prez’s Stic.Man. Further, Truth enlists a top-notch assortment of producers as well; including Panik from The Molemen, S1 of Strange Fruit (S1 has previously worked with Little Brother and Erykah Badu), Nick Tha 1da (who works with Raheem Devaughn) and Bass Heavy who has worked with BG, Soulja Slim and is an in-house producer @ Mannie Fresh’ Fatboy Records.

Truth Universal’s debut, Self Determination, will be released on 4-8-08 by Dragon’s Breath Records.

Tracklisting and credits for Truth Universal’s Self-Determination:

1.) S-E-L-F Determination Intro (produced by Andino)
2.) Resistance Recital (produced by S1)
3.) Black Culture f/Wise Intelligent and Doodlebug (produced by Panik)
4.) Gotta Luv It (produced by Nick Tha 1da)
5.) Angola 3 (produced by Panik)
6.) Something Awful (Produced by Nick Tha 1da)
7.) Work (produced by Natural Born)
8.) Heat!!! (produced by Natural Born)
9.) Feminine Melanin f/Tondrae Kemp (produced by Gensu Dean)
10.) Beautiful Child Interlude (produced by Dan Freeman)
11.) The Best part (produced by S1)
12.) What It’s Bout f/Stic Man of Dead Prez (produced by Bass Heavy)
13.) Freedom(e) Or Death f/Sula of Zion Trinity (produced by Dan Freeman)
14.) Serve & Protect (produced by Bricks) ****Bonus Track

You can DL Truth Universal’s “Black Culture” f/Wise Intelligent and Doodlebug by clicking on this link:
DOWNLOAD HERE!

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE RELEASE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW SINGLE, “I WILL POSSESS YOUR HEART”

NEW ALBUM, “NARROW STAIRS,” IN STORES AND ONLINE MAY 13th

Atlantic recording group Death Cab for Cutie has released their highly anticipated new single, the epic “I Will Possess Your Heart” (see below for song links). This marks the first release from the band’s forthcoming album, “NARROW STAIRS,” the follow-up to their Grammy nominated platinum-certified 2005 release “PLANS”. “NARROW STAIRS”, which was produced and mixed by their very own Chris Walla will arrive in stores and at all online retailers on May 13th. Death Cab is currently in Los Angeles filming the companion music video for “I Will Possess Your Heart.”

In other Death Cab news, the group has recently confirmed more tour dates and festival appearances in celebration of their new album. In addition to previously announced performances at Coachella and Bonnaroo, they are also confirmed for the Sasquatch! Festival on May 25th and for a show at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on May 28th. All tour dates thus far announced are listed below, with many more shows for May and June to be announced in the coming weeks.

Listen to “I Will Possess Your Heart” here:

REAL

WIN

DANGER ZONE: TAKING MUSIC TO A HIGHER LEVEL

PHOTO: JAH CURE

Danger Zone is destined to continue bringing unification through music.

The Danger Zone Music Group emerged in the year 2000 out of a need to provide positive and quality music to the masses. Headed by CEO Delmar Drummond aka ‘Della Danger’ and with the Danger Zone Sound System as its nucleus, Danger Zone has over the last 6 years maintained a presence in the in the local and international music market churning out high quality music and managing some of the top reggae and dancehall artiste this side of the reggae and dancehall world.

Danger Zone currently has six top flight artistes on its roster, lead by  Ce’Cile and Jah Cure, Danger Zone’s success has proven that it has the level of professionalism and expertise to manage the careers of two of Jamaica’s most popular talents. Not to be outdone are the other artistes on the roster; Cutty Corn created waves last year with his breakout hit Lucky Day  and has shown that he staying power with singles such as No Boops  on the ‘Solidarity Riddim’ and Call Me  on the ‘Payback Riddim’. Cutty Corn has also been a regular on the local and international music scene with recent performances  at the Real Ting Café in Jacksonville Florida, Island explosion, Magnum GT Taylor’s Christmas Extravaganza and Guinness Sting 2007.

PHOTO: CUTTY CORN

Another of the artistes signed to Danger Zone is veteran artiste Jigsy King who has maintained a presence on the Dancehall scene for many years. Jigsy King came on the scene with his smash hit Rail Up right out of the gate in 1993, his second big hit, Gal A Fuss Gal A Fight established him as a rising star, and the song’s combination of the ‘matey’ phenomena with gritty commentary confirmed him as one of the best songwriters in dancehall till today. Recently Jigsy King has been busy both in the studio and on the stage with current  hits such as Pon Di Ends, Plant It and Show Off on the ‘Journey’s Riddim’ as well as Extra Clip on the ‘Sting 93 Riddim’ produced by Scatta.

Danger Zone is also nurturing new talent and has two of the most exciting new prospects on the dancehall scene. Rass Fraser and Mickey Pelpa are two of the young artistes on the Danger Zone Label, both are honing their skills and are destined to take the reggae world by storm.

PHOTO: JIGSY KING

Danger Zone Records is known for putting out quality music and over the years has released numerous tracks and tunes that have won the hearts of both local and international reggae fans. The latest riddim from Danger Zone is the ‘Journeys’ Riddim’, Produced by Jigsy King, Della Danger  and Cecile. The Journey, features Journey by  Jah Cure, Cecile’s Ride or die, Plant It  by Jigsy King featuring Ce’Cile, Show Off  by Jigsy King & Tony Curtis, and Poochie Loo by Cutty Corn.

The Journeys Riddim follows on the successful heritage of Danger Zone which in 2007 premiered two hit riddims with numerous hit songs stemming from them. The ‘Jamdown Riddim’ won the Best Reggae Compilation Album at the recent RIAJAM  awards giving Della Danger the  Executive Producer’s Award. Danger Zone also premiered the ‘Payback Riddim’ which featured a good mix of 19 tracks featuring some of Jamaica’s hottest dancehall names.

Danger Zone continues to make good strides in the music industry. With top notch production and proven experience in artiste promotion and management, Danger Zone is destined to continue bringing unification through music.

www.myspace.com/cecile
www.dangerzonemusicgroup.com
www.cecileflava.com

PHOTO: MIKEY PELPA

COHEED AND CAMBRIA’S THE AMORY WARS PAPERBACK GRAPHIC NOVEL

Claudio Sanchez, singer/guitarist of Coheed and Cambria, announced today that the first five issues of his best-selling comic book mini-series, THE AMORY WARS, will be released as a paperback graphic novel.  Sanchez will debut the book, with a brand new cover by superstar artist Tony Moore (”Walking Dead”), at the New York Comic-Con in April.  The book will be available everywhere books are sold, while the Hot Topic chain will carry it with an exclusive “variant” cover that will be unique for books purchased in their stores.
 
Sanchez, who created the sci-fi/horror mythology behind THE AMORY WARS, and who wrote the critically-acclaimed comic book, said that the graphic novel will also feature new, previously unreleased material from the mini-series.  A brand-new, five-page sneak preview of the next THE AMORY WARS mini-series, set to debut this summer, is also included.  

THE AMORY WARS, which is published through Sanchez’s comic book imprint, Evil Ink Comics, and distributed by Image Comics, bridges a world between rock and roll and comic books like never before. 
 
The comic books expand and elaborate on the epic lyrics from Coheed and Cambria’s four albums, which include: The Second Stage Turbine Blade (2002), In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 (2003), Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness (2005), and the band’s latest release No World for Tomorrow (2007), which features the hit single “Feathers.”

Critical response to the album has been fantastic. Besides being highlighted in fall preview features in “New York” magazine, “USA Today” and the “New York Times,” “Blender” magazine said that with the release of the new record, “Coheed have found their sweet spot.” David Fricke in “Rolling Stone” noted the band’s “impressive resolution in the decisive pop arc of the mutating riffs and slippery time signatures,” and concluded, “there is plenty worthy of rewind here.” “Revolver” gave the record four stars in their lead review and said that, “this record feels like the beginning of something new,” as it marks Coheed’s “ascent from the geek-metal underground to the heavy-music mainstream.”

The band just finished a national arena tour supporting Linkin Park and will be touring worldwide throughout the summer.

The New York Comic Convention will take place at the Jacob Javits Center, April 18-20. Sanchez will be signing copies of the book at the Evil Ink Booth, as well as the Image Comics booth.
 
www.coheedandcambria.com
www.theamorywars.com
www.myspace.com/coheedandcambria
www.columbiarecords.com

Switches “Lay Down the Law” Out Now On Interscope Records

After a successful nationwide tour with recent stops at some of the hottest SXSW showcases, Switches have released their debut album “Lay Down the Law”!

http://www.myspace.com/weareswitches
http://www.switchesmusic.co.uk/index.php

DGAF Knuckle Up Video Becomes Anthem For UFC Fans

DGAF Is A Crew Of Suburban Noize Misfits That Includes Original Kottonmouth Kings’ Frontman Saint Dog, Chucky Chucky (Subnoize Souljaz), Gillies and Big Hoss 

DGAF’s video for “Knuckle Up” has quickly become one of the hottest videos in the online world, racking up over 13,000+ views through YouTube and other popular video sites. The track which points a finger at “wanna be tough guys” has quickly become an anthem for Ultimate Fighting and mixed martial arts fans. The video can be seen online at the following location

“The making of the video was a blast. The cops showed up several times and tried to shut us down. It was crazy with broken bottles flying and punches thrown; a few people got arrested and the cops shut down the entire street. You can see a few of my friends in cuffs sitting on the curb in the video,” says Gillies. “We also filmed some footage at a place called ON THE MAT which is owned by a friend of ours in the mixed martial arts scene. A lot of UFC people have been blasting the song before they go knock some heads out in the cage. The reaction to the video has been a bit overwhelming, as we got a lot of messages from people freaking out about it. If you like watching fights, surfing and skateboarding then this one is a must see.”

DGAF is the new group featuring original Kottonmouth Kings frontman Saint Dog, his brother Big Hoss, Chucky Chuck and Gillies. The group recently released their self titled debut album through Suburban Noize Records and features a guest appearance by Kottonmouth Kings frontman Daddy X. The group’s sound has been hailed a modern day mix of the Sex Pistols punk-rock attitude crashing head on with the street hip-hop of N.W.A.

www.MySpace.com/DGAF
http://www.suburbannoizerecords.com/

DIGITAL PLAYGROUND SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH GABRIELLA FOX(TM)

 

Digital Playground, the award-winning studio and leading provider of world-class content to the adult genre, is pleased to announce it has signed an exclusive deal with Gabriella Fox(TM), making her the studio’s newest contract star to illuminate the prestigious roster.

Gabriella will make her boy/girl debut in second quarter 2008. The sultry, bright-eyed brunette will also star in the upcoming “Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge,” the highly anticipated adult feature directed by award-winning director Joone, currently in production and slated for release in September 2008.

Samantha Lewis, Digital Playground CEO comments, “When I initially met with Gabriella I loved that she had such clear cut and defined goals. The girl is ambitious, a planner, and has no qualms about all that it takes to succeed in this business. I look forward to working very closely with Gabriella and helping her to grow a prestigious career at Digital Playground. We welcome Gabriella Fox as our newest contract star and look forward to presenting her to our phenomenal fans.”

Gabriella Fox(TM) comments, “Digital Playground is the only company that can launch my career almost overnight. Its owners and staff are dedicated to creating stars. I’m impressed that quality and branding are the objective; our goals are the same. This is a dream come true, I am so happy to be Digital Playground’s newest girl and to have the opportunity to work with Samantha and Joone on ‘Pirates II.’”

Joone, Digital Playground Founder and award-winning director confirms, “A truly unexpected find, Gabriella is the total package. She is smart, sexy, overflows with self-confidence, and takes direction well. We love that she is fresh, ambitious, and has goals that pertain to international stardom. We are pleased to have Gabriella Fox as our newest contract girl and excited for her to star in ‘Pirates II.’ Digital Playground fans are advised to brace themselves for her arrival!”

www.digitalplayground.com

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