Over the years we’ve seen punk, rock & even alternative rock bands slowly erode into a dumbing down process of overly commercialized, corporate puppet shows. Unfortunately this form of entertainment not only exists in music but is slowly infiltrating TV Stets & Movie Theatres as well. Talking to many music fans out there, the response…
MEHRAN SHOWS STOLI THE POWER OF THE FLAMENCO GUITAR
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I know I need to stick to music but I am freaking out that Japan is dumping radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. I know they have no other options but jeez! Sometimes I just want to lock myself in my basement with cans of food, water, and the soothing & relaxing CD by Mehran.…
WHISKEY MYERS NEW ALBUM APRIL 26
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Outlaw Country and Southern Rock outfit Whiskey Myers is releasing their raw but righteous sophomore album, titled Firewater, on April 26. Led by vocalist Cody Cannon and the twin guitars of John Jeffers and Cody Tate, Whiskey Myers has emerged as one of the Lone Star State’s hottest musical exports with their 2011 effort. …
THE JOLLY BOYS OFFER MP3 OFF NEW ALBUM
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For nearly sixty years, the Jolly Boys have been integral to the fabric of Jamaica’s musical landscape and culture heritage. Yes, you read that correctly, sixty years!! Masters of mento, one of Jamaica’s original musics, this band has rocked innumerable private soirees, charmed the traveling elite and toured the world, leaving an indelible mark…
Steve Northeast, Another Day
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In true “make it here, make it anywhere” fashion, Aussie singer/songwriter Steve Northeast relocated to New York City in 2002. Honing his craft and pursuing musical stardom in NYC venues, he first gained prominence with the release of his debut album Inside. Recently, Northeast and company released their anticipated follow-up Another Day, a 10-track dynamo…
THE JAPANESE POPSTARS SET TO RELEASE ASTRALWERKS DEBUT
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The Japanese Popstars are ravenous. Since they first tasted success in 2006 with their first two releases on a small indie dance label, their career has been one smooth upward curve, but now that line is about to take a sharp rise vertically. Comprised of three lads from Northern Ireland, The Japanese Popstars have spent…
DAVE ALVIN TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM
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Yep Roc Records has announced the upcoming release of Dave Alvin’s new studio album titled Eleven Eleven on June 21st. Eleven Eleven, described as the “King of California’s” most driving, electric blues and rock oriented album since 2004’s critically acclaimed Ashgrove, includes 11-tracks, for the first time in his career, written and recorded on the…
ANTIGONE RISING PREVIEW “EVERYWHERE IS HOME”
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Antigone Rising, the all female rock band from Long Island have paired with Rock Ridge Music for their upcoming release of their newest album, 23 Red. The album is a Kickstarter success story and is to be released in mid-May. A preview of the album is the first release track “Home is Everywhere.”
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, APRIL 2011
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Lumerians, Transmalinnia (Partisan Records) Even the most pointless and unusable departments of music have bands that do enough right that you have to sort of hand it to them. San Fran’s Lumerians are peddlers of drone, which metal band SunnO))) squeezed for every last ounce of cred it could produce several years ago, so…
ULTRA MUSIC HIRES MYVIDEORIGHTS
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myvideorights (MVR), the expert in actively managing and monetizing professionally produced video online, today announced a deal with Ultra Music, an independent electronic dance music label. Through its Active Rights Management, MVR will manage Ultra Music’s digital rights and distribute the label’s content online via branded channels across video sharing and social media sites as…
JIMMY RAE GETS IN TUNE AS JAMES EVANS SETS THE TONE
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Get ready to learn more about a musician who lives, breathes and thrives for the guitar. James Evans is a Canadian artist who writes his own music and even works with other local acts in Canada. His new group instrumental album ‘ZepOcean’ has some excellent guitar riffs and solos you just have to…
SKOPE TV PHONER FEAT TONY ROYSTER JR
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Last Friday night we had the chance to talk with the only drummer that Jay-Z calls on when he has a live show. Jay-Z even called Tony Royster JR when he performed in front of President Obama for the inauguration. Tony was more than gracious to open up to Skope about everything from learning to…
DOUG RATNER & THE WATCHMEN LAUNCH NEW SINGLE “I STILL FALL”
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Doug Ratner & The Watchmen have been described as one of the most promising and exciting rock bands to emerge on the New England music scene. According to The Noise, Boston’s oldest independent music magazine, their music is “a bold array of garage/power pop/classic rock with loads of harmonies, psychedelic mind twists and dirty bar…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR MONDAY, APRIL 4th, 2011
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LAMBERT KICKED OUT OF GAGA’S B-DAY PARTY? Adam Lambert did not make a good impression at Lady Gaga’s 25th birthday party recently. According to UsMagazine.com, gossip blogger Perez Hilton said that the former American Idol contestant showed up at the function in Los Angeles, “beyond drunk. Super sloppy embarrassingly drunk,” and also that…
Jon McKiel, Confidence Lodge
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A good number of singer-songwriters face the pressure of trying to prove their worth through their craft. Very often, these artists go overboard in their efforts to be heard. What listeners are left with is a jumbled effort that only scratches the surface of the songwriter’s true gift. Jon McKiel didn’t make these mistakes. Instead,…
Bobby Runk, Good Company
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No question about it that Bobby Runk is in good company with the rest after hearing his debut album. Runk handles lead vocals, keyboards & synth on the new record and this CD is produced by Steely Dan’s own Gary Katz. Not to mention Bobby has a terrific backing band that helps Mr.…
BUCKETHEAD & BOOTSY COLLINS COLLAB VIDEO
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The following video from Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Bootsy Collins and the legendary guitar virtuoso, Buckethead is “Minds Under Construction”. Your view of the world will change upon watching. [youtube Df7_skLvbsU nolink] www.bootsyalbum.com
Kiseleff, A Sound Seal
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Kiseleff is a pop/rock group made up of Al Renwick and Scot Andy. Renwick is the brains behind this operation known as ‘A Sound Seal’ thanks in big part to family inspiration. Al Renwick writes about three of his own Scottish ancestors who immigrated to America back in 1838. This information was…
SCAMS BREAK OUT WITH NEW SINGLE “YOUNGBLOOD”
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Whether playing to expectant audiences in their adopted hometown of Leeds, or showcasing everywhere from Europe to the US, Scams are rapidly establishing a reputation as genuine purveyors of a unique sound and a dynamic and infectious live act.
GWEN STEFANI DONATES $1,000,000.00 TO JAPAN EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI CHILDREN
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Gwen Stefani donated $1,000,000 today to Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake-Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund to help in the relief and recovery effort in Japan. “I’ve been inspired by Japan for many years and have a true love, appreciation and respect for the Japanese people and their culture. The disaster in Japan is beyond heartbreaking…
SKOPE WILL MISS STEVESHOT
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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Steveshot. Steve Rothenberg aka Steveshot passed away Sunday March 27, 2011 after a long fight with cancer. Steveshot saw music as his escape from the pain & struggle he faced with this disease. Skope CEO Michael Friedman said, “Today we mourn a wonderful…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 31ST, 2011
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BRITNEY/ENRIQUE TOUR UPDATE On Tuesday, Enrique Iglesias announced that he wouldn’t be touring with Britney Spears, just hours after she said that the two would be heading all over the U-S together this summer. According to Billboard.biz, it seems that money is playing a big factor in things, as sources have said that…
THE DOWNTOWN FICTION UNVEIL DETAILS FOR THE EAGERLY AWAITED “LET’S BE ANIMALS”
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Finish Records recording group The Downtown Fiction has announced the track listing, cover art, and release date for their much-anticipated debut album. Produced by Stacy Jones (Plain White Tee’s, American Hi-Fi) with additional production from Bill Lefler (Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes) and Adam Richman, “LET’S BE ANIMALS” arrives in stores and at…
DOLLY PARTON TO RELEASE ‘BETTER DAY’
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One of the most honored female country singers of all time returns this summer with a much-anticipated album of all-new studio material–BETTER DAY (Dolly Records)–and a world tour bringing her throughout America and then onto the U.K, Europe and Australia. The excitement gets underway when the iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist unveils…
LINEAR REGRESSION PREMIERES WITH AZTEXT
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Featuring on our new Skope column, Linear Regression is The Aztext. This is where we dissect an artists sound, a producers style and give folks a bit more insight into where concepts come from and how lyrics are born. The Aztext are a Vermont residing duo, who have been doing their thing on the indie…
KYLE RAPPS NEW VIDEO “ME”
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The month of March has been a busy one for Kyle Rapps. The hip-hop artist took a break from the 15 shows he has booked this month alone (!) to be the sole host and to perform songs from his debut EP, Re-Edutainment, at SXSW for Audible Treats’ annual showcase.
ALEX MARKOW INTERVIEWS DJ ANTHONY PISANO OF BRASS KNUCKLES
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It’s 10 pm and the guys of Brass Knuckles are just sitting down to game plan their studio session. DJ Anthony Pisano looks over their agenda of tracks to work on. “Now that I look at it, that is a mean list. They’re gonna be bangers” Producers Danny D’Brito and Tony Livadas along with…
Twin Tigers, Gray Waves
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There is an atmospheric sweep to Gray Waves, the debut full length from Athens’ Twin Tigers which makes recent tours with The Antlers, Deerhunter, Les Savy Fav and A Place To Bury Strangers understandable. For a debut, Gray Waves, a potent mix of haunting chamber pop and goth-inspired groove is remarkably mature and self-assured. This…
SULLY ERNA ANNOUNCES NEW SOLO TOUR
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Sully Erna, best known as the lead singer of Godsmack, will be hitting the road this May in support of his debut solo album Avalon. The tour kicks off in Concord, NH on May 13TH. The show will feature Erna as part of an eight-piece ensemble band. “I’m very excited to bring Avalon to…
MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30th, 2011
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ENRIQUE PULLS OUT OF BRITNEY TOUR It was a rumor, then it was confirmed, and now, apparently it’s not happening. This of course refers to the Britney Spears/Enrique Iglesias tour, which was announced on Tuesday morning, but according to Billboard.biz, has already been scrapped, as Enrique has supposedly “pulled out” of the trek. …
SUPERHUMAN HAPPINESS NEW VIDEO “THE HOUNDS”
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Superhuman Happiness has just unveiled a video for “The Hounds,” the track from side two of their new 45/digital single (“GMYL”/”The Hounds”) out now on Electric Cowbell Records.
KIEFER SUTHERLAND LAUNCHES “THE CONFESSION SONG COMPETITION”
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Continuing its mission to discover the best new up-and-coming independent artists, preeminent online music discovery site OurStage.com recently teamed with Digital Broadcasting Group (DBG), producers of Kiefer Sutherland’s highly anticipated new online action-thriller series The Confession, to launch “The Confession Song Competition” earlier this month. OurStage artists recently submitted their best original tracks at…
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE SET TO MAKE HISTORY
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Long known for their ingenious and imaginative videos, Atlantic recording group Death Cab for Cutie are poised to make history with the companion clip for their hugely anticipated new single, “You Are A Tourist.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Tim Nackashi (TV On The Radio, OK Go, Elvis Costello, Radiohead), and conceptualized by frequent collaborator…
D. CHARLES SPEER & THE HELIX DEBUTS 2 MP3’S FROM NEW ALBUM
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D. Charles Speer, also known as Dave Shuford of the No Neck Blues Band, is a dynamic player fluent in many styles, a fact willfully demonstrated in two dramatically different records hitting the shelves. Arghiledes, his latest solo effort, is an attempt at working within the Greek tradition of hasiklidika, hashish songs which spilled from…
ARE THE SWINGING IGGIES STOLI’S NEWS FAVORITE BAND?!
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How many of you have heard of Lady Gaga? I would imagine 100% have. But how many of you have heard the new single by the Swinging Iggies “Lady Gaga?” Well do not worry because Stoli has got you covered. Bongo Boy Records is a relatively new label out of NYC that in my opinion…
Mike Ian, Puzzle Pieces
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Over the years we’ve seen punk, rock & even alternative rock bands slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows. Talking to many music fans out there, the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something fresh & fun. Give me band that dishes out good old fashioned Indie Rock with a no holes barred musical…
Doug Ratner, Eye To Eye
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Much too often, fence-straddling, genre-bending albums come across as contrived works with a lack of direction and no noticeable motive in sight. It seems the purposeful incorporation of “this and that” creates more musical confusion than cohesion. That being said, the above does not apply to Doug Ratner’s latest studio release. And while the album’s…
SHERYL CROW PARTNERS WITH TOM’S OF MAINE FOR MAY TOUR
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Sheryl Crow; rock star, activist, mother and now cook book author! Sheryl met personal chef Chuck White when she was battling breast cancer, which was a wakeup call for her to eat better. Chuck taught Sheryl how to cook foods that are seasonal, locally grown and vitamin rich. Together they bring these healthy recipes…
SLAYER AND ROB ZOMBIE TO BRING HELL ON EARTH
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Get ready for hell on earth, because for the first time since they tour together on Ozzfest 1999, Rob Zombie and Slayer are teaming up to hit the road, bringing a glorious purgatory to fans in 12 North American cities. The co-headline trek kicks off Wednesday, July 20 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA.…
DEXTER SCOTT NEW VIDEO “FALL AGAIN”
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Here is the new video below from Dexter Scott. He’s a NY based singer-songwriter who just released his second EP “222”. The video is for the track “Fall Again” produced by David Kaplan directed by Daniel Mecca and Adam Drosin. [vimeo 20481610 nolink]
