Sohodolls, The Academy Is.., The Matches, Butch Walker and Hanson are ON THE VERGE. Coming in early '09 from Planet Verge & Ambush TV!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Greyboy Allstars and Crank Yankers? YES!

Music Video for The Greyboy Allstars’ “Still Waiting,” Features Puppetry by Artists from Jim Henson Studios, Crank-Yankers, Sesame Street, Avenue Q

Debut video in connection with band’s acclaimed newest album,What Happened to Television?, is directed by Josh Hassin and Matt Goldman


The Greyboy Allstars are in the midst of a resurgence and being greeted with a very warm welcome. The seminal California groove band has garnered considerable praise for their first studio album in nearly a decade, What Happened to Television? (Knowledge Room Recordings, 2007). The new work has been lauded by the likes of Entertainment Weekly, The Village Voice, NPR and The Los Angeles Times, who said it “feels so cozy and organic you never want to leave its inviting groove.”

Now comes the album’s debut music video for “Still Waiting,” featuring Inara George.

Directed by Josh Hassin and Matt Goldman, the video is set in a juke joint (inspired by an infamous Ernie Barnes painting Sugar Shack from the credit sequence of the 1970s sitcom “Good Times”) populated entirely by puppets.

And when you want a puppet, why not go to the best? The Monkey Boys have placed their own plush characters in Avenue Q, Winnie The Pooh Live, Go Diego Go!, Little Shop Of Horrors, and countless adverts and shorts. Founder, Scott Hitz, assembled a crack team of some of the East Coast’s most accomplished puppeteers, who, collectively, have worked with Jim Henson Studios, Crank-Yankers and Sesame Street. Their style – think Muppets with an edge – is instantly recognizable, and their unerring ability to bring their characters’ personalities to vivid life in a few gestures has won them fans around the world.

“We feel very fortunate to have hooked up with Monkeyboys,” says Goldman. “One day we’re holding an insanely ambitious treatment, and the next we we’re in a room with the greatest puppeteers we could imagine. Everything just fell into alignment.”

Watch the video now:


**Joelle

Oh The Humanity!!!

I just read that both Krispy Kremes and Guitar Centers all over the U.S. are going out of business.
http://money.aol.com/creditdebt/article/usa-today/_a/credit-crunch-puts-some-companies-on/20080324160309990001>

Everyone must go buy all the Boston Creme doughnuts and Fender Strats that they can, RIGHT NOW!!!! Just try not to get any goo on your strings.

I guess America really does run on Dunkin'? Who needs a guitar when there's Guitar Hero, granted I love that game, but it doesn't produce a real raw sound like an actual electric guitar.

In other news, too, Wal-Mart sued a brain damaged woman for $470,000 yesterday. Plus, her 18 year old son died in Iraq. And people always wonder why I don't shop there.

By Lori, who despite all of the bad news she heard today, she still had some kick ass Pad Thai at Bangkook Garden. yum.

Another reason to shop online-- Wylee Bags

This one's for the ladies---

It's only natural that us girls have excessive amounts of make-up. I for one, tend to overdose on eyeshadow- not on my face, but in my dresser drawers. I can't stop buying it. And what's even worse is when I have to go somewhere over night. What colors do I take? How can I fit this all into my purse? It's not too fun.

Well, there's finally a stylish solution, thanks to Leighanne Littrell and Wylee Bags.

Check out these uber chic, super affordable gems that scream sophistication with an edge. Your make-up will never look so good.








For those of you that are mommas (as much as I consider my dog my daughter, this is for human baby mommas...)-- the sexiest diaper bags ever. Ah, a girl after my own heart. Look like a pin-up even after giving birth:




And since you'll already have your credit card out, add some heart-friendly jewerly to your shopping cart. Proceeds will go towards The Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids®, which educates children and their families regarding the benefits of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.



While surfing around on www.hearthealthyclub.org, I also found something perhaps even more exciting than the make-up bags:

Pet Calendar 2009 Challenge! Details at http://www.geocities.com/hhc_walkathon_2008/

I hope to see your entries alongside mine!

* By Joelle, who ate Rita's Banana Spilt Cream Ice yesterday. Yum.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Get on the Boat-- Don't Miss April Smith in NYC



Melodramatic Pop Quiz:


April Smith is:
a.) the unstoppable female artist whose vocal style has been compared to that of Jeff Buckley
b.) fresh out of the studio with producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs) where she’s been working on the follow-up to her acclaimed 2006 debut, loveletterbombs
c.) winner of five Asbury Park Music Awards (2005-2007 Top Female Vocalist, 2006 Best Release, 2006 Best Song- “Bright White Jackets”)
d.) a self-proclaimed “girl who goes through life with her skirt tucked into her underwear”

Correct answer: ALL OF THE ABOVE!


Classic retro pop sounds and sing-along love songs have projected April Smith and her band, The Great Picture Show, into the spotlight well beyond their local New Jersey stomping grounds. While her tunes were being featured on MTV shows
(The Hills & Newport Harbor), local radio and personal MySpace pages across all borders, Smith was bringing them to life on stage during a Jeff Buckley tribute show in Chicago and nonstop gigs in between. Praise followed her wherever she went.

Upstage Magazine hails Smith’s voice as one that “made it seem like you lived a lifetime in a 4 ½ minute song.”

Her next stop?

On Thursday, April 10, April Smith and the Great Picture show will be performing a special 18+ show at Sullivan Hall in New York City.

The Aquarian Weekly says “If you haven’t seen this band live, you’re missing the boat kids.”

Don’t miss the boat. You’ll find her simply delicious.

For press passes, contact joelle@audiocrushpr.com.

For more on April Smith and The Great Picture show, visit www.myspace.com/aprilsmithmusic



214 Sullivan St
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 477-2782

Watch the super-cute commerical for the show:

Even more free download news

Putting their weight behind the free music downloads epidemic are Pennywise with the newest release 'Reason to believe'. All you have to do to get the download is become friends with Textango who are hosting the album on myspace.

Go Here, http://www.myspace.com/textango

and add to your friends!
Once you have been accepted keep your eyes open for the bulletin with the link to download the NEW Pennywise album!

**By gina - Who is tired!

Concert Junkie: A Night at the Bowery


Not much can be said on what started out to be a quaint, chilly Friday night in New York City. The masses were slowly starting to enter into the spacious hall, otherwise known as the Bowery Ballroom. Jeff Taylor started off the night with some off-beat originals. He used the crowd as a supplemental beat for his bluesy "It Swell." The overall crowd reaction was puzzling. Half of them loved him, while the other half didn't get it. Regardless, Taylor adds a unique entity to any mix of minstrels.



While even more people were entering the Bowery, the Brooklyn duo, Pete and J assembled on the stage. Their blends of sound reflects a classic Paul Simon with a subtle hint of Wilco on their songs particularly "Number One" and "Luck Struck Kitty." Pete and J also got the crowd into a clapping beat during their song, "This is It."


By the time the Josh Dion Band took to the stage, the Bowery reached sold-out capacity. The band tore into, "Pilot." What made this night different than from all other JDB nights was a new horn section.

The bluesy rockers had a radiant swarm of energetic fans gushing for every lyric, note and chord in their repertoire. JDB continued to rock into the crowd pleasing "Feel," "Take the Time," "Makin' my Livin'" and "Hold Fast." Members of the audience started hooking up during the sexy tune, "Let's Do It Again" where singer Sarah Versprille shredded into a Joplin type-performance.



Lead singer and drummer Josh Dion and co. left the crowd begging for more after solos from Dion and guitarist Dan Hindman during "Birdwaker." Either a Moby look-a-like or Moby himself was standing in the crowd during the stellar solos (I swear to god). After their set had to come to an end and the lights of the Bowery Ballroom turned on, every single audience member knew they just witnessed history.



Check out: www.joshdionband.com, www.peteandj.com, and dumpsterhunter.com to fall in love with some great fresh new sounding rockers!!

By Lori, who had seen JDB more times than any other band since last spring. Go see Jeff Taylor, Pete and J, and JDB when they come to your rockin' area.



Tuesday, March 25, 2008

New Val Emmich Single

Val Emmich has debuted the first single, "Get On With It," off his upcoming album, LITTLE DAGGERS (bluhammock/Sony) on his street team page.



If you're not a member (and you totally should be) then hear it on OUR myspace page now-- www.myspace.com/planetverge


Anyone interested in helping spread the love of all things Val Emmich, write us at
www. myspace. com/vestreetteam.

We hope to see all you NJ-ers at The Saint on April 19th when Val takes the stage! You'll be singing along to the new songs in no time.



love,
joelle and jess (aka your street team leaders!)
Audio Crush PR

www. audiocrushpr. com

BAND OF THE WEEK!!



If you haven't already heard of them, you need to get yourself onto itunes or myspace and listen up and get savvy on the latest (and maybe greatest) to enter the pop-punk genre. Ladies and gentleman meet THE MAINE. Hailing from the luscious climate of Arizona, these young guys have been capturing the hearts of pop-punk lovers everywhere. Quickly becoming famous for their cover of Akon's "I Wanna Love You" they deliver a sound that makes you smile (oh, it's impossible not to). They have a light hearted sound that is buoyant enough to make you float and dance almost anywhere. After one listen you will be humming the tune all day. While they have a more mild and youthful sound, they are not to be confused with a teenie bopper sensation- they are the real deal.

They released the successful EP titled "The Way We Talk" and will be releasing a full length on Fearless records soon! Keep an eye out.

The Maine is currently touring and has been or will be in an area near you...check 'em out!

Mar 25 2008 6:00P
Trackside Wilton, Connecticut
Mar 26 2008 5:00P
Asbury Lanes FREE SHOW!!! Asbury Park, New Jersey
Mar 27 2008 6:00P
Xtreme Wheelz Buffalo, New York
Mar 28 2008 5:00P
Jaggard Altoona, Pennsylvania
Mar 29 2008 7:00P
Uncle Pleasants Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 30 2008 6:00P
Mojoes Rock House Tinley Park, Illinois
Apr 1 2008 7:00P
Club UR St. Louis, Missouri
Apr 2 2008 7:00P
Juanitas Little Rock, Arkansas
Apr 3 2008 8:00P
House Of Blues Dallas, Texas
Apr 4 2008 8:00P
Parish @ House Of Blues New Orleans, Louisiana
Apr 5 2008 9:00P
Antones Nightclub Austin, Texas
Apr 6 2008 7:30P
Warehouse Live Houston, Texas
Apr 8 2008 8:00P
The Marquis Theatre Denver, Colorado
Apr 10 2008 7:30P
The Clubhouse Tempe, Arizona
Apr 11 2008 7:30P
Soma (Big Room) San Diego, California
Apr 13 2008 7:00P
House Of Blues Anaheim, California
Apr 14 2008 8:00P
The Boardwalk Orangevale, California
Apr 16 2008 7:30P
Avalon Theatre Salt Lake City, Utah
Apr 17 2008 7:00P
The Big Easy Boise, Idaho
Apr 18 2008 6:00P
THE SERVICE STATION Spokane, Washington
Apr 19 2008 6:00P
EL CORAZON Seattle, Washington
Apr 20 2008 6:00P
HAWTHORNE THEATRE Portland, Oregon
May 2 2008 4:30P
The Glamour Kills Pre-Game Bash @The Chance Theater Poughkeepsie, New York
May 3 2008 12:00P
Bamboozle - Meadowlands Sport Complex East Rutherford, New Jersey
May 20 2008 8:00P
Porters Pub La Jolla, California

www.myspace.com/themaine
www.fearlessrecords.com


**By Amanda who is listening to The Maine's version of I Wanna Love You.

The bittersweet TASTE OF CHAOS.


Each year the brittle walls of Asbury’s Convention Hall are given a test in durability as the finest in metal take the stage for Rockstar’s Taste of Chaos. “The Box” (Convention Hall) as I like to call it provides more than just the walls surrounding you, it affords you its own climate (often unthinkably cold, even though its quite warm outside), pretzel’s that don’t actually taste like pretzel’s, approximately 5 beer gardens located strategically at the various different phases of Merch moseying, scaffolding- usually located near the plastic sheet covered broken windows, and as brand new crazy cool looking box within a box club looking thing called Shiver- where the elite of the beer garden goers could be found (I won’t lie, I was tempted to explore Shiver, the lighting and the atmosphere was pretty cool looking, but was extremely abnormally placed right in the center of nothing but cement walls…however, 21, I am not). While there are certainly luxuries that the Box provides that you can’t find at venues such as oh- MSG, there are a few things I look forward to when I head to Convention hall, and they are the fact that only true New Jersey music fans stick out the awkward line that forms down the sketchy boardwalk, the intense light show and how the light almost echoes off the colorless cement walls, and standing at the top of the seating area looking down at the sea of fans throwing their fists in the air screaming back every word they know (and don’t know)…it’s a moment that I struggle to describe, while the air is filled with the vibrations of sound and music yet the room is silent and tranquil as if all the passion and unity that music provides was being vacuumed up and there was just a being of anticipatory acceptance of the inaudible (skin, hair, teeth, clothes, whatevaaa). Looking down at the mass of people being brought together by music gives me hope and gives me inspiration to keep doing what I do.




Taste of Chaos did something super cool this year, they had a J-Rock explosion! They brought a few metal/alternative bands from Japan that have been causing a stir in the music world to play on the tour. I was nervous that I was going to be lost the entire set and completely confused by the ummm, non-English lyrics….but honestly, they were some of the most musically talented and energetic stage presences I have ever had the privilege to experience. I found myself less fixed on the language barrier and more on how confident and talent their performance was, they took to the stage and gave every minute of their set everything they had. Kids were into them. I was excited for the east meets west success. A J-Rockin’ name I think you should become familiar with- The Underneath.



BLESSTHEFALL, now sporting a temporary bassist who has about as much personality as five normal human beings combined (he is a joy to be around) sounds amazing as they performed their 25 minute set. They have such a lively stage presence to accompany their bouncy, yet dark alternative sound. They have come a long way from where they were when they started the band, and the aging of the band members and musical venture into maturity is certainly evident in their performance. I felt as though I was watching the next TOC headliner. The only negative thing I have to say is that they didn’t play for long enough.



ATREYU is one of the most youthful, hard pounding, guitar riff snarling, drum banging, hard rockin bands out there. It was my very first time watching them play and I know that it won't be the last. The vocalist doesn't just provide you with lyrics and voice, he provides you with an energentic journey into a bolt of music (as opposed to a bolt of lightning). Atreyu is certainly a powerhouse band that leaves you wondering why you hadn't experienced them sooner.

TASTE OF CHAOS ARTIST SPOTLIGHT- BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE



A LESSON IN METAL- How to BE metal...and not tarnish.
There can be a lot learned from Bullet for my Valentine (one of my favorite bands of all time). Not only have they been battling the ever changing metal expectations, but they have been working hard to stay true to themselves and what they want their music to be….that is something that often gets thrown by the wayside, many bands today are more focused on making music that will first and foremost sell to the music consuming masses. I was able to sit down the B4MV early in the day and we chatted about everything from their album being released on vinyl to the PPF (past, present, future) of MeTaL.



B4MV believes that the future of music is undefined, being true to yourselves as a band and making the kind of music you want to make and being proud of your work is what will help everything evolve naturally, forcing creativity to sell or a sound that is not YOU will only cause disaster. When I asked Jay and Padge what they feel metal has been defined by in the past and what they think its defined by now they told me this, “Music goes through phases just like everything else, I think that music is not necessarily defined by the people but more by the time and surroundings its released into…”

I was able to draw several conclusions about why Bullet has become so successful- 1. They have a strong connection and are able to vibe off each other and find the right mixture of each others creative thoughts to make a concoction to be served for success, 2. They stay true to themselves, 3. They rock the true metal look, which not everyone can pull off with the kind of ease they do- fitted black button down with the sleeves cut off (usually with some kind of rockin’ emblem in the breast pocket), fitted dark jeans that are usually ‘loved’ and worn out and torn up to allow for leg breathability, 4. Long hair- preferable straightened (I saw singer Matt snag the straightener from the back room), 5. Bullet is just plain TALENTED.

Bullet for my Valentine is quickly becoming a band we can categorize as timeless. They are consistently performing amazing shows that leave fans dragging their jaws out of the venue. They provide what every rock and roll concert should- snarling guitar riffs, hair raising vocals (…the good kind…) and a bass and drum beat that could restart your heart.

Ohhhh....and who can forget the headliner?! 'Cause I know I won't ever forget these guys...

One of the first bands I ever watched perform from the side of the stage was Avenged Sevenfold, their debut album was still a few months away and the anticipation was still in the toddler stages however, their presence was a full force. They never cease to amaze me one way or another. I still get excited to see the ‘mirror guitarists’ (as I like to call them because one plays the guitar lefty and one plays righty) do one of the ultimate signs of rock-age, the back to back dueling solo. It was a great performance given the low quality acoustics. While they are often criticized for basing a lot of their sound and attitude off an 80's rock band (who I will leave as anonymous...) I feel as though they are a unique rockability that will continue to play insane guitar solos that make your eyes expand 40% and have unique vocal flair that will set their sound apart from the rest, and obviously the killer drum set! One of the more talented drummers I have ever watched. Avenged provided a truly memorable performance and it is easy to see why their fans will travel the distance.

Certainly one of the more memorable moments of the entire night was when A7X's stage hand picked out the 'cute blond girl' pressed against the guard rail because "they thought she was really pretty." After being scooped out of the crowd by the body-builder security guard adorned with tattoos and a nicely grown in beard, the 16 year old girl was than escorted to the side of the stage where she stood bug eyed next to the stage hand and watched the band perform the rest of their set. I felt like I was at an 80's hairband revival concert.




**By Amanda who is so excited that the weather is slowly getting warmer!! and is appalled that Ron Paul made mention of going back to a gold backed monetary policy....psht, WHAT?!

Smashing Pumpkins smash profits

The Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records.

The band claims that the record label is using their name illegally in advertising and promotions with Amazon.com and Pepsi, and that these marketing attempts are detrimental to the band's credibility.

According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit demands the profits of the promotions and an injunction against any further use of the band's name or music in cross-advertising.

Virgin Records has owned the rights to the band's songs and released them for the past 17 years. The Smashing Pumpkins have an agreement with Virgin to release digital copies of their records, but claim in the suit that there is no permission granted to tie the band's music with any other merchandise.

The band would "never grant such authority to Virgin, or any other entity."

Essentially, the Smashing Pumpkins feel they're being sold out, and they don't like it. This is a refreshing change from the insane cross-promotional deals of so many acts. Remember when the Spice Girls had their own bubble gum? While tasty, it really did nothing to further the arts.


*By Jess, who has an unhealthy obsession with Medieval Times.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Concert Junkie: A Look at Politics and Music

Politics, sex, and religion are three subjects banned in bars. None of these are anyone’s favorite topics to discuss, particularly politics. Its one of those emotional subjects that when it’s brought up, even by asking a simple question, an argument usually ensues. It’s best to keep your views hidden like a dirty, dark secret. You try to avoid saying anything, until someone says a ridiculous comment about being afraid to vote for Barack Obama because his name sounds scary. But Rodham rhymes with Saddam and McCain rhymes with lame and Hussein.

Throughout U.S. history, politics and music have played a dual role together. Political songs respond to current policies, wars, events or actions that the government is either ignoring or tackling. Some political tunes that might come to mind: “Yankee Doodle" (Various Artists), “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield), “Times are a Changin’” (Bob Dylan), “Not Ready to Make Nice” (Dixie Chicks), “Imagine” (John Lennon), “People Have the Power” (Patty Smith), “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (U2), “War Pigs” (Black Sabbath), “Fortunate Son” (John Fogerty), “Mosh” (Eminem), “Give Peace a Chance” (Lennon), “New Year’s Day” (U2), “Who’ll Stop the Rain” (Fogerty), “Blowin’ in the Wind” (Dylan), “Capital G” (NIN) “We’re All to Blame” (Sum 41) and pretty much every song written by Rage Against the Machine.
“Right now, my favorite political song has to be ‘Hands Held High,’ by Linkin Park,” says RoJoe musician Robert Smith. “The song, to me, is a call to action and solidarity. It speaks to any human being who is sick of the brainwashing that the political establishment has unleashed on us.”

After Sept. 11, 2001 and the invasion into Iraq, all types of music took a more political stance either with their albums or songs. In 2004, Green Day released the politically charged concept album American Idiot. The band wrote the album in response to the onset of the war in Iraq the previous year. Black 47’s anti-war album Iraq includes a song about prominent war protester Cindy Sheehan. NIN’s front man, Trent Reznor, released his response to the current administration, Year Zero without the usual five year waiting period in-between NIN albums. Neil Young released his concept album, Living with War.



NJ band B.I.T.E. bassist and lead singer, Adam Witkowski talks about B.I.T.E’s political song “Monkeys.”
“Lyrically, our song [Monkeys] is targeted towards the government in the sense that no matter what new policy gets passed or new politician comes to power, nothing changes and the same problems reoccur. Promise after promise just to live in the same dream.”

Some bands fall victim to speaking out against political policies and suffer dire consequences. In 2003, nine days before the U.S. invasion into Iraq, the Dixie Chicks lead singer, Natalie Maines, spoke out against Iraq at a concert in London.
“Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas,” stated Maines.

By the time the band came back to the states to finish their tour, they were greeted with boos and boycotts. Country stations refused to play any Dixie Chick song and Toby Keith posted a portrait of Maines with Saddam Hussein at his concerts. The Dixie Chicks received death threats and were told to, “Shut up and sing,” for speaking out against the war.



Almost similar, Bruce Springsteen’s new album, “Magic,” was not initially played on any mainstream NY radio station, prior to release, because of anti-war and anti-radio sentiments. Springsteen fans had to turn to Fordham University’s independent station, FM 90.7 for any preview. After the release, some stations were finally allowed to play the hit single, “Radio Nowhere.”

Currently with the U.S. election underway, artists are lending their support to any of the candidates. Melissa Ethridge slightly alludes to Hillary Clinton in her song, “What Happens Tomorrow.” At Live Earth’s tri-state area performance at Giants Stadium, Ethridge gave a very politically charged set asking the crowd, "America what happened to us?"





After the New Hampshire primary, Will.i.am, from the Black Eyed Peas, took Obama’s New Hampshire speech and turned it into a song called “Yes, We Can.” According to Will.i.am’s post on his site:http://will-i-am.blackeyedpeas.com/, he found inspiration in Obama’s words and felt compelled to call fellow friends and musicians: Scarlet Johansen, John Legend, Chris Dougherty, and others to collaborate on the song. In recent weeks, Will.i.am. released another pro-Obama song, with actors and comedians explaining why they are voting for the Illinois Senator, entitled “We are the Ones.”

“From an Australian perspective, I think it is quite interesting to have either [Clinton or Obama] elected,” says Australian singer and songwriter Julieanne Hennessy, who is in the process of working on her first album. “Regardless of the winner, it will have a huge impact beyond America.”

Though presidents and policies change, art will continue to interpret life. Musicians will continue to use their music to express their inner political voice.





By Lori, who's favorite political songs are "Ohio" (Young), "Know Your Rights" (The Clash) and "Born in the U.S.A." (Springsteen). I also want to mention to the McCain supporters that no musician has openly come forward and endorsed him yet, so that is why he was not mentioned in this article.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Rediscover offers their material for free!

My favorite powerpop act, Rediscover, are offering their unreleased songs to listeners for free. They're encouraging filesharing!

This is in addition to their already long-free for download E.P., Call Me When You Get This.

Check out some of Planet Verge's Rediscover live videos from their January 27th show at Mainstage in Pompton Lakes, N.J. Forgive the shakiness--it's hard to film when you're busy dancing. (And listen closely to Wes's dedication in the last one!)








**By Jess, who for some inexplicable reason has a cowboy hat on her desk. Seriously, how the Hell did this get here?

Saturday, March 15, 2008

More free download news

On a complete side note to this post, I couldn't endorse Butch Walkers new website www.therecordbusinessisfucked.com with more enthusiasm if I tried. It's worth mentioning again because anyone who missed the extensive article about this little nugget of independent rebel ion should use their little fingers, type in the address and head on over now for a peek.

Speaking of free songs, check out this little freebie. When you check it out you will also be raising awareness to a lovely UK campaign.
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us


Local upstarts The mars patrol (who I think I've mentioned on here before) have been working with the organisation, FREdome to promote their idea to control the energy crisis, climate change and disease. Keeping in the spirit of this article I am pleased to announce they are giving away one of their tracks 'Take a look at the world' for FREE on their myspace page to raise awareness. The band is currently working on a mini site dedicated to the cause, which will be online soon. There you will be able to show your support and help combat this problem.

The song is completely free (legally, really!) and straight from their EP 'making memories'. You can hear more tracks from this on their myspace. The band was in the US the end of last year and should they return I'll be sure to tell you soon.

so get our free download at the mars patrol myspace. and check out more about The mars patrol at the mars patrol website.

In other news, why is the US presidential election so exciting! If I watch anymore of
Larry King I'll explode. Not very British of me but having 3458397589347534 sky channels was never good for anyone’s social life.

New, proper planned half decent article coming soon.

Also, thanks to everyone who checked out the Invisible children Video, I, and the people at Invisible children really appreciated you taking the time.

*By Gina, who has just watched 'Into the wild' but is not tempted to burn all of her money

Friday, March 14, 2008

Careless Reporting

It's hilarious how this week's issues of Life & Style and In Touch Weekly both ran half-page exposes on Pink's new man- "Butch Walker." Apparently, they've been spoted making out everywhere and there's pictures to prove it. One problem-- THE UGLY DUDE IS NOT BUTCH WALKER!





This is low for even a tabloid. Wouldn't you at least fact check the guy's picture and Google Butch Walker???
Tsk, tsk...

P.S. The REAL Butch Walker is happily married and even TMZ didn't know who he was when they posted a video of him as "Avril Lavigne's friend" getting into a tiff with paparazzi. Should I go work at these places?


Just as aggravating is Perez Hilton posting that My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero married "some random chick," instead of doing something real journalists do everyday-research! Then he could have posted that Iero wed his long-time love, Jamia, who runs Skeleton Crew with him. Or something like that. Anyway, Congrats guys! You looked beautiful.



What's the lesson to these tabloids? Don't try to report on things--like actually cool musicians-- you don't know. Or at least do your research first!

*By Joelle, who still quite enjoys flipping through the weekly rags for fun.

If I Were You... I'd Buy the Matches New CD



Hope is no longer on a frayed rope. It’s a thriving 14-track album that proves there is indeed something to look forward to in the future of the music industry. Once again, there’s a reason to purchase an album (not just download it online) because a band that is the complete package does in fact exist- The Matches.

This act oozes art through its songs, appearance and stage presence right down to the visual representation in drawings, videos and personal ponderings displayed online. The members of the Matches are on their way to establishing themselves as true Rock Stars and this generation is fortunate enough to witness every step of the way. Vocalist Shawn Harris and company may have started out with short, snappy punk rock tunes on E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals, but they have metamorphosed into something so much more.



In a time when every band is trying to sound like everyone else, The Matches defy odds and break the pace. On the upcoming Epitaph release, A Band in Hope, Harris and his commrades show they are skillful craftsmen who compose auditory works of art, without a care as to what anyone will say about it. With risk and assurance, the band has departed from earlier roots that cemented a dedicated following (which spread far beyond its home state of California) and instead deliver an intellectual Pop portfolio that will stand the test of time, thanks to hints of operatic choruses and vintage moods set.

Listeners may be challenged and surprised at first, especially by first single, “Wake the Sun,” which isn’t as catchy as come other tracks, like “Yankees in a Chip Shop” or “If I Were You.” But it’s a great way to introduce the album to the masses. A plethora of producers really bring a variety of elements to the table, and hey, if Nick Hexum (311) has his hands in the mix then you know disappointment is not lurking anywhere nearby. “Clouds Crash” would fit in perfect on Butch Walker’s The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let’s Go Out Tonites album and that’s not easy to accomplish by any means.



“More than we know, there’s a reason we exist. We won’t be this easily dismissed.” - Lyrics from “Point Me Toward the Morning.”



Neither is putting on a captivating live show that keeps audiences eyes glued to the stage every second of it, but no problem there, either. Harris is one of the most engaging front men commanding the stage today. But what’s most appealing is the band’s DIY-ethic, dreams-to-reality approach that really made The Matches what it is today.

Sure, it’s ballsy to stream your entire album online before it comes out. But who ever said conforming to the norm gets you anywhere?

If no one took risks, the world would be a pretty boring place.


Planet Verge on You Tube brings you The Matches at Bamboozle:



And The School of Rock:




* By Joelle, who has something special to say:

Back when Planet Verge first started, we got sent a promo from the Matches. For some reason, I pretty much dismissed it. But TWO of our writers gave the CD raving reviews. Then, about a year ago, I was working in A&R and went to go scout a band that happened to be playing with The Matches. That band didn't have a chance in hell of getting my interest once they took the stage after the Matches, who stole the show. Soon after, Bamboozle came around and I didn't miss any of The Matches sets. The band's live show is just THAT GOOD. I pulled out that old promo CD and haven't put it away since. It's very, very rare that I become a fan of a because of seeing them live. Or that I even pay attention to a band on stage that I don't know. But the Matches have that charisma that pulls you in. And I'm glad it did.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Your new favorite band

Let Me Run just got signed to XOXO Records. If you like Springsteen, The Gaslight Anthem, drinking, love, dancing, seedy bars, basements, having fun, and beards, this band is for you--and for Lou Diamond of the Court Tavern, who deemed them the next big thing.

We think you'll agree.


Travis (vocals, guitar, padlock connoisseur):





Corey (guitar, background vocals, white chocolate fan):




Christian (drums, wise man):




Louis (bass, background vocals, twin):





*By Jess, who was mean to guitarist Corey Perez in elementary school, but cherishes him dearly now and owes him white chocolate chip cookies.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Happy 311 Day!



In honor of 311 Day, I'm posting an interview I did a few years back with guitarist Tim Mahoney. It originally ran in issue 12 of Planet Verge. If you have yet to fall for 311, all I ask is that after you read this, you go to www.myspace.com/311 and give them a listen.

* By Joelle, who used to have a notebook filled with 311 lyrics from every album that inspired her.


Is it emotion? Or music? For 311’s Tim Mahoney, its a grassroots blend of both


I think that's more important. The music's always first. It's not about our image, or other stuff that's secondary. It's always the music's first, and creating quality music and quality records. -Tim Mahoney




Anyone can write words, put music to them, and call it a song. However, it takes a true artist to blend the lyrics and instruments in a way that can evoke strong emotions in those who listen to it. There’s no better example of this than 311. Fifteen years after their formation, these Omaha, Nebraska natives (Nick Hexum-vocals/guitar, SA Martinez-vocals/scratches, Tim Mahoney-guitar, P-But-bass, Chad Sexton-drums) continue to be pioneers in the music industry.

Every one of the band’s eight albums has a different sound than the one before it, yet all encompass the rap-rock-reggae-dancehall-ska blend for which they’re famous. 311 have earned themselves a triple platinum album (311), one Platinum album (Transister), three Gold albums (Music, Grassroots, From Chaos), and a dedicated fan following, all without help from the mainstream music media. Yet, Mahoney says, chart topping albums aren’t what the band feels their greatest accomplishments are.

“We’re most proud of our longevity. We’ve played a lot of great shows with a lot of great bands and those are memories I’ll always have, but just the fact that we play music for life, really-it feeds us, it clothes us-is our greatest accomplishment. It’s what we always wanted to do our whole lives. It’s still work, it’s a lot of work, but we earn our money going out and playing live. We take it really seriously, but not too seriously, because it’s all about having fun.”

Planet Verge spoke to Mahoney as 311 was home in Los Angeles, preparing to embark on a headlining tour with Unwritten Law and Papa Roach, in support of their then yet to be released album, Don’t Tread On Me. “We’re about two weeks into rehearsal and we leave in about less than two weeks. We’re clearing out all the cobwebs, reviewing songs. We haven’t played a lot of these songs since the last summer tour. We finished in the beginning of August last year and then started working on the record. So it’s been almost a year since we played any of the old songs. We’re just kinda doing a mental workout right now.”




When it comes to live performances, very few bands come close to putting on a show like 311. In 2004 on 3-11 Day in New Orleans, the band played a legendary five-hour, 68 song set. But, understandably and unfortunately, not every show can be so extensive. The band tries to incorporate as many old songs for the longtime fans, as they can, into their set. “We always try to get at least like one ‘Summer of Love’ or something from a long, long time ago. There are no songs that are off limits. Each day we make a set list for the next day and throw a bunch of songs on there. We’re gonna try to get through most of them. Transistor is the hardest record for us because there are so many songs.”

As they say in one of their songs, 311 makes music for your mind and your ears. The message of positivity is always clearly evident, and it’s one of the reasons why people can connect so easily with their songs. Mahoney says having fans love them because they want to, and not because the media is telling them to, is really important.



“That’s ideal for us. The lyrics these guys are writing, we really do care a lot about music and trying to influence people in a positive way through sound waves. It’s something we take really serious, and it sounds corny to say spirituality and all this and stuff, but it’s true. I think that a lot of our fans are those kinds of people, too. I’m the same way with music and bands that I like, and what music does stuff for me and helps me. It’s more like therapy for me, in a way. I think that’s more important. The music’s always first. It’s not about our image, or other stuff that’s secondary. It’s always the music’s first, and creating quality music and quality records.”

Although Hexum and Martinez are the lyric writing team, Mahoney says, “They always explain how we all feel as a band. We stand behind them and we’re proud of the fact that they always, rather than bitching about a situation, draw light on it, and try to take a positive mental attitude towards things to make a change for the better. They both have that mindset and it’s really reflected in their lyrics. I’m proud. I wouldn’t be able to get up there and rock out if I didn’t believe in what they are saying or feel the same way as them about their lyrics. If they were talking about a bunch of wack stuff I didn’t endorse, we wouldn’t be able to be a band. I’m proud of them for that. It’s easy to not put as much thought into it. Writing music and writing lyrics-I can write lyrics, but I don’t know man, that’s an art form all to itself.”

Through the years, numerous Top 40 acts have gotten their start thanks to 311. “We always joke and say we’re like the springboard to stardom, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think that we’re fortunate to make friends and travel with bands that have gone on and blown up,” shares Mahoney.

Among those bands are the Deftones, Korn, and Sugar Ray. “No Doubt, the first tour they ever did outside of California was opening for us. Then they went on to be huge,” recalls Mahoney. “The Incubus guys, they’re really good guys, I love them. I don’t even think they were old enough to drink when they were opening for us. Some of them were minors, so we were probably breaking the law by providing them with beer. It’s cool. It makes me happy to see all these bands do good.”

It wasn’t until 1996, five years after they began, that the media began to pay attention to 311. Fourteen months after their self-titled album was debuted, “Down” was released as a single and quickly climbed to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. “All Mixed Up” scored the #2 spot when it was released soon after. The really big break didn’t come until 2001 with From Chaos, thanks to the single, “Amber,” which reached #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart and #30 on the Billboard Modern AC Chart.

“It’s always been just a slow, steady pace for us,” admits Mahoney. “We’ve just always done our own thing, and the climate is always changing. When our first record came out, it was almost grunge era with Nirvana and Soundgarden and those bands. We’re more proud of our longevity and the fact that we’re still happy playing music together and enjoy making music together and traveling and playing shows together. Although it would be great to have as many fans as No Doubt has, because you want to touch as many people with your music, but all bands are different. We put out these singles, and more recently, the radio has been a lot more friendly to us. At first it was a struggle because any time you have any sort of reggae or rap music mixed in with rock-especially back when we first started, it was really only the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spies, were the only kinds of hybrid bands.”

Through releasing their first three albums independently on What Have You Records, to playing in front of 10,000 people in Japan, 311 are a true musical success story. They use their public position to help make the world a better place- like taking the Museum of Tolerance out on tour with them, or most recently, donating proceeds of merch sales toward hurricane relief in Louisiana, the state that proclaimed March 11 a national holiday.

It doesn’t matter if they’re the headlining act, or out there opening up for old friends, 311 love what they’re doing and fans love them for that. Mahoney concludes, “A few years ago, Incubus took us to Europe to open for them, so we were kinda reflecting on all that. It’s pretty funny, it’s strange. This is our fifteenth year now as a band, and we’re just as happy, if not happier now. That’s exciting.”

Monday, March 10, 2008

In which Jessica isn't overtly snarky.

Writing this is going to be difficult, because writing about something means acknowledging, if not fully accepting it. I am only sharing this in hopes that maybe someone being the antisocial adolescent tyrant that I was will turn around.

My "adoptive," adorable, feline-friendly grandparents, John and Emilia, are suffering.

My Grandma--my delightfully stubborn, proudly French, Aristocats-adoring, outspoken to unintentionally hilarious proportions Grandma--has been hospitalized. She's had problems with her knees and legs for the past few years. To add insult to literal injury, her cocktail of medicines recently left her perpetually disoriented, confused, and frightened.

My Grandpa--my doting, WWII veteran, ear-wiggling, marinara-loving, outspoken to intentionally hilarious proportions Grandpa--is no longer able to take care of my Grandma. When my parents went to visit them this past weekend, he was sobbing at her state, to the point of making himself sick. Once able to literally and figuratively run circles around my brothers and me, my Grandpa was coughing and crying, and in recent years has been visibly much more tired--his build and energy decreasing, his eyes growing puffier and darker with each now-rare visit.

Their own and only son by blood is an accomplished, wealthy painter. He lives in Florida with his wife, a psychologist. When my father called Grandpa's by-birth son, his wife answered. She told my father that they were building a house in Boston. She told my father that they offered to help my grandparents, but that my grandparents refused.

My father told her that sometimes priorities need shifting.

She hung up.

Like everything else, I am making it into something about me, me, around which the entire fucking world revolves. I am guilt-ridden to devastating proportions, and few things hurt more than seeing someone I love suffer--let alone two-fold.

I remember when they bought me what was actually a lovely dress when I was little for Easter.
I remember screaming and bitching because it wasn't a toy.

I remember playing hide-and-seek at their house when I was little and always hiding in their hall closet.
I remember my Grandpa always pretending he didn't know I was there.

I remember being sprawled on their hardwood floor with an Oliver and Company coloring book and more crayons than I could count.
I remember scolding my heavily-French-accented Grandma for not saying "brown" in a way I could understand.

I remember Grandpa constantly teasing me when I purchased my first tube of red lipstick in fifth grade (I got an early start), referring to me as "Hot Lips Jessica" for months.
I remember locking myself in my room and writing in my diary on how everyone was like, sooooo immature.

I remember my Mommy doll. I remember endless games of Connect Four.
I remember being a complete, antisocial ingrate from the time I was 15 to about, oh, less than a year ago.

I remember it all, and I took it all for granted.

I need to stop alienating everyone who loves me unconditionally to chase fleeting romantic pipedreams.

I need to get over myself.

I can't completely verbalize how heartbreaking this is.

*By Jessica, who is.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Three Is A Charm

After an extremely packed concert year in 2007, I decided to take it a bit slower as 2008 began. It was easy to hibernate through the month of January - you see, I live in Minneapolis and dressing up in 3 layers of clothing is just not worth the concert adventure sometimes. Alas, February came and my anticipation for a few tours grew to the point where I just gave up and braved the arctic nights.

First up was the Donnas / Hives tour. Now, I know what you are all thinking ... and, I'm sure you're rolling your eyes as I start discussing the chick rock band that is The Donnas. I admit that I sorta wrote them off after "Take It Off" was overplayed but they regained my interest when my favorite artist Butch Walker took on the role of producer for their album 'Gold Medal'. I was confident that something amazing would surface because - let's face it - everything Butch Walker touches turns all sparkly and incredible. I had seen The Donnas once before a few years ago and was not impressed. Literally, all of their songs blend together and end up sounding like one run-on sentence with some occasional shouting. The only reason I made an effort to see them again live was due to my appreciation for lead guitarist Allison Robertson. To make it short and to the point - she rocks! She is literally the female version of Slash. She plays with a pizazz and confidence that makes you wanna shake your head and steal her back to the 80s rocker days. Watching Allison perform gives me faith in female musicians again. For her performance alone, I will see The Donnas many more times.


Swedish rock band, The Hives have been on my radar for quite some time. The Hives have been described to me as the most highly rated live show around. Those are some big shoes to fill and I had some high expectations for this show. Also, SPIN magazine has touted lead singer, Howlin' Pelle Almqvist as one of the "50 Greatest Frontman Of All Time"! From the second this band walked onstage, it was apparent they are superstars. They come together with an "X factor" quality not many can pull off. Pelle Almqvist gives a stellar performance as he's never in the same spot onstage for more than 30 seconds. He hops around through the crowd, leaps onto balconies, climbs upon the speakers and monitors, and dances with the force of a thousand seizures. He is arrogant, brash, animated and appauling all at once. His brilliance as a frontman keeps the crowd thirsty for more insults and cocky clever one liners. His stories are filled with comedy and ego. It's shocking and awesome all at the same time. The music seems to be a fitting background soundtrack to Pelle's act. I'd be surprised if anyone left the club without a huge smile on their faces. "Tick Tick Boom" and "Try It Again" are definite standout tracks on the 'Black and White Album'.

The third show I'm jazzed about is Angels and Airwaves. In the ongoing debate of which Blink 182 spin-off is better (AvA or +44) ... I will definitely go on the record as saying Angels and Airwaves is my favorite. I saw them perform recently at the Myth nightclub in St. Paul. I've been to sold out shows there many times but, this one was different. This show was the most crowded I have literally ever seen that club! Concert goers sang every single song with volume and passion. In fact, most of the time, the crowd overpowered Tom DeLonge's vocals. Angels and Airwaves is inspiring. The musical product is unique, brave, and real. Tom is genuine in his performance and constantly shows his gratitude to the crowd between each song. I feel like he's grown up and maybe that's why I flock more towards AvA instead of the +44 side (which to me basically sounds exactly how you'd expect it to sound, like a Blink 182 spin-off). The newest album 'I-Empire' is now released and the song "Breathe" has been on repeat on my Ipod for weeks. I encourage you to listen to it as it's lyrically and musically a beautiful dream. Don't miss AvA playing warped tour this summer!

*By Jen Panczenko, who is eating Girl Scout cookies like they're going out of style.

Hollywood's Hot Button.

Congratulations are in order for yet another Myspace popularity contest winner - Metro Station. Within barely over a year, this group formed, released a full album in September 2007, and became lucky enough to gather interest and production assistance from Justin Pierre and Josh Cain of Motion City Soundtrack. Sam Hollander (Boys Like Girls, Gym Class Heros) also had a hand in the Metro Station debut. The question remains - can singer Trace Cyrus (stepson of Billy Ray Cyrus) prove his talent or does he owe his band's success to these amazing connections? The Metro Station product is far from falling into the pop and country expectations of the Cyrus family ... in fact, the band's electro-dance sound is something I would pair with Hellogoodbye standards. The lyrics are completely unoriginal and mindless but, at the same time, so catchy it hurts.


While recently in LA, I was offered a chance to catch a sold out Metro Station hometown show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. I was curious to see how they'd come across live. As I imagined, it was lacking the dance vibe and sounded more emo-rock. At times, the crowd seemed more excited then the artists and I got a little creeped out when Jeffree Star (another proclaimed Myspace celeb) emerged onstage jumping and dancing around. Metro Station may be an overnight internet success but the live show is definitely lacking some spunk. I admit "Control" and "Kelsey" are songs I enjoy listening to - especially when I need some toe tapping simplicity to start my work day - but, the overall stage presence may have to get a bit more interesting.

Lastly, if you want a new band to check out, listen to my current fave The Whigs. "Right Hand On My Heart" is a great southern inspired garage-rock tune. Their second album, Mission Control, was just released on ATO Records and their live show is a mix of energy and passion. Lead singer, Parker Gispert hops around like he has a broken ankle but it makes for an interesting show!

*By Jen Panczenko, who is currently packing for a move to LA in April!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The Starting Line on Hiatus

Confirming the fears and suspicions of most of their fans, The Starting Line have announced a hiatus following their spring tours. This is from their AbsolutePunk.net press conference thread, in case their servers can't handle the traffic:

From all the east coast to west coast states, I want to feel the warmth from the buzz that I create. But I'm really not too sure, if it's ever gonna happen, but I know that I'm not too concerned.



Imagine getting your first job when you were 15 years old and doing that exact same job for the rest of your life. Even if it’s the dream job that most people would kill for, eventually you need to stop for a minute and see what else is out there.

This is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make but after eight years of nonstop touring and recording The Starting Line will be taking a break after their headline tour with Bayside, Four Year Strong and Steel Train (March 18 – April 20) and the college shows following the tour. This break does NOT mean the band is breaking up or going on hiatus it just means were going to stop for a little while and focus on other things in our lives besides The Starting Line. This break may last a year, two years or a few months, as of right now we don’t know. We’re talking to some friends about doing a quick tour to South America as well as options to tour Europe, Japan and Australia again and we're not ruling them out. We just aren’t going to be doing any full time touring or recording as The Starting Line for a while.

We’ve had our ups and downs with countless record labels (We The People, Drive-Thru, MCA, Geffen, Virgin and finally The Capitol Music Group) over the years and every time we thought we had the right team a label president would be fired, or our label would be taken over by a new company. At each of these places there were people who loved us and would do anything for us and others (usually the ones making the financial decisions) that just didn’t give a shit about our band and after going through this for such a long time we need to take a step back and figure out what’s next for The Starting Line.

Before we go we have one last tour to say goodbye to everyone and we’re working with our friends at pickRset to make this best tour ever. Head over to here and pick the songs you want to hear on this tour and we will do our best to play as many of them each night on the tour.

This is not an end but a new beginning, to celebrate this new beginning we have a some exciting news to share with everyone. Sometime this summer or early fall we plan to finally release the unreleased record that we recorded for We The People Records. We are also talking about putting together a DVD to go with the record that will chronicle the Drive Thru years. We have tons of tapes to find and dig through and interviews to do with everyone to properly document that part of our lives but we think we can have it ready by the summer.

Everyone in the band will still be busy so you won’t be able to get rid of us that easily.

Kenny just finished recording the debut record for his band Person L, expect to see a release plan and tour announced soon, rumor has it he may even make an appearance at this year’s Bonnaroo. You will also get to see the most recent addition to the Starting Line, Brian Schmutz in Person L’s touring band. If you want to check out some tunes from the L peep check them out here.

Matt and Tom have been working on a new project with some friends, called The Seventy Six, and just happened to put up a myspace page today with some songs and videos. The sound of the band may come as a shock to some of you, in the best possible way. Please show your love and support and check it out. They have some big plans in the works and plan on announcing them as soon as they can.

Mike and one of his close friends will be starting a company that we will tell you all about once all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. Of course he has a band he’s going to be jamming with as well and when we have more to report on that we’ll let you know. Most importantly Mike will be making up some lost time with his beautiful daughters. He's missed many a milestone and is looking forward to some much needed bonding time with his little girls.

Announcements like this are so hard for everyone, especially the band, and we want to make sure we didn’t leave out any information, so we’re going to stick around for the next hour or so and answer as many questions as possible.

We’ve invited many of our friends who have worked with us over the years to post in this conversation too because after many years working together some of them are just as much a part of The Starting Line as we are.

Here is a list of some of the people we invited to join us here today:
Randy Nichols (manager), Steve Tamburello (tour manager), Shawn Corrigan (guitar tech), Matt Geyer (merch guy and assistant to manager), Matt Gray (drum tech), Melissa Sabo (old school fan, ex MCA and managers assistant), Richard, Stefanie, Kristine, Josh, John and Kim (Drive Thru past and present), Dave Stein (lawyer), Paul Orescan, (Geffen Records), Evan Peters (Geffen) Lexi Ben-Meir (Geffen), Christine Wolf (Geffen), Mike Mc Koy (lawyer), Tim’Oheir, Howard Benson, David Wolter (Virgin), Bill Carroll (Virgin), Howard Petruziello (Virgin), Heidi (Virgin), Jon Nelson (Sony/ATV) Charlie Adams (We The People), Ron O (booking agent), Geoff Meall (UK agent) Jason Tate (AP.net).

We’ve invited others too and hopefully they will all join us to talk about TSL, past, present and future.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last eight years and see you all this spring and don’t forget to go to pickrset.com/bands/thestartingline/ to pick what you would like to hear and buy tickets to the tour.


Matt, Tom, Mike, Kenny and Brian

This is no attempt
To abandon anyone
It is the influence of the music we love


*By Jess, who just drowned her sorrows in a giant box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

A quick head up, Celebrity drug users

A bit of breaking news on the UN finally addressing the exposure celebrities gain for using drugs ( here in the UK). Read the news of the statement issued here.

"UN: It's time to get tough with celebrity drug abusers"

Currently gathering general opinion of this. Please feel free to email your thoughts for putting a new article together. It would be great if anyone has US examples of this or opinion on the US celebrity drug cases.

Ginabe4n@googlmail.com

*By Gina who is glad this issue being addressed

Review - Everybody hurts

A book review. A book review?! Apart from the mass of ‘arty farty encyclopaedias and design tutorials, there’s not much that’s makes for good reading in this abode - Unless you count the Dog the bounty hunter biography which, by the way is awesome! Having heard the awkward underground chatter about ‘Everybody hurts’, it was a pleasant surprise to see it sitting innocently on the book table of HMV’s across Scotland.



What’s initially appealing about the book are its writers. Leslie Simons and Trevor Kelley backgrounds and experience make them more than qualified to spell out the facts, the hilarity and the dam right stereotypical traits of what it is to be emo. Let’s face it. Everyone has someone emo within their circle of friends. Fact. For this reason even the toughest of action heroes (I’m looking at you Bruce Willis) could pick up this book and laugh.

So how can these two write 234 pages about being emo? Well without ruining the plot, emo isn’t just about the angle of your senior style comb over. It’s a life style. It’s about the books on your makeshift shelf, the DVD’s stacked on your television, the tempeh in your vegan diet and the threads that adorn you exercise deprived back. It’s a movement like any other, just a movement that is rarely written about.
Maybe it’s because the word emo has so many connotations depending on your generation, location or general prior brushes with this three-letter demon that more people take as an insult rather then compliment. This however, is what makes this book so endearing. Even though it has a light-hearted feel, it does go back to the foundations of the emo era and disescts how today’s scene became what it is

Even if they may not look it from the outset, this book will show you that even the most un emo looking people may be just like you! (William Shakespeare. Who would of thought?!) The quirky side notes and sarcastic remarks throughout this read are laugh our loud funny (or ‘LOL’ as the cool kids call it) The jokes are internationally understandable to emo audiences the world over (unlike the humour of Family guy). So if you fancy an education on the socially awkward or jut a good laugh, this book is for you.

*By Gina – who understands this is late, but we are a bit slow.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Radio!!!

Indie artist, Chris Nathan, (also in celebration of Black Crowes release today, since his music sounds similar to theirs), was on a really cool radio program tonight. The radio show is called "Jack Sass"...ha, get it? Any way, Chris Nathan also happens to be my boyfriend and if you listen to the archive of this radio show you'll get to hear me call in under my alias name, Veronica. I think you'll dig it:

http://www.corporatesuckfest.com/

www.jacksassradio.com

...let me know your thoughts...
* By Christina, aka Veronica

Facebook Set to Take on Music Biz too?!

With rumors floating on blogs and Internet sites that myspace will soon be offering a Imeen or Last.fm type free streaming music service (obviously with a "for sale" rack too) it is no shock that the rival online community known as Facebook would be not far behind. While there has been some music related buzz surrounding Facebook in the past, Facebook up until now has just stuck to allowing users to display and play 30 second clips of their favorite artists on their page...

It has been brought to the online music world's attention today that supposedly Facebook will be holding meetings later on this week with major labels and other music industry professionals regarding the possibility of adding a section to the website where you, the Facebook user, can acquire music. Facebook will have to bring in other parties to help set up such a 'zone' on their site and will have to take an innovative approach to the marketing tools used and layout (don't want it to be complicated to navigate, consumers get frustrated!) and will be up against the likes of the oh-so-popular and just-won't-die myspace and obviously Rhapsody and the other online free stream and download optional sites. Facebook, don't worry- no pressure!

With album sales still dropping like they're hott and the online music craze showing no signs of slowing down my personal thoughts are that major labels will be nervous, but will most likely like to hear a more detailed score and view a more descriptive blueprint to the plan. There will certainly be some funky royalties to analyze and some additional work for record labels' ever growing new mixed media department...but will it pay off in the long run...well, I guess only time will tell. Though it has been projected that by having both myspace and Facebook, both are strong forces in the social networking and music promotion world, can only help at this stage in the game.

I would like to ask the reader- What are your thoughts on an online community jumping in the music acquisition market? Do you think this will help or hurt the artist and their label?



*By Amanda who thinks Facebook should keep its day job*

FREE Black Crowes song

Planet Verge is thrilled to offer a FREE download from The Black Crowes to all our readers.



Get "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution," off the band's new album, Warpaint (out today) at www.planetverge.com.

Happy listening!

Club sandwiches, not seals.

There are a few good things that come from Canada. They've got Hot Hot Heat, Alanis, maple syrup, and damn exciting hockey.

But our neighbors to the north also have some bad things, like Dave Coulier, ham that they try to pass as "bacon," and seal hunting. I'm not here to lecture on the first two, though I could--and so could Alanis, Uncle Joey. We're onto you.

In the past three years, nearly one million (that's 1,000,000--six zeroes) seals, most under three months old, have been killed for their fur.

This is a problem.

First off, fur is ugly. Second, it's not even the greatest insulation man has come up with, so there's not a single excuse to wear it.

Third: the seals aren't killed mercifully (the irony of which shouldn't be lost, gentle reader.) Even seals who are shot, not clubbed, don't die instantly--because many are shot from moving boats. For every bullet found, furs lose two dollars in value, so sealers are loath to shoot a single target more than once. As a result, most shot seals are merely wounded and left to agonize in their final moments.

Fourth, how could you possibly let something this cute suffer?



Go here to learn more, sign a petition, and find other ways to help the plight of these innocent animals.



*By Jess, who didn't come up with that title--she saw it on a t-shirt a while ago.

Unwritten Law signs with Suburban Noize



Exciting news-Unwritten Law has signed with Suburban Noize Records AND the band is filming a live DVD at its March 7 show at The Key Club in Los Angeles. It's about time for a UL DVD.

After being passed around to several major labels and never really achieving the respect the band should have over its decade plus career, it's nice to see that an Indie label has stepped in to do what the majors failed at- making UL a priority.



Unwritten Law is a band that constantly surprises its fans. Each album shows new depths and is catchier and more pop-focused than the one it preceeded. Sadly, the lack of label promotion behind those albums left them pretty much unheard in the States- sans diehard fans who have stuck along thru it all and international fans (Australia gets it). Those who are dedicated reaped the rewards....

Take a walk down Unwritten Law memory lane:

The song that started it all for me: "Teenage Suicide"



"Rest of My Life" acoustic:



"Should've Known Better":




*Joelle, who says go to www.myspace.com/unwrittenlaw

In the Biz....

Get up-to-date on the latest happenings in the industry.
Compiled from various news sources.


The North by Northeast (NXNE) Music & Film Festival and Conference
(www.nxne.com) is getting ready to take over Toronto once more! Running June 12-15, 2008, NXNE invites fans of indie music and film (to the table to) feast on some of the freshest, coolest music and film being produced today. NXNE is three events in one: a music festival, a film festival and an industry conference.

Epitaph is proud to announce the signing of Minneapolis-based power-pop rockers Sing It Loud. The group recently entered the studio with producer and labelmate Josh Cain of Motion City Soundtrack to begin work on their forthcoming debut album, which will be released in fall 2008.

The Ft Worth based Sky Eats Airplane is about to release Everything Perfect On The Wrong Day on CD for the first time by Thriving Records & Tragic Hero Records. The band combines warm electronic blips, bleeps and sound effects that would fit well in the old Atari and Nintendo game consoles with churning metal-core weight and intricate melodies resulting in both mosh pit and dance club behavior live. Reaching far beyond their Ft. Worth roots, the band has toured with such acts as Misery Signals, Emmure, Born Of Osiris, The Human Abstract and Gwen Stacy.

Does anyone care that.....FIRST BOOK ON AMY WINEHOUSE RELEASED BY OMNIBUS PRESS; The World's Leading Publisher Of Rock And Pop Books Has Announced The Release Of The First Biography On Troubled Retro Soul Diva Amy Winehouse (note from joelle: barf)

THE STARTING LINE TO HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR; Featuring Special Guests Steel Train, Four Year Strong And Bayside

UNIVERSAL MUSIC AUSTRALIA SIGNS XO PUBLICITY'S DUKES OF WINDSOR. Yep.

Trent Reznor is enjoying his post-major label freedom, but independence carries its own baggage. On Sunday, the NIN creator launched an experimental album release, one that includes both free and paid elements. That echoes an earlier, groundbreaking concept by Radiohead, one that yielded mixed results.

EMI Music continued to shuffle the decks on Monday, part of a continuing reorganization. The company minted two new recording-focused business units, and slotted executives to head those divisions. The first is the self-explanatory Catalog, Compilations, Studios and Archives unit; and the other is the Licensing and Synch department.


Warner Music Group
downloads are now floating DRM-free throughout Europe, thanks to a deal involving 7digital. The partnership, announced Monday, spreads MP3s into the UK, Ireland, Spain, France and Germany. That is a strong step for Warner, and part of a steady thaw on protected content. The deal, negotiated through Warner Music International, includes both singles and albums.

Beverly Hills-based William Morris Agency is now playing a venture capitalist card, part of an expanding role for the Hollywood powerbroker. Morris has joined forces with Accel Partners and Venrock, and even roped AT&T into the action.

The Honorary Title is looking for a touring guitarist (and ideally back up vocalist) to go on the road with them on a headlinning tour from next week (yikes) to the end of April.

It's High Time, Baby, that you listen to The Blackout

Lostprophet frontman (and former Planet Verge issue #2 coverman), Ian Watkins, guest-vocals on "It's High Tide, Baby," by UK break-out band, The Blackout.



Ian on Set

See video below:





The Blackout are among the refreshing acts (as in haven't already been playing it the past few years) slated to play Bamboozle. The band has been getting tons of press in its native Wales, and beyond. This is just another example of how Wales is the New Jersey of the UK. Look at all the huge acts to have come out of it-- Lostprophets, Funeral For a Friend, Bullet For My Valentine.....

Get more:
www.myspace.com/theblackout
www.myspace.com/lostprophets
www.myspace.com/funeralforafriend
www.myspace.com/bulletformyvalentine

* By Joelle, who lists "Start Something," by Lostprophets among her favourite albums EVER.

Monday, March 03, 2008

Breakout Artist. There's no stopping them....

Meet INNERPARTYSYSTEM



As I was eating breakfast this morning I put my ipod on shuffle and let the tunes come as they will. After hearing some throw-back Vanilla Ice (what a way to start the day!) a band that I had the chance to interview and watch perform graced my lil ears... Ladies and gentleman, and at that very moment when their new single "Don't Stop" bellowed through my kitchen and echoed through my house, I realized that innerpartysystem was more than just a little musical experiment from the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania.

Innerpartysystem has a sound that's mesmerizing and leaves you wondering..."how come I didn't think of that?" I feel as though right now music is stuck in a hole of a mindset. I feel that bands and artists are writing and producing to give consumers exactly what they want, exactly what the trend is, exactly whats selling the most units. Innerpartysystem is the band that's going to break the mold and give way to experimentation and new fields of talent that have yet to be explored. They are innovative and are melodically captivating. While they do have an electronica kinda background, they marry it with guitar riffs and unique drum patterns that set their sound completely apart from the rest. They have raw, yet refined talent that can only get better as it ages.

I say with all the confidence I can muster at this late hour (yeah, I'm into going to sleep early this week...), innerpartysystem is THE band to watch this year. They have an album expected to drop sometime soon, and from what I've heard....it's going to leave your jaws on the floor. If they have a show near you, do yourself a favor...go check them out, it's well worth the money. Their live performance is out of control, they are certainly a band that is able to make a record sound great and a performance sound amazing...not to mention they have a crazy sick super duper light show.

Check out innerpartysystem people.

www.myspace.com/innerpartysystem

By Amanda who is rockin' out right now.