NYS Music 20​12

Category: News

  • GOOD RIDDANCE reunites, announces first batch of tour dates

    GOOD RIDDANCE reunites, announces first batch of tour dates

    After five years of silence since their “final” show, which was recorded for posterity and released under the name ‘Remain in Memory”, Good Riddance has announced that they’ll be returning to the stage. The band had this to say on their website.

    “Since that final show I have been asked countless times about getting back together and playing again. I never really considered it an option, seeing as how we’d played our final show (“final” being the key word) and all. When I would ask these people why they wanted us back the most common answer was “The songs! We miss the songs!”

    As it turns out we miss them as well.

    After nearly five years, Good Riddance has decided to perform as a band again. The number of shows, when and where and all the other specifics have yet to be determined but for those of us who really missed the songs and those of you who maybe never got to see the band play, there will be Good Riddance shows in 2012 and perhaps beyond.”

    The band has subsequently announced a handful of European festival dates. Step it up, America! To read the rest of the statement, or see the tour dates, you know, in case you’re planning a trip to Europe for Groezrock, check out the bands site.

    http://grpunk.com/

  • Fifth Headliner, Daryl Hall Announced for Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival

    Daryl Hall “Live from Daryl’s House” with Special Guest Keb ‘Mo will perform Thursday June 28 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Hall will join previously announced Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival headliners Norah Jones, Diana Krall, and Steve Martin, whose concerts have already sold out, and Zappa Dweezil Plays Zappa.  A second show for Steve Martin was added last week. The pre-festival show featuring Bonnie Raitt on May 27, has also sold out.  The “Club Pass” has also sold out, earlier than ever before in the Festival’s history. The 11th edition of the XRIJF is June 22-30.

    “Securing todays leading young artists and veteran headliners for our Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre series each year brings about a challenge of timing and serendipity. This year we’ve been extremely fortunate. We are ecstatic to announce another Kodak Hall show during the festival with perhaps one of the greatest selling artists of our generation in Daryl Hall,” says John Nugent, the festival Artistic Director.

    Tickets will go on sale Friday February 17 at 10 a.m. at http://rochesterjazz.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the at the Kodak Hall Oval Lobby Box Office, located at the corner of Gibbs and Main Streets in Rochester, for one day only on February 17 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The fastest and easiest way to order tickets is online at http://rochesterjazz.com with the festival’s new e-ticketing system where festival patrons can pick their own seats. Customers who don’t have computer access may order by calling 585-454-2060.

  • IRON MAIDEN’S ‘Maiden England” tour to stop at Darien Lake

    Iron Maiden announced their longest string of US dates in many years. The tour starts June 21 in Charlotte, N.C. and concludes in Houston, Texas on August 18. Alice Cooper will be support until July 21, and Rockland County’s own Coheed and Cambria will take over thereafter. Iron Maiden’s set will be arranged to mirror the Maiden England video in both song selection and production somewhat closely.

    “We have great fun playing the History of Maiden Tours because it gives us an opportunity between new albums to go out and play songs from our earlier catalogue. It’s always fantastic seeing the crowd reaction from a new generation of fans who have never experienced some of these tracks performed live before, and of course we know our longstanding fans will enjoy seeing the original Seventh Son Tour re-visited – with many other surprises!” Said frontman Bruce Dickinson.

    “Our intention is to play about two thirds of the original track list of Maiden England (shown below*), including some songs we have not played live in a very,very long time, plus other favourites we just know the fans are going to want to hear! We always try to give our fans a great show musically, but we have always tried to make it as entertaining and memorable an experience as we can visually. And we all feel this show is going to do that splendidly! We can’t wait to get started in Charlotte”.

    The tour stops at Darien Lake in Buffalo on July 16th with Alice Cooper as support.

    Tour Dates:
    21st June – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
    23rd June – Atlanta, GA – Aarons Amphitheatre
    26th June – Boston, MA – Comcast Center
    27th June – Wantagh, NY – Jones Beach
    29th June – Philadelphia, PI – Susquehanna Bank Center
    30th June – Washington, DC – Jiffy Lube Live
    2nd July – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
    5th July – Chicago, IL – First Midwest Bank
    8th July – Quebec, QC – Colisee Pepsi Arena
    11th July – Montreal, QC – Bell Center
    13th July – Toronto, ON – Molson Amphitheatre
    14th July – Sarnia, ON – Bayfest
    16th July – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
    18th July – Detroit, MI – DTE Music Theatre
    19th July – Indianapolis, IN – Klipsch Music Centre
    24th July – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Center
    26th July – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
    27th July – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
    29th July – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum
    30th July – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
    1st August – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
    3rd August – San Francisco, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
    6th August – Phoenix, AZ – Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion
    9th August – Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
    12th August – Albuquerque. NM – Hard Rock Pavilion
    13th August – Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
    15th August – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
    17th August – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
    18th August – Houston, TX – The Woodlands

  • Solaris EP – Beyond 3D

    Solaris EP – Beyond 3D

    Hailing from Binghamton, trance/fusion band Solaris greets 2012 with their first EP, a stellar preview of whats to come when they enter the studio later this year. Forming in the summer of 2010, the trio made up of Jared Raphel on keyboards, Dan Lyons on drums and Vince Naro on Bass play a Disco Biscuits/STS9 style of electronica that many fans will appreciate for their high energy dance rhythms. Solaris bundles the best of these groups along with a little Pink Floyd and jazz influence into a writhing EP, Beyond 3D that makes an solid statement from a band on the rise in New York.

    solaris beyond 3dBeyond 3D opens with Must Be Heard, which provides a trancey cymbal rattling intro to the five-track EP with spoken word samples in the background providing the title to the track. Polar continues with lines from the movie Solaris, moving rapidly into a well formed psychotropic composition. Not Waiting Long is airy and orchestral, with nice deep beats and percussion change up of the beat over eight minutes, morphing into a sci-fi movie soundtrack at 78 RPMS. Them starts out with a synthesizer intro then moves into a slap bass and drum pad led section, incorporating the melodies of the keys into the electronic landscape and growing into a fury that explodes with the band fully in step together. The Person I Remember ends the EP with a soft outro and a few final samples.

    Solaris’ next show is The Binghamtronica Music and Arts Festival at Binghamton University on March 24th. Tickets are $20 and will be available at http://www.facebook.com/Binghamtronica3

    Key Tracks – the entire EP

    Download full EP for free

    Stream or Download individual tracks for free

  • Jon Strader of NO TRIGGER discusses pressures with new album, “Tycoon” to be released February 21st

    Jon Strader of NO TRIGGER discusses pressures with new album, “Tycoon” to be released February 21st

    No Trigger is a punk band from Worcester, Mass. Formed in 2000, they recorded two demos which they later remastered, compiled and released as Extinction in Stereo and toured extensively. After signing to Nitro Records, they released Canyoneer in March of 2006 and again toured extensively. Then they went silent. Rumors swirled that they’d broken up. Suddenly in 2010 No Trigger announced they would be recording a new full length with the original lineup. In the meantime, they released a 7″ on Mightier Than Sword records called Be Honest. I had a chance to talk with guitarist Jon Strader.
    Brian: Tycoon is your first full length release in 5 years. After so long, what was it like writing and recording a new album?

    Jon: A big relief. Honestly, a lot of the ideas, parts, and some of the songs have been floating around for years now. To have them finally tracked, was the best feeling. We even recorded the first song we ever wrote as a band.

    Brian: The punk scene has changed a lot in those five years. Do you feel that’s effected your songwriting process at all and if so, how?

    Jon: I don’t think it has changed our song writing process. Tycoon is a No Trigger record. What’s amazing is seeing the style genre that is booming now. There are so many great bands coming out making killer records that sound like we are back in late 90’s early 2000 punk. It’s about time.

    Brian: Canyoneer is one of my all time favorite albums, did you feel a lot of pressure to match or exceed it this time around?

    Jon: Well thank you. That is the reason why we knew we needed to get this record finished. Of course there is pressure. We wrote Canyoneer almost 7 years ago now. The maturity in our song writing and lyrics can definitely be heard on this record. We actually have all the original members back in the band who recorded Canyoneer. The pressure comes from our only full length being able to carry us for this long. We knew we had to exceed that to carry us another 7 at least.

    Brian: With so many bands who consider No Trigger an influence, who do you consider your biggest influences as a band?
    Jon: We all grew up listening to basically the same bands. We are very much influenced by the early Fat Wreck / Epitaph rosters. Those bands paved the way for all of us starting out. When you start touring with other bands and they become bands you can connect with, I think those become our biggest influences.
    Brian: I recently saw you play at Bogies in Albany, NY with A Wilhelm Scream and After the Fall, what would you consider your favorite bands to tour with?

    Jon: Our brothers in AWS have been around with us from the start. We come from the same Massachusetts mentality. It just works. We also have traveled the world with Set Your Goals. Those have been some of the most memorable times to date.

    Brian: If there was one band from when you started playing shows you could make reunite to play with again, who would it be?

    Jon: Marathon from Rochester, NY. Members have gone on to play in Polar Bear Club and Attica! Attica! but we all know that. Right!?

    Brian: Tycoon comes out February 21st on No Sleep Records, what’s next for you guys after the release?

    Jon: We are currently sorting out some worldwide excursions of course. CD release shows are being planned for March as well. Hopefully we’ll be back to Fest in Florida this October. That’s the best weekend to look forward to all year.

    Brian: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview!
    To preorder Tycoon:
    http://www.nosleepstore.com/​artist/No-trigger
  • Adam Merola of THE TRUTH BY BLOOD AGENCY discusses expansion into PR services, encourages bands to submit for consideration

    Adam Merola of THE TRUTH BY BLOOD AGENCY discusses expansion into PR services, encourages bands to submit for consideration

    Adam Merola is part of the great team over at The Truth By Blood Agency.  As a co-founder of the company, he and his staff have put together what I would consider to be one of the best artist service agencies on the eastern seaboard. Primarily focused on the Metal genre, the group has expanded the horizons of each band that they are currently handling. I had an opportunity to chat with Adam about the direction of this exciting business, and the path it has taken to get to current time.

    Erik:  How did the team come together that would become the Truth By Blood Agency? How did it get started?

    Adam: A couple of years back I had come across Jeremy Stanton at Save Our Scene Productions. Originally I was inquiring about booking a date for one of my bands in NY. The show ended up being a record label showcase, and at that time the band I was working with was offered a deal to sign with this record label. The label ended up screwing everyone over. Throughout the whole process I had stayed in contact with Stanton because he was involved with some of the bands on the label as well. In the end, we decided to form what is now called The Truth By Blood Agency.

    Erik:  You seem to handle all aspects of the band management experience. Tell me about the mission on keeping everything in house, so to speak, and how this benefits you more?

    Adam: The Truth By Blood Agency is basically a parent company to multiple divisions. We offer management and booking and we are currently starting to dip into the PR aspect of the business. We believe in doing the most we possibly can for the bands that we work with. One way we ensure that we are doing that is by surrounding ourselves with industry professionals and experts in each category. Stanton is the Director Of Marketing, Christine Palmer is handling our PR and I manage the booking side of things with the help of our agents. By offering these services to our bands, we believe it will benefit them as well as us. We have plans to break our PR department into a separate division and we are also toying with the possibility of a clothing line.

    Erik:  When choosing the bands you have selected to represent, what criteria do you use to make your decisions?

    Adam: We currently work with different levels of bands. First and foremost we look for quality. If we don’t like the band’s music we will not represent them. We are always looking for bands that know they need to work hard to reach their goals. There are too many bands out there that say they want to make it in the music business, but aren’t willing to put in the work. In addition, we look for general things like draw, tour history and marketability.

    Erik:  Tell me a little bit about the bands that you are currently handling?

    Adam: Currently we have a roster of 8 bands, and we are always looking for more. We are hoping 2012 is going to be a big year for us. A Night At The Chalet, Mummified In Circuitry, Conforza, Rebuilding The Ruins, The Harteck, Elysion Fields and One Last Time are all either releasing an album or have recently released an album. This means we are planning a lot of tours and CD release parties.

    Erik:  Do you have any other bands that you are looking to add to the roster?

    Adam: We are always looking for new bands at The Truth By Blood Agency. I can say that we do have a few bands in the works, but unfortunately that information will have to wait for a later time. We do have submission instructions in the “Notes” tab on our Facebook page. Any bands interested should be checking that out!!

    Erik:  I see you have a pretty strong relationship with Innerstrength Records, obviously you are handling a couple of their artists. How did this come into being?

    Adam: I will start by saying that Innerstrength Records is a great label to work with. We had been working with Heal These Wounds from Innerstrength for a short period of time. One of the bands I manage (Mummified In Circuitry) had also signed with them. We had developed a good working relationship with the label and ended up working with some of their bands as well.

    Erik:  I know your help is spread out in many different areas around a couple of states? What is the future plan with the expansion of your plan?

    Adam: Currently we have agents in NY, MA and FL. Our goal is to have strong points in key markets in the United States. We definitely plan to expand. but have not worked out the details in full as of yet.

    If you are interested in applying for representation through the company, check out the information below. Serious Inquiries only please! This is a serious step up for your band, and requires the flexibility to go, go, go!

    If your band is interested in working with The Truth By Blood Agency and you think you have what it takes….Feel free to send us a submission.

    Please complete the following information and send it to adam.onenightstand@gmail.com and stanton.truthbyblood@gmail.com (we will get back to you)

    We ask that you are 100% truthful in your answers

    Required Information

    Name of your band:

    Hometown:

    Contact Information:

    List of band members names/positions/ages: (ex: John Smith(25) – Vocals)

    Band website/Link to EPK: (Facebook/ReverbNation)

    At least 2 MP3’s: (Mediafire/Facebook/ReverbNation)

    Draw / How many people can you bring to hometown/away shows:

    How long has your band been together with the current lineup:

    Availability/Has your band toured:

    A high resolution picture of the band: (promo shot preferred)

    A high resolution band logo:

    Band Bio:

    For more information on Truth By Blood Agency-
    http://www.facebook.com/TruthByBlood

  • DYING FETUS hits Upstate, touring in preparation for their upcoming release

    The extremely brutal death metal legends, Dying Fetus, have just announced a statement via their PR company. The Maryland based band who are currently working on their new record, have announced new information about touring events and the record itself. Of significant note are two dates in Upstate NY: March 2nd in Albany, and March 3rd in Buffalo. The statement is below:

    “Fresh off their South American tour, DYING FETUS have announced headlining and co-headlining North American tour dates. The tour sponsored by Metal Sucks and Dead End Threads kicks off February 26th and runs through March 14th. The first leg of the tour will see DYING FETUS headlining with support coming from: Job For a Cowboy, Volumes and Last Chance to Reason. The second leg will feature a co-headlining bill with DYING FETUS and The Faceless. Support will come from Goatwhore, Volumes and Last Chance to Reason.

    DYING FETUS are currently working on their new album, entitled “Reign Supreme” which is set to be released in mid 2012 through Relapse Records. The album will feature nine tracks and is a “return to roots” with production focused slightly more on slam than in the band’s last few works.  Thematically, the album is set to be a good old-fashioned piece of social and political commentary in the style of DYING FETUS as we have come to know.

    DYING FETUS will also be touring North America this Spring as part of the Metal Alliance Tour with Devildriver, The Faceless, Job For A Cowboy, 3 Inches of Blood, Impending Doom and Wretched.   The tour kicks off March 15th in Austin, TX as a part of the SXSW Music Festival and runs through April 21st, circling back to Houston, TX.

    DYING FETUS W/ Job For A Cowboy, Volumes and Last Change to Reason

    2/26 Keene, NH @ Railroad Tavern

    2/28 Providence, RI @ PVD Social Club

    2/29 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground

    3/2 Albany, NY @ Bogie’s

    3/3 Buffalo, NY @ Club Infinity

    DYING FETUS W/ The Faceless, Goatwhore, Volumes and Last Chance to Reason

    3/4 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Smalls Theatre

    3/6 Lansing, MI @ The Loft

    3/7 Toledo, OH @ Omni

    3/8 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theater

    3/9 Peoria, IL @ Brass Rail

    3/10 Covington, KY @ Bangarang’s

    3/12 Evansville, IN @ Boney June’s

    3/13 St Louis, MO @ Fubar

    3/14 Fayetteville, AR @ The Rogue

    METAL ALLIANCE TOUR

    3/15 Austin, TX @ SXSW / Scoot Inn

    3/16 New Orleans, LA @ The Hangar

    3/17 St Petersburg, FL @ State Theater

    3/18 Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend

    3/20 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

    3/21 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater

    3/22 Danvers, MA @ Palace Ballroom

    3/23 Montreal, QC @ Le National

    3/24 Toronto, ON @ Opera House

    3/25 Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa

    3/26 Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s

    3/27 St Paul, MN @ Station-4

    3/28 Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Centre

    3/29 Regina, SK @ Riddell Centre

    -Erik Jensen

  • WARBRINGER, ICED EARTH, SYMPHONY X tour coming through Upstate

    Warbringer will be making a couple of pit stops in Upstate New York on their recent tour with Iced Earth, and Symphony X.  The two upstate stops on their schedule include dates on March 11th in Clifton Park, and March14th in Buffalo. This is a pretty exciting bill, and I highly recommend you check out one of these shows. Below is a statement issues by the band:

    “After recently touring Europe with ARCH ENEMY and successfully completing their first-ever headlining US run in the fall of 2011, the thrash road-warriors WARBRINGER are ready for yet anohttps://www.northropgrumman.com/ther North American tour–this time, with co-headliners ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X! In regards to this upcoming trek, the band comments: “It’s a new year and we’re looking forward to getting back out there and touring the US and Canada, especially getting back to some of the markets we didn’t hit on the headline tour. These will be big shows and a long tour and we’re excited to share the stage with ICED EARTH and SYMPHONY X, and performing for some of their fans who may have not seen WARBRINGER yet.”

    Tour dates for the trek are below, so check to see when this epic bill will be coming to a city near you!

    WARBRINGER tour dates feat. ICED EARTH, SYMPHONY X

    1/20 – Orangevale, CA – The Boardwalk **off-date with DEATH ANGEL, BLESSED CURSE**

    1/21 – Fresno, CA – Starline **off-date with DEATH ANGEL**

    1/28 – Portage, IN – Camelot Hall **headlining off-date**

    1/30 – Richmond, VA – Kingdom **headlining off-date**

    1/31 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater

    2/1 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero

    2/2 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar **headlining off-date**

    2/3 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

    2/4 – Quebec City, QC – Albert Rousseau

    2/5 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis

    2/6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix

    2/9 – Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre

    2/10 – Saskatoon, SK – Louis Pub

    2/11 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room

    2/12 – Calgary, AB – Flames Central

    2/14 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

    2/15 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market

    2/16 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater

    2/17 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Theater

    2/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia

    2/20 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

    2/21 – Anaheim, CA – Grove

    2/22 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

    2/24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex

    2/25 – Denver, CO – Summit

    2/26 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theater

    2/27 – Dallas, TX – Trees

    2/28 – Austin, TX – Emos East

    2/29 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

    3/2 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution

    3/3 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

    3/4 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

    3/5 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater

    3/6 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte

    3/7 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall

    3/8 – Frederick, MD – Café 611

    3/9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium

    3/10 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater

    3/11 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights

    3/12 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Loft **headlining off-date**

    3/13 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club

    3/14 – Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom

    3/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar

    3/16 – Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot

    3/17 – Joliet, IL – Mojoes

     

    WARBRINGER released their latest effort, Worlds Torn Asunder, in September of last year to rave reviews, peaking at #3 on the Metal charts and debuting at #11 on Billboard’s Heatseekers.

    -Erik Jensen

  • 3 INCHES OF BLOOD to release “Long Live Heavy Metal” on March 27th, 2012

    3 INCHES OF BLOOD to release “Long Live Heavy Metal” on March 27th, 2012

    Traditionalist metal gods 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will release their highly anticipated 5th studio album, Long Live Heavy Metal , on March 27th via Century Media Records. Keeping true to their core and bringing their forthcoming album title to life, fans can expect a blast of pure metal assured to leave no face un-melted. “LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL is the fifth chapter in the book of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD,
    and we couldn’t be more pleased and proud of our new onslaught of Honest Heavy Metal,” says guitarist Justin Hagberg. For Long Live Heavy Metal, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD reunited with producer and engineer Terry “Sho” Murray (City of Fire, Exhibitionists), who worked with the band on their 7″, Anthems for the Victorious.

    “When a band is releasing a new record, they often speak about it being their most important work or best album to date. Regardless of how clichéd either statement may sound, I think we would say both apply to this album,” explains vocalist Cam Pipes. “All of us have a special feeling about this one. We’re more committed than ever to the cause of real, honest, no bullshit heavy metal. No trends, no fucking around!”

    Beginning March 16th, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will head out on the “Metal Alliance Tour 2012” alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED. A full list of dates can be seen below.

    “Metal Alliance Tour 2012”
    3/15/2012 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
    3/16/2012 – New Orleans, LA @ The Hangar
    3/17/2012 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
    3/18/2012 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos
    3/20/2012 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
    3/21/2012 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater
    3/22/2012 – Danvers, MA @ Palace Ballroom
    3/23/2012 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Le National
    3/24/2012 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Opera House
    3/25/2012 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa
    3/26/2012 – Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s
    3/27/2012 – St. Paul, MN @ Station-4
    3/28/2012 – Winnipeg, MB, Canada @ Garrick Centre
    3/29/2012 – Regina, SK, Canada @ Riddell Centre
    3/30/2012 – Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Edmonton Events Centre
    3/31/2012 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Rickshaw Theater
    4/1/2012 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
    4/2/2012 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
    4/5/2012 – Oakland, CA @ The Pound
    4/6/2012 – Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
    4/7/2012 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theater
    4/8/2012 – Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater
    4/9/2012 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
    4/10/2012 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
    4/11/2012 – Des Moines, IA @ 7 Flags Event Center
    4/13/2012 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theater
    4/15/2012 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
    4/16/2012 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
    4/19/2012 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
    4/20/2012 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
    4/21/2012 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues

    -Erik Jensen

  • MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS sign with Superball Music

    Ahhh, the press release! Some are really exciting, and some meet with a chorus of crickets! Chirp, nothing. However, the one below is one of the more exciting ones I have seen in some time. Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, has put together one of the mothers of all solo projects. Check out the fresh and exhilarating news that just passed through our office recently.

    “SUPERBALL MUSIC is pleased to announce the signing of highly acclaimed musician Matt Skiba’s new solo venture– MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS . Skiba, most well known for his role as founding member of the punk rock group Alkaline Trio, has teamed up with other name players for the project including MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE drummer Jarrod Alexander and AFI Bassist Hunter Burgan.
    “Creating a record on my own and deciding who plays and how the songs were structured, it was fun to do. I love working with my band-mates in Alk3 but to make a rock record that was just mine was something that I wanted to do,” explains Skiba. With various musical influences contributing to the overall sound, the result is dancy, catchy rock in the vein of Alkaline Trio with elements of 80’s post punk.

    Superball Music, home to Dredg, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead and a number of other artists is very excited to announce the pairing with MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS. Label head Thomas Waber commented, “I am pleased and excited to welcome Matt Skiba to the Superball Music family. We have all been fans of the Alkaline Trio for a long time, so working with Matt is going to be a real honor!”

    Matt Skiba also commented on the union: “I am so delighted to be working with Superball Music. It was extremely important for the MATT SKIBA and the SEKRETS project to find the proper home. I am honored and ecstatic to have found a label that is as enthusiastic about this project as I am. I am very thankful to have Superball in my corner and look forward to the growth of our relationship and to the growth of this project.”

    Babylon, the MATT SKIBA AND THE SEKRETS Superball Music debut, is set for release in early 2012.

    I can only hope that Upstate New York will be blessed with a performance from these guys when they hit the road.