Matt Nathanson Hits The Road Making “All Night Noise”

Matt Nathanson is more than just a pretty face…but let’s be honest, that pretty face doesn’t hurt at all.

Following up the break-out success of 2007’s Some Mad Hope, Matt’s latest release, Modern Love, has solidified him as the singer/songerwriter-dude who can craft a hit. Digging deeper into his musical influences, Modern Love, hits a whole new level of infectious, catchy, and well-done song craft.

With his hit “Faster” all over the radio, Matt is on the road, crossing the country with his headlining “All Night Noise” tour. His live shows are ridiculous in a good way: wild, energetic, and occasionally hilarious, as he's not necessarily known for his ability to self-censure but always hitting high marks in musicianship and quality performances.

On October 29th, Matt makes a stop in Los Angeles at the famed Wiltern, but before and after that, check the dates below to catch a musical ride with the “All Night Noise” tour.

All Night Noise Tour Dates:

10/21   Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound

10/22   Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory    

10/23   Portland, OR @ Music Millennium (In-Store Performance & Signing)

10/23   Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom                              

10/25   Vancouver, BC @ Venue OR Commodore     

10/28   Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades                      

10/29   Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern

10/30   San Diego, CA @ House of Blues

10/31   Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee

11/2     Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa

11/4     Birmingham, AL @ The Backroom @ Workplay

11/5     Nashville, TN @ The Cannery Ballroom

Download Black Box Revelation's New EP "Shiver of Joy"

Ever heard of The Black Box Revelation? Well, you should. A bluesy, garage rock duo who…well, just call them Belgium’s answer to The Black Keys. Such a sound is a lot for only two to bear but Jan Paternoster and Deis Van Dijck make a hell of a noise that's retro yet modern, and prone to making you dance. Thick on riffs and thudding percussion, they’re young guns, but extremely well armed with dark and catchy hooks and occasional stretches in the music where you may think someone’s got Led Zeppelin on the brain.

In advance of hitting your brain with their forthcoming full-length LP, My Perception, the Belgians have just dropped the free EP Shiver of Joy, a sharp and riff-heavy collection of b-sides solid enough to have made the album cut. 

Download this puppy right HERE and enjoy this rock solid arrival on the scene. And if you happen to be in Los Angeles this week, you can catch the lads on October 3rd & 4th at Filter Magazine's Culture Collide Festival. 

In The Studio: The Return of Garbage

Garbage is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their fifth studio album and their first in seven years. Shirley Manson (vocals, guitar), Steve Marker (guitars, keyboards), Duke Erikson (guitars, keyboards) and Butch Vig (drums, loops) are recording the album in a basement in the Atwater Village area of Los Angeles, CA, the first to be recorded outside of Madison, WI. The still untitled album is scheduled for release in Spring 2012, and is being produced by Garbage, engineered by Billy Bush, and mixed by Butch Vig and Billy Bush. 

"Years-worth of pent-up music came out in some bizarre ways- bleary cell phone memos became real songs, conversations turned into lyrics, and new computer gizmos inspired wicked tangents," said the members of Garbage. "Ghosts came in, had their say. Everyone brought ideas, and everyone fought their corner. At the end of the day it all gets shoved through the four-way brain filter that is Garbage and it ends up sounding like nobody else. Red feathers and black tar."

Even though it's been seven years, there hasn't been a female-fronted band since that has matched their inimitable sound, brashness and energy. Now free of all their corporate obligations, the band has been able to start again with a clean slate on their own terms. They add, "We are making a record filled with the music we love to hear. The new songs have been inspired more by what we haven't been hearing rather than by what we have."

After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995 and rode a wave of visually arresting, female-fronted alternative rock bands. The album spawned the hit singles "Stupid Girl" and "Only Happy When It Rains" and was certified double platinum in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their second album, Garbage 2.0, was nominated for two Grammy Awards including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album. 2001's Beautiful Garbage was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 10 Albums Of The Year. In 2005, Garbage released Bleed Like Me, earning the band it's highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. In 2007, the band released a retrospective collection called Absolute Garbage. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide.

Goo Goo Dolls Announce New Fall Tour Dates

Having wrapped a three-month summer tour in support of their current album Something For The Rest Of Us, The Goo Goo Dolls have announced that they will continue touring through the fall, launching a new string of dates on October 12^th in Milwaukee. Tickets go on-sale this week, so check out www.googoodolls.com/tour for more information.

In other Goos news, the band's blockbuster single "Iris" has soared to No. 1 on the U.K. iTunes chart after being performed by two finalists on the British edition of The X Factor. In addition, the band's Greatest Hits album re-entered the chart at No. 18. "Iris" has been a steady seller in Great Britain since its original release in 1998, enjoying more than 433,000 in sales, and racking up more than 30 million views on YouTube. The song is expected to top the U.K. Singles chart this weekend, which would be its highest chart position ever.

"I love the fact that young artists are inspired to sing this song.  It opened a lot of doors for us," says Rzeznik. "To see it hit No. 1 in the U.K. and connect with a growing new audience is cool."

Finally, the band, which is singer-guitarist Johnny Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer Mike Malinin, has just recorded a brand-new song, entitled "The Best Of Me," which will be heard on an upcoming episode of CBS's hit remake of Hawaii Five-O, as well as on a soon-to-be released soundtrack album.

The Goo Goo Dolls upcoming tour dates are as follows. Ryan Star supports on all dates except for those starred.

10/12- Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater

10/15- Chicago, IL,  Mix Second Chance Homecoming*

10/16- Morgantown, WV, Morgantown Event Center

10/17- Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium

10/19- Ithaca, NY, State Theater

10/21- Utica, NY, Stanley Performing Arts Center

10/22- Hampton Beach, NH, Hampton Beach Casino

10/23- Torrington, CT, Warner Theater

10/25- Williamsport, PA, Williamsport Community Arts Center

10/26- Charlottesville, VA, John Paul Jones Arena

10/27- Greensboro, NC, Carolina Theatre

10/29- Lake Charles, LA, L'Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino*

10/30- Tupelo, MS, BancorpSouth Arena

11/02- Fort Myers, FL,  Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

11/04- Gainesville, FL,  Gator Growl*

11/05- Melbourne, FL, King Center for the Performing Arts

11/07- Richmond, VA, The National

11/08- Reading, PA,  Sovereign Performing Arts Center

11/09- Wilmington, DE,  Grand Opera House

11/11- Montclair, NJ, Wellmont Theater

11/12- Huntington, NY, The Paramount

11/13- Erie, PA, Warner Theater

Hey Bands! Come Open For Us, Signed Yelle.

For all the musicians out there who have ever seen an opening act at a live show and thought they could do better, now is your chance to prove your skills! French electro-popsters,  Yelle, is launching a contest to find an opening act for each of their upcoming shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and New York.  If you think you have what it takes to share the stage with Yelle, send some music and info about yourself to yelle.contest@gmail.com.

The dance-pop trio also enlisted London-based producer Second Date (a.k.a. Henry Birkbeck) to remix “Comme Un Enfant,” off their latest album Safari Disco Club (V2/Cooperative Music USA/Downtown Records). His production places emphasis on intricate beats, warm bass, poppy vocals and arpeggiating piano - the latter of which has become Second Date's trademark.

Yelle have also released a trailer for the upcoming worldwide Safari Disco Tour;-  watch it and get ready to dance the night away in a city near you!

Yelle US Tour Dates:

11/10: Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern

11/12: San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine

12/02: Miami, FL @ Fillmore

12/03: Orlando, FL @ Social

12/04: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits

12/05: Atlanta, GA @ Loft

12/07: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

12/08: New York, NY @ Webster Hall

12/09: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall

12/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

UK Soul Ambassadors The New Mastersounds Announce the Breaks from the Border Tour

The ambassadors of the Northern England Soul scene, the New Mastersounds are hitting the road this November in support of their new record Breaks from the Border, their first album recorded on U.S. soil.

The New Mastersounds funk powerhouse includes Eddie Roberts (guitar), Simon Allen (drums), Peter Shand (bass) and Joe Tatton (keys). On tour the set will include cuts from "Breaks from the Border" the seventh studio recording from NMS released August 9th on Tallest Man Records. “Breaks” marks a new era in the bands sonic landscape by topping their unique syncopated grooves with group vocal stylings. This break from convention was met with enthusiasm from fans and critics alike.
Known for their power packed and dance inducing live show the New Mastersounds have been motivating hips to sway and rears ends to shake all over the world. This past year the New Mastersounds played not one, but two sets at Fuji Rock, when they were asked to step in to take Buddy Guy's spot, wowed crowds at the world famous Red Rocks, the North Coast Music Festival, Gathering of the Vibes, Moe.Down, Summer Camp and more.

Tour Dates

Oct 29 Honolulu, HI Hallowbaloo Festival
Oct 31 Maui, HI Paia Charley’s
Nov 02 Austin, TX The Parish
Nov 03 Houston, TX House of Blues - Parish
Nov 04 New Orleans, LA Tipitina’s
Nov 08 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
Nov 09 Chattanooga, TN Rhythm n Brews
Nov 10 Savannah, GA Loco’s
Nov 11 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
Nov 12 Live Oak, FL Bear Creek Music Festival
Nov 13 Live Oak, FL Bear Creek Music Festival
Nov 16 Charlottesville VA Jefferson Theatre
Nov 17 Baltimore, MD Soundstage
Nov 18 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
Nov 19 Philadelphia, PA Blockley Theatre
Nov 20 Boston, MA Royale Theatre
Dec 31 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre w/ Tedeschi Trucks
Jan 01 Deland, FL Bondfire Festival
Jan 08 Boca Raton, FL Revolution
Jan 09 Ft Lauderdale, FL Jamcruise 10

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Add National Dates Supporting New LP "Am I The Enemy"

Three years since their last full album and with nearly 2 million records sold worldwide, Am I The Enemy is the sound of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in fighting form (available on iTunes).  The single "Reap" was the first song written for the new LP - and in the words of frontman Ronnie Winter, "I think it's one of the best, because it pretty much spawned the entire sound for the new record."

"We have always supported various charities like To Write Love on Her Arms and the Take Action tour, which promote awareness against teen suicide and offer peer to peer counseling. 'Don't Lose Hope' is a direct message to those who feel like no one else cares," Winter reveals. "God does, and always has."

Recorded with producer John Feldmann [Goldfinger], the effort explodes with 12 hard-hitting rock tracks released via Collective Sounds. 

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Tour Dates

Oct 13 - The White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
Oct 14 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Oct 15 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
Oct 17 - The Rock - Tucson, AZ
Oct 18 - Martini Ranch - Scottsdale, AZ
Oct 19 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Oct 22 - Oakland Metro Opera House - Oakland, CA
Oct 24 - Wow Hall - Eugene, OR
Oct 25 - The Venue - Boise, ID
Oct 27 - Club Sound - Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 29 - Manny's - Billings, MT
Nov 3 - The Hayloft - Mt Clemens, MI
Nov 6 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
Nov 8 - The Studio at Webster Hall - New York, NY

Nov 10 - Mr. Smalls Theatre - Milwale, PA
Nov 11 - The Canal Club - Richmond, VA
Nov 12 - Amos South End - Charlotte, NC
Nov 13 - Exit / In - Nashville, TN
Nov 15 - The WorkPlay Theatre - Birmingham, AL
Nov 17 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Nov 18 - The Varsity Theatre - Baton Rouge, LA
Nov 19 - Floyd's Music Store - Tallahassee, FL
Nov 20 - State Theatre - St Petersburg, FL
Nov 23 - Freebird Live - Jacksonville Beach, FL

Mates of State Climb High on "Mountaintops"

Mates of State
Mountaintops
Barsuk (2011)

So what do we have here in the new Mates of State offering, Mountaintops?

Honestly, something so confectionary and fun on the ears that I almost can’t stand it, but what do you expect from the seemingly impossibly in love husband-and-wife duo of Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner?

Drums and keyboards surrounded by a shiny gauze of he/she pop harmonies at an almost celestial level? Yes. Complementary is an understatement as only some seriously like-minded individuals can pull this stuff off and make it so you don’t feel the unrestrained urge to hurl. Mountaintops smacks three back-to-back-to-back pop gems that are air on the tongue and light to the visuals: opener “Palamino” goes aerial with its chorus, and at its literal half point grounds itself in Hammel’s percussion, “Maracas” is that thing that should be a pleasure of guilt but then you yell “Fuck that!” because it’s so damned well done, and “Sway” simply does.

Where Mates of State excel is probably where others fail (Matt & Kim); while gleefully earnest throughout, there is no lack of depth and true lyrical poignancy in their indie/pop craft. Because it’s not all sunshine and seashells on Mountaintops; it’s just that Hammel and Gardner are delightful enough to make it feel like so. In "Basement Money", where the struggle of where art meets financial compensation is tackled, the urge to groove is no less present than in "Total Serendipity" which is a crash course in noise-pop (yes, that's brass you hear in the rear); somewhat jangly, but emotionally upwardly mobile. When the mood tempers, some of the human trials and tribulations of married and music making-life are excavated: “Unless I’m Led” has an almost lullaby quality, and the album closer, “Mistakes”, leaves something slightly unsettled in hearing the lyrics “"I need you, but it's not normal if I refuse to be by myself." 

All things in Mountaintops compose an album that sounds like a genuine partnership of fun and artful confessional upon their usual sound canvas of harmonies, subtle textures, and pretty pictures are painted. Nothing to rock out to here, folks, but plenty to make the head and heart bob. 

Foo Fighters Drop Their Trousers

If you've ever longed to see Dave Grohl's bare ass (or the rest of the Foo Fighters for that matter), your prayers have been answered. The band has posted a new music video this morning entitled "Hot Buns" in which the Foo's play truckstop truckers who proceed to wash off the road... Oh, just watch:

Hot Buns - Foo Fighters