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Tons of great artists recently came together to play the annual Bamboozle Left in Irvine, CA–including The Get Up Kids! With more than five stages for [music] entertainment, food vendors lining the venue, and activities to keep busy, the two-day festival was enjoyable for all. To see some photos from the event, please click “Read More.”

Photos by Ronnie Raffaniello

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Photos by Ronnie Raffaniello

After seeing a band multiple times throughout the years, you’d expect their show to become less exciting. But if you’re Less Than Jake, you just keep getting better. Boy do these guys know how to put on an incredible show! I recently had the pleasure of photographing their gig at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA and it was an absolute blast! I’ve never seen fans so into the music or a band that continues to be so passionate every time they take the stage. Luckily, if you have not yet had the chance to see them, you’ll be able to catch them all summer long on the Main Stage at Warped Tour! They’re definitely a band that you have to see at least once. Trust me when I say you’ll be hooked!

For more photos click “Read More” below!

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Cursive will release a split 10″ picture disc with label mates Ladyfinger (ne) in honor of the second annual Record Store Day on April 18th via Saddle Creek.  This limited edition vinyl - only1,500 copies printed - will include “From The Hips” from Mama, I’m Swollen and “Universal Shrug,” a fan favorite from the band’s shows last spring, recorded during the Mama sessions and previously unreleased.  Full track listing is as follows: Read more…

REMAINING US AND CANADIAN TOUR DATES CANCELLED

The members of Japanese rock band FACT were involved in a serious van accident yesterday afternoon. The band had played a show in Montgomery, AL the night before and was headed to their next gig in Altoona, PA, when another vehicle crossed the median on Interstate 85 just outside of Atlanta, striking the band’s van and causing the two vehicles to collide head on. The van flipped over on its side.

Everyone survived, but singer Hiro sustained a concussion and drummer Eiji remains hospitalized with a broken arm. Tour manager John Kim was originally thought to have suffered internal injuries but turned out to be OK and was released from the hospital. The other band members suffered minor injuries.

Due to Eiji’s arm injuries, FACT will be forced to cancel the remaining dates on their North American run and will return to Japan to recuperate. There were two US shows left and a string of Canadian dates that will be rescheduled at a later date.

To read an article about the accident visit: http://www.times-herald.com/local/Five-injured-in-two-car-wreck-on-Interstate-85-715174.

FACT’s Vagrant/Maximum 10 Records debut was released yesterday.

FACT is: Takahiro (guitars, vocals), Tomohiro (bass, vocals), Eiji (drums, vocals), Hiro (lead vocals), and Kazuki (guitar, vocals)

www.myspace.com/factjapan
www.vagrant.com

DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS are set to return with THE HOT N’ HEAVY, an explosive thrill-ride of a record due out June 2 on Suretone. Bolstered by the same crushing intensity that first earned the Denver-bred band a loyal global following, DDG’s electrifying and adventurous new studio disc and third album overall–appropriately dubbed THE HOT N’ HEAVY–will leave its metalcore peers in the dust.

DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS–DANNY STILLMAN (lead vocals), KYLE BROWNING (lead guitar/backing vocals), JAKE HANSEN (bass), DANNY COOPER (drums/percussion) and DAN GUSTAVSON (rhythm guitar)–are currently on tour with Alesana debuting new songs for fans (see dates below). In June and July, the five-piece will launch a headlining U.S. trek with He Is Legend, Before Their Eyes and Then There Were None supporting.

The disc’s first single “Two Birds, One Stone” stays true to DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS’ patented heavy style while possibly netting the group its first bona fide radio anthem. Although the song is airwave worthy, frontman DANNY STILLMAN explains, “We’ll never compromise our beliefs of how any of our songs should sound for the radio.” Likewise, guitarist KYLE BROWNING adds, “Although it’s poppier than any song we’ve ever written, it unmistakably ours.” “Two Birds, One Stone” is set to impact radio June 1. Look for more news soon on the forthcoming video for the band’s smash-in-waiting.

Joining forces with Atlanta-based producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, The Chariot, Copeland), DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS ups its creative ante on the follow-up to its 2007 breakthrough Ross Robinson-produced offering Worse Than A Fairy Tale. Drawing lyrically on real life experiences while fusing unexpected twists and turns to its forceful anthems, THE HOT N’ HEAVY is diverse, yet cohesive. Disc highlights include the relentless and powerful opener “Killing A Classic;” “Fame,” whose mix of haunting metal with electronic touches balance the song’s abysmal tale of drug abuse; and the stunning, “We’re Planning, God’s Laughing” which reveals an epic, emotional orchestration and closes out the disc in triumphant form.

Check out the full track listing for THE HOT N’ HEAVY, out June 2, 2009 on Suretone:

1) Killing a Classic
2) Southern Lovin’ (Belle of the Ball)
3) Beat The Devil Out Of It
4) Two Birds, One Stone
5) Sue Simmons! Watch Your Mouth
6) Fame
7) (The) Internet Killed The Video Star
8) Can’t Fight Biology
9) There’s No Business Like Snow Business
10) Interlude 1
11) Dirtier Than You Want To Know
12) We’re Planning, God’s Laughing

In the four years since DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS first emerged–with members then ranging in age between fifteen and eighteen–the group’s discography has been heralded in spite of its own dissatisfaction. Outburn championed Worse Than A Fairytale, a dark concept album with a strong cult following as “an impressive effort that never lets up on intensity” and gave it an 8-out-of-10 rating. Meanwhile, their influential debut In Vogue was touted by Alternative Press magazine as “an expertly mangled mélange of serrated guitars, blast beat breakdowns and sharp-tongued sarcasm.”

Having clocked in thousands of miles, bringing their incendiary and awe-inspiring performances to post-hardcore fans across the globe, these Vans Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos, Bamboozle and Saints and Sinners, vets have shared stages with dozens of kindred metalcore ensembles like Every Time I Die, Aiden, Bullet For My Valentine, From Autumn To Ashes, Saosin, Senses Fail, The Devil Wears Prada, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Haste the Day to name a few.

Catch DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS on the road in the following cities:

DATE CITY VENUE

With Alesana and I Set My Friends On Fire

Tue 4/14 St. Paul, MN Station 4
Wed 4/15 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
Thu 4/16 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Fri 4/17 Chicago, IL Reggie’s Rock Club
Sat 4/18 Pontiac, MI The Eagle Theatre (at The Crowfoot)
Sun 4/19 Cleveland, OH Agora Ballroom
Mon 4/20 Millvale, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre
Tue 4/21 Buffalo, NY Xtreme Wheelz
Thu 4/23 Toronto, ON Opera House
Fri 4/24 Montreal, QUE Underworld
Sat 4/25 Portland, ME The Station
Sun 4/26 Providence, RI Club Hell
Tue 4/28 Virginia Beach, VA Peppermint Beach Club
Wed 4/29 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle

(Los Angeles, CA) April 14, 2009 - The Syracuse, N.Y.-based UNHOLY, who will support Earth Crisis and Walls of Jericho on a national tour next month, have posted the Aeron Alfrey-designed cover art for their Prosthetic Records debut, New Life Behind Closed Eyes, on their MySpace page, www.myspace.com/unholy.

“The cover as well as the interior art has really captured the mood of the lyrical content of our new record,” says guitarist Jonathan Dennison. “Aeron went above and beyond bring these ideas to life.”

The album, in stores May 12^th, features the following track listing:

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KRISTIAN DRAGGE, BROTHER OF FLETCHER DRAGGE, PASSED AWAY LAST WEEKEND

April 10, 2009— Sadly, the Pennywise family has suffered another loss. On Sunday, April 5, 2009, Kristian Dragge, little brother of Pennywise lead guitarist Fletcher Dragge, tragically passed away at the young age of 39. He left behind his fiancée, Cindy Linn Groeneweg, and their 1-month old baby girl, Avery Nycole Dragge, as well as his mother Karen Dragge.

The following is from older brother Fletcher Dragge:

My brother Kristian has been a member of the South Bay punk rock scene since 1980 and was at one time the guitar player in the infamous Smut Peddlers. He was a legend in the punk rock community and was well know for his hell-raising antics, along with his fierce loyalty to friends and family. He will be greatly missed by everyone. He has been a huge part of the Pennywise family since Day One.

I remember him helping me hang the carpet to soundproof the garage that we formed Pennywise in. I also remember him lugging our equipment from gig to gig, starting mosh pits, as well as the fight he got into the very first time Pennywise ever played live. It was a backyard party in Redondo Beach.

It was about four songs into the set when he was jumped by three guys. We all stopped playing, dropped our guitars and jumped in to help him, just like he would have done for any of us. That’s what Pennywise has always been about, taking care of family. That’s why we are setting up a trust fund for his month old baby girl Avery Nycole, in order to assure that she has everything she’ll ever need growing up.

Any donations at this time would be greatly appreciated. There is no amount too small, anything will help. Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of love and support in this time of need, it has been overwhelming.

KRISTIAN YOU WILL BE FOREVER MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN R.I.P.

Love your brother Fletcher…..Jim, Byron, and Randy.

The charity on behalf of Avery Nycole Dragge will be set up shortly in her name. More details to come.

Chase Long Beach by Ronnie Raffaniello

Victory Records has officially signed southern California ska-punk band Chase Long Beach.  Other bands on the label include Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, VoodooGlowSkulls, and many more!  Check out Chase Long Beach on their upcoming tour before they head into the studio to lay down some new tracks!

www.myspace.com/chaselongbeach
www.victoryrecords.com/chaselongbeach

Rock To Roll is a benefit show raising money for UCP’s Wheels For Humanity, put on by Joe Sib of SideOneDummy. This year’s lineup included Alkaline Trio, The Gaslight Anthem, Punk Rock Karaoke, and  Broadway Calls.  Playing to an enthusiastic crowd at the sold out West Hollywood venue, the Key Club, the event raised over $30,000. The money will go to support UCP Wheels for Humanity, which has been donating refurbished wheelchairs to those in need since 1996. Over 40,000 children and adults in countries across the world have received free wheelchairs through the program. Some guests (most of which played) included:

- Jack Grisham from T.S.O.L
- Keith Morris form the Circle Jerks
- Mike McCulgan from the Street Dogs, formerly the Dropkick Murphys
- Joe Sib from Wax, 22 Jacks
- Joey LaRocca from the Briggs
- Jon Pebsworth of Buck-0-Nine
- All members of Rise Against
- Arturo Vega, designer of all the Ramones merchandise (and decorator of the Key Club for the event)