NOISE AND CLUTTER

Kinch: Advances

2008-05-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

I just wrote a review of the new Kinch record Advances over at PHXAgenda.com. You can read it here

This record is a record I was really surprised by. I thought it would be good, but the more I listen to it the more it blows my mind.

The best part is you can go to their site and download the whole record for free. Or just download the songs you want.

Download Advances
Download Fare Froward
Download Girls Are Such A Problem
Download Synaesthesia
Visit Kinchband.com

Lymbyc Systym Last Month at Modified Arts

2008-05-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

I took this video at last months Lymbyc Syctym show at Modified. I had promised to post it a few weeks ago but I never got around to it.

Why I Enjoy Learning About Spaghetti Sauce and Other Random Topics

2008-05-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is long, but I promise it does get to music.

I always have trouble with a seemingly simple and straight forward question "who is your favorite author?" And not only because I always hate listing favorites in any broad category, who I would say is my favorite band changes more frequently than the hour. The real trouble is I don't read a lot of fiction, I read more far nonfiction.

To list your favorite author of fiction is easier because it has more to do with style, genera, plot devises, or how enjoyable we find the stories, things that are easy to have a preference on. And all things the author ultimately has complete control on, thus are a reflection on him, his imagination and his vision.

Nonfiction does not work that way. While an author can control the topic and a great deal of style the author can not control the stories or the ending. A great nonfiction writer is reporting facts about the world that are inherently beyond their control. The content in a book on torture or on the current state of race relations is not a reflection of the author, while how they cover it may be. And the most important topics may not be the most fun or enjoyable. But that is not the criteria for judging fiction. You can judge it on how important it is, on how accurate it is, or how much impact it has or a slew of other criteria.

The criteria I would chose is how much a book changes my world view, and how much it helps me explain the rest of the world and not just the topic. A great work of nonfiction, to me, does not just inform you on the facts relating to one topic but gives a framework to how the rest of the world works.

That is why today a 20 minutes lecture on the modern history of spaghetti sauce both fascinated me and helped explain my views on where the music industry is going wrong more eloquently than I ever could.

Malcolm Gladwell: What we can learn from spaghetti sauce

In short the lesson to be learned from spaghetti sauce is that there is no perfect spaghetti sauce, only perfects spaghetti sauces. Marketing anything, be it spagettie sauce or music, cannot be about lowest common denominator. In fact their is no lowest common denominator at all. When it comes to spaghetti sauce there are a few types, traditional and chunky being two of them, and everyone has the preference. Instead of trying to make one sauce that fills everyones apatite you need to perfect a few different sauce, each that that fills a different preference best.

For years the major labels have tried to find the lowest common denominator, the act that the largest number of people will buy. That act does not exist today. The act that is going to sell the most records today is the act that is going to best fill the appetites of its audience, and not the act that can sell to every audience. This is not a new idea, but the example of spaghetti sauce shows the phenomenon more clearly than any example I have seen.

The lecture was by Malcolm Gladwell; the author of two books, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference" and "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking"; and the author I would list as my favorite. Both of his books have done more to change the way I think about how our world works than about any other individual books I've read.

Neither book is about music (one chapter in Blink does describe radio testing), yet both have done more to form my opinions on how the world of music actully works, both the business of selling it and the phenomenon of its spreading on its own, than anything else I have read. The concepts in them explain why "recording industry" is failing with out ever mentioning downloads, or marketing or even music it self.

For more on how this relates to music and radio Bob Lefsetz recently wrote on the lecture by Gladwell here.

Why! Oh Why!

2008-05-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Can no one who works in entertainment understand art at all?

A sequel to Donnie Darko has been announced and starts filming this month. This film is just set up to be a disaster. So far everything I have seen online has been negative with another site stating "Hollywood hates you."

The problem is just so fundamental. All reasons that the first film was so great, and why people reacted too it so strongly, cannot and will not be part of the sequel, and the simple existence of the sequel will cheapen those same qualities in the first. What made the original so great was how unique it was, the story, the tone of voices, and simple way it makes you feel are just unlike anything else. That uniqueness can never be part of the sequel since two identical pieces of art can not both be unique with the presence of the other.

The other fact is the first one just felt so non-commercial. It felt like a piece of art not a product. This sequel just has "cash in" written all over it.

Why can't people just let a good thing be?

Free Songs at the End Of The Basment...

2008-05-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

For the last two years the lovely Ashly Harris has run a great radio show every Sunday night on The Blaze called The Basement where she played some of the best new music from Arizona. The last show with her as the host was last Sunday.

To celebrate the end of her run as host Ashly has put together a great compilation of songs recorded live over the last two years on her show from 20 something bands she had on air. And she is giving it away for free. In addition too the free songs she has uploaded some videos from a number of the interviews she has done. You can download each track at purevolume.com/THEBLAZE1260AM or to make life easier I have put all of the songs into one zipped file for your enjoyment here.

The compilation features songs from: Matthew Reveles, Austin Gibbs and the States, Dear and the Headlights, Colorstore, Poem, Sleepwalk, A Robot, Princess Ladyfriend, Skybox, Captain Squeeguee and the Soap Suds, Adam Lee and the Dead Horse Sound Company, JD Stooks, Zachary James Dodds, This Century, Micah Bentley, Source Victoria, Awake and Alert, What Laura Says Thinks and Feels.

I have just learned that next week Ashly will be leaving Arizona for a job in New York. I am going to miss her around here but am stoked for her. We all know she is going to kill it in NYC.

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Sounds From The Basement [FREE COMP]
Princess Ladyfriend - Lake Michigan [MP3]
Dear And The Headlights - Paper Bag [MP3]

Vampire Weekend Add Phoenix Show

2008-05-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Vampire Weekend aka the biggest buzz band of 2008 has just announced their first Phoenix show after their unexplained blowing up.

They will be playing at the Marquee Theatre on September 24th. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

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Tickets and Info: StateSidePresents.com

Neil Fucking Diamond

2008-05-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Even though this is not the largest blog online, I get a surprising amount of emails asking me to blog about artists or tours. After I read this one I decided I had to post about it.

Neil Diamond is doing a 37-city tour this fall. How rad is that? He will be in Phoenix on October 10th at Jobing.com Arena.

He is touring supporting his new record “Home Before Dark” produced by Rick Rubin. I have heard from so many people that the last Rubin produced record was actually really good. I have meant to give it a listen but never got around to it. Diamond is one of those people I don’t know weather to say is a guilty pleasure or to admit that there is really no guilt about it. I might have to try and make this show.

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For Info and Tickets: TicketBastard.com

Moder Art Pool Party Today!

2008-04-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Modern Art Records is having a pool party today at 3:00 PM at the Clarendon Hotel in down town Phoenix. A favorite of mine Miniature Tigers are playing along with the also great Back Ted N-Ted. And the best part is it is free.

New Cat Power Date!

2008-04-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Stateside Presents has announced the new date for the recently canceled Cat Power show. Last week Cat Power Canceled their Marquee Theatre show, and the rest of the tour when vocalist Chan Marshall fell ill.

Cat Power will now be playing at the Marquee Theatre on Tuesday October 7th. No word yet on support for the show. All of the tickets for the canceled April 17 show WILL BE honored for this show.

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Stateside Presents [INFO]
etix.com [TICKETS]

April 19th Review: Part 1 Miniature Tigers

2008-04-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

In part two of my review of the show last Saturday I have video of Miniature Tigers playing their song Dino Damage.

For their show last Saturday the Miniature Tigers played a striped down set sitting on the floor in robes with face paint on. The only drum was a bass drum, that and the crowed clapping along. For a few songs they even added a mandolin. When I tried to ask Charlie what the motivation for the striped down set I got an answer along the lines of why not. I am not sure what he was thinking but it was great what ever it was.

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Miniature Tigers - Dino Damage [VIDEO]

Portugal the Man

2008-04-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Portugal the Man are playing a free show this Thursday, April 24, at ASU. They are playing on Hayden Lawn and 11:30 AM (get info).

I have seen Portugal several time in the last few months and they never fail to impress. I have been following them since they first started, and even before that when some of the key members were in Anatomy Of A Ghost, they started out solid but over the last few years they have turned into an amazing live act. After the show they are heading down to Tucson to play with Minus The Bear at the Rialto Theatre (get info).

April 19th Review: Part 1 Black Carl

2008-04-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

I managed to film a few songs of all the bands who played at Modified last Saturday and over the next few days I will be posting some of them. It was an amazing local show. One of the best all local shows I have seen in a long time with some of the truly most talented bands in town; Lymbyc Systym, Miniature Tigers, and Black Carl.

I have been watching Black Carl a lot over the last few months. They are one of my favorite new bands around here and Saturdays show was a great example of why. They are just always a party, I just don't think you can have a bad time watching them.

Black Carl mixes folky indie rock with a ton of soul and a few bits of retro funk. The vocals of Emma Pew are shockingly breath taking, and the band knows how to lay down a great grove.

The video here is of Black Carl doing their cover of the Talking Heads Psycho Killer. When they played this near the end of their set they got the whole room dancing along.

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Black Carl - Psycho Killer (Talking Heads Cover) [video]

Record Store Day - My Recap of Thrice

2008-04-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

So for Record Store Day I only made it to one Record Store, Zia in Chandler for their in store with Thrice. I had planed to go to Stinkweeds after but had to make it to Modified for the start of the Lymbyc Systym show.

The Thrice acoustic set at Zia was completely unlike any Thrice set I had seen before, and I have seen Thrice a few times. It was only Dustin and Teppei preforming, and with the only exception of Stare At The Sun at the end of the set, they only played songs on their vol. III & IV of The Alchemy Index. They also only played with a room mic and did not mic the vocals or the guitars. This meant it was very quiet, but if you were up font it could not have sounded better.

This is one of the shows that highlights why Thrice is as amazing as they are. Most people, only having heard their singles and knowing the majority of the kids that listen to them, have a very band idea of what Thrice is really all about. They have a depth and a range that sets them apart from almost all other heavier bands playing today. The mix of influences could not be more chaotic, and Thrice could not melt them together any more perfectly.

I manged to get two videos of them playing. These songs are the last tracks on the Air & Earth disks respectively.

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THRICE - SILVER WINGS (on Air) [VIDEO]

THRICE - CHILD OF DUST (on Earth) [VIDEO]

Only the Best Day Ever! It's Like Rex Manning Day!

2008-04-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Record Store Day is almost here. National Record Store Day is this Saturday, April 19th and is a celebration of the independent record stores. All across the country mom and pop record stores will be having sales, in stores, signings, give aways and a tone of other cool things to celebrate the art of physical music. Go to their website to find what is going on all over the country and read what artists like Bruce Springsteen, Henry Rollins, Paul McCartney and many more have to say about record stores.

I decided it would be a good idea to profile what is going on in Phoenix to celebrate the day.

Stinkweeds
12 W. Camelback Road
www.stinkweeds.com

Stinkweeds has a ton of neat things going on, sales and give aways a plenty, and limited 7"s from Death Cab For Cutie, REM, Black Keys, Built To Spill, Breeders, Vampire, and a Stephen Malkmus 10".

Stinkweeds is also teaming up with Sound Tree Records to have four great local bands playing acoustic at 3:00 PM with Neba, Dust Jacket, Sleep Like A Robot, and Out Of Reverie. They are also having a BBQ with free food and even an iPod give away loaded with music from Sound Tree Records.

Zia
www.ziarecords.com

Chandler:
Zia Records Chandler location will be hosting Thrice for a special acoustic set. For those of you who have not seen Thrice play acoustic this a must. Seeing them play their songs in this setting will change your mind of Thrice in a huge way. If you never liked them this will probably prove that they are not the band you think they are, if you are already a fan it will make you appreciate just how talented and versatile they really are.

Revolver Records
4214 N. 7th Avenue
myspace.com/revolver_records

If you are a fan of vinyl, Revolver has the steel of the day. Select records in their already low $1 bin will be sold at a retardedly low price of 3 only $1.

I will be posting more here later today! So come back.

Jimmy Eat World Add Home Town Show

2008-04-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Eat World has added their first headlining Phoenix show since their new album Chase This Light came out last year, it will also be their largest home town show booked in the last five years!

They will be playing Dodge Theater on Wednesday, June 18th. Tickets go on sale Saturday an 10 Am via TicketMaster.

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[INFO]

Against Me does Public Service Anouncment...

2008-04-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

Against Me! has made a new video for their song "Stop." This time the video is a Public Service Announcements for Rock The Vote. The song is perfect for this.

If you have not, register to vote here.

A Few Cool Friday Night Happenings

2008-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight among all the thousands of shows going on in the valley there are two shows that I will be trying to attend.

What Laura Says Thinks And Feels, Black Carl and Mostly Bears will be playing at the loft. I just did a show for What Laura at Modified for the Phoenix Agenda Launch Party and they were great. I am so pleased that they let us have them on the first months cover. They are truly one of the most promising bands in Arizona, and right now that is a solid list to be at the top of. Mostly Bears from Tucson are gaining some attention and I have been wanting to see them, unfortunately I don't think I will be able to make it to the start of the show, and Black Carl is always a party live.

The other show I will be trying to make it to is Astronautalist at the Trunk Space. Astronautalist is a new freestylist/raper making his buzz on the evil myspace. I saw him at the Eyeball Records showcase at SXSW. He does this thing where he has members in the crowed shout out subjects he should rap on and he ties them into one song. A lot of rappers do stuff like this live but he worked Sir Isaac Newton, Armadillos, Hillary Clinton, Volunteerism and Fruit Pops into the best song on the spot. I can not remember how he tied Newton to Fruit Pops but it blew my mind.

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Find more info on these and everything else worth knowing about at SilverPlatter.info.

This Time it is Just The Watson Twins

2008-04-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

I have always thought that Jenny Lewis's first solo record with The Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat, was more interesting than any of her recordings with Rilo Kily. Then again while I enjoy Rilo Kily, I was never a huge fan. One of the main things that makes Rabbit Fur Coat stand out is the contributions of the by the Watson Twins.

The Watson Twins, Chandra and Leigh, are releasing their first full length Fire Songs under that name this June. At least two of the songs from the album have been making their way around the Internet recently. One is a lovely cover of The Cures "Just Like Heaven." While these are the only two songs I have heard and cannot really review the album yet, after hearing them I am really looking forward to hearing the rest of the record.

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The Watson Twins: Just Like Heave (The Cure cover) [MP3]
The Watson Twins: How Am I To Be [MP3]

Death Cab Comes Back to the Valley

2008-04-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Death Cab For Cutie is coming back to AZ on Thursday, June 19th to play at Mesa Amphitheater. No word yet on support for the tour but Tickets for the Mesa date went on sale last Saturday and are sure to sell out before the show.

Their new album "Narrow Stairs" comes out on May 13th. Right now they have their new single "I Will Possess Your Heart" streaming on their myspace page

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[Buy Tickets]

Arizona bands taking over SXSW

2008-03-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

This year at SXSW Arizona is taking over. There are a few dozen Arizona bands from both Phoenix and Tucson playing both officially and unofficially.

The Stiletto Formal, What Laura Says Thinks & Feels, Mostly Bears, The Lymbyc Systym, The Summer Set, The Holy Rolling Empire, Anarbor, Peachcake and Digital Leather all have more than 3 shows. What Laura is even playing with Lou Reed!

In Addition at least three day partys are also being hosted by Arizonans. I have a party I am hosting on the 14th at The Jackalope (6th street and Trinity) with four AZ bands, Stiletto Formal, Princes Ladyfriend, Neba and Digital Leather. There will be free drinks at the event. In addition to that TucsonScene.com is hosting two partys, one on the 12th at Beso Cantina with Mostly Bears, What Laura, Holy Rolling Empire and many more and then a second party on Saturday the 15th with those three bands and more at Sonny’s Vintage.

The Phoenix based Modern Art Records is also showcasing two of their bands, Back Ted N Ted (with two shows) and The Medic Droid (although I can not find the info on their show at this time).

*** I will be updating this list until this Tuesday and then emailing it to my email list. If you have any additional information on any show, or want to be on that email list please email me at StephenChilton@gmail.com ***

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Download This List [WORD DOCUMENT]

ARIZONA BANDS AT SXSW:

Tuesday March 11th
PureVolume Ranch
323 E. 2nd Street
2nd & Trinity
Digg.com Party
Free – Free Drinks
The Stiletto Formal 11:00 PM

Wednesday March 12th

Club 115 (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
115 San Jacinto St (21+)
Mostly Bears 8:00 PM

The Solar Stage At The Counter Cafe
Corner of 6th & Lamar
What Laura Says Thinks & Feels 2:00 PM

Pangea
Berlin Afterparty
409 Colorado Street
What Laura Says Thinks & Feels 5:10 PM
(With SXSW Keynote Speaker Lou Reed)

Beso Cantina
TucsonScene.com Party
307B W. 5th Street - All Ages
Between 12-3PM:
The Jons
...music video?
The Deludes
The Holy Rolling Empire
Golden Boots
Mostly Bears 2:40 PM
Between 8PM-2AM
...music video?
Golden Boots
The Swim
The Holy Rolling Empire
The Jons
The Deludes
Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout

Thursday March 13th

West’s Gallery
408 Josephine St.
(S. Lamar and Barton Springs)
5$ - 21+ - free beer!
Princes Ladyfriend 5:00 PM
The Stiletto Formal 11:00 PM

PureVolume Ranch
323 E. 2nd Street
2nd & Trinity
21+ Free Drinks
Scary Kids Scarying Kids 3:00 PM

Counter Cafe Solar Stage
626 N Lamar
The Lymbyc Systym 6:00 PM

Hobotown Day Party
2507 E 6TH ST.
The Holy Rolling Empire 8:00 PM

Maggie Mae’s
Planetary Skewer BBQ
Mostly Bears 12:00 PM

Mt. Fuji Records
Lost Barrio Artists SXSW showcase
Mostly Bears 3:30 PM

Clementine Coffee Bar
The Lybyc Systym 2:00 PM
Back Ted N Ted 4:00 PM

Firehouse Lounge
605 Brazos
Cost : Free
The Summer Set (acoustic show) 5:15 PM
Anarbor 6:00 PM

Beso Cantina
307B W. 5th Street
Cost : FREE
Anarbor 12:15 AM

Spill
Texas Rock Fest
212 E 6th St
Via Vengeance 9:00 PM

Friday March 14th

The Jackalope
The Daily Chorus Party
6th Street & Trinity
Free – 21+ - Free Drinks
Digital Leather 1:30 PM
Neba 2:20 PM
The Stiletto Formal 4:10 PM
Princess Ladyfriend 5:00 PM

Maggie Mea’s
UG Strategies + Militia Group party
512 Trinity St
What Laura Says Thinks & Feels

Parts & Labour
1604 S Congress Ave.
The Lybyc Systym 3:00 PM

Emo’s Jr
Leafy Green Showcase
603 Red River St
The Lymbyc Systym 8:00 PM

Firehouse lounge
EMG Showcase
605 Brazos
FREE - 21+
The Summer Set 12:00PM
Anarbor 2:45 PM
Peachcake 5:00 PM

Beso Cantina
307B W. 5th Street
Cost : FREE
Anarbor 11:00 PM

Lamberts (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
401 W 2nd St (21+)
Andrew Collberg 10:00 PM

Volume (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
614 E 6th St (21+)
Intrinzik 9:00 PM

Cheapo Discs
Digital Leather 4:00 PM

Beerland
Goner Showcase
Digital Leather 11:00 PM

Saturday March 15th

The Hideout (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
Back Ted N-Ted 9:00 PM

Beso Cantina
307 B W 5th St
EMG Showcase
21 +
The Summer Set
Peachcake 9:00 PM

Creekside EMC at Hilton Garden Inn (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
500 N IH 35 (18+)
What Laura Says Thinks & Feels 9:00 PM

Habana Annex Backyard (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
708 E 6th St (Limited 18+ Admission)
PureVolume.com
Scary Kids Scaring Kids 1:00 PM

Soho Lounge (OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE)
217 E 6th St. (21+)
The Breakup Society 8:50 PM

The Opera House
2209 K South 1st Street
All Ages
Peachcake 6:00 PM

Sonny’s Vintage
Tucson Scene/Fine Tooth Clothing SXSW Party
2928 Guadalupe St - All Ages
Between 11:30-1:30 PM
...music video?
The Holy Rolling Empire
The Deludes
Mostly Bears 12:15 PM
Then:
What Laura Says Thinks and Feels 3:30
Between 5:30-6:30 PM
Golden Boots
The Swim

Sunday March 16th

Red 7
Radar Recordings Showcase
611 E. 7th St.
The Lymbyc Systym 9:30 PM

Headhunters
720 Red River
Via Vengeance 8:00PM

Where We Need To Be...

2008-03-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight Miniature Tigers had their record release at First Friday. I you have not had a chance to see this band they are a must. I think they are one of the most promising bands in Phoenix at the moment. Just this Tuesday they released two digital/vinyl EPs, Black Magic and White Magic. Both EPs were released by the next local power house Modern Art Records and are incredible.

Modern Art has some neat things going on, not only do they have some rad bands (in addition to MT, The Cover Up, Back Ted N Ted, The Medic Droid) they have totally been supporting the Arizona seen in a lot of ways that most people might not have noticed yet. I can not wait to see what becomes of this label. They have the potential to do amazing things for this town.

Tonight was great all the way around. I have not felt so great about the Phoenix scene in a while. I think Phoenix might be about to hit a tipping point or at least is nearing critical mass. I am so stoked to see as many people doing cool things as they are.

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Miniature Tigers - White Magic [MP3]

We Are The Ones Song by Will.I.Am

2008-02-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Will.I.Am has made another video in support of Barack Obama. There is something truly inspiring going on that we have not seen in my life time.

The Lybyc Systym to Play One of Their Hometowns

2008-02-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Phoenix and Austin Texas can both lay claims to the brothers know as The Lymbyc Systym, and its no wonder both would want to claim such an amazing band. The duo are headlining a show at Modified Arts tonight with the Texas band This Will Destroy You and fellow Phoenicians What Laura Says Thinks And Feels.

I am excited to see The Lymbyc Systym again. Last time I saw them was in LA with The One Am Radio and they were simply fabulous. I cannot say enough good things about these too.

This will be the first time I have seen What Laura, but I have been hearing the hype for months. They just did a short tour with The Album Leaf, a band that has shared the stage with The Lymbyc System more than a few times, and then will be heading out to SXSW next month, also with The Lymbyc System.

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THE LYMBYC SYSTYM - ASTROLOGY DAYS (THE ONE AM RADIO REMIX) [MP3]

New Limbeck Video

2008-02-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the new Limbeck video for their song "Let Me Come Home."

I think this is a great video, mainly because it captures who the band is. Limbeck is a band that has been shaped on the road. They are truly at home on a highway between small towns and you can hear it in their music.

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Buy Tickets for their Modified Arts shows:
March 26th
March 27th

Why I don’t feel bad that the major labels are dying…

2008-02-20T17:34:00.000-08:00

..or for downloading records peer-to-peer.

It used to be that when the major labels wanted to try a build a band they made a conscious effort to attract music fans too the band. Now they are so clueless that they say that music fans that download music online are likely to be terrorists and drug dealers. In official RIAA training video produced with the National District Attorneys Association telling U.S. prosecutors why they should bust music pirates; that there is a correlation between downloading records and "everything from handguns to large quantities of cocaine [and] marijuana."

I want to know what the fuck they are thinking? Do they really think that every 13 year old downloading records on limewire is heading to selling crack rock?

How am I supposed to support these people?

http://gizmodo.com