Memorial – New Record Available for Pre-order

MEMORIAL – The Creative Process / Berlin 12-inch Vinyl Available For Pre-order
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* Pre-order the album now from Flightplan Records – ships first week of May.
* Official release date: May 13, 2008

The Creative Process / Berlin, the debut 12-inch from Richmond, Virginia’s Memorial is now available for pre-order from Flightplan Records. Go here to get yours.

Pre-orders are limited to 100 (out of a total pressing of 500) on black vinyl. They will ship during the first week of May. Of the remaining 400 copies, 300 will be pressed on white and 100 on yellow. Those will be available on the official release date, May 13th.

Featuring Renee Heartfelt front man Peter Appleby, Memorial’s debut was originally scheduled scheduled for release as two separate 7-inches by Revelation Records. Not a huge surprise as these eight songs harken back to a particularly glorious (and emotive) stretch of albums released by the label in the mid-90’s. Anyone who mourns the loss of the extremely-underrated Renee Heartfelt or finds themselves really missing Quicksand, watch out for this amazing album.

One Win Choice – On Tour

ONE WIN CHOICE – March / April Tours
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* Two weeks in March (15 – 31) with The Campaign 1984
* Two weeks in April (Apr 16 – May 04) with Astpai

One Win Choice (Toms River, N.J.) will be embarking on two separate tours in March and April. The first – with The Campaign 1984 – begins tomorrow. The second will commence on April 16th and will find the band joining Austrian label mates Astpai for two weeks worth of shows.

One Win Choice’s fiery debut full-length, Never Suspend Disbelief, was released by Jump Start Records in December of 2007. You can stream a few tracks on the band’s myspace page, including the song “Bury Them” which was just posted today.

As always, if you’d like to attend one of these shows, drop me a line!

TOUR 1
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MAR 15 – Elkton, MD @ Joe’s Basement (196 Elk Ranch Park Rd)
MAR 16 – Richmond, VA @ Ramakin’s w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 18 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ The M Room w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ House Show w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 22 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Skelletones w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 24 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 25 – Detroit, MI @ Von’s w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 26 – South Barrington, IL @ Penn Road Pub w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 27 – Seymour, IN @ 2nd Street Live w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 28 – Belleville, IL @ Illegal Tones w/ The Campaign 1984
MAR 30 – Parma Heights, OH @ The Davenport
MAR 31 – State College, PA @ The Brewery

TOUR 2
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APR 16 – Richmond, VA @ TBA
APR 17 – Somewhere, NC @ TBA
APR 18 – Chattanooga, TN @ TBA
APR 19 – Belleville, IL @ Illegal Tones w/ Astpai
APR 20 – St. Louis, MO @ TBA w/ Astpai
APR 21 – Peoria, IL @ TBA w/ Astpai
APR 22 – WI / IA @ TBA w/ Astpai
APR 23 – Minneapolis, MN @ TBA w/ Astpai
APR 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ TBA w/ Astpai
APR 25 – Chicago, IL @ Ronny’s w/ Astpai
APR 26 – Lansing, MI @ TBA w/ The AKA’s, Astpai
APR 27 – Trenton, OH @ Trenton Fisherman’s Club w/ Astpai
APR 28 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Howler’s w/ American Armada w/ Astpai
APR 29 – State College, PA @ The Brewery w/ Astpai
APR 30 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ TBA w/ Astpai
MAY 01 – Albany, NY @ 289 Delaware Ave w/ After the Fall, Astpai
MAY 02 – East Stroudsburg, PA @ Penn Monster Factory w/ Astpai
MAY 03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Disgraceland w/ Jena Berlin, Giving Chase, Astpai
MAY 04 – Toms River, NJ @ The Shed

Recorded by Nick Rotundo (Paint It Black, None More Black) at Clay Creek Studios and produced by Boy Sets Fire’s Josh Latshaw, One Win Choice rips through 12 anthems of raw, uncompromising hardcore punk on Never Suspend Disbelief. This is music that is impassioned, urgent and uplifting all at once.

* Never Suspend Disbelief is an unrelenting source of energy, youthful optimism, intelligence and revolutionary ideals. – The Punk Site
* One Win Choice’s secret weapon is the way it so vividly captures storms of confusion, anger and self-pride. – Jersey Beat
* Balls-to-the-wall melodic hardcore punk that is easy to love and impossible to ignore. – Can You See The Sunset?
* Mixing quickness with an unbridled hardcore energy…One Win Choice is worth checking out. – For The Sound
* Fast, furious and really uplifting. – Mutiny Zine

Slingshot Dakota’s On Tour

SLINGSHOT DAKOTA – U.S. Tour (Mar 14 – May 03)
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* 6 week tour in support of Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost

Brooklyn, N.Y. / Easton, P.A. duo Slingshot Dakota begins a six-week trek across the U.S. today.

The tour – which covers both coasts and just about everything in between – is in support of the band’s latest self-released record, Their Dreams Are Dead, But Ours Is The Golden Ghost. The Slingshot kids are currently streaming five tracks from the album on their myspace page, so check em out here.

Ten irresistible songs recorded by Latterman’s Phil Douglas, you can order a copy of Golden Ghost directly from Slingshot Dakota via their myspace page or pick up a copy directly from Carly and Tom at a show. And if you’d like to attend one of these jammies, drop me a line!

TOUR
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MAR 14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Cat House w/ Street Smart Cyclist
MAR 15 – Lehigh Valley, PA @ Jan’s Room
MAR 16 – Philadelphia, PA @ The 43rd Ward
MAR 18 – Washington, DC @ The Girl Cave
MAR 19 – Richmond, VA @ Rumors (clothing store)
MAR 20 – Silver Spring, MD @ The VT Hurler
MAR 21 – Lexington, KY @ The Shrieking Shack
MAR 22 – Louisville, KY @ Pad Tight (house show) w/ Ghost Mice
MAR 23 – St. Louis, MO @ The R Building
MAR 24 – Columbia / Kansas City, MO @ TBA (help needed)
MAR 25 – Tulsa, OK @ The Monolith
MAR 26 – Ft. Worth, TX @ 1919 Hemphill
MAR 27 – Austin, TX @ Red 7 (all ages)
MAR 28 – El Paso, TX @ TBA (being booked)
MAR 29 – Anytown, NM @ TBA (help needed)
MAR 30 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Chyro Arts
MAR 31 – Riverside, CA @ The Pizza Factory
APR 01 – Los Angeles, CA @ TBA
APR 02 – Fresno, CA @ The DLC House
APR 03 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA (help needed)
APR 04 – San Francisco / Sacramento, CA @ TBA (help needed)
APR 05 – Arcata, CA @ The Greenhouse
APR 06 – Portland, OR @ Sweetpea Vegan Bakery
APR 08 – Seattle, WA @ TBA (being booked)
APR 09 – Olympia, WA @ TBA (being booked)
APR 10 – Portland, OR @ TBA
APR 11 – Boise, Idaho @ TBA
APR 12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Boing! Collective
APR 13 – Denver, Colorado @ TBA
APR 14 – Lincoln, NE @ The Ghost House
APR 15 – Anytown, IA @ TBA (help needed)
APR 16 – Madison, WI @ The Palindrome House
APR 17 – Chicago, IL @ TBA (help needed)
APR 18 – Peoria, IL @ This Is Ours Fest
APR 19 – Peoria, IL @ This Is Ours Fest
APR 20 – New Buffalo, MI @ TBA
APR 21 – Cincinnati, OH @ Blue Rock Tavern (free show, all ages)
APR 22 – Columbus, OH @ The Monster House!
APR 23 – Parma Heights, OH @ The Davenport (all ages)
APR 24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Lava Lounge w/ Karmella’s Game
APR 25 – Buffalo, NY @ The Death Trap
APR 26 – Rochester, NY @ TBA (being booked)
APR 27 – Syracuse, NY @ 113 W Borden Ave
APR 28 – Oswego, NY @ TBA (being booked)
APR 29 – Oneonta, NY @ House Show!
APR 30 – Winooski, VT @ The Monkey House
MAY 01 – Medford, MA @ The Oxfam Cafe
MAY 02 – Eliot, ME @ Eliot Grange Hall
MAY 03 – Vestal, NY @ Binghamton University Old Union

Sure, they’re a two piece now, but Slingshot Dakota’s sophomore full-length is unquestionably warmer, more textured and dynamic than anything the band has ever written. While heartfelt melodies still anchor the duo’s compelling sound, Slingshot has injected a bit of that ol’ punk rock abandon – not to mention a heaping does of good times – into the mix. The result is as tender as it is raucous and fun.

* A duo that makes duos exciting again. – Absolutepunk.net
* Golden Ghost might be one of 2008’s best hidden secrets. – New-Noise
* Golden Ghost was my first introduction to the band, and one I doubt I’ll soon forget. – The Punk Site
* Wow. Like seriously, wow. Simple and heartwrenchingly honest in all the right places. – Late Night Wallflower
* A refreshingly strong emotionally honest album filled with compelling indie-pop anthems. – DryveTymeOnlyne
* In the case of Slingshot Dakota, less is definitely more; this musical duo is overflowing with substance. – Pastepunk

Look Mexico – New Video / Still Touring…

LOOK MEXICO – Video for “You Come Into My House, While I Sleep?”
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* Sweet new video with illustration by LM’s Joshua Mikel / animation by Travis Miller
* SXSW shows
* Six-week tour of U.S. rolls on…

Tallahassee, Florida’s Look Mexico has unveiled an amazing new video for “You Come Into My House, While I Sleep?”, the first song from their 2007 full-length This Is Animal Music on Lujo Records.

With animation from Travis Miller and concept / illustration by Look Mexico’s drummer Joshua Mikel, the video features sheep, a giant drooling spider, a griffin, Zeus, a mermaid, an anglerfish (maybe), a fishing bear and four creepy rabbits in underoos. It’s probably just better if you watch it.

While we’re on the subject, Josh Mikel is a terrific artist who has cranked out some rad stuff for Fake Problems, Sound As Language and yours truly. You can check out his work at Sharkguts and drop him a line sharksruledude@gmail.com.

Of course, the Look Mexico boys continue to tour in support of their latest release on Lujo, The Crucial Collection, which was released on February 12, 2008. For those of you in attendance, the band has two sweet shows at SXSW this week. And for the rest of us on the right side of the contry, Look Mexico will continue touring the Southeast and East Coast for the next three weeks.

TOUR
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MAR 13 – San Antonio, TX @ The Warhol w/ Tera Melos, By The End of Tonight
MAR 14 – Austin, TX @ SXSW Team Grizzly Showcase / Pangaea’s Patio w/ Band Marino, Clock Hands Strangle
MAR 15 – Dallas, TX @ The Door / The Side Stage
MAR 16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW / Red Seven w/ Circle Takes The Square, Maps and Atlases, Portugal The Man, Caspian, more
MAR 17 – Houston, TX @ The White Swan w/ Constants, Junius, Buxton
MAR 18 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Q and Data’s w/ Constants, Junius, Cougars Den
MAR 19 – Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar w/ Constants, Junius
MAR 21 – Brandon, FL @ The Porch w/ Constants, Junius
MAR 22 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall w/ Constants
MAR 25 – Greenwood, DE @ The Barn w/ Constants, Makeout Party
MAR 26 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Khyber w/ Constants
MAR 27 – Clifton, NJ @ The Clash Bar w/ Constants
MAR 28 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ Constants, Goes Cube, The Hull
MAR 29 – Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bears Place w/ Constants
MAR 30 – Portland, ME @ The Big Easy w/ The Killing Moon, The Last Goodnight
APR 04 – Richmond, VA @ Canal Club (downstairs) w/ Love and Reverie
APR 05 – Clemson, SC @ Clemson University / WSBF Annual Spring Concert w/ Dave Dondero, Army of Ponch

Too Much Red Leader News To Fit On One Line…

RED LEADER RECORDS – March News
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* Polar Bear Club debut full-length out now
* New distro deal with LMMG
* Nakatomi Plaza at SXSW
* Free Label Sampler

Plenty of exciting stuff going on at Red Leader Records this month, beginning with the highly-anticipated full-length from Rochester, New York’s Polar Bear Club. Sometimes Things Just Disappear is officially out as of yesterday via the label’s new distro deal with LMMG. Unquestionably worth the wait, you can swing by your local indie record store and pick up a copy…or as always, get it directly from Red Leader.

If you’d like to listen beforehand, the fine folks at Punknews.org are streaming the record in its entirely. Go here to check it out.

Next up, Brooklyn’s hardest working band, Nakatomi Plaza, is playing three shows at SXSW this week. What’s more is they’re all free, which means you won’t have to purchase a ridiculously-priced badge only to be forced to fight through annoying crowds of mostly-drunk industry types who are only there to jerk each other off (figuratively, of course) for five straight days. Can you tell that I’ve never been to SXSW and I’m bitter?

In all seriousness, go check out the Nakatomi Plaza kids; they have one of the best live shows out there. Plus, there are rumors that the band will have cdrs with new songs and demos. One of those demos might be posted on their myspace page, and it might be totally sweet.

Nakatomi Plaza SXSW Shows!
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MAR 13 – Austin, TX @ The Parlor, 100 B. East North Loop Blvd, 7pm (Nakatomi at 8pm), AA, Free!
MAR 14 – Austin, TX @ Parts and Labour (back parking lot), 1604 S. Congress, Nakatomi at 5pm, AA, Free!
MAR 15 – Austin, TX @ Agave Bar, 415 6th St., Nakatomi at 3pm, 21+, Free!

Finally, to celebrate all the madness, Red Leader has made their new label sampler free to download. Go here for 20 awesome songs from recent releases, not to mention unreleased / rare tracks from End Of A Year, Marathon, Nakatomi Plaza, Dear Tonight, FireWhenReady and Scream Hello.

Speaking of Scream Hello, it’s worth noting that the band’s new 4-song EP, Smart & Stupid, will be out on April 8th via Red Leader. It’s the precursor to Everything Is Always Still Happening, Scream Hello’s upcoming full-length due out in the Summer of 2008. I only mention it because both records are truly amazing. You can listen to a couple songs on their myspace page.