Same Love: Marriage Equality For All

In a historic decision, the SCOTUS strikes down two laws restricting the rights of same-sex couples.

On a day that will likely have its own chapter in history books, the SCOTUS ruled unconstitutional in a 5-4 the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The court also ruled that supporters of California’s Proposition 8 do not have standing to appeal a previous court decision that ruled the law unconstitutional. It’s a decision that will undoubtedly be met with boisterous applause from young Americans, seeing as young voters have historically supported gay marriage adamantly.

Jane's Addiction release Live in NYC

Jane’s Addiction have just released LIVE IN NYC on DVD/CD, Blu Ray, DVD, CD, and Double LP Vinyl via UMe. The show was filmed at Terminal 5 on July 25th, 2011 in celebration of the release of the band’s most recent album The Great Escape Artist. A trailer for LIVE IN NYC can be seen here.  

LIVE IN NYC is currently streaming in full on Rolling Stone here.

Interview: Matt Davies from Funeral For A Friend

To celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary of Funeral for a Friend’s Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation, we made contact with vocalist Matt Davies to discuss this essential release.

How would you say Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation helped shape the direction that Funeral For A Friend has taken 10 years later?

If it shaped the direction in anyway. It would have been to build and maybe approach things a little differently. Casually was always a collection of ideas based around the songs from the EP’s so I guess it led to more directional drive.

What would you say is the biggest difference between that album and a more recent record like Conduit?

The biggest difference is obviously the line-up and the age difference between when we made that record and when we made Conduit.

Do you remember the first song you wrote or recorded for Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation?

Technically, the first song we wrote for Casually (although we didn’t know it would be on the record at the time) was Juno (or Juneau). I remember Kris and I jamming that idea in my parents living room just after joined the band.

Was there anything you were hoping to accomplish with that record in particular?

Casually Dressed? I don’t think so, it was all a massive rush for us and hard to define. I think that drive of accomplishment came after.

What’s your favorite track on the record and why?

My favorite track is “Bullet Theory” because it laid down the groundwork for lyrical ideas that would come through on Hours etc.

Is there anything you’d do different on Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation if you had a chance?

Hmm, not really. It is what it is and it’s allowed us to do a lot of things as a band so I probably wouldn’t mess with it.

How do you think your music has influenced the younger generation of post-hardcore bands?

I’m not 100% sure but i get people coming up to me a lot lately and citing us as an influence. That’s pretty cool to me and by far the biggest compliment I can get in terms of being a part of this band.

When are you coming back to the US? Fall tour, maybe?

As of now we have no plans. I know it sucks, but we just don’t have any offers for tours and I don’t think we can make a headline tour work financially so it’s doubtful. It’s pretty sad as we love playing the US.

What’s next for FFAF in 2013?

Tour, tour and tour with a little bit of writing thrown in the mix…that and living our lives.

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS: New Album ‘Zero’ is in Stores Today –

Today, HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS releases their brand new, highly-anticipated concept album Zero! In celebration of the release, MSN.com has the full album available for streaming now via their Listening Booth here, and Last.fm has the album streaming as well here. Take a listen now, and make sure to purchase the record today! You can buy it via Best Buy here at a special price of just $7.99 (runs until July 20^th) or via the band at http://myplay.me/1195, via iTunes here, or via Amazon here.

Sworn In To Release Debut Album The Death Card On August 20th

Sworn In will release their debut full length album, The Death Card, on August 20^th on Razor & Tie.  Fans can pre-order the new album in various merch bundles now HERE (http://swornin.merchnow.com). Bundles include t-shirts, vinyl, CDs, a custom tarot Death Card, a 4-inch Sworn In patch as well as the instant grat track download of “A Song For The Nameless.”  The Death Card was produced by the band and was recorded, mixed and mastered by Brian Hood (A Plea For Purging, Gideon).

The Death Card Track List:
1. XIII
2. Hypocrisy
3.Mindless
4.Dead Soul
5.Senseless
6. A Song For The Nameless
7. Snake Eyes
8.Deadpan
9. Mute
10. Three Cheers
11.Bitter Blood
12.Death
13. Return (Heartless)

Arctic Monkeys announce new record, AM

Arctic Monkeys will release “AM,” their fifth full-length and first since 2011’s “Suck It and See,” on Sept. 10 through Domino.

The album will feature contributions from Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, who co-produced the group’s 2009 album “Humbug.” Bill-Ryder Jones and drummer Pete Thomas are also on board, while punk poet John Cooper Clarke will appear on the closer “I Wanna Be Yours.”

Last week, the band unveiled a video for lead single “Do I Wanna Know,” while “R U Mine?,” which was released in early 2012 and performed on the group’s tour with the Black Keys last year, will also appear on the album. The video can be below along with the track listing.

Track Listing
01) Do I Wanna Know?
02) R U Mine?
03) One For The Road
04) Arabella
05) I Want It All
06) No. 1 Party Anthem
07) Mad Sounds
08) Fireside
09) Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?
10) Snap Out Of It
11) Knee Socks
12) I Wanna Be Yours

A Story to Tell Release New Video and Tour Dates!

Pushing boundaries on the UK rock scene at the moment A Story To Tell are creating an army of loyal fans, and having recently released their brand new video 'Home' the momentum and excitement for their debut album 'Direction' looks to bebuilding more and more!

Machine Head Announces New Bassist

It is with great pride and excitement that Machine Head announce Jared MacEachern as their new bass player.  Jared has already begun rehearsals for the upcoming Rockstar Mayhem U.S. summer festival tour and will soon relocate from North Carolina to Northern California to begin pre-production for Machine Head’s upcoming 8th studio release.

 Some fans might remember MacEachern from 2007’s The Black Tyranny Tour, playing with his previous band Sanctity.  Machine Head, challenged to find a fill-in bass player for the North American tour after an injury sidelined their then-4-stringer, also found themselves in need of someone to sing harmony with singer/guitarist Robb Flynn. 

Flynn remembers, “We had locked in Brandon Sigmund of local boys Hostility to play bass on that tour, but we soon realized we’d need someone to hit the high harmonies.  Our A&R guy Monte Conner recommended Jared since he was already on the tour, and that ended up being a great call.  Jared flew out a few days before the tour and rehearsed with us and did great.  What was most impressive about the whole thing was that he was doing double duty - opening for Machine Head with his band at the time Sanctity, and then later singing with us.  He would stay sober until after our set, and often get in the van and drive all night.  His seriousness and dedication was awesome to see and it stuck with us”.

Norma Jean Premieres First Single, Iif You Got It At Five, You Got It At Fifty"

Norma Jean has premiered their first single “If You Got It at Five, You Got It At Fifty” from their forthcoming new studio album, Wrongdoers, on Metal Sucks

Wrongdoers will be released on August 6^th through Razor & Tie.  The album was recorded at Covenant Recording Studios in Kansas City with producer Josh Barber and was mixed by Jeremy Griffith.   Pre-order bundles for Wrongdoers are available at MerchNow  (http://normajean.merchnow.com).  Bundles include t-shirts, a digipak edition of the album, a poster as well as limited edition vinyl pressed in purple, blue/grey swirl and clear.  There is also an exclusive limited edition special 3.5” vinyl featuring B-sides.

Knapsack Announce Dates, Cities, Venues For Upcoming Fall Reunion Shows

Knapsack have announced dates, cities and venues for their upcoming fall shows, their first since disbanding in early 1999. The dates mark the 15th anniversary of their final US tour (with openers At The Drive-In) and will include a first-ever Florida appearance at The Fest.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to reconnect both as musicians and friends," says Colby Mancasola of the band he started with high school friend, Blair Shehan.

Knapsack released three influential albums and toured throughout the 90s. For 2013, the final lineup that recorded This Conversation Is Ending Starting Right Now (“A minor classic of twenty something despair.” - SPIN) - Shehan (The Jealous Sound), Mancasola, and Sergie Loobkoff (Samiam) - will be joined by former Thrice bassist, Ed Breckenridge. The band has no current plans to record new material or continue touring beyond 2013.