Hawthorne Heights Guitarist Dies

Casey Calvert, the guitarist for Hawthorne Heights, died November 24 in his sleep, of unknown causes. The band posted this official message on its website:

At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know.

Sincerely,

Hawthorne Heights

This is so sad!

Photo Credit: 3voor13.vpro.nl

You Cannot Continue to Lead Us On, Bamboozle Left!

Southern California's rock music festival, The Bamboozle Left, has postponed its scheduled announcement of this year's lineup for the second time in 1 week. Once again the people behind the festival waited until the scheduled announcement date to report that they would not be announcing anything. Now they are claiming that the announcement will be made December 14, but who knows at this point.

Seems to me that the festival (now only in its second year) is having some major organization problems.

Graphic Credit: thebamboozleleft.com

You Should Know...

Saves the Day! Singer and songwriter, Chris Conley, is one of the kings of emo (no matter who hates that label), and the band has been around with varying members since 1997. Sometimes it seems hard to understand what exactly is so special about this band, but a lot of people tend to answer "the lyrics," which are undeniably poetic in their own right.

Interesting Fact: Saves the Day is Say Anything frontman Max Bemis's favorite band.

This is an amateur recording of the STD classic "Rocks Tonic Juice Magic" from the 1999 release, Through Being Cool, when STD played it acoustic in Chicago earlier this year.


"Heart is on the floor/ Why don't you step on it!" Umm...I'll go ahead and label this song under "guilty pleasure" where it rightfully belongs.

"Just Say How" Jet Lag Gemini Will Bring You a New Song Each Week

Doghouse Records band, Jet Lag Gemini, has begun to stream a new song from their upcoming album Fire the Cannons each week, and will continue to do until the week before January 22, when the album is released. You will be able to hear their song each week on their official myspace page, but this week's song, "Just Say How" can be streamed below.

Photo Credit: doghouserecords,com

Wedding Photos

Photo Credit: myspace.com/jilleein2

Recently married Stubhy Pandav (Lucky Boys Confusion frontman) and wife Jillian (LeCompte) Pandav have had their professional wedding photographs posted on-line where they are available for purchase (presumably by friends and family, not fans). You can click here to view them.

Anberlin Video Premiere!

Check out Tooth and Nail Records band, Anberlin's, new music video for its song "The Unwinding Cable Car," right here on Rock Insatiable.




What do you think?

Happy Holidays from the Inde Labels! Free Music Samplers!

Doghouse Records and Science Records are both independently offering free downloads of their samplers CDs. Click here to access the Doghouse sampler, which includes The Honorary Title and Limbeck. You can download the Science Records sampler featuring Blessthefall and Greeley Estates by clicking here.

Graphic Credit: doubleii.com

Rock Insatiable Innacuracy; Corrected!

Rock Insatiable recently reported that Another Day Late signed a record deal with Doghouse Records; however, the band actually signed with Band Recordings. Sorry for the mistake. The original post has now been updated with the correct information.

TV Show "Californication" Same Name As Chili Pepper's Album...Someone Finally Noticed!

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have filed a lawsuit against the Showtime original series, Californication, according to RollingStone.com. The band has both an album and a song, released in 1999, by the name "Californication" and claim that the show (produced by David Duchovny) stole the name from it.

If anyone else thinks like me, they thought of Red Hot Chili Peppers as soon as they heard about this show's existence.

Graphic Credit: upload.wikimedia.org

Hit The Lights Online TV

Happy Tofurkey Day!

Pop-punk band, Hit the Lights, has premiered a new web show called "With or Without You." Among other things, the show follows the band's search for a new singer, after Colin Ross left the band last June. Watch the first episode below, and catch the new episodes on YouTube or the band's myspace page.




I don't think you can be the same band after you change singers, but I guess I should tell that to Saosin or Van Halen.

Static Switches

Graphic Credit: fearlessrecords.com

A Static Lullaby lost a guitarist and gained a drummer recently. While John Martinez has left the band, Tyler Mahurin, is permanently taking over as the band's drummer. "There is no longer any dissention in the band and we are both collectively happier with our current situations," the band wrote in a blog on its official myspace page about Martinez's split with the band. "We wish him the best of luck with his future projects."

Copeland Unreleased Tracks

Copeland's compilation of unreleased and rare tracks, Dressed Up and In Line, is now available for purchase. It includes covers of "Black Hole Sun" (Soundgarden) and Every Breath You Take (The Police).

Photo Credit: myspace.com/copeland

Also, on the album is a different version of "When Paula Sparks," which I find particularly special for (perhaps) obvious reasons. Here's a little tribute: "Ever since you went away/ That's when Paula sparks/ I miss her more everyday/ That's when Paula sparks a little light in my eye."

Between The Buried and Me Tour Dates

Victory Records' band Between The Buried and Me are beginning their new US tour in support of their fifth album, Colors, on November 29, along with August Burns Red.

11/29/2007 – Charleston, SC
11/30/2007 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
12/1/2007 – St. Petersburg, FL
12/2/2007 – Orlando, FL
12/4/2007 – Austin, TX
12/5/2007 – Dallas, TX
12/7/2007 – Tucson, AZ
12/8/2007 – Los Angeles, CA
12/9/2007 – Fresno, CA
12/10/2007 – San Francisco, CA
12/12/2007 – Colorado Springs, CO
12/13/2007 – Lawrence, KS
12/14/2007 – Sauget, IL
12/15/2007 – Dayton, OH
12/16/2007 – Asheville, NC

Photo Credit: victoryrecords.com

Blessthefall Announcement

Photo Credit: hislastwalk.com

Blessthefall announced that it will release its album, His Last Walk, in Japan on December 5 of this year. It will be available for purchase here, and will include the song "I Wouldn't Quit If Everyone Quit," according to a press release. The band is currently on tour in Europe w/ Silverstein and will be performing in the UK, Sweden and Germany for the next two months.

"B- is for Believing You'd Always Be Here for Me"

The Format is giving away a compilation album of its "B-Sides and Rarities" to the first 1,000 people to spend $30+ at its on-line merch store, theformatmerch.com, starting TODAY. Sure it's a gimmick, but if it's important to you now seems to be the time to buy your The Format gear.

Photo Credit: blogs.houstonpress.com

Invite the Goo Goo Dolls to Thanksgiving

The Goo Goo Dolls will be performing the Thanksgiving Day Halftime show for the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (boo!) game Nov. 22. According to their myspace bulletin, the band will perform "Better Days" and "Stay With You."

I'm a Bears fan so I will be rooting AGAINST the Packers.
ps. Yes, this is a picture of Johnny Rzeznik and not the whole band, but he may as well be the Goo Goo Dolls, in my opinion.

Photo Credit: asgteach.com

Just For Fun

If you enjoy spending your days playing useless games on-line, this is for you. And perhaps I do because I felt challenged by how badly I played this very simple game at first. Now I think I am up to level 4. Bored? Try it out!

Jingo Group together 'Jingos' of the same colour and help to set them free.

Play this free game now!!

The Bamboozle Left is a Tease!

Graphic Credit: info.aeglive.com

After publicizing that it would make an announcement on November 16, The Bamboozle Left, the west coast's version of New Jersey's annual Bamboozle festival, the website announced that it would make an announcement on November 23. I hope nobody was holding their breath. The festival, now approaching its second year, will take place April 5th and 6th in Irvine, California. As for now, I hope the next announcement is more substantial and we stop being led on.

Envy On The Coast Cancels Tour Due to Health

Envy on the Coast canceled their remaining tour dates with Escape the Fate, due to singer Ryan Hunter's problem with his vocal chords. According to a statement he posted on the band's official website and myspace page, Hunter has been dealing with problems with his vocal chords due to acid reflux disease, and had been approved to go on the tour by his doctor recently before experiencing this other unexplained issue. After struggling through three songs during the band's performance yesterday, Hunter walked off the stage apologizing to the fans, unable to continue. "I don't really know how to explain the sensation for someone who doesn't sing…but imagine trying to scream underwater," Hunter posted. "That's kind of what it feels like. It's like swallowing a golf ball and then trying to hold a conversation with someone."

This is really too bad, I hope Envy on the Coast doesn't need to also cancel their tour dates with Circa Survive's Anthony Green.

Photo Credit: spin.com

Ani DiFranco Surprises No One By Being Political

Ani DiFranco will host special guest, Democratic Presidential Nominee Dennis Kucinich, at her performance on November 18 at Town Hall in New York, according to Spinner.com. Kucinich is probably the most liberal Democratic candidate and DiFranco said she disagrees with the attitude of him being "unelectable" that people seem to have.

This is a photo of the two of them campaigning together in Austin back in 2003.

Photo Credit: media.collegepublisher.com

Get Your Langerado Tickets!

Photo Credit: livemusicblog.com

Tickets for South Florida's Langerado Music Festival go on sale today at 12 PM EST. This year the festival, which will be held from March 6-9, will be featuring The Beastie Boys, R.E.M., 311, Matisyahu, Ani DiFranco, Ben Folds, Of Montreal, Minus the Bear, matt pond PA and Steel Train just to name a few. According to the official website, Langerado is going to be special this year, as it is expanding to four days and changing its location to Big Cypress Indian Reservation.

You Should Know...

Tori Amos! And I'm sure you do, but I think she ought to continue to be appreciated even when she's not singing about Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan. She is such a strong woman with amazing musical talent, and it is harder for women to make it into the music world on talent alone. Here is her video (which is admittedly a bit silly) for "Winter," a touching and beautiful song about her father.

AKA Free

The A.K.A.S are giving their new album away for free, according to shoutmouth.com. The new album is set for release sometime in February of next year. Can't wait? Catch the A.K.A.S on tour with Hawthorne Heights, Escape the Fate and Amber Pacific. Check out their official site for dates.

Photo Credit: myspace.com/theakas

The White Stripes Join Forces with Rock's Most Famous "Loser"

Beck has teamed up with The White Stripes to record three new songs, according to Rollingstone.com. In one of the songs Beck sings and plays piano, and in the other two he plays guitar. The White Stripes, that canceled all their tour dates earlier this year because of Meg White's apparent "anxiety," hinted at the new material last week, before revealing its pinch hitter to Rolling Stone.

If you ask me it's a step down for Beck, but we'll see how it turns out.

Photo Credit: white-stripes-lyrics.com

Louder Now! Part Deux...But Who Cares?

The second part of Taking Back Sunday's DVD Louder Now is going to be released in stores on November 20. You can watch the trailer here:

Does anybody actually buy this stuff?

The Higher and The Big Bad Wolf

Epitaph recently premiered The Higher's video for their single "Dare" on-line. Check it out on youtube below...


I think the song is really catchy, but I don't know about Seth Trotter's ringlet curls.

The Who Working on New Album

Photo Credit: thewhocollection.com

Rollingstone.com reported that "According to the Who’s Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend is already working on new material for the follow-up to 2006’s Endless Wire."

Everytime I Die and Escape the Fate Take Action! '08

Everytime I Die and Escape the Fate are co-headlining the 2008 Take Action! Tour, according to a press release. This annual charity concert put on by Sub City records previously has donated a portion of its profits to the Youth America Hotline and helps to raise awareness for the issue of teen suicide. In an interview for the Daily Trojan last February, Sub City founder, Louis Posen, said the bands get selected each year based on “two main criteria: artists who are interested in combining their talent and doing something positive with it, as well as ones who have fans who come out to shows” so that the message can reach the most people. To stay up to date with the other bands who will be on the tour, as well as the dates be sure to check back at the official website: takeactiontour.com

Graphic Credt: nipp.com

"Baby Girl, I'm A Blur" Video

Say Anything recently premiered the video for their song "Baby Girl, I'm A Blur" off of their recently released album In Defense of the Genre. Watch it!


If you're not listening to this album yet, you should be!

Taking Back Sunday Gives To Cancer

In the spirit of the holiday season, Taking Back Sunday is donating $3 to various cancer research charities every time someone buys a select item from their on-line store until the end of December. You can tell which items are included because they are marked with a big crossed out "C."

It's so great when bands get involved.

Photo Credit: myspace.com/takingbacksunday

William Tell, Cali Performances

Photo Credit: myspace.com/williamtell

Solo artist William Tell, formerly of Something Corporate, has scheduled three shows in Southern California for the upcoming weeks. Looks like the rest of the country will have to wait.

11/23 Upland, CA at The Wire
12/7 Los Angeles, CA at Knitting Factory
12/9 Anaheim, CA at Chain Reaction

I suggest checking him out if you can. His performance at Bamboozle Left last year was really enjoyable. And if you don't like the music, he's certainly pretty to look at.

Ani DiFranco Poetry Readings

Badass folk singer, Ani DiFranco, will be doing three poetry readings on the East Coast starting tomorrow.

Nov. 13, 1:00 pm
Wordsmith Bookstore
141 East Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030

November 16, 1:00 pm
Busboys & Poets Bookstore at All Souls Church
1500 Harvard St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009

November 18, 3:00 pm
Bluestockings Bookstore at Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

I would love to be able to catch one of these! She is such an amazing, strong woman...and her music is pretty good too! If anyone goes, let us know how it was.

Photo Credit: dirtylinen.com

Courtney Love Blogs Drunk

Or at least I hope she did it drunk. Otherwise, there is no excuse for her innumerable spelling and grammar mistakes in a blog she posted on her official myspace page recently. Honestly I couldn't get through it all, but she talks about writing 13 new songs and criticizes Madonna among other things. If you want to read it click here.

Otherwise, check out this excerpt from one such crazy rant: "but im icy ssad- madonna is a great business woma but come on she s weak as an artista nd we akl lknow it- i like madge - but as a relevant musician - its a joke shes singing from such a calculating thought out place all the time its never from her gut or heart or intuition so maybe it sounds great an dis slick and you can hum it -discxo n dance it but ambitionand sass and shrewd does not equal great art- hard work and major dsicipline doesnt equal great art and all of those are great things- i covet thenm i haVE great disciplne and i do work like a bionic thing."

That's her completely unedited. Please Courtney, take your meds before you post on the internet.

Photo Credit: tinypic.com

Just For Fun

This is a funny video clip from when Jakob Dylan, vocalist for the Wallflowers, appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, one of my favorite comedians, in 2002.



Jakob Dylan is so hot! Where did he get his looks? Probably not from Bob.

Anthony Green to Tour Solo with Envy on the Coast

Photo Credit: altpress.com

Anthony Green, current lead singer of progressive-rock band, Circa Survive, (and formerly of Saosin) is accompanying Envy on the Coast for five days of their tour in late December. The days he is performing are listed below:

12/26/07 Harper's Ferry Allston, MA
12/27/07 School of Rock South Hackensack, NJ
12/28/07 Recher Theatre Towson, MD
12/29/07 Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, NY
12/30/07 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA

I wonder what he's going to perform since he will be doing the solo thing on those days.

Avenged Sevenfold Rocks the Charts

Avenged Sevenfold exploded on to the charts with their new, self-titled album, which they released on October 30th, according to a press release. The album "debuted at Number Four on the Billboard Top 200." Also, their single "Almost Easy" made it "into the Top 10 at Active Rock" during its first week of release.

Congratulations are in order!

Photo Credit: junkonline.net

New Dark Ages Video

Bad Religion recently released a video for their single "New Dark Ages" off of their latest album New Maps of Hell. Check out the video below...

Rx Bandits Hit Baltimore

Ska-punk band, Rx Bandits, begin their tour tomorrow in Baltimore, along with Men, Women and Children, Nurses. Check out their official myspace page for the ticket links.

I saw Rx Bandits perform (for the third time) at USC last spring. They were amazing, but of course they have too many songs for me to hear all my favorites like this one here (from 2003):

Hot Water Nearly Boiling

Hot Water Music, who has recently decided to reunite, announced a few of their 2008 tour dates, according to altpress.com. Here are the dates they announced:

JANUARY 19TH, 2008 ORLANDO, FL HOUSE OF BLUES
JANUARY 25TH, 2008 SAYERVILLE, NJ STARLAND BALLROOM
FEBRUARY 2ND, 2008 CHICAGO, IL METRO

So many reunions lately: Eve 6, The Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, Hot Water Music. Which are you most excited for?

Photo Credit: sortedmagazine.com

Shock Stars Take it to the Road

Photo Credit: myspace.com/shockstars

Shock Stars, the side project of Lucky Boys Confusion's vocalist, Stubhy Pandav, kicks off its first tour ever this Wednesday at Winona State University. The band will be hitting up colleges and other venues all around the Midwest. Click here for the full tour schedule.

Another Day Late Signs Record Deal

Another Day Late signed a deal with Band Recordings, according to a blog on their official myspace page. They wrote "Although the official press release won't come out until we figure out our cd release date, we just wanted all of our fans to know the news. We are so excited about what the future hold for this band and we can't thank you all for all of your support."

Not familiar with Another Day Late? Check them out performing live at the Roxy in Los Angeles here:

The Decemberists Tour Canceled

The Decemberists canceled the entire remainder of their tour "The Long and Short of It," according to their official site. Here is what the site said about it:

"With much regret The Decemberists have cancelled the remainder of "The Long and Short of It" tour.
One of our band members has been ill for a while but we thought all would be well in time for these tour dates. After a couple shows, though, it has become clear that the illness is much worse than we had initially realized. We need to return home so our friend can mend.
It saddens us to disappoint our fans. We hope everybody understands it is only because of an extreme situation that we had to cancel a tour we've all been excited about doing since the idea was originally hatched.
Our deepest apologies but at this time no plans are being made to reschedule the dates. Ticket holders should seek refunds at point of purchase."

That is so disappointing for the fans...and for the band. Did anyone have tickets to one of the canceled shows?

Photo Credit: mog.com

Envy On The Coast FREE EP

You can download Envy On The Coast's 5-song EP entirely for free! All you need to do is go to photofinishrecords.com/signup and join the mailing list. Then you will receive an e-mail with the download in it.

The only thing better than free music, is legal free music!

Photo Credit: cd.last.fm

Led Zeppelin Reunion Post-Poned

Photo Credit: bluesforpeace.com

Led Zeppelin is pushing back the kick-off date to their reunion tour by two weeks because Jimmy Page broke his finger, according to Spinner.com. They did not report how Page broke his finger.

Well, everyone has waited this long so I suppose they can wait two weeks more. A lot of reunions lately. Hopefully, they do themselves justice more than The Sex Pistols did.

Gwen Returning to No Doubt

"Last night, Gwen played her last concert as a solo artist in Santa Barbara, California to a sold out crowd. She held back the tears as she reminded her self and the fans that this was the last stop, the 100th show, the last time she’d be performing with the b-boys and harajuku girls. The show was full of nonstop energy and amazement, even as the mist and cold swept through the Santa Barbara Bowl. We were lucky to have Gwen perform an extra song, “U Started It”. Gwen had some trouble getting to and back from the crowd during “Cool”, but she made it through and back to the stage. She brought Kingston out before performing “the Real Thing”. He slapped the keyboard a few times and waved goodbye to the crowd. The finale, as always, was “What You Waiting For?”. Fans sung along the opening lyrics as Gwen stood in amazement. “I’m not gonna cry”, she kept saying to her self. By the end of the show, the stage was full of tears, hugs and love as an amazing world tour came to an end."

Quoted from: nodoubtweb.com

All I have to say is thank god! Gwen was so much cooler when she was with No Doubt. Before she went solo and decided popularity was more important than the music quality, I idolized her.
Photo Credit: popstarsplus.com

Is Rob Thomas "Uncreative?"

Rob Thomas posted on Spinner.com that when he listens to Tom Petty's song "Square One" he instantly feels "uncreative." "I feel like the worst songwriter in the world, like anything I've done can never touch the purity of what I just heard," Thomas posted. "And I'll sit and listen to 'Square One' over and over, and I'm trying to decipher it. I'm like, 'I don't get it. It's only three chords. I know these chords. Why haven't I done that?'"

Sure, few people are going to match the greatness of Tom Petty, but don't be so hard on yourself, Rob.

Photo Credit: outandaboutnewspaper.com

Morrissey Finds Kristeenyoung "Unlovable"

Photo Credit: musicspectrum.com

Morrissey kicked Kristeenyoung, the artist that had been opening his shows in the U.S., off of his tour after she apparently announced on stage that "Morrissey gives good head, I mean, er, cunnilingus...," according to Spinner.com. The band Girl in a Coma, is taking over the remaining tour dates.

"Girl in a Coma" is probably less likely to offend Morrissey because anyone who names their band after his song "Girlfriend in a Coma" must be a big fan.

Rock for Darfur on November 10th

Concerts all over the world will be performing in support of the relief efforts for the current crisis in Darfur. According to myspace.com/rockfordarfur (where you can get more information), a "portion" of all ticket sales to these specific concerts on November 10, "will go directly to the Save Darfur Coalition and Oxfam's humanitarian work in Darfur." Bands such as NOFX, Hot Hot Heat, Coheed and Cambria and Wilco will be playing in Durban, Glasgow, San Diego and Zaragosa, along with many other bands in many other global locations.

This is such an important cause! Look on the myspace page to find a Rock for Darfur concert in your area.

Graphic Credit: myspace.com/rockfordarfur

How Would You Like to take a Class from The Smiths?

Johnny Marr, former-guitarist for The Smiths, was hired as a visiting professor by Britain's University of Salford, according to Spinner.com.

Sign me up! I would love to take a class from him except the whole time I would be begging "Please Prof. Marr, consider a Smiths reunion!"

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Santana About to Be Single

Photo Credit: music.aol.com

Carlos Santana and his wife, Deborah, are getting a divorce, as she filed the papers on Oct. 19, according to AOL news. They have been married 34 years and have 3 children.

I think Deborah Santana looks like an older Halle Berry here.

Motion City on TV

This Thursday (Nov. 8), Motion City Soundtrack will be performing their single "This Is For Real" on Late Night with Conan 'O Brien at 12:35 EST. So you MCS fans in New York should try to get tickets to the taping.

Photo Credit: spin.com

UPDATE: Unfortunately this performance has been canceled due to the screenwriters' strike.

The Sex Pistols Insult Their Former Selves

The Sex Pistols, who have apparently gotten back together recently, performed on Jay Leno Tuesday night. I really don't have too much to say about it because the video speaks for itself. Take a look if you dare...

Radiohead SIgns With Indie Record Label

Radiohead signed with British label XL Recordings, AOL Music News confirmed today. It has still not been revealed when the physical CD version of "In Rainbows" will be released.

As most of you probably already know, Radiohead released their new album for download on the website inrainbows.com and is allowing people to choose how much to pay for it.

The album is really good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't bought it yet. How much did you pay for "In Rainbows?" Do you think it was it worth it?

Photo Credit: musicglob.com

You Should Know...

Photo Credit: myspace.com/taramcpherson

Tara McPherson! She actually is a musician, but that isn't why I want to talk about her. She is one of my favorite artists, and is deeply immersed in the counterculture. Producing not only paintings, but also designing concert posters (like the ones below). She is based out of New York, so East Coasters have the best chance at seeing an exhibition of hers. Find out more about her at her website!

Photo Credits: taramcpherson.com