This Just In: Brian Howe ends his recording career with EP

From Brian Howe, one time lead singer for Bad Company (posted on his Facebook page):

"MY NEW E.P. IS RELEASED ON MUSIC DOWNLOAD SITES TODAY.
CALLED "EMOTIONS" IT MARKS THE END OF MY RECORDING CAREER.
I DID NOT MAKE IT WITH A RECORD COMPANY AS I WANTED IT TO BE PERSONAL FROM ME TO YOU. I AM VERY PROUD OF THIS EFFORT WHICH WAS INFLUENCED BY THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.
PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK ABOUT THIS RECORD AND SREAD THE WORD.
IT WILL BE STRANGE TO NEVER RECORD AGAIN BUT WITH THE ADVENT OF FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD SITES AND RECORD COMPANIES WITH NO CLUE. THE TIME IS RIGHT TO RETIRE.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY LISTENING TO REAL "EMOTIONS" AS MUCH AS I DID MAKING IT."

News: New single and record from Lannie Flowers

Following the success of Lannie Flowers’s first album, "Same Old Story", Power Pop Station’s 2008 Power Pop Album of the Year, Lannie is mining for even more pop gems in 2010 with his sophomore release, "Circles". "Same Old Story" was met with overwhelming praise from pop critics, “Can't say enough about this one except Lannie's a true innovative pop Genius.” -Kool Kat Musik

The first single is called "Not In Love" and it is a winner - delightfully bright powerpop. Check it out:


Lannie Flowers on MySpace. Official site.

News: Nelson comeback record coming soon

Here is a preview of the forthcoming "comeback" CD from the brothers Nelson. The upcoming record is called "Lightning Strikes Twice" and is described as the true sequel to their blockbuster debut ("After The Rain") from 20 years ago. Sounds promising!

Urge Overkill - free mp3 download of new song

"In a span of about three years in the mid-'90s, Chicago rockers Urge Overkill dropped a hotly-tipped major label debut, 1993's Saturation; released a wildly popular cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon" on one of the decade's most beloved movie soundtracks, Pulp Fiction; then, on the verge of breakout success, flamed out and broke up. Now, fifteen years after their last album, they're back with a brand new album -- get a taste by downloading "Effigy" below!"

Story here. Free mp3 download here.

Free mp3 from The Genuine Fakes

THE GENUINE FAKES is the new hope of powerpop in Sweden. Over a three-year period they have worked on their debut album, which will be released in the fall of 2010. ”When Reality Hits You”, the band's second single from the album is being released on August 20 as a free download through the band's website. Shortly it will also be available on iTunes and Spotify.

The Genuine Fakes consists of four young men with moustaches from Stockholm, Sweden. Singer and guitarist Joey Fake, bassist Morty Fake, drummer Johnny Fake and keyboardist Tommy Fake. They are cousins and second cousins and grew up in the industrial town of Fagersta, where the future holds but three choices for most citizens: take a job at the steel plant, become a criminal or start a band. The boys decided to follow in the footsteps of town mates The Hives and formed a band. Merging influences from the Swedish ”swindie” era of the 90's containing bands such as Popsicle, The Wannadies and Atomic Swing, with American powerpop bands like The Posies, Fountains of Wayne, Weezer and Jellyfish they've managed to create a fresh sound for the 21st century.

A SWINGIN' POWERPOP SINGLE.
The song which is now being released is yet another indication of the quality of the upcoming album. While the first single was more of a rocking swindie-popper, now The Genuine Fakes have mixed elements of Weezer and Jellyfish to come up with this catchy mid-tempo powerpop tune. The hook in the chorus is highly contagious! Don't say we didn't warn you. Singer Joey Fake describes the song: ”It's about the constant search for your place in life. Every now and then you reach a certain point where you feel disillusioned and reality catches up with you. In those moments you have to make a new game plan and try something different in order to go on. But, there's also the fear that in the grand scheme of things everything is pointless anyway, so why bother? And then you make a run for it!” In collaboration with Pristine Music the song is released as a free download in the format of your choice via the band's website (see link below). Shortly it will also be made available for purchase through digital stores such as iTunes and also for streaming on Spotify (distributed by Record Union).

Go get the free mp3 here!

The Genuine Fakes on MySpace. Official site.

Rachel McGoye and Alex Band discuss "Ghetto Gloss" EP - free mp3

Press release:
"Since releasing her debut EP, "What Day is It?" in 2006, Rachel McGoye has spread her musical wings breaking new grounds on her latest EP, “Ghetto Gloss”. Sexy yet soulful, playful yet poignant, “Ghetto Gloss”, strikes a refreshing chord on love and relationships. Produced and co-written by Alex Band (formerly of The Calling), the melodies have a purpose; the sounds have a mission. From the catchy lyrics of her first single, "Ghetto Gloss," to the beautiful ballad, "Love Me Good," McGoye’s exceptional songwriting talent, earthy presence and rich, serene vocals are winning combinations. Rachel emits a creative energy that doesn’t go unnoticed onstage. Check out this exclusive performance and interview footage taken from her recent performance opening for Alex Band in San Diego, CA."



Interview with Rachel McGoye and Alex Band CLICK HERE

Check out our review of McGoye's EP here.

We also have permission to give you a free download of "Love Me Good" - click here!

News: Help Bleu with his new CD "Four"

Bleu (reviewed here) is preparing his latest CD, "Four". You can go check out cool album previews, pre-order the CD, and donate to its cause here at the Kickstarter campaign. Check it out today and help make what promises to be another milestone in pop rock music come to light.

FROM BLEU:

hellO,

...thank you so much for visiting my Kickstarter page...i've been working hard on my new record "FOUR" for several years now and i'm oh-so-very psyched to finally get it out in to the worLd....

..the duckets that you donate here will not only get you a whole slew-mess of neato (mosquito) stuff, offering you the best of my (only) talents (such as...my new CD!, a concert in your home, songwriting, dinner cooked by me, or even a full recording-session), your support will allow me to distribute my new record "FOUR" and work with PR companies that can help my music reach more people like you..which will in-turn allow me to make mOre records, mOre often...

....every bit of your contributions will go directly to the distribution and promotion of this record (even the tiniest donations help...)...but if i don't reach my modest goal, the Kickstarter-program doesn't disperse any of the money.....so please, give what you can, so that we can, do, what we, cAN!....(and please help me spread the word to your family and friends who like music!)

...you guys have given me so much over the years..honestly..i would probably not still be making solo-records if it wasn't for all the love and support you've thrown my way...it truly means the worLd to me...i think this is a really exciting time to be making records for, and releasing records directly to...you......programs like Kickstarter will allow us to collaborate, and work towards a common goal...

..i thank you from the deepest-bottom of my weird little heart for sticking with me, and joining me on this wonderful journey....

xo,
-bleu

p.s. this is indeed my dad...and me...when i was 4:

LISTEN to most of "Four" on SoundCloud

New video - American Hi-Hi "Lost"

The new video from the upcoming CD by American Hi-Fi (reviewed here) - "Lost":

Free mp3: 8mm "Bad Moon Rising"

Check out this stunning cover/reworking of CCR's classic, "Bad Moon Rising" by 8mm. The mp3 download is yours free, courtesy of Art of Broadcast - get it here.

New video from Harry Hess

Hot new video from Harry Hess is available for your viewing and listening pleasure! Hess is formerly of Harem Scarem, one of the most underrated hard rock bands of all time. The new song, "This City" carries on the melodic rock tradition Harem Scarem fans are sure to love.

His new solo CD, "First Signal" will be released AUGUST 27th (Europe) AND SEPTEMBER 14th (US).

New James Henry video "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags"

James Henry has released a video for the excellent pop song, "The Sun Is Cracking The Flags". The song is from his latest CD, "Overspill" (review here).

News: Danika Holmes video "Lock Me In Tonight"

Check out the new music video from Danika Holmes (review here):

Tony Harnell: New video "Northern Lights"

Check out this pretty acoustic ballad, "Northern Lights" from amazing vocalist Tony Harnell (TNT), who has a solo record coming out July 2 (Europe) or July 27 (US).

Free mp3: Jeremy Toback

Free mp3: Marcy Playground "MP3"

MP3 is the name of this album, from the band that wrote the huge 1997 hit, "Sex and Candy." To get the album, you just send a blank email to mp3@marcyplayground.com.

1. Spoonfed
2. Blood In Alphabet Soup
3. No One's Boy
4. Hotter Than The Sun
5. Rock And Roll Heroes
6. Jesse Went To War
7. Flag And Finger
8. Deadly Handsome Man
9. Punk Rock Superstar
10. Paper Dolls
11. Death Of A Cheerleader
12. Brand New Day
13. Sleepy Eyes
14. Barfly

Original posting here.

News: The return of Bush

No, thankfully not George W. I'm talking about the 90s alt-rockers led by Gavin Rossdale. Preview their new song, "Afterlife" right here.

Pretty decent chorus, but Everything Zen? I don't think so. I'd be biting my nails too if I were you, Gavin. Let's hope the rest of the record due in October is better.

News: New free mp3 from THE EELS

Download "Looking Up" from the upcoming EELS "TOMORROW MORNING" album (out August 24) for free, right now, right here: http://www.eelstheband.com.

(And if you're already on the EELS mailing list, don't worry, submitting your address for the free download won't result in getting multiple emails.)

News: JPT Scare Band "Not My Fault" New Video Takes Aim at BP

JPT Scare Band - "Not My Fault" New Video Takes Aim at BP and Their Denial of Involvement in the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster

Legendary rockers, JPT Scare Band, released some of the most collectible psychedelic/acid rock of all time (review here), and now they're about to release their first ever music video. Banded together during the tumultuous years of the early 70’s, JPT Scare Band fused a sound equally heavy in hard rocking blues as it was tripped out in psychedelia, creating a sound so imposing that it perfectly reflected the emotions of the era. Hailed as one of the "lost pioneers of Heavy Metal” by Classic Rock Magazine, JPT Scare Band has seen a resurgence of interest by fans of 1970’s heavy fuzzed out rock.

Now, on the heels of the release of their new album, "Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden" on Ripple Music, JPT will unveil their first ever music video for the new JPT classic, "Not My Fault," a song written by JPT in the '70's but never recorded until the early 2000's. The video makes direct use of the song's title and biting sarcastic edge as it assails BP for their denial of any blame for the Gulf Oil Spill disaster. The video is thought provoking and inflammatory, in addition to being a good 'ol rock video, with tons of never before seen footage of JPT Scare Band doing what they do best.

Released as a special event, "Not My Fault," will makes it's exclusive debut as a limited world-wide premiere on some of rock's finest websites.

Starting Monday, June 14th and for one week, the new JPT Scare Band video can be found only at these fine sites.

Roadburn
Rock Realms
The Soda Shop
The Obelisk
Bill's Music Forum
TheLiveLine
The Ripple Effect
Bad Taste Music

If the video touches a nerve with you, including it's poignant ending, please pass it on. Let's create a ruckus in BP's world. The song "Not My Fault," and the album, Acid Blues is the White Man's Burden can be found at Ripple Music.

News: Malea McGuinness To Join Kenny Loggins On Tour

Malea McGuinness (review here) will join AOR favorite Kenny Loggins on Tour this summer. Here is the press release:

Malea McGuinness is proud to announce that she will be hitting the road with iconic singer Kenny Loggins for 5-day stint on his 2010 US Summer tour. After joining The Crash Test Dummies for a special performance at Brixton South Bay in Redondo Beach, CA, she will kick off her series of dates with Kenny on June 15th in Sylvania, Ohio.

Fresh off the heels of her sophomore release, ‘CLOSE AS AIR’, Malea has increasingly garnered attention for her intimate, Americana-tinged style of contemporary pop-rock that Associated Content referred to as “elegant, restrained, triumphant, redemptive, forward leaning.” Produced by Michael Patterson (Jennifer Lopez, She Wants Revenge), her inspirational lead single, “Spinning” has been steadily building at national radio while receiving heavy rotation from Music Choice.

Later this summer, Malea is set to take the stage at Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest Music Festival, opening for alt-rock mavens, The Counting Crows. On June 5th, she will perform at the Avon Breast Cancer Charity Concert at the Dakota Music Lounge in Santa Monica, CA.

News: New Abandoned Pools - free mp3

Tommy Walter began his career in 1995 as a founding member of the critically acclaimed band Eels. They toured the world and released the album "Beautiful Freak" which has sold well over a million copies. In 2001, Tommy released the album "Humanistic" on Extasy/Warner Brothers under the moniker Abandoned Pools and followed that up in 2005 with "Armed to the Teeth" on Universal.

Says Walter, "After a five year hiatus it's great to be back making an Abandoned Pools album. I've had a lot of encouragement from fans over the years and I'm especially grateful for that. They've helped me realize that this is what I should be doing."

Here is the lead single, "Legionnaire" - free for you to download.