San Francisco, California three-piece The Trophy Fire just released their third Greyday Records album, Directions For Daylight, on May 21st, and the trio has some big plans to go along with it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to open for U2? To give everyone on here a little introduction to the band, I got in touch with vocalist/guitarist
Still loving the name of this band, and the single is heavy as shit! Check it out at their website and cop the full album on 8/13! WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER NEW ALBUM, GOLDKINDER, AVAILABLE IN U.S. (AUGUST 13th) “We had about 80 songs recorded during this time, but we kept throwing away recordings
ANDREW W.K. TO ATTEMPT 24 HOUR DRUMMING WORLD RECORDDURING MTV/VH1/CMT’s “O MUSIC AWARDS” ON JUNE 19thNew York, Los Angeles and Nashville, June 17, 2013 –MTV, VH1, and CMT today announced that Andrew W.K. will attempt to set a new world record by drumming for 24 consecutive hours during the O Music Awards, which honor the artists,
TURNPIKE GLOW NEW EP, FÜNKE POP (COMING JULY 1ST) “I am freaking out about this band. You’ll hear lots more” – John Richards, KEXP U.K. based outfit Turnpike Glow has announced the worldwide release of a new four-song EP, Fünke Pop, in the U.S. on July 1st. Following on the success of last year’s debut EP, Inflatable Optimism, the quartet continue to craft
“I think the things that are good in us and the things that are dark are what makes us whole. Creating music that is always uplifting is boring in the same way that creating music that is always dark is boring. Life isn’t like that, it is more complicated,” explains Mid-western maverick singer/songwriter Eli Mardock. On his
Fortress Social Club Dreamin’ The Life 18 June 2013 FORTRESS SOCIAL CLUB TO RELEASE DREAMIN’ THE LIFE “We’re basically playing Dungeons & Dragons with guitars,” says Mykul Lee with a laugh. The Fortress Social Club guitarist is not alluding that they play fantasy-themed metal, but that they use the project as a vehicle to reinterpret the music they fell in
KUNG FU ADDS SECOND PHISH AFTER PARTY AT THE TONIC ROOM IN CHICAGO, IL NIGHT 1 SOLD OUT! Saturday, July 20th and Sunday, July 21st After selling out their Phish After Party at the Tonic Room in Chicago, IL on Saturday, July 20th more than a month in advance, Kung Fu has added a second show at the same venue on the following night. Connecticut’s
It’s great being in the know. Here’s the Silent Disco lineup for Camp Bisco 2013!!! Sleep? Who needs it! For Immediate Release CAMP BISCO ANNOUNCES SILENT DISCO LINEUP FOR 3-DAY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL IN MARIAVILLE, NEW YORK THIS JULY 11-13,
Drummers always get a bum rap. Why is that? Ever seen a good band with a shitty drummer? No. Know why? BECAUSE THEY DON’T EXIST. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and ultimately determine whether or not the band is going to perform well. You CANNOT have a solid band without a
Longtime Boston Ska favorites Big D and The Kids Table had a BIG day today, releasing 2 (yes 2!!!) brand new albums. You can go pick up Stomp, Stroll, or both, RIGHT HERE! And while you’re at it, check out our first audio interview on Live High Five. It’s one with the full band, with full
Hailing from Venice Beach, California, Russian “Rockenrol” band Red Elvises made their way through Syracuse, NY on a warm Tuesday evening, a much welcome blessing from Mother Nature for these parts. Touring machine they are, and with 11 studio albums under their belt, Red Elvises certainly have enough output to start a raging party. And
What do Ginger Baker and black coffee have in common? They both suck without Cream. Drummers always get a bum rap. Why is that? Ever seen a good band with a shitty drummer? No. Know why? BECAUSE THEY FUCKING DON’T EXIST. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and ultimately determine whether or
Slayer has announced the addition of drummer Paul Bostaph back into their lineup. Obviously, Dave Lombardo will not be playing with the group anymore, as the situations that transpired earlier this year have not been worked out. Paul is a MONSTER player and an incredible talent, but I wish Dave and Slayer could’ve come to
Here’s one that I chalked up to the “Bummer I Didn’t Get To See Them” files. Catch KNAPSACK in 2013!!! Knapsack will reunite this fall to play their first shows 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
It’s never a bad time to catch up with The Pietasters! The DC Ska legends, both for their tunes and hard partying ways, are one of very few groups that bring as much excitement to their crowds as they do inebriation, so you know you’ll have a blast when they take the stage. The morning
Huntington, NY 5-piece The Scofflaws were recently announced as an additional act on the first year of Apple Stomp, and what an excellent inclusion for this already incredible lineup! Blending Ska, Rocksteady, and RnB, The Scofflaws brings as much attitude to their performances as they do groove. Good shit!!!
Here’s a solid batch of dates from our favorite musical virtuosos in Consider The Source! The NYC trio will be super busy through September, including several newly listed and highly anticipated ALL ACOUSTIC shows, so don’t hesitate to open your mind up (and prepare to have it blown) when they hit your area. Awesome guys,
Poughkeepsie, NY sextet What’s Your Problem Brian will be helping open up the festivities at Irving Plaza on May 31st, when The Apple Stomp rolls through the Big Apple. I gotta be honest… I’ve never heard of them and haven’t even heard a single song they’ve played while I write this, but Asbestos Records puts
What’s going on everybody? Once again, this is Greg Allis with Live High Five and we are here in Syracuse, NY where Senses Fail is doing a headlining performance in support of their new album, Renacer. There was a bit of a credential snafu this afternoon, and that happens sometimes. Credential snafus take up time,
Please welcome Zeds Dead, LTJ Bukem, Destructo, Samo Sound Boy, and Gravity A to an already stacked lineup at CAMP BISCO 2013! This is gonna sell out, so i’d suggest getting you tickets immediately. Superb lineup!!! For Immediate Release CAMP BISCO ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP OF PERFORMERS FOR 3-DAY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL IN MARIAVILLE, NEW YORK
As a fan that never got a chance to catch them back in their heyday, I am ecstatic to report that Ska’s favorite demonic sons, Mephiskapheles, are reuniting to perform at this year’s inaugural edition of The Apple Stomp, taking place in NYC at Irving Plaza on May 31st and June 1st. I don’t know whose
Newsworthy? Arguable, but definitely a cool move! Always look for those opportunities to bash away for a while, folks! If anyone knows or can find out who this guy is, I’d love to speak with him and buy him a beer or 3. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/randallstown/bs-md-co-drums-stop-20130521,0,4361855.story
What do you call a beautiful woman on a drummer’s arm? A tattoo. Drummers always get a bum rap. Why is that? Ever seen a good band with a shitty drummer? No. Know why? BECAUSE THEY DON’T EXIST. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and ultimately determine whether or not the band
FORMER CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCE SOUTHEAST JOURNEY TOUR Touring behind their second studio album, Special FX Machine (April 2013), Former Champions are hitting the Southeast this summer for the Journey Tour. The four-piece from Richmond, VA will showcase their vocal-led compositions intermixed with an array of instrumentally driven electronic pieces. A sonic blend of synthesized keys mixed with sub-bass, distorted guitar, harmonized
We tried and failed. Many others have tried, and failed. But it seems that Asbestos Records has done the frickin’ impossible! SUICIDE MACHINES “Destruction By Definition” will FINALLY see a vinyl release, courtesy of Asbestos Records. Go to ASBESTOS RECORDS to find out how to get it, and don’t bitch if you don’t get a copy
Los Angeles Rock trio Owl just released their new self-produced record, The Right Thing, on April 9th via Overit Records. Featuring Chris Wyse (bassist for The Cult,) one might be hard pressed to believe the three-piece will supercede the influence and legacy of his main act, but pay no mind… Owl is doing their part
Earth Crisis’ seminal EP, Firestorm, is one of the heaviest and most influential recordings in hardcore history, and it just turned 20 years old. Anyone remember where they were when they first heard it? Me… School band in 10th grade. To celebrate, the band will be performing the EP in its entirety during a very
New York City’s The Slackers are probably the most constantly hard working band representing NYC SKA at this time. Not that this is a new phenomenon or anything, but whenever I look up or turn my head, The Slackers are going on tour, releasing something, or otherwise in the news with side projects and this
“With all the competition in the alternative music genre, this band stands on their own, charming ears one song at a time.” – The Aquarian Weekly San Francisco, California-based trio The Trophy Fire prevails at balancing full-bodied guitar hooks with delicate synth-centered melodies. Formed by Ben Flanagan (vocals/guitar/keys), The Trophy Fire at its core is a musical combination of the
THE BIG UP MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ADDS AN-TEN-NAE, ORCHARD LOUNGE, A SPECIAL KUNG FU TRIBUTE SET TO PRINCE FEATURING JANS INGBER OF THE MOTET, SPACE JESUS LIVE AND MORE! August 8th – 10th, 2013 at Hemlock Hollow Farm in Claverack, NY (Ghent, NY) The Big Up Music & Arts Festival has unveiled their Phase Three lineup announcement
NY/NJ’s Bigger Thomas is one of many, many acts that will be taking the stage at Irving Plaza from May 31st through June 1st for the first installment of The Apple Stomp (that I personally hope becomes an annual event.) Representing my first interview with a 9-piece band (Slipknot wasn’t available,) Bigger Thomas are celebrating
The name alone merits a post! We Butter The Bread With Butter are getting ready to drop a new EP, Projekt Herz, on June 4th, and i’m going to check it out just because I giggled myself silly when I saw the moniker. Check out the lyric video for “USA” HERE! Official Press Release: Do
How do you tell if the stage is level? The drummer is drooling from both sides of his mouth. Drummers always get a bum rap. Why is that? Ever seen a good band with a shitty drummer? No. Know why? BECAUSE THEY DON’T FUCKING EXIST. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and
Here’s a little something mellow to go along with your Monday morning coffee. Stream the new DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN album, One of Us Is The Killer, right HERE via Pitchfork.  
Long Island NY’s The Fad was one of the most fun bands I ever saw in the mid-2000’s. With a lightning quick attack and a ridiculously high stage energy, 4-piece punk-ska band tore through sets in some of the stickiest, grossest rooms I have ever had the pleasure of entering. You know you had fun
Long-running punk rock favorites Face To Face are living the dream and keeping the spirit of punk rock alive with a new album, Three Chords and A Half Truth. The Southern California rockers’ 20+ years as a band hasn’t diminished the passion or drive for their music one bit, and they keep churning out great
St. Louis, Missouri’s quintet MU330 is playing Apple Stomp on June 1st at Irving Plaza in New York City. AWESOME!!! Am I alone when I say I’ve never had the privilege of checking them out live before? Though primary songwriter and lyricist Dan Potthast has remained very active in the independent music scene, MU330’s absence
I have a confession to make… I love my local record store. One that always has new releases, one that has cool people who work hard and help out when people need to find something, and one that does it’s part to help promote local musicians, venues, and shows. Honestly, the only nefarious thing about
Drummers always get a bum rap. Why is that? Ever seen a good band with a shitty drummer? No. Know why? BECAUSE THEY DON’T EXIST. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and ultimately determine whether or not the band is going to perform well. You CANNOT have a solid band without a
The “real” version of Black Flag, featuring Greg Ginn and Ron Reyes, has released a new song called “Down In The Dirt” and is available now for free download if you give them your email address. “Shit Sandwich” if you ask me, but judge for yourself below. Thanks to Stereogum for the link. http://stereogum.com/1340601/black-flag-down-in-the-dirt/mp3s
Atlanta, Georgia based solo project Slowriter is a new project from Bryan Taylor. A veritable one-man army of musicianship, Bryan, formerly of The Chariot, has put together something wholly different than what you may know/remember him for. Though it’s easy to pigeonhole an artist based on their past successes, Slowriter offers proof that the scope
We lost a big one today, folks. Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman has passed away at age 49 of liver failure. RIP Jeff… You left an indelible mark on the metal world, and you will be greatly missed. Fuck
London, UK quintet Young Guns are giving every newly minted US rock band on the market today a run for their money right now. Though still relatively new, Young Guns have already proven themselves a top contender for rock stardom in venues across the globe, sharing stages with some of the best known acts on
What does a drummer use for contraception? His personality. Drummers rule! We hit stuff, get peoples’ butts shaking, and ultimately determine whether or not the band is going to perform well. You CANNOT have a solid band without a solid drummer, so all you 6-string wankers out there with your tapping and flooded solos
“They said it would NEVER happen…” Hardcore music just loves superlatives. Always, Never, Forever, True ’til Death? Yeah, right. For some of us hardcore aficionados, the key element has nothing to do with the message being screamed, but rather the release that we collectively feel when watching members of a band go off as hard as
