Wednesday, January 31, 2007

The Good, The Bad and The Queen

The Good, The Bad & The Queen, is the collaborative effort between Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong, Fela Kuti/Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, and producer extrordinaire, Danger Mouse.

Debut album just released last week, has already hit #2 in UK. Early details of upcoming US Tour have just been announced for March/April. Toronto has the first stop, so gonna try to catch them @ Kool Haus [part of The Guvernment Entertainment Complex] when they're here. More dates are to be added, and they're also appearing at the massive Coachella Festival thsi April.

Hungry? The video for 'Kingdom Of Doom' is now online.



Just picked it up..Good Stuff!

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Grahammarch.com Update

Kelly Hinkson is the man who maintains Graham March.com, the memorial tribute site dedicated to him and his talents. Kelly has just done an amazing overhaul of the entire site, upgrading and incorporating a new design/layout, some new pictures never seen before, links to all of Graham's art and musical works, and new contact info's linking directly to the March family.

Kelly is also reporting that he will be doing a video for 'Afterlife', one of Desimal's most memorable works that has litterally captivated the entire dnb community since his untimely passing.

Also appearing on the front page, the intro paragraph that I wrote for the Desimal Interview. That intro was written over 2 years ago, and I'm planning on doing an upgrade to it. I've already talked with Kelly about it, so those words will be going up when that piece is complete.

Please take the time to check the new site.

Thanks.

Friday, January 26, 2007

FUCK UPS

FUCK THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA.

This week, I had a package coming to me from the good people at Nu Urban Music USA out of Brooklyn. They were so kind as to hook me up with the most recent release on Covert Operations, for which I wrote the PR for. Anyways, they have a preferred members account set up with UPS. They ship all their product through them. The following is an exact account of what took place this week.


So I get a note on my door on friday the 19th, saying "We missed you, the next attempt will be on Monday the 22nd." Cool. Wow that was fast, considering I had talked to Rick on the Wednesday of that week. But, I wasn't going to be here, so I wrote on the note saying that and also saying I would pick it up at the warehouse and restuck it to the door so he could see it when he came back. Sounds good right? Well, the UPS guy never showed up on Monday to make his return visit. I thought that was kinda odd. So on Tuesday, I phoned them at the warehouse to make said arrangements and pick it up down there. The lady was polite and seemed to have matters under control saying she would page the driver who would have the package and would be in my area, and tell him to pull it off the delivery route and bring it back so when he returns so I could pick it up. Then she tells me that I can pick it up that day. COOL.

I go down there, nobody has a fucking clue I'm on my way or that a package of any kind was to have been pulled of the truck. NOT COOL. Another lady searches the warehouse and even tracks down the driver inside, the one who made the attempt on the Friday, but no such luck. No one knows where the package is. GREAT! So yadda yadda, this lady tells me shit like "I;m so sorry sir. I don't know exactly who you talked to or what arrangements you made. I'll have to leave a note for the morning shift explaining what happened here, and they'll sort this out and then get in touch with you."

Alright, fair enough. Not much I can do.

Well, today, I call these fuckers back up, cause NO ONE has gotten back to me these last 2 days. I go through one dummy, who passes me off to another, then that fuck tells me to call the 1-800 number and have them trace it cause they can't find it.
THANKS ASSHOLES.

So I call, spend 20 minutes going over the trace procedures with someone and basically finding out nothing that I hadn't already known, except now, I get to wait 8 MORE BUISNESS DAYS before we can find out where exactly where the fucking package is!!!
FUCKING AWESOME!!![/rant]

( update to come..please stay tuned. )

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Amon Tobin - Bloodstone EP

'Bloodstone', is the first single off the forthcoming Amon Tobin album, 'Foley Room'. The stunning EP also includes the 2nd track from the album, 'Esther's', and 'Here Comes The Moon Man'. Some real creative genius work here, Amon's ability to capture and write vast soundscapes with intense feeling makes him one of the most watched and coveted producers to ever enter a recording studio.

The EP is now available at iTunes Canada and USA. And for those not running iTunes, you can grab it from Bleep.com in the next week or so.

And for some visual entertainment, check the Foley Room Trailers.

Essential.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Wildcats - 'Still Bastards'

Full of news today, anyways..
Those crazy Canadian kids known as The Wildcats look to be back with another full length feature film. 'Still Bastards' is their 5th installment in the 'crew' documentaries and will be out this Septemeber [which seems like ages from now..] Teaser trailer below.



I love these guys. lol

New Jacket

Meet my new Helly Hansen 'Track' Jacket. Picked it up yesterday for a killer deal. It's some heavy duty, warm core, total comfort for 'Canadian Winters' type jacket. I was in need of something like this, as my Westbeach one was starting to wear thin and give me the chills when outside.

Helly honestly makes some of the highest quality gear I have ever owned. In my closet: 2 light windbreaker style jackets, a heavy duty vest, a light fleece vest, fleece sweatshirt and for work, the most dependable and durable rain gear ever invented. I fully support the "HH".

Syndrome004 Announced

The good people at Syndrome Audio have announced the plans for their 4th release. Featuring 2 of the hottest breakout talents in the game today, Phace and Catacomb share duties on this jaw breaking 12''. 'Crocker' is a brand new bit on the edgy space-funk tip by the Phace lads and 'The Zodiac' is a big moody roller with an extra order of filth on the side. [Probably my favorite Catacomb tune to date, as first mentioned back at the begining of December. ;) ] Be sure to click the Syndrome link above for audio previews.

And Yes...Rage Reunites

As I mentioned on Saturday, the rumours were running rampant, and today the band has confirmed. Rage Against The Machine, will be headlining Coachella!
Amazing.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Tom Morello Going Solo

Reports are surfacing that legendary guitarist and dedicated activist, Tom Morello, is officially leaving Audioslave and going solo. His debut album, 'One Man Revolution' under his Nightwatchman guise, is to deliver raw accoustic compositions, a very diffrent direction then his Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave works took him. His debut solo album is to be released in April and he will tour the North America to support it. There are also rumours floating about, that Rage will reunite for the first time in 6 long years to play at the massive Coachella Valley Music Festival.

Great news!

and in his honour,
3 classic videos of my favorite RATM track, 'Bulls On Parade'.


The official video.


Live @ the Tibetan Freedom Concert 99.


..and Tom speaks with 'Tool Of The Day' Carson Daly before 'Bulls On Parade' Live @ MTV Studios.

The Keg

I'd just like to take this time to confess my love for The Keg.

That is all.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Bloc Party - The Prayer + Remixes

'The Prayer' is the brilliant first single off the Bloc Party's sophmore album 'Weekend In The City', due out February 6, 2007.



To celebrate the forthcoming album, Wichita Recordings has released 'The Prayer EP', featuring 4 remixes of the first single. Featured on it is the stunning drum and bass remix by DNAudio's own, Break & Silent Witness.

I just purchased it and the tune is bloody sick! Seriously. They wrote something so perfect for this track, it flows even better then the original. And the production is so spot on, it's typical signature Break & Silent Witness. SO DAMN GOOD! If you're a fan of either musicians, pick it up!!

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

404Audio's Retail Store

404Audio now has a retail store. The newly opened shop is Atlanta's only store dedicated to the culture of drum & bass music. Designed by the SLR daddy, Anthony Rotella, his longtime friend (and good buddy of mine) Dana Topley and his partner in architecture, Emanuel Admassu. The store is conveiniantly located in the heart of the downtown core and is only blocks away from The Georgia Aquarium. It officially opened it's doors for buisness on January 4th, 2007.




Im sure you'll agree that it's one impressive store. Design wise, you;ve got to love the strong contrast in the texture throughtout it. Smooth walls and furniture, clean lines and a warm setting, mixed with the harsh brick outcroppings. Nice atmosphere with sick halogen track lighting. High ceiling, open concept and large ventilation AC system. Four in-wall mounted computers with full access to the 404 Audio catalogue of merchadise [which will be available worldwide soon!] and a friendly knowledgable staff to help all customers with questions and needs.
Well done Anthony, Dana and Emanuel .

404Audio
387 Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
404.223.6226
http://www.404audio.com

Sunday, January 07, 2007

The 'Lost All Faith' Album Is Coming


The long awaited, highly anticipated debut album from Kryptic Minds & Leon Switch is just about ready to drop! It's been about a year and a half in the making and some promising press and audio has finally surfaced. Over the past week, some audio clips have creeped out and been put up on the myspace page, and now the 'Minor Nine' promo video has just been unveiled. [And I mean JUST. 20 views when i caught it. ]

This high impact production duo has been smashing the scene since '02, when their anthemic track 'The Truth' was released on Frequency Recordings. They're own imprint, Defcom Recordings, has also been on a steady rise over the last couple of years, releasing some heavyweight gems, including the 4 part 'Blackout EP' and other essential tracks like the outstanding Unknown Error plate that included the mighty remix of 'More Like You'.

So keep an eye out for the Lost All Faith LP, sure to be brilliant and no doubt the heads will be talking about it for years to come.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

The Upbeats New Years Eve Rinse Out!


Chatting with Jeremy from The Upbeats yesterday and he passed me this short vid from their New Years Eve gig in NZ. He's since uploaded it to YouTube and from the footage you can clearly see, the club is jam packed full of heads partying 2006 away, and when they go on, the crowd goes off! KIWI BLENDER RINSE OUT!

And be sure to check that link up above ^ for some choice new audio for the 'OH 7'. Forthcoming bit 'The Wretched' on Violence and soon to air, audio from their forthcoming album on BC Presents. Sure to be a scorcher!

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Miami Recap

What a great trip. We had absolute perfect weather for the entire trip. Bounced all around town [in between South Beach and FT. Lauderdale most days], saw a sold out, standing room only hockey game [in S. Florida at that!] with the Montreal Canadeins playing the Florida Panthers, had the best meals you could possibly imagine [the freshest and biggest ham sandwhich ever made at an arena, fondue dinner at 'The Melting Pot', NYE dinner at 'Japan Inn', NYE day dinner at 'Ocean's 10' on the South Beach strip], some great shopping [bought 2 zip jackets and a pair of sandals, judy bought a bunch of clothes] and it was just the best possible time ever. There was such a buzz about in the city, with all the celebs in town for the NYE festivities and a wack load of people in town aswell for the Orange Bowl Game, which saw the Louisville Cardinals beat the Wake Forrest Deamon Deacons, it all made for one of the most exciting NYE trips yet! Check some pics from the trip...any captions needed, check title of pic. :) Also will be adding some videos later. :)




















































*Videos*
-Here's a pan of the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise Florida for the sold out, standing room only game, Panthers vs. Canadiens.
Click

-Ringing in the new year with the entire city of Ft. Lauderdale. The ball is dropping right above the club we were at.
Click