The Journey Of Donovan

Too Pure To Die Confess

PR reports: Trustkill Records get set to release "Confess" a blistering, battering ram of a album from Too Pure To Die. Co-produced by hardcore legends Zeuss (Throwdown, Shadows Fall) and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, CD to street January 13, 2009.

"We are all very excited to release the new songs we have been working so hard on! The album is a first time contribution for some of us and it has brought on a renewed energy. We incorporated elements of everything from melody and rock, to metal, and of course, breakdowns. There is a blend of something for everyone on this record! Lyrically it touches on real life situations and struggles that one would face on a day to day basis. I've never been one to write about getting my heart broken or whining about things no one gives a shit about. I've always preferred to 'keep it real' and this new record is as real as it gets. We have very high expectations for the new material and feel it returns to where we came from but is also a step toward the future!" States Too Pure To Die frontman Paul Zurlo

Thanks to their DIY efforts this band has already created a huge underground buzz and reputation for making real time music that goes the distance, deemed by Alternative Press Magazine one of the "bands to watch in 2008." Their latest effort "Confess" is as impossible to describe as it is to ignore. Equal parts of pure hardcore fury, heavy metal majesty and some of the most accomplished songwriting and production on this side of the rock n' roll divide. - more on this story

Vh1 Says You Oughta Know Eric Hutchinson

PR reports: Warner Bros. Records recording artist Eric Hutchinson has been named a VH1 "You Oughta Know" artist. In this high-profile program that champions artists on the rise, Hutchinson will be featured in all VH1 platforms. The video for his Top 20 AAA hit "Rock & Roll," lensed by U.K. director David Mullett (Babyshambles, Lucky Soul, Vinyl), has already been added by VH1, MTVu, MuchMoreMusic and Logo's "NewNowNext." Hutchinson, who was tapped as an "Artist to Watch" by Clear Channel's "NEW!" program last month and MSN's "Ones To Watch" for the month of October, will be the direct support for Jack's Mannequin's upcoming U.S. tour, which launches on October 14th. Tickets go on sale September 13th. - more on this story

Manchester Orchestra Pride Coming

PR reports: Canvasback Music/Favorite Gentlemen Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new EP/DVD from Manchester Orchestra entitled Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind, available via independent retail only (see thinkindie.com for a list of participating stores) on October 14th.

This EP/DVD combo will feature the never before released "What's Left Behind" documentary film directed by Sam Erickson of 44 Pictures, three live tracks, and two brand new songs. The first track on the EP, "I Can Feel A Hot One" will be prominently featured in the September 15th episode of The CW's "Gossip Girl".

Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind continues the band's progression and signature sound that was lauded on the 2006 debut album I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child; powerful melodies synched with poignant lyrics. The short-form documentary was filmed and edited by Erickson (My Morning Jacket's Okonokos and Dave Matthews Live At Radio City) and explores the close bond between the band members on tour and highlights the constant themes of life, happiness, religion and death; threads that are echoed throughout the music and lyrics that make up the fabric of Manchester Orchestra. - more on this story

Secret Machines Fall Tour

PR reports: The Secret Machines will be hitting the road in the fall in support of their new album, the cleverly titled Secret Machines.

The album will be released on October 14th on their own label, TSM Recordings, through World's Fair Label Group.

The Dears will be joining the tour in the Midwest through the West Coast and Small Sins will provide support on the Canadian dates. - more on this story

Anna Troy Soph

PR reports: Former Elektra recording artist Anna Troy releases her second solo disc, Wait Another Day, on October 4, with a CD release show that night at San Diego's hottest new night spot, Bar Pink. Making the event extra special, Troy will perform Wait Another Day in it's entirety, with the albums key guest, legendary guitarist Greg Douglass on hand to add his six string magic.

Wait Another Day will take even long time believers in Troy's abilities as both a song-writer and guitarist by surprise. Featuring ten songs, Wait Another Day, has been in germination for over a year, though the nitty gritty of recording has been only a few months, off and on.

Troy's blues fans will find much to like on the new album, but they won't find much blues. Likewise her detour into indie rock sounds has been tempered. Instead, what we have is something that incorporates all of the above and more, resulting in something closer to classic rock, in the sense that it's rock with an enormous sense of melody. Of course, there are a few ballads as well. - more on this story

Noise In the Basement

PR reports: Baltimore is bringing you a four day festival filled with rock, soul, R&B and HIP-HOP music. Noise In the Basement is a massive gathering of indie-record stores, representing over 700 stores from the US and Canada, in Baltimore, MD.

Soul and R&B acts on the bill for September 17th are K'NAAN, One Block Radius, and Nappy Roots amongst a host of astonishing artists.

My Crew Be Unruly presents a Tribute to K-Swift on Friday, September 19th at Fletcher 's Bar. DJ K- Swift was best known as the Queen of Baltimore Club Edgerton's radio show Off the Hook Radio which aired on 92.3 WERQ-FM. K-swift masterly orchestrated the rise of Baltimore's club music onto the airwaves. She was also the founder of Club Queen Entertainment, a group focused on creating signature graphics, production and management within the music industry.

The festivities will wind down lavishly at the Sonar Lounge at 407 East Saratoga Street in Baltimore featuring Kindred Family Soul, Eric Robeson, Janelle Monae, Noot d' Noot, and Ndelible, along with local celebrity DJ's and special music industry guests. The event will commence at 8PM, Saturday, September 20th.

Ticket and updated artist info for all events is available at - http://www.cdjoint.com/nitb

Joe Bonamassa Speaks Out

House of Rock reports: Nightwatcher's House Of Rock has issued an exclusive interview with hard rocking blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa, in which he discusses his new album, Live From Nowhere In Particular, working with producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater) as well as meeting rock legend Eric Clapton in Bahrain earlier this year. The album marks the 4th of Bonamassa's career to hit the top of Billboard's Blues Album Charts, debuting at #1, also debuting at #136 on Billboard's Top 200, the highest placing yet for the guitarist.

The following is an excerpt from the interview : Nightwatcher's House Of Rock : What is your take on video games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band? As a guitarist do you feel they're a good or bad thing?

Joe Bonamassa : I think it's a great thing. I'll tell you what...there are a lot of kids these days who would never know who Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith are. I think even Molly Hatchet has a song on one of them.Those kids wouldn't know who those bands were. It's real music on there. If it was say, an electronica band, I would've thought, "That's just making something kind of dumb, dumber". They're not playing real instruments, but they're getting to understand what real music is. And they're becoming fans of the music. That's what you need is a new generation of fans. They have Eric Johnson on 'Guitar Hero'. How many 10 year olds in the last several years would've discovered Eric Johnson on their own versus how many 10 year olds who are going to discover Eric Johnson by proxy due to 'Guitar Hero'? I think it's a real asset. I think it's really helping classic rock and I think it's really helping music in general get back to where it should be, a rooted, soulful thing.

NHOR : In April of this year you played in Bahrain at the invitation of the Crown Prince, you actually got to meet Eric Clapton and George Lucas, and Eric told you he loved the last two albums....how did that make you feel, knowing you have the respect of Clapton regarding your work?

JB : It makes me feel extraordinarily good, honestly. But also, he's my hero. It's very, very hard to quantify what something like that means to you.

NHOR : So the inevitable question I have to ask here then would be, did you and Eric discuss possibly collaborating on anything in the future?

JB : No...We were at a party, and I'm not that kind of guy. (Laughs)

Read the full interview - here

. Johnny Cash Remixed

I'm sure there will be people who will say "wait you can't do that to Johnny Cash's music" but I believe Johnny would approve of this disc as he was a maverick who always tried to experiment with his music and doing the unexpected. (3 stars) - Read the full Johnny Cash Remixed review

.... MorleyView: Soda X<

Fans of HorrorPops were surprised to hear that Kamilla Vanilla left the band last year. She then announced the formation of a new band called Soda X with her on vocals. Morley did an interview with Kamilla recently to find out all about her new band. - Read the full Soda X MorleyView

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