N.O. PUNKS

Happy Birthday, Farewell, and Goodnight

2009-01-04T14:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

N.O. Punks began five years ago this week, on a chilly morning in January of 2004. It's been a fairly comical and tear-soaked odyssey, marked by triumph and tragedy, agony and ecstasy, fear and loathing... and now it's time to say goodbye... for now.

The 2008-2009 revival of N.O. Punks was an interesting experiment. I'm not sure if we ever really accomplished what we set out to do, but hey, that's life sometimes. We probably should have spent less of our time lying in the gutter, cranked up on dragon juice, snotting on ourselves, and listening to Discharge...

This is our last online update for awhile, but I'll still be covering the local music scene every month in Antigravity Magazine. Our January issue is out right now, featuring local thrash-rockers Face First on the cover, and including interviews with members of local bands like Angry Banana, Miles and Minutes, In Tomorrows Shadow, Sick Like Sinatra, Further Reasoning, Outlaw Order, Isabella, and Meadow Flow. Antigravity is available for free all over the greater New Orleans area (here's a short list of a few places that carry them), but you can also download a PDF copy of the latest issue right here.

If your band or your friends' band has news to report, get in touch with me at brett@antigravitymagazine.com. We'll throw a ho-down or, at the very least, try to get you in the next issue.

Loose ends that I need to mention before we turn off the lights:

- Tommy Thompson (currently the drummer of Capitol Offense) has recently begun posting some unreleased Hello Asphalt recordings. The tracks are from Hello Asphalt's second album (2006's Chapter 2) which was recorded, but never mixed or released before the band broke up. You can check out some of those songs by clicking here.

- The Green Room Rockers, a touring reggae-ska band from Indiana, have a last-minute show at The Neutral Ground Coffeehouse in New Orleans this Monday, January 5th, at 7pm. Open to all ages. The Neutral Ground is located at 5110 Daneel Street.

Okay, that's all. Bye now.

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JANUARY 3rd: An evening of extraordinary circumstances...

2009-01-01T14:49:00.001-06:00

Posted by Brett

Looking for something awesome to do this Saturday night (January 3rd)? Then you, my friend, are in luck...

At the Dragon's Den at 6pm: Thou, Raum, and Jude Fawley will partake in an uncanny exposition of fanciful hardcore merriment with Milwaukee's finest grindcore troupe, Abbadon. An enchanting picture paper for this event is available by clicking here.

At 9:30pm, 504WhatStyle will host an art show after-party at the Buddha Belly (located at 4437 Magazine Street) with surf-rockers The Unnaturals and Durel Yates (of Suplecs). This is a free event, so don't bother bringing money. Click here for a digital flyer (also free).

At 10pm, Converts will perform at the Banks Street Bar in Mid-City with a special surprise guest. Who's the surprise mystery guest? We know, but we're not telling. If you miss the old days of the Dixie Taverne, don't miss this show. Free, free, free to get in.

And finally, just after 10pm at the Circle Bar: Sick Like Sinatra will bring their amazing stage show to the city's most cramped venue. In case you've never been to the Circle Bar, it's roughly the size of the backseat of a Volkswagen. Slightly uncomfortable, but worth the $5 price of admission.

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VIDEOS: The Local Skank - 12.19.2008

2008-12-22T07:00:00.001-06:00

Posted by Brett

In case you missed it: The Local Skank (New Orleans' first and only all-girl ska band) made their debut at the Banks Street Bar last Friday, December 19th. Here's a video clip from their set. Thanks to Melissa for the video.

DECEMBER 20TH: Hollywood Blues + Fleur De Tease (Baton Rouge)

2008-12-19T15:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett

This Saturday, December 20th, at the Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge:

Hollywood Blues, Baton Rouge's swankiest roots-rock revivalists, will be playing their last local show for quite awhile (or at least until they come back from their January trip to Puerto Rico).

Joining Hollywood Blues will be the Fleur De Tease burlesque troupe, performing a holiday-themed show. Remember: stripping is sleezy, burlesque is classy...

Showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up.

Happy skalidays.

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COMMUNITY RECORDS Free Download Day II

2008-12-18T06:30:00.000-06:00

Submitted by Gerg Rod.

The local criminals over at Community Records are having their second free digital download day today (December 18, 2008).

What this means for you, dear friends, is some free freeness of epic proportions. Head on over to Community Records' web-site by clicking here to partake of the goodies, including full album downloads from the likes of Tusker, The Flaming Tsunamis, The Ghostwood, The Supaflies, Stuck Lucky, Arm the Poor, and The Mad Conductor.

I mentioned that this is free and legal, right? Crazy stuff, man.

Forum users: Click here to discuss this topic.

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DECEMBER 19TH: The Local Skank (free show)

2008-12-16T07:00:00.001-06:00

Posted by Brett

It's time to end the sausage party, New Orleans.

Seriously, how many women are there involved in local rock bands? Besides A Hanging, Maddie Ruthless, Rougarou, We Need to Talk, Terranova, and one or two others, I can't think of that many.

This Friday, December 19th, you can check out a rare performance from The Local Skank at the Banks Street Bar. The Local Skank is an all-female ska ensemble who've been around for awhile now, but their shows have been somewhat sporadic. I actually can't even name another all-female ska band, locally or nationally, so these ladies are fairly unique in that regard.

Showtime is 10pm. Admission is free. Short people may be able to attend. Behave yourselves, kids.

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SNIKETY-SNIKT: HERE COMES THE STABBIN'...

2008-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Portugal Q. Improbability

Two very awesome local artists are now on ye olde Myspace and it would probably improve your life if you checked out their music: The Rooks and Derek Singley.

The Rooks are a New Orleans-based punk rock supagroup of goodness, featuring members of Further Reasoning and Fatter Than Albert doing their best to channel Fugazi and The Broadways.

Derek Singley is probably best-known for his time as the lead singer of Hello Asphalt from 2003-2006, but his solo stuff is a mix of acoustic punk and folk rock. No Blink-182. Sorry, kids.

Holy fuck... it's like winning the meat lottery.

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LOCAL DRUNK GIVEN KEYS TO VAST MEDIA EMPIRE.

2008-12-09T07:00:00.003-06:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

The headline to this post is slightly exaggerated. Just slightly.

Coming in 2009: ANTIGRAVITY Magazine, New Orleans' most awesome monthly rock n' roll publication, is about to get a little bit more awesome. In the coming months, you'll be noticing a lot of changes and super-cool new features at Antigravity. As part of AG's renaissance of goodness, I have been assigned to give the magazine's "news" section a major overhaul.

Beginning in January, Antigravity's news pages will be the home of a bunch of brand new features, very similar to the types of shenanigans that we've been pulling here at N.O. Punks over the years. We're going to spotlight new local bands, showcase "featured" shows of the month, provide the latest info on upcoming local record releases, and even fit in some quick interviews and fringe tabloid material from the city's most forbidden corners.

So, here is (as always) my offer to all local rock bands in the New Orleans area and their fans: Tell us what's up and we'll do our best to fit you in. We want to cover your band, whether you're playing in your buddy's living room or if you're playing at the swankiest venue in town (does this town have any swanky venues, by the way?).

All you have to do is keep us informed about what you have going on. It's as simple as that.

Our deadline for the January 2009 issue is December 20th. If you get us your info by then, then we're ready to rock.

Contact me here or here. Pick your poison.

Let's actualize this shit.

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TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Fucked Up - January 29th

2008-12-08T07:00:00.002-06:00

Posted by Jerkface Fuckowicz, III

Punknews.org just confirmed all of the upcoming tour dates on tap for Fucked Up, Canada's finest thrash-rockers. Those dates include a gig in New Orleans on Thursday, January 29th.

Fucked Up will be joined in New Orleans by Iron Age and Haarp, lords of local viking metal.

The show is scheduled to take place at a warehouse in the Marigny-9th Ward area at 2728 N. Derbigny St., although the entrance is around the corner at 1616 Ferdinand. Mapquest is your friend.

Fucked Up's show will be open to all ages. $5 cover. 7pm start time. Smiling and other forms of tom-foolery will not be tolerated.

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DECEMBER 4TH: Sick Like Sinatra

2008-12-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett

Sick Like Sinatra will be appearing at the Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans on Thursday, December 4th. Sick Like Sinatra is part Aquabats, part Billy Idol, and all sex-rock. If you haven't seen these guys yet, then you've been depriving yourself. Expect an erotic evening of smooth slow-jams and octopus cos-play.

Scheduled showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up. There are no other bands *currently* scheduled to play this show, but this rarely happens at the Hi-Ho. Expect 4 or 5 other acts to be added by Thursday. Fer serious.

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NOVEMBER 29TH: Gulf Coast Hardcore Fest

2008-11-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett

Still feeling hungover from your Thursday tofurkey experience? Well, it's time to shake off your lingering nausea, pack up a sack of leftovers, and head down to the Dragon's Den this Saturday for your chance to see over a dozen bands for 3 bucks.

Gulf Coast Hardcore Fest starts at 2pm on Saturday, November 29th. The line-up is scheduled to include 16 hardcore, thrash, metal, and grindcore bands from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Bands scheduled to perform include Party Time, Justinbailey, Sisera, Reclaim Life, Strugglebear, and a bunch of others.

Cost of admission is $3. Bring your own napkins, lest your hands become sticky...

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: Click here to discuss this event.

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New Music Round-Up: Where New Music Comes To Get Wrangled...

2008-11-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Posted by Keith Hogan, Registered Republican

Looking for something new to listen to as you begin a new, dreadful week of existence? Never fear, N.O. Punks is here to guide you along your way (and possibly steal your wallet, your car, and maybe your dignity in the process).

Here's a quick run-down of some local artists who have brand new music available for free listening at their web-sites:

Angry Banana - "Push Push Push" + "All The Things"

Cities Killed Starlight - "A Day to Learn the Language" + "Liminal Time"

Grey Story - "Big Easy" + "Fifth Down"

Melters - "Color Blind" + "Under the Covers"

The Pallbearers - "Sex Crime of the Century"

Shoot the Daily Edit - "100 Miles to Nothing"

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JABBERJAW: Not Broken Up

2008-11-17T07:30:00.002-06:00

Posted by Brett

Awhile back, I mentioned in one of my posts that Jabberjaw (a brutal local HXC band--- not the giant talking shark from those Hanna Barbera cartoons) had broken up. Jabberjaw has, in fact, not broken up. Here's a brief summary of why, just to clear things up:

Shortly before playing what was expected to be their farewell on October 15th at The High Ground in Metairie, the guys in Jabberjaw decided that it wasn't time to break up afterall. They played the show anyway and they've played at least one or two shows since then, most recently at The Bombshelter in Jackson, MS last weekend.

The guys from Jabberjaw are also still playing in their side-band, Hangtime. They'll be in New Orleans at the Dragon's Den on November 29th.

Hope that clears up any confusion.

Praise Jah. Smoke hash out of a Sprite can.

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WHY ARE WE BUILDING SUCH A BIG SHIP? - new music + tour dates

2008-11-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett

New Orleans-based experimental art-punks Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship? are streaming a couple of fully-mastered sample tracks from their recent release, No Blood No Blooms, which is now out on vinyl and cassette.

Click here to listen to the songs "No Blood No Blooms" and "Don't Cry."

Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship? will be touring the eastern U.S. from November 16th through November 30th. Tour dates are posted on their Myspace site.

The band will be performing at the New Orleans Bookfair on Saturday, November 15th. The Bookfair runs from 12 noon until 6pm on Frenchman St. (one block off of Esplanade Ave.) and is a free event.

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NOVEMBER 11TH: Last show at The Darkroom (Baton Rouge)

2008-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

Posted by Brett

The Darkoom in Baton Rouge will host what's being billed as their "last big show" tonight, Tuesday, November 11th.

The Darkroom, which opened in 2003, was Louisiana's first full-time all ages music venue. Over the past five years, the venue has hosted hundred (if not thousands) of local and touring punk, metal, and hardcore artists.

The last show at the Darkroom starts tonight at 7pm and features a bunch of Eulogy Records bands: Kids Like Us, Thick As Blood, Furious Styles, The Mongoloids, Know The Score, and Years Spent Cold.

Oddly, no local bands are scheduled to play. Kinda weird.

Cost to attend is $15. Open to all ages.

The Darkroom's operators may have something new in the works for the near future. For updates on that, you can add The Darkroom to your friends list on Myspace by clicking here.

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What wouldn't Keith Hogan do for a Klondike Bar?

2008-11-07T07:46:00.001-06:00

Posted by Mr. Brett

Hello, hello. Just a quick note to keep you guys updated on what's going on with N.O. Punks and to answer any and all lingering questions about why we continue to fail at life.

As we've mentioned before, we've been planning to redesign N.O. Punks since early September with a new layout and new features. Since that time, we've (unfortunately) had very few news updates. Keith Hogan, our resident CSS guru, spent most of October tinkering with our new layout. After reviewing what we had so far, we decided to scrap it last week and start over with something fresh. Right now, we're getting pretty close to having the new site ready... but not just yet.

Other than that, we've just been dealing with the daily grind of mundane stuff related to every day life. Keith has been busy with art projects at SLU and also put his band, Capitol Offense, on hold until December. I've been finishing up my last semester of undergrad work and spent some time doing paperwork ahead of when I start graduate school in January. I also spent a couple of days reading and pretending not to be a grown-up.

In the meantime, we'd like to thank everyone who continues to frequent our web-site and message boards. Your continued support is much-appreciated. We'll have more new stuff for you guys very soon.

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NOVEMBER 8TH: Smiley With A Knife CD Release Party

2008-11-07T07:30:00.000-06:00

Submitted by Schnouz McFlaig

New Orleans-area experimental rockers Smiley With A Knife will be celebrating the release of their new debut full-length album, How A Reign Comes To An End, with a record release party and prison rodeo at The Howlin' Wolf this Saturday, November 8th.

Yes, a prison rodeo. With real prisoners. And clowns.

Despite their fear of clowns, A Living Soundtrack will also be playing at this show, playing a mix of ambient jazz-art-rock and compositions inspired by too many years of playing Excite-Bike and Castlevania.

Also appearing: Baton Rouge prog-rockers Man Plus Building. Good guys. Good music. Good times.

Doors open at 9pm. Showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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ANTIGRAVITY Magazine's November 2008 issue now available

2008-11-07T07:15:00.000-06:00

From the gospel of Dan Fox...

The November 2008 issue of Antigravity Magazine is now out and available for free all over the greater New Orleans area. Look for it wherever fine, free publications are available. Ask for it by name. Accept no substitutes and beware of imitators.

The new issue features an in-depth interview with Kyle Bravo of Hot Iron Press, plus features on local artists and events including Smiley With A Knife and Mad-E Ruthless.

For those of you outside of New Orleans, you can download a PDF version of the current issue of Antigravity Magazine at their web-site by clicking here.

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Not all Baton Rouge music is good...

2008-11-07T07:00:00.001-06:00

Posted by Brett

Ever wondered what Sublime would have sounded like if they were formed in Bloomington instead of southern California? Yeah, me neither...

Baton Rouge solo-artist Chelsea Rainwater recently launched a music player on Myspace for a newly-recorded crop of recordings called Shenanigans. You can check them out for yourself by clicking here. The first song on Shenanigans' playlist is a crusty acoustic number called "To The Homies Who Were Lost." The rest of the posted songs are relatively posi, in a crusty sort of way...

Chelsea Rainwater previously collaborated with some guys from Bloomington on a project called Traveling Miras in 2007.

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Ryan Plattsmier, bassist for The Public, passes away.

2008-10-30T22:00:00.005-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Ryan Plattsmier, longtime bassist for New Orleans-area indie-rockers The Public, has died. Plattsmier committed suicide yesterday at his home in Luling, according to a friend of the band. No other details were made available.

Ryan Plattsmier was 31.

Plattsmier joined The Public shortly after their formation in 2003, becoming the first and only bass player to perform with the group. Between 2003 and 2006, he appeared on both of The Public's record releases, We Are The Public and Saturn Missile Battery.

In 2006, The Public began writing material for their planned third release, No Love is Permanent. During this time, Plattsmier suffered a work-related accident which resulted in a severed finger, which was surgically reattached. Plattsmier's accident and subsequent recovery period led the band to take brief hiatus from recording and performing.

In 2007, The Public signed a deal with New York-based five03 Records, with plans to release finished version of No Love is Permanent in late 2008 or early 2009.

Plattsmier's last performance with The Public took place at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on October 18th, 2008.

All scheduled upcoming performances by The Public should be considered canceled as the group privately mourns Ryan Plattsmier's passing.

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Videos: ANTARCTICA VS. THE WORLD - "Straight Jacket"

2008-10-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by Johnny Blaze

With Halloween just a few days away, we thought you guys might enjoy some classic New Orleans horror-punk from Antarctica vs. the World.

Antarctica vs. the World was a local band made up of Cos, Karla Devil, Kevin Dredge, Billy Bones, and Dead Jim. The band released an EP called Modern Day Dr. Jekyll and a full-length LP entitled Grave New World in late 2004. They eventually broke up in early 2006.

This video was shot for the song "Straight Jacket" (the version which appeared on the Modern Day Dr. Jeckyll EP):

I HATE PUNK ROCK - Volume 2.

2008-10-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

October 10. 2008.
Posted by Brett Schwaner.

Welcome to the 2nd edition of "I Hate Punk Rock," Mr. Brett's semi-weekly hallucinogenic journey through the crusty corridors of the local music scene... and into to the darkest corners of Hell...

Before we get this here rodeo started, I just want to let everyone know that Keith and I still working on revamping the layout of the site. We'll be making some progress over the next week or two and new features and material will slowly start showing up. You'll know it when you see it. Your eyes will bleed and melt and ooze out of your nose and girls will think you're gross. You'll thank us when you're older, trust me.

Also: I just wanted to remind everyone (again) that The Pests and Converts are still having a benefit show for Face First's lead singer this Saturday, October 11th, at The Banks Street Bar in New Orleans. Doors open at 9pm. Cover is $5. Further info and links were posted in last week's column. Click here and scroll down for more info. Hope to see you there.

We begin this week's column with a heart-warming tale of local punks, oppressed and imprisoned by our Fascist police state...

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It's a prison planet, baby, and there ain't no way out... New Orleans-area thrash punks Toxic Rott have had a rough year. They've had shows end in riots. They've had shows end with brutal police beatdowns. They've had shows end with members of their band hauled off to jail. And now their singer is serving a two-month jail sentence on an undisclosed charge. Here's what Toxic Rott had to say about it on their web-site:

"Seemingly never to the disappointment of local law enforcement, we have once again had a run in with those motherfuckers! Our beloved Rott brother and singer Jon Selakovik (aka SLOX!!) is currently serving the second month of his two month sleep over out at the ole Donaldsonville Corrections Center. He faces six months house arrest and who knows what amount in court costs once his stretch subsides. Hopefully something works out to a better deal for him and he'll be off tha hook a little quicker, we'll just have to wait and see...."

The band added that they plan on recording new material as soon as Jon "SLOX!!" is released from prison. Their last show took place in New Orleans just before Hurricane Gustav in late August.

Toxic Rott formed in early 2008. Their sets are typically loud and violent, and feature such incendiary anthems as "Fuck NOPD."

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We Landed On The Moon encourages you to tune in and drop out... Baton Rouge indie-rockers We Landed On The Moon just announced that their new album, These Little Wars, will be released on December 16th. The band is in the process of building a new web-site, presumably geared towards attracting LSD-users, from the looks of it. They also have some sort of music video in the works to go along with the release of These Little Wars, but no other info about it is currently available. A tour is being put together for mid-December.

In the meantime, you can sample some tracks from These Little Wars at We Landed On The Moon's Myspace site or see them live on October 10th at The Circle Bar in NOLA with The Amazing Nuns.

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Your last chance to snuggle with Jabberjaw... In a truly sad turn of events for goons everywhere, Jabberjaw has decided to break-up after exactly one year of existence. The Baton Rouge "HXC" hardcore band made regular appearances between B.R. and New Orleans throughout the early part of 2008, but experienced a rash of show cancellations last summer due to the bizarre disappearance of their drummer.

Jabberjaw's swan song will take place on October 15th at The High Ground--- the venue where dreams are born... and where dreams go to die.

It's not all gloom and doom for the goons from Jabberjaw, though. A couple of their members already have a new project called Hangtime going on, complete with their first demo which you can listen to by clicking here.

New Orleans fans can check out Hangtime at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on November 29th. They're scheduled to appear as part of an all-day event called "Gulf Coast Hardcore Fest."

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Put this in your waste-paper basket and smoke it... Baton Rouge's Who By Fire are now online. The five-piece group started playing gigs earlier this year, but took their time to actually practice and record before staking out a claim in cyberspace. Bands focusing on music instead of pretentious Myspace bullshit? What a novelty. Anyway, you can check out Who By Fire by clicking this link. They've got five brand new tracks currently streaming. If you're into spooky-sounding folk-blues-circus music, then these guys might get your face twitching. "Wrapped in Green in Early Morning" is one of the saddest sad-bastard songs I've heard in awhile.

If you're in Baton Rouge on October 11th, you can check out Who By Fire at Insomneeacks. They'll also be back at Insomneeacks on November 1st.

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Sonic Debris...

The Pallbearers have a Halloween CD release party coming up. Here's a look at the flyer. More on The Pallbearers' new album next week...

Angry Banana on the pro's and con's of doing compilation albums.

Tiger Weekly interviews Man Plus Building.

Save Vs. Spell has a handful of new demos posted here. These tracks are the band's first new recordings in over 3 years.

Rougarou is working on new songs for an EP. They also have some shennanigans planned for October 29th...

The Fucking Cops do their best Hot Water Music impression for 5 minutes...

We Are The Living (pictured: right) aren't fans of Ayn Rand. I'm glad that someone finally said it...

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And that concludes this week's torture session. I've had the "Ghostbusters" theme song stuck in my head for the last five days (for no good reason!). That, dear friends, is truly torture.

Send hate mail by clicking here.

Stop by the N.O. Punks forum sometime. We'll talk about square-dancing and nachos and not smile or laugh. Ever.

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I HATE PUNK ROCK - Volume 1.

2008-10-01T07:00:00.025-05:00

October 1. 2008.
Posted by Mr. Brett.

Welcome to October. The leaves are (allegedly) turning pretty colors outside and N.O. Punks is turning a ghastly shade of puke green with the debut of I Hate Punk Rock--- our first ever pseudo-column of unapologetically witless and unabashedly uninformed banter devoted to indie music in New Orleans. So, pull up a chair, score some weed from your pal Jesus, and get yourself a tasty purple drank, 'cuz this horrible train-wreck of a column is just getting started, dude-bro...

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Listenin' to Public Enemy and Cheney Youth... It saddens me to report that international supervillain John McCain will seize victory in next month's presidential election. After Baton Rouge's resident politico-punx the Cheney Youth announced last week that they're breaking up, there is nothing left standing between McCain/Palin and global domination. Get use to paying for your own rape kits, America.

In a message posted via the band's Myspace site, Cheney Youth's lead singer, MC Scrotum, announced the band's impending split. The message stated a number of reasons for the group's split, including the fact that one of their recent shows was raided by the Baton Rouge police department and that their drummer "thought they weren't making enough money." One of those statements might be slightly exaggerated. Maybe.

Cheney Youth was formed roughly a year ago with a sound that mixed hardline leftist political punk rock with occassionally spastic bouts of heavy metal and good-natured devil-worship. The band endured a couple of line-up changes earlier in 2008 that cancelled their plans for a west coast tour back in June. Cheney Youth self-released their only album, Democracy, Inc., back in May. For the better part of their existence, the band made regular house show appearances in Baton Rouge, coupled with occasional road trips down to NOLA for gigs at places like Checkpoint Charlie's.

For those of you who may have missed out on Cheney Youth, you've got one last chance to see them live before they disappear into the night (and are likely spirited away for an extended incarceration at Guantanamo). Cheney Youth's farewell set will take place at Insomneeacks in Baton Rouge on Saturday, October 11th, as part of the venue's weekend-long "Insomtoberfest."

50 other bands are also scheduled to play. No kidding.

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Shake, shake, little zombies... Local rude girl Miss Mad-E Ruthless recently revealed some new info about her somewhat delayed upcoming album. Mad-E originally planned to release the album earlier this summer, but those plans have been in an ever-changing state of flux. Since then, she's foregone her solo gig and put together a dance hall ensemble called The Champagne Players, whom you may have seen opening for The Aggrolites at The Dragon's Den back in July. According to Mad-E, The Champagne Players now have an album in the works, but no release date has been set. If you're looking for a slightly snazzy preview of what the group has in store for their debut album, you can click here to check out a brand new track called "Spooky" at Mad-E Ruthless's Myspace site.

Mad-E Ruthless and The Champagne Players are scheduled to appear at The Northgate Taverne in Baton Rouge on Friday, October 10th and also at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on Friday, November 21st.

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Recovering the opposable thumbs... At this point, I would like to take a moment to note that Capitol Offense lead singer and N.O. Punks regular Keith Hogan was invited to participate in today's column (Keith is pictured in the file photo to the right, taken a few days ago). Mr. Hogan, however, encountered a minor setback when a large portion of his thumb was severed in a work-related accident. Since Keith works as a graphic designer, I'm not exactly sure how this accident happened. At this point, we can only assume that the injury will render him useless and heavily dependent upon pain medication for quite sometime, which (if you know Keith) isn't much of a difference from his regular state of being. Zing.

We wish Keith the best of luck with his newfound painkiller addiction and hope that he makes a speedy recovery. Capitol Offense currently has no shows lined up for the immediate future. Pictures of Keith's grotesque injury should be available soon...

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And speaking of "serious, actual medical emergencies"... For over 10 years, Face First has been a big part of the local hardcore music scene. Although the band hasn't played a show since 2007, they were eyeing a fall 2008 "comeback" of sorts, complete with a new line-up and brand new songs. Those plans appear to have been put on hold as longtime Face First guitarist Bobby Last was recently hospitalized with a serious medical condition, accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in expenses along the way.

Yeah, that's shitty. To help out, The Pests, Converts, and 13 Below have put together a benefit show for Bobby Last, scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 11th at the Banks Street Bar in New Orleans. Admission is $5 and all proceeds will go towards helping Bobby with his medical expenses.

Showtime is roughly 9pm and loosely open to ages 18 and up. Punk, metal, and thrash for a good cause.

Hope to see you there. Forum users: Click here to discuss this event.

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Sonic Debris...

The October '08 issue of Antigravity Magazine is due out this week. Here's a look at the cover.

Roma, a Mississippi coast screamo-rock band, have tracks from their new EP, Good Machine Bad Machine, posted at their Myspace site. Roma had originally made the tracks available for free download, but Myspace's new Fascist music player appears to have put a stop to that...

Shoot the Daily Edit (pictured: right) have been practicing. They apparently have a show coming up with Fatter Than Albert. No other info right now. Bug them on Myspace to get the low-down.
Fatter Than Albert's tentative record release date is now December 6th. The band has a vinyl-only release coming up, their first new album since 2006. They've also got a big show with The Toasters scheduled for November 11th at The Dragon's Den.

Like Skyscrapers is "going electric." Acoustic emo doesn't love you anymore...

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And that's all you get for today. You'll eat your sloppy gruel and you'll like it...
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Stay vigilant. Defend New Orleans with your t-shirts and bumper stickers.
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Send hate mail by clicking here. Leave open threats here.

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The N.O. Punks Snausage Party is on vacation in Mongolia...

2008-09-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brakk O'Bama

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, guys. To be honest, we've been a little swamped with miscellaneous minutia and haven't been online all that much. But, just to be clear: this web-site is not dead.

Keith has been busy with school and playing in his band, Capitol Offense. Brett has been distracted with damage control related to his last semester of college and he's also been writing articles for Antigravity Magazine. Kitty Hill, our photographer, is still incarcerated in a Nicaraguan prison and all attempts to free her have thus far failed. Nick Le Platypus, our forum moderator, has spent the last few weeks organizing his massive POG collection and working on his Dragonball Z costume for Halloween. He's sewing it by hand. We're all in awe of his devotion.

In short, most of us involved with running N.O. Punks have been hung up with other things as of late, which accounts for the lack of updates over the past few weeks.

Our site isn't dead, but our plan is to take a break from posting very much new material on here for at least the next few weeks. We're also going to look into some ways to possibly redesign N.O. Punks at some point in the near future in order to make it more user-friendly and less "bloggy."

The forums are still up and running and everyone is more than welcome to drop in and use the message boards as you please.

Click here to discuss this topic.

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SEPTEMBER 13TH: Rock Art Circus 3 with SUPLECS + THE BILLS

2008-09-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Edit: Due to Hurricane Gustav, this event has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 13th. The event is still free and open to all ages.

Exene Cervenka, visual artist and lead singer of the long-running Los Angeles punk band known as X, will serve as the guest of honor at the third annual Rock Art Circus at The Big Top on Saturday, September 13th.

The opening, set to include works by local artists, music, circus performance, video screenings, and a burlesque show, is the brainchild of local designer L. Steve Williams of 504 What Style. For this year’s event, Williams has assembled a collection of works from an array of local artists including Christy Kane of Hazard County Girls, Randy Muller and Donn Davis of Eye Candy Tattoo, Marvin Kirsch of Die Rotzz, Mike Dares, Gary Mader, and Paul Webb of Hawg Jaw, Rachelle O’Brien of Manwitch, and numerous others.

A video presentation, hosted by Randell Perez of Time Code Nola, will begin at 7pm, followed by live performances by horror-surf punks The Bills and sludge-rockers Suplecs at 9pm.

Guests are encouraged to attend wearing their best circus, rock, or horror attire. The exhibition will remain on display at The Big Top through the end of September.

Scheduled start time is 6pm. All ages welcome. Admission is free.

Look for a more in-depth article on this show in the September '08 issue of Antigravity Magazine, due out in the first week of the month.

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Rock You Like A Hurricane...

2008-08-29T10:00:00.003-05:00

Posted by Nash Roberts

It appears as though Tropical Storm Gustav (expected to soon become "Hurricane Gustav") is putting rock n' roll on hold for the time being. As of this posting (Friday, August 29th @ 10:00am), the storm's landfall near New Orleans isn't anywhere near-certain, but we're probably going to be too busy stock-piling bottled water and making plans to go looting for the next few days to worry about updating N.O. Punks. Consequently, this is (probably) the last news-update that we'll be posting until after the storm passes.

A couple of notes: any shows listed on our site after Friday, August 29th are subject to cancellation due to Gustav-related conditions. That should be a no-brainer.

There are still a few shows happening tonight, including a last-minute performance by Pumpkin at The Dragon's Den at 7:30pm, followed by Silent Cinema at Mimi's in the Marigny at 9pm.

For more info on other shows scheduled to take place this weekend, please click here. As previously-mentioned, all events are subject to last-minute cancellation right now, so it might be a good idea to call the venue ahead of time to make sure that an event is still happening before you head out.

Our forum will remain up and running and should not be affected by the storm. If you have show-related updates or cancellation news, you can help keep everyone informed by posting a note about it directly at this link. No registration is required.

If you just feel like discussing hurricane-related insanity, feel free to post your disaster-related rants by clicking here.

Stay safe and try not to watch too much local news (Channels 4, 6, 8, and 26 in New Orleans). Remember that these are commercial news stations. Their primary objective is to instill fear and dread in you while driving up their own ratings. Their first allegiance is to their sponsors, not to you.

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THE DEVIL AND THE SEA: Tour Diary, Photos, News

2008-08-28T10:00:00.003-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Photo Credit: Tim Landry

Deaf Sparrow.com has a new full-length tour diary from Lafayette metalheads The Devil and The Sea. The journal features commentary and photos from their recent west coast tour.

Click here to check it out.

The band also has a few additional tour photos currently posted in a gallery at their Myspace site. Click here for those, bro.

The Devil and The Sea also announced this week that they'll be recording a follow-up to their recent album, Heart Vs. Spine, in January. Here's what they had to say about that:

We are taking a small break from shows (except the few we [already] have listed) to focus all our telepathically unified brains into writing new music for the upcoming record. We are about 5 songs deep into it and I can say that the new stuff is really going to suck... by suck I mean it will be exploding the roof off the house of awesomeness. We are set to record our follow up to Heart Vs. Spine in January of '09 with Sanford Parker (Minsk, Buried At Sea) at Volume Studios in Chicago. Drums will be getting recorded at Electrical Studio B, also in Chicago. We couldn't be more excited to be able to work with Sanford. He will be producing the record as well as engineering.

The Devil and The Sea will next perform at Cafe Cottage in Lafayette on September 5th. The band also has a gig scheduled at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on September 13th. Get stoked.

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MEDIA: Hat Talk - "Forget About Hat Talk"

2008-08-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

The gentlemen from Hat Talk have given birth to a new demo recording. After many hours of painful birthing, they decided to name the song "Forget About Hat Talk." You can listen to the results of their excruciating and unmedicated labor by clicking here. Hat Talk assures you that this song was conceived and born in the holy confines of matrimony--- matrimony between four experimental rock dudes.

If you would like to marry Hat Talk and help reproduce another offspring for their polygamist cult of experimental rock love children, you can visit with them at The Banks Street Bar in New Orleans on Friday, September 26th. Meadow Flow and The Calm Blue Sea will be on-hand to ensure that your wedding with Hat Talk isn't interrupted. Amen.

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SEPTEMBER 5TH: Zydepunks CD Release Party + Los Skarnales + Felix

2008-08-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Source: One Eyed Jacks

When I first heard of the The Zydepunks, I thought to myself: "Wow, that's one of the worst band names I've ever heard," followed by: "Wow, I hope these guys really aren't going to try to fuse zydeco with punk. That sounds like a bad idea." Bad, as in: "Wow, this could be bad bad--- like taking a bunch of ecstasy and starting a grind-metal/ ambient jazz fusion side-project."

But hey, The Zydepunks have been around for awhile now and they seem to please crowds wherever they go, making new friends and spreading their magic along the way. And they have a new CD coming out, which they'll be releasing at a show at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans on Friday, September 5th.

Felix will also be playing this show. Felix is a grind-metal/ ambient jazz fusion band that sounds better when you're rolling hard on ecstasy. Not really. Check out some free downloads from Felix by clicking here.

Los Skarnales, a Latin ska band on tour from Houston, round out the evening's festivities. Bring your dancing shoes.

Shows at One Eyed Jacks begin at about 10pm and are open to ages 18 and up. Cost to attend this show is $10.

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MEDIA: Miles and Minutes - "Almost"

2008-08-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Photo Credit: Chris Reed

Northshore indie-rockers Miles and Minutes have posted a new demo recording at their web-site. The song is called "Almost". Click here to listen to the new song, along with other tracks from Miles and Minutes's recent Electric City EP.

Miles and Minutes will next perform at The High Ground in Metairie on Friday, August 29th, along with Cities Killed Starlight and Painting the Seconds. Painting the Seconds is kinda screamy. I'm not sure about Cities Killed Starlight. My browser kept crashing when I tried to stream their songs. That probably means that they're some kind of anti-government anarchist collective and the CIA is interfering with their signal. This show should be hardcore. Don't bathe. Bring bricks.
7pm. $7 cover. All ages.

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AUGUST 31ST: Illogicist + Malignancy + Phobia + Impaled

2008-08-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Source: Noxious Noize

If you're looking for something that might cause you to gouge your eyes out and swallow your own tongue this weekend, the Hi-Ho Lounge has you covered.

Malignancy, Phobia, Impaled, and Illogicist (pictured: right) will all be making tour stops at the Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans on Sunday, August 31st. These are all death metal and grindcore bands from the darkest corners of America and Europe. Malignancy probably holds the title for being the only grindcore band in Yonkers, New York. If you can name another grindcore band from Yonkers, New York, please raise your hand and speak up.

Showtime is 10pm. Cost of admission is $10. Open to ages 18 and up. This will surely be a laid-back evening of easy-listening and slow jams.

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MAN PLUS BUILDING debuts new track from upcoming split release

2008-08-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Source: Man Plus Building

Baton Rouge indie/experimental rockers Man Plus Building have debuted a brand new recording at their Myspace site. The track is called "Distance Means Nothing." You can click here to listen to it on their playlist.

"Distance Means Nothing" will be released on a split record with Baton Rouge's Wilderness Pangs in December.

Man Plus Building's next performance is scheduled for September 12th at the Big Top in New Orleans with local experimental rockers Smiley With A Knife. Man Plus Building will also be in New Orleans for an encore at The Circle Bar on September 16th.

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BREAK-UPS: Emergence (2007-2008)

2008-08-25T13:00:00.003-05:00

Posted by Keith Hogan

New Orleans area dub-rock band Emergence have officially called it quits following two months of inactivity due to interpersonal differences. According to keyboardist/vocalist D-Ray, the band could no longer function as a collective unit:

As a band, we just couldn't get our priorities straight. Our drummer quit, and we couldn't get new drummers to show up for practice. Alex (Emergence's guitarist) recently bought a new truck but still had no guitar amp of his own

In wake of the band's break up, D-Ray and Dustin (Emergence's former vocalist) have already started a new project named Big, Fat and Delicious which will be "accoustic dub rock with drums and keyboards".

Emergence formed in 2007 after the break up of prominent Northshore ska act Samurai Deli, of which several members were carried over. Emergence's most-recent release was 'Armored Truck', a track on the 2008 Community Records compilation CD.

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PUMPKIN working on NES-inspired music video

2008-08-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Pumpkin, a New Orleans-area electro-rock band, is currently working on putting together a music video based on 1980s Nintendo video games, according to Pumpkin band member Leigh M. Awesome.

The video is still being developed, but it will feature the entire band performing the song "Golden Retriever", rendered using faux 8-bit graphic sprites. You can click here to view an early image from the production or click here to view a rough mix of the video.

Pumpkin's next scheduled performance is coming up this Tuesday, August 26th at the Dragon's Den in New Orleans. Click here for more info or click here to talk about Pumpkin on the N.O. Punks forum.

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HAARP announces split with THOU, release with Pantera's Phi Anselmo

2008-08-24T19:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Haarp, New Orleans' reigning champions of epic metal, have announced plans for three upcoming record releases in late 2008 and 2009.

Haarp is scheduled to record material with producer Greg Stein in September for a split release with Thou, a local sad-faced dungeon metal band. According to Haarp, "3 or 4 songs" from these recording sessions will also make their way onto an EP release later this year.

In other news, Haarp has been tapped by Housecore Records to release a full-length album in 2009. Housecore Records is operated by former Pantera lead singer and New Orleans resident Phil Anselmo.

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MEDIA: White Horse Tabernacle - "HS194plus7658"

2008-08-24T18:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Photo Credit: Amanda LeBlanc

Lafayette experimental rockers The White Horse Tabernacle have debuted a new track from their upcoming studio album, For Those Who Know That Science is Mediocre. The song, "HS194plus7658", is currently streaming at the band's Myspace site. Click here and help yourself. Don't be shy. Have some extra gravy.

The White Horse Tabernacle will next perform at an all ages house show in Lafayette at 528 Lafayette St. on Sunday, August 31st.

The band will next appear in New Orleans on Friday, September 12th at The Big Top. That show is also open to all ages.

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AUGUST 29TH: Save Vs. Spell + Canvas Red + The Burning Castles

2008-08-24T18:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Save Vs. Spell

Baton Rouge rock band Save Vs. Spell will make their first appearance in New Orleans in over 3 years with a show at Checkpoint Charlies on Friday, August 29th. Save Vs. Spell broke up in 2005, but reformed earlier this summer with a line-up consisting of predominantly original members.

Fellow Baton Rouge alt-rockers Canvas Red will be making the trip down with Save Vs. Spell to play this show. You can check out some of Canvas Red's recent demos by clicking here.

Mellow, Velvet Underground-inspired NOLA jam band The Burning Castles round out the line-up for this event.

Shows at Checkpoint Charlies generally begin after 9pm. Open to ages 21 and up. Admission is free.

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PARTY TIME recording with Zachery Quinn, planning split with MORDECHAI

2008-08-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

New Orleans-area punk rockers Party Time have debuted their contribution to the upcoming A Compilation Like No Other album, set to be released by the Hungry Ghost Collective. The song, "Ya Bra", is now streaming at the band's Myspace site. Click here to have a listen.

Party Time also recently announced plans to release a split record with southern Mississippi's Mordechai, due to be released later this year. The band is currently recording with New Orleans-area solo artist and producer Zachery Quinn.

Party Time's next scheduled performance is coming up this Sunday, August 24th at the Saturn Bar in New Orleans. Click here for more info on that show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this story.

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AUGUST 30TH: Disaster Channel + am540 + Edge Set Mary

2008-08-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Ryan Crowley

Disaster Channel (pictured: right), a pop-punk band from Orange County, Ca. with a decidedly "Orange County" sound, will make their first-ever New Orleans-area tour appearance at One Eyed Jacks on Saturday, August 30th.

Disaster Channel will be releasing their debut full-length album, Walking Dead, later in 2008, accompanied by a 7" single. The band will also be filming their performance at One Eyed Jacks for a planned video to coincide with the album's release.

Edge Set Mary (New Orleans alt-rock/metal) and laid-back alt-rockers am540 are also scheduled to play.

Shows at One Eyed Jacks begin after 9pm. Open to ages 18 and up.

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AUGUST 29TH: Eyehategod + Hellkontroll + Crowbar

2008-08-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by kitten nine

Eyehategod will mark their 20th year of spreading dark metal across the land with a show at One Eyed Jack's on Friday, August 29th. Formed in 1988, Eyehategod is one of the longest-running rock bands in the New Orleans area.

Crowbar (New Orleans-area metal) and Hellkontroll (Lafayette noise/thrash) will join in on the party. Bring a cake... the blackest cake that your mother can bake...

The show is scheduled to begin after 9pm. Open to ages 18 and up. Pre-sale tickets are available at Ticketweb for $13. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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VIDEOS: Sick Like Sinatra - "Ping Pong To the Death"

2008-08-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

This really isn't a "music video," per se, but it does feature Ted Dunaway and Chris Buller of the NOLA-area dance-rock band Sick Like Sinatra locked in a ping-pong duel to the death. The video was filmed in Mid-City earlier this summer and makes use of some of the (least-bizarre) props from Sick Like Sinatra's live performances...

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AUGUST 29TH: Bones + We Landed On The Moon + Hi Five

2008-08-20T15:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Bones

Baton Rouge-area bands Bones, Hi Five, and We Landed On The Moon will have a get-together at The Spanish Moon on Friday, August 29th.

Bones is a crusty blues-rock band. This will be their last show for at least two months. The band released their second record, Sounds from the Id, earlier this year.

Hi Five plays experimental indie rock. They recently followed-up their self-titled debut with an album called Dinosaur Tracks.

We Landed On The Moon plays indie-pop music that's "awesome at sex parties," as the kids say. The band released their second album, These Little Wars, earlier in 2008.

This show is scheduled to begin at about 10pm. Cost to attend is $5. Open to ages 18 and up.

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AUGUST 26TH: Cute Lepers + Power Chords + Avenue Rose + Pumpkin

2008-08-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Leigh M. Awesome

The Cute Lepers (pictured: right), a Seattle-area pop-punk featuring former members of The Briefs, will be performing at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on Tuesday, August 26th. The Cute Lepers are touring in support of their upcoming album release on Blackheart Records (Joan Jett's record label). They're currently on tour with The Powerchords (a Buzzcocks-style punk band) and Avenue Rose, an Olympia, Wa. band with some obvious pop and mod-rock influences. All three of these bands are either "awesome" or "really awesome."

Local electro/fun punks Pumpkin are finally emerging from a prolonged slumber to open this show. There isn't a new Harry Potter film coming out this year. Pumpkin is all you have. Don't miss out.

This show is scheduled to begin at about 6pm. Cost to attend is $5.00. Bring your dancing shoes and make plans to skip school the next day. Rock n' roll doesn't require that you have an education.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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Three new live recordings from A HANGING

2008-08-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

A Hanging (NOLA-area hardcore/metal) has started streaming a handful of recent live recordings at their web-site. The songs were recorded a few weeks ago at The Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans at a show with Hawg Jaw and Black Market Ministry. Click here to listen.

The newly-posted recordings are titled "Food for Rats", "BlackBox", and "Minotaur".

A Hanging is next scheduled to rock your face off at The Banks Street Bar in New Orleans on September 27th with Party Time and Love Zombie. These guys don't fuck around.

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BREAK-UPS: Terror of the Sea (2005-2008)

2008-08-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

After a 3-plus-year run, Baton Rouge indie-rockers Terror of the Sea have called it a day. The band played their final show last night (Friday, August 15th) at Baton Rouge's Spanish Moon with The Amazing Nuns and Brass Bed.

Formed in early 2005, the four-piece band released several demo collections and a self-titled album in 2006 (which can still be found here, for anyone who may be interested). 225 Magazine called Terror of the Sea's album "one of Baton Rouge's most-intriguing albums of 2006." Click here to read the original article.

The band's first radio interview is also available in archived podcast form by clicking here.

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AUGUST 24TH: Red Thread + All Rise + American Disaster Party

2008-08-16T08:00:00.003-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Red Thread (pictured: left), an all-female hardcore punk band from Massachusetts, will be making a tour stop at The Saturn Bar in New Orleans on Sunday, August 24th. The band is touring in support of their self-titled album, which was released in 2007.

Four local bands are also scheduled to play, including local street-punks All Rise and Party Time, a melodic shoegaze collective whose members operate covertly from Luling to Lakeview. American Disaster Party, a local drunk punk/rock band, will also appear.

And speaking of disasters, Capitol Offense is also playing this show--- fresh off of their recent "Path of Destruction" tour which wreaked havoc across the American southwest. No kidding.

The Saturn Bar is located at 3067 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans. Showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up. Cover price is $5.00.

Click here to view a flyer for this show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

EDIT: 8/24 - Party Time and Capitol Offense are no longer playing at this how. Reclaim Life has been added to the line-up.

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New demos from TOXIC ROTT

2008-08-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Toxic Rott (who are seriously one of the most brutal thrash bands in southeast Louisiana right now) have posted a few demos from Swampland Holocaust, their upcoming release on Insidious Records.

To stream Toxic Rott's new demos: click here. The new songs are "Play it Straight", "Refuse", and "Syringe Revenge."

"Play it Straight" features at least two dozen different uses of the word "scumbag."

Toxic Rott currently doesn't have any local shows scheduled until late September.

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AUGUST 23RD: Metronome the City + A Living Soundtrack + Meadow Flow

2008-08-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

Submitted by The Schnouz

New Orleans-area experimental rockers Metronome the City (pictured: right) will headline a record release show at The Howlin' Wolf on Saturday, August 23rd.

Metronome will be releasing a new 7" record with a limited number on pink vinyl. The record features interpreted music from the 1986 Atari skating game 720º.

Metronome's unshaven friends Meadow Flow and A Living Soundtrack will be on-hand to celebrate this monumental evening in local music. Seriously. Unshaven.

This event is open to ages 18 and up. Cost to attend is $5. Scheduled start time is around 8pm.

Click here to view a full-sized digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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New live recordings from BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN

2008-08-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Big Rock Candy Mountain, a psychadelic rock band from New Orleans, have begun streaming a handful of recent live recordings at their web-site. The tracks (which include "Bang Bang", "My Bottlerocket", and "I am the Storm") were recorded earlier in 2008 at a Carrolton Station show. The band plans to eventually record studio versions of some of these songs for an album release.

Grab your hacky-sack and click here to listen, man.

You can catch Big Rock Candy Mountain performing in New Orleans at The Republic on Wednesday, August 27th and at The Blue Nile on Saturday, August 30th.

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AUGUST 22ND + 23RD: Hollywood Blues + John Barrett's Bass Drum of Death

2008-08-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Source: Hollywood Blues

Hollywood Blues (pictured: right), a rock/soul band from Baton Rouge, will be playing two shows in southeast Louisiana on the weekend of August 22nd-23rd.

Both shows will feature John Barrett's Bass Drum of Death, a two-piece blues-rock act from Oxford, Mississippi. John Barrett is currently signed to Fat Possum Records (home of such notable artists as Dinosaur Jr., The Black Keys, and Paul Westerberg) .

The first of the two shows will take place in New Orleans at One Eyed Jacks on Friday, August 22nd. Scheduled start time is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up.

The second show will take place in Baton Rouge on Saturday, August 23rd at 3259 Carlotta Street (house show). Scheduled start time is 7pm. Cost to attend is $5. All ages welcome.

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AUGUST 21ST: American Diary + Landings + Like Skyscrapers + Mocked Silence

2008-08-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

On Thursday, August 21st, a few days after finishing their stint on the Vans Warped Tour, Baltimore's American Diary will be making a stop at The High Ground in Metairie.

Joining American Diary will be two New Orleans-area bands: Landings (indie/power-pop, pictured: right) and Like Skyscrapers (two-man acoustic indie-rock).

Mocked Silence, an alt-rock band from St. Bernard Parish, is also scheduled to perform.

This show is scheduled to begin at 7pm and is open to all ages. Cost of admission is $7 at the door.

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MYSTERY ZINE submission deadline is Thursday, August 14th

2008-08-12T11:30:00.001-05:00

Posted by Keith Hogan

Mystery Zine, a local music/politics/art/whatever DIY publication will begin printing its first issue this Friday, August 15th. The deadline to submit material for the first issue (songs, essays, comics, etc.) is the evening of Thursday August 14th.

Click here to submit material for inclusion in the Mystery Zine.

Mystery Zine will also contain a compilation CD of local and national punk and hardcore bands. Bands scheduled to appear on the insert include: MDC, Secret Agent Bill, Verbal Abuse, Zydepunks, Face First, The Pallbearers, The Bills, Toxic Rott, and a bunch of others.

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MEDIA: In Tomorrows Shadow - "Make Believe"

2008-08-12T10:30:00.001-05:00

Source: Mike the Warrior

New Orleans-area death/metalcore band In Tomorrows Shadow have debuted a new track at their web-site. The track is titled "Make Believe." You can listen to it by clicking here.

In Tomorrows Shadow currently have been recording on and off all summer. No official record release plans have been announced yet. The band is next scheduled to perform on Saturday, August 16th at The Bar in Metairie. That show is scheduled to start at around 9:30pm and is open to ages 18 and up.

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CAPITOL OFFENSE: The Movie (Summer 2008 Tour Videos)

2008-08-10T15:00:00.001-05:00

Submitted by Capitol Offense

New Orleans-area political pop-punks Capitol Offense recently hit the road for a brief tour of the U.S. southwest and west coast. The band took extensive video documentation of their tour. Part 1 of the tour video is posted below, along with links to Part 2 and Part 3. This is highbrow comedy, folks...

Click here to view Part 2 - Click here to view Part 3

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MEDIA: The Axes of Evil - "Hardaade" + "Matanzas"

2008-08-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

The Axes of Evil are an old-school metal band from Baton Rouge. Their style is more in-line with bands like Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden, as opposed to new-millennium metal or sludge/doom stuff. Expect songs inspired by vikings, wizards, warlocks, and stuff like this.

The Axes of Evil released an EP earlier in 2008 called By This Axe I Rule. Two new recordings from that EP are now streaming at the band's web-site.

Click here to stream the songs "Hardaade" and "Matanzas".

The Axes of Evil currently have no shows scheduled for the immediate future.

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AUGUST 18TH: Who Calls So Loud + Party Time

2008-08-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Source: Daryl Marse

Party Time, an unwashed collective of New Orleans-area troublemakers, will perform at The Dragon's Den on Esplanade Ave. on Monday, August 18th.

Party Time will be joined by Who Calls So Loud (pictured: right), a touring emo/screamo band from the San Francisco bay area. Who Calls So Loud features former members of Funeral Diner and Portraits of Past. They're currently on tour in support of their recent self-titled album release.

This show is scheduled to begin at 7pm. Cost to attend is $5. Open to "ages 18 and up."

Forum users: Click here to discuss this show.

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VIDEOS: In Tomorrows Shadow - "Limbs"

2008-08-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Video source: Mike the Warrior

We have no idea where this video was recorded (perhaps at a disco-tech in one of Hell's lower levels?), but it does feature NOLA hardcore/grind artists In Tomorrows Shadow performing their song "Limbs." The video was recorded during the summer of 2008.

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AUGUST 16TH: Spring Break Shark Attack! + Smiley With a Knife + Magic Legs

2008-08-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner
Photo Credit: Gabby Champion

On Saturday, August 16th, The Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans will host a pretty diverse line-up of bands from across southeast Louisiana.

Bands scheduled to perform include Baton Rouge surf-rockers Spring Break Shark Attack! (pictured: right) and Lafayette ambient prog.-rockers The White Horse Tabernacle.

Magic Legs, a prog.-rock band (also from Lafayette) will perform, along with New Orleans indie-rockers Smiley With A Knife. Click here to check out some of Smiley With A Knife's recent recordings.

This show is scheduled to begin at about 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up. Cost of admission is $7.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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AUGUST 16TH: The Bills + The Unnaturals + Jeff Ugly Shoes

2008-08-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Keith Hogan

Wax up your board, chug some sea foam, and get ready to eat sand (nerd!), because The Bills and The Unnaturals are hosting a night of horror surf/punk/rock at Checkpoint Charlies on Sat. August 16th.

Also surfing the lake of fire will be Mississippi horror- surf act Jeff Ugly Shoes & The Cemetary Surfers.

The Bills are fronted by Pallbearers drummer/local flyer artist Bill Heintz.

This show is scheduled to begin after 9pm, and is most likely free. Open to ages 21 and up.

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ALIAS:ORION begins tour, return home show planned for Aug. 27th

2008-08-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Alias

Alias:Orion, a New Orleans-area electro-rock group, have started a brief tour of the southwestern U.S. and the west coast.

The tour starts in Houston on August 8th, followed by dates in Kilgore, Tex. on August 9th and Austin, Tex. on August 10th, and El Paso on August 13th. Alias:Orion will then travel to San Diego on August 14th and Los Angeles on August 17th. Click here for further tour date info.

Following those dates, the band will return to New Orleans to play a "return home" show at The Blue Nile on Wednesday, August 27th, beginning at about 9pm. Local experimental rockers Black Belt and Smiley With A Knife are also scheduled to perform.

Alias:Orion released their debut EP, While the City Burned, earlier this year. The group plans to release a full-length album sometime in 2009.

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STICKY BANDITS debut early demos from upcoming album

2008-08-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: The Sticky Bandits

Slidell third-wave ska-rockers The Sticky Bandits have debuted a handful of early demo versions of songs that will appear on their next studio album. The four tracks are currently posted at the band's Purevolume site. Click here to listen.

The Sticky Bandits were originally formed in 2004 and have gone through a number of line-up changes since that time. The band currently doesn't have any shows scheduled for the immediate future. A release date for their album has yet to be announced.

You can also keep up with The Sticky Bandits at their Myspace site.

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THIS IS THE ENEMY on WTUL 91.5 FM - Weds. night/ Thursday morning

2008-08-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Source: This is the Enemy

Photo Credit: Rochelle Holmes

This is the Enemy, a New Orleans-area hardcore/metal band, will appear live on WTUL 91.5 FM-New Orleans early Thursday morning (August 7th) from 3am to 6am (that's late Wednesday night, for those of you who don't doze off until the sun comes up). The band will be interviewed by WTUL DJ Kenny Kuhn.

To listen, simply tune your radio dial to 91.5 FM. If you're outside of the station's broadcast range, you can also stream WTUL live on your computer by following this link.

This is the Enemy's next live performance will be at The Bar in Metairie on Friday, August 8th ("Round 2" of the venue's annual "Battle of the Bar" competition). That show is open to ages 18 and up and is scheduled to begin at 9:30pm.

This is the Enemy also has an "all ages" performance scheduled for Saturday, August 9th at 7pm at The High Ground in Metairie.

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AUGUST 15TH: FREE SHOW with Evil Army + Haarp + A Hanging + Mars

2008-08-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Source: Noxious Noize

The Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans will be hosting a free metal/thrash/hardcore event on Friday, August 15th with three local bands and one touring act from Tennessee.

Featured local artists will include Haarp and A Hanging, along with Mars, a down-tempo doom/metal band. Click here to listen to some of Mars' recent demo recordings.

Evil Army, a loud, loud, loud thrash-metal band from Memphis, Tenn., are also scheduled to perform. Evil Army's last full-length release was a self-titled album in 2006.

The Hi-Ho Lounge opens nightly at 8pm. Shows usually begin around 10pm. Admission to this show is completely free. Open to ages 18 and up.

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AUGUST 15TH: Shai Hulud + Full Blown Chaos

2008-08-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Source: The High Ground

Shai Hulud, the marginally-poetic east coast masters of the early "metalcore" movement, will be returning to southeast Louisiana for the second time this year, making a stop at The High Ground in Metairie on Friday, August 15th. The band also performed at The High Ground back in March, opening up for Earth Crisis.

Shai Hulud is currently touring in support of their new album, Misanthropy Pure, their first release in nearly 5 years. The band has been together in various incarnations since the mid-1990s. Newfound Glory's guitarist, Chad Gilbert (aka "Captain Straight Edge" of the International Superheroes of Hardcore) was once Shai Hulud's lead singer when he was only 14 years old. Weird.

Full Blown Chaos will also be playing at this show. Full Blown Chaos are five dudes with beards from Brooklyn (count their beards: 1-2-3-4-5!) who play metal/hardcore with the intent of blasting your skeleton out of your body. Their most recent release was 2007's Heavy Lies the Crown on Ferret Records.

Other bands scheduled to play this show are currently TBA. We'll update this posting if/when that info becomes available.

This show is scheduled to begin at 7pm. $10 cover. All ages welcome.

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AUGUST 13TH: The Flaming Tsunamis + Fatter Than Albert + Further Reasoning

2008-08-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

Posted by Keith Hogan

New Orleans' own Fatter Than Albert will be sharing the stage with Connecticut ska act The Flaming Tsunamis (pictured: right) at the Hight Ground in Metairie on Wednesday, August 13th.

FTA have only played locally once since returning from their summer tour in early July, and much like when a groundhog peeks its head from the dirt to predict the weather, many people are excited. And I'm pretty sure Bill Murray is trying to kill them. The band is also currently in the studio recording a full length album to be released this fall.

The Flaming Tsunamis are stopping by while on their summer east coast tour, which begins Aug. 6th.

Rounding out the show will be local pop-punks Further Reasoning and Roseline, a hardcore band who apparently feel comfortable enough with their sexuality to use the word "faggot" in their Myspace headline.

Scheduled start time is around 6:30pm. Cost to attend is $8. All ages welcome.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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MEDIA: Roma - "My Angels My Demons"

2008-08-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Photo Credit: Alexx Photo

We haven't really covered Roma too much on N.O. Punks up until now. Crack open the champagne (or champagne of beers, if you prefer). It's time for something new.

Roma is a prog.-screamo band from southern Mississippi (Ocean Springs, to be exact). They've been around since 2006. They recently released their debut EP, Good Machine. Bad Machine. A new track from Good Machine. Bad Machine, "My Angels My Demons", is now streaming at the band's web-site.

Click here to listen to "My Angels My Demons".

Roma will be playing some out-of-state dates in Florida and Alabama in the upcoming weeks, followed by a show in Ocean Springs, Miss. on September 6th. The band is also in the process of booking a short fall tour followed by a winter tour. The latter tour is tenatively scheduled to end in New Orleans on December 20th.

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MEDIA: Strugglebear - "Braindead Sex Machine"

2008-08-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Strugglebear, a Baton Rouge-area thrash-punk band, have posted a new track from their recent split release with The AIDS Patients at their web-site.

Click here to stream the new track: "Braindead Sex Machine".

Stugglebear is currently putting together a house show in Baton Rouge for August 19th. Bands interested in playing or swapping gigs should contact the band via their Myspace page.

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AUGUST 10TH: The Silent Game + Titus Andronicus + Mad-E Ruthless

2008-08-04T11:00:00.005-05:00

Source: Greg Rodrigue

The Silent Game will perform at The Dragon's Den in New Orleans on Sunday, August 10th. Silent Game shows seem to be few and far-between these days, but these guys are worth checking out if you like indie/pop punk. Even if you haven't seen them in awhile, they're still worth seeing again. The Silent Game is definitely one of New Orleans "most-improved" bands over the past few years.

Also appearing will be Titus Andronicus, an indie-punk band from New Jersey. These guys sound a little like Ringers, but with slightly more distorted guitars. Semi-psychedelic. Do you know what AIDS is?

Mad-E Ruthless, a New Orleans-area rude-grrrl folk-ska artist, rounds out the scheduled line-up. Mad-E recently put together a backing band called The Champagne Players. They'll be joining her for this show. Check out some of Mad-E's recordings by clicking here.

This show will begin at 7pm. Cost of admission is $5. Open to "ages 18 and up", yeah.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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AUGUST 10TH: We Are The Living + Pianos Become The Teeth + Caution Children

2008-08-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

Source: Billy-WATL

Pianos Become The Teeth, an "art-school screamo band" (not exaggerating) from Baltimore, Md. will make their second tour appearance in Louisiana this year. They're scheduled to appear at Insomneacks in Baton Rouge on Sunday, August 10th.

Pianos Become The Teeth is touring in support of their recent EP release, Saltwater. For this leg of their summer tour, they're bringing along The Caution Children, a stylistically-similar ambient scream-rock band from Orange Park, Fla. The Caution Children's last album, 2008's Vacations, was released on Tokyo Jupiter Records.

Baton Rouge indie-punks We Are The Living will also perform. We Are The Living has spent most of the summer working on new studio recordings in anticipation of an album release sometime this fall.

This show is scheduled to begin at about 7pm. Cost of admission is $5. All ages welcome.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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MEDIA: Like Skyscrapers - "Heartwrenching"

2008-08-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Photo Credit: KEKE Photography

Metairie-area acoustic indie-rock duo Like Skyscrapers have posted a new demo recording at their web-site.

Click here to stream the song, "Heartwrenching".

According to their web-site, Like Skyscrapers's influences include "great bands, great times... and sluts."

Recommended for listeners who enjoy haircuts.

Like Skyscrapers is next scheduled to perform at The High Ground in Metairie on Thursday, August 21st.

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6 PACK DEEP responds to 225 Magazine criticism

2008-08-03T18:30:00.008-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

A review of 6 Pack Deep's latest album, Wake Up, recently appeared in an issue of 225 Magazine. (an "alternative news and culture" publication based out of Baton Rouge, similar to Gambit Weekly in New Orleans). The review, penned by Alex V. Cook, basically panned the album and raised strong criticisms of the Baton Rouge ska band's song-writing style.

Here's an excerpt from Cook's review:

The problem with modern ska, however, lies in the non-ska parts of the equation, and 6 Pack Deep short-circuits by overemphasizing vocals and uninspired mall-punk lyrics when its intricate instrumentation could’ve shined. Its stabs at humor... come off as sophomoric, and sure, maybe that’s the point, but ska has a tradition of mixing humor and heavier topics effectively.

Click here to read the review in its entirety at 225 Magazine's web-site.

On Sunday, 6 Pack Deep vocalist Lyle Robelot posted a rather blunt response to Cook's criticism via 6 Pack Deep's web-site. The following block quote contains excerpts from Robelot's email response to Cook's review:

I am emailing you in response to the 6 Pack Deep cd review. Although I appreciate your comments praising our tight musicianship, I have a few issues with your write-up. First of all, you classified our band as ska based on the presence of a horn section (punk and rock easily outnumber the few ska elements of the cd), then later criticize us for not falling into the some uniform ska band mold, fighting an evil government with deep, rebellious lyrics. That’s not 6 Pack Deep. We are not Ska. Yes, we are influenced by the music, but to judge our lyrical content according to other bands in a genre that you ignorantly categorize us in is ridiculous.*

Second you describe my lyrics as uninspired. Who the hell are you to decide which music is inspired or not. Those songs captured some of the most significant events of my life: my best friends arrest and dissension into delinquency; a close family member’s victory over drug addiction; and an inner struggle leading to the decision to play music for the rest of my life. The message may not save the world or transcend into outer space, but it is real.

Next you generously gave us some advice. You stated that our “over-emphasized vocals” should take a smaller role, leaving room for our “intricate instrumentation to shine.” Little do you know, literally every mixer, producer and talent rep have advised us to concentrate on powerful, memorable lyrics, while minimizing complex musical arrangements. Clearly you know nothing about what it takes for us to succeed in today’s music industry, and your observations are solely based on personal preference. Hopefully you will take this into consideration before publishing any more bad advice.

*It should be noted that 6 Pack Deep actually categorizes themselves as a "ska" band, as noted by the heading on the group's Myspace page ---- "Rock/ Dub/ Ska".

6 Pack Deep has a few out-of-state tour dates planned through August. The band's next scheduled performance in southeast Louisiana will take place on September 12th at The Caterie in Baton Rouge.

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AUGUST 10TH: Cruiserweight + No Fuego + Miles and Minutes

2008-08-03T11:00:00.004-05:00

Source: No Fuego

Austin pop-punks Cruiserweight have added a last-minute date to their current southeast tour. The band will appear at The Green Room in Covington on Sunday, August 10th.

Cruiserweight has been around for close to a decade. The band's next full-length release, Big Bold Letters, is due out by the end of the summer. Click here to check out their video for the song "Yellow Lights".

Joining Cruiserweight will be and northshore pop-rockers Miles and Minutes and Baton Rouge punk-rockers No Fuego. Get stoked, bro.

This show is open to ages 18 and up and is scheduled to start at about 9pm. Cost to attend is $5.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: Click here to discuss this event.

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MEADOW FLOW posts 4 new demo recordings

2008-08-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Throwback

Local indie/experimental rockers Meadow Flow have posted 4 recent demo recordings at their Myspace site. The tracks are: "Toast", "Amanda", "She Walks Across Our Movie", and "Swampy."

Click here to stream Meadow Flow's latest demos.

Meadow Flow will next perform on Saturday, August 23rd at The Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans with A Living Soundtrack and Metronome the City. This show is scheduled to begin after 9pm and is open to ages 18 and up.

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AUGUST 8TH: The Devil And The Sea + Lair Of The Minotaur + Raum

2008-08-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

Source: The Hi-Ho Lounge

Lafayette's The Devil And The Sea and Chicago's Lair of the Minotaur will perform at the Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans on Friday, August 8th.

The Devil and The Sea are a heavy-as-hell metal band. Check out tracks from their recent release, Heart vs. Spine, by clicking here. If you're survive that experience, come back and read the rest of this post.

Lair of the Minotaur just performed at The High Ground in Metairie a couple of months back. If you missed them then, here's your chance to make up for it.

Raum, a local doom-rock band, are also playing at this show. Check out some of their demo recordings by clicking here.

Shows at the Hi-Ho Lounge begin after 9pm. Open to ages 18 and up. Cost of admission is $8.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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ANTIGRAVITY August '08 Issue Now Available

2008-08-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Submitted by Dan Fox

The August 2008 issue of Antigravity Magazine is now available in print and online. The latest edition of the local black-and-white alternative culture publication features an in-depth look at the upcoming debut album from local electo-pop solo artist The White Bitch.

This month's issue also features Felix, We're Only In It For The Honey, White Colla Crimes, Hi Five, Gold and Glass, and Truth Universal. Also included are reviews of Ballzack's new album, Kajun SS's new 7", Lil' Wayne, Beck, comics, and St. Nick's Saints Preview.

Antigravity is a free publication. Look for copies all over the greater New Orleans area, or click here to download a PDF version of the latest issue.

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AUTUMN'S AFTERMATH acoustic radio appearance tonight

2008-08-01T13:45:00.000-05:00

Source: Autumn's Aftermath

Autumn's Aftermath, a New Orleans-area pop punk/indie band, will be making an internet-radio appearance tonight (August 1st) on SamRock Radio. The band will be performing some of their songs and also DJing some tracks in-between.

Autumn's Aftermath's appearance begins at 8pm. Click here to stream SamRock Radio.

Autumn's Aftermath will also perform live at The MVC in Westwego this Saturday, August 2nd and at The High Ground in Metairie on Friday, August 8th. Both shows are open to all ages and are scheduled to begin at about 6:30pm.

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THE SALTINES added to Checkpoint Charlie's show this Saturday

2008-08-01T13:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Just a quick note: The Saltines, a Westbank pop/punk band, will be playing at Checkpoint Charlie's this Saturday, August 2nd.

We originally posted some info about this show earlier this week without mentioning The Saltines. Anyway, here's the revised (and hopefully accurate) info:

The Saltines + The Pallbearers (horror/thrash) + Toxic Rott (hardcore/thrash) - 10pm. Free admission. Open to ages 21 and up.

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AUGUST 5TH: Weekend Nachos + Hellkontroll + Lincoln Battalion + WNTT

2008-07-31T09:00:00.002-05:00

Source: Lincoln Battalion

Weekend Nachos (pictured: right) is a heavy-fisted hardcore band from Chicago. Their singer sounds like he's choking on nachos, actually. They'll be appearing at a house show in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, August 5th.

We Need To Talk, a local hardcore band, will also be playing. WNTT recently released their debut 7" recording.

Also appearing at this show: The Lincoln Battalion (Baton Rouge Satan-metal) and Hellkontroll (Lafayette noise-punk). Both bands will be leaving on a week-long tour together beginning on August 6th, so this will be your last chance to see them locally for at least a week. Don't fuck up and miss out.

This show will take place at 440 State Street in Baton Rouge (70802 zip code). Scheduled start time is 7pm. Cost to attend is $5. All ages welcome.

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AUGUST 4TH: Toxikon + A.N.S. + Toxic Rott

2008-07-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Toxic Rott

A.N.S., a 1980s-style hardcore/thrash band on tour from Texas, will appear at The Renaissance Niteclub in Lafayette on Monday, August 4th. A.N.S released a split record with a band from Belgium called Reproach earlier this year.

Fresh out of prison and ready to strike fear into the hearts of law enforcement across Louisiana, Toxic Rott, a New Orleans-area thrash/punk band, will also appear at this show. Will Toxic Rott make it out of Lafayette in one piece or will the Lafayette Sheriff's Department teach them a thing or two about backwoods justice? Either way, expect pigs and squealing to be involved, city boy...

Toxikon, a Lafayette hardcore band, rounds out the line-up for this show. Check out some of Toxikon's cheerful songs (including "PIGS BLOOD", "REVENGE", and "GAS PRICES") at their Myspace site by clicking here.

Showtime is 10pm. Open to ages 18 and up. Cost of admission is $5.

Click here to view a full-sized digital flyer for this event.

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LINCOLN BATTALION posts 3 new demo tracks

2008-07-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

The Lincoln Battalion, a nihilistic/Satanic metal band from Baton Rouge, have posted three new tracks from their recent demo collection at their Myspace site.

Click here to listen to the new tracks: "Killing Ground", "Cannons", and "There Is Nothing For Us Here."

The Lincoln Battalion will next perform at a house show at 440 State Street in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, August 5th. That show is scheduled to begin at 7pm and is open to all ages.

On August 6th, The Lincoln Battalion will join Hellkontroll (Lafayette) for a brief tour through Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, followed by a return-home show in Baton Rouge on August 14th.

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MALAMUTE releases "Breathe Deeply, Horse"

2008-07-29T11:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Malamute, a Hattiesburg, Miss.-based noise-punk band, have released their new album through Acerbic Noise Development, a record label based in Alabama. The album, Breathe Deeply, Horse, is available for mail-order via Acerbic Noise's web-site and will also be available for purchase at Malamute's upcoming shows.

Two songs from Breathe Deeply, Horse are currently streaming at Malamute's Myspace site. Click here to listen to "Castrati Karate" and "I Married Common Street Trash." A third track from the album, "Wyoming", is also available for streaming at Acerbic Noise's site.

We don't post record reviews on here very often, but Malamute's material is really worth a listen. It's somewhat refreshing to hear the fruition of a band pushing boundaries and successfully crafting a progressive sound with their recordings. Breathe Deeply, Horse doesn't fall directly into any particular segment of noise-rock, post-punk, metal, or nu-hardcore. Here in New Orleans, it sometimes seems that we're overwhelmed by doomy/gloomy/sludge-metal or uninspired art-rock that comes off as trend-pleasing or just plain lifeless. Taking all of this into account, Malamute offers a much-welcomed injection of artistic innovation. Although their erratic style is initially off-putting to the ears, repeated listens slowly reveal the depth of what they've accomplished with these recordings. Again: highly recommended.

Malamute will appear at The Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge on Saturday, August 2nd and at Cafe Cottage in Lafayette on Saturday, August 9th.

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AUGUST 2ND: The Pallbearers + Toxic Rott

2008-07-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Toxic Rott

The last time that Toxic Rott played a show at Checkpoint Charlie's, six people ended up going to jail (including one member of the band) after an "alleged" out-right display of police brutality on the streets of the French Quarter. But, seriously--- when they wrote a song called "Fuck N.O.P.D." (and then recorded a live video of themselves performing the song), did anyone not expect something like this to eventually happen?

On Saturday, August 2nd, Toxic Rott returns to Checkpoint Charlie's for another evening of thrash-punk, beer-guzzling, and potential intervention by local law-enforcement. The Pallbearers, a gut-spewing horror-thrash band from NOLA, will also be on-hand to make sure that everyone gets big, wet, sloppy hugs and kisses before the evening comes to a close.

This show is scheduled to begin at 10pm. Fun for the whole family. Who knows--- maybe you could be the next person to be tased by cops on the sidewalk outside of Checkpoint's?

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VIDEOS: Party Time - "Give Your Friends Hugs"

2008-07-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Daryl

Party Time is a New Orleans-area punk band featuring former members of Marc With a C and Big Baby. They've been together since 2007.

This clip features Party Time performing the song "Give Your Friends Hugs" at the Dragon's Den in New Orleans on Sunday, July 13th.

AUGUST 1ST: A HANGING + HAWG JAW + BLACK MARKET MINISTRY

2008-07-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Local metal and hardcore acts A Hanging (pictured: right) and Hawg Jaw will perform at the Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans on Friday, August 1st.

A Hanging is a female-fronted hardcore band featuring former members of Antarctica vs. the World and The Ghostwood.

Hawg Jaw is a drop-dead and die sludge-metal band. Seriously, why are you still alive?

Also appearing will be Black Market Ministry, a black-metal band from Monroe, Louisiana. Have you ever been to Monroe, Louisiana? If so, then you know what it's like to want to bury your thumbs in the eye-sockets of the person standing next to you...

This show is open to ages 18 and up. Cost of admission is $5. Scheduled start time is 10pm. Bring a smile and a positive attitude.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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MEDIA: White Horse Tabernacle - "Flutter" + "Microscopic Giants"

2008-07-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Source: White Horse Tabernacle

Photo Credit: Isabell Lasalla

Lafayette indie-rockers The White Horse Tabernacle have debuted two new tracks from their forthcoming record, For Those Who Know That Science is Mediocre.

The songs, "Flutter" and "Microscopic Giants", can be heard at the band's Myspace site by clicking here. Recommended for fans of A Living Soundtrack.

The White Horse Tabernacle has an upcoming show scheduled in Lafayette on August 15th at Cafe Cottage with Smiley With A Knife and Magic Legs. All three bands will appear the following night (August 16th) at the Hi-Ho Lounge in New Orleans and will be joined by Baton Rouge's Spring Break Shark Attack!.

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MEDIA: Cardinale - "Second Chances"

2008-07-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Cardinale

Photo Credit: Megan Something

Cardinale, a New Orleans-area screamo-rock band, have debuted another track from their recently-released album, This is Where We've Come From. The track, "Second Chances", can be streamed via Cardinale's Myspace site by clicking here.

Cardinale released This is Where We've Come From a few weeks ago, but the band plans to hold an "all ages" CD release party at The High Ground in Metairie on Friday, August 1st. Admission is $7. Showtime is 7pm. Click here for a digital flyer containing expanded info. This will be Cardinale's last show until September.

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JULY 30TH + 31ST: This Time Tomorrow + Peter Young + We Need to Talk

2008-07-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Photo Credit: Bobby Cata

Washington hardcore/metal band This Time Tomorrow (pictured: right) and animal rights activist Peter Young will appear in Baton Rouge on July 30th and in New Orleans on July 31st. Peter Young spent time in prison for activities related to animal liberation. His speaking appearances focus on this and a variety of related topics.

The show in Baton Rouge on Wednesday the 30th will take place at 416 E. State Street. This will also be a release party for We Need To Talk's long-awaited, long-delayed, and much-anticipated record. Scheduled start time is 7pm. Open to all ages. Cost to attend is $5.

On Thursday, July 31st, This Time Tomorrow and Peter Young will appear at The Zeitgeist (located at 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70113). Chopsley, a local hardcore band, and Reclaim Life will also perform. This show is scheduled to begin at 7pm. Cost to attend is $5. All ages welcome.

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BIG BABY welcomes new drummer, plans to record debut album

2008-07-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Submitted by Dan Fox

Drummer Jay Steigner has joined Big Baby, a New Orleans-area noise-punk band. Steigner also currently drums for I, Octopus and is the bassist for Hat Talk, an experimental rock band.

Steigner will make his live debut with Big Baby at the Hi-Ho Lounge this Friday, July 25th at 10:00pm. Hat Talk and local psychedelic indie-rockers Meadow Flow will be on-hand for the occasion. Open to ages 18 and up. Click here to view a full-sized digital flyer for this show.

This will be Big Baby's final performance of the summer, as the group plans to take some time off from performing live to record their first official album. Big Baby issued a collection of demo recordings in 2007.

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MEDIA: Landings - "The Orchards"

2008-07-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Landings, a New Orleans-area indie/power-pop band, have debuted a new recording. Titled "The Orchards", the track can be heard at the band's Myspace site, along with "Steps to the River Ears", which debuted last month.

Landings features former members of Arcane Theory and In Tomorrows Shadow. The band is next scheduled to appear at The High Ground in Metairie on Wednesday, July 30th.

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ALL RISE announces tour, record, upcoming shows

2008-07-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Tyler Dead End

All Rise, a New Orleans-based street punk band, have announced that they're nearing completion of their debut album, The Farewell to Humanity. Several recordings are currently available at the band's Myspace site.

All Rise has a show at The Dragon's Den coming up on Thursday, July 24th with Resilience, a punk rock band from Santa Rosa, Ca. Scheduled start time is 7pm.

The group will also perform on August 1st at Checkpoint Charlie's with Last Priority at 8pm, followed by another appearance at the Dragon's Den on August 4th.

All Rise plans to tour this fall with Capital Scam, a punk rock band from Austin, Tex. Tour dates have yet to be announced.

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NEW MUSIC: You & Me Got Faces

2008-07-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

You & Me Got Faces is a new experimental/ indie-rock band from Baton Rouge. The two-piece group has logged a handful of shows under their belt since earlier this summer and recorded one demo track, "Addition Deduction," which you can listen to by clicking here.

You & Me Got Faces is next scheduled to perform at The Spanish Moon in Baton Rouge on Friday, July 25th. Man Plus Building and The Fucking Cops will also perform. Click here to view a digital flyer for that show.

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DIE KAPPA DIE loses 2 members, goes on hiatus

2008-07-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Die Kappa Die, a New Orleans-area rock/punk band, is "dead", according to the group's vocalist. Relaying the info via the group's Myspace page via a message titled "DKD is dead for now", Corey Sims simply stated: "We have had some differences, losing two members of the band... in fact, you could call it betrayal from every end."

Sims did not explicitly mention which two members of the group had left, but went on to say that the band may continue at some point in the future.

Die Kappa Die was formed in mid-2007. The group's most recent scheduled performance was for July 19th at The High Ground in Metairie with Pacifist and Amongst the Dead.

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JULY 30TH: Peachcake + Landings + Autumn's Aftermath + Monark

2008-07-21T14:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Peachcake, an electro-rock group from Phoenix, Az., will perform at The High Ground in Metairie on Wednesday, July 30th. Peachcake has released three records since 2004. They are currently touring in support of their upcoming release, What Year Will You Have The World?.

Three local bands are also scheduled to play: Autumn's Aftermath (pop-punk), Monark (indie-pop), and Landings. Landings features former members of In Tomorrows Shadow and Arcane Theory playing indie power-rock.

This show is scheduled to begin at 7pm. Cost of admission is $8. Open to all ages.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show. This flyer is slightly out-of-date, as one of the bands listed is no longer playing. All of the other listed info is correct.

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JULY 24TH: Ramming Speed + Justinbailey + The Fucking Cops

2008-07-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

Source: RCP Zine

Ramming Speed (pictured: right), a hardcore-thrash band from Boston, Mass., will play a house show in Baton Rouge on Thursday, July 24th. Click here to visit the band's Myspace page. Scroll down the right-hand side of the page to view of a video from the last time they played in Baton Rouge. Crazy stuff.

Baton Rouge bands Justinbailey and The Fucking Cops are also scheduled to play. Justinbailey plays indie/prog.-punk. They will be playing some new songs from their upcoming record at this show. The Fucking Cops are a thrash side-project featuring one member of Hollywood Blues.

This show will take place at 440 E. State Street in Baton Rouge. Scheduled start time is 7pm. Admission is $5. All ages welcome.

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JULY 22ND: L'Antietam + Party Time + Sisera + Werewolf Casey

2008-07-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

L'Antietam (pictured: right), an indie/hardcore band from the northeastern U.S., will appear at The Dragon's Den on Tuesday, July 22nd. L'Antietam has released roughly half a dozen recordings since 2005.

Werewolf Casey, a punk rock band from northern Mississippi, will be also be driving down to play this show, along with Party Time, a screamy punk band from the New Orleans area.

Local metalheads Sisera round out the line-up for this show.

This event is scheduled to begin at or after 6pm. Admission is $5. Open to ages "18 and up."

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

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NEWS: Capitol Offense on tour

2008-07-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Capitol Offense

New Orleans punk rockers Capitol Offense will be hitting the road for the first time beginning on Tuesday, July 22nd. The band will be making a stop in Austin, TX on July 23rd on their way to San Pedro, CA for some house shows and a club date with CA drunk punks Drain Bramage on July 26th.

Capitol Offense was formed in early 2007 by former members of Dirty Dingus and Hello Asphalt.

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Spring Break Shark Attack! bassist joins The Stellaphonics

2008-07-17T15:30:00.000-05:00

Source: The Stellaphonics

The Stellaphonics recently announced the departure of their bassist, Joey Graves (pictured: right). Graves had been with the Baton Rouge ska band since the group's inception in 2007. A "farewell" show is scheduled to take place at Baton Rouge's North Gate Tavern on July 31st.

Following that show, Peter Cagnilotti will step in to play bass for The Stellaphonics. Cagnilotti is also a member of Spring Break Shark Attack!, a Baton Rouge-area surf-rock band.

The Stellaphonics plan to release an album sometime in late 2008.

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JULY 20TH: The Self Help Tapes + The Boy Bathing

2008-07-17T14:30:00.001-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

The Self Help Tapes, an experimental rock project featuring Black Belt's Kevin Comarda, will perform at the Dragon's Den on Sunday, July 20th. According to Comarda, this will be The Self Help Tapes' last scheduled show for quite awhile.

The Boy Bathing, an indie-emo rock band on tour from from New York City, is also scheduled to play. The Boy Bathing recently released a "cuddlecore" album called A Fire to Make Preparations.

This show is scheduled to begin at 10pm. Admission is $5.00. Open to ages 18 and up.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this event.

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FACE FIRST working on new songs + plans for the rest of 2008

2008-07-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

Posted by Brett Schwaner

Contrary to popular belief, Face First isn't dead. Although the New Orleans-area punk/thrash band hasn't played a show since the fall of 2007, the group is working with a new line-up and hopes to begin playing shows again by the end of 2008, according to bassist Bobby Bergeron.

Bergeron, who also publishes Paranoize (a long-running NOLA thrash/metal 'zine), joined Face First earlier this spring. Kevin Dredge, formerly of The Picts and Antarctica vs. The World, is now playing guitar for Face First. Drummer Mark Antee and guitarist Bobby Last round out the group's current roster.

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FREE SHOW TONIGHT w/ Fat Stupid Ugly People + Capitol Offense + The Shotdowns

2008-07-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

Source: StupidAngus

Fat Stupid Ugly People and Capitol Offense will be playing a free show tonight (July 16th) at Checkpoint Charlie's in New Orleans. Fat Stupid Ugly People are a local thrash-grind band. Capitol Offense plays political pop-punk.

The Shotdowns, a punk band from North Carolina, will also perform along with a thrash band called The AIDS Patients.

Admission to this event is free. This show should get rolling sometime around midnight.

Click here to view a digital flyer for this show.

Forum users: click here to discuss this event.

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