Thursday, January 7, 2010

In Exile


You know that feeling when you hear a catchy song and it gets stuck in your head and no matter what you do you can't seem to get the tune to stop playing in your mind? Well, I've had that feeling about Thrice's new song "In Exile" of their latest album Beggars since the day it was released, November 24th. Yep, that means I've had the same song stuck in my head for almost 50 DAYS.

I'd like to quote Brian Fantana here:
"It's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good."
Except that the "panther" would have to be replaced with something like "total-fucking-rock-god-awesomeness".

Take a gander here:


(Automated Man not responsible if song gets stuck in your head)

Labels: , , , , , ,

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Top Punk Albums of 2009

Yes, its that time again folks...the time for "best of" lists.

This one comes to us from the fine editors of Punk News. They are compiled a list of the best 20 albums of 2009 based entirely on numbers of votes and giving preferential treatment to none! I'll list the top 5 here on Automated Man but you'll have to head on over to Punk News for the official top 20.

There are some new faces on this list so give em a listen.

5. Converge: Axe To Fall
4. The Thermals: Now We Can See
3. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
1. The Sidekicks: Weight of Air







Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Merry Xmas from Dustin Kensrue


Thrice is a badass band (period). I won't take any lip from those of you that disagree. They are an icon of musical innovation and excellence.

Frontman Dustin Kensrue has launched a solo project and just released a Christmas album titled This Good Night Is Still Everywhere. Here is his song "This Is War" and a video interview explaining what the song means to him.


Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

New Strung Out Video


Where has Strung Out been lately? Busy damnit!

They have just released the new video for "Carcrashradio" from their 2009 album, Agents of the Underground.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Friday, December 4, 2009

Rise Against

The U.S. gets an exclusive perk from Rise Against...finally!

The band has just released a new cut of their video "Savior" that is only available in the USA.

According to the band:
We received so much great feedback from our last music video, "Savior", so we decided to compile another version of the video for everyone to check out. This one is focused more on the performance ( i.e; us trashing equipment). Enjoy.
For your viewing pleasure:


Savior

Rise Against | MySpace Music Videos

Labels: , , , , ,

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Only Band Ever


Yep, "theonlybandever.com" is the website for post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. You've gotta be pretty fucking good to rock a site name like that. And, dare I say it..."they are totally fucking amazing!"

Now, taking it up a notch, they have launched a pretty rad contest. Alexisonfire has teamed up with Dine Alone, Tourism Australia and Goway Travel to put together what they claim is the "coolest contest ever".

One winner will get to take a friend to see the band perform at the Melbourne SoundWave Festival in February. Here is what they'll win:

- Two round-trip tickets on Qantas Airways from Vancouver to Australia
- Two tickets to Soundwave Festival 2010 in Melbourne
- Three night accommodations in Melbourne
- An 18 day Adventure Tours trip for two from Melbourne to Darwin including 11 night twin share accommodations, 6 nights camping, an Opal Mine tour and Otway Fly Tree Top Walk

Pretty rad eh? Check out the official contest site to sign up.

In the meantime, here is their new single "Young Cardinals".

Alexisonfire - Young Cardinals

Alexisonfire | MySpace Video

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

"Sublime" Just Ain't the Same


The latest news in the on-going Sublime controversy is that on November 3, 2009 a Los Angeles judge officially blocked the use of the name 'Sublime' by surviving bandmembers Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh. So scratch any plans you had to catch them in concert this summer.

Man this sucks! If you ask me, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Listen to any of the posthumous releases or performances by the Long Beach Dub All Stars I think you'll agree that the music has stayed true to the Sublime "way". They have carried on the Bradley's message and honored his memory every step of the "way". Regardless...

According to the Nowell family, original front-man Bradley Nowell had registered the 'Sublime' trademark under his own name prior to his death in 1996. And as part of the preliminary injunction the new lineup will be unable to perform or record under the name 'Sublime' without approval and permission from the Nowell estate.

Back on August 31st, 2009 it was announced that the remaining bandmembers (Eric and Bud) would reunite, featuring a new front man, Rome Ramirez, and would be playing Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival on October 24th in San Bernardino, CA. It seemed that once again Sublime's message of peace and love would be brought to the ears of dedicated fans across the world!

However, the Knowell family and executors of Bradley's estate threatened Wilson, Gaugh and Rome with a lawsuit if the band used the name 'Sublime'.
It was recently announced that Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and Sublime drummer Floyd 'Bud' Gaugh are 'reuniting' and teaming with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez in a band they intend to call 'Sublime.' Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name. As Brad's heirs, and with the support of his entire family, we only want to respect his wishes and therefore have not consented to Bud and Eric calling their new project 'Sublime.'
The band responded to the lawsuit by saying:
On behalf of the band Sublime, founding members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson are thrilled by the opportunity to reconnect with their fans around the world. While we all mourn the passing of our brother and bandmate Bradley Nowell some thirteen years ago, Sublime still has a strong message of hope and love to share — a message that is especially important in these difficult times. Brad's heirs apparently do not share this vision and do not want the band Sublime to continue.
We urge everyone to join us in our message of peace and love, and we look forward to sharing the music we created — the music that defines us.

Who knows what this ruling will do to the band (or at least its name). But one thing remains clear, the band will continue to play and spread peace and love through music.

I salute Sublime and all their fans! Check out my favorite tune here:

Labels: , , , , , , ,