If Bassnectar, Ratatat and STS9 had a drug infused orgy and somehow in the process, created offspring, the Glitch Mob’s Drink the Sea would be it.  Pure audial bliss.  Many times, the deciding factor on whether or not I “like” or “love” an album is the iTunes visualizer.  The crazier the  animations, the more points an album gets.  I did my trusty old test on Drink the Sea and let’s just it has scored the most points of any album I’ve ever listened to.  The Glitch Mob’s Drink the Sea is nothing short of amazing.  Buy it NOW.

-Kramer

Bands:
Drop Dead Gorgeous, From First To Last, Sleeping With Sirens, Attila, Abandon All Ships, For All Those Sleeping, Woe Is Me and Scarlett O’Hara

Presale tickets will be available at http://www.arterytickets.com starting on Friday, May 14th!

07/17 San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit
07/18 Austin, TX @ Emo’s
07/19 Dallas, TX @ The Door
07/21 Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
07/22 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
07/23 San Diego, CA @ Soma Sidestage
07/24 Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
07/26 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
07/27 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
07/28 Boise, ID @ The Venue
07/30 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
08/03 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
08/04 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
08/05 Pontiac, MI @ The Eagle Theater
08/06 Indianapolis, IN @ ES Jungle
08/07 Toledo, OH @ Headliners
08/08 S. Hackensack, NJ @ School Of Rock
08/09 New York, NY @ Highline
08/10 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs)
08/11 Providence, RI @ Club Hell
08/12 Vineland, NJ @ Hangar 84
08/15 Greensboro, NC @ Green Street Club
08/17 Douglasville, GA @ The 7 Venue
08/18 Orlando, FL @ The Social
08/19 St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
08/20 Metairie, LA @ High Ground

The Expendables’ new album “Prove It” is definitely one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time.  ”Prove It” contains a mixture of styles of music such as rock, alternative and reggae.  Two of my favorite songs are “Trying To Focus” and “Brother.”  After listening to “Trying To Focus,” it’s obvious that this album was produced by Paul Leary and NOFX’s “EL Hefe.”  The outro guitar solo over the lyrics has a very powerful sound that I don’t believe I’ve ever heard.  ”Brother” has a very rhythmic sound that is virtually impossible to get out of your head.  Prove It also features many guest performers such as the members of Slightly Stoopid and G. Love.  I would strongly recommend anyone who is a fan of Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution or NOFX to go out and buy this album NOW!

For more information, please visit The Expendables‘ website.

-Kramer

Prove It is availible on Stoopid Records

Kottonmouth Kings have been one of my favorite bands since my freshman year in high school.  I loved their sheer lack of authority and rebellion, not to mention their amazing music.  The last time KMK played a show in Dallas was in 2008 and unfortuneately, I was unable to attend.  That’s not the case for their return last night on the Happy Daze tour with The Insane Clown Posse, Coolio, Kittie and Necro.

After interviewing the Kings, I have a whole new respect towards them and their music.

-Kramer

“B.o.B PRESENTS: THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY,” the acclaimed debut album from Rebel Rock Entertainment/Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist B.o.B, has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.  With sales in excess of 84,000, the album – which includes the #1 hit single, “Nothin’ On You (Feat. Bruno Mars)” – is also sitting atop a number of other Billboard sales charts, including “Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums,” “Top Rap Albums,” and “Top Digital Albums”.

“Nothin’ On You (Feat. Bruno Mars)” has proven a true breakout smash for B.o.B, topping Billboard’s “Hot 100” for two weeks and marking the ATL-based rapper as the 4^thsolo male artist to hit #1 with a debut single since October 2009.  The track – which has also been a top seller on iTunes’s “Top Singles” chart – is #1 on this week’s “Rhythmic Airplay” chart – the fastest rising debut track since Drake’s 2009 smash, “Best I Ever Had” – while also drawing top 5 airplay at both Urban and CHR/Top 40 outlets.

“B.o.B PRESENTS: THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY” is also an undeniable digital phenomenon, with total track download sales rapidly approaching 2.5 million.  Four individual album tracks are currently populating the “Top 200 Digital Song Chart,” with “Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore),” the latest single from “B.o.B PRESENTS: THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY,” now in the #2 position.  “Airplanes” is also following hot on the heels of “Nothin’ On You,” moving up to #7 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” while standing strong as the #2 best-seller on iTunes’ “Top Singles” chart.

Having spent much of last year sharing stages with such like-minded artists as Asher Roth, Kid Cudi, and Shwayze, B.o.B is currently wrapping up his sold out US tour supporting 1^st & 15^th/Atlantic labelmate Lupe Fiasco’s “Steppin Laser Tour.”  The dates conclude Friday, May 7^th at Seattle’s Showbox SoDo.  B.o.B also performed at last month’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California – the first of a series of eagerly awaited festival appearances that also includes the upcoming Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival as well as Lollapalooza (see attached itinerary).

Born Bobby Ray Simmons, the ATL-based rapper/musician/producer was recently named “MTV P.U.S.H. (Play Until Someone Hears) Artist Of The Week,” with over 100 promotional spots airing across all MTV platforms.  What’s more, he has performed on the nationally syndicated The Ellen DeGeneres Show, with further appearances slated for the May 12^th episode of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as the nationally syndicated The Wendy Williams Show – check local listings for complete details.  B.o.B also had recent breakout performances at BET’s Rip The Runway and MTV’s annual Spring Break festivities.

One of hip-hop’s most inventive and exciting young artists, B.o.B has quickly drawn a bounty of rapturous critical applause.   In its 2010 “Faces To Watch” feature, Billboardcelebrated the rapper’s “versatility,” declaring that he “recalls both OutKast’s Big Boi and crooner Raheem DeVaughn and may be the first rapper to play the guitar well.”  XXL – which named B.o.B among its “10 Freshmen of 2009” – called him “ready for stardom,” while John Ivey, program director at Los Angeles’ influential KIIS-FM, told Entertainment Weekly that the multi-talented MC is his pick for “next big thing,” explaining that “a lot of hip-hop guys are just rappers, but (B.o.B) plays guitar and just kills it.”

Furthermore, Smooth celebrated B.o.B’s “virtuosic talent” and “lyrical directness,” while Ozone called him “one of the most anticipated newcomers in the game.”  Nylon hailed B.o.B as a leading figure of “a new generation of hip-hop upstarts” and the Wall Street Journal concurred, praising the MC for “testing the genre’s conventions.”  Additional profiles have appeared in such publications as Complexand Paste, which included B.o.B in its “The Best of What’s Next ‘09” round-up.

“B.o.B PRESENTS: THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY RAY” sees the resourceful rapper producing the majority of the album by himself, while also playing multiple musical instruments, including piano, trumpet and French horn.  In addition, B.o.B is joined by a star-studded line-up of surprising special guests, including Hayley Williams of Paramore, T.I., Eminem, Janelle Monáe, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Playboy Tre, and Lupe Fiasco.  Endlessly inventive tracks such as “5^th Dimension” and “Magic” offer a funky and fascinating journey into a gifted new talent’s far-reaching imagination.

“I just want to show people that there are endless possibilities of what you can do,” B.o.B says.  “You don’t just have to be a rapper, you don’t just have to be a trapper; you can be anything you want to be and whatever you do, just love it and it will show.”

For up-to-the-minute news and information, please visit www.bobatl.com, www.myspace.com/bobatl, or www.twitter.com/bobatl.

Los Angeles, CA (April 5, 2010)—Buzzworthy, Atlanta based pop rock band Last November announces spring 2010 tour alongside Glassnote Records’ pop rock band Jonas Sees in Color and guests.  The tour will hit select cities in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida showcasing songs from the band’s brand new record “tug o’ war” which was released January 26, 2010.

Lead singer Luke Pilgrim of Last November shares, “we are excited to get out on the road to promote our new record, and I think that having Jonas Sees in Color on the tour will be great, they are super nice people and deliver a great live show.  Our fans will be able to see a few different styles of music from this tour – we are hoping to see lots of familiar faces out there and some new ones as well.”

Last November’s popularity hit new heights in 2009.  The single “Seventeen at Three in the Morning” off their sophomore album “Over the Top or Under the Weather” launched the band into mainstream radio as it was quickly added by hundreds of stations nationwide. The band recently picked up their second nomination for the New Music Weekly Awards, in the 2009 New Group category alongside Kings of Leon, 3OH3!, Boys Like Girls, S.T.E.M. and Shinedown.

“Julie,” the first single from their brand new record “tug o’ war” is quickly gaining spins on radio stations nationwide.  Their video for the single is currently in rotation at over 4,000 outlets including 1500 Footlocker Stores, Journeys, FUSE OnDemand, Macy’s, College TV Network, Celebrity Cruise Lines, 600 + Champs, Gold’s Gym, Universal Studios Orlando, Brunswick Bowling, Trump Plaza, Red Rock Casino, and more.

LAST NOVEMBER SPRING 2010 TOUR DATES

APRIL 7- Hooligans Music Hall – Jacksonville, North Carolina

APRIL 8- The Brewery – Raleigh, North Carolina

APRIL 9 – Players – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

APRIL 10- Azalea Festival – Main Stage – Wilmington, North Carolina

APRIL 11- Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, North Carolina

APRIL 12 – The Ultimate Basement – Mill Spring, North Carolina

APRIL 13- New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, South Carolina

APRIL 15- The Money – Rock Hill – South Carolina

APRIL 16- The Raven, Rock 2 Raise Fest  – Burlington – North Carolina

APRIL 17- Rock 2 Raise Rest – Appalachian State U – Boone, North Carolina

APRIL 18- The Hideaway – Johnson City, Tennessee

APRIL 19 – The Muse – Nashville, Tennessee

APRIL 20 – Loud House Coffee – Greenbrier, Tennessee

APRIL 21 – Tasty World – Athens, Georgia

APRIL 22 – Soho – Columbus, Georgia

APRIL 23-  “Stomp The Lawn” at Oglethorp University – Atlanta, Georgia

APRIL 25 – The Haven – Orlando, Florida

APRIL 26 – The Crowbar – Tampa, Florida

APRIL 27 – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, Florida

Last night I had the chance to witness the greatest concert experience I have ever seen in my life.  I had heard stories of how MUSE is a life-changing experience, but you have to be there to actually believe it.  Upon entering the arena, I was greeted by 3 pillar-like structures on the stage.  After much anticipation, the lights went out and the pillar-like structures opened in the middle showcasing MUSE.  On the right, lead vocalist/guitarist, Matthew Bellamy, in the middle, drummer/percussionist, Dominic Howard and on the right, bassist/backing vocals, Christopher Wolstenholme.  They opened with “Uprising” and saved the best for last.  They played “Knights of Cydonia” for their encore, and an encore it was.  The audience’s vibe was absolutely mind-blowing.  I can’t say enough good things about MUSE and their live performance.  All I can say is that any concert I go to from now on has a tough shadow to follow.

-Kramer

p.s. I’ll be the first to admit that my pictures aren’t my best.  They made us stay in the very back of the arena behind the soundboard.  It was the best I could do with what I had.  Sorry.

As I walked into the House of Blues, I was greeted by the usual staff.  After talking to one guy in particular and asking him what time Citizen Cope would be on stage, he rolled his eyes and told me how Citizen Cope is “notorious” for coming on stage late.  After I learned this piece of information, I was somewhat dissapointed as there was no opening band to ease my boredom.  When I got to the front of the pit, I was shocked to see that they had replaced the barricade with small, linkable metal fences.  To make matters worse, my normal 5 1/2 feet of working space was now condensed to 2 1/2 feet.    As I squeezed behind the “barricade” waiting for the show to start, the lights suddenly dimmed and the crowd went crazy.  The last song I shot was my favorite, “Let the Drummer Kick.”

-Kramer

The Maine’s dates for their Headlining tour have come to the webs attention. In which they will be accompanied by We the Kings, Artist vs. Poet, Stereo Skyline, and Cartel.
Apr 11 2010 Nashville, TN – Rocketown
Apr 14 2010 Charleston, SC – The Music Farm
Apr 18 2010 Pensacola, FL – Phineas Phogg’s
Apr 20 2010 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Apr 24 2010 Pullman, WA – Washington State University
Apr 25 2010 Lancaster, PA – Chameleon
Apr 27 2010 Baltimore, MD – Bourbon Street Ballroom
Apr 28 2010 Erie, PA – Gannon University – Hammermill
Apr 29 2010 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
May 2 2010 Providence, RI Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel

This is a disappointment for The Maine fans, considering that the band is not even playing their first headlining tour in their home town, and the fact that they are leaving out so many cities. But, the band has said that they will be touring this spring.

Many people say STS9 sounds like some of the trippiest, chillest, grooviest music ever made.  I would describe it STS9′s music as eargasmic, a portmanteau word that combines the word “ear” and “orgasm,” clever, huh?  Anyways, on to the review.  When I walked into House of Blues, the very first thing I saw was a very wild-looking stage.  After further studying, I noticed about 30 LCD screens used as the backdrop on the stage.  These were used to create one of the craziest sets I have ever seen.  I have to admit, the STS9 concert is one of the hardest concerts I’ve ever had to review because their music is hard to describe with words.  All I can say is that it was truly amazing.  I would highly reccomend everyone to go out and buy STS9′s albums and go to their shows.

-Kramer