Friday March 25, 2011 Source:TellAllYourFriends PR Location: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, NY
Yoko Ono Plays Two Benefit Shows For Japan March 29th with Patti Smith + Cibo Matto At Le Poisson Rouge March 27th with Sonic Youth, Sean Lennon + Cibo Matto At The Miller Theatre (Sold Out)
ALL PROCEEDS TO GO TO RELIEF EFFORTS IN JAPAN
Yoko Ono and Friend: To Japan With Love
Tuesday March 29th 2011
YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND
Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon, Antony, Yuka Honda, Michael Leonhart, Shimmy Hirotaka Shimizu, Yuko Araki. Pattit Smith with Tony Shanahan, Cibo Matto and more.
Tickets $100. On sale _here_ (http://bit.ly/Japangig)
Le Poisson Rouge,
158 Bleecker Street, NY 10012, USA
(212) 228-4854
10pm doors, 10:30pm show. 18+
Tuesday February 1, 2011 Source:Big Hassle Media Location: New York City
Available at Bandcamp with donations going to benefit Wisconsin based charities including The Foundation for Madison WI, Public Schools.
Wisconsin born and bred, Locksley are always proud to let people know about their home state. They let that pride show through with the song “Oh, Wisconsin!” a tribute to the state and a rally cry for all Packers fans excited to see Green Bay in the Superbowl, be they young or old, big or small, or prefer their cheese curds fried or squeaky (un-fried for the uncheesucated). It’s something all Sconnies near and far can get behind, especially when considering donations made on Band Camp will go directly to Wisconsin based charities including the Foundation for Madison, WI Public Schools http://www.fmps.org/ among others.
Suppose you haven’t had the pleasure of living in or visiting the badger state, or don’t consider yourself a Packers fan? Well there’s still a lot to love about the song “Oh, Wisconsin!,” which is at its heart a story many can relate to. “Oh, Wisconsin!” is about growing up in small town America with dreams of big city lights, and missing home after you’ve left.
Fittingly, Locksley are a Madison, WI band who now call New York City home. Over the past few years they’ve built up a devoted fan base on the strength of their hook filled straightforward rock ‘n’ roll and dedication to perfecting their live act. This summer they will release their new album featuring the single “The Whip” which last week was unexpectedly picked up by select Top 40 stations.
Wednesday October 6, 2010 Source:BretMichaels.com Location: Lost Angeles, California
Starting Thursday, October 7th visit Billboard.com to watch the premiere of the brand NEW Bret Michaels music video for the song “Riding Against The Wind” from the new ‘Custom Built’ album! This song is also the theme song for the brand new Vh1 show “Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It”, which premieres Monday, October 18th.
Monday October 4, 2010 Source:Brian Ray Location: HollyRock, California
Brian Ray, who has been touring the globe with Paul McCartney since 2002, will kick off his new release, This Way Up with an album release party on Friday, October 8th, at Hollywood’s famed Roxy Theatre. This Way Up is Ray’s second full-length to be released on ICON Music Group/Whooray Records. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the MusiCares Foundation. The release party will also host a raffle for a Marshall Amp, a Les Paul guitar and Voyage-Air folding acoustic travel guitar.
Ray, a native Californian, cut his teeth early on as musical director for Etta James, a career move that would last for 14 years, sharing stages with the likes of Keith Richards, Santana, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker and Bo Diddley. Ray, and 13-year songwriting partner Steve LeGassick penned what would become an award-winning mega-hit—“One Heartbeat,” the title track of Smokey Robinson’s 1987 album . The song is now nearing 3 million airplays.
Underscoring his talent, Brian cemented his position as one of the top contemporary guitarists in the world today when he began touring with Paul McCartney in 2002. Hailed as “Paul’s best band since the Beatles” playing with McCartney is literally a dream come true for Brian. With Sir Paul, he has appeared on several DVDs and TV specials including two Super Bowl appearances, one in the White House and participated in such meaningful collaborations as Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Project.
Ray’s contributions to other artists albums, including the aforementioned Etta James, Shakira, The Bangles, Chris Cornell, Kelly Clarkson and Adam Cohen, and Paul McCartney’s most recent projects that spawned his own creative endeavor,writing, producing and releasing his first solo album, Mondo Magneto (2006). For the album, Brian spearheaded a record label and got together with friends,collaborators and bandmates Abe Laboriel, Jr., Wix Wickens and Rusty Anderson, as well as Scott Shriner (Weezer), Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello). Etta James also made a rare special guest appearance singing with Brian on the rocking song “Soft Machine” as a symbol of their continued respect and affection for one another.
This Way Up promises more of the same attributes. Straight-up perfect pop,boasting an enviable host of players and collaborators such as previously mentioned, Davey Faragher and Pete Thomas on bass and drums, from Elvis Costello’s band, Aaron Sterling and Paul Bushnell on several songs, not to mention returning McCartney bandmate, Abe Laboriel, Jr and keyboardist Adam MacDougal from the Black Crowes, as well as songwriting collaborations with Oliver Leiber and Tonio K.
In addition, a new single, coinciding with, (but not included on) This Way Up,entitled “Les Paul Tribute,” featuring Cheap Trick guitarist, Rick Nielsen and rock goddess, Orianthi will be released on iTunes tomorrow. The proceeds of the single will also benefit MusiCares.
The MusiCares Foundation, Inc., was established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Meant for musicians to have a place to turn, in times of financial, personal, or medical crisis, its primary purpose is to focus the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues which directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. The foundation’s programs include emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery, outreach and leadership activities, and senior housing.
Brian Ray on the recording of This Way Up - Part I
Monday May 11, 2009 Source:Media Relations Location: New York City
New York L.E.S. bands Dead Sparrows (formerly Madison’s The Cummies) and Des Roar plan a weekend of rock’n’roll for the first time ever in Madison, WI. Sunday’s show at Frequency will serve as the album release for the Dead Sparrows’ Into the Nettles.
“We haven’t been home as a band since we left in 2005,” said Jonny Airis, drummer of the Dead Sparrows “and we wanted to really dig in before we came back. But we wanted Madison to be the debut of the new album, and we’re glad to have Des Roar with us.”
While routinely playing in Madison, Dead Sparrows were well known among local promoters and venues, often playing as themselves or in other bands at the King Club, the former Slipper Club, the Corral Room, The High Noon Saloon and Stage Door Theater. Saturday’s show at The Corral Room will begin at 10:00pm, and Sunday’s album release will begin at Frequency at 9:30pm.
Arriving in New York, Dead Sparrows forged a relationship with Lower East Side music venues, gaining month-long residencies after a short period of solo dates and befriending local favorites, Des Roar, a California-sonic garage band. The two bands have played a multitude of shows together, promoting one another’s bands, securing opening slots for major touring acts and attracting the attention of rising-level New York publicity firms.
Both bands have had their share of successes. Des Roar most recently playing runway shows at both New York and LA Fashion Weeks this past year, while Dead Sparrows have added legendary Irish guitarist/producer to their lineup, pushing them before larger audiences. Finn is best known for his work with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode fame and his songs have appeared on major soundtrack releases.
LOCAL DATES:
Saturday, May 30 @ The Corral Room
Dead Sparrows w/ New York counterparts, Des Roar :: 10:00pm
Sunday, May 31 @ Frequency – Into the Nettles Release Party
Dead Sparrows and Des Roar w/ The Optimistic :: 9:30pm
Friday February 20, 2009 Source:Roadrunner Records Location: New York City
Multi-Platinum rockers Collective Soul, who recently signed a worldwide deal with Loud & Proud Records/Roadrunner Records, have begun work on their 8th studio release, the first release for the label. The band has been hard at work in frontman Ed Roland’s lake house studio for the past few weeks, working on the follow up to 2007’s Afterwords. Renowned for their ability to write supremely crafted smash hits, the band is wasting no time in creating a new batch of tunes fit to replicate all of their past successes. The band are currently featured on the multi platinum selling soundtrack for Twilight. ‘Tremble For My Beloved’ from the album Dosage is also featured in the film.
Roland says, “We are only 2 weeks in to the recording of our new album and feel more like a band than ever. It’s reflected in the music, which we all think is our best material to date.”
No strangers to charitable initiatives, Collective Soul is confirmed to headline a special benefit concert for the Save Darfur Coalition, a global organization that represents 130 million people worldwide who have united together to help the victims of Darfur. The concert will take place on Friday, March 27th at the Tabernacle in Atlanta.
In discussing the benefit concert, Roland notes, “As the atrocities continue in Darfur, Collective Soul are honored to lend our voices, along with the youth of Atlanta, to something we feel very strongly about. We continue to educate not only ourselves but the community.”
Globally known for mega-hits such as “Shine,” “December” and “The World I Know,” Collective Soul hails from Atlanta, GA and has produced 7 #1 singles and sold over 10 million records. The band broke into mainstream popularity with their 1993 debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid. The group’s self-titled second album arrived the following year and logged a 76-week run on the Billboard Top 200. 1999’s critically acclaimed Dosage saw Collective Soul further its run as rock radio superstars. The first single “Heavy” set a new high mark for 15-weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. “Tremble For My Beloved” also appears on the gold-certified soundtrack for the hit film Twilight.
Friday February 20, 2009 Source:Launchpad Location: Waunakee, WI
Area Bands Selected to Participate in Regional Competition at Waunakee High School
The countdown continues for Launchpad – a unique, statewide alternative music competition for high school students! Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) just selected fifteen (15) area garage bands to take the stage and compete in a regional concert extravaganza at Waunakee High School on Friday March 20 at 4 p.m. The event, which is open to the public for $6 admission, is designed to celebrate the reach of music education.
“Launchpad provides a great platform for students to take what they’ve learned in and outside the music classroom and apply it in their own way,” said Kevin Thays, WSMA director of communications. At least one member of each band must be in a school music program and all members must be currently enrolled in a Wisconsin school to qualify.
The competing bands, selected from more than 80+ statewide entries, include:
4:00 p.m. Populist Revolt - Madison East High School (Rock)
4:25 p.m. Stereocolor - Glacier Creek MS/Middleton High School (Pop/Reggae Rock)
4:50 p.m. Roman Grecos - Janesville Craig High School (Ska/Jazz)
5:15 p.m. The Desired Bonus - Delevan Darien High School (Ska/Punk/Alternative)
5:40 p.m. Skepsis - Monona Grove/LaFollette High Schools (Rock)
6:05 p.m. The Flow Banditz and the Organics - Middleton High School (Hip Hop/Funk)
6:30 p.m. Sleeping in the Stereo – St Maria Goretti MS/Madison West HS (Alternative)
6:55 p.m. Aspects of Eternity - Montello High School (Rock/Metal/Experimental)
7:20 p.m. Green County Border Patrol - Oregon High School (Garage Rock)
7:45 p.m. Shot 150 – Southwestern WI (Hazel Green) High School – (Rock)
8:10 p.m. Phaze 2 - Sun Prairie High School (Rock)
8:35 p.m. Pillbox 49 - Orfordville Parkview High School (Rock)
9:00 p.m. The Show - Arrowhead (Hartland)/ Luther Prep (Watertown) High Schools (Rock)
9:25 p.m. Village Idiot - Milton Middle School & High School (Rock)
9:50 p.m. Blindub - Middleton High School (Rock)
The bands are each slotted to play the three songs (covers or originals in virtually any style) from their audition recordings. They will be evaluated by music industry professionals on expression and creativity (dynamics, ability to connect with audience/inspire enthusiasm), technique (intonation, rhythmic clarity, dexterity, vocal clarity/diction), time (ability to play in sync and “feel” style together), blend (melody, inner notes, bass, listening) and synergy (overall effect, the “wow” factor). In addition to the written evaluations, this year’s bands will receive a private verbal critique.
The top three bands in each of the four statewide regional competitions (March 20 – Waunakee High School; April 24 – Chippewa Falls High School; May 8 – Wauwatosa East High School; May 15 – Appleton West High School) will advance to the state finals on June 20 in Madison. The bands will compete for the state title and grand prize package: a professional recording session in Madison, a 2009 Summerfest gig on July 4 and the Les Paul Launchpad Award.
WSMA has a strong history of providing programs and services (i.e., state solo and ensemble music festivals, state honors music project, state marching band championships, etc.) that help youth achieve excellence through music. The organization is headquartered in the Wisconsin Center for Music Education – first of its kind in the nation and located in Waunakee. Like the center, Launchpad is a pioneering initiative to help extend the reach of music education in Wisconsin.
Launchpad is funded by WSMA, corporate sponsorships and in-kind giving from people who believe in the benefits of music education and all that music has to offer. Sponsors for the Madison regional competition include Charter Communications, Madison Media Institute, Nicholas Family Foundation, SONY, Isthmus, Knupp & Watson, Maximum Ink, WJJO FM – 94.1, WPS Health Insurance, WMSN FOX 47, Yamaha, WTDY AM (1670 The Pulse), WJQM FM (Jamz 93.1), Culver’s, Courtier Foundation, Sticha Brothers Sound, Ward-Brodt Music Mall, Shell Lake Arts Center, Shure, Daisy Rock Guitars and Tall Guy Productions. The program is produced by Dennis Graham Associates.
“We have some very talented bands looking to perform in this Launchpad regional competition and cheering on the bands is a great way to show support for music and celebrate this one of a kind garage band competition that highlights the many ways that students can expand their musical skills,” said producer Dennis Graham.
For more information on Launchpad, including participation details, video footage of last year’s finals competition, all supporting sponsors, late-breaking news, etc., go to www.LaunchpadWisconsin.org. Also be sure to visit www.wsmamusic.org for more about WSMA.
