Falls From Grace will be hosting their release party for Pleasure and Pain tonight at Nate’s Sports Bar and Grill on Hwy 49 in Gulfport. If for some reason you can’t make this show, be sure to pick up their cd from CD Baby. Also playing tonight are Jane Doe’s Dead and Pandemic. It’s three great bands for only $5 bucks, so check it out. It’s nice to see a local band have their CD release party locally.

Falls From Grace Myspace
Pandemic Mysapce
Jane Doe’s Dead Myspace

by C. D. Harvill

In the heart of the New Orleans ghetto, an industrial- electro metal show headlining a said musical genius took place this past Friday night. Combichrist, kicked off Demons on Tour, their sixth US outing, on a billing that included Julien K, Aesthetic Perfection, and Ego Likeness at The Hangar on South Rendon.

Upon approaching the building one could easily spot the makings of an appropriate crowd. Fans and overall members of the scene were clad in fishnets, dreads, combat boots, capes, and the almost compulsory black.

Once inside The Hangar Combichrist’s tour manager led me backstage (or outside and upstairs to a hotel room in what was once Rendon Inn) where I met with the brain behind Combichrist, Andy LaPlegua.

After playing in other metal bands Andy decided metal’s sound needed more experimentation, so he birthed Combichrist. His sound pulls from electro, house, metal, industrial, and punk. The result is a juggernaut that defies simple description. In order to stay fresh, he shared with me, he avoids listening to any music that has the same style as he. He’ll listen to the basic electronica, metal, punk, etc., but nothing that has the same experimental roots that he excels so strongly in.

Being so innovative, the average radio station would never grace its listeners’ ears with Combichrist, but Andy isn’t concerned with Combichrist getting airplay as long as what he’s doing works. “If that were my goal I would do hip hop or something, my personal goal isn’t to get my music played on the radio or be on the top of the sales charts; if it were then I’d be doing something different” Although he did admit that “if it gets to that point that’s awesome, obviously¬¬–if we still had our musical integrity in tact…I’m never gonna jeopardize my integrity, my art form just, to get airplay.”

As a vital organ in this unique body of music Andy LaPlegue is obviously a passionate individual and it shows in many aspects of his life. From his love of animals to the creation and presentation of his music, his fervent personality shows.

Having come from a family of hunters in his native Norway, Andy is displeased that because of the over-processed foods being bought in supermarkets and fast food restaurants people have become disconnected with where their food originates. He has always had a love of animals and especially frowns upon dog fighting. Andy has spoken out through PETA and while on this tour is giving fans a chance to spend the day with Combichrist. The catch is you buy a VIP package, for which a portion of the profit will be donated to PETA.

Hearing so much about Combichrist’s theatrical performances I was excited to be invited back to get ready for the show with the band. Part of the agreement, however, was that I sport full onstage makeup, which stand-up percussionist Trevor, so eagerly reminded me of as he and Z_Marr, the keyboardist, began applying a black line stretching from my hairline down my nose to my cleavage along with strategically placed blood across my mouth, chest, and finally the infamous bleeding ears.

After everyone’s makeup was complete, the guys relaxed listening to music before their set where you saw the transformation complete. The laid back, fun group of guys backstage became intense entertainers displaying the true definition of a rock show backed with pulsating catchy electronic beats.

Although Combichrist has played their fair share of sold out concerts this event didn’t draw quite as large a crowd. Even with that in mind the band put their all into the performance. Delivering a set well worth driving into the ghetto to experience.

Every second of Combichrist’s presence on stage had an electric current keeping the room hot with the lust for more. Each member of the live band was a power animal daring the audience, whether fans of the band and/or genre, not to remember the show above all others. A Combichrist concert is a form of self-discovery far outweighing the cost of a ticket or commute. So check out their tour dates and make sure you’re up front and center at their next closet venue.

Aspiring music artists interested in becoming a part of the new reality series, The Kings of Rap, starring hip hop legend and 2009 Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darryl “DMC” McDaniels can now submit their demo via the show’s website www.thekingsofrap.com. Demos may also be sent directly to the following address: IME Entertainment, 3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 342, Studio City, CA 91604. The series, which is in development, is a positive-themed hip hop competition, and will offer aspiring musicians the chance to earn a record deal. Young hip hop artists must create music that anyone can listen to without being offended. Their music cannot glorify violence, degrade women or include the use of profanity. The show will be shot at various locations in and around New York City.

Vietti Vinyl has launched its 2009 campaign to promote emerging and established musical talent through collectible product labels and other grassroots marketing initiatives. In 2007/2008, the Vietti brand featured musical entertainers such as The Grascals, the Warren Brothers, Heartland, Restless Heart, and Nashville Star winner Chris Young. Vietti produces 150,000 to 200,000 cans of chili per label run and with distribution in more than 30 states. All artists and bands wishing to be considered for this campaign should submit a press kit and music sample to: Vietti Vinyl Music Program, P.O. Box 23015, Nashville, TN 37202 or phone 615-777-6995 ext. 30 for more information.

New Orleans, Louisiana’s sons of Southern grindcore Soilent Green have recorded the opening theme song to “Squidbillies”, an animated television series about a family of anthropomorphic hillbilly squids — the Cuyler family — that lives in indigence in the Appalachian region of North Georgia’s mountains. The show’s fourth season kicked off on May 17 on Adult Swim.

Vocalist Ben Falgoust comments: “‘Squidbillies’ is the best cartoon…excuse me…show on TV/Internet/cable around! I felt that way before we did the theme tracks, and I feel even stronger about it since I’ve seen the new episodes, despite our involvement with the program, of course.

“It was an awesome and strange experience to track these theme songs for the ‘Squidbillies’. It was pretty shocking when were contacted by them to be involved with this project. I give credit to the rest of the guys in the band for pulling it off from a strange but fun perspective in incorporating Soilent Green’s style into the theme song for the show.”

New episodes of “Squidbillies” air Sunday nights at midnight.

If you are a college student who enjoys Christian pop/rock music and are interested in an unpaid internship with a major label, please contact Jay or Andrew at labelscouts@gmail.com. Those interested in this position should have their ear to the ground in the Christian music scene, be available for a weekly conference call, have the ability to upload music to an FTP server (set up by the label), and free time to see shows. The internship can be performed from anywhere in the United States.

The Shed

The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint’s pulled pork sandwich recipe has qualified for the quarter finals in the “Ultimate Hometown Grill Off” on Live with Regis and Kelly. This Friday, June 12th a clip of a one minute video with Brad and Brooke asking America to go to Regis and Kelly’s official website and vote for them.

The full video will run on the site plus four other restaurant’s will be competing. If they win this round they will fly to New York and will be on the show preparing the recipe live on the 18th. Please help us get the word out to the public to vote for The Shed!

Thank you

Maisie has posted an acoustic version of “Anywhere But Here” for free download on purevolume.

Innerpartysystem remixed Beastie Boys’ “B-Boys In The Cut”, and you can stream it at the band’s myspace. Or, if you’re really digging the jam, you can download it for free here.

There seems to be a lot of great things going on this weekend. My weekend starts tonight so here we go:

Thursday 28, May

Zync - sfcLive show hosted at the Julep Room. First metal band to ever play the Julep.
13th Hour - Thunders Tavern
Subtle Shot, Stereoside, Lynam, Joan Red - Guitars and Caddillacs
Saliva, Falls From Grace, Pandemic, Touching the Absolute - Northshore Harbor Center
muskrat hannah, your coat my hat, too far from amsterdam - The Alabama Music Box
Abstract Artimus, Fist Full of Fingers - The Celtic

Friday 29, May

Rhythm & Rain - Paradise Bar n Grill
Jane Doe’s Dead, Falls From Grace, -Thunders Tavern
Pine Creek Shit Kickers, Rooster Blues - Government Street Grocery
Anthony Ainsworth - The Julep Room
Better Than Ezra CD Release Party - The House of Blues
Class War, Attic Ted, HIbachi Stranglers, Modern Convenience - Alabama Music Box
Achachay, Muskrat Hannah - The Celtic

Saturday 30, May

Rhythm & Rain, Eric Porsche Music - Paradise Bar n Grill
Jane Doe’s Dead, Falls From Grace, Saturate - Nicks Place
19th Street Red - The Mosaic
Aura, Falls From Grace, Stereohype - The Continental
Left Broken, The 13th Hour - The Inferno
Better Than Ezra CD Release Party - The House of Blues
The Virgins, Lissy Trulli - Alabama Music Box
Wes Louper - Nate’s Sports Bar and Grill
Contradictions of Normality, A New Light, Dancing Peasants - The Celtic

The A-B Theory are giving away their debut EP Illusions for free here. Check this free stuff out.

Mathletes are giving their new album away for free via their myspace. Check it out.

The guys and gals at The Shed have done it again. They are brining us yet another great concert packed with bbq, cold beer, and more importantly good times. On Saturday June 6th, they are once again hosting the Fear Not Festival featuring Anders Osborne, Grayson Capps, George Mcconnell, Rooster Blues, Rochelle Harper, T Bird and The Breaks. You get to see all of these bands for $15 day of the show.

For more information: Check out the Shed here.

In celebration of Memorial Day, Victory Records is offering a free sampler featuring their metal bands, including new tracks from Darkest Hour and The Autumn Offering. It can be downloaded here until Tuesday.

MySpace the world’s premiere social portal, in partnership with MySpace Records and Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., today announced the official launch of Rock the Space, an exclusive competition encouraging unsigned bands or solo artists to submit an original song for the opportunity to score a recording contract with MySpace Records, the company’s full-service independent label. Beginning today through July 1, 2009, aspiring artists across the country can enter to win the chance of a lifetime by visiting Toyota’s MySpace Music profile for submission details and contest rules http://www.myspace.com/toyotamusic.

“MySpace’s origins are in connecting new and emerging artists with music fans. We designed the Rock the Space competition to take that idea to new heights,” said Kim McCullough, Corporate Manager, Marketing Communications, TMS. “Toyota is thrilled to bring unsigned musicians and the MySpace community this unprecedented opportunity.”

To enter the Rock the Space competition artists must submit an original mp3 demo. All entrants will have the opportunity to create a viral music widget with an easy embed code to help them spread their music across MySpace and the web. MySpace users can share in the experience by adding the music widgets to their profiles and posting comments on the Toyota Music profile.

In July, MySpace Records will select five finalists who will be featured prominently on the Toyota Music profile and the MySpace community will vote to select the winner. The five finalists will receive a media allocation to promote themselves with My Ads targeted advertising throughout MySpace.

“Rock the Space allows the MySpace Music platform to do what it does best - enable new music and new artists to be discovered,” said Jeff Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for MySpace. “MySpace is excited to offer these artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to take part in their journey from the very first step.”

The Rock the Space winner will be announced in September and will receive a recording contract as well as a $10,000 musical instrument prize package provided by Fender, the world’s leading guitar manufacturer. The winner’s song will also be available for download on the MySpace Music Home Page. The four runners-up win a MySpace Records Development Deal friends package.

“Rock the Space will create an organic and loyal fan base with a vested interest in these artists and their careers by allowing users to participate in the process from the beginning,” said J. Scavo, GM of MySpace Records. “This interactivity between artist and fan has always been a fundamental and differentiating factor for the MySpace Music platform and has led to the success of many of today’s most popular artists.”

For more information or to submit and original song for consideration please visit http://www.myspace.com/toyotamusic