Dispatches from Powerviolence: Screeching Weasel to Reform and Play Shows

In honor of this incredible news sent down from the heavens, I'm going to spare you the clever witty wordiness and let the man, the myth, and the legend, Ben Weasel tell you for himself... [editor's note: I am sooo getting the Weasel logo tattooed on my body... take THAT, uptight square society! ... and my mom.]

"I really want to give you the lowdown on the SW re-formation but there's honestly not a lot to say. Legal issues prevented me from doing my own band on my own terms over the past couple of years but thankfully those problems are all resolved now. The kind of stuff happens sometimes. I won't deny that those problems - which were really just the culmination of many years of a lot of other b.s. - left a foul taste in my mouth about SW.

But now that all the headaches are behind me I'm feeling great about it. I'm finally running my own band again and I'm really happy and excited to be back at it. I've got a killer line-up comprised of myself, Danny Vapid, Simon Lamb (the Ritalins), Justin Perkins (Yesterday's Kids) and Adam Cargin (Blueheels) (he's also the new Riverdales drummer) and we've got a great set list. And I'm thrilled to be playing in Texas - places like Houston and Austin were always great for Screeching Weasel in our touring days. We are only playing two other shows in 2009 (in the fall - they'll be announced next month) so we'll hope to see you at one of them"

.... How bout two live vids to wet your whistle?

"Slogans" - (live in Milwaukee)


"Supermarket Fantasy" - (live in some house, I'll put money on 'somewhere in the Chicagoland area')

Important Moments in Powerviolence: Ben and Greg Play with NIN Live

I'm not going to debate the validity of posting about Nine Inch Nails here, cuz a) yes, it's true, I'm not a giant fan, but b) I respect them and their contribution to rock and/or roll. In other words, if I was riding in a car, say in Chicago, with a tiny little blonde girl who loves industrial or an eccentric grad school student jazz session-drummer dude, and one of them put it on, I wouldn't start vomiting all over the interior and clawing viciously at my ear canals. However, I also wouldn't be walking around jamming them in my diePod either... But Dillinger on the other hand, I would give my right eye to. And not only cuz I think I would completely gnarsick with an eye-patch.

So in saying that, I present you with a once-in-a-lifetime coupling onstage at an Australian rock festival. It's no secret that Ben of DEP loves the shit out of Trent of NIN, from his own experimental electronic creations, to covering "Wish" on their Plagiarism EP, and covering it frequently live. But the coincidental shared bill in Australia lead to an opportunity for Trent to pull Greg and Ben onstage to play/sing along with the rest of NIN on "Wish." ... Best fucking part of the whole video? It was shot on what looks to be the sexiest video camera I have ever seen... the Canon 5d Mark II... Enjoy:

Review Your Face Off: Mastodon - "Crack the Skye"

When I got my hands on the new Mastodon, I was mega stoked. Who wouldn’t be? After seeing some of the reviews, I was getting myself ready to take in one of the best releases in a long time. Everyone was shitting themselves over this record. Well, friends, I am sorry to report that this album did not live up to my expectations. I know a million people out there are all going nuts right now saying that I don’t know something good when I hear it, but let me explain.

To begin, I need to point out that this album is a lot different than the albums of the past. Most of the edge from previous releases has been dropped in favor of what most people will likely call a more “focused approach.” Then again, remember how when Metallica started to suck, people said they were becoming more focused? I’m not saying that Mastodon is on its way to the world of suckdom, but I am saying that focus doesn’t always make for a better result. The ambition is certainly present on this album, and I give them all the credit in the world for that, but I am just left wanting more. On this release the band is purely progressive metal. The harsh vocals are completely gone, and there are obvious Pink Floyd influences present, among other heavy hitters in the progressive rock and progressive metal worlds. It’s also a lot catchier than anything they have done before. That can be good or bad, depending on how you want to look at it.

There is nothing wrong with Mastodon wanting to pursue an even more progressive sound than before. They do a good job of it. However, they do not do the best job of it. While all the major publications are going to be hailing this as one of the most important metal albums in some time, we need to remember that Mastodon is not an underground band anymore, and many of these magazines aren’t aware of what lesser known bands are doing. So to them, this is mind-blowing, but to a lot of people immersed in this type of music, other bands have already done much better and will continue to. While this record is an enjoyable listen, it doesn’t really hold up to an ISIS album for example. Perhaps an even better comparison would be to Between the Buried and Me’s “Colors,” which was fairly astounding in its progressiveness, but still managed to keep a huge amount of heaviness.

So while I was hoping I could place “Crack the Skye” into the “So Sick It Hurts” category, I simply can’t. It is by most standards a very good album, but it just lacked the punch I was hoping for.


Here is the video from "Divinations." You need to wait through some crap at the beginning. Another point, notice how this is shown on some TV Guide channel. What's the deal guys?

Dispatches from Powerviolence: Napalm Death, Toxic Holocaust, and Trap Them Tour

Looks like Napalm Death, Kataklysm, Toxic Holocaust, Trap Them and Coliseum are going on tour together. If you are in the mood to get your face slayed off, then I would make note of when this tour hits a town near you. Righteous!

04/10: Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
04/11: New York City, NY @ Gramercy Theater
04/12: Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
04/13: Cincinnatti, OH @ Madhatter
04/14: Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre
04/15: Sudbury, ON @ Serbian Center
04/17: Worcester, MA @ New England Metal And Hardcore Festival
04/18: Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
04/19: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
04/20: Virginia Beach, VA @ Peppermint Beach Club
04/21: Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox Laundrolounge
04/22: Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
04/23: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
04/24: Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
04/26: Austin, TX @ Emos
04/27: Houston, TX @ Meridian
04/28: San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
04/29: Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theatre
04/30: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
05/01: Phoenix, AZ @ Clubhouse
05/02: San Diego, CA @ SOMA
05/03: Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club
05/04: San Francisco, CA @ Grand Ballroom
05/05: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
05/06: Seattle, WA @ Studio 7
05/08: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
05/09: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
05/10: Lubbock, TX @ Tequila Jungle
05/11: Tulsa, OK @ Marquee
05/12: St Louis, MO @ Fubar
05/13: Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
05/14: Cleveland, OH @ Peabodys
05/16: Ottawa, ON @ Babylon
05/17: Montreal, QC @ Fourfounes
05/18: Quebec City, QC @ Imperial

Coliseum also has some dates without the other bands, so you might want to check those out as well. For more info check Here.

Dispatches from Powerviolence: Original Misfits Reunite w/ New Album and Tour in Mind!

Get ready to crap yourselves, Bellions! It was announced a few days ago that the original members of The Misfits are working on a new studio album and planning a tour to support it sometime in late summer. By original lineup, I mean those present on Static Age. That makes Danzig, Jerry Only, Mr. Jim, and Franche Coma. Weirder yet is the fact that Glenn brought up the idea and set everything up.

Supposedly the album is almost done, and the band was trying to hide the fact that it was in the process of being recorded. Danzig has stated that the new record will be called “Wicked Nights,” which is a super lame name, but whatever. He also said that the tour with be with The Damned and HorrorPops. Think what you want about that.

That's all I know at this point. But sweet!