BAM MARGERA & BRANDON NOVAK of MTV’s “JACKASS” to Host the 5th Annual ROCKAPALOOZA Festival, Presented by Monster Energy Drink
Doors Open @ 10AM on June 23rd, 2012 at the ‘Jackson County Fairgrounds’ in Jackson, Michigan!
The 5th annual ROCKAPALOOZA Festival, presented by Monster Energy Drink, is pleased to announce that Bam Margera & Brandon Novak of MTV’s “JACKASS” will be hosting this year’s event! Aside from both being well-recognized professional skateboarders, Bam is known for his two additional MTV shows - Viva La Bam & Bam’s Unholy Union, as well as several other projects. Brandon is a frequent guest on these shows, as well as on Bam’s Sirius XM radio show, “Radio Bam” on Faction. Both Bam & Brandon couldn’t be more thrilled to be hosting ROCKAPALOOZA!!!
“ROCKAPALOOZA is going to be THE SHOW of the summer. If you want to see me slap the sh*t out of Novak, come to ROCKAPALOOZA!!! Jackson, Michigan has no idea what is coming for them.” states Bam Margera.
Brandon Novak adds, “Great music, great friends…ROCKAPALOOZA is the party of the summer. Do not miss it!”
The festival will take place this year on Saturday, June 23rd 2012. The “Monster Energy Stage” features headliners Puddle of Mudd & opening acts Saliva, Rehab, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, plus Emphatic. The second stage includes Wayne Static, Woe Is Me, Riven (formerly Motograter), Rotation, Sore Eyes, & Ghosts of August. ROCKAPALOOZA is also sponsored by the National Guard, Verizon Wireless, Budweiser, & Q106 FM.
Check out what some of this year’s artists are saying about ROCKAPALOOZA:
“We are extremely excited to be a part of this year’s Rockapalooza! We are looking forward to being a part of this incredible line up! See you there!” – Saliva
“Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is coming your way, Rockapalooza! It’s going to rock your palooza.” – Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
“To be included, with such a great line-up of bands, is great. We can’t wait to blaze that stage!” – Rehab
“This concert is gonna be a blast! Some of my favorite bands are on the bill…& Jackson, Michigan is a rock living town. You don’t want to miss this show!” – Bobaflex
“Yo, this is Coolio with Flow – a.k.a. ‘The Ghetto Gourmet’, & I can’t wait to come rock da’ stage LIVE at this year’s Rockapalooza Festival. SHAKA ZULU!” – Coolio
“We are really stoked to be involved in such a great line up in our home state! We all know Jackson is a rock city, so we look forward to bringing our style & sounds to the rock’n'roll proving grounds!” – Ghosts of August
The advance price of tickets for this year’s ROCKAPALOOZA is $30, while day-of-show tickets cost $35. All children under the age of 10 are admitted FREE, & the event is ALL AGES. This year, “Jam Heads Party Deck” passes are just $100 & include half-off discounts on beer & food, free Monster Energy Drink, a ‘Meet & Greet’ with Puddle of Mudd, Rehab, & Sore Eyes, plus a shaded area with seating. For regular attendees, Budweiser is offering $1 drafts from 10AM-12PM…with doors opening at 10AM.
The festival will also host a free pre-party concert on Friday, June 22nd at the fairgrounds – featuring headliners Mushroomhead & openers Sore Eyes. The free concert is also ALL AGES…& doors open at 6PM.
“We cannot wait to return to ROCKAPALOOZA,” states Stitch of Mushroomhead, “last year was simply amazing.”
Bands that have performed at ROCKAPALOOZA in the past include Sevendust, Crossfade, OTEP, Silverstein, Smile Empty Soul, & more. Past hosting & appearance duties have gone to Pauly Shore, Big Black & Bam Bam of MTV’s “Rob & Big”, & Big Cat from MTV’s “Fantasy Factory”. Last year – over 8,000 people attended the festival.
Tickets can be purchased online now at www.etix.com! See below for a full listing of headliners & openers:
“Main Stage Nationals” on Monster Energy Stage
HEADLINER: Puddle of Mudd
w/ Saliva, Rehab, We Came as Romans, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, & Emphatic.
2nd Stage: National Guard Stage
Wayne Static, Woe Is Me, Riven (formerly Motograter), Rotation, Sore Eyes, & Ghosts of August.
Other Opening Acts
Bobaflex, Afroman, Coolio, It Lies Within, Caesar, Lifeline Revolution, Ballz Deluxe, Blind Reflection, Second Season, Breaking Paradox, Distant Decend, Bet Me I’m Lying, Throwing Gravity, Mockingbird, Blackened Earth, Thee Unknown, Fall of Eleven, The Elder Beer Men, DeverauX, Rotation, Myths and Legends, Circus Asylum, Seeking Seven, Hollow Drive, Ionia, Fire in the Sky, Violet Void, Killjay, Beyond the Shadows, Barefoot Breakdown, Nothing More Than This, The Sunset Villians, Manian, The Getbye, Shattered, Nation of Wealth
PLUS, featuring special guest host & bartender Dennis Haskins (known as Mr. Belding of “Saved by the Bell” fame).
For more information about the 5th annual ROCKAPALOOZA festival, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/RockapaloozaFestival
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WEST OF HELL Announces New Single ‘Water of Sorcery’, Upcoming Canadian Tour, & Pre-Sale Packages…
Vancouver, BC’s WEST OF HELL have released their first single “Water of Sorcery”, cut from their upcoming album Spiral Empire. The single went to digital sale April 19th via iTunes, Amazon.com, CD Baby, & more. The track is the second on the album & is described, by the band, as a “good ole drinking song”.
“‘Water of Sorcery’ is a quote by Kevin Spacey describing tequila. It’s a drinking song, as many before it…” states vocalist Chris Valago, “…deep as a pint, & long as a horn! The moment of clarity, when liquor reveals the soul.”
Spiral Empire will be released with Reversed Records on May 8th, 2012 & features a unique sound that preserves the band’s legendary, distinctive influences while incorporating modern elements for a one-of-a-kind listening experience. Spiral Empire was recorded at “The Factory Studios” in Vancouver & is produced by Juno Award winning engineer, Rob Shallcross (Strapping Young Lad, GWAR, Zimmers Hole, Fear Factory).
WEST OF HELL has Spiral Empire pre-sale packages available now, exclusively at www.reversedrecords.com/estore.html. There are two types available. See below for full details:
WEST OF HELL EXCLUSIVE ”SPIRAL EMPIRE” PRE-SALE PACKAGES
Package 1 — Pre-order Spiral Empire, & receive a signed copy of the CD + two FREE instant digital downloads ”Onslaught” & ”Soul Taker” ($12 plus S+H).
Package 2 — Pre-order Spiral Empire, & receive a signed copy of the CD + two FREE instant digital downloads, an official “Spiral Empire” t-shirt, & WEST OF HELL/’SPIRAL EMPIRE’ desktop wallpaper ($30 plus S+H).
In celebration of the new album, WEST OF HELL will tour Canada from April 26th through May 25th. See below for all currently confirmed dates.
WEST OF HELL TOUR DATES:
04/26 – Red Deer, AB @ The Vat
04/27 – Calgary, AB @ Lord Nelson’s Pub
04/28 – Rocky Mountain House, AB @ Youth Hall
05/03 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
05/04 – Brandon, MN @ North Shore Inn
05/05 – Winnipeg, MN @ The Zoo
05/09 – Sudbury, ON @ The Serbian Centre Bar
05/11 – Montreal, QB @ The Underworld
05/12 – Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck Bar
05/16 – Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos
05/18 – Edmonton, AB @ New City
05/24 – Canmore, AB @ Canmore Hotel
05/25 – Kelowna, BC @ Level Nite Club
WEST OF HELL was formed in West Auckland, New Zealand in 2002. The band relocated to Vancouver, BC (Canada) in 2009 – in search for a singer that was more than just a screamer…which drastically narrowed the possibilities. The band played a series of shows as a four-piece instrumental, drawing critical acclaim, & ultimately attracted the attention of the local metal community. The exposure led them to Zimmers Hole frontman Chris “The Heathen” Valagao. It was apparent to the founding members that Valagao’s diverse skills were exactly what WEST OF HELL needed to realize the band’s ultimate vision.
WEST OF HELL is here to reclaim the great genre of metal that has been diluted by straight-edge, clean-cut posers who look like rejects from “American Idol”. WOH will lead you back down the path of true metal!
Listen to these new song clips by the band:
SPIRAL EMPIRE / TO WAR / DEMON SENT
WEST OF HELL is:
Vocals – Chris “The Heathen” Valagao
Bass – Jordan Kemp
Guitars – Sean Parkinson & Jordan Knute
Drums – Andrew Hulme
For more information about WEST OF HELL, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/WestofHell
http://www.reverbnation.com/westofhell
http://www.myspace.com/westofhell
https://twitter.com/WestofHell
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Brooklyn’s ELLIS ASHBROOK Announce April/May 2012 Performances…
Brooklyn-based progressive rock band Ellis Ashbrook have announced some tour dates for late April to mid-May. They will be performing in New York, Massachusetts, & Connecticut at the following venues:
April 20th @ The Space Palace / Brooklyn, NY
April 28th @ Cameo / Brooklyn, NY
May 4th @ Davis Square Theater / Somerville, MA
May 5th @ The Iron Horse / Northhampton, MA
May 11th @ High Noon Saloon / Norwich, CT
May 12th @ The Space Palace / Brooklyn, NY
Ellis Ashbrook is composed of John Barber (vocals, lead guitar squeals, disoriented cries), Natalie Lowe (vocals, keys, periscopic pings), Jonathan Granoff (bass, squishy underwater sounds, bombs), & Alex Major (drums, electronic percussion, perceptual shifts). Be moved by a band that has rocked audiences all over the Northeast. Their songwriting reverberates beauty & heaviness, with respect for “funk” & a love of unique grooves. These performaers have the prowess, technique, & tenacity to play original music that transcends genre or trend.
Find out more about the band at www.ellisashbrook.com or www.facebook.com/ellisashbrook.
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STONE IRIS Announce Western Canadian Tour & New EP “Illuminations”
For the blues, rock, & reggae inspired sounds of Edmonton-based STONE IRIS, there’s just no replacing that feeling of commiseration & unity that comes from a group of friends gathered around at the stage…soaking up the night together…& raising a glass to good times.
It’s exactly that kind of feeling that STONE IRIS taps into on their newly recorded EP, “Illuminations” – which is set for release on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012. Like a lost night in a smoky bar, the songs feel easy to slip into…using laid-back, but propulsive, grooves to create a mood that feels at once nostalgic & promising…yet, restless enough to let you know that THE BEST OF TIMES are on their way. It builds off their 2011 twin-EPs “The Boo Box” & “Serene Machine”, the 2010 “Silhouettes” EP, & 2008′s debut “Ezperanza” – by revealing a band that is more assured & expansive than it’s ever been.
“We are all really excited to be releasing the new EP ‘Illuminations’. The new songs really represent the direction we are taking with our music & careers…it’s a great addition to our growing catalog. Plus, playing shows in Edmonton is always a great time…our local fans are awesome & supportive…& as we hit the road, it is equally gratifying – but in a different way. It is cool to hear & see new fans’ reactions to fresh material, that can only be brought to them by our traveling circus we call…Stone Iris.” comments drummer, Jeff Burwash.
Recorded with Stew Kirkwood at “Sound Extractor Studio”, Illuminations captures Stone Iris as they’re starting to truly come into their own. It all began as Monzmeg – a basement project in the Calgary home of brothers, songwriters, & guitarists Garret & El Niven. STONE IRIS didn’t fully begin to take shape, until they recruited drummer Jeff Burwash, who had been banging the skins with blues outfit “Straight Jacket”…before he was even legally allowed in bars. It was the move to Edmonton, to attend Grant MacEwan’s music program, that solidified the group…though, firstly with the addition of Regina-born/Grant Mac trained bassist Ryan Ast (ex-Without an End), & then adding Trail, BC percussionist Juice Jensen in early 2010. In 2011, keyboard player Stephen Robinson & vocalist Kari James joined the ranks, completing what is the current roster of STONE IRIS.
Blending their disparate musical backgrounds – everything from hooky pop music, to sun-bleached reggae, to hip-hop & rap – the influence of seven minds has created a mature sound that isn’t easy to pin down, but is very easy to love.
STONE IRIS will be on tour for the month of May in Western Canada, in promotion of “Illuminations”, & can be seen performing live in the following cities:
May 03, 2012 – Lydia’s Pub – Saskatoon, SK
May 05, 2012 – Double Decker Pub – Brandon, MB
May 06, 2012 – 23 Main Street – Moose Jaw, SK **ACOUSTIC SHOW**
May 11, 2012 – Rockwater Grill – Golden, BC
May 12, 2012 – Lanalou’s – Vancouver, BC
May 13, 2012 – Cuppa Joy Coffee House – Vancouver, BC
May 15, 2012 – O’Flannigan’s – Kelowna, BC
May 16, 2012 – Caribou Hotel – Quesnel, BC
May 17, 2012 – Nancy O’s – Prince George, BC
May 18, 2012 – The Valley Zoo – Hinton, AB
May 25, 2012 – Canmore Hotel – Canmore, AB *** Venue changed from Carstairs, AB.
May 26, 2012 – The Blind Beggar – Calgary, AB
For more information, visit: STONEIRIS.COM
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BARONESS “Yellow & Green” Confirmed for July 17th Release…
Baroness, the Savannah-based quartet whose two prior releases (Red Album & Blue Record) were awarded “Record of the Year” honours from both Revolver & Decibel Magazines, as well as repeatedly placing on year-end “BEST OF” lists from Pitchfork & Village Voice, return with a new album titled “Yellow & Green” on July 17th – via Relapse Records.
“Yellow & Green” reunites Baroness with ‘Blue Record’ producer, John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, St. Vincent, Xiu Xiu) – following both the band’s busiest period (multiple worldwide tours including stops at Coachella, Bonnaroo, & Soundwave) & most luxurious year, having taken nearly all of 2011 off to freely write & demo for the 2CD/LP album.
“We had been on tour for eight years, & we decided to take a break from our adventure, to dig our heels in at home & write a new record.” explains John Baizley, frontman for the band & the artist responsible for Baroness’ now iconic album art (an article profiling Baizley as a graphic artist is in the April edition of Juxtapoz), “We spent the entirety of the past year dedicating ourselves to the new album. Without the break from touring, & the time we took to rest & reflect, we would have been entirely unable to write this new record. We have become re-inspired. Now, it’s time to get back out on the road.”
Baizley also recently spoke with Alternative Press regarding the recording of “Yellow & Green”, which can be read here. Baroness embark on their first tour dates, since 2010, as they join Meshuggah for a spring trek across North America…previewing material from “Yellow & Green”. The tour dates are:
April 25th – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups *
April 26th - St. Louis, MO – Firebird *
April 27th - Nashville, TN - The End *
April 29th - Houston, TX - House of Blues
April 30th - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
May 1st - Austin, TX - Emo’s East
May 3rd - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
May 4th - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
May 5th - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
May 6th - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
May 8th - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
May 9th - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
May 11th - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
May 13th - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
May 15th - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
May 16th - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew’s Hall
May 17th - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
May 18th - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
May 19th - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
May 20th - Montreal, QC - Olympia de Montreal
May 22nd - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 23rd - New York, NY - Terminal 5
* = Baroness headlines, Royal Thunder opens.
Baroness is John Baizley (guitars/vocals), Pete Adams (guitar/vocals), Allen Blickle (drums), & Matt Maggioni (bass).
“Yellow & Green” tracklisting & album art to be revealed soon.
www.baronessmusic.com / www.facebook.com/yourbaroness
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King Crimson’s Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, & Pat Mastelotto Return for Second Annual “Three Of A Perfect Pair” Music Camp (August 13-17)
Guitarist Adrian Belew, bassist Tony Levin, & drummer Pat Mastelotto return to Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY from August 13-17 for the second annual “Three Of A Perfect Pair” Music Camp. This 5-day vacation experience offers attendees the chance to get to know these three musical luminaries & see them at work amidst the idyllic backdrop of the Catskills.
Together as the musical backbone of progressive rock linchpins King Crimson – separately through countless other bands, projects, & collaborations – Belew, Levin, & Mastelotto have helped forge the history of modern rock music over careers spanning five decades.
At the “Three Of A Perfect Pair” Music Camp – the experienced sonic veterans will share meals, tales from the road, & maybe even the stage during after-hours jam sessions with campers. Whether campers play guitar, drums, bass, or no instrument at all…”Three Of A Perfect Pair” offers a rare opportunity to learn, play, make new friends, & get up-close & personal with this trio of renowned musicians.
Adrian, Tony, & Pat will not only interact directly with campers, but will also follow an itinerary shaped in part by those campers. Upon registration, all attendees will fill out a questionnaire about their ideas & hopes for the camp experience. That feedback will help set the agenda for the “Three Of A Perfect Pair” Music Camp’s open curriculum.
Adrian & Pat comment on last year’s camp experiences…
“What a blast we had last year! The resort is beautiful, the food is great, & the staff is excellent. I’m looking forward to seeing ‘old friends’ from last year, & making new friends again. Some personal highlights for me (from last time) include learning Crimson songs with Pat & Tony, teaching a group of thirty guitarists the parts to ‘Frame By Frame’, & our monster 78-person jam! We have so much fun, impart so much information, give out so much free stuff, & tell just about every funny story that’s ever happened to the three of us. The nightly bonfires, & jam sessions over beers, are more icing on the cake. I’m certain this year’s event will be even better…& I can’t wait!” — Adrian Belew
“The camp was much more a family affair than I imagined. We all interacted so casually, & with a friendly feeling of mutual enjoyment. I brought my wife, & watching her interact with the campers was fun for me. She enjoyed it, so much, she wants the camp to become an annual family vacation.” — Pat Mastelotto
Attendees at “Three Of A Perfect Pair” will have access to all workshops, seminars, gourmet meals, performances, & camp activities. The camp offers a variety of pricing options, based on the variety of available accommodations. All camp activities will be held at Full Moon Resort, which features an eclectic array of comfortable, rustic country-inn accommodations…including simple ‘B&B’ style guest rooms with shared hallway baths, guest rooms with private baths, country cottages with living rooms & kitchens, even luxury camping in a yurt. “Primitive” campsites are also available. All accommodations are just steps away from daily camp activities. The grounds offer one hundred acres of meadows, forests, & streams – providing a natural backdrop for an unforgettable, enriching experience. Visitors will also enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool, onsite access to the Esopus Creek, & exploring the splendors of the Catskills on the nearby network of hiking trails. The 5-day vacation will be “free from interruptions”, as there is no cell-phone reception at Full Moon Resort or elsewhere in Big Indian, NY.
2012 marks the second annual “Three Of A Perfect Pair” retreat, at the pastoral Full Moon Resort, as part of the successful Music Masters Camp Series. For more information about this year’s camp, or to see a re-cap of last year’s events, go to www.threeofaperfectpair.com. Here is a video review of the 2011 camp:
About The Artists:
Adrian Belew (Guitar) — www.adrianbelew.net
Lauded by Trent Reznor as “the most awesome musician in the world”, cited by Les Claypool as an inspiration for him “to go down paths lightly trodden”, & hailed by no less than Frank Zappa as a musician who “re-invented the electric guitar” – Adrian Belew has made his mark as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, & record producer. Best known as guitarist & lead vocalist for seminal prog-rockers King Crimson over the past 30 years, Adrian has led avant-pop band “The Bears” for more than twenty-five, & more recently founded the “Adrian Belew Power Trio” with Paul Green ‘School of Rock’ alumni siblings…Eric & Julie Slick. Belew has fifteen acclaimed solo albums & countless collaborations to his name. His fiercely original & relentlessly offbeat work is as diverse as it is prolific, with credits as far-flung as David Bowie, Bela Fleck, Talking Heads, & even Mariah Carey. He has played on landmark records from Paul Simon’s “Graceland” to Nine Inch Nails’ “The Downward Spiral”.
Tony Levin (Bass) — www.tonylevin.com
Born in Boston, Tony Levin started out in classical music – attending the Eastman School of Music & playing bass in the Rochester Philharmonic. Later moving into jazz & rock, he has had a notable career recording with John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Yes, Alice Cooper, Paul Simon, Carly Simon, Judy Collins, & many more. He has also released five solo CDs, three books, & has had numerous exhibitions of his photographs. He tours throughout the year with the band “Stick Men”, & is currently a member of King Crimson, the Peter Gabriel Band, & the jazz band L’Image with Steve Gadd & Mike Mainieri. His popular website (tonylevin.com), featured one of the web’s first blogs, & has over four million visits. Tony’s latest projects include the new Stick Men CD (coming out in Fall 2012), an eagerly anticipated eBook version of his “Crimson Chronicles” photo-book, & fall tour dates.
Pat Mastelotto (Drums) — www.patmastelotto.com
After spending 35 years working with many of the top artists in the pop & prog rock scene, Pat Mastelotto recently released his first solo album “Recidivate”. Naturally, the King Crimson/XTC/Mr. Mister drummer decided to take a slightly different path to solo stardom – by assembling a compilation of outtakes, rarities, & highlights from the past twenty years of his career. Mastelotto recruited several artists he has worked with in the past to participate in Recidivate, including Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Stick Men (Mastelotto’s ongoing touring trio with Tony Levin), Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons), Naked Truth (featuring avant-garde jazz musicians Roy Powell, Lorenzo Feliciati, & Cuong Vu), Roine Stolt & Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings), Kimmo Pohjonen, & of course tracks from TU (also Ktu, Tuner, Tunisia, & MPTU) – Mastelotto’s long-running partnership with King Crimson bandmate, Trey Gunn. Pat’s band Stick Men - with Tony Levin & Markus Reuter - is finishing up their next CD & will launch a world tour in April…with shows in the US, South America, Russia, & the UK.
For more information on the experience-of-a-lifetime “Three Of A Pair” Music Camp offered by Belew, Levin, & Mastelotto – please visit:
