Emerging: This Awkward Silence

Ever get the slightest inkling to hear the perfect three and a half minute pop song?  Well, the boys in This Awkward Silence, an as yet unsigned group from Cleveland, Ohio, know exactly what you mean.  And they deliver the goods.  Equal parts New Found Glory, Berry Gordy and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this band will wreck your emo-leaning ears if you've got them.  But they'll still kill you quickly if you're into modern pop rock too.  Don't be scared of the word "crossover" guys, you may just like the tag.  Catch TAS on Warped Tour now, or let your eyes and ears do the work for you right now.

(video)    This Awkward Silence - Run Away Runaway

Godspeed!

Photos: Berlin, Day 2

The picture above is the parking lot under which Adolf Hitler saw his last days on this world.  The Germans decided, and rightfully so, that they would not put any kind of demarcation symbol on or near the grounds of the Fuhrer's former bunker.  So all we get is dirt to spit on, Volkswagens to stare at and rain to huddle from.

Godspeed!

Ed Banger to throw "secret" (yeah, right) show in L.A.

Sebastian, Kavinsky, and Busy P are playing a private secret live show in Los Angeles on August 1.  Here's how the damn thing's going to work:

The first 75 people to rsvp at www.scion.com/houseparty will get two tickets.  Confirmation of winners will be e-mailed on Tuesday, July 31, along with directions to the event.  If you don't get a confirmation, well then, obviously, you ain't getting in.  That simple.

(stream)    Kavinsky - Various tracks [via MySpace]

Godspeed!

News: Ozzy Osbourne says "What the blood clot?"

According to the sources at Reuters:

His ailment was not disclosed, but NBC affiliate KUSA-TV reported on its Web site that Osbourne underwent surgery for a blood clot on Saturday night following a show. He had complained of leg pain for most of the day, KUSA said.

A spokesman for the 58-year-old musician did not immediately reply to an email seeking more information. A statement from Osbourne's management read: "Ozzy Osbourne had a minor outpatient procedure at Rose Medical Center late last night. He was released early this morning and is doing well."

Let's hope this doesn't at all affect how Ozzy's stage antics (which include bouncing up-and-down like a 58 year-old man with knee problems) during the annual Ozzfest tour.  Fingers crossed!

Godspeed!

Photos: Berlin, Day 1

After an agonizing plane ride (complete with 2-hour taxi'ing at JFK before take-off and 2 lovely young German boys beating each other up with seatbelts sat in front of me), the culture of me arrived in Berlin for the week.  First thing to be seen was, of course, the lovely girlfriend, then it was off to the races to go all over, see some sights and get on with the vacation.

Godspeed!

Video: The Hives talk new record; keep mum about titles, etc.

Godspeed!

News: The Von Bondies are coming back, bitches

Spin.com tells us:

"When we got off touring Pawn Shoppe Heart we were so exhausted," Stollsteimer told Billboard.com about the album's delay. "In my own head, I was like, 'I don't want to ever do it again.' But these three years have revived my energy to do it again.

Love, Hate and Then There's You was chiefly recorded alongside Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) and Peter Katis (Interpol, The National), but also features the special touch of Butch Walker on the album's last few tunes. He "was amazing 'cause I've never worked with a producer that was the front person of their own band, too, and could totally remove themselves from what they like and do whatever you wanted," Stollsteimer said of working with Walker. "He definitely helped bring out the final songs on the record."

The band, which now features original drummer Don Blum and Motor City musicians Alicia Gbur, Leann Banks, and Matt Lannoo, plan to hit the road this October and continue previewing material into the New Year.

Okay, so even though Stollsteimer is really the only remaining member from their PSH incarnation, this is still going to fucking blow us away.  We think.  Having Don Blum back is definitely a plus.

(video)    The Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon (live on Late Show with David Letterman), from the Pawn Shoppe Heart LP

Godspeed!

Live: Are you going to see Suicide & The DeathSet tonight??

If you go, could you take pics and send them our way??  We're really upset that we're missing this show, but we'll be too busy sleeping on an overnight flight to Berlin to see the lovely girlfriend Karen.  Which, in the end, is way cooler than seeing Alan Vega at the South Street Seaport (don't tell him we said that though).

Info:
Tonight, 7p.m.
19 Fulton St.at South St.
212-732-8257 for more

Godspeed!

Video: Deelishis - "Rump Shaker"

I don't know about you guys so much, but when I think of the most brazen attempt at that whole "using my body for female empowerment and NOT for objectifications sake", something like this video would never ever ever come to mind.  Deelishis aka Chandra Davis, the 27-year old Michigan native best known for winning the "Flavor of Love 2" show, and thereby the "love" of one Flavor Flav, has been busy since the show aired.  Obviously.  Not only is she making music (Ahem! That's why we're blogging about this video) as well as launching her own fashion line of denim made , um, shall we say, specifically for those women with a lot of shape and even more disposable cash to spend.  Of the jeans line, Davis says "Every woman, no matter what size or shape, has a hard time finding jeans that will mold to the shape of her naturally beautiful body.  My new line of Deelishis Jeans promises to do just that: fit you like a glove to show everyone the beautiful woman that you already are!"

So, yeah.  There you go.  Deelishis.  Maker of fine denim, finer music and somewhat weirdo hip hop and dance music videos.  I mean, does anyone notice how many dancers she needs surrounding her to be able to shroud her backside?  I mean, for real?  Her record, Love, Deelishis, will be out sooner than you can say "All I wanna do is zoom-zoom-zoom-zoom and a boom-boom".

Godspeed!

Video: Liars - "Plaster Casts of Everything"

Chances are, you can't wait for the new Liars record, cleverly self-titled.  We can't either.  We're a hot fucking mess for They Threw Us in a Trench... and Drum's Not Dead, so if the video for "Plaster Casts of Everything" is any indication, Angus and the boys are bringing even more righteous as all get out noise for your ears.  Every time I hear a Liars track, I'm either immediately scared or immediately piqued.  "Plaster Casts of Everything" is both.

Godspeed!