I first saw Leftover Cuties play in Hollywood at The Bardot and fell instantly in love with their music. It is a soft American folk with a beautiful edge that was lovely in the venue. Their song “Places to Go” became my anthem and I believe I proclaimed that in a review here on BTH. Since I already loved their sound I was so happy to hear that they are coming out with their new Covers EP out May 15th.

Songs include : Fidelity (Regina Spektor)
Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
You Are My Sunshine (Bing Crosby)
At Last (Etta James)
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Bob Dylan)
Trouble (Coldplay)

To choose the songs on the EP the band reached out to fans to decide on a track. The fans came back with Fidelity by Regina Spektor and the Cuties gave a it a great new spin.

(photo from their set at the Bardot 2011, photobytamea.com)

I recently spoke with the band’s vocalist Shirli McAllen (pictured above) about the upcoming EP and how they chose the songs. Growing up Shirli was a fan of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchel and they have been influences ever since the beginning. She said that they wondered what they would be able to bring one of Bob Dylan’s songs an a new update with his sound being so iconic. They decided, rightly so, that they would be able to give their own take on it with success. Their rendition of Don’t think twice, It’s all Right has a Leftover Cuties spin but keeps the Dylan feel. It became one of Shirli’s favorite recordings in the band’s history thus far.

You are my Sunshine, which Shirli said was chosen by the band’s string player, Austin Nicholsen, was my favorite on the EP. Though I grew up with the song (and I think most of us did) it is a sombre song and their new key choices gave it a new story. Shirli was excited about the recording and that the song and lyrics explode with Mike’s trumpet intro on the song.
When I spoke with her, Shirli was “very excited about the cover album… because I think it is allowing us to show a new color of the band and a new side that we have not previously been able to show.” The band seems to be coming out of their shell and, while I do love the covers, I am most excited for the new album we have been promised.

We have a little while to wait, but 2012 should have a new Leftover Cuties full length album. “The new record will be out in the fall. I would like to write some more music for it so we have more to choose from, but we have enough material. We just need to get in to record.”

I’ll be looking forward to the new record and to the tour that is on the horizon. For more information on the band and their new music visit  the sites below. To see them live, do not miss their album release party in Hollywood at the Hotel Cafe on May 16th. They will be playing covers from the EP and I would not miss it. We’ll see you there!

Cheers!

Till next time,

Ohio

This year’s Weenie Roast included Coldplay, Incubus, The Dirty Heads, Garbage, and many many more great performers. (Full line up below) I was disappointed to miss the first set by fellow Ohioans Walk the Moon. I heard their set, and Anna Sun was just like I had hoped it would be! Sadly I was still making my way to the stages and didn’t manage to shoot their set, but their upcoming shows in LA will be a must attend.

In full music fest form, after seeing Grouplove and Awolnation, I was one of many to witness the standing ovation received by one brave girl who decided to poo in the bushes. It was about 3 in the afternoon so I like to think that she wasn’t already really that obliterated, but in keeping with KROQ’s shows, she probably was. Seriously though, claps and shouts from hundreds making their way from stage dos to uno. Brave intro to her new friends. She got a stern taking to from some security guards who let her go on her way to the next stage… I wish they had offered her some purelle, but they did not. Anyway, bush pooing aside, the show must go on! Next was Garbage on Uno (It was the Weenie Roast y Fiesta for Cinco De Mayo)

I think every band of the night gave a well deserved shout-out to The Beastie Boys who lost MCA only a day before. Garbage’s tribute was the most emotional and heartflet and was also for “anyone who has lost someone they loved.” They had apparently lost a friend tragically in Brazil and commemorated both loses with Blood for Poppies. Angels and Airwaves had a moment of remembrance in true rock style, no moments of silence here. A hard drum beat gave the audience their time to reflect on rock’s recent loss.

The Dirty Heads, all in Beastie Boys shirts thanked the band and MCA for paving the way for bands like them.

*there’s more after the photos… keep goin’*

With the line up already fantastic we were surprised to have Soundgarden come out to play a full set later in the evening. The surprise set was well received with the audience singing along and on their feet from beginning to end.

Incubus and Coldplay were by far my favorites of the night. I had not seen Incubus live since the 2010 Smokeout with our very own Flak. Last night was sans Flak, but he missed out on georgeous Incubus set. The music was as usual amazing. I have a few favorite songs from their newest album and happily they played their beautiful In the Company of Wolves. The song at over 7 minutes long and filled with instrumental solos, was amazing to hear live and I was lucky to be able to watch just side of the stage after leaving the photo pit. If you get the chance to see the guys of Incubus on their upcoming Honda Tour, go, you will not regret it!

Coldplay came out and thanked everyone for staying for their set. Front-man Chris Martin pointed to a man in the crowd wearing shirt from an old Offspring tour and thanked him personally for staying to hear them play. A small gesture, sure, but a good way to kick off a set with pyrotechnics, giant confetti guns and plenty of big beach balls (I got slammed in the face, but I still got the shot! kudos to me…) Hearing Yellow and Viva La Vida live admittedly made me smile like an idiot for about an hour.

With an evening of emotional ups and downs over loss to the industry and beautiful performances, I was happy to be able to share it with my fellow photographers and audience members. Thanks Kroq for again hosting a great day of music.

Full line of of the day:

Coldplay

Incubus

The Offspring

Soundgarden (surprise appearance)

Silversun Pickups

Pennywise

Angels & Airwaves

The Dirty Heads

Garbage

AWOLNATION

Grouplove

Of Monsters and Men

Walk the Moon

All photos © Tamea www.photobytamea.com

Cheers everyone! I will soon be headed to Ohio to see everyone at Rock on the Range, so if you’re reading this from back east, let us know!

See you at the show,

Ohio

Harakiri is now available for pre-order in Serj’s webstore. Fans can advance order the album or pick up a limited edition Harakiri album bundle which includes a 18” x 24” lithograph poster, download of two bonus tracks (to be delivered on 7/10) and a CD. Both pre-orders come with an instant download of the new single, “Figure It Out.” $2 from the sale of each pre-order will be donated to a non-profit organization to fight global hunger.

Last week, it was announced that Serj and the rest of his bandmates in System of a Down will be performing a handful of dates in August. Dates below.

Confirmed System Of A Down Tour Dates:

08/02   Philadelphia, PA – Susquehanna Bank Center

08/04   Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

08/05   Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

08/07   Washington, DC – Verizon Center Arena

08/09   Boston, MA – Comcast Center

08/11   Montreal, QC – Heavy Metal Festival Parterre @ Parc Jean Drapeau

08/12   Toronto, ON – Heavy Metal Festival Downsview Park

08/14   Detroit, MI -  DTE Energy Amphitheater

08/15   Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena

Connect and follow here:

http://www.serjtankian.com

http://www.facebook.com/SerjTankian

https://twitter.com/officialserj

OUTSIDE LANDS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES 2012 LINEUP

FEATURING:

STEVIE WONDER, METALLICA, NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE, JACK WHITE, 

 FOO FIGHTERS, BECK, SKRILLEX, SIGUR ROS, JUSTICE, NORAH JONES,

 THE KILLS, GRANDADDY, BIG BOI, FUN., OF MONSTERS AND MEN,

 ALABAMA SHAKES  AND MORE

TICKETS ARE ON SALE

VIA WWW.SFOUTSIDELANDS.COM

April 17, 2012 — San Francisco, CA — Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Presents and Starr Hill presents, in a partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, are proud to announce the lineup for the fifth annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. The world’s only gourmet music festival will once again take place in San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park August 10 – 12, 2012. Tickets will go on sale Thursday April 19 at 12 noon PDT via www.sfoutsidelands.com. A significant portion of every ticket sold will directly benefit San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department.

Outside Lands’ fifth anniversary lineup represents a palpable expansion on the traditions of the festival Rolling Stone called last year, “One of America’s best.” Consistently setting the standard in Northern California for intelligence and diversity in its programming, Outside Lands will up the ante once again and feature a staggering array of sets from established artists, newcomers, and the icons who inspired them. Featured this year are two Bay Area giants, Neil Young & Crazy Horse and Metallica, the latter of whom, on the heels of their 30^th anniversary, will be performing in their home park for the first time ever. The festival also welcomes Stevie Wonder’s first Bay Area appearance in many years, Jack White, who is celebrating the release of his first solo record, and Foo Fighters and Skrillex, both enjoying a multi-Grammy award winning year. Notables also confirmed are: Sigur Ros, Justice, Norah Jones, Grandaddy, Bloc Party, Die Antwoord, Amadou & Mariam, Fun., The Walkmen, Two Gallants, Alabama Shakes, Tame Impala, Sharon Van Etten, Bomba Estereo, Tennis, White Denim, Caveman and more.

Outside Lands has quickly become known for being as much about the food as it is about the music. As The Huffington Post reported, “unlike, well, every other music festival in the country, the culinary offerings at Outside Lands are truly spectacular.” This year, the festival will see its most expansive line-up yet. In total, ticket holders will discover approximately 100 food and wine options including organic, kegged wine; food trucks and bites from some of the city’s hottest chefs. Over 50 restaurants will gather in A Taste of the Bay Area and fans can expect to enjoy returning favorites like Maverick, Farmer Brown’s Little Skillet, Pacific Catch, American Grilled Cheese Kitchen and 4505 Meats. Wine Lands will celebrate over 30 of the region’s wineries and welcome back standouts like Long Meadow Ranch, Scribe, Bonny Doon, Kermit Lynch and Paul Grieco’s Summer of Riesling 2012.

Now in its fifth year, the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival has become a cherished event that the city of San Francisco has embraced as fans from across the country flock to spend a incomparable weekend in one of America’s greatest parks. Each year, festival organizers ensure that every facet of the event highlights the Bay Area and all of the components that make it one of the most desirable places to live and visit. They also like to the say thank you to the city and the local communities surrounding the park by giving back in substantial ways, raising a total of $4.3 million for the San Francisco Recreation And Park Department. Last year alone, the festival had a $68 million impact on the city as a whole. Outside Lands would like to thank its partners Heineken, StubHub, Toyota, eSurance and PayPal.

Confirmed Outside Lands 2012 lineup is below:

Stevie Wonder

Metallica

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Jack White

Foo Fighters

Beck

Skrillex

Sigur Ros

Justice

Norah Jones

Dispatch

The Kills

Regina Spektor

Passion Pit

Andrew Bird

Grandaddy

Big Boi

Bloc Party

Explosions In The Sky

Franz Ferdinand

Mstrkrft

Rebelution

Die Antwoord

Fitz and The Tantrums

Portugal. The Man

Amadou & Mariam

Wolfgang Gartner

Fun.

Dr. Dog

The Walkmen

Washed Out

City and Colour

Two Gallants

Of Monsters and Men

Mimosa

Alabama Shakes

Reggie Watts

Trampled By Turtles

Tame Impala

Jovanotti

The Be Good Tanyas

Geographer

Sharon Van Etten

Yacht

Sean Hayes

Bomba Estereo

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Big Gigantic

Thee Oh Sees

Wallpaper

Tennis

Zola Jesus

White Denim

Allen Stone

The M Machine

Michael Kiwanuka

Tanlines

Father John Misty

Electric Guest

Caveman

Yellow Ostrich

Papa

Honey Island Swamp Band

Animal Kingdom

More artists, restaurants, wineries to be announced in the coming weeks; check out www.sfoutsidelands.com

MXPX’S ALBUM ‘PLANS WITHIN PLANS’ AVAILABLE NOW

Full Album Stream Available on AOL Music and MySpace Music

Free Track Download of “Far Away” Available for a Limited Time on G4.TV

Track-by-Track Feature on AltPress.com

“MxPx have been pop-punk’s torch carriers for the better part of 20 years.  Plans Within Plans is proof that growing up doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down. ” – Alternative Press

After five long years, pop-punk icons MXPX finally released their ninth full-length album, PLANS WITHIN PLANS, today, Tuesday, April 3, through MRI/Rock City Recording Company (U.S./Canada). The album is available for purchase through iTunes and Amazon, in addition to major retail outlets such as Best Buy, Walmart, FYE, Barnes and Noble, and Newbury Comics, to name a few. For a full list and special bundle packages, please visit www.mxpx.com.

Having faced the reality of the music industry and growing up, the band stay true to both themselves and their sound, showing they can persevere by putting out fun, positive music for both old and new fans to enjoy. A good portion of PLANS WITHIN PLANS pays homage to those who have stuck by the band’s side all these years, a love letter of sorts to the fans and friends who have believed in the punk rock trio for almost two decades now.

Eager to share the songs with their fans, a little over a month ago the band released the video for their first single, “Far Away,” which was featured on G4TV’s “Attack of the Show” and is currently available as a free download for a limited time on their website, http://g4.tv/GSilbp.

MXPX is Mike Herrera (bass/vocals), Tom Wisniewski (guitars) and Yuri Ruley (drums). In the span of 19 years, the band has sold over 2.5 million records worldwide. Their music has been known for its ability to unite formerly distinguished fan bases such as the skate/surf community and the punk underground for almost two decades.

MXPX’s “20th Anniversary Shows”:
5/26 @ El Corazon — Seattle, WA*
6/29 @ House of Blues — Anaheim, CA**
6/30 @ House of Blues — West Hollywood, CA**
8/31 @ Amador County Fairgrounds — Plymouth, CA (JoshuaFest)

*w/Amber Pacific
**w/Set Your Goals, Mest and Rufio

www.mxpx.com

www.facebook.com/mxpxpx

www.twitter.com/mxpx

www.myspace.com/mxpx

EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS UNVEIL NEW SONG “THAT’S WHAT’S UP” FROM

 FORTHCOMING ALBUM HERE

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros have revealed a second track from their forthcoming studio album, Here. Entitled “That’s What’s Up”, fans can stream the track at the band’s tumblr page. Due out May 29th on Community Music, beginning today Here is available for pre-order on iTunes. Fans who pre-order the album will receive a free download of  “That’s Whats Up.”

MAY

2nd                    Oakland, CA                 Fox Theatre

4th                     Los Angeles, CA           Greek Theatre

5th                     Santa Barbara, CA       Santa Barbara Bowl

8th                     New York, NY               Roseland Ballroom

9th                     New York, NY               Roseland Ballroom

11th                   Upper Darby, PA         Tower Theatre

12th                   Boston, MA                  Orpheum Theatre

13th                   Toronto, ONT               Kool Haus

15th                   Washington, DC           9:30 Club

16th                   Charlotte, NC                The Fillmore Charlotte

18th                   Woodlands, TX             Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*

19th                   Dallas, TX                       Gexa Energy Pavilion*

21st                    Atlanta, GA                   The Tabernacle

24th                   Chicago, IL                      Riviera Theatre

25th                   Minneapolis, MN          Cabooze Outdoor Plaza

26th                   Milwaukee, WI              Riverside Theatre

30th                   Columbus, OH               The LC Pavilion

31st                    Nashville, TN                  Ryman Auditorium

JUNE

1st                       Ozark, AR                      Wakarusa Festival

* With Dave Matthews Band

Los Angeles, CA – March 29, 2012 – Los Angeles rock band Dead Sara have announced a slate of 20 new North American tour dates with The Used beginning May 12. Fresh off a set of highly buzzed about performances at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX, Dead Sara will hit the road for a previously announced run of shows beginning April 13 supporting Chevelle; radio festival dates including BuzzFest in Woodlands, TX, EdgeFest in Dallas, and the Big Gig in Hartford, CT; as well as a previously confirmed 40+ date coast-to-coast outing on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. Additional tour dates will be announced.

The “L.A. quartet poised to breakout nationally” this year, was recently profiled by RollingStone.com. Read all about it online now. The band will release their highly anticipated self-titled debut album on April 10^th (Pocket Kid Records/ Fontana/Universal). Their debut single “Weatherman” is exploding at radio and fast becoming the #1 most requested song at stations across the country.

View the video online at: http://youtu.be/cLGoeYOZ0Qs.

Having spent much of last year in the studio, Dead Sara’s 11-track full-length debut set, produced by Noah Shain (Atreyu, As Tall As Lions, Sonny Moore/aka Skrillex), is driven by the dynamic duo of two talented young women, singer Emily Armstrong and guitarist Siouxsie Medley. The band is rounded out by bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday, creating an electrifying four-piece rock band whose supercharged music is propelled by Medley’s exhilarating, monster guitar riffs and Armstrong’s powerful, wailing vocals.

The band, praised for its blazing impassioned rock and catchy guitar melodies, have been attracting major buzz for the ferocious spectacle of their high-octane live performances, embodying everything you want from a young, hungry, unpredictable and enigmatic rock band.

Dead Sara at the Viper Room 2011 photobytamea.com

Visit Dead Sara online at: www.DeadSara.com

Become a fan on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DeadSara

Follow the band on Twitter: @DeadSara

Check out their videos on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DeadSaraTheBand

DEAD SARA – CONFIRMED U.S. TOUR DATES

DATE                        VENUE                                                                  CITY/STATE

March 29                     Club Nokia:

Album release party/Warped Tour kick-off party            Los Angeles, CA

April 14                        The Canal Club                                                              Richmond, VA

* * WRXL The Chili Cook Off After Party featuring Chuck Shaffer Picture Show & more

April 20                        Lonestar Amphitheater                                                    Lubbock, TX

KFMX Bday Bash! Featuring Cavo, Buckcherry, Korn

April 21                        Woodlands Pavilion/KTBZ 94.5FM BuzzFest                  Woodlands, TX

Featuring Korn, Evans Blue, Evanescence, The Dirty Heads, Blue October, Cage The Elephant

April 22                        FC Dallas Stadium/102.1FM The Edge-EdgeFest            Dallas, TX

Featuring Black Keys, Garbage, Cake, Cage The Elephant, Arctic Monkeys, Evanescence

April 28                        Midland AMC/KRBZ’s Annual Buzz Prom                        Kansas City, MO

May 19                        Comcast Theatre/WCCC Big Gig 2012                              Hartford, CT

Featuring Godsmack, Hellyeah, Staind, Volbeat and more

May 26                        KLAQ Balloonfest 2012                                                       El Paso, TX

Featuring Buckcherry and others…

* Additional dates to be announced

# # #

DEAD SARA/CHEVELLE – U.S. TOUR DATES

DATE                        VENUE                                                     CITY/STATE

April 13                        Coliseum Tallahassee                                    Tallahassee, FL

April 16                        Minglewood Hall                                             Memphis, TN

April 17                        Ford Park Event Center                                 Beaumont, TX

April 18                        Hurricane Harry’s                                           College Station, TX

April 23                        Tricky Falls                                                     El Paso, TX

April 25                        Club Nokia                                                     Los Angeles, CA

May 8                          Varsity Theatre                                               Baton Rouge, LA

May 9                          Concrete Street Amphitheater                        Corpus Christi, TX

May 10                        Backstage Live                                               San Antonio, TX

# # #

DEAD SARA/THE USED – NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

DATE                        VENUE                                                   CITY/STATE

May 12                        Town Hall                                                      Buffalo, NY

May 13                        Northern Lights                                             Albany, NY

May 15                        TLA                                                               Philadelphia, PA

May 16                        Paramount                                                    Huntington, NY

May 18                        Lupo’s                                                           Providence, RI

May 21                        Irving Plaza                                                   New York, NY

May 22                        Crocodile Rock                                             Allentown, PA

May 23                        Fillmore                                                         Charlotte, NC

May 27                        House of Blues                                              Orlando, FL

May 30                        Fillmore                                                          Silver Spring, MD

May 31                        Bogart’s                                                         Cincinnati, OH

June 1                        The Rave                                                       Milwaukee, WI

June 3                        Garrick                                                            Winnipeg

June 5                        Starlite                                                            Edmonton

June 6                        Macewan Ballroom                                        Calgary

June 9                        Vogue                                                            Vancouver

June 10                      Showbox at the Market                                 Seattle, WA
June 11                      Roseland Theatre                                         Portland, OR

# # #

DEAD SARA/VANS WARPED TOUR:

DATE                           VENUE                                                            CITY/STATE

June 16                        Utah State Fairpark                                         Salt Lake City, UT

June 17                        Sports Authority Field                                      Denver, CO

June 20                        Plaza Hotel & Casino                                      Las Vegas, NV

June 21                        Great Park                                                      Irvine, CA

June 22                        Fairplex                                                           Pomona, CA

June 23                        Shoreline Amphitheatre                                  Mountain View, CA

June 24                        Seaside Park                                                   Ventura, CA

June 27                        Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre                        Chula Vista, CA

June 28                        Peoria Sports Complex                                    Peoria, AZ

June 29                        New Mexico State University                           Las Cruces, NM

June 30                        AT&T Center                                                    San Antonio, TX

July 1                        Minute Maid Park                                                Houston, TX

July 3                        Gexa Energy Pavilion                                         Dallas, TX

July 5                        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre                          Maryland Heights, MO

July 6                        Silverdome                                                         Pontiac, MI

July 7                        First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre                      Tinley Park, IL

July 8                        Canterbury Park                                                Shakopee, MN

July 9                        Sandstone Amphitheatre                                   Bonner Springs, KS

July 10                        Klipsch Music Center                                       Noblesville, IN

July 11                        Blossom Music Center                                     Cuyahoga Falls, OH

July 12                        First Niagara Pavilion                                       Burgettstown, PA

July 13                        International Centre Arrow Hall                        Mississauga, ON

July 14                        Parc Jean Drapeau                                          Montreal, QC

July 15                        Comcast Theatre                                             Hartford, CT

July 17                        Darien Lake Performing Arts Center               Darien Center, NY

July 18                        Toyota Pavilion                                                Scranton, PA

July 19                        Comcast Center                                              Mansfield, MA

July 20                        Susquehanna Bank Center                             Camden, NJ

July 21                        Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum             Uniondale, NY

July 22                        Monmouth Park                                               Oceanport, NJ

July 24                        Merriweather Post Pavilion                             Columbia, MD

July 25                        Farm Bureau Live                                           Virginia Beach, VA

July 26                        Aaron’s Amphitheatre                                     Atlanta, GA

July 27                        Central Florida Fairgrounds                            Orlando, FL

July 28                        Cruzan Amphitheatre                                     West Palm Beach, FL

July 29                        Vinoy Waterfront Park                                    St. Petersburg, FL

July 30                        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre                      Charlotte, NC

July 31                        Riverbend Music Center                                 Cincinnati, OH

August 1            Marcus Amphitheater                                              Milwaukee, WI

August 4            Marymoor Amphitheatre                                          Redmond, WA

August 5            Washington County Fair                                          Hillsboro, OR

Acclaimed Band To Perform At Upcoming  Secular Event In Washington DC

The venerated Los Angeles band Bad Religion is honored to be appearing at the historic Reason Rally this March 24^th in Washington DC. The event is a free nationwide celebration intended to “unify, energize, and embolden secular people nationwide.” Bad Religion’s singer, Greg Graffin (author of Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science, and Bad Religion in a World Without God) will sing the national anthem and the world renowned band will perform a one hour set.

Slated to be the largest secular event in world history, the rally is sponsored by the top secular organizations in the United States and will feature music, comedy, and addresses by leaders of the secular movement. Scheduled to appear are Bad Religion, author Dr. Richard Dawkins, actor and comedian Eddie Izzard, writer and comedian Bill Maher, comedian Tim Minchin and many more.  The event is intended to give secular Americans an opportunity to unite under a banner of reason and community, at a level never seen before.

Bad Religion’s appearance at the Reason Rally is only fitting. Formed over three decades ago in the suburbs of Los Angeles amidst the incendiary punk movement, the popular and influential band has a well documented history advocating for intellectual freedom and secularism. From their provocative name, to their iconic “cross buster” logo to a lyrical canon filled with humanist themes, few other artists have so unflinchingly aligned themselves with issues of humanism and rational thought.

As Bad Religion guitarist and co-songwriter Brett Gurewitz explains, “People often ask whether I think music makes a difference; whether it’s a force for change.  Bad Religion’s invitation to appear at the Reason Rally (history’s largest secular gathering) for me affirms the notion that art has the power to transform social norms, that over the past 30 years our band, through its music and message, has contributed to a real and very positive trend toward secularization.”

The band’s singer and co-songwriter Greg Graffin offers, “We thought it was a good gathering of people who want to stress that reason should characterize the citizenry of this country, not affiliation with some religious group or socioeconomic stratum or any other criterion besides the willingness to engage in reasonable debate that is informed by rational knowledge. All I’ve ever heard from fans (and that includes parents and their kids alike) is that they have been inspired to learn more and care more by listening to our music. I think therefore, that the Reason Rally—like Bad Religion—can be very inspirational. “

Bad Religion’s latest album titled, The Dissent Of Man is available on Epitaph Records.

The Reason Rally will occur this March 24th, 2012, from 10:00AM – 6:00PM at the National Mall in Washington DC. For more information go to: www.reasonrally.org/

“M83 at its best — vibrant, elegant and unpredictable.” – The New York Times

“22 tracks of horizon-spanning, unabashedly epic synth rock, adouble album

without a wasted moment” – Pitchfork

M83 will release the Reunion EP on May 8th, 2012 through Mute, the second single to be taken from the hugely acclaimed fifth album Hurry Up We’re Dreaming, the double album that hit number 15 on the US Billboard charts and topped the electronic and alternative charts. The first single, “Midnight City”, was one of the biggest tracks of the last 12 months, with over six million hits on YouTube to date, Six week run at #1 at CMJ, #1 FMQB Alternative Specialty record and song, #8 at US Alternative Radio, and remains one of the biggest club tracks of the moment across the world thanks to the Eric Prydz rework. It has also entered the U.S Billboard Hot 100. With the release of “Reunion”, the rise of Anthony Gonzalez’s M83 is set to continue.

Reunion continues to display M83’s aptitude at writing catchy cosmic-pop soundtracks filled with fantasy and imagination. The single will be released with a stunning and diverse remix package of 6 exclusive re-works of the track, which include Mylo, Sei A, The Naked And Famous, Polly Scattergood, and White Sea.

Mylo leads the Reunion remix charge with his trademark funky synth bass lines and beats, cleverly weaved into the spaced-out original vocal track to create a contradiction of sounds and another hit for M83. Sei A, the up and coming Glasgow based producer, is hailed as one of the most exciting producers in the techno-house scene, and has given Reunion a glimpse of Glaswegian industrialism through his loop filled minimalist mix. The White Sea remix is a spaced out dubstep nugget, whilst The Naked And Famous take an altogether different route with their rework by building the track into an electronic cacophony of synths, guitars and drums, much the way M83 do performing live.

M83 hits electronic music’s largest stage this weekend for Miami’s sold out Ultra Music Festival, where 200,000 fans will be watching. The band will take the Live Stage on Saturday March 24th at 8:00pm. Additionally, new shows have been added to the tour including The Fox Theatre in Pomona, CA on April 12th and Osheaga Festival in Montreal (date TBC). Having extensively toured since the release of the album in October 2011, M83 is selling out shows across the world, and has become an unstoppable force of musical nature. Full list of dates below.

Produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, NIN, The Mars Volta, Goldfrapp), mixed by Tony Hoffer (Air, The Kooks), and including contributions from Brad Laner (from 90’s band Medicine), Saturdays=Youth vocalist Morgan Kibby,and guest vocalist Zola Jesus, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is a double-album journey that takes us to the horizon and introduces us to new landscapes. About awakening, craving, and conquering, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming pushes into new vocal territory for M83. Here we see Gonzalez test out different ways of singing, ranging from a spectral breathy whisper to a howling scream.  “I think it is a reflection of my 30 years of being a human being. It’s a compilation of all my previous music together. It’s a retrospective of myself”, says Gonzalez.

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming is the follow up to the John Hughes inspired and critics’ favorite 2008 album, Saturdays=Youth.

M83 is Los Angeles based French artist Anthony Gonzalez.

ilovem83.com | facebook.com/m83music | mute.com

SPRING 2012 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

Mar. 24 – Miami, FL – Ultra Fest (Sold Out)

Apr. 12 – Pomona, CA – The Fox Theatre

Apr. 13 – Indio, CA – Coachella

Apr. 20 – Indio, CA – Coachella

Apr. 22 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore Auditorium (Sold Out)

Apr. 23 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore Auditorium (Sold Out)

Apr. 25 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theatre (Sold Out)

Apr. 26 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune

Apr. 27 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre (Sold Out)

Apr. 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue

Apr. 30 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre (Sold Out)

May 1 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theatre (Sold Out)

May 2 – Saint Louis, MO – The Pageant

May 4 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera (Sold Out)

May 5 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre (Sold Out)

May 6 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy (Sold Out)

May 7 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom (Sold Out)

May 9 – Boston, MA – House of Blues (Sold Out)

May 10 – New York, NY – Terminal 5 (Sold Out)

May 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer (Sold Out)

May 12 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club (Sold Out)

May 12 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club (LATE SHOW) (Sold Out)

May 14 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Music Park

May 15 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

May 17 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

May 18 – Austin, TX – Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater (Sold Out)

May 19 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater (Sold Out)

Aug. 8 – NYC – SummerStage (Sold Out)