When most folks discuss Canadian bands, names like Celine Dion and Shania Twain surface, as do feelings of resentment for sending them to our side of the border. One of their saving graces was Cursed, a metal-based hardcore band whose aggression was always faced towards society and not within the scene they called home. Singer Chris Colohan brought the same power and thought to his lyrics that he did for The Swarm and Ruination.

Sadly, Cursed called it quits yesterday, after being robbed in Europe where they were on tour.

You can read the whole story here. And check out their video for “Fatalist” after the jump. (more…)

Kamaal The Abstract, better known to you common folk as Q-TIP has promised us a new record for a while now. And most of us have been waiting around wondering if Mr. Tip was ever going to make due on that promise.

We’ve learned today that not only will the new album, The Renaissance come out this July, but it will be stocked with a ton of guest stars. Norah Jones, Raphael Saadiq, D’Angelo are all said to have laid down some tracks on the album. But one name has risen and given us more than a few “WTF?” moments around the office.

That’s because one of the new tracks on the new album will feature the spoken word of Illinois Senator and Presidential hopefull Barack Obama! It’s an interesting pairing but we can see it working. Or maybe Obama is going for the youth vote on this one.

Q-Tip is already set up to record his next album with mega-British producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Travis, Beck). Interesting to see what he comes up with next.
Then again, maybe we’re in no rush.

STREAM: Q-Tip :: “WorkItOut”

THE KING LEFT held a record release show last night at The Mercury Lounge for the release of the band’s new EP, New York Nothing.

Check out more pictures after the jump. (more…)

Decisions, decisions, on one hand you can go see Shia LaBeouf ruin the Indiana Jones series with his umm.. clever quips or you can support the sacred art that is Heavy Metal! This weekend Vice’s first film Heavy Metal in Baghdad will see theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles. The movie is playing at Clearview Cinema and in Los Angeles at Laemmle Sunset 5. Check out screening times here.

Not in New York or LA? Well your in luck because the DVD is available for pre-order now and includes 90 minutes of extra footage. The film is amazing, you will not be disappointed! 

Check out the trailer after the jump. (more…)

We’ve heard rumblings of a new collaboration between Max Bemis (of Say Anything) and Chris Conley (of Saves The Day) for some time now. Different names have been thrown out as to what the band would be called with the most recent one being Two Tongues.

But up until this point there have only been talks of said collaboration. Then this morning a new Myspace page as be discovered with a new song called, “Crawl” posted on it. The site really doesn’t give much more detail than list band members and let us know that more info is to come. But in the meantime we can listen to a new track and guess as to what the entire new album will sound like.

STREAM: Two Tongues :: “Crawl” via Myspace.

I’m really getting into this new PENDULUM album. Three days ago I had no idea who the Perth Australia via UK six-piece was and now my iTunes tempts me to admit that I like drum and bass music, and not in an ironic sort of way either.

Their record came out last week and debuted at #2 in the UK. “Propane Nightmares” and “Showdown” are my jams. You can check out a killer teaser reel by using the links below. And also you should be-(internet)-friend them on Myspace.

QUICKTIME: Hi | Lo
WINDOWS MEDIA: Hi | Lo

I was tipped to this new track from THE HOLD STEADY by Chris Walla. Okay it’s not like Chris and I are buddies or anything. He and his band Death Cab For Cutie happen to be guest posters today over at Stereogum. And it seem’s Chris is just excited about posting new THS music as I was to hear it.

I got to see THS a few weeks back in NYC and they are amazing. When their new album, Stay Positive hits the streets there will be a few people I know running for it.

Case in point, when talking to a friend online about the new song, he made two very declaritive statements that, “If the entire album is this good, I’m not going to be able to handle it.” and “They could very well be the best band making music right now.”

It’s tough to argue with such sound logic.

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STREAM: The Hold Steady :: “Sequestered In Memphis” on Myspace

Album art and Spring/Summer tour dates can be seen after the jump. (more…)

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE will be putting on the editors caps today. The entire band is taking over Stereogum and will be writing all the news for the day as well as release exclusive content all day long. There will be exclusive interviews, rehearsal footage, and other goodies offered by the band all day long. So be sure to see what the band has to say over at www.stereogum.com. Send the band an email of encouragement or a news tip at dcfc@stereogum.com.

Oh and if you need any more DCFC updates, you can check out the band’s performance of the song “No Sunlight” on the Black Cab Sessions.

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MP3: Death Cab For Cutie :: “I Wanna Be Adored” live at Coachella via Speed Of Dark

As of midnight this morning, SPIRITUALIZED’s new album Songs In A&E is up for streaming on the band’s myspace page in its entirety. Go and make sure you check it out for it’s only going to be up for the next week. The album is in stores May 27th.

STREAM: Spiritualized :: Songs In A&E on myspace

Our friends at Spinefarm Records US are giving one lucky winner their entire catalog. Including the special edition reissues of releases by Children of Bodom, Nightwish and Apocalytpica!

Enter to win here.