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Phoenix Rises From The Ashes of Argent

One of rock's lost classic band's Phoenix, featuring ex-Argent members John Verity, Bob Henrit and Jim Rodford, rises once again with a CD release by premier reissue label Renaissance Records, in conjunction with itsaboutmusic.com. A power trio with a style akin to Grand Funk, Boston, Starcastle and Argent, the short-lived band released two critically acclaimed albums 'Phoenix' and 'In Full View'. Both albums have been painstakingly remastered from the master tapes to insure ultimate sound quality, making this the definitive CD reissue (both albums are available on one CD).

In 1973 Rod Argent was looking for new lead vocalist for Argent following the departure of Russ Ballard. John Verity eventually joined Argent later that year and there followed a period of intense recording and touring until the band decided to retire from the road in 1976. It was during Argent's final tour of America that lead vocalist/ guitarist John Verity, drummer Bob Henrit, and bassist Jim Rodford decided to form a new band. The Argent split was amicable and out of its ashes arose Phoenix. A management deal was struck with Trident in London, who also had a studio in London's West End where many major artists recorded, including The Beatles. "Our intrepid 'Power Trio' was very soon burning the midnight oil, recording tracks for their first album; now under the watchful eye of CBS Records," recalled Verity.

The new band was orginally to be called 'H.R.V' - Henrit, Rodford, Verity. The album title was to be along the lines of: 'HRV like a Phoenix rising from the ashes of Argent' but the record company and the media soon latched onto the name 'Phoenix' so the band quickly changed the name. The album was released in 1976 and the band was soon touring Europe as special guests to headliners 'Aerosmith'. A second album recorded for CBS remains unreleased although a couple of singles, including a version of 'Time of the Season', were issued. 'In Full View' was the third and final Phoenix album recorded for Charisma Records without Jim Rodford who had left to join The Kinks. At this time the band also recorded a number of Russ Ballard songs including the original version of 'I Surrender', which subsequently became a hit for Rainbow. - more on this story

More on Phoenix - Phoenix" >Phoenix CDs

Motion City Soundtrack Announce More Shows With Weezer

Motion City Soundtrack will start off the New Year by joining back up with Weezer for some additional dates together � this time on the West Coast.

These dates lead up to the release of the MCS's major label debut, My Dinosaur Life, out January 19th on Columbia Records!

Confirmed tour dates are listed below and don't forget about the the MCS headlining tour in January and February. - more on this story

More on Motion City Soundtrack - Motion+City+Soundtrack" >Motion City Soundtrack CDs

Death Metal Supergroup Abraxas Set Debut

Abraxas, the new death metal band featuring Makoto Mizoguchi (Pyrexia, Hate Eternal) on guitar and bass, Mike Hrubovcak (Monstrosity, Vile) on vocals and Lance Wright (Vile) on drums, will see the release of its debut EP, "Wretched Existence," on December 15th via Relapse Records.

"The Wretched Existence" release will feature artwork from Drew Elliott (Amorphis, Necrophagia) and is currently available for pre-order at this location.

Abraxas are streaming three of the EP's four tracks online now via the band's MySpace page. The band is currently writing for their first proper full-length, due out in 2010. Additional details will be announced soon. - Myspace link

More on Abraxas - Abraxas" >Abraxas MP3s - Abraxas" >Abraxas CDs

Pewter, Murder, and Loaded Dice A New Heavy Metal Novel Comes Out Next Week

Nick Sconce's new metal novel, Pewter, Murder, and Loaded Dice, has been published and will be available on December 1st from the National Writers Press.

Modeled after Stephen King's novella, "The Body" and Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange, Pewter, Murder, and Loaded Dice can best be described as pre-Columbine era adolescent crime fiction.

In 1992, eighth-grader Devin Predire only cares about becoming the lead singer of his friends' heavy metal band, getting laid, winning school fights, and dodging a close friend's murder wrap. - more on this story

More on Nick Sconce - Nick+Sconce" >Nick Sconce CDs

Califone Mini Tour

Critically-acclaimed indie-rock band Califone has confirmed additional tour dates that will take the band down the West Coast this December, including stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, among others. Their latest release All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is receiving widespread praise since its October 6 release on Dead Oceans.

All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is the companion piece to a feature-length film of the same name written and directed by Califone frontman Tim Rutili. In select cities on the upcoming tour the band will incorporate a full-length presentation of the film into the shows, performing a live, interactive soundtrack to the movie. See below for details.

The Chicago-based band consists of multi-instrumentalists Tim Rutili, Jim Becker, Joe Adamik, and Ben Masseralla. On All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, the band employs a wide range of instrumentation and electronic effects to create a dense collage of sounds. Instruments range from the traditional (guitar, violin, banjo, percussion) to the unusual (optigan, stylophone, baritone ukulele, mbira, thumb piano). Longtime collaborator and producer Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Gomez, Modest Mouse) says, "Califone have found a sound unlike anyone else, and are able to draw otherworldly sounds from very common instruments." - more on this story

More on Califone - Califone" >Califone CDs

Street Talk From Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's only interview in conjunction with the release of his Christmas In The Heart album will be syndicated worldwide through the International Network Of Street Papers (INSP) beginning today.

Completed earlier this month with noted journalist Bill Flanagan, the wide-ranging interview includes Dylan's thoughts on all things Christmas, including his favorite holiday songs, special presents, the making of his new album, Pretty Boy Floyd and Babe Ruth.

As announced earlier, all of Bob Dylan's royalties from sales Christmas In The Heart will be donated to Feeding America in the United States, Crisis in the United Kingdom, and the World Food Programme in 80 developing nations around the world. - more on this story

More on Bob Dylan - Bob+Dylan" >Bob Dylan CDs

Obituary's Live Xecution DVD Set For Release

Obituary's Live Xecution Party.San 2008 DVD finds the band at their performing best. Recorded live last year at the renown German open air fest, the DVD includes their full 15-song set + bonus footage. Live Xecution - Party.San 2008 DVD will be released in the US January 2010 via Regain Records.

Said Frank Watkins of the show, "We did over 30 festivals last summer and the Party San Festival in Bad Barka, Germany was the very last and best one for OBITUARY. Fortunately the show was filmed....it was like a Live Xecution!"

Beginning their career as Xecutioner in 1984, OBITUARY remains one of the most influential and groundbreaking bands in the death metal genre they inadvertently helped forge. - more on this story

More on Obituary - Obituary" >Obituary CDs

Psychostick Members Get Serious With Evacuate Chicago

Evacuate Chicago, a hard rock trio formed by three members of the humor core band Psychostick, will see its debut album, "Veracity," released by Rock Ridge Music on January 26, 2010.

Drummer Alex Preiss, who is the primary songwriter for Evacuate Chicago, is joined in the band line-up by guitarist/bassist/vocalist Josh Key and lead vocalist Rob Kersey. Says Preiss of the additional musical outlet: "Evacuate Chicago is a perfect example of a 'side project.'" It allows the threesome an opportunity to explore more personal and serious topics with their music, neither of which would fit into the humor-driven Psychostick oeuvre.

Recorded in early 2008 at Toxic Recordings in Gilbert, AZ, "Veracity" was produced by the band and mixed by Key. Nine of the songs were penned by Preiss, while three were brought in by Key. - more on this story

More on Evacuate Chicago - Evacuate+Chicago" >Evacuate Chicago CDs

The Willowz Mini Tour

Soulful garage rockers The Willowz are hitting the road in support of their latest full-length, Everyone, which is available digitally now and hits stores on December 15th via Dim Mak Records/Downtown Records.

The band's 2007 album, Chautauqua, made Rolling Stone's 50 Best Albums of the Year list, was OC Weekly's #1 Rock Album of the Year, and was Nominated for LA Weekly's Rock Band of the Year.

The Willowz have also been featured on the soundtracks to Michel Gondry's award-winning films Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep. - dates

More on Willowz - Willowz" >Willowz CDs

Iraqi Hard Rockers Acrassicauda Set Debut Release

For the past six years, VICE has documented the story of Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda in their struggle to stay alive and continue the band while enduring the disintegration of their own country throughout the war.

On March 9th 2010, VICE Records will release their debut EP Only The Dead See The End Of The War, recorded in 2009 following their final relocation to the US.

Produced by Alex Skolnick of Testament and mixed by engineer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Hatebreed, System of a Down), Acrassicauda's four song debut explodes with ferocious war metal. - more on this story

More on Acrassicauda - Acrassicauda" >Acrassicauda CDs

. Final Gravity - Final Gravity

Final Gravity has a deep respect for classic rock and especially for Rush. You can go right down the set list and call off the influences, youll hear Metallica, Kiss and the Cult. But it always comes back to Rush in one way or another. (4 stars) - Read the full Final Gravity - Final Gravity review

. The Only Sons - Steel Hearts

If you like roots rock thats a little gritty, this band is for you. With the lap steel, fiddle, and harmonica added to the mix, this is a roots rock fans dream. (4 stars) - Read the full The Only Sons - Steel Hearts review

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