November 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
• Deftones bass player Chi Cheng is still in a coma in a San Jose, hospital following a car crash in nearby Santa Clara on Monday (November 3). The auto accident occurred as he and his sister (who was driving) were leaving their older brother’s memorial service. Further details were not immediately available, but Deftones singer Chino Moreno said in a statement, “Chi is one of the strongest people I know and I’m praying that his strength will get him through this.” The group has been recording its sixth album, “Eros”, with a spring 2009 arrival in the works.
We at Fringe are all hoping for a speedy and full recovery and send Chi some get better vibes.
• Members of Testament will team up with Laaz Rockit, Dublin Death Patrol and Dragonlord for the “New Year’s Eve Blowout Bash” on December 31 at Fat City in San Francisco, California.
• The Iron Maidens, the Los Angeles-based “world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden” , will be former Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno’s backing band for two shows in California:
Dec. 26 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - Coach House
Dec. 27 - Redondo Beach, CA - Brixton
• Brad ‘Gidget Gein’, former Manson/spooky Kid bassist, was found dead at a friend’s house in Burbankon October 9. No offical cause of death has been released.
IN THE STUDIO/UPCOMING RELEASES
• The Faceless, the Los Angeles basedprogressive death metal band will be releasing their new CD on November 11 via Sumerian Records.
• Arsonists Get All The Girls have booked studio time to record the follow-up to “The Game Of Life”, which will see release in mid-2009. The band has tapped Zack Ohren (As Blood Runs Black, All Shall Perish) to produce and will head into Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland, California in February to begin recording.
• Eyes Of Noctum, the California-based black metal band fronted by Weston Coppola Cage (son of actor Nicolas Cage), has posted a song called “Renaissance Prosperity” on its MySpace page (www.myspace.com/eyesofnoctumofficial). The track comes off the group’s forthcoming debut album, “Awakening”, tentatively due in April 2009 through Morbid Rose Records.
• Former MISFITS frontman Michale Graves released a new live CD, “Illusions Live/Viretta Park”, on October 18.
October 2008
This feature is just a little spot for local scene news. If you have some news e-mail it to charlie@fringemag.Com
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
• Los Angeles, California-based death/thrash metal band Dreaming Dead has inked a deal with Ibex Moon Records. Their debut album, “Within One”, will be released on January 20, 2009
• Oakland metallers All Shall Perish recently embarked on an unprecedented 10-day tour of the greater Russia area, which included four shows in Siberia. The band made history by becoming the very first all-American metal act to ever play shows in Siberia
• After five years of silence, the Grammy-nominated California-based band Spineshank has reunited. Original members Jonny Santos (vocals), Tommy Decker (drums), Mike Sarkisyan (guitar) and Rob Garcia (bass) have completed five new songs and plan on writing about 15 more before they enter a studio to begin recording a new album.
IN THE STUDIO
• Los Angeles, California-based based progressive death metal band The Faceless is holed up in guitarist Michael Keene’s studio recording its new album, “Planetary Duality”, due on November 11 via Sumerian Records.
• San Jose, California-based metallers Imagika are working on a new album entitled ‘Feast For The Hated.’
• San Francisco-based death metallers Severed Savior have posted a new song entitled “Acts Of Sedition” on their official MySpace page. The track comes off the group’s forthcoming album, “Servile Insurrection”, due before the end of the year via Willowtip Records.
• San Diego, California-based deathcore quintet Burning The Masses will release its debut album, “Mind Control”, on October 28 through Mediaskare Records. The CD was produced by Stephen Hawkes (Exotic Animal Petting Zoo) in Seattle and was mixed by Logan Mader (Divine Heresy, Cavalera Conspiracy) in Los Angeles.
LINE UP CHANGES
• Santa Cruz, California-based death metallers Brain Drill have announced the addition of bassist Ivan Munguia (CARNIVOROUS, ODIOUS MORTEM) to the group’s ranks
• Huntington Beach, California-based progressive metallers Prymary have parted ways with vocalist Mike Di Sarro.
September 2008
This feature in Fringe is just a little spot to read up on some local scene news. If you have some news e-mail it to charlie@fringemag.com
IF YOU DIDN’T ALREADY KNOW
• Sacramento’s Kennel Club had some drama and some rumors went out that the shows booked for the club were all cancelled. According to an email I received from a booker/promoter
“The owner did not consider them cancelled.
In short the kennel club is still doing live music, bands who are scheduled from Sept. on who aren’t listed on ad’s or have touched base with me (Mary Caria) are urged to contact us now so they can retain their date! ” So if you have a show call Tom (Kennel Club owner) or Mary.
• VFW Hall in Orangevale is shutting it’s doors to live shows this month.
• A brand new old one, Club Bisla is the new name of the old Cattle Club/Library/Bojangles and will be opening soon. The new booker promises live shows and great things for the scene!
IN AND OUT OF THE STUDIO
• Mastadon is currently in the studio recording their new album and I heard from a reliable source that the new stuff is “amazing!”
• Bleeding Through’s new album DECLARATION will be released Sept. 30.
• Reunited California-based metallers D\étente - featuring vocalist Ann Boleyn (Hellion) and guitarist Michael Carlino (Fear Of God) alongside original D\étente members Dennis Butler (drums), Caleb Quinn (guitar) and Steve Hochheiser (bass)
will release “History I” a CD containing the original four-song demo from the band plus the demo from the post-D\étente band Catalepsy on Sept 30.
• Reunited progressive metallers Cynic - whose 1993 album “Focus” is regarded as a landmark release in the field of technical/progressive metal - will release their new album, “Traced In Air” on October 28 via Season of Mist Records
• Alice In Chains will enter the studio in October to begin recording its first all-new studio effort since 1995’s self-titled third album.
ON TOUR
• Sacramento’s Will Haven have headed over to Europe to tour with My Own Private Alaska.
• Riverside based extreme metal quintet Suicide Silence will embark on a massive headlining tour this fall, dubbed the “Cleansing The Nation” tour.
LINE-UP CHANGES
• Santa Cruz, -based death metallers Brain DrilL have announced the addition of drummer Joe Bondra from Pennsylvania to the group
July 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
• After one year of not playing shows due to the drummer being diagnosed with Lymphoma, Jade of Days are doing a comeback show on Friday, August 29 at the Britannia Arms in Downtown San Jose. This is quite an achievement since no one knew if Junior Medeiros, the drummer, would survive this. The fans are quite excited to hear that Jade of Days is playing again soon and the show should be absolutely packed with people showing their support. Check them out at: .myspace.com/jadeofdaysmusic
• Bleed The Sky will team up with Straight Line Stitch, Within Chaos and Ekotren for the Brew-Tality Tour 2008 beginning at the end of July.
• Artist Joshua Emerick, who has previously worked with The Beatles, Cky, Social Distortion And Sonic Youth, has created a Death Angel-themed comic book in collaboration with the Death Angel bandmembers.
• Capital Chaos has posted video footage of the Oakland, California-based death metal band All Shall Perish performing a new song, to be included on the group’s forthcoming album, on June 13, 2008 at The Boardwalk in Orangevale. Also on the bill were The Warriors, Since The Flood and The Acacia Strain.
IN & OUT OF THE STUDIO
• March Into Paris, Is releasing their debut E.P. July 15th.
• Bipolar of Sacramento is planning to hit the studio at the end of July for the first time in 2 years. They will be recording at least 3 songs for a new demo.
• Being Killed, the Southern California-based death metal band featuring Dave Astor (Cattle Decapitation, The Locust, Pathology), Tim Tiszczenko (Pathology) and Levi Fuselier (Disgorge, Pathology), has posted two brand new songs on its MySpace page. The tracks “Kill Yourself” and “Apocalypse Begun” come off the group’s new CD, “Kill Yourself”, which is due in August on Comatose Music.
LINE-UP CHANGES
• Ankla, the Los Angeles-based band led by former Puya guitarist Ramón Ortíz, has announced its debut hometown show with new singer Eddie Macias.
June 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
Better Left Unsaid announced that they have signed to Stillborn Records, the label owned and operated by Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta. The band will release their debut album, The Fight Within, through the label on July 22.
Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of Decrepit Birth.
Jeff Becerra of the reactivated California death metal pioneers Possessed has teamed up with filmmakers Shane and Amy Bugbee (”Club Satan”) to launch a brand new “acoustic country/folkish” project called Repossessed. The group, which has posted several early tracks on its MySpace page, is tentatively planning on releasing a CD and embarking on a short tour of Europe around mid-2009.
From Autumn To Ashes amicably parted ways after almost 9 years together. Francis Mark (vocals, drums) is currently in the studio with his new endeavor Warship.
San Francisco rockers Jetboy, now reunited and actively touring, are this year’s headliners for the 31st annual Haight St. Fair. The band also has several warm-up dates in California before hitting the road to play shows in Texas and performing at Rocklahoma and the South Texas Rock Fest in July.
IN & OUT OF THE STUDIO
Scars On Broadway, the new band from System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan, will release its self-titled debut on July 29 via Interscope Records.
Reformed San Francisco Bay Area metallers Laaz Rockit will release their new album, “Left for Dead”, on July 25 via Germany’s Massacre Records. Line-Up Changes
East Bay hardcore act Omissa recently reformed with members Kenny Moore (vocals), RonJon Cruz (bass), Rudy Ponce (guitar) and Melvin (drums). The lineup has already completed three new songs and is looking to enter the recording studio soon.
Severed Savior has parted ways with drummer Troy Fullerton and, as a result, has cancelled its appearance at the Central Illinois Metalfest; their new album, Servile Insurrection, is still scheduled for release later this year via Willowtip Records.
May 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
- The 11th annual Tidal Wave festival will take place July 5-6, once again at San Francisco’s McLaren Park.
April 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
• Sacramento’s Sexciety won the Kennel Club’s Battle of the bands and scored $2,000. So next time you see them, pat them on the back, or have them buy you a beer.
• The second annual Bay Area Rock Fest has been announced for June 28, and will be returning to The Independent in San Francisco. It will feature Zero Hour, Liquid Tension Experiment, Sun Caged. www.bayarearockfest.com
• First Ever Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival announced dates last week. In addition to Slipknot and Disturbed, the main stage features Dragonforce and Mastodon, With a second stage featuring Machine Head, Airbourne, Five Finger Death Punch, Walls Of Jericho and the JÄGERMEISTER Battle of The Bands Winner. There will also be a HOT TOPIC STAGE featuring Underoath, Black Tide, Suicide Silence, The Red Chord and 36 Crazyfists. Go to www.mayhemfest.com for more info.
• Stone Temple Pilots have officially revealed that the band will be reuniting and will launch a massive 2008 concert tour encompassing over 65 dates and hitting all corners of North America.
LINE UP CHANGES
• Who is Panik’s new drummer? Come to the Kennel Club on May 3rd and find out!
• The Bay Area’s Hostility has announced their new skin beater, Blake Ferris Previously the band’s bassist Brandon Sigmund filled in for Adam Duce in Machine Head on the Black Tyranny tour in late 2007.
IN & OUT OF THE STUDIO
• Greenhouse Effect, from the Bay has released their new record, Ants in the Afterbirth, which is currently available through Purple Astronaut Records.
• Skinlab will release their new live album, SkinnedAlive!, on April 29 via BCD Music Group; the CD was recorded on June 3, 2007 at The Metro in Oakland.
• Sacramento’s Embrace The End will release their second album April 15th entitled “Ley Lines”, with artwork courtesy of Paul Romano (Mastodon, Trivium).
March 2008
IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW ALREADY
• Members from Monster Squad start new projects: Build Us Airplanes - has members of Monster Squad, Unalaska, Anne Ramsey and Execution Style myspace.com/buildusairplanes Pullout - has members of Monster Squad, Dcoi And Rosevere myspace.com/pulloutpunx
• Scott Weiland pleaded innocent on March 5 to driving under the influence of drugs, a charge stemming from his November arrest on a Los Angeles freeway onramp. The singer for the band Velvet Revolver entered his plea to the misdemeanor charge through a defense attorney. Weiland is free on $40,000 bail and was due back in court for a pretrial hearing on April 4.
IN & OUT OF THE STUDIO
• Metro Sunday are set to hit the studio in June to get a full length album out.
• FILTER’s new album, “Anthems for the Damned,” is set for release in May. The CD’s first single, “Soldiers of Misfortune,” was inspired by a FILTER fan who joined the U.S. military for college tuition and was subsequently shipped to Iraq and killed there.
• Korn guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer will release the debut album from his new project, dubbed Fear And The Nervous System, on August 8 via Munky’s own label, Emotional Syphon Recordings.
• Blame It On The Sex will be working with Life of Agony guitarist Joey Z. on their debut full-length.
• Repaid in Blood has completed work on their debut album Follow the Blood Trail, with a release scheduled for later this month.
OUT ON TOUR
• Formed in Orange County California in 1990, Willowtip recording artists Phobia will be heading out on tour in August and September.
• Los Angeles band OTEP announced national tour dates starting March 30th in New Mexico.
• Death Angel and God Forbid will team up for a U.S. tour beginning in May.
• Los Angeles-based noise rock quartet Health has launched a 40-day which kicked off in San Francisco March 8th.
February 2008
This feature in Fringe is just a little spot to read up on some local scene news. If you have some news e-mail it to charlie@fringemag.com. Read more
What’s Up?!?! In Our Scene: January 2008
This new feature to Fringe is just a little spot to read up on some local scene news. This being our second installment, we’re slowly getting submissions from our readers and local bands. So pull up your sleeves and prepare to get elbow deep in some happenings all around you. If you have some news e-mail it to charlie@fringemag.com
Venue News
• If you didn’t already know R5 Records (formerly Tower) on Broadway in Sacto is letting locals have a voice with in store shows and parties!
• The Kennel Club is having a Battle of the Bands “Dog Fight” Battle Of the Bands starts February 15th. Be Top Dog and win $2,000.00. Entry forms are available at the Kennel club 5821 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento. 1st battle begins February 15th. In & Out of the studio.
• Local Sacramento act Panik is currently in the studio recording a new full-length CD.
• Vacaville artist Marte has released a new album entitled “You And You Alone” available now.
• David Ellefson, former bassist of Megadeth, has a new project based out of Scottsdale, AZ entitled F5. They entered the studio in October and will be releasing their new album soon.
• Bay Area metal veterans Death Angel will release their new album, “Killing Season”, on February 26 in the U.S. and February 29 throughout the rest of the world.
• The Dreaming, the California-based band featuring former Stabbing Westward frontman Christopher Hall, will release its long-awaited debut album, “Etched in Blood”, on January 31, 2008.
• Sacramento band Blame Betty, known for their “riot grrrl” covers of L7, Lunachicks, The Distillers, and other female-fronted rock is busy writing original music! The band is starting to play the new tunes at shows, and is happy to find the crowd liking them. They hope to have a CD out this Spring. The band says they’ll continue to play some covers at shows because their Northern California fans love these songs and they continue to get requests for them.
• Sacramento hardcore band Carry The Torch released their debut album “Dead Weather” on January 4th and will be following with a US tour. Line-Up Changes and Calling It Quits!
• Sacramento Alternative metal band Oculus is currently looking for a bassist.
• Sacramento Alternative band SaveAndContinue is also currently looking for a bassist.
