Shout! Factory and the Country Music Hall Of Fame® and Museum Archive Series are proud to present Merle Haggard: Legendary Performances on DVD today.

Merle Haggard: Legendary Performances trailer video stream

“Mama Tried” video stream

“Okie From Muskogee” video stream

From the vaults of the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, this collection features nearly two decades of Merle Haggard performances in his prime not seen since their original broadcast. Now, for the first time on DVD, experience the hits through a chronology of vintage live performances such as “Branded Man” (Country Music Holiday,1968), “Mama Tried” (Billy Walker’s Country Carnival, 1968) and “Okie From Muskogee” (The Porter Wagoner Show, 1970).

When Merle Haggard left prison in 1960, he went on to achieve 38 #1 hits (to date) and establish himself as one of the greats in country music. But getting out of prison didn’t quite mean leaving his rebel ways behind. His songwriting depicted the truths of a rough-and-tumble life which he fused with a musical style derived from hardcore country, jazz, blues and folk to create a sound no one had ever heard, with lyrics many could relate to.

From the walls of San Quentin to his free-spirited life as an irreverent and unique voice outside the Nashville establishment to his induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Merle Haggard has never left a doubt that he is country’s original outlaw.

Amorine Queen (Crunchy Frog Records) ALBUM RELEASED TODAY
US Tour Starts November 25th

With their groundbreaking, catchy and explosive rock 18TH DYE earned great recognition in the international music press during the ‘90s, with albums Done (1992), Crayon (1993), Tribute to a Bus (1995) and Left (B-Sides and Rarities) (1999). They toured all over the US and Europe and left a mark which inspired a vast number of bands. With their new album, ‘Amorine Queen’, they continue their intensive work, which doesn’t just thrill the fans from ten years ago, but also carries away a new audience - a fact that’s hard to miss at their recent shows.

From 1992 to 1998, the band was signed to Matador Records, and toured with Stereolab and Yo la Tengo, amongst others, also recording with legendary producer Steve Albini. They completed three BBC Peel sessions (the only Danish band to do that) and scored several Top 10 hits on the English indie charts while receiving attention on the CMJ chart in the US. After having released the album ‘Tribute to a Bus’ and after extensive touring in Europe and the US, 18TH DYE stopped playing and it was not until 2005, at VibraCrunch07 Festival, that they began playing live again. In the last couple of years the band has made their sound heard at selected shows and small tours in Denmark and Germany, including appearances in 2007 at the legendary Rockpalast TV-show, the Berlin-based Summerize Festival, the Danish SPOT Festival, and, this year, performed at the largest Scandinavian music festival, Roskilde, in front of packed crowds.

A lot has happened in the lives of the three18TH DYE members in the time away from the band. Part Danish, part German Heike Rädeker spent time playing in several bands including Wuhling that was signed to Touch and Go/City Slang. She now lives in Berlin were she owns and runs the design furniture store STUE, made famous by the Louis Vuitton and Wallpaper guide books. Danish Piet Breinholm has been busy in the meantime too; together with the third 18TH DYE member, Sebastian, he formed the electronic duo Test and toured with several Danish bands including Rhonda Harris, Speaker Bite Me and Varano. Piet is also a designer and runs the bag company ”Piet Breinholm - The Last Bag”, that sells its products in Berlin, Paris, London and New York. German Sebastian Büttrich has toured with Lise Westzynthius and Speaker Bite Me. Now all three are together once again: 18TH DYE!

US TOUR DATES:

25-Nov Baltimore, MD - Talking Head
26-Nov Philadelphia, PA - M Room
28-Nov New Haven, CT - tba
29-Nov New York, NY - Santos
30-Nov Boston, MA - TT’s
1-Dec Montreal, PQ - Lambi
2-Dec Toronto, ONT - Horseshoe
3-Dec Detroit, MI - Cro Foot
4-Dec Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
5-Dec Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
6-Dec Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
9-Dec Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
10-Dec Portland, OR - Holocene
12-Dec San Francisco, CA - Bottom Of The Hill
13-Dec Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland

boy eats drum machine - “booomboxxx” from Jon Ragel on Vimeo.

c. BIO & HI-RES IMAGES: HERE

Tour Dates:

11/14 Bellingham, WA @ Boundary Bay Brewery
11/28 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
12/03 Portland, OR @ The Old Church
12/04 Salem, OR @ Ike Box

BIO

Boy Eats Drum Machine is the solo work of native Portlander, Jon Ragel. He is a songwriter, producer, singer, turntablist, and also plays saxophone, guitar, synthesizer, organ, and several percussive nick nacks.

As a one-man musical act, Boy Eats Drum Machine merges the worlds of turntablism and live rock performance as Ragel spins breaks and surgically inserts sounds while juggling vocals, percussion, and saxophone.

His latest album, Booomboxxx, is an experimental pop record loaded with unique turntable textures, saxophone blasts, expertly chopped break beats, and gutsy vocals. Although the record effectively mashes several musical forms, it is Ragel’s most cohesive work to date, bringing to mind artists like DJ Shadow, Queen, Morphine, David Bowie, and The Postal Service.

Ragel started to make recordings under the name Boy Eats Drum Machine in 2001 when he used a 4-track to record and load his MPC with scads of samples, creating blippy pop experimentations. he wanted to evoke the idea of Pac Man and the music of the NES game “Metroid.” He sold his MPC and switched exclusively to computer-based recordings a couple years later.

The fall of 2005 saw Ragel using his new found love for the turntable for the first time in a full length recording. He spun and chopped up breaks to create the backbones of the songs that would form pleasure. Many of these beats were sampled from Bridgetown Breaks Volume 1. He recorded Two Ghosts from December ‘06 to March ‘07. It was released the summer of 2007 and featured many talented Portland area musicians. Booomboxxx is slated for release this fall from Portland label Tender Loving Empire.

IN THE PRESS

“Dubbed out hip pop.” - Willamette Week

“This album is full of sonic treats-especially for those who love their headphone candy.” - turntabling.net

“Boy Eats Drum Machine has become one of Portland’s favorite local acts, and for very good reason. Frontman Jon Ragel brings impressive turntable skills to a live band setting in a way that never sounds forced, gimmicky, or like those nü-metal DJs. His soulful, steady vocals weave in and out of the evolving, fluid arrangements.” - Portland Mercury

“Glitchy dance-pop explosions.” - Portland State University Vanguard

“Aside from a knack for hooks and splashes of vivid electronic color, Ragel has a dramatic voice that covers alot of ground, from sweet soul man to beleaguered bohemian to near operatic peaks of impassioned pop. Highly recommended.” - Portland Monthly - Best of The City ‘07

PopStar Guitar, the new rhythm guitar game from XS Games has officially announced a release date of November 18, 2008 for the Wii and PS2. PopStar Guitar will feature original mastered tracks from mega pop artists Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Jonas Brothers, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Simple Plan, 3 Doors Down and Blink 182.
XS Games ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATE FOR POPSTAR GUITAR™

New Trailer with Unique Customizable Features Now Available for Download

Videogame publisher XS Games announced today that PopStar Guitar™ will launch on November 18, 2008 for Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in time for the holidays. With a blockbuster lineup of mastered music tracks from Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Jonas Brothers, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Simple Plan, 3 Doors Down and Blink 182, gamers now have the chance to be a true Pop Star by starring as the lead guitarist in their very own band.

“We are thrilled to announce the official launch date for PopStar Guitar as it caters to the huge audience of pop music fans,” said Steve Grossman, chief executive officer of XS Games. “With the all-star roster of pop artists coupled with the innovative AirG peripheral, we are excited to put PopStar Guitar on store shelves, and into the hands of fans who have long dreamed of being a pop star.”

In PopStar Guitar, players take on the role of lead guitarist who forms a garage band that tours around the world eventually advancing to the main stage for a once in a lifetime performance at the “Battle of the Bands” competition. PopStar Guitar features 12 playable and customizable characters, 25 visually cool venues and more than 50 pop songs to jam to. An all-new PopStar Guitar video with unique customization features is now available for download at: http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/product_page.asp?i=885.

As recently announced, the WiiÔ version of PopStar Guitar will feature two AirGÔ peripherals for $59.99 and will have multiplayer capabilities straight out of the box. For PlayStation®2 system players, PopStar Guitar supports officially licensed PlayStation®2 system non-USB guitar peripherals and will retail for $29.99. PopStar Guitar is developed by Broadsword Interactive and is rated “T” by the ESRB.

Kottonmouth Kings Land Number #1 Independent Album In The Country With “The Green Album”
***

California based rip-hop hybrids the Kottonmouth Kings have landed the #1 on the Billboard Charts with the group’s tenth studio effort, “The Green Album”. The album took the coveted top position on Billboard’s Independent Charts and landed at #42 in Billboards Top 200 in the album’s first week.

“The Kottonmouth Kings having the #1 independent record in the country is inspiring to us and our fans as it shows you that anything is possible. Despite being the outcast green haired step child of the music industry, we have defied all odds and done things on our own terms,” says Kottonmouth Kings frontman Brad X. “Thank you to all of our loyal supporters who helped us prove independent music is alive and kicking.”

For the release of the Kottonmouth Kings monumental tenth studio album, the group pulled out all the stops and recorded over sixty tracks over a six month stretch at the group’s Burbank, CA based studio. The album mixes rawkus punk-rock, club banging hip-hop and soulful acoustics in what is already being hailed as a career defining album. The album is turning critics into fans as Abort Magazine proclaimed, “The Kings summon some serious ruckus for the ‘cess smoking set, with enough range and variety to interest even the lightweight toker.” Meanwhile The San Antonio Current said “their music fuses hip-hop, punk, rock, and pot-scented psychedelic rhythms — though they’re firmly entrenched within the realm of hip-hop, Kottonmouth Kings’ DIY punk ethic is evident, and they reign in the crunk-punk-funk arena.”

The album release comes on the heels of the Kottonmouth Kings headlining this summer’s biggest underground music tour, The Strange Music Festival alongside Tech N9ne. The tour smashed all expectations with huge turnouts and over 90% of the two-month tour was sold out beyond capacity. The tour is proof that the underground musical movement spearheaded by its headliner’s can no longer be ignored by the mainstream.

All The Chipmunks are back together! To fans relief, Alvin rejoined his old band after having been missing for weeks, rumored to be fielding movie and television show offers. Alvin and the Chipmunks can now celebrate their 50th anniversary and their new album “Undeniable” together. The new album features the trio’s take on “Don’t Stop Believing”, a brand new holiday hit entitled “Ho Ho Ho” and Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” among others.

Video for “Shake Your Groove Thing” featuring Drew Steely

No one ever thought they’d see Led Zeppelin play again… but there they were, onstage in London last November. Now the Chipmunks—who cover Led Zep’s “Rock and Roll” on their new album Undeniable—follow suit with a surprise reunion of their own. After a difficult weeklong estrangement, America’s favorite musical squeakers welcome longtime frontman Alvin back into the fold. The Chipmunks can once again be known as Alvin and the Chipmunks.

“I’m back!” says Alvin. “Did you miss me?”

Rumored to be fielding movie and television show offers in the wake of 2007’s box office smash Alvin and the Chipmunks (and its accompanying Top 5 soundtrack), Alvin took his hula hoop and vanished without warning just after the band completed UNDENIABLE. Simon, Theodore and longtime producer David Seville subsequently held open auditions for the job, including fan submissions via YouTube.

“We want to thank all the little munks and munkettes who sent us videos,” says Simon. Adds Dave Seville, “I’ll be keeping them on file in the studio. Next time Alvin disappears, you just might hear from me. You got that Alvin?… Alvin?… AAAAAAALVIN! Oh well,” Seville continues. “You may hear from me shortly.”

Even as the first video from UNDENIABLE came out—a version of the disco classic “Shake Your Groove Thing” featuring guest vocals by Drew Seeley (High School Musical soundtracks, Another Cinderella Story)—the three Chipmunks had been spotted doing lunch at The Ivy. “Just family catching up,” Simon told Rodent Defamer at the time. But it seems the gossip was all true.

“When they started having those auditions, I was a little shaken” Alvin admits. My brothers and I met at The Ivy without managers or agents and remembered what’s important: family and music. I’ve been in this band for five decades, and I intend to be in this band another five decades. Simon can probably tell you what that is in chipmunk years.”

“Beats me,” says Simon. “You think I know that just because I wear glasses?” “Rock’n'roll keeps us young!” says Theodore.

Indeed—since beginning their career with the chart-topping, Grammy-winning hit “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late),” the trio has successfully reinvented itself on more than 40 albums, including forays into country, disco, metal, punk and hip-hop. Like its predecessors, UNDENIABLE showcases a band that’s mastered every style, from the funky title track and remix of “We’re The Chipmunks” (the theme song from the popular cartoon series) to a moving version of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” There’s also an epic take on Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer,” a new holiday hit in “Ho Ho Ho” and what just might be the definitive version of “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

At least until Steve Perry rejoins Journey,” Alvin boasts.

SWEDEN’S #1 FEMALE ARTIST LISA MISKOVSKY MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT WITH “STILL ALIVE,”
THE THEME SONG TO NEW EA GAME MIRROR’S EDGE MIRROR’S EDGE TEAMS WITH JAMGLUE.COM FOR REMIX CONTEST

REMIX ALBUM DUE OUT TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 11): PAUL VAN DYK, JUNKIE XL, BENNY BENASSI, TEDDYBEARS AND ARMAND VAN HELDEN OFFER UNIQUE TAKES

Already a household name in her homeland, Swedish rock/pop star Lisa Miskovsky makes her North American debut with “Still Alive,” the title track to EA’s highly anticipated title Mirror’s Edge, which hits store shelves on November 11) for the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system versions. In conjunction with the launch of the game, DICE, an EA studio, is digitally releasing a remix album for Mirror’s Edge which features the original version of “Still Alive” and remixes by some of today’s most in-demand artists including Paul van Dyk, Junkie XL, Teddybears, Benny Benassi and Armand Van Helden.

With “Still Alive” as her introduction to North American audiences, Lisa Miskovsky has put a vital, memorable stamp on the music and gaming worlds. Look for the video directed by Scrambled Visual (credits include videos for The Killers, Sting, Panic At The Disco, Juanes, Teddybears, The Rolling Stones, Thursday, Bloc Party) to become available in the coming weeks. The making of the video–recently shot in downtown Los Angeles–and more about Lisa Miskovsky can be viewed here

In its various incarnations, Miskovsky’s song defines the Mirror’s Edge remix album. A landmark digital release designed to continue the convergence of music and gaming, the project presented Miskovsky - who has earned international acclaim on the strength of two chart-topping studio albums - an opportunity for her memorable and ethereal pop/rock anthem to be enthusiastically remixed by the world’s top electronic performers and producers.

Be it Teddybears’ exuberant, clap-driven rendering, Junkie XL’s lilting danc-pop renovation, Paul Van Dyk’s pulsing ten-minute trance-floor workout, Benny Benassi’s frenzied version or Armand Van Helden’s slice and dice interpretation or the song in its original, beautiful state, “Still Alive” sounds destined to live in the hearts and minds of pop fans, club denizens and consumed gamers alike for years to come.

“I wrote the melody for the vocals and the lyrics, inspired by the story and the characters in the game, “Lisa explains of the uplifting number she co-wrote with Rami Yacoub and Arnthor Birgisson (Pink, Britney Spears, Kelis). “I had never had my music remixed by any of them before and it is always interesting to hear what they will come up with.”

With a mantle full of honors at home for her #1 eponymous debut and its platinum-selling #1 follow-up, Fallwater, Miskovsky–who was the recipient of several Rock Bears (Sweden’s Grammy equivalent) including “Best New Artist”, “Best Female Artist” and “Artist of the Year” and even co-wrote along with Max Martin and Rami Yacoub the Backstreet Boys hit “Shape Of My Heart”–is certainly deserving of the chance.

Since her 2001 debut, Lisa has racked up an impressive string of hits in her homeland, including “Driving One of Your Cars,” “Lady Stardust,” “Sing To Me”, “Mary” (from her 2006 studio disc, Changes) and “Another Shape of My Heart” (from 2008’s Last Years’ Songs: Greatest Hits). She’s also collaborated with Sweden’s alt-country hero Christian Kjellvander and dueted with Dennis Lyxen (frontman for the (International) Noise Conspiracy) on his Lost Patrol project.

Clearly a multi-instrumentalist, Miskovsky has embraced diversity in her music, even lending her vocals to “Dead End,” the 2006 track by Swedish death metal group In Flames. And if that isn’t enough, Lisa is an avid sportswoman, who was once a member of the Swedish National Snowboarding team.

In addition to the release of the album, Mirror’s Edge has teamed with Jamglue.com for the Mirror’s Edge Theme Song “Still Alive” Remix Contest. From November 11 through April 11, contestants may enter the contest by creating their own version of “Still Alive” by adding new sounds, rearranging the clips, etc. using the Jamglue Mixer. “Still Alive” remixers will be in the running for the grand prize–an Xbox 360 and a $200 EA gift certificate for EA’s online store. Winners will be announced by June 1, 2009. Jamglue.com–which was created in 2006 with the idea of making it easy for musicians to collaborate over the internet–is an online community that allows members to create and personalize audio. Musicians can upload and record music, remix it online and then share. Contestants can remix “Still Alive” by visiting: Mirrorsedgemusic.com/remix.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE ANNOUNCE U.S. TOUR DATES ‘MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION’ OUT ON DOMINO JANUARY 20, 2009

Animal Collective will be celebrating the January release of their newest album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, with a trio of US shows. The first on January 20th - the day of the album’s release - in New York City, followed by shows in Chicago and Los Angeles. All tour dates listed below.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is the ninth studio album from Animal Collective, recorded with Ben Allen in Oxford, Mississippi. After listening to this record, however, it’s clear that Animal Collective have transcended the everyday realities of numbers, locations and people and arrived at a spectacular, unique place. Animal Collective have made a universal record that makes the same beautiful sense on headphones by day, or soundtracking the small hours of the morning/night, or, you suspect, stretched out in a field on your back. Whether a state of mind, or a rest stop somewhere along the way, Merriweather Post Pavilion magnificently redefines your sense of direction.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE TOUR DATES
11-06 Santiago, Chile - Industria Cultural
11-08 São Paulo, Brazil - Planeta Terra Festival
11-09 Buenos Aires, Argentina - La Trastienda
11-13 Lima, Peru - Centro Fundación Telefónica
01-12 London, England - Koko
01-13 Glasgow, Scotland - Glasgow School of Arts
01-14 Manchester, England - Club Academy
01-15 Brighton, England - Concorde 2
01-16 Paris, France - Bataclan
01-17 Leuven, Belgium - Stuk
01-18 Berlin, Germany - Postbanhof
01-20 New York, NY - Grand Ballroom
01-22 Chicago, IL - Metro
01-23 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda

LOS LONELY BOYS HAVE THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

The holiday season will have a “Texican” flavor this year as Los Lonely Boys release their very first holiday album entitled Christmas Spirit through Epic Records. Capturing the spirit of the holidays the Garza Brothers recorded a compilation of both originals as well as classics on this both ethereal and energetic album which was recorded in just one week back in May at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in Austin, TX. The album was both produced and engineered by Grammy-winning Manny Marroquin (Carlos Santana, Alicia Keys.)

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT is familiar Christmas flare done in a way only Los Lonely Boys can deliver. Included on the album are such classics as “Run Run Rudolph,” “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Away In A Manger,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Jingle Bells,” “Carol Of The Bells” and “Silent Night.” Also featured are two originals written by the Garza brothers, “I’ve Longed For Christmas,” and “She’ll Be My Everything.”

The track listing is as follows:
I’ve Longed For Christmas
She’ll Be My Everything
Run Run Rudolph
Cancion de las Campanas (Carol Of The Bells)
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Away In A Manger
Feliz Navidad
Jingle Bells
Silent Night

The Texican rockers have had one very busy summer. On July 1, the band released their third studio album entitled, Forgiven - the follow up to 2006’s Sacred - which was produced by acclaimed drummer Steve Jordan and recorded at East Side Stages in Austin, TX and features their first single, “Staying With Me.”

EQUAL VISION RECORDS SIGNS CLOSURE IN MOSCOW RECORDING DEBUT FULL LENGTH WITH PRODUCER KRIS CRUMMETT FOR 2009 RELEASE ENTIRE RELOCATION FROM AUSTRALIA TO U.S.
& RECORDING PROCESS TO BE FILMED FOR WEB SERIES AND FULL LENGTH DOCUMENTARY

Equal Vision Records is proud to announce the signing of Melbourne, Australia’s CLOSURE IN MOSCOW. The band - vocalist Chris DeCinque, guitarist/vocalist Mansur Zennelli, guitarist Michael Barrett, bassist Brad Kimber, and drummer Beau Fair - will be permanently relocating to the U.S. at the top of 2009 and heading straight into the studio with producer Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, Anatomy Of A Ghost, Fear Before The March of Flames) who also recorded their debut EP, The Penance And The Patience. The band will hit the road permanently upon completion of their debut LP in February.

The EP (or “albumette” as the band has been known to call it) was released this past April in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan via Taperjean Records and debuted at #13 on the Australian Independent Records charts. In January, CLOSURE IN MOSCOW joined Coheed And Cambria for a national tour to overwhelming fan response. The five-piece will shortly be doing the same with Scary Kids Scaring Kids this month before making their move to the U.S.

The band has already begun work on their debut full length, set for a Spring 2009 release. “We’re writing at a secluded location in the bush which has made it so easy to focus on the songs“, says Barrett. “We’ve taken massive steps in our song writing ability. The new songs each have their own distinct character but all live under the ‘Closure roof’.” The entire writing process, as well as the band’s relocation from Australia to the US, will be filmed for a web series and full length documentary.

Although it was previously announced that CLOSURE IN MOSCOW had signed with Science Records, the band stated that “after much deliberation, we mutually felt it would be best not to move forward with our relationship.” Kimber adds, “[EVR] has always been a dream label for us. They have an amazing roster - past and present - full of bands that have made an impact: Now it’s the Aussies turn!”

Myspace.com/ClosureInMoscow