Wednesday, September 30, 2009

U2's "Crazy" Remix Tour Video

U2 has posted a new video on their Facebook page of fans "going crazy" during their recent tour stop in New York City. Always looking to keep things new and interesting, U2 performed a "remix" version of their latest single "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" that had concert-goers dancing in the aisles. Experience the fun here, and for other exclusive video clips from the 360° Tour visit U2.com.

Madonna's Celebration Available Today

The wait is now officially over as Madonna's Celebration Greatest Hits album is out today! It is available as an 18-track single CD as well as 36-track double CD featuring "Revolver." A 2-DVD set including 27 Madonna videos is also available. Madonna's Ultimate Greatest Hits Album has also been released as a Deluxe Edition on iTunes featuring all of the 36 songs + 2 exclusive bonus tracks ("It's So Cool" and Benny Benassi Remix of "Celebration") as well as 30 videos.
Become a part of the "Celebration" experience and put your face on the album cover! Head over to Madonna.com to get started.

Hasselhoff Wednesday: iHoff



This ad convinced me to get an iPod.
I just wish the fucking thing would sync properly.

Kate Voegele's New Webisode

In a new webisode posted to her official YouTube page, multi-talented actress and musician Kate Voegele dishes about her songwriting process, her musical influences, and her role as musician Mia on the hit TV show One Tree Hill. Kate says she writes her songs based upon real-life events, and lists singer/songwriter Patty Griffin among her heroes. And though she loves working on One Tree Hill, she insists that music is her main love and focus. Watch the full video here and visit her website for even more Kate!

Her album A Fine Mess is available now in stores and on iTunes.

Baxojayz - Centricity is back in business

I'm still getting caught up, but I'm back to normal, at least blog-wise. I may not put back the daily links. Still debating on that. A lot of time was invested in making those posts.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

gaucherie \goh-shuh-REE\, noun:

  1. A socially awkward or tactless act.
  2. Lack of tact; boorishness; awkwardness.
Gaucherie comes from the French, from gauche, "lefthanded; awkward," from Old French, from gauchir, "to turn aside, to swerve, to walk clumsily."
The book off
  • The act of getting a book out on the train, tube bus or plane in order to avoid talking to the person next to you. Substitutes include a newspaper, phone or iPod.
Person one: "Blablabla isn't the weather terrible blablabla"
Person two: (gets book out thus giving Person one "The book off") Person one stops talking.
Trivia
What country’s currency is named for its national bird, which was sacred to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs?
  • Guatemala’s. The quetzal—the national bird and monetary unit—is also pictured on the coat of arms on the Guatemalan flag.
Today in History
Today's Birthdays

Future Releases Vol. 4 of the Overnight Mixtape Series

The Sci Fly Guy. This is the perfect description for songwriter, rapper, and producer Harold “Future” Simmons. The only way to adequately describe his music is… well… “Futuristic”. His influences range from N.E.R.D.’s perfected mix between live instrumentation and programmed beats, Outkast’s level of creativity and growth that expands the former boundaries of Hip Hop, to the heavy synthesized, electronic sound of the Sri-Lankan superstar M.I.A. Future's latest project, “The Sci Fly EP”, which shows the rapper’s lyrical and musical maturity, has landed him prime placement in the hip-hop world opening up for acts such as Kanye West, Wale, and Little Brother.

Future has just released volume four of The Overnight Mixtape Series. The hip-hop artist recorded and produced the entire EP overnight and received help from famed artist such as Bun B and GOOD Records GLC. Future is taking over Nashville and the hip-hop world.

Head over to the Sci-Fly Guy's MySpace page to check out upcoming tour dates and to pick up The Overnight Mixtape Series as well as The Sci-Fly EP for free.

Black Card

I got an invitation for a Visa Black card. In terms of credit lines a Black Card is considered the King. Nothing is higher. Men wielding a Black Card are shown levels of respect that the Average Joe can only dream about. One problem, this thing carried an annual fee of ... ready? ... FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Guess how quickly I shredded that application?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tyrone Wells Sink Or Swim Featured On Grey's Anatomy

Singer/songwriter Tyrone Wells is the latest act to gain exposure on the hit TV show Greys Anatomy. His song Sink or Swim was recently featured in the promos for the sixth season premiere. Watch the commercial spot featuring Sink or Swim on YouTube, and then snag the track on iTunes. Listen to the track in full here. wm; qt.

Wells launched his career in 2003 with a number of indie releases. His fourth album and second major label release,Remain, is full of passion, with a lush production value that showcases his powerful voice. Remain, featuring the track Sink or Swim, is available now in stores and on iTunes. Visit his MySpace for more info and for tour dates.

Alice in Chains release Black Gives Way To Blue / Prepare for Kimmel Show

Alice in Chains have just released their new album Black Gives Way To Blue, which is now in-stores everywhere. The album has been receiving rave reviews on both sides of the pond : Metal Hammer has called it "a masterpiece" and "Alice in Chains' finest hour". Kerrang! wrote: "...Black Gives Way To Blue is a spine-chilling return". Black Gives Way To Blue is the bands first new album in 14 years.

The band has also hit No.1 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart with lead single "Check My Brain". This is the second chart dominated by the riff-driven hit, which also shot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Rock Songs Chart. The track’s video, directed by Alex Courtes (U2, White Stripes, Wolfmother), is currently featured on MTV2’s Elite 8 and can be seen here.

Tonight Alice In Chains (guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez) will celebrate the album’s release with the first of a two-night performance on the hit ABC-TV show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The quartet will deliver an electrifying blend of classic hits and new favorites, including “Check My Brain” and “Your Decision.”

The band has been previewing songs from the album during their current sold-out buzz tour, which wraps September 30th at the Avalon in Los Angeles. Next up is a trio of headlining radio dates in Texas, followed by a headlining tour of Europe, set to kick off November 12th in Glasgow.

Tour dates are as follows:

Date City Venue
Sept. 30 Los Angeles, CA The Avalon
Oct. 22 San Antonio, TX Bone Bash @ AT&T Center
Oct. 23 Grand Prairie, TX KEGL Freakers Ball @ Nokia Theatre
Oct. 24 Houston, TX Buzzfest @ Woodlands Pavilion
Nov. 12 Glasgow, Scotland Barrowland
Nov. 13 Birmingham, UK Birmingham Academy
Nov. 14 Manchester, UK Manchester Academy
Nov. 16 London, UK The Forum
Nov. 17 London, UK The Forum
Nov. 19 Tilburg, Holland 013
Nov. 20 Antwerp, Belgium Trix Zaal
Nov. 21 Weisbaden, Germany Schlachthof
Nov. 23 Dortmund, Germany FZW
Nov. 24 Prague, Czech Rep. Lucerna
Nov. 25 Warsaw, Poland Stodola
Nov. 27 Budapest, Hungary Petofi Csarnok
Nov. 29 Vienna, Austria Gasometer
Nov. 30 Munich, Germany Thearterfabrick
Dec. 2 Milan, Italy Alcatraz
Dec. 3 Fribourg, Switzerland Fri-Son
Dec. 4 Paris, France Bataclan
Dec. 6 Nottingham, UK Rock City
Dec. 7 London, UK Brixton Academy

"Check My Brain" video URL:

Breaking Benjamin Release Dear Agony

Breaking Benjamin released their latest album, Dear Agony, in stores everywhere today! The album includes the chart-topping radio hit, "I Will Not Bow," which is the lead track to the major motion picture, Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis. Not only can you get your copy of the album today, but you can also help lead singer, Ben Burnley, not "bow down" by battling ghouls and beasts in the new "Altered Benjamin" video game. Check out their official website, Shallow Bay, for all the details on the band and make sure to pick up your copy of Dear Agony in stores now!

Rise Against Premiere Savior Video

We just finished the fourth video from our latest record, Appeal To Reason. "Savior" was filmed in downtown LA in the middle of the night with some furry friends, road flares, and musical equipment that didn't survive the night. Enjoy! - Rise Against

Steel Panther unleash Feel The Steel on iTunes

The Kings of the Sunset Strip, Steel Panther, have just released the most anticipated album of all time, Feel The Steel, on iTunes. The band has just returned from a string of raunchy shows in the UK and are now back home and ready to kidnap your girlfriend! On Rocktober 5th the band will be performing at a special red carpet event at the Key Club in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of Feel The Steel. The album hits store shelves everywhere 10/6.

Feel The Steel iTunes link:

AFI Releases Another Career Highlight with Crash Love

CRASH LOVE, the long awaited and much anticipated, album from AFI has finally hit store shelves and digital outlets nationwide. Featuring the single "Medicate," CRASH LOVE boasts an obvious return to the band's rock roots with a sound that "leverages the best elements of its past albums, including the rhythm of punk, the fist pumping anthem sing-a-longs, hard-core intensity, and epic song constructions with big sweeping transitions and a huge sound" (Culture Bully). CRASH LOVE has also been touted by press as being "packed with... exuberance, mystery and drama" (Alternative Press), with a feel "larger in scope than its predecessors" (FEARnet) and possessing a "couple of AFI classics-in-waiting" (Sputnik Music) and that, "ultimately another highlight in a discography that's as consistent as it is expansive" (Billboard). Kerrang! also chimed in with a sentiment sure to be echoed by AFI fans, "Maybe this time around AFI will get the recognition they deserve."

Marking the release, Shockhound.com has made the album available for purchase for $6.99, only on 9/29. Fans can also purchase a deluxe version of the album through iTunes that comes packed with bonus songs, video content, written and spoken material from the band, as well as other exclusive pieces making for a unique interactive experience.

For further the latest AFI and CRASH LOVE news, visit
www.afireinside.net

Back. Sorta

I'm back in NY but still trying to get through stuff. I'll probably have things back to normal, whatever that may be, tonight. I hope. Hang in there. There are reviews and Ides coming up!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Look forward to Monday


Ali Larter - Various Shoots



Hottie of the day!



cred to OUs

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Golf and the frog

From my email:

A man takes the day off work and
Decides to go out golfing.
He is on the second hole when he
Notices a frog sitting next to
The green.
He thinks nothing of it and is
About to shoot when he
Hears, "Ribbit 9 Iron."

The man looks around and doesn't
See anyone. Again, he
Hears, "Ribbit 9 Iron." He looks
At the frog and decides to
Prove the frog wrong, puts the
Club away, and grabs a 9 iron.
Boom!
He hits it 10 inches from the
Cup. He is shocked. He says
To the frog, "Wow that's amazing.
You must be a lucky frog, he?
The frog replies, "Ribbit Lucky frog."
The man decides to take the frog
With him to the next hole.
"What do you think frog?" The
Man asks. "Ribbit 3 wood."
The guy takes out a 3 wood and,
Boom! Hole in one. The
Man is befuddled and doesn't know
What to say. By the end
Of the day, the man golfed the
Best game of golf in his life and
Asks the frog, "OK where to next?"
The frog replies, "Ribbit Las Vegas.

" They go to Las Vegas
And the guy says, "OK frog, now
What?" The frog says, "Ribbit Roulette." Upon
Approaching the roulette table, The man
Asks, "What do you think I should
Bet?" The frog replies, "Ribbit
$3000, black 6."
Now, this is a
Million-to-one shot to win, but
After the golf game the man
Figures what the heck.
Boom! Tons of cash comes sliding back across the table.

The man takes his winnings and
Buys the best room in the
Hotel. He sits the frog down and
Says, "Frog, I don't know how to repay you..
You've won me all this money and
I am forever grateful."
The frog replies,
"Ribbit KissMe."
He figures why not,
Since after all the frog did for
Him, he deserves it. With a
Kiss, the frog turns into a
Gorgeous 15-year-old girl. "And that,

Your honor, is how the girl
Ended up in my room. So help me God
Or my name is not William Jefferson Clinton."

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Say hello to my neightbor



He lives under the bush in front of my house.
Nice guy, pretty quiet.

Hey! Where's the booze?

We're nearing the end of our stay here in Aruba so last night Mrs. Bax0jayz and I decided to head to Palm Beach for dinner since we've eaten at about everyplace nearby at Eagle Beach. We chose a Mexican restaurant called The Iguana Cantina.
When I go out for a fine meal the part I look forward to is the alcohol I choose to compliment the food. When having most Latin food I generally prefer Sangria as my weapon of choice, so I ordered a pitcher with our meals. I was shocked when I was told that no alcoholic beverages were being served because it was Election Day here in Aruba.
Despite the shock of no booze with dinner, the rest was really quite nice. I had grilled Mahi Mahi which was delicious. My wife chose a well-done skirt steak which was too well cooked for MY taste, but was exactly what she wanted.
Good eats, but I don't get the no drink rule. At a tourist trap like Palm Beach, what locals would be dining out? And what's with no drinking and voting? Odd!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Kate Beckinsale Friday


cuz, why not?

cred to ou

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Alice in Chains Guitar Giveaway


To celebrate the release of Black Gives Way To Blue, Alice In Chains and t3h Baxojayz are giving one lucky fan a chance to rock out with a brand new guitar. Enter now for your chance to win a G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature model signed by the band.

Black Gives Way To Blue features the No. 1, riff-driven single "Check My Brain" which has been hailed by Spin as "one of the catchiest songs of Alice In Chains’ history."

Black Gives Way To Blue is in stores 9/29.
Contest link HERE.

Turtle Thursday: Basking

This is a lot like what I'm doing in aruba!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

What I did today

I don't get much access to a computer, but my wife wanted me to mention today's activity: snorkeling. Mrs. Bax0jayz and I are no strangers to the water sport and own all out own equipment. When we head down to the Caribbean we always look for some snorkel excursion to head out on. Down here in Aruba we chose the best deal in a very expensive town: The Octopus with Catain Jethro and First Matr Jeff. It's a two stop snorkel trip that incudes a breakfast of baked goods and a lunch of sandwiches and salad. Plenty of hard and soft drinks are available.
The first stop was a wreck of a German freighter. An ACTUAL wreck, mind you. Most wrecks you see when diving are purposely sunk. This one was blown out of the water during WW2. The thing still belches out oil slicks still! The ship was amazing to behold, easily visible by the naked eye from the surface. The entire area is teaming with fish. I didn't see anything too amazing swimming around, but the harsh current didn't allow me much time in the drink. It was a challenge to keep air flowing through my snorkel. After about 15 - 20 minutes I called it quits on this site and went back to the boat.
The second stop was not far from the wreck and closer to the shore. The water was calm and full of coral and fish. Very lovely and a lot of fun.
Of all the crowded excursions you can choose on this little island of Aruba, I think this is your best bang for the buck. More details here: www.octopusaruba.com

Hasselhoff Wednesday: Vacationing


Just relax-icizing!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

review tuesday...

I've been having drain problems in my bathroom sink for a long time. I won't point any fingers, but I can guess where the jam of long hair came from. I tried about everything to clear that pipe and nothing worked until I tried that shit pictured above. I'm not even sure what it's really called. All you see on the label is HAIR & GREASE. Sounds like something from the hair-care aisle, but it really cleared out the pipe. I don't think it's worked that well since I installed the sink.

If you are reading this post

Then it means that I don't have Internet connection where I am. There won't be much going on this week. Sorry.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Connetced for now

I'm in Aruba now. We were told beforewe got here that there was free wifi in the complex. No such a thing exists. My wife bought some wireless time and I'm connected at the moment. "Fresh posts" may or may not be coming.

Look forward to Monday



Various Eva Longoria pics



Hottie of the day



cred to ou

Sunday, September 20, 2009

None of that 'Sis'-sy Stuff

From my email:

None of that 'Sis'-sy Stuff

Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of True Friendship.

You WON'T see cutesy little smiley faces on this card-
Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared, we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused, I will use little words.

7. When you are sick, Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have....

8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off--
After I laugh my rear off!!

9. This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask; -- because you are my FRIEND!

***********************
Friendship is like wetting your pants,
everyone can see it, but only YOU can feel the true warmth.

And we're off!

Right about now I'm halfway to some delightful destination. A much needed rest awaits me there!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

tchotchke \CHOCH-kuh\, noun:

  • A trinket; a knickknack.
Tchotchke is from Yiddish tshatshke, "trinket," ultimately of Slavic origin. It is also spelled tsatske.
Sticker Paralysis
  • The effect caused by having a really awesome sticker and no appropriate place to use it. General symptoms include keeping the sticker in a drawer and never actually using it. Sometimes resulting in affixation remorse.
"I have contracted a case of sticker paralysis from this Vintage Apple sticker. I can't decide if I should put it on my fake plastic guitar or my rear window or my skateboard. It is too precious to use on just anything.
Trivia
What cult horror movie featured a mad scientist named Dr. Frank-N-Furter?
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tim Curry, who portrayed the crazed doctor in the 1975 film, had earlier appeared in the role onstage in London and the U.S.
Holiday:
Today in History:
Today's Birthdays:

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Saturday, September 19, 2009

farrago \fuh-RAH-go; fuh-RAY-go\, noun:

  • A confused mixture; an assortment; a medley.
Farrago comes from the Latin farrago, "a mixed fodder for cattle," hence "a medley, a hodgepodge," from far, a sort of grain.
pirate bath
  • The process of washing just the arm pit area and the private area with a wash cloth or handful of water. People will ask you to define a pirate bath, the easy definition is "pits and privates"
Kyle was in a helluva hurry and didn't have time to take a full shower. He instead took a pirate bath and he was on his way.
Trivia
When it comes to the Bible, what is the meaning of Chava, Eve’s Hebrew name?
  • Life-giving. Genesis 3:20 states: “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve because she was the mother of all living.”
Holiday:
Today in History:
Today's Birthdays:

Friday, September 18, 2009

Alice in Chains release short film

Alice in Chains have just released a short film which features the band speaking on the tragedy of former singer Layne Staley's death to the triumphant return of the band with new singer William Duvall. Follow the band as they recount their first performance without Layne in the wake of the Tsunami tragedy, their introduction to William, and the creative processes that led to the birth of the new album: all whilst getting their faces painted KISS style. Black Gives Way To Blue drops everywhere September 29th.

Black Gives Way To Blue Short Film URL:

Brand New Announce Acoustic Performances

With Brand New's album, Daisy, hitting stores in just under one week the band has announced a string of special acoustic performances at independent retailers across the country. Fans must purchase Daisy at one of the selected retail stores to receive a pass that will guarantee them access to the acoustic set. Pass distribution begins on 9/22, the day Daisy is released, but quantities will be limited to one pass per purchase. Check the list below for a retailer closest to you, and make sure to visit www.myspace.com/BrandNew for all the latest Brand New news.
ST LOUIS, MO
October 6th at 4pm
VINTAGE VINYL
6610 Delmar Blvd
University City, MO 63130
**Pass distribution begins on 9/22!**

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
October 16th at 4pm
RASPUTIN RECORDS
1820 S. Bascom Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
**Pass distribution begins on 9/22!**

LAS VEGAS, NV
October 23rd at 4pm
ZIA
4225 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89119
**Pass distribution begins on 9/22 at both Las Vegas ZIA locations**

DALLAS, TX
October 30th at 4pm
GOOD RECORDS
1808 Lower Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
**Pass distribution begins on 9/22!**

CHARLOTTE, NC
November 9th at 4pm
MANIFEST DISC
6329 S. Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28217
**Pass distribution begins on 9/22 at both Manifest locations**

Violent Soho To Tour With Built To Spill

Violent Soho has just announced upcoming tour dates with iconic indie band Built to Spill. The Australian punk/grunge rockers will join Built to Spill and Disco Doom on 11 East coast tour dates, beginning October 8th in Ithaca, NY.

Look for Violent Soho’s US debut album in early 2010, but until then check out their MySpace page for a taste of what’s to come, including some tracks from their latest EP.

TOUR DATES W/ BUILT TO SPILL
Oct. 8 Ithica, NY State Theatre
Oct. 9 Cambridge, MA Middle East
Oct. 10 Cambridge, MA Middle East
Oct. 12 New York, NY Webster Hall
Oct. 13 New York, NY Webster Hall
Oct. 14 Brooklyn, NY Williamsburg Music Hall
Oct. 15 Brooklyn, NY Williamsburg Music Hall
Oct. 16 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
Oct. 17 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Oct. 18 Carrboro, NC Cats Cradle
Oct. 19 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club

Breaking News: KSM Get Tour Advice From Jonas Brothers

Watch KSM's brand new webisode backstage at a Jonas Brothers concert in Los Angeles! Kevin, Nick and Joe give the girls some tour advice about life on the road. KSM's debut album Read Between The Lines is available on iTunes now.

W T F interview

You gotta see this:

Watch Matt Zaller's Creepy Awkward Celeb Interviews

WTF Friday: Feel like a woman!!!

An email from my bro-in-law:
 
As an airplane is about to crash, a female passenger jumps up frantically and announces, "If I'm going to die, I want to die feeling
like a woman."

She removes all her clothing and asks, "Is there someone on this plane who is man enough to make me feel like a woman?"

A man stands up, removes his shirt and says, "Here, iron this!".

Alice in Chains release album sampler

Alice in Chains are preparing to release Black Gives Way To Blue on September 29th, and are now giving fans a sneak peek at each track from the album here. Black Gives Way To Blue has been praised by Revolver for its "dense tapestry of heavy guitars and soaring melodies" and Reuters wrote "the heavy guitars, submerged vocals and thunderous rhythm section assures fans that the band has lost none of its menace."
After a string of sold out shows in the U.S. Alice in Chains will embark on a UK/European tour starting in November.
Nov 12 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
Nov 13 - Birmingham, UK - Academy
Nov 14 - Manchester, UK - Academy
Nov 16 - London, UK - Forum
Nov 17 - London, UK - Forum
Nov 19 - Tilburg, HOL - 013
Nov 20 - Antwerp, BEL - Trix Zaal
Nov 21 - Weisbaden, GER - Schlachthof
Nov 23 - Dortmund, GER - FZW
Nov 24 - Prague, CZE - Lucerna
Nov 25 - Warsaw, POL - Stodola
Nov 27 - Budapest, HUN - Petofi Csarnok
Nov 29 - Vienna, AUT - Gasometer
Nov 30 - Munich, GER - Thearterfabrik
Dec 2 - Milan, ITA - Alcatraz
Dec 3 - Fribourg, SWI - Fri-son
Dec 4 - Paris, FRA - Bataclan
Black Gives Way To Blue sampler URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAgPrEqqU8w

David Packouz‏

David Packouz was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the third of nine children of pioneering 'Internet Rabbi' Kalman Packouz. While living in Jerusalem and Miami he became fascinated by science, studied chemistry and philosophy and practiced massage therapy and international business. Through his immersion in these diverse fields and while traveling to many places around the world, he was exposed to many different ideas, philosophies and ways of life - which are reflected in his diverse yet cohesive music.

Comparison: Jeff Buckley, The Goo Goo Dolls
Influence: Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley

Esmee Denters Joins Honor Society for Fall Tour

Fans of pop sensation Esmee Denters will soon get a chance to see her perform live! Esmee just announced that she is joining pop-rockers Honor Society for most of their Fashionably Late Tour, starting on September 28th in Nashville, Tennessee. The tour will make stops all across the country until it wraps in late November. For all the details visit her Myspace page, or check out the full list of dates below.

Esmee's first single "Outta Here" is quickly climbing the charts. Buy it now on iTunes, and look for her debut album in early 2010.

Fashionably Late 2009 Tour Stops with Esmee Denters
9/28/2009 The Rutledge Nashville, TN
9/30/2009 Sonar-Club Stage Baltimore, MD
10/1/2009 School of Rock South Hackensack, NJ
10/3/2009 Diesel Pittsburgh, PA
10/4/2009 Blue Hill Plaza Pearl River, NY
10/5/2009 The Basement Columbus, OH
10/6/2009 Headliners Music Hall Louisville, KY
10/8/2009 The Marquee Tulsa, OK
10/11/2009 The House of Blues Houston, TX
10/14/2009 Martini Ranch Phoenix, AZ
10/15/2009 The House of Blues San Diego, CA
10/17/2009 The House of Blues Los Angeles, CA
10/20/2009 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
10/21/2009 El Corazon Seattle, WA
10/23/2009 The Venue Boise, ID
10/24/2009 Murray Theater Salt Lake City, UT
10/26/2009 Bluebird Denver, CO
10/28/2009 Granada Theater Lawrence, KS
10/29/2009 The Firebird St. Louis, MO
10/30/2009 Rave 2 Milwaukee, WI
11/1/2009 iLounge Pontiac, MI
11/2/2009 The Cambridge Room @ House of Blues Cleveland, OH
11/3/2009 20th Century Cincinnati, OH
11/5/2009 Backbooth Orlando, FL
11/10/2009 The Fillmore Charlotte, NC
11/12/2009 The Fillmore New York, NY
11/13/2009 The Note West Chester, PA
11/14/2009 Jammin Java Vienna, VA
11/15/2009 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA
11/17/2009 Studio JPR Montreal, QC
11/18/2009 The Opera House Toronto, ON
11/20/2009 The House of Blues Chicago, IL
11/22/2009 The Loft Atlanta, GA
11/23/2009 Workplay Theater Birmingham, AL

Enter Shikari Q&A

Q&A with Rou Reynolds (lead vocals, keyboards/samples)

Your first album Take To The Skies--released on your own Ambush Reality label--debuted at #4 on the U.K. chart, becoming one of the most successful self-released rock albums ever. With your choice of major label offers in the U.K., why did you decide to release it on your own and what did you learn from it?

At the time, we didn't really feel like we had a choice--we'd been touring for around two years properly without any press or label interest. We'd done everything along the way ourselves from the booking to the designing and printing of T-shirts to recording our demos. It was only as we released "Sorry You're Not A Winner" that the interest suddenly boomed and by that time we realized we could do it ourselves with the help of the family we had built up around us. I'm glad it happened just as it did as I'd hate to be tied up in a major label deal now in this current era of uncertainty.

Your new album COMMON DREADS will be officially released in the U.S. in the Spring of 2010. For the U.S. release, you are partnering with DGC/Interscope. What made you decide to join forces with a major at this point?

We were lucky enough to get involved with a good crowd over there as there's no way we could repeat the same rise in the U.S. as we did in the U.K. It's obviously colossal in size compared to the U.K., so we knew we'd always need some help along the way and have to play a different game. Saying that, we have done a fair few tours now by ourselves-- just playing the toilet circuit and it's been really fun and still feels organic.

On COMMON DREADS, you teamed with producer Andy Gray (U2, Tori Amos, Korn, Gary Numan) and holed yourselves up in the isolated Isle of Wight. How did this work for you? What did you feel the result was for COMMON DREADS?

It was superb-- it couldn't have been more of an opposite experience from the recording of our first album. That was rushed down in two weeks and I've never been happy with the way the vocals sound. This time around, it was a conscious decision to get away for a few months and experiment. Andy (Gray) was wicked as well--he was up for anything from burning pianos (“Havoc B”) to breaking into churches and recording organs (“Fanfare”) to singing outdoors in boxers whilst it was snowing at 1:00AM to get that real 'cold' vibe (‘’All Eyes On The Saint’’). It was a real fun experience and I'm really proud of the result! COMMON DREADS really captures the live feel of the band and our vision.

Fusing such polar genres of music such as electronic and hardcore, how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard of you?

Good Music. There's good music and bad music. That's all.

What would you describe as the most powerful song to you on this album? Which new song do you really enjoy performing right now?

That’s a tough one--I'd probably have to go with “Fanfare.” It was all done pretty last minute, so I guess it came out as a final outpouring of frustration with both our countries’ aggressive foreign policies this past decade. I'm loving performing “Havoc B” at the moment--Chris pulls down some vicious sub bass to get the ground shaking and at the end hearing the crowd join in with the chanting creates such an unbelievable sense of unity.

What was it like growing up in St. Albans, England and how did it shape you as a musician?

St. Albans has always had a struggling, but thriving music scene. First getting into the local hardcore, punk and ska scenes was great, but as we got older we noticed the local Council really started coming down hard on gigs and local venues. We fought for years putting on shows at our local youth club, and they’d actually go to crazy lengths to try and pull our live shows. Ironically, it created a sense of community for our scene and everyone got involved to do what they could to keep it alive. It still happens to this day; the last time we did a homecoming the Council tried to pull it--luckily the local press were on our side and exposed them for how stupid and malicious they were being. Other than the music, St. Albans has a great Roman history and the most pubs per square mile in the U.K.!

You’ve performed at some of the most impressive festivals in the world including Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Download Festival, Reading, Leeds, Summersonic and all of the major European festivals. What’s the difference between your festival performance and your club show?

Nothing really--we don't really approach them any different. It's just a longer run to get to the crowd at a festival which is always a bummer, but we get there.

What was the inspiration behind the song “Juggernauts?”

We campaigned to stop a local superstore giant here in the U.K. from building a store right in the center of our town. It was just a nice quaint victory that was really inspiring to see everyone getting involved. The song itself is about how important it is to feel involved and to have a sense of belonging to your community and how our current economic and social system actively discourages this.

Describe your worst night on tour, ever.

On our last U.S. tour our van broke down as we were leaving Philadelphia. We spent 12 hours in a Walmart car park with a mechanic trying to fix it from 1:00AM whilst right in the middle of a thunder storm. It was pretty horrendous. We had no sleep and had to miss our show the next day so we were totally gutted.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about ENTER SHIKARI in the United States?

Rob isn't allowed in the States because he posted a box full of his own shit to Walmart’s Headquarters and there was consequently a bomb scare and the whole building was evacuated (joking).

Why is English food “as some people say” so bad?

Who needs good food when you have good beer and cider? J

How would you define English food? It's just a culmination of other cultures food really... oh no we have Trifle! Come on! Trifle rules.

The name ENTER SHIKARI came from a boat that belonged to your uncle. Why did you choose it and what do you feel it means?

Shikari means “The Hunter” in many Indian languages. My uncle was a fisherman and back when I was a kid I used to go out onto the high seas with him and just thought it was an awesome word. When we made the band, it just kind of fitted into what we had to do. We knew to make changes in this world you have to get out there and hunt yourself. It just seemed apt for how we were working as a band (the whole DIY style) as well as our political outlook.

What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

Lady Gaga.

Have you been to Stonehenge and what do you think of Spinal Tap?

Stonehenge is awesome. Still fills me with absolute wonder and awe every time I go there. Spinal Tap is just the industry standard, total classic.

If you could record a song with an artist outside the genre of music for which you are known, who might that be?

I'd love to work with a rapper called Lowkey from London. He does really political hip-hop, which is such a breath of fresh air from the normal commercial bulk of hip hop which just glorifies violence and condones negativity and greed.

If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

John Lennon.

What has surprised you most in your career so far?

How nice the majority of people you meet around the world are.

Any hobbies outside of music? Sports, etc?

I like swimming and dirt jumping (bikes), but other than that I’m not really into sports. I don't like the sense of rigid and ruthless competition promoted in most sports. It always puzzled me in high school the amount of anger sports produced in people. I think it's kind of pointless and silly.
September 2009