Kings of Leon Hit Circuit Hard

This weekend, Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon will be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” hosted by actor James Franco. The band’s newest single “Sex On Fire” has debuted at #1 in the UK from upcoming (US) release Only By The Night on Tuesday, September 23rd.

Photo: LEGO

On release day, Kings of Leon will perform for the “Late Show with David Letterman” before playing a sold out show at New York City’s Webster Hall. That same day, the band’s SPIN cover hits newsstands. Following the New York City CD Release show, Kings of Leon will launch a North American tour (dates below) on October 11th at The Joint in Las Vegas making their way to the east coast, but not before stopping to play for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

The early reviews for Only By The Night have been stellar. Vanity Fair hails the new record as “a big leap forward and genuinely ups the ante,” while SPIN, in its four-star review, says that the band “still rule with a messy hand, applying rough magic and blurry, slurred imagery to their swashbuckling rock.”

Tour Dates:
Sep 23 – Webster Hall / New York City #
Oct 11 – The Joint / Las Vegas  *
Oct 12 – House of Blues / San Diego  *
Oct 15 – Nokia Theatre / Los Angeles  *
Oct 17 – Warfield Theatre / San Francisco *
Oct 18 – Warfield Theatre / San Francisco *
Oct 20 – Paramount Theatre / Seattle  *
Oct 21 – Schnitzer Hall / Portland  *
Oct 23 – The Fillmore Auditorium / Denver  *
Oct 25 – Austin Music Hall / Austin *
Oct 26 – Bricktown Events Center /  Oklahoma City *
Oct 28 – Verizon Wireless Theater / Houston *
Oct 29 – Palladium Ballroom / Dallas *
Oct 31 – Aragon Ballroom / Chicago *
Nov 01 – Orpheum Theatre / Minneapolis ^
Nov 03 – The Pageant / St. Louis ^
Nov 05 – The Eagles Ballroom / Milwaukee I ^
Nov 07 – Kool Haus / Toronto ^
Nov 08 – The Fillmore / Detroit ^
Nov 10 – DAR Constitution Hall / Washington, DC ^
Nov 12 – Orpheum Theatre / Boston ^
Nov 15 – The Electric Factory / Philadelphia ^
Nov 18 – The Tabernacle / Atlanta ^
Nov 19 – Nashville Municipal Auditorium / Nashville ^

# w/ The Whigs
* w/ We Are Scientists and The Stills
^ w/We Are Scientists and The Whigs

Maria Taylor’s Gear Stolen

Earlier today in San Francisco Maria Taylor‘s van was broken into.

Maria and the band are pretty devastated as the culprits got away with 6 guitars, 2 suitcases, pedals, and plenty of merch. Her management team are hoping some of these items may turn up online or in local San Francisco pawn shops. Not only is the equipment pretty expensive, it holds lots of sentimental value to Maria and her band.

If you’re in the San Francisco area or like to troll Craigslist, please take a look at the list below and keep your eyes open! If you have any information on the whereabouts of the equipment, please get in touch via Maria’s MySpace page.

For those of you going to the Bottom of the Hill show tonight, please show Maria lots of love! She’ll need some cheering up.

Stolen Gear:

Left-handed RED Gretch Tennessee Rose Guitar

Left-handed Martin Acoustic Guitar

Left-handed WHITE American Fender Precision bass (w/ green pick guard)

Right-handed PURPLE Fender Jazz Bass guitar

Right-handed 1976 BLACK Les Paul Deluxe

Right-handed Alvarez acoustic guitar (Hand painted white w/ black swirls.

Guitar strap is nailed on)

Boss Tuner Pedal

Boss distortion Pedal

Jim James + M. Ward + Conor Oberst = Indie Explosion

Indie superstars Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward and Conor Oberst first joined forces to play shows in 2004 as “Monsters of Folk,” and are now rejoining to record a full-length album! All we know is that the release date is slated for February 2009.

New Ray LaMontagne Album

Lauded singer/songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is set to release his much-anticipated third album, Gossip In The Grain, on September 30th on RCA Records. LaMontagne’s indie folk sound spans diverse settings from railroad blues to front porch country, allowing Gossip In The Grain to win the title of his most creative record to date as he is joined by members of his touring band.

In addition to bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood, LaMontagne is joined by singer/songwriter Leona Naess on “A Falling Through” and “I Still Care For You.”

LaMontagne explains, “it was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record. I’m really very critical of myself and it’s sort of a process of opening up. I felt like I was in the right space to show that side of myself.”

Tracklisting:
01. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
02. Hey Me, Hey Mamma
03. Sarah
04. I Still Care For You
05. Winter Birds
06. Meg White
07. Achin’ All The Time
08. Let It Be Me
09. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Ray LaMontagne: website | myspace

Stream Albert Hammond, Jr.s’ “¿Cómo Te Llama?”

Strokes‘ guitarist turned breakout solo musician with 2006′s Yours To Keep Albert Hammond, Jr. is letting fans stream his sophomore solo effort ¿Cómo Te Llama?, out July 7th on Black Seal Music, in its entirety over on his MySpace page.

New Yorkers can catch Hammond, Jr.’s free in-store performance on July 8, at the Union Square Virgin Megastore. Pre-ordering the disc from Boston’s Newbury Comics will score you an autographed CD booklet.

Tracklisting:
01. Bargain Of A Century
02. In My Room
03. Lisa
04. GfC
05. The Boss Americana
06. Rocket
07. Victory At Monterey
08. You Won’t Be Fooled By This
09. Spooky Couch
10. Borrowed Time
11. G Up
12. Miss Myrtle
13. Feed Me Jack Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Peter Sellers

Albert Hammond, Jr.: website | myspace

Spiegelworld at South Street Seaport

Spiegelworld will return to Pier 17 on the South Street Seaport for its third annual Summer carnival, running from August 6 – November 2nd 2008. Once again, Spiegelworld will deliver a non-stop program of ground-breaking theater, intimate concerts, brazen burlesque, the city’s top DJs and superb dining, and dancing under the stars, all at the one stunning waterfront location.

Over the course of 12 weeks, 50 bands and 60+ DJs will play the waterfront under the Brooklyn Bridge in not one but two tents this summer and fall. The second hand-sewn tent known as The Deluxe will mark the first time in American history that two Belgian traveling venues will be side by side.

In addition to dozens of live concerts and dance parties being presented this year, Spiegelworld New York will present the world premiere of Desir, a daring new theatrical circus experience. Inspired by the sexual, intellectual and artistic adventurers of early 20th century Paris, Desir will take audiences backstage at the greatest nightclub the world has known.

Absinthe, the number one NYC summer event since 2006, will once again take New York by storm with a brand new line up of talent from the seediest and sexiest cabaret dens of the world. The 2008 season will also present the filthy-rich host of Absinthe, The Gazillionaire, in the premiere of his very own fully staged variety show of questionable entertainment. The Gazillionaire’s Late Nite Lounge will play six nights a week in The Deluxe, with his band Fish Circus.

The festivities start off with cabaret diva Meow Meow & Tony Award winning performer, Justin Bond followed by Amanda Palmer of the Brechtian punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, brings her electrifying solo repertoire in a reprise of her legendary Spiegeltent engagements across Europe and in celebration of her forthcoming album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer produced by Ben Folds.

Look for the full schedule to be posted soon!

Spiegelworld: website | myspace

New Beck Track from forthcoming “Modern Guilt”

With the July 8 release of Modern Guilt rapidly approaching, Beck has made two additional tracks from the album available online. In addition to the previously released “Chemtrails,” the new songs “Orphans” and “Gamma Ray” are now streaming at iLike and MySpace. “Orphans” and “Gamma Ray” are among the songs featured in a special video trailer for Modern Guilt available exclusively at Amazon.com/Music.

In addition, presales for Modern Guilt are now running at Amazon.com, iTunes, Insound.com, and Best Buy. iTunes presales include an instant download of “Chemtrails,” a video for “Gamma Ray,” and access to preferred seating concert tickets via Ticketmaster.

Finally, Beck has created a website for the new album at ModernGuilt.com. This site includes information on the new album, tour dates, and the latest Beck news. Be sure to check out the Tags section for new buddy icons and desktop images as well as links to tell your MySpace and Facebook friends about Modern Guilt. Beck will be adding clips of each track so check back daily!

Beck: website | myspace | Modern Guilt website

*Photo: Autumn DeWilde

The Walkmen “In The New Year” Single

The Walkmen, whose latest effort You and Me drops September 16th on Gigantic Music, have released the first single “In The New Year,” available for streaming.

With some romance and drama, You and Me harnesses a sense of classic live-band production into meticulously constructed, unique-sounding rock songs. The sound would definitely not be mistaken for old, but it would be impossible to ignore the most timeless influences. The new record offers a distinctive twist to the“Walkmen” sound of their first three records. Each song shows focus and an up-beat enthusiasm apparent in all lyrics, music, and performances. It is a long record, clocking in at just under an hour, and it presents a wide range of ideas. The pacing is very important, as the band felt it was essential to set the right tone, and show each song in its proper light.

You and Me is a solid and complex showcase of inspired songwriting. Romantic and celebratory, this is the sound of The Walkmen returning to classic form.

Tracklisting:
01. Dónde está la Playa
02. Flamingos (for Colbert)
03. On the Water
04. In the New Year
05. Seven Years of Holidays (for Stretch)
06. Postcards from Tiny Islands
07. Red Moon
08. Canadian Girl
09. Four Provinces
10. Long Time Ahead of Us
11. The Blue Route
12. New Country
13. I Lost You
14. If Only It Were True

Tour Dates:
8/18: Bowery Ballroom, New York
8/19: Bowery Ballroom, New York
8/21: Troubadour, Los Angeles
8/22: Troubadour, Los Angeles
8/23 : Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco, CA
8/27: Doug Fir, Portland
8/28: Richards on Richard, Vancouver (co-bill w/ Man Man)
8/29: Rifflandia Festival, Victoria (Black Mountain, Destroyer, etc.)
8/30: Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle

The Walkmen: website | myspace | stream “In The New Year”

*Photo: Jessica McGinley, PopWreckoning.com

Cold War Kids Album, Tour Dates

The highly anticipated sophomore album from Cold War Kids will be available September 23. This Friday (tomorrow!) the band will be playing a free show at Prospect Park’s Celebrate Brooklyn series followed by a national tour starting in August.

To get you new album fix, check out this video, with music from the new album, and footage of the guys recording.

Tour Dates:
06/27/08 Celebrate Brooklyn / Brooklyn, New York
08/02/08 Splendour in the Grass / Byron Bay, Australia
08/03/08 Tivoli / Brisbane, Australia
08/04/08 Enmore / Sydney, Australia
08/06/08 Palace / Melbourne, Australia
08/09/08 Belladrum Festival / Inverness
08/10/08 Summer Sundae / Leicester
08/11/08 Bloomsbury Ballroom / London
08/12/08 Concorde 2 / Brighton
08/14/08 La Route Du Rock / St. Malo
08/15/08 Pukkelpop / Hasselt
08/22/08 Outside Lands Festival / San Francisco, California
08/23/08 Sunset Junction Festival / Los Angeles, California
08/24/08 Les Schwab Amp / Bend, Oregon (w/ Beck)
09/20/08 Street Scene / San Diego, California
09/27/08 Wonder Ballroom / Portland, Oregon
09/28/08 Richards On Richards / Vancouver, B.C., Canada
09/29/08 The Showbox at the Market / Seattle, Washington
10/01/08 The Neurolux / Boise, Idaho
10/02/08 In The Venue / Salt Lake City, Utah
10/03/08 Boulder Theatre / Boulder, Colorado
10/10/08 Fine Line Music Cafe / Minneapolis, Minnesota
10/11/08 Vic Theare / Chicago, Illinois
10/14/08 Paradise Rock Club / Boston, Massachusetts
10/15/08 Webster Hall / New York, New York
10/16/08 Williamsburg Music Hall / Brooklyn, New York
10/17/08 Theatre of Living Arts / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10/18/08 Nightclub 9:30 / Washington, D.C.
10/20/08 Cat’s Cradle / Carrabo, North Carolina
10/21/08 Mercy Lounge / Nashville, Tennessee
10/23/08 Lola’s / Ft. Worth, Texas
10/24/08 Emo’s Alt Lounge-Outside / Austin, Texas
10/25/08 Warehouse Live / Houston, Texas
10/26/08 Voodoo Music Experience / New Orleans, Louisiana

Cold War Kids: website | myspace | youtube

Stars Announce U.S. Fall Tour

Montreal quintet Stars will return to the road in the U.S. announcing a three-week run of dates kicking off September 16th in Boston in support of their current album In Our Bedroom After The War. The video for the band’s latest single, “Bitches In Tokyo”, directed by Experimental Parachute Movement (i.e. Kevin Drew and George Vale), will be hitting the airwaves and the internet starting today on MySpace.

Tour Dates:
6/25– Stockholm, Sweden @ Accelerator Festival
6/27 – Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli De Helling
6/28 – Cergy Pontoise, France @ Furia Sound Festival
6/29 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival
7/05 – Vieux-Quebec, PQ @ Festival D’ete de Quebec
7/08 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
8/24 – San Francisco, CA @ Outlands Festival
9/16 – Boston, MA @ Wilbur
9/17 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
9/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
9/20 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
9/24 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera
9/25 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pagaent
9/26 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
9/28 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
10/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
10/02 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
10/04 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre
10/06 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/09 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox

Stars: website | myspace | live review

Photo: A. De Wilde