The Music Appraisal is back is business!! Unfortunately we had a lot of real life events that took up all of our resources and we were unable to devote the time necessary for the site. We thought it over and decided to keep things going. We love music and sharing our opinions with you the readers.

We'd also like to welcome g0d back, to the TMA team. g0d was with us back in 2004 when we first started. We are stoked to have him back in the line-up. Looking forward to some great stuff in the weeks to come.

We are looking for writers, news posters, interviewers etc. If you are interested or can offer help in anyway, please contact me via e-mail - matt@themusicappraisal.net

Epicurean has enlisted x-Cellador guitarist Bill Hudson for their upcoming Metal Blade Records Fresh Meat Tour. Read more about upcoming Metal Blade tours here

Austrian Death Machine are set to release their first single "If it Bleeds, We Can Kill It" off their debut album Total Brutal, which is available everywhere on July 22nd through Metal Blade Records. You can hear their new single and more here

Motion City Soundtrack have just released a video inviting fans to their performance on DeepRockDrive. Watch the video here

To pick up your free tickets to the June 11th show head over to www.DeepRockDrive.com!

After a long wait and plenty of anticipation, Railroad Earth prepares to release their new studio album Amen Corner, which will be in stores nationwide on June 10, 2008 (SCI Fidelity Records). Written and recorded at lead singer/songwriter Todd Sheaffer's 300 year-old farmhouse in New Jersey's rural countryside, Amen Corner is, literally and figuratively, the rustic sound of a band happy to be at home.

"Normally," Sheaffer explains, "you come home after six weeks on the road and jump into the studio, all frazzled because you don't have much left in the tank. This time I feel like we've invited our friends into our living room and that's basically how we recorded it. We wanted for years to try working this way and I'm so happy we were finally able to do it."

Combine that with the fact that Sheaffer, bassist Johnny Grubb and drummer/percussionist Carey Harmon all became fathers in the months leading up to the recording sessions and you have a recipe for change.

"The changes in our lives brought about a peacefulness that is reflected in the music," says Sheaffer. "We consciously tried to take the approach of 'less is more' in how we arranged the songs."

That "less is more" attitude is also evident in the band's and record label's decision to make the album as "green" as possible. After considerable research, SCI Fidelity selected Printing Responsibly of Rockaway, NJ (www.printingresponsibly.org ) to print all promotional materials related to the album. All posters and postcards announcing the album release are printed on FSC Certified paper using soy based inks, as will tour materials which will be produced later this year.

"SCI Fidelity and Railroad Earth have devoted considerable time and energy, educating ourselves on environmental issues and the green movement," said Matt Hogan, Director of Marketing at SCI Fidelity. "The Forecast page on the album web site (www.railroadearth.com/amencorner) is devoted entirely to various green-related issues, environmental action and sustainability causes."

"FSC certification is about much more than recycled paper", stated Steven VanPraagh, owner of Printing Responsibly. "It's about knowing where the fiber in the paper comes from, and that any trees that are cut are replanted. It's about people all over the world working in the timber and paper industries being as responsible as possible; replenishing and sustaining our renewable resources. It's about environmental, economic, social and personal responsibility. And in this case, it happens to be about great music too."

Amen Corner is a collection of crisp and crafted roots, bluegrass, and acoustic sides that resonates in all the right places. The tunes breathe both on and between the notes. They hit you immediately, but then linger like a good buzz. Look for Amen Corner in stores nationwide on June 10, 2008. www.railroadearth.com/amencorner

The band tours this summer in support of Amen Corner. Current confirmed tour dates include:
June 04 The Orange Peel Asheville NC
June 05 Variety Playhouse Atlanta GA
June 06 Riverbend Festival Chattanooga TN
June 07 Bama Jam Enterprise AL
June 10 Vintage Vinyl St. Louis MO 6pm In-Store Performance
June 10 Blueberry Hill St. Louis MO
June 11 The Crossroads Kansas City KS
June 13-14 Ogden Theatre Denver CO CD Release Party!
June 16 The Paladium Salt Lake City UT
June 17 The Big Easy Concert House Boise ID
June 19 McDonald Theatre Eugene OR
June 20 Crystal Ballroom Portland OR
June 21 The Showbox Seattle WA
June 28 Community Theatre at Mayo Center for Performing Arts Morristown NJ
July 01 Summerfest 2008 Milwaukee WI
July 03 ROTHBURY Rothbury MI
July 04-05 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy CA
July 13 All Good Music Festival Masontown WV
July 25 Floydfest Floyd VA
July 27 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Hillsdale NY
August 01 Dunegrass Festival Empire MI
August 02 Silver Maple Music Festival Comstock Park MI
August 13-14 YarmonyGrass Copper Mountain CO
September 04 9:30 Club Washington DC
September 05 The Fillmore at the Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia PA
September 06 The Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza New York NY
September 13 Barrymore Theatre Madison WI
September 14 Miramar Theater Milwaukee WI
September 16 The Cabooze Minneapolis MN
September 17 The Englert Theater Iowa City IA
September 19-20 Fox Theater Boulder CO
September 22 Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff AZ
September 23 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA
September 26-27 The Fillmore San Francisco CA

www.railroadearth.com

HOLY IS THE LORD, a live church worship record, set to release July 1, 2008

(Franklin, TN... 06/04/08) Great Worship Songs, a praise and worship centric record label delivering new and exceptional worship music to the church, has partnered with Southeast Christian Church of Louisville, KY to release its new album entitled, Holy is the Lord. Releasing July 1st to retail stores everywhere, Holy Is the Lord is a live worship recording featuring corporate worship songs written and produced within the Southeast Church community. The complete album will also be provided as a worship resource (guitar chord charts and lead sheets for $.99 each) at GreatWorshipSongs.com. The energetic song “Still Amazed” is currently showcased at GreatWorshipSongs.com as a free download through the end of June, providing churches across the nation with a sneak peek at this exciting new project.

“I really like to hear the music God gives to His churches,” exclaims Greg Allen, Worship Leader of Southeast Christian Church, “and to hear that music done by the church worship teams themselves. Hopefully the church at large can benefit from what all our local church worship ministries are doing. I am grateful for and supportive of Great Worship Songs that is helping facilitate that vision.”

As part of an effort to introduce resources relevant to the current worship movement, Holy is the Lord is the third release within Great Worship Songs’ live recording series, also including Made to Worship (released Oct. 9) and Let Everything That Has Breath (released May 6). Holy is the Lord is the first to highlight a specific worship community, capturing the talents and the passion of the Southeast Christian Church worship band and choir. Additional projects featuring churches and specific worship leaders are currently being scheduled for future release.

“Partnering on this new album with one of the nations largest and most influential churches- a church with its own pool of talented songwriters, arrangers and producers- is the perfect fit for Great Worship Songs. Our goal is to help resource the church with vibrant, dynamic and anointed songs for corporate worship and this new release from Southeast Christian Church fits perfectly into that plan” said Dale Mathews, President of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, parent company of Great Worship Songs.

Holy is the Lord has been selected by Lifeway Christian Stores for the “Lifeway Recommends” national promotion starting in July and running through the end of August. In addition, Lifeway Christian Stores, Great Worship Songs and Word Distribution will execute specific promotions within the Louisville area.

Great Worship Songs is a division of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing. With over 70,000 copyrights, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing owns the world's largest Christian music publishing catalogue as well as the second largest evangelically-styled choral music catalog. Its songs have been recorded by virtually every major singer in the Christian music industry as well as by such renowned artists as Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt, Amy Grant, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. The company’s leading artists in the genre include Jars of Clay, Aaron Shust, and Bebo Norman. Brentwood-Benson also publishes songs recorded by Third Day, Michael W. Smith and Twila Paris. In addition to developing and exploiting copyrights, the publishing group is a leader in the production and marketing of consumer printed and choral music, hymnals and songbooks for the church market. Brentwood-Benson is active in the important Praise & Worship market.

The Spill Canvas will be hosting bowling parties throughout the U.S during their summer tour in order to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and the MTVu Pos or Not campaign. The goal is to promote social awareness. Fans are being asked to donate a t-shirt for those living with HIV/AIDS who are in need of clothing, which will then be sent in a care package from The Spill Canvas & their fans & MTVu. Check out the dates of the bowling parties below and make sure to RSVP!

New York – June 11th
AMF 300 New York
Pier 60, 23rd St & The Hudson River, New York, NY 10011 5:00PM - 6:00PM

Green Bay – June 13th
AMF Waukesha Lanes
901 Northview Rd., Waukesha, WI 53188
4:00PM - 5:00PM

Lancaster – June 14th
AMF Rocky Springs Lanes
1495 Millport Rd., Lancaster, PA 17602
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Towson, MD – June 15th
AMF Towson Lanes
701 Southwick Dr., Towson, MD 21204
4:00PM - 5:00PM

Atlanta – June 17th
AMF 300 Atlanta
2175 Savoy Dr., Chamblee, GA 30341
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Houston – June 20th
AMF Humble Lanes
19214 Highway 59 N, Humble, TX 77338
5:30PM - 6:30PM

Salt Lake City – June 30th
AMF Ritz Classic Lanes
2265 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84115 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Check out the first webisode from Less Than Jake. Watch Vinnie talk about their new label (Sleep It Off Records), the band's philosophy behind starting the label and see some shots from the studio while they were recording GNV FLA!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlvHHnTiZk

Following a month of non-stop celebration, Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, hosted its official opening ceremony last night, and Sister Hazel guitarist, Ryan Newell, was on hand to help, literally, blow the gates open. Newell arrived at the red carpet ceremony at the Park's massive iron front gates in a helicopter with Hard Rock Park CEO Steven Goodwin. While Newell played a custom Hard Rock guitar, fireworks and pyrotechnics “blew open” the gates of the park, signaling to guests of all ages that this destination is officially open and ready to rock their worlds.

Says Newell: “The people at Hard Rock Park have been amazing to Sister Hazel and the ceremony was incredible. I just feel lucky to have been a part of such a historical moment!”
After Sister Hazel played a private concert for the park’s investors and executives on June 1st, Hard Rock Park's two-day Grand Opening Extravaganza kicked off June 2nd with the "Save the Planet Invitational," a star-studded celebrity golf tournament in which a number of artists participated, including Darryl (DMC) McDaniels, Edwin McCain, and band members of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick and Sister Hazel (Jett Beres and Drew Copeland). After the gate opening ceremony later that day, the Eagles performed at the park. The festivities continued on June 3rd with a live performance from The Moody Blues, accompanied by Myrtle Beach's Long Bay Symphony orchestra.
Sister Hazel, who will be on tour throughout 2008, returns to Hard Rock Park on July 4th to perform in the amphitheater there. The Gainesville, Florida five-piece will also be releasing a live acoustic album on June 17th entitled “Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic.” The record features sixteen tracks, including the band’s hits, fan favorites, and live concert staples, all in a stripped-down, acoustic format. The album was recorded in front of 100 lucky fans who were chosen at random from over five thousand entries. “Before The Amplifiers” is the perfect collection for both the hardcore band fans (a.k.a. Hazelnuts) and for listeners just discovering the band for the first time.

Sister Hazel has sold over two million albums and co-founded the Rock Boat (www.therockboat.com), the world's largest floating music festival, with Sixthman in 2001, which they also host annually. In 2001, the band established the charity, Lyrics for Life, which benefits children with cancer. Sister Hazel is: Ken Block (vocals, acoustic guitar), Drew Copeland (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ryan Newell (lead guitar), Jett Beres (bass), Mark Trojanowski (drums). The band can be found online at www.sisterhazel.com and www.myspace.com/sisterhazel.
Hard Rock Park, the world's first rock 'n' roll theme park, covers 55 acres and boasts more than 50 attractions for rockers of all ages, including roller coasters, live shows and entertainment, children's play areas, restaurants and retail stores. For more information on Hard Rock Park or to purchase tickets, please visit www.hardrockpark.com.

Winner of the mtvU's inaugural "Best Music On Campus" contest, SAY NO MORE will release What You Thought You Knew on May 20th.
What You Thought You Knew is a chronicle of four young men leaving the comforts of home to follow their dreams in the big city. The band spent an entire year writing before laying down any tracks. The result is a showcase of SAY NO MORE'S knack for rich harmonies, layered guitar parts, backbreaking rockers and sweet ballads. Musical tastemaker site, Absolute Punk says SAY NO MORE "exudes natural charisma" and "with their smart vocal delivery and strong musicianship, this band should be breaking out at any minute."
Hailing from Salinas CA, SAY NO MORE (Peter Pedrazzi, Peter Holbert, Jon Rasmussen, Tim Spier) formed in high school and honed their chops in their parents' garages until graduation. Then all four members moved to Los Angeles to attend school and push SAY NO MORE into the limelight.
In true DIY spirit the band created four videos and posted them on You Tube. So far they've garnered more than 65,000 plays! Those videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/drivethrurecords. SAY NO MORE will release an "official" music video for the song, "Long Drive Home" in June. The band has been featured on Buzznet.com, Myspace, Pure Volume, and Mozes.com.
Additionally, the men of SAY NO MORE are sentimentalists. Rather than dump Gumby, their 33 year old green Dodge Tioga, they held a fundraiser show at Salinas Valley Community Church on Friday April 11th to raise much needed monies for Gumby's repairs.
SAY NO MORE are a part of "The Small Fries Tour" featuring Socratic and You, Me & Everyone We Know presented by AbsolutePunk.net. Go to www.absolutepunk.net for ticket and album giveaways. SAY NO MORE recently performed at Bamboozle Left and have dates on the Warped Tour this summer.

SAY NO MORE Tour Dates:

The Small Fries Tour

4/22 Hell's Kitchen Tacoma WA
4/24 El Corazon Seattle WA
4/25 Higgins Hall Missoula MT
4/26 Avalon Salt Lake City UT
4/27 The Falcon Englewood CO
4/28 The Roxbury Omaha NE
4/29 Eagles Club Vermillion SD
5/01 Beat Kitchen Chicago IL
Vans Warped Tour Dates
6/20 Warped Tour Pomona CA
6/21 Warped Tour San Francisco CA

SAY NO MORE is Peter Pedrazzi - vocals, guitar; Peter Holbert – lead guitar; Jon Rasmussen – bass; Tim Spier – drums

Rev Theory’s fist-pumping anthem “Hell Yeah” made its first move in its hopeful climb to the top of the rock radio charts as the single was the number one most added song to active rock radio in its debut week.

The video for “Hell Yeah” which was shot in Los Angeles with Director Travis Kopach (Buckcherry, Black Tide) will feature WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl (April 2007) Ashley Massaro. The wrestling beauty came aboard after the Rev Theory’s appearance at WWE’s Fan Axxess tour in Orlando, Florida where they played the Wrestlemania 24 theme song “Light it Up” to a crowd of 20,000.

Both “Hell Yeah” and “Light it Up” are from the forthcoming album Light it Up which hits stores June 10th.

Light it Up track-listing,
01. Hell Yeah
02. Favorite Disease
03. Light It Up
04. Broken Bones
05. Headlights
06. Wanted Man
07. Ten Years
08. Falling Down
09. You’re The One
10. Far From Over


Rev Theory are currently on tour and playing dates with Flyleaf, Seether, Drowning Pool and 10 Years as well as some big rock radio festivals.

Check out another track off of SafetySuit’s debut album Life Left to Go. The Nashville based band is giving you a preview of their upcoming 5/13 release with another undeniably catchy song. Listen to “Annie” below.
SafetySuit’s current single “Someone Like You” is rocking at radio and just secured a spot in the top 40 on the Alternative chart!

Orange County hard rockers Atreyu have been tapped by Linkin Park to headline the Revolution Stage on this year’s Projekt Revolution tour. The tour launches July 16 at the Tweeter Center in Boston.

Atreyu, who are currently co-headlining the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour with Avenged Sevenfold, has just scored their first Top Ten hit at Alternative radio with new hit single “Falling Down,” which currently takes the No. 4 spot on the chart. The track is the fastest-rising song to hit the top 10 thus far this year. Its companion video is currently in rotation on Fuse. Fans can view the video at www.youtube.com/atreyu.

Atreyu is gearing up for the April 22 release of LEAD SAILS PAPER ANCHOR 2.0 in the CDVU+ format. The CDVU+ replaces the traditional CD booklet/jewel case with eco-friendly packaging (100% recyclable, 35% post-consumer) while offering an unprecedented amount of content, which is accessed through a weblink that’s triggered when fans put the disc in their computers. Atreyu is the first hard rock band to release a disc in the CDVU+ format.

The CDVU+ version of LEAD SAILS PAPER ANCHOR 2.0 features the full album, including the new hit single “Falling Down,” a new track recorded exclusively for this release titled “The Squeeze,” and blistering covers of Faith No More’s “Epic” and The Descendents’ “Clean Sheets.” Also included are ten exclusive videos (three live performances, five individual band profile pieces and two behind-the-scenes life on the road clips and a guitar lesson from Atreyu six-stringer Dan Jacobs). The CDVU+ version also features a 50 page, fully printable, digital booklet that includes more than 40 exclusive photos, song lyrics and new artwork.

Projekt Revolution 2008 tour dates are as follows:

7/16 Boston, MA Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
7/18 Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
7/19 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
7/20 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Center
7/22 New York, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
7/23 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/25 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
7/26 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
7/27 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
7/30 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
8/1 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
8/2 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
8/3 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre
8/7 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
8/9 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
8/10 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8/12 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
8/15 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
8/16 Chicago, IL Alpine Valley Music Theatre
8/17 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
8/19 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
8/21 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/23 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
8/24 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The members of Finger Eleven were in attendance at Saturday’s JUNO Gala Bash to receive the prestigious award for ‘Rock Album of the Year’. This honor is yet another milestone in what has already been a record breaking year with their platinum selling album “Them Vs. You Vs. Me”. The Album’s first single ‘Paralyzer’ broke the Rock Radio Record for most weeks at #1, topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and had an accompanying #1 music video. Two more #1 music videos followed with the second single ‘Falling On’ also reaching #1 at radio and the third single ‘I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague’ currently sitting in the #5 position.
Additional JUNO weekend highlights for Finger Eleven started with a headlining performance at the Olympic Plaza Juno kickoff concert, continued with an energized autograph singing at Fan Fare and culminated with a show stopping JUNO broadcast performance of ‘Paralyzer’ accompanied by Calgary’s own, Mount Royal Youth Orchestra.

With the JUNO celebrations coming to an end, the band heads back on the road, touring in the US with one major twist. Finger Eleven will be heading out to city that never sleeps on Friday for the highly anticipated Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas. The band will be surrounded by the USA’s most beautiful women when they hit the stage to perform their crossover smash hit ‘Paralyzer’. This must see program will be hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond with a judging panel that will include Heather Mills, Rob Schneider, and Joey Fatone. The contest will air on NBC on Friday, April 11 (9-11 p.m. ET)

Details:
SOCRATIC Free show (21+ FREE/Under 21 $3)
April 14
7pm
The Troubadour
9081 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood CA

Socratic's new album SPREAD THE RUMORS out May 5th

10 Years has been selected as Clear Channel Radio’s Featured Rock/Alternative Artist for April! Fans can get an early preview of five tracks off their new album Division, which hits stores on May 13th. Division is the follow-up to 2005’s break out record, The Autumn Effect and its number one single “Wasteland.” Check out their current hit “Beautiful,” as well as “Actions and Motives,” “Dying Youth,” “Just Can’t Win,” and “Picture Perfect (In Your Eyes)” here

The newest MBR update it out. Click below to view it in its entirety.
http://www.metalblade.com/mbr-news_tour_updates/MBupdate03-18-08.html

Here are the headlines for this week:

Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records to guest on TSN's show Off the Record!
Metal Blade Records THE OCEAN to tour North America for the first time in 7+ year career!
UNEARTH: Alive from the Apocalypse – More exclusive footage from upcoming DVD now available on MySpace.com & HeadbangersBlog.com!
EPICUREAN's record release party for A Consequence of Design a major success!
WHITECHAPEL ready to record new album!
SOILENT GREEN and UNEARTH special pre-orders! Plus limited edition JOB FOR A COWBOY picture disc!
AS I LAY DYING & NEAERA heading out on tour across Europe!
Metal Blade to reissue FATES WARNING´s "Perfect Symmetry"!
GOREROTTED begins recording new album!
HAIL OF BULLETS mixing debut album!
Joey Eppard of 3 – Guest Blog now up on HeadbangersBlog.com!
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES News Update:
Dance the night away with The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Beneath the Massacre, See You Next Tuesday and Born of Osiris!
ANIMOSITY to tour the East Coast with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and a full U.S. tour with FIRST BLOOD!
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES proudly announce the signing of ROMANS!

Plus the latest reviews & interviews, podcasts, available mp3s, release schedule, radio numbers, & tour dates!

Drive By will be releasing their new album "A Delicate Situation" on April 8th 2008 through Riot Squad Records. You can stream the whole thing now at: http://ilike.com/artist/Drive+By

The band will be on tour this Spring with My Chemical Romance and Billy Talent. Head on over to www.DriveByWorld.com for more info.

Also be sure to check out TV Spot/Teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wzVyu6y8Ew

Drive By On Tour:
Mar 17: Bakersfield, CA - The Zone
Mar 24: Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
Mar 25: Modesto, CA - Sidelines
Mar 27: Flagstaff, AZ - Studio 111



w/ My Chemical Romance & Billy Talent
Mar 28: Tempe, AZ - Tempe Music Festival
Mar 29: Tuscon, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Mar 30: Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Mar 31: Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Apr 2: San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic Center
Apr 3: San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
Apr 4: San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
Apr 6: Irvine, CA- Bamboozle Left
Apr 8: Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Apr 9: Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Apr 11: Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Salt Air Theatre
Apr 14: Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
Apr 15: Kansas City, KS - Memorial Hall
Apr 17: Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
Apr 18: Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
Apr 19: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Apr 20: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Apr 22: Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theatre
Apr 24: New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Apr 27: Dallas, TX - Edgefest?
Apr 28: Austin, TX - Stubbs Amphitheatre
Apr 30: Birmingham, AL - Sloss Furnace
May 3: St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
May 4: Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavillion
May 6: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 7: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 9: New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

The Shirts for a Cure Project is proud to announce this year’s SXSW day party will feature Hot Water Music, Paint It Black, Dead To Me, The Gaslight Anthem and Drive By. This will be Hot Water Music’s ONLY appearance during SXSW. This FREE event will be held at Red 7 (611 East 7th Street) on Friday March 14th, doors open at noon sharp.

Hit The Lights have announced in a video update on their newly designed www.myspace.com/hitthelights that guitarist Nick Thompson will be taking over lead vocal duties. The bands former lead singer, Colin Ross left the band last summer to peruse a different lifestyle. The band remains tight with Colin and wish him the best in whatever lies next for him. The band have posted a new song with Thompson singing to give fans a taste of what's to come. Hit The Lights are currently in the studio with Rob Freeman at Pilot Studios in NJ recording their sophomore effort to be release on Triple Crown Records this summer.

Guitarist Omar Zehary had this to say about the last few months of searching for a new singer: "It's taken some time to get back on our feet. This has been a hard thing to go through, as well as something that has reinforced our dedication to this band even more. Thank you to everyone who has sent positive comments, had our backs, and never gave up on us...it got us through a lot more than you think. There will be haters, there will be lovers, either way; we're always going to be Hit The Lights"

Hit The Lights have scanned almost 50,000 copies of their debut album This Is A Stickup...Don't Make It A Murder - They've spent the last couple years on the road with bands like New Found Glory, Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim For, Cartel, Hawthorne Heights and The Receiving End Of Sirens.

Hit The Lights will go back on tour in March with The Audition and The Morning Light. Look for dates to be announced in the next couple weeks.

Check out Against Me!’s new acoustic performance clip of “New Wave” : http://youtube.com/watch?v=tGfchlFAg-o.

Award-winning Sparrow Records vocal act Avalon is preparing for the “We Will Stand” tour, its first headlining tour in three years. Joining Avalon are labelmate Daniel Doss Band, Curb Records industry veteran Michael English and emerging Fervent Records female duo CADIA. The tour kicks off on March 27 in Pittsburgh and will visit more than 30 cities through May.

“Avalon is very excited about the upcoming tour,” says Avalon founding member Janna Long. “We are anxious to hit the road again with these other talented artists and embrace new and old listeners alike.”

In support of the tour, participating artists together recorded new song “We Will Stand,” which they will perform to close each show. The song will also be serviced for play at Christian radio. Additionally, EMI Christian Music Group will highlight the tour as part of its “Music for the Entire Family” promotion at CBA retail outlets. A promotional display will feature all four artists’ new albums, releasing Feb. 26, a tour CD sampler and English’s new book, The Prodigal Comes Home. For more information and an up-to-date list of dates, visit the tour’s web site at www.myspace.com/standtour.
Formed in 1996, Avalon set a new standard for modern spiritual music. In review of its 2006 project, Faith: A Hymns Collection, All Music Guide lauded the group’s “vocal efficiency and personalized stylings that place Avalon among the elite singing groups in contemporary Christian circles.” To date, the quartet has sold more than three million albums, charted 20 No. 1 singles, and won an American Music Award plus numerous Dove Awards such as the 1999 Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for “Testify to Love.” That song, a listener favorite, has also been specially re-recorded for the group’s Feb. 26 release, Another Time, Another Place. For more information, visit www.avalonlive.com.

Michael English returns with his first studio album (Curb Records) in nearly eight years. Michael’s most personal collection of songs to date, The Prodigal Comes Home is complimented by an autographical book sharing the same title. Michael’s journey has been slow and painful but it is one that has brought him back to the overwhelming place of hope and redemption. A journey that shows how God's grace shines even in our darkest hours and a story for every one of us who knows what it means to feel lost and in need of a Father who will welcome us home.

Daniel Doss has a deep sense of calling on his life – a passion to lead people to an encounter with a great God. On his band’s Sparrow Records debut, Greater Than Us All, there are songs that usher you deep into worship (“Love Like Rain” and “Sing Your Name”) songs of hope (“Hold On” and “God In Me”), reminders of grace (“I Need You”), and God’s greatness (“Great God” and “Abba Father”). An important element of Daniel’s calling is to be an encourager to the church and church pastors. As a worship leader of an emerging church in Clarksville, TN, Daniel witnesses the journey of fellow believers each week and in response writes songs that not only minister to them but to all who hear his music.
Nashville-based CADIA comprises longtime friends Courtney Myers and Tori Smith, both 19 years old. The two became fast friends while participating in a junior high school play and continue to perform together. The duo will release its Fervent Records, self-titled debut on Feb. 26. Produced by Otto Price (BarlowGirl, Out Of Eden, SONICFLOOd) and Rob Hawkins (pureNRG, Jackson Waters), the record addresses themes of honesty, empowerment, self-esteem, compassion, and confidence in God, issues that both Courtney and Tori have confronted on their own journey to adulthood. In addition to providing fun, meaningful pop music, the record also aims to encourage other teens facing similar life experiences. The record’s track “Inside Out” was featured last fall as the theme song/video for Women of Faith’s “Revolve Tour,” geared toward teen girls

Forefront Records rock band This Beautiful Republic is currently touring alongside headliner Family Force 5 as well as special guests Falling Up and Spoken on the “Heart Support Tour.” The group will also join top acts Delirious? and Sanctus Real at the Ultimate Event, among other high profile appearances this spring and summer.

Kicking off late last month, the “Heart Support Tour” is a partnership with heartsupport ministry (www.heartsupport.com) , an online support community which offers hope and practical resources to those struggling with addictions, depression, self-injury, eating disorders and suicide. The 22-city tour runs through February 24. For a complete list of tour dates, visit familyforce5.com

“This tour has been incredible in so many ways,” says This Beautiful Republic frontman Ben Olin. “The exposure to Family Force 5’s fans has been overwhelming, and we’ve been blown away by their support and reaction to us. Plus, we’re spreading the word about Heart Support, an online organization that can really offer some immediate help to those who are in need.”

Additionally, This Beautiful Republic will join Delirious? and Sanctus Real for the Ultimate Event music festival at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire, Scotland, on May 10. For the past 13 years, the Ultimate Event has combined thrill rides with rock music to create an event where Christian young people would be proud to bring their friends. For more information, visit www.ultimateevents.org.uk.

This Beautiful Republic is already looking forward to a full summer schedule with the release of its sophomore project in July and numerous festival appearances, including Atlanta Fest, Lifest and Rock the Universe.

Comprising lead singer Ben Olin, drummer Andy Smith, guitarist Jeremy Kunkle, bassist Brandon Paxton and Adam Smith, also on guitar, This Beautiful Republic hails from Toledo, Ohio. The band’s catchy vocals, riveting guitar sound, and unshakable fan loyalty quickly generated a local buzz which garnered the attention of Forefront Records, who eagerly signed This Beautiful Republic. Its label debut, Even Heroes Need a Parachute, produced by Allen Salmon (most noted for engineering records by Sanctus Real as well as Mute Math) and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Michelle Branch) released April 3, 2007 to wide recognition from critics, many who cited This Beautiful Republic as a contender for New Artist of the Year. For more information, visit: www.thisbeautifulrepublic.com or www.myspace.com/thisbeautifulrepublic.

Everyone here at The Music Appraisal took some time off for the holidays to relax and refocus ourselves on bringing our readers the best the music industry has to offer. The hiatus is almost over so look for some new content and a few new faces in the next little while. As always, if you have any news to send us or you want us to listen to your band please stop by our contact page and drop us an email

The Music Appraisal would like to wish everyone a happy holidays and a safe new year!!

Well maybe I should say "sign these artists". After a bit of a hiatus we are back with two bands featured in our "Sign This Artist" section. The first band is The Drama Club who are on the verge of breaking nationwide with the upcomming release of their sophomore EP, Company For The Lonely. The second band is Uncrowned who recently released their explosive sophomore EP, Devils & Angels.

Sign This Artist: The Drama Club

Sign This Artist: Uncrowned

Bobaflex have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Tales from Dirt Town. You can check out the premiere of Bobaflex's music video for their new single "Home" and preview the new album Tales from Dirt Town in its entirety on Ultimate-Guitar.com.

"Home" Video Premiere

Tales from Dirt Town Album Preview

Be sure to catch Bobaflex, currently on tour, with supporting artists: Dope, The Autumn Offering, Crossbreed and Fear Nuthin Band.

10/30 Northside Firehouse – Lima, OH
10/31 Club Bijou – Toledo, OH *
11/1 Columbia Music Hall – Portsmouth, OH *
11/2 The Cellar – Struthers, OH
11/3 Harpo’s – Detroit, MI*
11/4 Peabodys – Cleveland, OH ***
11/5 Northern Lights – Clifton Park, NY *
11/6 Webster Theater – Hartford, CT *
11/7 Crocodile Rock – Allentown, PA *
11/8 Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC **
11/10 Jaxx – Springfield, VA *
11/13 Amo’s Southend – Charlotte, NC **
11/14 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC **
11/15 The Social – Orlando, FL ****
11/17 Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL **
11/20 The Masquerade (dwnstrs) – Atlanta, GA **
11/21 Hooligans – Jacksonville, NC **
11/23 Ace’s – Johnstown, PA **
11/24 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI **

* W/ Dope
** W/ Dope and Autumn Offering
***W/ Dope, Autumn Offering and Fear Nuthin Band
****W/Dope, Autumn Offering and Crossbreed

Avenged Sevenfold's self titled album hits stores today! The CD is on sale at Target and Hot Topic for $9.99. Catch A7X on tour starting this week! For more information visit www.myspace.com/avengedsevenfold.

THE HIVES’ new single “Fall Is Just Something Grown Ups Invented” is the featured theme song for Cartoon Network’s fall season. Every ten minutes, you can hear “Fall Is Just Something Grown Ups Invented” on CN! The charismatic garage rock band, THE HIVES, will release their newest album The Black & White Album on November 13th. Cartoon Network will premiere the video for “Fall Is Just Something That Grown Ups Invented” mid November to coincide with the release of the new album. Catch the new theme song, along with the current single “Tick Tick Boom” and four other tracks from the upcoming album, all on iTunes, available NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8JyV-GbILE

Sherwood will be supporting Hellogoodbye, Say Anything and Go Audio (Epic UK) on a string of UK dates starting 11/27 in Cardiff. Dates are as follows:

Tue 11/27 Cardiff, UK Uni Great Hall
Wed 11/28 Exeter, UK Lemon Grove
Thu 11/29 Portsmouth, UK Pyramids Centre
Fri 11/30 Cambridge, UK Corn Exchange
Sat 12/1 OFF
Sun 12/2 Sheffield, UK Leadmill
Mon 12/3 Newcastle, UK Academy
Tue 12/4 Glasgow, Scotland
Wed 12/5 Leeds, UK Cockpit
Thu 12/6 OFF
Fri 12/7 Brixton, UK Academy
Sat 12/8 Folkstone, UK Lees Cliff Hall
Sun 12/9 Norwich, UKUEA
Mon 12/10 Birmingham, UK Academy
Tue 12/11 Manchester, UK Academy