I know Diana Young-Blanchard must be tired of hearing the comparison but for someone new to The DT’s like me holy shit does she sound like Janis Joplin reincarnated. When I fisrt slapped “Nice ‘n’ Ruff” on the CD player it grapped me from the first second and didn’t let go for 35 incredible minutes.

“Nice ‘n’ Ruff” is the second full-length recording by The DT’s and one consisting of an amazing variety of covers by everybody from Al Green to AC/DC. Things kick off with a kick to the shins on “Crazy ‘Bout You Baby” originally by Sonny Boy Williamson and take off like a jet plane from there with a ripping version of “The Price of Love” originally by The Artistics, “Pagan Baby” by CCR and two delightful surprises for me: “What’s Next to the Moon” by AC/DC and an amazing “Don;t Slander Me” by Roky Ericson. What really impresses me above and beyond the amazing playing and production though is the selection of covers. Aside from “The Hunter” these are all pretty esoteric selections from such a widely divergent group of musicians that they can’t help make every song their own.

The DT’s are one of those bands that you discover every once in awhile that just feel right from the get go. No getting comfortable with their CD over a couple of weeks. It just grabs you by the throat and won’t let you go for the duration. And CDs like that immediately hit heavy rotation on every iPod, car stereo and home system that you own that is capable of pumping out rock and roll. Absolutely first rate, killer rock and roll and an obvious choice for being the band featured on my MySpace “Song of the Week” feature. Cool, cool stuff. And if you want to hear Diana belt out some Janis, they cover “Move Over” as well. Amazing.

Chek out their MySpace page for some music you can listen to: http://www.myspace.com/thedts.

Later.

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Sandy West, drummer extraordinaire of The Runaways died of cancer today at the too young age of 47. The Time Machine has a fitting tribute. Sad news indeed.

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Sandy West, drummer extraordinaire of The Runaways died of cancer today at the too young age of 47. The Time Machine has a fitting tribute. Sad news indeed.

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I respect noted LA KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer. What that man has done for rock and roll is immeasurable as he has marched to his own drummer playing records by bands that most people hadn’t heard of (at least not that early in their carreers) because he has a genuine interest and love of rock and roll. To the so-called “Mayor Of Sunset Strip” music is the ultimate form of positive energy and Rodney on the ROQ cannot get enough. It’s with mixed feelings then that I write this review of the film Mayor of the Sunset Strip, the biography of the rock fan, journalist, promoter, club owner and radio DJ on KROQ.

Watching this film made me uncomfortable at times because it seemed like director George Hickenlooper (the man behind the awesome “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmaker’s Apocalypse”) was trying to purposely paint Bingenheimer as some sort of fame whore who just wanted to latch on to the musicians that he played and promoted on the radio. Now it’s debatable whether the music industry is more fucked up than the film or “fashion” industry but despite the directors intention, Bingenheimer comes off as a quiet, un-offensive and caring guy that is unfortunately situated smack dab in the middle of the “use or be used” capital of the world. Why the constant questions about whether it bugs him that he is not more famous? Or whether he could use more money (who can’t for chrissakes!). I mean, instead of fixating on his collection of autographs and his constant posing with bands like Oasis, why not go into more detail about the UK punk music he was playing before anybody had the guts to play it in the U.S.? To me, he was almost portrayed as some kind of lost circus freak which, while at times interesting certainly didn’t seem to shed any more light on Rodney Bingenheimer the music fanatic and promoter. A little less “People” magazine stuff and a bit more rock and roll would have certainly helped me enjoy this DVD a lot more.

If you really want to learn more about Rodney on the ROQ just go and listen to him on Sunday nights on KROQ. In addition, check out his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/rodneyontheroq and check out his playlists. There are always nuggest of rock and roll genius contained within. Is Rodney Bingenheimer some fame hunting hagger on or a rock and roll original? I’ll tell you what, Dick Clark might be more famous, but Rodney is rock and roll all the way and to me, that’s what counts.

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It’s HP Lovecraft a-go-go in "The Miskatonic Acid Test", the first feature from American Entropy Productions. It’s 1969, and cosmic horror infects a psychedelic rock "happening" in witch-haunted Arkham, Mass. It’s a zonked out brew of poetry, philosophy, cosmic horror, and 60’s-style acid rock; probably the first horror movie that’s more heavily influenced by the Monkees’ "Head" than by George Romero… This is the official trailer.

http://miskatonic.americanentropy.com

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Just a quick heads up that the next two International Pop Overthrow festivals are coming up in Boston and New York City this November. The Boston dates are November 1st and then from the 3rd to the 6th. The New York City dates are from November 9th - 14th and 16th - 19th. Full details can be found at the IPO website. IPO head honcho David Bash always puts on a great event so check it out if you can and support these bands!

UPDATE! David Bash just sent me the detailed line-up for both Boston and New York so here you go if you are not able for some reason to check out the official IPO site:

THE INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW FESTIVAL IS COMING BACK TO THE EAST COAST FOR ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR, WITH STOPS IN BOSTON AND NEW YORK!!

Thousands of fans from around the U.S. and the world will converge on the East Coast of the United States this fall as International Pop Overthrow heads to Boston and New York. The festival will feature more than 120 of the best pop artists from all around the world. International Pop Overthrow has had nine successful years in Los Angeles five successful years in New York, and Chicago and four successful years in Boston, and IPO East Coast will come on the heels of the festival’s fourth appearance in Liverpool, England (with all shows held at the world famous Cavern Club), as well as our first appearances in Seattle and Vancouver, Canada!

Dates scheduled for each city of the IPO East Coast Tour are as follows:

· Boston: November 1; 3-6 with all shows to be held at The Paradise Lounge

· New York: November 9-14; 16-19 with all shows to be held at The Baggot Inn

Now being touted as the largest music festival of its kind, IPO celebrates the music made famous by such pop heroes as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Badfinger while also focusing on the vast amount of music being made today by those artists who rely on melodic songcraft to express their musical tastes. From The Beatles to Green Day and The Arctic Monkeys, the International Pop Overthrow Music Festival celebrates the evolution of pop music.

International Pop Overthrow has been covered in several newspapers and magazines, including The Los Angeles Times, L.A. Weekly, OC Weekly, Billboard, CMJ, The Chicago Sun Times, The Chicago Reader, The Illinois Entertainer,The Liverpool Echo, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, The New York Post, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Boston Phoenix, The Baltimore Sun, BAM, Goldmine, Amplifier, and various international publications.

Artists scheduled to appear during the upcoming International Pop Overthrow East Coast Tour, along with the cities in which they’re apparering, include:

· Andy Pratt (whose single, “Avenging Annie”, hit the Billboard Charts in 1973!) (Boston)

· Rooftop Suicide Club (Boston)

· The Luxury (Boston)

· The Flashcubes (Boston)

· Locksley (New York)

· The Orion Experience (New York)

· The Gripweeds (New York)

· Muck and The Mires (New York)

Plus, several bands from outside the U.S.!

For up to the minute event information, please refer to the International Pop Overthrow website at www.internationalpopoverthrow.com or our myspace page at www.myspace.com/internationalpopoverthrow

(more…)

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Just a quick heads up that the next two International Pop Overthrow festivals are coming up in Boston and New York City this November. The Boston dates are November 1st and then from the 3rd to the 6th. The New York City dates are from November 9th - 14th and 16th - 19th. Full details can be found at the IPO website. IPO head honcho David Bash always puts on a great event so check it out if you can and support these bands!

UPDATE! David Bash just sent me the detailed line-up for both Boston and New York so here you go if you are not able for some reason to check out the official IPO site:

THE INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW FESTIVAL IS COMING BACK TO THE EAST COAST FOR ITS SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR, WITH STOPS IN BOSTON AND NEW YORK!!

Thousands of fans from around the U.S. and the world will converge on the East Coast of the United States this fall as International Pop Overthrow heads to Boston and New York.  The festival will feature more than 120 of the best pop artists from all around the world. International Pop Overthrow has had nine successful years in Los Angeles five successful years in New York, and Chicago and four successful years in Boston, and IPO East Coast will come on the heels of the festival’s fourth appearance in Liverpool, England (with all shows held at the world famous Cavern Club), as well as our first appearances in Seattle and Vancouver, Canada!

Dates scheduled for each city of the IPO East Coast Tour are as follows:

·          Boston: November 1; 3-6 with all shows to be held at The Paradise Lounge

·          New York: November 9-14; 16-19 with all shows to be held at The Baggot Inn

Now being touted as the largest music festival of its kind, IPO celebrates the music made famous by such pop heroes as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Badfinger while also focusing on the vast amount of music being made today by those artists who rely on melodic songcraft to express their musical tastes.  From The Beatles to Green Day and The Arctic Monkeys, the International Pop Overthrow Music Festival celebrates the evolution of pop music.

International Pop Overthrow has been covered in several newspapers and magazines, including The Los Angeles Times, L.A. Weekly, OC Weekly, Billboard, CMJ, The Chicago Sun Times, The Chicago Reader, The Illinois Entertainer,The Liverpool Echo, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, The New York Post, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Boston Phoenix, The Baltimore Sun, BAM, Goldmine, Amplifier, and various international publications.

Artists scheduled to appear during the upcoming International Pop Overthrow East Coast Tour, along with the cities in which they’re apparering, include:

·          Andy Pratt (whose single, “Avenging Annie”, hit the Billboard Charts in 1973!) (Boston)

·          Rooftop Suicide Club (Boston)

·          The Luxury (Boston)

·          The Flashcubes (Boston)

·          Locksley (New York)

·          The Orion Experience (New York)

·          The Gripweeds (New York)

·          Muck and The Mires (New York)

Plus, several bands from outside the U.S.!

For up to the minute event information, please refer to the International Pop Overthrow website at www.internationalpopoverthrow.com or our myspace page at www.myspace.com/internationalpopoverthrow

(more…)

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If you visit The Rock and Roll Report’s MySpace page any time in the next week you will be able to hear my song of the week which is “Proud Man” by The DT’s. I just discovered this band and I wish I had known about them sooner. Featuring the absolutely killer vocals of Diana Young-Blanchard and the nice and nasty guitar licks of Estrus Records main man Dave Crider, “Proud Man” is just a taste of what this band can put out. Amazing stuff. Look for my review of their brand new “Nice ‘n’ Ruff” CD sometime next week.

Later.

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If you visit The Rock and Roll Report’s MySpace page any time in the next week you will be able to hear my song of the week which is "Proud Man" by The DT’s. I just discovered this band and I wish I had known about them sooner. Featuring the absolutely killer vocals of Diana Young-Blanchard and the nice and nasty guitar licks of Estrus Records main man Dave Crider, "Proud Man" is just a taste of what this band can put out. Amazing stuff. Look for my review of their brand new "Nice ‘n’ Ruff" CD sometime next week.

Later.

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Mondo Topless are cool because they play cool music. Swirling Vox Continental organs and songs about beer, I mean really, what’s not to like? Things blast off nicely with “Take it Slow” but to me their take on Paul Revere and The Raiders’ “Louise” had me hook, line and sinker. As a matter of fact I wanted to immediately order a couple of kegs and have a hundred of my best friends come over for a toga party. Ya that’s the effect this stuff has on me.

Around since 1992 so they are in no way newcomers to the current in vogue “garage rock” movement, Mondo Topless have undergone a bunch of changes in personnel but have always stayed true to their garage rock roots, roots that any Nuggets owning rock and roll fan will testify to with complete and utter conviction. Have a listen to their take on Solomon Burke’s “Stupidity” which oozes stagger to the bar cool, or “Powerglide” with its punked out drive and you will know that this is sweaty, crash and bang rock and roll the way its supposed to be played. A party in every track. Mondo cool. Buy it at Get Hip direct.

Later.

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I love this band and I love this song. I call this an “acceleration” song. When it comes up on the radio in the car you tend to accelerate for no apparent reason. Just got the new Jet album Shine On last week but haven’t had the chance to really listen to it so expect a review in only a few weeks. Gotta live with a new record before reaching any conclusions as to whether I like it or not. Anyhow, here’s the video:

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Mondo Topless are cool because they play cool music. Swirling Vox Continental organs and songs about beer, I mean really, what’s not to like? Things blast off nicely with “Take it Slow” but to me their take on Paul Revere and The Raiders’ “Louise” had me hook, line and sinker. As a matter of fact I wanted to immediately order a couple of kegs and have a hundred of my best friends come over for a toga party. Ya that’s the effect this stuff has on me.

Around since 1992 so they are in no way newcomers to the current in vogue “garage rock” movement, Mondo Topless have undergone a bunch of changes in personnel but have always stayed true to their garage rock roots, roots that any Nuggets owning rock and roll fan will testify to with complete and utter conviction. Have a listen to their take on Solomon Burke’s “Stupidity” which oozes stagger to the bar cool, or “Powerglide” with its punked out drive and you will know that this is sweaty, crash and bang rock and roll the way its supposed to be played. A party in every track. Mondo cool. Buy it at Get Hip direct.

Later.

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Mondo Topless are cool because they play cool music. Swirling Vox Continental organs and songs about beer, I mean really, what’s not to like? Things blast off nicely with "Take it Slow" but to me their take on Paul Revere and The Raiders’ "Louise" had me hook, line and sinker. As a matter of fact I wanted to immediately order a couple of kegs and have a hundred of my best friends come over for a toga party. Ya that’s the effect this stuff has on me.

Around since 1992 so they are in no way newcomers to the current in vogue "garage rock" movement, Mondo Topless have undergone a bunch of changes in personnel but have always stayed true to their garage rock roots, roots that any Nuggets owning rock and roll fan will testify to with complete and utter conviction. Have a listen to their take on Solomon Burke’s "Stupidity" which oozes stagger to the bar cool, or "Powerglide" with its punked out drive and you will know that this is sweaty, crash and bang rock and roll the way its supposed to be played. A party in every track. Mondo cool. Buy it at Get Hip direct.

Later.

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I’ve been thinking about taking up smoking.

I know it’s bad for my health but I like the idea of hanging outside of the office building and flicking my cigarette butt at people I don’t like.

Disdain that bites.

I think this may be a great way for me to stand out from the crowd. By flicking butts in disdain at different people, I’m opening up a whole new world of observation and storytelling. The possibilities are endless with a cigarette in hand.

Just picture it. A thirty year old balding man standing next to an office building finishes up his cigarette. Suddenly, a pack of wolves runs down the street and mauls a mother with her child. Without having to go out and smoke, I would never have been able to witness this tragedy.

Let’s face it. The cigarette is an apathetic person’s last form of freedom. It’s the epitome of an uncaring attitude, as an individual who smokes is not only throwing his or her own life away, but is directly affecting those around him or her as well. It’s the ultimate diss to health nuts and people determined to live until they are 150.

A smoker looks at the Surgeon General and shrugs. He or she is attempting to explain to our rule driven society that chaos is always just around the corner. He or she is rejecting the values put forth by North American society and creating their own rules for the sake of the individual. It’s a conscious attempt to live outside of the status quo with little or no regard for healthy living.

Rock on smokers.

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Check out all the details at: http://www.gogirlsmusicfest.com/ggmf2006/la.asp

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Check out some of these cool CDs that I came across while roaming around CD Baby this week. Click on any link to hear some tracks off the CDs and to find out more about the bands.

CHERRY BLOSSOM CLINIC: Cherry Blossom ClinicIndie power pop, punk pop with a cyanide twist

VINEGAR: Rock FetishGutsy power pop that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but seriously rocks out.

JETTISON RED: Travel By TelephoneDetroit Power POP-ROCK & Roll. With the depth and care of emo rock and the gutsy, ballsy rock of punk pop and hard rock. A glorious sound that leaves nothing to be desired.

JADED: JadedJaded is a hard hitting, all female rock band that kicks you in the face with a rock-n-roll party, firing on all cylinders. Reminiscent of ‘80’s style rock energy and decadence this band delivers in talent,looks, and raw aggression.

SUPERNAUT: Livid Vol. 1The Ramones meets Motorhead meets Cheap Trick. Pabst-soaked rock ‘n’ roll with a melodic punch, sure to please both your aggressive and pop sides.

THE FLASHING LIGHTS: Where The Change IsCombining the spirit of ’60s freak-outs with a devotion to crystal clear melodies, The Flashing Lights have lit the way for many a wayward rock ‘n’ roll fan with this release of their fantastic debut album.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Hot Pinball Rock Volume One18 diverse rock bands from the late 90’s indie scene contribute a total of 19 songs inspired by the grand game of pinball; includes White Stripes, BellRays, Dirtbombs and Bobby Conn.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Shake Yer Popboomerang 2Australian guitar pop/rock. Hooks, harmonies & melodies.

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Check out some of these cool CDs that I came across while roaming around CD Baby this week. Click on any link to hear some tracks off the CDs and to find out more about the bands.

CHERRY BLOSSOM CLINIC: Cherry Blossom Clinic Indie power pop, punk pop with a cyanide twist

VINEGAR: Rock Fetish Gutsy power pop that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but seriously rocks out.

JETTISON RED: Travel By Telephone Detroit Power POP-ROCK & Roll. With the depth and care of emo rock and the gutsy, ballsy rock of punk pop and hard rock. A glorious sound that leaves nothing to be desired.

JADED: Jaded Jaded is a hard hitting, all female rock band that kicks you in the face with a rock-n-roll party, firing on all cylinders. Reminiscent of ‘80’s style rock energy and decadence this band delivers in talent,looks, and raw aggression.

SUPERNAUT: Livid Vol. 1 The Ramones meets Motorhead meets Cheap Trick. Pabst-soaked rock ‘n’ roll with a melodic punch, sure to please both your aggressive and pop sides.

THE FLASHING LIGHTS: Where The Change Is Combining the spirit of ’60s freak-outs with a devotion to crystal clear melodies, The Flashing Lights have lit the way for many a wayward rock ‘n’ roll fan with this release of their fantastic debut album.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Hot Pinball Rock Volume One 18 diverse rock bands from the late 90’s indie rock scene contribute a total of 19 songs inspired by the grand game of pinball; includes White Stripes, BellRays, Dirtbombs and Bobby Conn.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Shake Yer Popboomerang 2 Australian guitar pop/rock. Hooks, harmonies & melodies.

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October 31 - November 4, 2006

http://www.kcrw.com/

Attending KCRW’s CMJ Music Marathon events is like getting the answer key from your professor’s top drawer a month before the final exam. You’re guaranteed to ace the test. At this year’s CMJ Music Marathon conference, the nation’s tastemaker in independent music, 89.9 KCRW- Santa Monica and its 24/7 Internet-exclusive music service, KCRWMusic.com, offer you a cheat sheet on the bands that will be at the head of the class in the coming year. Last year, KCRW’s CMJ picks included now-favorites She Wants Revenge, The 88, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Like and The Morning After Girls. This year KCRW’s CMJ Music Marathon events will have you taking notes and referring back to them often as you see pick after pick ending up in the spotlight as the breakout bands of 2007!

(more…)

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October 31 - November 4, 2006

http://www.kcrw.com/

Attending KCRW’s CMJ Music Marathon events is like getting the answer key from your professor’s top drawer a month before the final exam. You’re guaranteed to ace the test. At this year’s CMJ Music Marathon conference, the nation’s tastemaker in independent music, 89.9 KCRW- Santa Monica and its 24/7 Internet-exclusive music service, KCRWMusic.com, offer you a cheat sheet on the bands that will be at the head of the class in the coming year. Last year, KCRW’s CMJ picks included now-favorites She Wants Revenge, The 88, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Like and The Morning After Girls. This year KCRW’s CMJ Music Marathon events will have you taking notes and referring back to them often as you see pick after pick ending up in the spotlight as the breakout bands of 2007!

(more…)

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Joan Jett has more balls than most male rockers plying their trade these days. Never one to make an issue of her gender or try to “sex things up”, she has just continued to pump out consistently catchy and cool rock and roll no matter what year and what fad we find ourselves mired in.

On Sinner, her first album in 7 years she comes out swinging and I knew I was in love by the time “A.C.D.C.” started blasting out of the headphones with that great opening line “She got girls, girls all over the world. She got men, every now and then.” What a killer track and things just motor satisfyingly on throughout this 14 song CD with a bunch of great rockers (A.C.D.C., Five, Change the World, Fetish, Tube Talkin’) as well as some great melodic power pop tracks (Riddles, Naked, Everyone Knows). She also throws in a couple of slower numbers to mix things up (Androgynous, Watersign) but the thing I liked so much about this album (and other albums by her in the past) is that I smiled throughout listening to this CD. Sinner is fun, air drumming worthy rock and roll and really, that’s what music should be all about. To quote A.C.D.C. once again:

“She got spunk, but they call her a punk.”

Wear that punk tag proudly Joan! As thousands of fans found out on this year’s Warped Tour where you were a well-deserved headliner, you are quite simply rock and roll personified. Thanks for all the rock and roll fun to come.

Later.

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Joan Jett has more balls than most male rockers plying their trade these days. Never one to make an issue of her gender or try to “sex things up”, she has just continued to pump out consistently catchy and cool rock and roll no matter what year and what fad we find ourselves mired in.

On Sinner, her first album in 7 years she comes out swinging and I knew I was in love by the time “A.C.D.C.” started blasting out of the headphones with that great opening line “She got girls, girls all over the world. She got men, every now and then.” What a killer track and things just motor satisfyingly on throughout this 14 song CD with a bunch of great rockers (A.C.D.C., Five, Change the World, Fetish, Tube Talkin’) as well as some great melodic power pop tracks (Riddles, Naked, Everyone Knows). She also throws in a couple of slower numbers to mix things up (Androgynous, Watersign) but the thing I liked so much about this album (and other albums by her in the past) is that I smiled throughout listening to this CD. Sinner is fun, air drumming worthy rock and roll and really, that’s what music should be all about. To quote A.C.D.C. once again:

“She got spunk, but they call her a punk.”

Wear that punk tag proudly Joan! As thousands of fans found out on this year’s Warped Tour where you were a well-deserved headliner, you are quite simply rock and roll personified. Thanks for all the rock and roll fun to come.

Later.

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According to Aversion, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are planning a new album in 2007 that will be louder than last year’s Howl. A personal favourite of mine, I greet this news with much oohing and ahhing.

Later.

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According to Aversion, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are planning a new album in 2007 that will be louder than last year’s Howl. A personal favourite of mine, I greet this news with much oohing and ahhing.

Later.

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