Warped Tour Announces Lineup, Adds Matisyahu and Chiodos

Warped Tour 2008 has announced two new additions for a portion of this summer’s tour. Matisyahu will join the tour for the July 9 (Atlanta), July 10 (Orlando), July 11 (Tampa) and the July 13 (Jacksonville) shows. Also look for Chiodos to perform a one-night-only show on July 18 in Detroit at Comerica Park. The full band lineup is below.

The Fashion Release S/T Album, Announce US Tour w/ Alkaline Trio

Euro-punk design-dancers The Fashion, from Copenhagen, Denmark, will be touring with Alkaline Trio next month is support of their self-titled album released yesterday.

The Fashion’s debut album Rock Rock Kiss Kiss Combo was released in Denmark in September 2003. The group is lead by Jakob Printzlau, a successful underground graphic designer. Some of his work can be seen below.

Death Cab For Cutie Release Narrow Stairs

Death Cab for Cutie, Photo by Autumn de WildeDeath Cab for Cutie’s sixth album, Narrow Stairs isn’t the “make or break” album that critics are positioning it to be, says Ben Gibbard. “I appreciate the drama. But I don’t really understand what’s at stake for us. Or at least, I don’t agree that what’s at stake for us is worldwide rock ‘n’ roll superstardom or working the night shift at a 7-11.”

Radiohead vs. The Monster

You know the theory about light and distant stars? That it takes so long for light to travel to Earth that some stars appear to be shining when they have actually burned out long ago? That’s how artists should be thinking about major-label record deals. The industry has burned so long on the fossil fuel of major-label cash, they still appear to be relevant. Are they?

New so-called “360 deals” on major labels want a piece of everything the artist makes. They get their name because they take revenue from all sides of the pie—sales, touring, licensing, publishing, acting, modeling, merchandise—you name it.

Witch: Amping Up the Stoner Rock Formula on Paralyzed

Vermont rock supergroup Witch adopt the phrase “less weed, more speed” on their new record Paralyzed. The result is a hard-hitting—and at times dreamy—album full of self-assured jams that proves the rock veterans are still pushing their music into new territories.