Music

Oakland’s Annihilation Time are a rare, rare find for the aught years—a prodigiously talented and punk-derived guitar band that is familiar with the honest-to-goodness musical language of rock. Their third album, and first release on Tee Pee Records, finds the band stronger than ever, with a crushing rhythmic core and dueling guitar solos that are not only muscular and modest but purposeful.

The experimental noise rockers, Boris, will debut the video for their newest single “Statement” this Saturday on a special addition of MTV 2’s Headbanger’s Ball, hosted by Lamb of God. The video debut will support the Japanese trio as their blistering tour of the Americas continues following the release of their latest record, Smile.

Quitzow and Setting Sun have both just released new albums and will be embarking on a joint tour together for the remainder of the summer. Quitzow (aka Erika Quitzow) and the founder/lead-singer of Setting Sun, Gary Levitt, are the masterminds behind running and recording on their label, Young Love Records. The two have assisted each other in recording and are often interchangeable onstage, offering their services to a wide range of instrumentation and voice.

Ulrich Schnauss released a 4-song EP entitled Stars on Domino Records on June 24th, available on iTunes. The Stars EP includes three new versions of the song “Stars” off of Schnauss’ 2007 album Goodbye. MAPS and Andrew Prinz of Mahogany offer remixes. The EP also includes a new version of “Look at the Sky,” from the Quicksand Memory EP. The Stars EP will be available on CD on August 5th. Ulrich Schnauss is also embarking on a short tour.

If you thought Lollapalooza’s lineup was ridiculous you haven’t seen anything yet. Tomorrow, Glastonbury Festival will begin in Scotland and will carry through the weekend until Sunday, the 29th. The festival will showcase bands from all over the world on 6 different main stages, with 17 other smaller tents and stages for bands and DJs to perform at.

Austin-based band …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have joined Justice Records in creating a new label imprint, Richter Scale Records. After splitting with their major label, the band signed up with Justice Records to release their sixth, as yet untitled album due for January 2009.

Wu-Tang mogul RZA will be teaming up with legendary Academy-Award winning composer Hans Zimmer, who is known for his work in Gladiator, The Lion King, The Thin Red Line. The two soundtrack veterans (RZA is well known for his work in Kill Bill) will be collaborating to do the complete score to the upcoming Vin Diesel movie, titled Babylon A.D.

The hardcore outfit Cancer Bats have released their sophomore effort, Hit Destroyer, on Black Market Activities. Hit Destroyer sees the Canadian quartet retaining their soundscape, but maturing in both music and focus. The new album incorporates elements of past and present hardcore, all the while paving way for a much more enthralling direction in the genre.

During discussions of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, the US State Department, which handles all US foreign affairs, diverted from the norm to address questions about Boy George. When asked what the department has against the singer who was recently denied a visa, Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey choked on his drink, then proceeded to reference one of Culture Club’s songs. The singer has a US tour scheduled and is appealing to the State Department to reverse the decision. Transcript below:

In collaboration with longtime producer Nigel Godrich and his From the Basement television show, Radiohead has released ten live performance videos exclusively on iTunes. The videos were recorded at The Hospital studio in Covent Garden in one day and were directed by David Barnard. The videos feature live renditions of songs from In Rainbows as well as the bonus CD included in their deluxe discbox edition.

On July 5 through the 13th, Brooklyn, New York will be the site of the11 Afro-punk Festival. Starting on July 5th there will be nightly live performances at the BAM skatepark, which will run until July 9th. After that date, the festival will shift locations to Fort Greene Park until July 13th.