Hanoi Rocks was busted for weed possession at the Norwegian border: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=32023
There's some new pics of the guys up at Rockfoto.nu, too.
Denmark's Raunchy has split with Nuclear Blast and is currently seeking a new label, no doubt an attempt to crossover to a larger, more mainstream market.
New mp3 today from Echo Is Your Love. This Finnish act evokes the spirit of classic DC/Dischord-style punk/hardcore with slashing guitars, tense, driving beats and impassioned vocals. The left-panned guitar on this track pounds open chords, not just for dissonance, but for percussive effect. And just when you feel like the band is on the verge of falling apart, they pull it back together with a sinister dual-guitar line. There is definitely a strong undercurrent of chaos in their playing, but it never feels contrived. They keep the reigns on just tight enough that everything remains under control, but there's always an element of danger. As good as this song is, it doesn't quite do the band justice. The album "Paper cut eye" doesn't easily lend itself to being picked apart, song by song. There's just too much going on, too many little things that elevate the work as a whole. Even still, I bet you'd need to see them live to truly get the full impact. Very recommended.
Check out a couple tracks from Swedish distorted electropop act D.Von: http://hem.passagen.se/d.von
The group is currently working on recording new material for a 7" due out sometime later this spring or summer.
Okay, that Madrugada video shoot at the Kilburn in London is back on for Thursday. Same time, same everything, just no full band set after filming. Instead, you get a short acoustic set. Boo-hoo! The flyer again: http://www.emi.no/madrugada/kilburn.jpg
Check out the video for "Ctr Alt Del" from Swedish hip-hop act Svenska Akademien: http://www.betraktaren.com/svenska_akademien/laddaned_station.asp?song=ctrlaltdel_DSL&type=mov
It took 'em a couple years, but the Shout Out Louds finally landed a major deal with Capitol Records. The debut EP "Very loud" gets a proper US release on February 21 and the full-length "Howl howl gaff gaff" follows on May 24. They'll both hit Europe after the summer. They'll also be coming to the US on tour supporting hyped act The Futureheads. Dates soon.
PowerSolo's tour diary from their promo trip in France: http://www.powersolo.dk/240120052.html
Nicolai Dunger will be performing his debut US show with a full band at SXSW. He'll be plaing the Billions Booking showcase at Antones on March 18.
The nominees for the Danish Music Awards have been announced: http://www.dr.dk/dma/nominerede/index.asp?kategori_id=all
Denmark's Cartridge will release their debut EP "Nowehere fast" on February 7 via the new German-based label Records&Me. Head over to the band's website to download some demo tracks from the band: http://www.cartridge.dk/
Drummer Henkka has left Endstand, but they've already found a replacement with Pekka from Security Threat. He's still busy with school and work, so they won't be touring until the end of the year but will be practicing like crazy and playing locally until then.
Fluxblog posts a track from Ak-momo: http://www.fluxblog.org/2005/01/only-mirror-in-room-ak-momo-greasy.html
And whaddya know? The Mystical Beast has posted the same track today as well: http://mysticalbeast.blogspot.com/2005/01/taking-short-break-from-simon-fisher.html
Willowtree has confirmed that they will be working with producer Ronald Bood (The Plan, Mando Diao, Niccokick, Keane) on their upcoming album. The group has spent the last few months doing preproduction and will enter the studio in February.
Splendid reviews When's latest album "Whenever": http://www.splendidmagazine.com/review.html?reviewid=1105702893280601