Happy Halloween!

Don't let anyone give you a rock!

Puddle of Mudd's 4th Volume

It seems like just about every week there is some kind of new rock announcement to be made. Well, as it turns out this week is no different.

I have actually been the bearer of this information for quite some time now, but I have been reluctant to reveal it to you, the listener, since I could not verify how true it was. However, as of today, the information has (for the most part) been confirmed, so it is time that I gave you guys the low down.

In the world of rock, the band Puddle of Mudd has gotten to be a well known name. Ever since their album Come Clean, Puddle of Mudd has enjoyed a steadily increasing popularity with each new record release. And rightfully so, since with each album Puddle of Mudd has continued to improve with their songwriting.

However, I personally think that their last album failed to meet expectations. Granted, Famous had a few good singles that came out of it like "Psycho", which became a #1 Hit, but I think that overall it wasn't Puddle of Mudd's best effort.

Perhaps the band agrees with me, though, because their upcoming new album titled Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate will be much tighter and more focused. According to bassist Doug Ardito, the new record will contain only nine songs to avoid what he called "filler material". The new CD is also expected to contain more edgy, punk rock similar to that which can be found on earlier releases according to interviews with Puddle of Mudd frontman and vocalist Wes Scantlin.

Since Puddle of Mudd has produced some great hits in the past (some of which I am very fond of), I am excited for this new record which is scheduled to hit stores on December 8th. And if their first single off of the new album, "Spaceship" (now playing on 97.9X), is any indication, then Vol. 4 is going to rock!

As always, keep it here for updates on this and other New Rock announcements.

WHOOP!

Another funny YouTube video I thought was worth sharing. It amazes me at what qualifies as newsworthy anymore.

Again, you need to keep in mind while watching this that it is a 100% REAL news story. Someone actually thought it would be a perfectly good idea to air this on television. Idiots.

Enjoy!

Cleveland Rocks!

Crazy Cleveland Tourism Video - watch more funny videos

Almost makes you feel grateful to be living in NEPA. Almost.

Mudvayne Ends the Game

Since their beginnings, Mudvayne had been known for their technical styles of music, incorporating elements from nearly a dozen genres of metal. However, Mudvayne's most recent album The New Game had a distinct rock and roll sound to it that was unheard of in their previous music. Said album produced the hit single "Do What You Do" on 97.9X which was very popular among you listeners.

Although the The New Game wasn't Mudvayne as I knew them, I still sincerely enjoyed it. The album truly showcased Mudvayne's range and skill in versatility, and it left me eager for the next effort from the band.

The original plan was to release The New Game, followed six months later by yet another album release. However, this plan fell by the wayside and the second release (fifth studio album by the band) never came. From the information I was able to gather in the time between, I learned that Mudvayne had completely finished, mixed, and mastered the unreleased new album, but they had no release date planned, opting instead to finish up the Music As A Weapon Tour before they put the new CD on shelves.

But finally, just yesterday, Mudvayne revealed the album title, the release date, and a whole slew of other information about the new album on MySpace. Here is what they had to say:

MUDVAYNE TO RELEASE NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM on DECEMBER 22, 2009

NEW SONG ‘BEAUTIFUL AND STRANGE’ STREAMING TODAY

MUDVAYNE are back with a self-titled release that will hit stores on December 22, 2009 and leave fans blown away by its eclectic complexity and brutality. MUDVAYNE’S last record “The New Game”, produced two hit singles; the #1 ‘Do What You Do’ and ‘Scarlet Letters’ are continuing to receive massive radio airplay and video rotation on MTV2 and Fuse. One could say that this new album is the hardest, but yet most melodic record, MUDVAYNE has ever created.....
Alongside the blistering new tunes. MUDVAYNE have outdone themselves once again with the mind-blowing packaging for the new album. The new album is revolutionizing album artwork design, as this is the first album to ever use black light reactive ink. Every bit of art and text in the packaging of the record will be printed on ink that can only be seen with a black light. Fans receiving this record as a gift during the holiday season, could truly have a “White Christmas” courtesy of MUDVAYNE.

Matt McDonough MUDVAYNE’S drummer had the following to say about the new album, “I feel that this album is the best that the band has recorded since our second album, The End of All Things to Come.
The album will be available in three formats. Those include, the standard jewel case edition, a deluxe edition that comes with a black light, and the super deluxe edition that includes a larger black light, a special edition black light reactive poster, and more.

Check out the brand new MUDVAYNE song “Beautiful and Strange” today at www.mudvayne.com and www.myspace.com/mudvayne for a taste of what is to come on December 22nd..

Some very exciting news to be sure. I am eager to see how the black light reactive ink will work with the album's artwork. In theory, it sounds like a pretty sweet idea. I can't wait to see it in practice.

Also, I would advise that you check out the new song "Beautiful and Strange" that Mudvayne is streaming on their website and their MySpace, because it ROCKS! Having listened to it myself, I feel confident that this new album will kick all kinds of ass. I cannot wait!

*UPDATE (11/30/09) - The new album is now scheduled for release on December 21st, 2009.

As always, keep it here for updates on this and other New Rock announcements.

Holy Sh*t! This is hysterical!

I just happened to come across this video on YouTube a few days ago and I figured it would be worth sharing it with all of you.

Keep in mind that this is a 100% REAL news story!

Enjoy!

Breaking In At Midnight

Being in radio means that I can get brand new albums for free, usually close to five days before they are released. However, the release of Breaking Benjamin's brand new record, Dear Agony, was a special occasion, and I decided that this time I would, instead, wait like everyone else until the day of sale. I even took it upon myself to stand out in the cold at the Gallery of Sound in Kingston/Edwardsville with a few hundred other Benheads and await the Midnight Release of the highly anticipated new album.


We had a freakin' blast! Also, huge minion points are to be awarded to the two dudes at the front of the line that waited outside the store since 3:00pm, nine whole hours before the release. Now THAT is dedication (and proof of having no job and nothing better to do)!

The big draw to the Midnight Release not only had to do with the desire for an album that has been two years in the making, but also because the Gallery of Sound was raffling off wristbands that would get you into our 97.9X Top Secret Show with Breaking Benjamin the following evening. Everyone that bought the new album that evening was given the opportunity to win.

Excitement was building, and tensions were high. Finally, the doors to the store opened up at Midnight and the crowed rolled in.

Oh, and by the way, look who happened to take the time to stop by the Gallery of Sound in the Gateway Shopping Center and sign stuff...


...None other than NEPA's own, Chad Szeliga, the drummer for Breaking Ben! I think I can speak for all of the people there that evening when I say "thank you" to Chad for stopping by.

The folks who came out had a great time and everyone was thrilled to have the new album. After the line for purchases had ended at roughly 1:30am, it was time to raffle off the passes into the Secret Show, and yours truly was put in charge of picking the winning tickets out of the bucket.

Let me tell you that there are not many things in this world that stress me the hell out, but this was definitely one of those things. While it was simply luck of the draw as to whose number I pulled out, it sucked having to watch people's hearts be broken when they didn't win. So to all of those people whose number(s) I did not pick, I am sorry that I let you down and ask that you please do not hate me forever and ever. To all those people whose number(s) I DID pick, I shall expect gifts and favors as a sign of your gratitude to be forthcoming.

So with the midnight release complete and Dear Agony officially in stores, it was time for part two of the festivities: the Secret Show with Breaking Benjamin!

And what a show it was.


I was pleasantly surprised at how well the River Street Jazz Cafe helped us out by supplying the venue, and I hope we can do more things with them in the future, because it was a great time! Breaking Benjamin blew the crowd away with acoustic performances of "The Diary of Jane", "I Will Not Bow", "Until the End", and finished things off with "Breath". Of course, the crowd goes crazy when the band left the stage, and of course the boys came back out and played an encore which featured a song off of the brand new album.

It was an awesome night, and the band even came out afterward to hang out with their loyal NEPA fanbase, take pictures, and sign autographs.

And so, after two straight days of busy-work and very little sleep, the frenzy surrounding the release of Dear Agony has finally begun to settle down. If you have yet to buy the album, I suggest that you stop reading this blog, get off of your ass, and go get it! Trust me, it rocks. And if you couldn't get into the Secret Show, you have my sympathy, and I hope that you can join us for one in the future.

I'm going to catch up on some sleep. Until next time, greasers, KEEP ROCKIN'!