AFI electronica side project, Blaqk Audio is streaming a brand new song titled “Down Here” and you can stream it right here.  No word on what this means in terms of a future release but the band stated in an interview last summer that they have over 30 songs worth of material to use in a new release, which they plan to put out sometime after AFI finishes touring for their last album “Crash Love.”

Blaqk Audio is comprised of AFI vocalist Davey Havoc and AFI guitar player Jade Puget.  The side project’s second release will be a follow up to 2007’s debut “Sexcells” released on Interscope Records.

So, you’ve heard of Bluegrass, but what’s “Newgrass”? Well, it’s the affectionately coined style of music the kids in Old Man Markley have been pioneering since 2007. Made up of nine musicians with punk rock in their hearts and traditional acoustic instruments in their hands, Old Man Markley are set to release their debut full length on Fat Wreck Chords, titled “Guts N’ Teeth”, on January 18, 2011.

Take a peek at what Annie, autoharpist & vocalist, had to say about the release:

We stripped our punk rock down to “guts” and our Bluegrass down to “teeth.” Now we’re naked and letting it all hang out with our first full length – Guts N’ Teeth. This album was made with the hopes that it would fall into the right hands – someone that would really appreciate our unique arrangements. We couldn’t believe that the perfectly manicured hands of Fat Mike would catch it! Now it’s your turn. Have a listen and let the banjo steal a little piece of your heart. Pick up a copy at one of our shows… we want to talk with you, dance with you, drink with you! See ya on the road.

Asian Man Records announced today that the upcoming The Smoking Popes album will be titled “This Is Only A Test” and it will be released on the label March 15th, 2011.  It will be the band’s first album with Neil Hennessey on drums.

The band released, It’s Been A Long Day in February on Asian Man Records.  The release contained the band’s 1st three 7 inches, Innoculator, BreakUp, and 2 as well as a previously unreleased track.

Detroit metalcore act We Came As Romans have premiered the music video for their recently released single “To Move On Is To Grow” and you can check it out right here.

The band has also just announced a new European headliner tour, Scream It Like You Mean It 2011. The tour will begin in mid-April and will feature support from Miss May I, The Word Alive, and This Or The Apocalypse.  Check out the dates and locations here.

We Came As Romans released their last album “To Plant A Seed” which was released November of 2009 on Equal Vision Records.

[Read more…]

And so it begins.  The Christmas cover songs by punk bands are beginning to pop up everywhere and today it’s “Little Drummer Boy” by August Burns Red.  Check it out on their MySpace page along with last year’s covers of “O Come O Come Emanuel” and “Carol Of The Bells.”

August Burns Red released their last studio album, Constellations in July, 2009 on Solid State.

Earlier this month, we reported that Kris Idol, guitarist of the L.A. street punk act Time Again, had formed a new band called Chelsea Arms and was in the process of recording music.

Today, the band uploaded a few songs for our listening pleasure.  “Lost City,” “Search Forever,” and “I Don’t Belong Here” comprise an upcoming three-song single and can be streamed on Chelsea Arms’ Facebook page here.

Springfield, MA pop punk act Maker have signed to 6131 Records. Here is what the label had to say on the matter,

“Having been a fan of Springfield, MA’s Maker for a while now we couldn’t be happier to welcome them to 6131 Records. Maker formed in 2007, but after the self release of “A Place To Call Home” in late 2008 things started to take off for the band. Since then Maker has done two full US tours, four east coast tours, released the EP “I-91” on Either/Or Records and Animal Style Records, and most recently a split 7” with The Story So Far on Pure Noise, and that’s just the beginning. Come January 2011 Maker will embark on another full US tour, and upon returning home they’ll finish writing and head to the studio to record their debut LP for 6131 Records coming next summer. Needless to say, we’re all so excited to have them on board.”

Maker just put out a split record with The Story So Far on Pure Noise Entertainment this month. You can check out the bands interviewing each other and stream the record here.

**The Album Reviews published on Dying Scene are written and submitted by regular users of the site. These users are not professional music critics nor are they paid for what they write. If you disagree with an album’s rating, feel free to voice your opinion and give it your own rating in the comments. If you’d like to submit your own review do it here.

One of my favorite things in the world is to come home to a package in the shape of square sitting there waiting for me to open it. It’s something about vinyl that still does it for me. When I was sent the newest offering by The Stereo State from the awesome dudes over at Neutral Territory Records, I had a feeling this could be worth my time. Decent expectations, not sub-par but just a good record. What I did not expect was to be hearing was what I truly think to be the best 7″ of 2010. Yes, it’s that good.

First off, just from opening the packaging you receive a note from Neutral Territory Records (sweet Lifetime nod) saying what’s up with the label, a little about The Stereo State and a thank you which I totally dug. It’s cool to see a label giving a fuck about who buys their record. Sometimes, the small things like that matter. I also have to give it up to the cover art which fits well with themes being portrayed on this slab on vinyl. As you open it up, there’s the lyrics clearly printed which I think is always crucial to this genre if you ask me. You can say the most prominent statements with your lyrics but no one is going to give a fuck if you don’t put them out there for people to read. As for the actual vinyl, I’m not sure what the pressing numbers are but I received a cool splatter grey which looks great. Now onto that actual music…

The record starts off with the song “Spit Hot Fire” which is shorter song that has a chorus that will get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. I think it was a great choice to come out swinging on the record. The next song is most definitely a personal favorite entitled “Whalesounds”. I can not go on enough about how crucial I think this song is to the genre and would go as far to say this is my favorite song I’ve heard all year. Everything from the music to the lyrics really hit home. With my musical background, it’s great to see that bands can still do this right. The next track, “There’s No U in Team” is another catchy tune that plays the 90’s card well. This band can write a chorus and tracks like this prove it. The record is topped off by another two tracks in the similar vein that will keep your head bobbing. Also, they include a “joke” song entitled “Fart Wars” which I still don’t get but had me laughing to myself. I think it’s great to see a band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously and c’mon, when’s the last time you heard a joke song?

Some of the high points of this band are their throwback style to the mid-90’s when punk was fun and lyrics had some substance. One thing that I’m really into about this band is the way their singer Andy delivers. This is not your average pop-punk singer who is forcing out high squeals but rather belts out and can hold a note. If I had to compare it to someone, it would be Farside in the sense that it’s singing rather than whining. I could be bias and it actually might not be for everyone but fuck, it’s an amazing change of pace. Also, the recording is really clean and makes for an enjoyable listen with the drums sounds crisp and where all guitars (including bass) aren’t lost in the mix.

Overall, I got a chance to review a great piece of vinyl that will truly please anyone into melodic hardcore/punk. I’m really high on this mostly because these guys are doing my favorite genre justice. I’d really have to suggest the track “Whalesounds” as a great representation of this band so be sure to scoop this one up. You will not be disappointed.

So if you’ve been wandering the wilderness for the past few weeks, you may have missed the internet leaking hints that No Trigger will be heading down under in 2011.  It’s my pleasure to announce to all my Aussie comrades that this is no longer an internet rumor, rather the band have announced they’ll be hitting Australian shores in January with Such Gold in tow.  As for everyone elsewhere, jealous?  Check out the poster with dates and venues, here.

No Trigger have reunited their original line-up and will be releasing a 7″ titled “Be Honest” on December 14.  Get stoked on it people.

Apparently, Bad Religion has selected what could be the next single from their latest album “The Dissent of Man”; the L.A. radio station KROQ has recently began playing “Cyanide”. This would be the second single from the band’s aforementioned new album, following the success of “The Devil in Stitches”. There are no more details regarding this, but stay tuned…

Bad Religion is currently taking a break from touring, but has recently been confirmed for this year’s KROQ Acoustic Christmas, which takes place on December 11th, and 91X Wrex the Halls Festival in San Diego, which takes place the following day.