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NEWS 3.13.09:
Hi there!
It's been a while since our last missive. 2009 is shaping up to be a busy one at the ARRCO HQ. Forgive us as we've been a bit out-of-touch, won't you?
Before we begin, a huge KUDOS goes out to Joan Hiller Depper of the infamous Riot Act Media. We lured Joan down Interstate 5 and are glad to have her here in Portland. Joan will be handling almost-all publicity for ARRCO. You can find out more about her 'rad', 'slaying', and 'tonar' company at: www.riotactmedia.com.
Out April 14th is The Twang's 'Love It When I Feel Like This'. The release was certified gold in the U.K. (250,000 copies!) and the U.S. version will contain 4 bonus tracks (including a remix by The Streets). The video to their smash hit 'Either Way' has been viewed over a half-million times on YouTube. MASSIVE chorus! The NME describes The Twang as 'Happy Mondays snorting The Clash' and Time Out London said 'they're writing better, more exciting songs than anyone else'. The Twang are proof that having songs is far more important than being trendy. God Bless The Fuckin' Twang!
Also out April 14th is 'Tragic Boogie' from The Life and Times. Led by former Shiner frontman, Allen Epley, this KC, MO 3-piece will be on the road the rest of the year. See them in their 'next big thing' 2-page spread in the April issue of Alternative Press. If you, like us, loved The Flaming Lips when they were a 'ROCK' band (see: 'Clouds Taste Metallic' and 'Transmissons…'), or were disappointed at what became of the Secret Machines, then you have a new fave band in The Life and Times.
Next up on the release schedule is Sonseed. Over 2 million people have watched their YouTube video, which says it all. A 5-song EP including that smash hit 'Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine' will be out in June and 'ZAP!' millions in the name of Jesus.
COMING SOON:
In 1989, New Jersey-based Winter Hours released their Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group)-produced, self-titled LP on Chrysalis. This album has been out-of-print for several years and will now be REISSUED with bonus tracks as well as a full live show from the era recorded at XRT in Chicago. This is a true 'lost' Americana classic and it'll now see the light of day once again. AllMusic says the album is a 'must own' for anyone that cares about Pete Townshend, Phil Ochs, or Neil Young.
The House of Love and Comsat Angels REISSUES! Both U.K. bands were considered 'legendary' in their day and hold up quite well. The House of Love were on the infamous Creation Records (The Jesus & Mary Chain, Oasis, Primal Scream, etc.) and while the Comsat Angels never achieved commercial success they can claim to have been handpicked by U2 to support the band on their first-ever tour of the U.K.
Kelly Blair Bauman is a Portland resident who has created our favorite 'alt country' album since Ryan Adams released 'Heartbreaker'. We can't wait for you guys to hear it later this year.
Artist/poet/musician Steve Scott has toiled away in relative obscurity for well-over 25 years. His first record was to come out in the early-70s on Larry Norman's Solid Rock label but was never issued. Look for a 'collected works' of both spoken-word and music out within the year.
Frontier(s) hail from Louisville, KY and are led by former Elliott frontman Chris Higdon. The band will issue their debut on ARRCO later this year.
We will also be releasing the new album from Richmond Fontaine in September. For those unfamiliar, their 2004 release 'Post To Wire' was named 4th best album of the year by Uncut (behind Brian Wilson, Wilco, & Loretta Lynn). The new album was once again produced by J.D. Foster (Dwight Yokam) and will be their most accessible yet. The band's frontman, Willy Vlautin, has penned two books ('The Motel Life' and 'Northline') that are published by Faber and Faber. If you're a fan of Denis Johnson ('Jesus' Son') or Thom Jones ('The Pugilist At Rest'), you'll dig Vlautin's style. Look for a 'The Motel Life' to be made into a major motion picture soon!
Also look for new releases from: Emergency Party! (Giancarlo & Frosty of The Mink Lungs), Pilot To Gunner, Saudade (new signing pronounced 'So Dodgy'), D.L. Sparks (new signing and most-likely-to-be-signing-autographs-in-the-next-year status), Sabertooth, STIFFWIFF, plus reissues from lost 80s' southern jangle-popsters The Primitons and Carnival Season!
Questions? Comments? Cat advice? Email us at the addy below.
Cheerio!
Greg, Teresa, and the cats (Kudzu, Lyla, Dixie, & Genesis)!
takinaride@aol.com
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Additional bands, info, & music store at www.arenarock.com.
Merch at www.cafepress.com/arenarock.
Listen to Greg weekday mornings 6-9 and Sunday evenings 8-10 (The Bottom Forty) on 94.7 KNRK in Portland, or online at www.947.fm.
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