So what's new in the life and times of people slightly more famous than you?
This headline is a bit premature, but worth a mention because even though there are a few select Millencolin songs that I enjoy, I never knew that these homeboys were Swedish. Something new every day. Spread the good word.
Mindless Self Indulgence fans take note! If you can find the time to stop cutting anime and Pokemon clips down to play over MSI songs (I'm sure the YouTube community loves your art) you'll be able to go see these guys live this spring. Ray and I got into an argument recently when he accused me of being a fan (he swears I said I liked them once). But for those of you who are - have at it.
If you haven't check out this rad label we pity you. www.smogveil.com
That says it all. This says the rest: "The Presidents of the United States of America have teamed up with director “Weird Al” Yankovic to shoot the performance-based video for 'Mixed Up S.O.B.,' creating a multi-layered, virtual world through psychedelic picture flipbooks." Yup.
This is probably the coolest thing. It would be better if 26 year old reading interventionists could enter but I'll manage...
New York, NY- January 10, 2008 - Do Something, the national not-for-profit that makes it possible for teens to change the world is partnering with the Hopeless/Sub City Records Take Action! Tour to offer $500 grants to young people who want to make change in their communities.
The Take Action Grants, empowered by MySpace Impact, the Hot Topic Foundation and Hopeless/Sub City Records, will focus on Poverty, Music Education or any other cause young people are passionate about. The Take Action! Tour, an annual charity tour kicking off this February, will feature Every Time I Die, From First, The Bled, August Burns Red and The Human Abstract.
The Grants include:Music Education: $500 grants for projects that Do Something about Music Education, empowered by the Hot Topic Foundation
Poverty: $500 grants for projects that Do Something about Poverty, empowered by MySpace Impact
General: $500 grants for projects that Do Something about any cause that young people are passionate about, empowered by Hopeless/Sub City Records
Charity partner Do Something is a place where young people are given the opportunity to help change the world. Instead of telling young people what cause they should get involved with, Do Something asks them "What's your something?" and then gives them the information, resources, and grant-money to make change around the causes they are passionate about.
"DoSomething.org is a trusted resource for young people that want to make a difference and we believe in their ability to take action. When a 17-year-old has a great idea for making change in their community, Do Something is the organization that will step up and give them $500 to make that happen", says Do Something CMO, Ari a Finger
Hopeless/Sub City Records has chosen non-profit organization Do Something as the official charity for their 2008 Take Action Tour. Sharing a common mission to help young people make a positive difference in the world, Take Action and Do Something are set to kick off the 7th annual tour in February of 2008.
"Our recent generations brought the world the personal computer and the mobile phone but also brought the world global warming and world violence over a theology dispute," said Louis Posen, President of Hopeless/Sub City Records. "I can't imagine a better way to change the world than helping young, eager social entrepreneurs with resources to take action to solve the world's problems. The Do Something grant program is amazing and does just that: directly believes in and empowers young people to make a difference."
To apply for a Take Action! Grant, young people can visit dosomething.org/grants and upload their community change projects or ideas. The grants will be open to young people, 25 and under, across the US and Canada . Each grant application will be rigorously reviewed by Do Something as well as the sponsors, with grant winners announced in February.
In 2007 alone, Do Something issued over $240,000 to young people who are making change in communities across the globe. Last year Do Something reached over 10 million young people, age 25 and under, and helped them take action.
In 1999 Hopeless Records formally started supporting non-profit organizations through their Sub City imprint and Take Action initiatives. Since then the label has released over 30 charitable titles and donated over 1 million dollars to various non-profit organizations, of which over $450,000 was donated to longtime Take Action charity partner The Kristin Brooks Hope Center. Take Action 2008 will benefit Do Something by donating 10% of all ticket sales and 5% of the suggested retail price for each Take Action! Volume 7 compilation sold.
Danish born, Los Angeles based pop-punk trio HorrorPops will unveil their hotly anticipated third album, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, on February 5th courtesy of Hellcat Records. Inspired by thematic elements from vintage films and classic soundtracks, the noir-influenced release emphasizes the band’s unique ability to intermingle a variety of influences ranging from punk, rockabilly, new wave and surf.
On January 29, 2008, Louis XIV will release their second full-length album Slick Dogs and Ponies on Atlantic Records. It's been almost three years since their debut The Best Little Secrets Are Kept, and on their self-produced follow-up the San Diego quartet explore new sonic terrain. The lush, grandiose collection includes string arrangements by world renowned composer David Campbell (as in Beck's dad...I know, right??). What results is a record that demonstrates a devotion to artistic growth, blending classical sensibility with their rock and roll roots.
A tour will follow. Of course it will.<
Flogging Molly, who can almost do no wrong, have a new album due out in March.
Years ago I saw Flogging Molly at the Shelter with AFI and they were so damn drunk by the time they went on they played one song for 20 minutes and sort of fell/walked off the stage. This experience has confused me ever since - I have never been able to tell if it made me like them more or if it annoyed me.
Regardless, SideOneDummy Records thinks that the album is masterful. Find out what we think if we ever get a copy to review.
Scissors for Lefty, who I think are the coolest band to enter the PenCapChew PO Box in MONTHS (review to come soon - promise) are now remixing their songs and offering up an original Christmas track.
I haven't heard the remixed tracks but I trust Scissors for Lefty enough to say this is something to be excited about. I love reviewing shit I haven't actually listened to. Let me convince you this way:
Four Highly Excellent Things About Scissors For Lefty
1. They reference ginger snaps in one of their songs
2. They are minimalist without drilling a boring drum line into your skull
3. They do this upbeat thing without being annoying
4. They run around the country with Juliette and the Licks

Find the remixes at www.myspace.com/scissorsforleftyremixed
Yet far from a simple rehashing of familiar material, each song on Dressed Up & In Line has been reworked, whether that means a new guitar lick or new vocal harmony or a totally remixed track. But fear not because that classic Copeland signature sound still remains intact.
The collection also includes covers of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” and The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” – as well as some of the first songs the band ever laid down in “That Awful Memory of Yours,” “May I Have This Dance” and “Second Star To The Left, Go 'Til Dawn.”
Some of the most alluring moments come as the band re-tools some of its most memorable tracks, from the now swooning pace of “You Love To Sing,” to the almost danceable version of “Sleep” to the stripped-down elegance of “No One Really Wins”; these tracks are at once both fresh and familiar.
As listeners take this journey alongside the band they have come to know so well over the years, they will find that there is still more to discover about their storied past. And most certainly, it gives us one more reason to get in line to follow them for many promising years to come.
As you know, the Annuals / Manchester Orchestra tour has officially begun. In celebration, there is a Mannuals Mashup Contest being offered over at PureVolume.
Here's the deal: you take an Annuals song, mash it up with a Manchester Orchestra song, and enter for a chance to win an acoustic Epiphone guitar signed by both bands, a copy of Annuals' Be He Me and Manchester Orchestra's I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child, the bands' exclusive split 7" (only sold at their shows) and a limited edition lithograph of the 7" artwork.
Five runners up will get the CDs, the 7" and the lithograph.