Tom Morello, lead guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, will release a third studio album for his solo project, The Nightwatchman, on August 30th entitled World Wide Rebel Songs. Shortly before this in May 2011, Morello released an EP Union Town after being inspired by his performance in Madison, Wisconsin last February during the protest of an anti-union bill. All proceeds from this EP continue to go to the America Votes Labor Unity Fund via SaveWorkers.org. Continuing to benefit worthy causes, Morello has announced a three day Midwest tour, including Madison WI, Cleveland OH, and Flint MI, along with Rise Against’s vocalist and guitarist Tim McIlrath to benefit The Nation Institute (for more information click here). Created as a non-profit media center, the goal of The Nation Institute is to promote progressive ideas as well as strengthen and allow for independent press to thrive. “This year’s Justice Tour aims to support independent media which is battling the mountain of disinformation and propaganda foisted on the public by right wing media barons,” said Morello. “We will also return to the union battlegrounds of the Midwest to help steel the backbone of workers under siege.” (source here). All profits from these performances will go to The Nation Institute. For the Madison performance ticket information click here. For the Cleveland performance ticket information click here. For the Flint performance ticket information click here.

Former Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump has confirmed a full US tour from August 3rd to September 3rd. More details of the tour such as other performers will be released soon. Read More

Current Bigger Lights drummer Ryan Seaman is now going to drum for the band Falling In Reverse, the new project by Ronnie Radke (ex-frontman of Escape the Fate). This band recently finished the recording of their full-length album onto Epitaph Records. As of now it has not been released on how this affects Ryan’s position in The Bigger Lights.

“Place me on your shelf and add me to your collection with everyone else who wants your affection.”

Aspiring musician, Sam Ceglarek recently debuted her newest song, Tear It Apart.  Sam has just finished her first semester at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and recorded this song in one of the school’s practice rooms.  This melodic pop anthem, produced by Dylan Nelson, is a love child of Sara Bareilles and Michael Bublé.  Written by Ceglarek, and featuring the talents of Ian Stewart (Violin) and Sarah Rogowski (saxophone), Tear It Apart is a strong start to Sam’s career and should soon be occupying the capacity of iPod’s everywhere.

Although the date of release has not yet been announced, former Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump has finished recording his debut solo album Soul Punk onto Island Records. He is one of the dozens of AP’s Most Anticipated Music issue coming out next month, and is letting his fans help in his decision of which version of “Spotlight” he wants to put on the album. Head over to patrickstump.com to cast your vote. I’m more of a “New Regrets” kind of kid if you ask me.

Owl City penned the song – “To the Sky” – to serve as the theme to Director Zack Snyder’s animation debut Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. The song “To the Sky” is not only the soundtrack’s first single, but is also featured prominently within the film and plays again as it soars over the end title sequence. Featuring themes and imagery from the film, the music video for Owl City’s “To the Sky” has just premiered on Vevo.

Just in time for summer, Gym Class Heroes front man Travis McCoy, now Travie, has released his debut solo album Lazarus. McCoy has been working on his pop, alternative, and hip-hop album for some time now. Lazarus reflects its diverse group of collaborators and producers from Bruno Mars to T-Pain. Each song has that little extra something that many songs you hear on the radio today tend to not have. Billionaire (Feat. Bruno Mars) is the radio hit you’ve probably already herd as Travie fills you in on his hopes and dreams of  living the lavish life with an endless amount of cash in his pocket. In Superbad [11:34] he releases his rock side with a deep bass and electric guitar behind his tremendous voice. Don’t Pretend (Feat. Colin Munroe) reflects his Gym Class Hero’s hip-hop background. This song in particular has a much slower beat than many of the other songs on the album and touches on a more sensitive side of Travie. I can’t help but applaud Travie for his well thought out and distinct solo album; job well done. If you want to catch these songs live and see Travie for your self, catch him this summer on The Last Girl On Earth Tour with Rihanna and Ke$ha.

Suggested songs : Dr.Feel Good (Feat. Cee Lo Green), Billionaire (Feat. Bruno Mars), & After Midnight

”This world has lots to offer, but in time it will go dark, & if this love is what we see it is, I’m sure we will go far, & with a girl as sweet as you, there’s not much else I can do but fall for you.” -Christofer Drew

There is a tour bus outside of Milwaukee’s famous Rave Club, outside it are teenage girls, all sporting their homemade shirts professing their love for Never Shout Never. Security guards are peeved, telling them they’re too close, and three feet away are four fans on their hands and knees, drawing a name in chalk around his traveling home. We venture onto the bus into the back and are greeted by the 19 year old who has purloined the hearts of millions of people besides the ones swarming around the venue. It is as if everyone in the English speaking language now knows of his existence. From his lack of shoes, ukulele tunes, and his message of spreading love and appreciation of nature, Christofer Drew has made the journey from his room in Joplin, Missouri, to the stages of nearly every state in the country. The first I heard of him was when I was in the eighth grade, still swooning over his Myspace picture. Three years later, I’m sitting on his couch, inhaling his secondhand smoke. Singing something I’ve never heard before and playing an acoustic, he lights a cigarette just as the door to the room we’re in closes. Humble and sure of where he’s going along with what he believes, upon reading his lyrics and speaking to him in person, it is no wonder why fans fall at the site of him.

A while back I went to a show at a local venue.  It was a talent show full of junior high and high school students.  After finishing a mildly embarrassing performance, a girl by the name of Devin Gackle took the stage. She immediately won the crowd over with her humor before she even started playing.  And they only grew more interested as the song went on.  She ended up winning the contest that night.  At just a junior in high school, singer/songwriter Devin Gackle, is someone you want to know.  Her lyrics are deep and heartfelt and she ties them together with soothing strums of her acoustic guitar.  I am very excited to present our interview with this star on the rise.  Click Here for a video of Devin playing her song “Ruins.”

1. When did you start singing and playing the guitar?
I’ve been singing for about as long as I can remember, and started to pick up the guitar in 6th/7th grade, my dad taught me some and then I taught myself the rest. I’ve always been a Read More

“So, for the past few months.. ‘we’ have been working really hard – creating a new record for our new band. ‘we’ have a ton of material & plan on spending a little more time perfecting the songs- to ensure that this is the best record we have ever written, as individuals, and as a group. ‘we’ really appreciate all of your patience as this has been a long process for all of us. I do believe though, that it is about time that I begin to slowly start sharing more information with all of you on what it is that has had so much hard work and time put into it…so, how about.. on Tuesday? Would you guys be into me revealing a band member via my twitter on that day?”

Months after his departure from Chiodos, formerly estranged frontman Craigery Owens has finally come out of his Michigan cave to announce who has been collaborating with him on his upcoming solo album. I. Am. Excited.