1. Does anyone else find the increasing “”fakeness”" of the models in those matchmaking ads that are plastered all over MySpace to be pretty humorous/pathetic? The graphic designers appear to be getting quite lazy, barely smoothing out the lines of the obviously altered body parts… Not that I’m overanalyzing this or anything (ha!), but pretty soon, the models are just going to be overblown cartoon illustrations drawn by creepy old men.

2. Epitaph/Burning Heart has barely made much of a peep about the band HELL IS FOR HEROES here in the US, but their new release Transmit Disrupt is phenomenal, and actually worth of whatever REFUSED comparisons it will generate.

3. Alex went to YELLOWCARD’s show in DC last week and had a great time – read about it here.

4. Is it just me or have we seen more of Dick Cheney lately than Chris Carraba? Hey Chris – where’s the secret location in which you’re being kept?!?!

5. This quote from THE RED CHORD in a recent issue of Decibel magazine cracks me: “”Right now, The Red Chord is trying to get the saying ‘keep it wolf’ going. It means you grow a beard, eat red meat, and if you didn’t wake up early enough to shower, who cares? Go without showering. There’s prissy guys that look like girls wearing too-tight clothes and eyeliner in the metal scene now, and we refuse to be gross hermaphrodites. Grow facial hair. Watch football. Keep it m-a-n.”" (Via Alex’s blog, – aphasicnightmare.blogspot.com)

6. SAOSIN has a previously unreleased demo song called “”Sleepers”" on the fifth volume of the “”Take Action”" compilation series. The question then is – which will come out first – SAOSIN’s debut full-length or Chinese Democracy?

7. THE VINES have a new single called “”Don’t Listen To The Radio.”" You can check it out here. Hopefully the band’s upcoming full-length won’t end up like their last one, having two good rock songs, and ten or so tracks of horrendous guitar meanderings and D-grade filler.

8. Spring training – I can almost taste it.

9. I had to add this on: George Washington is No. 10 in the country for the first time in 50 years. Hail to the buff and blue!!! – Alex

From the inbox:

Blood & Ink Records has announced the signing of Amarillo, Texas metallic hardcore outfit THE GENTLEMAN HOMICIDE to their roster. Formed in early 2003, the band has already made a name for themselves with countless shows and a number of tours regionally and nationally. Most recently, THE GENTLEMAN HOMICIDE embarked alongside ED GEIN and REFLUX for tour stints.

THE GENTLEMAN HOMICIDE will be joining new labelmates ENLOW and BURDEN OF A DAY for the Blood & Ink Records Tour in March, with finalized tourdates to be announced shortly. The band is expected to record their debut full length for release later in 2006 as well.

In the meantime, demo tracks from THE GENTLEMAN HOMICIDE can be heard via the band’s myspace page: myspace.com/tgh

From the Livewire Board:

“”I guess it’s been awhile since we’ve posted any public updates regarding TRIPLE THREAT, so I figured now is as good a time as any.

In the past five to six months we’ve been practicing a lot, writing new material and preparing to record for a full length LP. On January 24th and 25th, we dropped into a friend’s house, who had a nice studio room type setting, good mics and a knowledge of Pro Tools. We demo recorded 12 new songs. All tracks were recorded in one or two takes. The main purpose of the demo recording is to give ourselves a solid listen to the material that we’ve written. From listening to these recordings, we’ll decide what we’ll want to change and fine tune, before we hit the real studio in early March. We’re also in talks with a record label to release the full length, so this demo will give them a good idea of what we’re working with. At this point, our goal is to start recording the LP during the first weekend of March.

Our next show is slated for February 18th in Revere, Mass (right outside Boston) at Club Lido. We’ll be playing with BOLD, Righteous Jams, Have Heart and Generations. Should be a cool show and one that we’re definitely looking forward to playing. We’re also in the planning stages of a few more shows in the coming months, so stayed tuned for further details as they arise. Thanks.”"

Photos from the band recording can be found here.

A few days ago AS I LAY DYING announced plans to re-issue their first two releases, both which saw the light of day on Pluto Records. This includes the band’s debut full-length Beneath the Encasing of Ashes (reviewed here) and their songs from their split with AMERICAN TRAGEDY (reviewed here). The band’s current label, Metal Blade plans to helm the re-issues, and a May release date is expected.

From the inbox:

“”We’re stoked as hell to announce that Flameshovel will be releasing the new album from MARITIME on April 4th. We, The Vehicles, the second album from the collective of Davey von Bohlen, Dan Didier [both formerly of The Promise Ring] and Eric Axelson [formerly of Dismemberment Plan], is a triumphant realization of Maritime’s unlabored goal and an occasional turn toward the darker, denser corners of years past. That’s right: We, The Vehicles isn’t all sunshine and bubbles. MARITIME remains solidly tethered to pop perfection, but has taken space to let that pop cycle through all its permutations. MARITIME may have a collective history to both cling to and run from, but with We, The Vehicles, the band steps forcefully into its own. More than a side project or an “”ex-members of,”" it proves beyond a doubt that this is something viable and vital on its own.”"

- I really enjoyed MARITIME’s debut “”Glass Floor”" which had a knack for flying under the radar. I hope that “”We, The Vehicles”" is awarded some more attention.

From the inbox:

Vagrant Records is proud to announce that SAVES THE DAY has re-signed to the label. The band will release their fifth studio album, Sound The Alarm on April 4th, 2006. A North American tour has been confirmed (dates below) with more cities to be announced.

“”We’re excited about this new record and we’re thrilled to be back at home on Vagrant – ¬≠ Chris Conley

“”Saves The Day helped put Vagrant on the map. We are ecstatic to have them back. Apparently, you can go home again.”" ¬≠- Rich Egan (President, Vagrant Records)

Saves the Day self-funded the project and spent over four months recording Sound The Alarm’s 13 tracks, which include “”End,”" “”Eulogy,”" “”Dying Day,”"

and “”Shattered.”" Producer Steve Evetts (Story of the Year, Dillinger Escape Plan) who produced the band’s first two discs ¬≠ manned the controls at Electric Ladybug Studios.

The group recently announced that bass player Manny Carrero (Glassjaw) will be joining Conley, Pete Parada (drums) and David Soloway (guitar) as part of the permanent lineup.

If Christopher Reeve learned to walk before he died he probably wouldn’t have walked as well as the rest of us. Regardless of that fact we would’ve congratulated him and sung his praises. The accomplishment of overcoming insurmountable odds would have overshadowed his obvious shortcomings. That’s how you have to approach Almost Here, the new [...]

Continuing their reputation as suppliers of great interviews, Lambgoat’s Drew Ailes spoke at length with HATEBREED’s iconic frontman Jamey Jasta. Read on about Jasta’s adventures recording the new ICEPICK album, HATEBREED’s “10th Anniversary Tour” and their upcoming full-length. Check it out here.