New Jersey’s OVERSTAND play nasty, guitar-driven hardcore/punk in the vein of early BAD BRAINS, BLACK FLAG, CRO-MAGS, and ABSOLUTION (with a not-so-small amount of LED ZEPPELIN thrown in too). A quality six song EP can be heard on their MySpace page.

Although Ferret’s signing of GWEN STACY seems to mirror the lackluster Trustkill signings as of late, the band’s debut full-length actually offers a glimmer of hope. Hailing from Indianapolis, the boys in GWEN STACY are working within a pretty confined metalcore genre. Their songs, while sometimes hooky or memorable, are lacking an identity. The main [...]

With many bands releasing new albums on a predictable two-year cycle, the associated media coverage that comes along with it can seem distant, especially if, contrary to the band’s assertions, their new album sounds virtually identical to its predecessor. This is not the case however with the ALKALINE TRIO, whose May 2005 release, Crimson clearly [...]

- With all this chatter about MySpace Music, let’s not overlook the wonderful site, Lala.com, which has reinvented itself as the best place to sample new music, and do so with great streaming sound quality.

Taking advantage of MySpace’s upgrade to its music player software, Deathwish/Malfunction Records has added several new playlists to its page. A slew of songs have been posted from new and upcoming label releases, as well as music from Deathwish affiliated bands and bands tha that have their releases available on the label’s e-store.

Florida’s A DAY TO REMEMBER have added a new demo track to their MySpace page titled “Wax Larry.” The pop-hardcore band is still touring in support of last year’s full-length, For Those Who Have Heart, and is currently on the road with NEW FOUND GLORY, CRIME IN STEREO, and FOUR YEAR STRONG.

Facedown Records’ post-hardcore band MEANS have decided to call it a day. The band released the following words of dissolution on MySpace:

“MEANS will be disbanding after a final performance scheduled for November 29th in Regina, SK.

What began as new friends playing music together in a small northern Manitoba town is now nearly seven years later, a cloud of experiences upon which we look with both gratitude and pride.

Grateful to have been a part of this band, through such formative years of life, all while having the opportunity to share in something meaningful to each of us; Music. For the outlet of this particular sound, which we cherish and trust, and for those of you who shared these years and become the community that surrounds us, we are ever grateful. Thank you for the camaraderie that we share and for your sincerity and spirit.

As a band, we are proud of the miles behind us and the work ethic we maintained even though nothing-is-perfect. We are proud that we were a band that was able to laugh with one another and at ourselves along the way, often to the point of vomiting, crying, soiling etc., or all-of-the-above. Happy for all the pathetic inside jokes that for good reason mean nothing to anyone but us. Finally, we are proud of one another and the people we are becoming; trusting that through the experience of playing in this band we are growing to be more compassionate and understanding individuals.

We would like to thank Underground Operations, Facedown Records, Ian @ Blackbox, Kevin Gales, Rosesdead, Everynewday, Misery Signals and Life in your way; for your guidance, inspiration, good faith and friendship throughout the life of this band.

In closing, we would like to say that though it is rare when something ends, MEANS will finish this winter on good terms and we are happy to announce [an] upcoming month long tour to celebrate together.

Specifics will be posted for all final tour dates soon, so please check back and make plans to come out to the show one last time.

Kindest regards,

Aaron, Blair, Dylan, Todd and Matt”

MEANS two full-lengths, Sending You Signals, and To Keep Me From Sinking can both be streamed on their MySpace page.