Special Offer! LiveNation is offering a 4-pack of lawn tickets to see Fall Out Boy at Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre on April 19th for only $69.00. The 2007 Honda Civic Tour also features +44 (Mark and Travis from Blink-182), The Academy Is.. ., Pau l Wall and Cobra Starship . For tickets and more information visit www.livenation.com

Sean Lennon will play Smith's Olde Bar Tuesday April 3rd in support of his sophomore solo album and film, Friendly Fire . Following Into the Sun , Lennon’s 1998 solo debut, Friendly Fire has received some outstanding reviews from the Los Angeles Times, Filter Magazine and Rolling Stone who called the record "stunningly pretty…in the great tradition of Beatlesque pop tunes. (Four stars)" - For more info click www.myspace.com/seanlennon

Final Four weekend brings us a ton of free concerts! Friday night, head over to Centennial Olympic Park to catch Panic! At The Disco, Helios, and Illbreak. Live and Ludacris will be playing there on Saturday as well. Following that concert, 99X hosts the "Free Throws Free Show" after party at Compound with Say Anything, Sick Puppies, and Second Shift. Sunday, head back to the park to check out sets from hellogoodbye, Chevelle, LL Cool J, Sugarland and Maroon 5. JET will also be playing a free show across the street at the Tabernacle. Whew! For more info, visit www.99x.com.

The Toasters are celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a national tour. Their current line-up was recently in the studio in Valencia (Spain) and laid down tracks for One More Bullet , set for release this Spring. The Toasters play Vinyl on April 30th - (find tickets) More info www.myspace.com/toasters
Livenation has announced a slew of new shows! For ticket information visit www.livenation.com

We've got a preview of Macy Gray's new CD BIG for you. The album features collaborations with Fergie, Natalie Cole, Nas, Justin Timberlake and will.i.am and will be in stores on March 27th - Listen to: Macy Gray - What I Gotta Do and Macy Gray - Finally Made Me Happy - More info: www.myspace.com/macygray

The Cold War Kids may have sold out Vinyl last Friday, but a ton of people walked away from the show taking about the opener, Delta Spirit. Check them out for yourself at www.myspace.com/deltaspirit

We'd like to officially predict that Mark Ronson's new track Stop Me, a cover of The Smiths Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before will be the Crazy of 2007 - listen to Mark Ronson - Stop Me - more info www.myspace.com/markronson

The Star Bar in Little Five Points has changed ownership and is expected to start playing host to indie bands, rather than the usual punk lineup. More details to be announced soon www.starbar.net

Atlanta darlings Manchester Orchestra have been named one of Rolling Stone 's "Top 10 Artists to Watch," alongside artists like Amy Winehouse, The Fratellis, and The Academy Is. The band has had a great year so far, which has included a tour with Brand New and Kevin Devine, airplay on Sirius Radio, and significant attention from major labels. The band's full-length album "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child" is on frontman Andy Hull's Favorite Gentlemen records. Catch their next shows at home April 17th - 18th at Center Stage. Later this year, the band will hit the road with Say Anything. www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra

Snow Patrol have written a song for Spiderman 3 called “Signal Fire”. The upcoming Spiderman 3 Soundtrack also features original music from The Killers, Wolfmother, The Flaming Lips and more out May 1 on Record Collection. Listen to ‘Signal Fire’ here - More info: www.snowpatrol.net

The biggest outdoor concert in Augusta, GA Drive For Show, Rock Fore Dough III is back on Tuesday April 3rd. This year's line-up includes Cheap Trick , Dashboard Confessional , Corey Smith and local artist John Kolbeck . Advance tickets are only $25.00 each from www.ticketalternative.com. All proceeds benefit First Tee of Augusta.

The 2nd Annual Rhythm & Blooms Party takes place during the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Saturday April 14th. This year’s theme is “Fabulous and Funky,” and guests are encouraged to pair their best party attire with park appropriate footwear – flip-flops and tennis shoes! Tickets to the party are $100 each (www.ticketalternative.com) and all proceeds benefit the non-profit Atlanta Dogwood Festival. More info: www.dogwood.org

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS UNVEIL NEW ALBUM DETAILS - The Chemical Brothers are set to return with the release of their eagerly anticipated sixth album, entitled We Are The Night, to be released in the early summer. More info: www.thechemicalbrothers.com

The outdoor concert season kicks off May 5th with Modest Mouse at Masquerade Music Park. Their new CD We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank is preceeded by the brilliant single Dashboard ( currently in rotation just about everywhere) and includes new member Johnny Marr (ex-Smiths). Incidently, if you find one, a second-hand copy of Johnny Marr + The Healers CD Boomslang is worth picking up, but Twisted Tenderness which he co-wrote as Electronic with New Order's Bernard Summer is definitely not . (my top tip of the day) More info www.modestmousemusic.com - (find tickets)

The Futurists play Masquerade on Saturday March 24th celebrating the release of their new EP Yes You Can. Lola Ray and the Honor Roll also perform. www.masq.com More info: www.myspace.com/thefuturists

The Decemberists will play Atlanta's Tabernacle on Friday, April 6th. As year's go, 2006 was a particularly good one for The Decemberists and they continue to build momentum in 2007. Their Capitol Records debut, The Crane Wife, arrived to great acclaim, landing on numerous year-end “best of” lists including #1 slots at NPR, Paste and others. (find tickets) More info: www.thedecemberists.com

Kaiser Chiefs release their new CD Your's Truly, Angry Mob on Tuesday, March 27th, and after storming the UK charts the lads are all set to do the same in the US. The Kaiser Chiefs are also preparing to kick off their US tour. Starting in Philadelphia, the band will wind their way across the country until they arrive in California for the Coachella festival. Of course, there is NO Atlanta date; wankers. More info www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk - Check out the first single 'Ruby' video / mp3

Due to demand, the Lily Allen scheduled for tonight (March 19th) show has been moved from The Loft to Center-Stage. Additional tickets have been released and are available here.

If you've seen this week's Creative Loafing , you'll know that Kenny Crucial adorns the front cover! We interviewed him a couple of years ago and you can read our interview with him here.

Arctic Monkeys will be appearing at The Tabernacle on Saturday, May 19th at 8:00 pm. Special guest appearing with Arctic Monkeys is Be Your Own Pet. Tickets are $26.00. All tickets are general admission and all ages are welcome. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 17th at LiveNation.com, More info: www.arcticmonkeys.com

We ran into Butch Walker last night at the Badly Drawn Boy show at The Loft. He's in town rehearsing for his upcoming US tour. He told us that he has just bought a house in Malibu that once belonged to Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers . The house comes with a sweet studio, allowing him to spend more time at home.... in the studio. He has just finished producing the Von Bondies record and has a couple of tracks on Avril Lavigne's new record due out shortly. Butch plays The Tabernacle on April 20th (find tickets) - more info: www.butchwalker.com

A new rehearsal studio is open in Marietta. Atlanta Rockstar Rehearsals offers full backline equipment in every studio at an affordable cost. Each studio is loaded with top of the line products from Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Hartke, Pearl & Mackie. All you'll need is guitars, cymbals and sticks. Starting from $250 a month, they offer the most inexpensive rehearsal rates in Atlanta! Their goal is to offer a fun and friendly atmosphere for local artists. They currently offer studios in Marietta with more locations coming soon. Please check out www.atlrockstar.com and contact Kirk at (770) 296-5530 for availability, directions and a tour of the facility.

Fresh from her appearance on Saturday Night Live, Britain's Lily Allen performs at The Loft on Monday March 19th - a few tickets remain, and are available from www.ticketalternative.com

Not THAT Pasadena . We received a concerned e-mail today from our friends in local country rock band Pasadena . They wanted to let everyone know they are NOT playing Smith's Olde Bar on Sept. 22nd for Atlantis. That "Pasadena" on the bill is actually some other band from Maryland. Says Mike Fogleman of OUR Pasadena, "To make matters worse, they are playing with bands that we support and have played with in the past, so it looks like we are playing when we are not...We are pretty angered by this band infringing on our copyright, but cannot have anything done before they come play the conference." You CAN see our boys at Park Tavern on Sept.9th, however, so go to that instead.

As Jack White sang to her, "Well Holly I love you, too. But, there is just so much I don't know about you." Well, Jack, know you can learn all about Ms. Holly Golightly ! The British garage punk star talked to TALive about her new record "You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying." It's a whiskey- soaked folk record done in collaboration with The Brokeoffs, and it's just as fun as the interview sounds! You can read the highlights and listen to the full podcast interview on www.TALive.com. Then, make sure to grab tickets for her show at The EARL.

You better head to The Loft tonight to catch Manchester Orchestra while you can still see them in an intimate venue! Atlanta's own will be on Letterman September 6th in between dates touring with Kings of Leon and B.R.M.C.! Of course, that's after a few little festivals called Reading and Leeds. Tickets for The Loft are still available at www.ticketalternative.com

Check out a behind the scenes video of Editors making their new video for "An End Has A Start." www.youtube.com - For live video of Editors performing "Weight Of The World" follow the links below!
Quicktime
Flash
Windows
Windows (LG)

Live Nation just announced some new shows.

Steve Wonder at Chastain 9/14
Pinback at The Roxy 10/1
Tori Amos at The Fox 10/14
Sinead O'Connor at The Tabnernacle. 10/26
Porcupine Tree at The Roxy on 10/29
Motion City Soundtrack at The Tabernacle 11/2
Regina Spektor at The Tabernacle 11/15

The third-annual Other Sound Music Festival expands this year to include four nights of live music at Atlanta's leading independent music venues. Festival organizers announced the lineup for the festival featuring over 20 bands from six Atlanta-based labels. The festival takes place September 6-9, 2007. Headlining acts include All Night Drug Prowling Wolves, at the Earl; Moresight, at the Drunken Unicorn; Luigi, at Lenny's and Untied States at the 11:11 Teahouse. For more information visit www.theothersound.net

Eisley play The Loft on Saturday August 11th. Check out an interview with the band on the blog TALive!. Tickets are available from www.ticketalternative.com. More info: www.myspace.com/eisley

WTF is up with the East Side? We've long had reports of musicians getting robbed, as far back as the old days of the Echo Lounge, and there have been the recent reports of lawyers getting car-jacked/kidnapped outside Eastside Lounge. According to Deerhunter's Blog, lead singer Bradford Cox got robbed after a gig at Lenny's on Memorial Drive this weekend. Granted they were a block or so from the venue, but seriously WTF??. Why are people robbing musicians? Why is anybody robbing anyone??

New Restaurant Alert ! - VIA will host a Grand Opening celebration on Friday, August 3rd. Complimentary cocktails and menu samplings will be available for guests from 7 - 9 PM. An innovative food and bar venue, Via is located in the center of Buckhead's upscale retail (262 Pharr Rd) and residential district and is in key position to breathe new life into the Buckhead restaurant scene. www.viarestaurant.net

Bon Jovi are playing a private party at Park Tavern on Thursday July 26th for the owner of Cummulus Radio's birthday. Tickets are pretty impossible to get hold off... but there is a massive park nearby to sit and listen!

VHS OR BETA are coming to The EARL on Monday September 24th - Check out an interview with the band on www.talive.com - Tickets available from www.ticketalternative.com

RockSolid Entertainment is looking for some bands to play a new event called PoolSide Fridays. The series will be advertised and promoted on 99X in Atlanta. Here are the specs:
1. Alternative rock / pop acts that fit the genre 99X plays. NO hip-hop / metal!
2. Local Atlanta or surrounding area bands.
3. Preferably bands with a good local draw.
If you are interested please contact Brad Broadrick at brad@rocksolid-entertainment.com

Thursday, July 12th will be a special night for rock & roll in Atlanta - The Five Spot in Little Five Points will host former Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, along with his group, The Bump Band. And there's more. Opening up the show will be two great local bands who also gravitate towards sixties rock from across the pond, and do so rather well - The Lizardmen and The Back Yardbirds, the latter fresh from a rousing, well-attended blow-out last Friday at Decatur CD (recently named Best CD Store in town by The Sunday Paper). Tickets are $15.00 and the music starts at 8:30pm. www.macspages.com

We found a pretty cool app. on Facebook.com called iLike. The iLike Challange game gives you short song clips to listen to. The quicker you can recognize the artist or the song name, the more points you score. The more points you score, the more time you waste playing the game online! Doh! Ticket Alternative has created a Backstage Pass Group on Facebook.com. By posting concert reviews and pictures you can win backstage passes and tickets for more info visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3266640256

Kelly Willis is back after a lengthy absence with Translated From Love (Rykodisc) featuring half a dozen new originals and a few covers, including a rather unlikely choice, Iggy Pop's 'Success.' Willis will be in Atlanta on July 7th performing at Smith's Olde Bar. Highly recommended.

It's been 25 years since Wall Of Voodoo's influential album Call Of The West, - featuring 'Mexican Radio' - came out. The band's lead vocalist, songwriter and founding member Stan Ridgway is hitting the road to celebrate and will perform music from the album as well as selections from his solo work. The Atlanta date of the tour is Friday, July 27th at Smith’s Olde Bar. Tickets are available at www.ticketalternative.com

The Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite) show, originally scheduled for July 20th at The EARL has postponed. A new date will be announced shortly. For more info visit www.ticketalternative.com

UK tabloid The Sun, famous for it's Page 3 which features a new topless girl each day, has a great music video section. Atlanta's Snowden is currently one of the featured videos alongside Reverend And The Makers, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Armand Van Helden and The Films. More info: www.thesun.co.uk

Estates all back in the States! Acclaimed local band Estates has patiently waited over six months for singer Franc to return from his home country of Guetamala. Franc's student visa was mistakenly cancelled when he went home for the holidays last year, but it has FINALLY been sorted! To celebrate his triumphant return, the band will play a "Welcome Back Franc" show at Vinyl August 25th with Summerbirds in the Cellar and Winston Audio. Like all Vinyl shows, tickets are available at www.ticketalternative.com!

By providing services such as Beside Performances and CD Pharmacy's to hospitals, Musicians On Call has been able to help patients and their families take a break from the hospital routine and feel the joy and comfort music brings. To find out how you can help please visit www.musiciansoncall.org

Mastodon have been added to the Corndogorama line-up this year. The 3 day Festival begins with the opening night party on July 12th. For the full line-up visit www.corndogorama.com. For tickets go to www.ticketalternative.com

Dan Geller, of electronic dance duo I am the World Trade Center fame, has launched a new band: Ruby Isle. The blogs have been buzzing with Ruby Isle's cover of Sonic Youth's hit "Teenage Riot." Check out the tune on our listening post and then catch Ruby Isle at their first ever Atlanta show on July 11th at Drunken Unicorn. Tickets just went on sale today!

In case you forgot why they call this "Hotlanta," here comes our old friend humidity to remind us. Need to get away from the sweltering heat? Check out this cool event at Andrews Upstairs! Join The Zac Brown Band on June 21st for the Coors Summer Cold Front Party. There will Coors drink specials all night, plus The Coors Snow Bunnies, and a chance to win a trip to Vail, Colorado. Tickets are available now at www.ticketalternative.com

Hard Rock Cafe has just launched their summer concert series "Live at Five" at the newly renovated Velvet Underground. Partnering with the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the series focuses on "Georgia Grown Bands" and benefits the Hall's "Music In Kids' Education" program, all while giving downtown businesses and employees a great reason to stay downtown while missing the rush hour madness. The series happens every Thursday in June and features Sean Costello, Sonia Leigh, Anthony David, closing with Mudcat on June 28th. Tickets are only $5 and are available at www.ticketalternative.com

Second Shift are set to clock in for the last time EVER! These shining stars on the local scene will be playing their last show this Saturday at The Loft. Word on the street is Baker and the Boys will return to the stage again sometime in the near future with a slightly altered lineup and a new name. Until then, get your last dose of Second Shift before it's too late! There are still tickets remaining so grab yours at www.ticketalternative.com. The Futurists, Leslie, and Cary Ann Hearst will be joining them.

Female singer-somgwriters are a dime-a-dozen, frankly, but quite often one comes along that's really worth checking out. Julie Doiron is a case in point. Sharp, melodic, edgy and opinionated, Doiron is on tour to support Woke Myself Up (Jagjaguwar) and arrives at the Drunken Unicorn on Wednesday, June 6 to share the bill with Calvin Johnson. Tickets available from www.ticketaltenative.com

RockCorps, an organization that harnesses the power of music to inspire volunteerism is looking to help beautify Reynoldstown in exchange for one ticket to an exclusive star-studded concert at the Fox Theatre on June 9th featuring Young Jeezy, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and more. Register now at www.BoostMobileRockCorps.com for this volunteer event with Young Jeezy! The volunteer day is Wednesday, May 23, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. 100 Flat Shoals Avenue

Dishwater Blonde and Coy Bowles & The Fellowship bring an energetic lineup to Vinyl this Saturday, May 26th.
Doors 8pm/ Show 9pm
Find tickets

Dishwater Blonde : With their beguiling lyrics and electric live shows, this Knoxville based funk band is a must see. Outfitted in the spiffiest zoot suit threads since Morris Day and The Time, Dishwater Blonde comes to party and they do not stop rockin’ until their groovy jams have even the most jaded wallflower cutting loose. Infusing rock, jazz, soul, and funk into their own unique sound, Dishwater Blonde not only brings catchy crowd pleasing songs, but they present it in a style all their own. (www.dishwaterblonde.net)

Coy Bowles & The Fellowship : Recently named one of Paste Magazine’s May Bands of the Week, Coy Bowles & The Fellowship echoes the enjoyable southern rock sounds reminiscent of 1970 greats The Allman Brothers and The Marshall Tucker Band. Bowles’s soaring lead vocals are supported by a strong rock beat, steady bass and a duo of saxophones, which add a refreshing jazz influence to the traditional rock sound. Coy Bowles & The Fellowship’s laid back but passionate shows create the welcoming environment that this jam band is just play for their friends, no matter how crowded the audience may be. (www.coybowles.com)

Grammy® Award-winning artist Fergie is launching her first solo tour with a 20-city schedule that begins in Seattle. She plays The Tabernacle on June 2nd. The Dutchess has joined forces with Verizon Wireless to deliver a completely new and interactive experience that will leverage mobile technology and create a two-way dialogue directly with her fans. The Fergie Verizon VIP Tour marks the first time in history that an artist will incorporate wireless technology in just about every aspect of the tour – before, during and after every performance. Wireless Tickets - No paper tickets will be sold for any of the concerts. Instead, when fans strut through the entrance gates to this Thank You concert, they will flash their Picture Message tickets sent over-the-air directly to their Verizon Wireless handsets. Picture Message tickets to the Fergie Verizon VIP Tour are available to any fan and can be obtained by: Downloading V CAST Fergie TV content; Downloading a Fergie song on V CAST Music; Attending select Verizon Wireless Communications Store events/or casting calls; Through the purchase of a Motorola handset (including handset upgrades); Through radio promotions; and Attending select Candie’s “Try 2 Win” fit events at Kohl’s department stores. More info at www.myspace.com/fergie

Collective Soul have a new single out. You can check out the song Hollywood on their myspace page. www.myspace.com/collectivesoul

Hellogoodbye play The Roxy on Tuesday May 22nd. Our new writer, Kim Burdges, reviews their new CD here. Look for a review of the show to follow! Tickets are still available from www.livenation.com

We've got some video from the making the White Stripes new single Icky Thump - click it - you can also listen to the song here. More info www.whitestripes.com

The Chemical Brothers return with their new album We Are The Night . The first single off the album is the innovative dancefloor beat destroyer " Do It Again " with vocals by up-and-coming Londoner Ali Love. Check out the video Windows / Real / Quicktime - More info www.thechemicalbrothers.com

Bloc Party will be stopping by Criminal Records at 6:00pm for a little DJ set before their big gig at the Tabernacle on Thursday, May 31.

JUCIFER are touring in support of their Relapse debut If Thine Enemy Hunger . The band has recently shot two music videos for If Thine… tracks “Hennin Hardine” and “Pontius of Palia” with producer/director Marc Pilvinsky of Bare Ruined Films. The video for “Pontius of Palia” can be viewed here. More info at www.myspace.com/jucifer

The line-up for the 2007 Bubbapalooza has been announced.

BUBBA DAY ONE
THURSDAY MAY 24TH
7:00 VOODOO ORGANIST
8:00 THE A-SIDES
9:00 MIC HARRISON & THE HIGH SCORE
10:00 THE DOWNER BROTHERS
11:00 JASON RINGENBERG (of Jason & the Scorchers)
12:30 BITCH
special guest SASSPARILLA THE SINGING GORILLA
DOORS 5:00 PM $10.00

BUBBA DAY TWO
FRIDAY MAY 25TH
7:00 CRIMSON GHOSTS (ALL MISFITS INSTRUMENTALS)
8:00 RED ROCKET DELUXE
9:00 JIMMY & THE TEASERS
10:00 BULLNECK
11:00 THE VAGINAS
12:00 ROCKET 350
DOORS 5:00 PM $10.00

BUBBA DAY THREE
SATURDAY
MAY 26TH
6:00 CLETIS & HIS CITY COUSINS
7:00 SWEET VELVET C (featuring Chet from Immortal Lee County Killers)
8:00 BRASS CASTLE
9:00 THE HOUSE HARKONNEN
10:00 BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES
11:00 THE NEEDLES 12:00 BLACKBERRY SMOKE
1:00 HONKY
special guest SASSPARILLA THE SINGING GORILLA

The Happy Mondays return stateside June 13th and 14th to headline Tony Wilson’s In The City Fest. For the first time in more than a decade The lads from Manchester will grace the streets of New York City. The band have recorded their first album in 15 years, three band members lighter, several solo projects, two reunions and a whole lot of living later. The newly reformed band set about recording a brand new album produced by US hiphop producer Sunny Levine, son of jazz producer Stuart Levine and the great Quincy Jones’ grandson. In a recent interview with Shaun Ryder he reflected on his producers talents; "Sunny's great. A brilliant dude. A brilliant person." More info: www.myspace.com/happymondaysonline

The Elliott Yamin show originally scheduled for May 15th at The Loft has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly. For more information visit www.ticketalternative.com

We're stoked to see some hometown heroes get a little love but serioulsy, MTV. Do you really have to refer to it as "ATL"?!?

A bit of old news, but congratulations to Atlantans Snowden for landing support on the upcoming Kings of Leon tour. Catch both bands, along with Nashville rockers The Features on Friday June 1st at the Tabernacle. www.snowden.info

If you haven't heard of 500 Songs for Kids by now, you are probably living under a rock, but this is just a friendly reminder that the 10 day music marathon kicks off next week at Smith's Olde Bar on May 3rd. The organization, founded by Open Mic Madness founder & Whigs manager Josh Rifkind, will bring together 500 different bands/musical acts and solo artists to perform Rolling Stone 's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
The event will raise money to support local children's charities and connect musicians, the music industry, and music fans with kids in need who are battling cancer, have lost siblings or parents, or suffering from life threatening diseases. Artists involved in the event include Dionne Farris, Drivin 'n Cryin, Aslyn, Five Eight, Angie Aparo, James Hall, and many many more. The music will start at 7pm sharp each night, so come out and support this great cause! For those curious, the list of songs can be found on Rolling Stone 's Web site. For more information about 500 Songs for Kids, visit www.500songsforkids.org.

Lady Sovereign will be performing at The Drunken Unicorn on May 11th after her opening slot with Gwen Stefani at Hi-Fi Buys Amphieahtre. Tickets are $15.00 and available from www.ticketalternative.com.

Turner Classic Movies has announced their line up for this year's Screen on the Green series in Piedmont Park:
May 31 - CASABLANCA
June 7 - CAR WASH
June 14 - BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID
June 21 - FUNNY GIRL
June 28 - E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTIAL
The event kicks off with a special performance from Y-O-U before Casablanca on the 31st. Check out their new video for their song "Moviekiss," remixed by Ben H. Allen (Gnarles Barkley engineer), a Lite Brite labor of love which took six months to create - http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=K0XM2G_tEvs

Lisa Gerrard, of all people, is coming to town on May 3 for a gig at Variety Playhouse. It's rare that she plays anywhere, let alone in Atlanta. Treat yourself to some of her stuff right here: Sacrifice Listen The Host of Seraphim Listen Yulunga (Spirit Dance) Listen

Two good up-and-coming bands, Aereogramme and A Northern Chorus, appear on Wednesday, April 25 @ the Earl. A Northern Chorus, from Canada, have a new album on both the Canadian and United States college charts. Stream to your heart's content here: www.sonicunyon.com/ecards/suncd114/index.html or at the band’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/anorthernchorus . Aereogramme, from Scotland, are back with My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go and both band and record are getting plenty of attention.

Great News!! Criminal Records in Little 5 Points has become the first ticket outlet for Ticket Alternative . Tickets are available to purchase in person to all events in the Atlanta area sold by Ticket Alternative. And here's the kicker, the service charge is only $1.50 per ticket, typically lower than what you'll pay online. For more info, directions and store hours visit www.criminal.com

Ticket Alternative is looking to fill several open positions in their Atlanta office. For a full list of positions currently available click here.

Geffen Records is calling all musicians for the chance for their music to be placed in the upcoming live-action comedy adventure of Bratz: The Movie. The soundtrack will be available through Geffen Records on July 31st. Musical submissions will be reviewed by top A&R executives at Geffen Records from now until the deadline of May 15th. If you've always wanted to get your music in front of a major record label, this is your opportunity and a chance to be discovered. Here’s how it works: Musicians can go to the following website www.bratzsoundtrack.com and enter their contact information, including their URL, where the A&R department from Geffen Records will review the music. If the music is accepted, a representative from Geffen Records will contact the artist and award them placement into the film and or soundtrack, where their music will be placed along the music of artists signed to Interscope, Geffen and A&M. Rules and regulations apply. Go to www.bratzsoundtrack.com for complete information.

Matt Hales, better known as Aqualung , will be performing at the Velvet Underground's benefit for the Georgia Aquariums 4R Program and Action Aid. Better known for his single's airtime on "The OC" and "Scrubs", Aqualung's down to earth singer/songwriter performance will be sure to stir Atlanta's music scene in April. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and available from www.ticketalternative.com

Another one-to-watch for 2007. Reverend And The Makers have supported the Arctic Monkeys in the UK several times and their new single The State Of Things is starting to get some serious airplay over there. Check them out at www.myspace.com/reverendmusic

Southern Comfort is bringing back its popular free concert experience this summer with performances by Wolfmother and Cypress Hill. The SoCo Music Experience , an outdoor concert event, kicks off in Atlanta's Centennial Park on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12. The SoCo Music Experience will continue sharing the music in San Diego, St. Louis, Phoenix, and Madison, Wisconsin. The shows are free, but are 21 & over. More info at www.southerncomfort.com

If you ever check out our office playlist you've probably seen us touting Amy Winehouse. The singles Rehab and I'm No Good are all over the airwaves. Check her out for yourself at www.myspace.com/amywinehouse

Maroon 5 are back with a new album It Won't Be Soon Before Long . The first single taken from the new record is Makes Me Wonder and you can check out the video here. The new single's pretty good, more dancy than some of the stuff from their multi-platinum selling debut Songs About Jane . More info: www.myspace.com/maroon5

Tentonic celebrate the release their new EP Sterling on Friday, March 9th at The Loft. Trances Arc and Modern Society are also on the bill. Check out our review of the record . Tickets available here. More info www.tentonic.com

Looks like Ticket Alternative has started selling tickets to The Earl (CLICK HERE) - Rumour has it that Criminal Records will become their first outlet next month. The record store in Little Five Points will sell tickets to all events with a lower service charge that those that TA currently charges online - (how can they get it any lower!!??)

Coco Montoya, red hot blues guitarist from Texas, plays Smith's Olde Bar on Tuesday, February 20. His album Dirty Deal, on the esteemed Alligator record label, is getting plenty of raves from critics.

It's Over! Rumors rumoring that the Purevolume/Pump Audio opening night party at The Loft was a sordid & smokey affair. Hope you all recovered!

The Devil Stole The Beat marched on... 16 showcasing acts, two nights, at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta. $6 for one night, $10 for both nights. Entry landed you a DiscRevolt sampler card with music from all 16 acts that performed. Check out the music here.

Thursday, The BMI showcase went off without a hitch!. Talkers talking about the stellar performances. Seems all the bands were in fine form!

The Devil Stole The Beat wrapped up Friday with ASCAP showcasing eight of the Southeast's premiere up-and-coming bands and singer/songwriters at Smiths Olde Bar (1580 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324). T

Late night on Friday, folks ended up at Lenny's for TRASHED. Or so we've heard. We were passed out after 3 days of non-stop cigarettes & alchohol!

KAISER CHIEFS will be embarking on a full US tour this Spring, and will be performing on the main stage at Coachella. No Atlanta dat yet :( Check out the video for the first single “Ruby” - WM | QT - more info www.kaisercheifs.co.uk

Midnight Movies is bringing its trademark cinematic pop to the Smith's Olde Bar,Wednesday, Feb. 14. The quartet is heading out on tour with Alexi Murdoch in support of anticipated sophomore LP, LION THE GIRL, due April 24 on New Line Records (The Sounds, Robbers on High Street). Harking back to the psychedelic '60s yet pushing forward into the post-modern pastiche, LION THE GIRL, is filled with noirish images of L.A., all the while addressing the push and pull of love. Anchored by frontwoman Olivier's bewitching vocals and Larry Schemel's buzzing guitars, it whirs and pops, prompting URB Magazine to proclaim, "the album is a schizophrenic patchwork of pop hooks, ethereal fuzz and whispers of Grace Slick". www.midnightmovies.net

Here Come The Selmanaires! It is the month for love, and The Selmanaires have truly won our hearts. With guest tambourine shakers and memorable melodies, we had to highlight them as our February band of the month!

Kings of Leon will be premiering a new single from their record BECAUSE OF THE TIMES this Friday, 2/2 on MySpace. Be the first to check it out. MySpace page - http://www.myspace.com/kingsofleon

Rockin' for puppies and kittens! Head down to Trackside Tavern in Decatur on Saturday January 27th for a lively benefit show for local group Rescue Me! Animal Project. Rescue Me helps place strays into permanent, loving homes. The event will feature a performance by Beautiful Mess, as well as a silent auction, drawings, and drink specials. Admission is free! Music starts at 9pm. Check out the official flyer for more details.

Asobi Seksu are playing The Drunken Unicorn on Monday March 19th. Check out an interview with the band and our friends at TALive! Tickets are available from www.ticketalternative.com

99X is bringing its free Sunday School on the Road concert series to Vinyl this month. These local music showcases kick off at 9pm, and the next one takes place this Thursday January 18th with Athens' Rare Birds, Nate Nelson, and Pasadena. The series wraps up on the 25th with a show from Good Friday Experiment and Stokeswood. www.vinylatlanta.com.

Show announced! Former AMG-featured band All the Saints will be opening for dance-punk rockers The Rapture on January 27th at The Masquerade! It sounded like an odd fit at first, but considering The Rapture last toured with BRMC the combo makes a little more sense.

It's official! The Devil Stole The Beat is back in '07. Feb 14th-16th. Wednesday Feb 14, will find them at the sadly famous opening night launch party that started this hot mess! This year in honor of Valentines Day, it's a Bleeding Hearts Riot! Backroom at The Loft (1374 W. Peachtree), 9pm. Thurs & Fri they'll head down the road for two nights of live music at the nearing legendary Smith's Olde Bar . 16 bands, maybe a special guest or two. Main stage & Atlanta Room. For more info visit www.thedevilstolethebeat.com.

Details:
BMI Showcase
Atlanta Room (songwriters)
8p Sonia Leigh (Atlanta)
9p Andy Zipf (Washington, DC)
10p Audrey Spillman (Nashville)
11p Right Away, Great Captain! (Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra) (Atlanta)

Main Room (full band)
830p The Less (Atlanta)
930p Nathan Angelo (Atlanta)
1030p Owen Beverly (Jackson, MS)
1130p The Working Title (Charleston, SC)
Find tickets

ASCAP Showcase
Atlanta Room (songwriters)
8p Corey Crowder (Greenville, SC)
9p Anna Becker (Orlando)
10p B. Young (Nashville)
11p Warren Ullom (From The Judies) (Atlanta)

Main Room (full band)
830p Summerbirds In The Cellar (Athens/Orlando)
930p How I Became The Bomb (Nashville, TN)
1030p Rouletta (Atlanta)
1130p Dead Confederate (Atlanta)
Find tickets

The "Play it Forward" benefit concert for Rock Against Cancer has been scheduled for March 2nd at Vinyl in Atlanta. This special Friday night performance will feature three of the hottest regional bands, Beautiful Mess , Moses Mayfield , and Grayson Manor . Doors open at 8 pm and the show starts at 9 pm. Tickets are $10 at ticketalternative.com, 18+ general admission. Rock Against Cancer's programs provide children and families respite from the long and painful cancer treatment process using Music Therapy, while helping garner public awareness and support for the youngest survivors of cancer.

Local venue and recording studio The 585 was shut down abruptly on Saturday night when undercover cops raided the Manchester Orchestra show. It's not clear at this time what violations were cited, but alcohol was being "given away" and The 585 had not yet secured a liquor license. Pair that with an all ages crowd and recent publicity in Creative Loafing, and you're probably asking for trouble. The venue's future is unclear, but we'll keep you posted as we learn more! For a play by play account of the night, check out this Manchester Orchestra fan's blog.

Let's get the year started right! AMG is proud to announce our January featured band of the month: Deerhunter. Check out what singer Bradford Cox has to say about their recent success and the challenges ahead...oh, and "punk rock grandma."

"Local rockers Y-O-U are off to a great start in 2007. After being picked by Rolling Stone as one of the "25 Best Bands on Myspace," the 3 piece has decided to put their new CD Flashlights online for free. Visit the band's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/pleaserock to hear the album, produced by Geoff Melkonian (Five Eight, Second Shift, Modern Skirts). Be on the look out soon for their video for "The Physics of Giving," directed by the Chapman Brothers of Homestar Runner fame.

Legenday singer James Brown died Christmas morning in a hospital in Atlanta. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. From the 1950s, when Brown had his first R&B hit, "Please, Please, Please" in 1956, through the mid-1970s, Brown went on a frenzy of cross-country tours, concerts and new songs earning himself the nickname "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business". he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He won a Grammy award for lifetime achievement in 1992, as well as in 1965 for "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (best R&B recording) and for "Living In America" in 1987 (best R&B vocal performance, male.)

The Zac Brown Band show scheduled on December 31st at The Saloon in Atlanta, GA has been cancelled. The Zac Brown Band is playing a new show on December 31st at The Alley in Rome, GA. If you're interested in purchasing tickets to the new show in Rome, GA, please go to ticketalternative.com. A spokesperson from Ticket Alternative said "We're really sorry for the trouble this causes, especially at this time of year." In order to compensate you for your inconvenience, the organizers of the event are offering a special discounted rate for customers that purchased tickets to the original show. If you have any questions, please contact Ticket Alternative Customer Service at 877-725-8849.

New Year's Eve is only 2 weeks away! TALive! has your guide to the biggest parties in the Atlanta - click www.talive.com - If you're heading out of town to the west coast this New Years Eve be sure to check out The Killers and Carman Electra at Gridlock NYE at Paramount Picture Studio Lot.