Abandon the Raft are going to play their first show of the year on Tuesday April 12 @ Soda Bar in San Diego, CA. Also lined up to play are Silent Lune and Divided By Design. More details here.

I'm sure they'll be showcasing their new set as well as their new sounds, which you can check out  on their facebook. They also released an updated version of their track, House of Gold, which can be downloaded from there as well. This is the title track from the EP they released last year. It still carries with it the same new-wave intro and steady clusters of electornica, but the new version extends for almost an additional two minutes.  A new phrase appears where it would have originally ended with the inclusion of some dance beat breakdowns and a tight guitar lead. The instrumentals also sound a bit crispier with some new echoed vibes. Should sound amazing at the show.

I was able to make the show last Sunday featuring Joey Cape, Steve Soto and the Twisted Hearts, Murder Majesty, Lydia Vance and The Core. I can't really say much about the show because I got there a little too late (the last two songs of Steve Soto's set) and left early (I didn't stay till the end of Joey's set, but the drums had already been cleared off the stage...). But that time in between, oh yeah, pretty much a dope show :-D

I enjoyed the last couple songs of Steve Soto's set, although I was a bit nervous at first because it was a bar I've never been to before. But I relaxed a bit after purchasing a $3 Pabst (I love you, PBR). They even had Brown Ale going around. I guess I haven't been out in a while. Joey and the Bad Loud (I hope that's it), played a tight set. Great tunes and vibes. It seemed like a fast set (I think Joey even mentioned this), and I was only familiar with a few songs. But the best part of it was that he took requests afterward. That was probably the closest I'll ever be to the stage to hear songs like Alien 8, Violins, E Dagger, and even Linoleum. It was pretty cool that he played that song. I think someone also requested On the Outside. That would have been cool to (or did he? I don't remember). People were yelling requests left and right. I wonder if he did Razor Burn? He did play lots of classic songs, most of which I can't remember the names to. I think I was just too tired and that's probably why I left early. But I don't think Joey was going to end the set until he finished a song perfectly. And after taking shot after shot throughout the night, I hope he did. 

Faithless Saints are a punk/ska band from Portland, OR. Aside from their one EP, Sweet Sacrilege, they release live footage of new tunes every now and then. Just recently, they released an official video for the song, Dynamite in Hand, the opening track on their EP. Pretty tight video. Awesome song. NE Killingsworth? Nice. And there's Pabst in it too.

And they have a mini tour coming up this month. Check it.

     Some new projects have been going on for sometime that I think are worth checking out. A few of them just recently released some great new tunes. Looking forward to hearing more material.

     Shortly after Prize Country stopped playing late last year, Jr. Worship formed soon afterward. Jr. Worship has the similar syncopated hardcore/punk styles of Prize Country with a bit of fierce new wave rock. A few demos were released and new recordings can be heard on their myspace. I do hope they release these recordings (Failed Scene Records), and maybe put together a tour. Until then, they do have one show coming up @ the Rotture in Portland, OR. Police Teeth will also be playing, how awesome is that? Also, Leaders and Victory & Associates. Pretty sick lineup for a Sunday show. 

     The Exception is currently Kim Anderson and Aaron Crawford, formerly of Kansas City, MO rock band, Flee the Seen. The band released a couple new recordings in early January. It's layered with familiar melodies, but with a more consistent rock-driven sound. The songs are pretty sick though, and epic sounding at times, with a lot of dual vocal work and tight harmonies. A little less aggression in the sound, but it still makes a great impact. I like where this is going. 

     The Happy Sadness is Mike Jimenez of Science Fiction Theater. So far, he's released one track titled, The Turning. It's a wonderful song covered with indie pop hooks and light hearted jingles. The melodies are quite simple and very easy to listen to, an instant favorite by default. The song itself comes from Mike's own personal home recordings. I wonder what else he's been hiding.