String Cheese Incident Release Tour, New Album Details

Courtesy: MSO PR

The String Cheese Incident has hit the road for its Summer tour.  The Boulder, CO based band wraps up a three night stint tonight at the Electric Forest (Double JJ Ranch) before heading off to The Backyard at Austin Texas for another three-night stand there.  The remainder of the band’s Summer tour sees it travelling the country and performing in Kentucky, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia and Florida.  Along with the extensive tour, the band has also announced that it will release a new album in 2014.  The album will be the band’s first in nine years.  It will be produced by Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads).

The band’s upcoming three night stand at Austin, Texas’ The Backyard will be streamed online thanks to a partnership between LiveCheese.com, TourGigs, and The String Cheese Incident.  The band’s stay in Austin (July 4^t – 6^th) marks the first time in over six years that its members—Bill Nershi (guitars, vocals), Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, guitar, vocals), Keith Moseley (bass), Michael Travis (drums, percussion), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards, accordion), and Jason Hann (percussion)—have collectively performed in the famed city.    Fans can watch each streaming performance online at

July 4:	http://www.livecheese.com/live-music/0,9534/The-String-Cheese-Incident-mp3- flac-download-7-4-2013-The-Backyard-Austin-TX.html
July 5:		http://www.livecheese.com/live-music/0,9533/The-String-Cheese-Incident mp3-flac-download-7-5-2013-The-Backyard-Austin-TX.html
July 6:		http://www.livecheese.com/live-music/0,9535/The-String-Cheese-Incident-mp3-flac-download-7-6-2013-The-Backyard-Austin-TX.html

 

Three-Day Webcast passes for these performances can be purchased at a cost of $25.99.  Three-Day webcast passes plus MP3 bundles can be purchased for $46.99.  Both packages can be purchased online at http://www.livecheese.com/packages/2,314/The-String-Cheese-Incident-Webcast-Austin-2013.html.

Another big performance for the band on its current tour is its three-night stand at Live Oak, FL.  This is where the band will hold its first annual Hulaween Festival.  The festival will close out the band’s tour.  It is slated to run from October 31^st to November 2^nd.  Currently confirmed for the Hulaween Festival are STS9 and Big Gigantic.  Tickets for the festival are on sale now.   More acts will be announced at a later date.  To keep up with this news and more from the String Cheese Incident, fans can go online http://www.stringcheeseincident.com, http://www.facebook.com/StringCheeseIncident, http://twitter.com/SCI_Official, and http://www.youtube.com/sciofficial.

DATE		CITY	VENUE
Fri	6/28	Rothbury, MI	Electric Forest (Double JJ Ranch)
Sat	6/29	Rothbury, MI	Electric Forest (Double JJ Ranch)
Sun	6/30	Rothbury, MI	Electric Forest (Double JJ Ranch)
Thu	7/4	Austin, TX	The Backyard
Fri	7/5	Austin, TX	The Backyard
Sat	7/6	Austin, TX	The Backyard
Fri	7/12	Louisville, KY	The Forecastle Festival
Sat	7/13	Louisville, KY	Palace Theater
Sun	7/14	Louisville, KY	The Forecastle Festival (SCI and friends)
Fri	7/26	Morrison, CO	Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat	7/27	Morrison, CO	Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Fri	8/2	North Plains, OR	Horning’s Hideout
Sat	8/3	North Plains, OR	Horning’s Hideout
Sun	8/4	North Plains, OR	Horning’s Hideout
Thu	9/5	Arrington, VA	Interlocken Festival (Oak Ridge Farm)
Fri	9/6	Arrington, VA	Interlocken Festival (Oak Ridge Farm)
Thu	10/31	Live Oaks, FL	Hulaween Festival
Fri	11/1	Live Oaks, FL	Hulaween Festival
Sat	11/2	Live Oaks, FL	Hulaween Festival

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Details Announced For Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare

Courtesy: Ahston-Magnuson Media

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Shock rocker Rob Zombie will close out this year’s “Great American Nightmare” festival.  The month long horror and music festival will be held at the Fearplex in Pomona, just outside Los Angeles.  It will be held every Thursday through Sunday during the month of October.  This year’s festival will include music performances, screenings of classic horror films, a haunted house, and lots of food and a variety of beverages.  The haunted house is run by Steve Kopelman, one of the nation’s preeminent haunted house producers.  Kopelman’s haunted house will have three attractions, all of which will be based on Zombie’s own films.

The music side of the “Great American Nightmare” will be just as entertaining as the haunted house and movies.  Each Thursday during the month of October will feature alternative bands.  Fridays will see electronica/dance acts.  And most Saturdays will feature hard rock and metal, while Sundays will feature music from Latin acts.  Among some of the music festival’s most notable acts are:  3OH!3, 45 Grave, Beware Of Darkness, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Butcher Babies, Duane Peters, Eagles Of Death Metal, Ghost Town, Mod Sun, Motionless In White, Powerman 5000, TSOL, The Dickies, The Vandals, and Wallpaper.

Tickets to the “Great American Nightmare” are available now starting at thirty dollars.  They can be purchased online at http://GreatAmericanNightmare.com.  VIP packages are also available at the Great American Nightmare website.  Tickets include:  Access to all haunted house attractions, concerts and Bloody Boulevard activities.  Tickets can also be bought on-site at the Los Angeles County Fair at Pomona Fairplex from August 30^th to September 29^th.  The full lineup for the “Great American Nightmare” Music Festival is listed below.

Thursday, October 10: 3OH!3, Wallpaper

 

Friday, October 11: Blood On The Dance Floor, HeavyGrinder

 

Saturday, October 12: Kottonmouth Kings, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie

 

Sunday, October 13: Ozomatli, with special guest

 

Thursday, October 17: The Used, William Control

 

Friday, October 18: DJ Bl3nd, DirtyLoud, One More Time (Daft Punk Tribute)

 

Saturday, October 19: The Vandals, TSOL, The Dickies, Duane Peters

 

Sunday, October 20: pro-wrestling sensations Lucha Libre USA, Metalachi

 

Thursday, October 24: Emilie Autumn with special guest

 

Friday, October 25: Doctor P, Zomboy, Terravita, Evol Intent

 

Saturday, October 26: Motionless In White, Butcher Babies, Ghost Town

 

Sunday, October 27: Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, with special guest

 

Thursday, October 31: Andrew W.K., Mod Sun, Beware Of Darkness

 

Friday, November 1: MAJOR EDM HEADLINER to be announced on September 25, Dirtyphonics, Fei-Fei

 

Saturday, November 2: Rob Zombie, Eagles Of Death Metal, Powerman 5000, 45 Grave

 

The “Great American Nightmare” from 6:30pm – 11pm each Thursday, and Sundays, and from 6:30pm – 1am each Saturday.  It is sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and Ernie Ball.

More information on the “Great American Nightmare” is available online at http://www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com, https://www.facebook.com/RobZombiesGreatAmericanNightmare, and http://twitter.com/RobZombiesGAN.

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Disney Oz Adaptation’s Bonus Features Give Movie New Life On Home Release

Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.  Who doesn’t know that old adage?  Not to spoil the movie too much for that have yet to see it, but it is this adage that serves as the basis for Disney’s new live action/CGI based Oz The Great and Powerful.  This latest big screen adaptation of author L. Frank Baum’s Oz books was met largely with mixed reviews when it premiered in early 2013.  The fact that it was released to DVD and Blu-ray only a couple months after didn’t bode well for this movie.  Luckily for the movie, the bonus features included in its home release have managed to save it and make it worthy of a second watch.

The hybrid live action/CGI origin story of the wizard and the witch does an impressive job in its attempts to pay homage to The Wizard of Oz.  The sets used for the Emerald City are just as impressive as those used in the earlier story.  That the film makers would try to stay as true as possible to Baum’s fantasy world is worthy of at least some praise.  Making their efforts even more worthy of praise is what is revealed in the behind-the-scenes feature, “Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas To Oz.”  Viewers learn in this feature that CGI was only one method of movie magic used in this movie.  It is revealed that actual puppets were used in conjunction with CGI elements in order to bring both the China Girl and Finley to life.  It isn’t very often in this era of largely computer driven special effects blockbusters see such a style of special effects used.  So even in this aspect, it is nice to see that those behind the cameras would go so far in paying tribute to classic film making.

The use of puppets was quite an impressive revelation about this story’s creation.  In connection, the use of CGI to put the faces of Joey King and Zach Braff onto the China Girl and Finley was just as worthy of praise.  It would have been easy to just use CGI based creations and had the pair voice them.  But instead, their faces were put onto the pair. There is something special about this.  Even Sweeter was that both king and Braff voiced their characters.  It shows again the drive to make the story as believable as possible.  It was very nice to see the charged with making this happen took their jobs so seriously.  It proves yet again the importance of bonus features in the home release of any movie.

Viewers that check out the feature focusing on the special effects and general production values of Oz The Great and Powerful will hopefully gain new respect for the film.  If it doesn’t achieve its intended goal, then perhaps the companion feature, “Walt Disney and the Road To Oz” will help in that effort.  It is a much shorter feature in comparison to the previously mentioned bonus feature.  But it goes quite well in companion to the behind-the-scenes feature.  Viewers learn in this companion piece that Walt Disney had actually wanted for years before his death, to bring to life his own take on Baum’s works in a movie titled, The Rainbow Road to Oz.  Yet for a variety of reasons, he never did see those efforts bear any fruit before his passing in 1966.  It wouldn’t be until 1985 that the company bearing his name would see the release of an Oz-centric story in Return to Oz.  This movie was nowhere near as family friendly as the hit 1939 blockbuster that was The Wizard of Oz.  Keeping all of this in mind in watching Oz The Great and Powerful, one can’t help but have at least some extra respect for everything that went into bringing this latest adaptation to life.  And with any luck, viewers will understand in watching these (and the movie’s other bonus features) that this latest film adapted from Baum’s books is worthy of at least one watch.  For those that saw it in theaters, they will hopefully see that it is worth a second watch.

Oz The Great and Powerful is available now on a variety of platforms.  It is available both in stores and online and can be ordered direct from the Disney Store and Disney DVD store at http://www.disneystore.com and http://disney.go.com/thewizard/.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Great Zebra Exodus One Of Nature’s Best Episodes Of 2013

Courtesy: PBS

The latest installment of PBS’ Nature series is one of its most interesting pieces to date.  What audiences get in Great Zebra Exodus is an episode of the series that is largely unlike any other in recent memory.  The roughly hour-long program focuses on the migration of zebra herds across the African plains.  The migration itself is interesting to follow.  Viewers will take interest in the social norms of the zebra herds.  And the additional notes of the meerkat family will entertain viewers just as much.  They add the cute factor to the program.  There is even a very touching side story about one zebra family that exhibits something very extraordinary.  It is so touching that it may even leave some viewers slightly teary-eyed.  It is a very touching story.  It should be noted that as touching as this side-story is, there is some material throughout the program that is not entirely suitable for younger viewers.  The note of parental advisory aside, there is one more factor that plays into the success of this edition of Nature.  That factor is the feature’s cinematography.  The story itself of the zebra migration is impressive.  But the camera work in this feature is the real star.  Whether one has a direct interest in cinematography or not, the varying shots of the African plains are eye-popping and may even leave some viewers watching this piece again if only for that one reason.  If a person watches only one episode of Nature this year, all of these factors together make this the one episode to watch.

The concept of watching a zebra migration might not seem all that interesting to most people.   It’s just a bunch of animals making its way from one place to another.  So the question remains, what would make watching zebra migrate stand out?  The answer is quite surprising.  As one will see in watching Great Zebra Exodus, the migration of these animals is anything but ordinary.  Viewers see in this episode of Naturethat there is actually quite a bit that zebras go through in their yearly migration across the Makgadikgadi salt pans of Botswana.  The mares face the dangers of predators such a lions.  They also face the lack of water and food during the dry season.  There is also the ever present threat for mares of their own foals being potentially killed by stallions that did not sire the young zebras.  It’s incredible to see the motherly instinct of the mares in protecting their young from rival adult stallions.  Viewers see just how dangerous this situation is for mares.  It is one of the situations that will likely be unsettling for younger viewers.  Adults might also find the scenes involving stallions mating with mares improper for younger viewers, too on a related note.  These are not brief moments, either.  So as interesting as this whole feature is, these moments are enough to require a note of parental discretion.

What parents won’t have to worry about in Great Zebra Exodus is the bonus side story about a feeble young foal and its parents.  The young zebra was born with a problem that made walking very difficult.  Its legs were simply not able to support it for long.  That alone will pull at viewers’ heart strings.  As the story of this young zebra and its parents evolves, parents will be moved to find out about the loyalty of its parents to the young foal even despite having to leave it temporarily in order to find water.  That moment at which it leaves will definitely make viewers feel so sorry for the little zebra, as it is left on its own.  But to find out that the next morning, they return and the foal is safe and sound makes for a wonderfully applause worthy moment.  And it would be no surprise if it leaves some viewers at least slightly teary-eyed.

The side-story of the young zebra foal is a wonderful moment for viewers in the overall feature that is Great Zebra Exodus.  On an even happier note, viewers will love the extra information about a meerkat family that follows the zebras for a short while.  The additional notes of the meerkat social structure are just as interesting as those of the zebra social stratification.  What’s really interesting about them meerkats is the behavior of actually leaving their young with another member of a meerkat society if only for a short time in order to bring back food.  Humans like to believe that they are the most intelligent of creatures on the planet.  But as these small creatures (and the zebras) show, humans obviously aren’t the only intelligent beings.  As this episode of Nature shows, the behaviors of animals are just as intelligent as those of humans.  It is sure to get viewers talking and thinking.

The behaviors exhibited by the meerkats and zebras throughout Great Zebra Exodus are eye-opening, especially for those that perhaps had little to no prior knowledge of the animals and how they interacted within their given communities.  Viewers will definitely enjoy learning these facts.  Just as enjoyable to see in this episode is its cinematography.  The camera work of this episode is so impressive that it could be argued to be the real star of the episode in question.  The final scenes presents a rainbow over a previously rain-soaked sky as the zebra herd make their way back along their migratory route.  After everything that these creatures have endured to get to where they do each year, this presents a fitting final moment.  In its own way, it’s almost biblical in nature.  The wide scenes showing the oncoming rains in the rainy season on the salt pans are just as incredible.  Seeing the dust kicked up by the zebras during the dry season makes for quite the contrast, too.  These are just some of the incredible shots obtained by the people behind the cameras of this episode.  Audiences will find that there are so many more shots that they themselves will call favorites.  And along with the episode’s primary and secondary stories, it all comes together to make what is one of the better episodes of Nature in recent memory.  The DVD and Blu-ray are available now and can be ordered online direct from the PBS online store at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=19729766&cp=&sr=1&kw=great+zebra+exodus&origkw=Great+Zebra+Exodus&parentPage=search.

To keep up with the latest news on new episodes of Nature, audiences can go online to http://www.facebook.com/PBSNature and “Like” it.  Fans can also keep up with the latest on Nature on its official website at http://www.pbs.org/nature and its official Twitter page, http://twitter.com/PBSNature.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Anchor Bay’s Touchback Earns Special Honor

Courtesy: Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay Entertainment’s Touchback has earned a special honor.  The movie that is one part It’s a Wonderful Life and one part football flick has won the Saturn Award for “Best DVD/BD Release” by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.  Director Don Hanfield accepted the award from presenter Barry Bostwick.  In accepting the award, Hanfield said of the movie, “Touchback was a very special project for all involved.  This recognition from the Academy is greatly appreciated and humbly accepted.” 

Anchor Bay President and CEO Bill Clark spoke on the win.  “All of us at Anchor Bay Films congratulate Don and the entire Touchback team on tonight’s win,” he said.  “We thank the Academy for recognizing this heartwarming underdog of a film with a Saturn Award for Best DVD Release.”  Touchback stars Brian Presely as a former high school football star whose life is changed when on the scoring drive of his final high school game, he breaks his leg.  After trying to take his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning, Scott Murphy (played by Presley), is given a second chance, and shown that despite what he thinks, people really do care about him and his family.   

Touchback beat out some big names at the awards ceremony.  It had to face off against Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike, The Possession, A Thousand Cuts, Chained, and David Kronenberg’s new masterwork, Cosmopolis. 

More information on Touchback is available online at http://www.touchback-themovie.com. 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Avenged Sevenfold Announce New Album Release Date

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

Warner Brothers Records and Avenged Sevenfold have announced that the band will release its new album this Summer.  Hail to the King will be released August 27^th via Warner Brothers Records.  The new album, the band’s sixth full length release, was produced by Mike Elizondo, who also produced AX7’s most recent album, 2010’s Nightmare. That album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, Hard Rock Chart, and Digital Chart.  It also generated three #1 hit singles in ‘So Far Away’, ‘Welcome to the Family’, and the album’s title track.  That song was the most played current song at Rock Radio for all of 2010. 

Most recently, the band made an appearance on Activision’s hit first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2.  The game’s soundtrack even included the band’s original song, ‘Carry On.’  That song went on to its own success, topping the Billboard Monitor Chart this past January.  The game went on to be the biggest selling game of all time. 

AX7 fans can keep up with all of the latest news and updates on the band’s upcoming release online at http://www.facebook.com/AvengedSevenfold, http://www.avengedsevenfold.com, and http://twitter.com/TheOfficialAX7. 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Die Hard 5 Even More Fun In Its Home Release

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

A Good Day to Die Hard was met with less than critical acclaim with it premiered in early 2013.  The fifth movie in the Die Hard franchise, viewers and critics alike largely panned the movie.  Critics and viewers gave reasons that largely centered on the movie’s writing and its general story as the reason for its lack of entertainment value.  The reality is that there was nothing wrong with the story or the writing behind Die Hard 5.  The real reason that it largely failed to garner big numbers is one that people refuse to admit to for whatever reason.  The real reason that it fell short can be summed up in one word.  That one word is relevance. This critic personally noted when Die Hard 5 premiered, that had this installment in the series traded places with its predecessor, it might very well have been released to much bigger response.  That is because relevance brought down both movies.  Die Hard 4 was ahead of its time.  And because director John Moore and company were paying homage to the original movie in the Die Hard series, most audiences and critics could not relate.  Most of those same audiences and critics likely hadn’t seen the original Die Hard, either.  So, that might explain that much.  Those that are more familiar with the series maybe simply couldn’t see the forest for the trees.  That would be the most sensible explanation for that faction of viewers.  Now that Die Hard 5 has been released to DVD and Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, maybe those same audiences and critics will give this movie the second look that it deserves and see it for the valuable addition that it is to the Die Hard series.

Die Hard 5 is a fun trip down movie memory lane.  Audiences that know the series’ history and already have an appreciation for this movie will agree to this.  Those that are new to the series and those that perhaps saw this movie for what it was, will hopefully see this especially in watching the bonus features of the new Die Hard 5 home release.  The best point at which to start in this argument is the making of feature, aptly titled, “Making it Hard to Die.”  This hour-long plus feature goes into massive depth, showing just how much work went into bringing this story to life.  Viewers are taken behind the scenes and behind the cameras in an in-depth discussion of everything from the movie’s special effects and visual effects to the weaponry and even aircraft used this time around.  There’s even a section of this feature that, led by obvious fan boy and director John Moore, discusses the use of actual explosions and stunts versus the full on use of CGI.  It was wonderful to hear Moore note just how important it was to the movie in the grand scheme of the Die Hard franchise to use actual stunts and explosions in balance with the green screen instead of simply going entirely the green screen/CGI route.  Understanding this, audiences will hopefully gain at least some appreciation for this movie and everything that went into its creation.  It is, of course, just one of the bonus features that make the movie even more enjoyable the second time around.  Another factor that will hopefully help add to the movie’s appreciation is the feature on the movie’s big car chase.

The discussion on the early chase scene between John, Jack, and his Russian counterparts will instantly conjure thoughts of Steve McQueen’s famed car chase scene in Bullitt.  Just as interesting in this feature is the notation that the sequence was both physically and digitally storyboarded.  This is so impressive in that so many studios have done away with actual physical storyboarding and gone digital.  It is nice to see that hand drawn art still has at least some place in the movie industry today.  All of this is one more step back in time and one more element that creates even more appreciation for this latest installment in the Die Hard franchise.  If this and the extensive making of feature are not enough, then audiences can also check out the “New Face of Evil” feature that focuses on Kamarov and his daughter or the feature, “Two of a Kind” that focuses on the relationship between John and Jack or even “Back in Action”, which focuses on the development of John McClane from the original Die Hard to this point decades later.  All of these bonus features come together with the story to make Die Hard 5 a movie that while it isn’t the best of the series, is still a fun movie.  And hopefully after seeing it, those same people that criticized it before will agree that it’s so fun that it’s worth well more than just one watch.  It’s a movie worth watching any time audiences want a real action movie.  It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered from the 20^th Century Fox store at http://www.foxconnect.com.

The Winery Dogs’ Debut A Super Record From A True Supergroup

Courtesy: Loud & Proud Records

2013 has been quite a year for new rock records.  The list of new records vying to make critics’ lists of the year’s best is already cluttered.  And the year’s not even out yet.  That list already includes releases from the likes of:  Pop Evil, Queensryche, Buckcherry, Filter and Joe Satriani just to name a handful of releases.  Now with the release of its self-titled release, rock trio The Winery Dogs has added its name to that already massively cluttered landscape.  The band—Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), and Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big, Poison)—instantly draws comparisons to Chickenfoot from early on with its brand of rock.  If one were to listen to this and not know it was another band, one would instantly think one was listening to the latter of the two.  Even vocalist Richie Kotzen sounds at times like Chickenfoot front man Sammy Hagar.  At others, he sounds like Soundgarden/former Audioslave front man Chris Cornell.  The similarity in the singers’ voices is eerie.

The band’s new self-titled album is a solid mix of sounds, opening with a trio of heavier, energy-laden songs in: ‘Elevate’, ‘Desire’ and ‘We Are One.’  From there, things slow down a little bit in ‘I’m No Angel’ ‘The Other Side’ and ‘You Saved Me.’  What’s interesting here is that while this trio of songs is a little more subdued, there is still a certain controlled energy throughout all three.  The guitar solos in ‘We Are One’ along with Portnoy’s expert drumming in this song is just one of so many of the album’s highlights.  ‘You Saved Me’ is impressive not just because of its musical content, but also for its uplifting lyrical content.  Kotzen sings, “You saved me in my darkest hour/You stood by me and stayed/You gave me all my strength and power/And when sunshine turned to grey/In my darkest hour/You stood by me and stayed/You stood with me/My guiding angel.”  This could be interpreted in a religious sense.  It could just as easily be considered more in the sense of a relationship.  Regardless of which angle one takes here, the ballad with its moving music and equally uplifting lyrics is sure to impress any listener. 

‘You Saved Me’ is a fitting midpoint for The Winery Dogs’ debut record.  That is because it is after this point that things pick back up beginning with what is one of the best of the best from this record in ‘Not Hopeless.’  This song is a standout thanks to the contradiction of the heavier, slower sludge rock style verses to the more standard rock style choruses.  Kotzen shows throughout both sections (and his solos) that he can easily hold his own alongside fellow guitar great Zakk Wylde here.  And if this isn’t enough to get listeners excited, the album’s next track, ‘One More Time’ definitely will.  Bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan gets his chance to shine in this up-tempo prog rock piece alongside Portnoy.  Sheehan gets his own solo alongside Portnoy in the song’s bridge.  Kotzen eventually joins in to add in his own spice, too.  By the time the song ends, it will have left listeners in awe of the trio’s talent once more.  Forget the lyrics.  This song is entirely about the talent of these three musicians.  And it definitely doesn’t disappoint.

After the high energy of ‘One More Time’ and ‘Not Hopeless’, the band slows things down only momentarily in ‘Damaged’ and ‘Six Feet Deeper.’  This gives listeners just enough time to catch their collective breath before diving back in the deep end again on the album’s final trio of songs.  ‘Time Machine’, ‘The Dying’, and ‘Regret’ finish off the album.  And they do so in expert form.  The energy in these three songs is just enough to keep listeners engaged right to the final notes without skipping even one song.  Suffice it to say that listeners that are familiar with the musicianship of Sheehan, Portnoy and Kotzen will be just as impressed with this record as anything else that the trio has recorded throughout its career.  For those that are new to the trio’s talents, these final three songs are certain to seal the deal and make new fans of three of the most talented individuals in the music industry today. 

Winery Dogs’ debut record is slated to be released Tuesday, July 23^rd via Loud & Proud Records.  Fans can pre-order it now via the Loud & Proud Records website at http://loudandproudrecords.com/releases/winery-dogs/.  In the meantime, fans can check out the band’s new album live on its tour.  It will be touring through Japan and South America during the month of July before coming back to the United States on August 3^rd.  Fans can get a full list of the band’s tour dates online at http://www.facebook.com/TheWineryDogs.  Fans can also “Like” the Winery Dogs’ Facebook page for all of the latest news and updates from the band.

To keep up with all of the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com. 

Singer To Release First Single This Summer

Courtesy: Fresh Tracks Marketing

Singer Shauna Brittenham is set to release her debut single, ‘Uh Oh’ this Summer.  The single is from her new album, Dreamer’s Dream.  Its almost ragtime style music is something that few musicians—mainstream or not—do today.  Much of the material on Brittenham’s new album reflects her personal life experiences, which are quite varied.  From dropping out of school at fifteen and earning her GED at sixteen to earning an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Furman, listeners will be able to hear reflections on her experiences as she grew up.

‘Uh Oh’ even has the privilege of being used for an advertising campaign by Westside Rentals in California.  The company owns properties throughout California.  It has offices in seven regions of the state.  Among the regions in which it owns properties are properties in: Santa Monica, Hollywood, Hermosa Beach, Studio City, Newport Beach, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and many other regions of California.

Brittenham’s star is on the rise.  The young singer has performances scheduled in Los Angeles’ Hotel Café and Genghis Cohen.  Fans can check out ‘Uh Oh’ now on Shauna Brittenham’s official website, http://www.shaunabrittenham.com.  Fans can check in on her official website daily for all of the latest updates on her performance and when and where they can pick up her new album along with much more.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

STS9 Coming To Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheatre This Summer

Courtesy: MSO PR

Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater will welcome one of the country’s most well-known electronic rock acts this Summer.  STS9 is coming to North Carolina’s capitol city Sunday, August 25^th.  The Santa Cruz, CA based five-piece will perform alongside Umphrey’s McGee.  The bands are sharing headlining duties throughout their tour.  This means that STS9 will be opening for Umphrey’s McGee when the band’s come to Raleigh.  The band has earned positive reviews throughout its mostly sold-out Winter tour and recent Spring tour, which included a sold-out show at New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom. 

The band—Hunter Brown (guitars/keyboards), Jeffree Lerner (percussion), David Murphy (bass, synths), David Phipps (keyboards), and Zach Velmer (drums) is working on its twelfth full length studio release.  The self-titled release is currently expected to be released this year on the band’s self-owned record label, 1320 Records.  Its most recent release is its 2011 EP, When The Dust Settles.  The EP debuted at #1 on the iTunes Electronic Chart and even garnered the band a spot in Billboard’s “Top 25 Albums” chart. 

The band’s tour with Umphrey’s McGee is just one part of its busy tour schedule.  The band is also slated to perform at a number of festivals this year, including:  Camp Bisco, All Good Music Festival, and the new Life is Beautiful Festival.  It also has on its schedule back-to-back headlining dates at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on September 6^th and 7^th.

For more information on the band’s tour and all of the latest news from the band, go online to the band’s official Facebook page and “Like” it at http://www.facebook.com/sts9 or to http://www.1320records.com.  And to keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.