The Nixons Debuts New Single, ‘Kaleidoscope’

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

The Nixons debuted its latest single this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Kaleidoscope‘ Friday. The song is the title track from the band’s forthcoming EP, which is scheduled for release June 24.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is a classic 90’s alt-rock composition. The harmonies generated through the guitars alongside the rich rhythm section and the airy vocals gives the song in whole that distinct 90s rock sound that is still just as endearing to so many audiences today as it was in the band’s heyday.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the single’s debut. However, a close listen makes clear the song centers lyrically on the all too familiar topic of a relationship.

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

In other news, The Nixons has joined Everclear on the road for its headlining tour. The tour, which is scheduled to launch June 9 in Emmett, ID, is set to run through Sept. 3, with more dates expected for announce in the coming weeks. The tour also includes a stop in Jacksonville, NC on July 2, Millville, NJ on July 13, and Henderson, NV on Sept. 3.

More information on The Nixons’ new single, EP, and tour is available along with all of The Nixons’ latest news and more at:

Website: https://thenixonsofficial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNixonsOfficial

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Sugar Ray Tapped as Flannel Fest Headliner; StarZero, X Wire Added As Support Acts

Courtesy: Earshot Media

Another well-known act from the 90s has been added to the bill for the inaugural “Flannel Nation Festival“.

Sugar Ray has been named a special guest headliner for the event, which is scheduled to take place Aug. 13 at the Port of Los Angeles. The one-day festival is also scheduled to feature performances from famous 90s acts, such as Candlebox, Filter, Fastball, and Everclear.

Sugar Ray has sold more than 10 million records over the course of its life. The band has four Top 10 songs, and has had its music streamed millions of times, too.

Also added to the lineup this week is StarZero. Fronted by Josh Paskowitzh (ex-The Flys), the band also features his brother Adam.

Another support act, X Wire, was also announced this week as part of the still-growing lineup for the “Flannel Nation Festival”.

More information on the Flannel Nation Festival is available along with all of its latest news at https://www.facebook.com/Flannel-Nation-Festival-102543952406355/.

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

New 90s Rock Festival Announced

Courtesy: Earshot Media

The 90s will make a comeback this summer at a special festival event.

The inaugural Flannel Nation Festival is scheduled to take place Aug. 13 at the Port of Los Angeles. The one-day festival is scheduled to feature performances from famous 90s acts, such as Candlebox, Filter, Fastball, and Everclear.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below. Tickets are available here.

The Lineup:

Everclear

Soul Asylum

Candlebox

Filter

Cracker

Fastball

Sponge

Special Guest Headliner TBA

More Bands To Be Added

More information on the Flannel Nation Festival is available along with all of its latest news at https://www.facebook.com/Flannel-Nation-Festival-102543952406355/.

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

Everclear, Sponge, The Raskins To Perform At Latest Masquerade Rock Music Festival Date

Courtesy: Chipster PR

Everclear and Sponge will perform together live on stage later this month.

The bands will share the stage Jan. 17 at the Masquerade Rock Music Festival.  The festival will take place in Wantagh, NY.  The Raskins will join the bill as a special guest for the event.  That Metal Show co-host Don Jamieson will serve as the event’s emcee.

A trailer for the forthcoming show is streaming online here.  The concert is sponsored by Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall and WBAB 102.3 FM.

Everclear front man Art Alexakis said in a recent interview, he is looking forward to taking part in the concert.

“We’re excited to get back in front of our New York fans for Masquerade Music Fest,” he said.  “It’s going to be a great show with a killer lineup.

Sponge front man Vinnie Dombroski shared Alexakis’ sentiments in a brief statement.

“Sponge is excited to be part of a great lineup,” he said.

The Raskins front man Logan Raskin said he was highly anticipating the concert.

“It’s an honor for my brother and I to have The Raskins playing with some of our favorite bands,” he said.  “Listening to these bands for many years as fans and having the opportunity to share the same stage with them at the Masquerade Rock Music Fest is a dream come true.”

This year is the second time that Jamieson has served as emcee for the festival.  He said he was looking forward to taking part in the event again.

“I’m really excited to host my second Masquerade Music Fest,” he said.  “As a comic and a rock fan, these nights are a total blast.  Come rock out with us on Strong Island!”

The Masquerade Rock Music Fest most recently took place Dec. 1 at The Space Theatre in Westbury, Long Island.  The Raskins took part in that event, too along with Sponge.  They were joined by Puddle of Mudd and Fuel.

Other Masquerade Rock Music Festival dates are planned nationwide and around the world.  Information on those concerts is posted online at:

Website: http://masqueradefestival.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MasqueradeRockMusicFest

 

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

2015 Saw A Number Of Great Rock Records Released

2015 has been a great year for the rock community. That is because so many standout albums have been released this year. This includes new rock albums both in the underground and the mainstream. There have been so many outstanding rock albums released so far this year that there was just not enough room for all of them on just one list (that is unless one were to make a list of the year’s top 100 new rock albums). Keeping that in mind, it couldn’t have been easy for any critic to develop a year-ender for the year’s best new rock records. It definitely wasn’t easy for this critic. This critic’s list of the year’s best new rock records presents albums from some relatively well-known bands and some that might not be so widely-known. Regardless of how well-known said acts (and albums) are, it can be said that each wholly deserves its spot on this list thanks to musical and lyrical content that is more apt to keep listeners engaged from beginning to end than any other band or album. Enough rambling. Without any further ado here is the list of those bands and their respective albums. This is the Phil’s Picks ‘ 2015 Top 10 New Rock Albums. As with every other list, the main body of the list is made up of the year’s Top 10 Best new records. The bottom five receive honorable mention for a total of fifteen albums.

 

PHIL’S PICKS 2015 TOP 10 NEW ROCK ALBUMS

1. BACHMAN – HEAVY BLUES 
2. MICHEAL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK – SPIRIT ON A MISSION 
3. THE WINERY DOGS – HOT STREAK 
4. FINGER ELEVEN – FIVE CROOKED LINES 
5. JOE SATRIANI – SHOCKWAVE SUPERNOVA 
6. BLACKBERRY SMOKE – HOLDING ALL THE ROSES 
7. EVERCLEAR – BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK 
8. SPOCK’S BEARD – THE OBLIVION PARTICLE 
9. QUEENSRYCHE – CONDITION HUMAN 
10. DEVIL CITY ANGELS – DEVIL CITY ANGELS 
11. RUSSKAJA – PEACE, LOVE, AND RUSSIAN ROLL 
12. BARENAKED LADIES – SILVERBALL 
13. POP EVIL – UP 
14. UFO – A CONSPIRACY OF STARS 
15. TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET – TALES FROM WISCONSIN

 

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Nonpoint Signs New Deal With Metal Blade Records

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Officials with Metal Blade Records announced today the addition of Florida-based hard rock band Nonpoint to its artist roster. The deal between Nonpoint and Metal Blade will see Metal Blade release Nonpoint’s upcoming eighth full-length album internationally. Front man Elias Soriano spoke with reporters on the announcement, expressing his happiness over the new deal. “This is a dream situation for us,” he said. “We’ve always needed a team behind us outside of the U.S. It’s a great feeling knowing you now have the best team possible.”

 
Drummer Robb Rivera echoed Soriano’s sentiments in his comments. “We are excited to get not only THE worldwide label of labels to release our album outside of the US, but to be part of a family now that has pretty much set the bar for metal releases for 30 plus years,” he said. “Needless to say , extremely excited to be able to get our music to the fans outside of the US through the team that helped launch Metallica.”

 
Nonpoint’s next album is currently slated to drop this Fall. Metal Blade Records rep Brian Slagel hinted at what fans can expect from the new album, stating, “The bit of new material I heard sounds great!” He was just as pleased with the announcement of the new deal between Nonpoint and Metal Blade Records. He said of the announcement, “All of us at Metal Blade are happy to welcome Nonpoint to the Metal Blade family. We are excited to work with them.”

 
Nonpoint will perform live at the Central Florida Fairgrounds at the WJRR Earthday Birthday festival. Also slated for the festival are: Alter Bridge, Everclear, All That Remains, Cypress Hill, Alien Ant Farm, Pepper, Fuel, Filter, Saving Abel, Saigon Kick, Lacuna Coil, Tantric, and many other bands. Nonpoint is also scheduled to perform at Rock The Yard in Kernersville, North Carolina on June 22nd alongside Another Lost Year. More information on the band’s current tour schedule, its upcoming eighth full-length studio release and more is available online now at http://www.nonpoint.com, http://www.facebook.com/nonpointworld, and http://twitter.com/nonpoint. 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.