Kill Lincoln Debuts ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ Video

Courtesy: Bad Time Records/1138 Records/Pookout Records

Ska-punk band Kill Lincoln is giving audiences another preview of its new album.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Ignorance Is Bliss‘ Thursday.  The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album Can’t Complain.  It comes less than two weeks after the band debuted the video for the album’s lead single, ‘Confession Obsession.’

Can’t Complain is scheduled for release Aug. 7 through Bad Time Records in the U.S., 1138 Records in Japan and Pookout Records in the U.K.  Pre-orders are open now.

The band members filmed their respective parts to ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ video in various locations due to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guitarist Mike Sosinski talked about the video’s creation during a recent interview with Brooklynvegan.

“I always pictured the video for “Ignorance Is Bliss’ being a giant dance party with all our friends…but because of quarantine our options for getting together and filming were obviously a bit limited,” he said.  “We wanted to make sure if we filmed ourselves it didn’t look like every other quarantine video, so we tried recording ourselves dancing and singing to the song at half speed…which was WAY harder than it seemed with such a fast song. Either way the, the raw results had us laughing our asses off so we knew the idea would stick. We had a blast making this video, and can’t wait for the inevitable dance party the next time we get to play the song live.”

The energy in the song’s musical arrangement works well with the song’s lyrical theme, which comes across as a social commentary of sorts.

More information on Kill Lincoln’s new single and album is available along with all of Kill Lincoln’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://killlincolndc.bandcamp.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/killlincoln

 

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Serpent Servant Slave Debuts ‘Whatchu Doin’ Wanting More?’ Video

Courtesy: Mind Over Matter Records

Independent rock band Serpent Servant Slave debuted the video for its new single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Whatchu Doin’ Wanting More?‘  The song is featured on the duo’s forthcoming debut album Headless.  The album is scheduled for release July 31 through Mind Over Matter Records.  Digital and physical pre-orders are open now.

The album’s physical release will be exclusively on a 12-inch vinyl presentation on three different variants.  The album’s vinyl pressing will be limited to just 300 copies.

The video presents the band’s members — Jesse Smith (ex-Zao, Gods, Jesse Smith & The Holy Ghost) and Breyer White — in what is meant to look like an empty warehouse as it performs its single.  Some additional performers join the duo for the video.  Those performers’ “identities” will be left for audiences to discover for themselves.

The song’s musical arrangement boasts a distinct electronic element complete with keyboards and a steady 2/4 beat.  Its infectious approach will keep listeners engaged and entertained.

That engagement and entertained ensured through the song’s musical arrangement will also ensure the song’s lyrical theme will also impact listeners.

Smith talked about the song’s lyrical theme in a recent interview.

“I like to leave the interpretation to the listener, but for me personally the song has dual meaning: It’s about the power of will & intention, as well as accepting the present moment and maintaining presence; whatever the situation,” said Smith.  “I wrote it at a time where I was pushing for a lot of change, but at the same time losing sight of what was already in front of me. It’s easy to forget the simple gifts of existence….our vibratory energetics craft our reality.”

More information on Serpent Servant Slave’s new video, single and album is available along with more news from Mind Over Matter Records at:

 

Website: http://www.mindovermatterrecords.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/momrecords

 

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The Lonely Ones Debuts Video For ‘Flash Gordon’/’The Hero’ Cover

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Independent rock band The Lonely Ones debuted the video for its cover of a classic Queen song this week.

The band debuted the video for its cover of Queen’s performance of the Flash Gordon theme song and its companion song ‘Hero’ Tuesday.  The video features the band performing its take on the song in a studio setting, complete with sound effects and audio from the original movie.

The band’s take on the song pays full tribute to Queen’s version of the classic work.  The Lonely Ones’ rendition is longer than that of Queen, with the original clocking in at just under three minutes and the cover coming in at five-and-a-half-minutes.  Even with that in mind, the band’s cover is still very much in line with Queen’s original work.

The band talked about its take on the song in a collective statement.

“We recorded Flash in 2019 – a pretty dark year for the four of us on all fronts,” the statement reads. Our original musical output reflected that darkness, so recording a cartoonishly triumphant, heroic cover song seemed like a good counter-balance. Fast forward to spring 2020 and the impending COVID-19 Stay at Home order. With limited time and help from some fans we got our friends together to film a music video while we were still able. It’s July now and, with the future more unclear than ever, it seems like the perfect time to release the most positive song we have.  I hope you enjoy it. “Flash/The Hero. A Queen Cover.”

The Lonely Ones’ cover of Queen’s classic song comes more than a month ahead of Arrow Video’s upcoming re-issue of Starling Films/Famous Films/Dino De Laurentiis Company’s 1980 movie Flash Gordon.  It should be noted that the band’s premiere of its new cover is not connected with the movie’s forthcoming re-issue.  It is merely coincidence.

Arrow Video is scheduled to re-issue the science fiction flick Aug. 18 on 4KUHD/BD combo pack and standalone Blu-ray.

The forthcoming re-issue will feature a companion booklet with new liner notes on the movie penned by a variety of film critics and historians; separate feature length audio commentaries by Mike Hodges and Brian Blessed; cast interviews; a behind-the-scenes making of featurette; archival interview with Mike Hodges, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr. and comic book artist Alex Ross as well as much more.

More information on The Lonely Ones’ cover of ‘Flash Gordon’/’The Hero’ is available along with all of the band’s latest news at The Lonely Ones’ official Facebook page.

More information on Arrow Video’s forthcoming re-issue of Flash Gordon is available along with all of the company’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.arrowfilms.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArrowFilmsVideo

 

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Ministry Launches Efforts To Get Fans Registered To Vote, Save Nation’s Music Venues

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records/

Ministry launched two new campaigns this week that also give fans the chance to get memorabilia from the band.

The first campaign is an effort to get people registered to vote and the second is a campaign to push for support for America’s independent music venues.  In the first campaign, anyone who is unregistered can do so here and sign up to receive alerts.  Once that’s done, those fans who register can email a picture of the confirmation page to unclealforpresident2020@gmail.com along with their mailing address.  The mailing address will allow the band to send the noted autographed memorabilia as long as supplies last.

Fans who are already registered to vote can still get a chance to get some Ministry memorabilia through the nationwide Save Our Stages effort.  Fan who want to help in that effort can sign the petition here to help save the nation’s independent music venues that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Once that is done, fans should take a screenshot of the confirmation page and email it to the noted already noted email address for a chance to get some autographed Ministry memorabilia.

In related Ministry news, band founder Al Jourgensen has curated a playlist of songs titled “The Soundtrack To Your Election” on Spotify that is composed of politically charged songs from a variety of acts.  The playlist includes and is not limited to Fear Factory’s ‘Linchpin,’ John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band’s ‘Power To The People’ and Johnny Cash’s ‘The One on the Right Is on the Left.’

More information on Ministry’s new campaigns is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.ministryband.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WeAreMinistry

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Mickey Leigh And Mutated Music Address Judicial Inequality With New Song

Musician/author Mickey Leigh and his band mates in Mutated Music are taking on judicial inequality in the group’s new single.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Two Kinds of Law’ Wednesday.  The video features the band performing its new single in a studio style setting and crosses that with footage of a man being tazed by a police officer and a black woman telling children why their father will not be coming home. The imagery is used to help illustrate the song’s lyrical theme that focuses on the different ways in which people are treated by law enforcement.

Leigh talked about that theme in a recent interview.

The concept that there are “two kinds of law- one for the rich, and one for the poor,” is not exactly one that came about recently,” he said.  “I first heard those words many decades ago, in a book and film called “In Cold Blood”, and, though said in different words, in a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. I just, recently, felt compelled to write a song about it. Very compelled.”

“The importance of “equality” and “justice for all” has come to the forefront of our lives like never before and, it’s a message that needs to be repeated…repeatedly,” he added.  “There aren’t many ways to repeat a message repeatedly without boring people to tears, aside from immersing it in a catchy chorus and irresistible rhythm.”

Courtesy: Earshot Media

Speaking of music, the song’s musical arrangement is a catchy work that exhibits a classic rock and roll vibe that reaches back to the 1970s.  That is especially evidenced through the song’s guitar line and through Leigh’s own vocal delivery style.  The song’s time keeping and bass line deepen its presentation and make it that much more engaging and entertaining.

More information on Mickey Leigh and Mutated Music’s new single is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://mickeyleigh.com

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

 

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Deep Purple Debuts New LP’s Third Single

Courtesy: earMUSIC

Deep Purple debuted the latest single from its forthcoming album this week.

The band debuted its new single ‘Nothing At All‘ Friday.  The song is the third song from the band’s forthcoming album Whoosh!, which is scheduled for release Aug. 7 through earMUSIC.  It comes more than three months after the band debuted the video for the album’s lead single ‘Throw My Bones‘ and more than two months after the band debuted the video for the album’s second single ‘Man Alive.’

The musical arrangement at the center of ‘Nothing At All’ is pure classic Deep Purple, complete with keyboards, guitars and simple yet effective time keeping.  It will take listeners back to Deep Purple’s infancy in the best way possible.

The song’s lyrical theme come across as a social statement about what has happened to the world and how mankind has impacted the planet.

Whoosh! is scheduled for release Aug. 7 on limited edition CD/DVD mediabook combo pack, standard CD and digital.  Pre-orders are open now.  the album’s track listing is noted below.

 

Track list:
1.) Throw My Bones
2.) Drop The Weapon
3.) We’re All The Same In The Dark
4.) Nothing At All
5.) No Need To Shout
6.) Step By Step
7.) What The What
8.) The Long Way Around
9.) The Power Of The Moon
10.) Remission Possible
11.) Man Alive
12.) And The Address
13.) Dancing In My Sleep

Vinyl Side Split:

Side A: Throw My Bones / Drop The Weapon / We’re All The Same In The Dark / Nothing At All
Side B: No Need To Shout / Step By Step / What The What
Side C: The Long Way Round / The Power Of The Moon / Remission Possible / Man Alive
Side D: And The Address / Dancing In My Sleep

The band’s 21st (yes, 21st) album, it is also the third produced by Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd).  The first of the trio, Now What?! (2013) reached #1 in five European nations and reached Top 10 status in 15 nations globally.  The second Deep Purple album produced by Ezrin, inFinite (2017), reached #1 in Germany and Switzerland, and earned Top 5 status in 11 European nations.  It charted at #105 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200 chart.

More information on Whoosh! is available online along with all of Deep Purple’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.deep-purple.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_DeepPurple

 

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John Lodge Debuts New COVID-19 Inspired Single

Courtesy: Chipster PR

The Moody Blues bassist John Lodge released a new single this week.

Lodge released his new single ‘In These Crazy Times’ Thursday.  Recorded in isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the song’s primary instrumentation — drums, keyboards, guitar and vocals — was crafted by Lodge.

Lodge’s family joined him on the track.  His wife Kirsten provided backing vocals while son Kristian handled lead guitars for the song.  Jon Davison (YES) also joined in, providing backing vocals remotely.  Lodge talked about the song’s creation in a full-length video that is streaming here.

The musical arrangement, which also features a string line, featured at the center of the song exhibits hints of Pink Floyd and The Beatles influence, while its lyrical theme presents a message of hope.

Lodge talked about that positive, uplifting theme in a recent interview.

“I hope you all can relate to this song as another step in life’s strange and mysterious path, and help you continue to keep the faith that we can do it together,” he said.

‘In These Crazy Times’ is available to stream and download here.

More information on ‘In These Crazy Times’ is available along with all of John Lodge’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.johnlodge.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/johnlodgemusic

 

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PJ Library To Take Families On Virtual Israel Tour Next Week

Courtesy: Sugar Mountain PR

PJ Library will take families on a virtual trip through Jerusalem Monday.

The award-winning program, started by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation — which is aimed at improving life for the Jewish community around the world — will host a free, hour-long webinar from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET.

Dubbed “You Be The Detective: A Family Tour Of Jerusalem,” the live tour will be hosted by guide veteran Israel tour guide Jonty Blackman.  Although the event is free, space is limited, so registration is required.

The tour will feature stops in areas, such as Jaffa Gate, the Knesset, the City of David and world-renowned Machane Yehudah outdoor market.  “Tourists” will get to discover secrets found in the nation’s archaeological finds, as well as find some of the nation’s most delectable culinary treats during their virtual visit to Israel.

More information about PJ Library is available along with all of its latest news at:

 

Website: http://pjlibrary.org

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PJLibrary

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Yo-Yo Ma Joins Raffi To Celebrate Song’s 40th Anniversary

Courtesy: Sugar Mountain PR

World-renowned entertainers Raffi and Yo-Yo Ma have partnered to present a new take of Raffi’s timeless song ‘Baby Beluga‘ to celebrate the song’s 40th anniversary.

Originally premiered in 1980, the new updated performance features the legendary musicians performing the song in their homes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Where the original song was mainly a focus on environmentalism, this updated take featured Raffi adding a focus on social justice, peace and diversity.

The video of the performance is streaming through Raffi’s official YouTube Channel.  The song will be available to download by itself later this month.  Proceeds from sales of the single will benefit the grassroots organization The Climate Mobilization.  The agency works daily to address climate change on a global level.

In related news, Raffi has launched a contest for audiences of all ages to submit their own drawings for his upcoming video for the new ‘Baby Beluga’ update.  Audiences can submit sketches of Beluga whales or anything that inspires them for possible inclusion in the video.  Fans can submit their artwork here.

In other news, Raffi has opened his first official store.  The store offers audiences, a variety of ‘Baby Beluga’ bundles.  One of the bundles features the Baby Beluga book — from Knopf/Random House Children’s Books — which was recently re-issued with updated cover, along with two other books, Wheels on the Bus and Down By The Bay.

A Baby Beluga board game is also available through the store.  The game teaches social-emotional learning for young players.  Raffi’s albums are also available through the store.

More information on Raffi’s new store and ‘Baby Beluga’ performance is available online now along with all of his latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.raffinews.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Raffi.Cavoukian

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Raffi_RC

 

 

 

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Dio Cancer Fund Marks Famed Front Man’s 78th Birthday With Special Video Presentation

Courtesy: Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund will mark what would have been the late, great rocker’s 78th birthday today.

The anniversary will be commemorated with a new video.  The video features a compilation of interviews with celebrity guests at past Dio Cancer Fund events, including this year’s 10th annual gala.  Among those featured in the video are fellow rockers, such as Rob Halford, Dave Grohl, and Glenn Hughes.

Highlights from this year’s event were compiled into a separate video that is streaming here.  Merchandise from the gala, such as posters, t-shirts, and programs is available to buy here.

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  It was founded following Dio’s death in 2010 from gastric cancer.  In the now decade since its foundation, the fund has raised more than $2 million to fight gastric cancer.

In its early years, the RJD Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund committed funds to specific gastric cancer research at M.D. Cancer Center in Houston, where Dio was treated over the last six months of his life.  In the years since, the fund has also provided research funding to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN through the fund’s partnership with the T.J. Martell Foundation.  The partnership was established to research blood tests to detect gastric and esophageal cancers.

The partnership and research led to the acquisition of a multi-million-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Donations to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund can be made online here.

Over the course of his professional career, Ronnie James Dio fronted Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Heaven & Hell, and even his own band.

More information on the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is available along with the organization’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.diocancerfund.org

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DioCancerFund

 

All of the latest RJD news is available at:

 

 

 

Website: http://ronniejamesdio.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialRJDio

 

 

 

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