Showing posts with label Comic-Con. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comic-Con. Show all posts

Friday, July 07, 2017

Sights and Sounds: Shout! Factory unveils 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International lineup; Cage The Elephant debut live video for “Sweetie Little Jean"

Happy Friday everybody. Here is a round-up of some pretty exciting news that has landed in my inbox over the last day or so...

Shout! Factory Unveils
2017 San Diego Comic-Con International Lineup

Highlights from Pop-Culture Purveyor Include Cast Signings, Convention
Exclusives and Two Highly Anticipated Panels:
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return ... and New Destinations!
                       and
Breaking News from Shout! Factory and Scream Factory


A mainstay at San Diego Comic-Con International, pop-culture purveyor Shout! Factory returns to the convention in 2017 with a dynamic lineup, featuring captivating panel events, a showcase of new and upcoming theatrical and home entertainment releases, new official Mystery Science Theater 3000 merchandise, Comic-Con exclusive items and engaging booth activities, including a signing with the cast of the critically acclaimed Netflix Original Series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Fans and convention attendees are invited to join in on the excitement at the Shout! Factory booth (#4118) on the main convention floor.   

Genre and horror film buffs, collectors and pop culture enthusiasts alike won’t want to miss Breaking News from Shout! Factory and Scream Factory. At 8 p.m. on Friday, July 21 in Room 4, join Jeremy Whitham (Development Director), Brian Ward (Sr. Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director) as they make special announcements and unveil exclusive sneak peeks of upcoming Blu-ray collector’s editions and new movies coming to theaters this fall. A fan-driven insider’s event filled with lively discussion and a few surprises, this panel discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits.

Calling all MSTies! In the not too distant future—Saturday, July 22nd at 3 pm at the Horton Grand Theatre, to be precise—join the cast of MST3K for Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return ... and New Destinations!  Following a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, the new season of MST3K is now a Netflix Original Series. What was it like to bring the show back and what’s next for MST3K? Join creator Joel Hodgson and cast members Felicia DayJonah RayHampton Yount and Rebecca Hanson, along with moderator Erik Adams of The A.V. Club, as they take you behind the scenes!

On Saturday, July 22nd at 1 pm, join MST3K creator Joel Hodgson and cast members Felicia DayJonah RayHampton Yount and Rebecca Hanson for a cast signing at the Shout! Factory booth (4118).

MSTies are also invited to join Joel, Jonah and the bots for Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live! Watch Out For Snakes! Tour on Friday, July 21st and Saturday, July 22 at 7 pm at the Balboa Theatre. Each show will include all the elements expected from a MST3K experience: a cheesy “B” movie, hilarious riffing, wisecracking robots, silly sketches plus – for the first time – audience participation! Show # 1 is the MST3K favorite “Eegah” featuring all new riffs and sketches.  Show # 2 is a “Secret Surprise Film!”-- a fun sci-fi thriller never-before featured on MST3K.  For tickets and more information regarding the two San Diego performances, please visit www.mst3k.com/tour

For continuing updates on Shout! Factory’s Comic-Con activities and news, please follow us on Twitter @ShoutFactory, on Instagram @shoutfactory, and the studio’s official Facebook page www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial.

Shout! Factory Event Highlights at Comic-Con 2017 Include:

Friday, July 21st
7 pm                Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live! Watch Out For Snakes! Tour
                        Balboa Theatre. Tickets at www.mst3k.com/tour

8 pm                Breaking News from Shout! Factory and Scream Factory 
Join Shout! Factory’s Jeremy Whitham (Development Director) Brian Ward (Sr. Director of Blu-ray and DVD Production) and Jeff Nelson (Sr. Marketing Director) as they make special announcements and unveil exclusive sneak peeks. Moderated by Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits.
*Room 4, Convention Center

Saturday, July 22nd
1 pm                Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast signing with creator Joel Hodgson and cast
                        members Felicia DayJonah RayHampton Yount and Rebecca Hanson  
                        *Shout! Factory Booth #4118

3 pm                Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return ... and New Destinations!  Panel
                        Following a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, the new season of MST3K is
now a Netflix Original Series. What was it like to bring the show back and what’s next for MST3K? Join creator Joel Hodgson and cast members Felicia Day, Jonah Ray, Hampton Yount and Rebecca Hanson, along with moderator Erik Adams of The A.V. Club, as they take you behind the scenes!
*Horton Grand Theatre. This is a ticketed event.

7 pm                Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live! Watch Out For Snakes! Tour
                        Balboa Theatre. Tickets at www.mst3k.com/tour

Shout! Factory Booth (#4118) Comic-Con Exclusives  

Shout! Factory, Shout! Kids And Scream Factory Home Entertainment
                                                     Highlights For SDCC 2017

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension (Collector’s Edition)
Shout Select’s inaugural release is the Collector’s Edition of the beloved ’80s cult classic! On Blu-ray for the first time, this Collector’s Edition comes loaded with bonus features, including a comprehensive retrospective featuring brand-new interviews with members of the cast and crew, and an additional disc of bonus features. Brilliant brain surgeon Banzai (Peter Weller) just made scientific history. Shifting his Oscillation Overthruster into warp speed, he's the first man ever to travel to the Eighth Dimension and come back sane! But when his sworn enemy, the demented Dr. Lizardo ( John Lithgow), devises a plot to steal the Overthruster and bring an evil army of aliens back to destroy Earth, Buckaroo goes cranium to cranium with the madman in an extra-dimensional battle that could result in total annihilation of the universe!

Army of Darkness (Collector’s Edition)
Bound in human flesh and inked in blood, the ancient "Necronomicon" – the Book of the Dead – unleashes unspeakable evil upon mankind in this outrageously hilarious third chapter of Evil Dead Trilogy from legendary director Sam Raimi (DarkmanDrag Me to Hell) and producer Robert Tapert (Ash vs. Evil Dead).  Army Of Darkness Collector’s Edition, featuring the Theatrical Cut of the film, the Director’s Cut (with 15 minutes of extra footage), the International Cut and the TV version (in standard definition). This definitive collector’s edition is jam-packed with bonus content, including new interviews with star and co-producer Bruce Campbell and the cast, special make-up effect artists Howard Berger, Tony Gardner, Robert Kurtzman, and Greg Nicotero, audio commentary, alternate and deleted scenes and much more – all collected in a special 3-Disc Blu-ray set!

Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Adventure
History’s favorite time traveling duo land in a deluxe Blu-ray box set from Shout! Factory titled Bill & Ted's Most Excellent Collection. The bodacious set includes Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the Blu-ray debut of the sequel Bogus Journey, and is fully loaded with an entire disc of bonus features, including new interviews and commentary, deluxe packaging, a “Wyld Stallyns” branded guitar pick, vinyl stickers for both films, and previously released extras including The Original Bill & Ted, The Most Triumphant Making-Of, Air Guitar Tutorial, The Linguistic Stylings of B&T, From Scribble to Script, The Hysterical Personages of B&T, and radio spots. This limited edition set also comes with an exclusive lithograph and exclusive action figure of George Carlin’s character “Rufus,”

Cinematic Titanic: The Complete Collection  
The end of the initial broadcast run of Mystery Science Theater 3000 did not mean the end of world-class movie riffing. In 2007, five of the original cast/writers of MST3K – Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, J. Elvis Weinstein, Mary Jo Pehl and Frank Conniff –  launched Cinematic Titanic, a leaner, hungrier leap into razor-sharp comedy built on the back of cheesy movies. For the next six years they toured the country with a critically acclaimed live show and left throngs of delighted fans in their wake. Available as a complete collection for the first time on August 8th, 2017, the DVD release of Cinematic Titanic also includes the featurette Between the Riffs and a brand new interview, A Look Back with J. Elvis Weinstein, as bonus features.  

Digimon Adventure tri.: Determination
The Digimons are back in this world, but that doesn’t mean all is well. Joe has been avoiding battles with the Digimon in order to fit in with the regular world. And infected Digimons are still on the rampage. The friends will have to work together with their Digimons in order to overcome the terrifying infected Digimons

Digimon Adventure  tri.: Reunion  
Produced by Toei Animation, DIGIMON ADVENTURE Tri – REUNION is DIGIMON’s first feature-length movie since 2000 and has already delighted audiences and loyal fans across Japan. This highly sought-after film reunites the characters and original cast from the classic series and picks up where the beloved DIGIMON Adventure 2002 series ended.

Escape From New York (Collector's Edition Steelbook)  
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. But when the US president (Pleasence) crash-lands inside, only one man can bring him back: notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero Snake Plissken (Russell). But time is short. In 24 hours, an explosive device implanted in his neck will end Snake's mission – and his life – unless he succeeds! Shout! Factory’s edition of the 1981 cult classic includes brand new bonus features including a new 2K scan of the inter-positive, struck from the original negative.

Fargo (20th Anniversary Edition Steelbook)  
Limited to 10,000 copies, this collector must-have offers enticing packaging, an audio commentary with director of photography Roger A. Deakins, the “Minnesota Nice” featurette, an interview with the Coen Brothers and Frances McDormand, an American Cinematography article, an original advertising gallery, and a still photo gallery. Available at SDCC ahead of its   August 8, 2017 release date.

The Fog (Collector's Edition Steelbook)  
When the fog rolls in ... the terror begins! Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Scream Factory with this moody horror classic from master of terror John Carpenter. The sleepy seaside village of Antonio Bay is about to learn the true meaning of the word "vengeance." This seemingly perfect town masks a guilty secret ... a past steeped in greed and murder. Exactly 100 years ago, a ship was horribly wrecked under mysterious circumstances in a thick, eerie fog. Now, shrouded in darkness, the long-dead mariners have returned from their watery grave to exact a bloody revenge.

Kuu Kuu Harajuku: Music, Baby!
From Superstar Gwen Stefani comes the animated series KUU KUU HARAJUKU, which  follows the fun-filled adventures of the band HJ5 – Love, Angel, Music, Baby and G – through their super cute world of music, fashion and style. The inspiration for this popular animated series came from Grammy® Award-winning musician Stefani who wanted to create an animated series for girls that encourages and celebrates creative self-expression, imagination and individuality.  The show’s setting is inspired by the exuberant street fashion and creative youth culture of the Harajuku district but it takes place in a magical fantasy world like nothing you’ve ever seen before. 

The Lawnmower Man (Collector's Edition)  
Available for the first time on Blu-ray, this definitive collector’s edition release boasts The Director’s Cut, theatrical cut and revealing extras. Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) is a brilliant scientist obsessed with perfecting virtual reality software. When his experiments on animals fail, he finds the ideal substitute – Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey), a slow-witted gardener. Dr. Angelo's goal is to benefit his human guinea pig and ultimately mankind itself, but evil lurks the guise of "the Shop," a shadowy group that seeks to use the technology to create an invincible war machine. When the experiments change the simple Jobe into a superhuman being, the stage is set for a Jekyll-and-Hyde struggle for the control of Jobe's mind and the future of the world.

Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug
The most Miraculous adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir continue! Paris’ favorite crime-fighting duo return in a new volume of the action-adventure, romantic comedy that will have you on the edge of your seat. This release includes six amazing episodes on DVD and a Ladybug paper doll, while supplies last.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Magical Movie Night
Grab your popcorn, because the Equestria Girls are back for a magic-filled triple feature! There's a reason these seven girls look familiar. . . as they step through a magical mirror, they transport from the world of My Little Pony, transforming into teenage girls at Canterlot High.  Full-time students and part-time magical pony-girls, the Equestria Girls are always ready to save the day with the Magic of Friendship! So, gather round for three mystical adventures when My Little Pony Equestria Girls – Magical Movie Night comes to DVD on August 8, 2017 from Shout! Kids in collaboration with Hasbro Studios.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXXVII + Bonus Disc
Volume XXXVII  brings us The Human Duplicators, a 1965  science fiction film about an alien, the cybernetic physicist he controls and the blind girl he falls for;  Escape 2000 (aka Bronx Warriors 2 and Escape from the Bronx), wherein generic and nefarious corporation gentrifies a Bronx neighborhood to death in the service of creating the city of the future. But when they kill the parents of the first movie’s hero, they are in for some action, low-budget 80s style; Teens and monsters have always had a complicated relationship status in the movies, but The Horror of Party Beach kicks it down a notch or eight, as a coastal town grapples with mutated fishmen who crash a beach party in hideous fashion; and Invasion of the Neptune Men, which stars martial arts legend Sonny Chiba as Space Chief, a superhero of sorts, in this 1961 kids movie of sorts about an alien invasion of sorts. The exclusive bonus disc featuresThe MST3K Fancy Hollywood Awards Preview Specials.

Slither (Collector's Edition)
From James Gunn, co-writer and director of Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, comes Slither, the deliciously demented story of an unnamed evil wreaking havoc on a small town. Making its Blu-ray debut as a deluxe Collector’s Edition Blu-ray on  August 1st, 2017 from Scream Factory, this delightfully disgusting creature feature comes jam-packed with bonus features, including a new audio commentary with director James Gunn, actor Nathan Fillion and actor Michael Rooker, a new interview “The Genesis of Slither” with writer and director James Gunn, a new interview with actor Gregg Henry, audio commentary with James Gunn and Nathan Fillion, deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary by James Gunn, Slithery Set Tour with actor Nathan Fillion, and much, much more!

Species  
Scream Factory  is proud to present SPECIES Collector’s Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray set. This definitive collector’s edition features new 4K scan of the film and contains insightful bonus content.  When a beautiful human-alien hybrid (Henstridge) escapes from observation, scientist Xavier Fitch (Kingsley) dispatches a crew of experts to find her before she is able to fulfill her horrific purpose: to mate with unsuspecting men and produce offspring that could destroy mankind. As her deadly biological clock ticks rapidly, Fitch and his team are hurled into a desperate battle in which the fate of humanity itself hangs in the balance!

Streets Of Fire (Collector’s Edition)
STREETS OF FIRE is a rock & roll shotgun blast to the senses. This definitive collector’s edition features new 2K high-def transfer, cast and crew interviews plus feature-length documentary, vintage featurettes, music videos and more!  Steel), Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters) and Amy Madigan (The Dark Half). Amid a brooding rock & roll landscape, the Bombers motorcycle gang, led by the vicious Raven Shaddock (Willem Dafoe), kidnap diva Ellen Aim (Diane Lane). Her hope for rescue lies with unlikely heroes: soldier of fortune Tom Cody (Michael Paré) and his sidekick, the two-fisted beer-guzzling McCoy (Amy Madigan). Joined by Ellen's manager, Billy Fish (Rick Moranis), the trio plunges headfirst into a world of rain-splattered streets, hot cars, and deadly assassins.

Teen Wolf (Collector's Edition)  and Teen Wolf Too (Collector's Edition)  
Hooooooooooooooowl! Scream Factory will present two classic films from the 1980’s, Teen Wolf (Collector’s Editon), starring Michael J Fox, and Teen Wolf Too (Collector’s Edition), starring Jason Bateman, the latter on Blu-ray™ for the first time.  Special Features on Teen Wolf (Collector’s Editon) include a new 2017 high-definition film transfer taken from the interpositive, a still gallery, the original theatrical trailer, and Never. Say. Die. The Story Of Teen Wolf - an exciting new comprehensive documentary about the making and legacy of the film, including brand-new interviews with writers Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman; producers Mark Levinson and Scott Rosenfelt; stars Susan Ursitti-Sheinberg, Jerry Levine, Matt Adler, Jim MacKrell and Troy Evans; basketball double Jeff Glosser; casting director Paul Ventura; production designer Chester Kaczenski; special effects make-up artist Jeff Dawn; and editor Lois Freeman-Fox.  With a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes, the documentary also delves into the controversial urban legend regarding the final scenes of the film. Special features on Teen Wolf Too (Collector’s Edition) include Working with the Wolf – an interview with director Christopher Leitch, Otherworldly – an interview with co-star Kim DarbyA Man of Great ‘Stiles’ - an interview with co-star Stuart FratkinNerdy Girl Saves the Day – an interview with co-star Estee ChandlerA Wolf in ‘80s Clothing – a look at the wardrobe of Teen Wolf Too with costume designer Heidi Kaczenski, and a still gallery.

They Live (Collector's Edition Steelbook)  
Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Scream Factory with John Carpenter’s politically-charged science fiction thriller They Live. The truth is more than meets the eye. You’ve been listening to their speeches and watching them on TV. They influence our decisions without us knowing it. Think again and the choice is yours! Featuring anamorphic widescreen presentation of this cult classic movie, this special collector’s edition home entertainment release of They Live boasts a bounty of special bonus content, a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible wrap with original theatrical key art and much more!

The Thin: (Collector's Edition)
In 1982 legendary genre filmmaker John Carpenter (HalloweenThey Live) unleashed THE THING--a chilling sci-fi thriller that raised the bar on shocking special effects and terrified movie audiences worldwide. Scream Factory  is proud to present this landmark horror film in a 2-disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release which includes a brand new 2K scan of the film (supervised by Director of Photography Dean Cundey) and over 5 hours of extras.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Factory Productions, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.



CAGE THE ELEPHANT DEBUT LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO FOR “SWEETIE LITTLE JEAN
 
NEW ALBUM UNPEELED OUT JULY 28TH 
WORLDWIDE VIA RCA RECORDS

 
TELL ME I’M PRETTY WINNER OF 
2017 GRAMMY®  AWARD FOR “BEST ROCK ALBUM”



This morning, GRAMMY® Award winners Cage The Elephant debut the live performance video for their song "Sweetie Little Jean," featured on their forthcoming album UnpeeledThe song was recorded live by the band at their sold-out, hometown show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and you can watch the video here.

Cage The Elephant will release Unpeeled worldwide on July 28, 2017 via RCA Records. The new album was recorded over a series of intimate shows in cities including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Knoxville, and Nashville where the band performed in a stripped-down arrangement with a string quartet and additional percussion. Unpeeled features twenty-one tracks: eighteen curated songs from their past four albums plus three reimagined versions of existing songs. Said front man Matt Shultz about the inspiration behind the album: “Many times you’re adding sonic layers looking for something to hide behind, and what you don’t realize is that that vulnerability and that nakedness might be the most compelling and interesting thing about the song.” Preorder the album here.
Cage The Elephant have previously premiered their music video for “Whole Wide World,” featured on Unpeeled, on Consequence Of Sound. Recently, Cage The Elephant also appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers to perform the Unpeeled versions of “Whole Wide World” and “Too Late to Say Goodbye”.

Cage The Elephant are currently touring throughout Europe and have confirmed dates at some of the continent’s largest festivals, including Spain’s Mad Cool Festival, and Libson’s Nos Alive. The band will also perform a special show at London’s Union Chapel where UK fans will experience the new versions of their songs as they will appear on Unpeeled, with a string quartet and in a stripped back arrangement. In addition, Cage The Elephant will be state-side starting in July and will play US festivals including Forecastle Festival, Lollapalooza, Osheaga Music & Arts, Mempho Fest and Cal Jam with The Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. Tickets for these dates are on-sale now and available here.

Cage The Elephant received their first GRAMMY® AWARD for Best Rock Album for their fourth studio album, Tell Me I’m Pretty, which was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. At radio, Cage The Elephant holds the record for the most #1 Alternative songs of any artist this decade. Tell Me I’m Pretty’sfirst two singles “Mess Around” and “Trouble,” both topped the Alternative charts at #1 (“Mess Around” also hit #1 at Triple A). In addition, Trouble maintained its bullet on the Alternative radio chart for an astounding 41 weeks. “Cold Cold Cold,” went top 5 at both Alternative and Triple A. Watch the video for “Cold Cold Cold” and “Trouble,” both directed by singer Matt Shultz. 

Cage The Elephant consists of singer Matt Shultz, guitarist Brad Shultz, drummer Jared Champion, bassist Daniel Tichenor, lead guitarist Nick Bockrath and Matthan Minster on keyboard and backing vocals. Long celebrated as one of the most explosive live bands in the world, Cage The Elephant have sold out several headlining runs including a summer 2016 arena tour and recent sold out UK and European tour. Additionally, Cage The Elephant’s self-titled debut album was recently certified RIAA platinum.
 
Critical Acclaim for Tell Me I’m Pretty:
 
“It’s a daring, deliberate shift for Cage The Elephant” – The New York Times
 
“Tell Me I’m Pretty…is their best yet – melodically taut garage rock with psychedelic flourishes and a fighting edge” – Rolling Stone
 
“[Tell Me I’m Pretty] swaggers with a raw, psychedelic sound” – Billboard
 
“The record is grimy, gritty, and thick rock ‘n’ roll” – AV Club
 
Unpeeled Track Listing
01 Cry Baby
02 Whole Wide World
03 Sweetie Little Jean
04 Spiderhead
05 Take It Or Leave It
06 Too Late To Say Goodbye
07 Punchin’ Bag
08 Shake Me Down
09 Telescope 
10 Instant Crush
11 Trouble
12 Ain't No Rest For The Wicked
13 Rubber Ball
14 Aberdeen
15 Golden Brown
16 Cold Cold Cold
17 How Are You True
18 Come A Little Closer
19 Back Against The Wall
20 Cigarette Daydreams       
21 Right Before My Eyes

CAGE THE ELEPHANT UPCOMING TOUR DATES
July 7 /// Madrid, Spain /// Mad Cool Festival%
July 8 /// Lisbon, Portugal /// Nos Alive%
July 10 /// London, UK /// Union Chapel*
July 14 /// Louisville, KY /// Forecastle Festival%
July 23 /// San Marcos, TX /// Float Fest 2017%
July 28 /// Oro-Medonte, ON, Canada /// Wayhome Music & Arts Festival%
August 3 /// Chicago, IL /// Lollapalooza%
August 5 /// Montreal, QC, Canada /// Osheaga Music & Arts%
September 9 /// St Louis, MO /// Loufest%
September 23 /// Las Vegas, NV /// Life Is Beautiful Festival%
September 30 /// Mobile, AL /// Ten Sixty Five Street Party%
October 6 /// Memphis, TN /// Mempho Music Fest
October 7 /// San Bernardino, CA /// Cal Jam 17%
November 18 /// Mexico City, Mexico /// Corona Capital%

*Unpeeled Performance
%Festival Date

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Fallen Stars premiere 'Leaves On The Wind' songs at Can't Stop The Serenity event

A taste of Comic-Con came to Irvine, California on Saturday night, Sept. 21 thanks to the arrival of Can't Stop The Serenity, an event presented with the support of the non-profit California Browncoats. The special charity screening presented at Starplex Woodbridge Movies 5 benefitted Equality Now (an organization working to stop abuse and violence against women and girls across the globe) while giving fans of Joss Whedon's groundbreaking 2002 television show Firefly a chance to witness the popular episode "Out of Gas" and subsequent 2005 film Serenity on the big screen.

In addition, Huntington Beach-based Americana outfit The Fallen Stars also performed live, celebrating the official release of Leaves On The Wind - Vol. 1 Still Flying with a stellar performance of original songs from the Firefly-centric project. After opening with a crowd-pleasing version of Sonny Rhodes' "The Ballad of Serenity," the Fallen Stars proceeded to perform a number of their original songs including the five winning tracks on volume 1 of their Leaves On The Wind EP.

Firefly's now-famous blend of gritty American West realism and science fiction goes well with the Fallen Stars' authentic Americana musical approach. The band's songs work well on their own, but took on additional depth in front of a capacity-crowd packed into the movie house. The hopeful "Still Flying" with Tracy Byrnes' sweet soprano positioned against Georgianna Hennessy's vibrant fiddle, the more fierce "Nothing" with Bobbo Byrnes' blazing guitar work and drummer Matt Froehlich igniting the song, and wonderful "Stronger Than Steel" (praising the lead ladies of the show) were among the highlights of the Fallen Stars' two mini-sets. A "shiny" night to be sure.
The Fallen Stars on Sept. 21. Photo: Natalie Moreno

Leaves On The Wind - Vol. 1 Still Flying is available via the Fallen Stars' own Kiss My Squirrel Music label. You can learn more about the project via the band's official Web site: www.TheFallenStars.com

I will be reviewing the fantastic new Fallen Stars disc in an upcoming column and highlight that in a future post on Rock 'n' Roll Truth.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Sights and Sounds: Ray Bradbury remembered at Comic-Con, Dead Sara to tour with Neon Trees and the Offspring

I'm happy to see Rock 'n' Roll Truth isn't the only music-focused site that ran a tribute to the late great author Ray Bradbury. I was at Comic-Con in San Diego last weekend, but was only able to score a ticket for Sunday so really only got to check out the floor (no RiffTrax, no PSYCH, no Star Wars, no Firefly, no Hobbit or much of anything of interest to me in terms of panels on that final day of the event).

Check out the nice post related to events (I sadly missed) regarding Ray Bradbury on Owl and the Bear here.

In music news, Dead Sara has announced a North American Tour with Neon Trees and the Offspring. Here is the media release:


Dead Sara has announced a new North American tour with renowned punk rockers The Offspring kicking off August 31st in Detroit, with Neon Trees slated to join the tour beginning September 6th in Boston. To further support the recent release of Dead Sara's self-titled debut album, the band has also added further U.S. and festival dates through the summer and into the fall including the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, Riot Fest in Chicago and the Epicenter Festival in Irvine. Dead Sara have been attracting major buzz for the ferocious spectacle of their high-octane live performances on The Vans Warped Tour earlier this summer.

Revolver says "the buzz around LA-based hard-rock outfit Dead Sara is reaching fever pitch" and indeed it is. The group has been earning accolades from radio and critics alike, while winning over fans coast-to-coast on previous tours with Chevelle, The Used, and now The Vans Warped Tour. Rolling Stone recalled the band "blending blues, hard rock and punk into a whirling energy," with The Village Voice going on to illustrate them as a "sort of twisted-blues hard rock that feels like the product of people really enjoying playing the shit out of their instruments," adding "If there's any justice, especially in this year when the word 'rock' signifies a genre that is in flux enough so as to be anyone's game, Dead Sara will stake their claim as a new kind of standard-bearer."

"We're super excited to have Dead Sara out on tour with us," said Dexter Holland, The Offspring. "Great players, great songs.  We'll be getting there early to see them tear it up."   

The "L.A. quartet poised to breakout nationally" this year, was recently profiled by RollingStone.com as their debut single "Weatherman" continues to explode at radio, fast becoming the most requested song at stations across the country, and climbing its way up the charts. "Dead Sara rocks so hard they remind me of the days when alternative bands, like Soundgarden and Alice, got played on Headbangers Ball. See them, listen to the album, they never disappoint," says Julie Pilat of 98.7 KYSR. Dead Sara recently made their network television debut with a blistering, energetic performance of the single "Weatherman" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The band also performed the album cut "Sorry For It All" as an online exclusive for Jimmy Kimmel Live! View both videos now online.

Dead Sara's 11-track self-titled debut, produced by Noah Shain (Atreyu, As Tall As Lions, Sonny Moore/Skrillex), is driven by the dynamic duo of two talented young women, singer Emily Armstrong and guitarist Siouxsie Medley. The band is rounded out by bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday, creating an electrifying four-piece rock band whose supercharged music is propelled by Medley's exhilarating, monster guitar riffs and Armstrong's powerful, wailing vocals. Praised for their blazing impassioned rock and catchy guitar melodies, Dead Sara embody everything you want from a young, hungry, unpredictable and enigmatic rock band.

DEAD SARA CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

DATE                                    VENUE                                                CITY/STATE
August 11                        Birch Run Expo Center                 Birch Run, MI
(WWBN Dirt Fest featuring: Clutch, Chiodos, In This Moment, Hurt, Royal Bliss and more)

August 18                        Sunset Strip Music Festival          Los Angeles, CA
(with Marilyn Manson, The Offspring, Steve Aoki, Bad Religion, De La Soul, Black Label Society and more)

August 23                        Knitting Factory/KQXR show        Boise, ID
August 24                        Knitting Factory/KHTQ show        Spokane, WA
August 30                        On The Waterfront Festival           Rockford, IL         w/The Offspring
August 31                        The Fillmore                                Detroit, MI            w/The Offspring
September 2                    Echo Beach (MCA)                      Toronto, ON          w/The Offspring
September 6                    House of Blues                            Boston, MA          w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 8                    Sands Bethlehem Events Ctr.       Bethlehem, PA     w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 9                    Stone Pony Summer Stage          Asbury Park, NJ   w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 11                  Lupo's                                         Providence, RI     w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 14                  Congress Theatre/Riot Fest          Chicago, IL
September 15                  DC101 Kerfuffle                           Bristow, VA
(with The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Garbage, Anberlin, and Foxy Shazam)

September 15                   The Fillmore/WEND show           Charlotte, NC
September 19                   Terminal 5                                 New York, NY        w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 20                   Terminal 5                                 New York, NY        w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 22                   Verizon Wireless                        Irvine, CA
(Epicenter Festival featuring: Stone Temple Pilots, Deftones, Bush, Scars on Broadway, Chevelle and more)

September 27                   Fillmore Auditorium                     Denver, CO          w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 29                   Gallivan Center/X96 Show           Salt Lake City, UT
October 2                         San Jose Event Center               San Jose, CA
November 10                    London Alexandra Palace            London, UK          w/Vans Warped Tour
           
                                   
Visit Dead Sara online at: www.DeadSara.com



Check out their videos on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DeadSaraTheBand