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Lexington To Become “Con” Artist

By Amanda Stevenson on March 6, 2012 in , | Leave a response

Kentucky. It makes you think of bourbon. Horses. Fried Chicken.

Well, the horse capital of the world is adding something to the list: a comic convention.

He may LOOK angry, but that’s his ‘happy to be here’ face.

That’s right! The first ever Lexington Comic & Toy Convention is coming March 24th. In a state that brought us Robert Kirkman (you know, the man who wrote The Walking Dead), you’d think the biggest surprise would be that it took so long for central Kentucky to hold a comic con.

That is, until you see who’s attending.

For the comic fans, creators Mike Grell (Green Lantern/Green Arrow), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Craig Boldman (Superman; Jughead), Mark Kidwell (BUMP), and Allen Bellman (Marvel Mystery Comics, among others) will be in attendance.

Those with high senses of nostalgia will get a kick out of the Power Rangers cast in attendance: Jason David Frank, Nakia Burrise, Catherine Sutherland, Jason Narvy, and Paul Schrier.

Along with guests, several Q&A sessions and guest panels will be held, as well as a costume contest for attendees.

It will be held in the Heritage Hall East at the Lexington Convention Center in downtown Lexington. For more information, you can check out their Facebook/Twitter, or else go to their official website.

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No Rest For The Wicked (or DZ Deathrays)

By Amanda Stevenson on February 28, 2012 in | Leave a response

Insomniacs of the world: you’re not the only ones getting “No Sleep”. In fact, everyone is.

(Note: won’t actually affect your REM cycle.)

Now that you’re well and confused, I’ll explain: there’s an EP being released March 6th called No Sleep (via 3|4), and DZ Deathray–its creator–wants you to have a little taste of it.

Did your coffee taste like sulfuric acid at all? No? Oh…no reason…

This Australian thrash-metal duo is known for their live act…and they’ve certainly had their practice. They recently ran around the great Down Under, playing with such bands as Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Foo Fighters. Eventually, Shane Parsons (vocals/guitar) and Simon Ridley (drums) settled down long enough to record their first EP…and now we arrive at the present.

I wasn’t joking about EVERYONE getting “No Sleep”.  It’s the titular song from DZ Deathray’s EP, and you can listen to/download it here.

As for the future of this two-piece band, you can see them live at SXSW. Otherwise, check out their Facebook for tour dates (or their Twitter, YouTube or band site to learn more).

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Austin, Texas To Turn “Psych”adelic

By Amanda Stevenson on February 9, 2012 in | Leave a response

April’s not just for fools and Christians anymore.

The Reverberation Appreciation Society and The Black Angels confirmed April 27th through the 29th to be the official date for Austin Psych Fest 2012!

I’M FREAKIN’ OUT, MAN.

The fifth annual festival will be held at Emo’s East & Beauty Ballroom. (Don’t let the name fool you: this place caters to a multitude of different music genres.)

Weekend passes for the event are currently at $120, though daily tickets will be available in March for $45 (as more artists and daily schedules are announced).

They’ve even released a mix-tape–made by Al Lover–of what to expect at the fest.

If you love music (let’s be real) and plan on being in or around Texas in April (why not?), check out Austin Psych’s Facebook for more details.

Or just go to their website. That works, too.

Peace, love, and hugs not drugs.

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There Are No I’s in ‘Ocean’ (but they can still release a music video)

By Amanda Stevenson on February 6, 2012 in | Leave a response

UK pop-punk outfit The Ocean’s Eyes gave us a message for you guys: they’ve released a music video, and they want YOU to see it.

(By the way, do you get the title line now? No? …)

Anyway, you can watch their music video here.

Also, here’s a tour poster (just in case you enjoyed their music video enough to want to see them live!):

And that’s not all! Check out their Myspace for a free download of their first EP “Lions”, or just check out their Facebook for more information!

Cheers! (Lookie there, british-talk! Cheerio, pip-pip, Doctor Who and all that.)

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MSU To Host Annual Comics Forum

By Amanda Stevenson on February 3, 2012 in | 1 Response

Are you a Michigander looking for something to do this weekend?

Do you just plain enjoy comics?

(Better question: do you have a pulse?)

WELL, IN THAT CASE!  You should head over to the Michigan State Comics Forum, an annual event that celebrates…well…comics!

It takes place at the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and has free admission.

Yeah.

You read that right.

Free admission.

Even if you’re not a Beatles fan, you should still get this reference.

The keynote speaker is Harvey award-winning comics creator and professor Jessica Abel.  She wrote the textbook Drawing Words & Writing Pictures with her husband, cartoonist Matt Madden (as well as the graphic novel La Perdida, which also earned a Harvey Award).

Saturday will feature an ‘Artist’s Alley’ from 11AM-6PM, in which panel discussions will abound with academics studying comic books and professionals working in the comic book industry.

Guests and artists will include such names as James Anderson (ellieonplanetx.com), Denver Brubaker (thecheckeredman.com), Ryan Claytor (elephanteater.com), Matt Feazel (cynicalman.com), Joe Foo (desmondscomic.com), Jeffrey J. Manley (punching-the-clock.com) and many, MANY more!

For more information on the MSU Comics Forum, visit their website.

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Kevin Smith: Live From Behind

By Daniel Palacio on February 3, 2012 in , | Leave a response

Kevin Smith isn’t recognized for being particularly technologically savvy, but few directors have harnessed the power of new media quite like he has. He was one of the first prominent bloggers, he maintains a presence on Twitter, and he is a co-host on quite a few podcasts. Tonight’s event was an experiment where everyone in North America could be in his studio audience. He hosted a live podcast recording  and Q&A session in Toronto that was broadcast in movie theaters throughout the U.S. & Canada.

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The Jealous Sound – A Gentle Reminder

By Matt Brier on February 1, 2012 in , | Leave a response

A Gentle Reminder - CoverIt has been nine years since The Jealous Sound has released a full length record.  In that nine years the band had toured relentlessly in support of their debut, released a follow-up EP, and seemingly disappeared from the scene.  Rumors of the bands split circulated among fans, but nothing was officially confirmed by the band.  After taking time to explore and refocus themselves, the band is back.  Original members Blair Shehan and Pedro Benito are joined by Nate Mendel, the Foo Fighter’s bassist on loan, and new drummer Bob Penn.  Today they are releasing their second full length album, ‘A Gentle Reminder.’
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FREE SEX (& SOUND)

By Amanda Stevenson on January 24, 2012 in | Leave a response

Okay, okay, we’re not giving you REAL sex…

WAIT! COME BACK! You will be getting something for free!

The Violet Lights are kicking off a 45-city North American tour come January 25th, and graciously decided to share the titular song from their debut EP. The name? You guessed it…SEX & SOUND.

Am I the only one who feels like she’s staring into my soul?

Mix a little Brit-pop, a little indie-pop and a tiny dose of NYC garage rock, and you have this Wisconsin-grown, LA-processed band.  They made their way West with no money or plans–just a simple blog to tell the tale.

SEX & SOUND was recorded at the legendary Hollywood studio Sunset Sound, and was both self-funded and self-produced.

For more information on The Violet Lights, you can check out their site, their Facebook, or their Twitter.

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Coldplay “Mylo Xyloto”

By Ryan Smith on January 9, 2012 in , , | 1 Response

Coldplay's fifth album Mylo Xyloto

Coldplay is one of those band where you either love them or you hate them. Personally I’ve expressed both ends of the spectrum throughout their career. They have what I call the “Coldplay Syndrome” where if you listen to them for too long you end up hating their music.

Their first two albums they released Parachutes and A Rush Of Blood To The Head I really enjoyed. Meanwhile their third album X & Y I really didn’t like all that much and I thought that their fourth album Viva La Vida was decent but nothing particularly special. Then I found under my Christmas tree a copy of the latest Coldplay album which has swung me back to liking the band again after two sub-par albums. Let’s dive in and check out Mylo Xyloto

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Marian Call – Something Fierce

By Matt Brier on December 16, 2011 in , | Leave a response
Something Fierce Volume I

Something Fierce Volume I

Marian Call.  If you haven’t at least heard the name in passing then you haven’t been following geek culture, but don’t worry I’m here to help you out.  “Something Fierce.”  If you are a fan of music, you’ll want this album.  Two years in the making, this album was released this past October to the delight of many long time and new fans alike.  Was the two years used wisely?  I’ll spare you the suspense and answer with a definitive ‘Yes.’

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