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Purchase any Death Note T-shirt or Death Note DVD and get a free ticket to see the movie on May 20th at 7:30 PM.* This one night only showing features exclusive footage and a behind-the-scenes look at how the bestselling manga became a live action film.
*Limited offer available while supplies last in participating stores only. Valid for designated screenings in select theaters. Ticket must be redeemed at least 10 minutes prior to show time. You must be 17 years of age or older. This film is not rated, and its content may not be suitable for all ages. Minors must obtain parental permission to attend the screening. Use of ticket is subject to theater policies and restrictions.
- May 9th
Say Anything guitarist/vocalist Max Bemis and drummer Coby Linder joined forces with Saves the Day guitarist/vocalist Chris Conley and bassist David Soloway to create the side project Two Tongues. The quartet has confirmed to Rolling Stone.com that they will be releasing their debut album later this year, as well as touring in the fall to support it. Here’s a bit of what Conley had to say: “We’re going to try to get a record deal sometime soon, but we want to have the album at least streaming online this summer.” Well, there ya go fans; ya got some new material to look forward to.
- May 8th
Perez Hilton, the Gossip Gangster himself, has joined forces with Hot Topic to introduce an exclusive line of accessories and apparel for women! Celebrity entertainment junkies can get their fashion fix of flip-flops, earrings, lip gloss, tees, totes and more! There’ll even be a journal for fans to jot down their own juicy gossip. Here’s what Perez had to say about the collaboration:
“It seems natural to make products that my readers will love and hopefully some guys will rock it, too. Some people might even call me a perfectionist; well that person would be me! I’m very passionate about my brand. I have extremely high standards, and I like to get my hands dirty…I’m most excited to finally see on the shelves products that are good and affordable for my readers. I actively sought out Hot Topic for that reason.”
And we’re thrilled to have him aboard! The line will be available at Hottopic.com and in all Hot Topic stores beginning in June. Hollywood starlets beware, ‘cause there’s a new breed of fashionistas steppin’ out!
- May 7th
Recently, Paramore took a brief hiatus and fans were concerned about a possible breakup. Please, say it ain’t so. Well, fear no more ‘cause Paramore is working on their third full-length album, which promises to be heavier than the previous two. Frontwoman Hayley Williams admits to being a fan herself of H2O and Set Your Goals, sayin’ that their sounds have been a huge influence on the new material along with the writings of Paramore’s very own guitarist, Josh Farro. Here’s what she said to MTV News:
“Josh writes most of the music, so he has got tons of ideas coming on like crazy right now, and it’s really inspiring and motivating me. So I started writing to some of the ideas while we were on tour, and hopefully with some time off, I’ll be able to focus and spend time on that. We’re hoping to have a good 20 songs done by the time we get off the road, and we’ll see where we go from there by the end of the year.”
Hayley and the boys are hoping to head back to Nashville for the recording process ‘cause there’s just no place like home. We’ll keep ya posted on the latest.
- May 5th
Nine Inch Nails has some great news for fans! Just months after the free online release of NIN’s Ghosts I-IV, Trent Reznor and company are givin’ their fans more of what they want, another album. The Slip is currently available on the band’s website as a free download and includes 10 tracks, artwork, as well as credits. The CD and vinyl versions will be released in July. Click here to view the tracklisting and to download The Slip. What? Ya still want more? Well, NIN has unveiled the dates for their upcoming North American tour. For fans that register as members of the band’s website, they well receive premium ticket access prior to the public sale. To check out dates, venues and the latest info, click here.
- May 2nd
Robert Smith and crew will release their 13th studio album on September 13th, and in anticipation of the as-of-yet untitled CD, The Cure plans to release a single from the album on the 13th day of each month leading to the release date. The first single, “The Only One,” will include a B-side track, “NY Trip,” and will be released on May 13th. The second single, "Freakshow,” will include “All Kinds of Stuff” as its B-side, and you can expect its release on (Yes, you guessed it!) June 13th. Both B-side tracks are exclusive and will not be on the upcoming album. The July 13th and August 13th singles have yet to be announced.
- April 30th
As some of you may know, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd lost an inflatable pig during his “Dark Side of the Moon” set at Coachella on Sunday. The giant flying pig has been a part of Pink Floyd’s stage show since its unveiling in 1977. Getting it back was prime concern for organizers who were offering a substantial sum of $10,000 to the person who recovered the graffiti-covered pig, as well as four lifelong tickets to the Coachella Festival. Fortunately, the pig made landfall on the driveways of two families in La Quinta, CA. They plan to share the reward and jointly claim notoriety. As for the rest of us, if ya haven’t seen a pig fly, that may have been your last chance. Although it wasn’t the original model, the precious pig was found tattered and torn.
- April 28th
Wanna see Metal for the Masses? How ‘bout Gigantour? Well, you’re in luck, ‘cause Hot Topic is givin’ you the chance to win a pair of tickets to either tour. If one of these tours is headin’ towards your hometown, all ya gotta do is go to your local Hot Topic store and fill out a ballot for your chance to win. Click here to check out the dates for each tour. And click here to find the HT nearest you. Good luck! See participating stores for details.
- April 24th
Yep, the rumors have been confirmed. The cover for Weezer’s sixth studio album and third self-titled release is red with a very bizarre image of the guys appearin’ as what some are dubbing “The New Village People: The Bartender, the Professor, the Cowboy and the Biker” (Thanks for that one, Pitchfork!). Though fans were speculating that this cover was some sort of hoax, it is indeed authentic. According to the band’s publicist, Jim Merlis, “Yes, that’s absolutely the cover, it’s what they chose. They looked at a bunch of mockups, and that’s the one they decided to go with. It’s not a joke.” Say it ain’t so, Rivers. Well fans, get used to it ‘cause it’s comin’ out June 24th. To check out the cover and to hear their latest release, “Pork and Beans,” click here.
- April 23rd
So you’ve dreamed of being the frontman or frontwoman of a rock band. Well, here’s your chance to live out your fantasy. As previously reported, STP frontman Scott Weiland and his now former band, Velvet Revolver, have parted ways. So the rest of the guys are searchin’ for a new frontman. But where are they gonna find one? On the Internet, of course. The band is building a website hoping to attract singers from all over the country. Here’s what guitarist Slash has gotta say ‘bout it:
‘We’re at the point of just listening to different things…it’s one of those kind of situations where you can’t really explain it to anybody because you’ll know it when you hear it. So I’m waiting to get that feeling of, ‘Yeah, that’s it.’”
In the meantime, the guys have an upcoming gig in Las Vegas where they will be joined by “a bunch of well-known people” to take over vocal duties. The website hasn’t been developed yet; but it’s comin’, so keep watch for it.
- April 22nd
Hot Topic’s bringin’ you an exclusive vinyl single from Disturbed. The 7” vinyl features “Inside the Fire” and another track off of their fourth studio album, Indestructible. It’s available right here, right now for only $6.99. So get it ‘cause ya can’t get it anywhere else. Here’s what guitarist Dan Donegan has to say about the forthcoming album:
“We wanted to get back to some of the elements that were maybe lacking on the last two records. David’s got a great ability to sing really melodically, but we wanted him to get back to the rhythmic, animalistic, rapid-fire delivery he’s known for. He’s very hard to touch when he does that, and we wanted to give him music to provoke that.”
So prepare yourself for a broad spectrum of emotional intensity. Be sure to pick up Indestructible, which is set to hit the streets on 6/3.
- April 21st
Are you ready for the greatest heavy metal event of 2008? If not, ya better get ready ‘cause Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Motorhead and Testament are uniting for the Metal Masters Tour. The 15-date tour will kick off on August 6th in Camden, NJ and will land on August 31st in Mountain View, CA. The tour will support Judas Priest’s concert album, Nostradamus, which is set to hit the streets on June 17th. Fans, expect to hear some tracks from the new album, but most of their set will include their classics. Judas Priest singer Rob Halford said, “As ever, we look forward to screaming out loud with our metal maniac fans when we hit the road. Thank you once again for your devotion and support. The Priest is back!” Want some tickets? Beginning this weekend, click here to get ‘em and to preview the Nostradamus cover art, as well as download the title track for free.
- April 18th
Anyone interested in gettin’ a Zune? How about a limited edition Joy Division Zune? Well, that’s what you can get. Microsoft is releasing a Zune that features Peter Saville’s artwork from Joy Division’s classic LP, Unknown Pleasures. This special player will be available in conjunction with the June 10th release of the Joy Division DVD via Genius Entertainment. Get the saddest little mp3 player ever and check out the DVD!
- April 17th
On October 20, 1972 at the Los Angeles Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, David Bowie and his band performed a gig as part of the Ziggy Stardust Tour. Most of you probably weren’t even dreamed of at this time, but Bowie and his crew were thinkin’ ahead by recording this piece of one of the greatest tours in rock n’ roll history. Bowie remarked about revisiting this performance to NME.com:
“I can tell that I’m totally into being Ziggy by this stage of our touring. It’s no longer an act; I am him…This would be around the tenth American show for us and you can hear that we are all pretty high on ourselves. We train wreck a couple of things. I miss some words, and sometimes you wouldn’t know that pianist Mike Garson was onstage with us, but overall, I really treasure this bootleg. [Guitarist] Mick Ronson is at his blistering best.”
This is the perfect opportunity for those of us too young to experience Bowie live as his alter ego, Ziggy. Now, you can check it out! The live album will be released on June 30th on both CD and double vinyl.
- April 16th
Call up Dr. Feelgood and all your girls, girls, girls! It’s time for the loudest show on earth, Crue Fest. Yes, ya read that right. 80s hair metal giants Motley Crue will launch the inaugural tour this summer, which is set to hit 41 North American cities. But the best news is that all four original members (frontman Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee) will be performing. Who’s gonna be supportin’ ‘em? Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Sixx: AM, featuring Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, will join ‘em for this trek across the US and Canada. The whole thing takes off in West Palm Beach, FL on July 1st and lands in Pittsburgh, PA on August 31st. It’s sure to kickstart your heart. Check it out!
- April 15th
You saw ‘em on The Amazing Race, and now you can see ‘em on Hottopic.com. That’s right! Kynt and Vyxsin, your favorite Goth reality TV celebs, have invaded Hot Topic. So keep your eyes peeled. You can spot the glamour-loving twosome rocking our latest threads, but that’s not all. They’re the stars of an exclusive fashion feature and video… coming soon, right here on Hottopic.com!
- April 15th
A great injustice has been done. The metalcore band Gwen Stacy has been robbed! In a blog posted on their MySpace page, the guys revealed the bad news that their van had been broken into during a stop in L.A. The culprits, who remain on the loose, stole nearly $3000 in cash. Here’s what they’ve got to say ‘bout it:
“While we were in L.A., we stopped at a grocery store to get some food…After being inside for close to ten minutes, we came out [and] noticed our driver side window was busted out, so we ran to the van. We found that our cash box with close to 3000 dollars was stolen…we could really use some help. The loss of this money has really set us back financially…we’d just like to ask if you could keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We could really use it right now. And maybe if you want to come out to a show, and maybe buy a shirt or a CD…that would be sweet, too. Anything would help…we’re doing our best to stay as positive as possible about the situation.”
If ya care to donate to the cause, click here. This just goes to show that you can never be too careful not even in the grocery store parking lot. Gwen Stacy is currently on tour with Still Remains.
- April 14th
They’ve already gone back to school for a kick ass college tour. Now it’s time for them to headline their own summer tour. Beginning June 2nd at the Roseland Theatre in Portland, OR, Adult Swim’s top rock outfit and the undisputed greatest animated metal band in the galaxy, Dethklok, will embark on a 28-stop tour. Chimaira and Soilent Green will be supporting them for the entire tour. Brendon Small, creator and member of Dethklok, comments, “I predict that this show will be, without a doubt, the best animated Death Metal tour in recorded history.” So ya wanna go, right? Well Metalocalypse fans, Ticketmaster has customized a special site just for you. Beginning Monday, April 14th, you can purchase tickets prior to the general public. Just click here to get the pre-sale password featured on the page and click through to the presale. Tickets will be available to everyone else beginning Friday, April 18th. Be sure to check Dethklok out ‘cause once they’re in front of the crowds, they won’t disappoint!
- April 11th
After the sudden and deeply sorrowful passing of guitarist/vocalist Casey Calvert this past November, fans were concerned about whether or not Hawthorne Heights would be able and willing to return to the stage. Well, the guys went against the odds to perform at Bamboozle Left this past weekend. AlternativePress.com interviewed drummer Eron Bucciarelli about the experience:
“Bamboozle Left marked our first show since the loss of our dear friend. The show was inescapably a polarizing experience for us as we were both nervous and excited. Nervous, as things would undoubtedly be different. Casey’s ridiculous stage antics and off-the-cuff hilarious remarks (often inside jokes) to the crowd would not be with us for the first time ever…Excited, as this show was not just our return to the stage but a return to a state of normalcy...It was a return to being a band again!”
Bucciarelli continued to thank HH fans for all their support during what has proven to be a challenging time for them. Be sure to check ‘em out on this summer’s Projekt Revolution Tour.
- April 10th
Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses is welcomin’ fans to the jungle with a reality TV show. The proposed idea will highlight Rose and the rest of GNR’s saga of recording the highly anticipated album Chinese Democracy. Fans have been waitin’ about 14 years for this release, and they want more! According to a source close to the band, “There is a lot of footage to choose from. Some of it is incredibly personal and revealing about Axl’s life.” Ah, this will be entertaining!
- April 9th
Do ya think ya got more gamin’ skills than the guys of Underoath? Well, they want their fans to prove it. According to Xbox.com, every Thursday night from 6 PM to 8 PM EDT until May 3rd, Underoath will be on Xbox Live searchin’ for someone to face off. Don’t worry, it’ll be easy to identify the guys by their tags: AaronUnderoath, ChrisUnderoath, GrantUnderoath, JamesUnderoath, SpeeUnderoath and TimUnderoath. Here’s how Solid State, the band’s label, is explainin’ it:
“The great people at Xbox set up a few gamertags for Underoath to play with you during some downtime in the studio! The band will be online a ton playing Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4, but for sure, you can catch the band Thursdays from 6 PM to 8 PM ET (3 PM to 5 PM PDT). Simply send a friend request to [their gamertags listed above] while playing online.”
Be sure to tell Xbox about your awesome experience playin’ against Underoath!
- April 8th
Do you copy music? Well, you’re not alone. According to a report in the Guardian, a UK newspaper, 95% of young adults 18-24 copy music in one way or another. But not all this copying is through file sharing. Some still copy CDs directly, and believe it or not, some record music from the radio. Oh, the horrors of poor sound, missing intros and annoying DJs! Do not try this at home. You have been warned. Feargal Sharkey, vocalist for the 70s punk outfit The Undertones, is now the chief of the British Music Rights organization and has this to say ‘bout it:
”For someone who has spent 30 years in the music industry, you instinctively know this stuff is going on. But when you actually sit looking at your computer and see a number that says 95% of people are copying music at home, you suddenly go, ‘Bloody hell’…Ultimately it has to get better…At some point, musicians and songwriters have to make enough money out of it, otherwise they stop doing it. My concern is for the next generation of [frustrated] 17-year-olds that are sitting in a bedroom about to possibly, and I hope, write something like ‘Teenage Kicks’.”
-April 7th
Melodic death metal outfit Light This City has just released the second installment of a four video update series, highlighting the studio recording of their fourth album. Drummer Ben Murray had this to say about the process:
“We have been in the studio in Oakland, CA with engineer Zack Ohren tracking the follow-up to Facing the Thousand, which should see a release date in September. We couldn’t be more excited on how these new songs have turned out, and we are sure that you guys will love them. Stay tuned for more info on the album, as well as more video journals as the recording progresses.”
Wanna see it? Of course ya do. Check it out here, featuring guitar and bass recordings. Missed the first installment? Well, you can view it here. Keep checkin’ the band’s YouTube page for the latest updates.
-April 4th
The seventh annual Take Action! Tour presented by Hot Topic proved to be a huge success with bands Every Time I Die, From First to Last, The Bled, August Burns Red and The Human Abstract. The 34-date stretch drew over 27,000 fans, helping to bring another nonprofit organization the recognition it deserves. This year’s target, Do Something, is an organization that distributes grants to young people who make a difference in their community, whether through music or art, suicide prevention or education. The Hot Topic Foundation, MySpace Impact and Hopeless/Sub City Records were stoked about assisting Do Something. The mission: Create a better world, one voice and one action at a time. Well, the mission has been completed! More than $75,000 was raised for Do Something based on 10% of ticket revenue and additional tour related fundraising, which led to 9 Take Action! grants being awarded. Here’s what Do Something CMO Aria Finger had to say about the experience: “Working with the Take Action! Tour was awesome. Not only did we raise money to fund amazing young change-makers, but we also brought the message of Do Something to thousands of young people across the US.” Wanna learn more about how to get involved? Click here.
- April 3rd
Are ya an Avenged Sevenfold fan? Attending Taste of Chaos at the Long Beach Arena on April 10th? Well, you’re in for one killer surprise. Not only does the band promise to blow the roof off the place, they’re capturing it all on film! The guys in A7X are gonna drop some new songs at the same time. Awesome, huh? If you can’t make it to the show, don’t worry. This live performance DVD will drop at the end of ’08, so you can experience the brutal intensity for the first time… or experience it all over again!
- April 3rd
Ah, fans can look forward to yet another self-titled album from Weezer. Yes, the guys have finally decided upon a release date for their upcoming album; they weren’t so fortunate with deciding upon the name. Guess comin’ up with a title has proven to be more difficult than writin’ the songs. Wondering what color album this will be? Well, that’s not known as of yet. You can remember a blue one and a green one. Maybe this time they’ll have a warm color, like orange. Well, all that doesn’t matter. It’s about the music, man. Here’s what frontman Rivers Cuomo has to say ‘bout it: “The album is meaty, crunchy and melodic, like a good Weezer album should be.” We’d expect nothin’ less, Rivers. Check out their third self-titled and sixth studio release on June 17th.
- April 2nd
Who doesn’t like a little British ska mixed with some high energy punk? Well, if this is your forte, then rejoice in the rejoining of The Specials. Frontman Terry Hall informed the BBC of a highly anticipated reunion in the works:
“Well, we’re still trying to put dates together, but hopefully September/October time. We need to spend the summer rehearsing…I think it’s taken me 30 years to realize we could do it really well…I saw Patti Smith do Horses, and I saw The Pixies reforming…you do it with dignity or don’t do it at all.”
Hopefully, the entire band will reconvene this time around. Some may remember a previous attempt back in the 90s that spawned two albums and some touring, minus Hall and keyboardist Jerry Dammers. Visit their website to stay abreast of the latest info.
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