It is a big week for both rock fans and friends of THC all across the globe. To begin this tale, one must look to Tilburg, Holland where the 013 will be hosting the Roadburn Festival which starts on April, 17th and runs through April, 20th. That's right... four days of some of the best underground rock music from around the world will be hitting the stage of the 013, including three of our own: Dixie Witch, Mos Generator, and The Glasspack... And now, the bad news, if you do not have tickets, you are not very likely to catch any of it, the Roadburn Festival has been sold out for months. Well, there is always next year...
Finally, this coming Sunday is the yearly celebration of 420... or perhaps just another excuse to smoke a fatty, (you make the call, we just help to provide a very fine soundtrack). The folks over at at Metromix http://detroit.metromix.com/ thought that it would be fun do a little interview with us here at Small Stone HQ about 420, the label, and rock music. Judging from our phone call from them a few hours ago, I am sure that a rather keen little piece has been created by their editors for everyone to check out and enjoy.
We have just added three new shirt designs to our online store. First we have a new Gideon Smith & The Dixie Damned t-shirt that is beyond stellar. The artwork was designed by Erik Roper (High On Fire, Sleep, Black Crowes) a long time ago, and we have just re-discovered this awesome piece of work when Gideon sent us an email a few weeks back. We went for broke with this one and made it a five color print, they turned out bad ass as well. Next, we have a limited number of shirts from our 2008 SXSW Showcase (we only run about fifty of them each year). These feature the poster art of Stu Helm, and they have this sort of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll meets Scooby Doo vibe. The showcase shirts are also a five color print. Finally, we have added thermals to our line. The first one we are offering is the Small Stone Logo in black on a dark grey thermal, they look rather sharp. For more info, head on over to our catalog page were you will be available to view the designs and what not. Or better yet, head on over to the Small Stone Online Store and purchase them.
Well, It just seemed to sneak up on us, but a whole lot of our bands are either currently in the studio or about to go in the studio, so here is a quick update for you. The men of Ironweed arrived in Boston today to begin tracking their debut album Indian Ladder at Mad Oak. Behind the desk will be Mr. Benjamin Grotto steering the ship. We have heard all of the Ironweed demos for this baby, so we can tell you way in advance that this one is going to rock... and then some. Also, Ken from the Sons Of Otis band checked in with us a few days ago to let us know that they are getting ready to head into a studio somewhere in the Great White North to record their follow up to 2005's X. Their new album is called Exiled and we will be releasing it sometime this Summer or early Fall. Otis does not enter the studio until the end of April, but we will keep you updated on the matter. Lastly, Hackman busted down to Brooklyn last weekend to start the recording of their second release with long time friend Andrew Schneider. As to the what, where, and when of the new Hackman release, it is all still up in the air if it will fit into our release schedule this year, but we are also huge Hackman fans, so hopefully it will fit in somewhere.
Yep, ever year we go through this, a week of 80 and 90 degree temps in Austin and then bam... right back to Winter in the Motorcity. One of these days we might finally get use to it. Anyway, we like to say a special thanks to the Room 710, Craig @ SXSW, and all of our bands who traveled a long way and put on a great show. A good time was head by all... We got to see some old friends, and make some new ones. We would also like to say an extra thanks to Rick from Sasquatch for doing double drum duty fiiling in with Iota. Rick, you really saved the day on that one. Thanks!!!!
The new Shame Club cd "Come On" just showed up via our lovelly UPS carrier. All that really needs to be said about the Shame Club is this, the band rules, the cd rules, buy it now... you will be humming the album for years to come in your automobile. The Shame Club will also be embarking on an East Coast Tour in a few weeks as well. You really do not want to miss them. If you need more proof, you can check out the Shame Club on our Jukebox. Their song "Jonestown" was added to it earlier today.
Iota’s new album "Tales" is days away from heading to the plant. The artwork is done, and we are just waiting for the final master from Mr. Gooseman. If you are a fans of the heavy and trippy, with some old school 70’s blues rock tossed in for good measure, then you are going to want to add "Tales" to your collection post haste.
Five Horse Johnson are gearing up to record their sixth full length late this Spring. The band has been busy working on new material, and their yet to be titled release will be the first one recorded as a five piece. We have had the priviledge of hearing a few of the new tunes at their rehersal and they are very much in the relm of Foghat, Mountain, and Led Zeppelin. The FHJ band are hoping to have there new one ready to go for the Fall, and a European Tour is currently being planned.
Finally, Please welcome Whitey Morgan and the 78’s to the Small Stone family. We were so tickled by their version of "Running With The Devil", that we went back and checked out their original material... and guess what, we got hooked. So, there is a first time for everything, Small Stone is entering the world of Outlaw Country and Whitey and his band will be hitting Rustbelt Studios next week to begin recording their new album. If you are a fan of J. Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Steve Earle, then you are going to really dig these guys. If you only like Black Sabbath & Deep Purple, you might want to skip this one.
Gideon Smith and the Dixie Damned
South Side Of The Moon
A Thousand Knives Of Fire
The Last Train to Scornsville
Brain Police
Beyond the Wasteland
