Ain’t that some shit?

Frontman for both Cursive and The Good Life, Tim Kasher has been one of the most prolific songwriters in indie rock. And on October 5th, 2010 he will release his debut solo album, The Game Of Monogamy. Recorded this past January in Whitefish, MT, at SnowGhost Music and in his rental home in the small town, the album marks the first time Kasher has written, recorded, and produced an album under his own name. The first single ”Cold Love,” premiered exclusively on Spin.com yesterday and is also available on label Saddle Creek‘s website.

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Ok, I’ll admit it, I haven’t been a hardcore fan of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World for years. I saw the trailer a couple months ago, thought it looked interesting and sounded familiar. In time I recognized Scott Pilgrim mainly from from geek conversations and a string of tweets from my local West Hollywood nerdery @meltdowncomics. Finally a couple weeks ago just before the TV trailer melee began I was able to read all 6 of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s books and they were nothing short of life-changing. His storytelling style is a multi-layered ADD blend of vintage video game humor and indie rock kitsch set against the background of the amazing maple mecca of Toronto. Needless to say I laughed my ass off while it burrowed it’s way into my heart. It’s not that often where you can read something that you just “get” and you feel like in some way it gets you back. So of course I’ll be seeing the movie on opening night Friday, August 13.

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The video got yanked from youtube. Watch this crazy shit instead.

Update: Try this glamour on for size.

Semi Precious Weapons – Magnetic Baby
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. – See the latest featured music videos.

Before now, my knowledge of Sia had been limited to the amazing and sob-inducing closing scene of the series finale of ‘Six Feet Under’ (‘Breathe Me’, from Some People Have Real Problems). A little exploring, and I found her to be kinda cheeky, a little off-beat, and incredibly talented. She came to Chicago back in April, that weekend that EVERYTHING happened. That weekend I was out of town…and I’m seriously regretting missing that show. The album came out back in June and so clearly this review should have happened awhile ago. Nonetheless, believe me when I say better late than never. The world needs to know about We Are Born and about Sia, even if I am a little behind schedule.

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If you don’t know who Semi Precious Weapons are by now, then fuck off. I know I’m beating a glaMOURous horse, but I’ve been really eager to hear their long-awaited follow up to 2008′s ‘We Love You’ since their 3 song EP was released back in January.

Semi Precious Weapons resume their opening slot on Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour starting June 28th, and they are giving a pair of tickets away to every US show on the summer leg of the tour. For more information on how to score tickets to the hottest tour of 2010, follow @preciousweapons on Twitter.

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Every single time a new HP movie comes out I get a chill at the end of the trailer when the music comes up.

It just wouldn’t be my life if I wasn’t deathly ill before an event I’ve been looking forward to for months. This time, it was Neon Trees playing at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, opening for 30 Seconds to Mars and Mute Math.

AvantTrash affords me to learn about some really amazing bands I might have overlooked, or never even heard of otherwise. The most recent of which being Neon Trees-if you haven’t figured it out, with my NT obsession so obviously leaking onto this website.

Like I said before, I really dug their sound and their look and wanted so desperately to run my hands through Tyler Glenn’s mohawk (and whisper dirty things in his ear, but I digress). My thoughts on their debut album, ‘Habits’ can be found *here*. So anywho, super jazzed to see Neon Trees live, kinda totally dig 30 Seconds to Mars, and I like that one Mute Math song on the Twilight soundtrack, so I figured it’d be a good time…cue debilitating stomach illness. I was determined to suck it up and go, but was feeling weak enough I ended up leaving right after their set. Even still, a good time was had.

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Cause I gotta.

I dig the boys in fishnets.

Oh the unspeakable things we would do to that robot.

Chris Shiflett (of Foo Fighters and his new project, Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants) will be playing an acoustic set on THIS Sunday the 30th at The People’s Concert for Winograd.  The benefit is at the Venice United Peace Center (2210 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA) map and he plays around 9pm.

The self-titled debut album from Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants will be out 7/13 on Le Coq Napoleon/RCA.

More info on Chris Shiflett can be found on his Facebook.

Dax Riggs is proof of life after metal. As the frontman of psychedelic 90′s swamp metal act Acid Bath his music blazed a Technicolor sludge trail still being emulated today. His rebirth came with the formation of Agents Of Oblivion and later grim indie-folk act Deadboy and the Elephantmen which added a dark edge rarely seen in alt-music. Now solo, Dax Riggs is set to release Say Goodnight To The World, the follow up to Deadboy’s 2006 We Are The Night Sky.

Dax Riggs tour dates
MAY 28 DALLAS, TX THE CAVERN
MAY 29 HOUSTON, TX MANGO’S
JUN. 4 HOUMA, LA THE CITY CLUB
JUN. 5 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 11 LAKE CHARLES, LA LUNA
JUN. 12 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 18 LAFAYETTE, LA BLUEMOON SALOON
JUN. 19 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS
JUN. 25 BATON ROUGE, LA SPANISH MOON
JUN. 26 NEW ORLEANS, LA ONE EYED JACKS

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Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Jay Z is my hero. As a band we listen to this song in our van at least once a day.

Patty Larkin – Rear View Mirror
I think this is one of the best songs I have ever heard. I have seen Patty live about 10 times, but she has never played this song even though I’ve sat in the front row and screamed the title at her.

Peaches – Billionaire
The Teaches of Peaches are endless and always full of filthy glaMOUR.

AC/DC – Hells Bells
I bought Back In Black for the 9th time today. I’ve already listened to this song 3 times since I bought my 9th copy.

Fred Eaglesmith – Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline
When I worked in a jewelry store downtown in NYC, I listened to this song and record about 100 times. The alt country really confused the douchey bitches buying earrings.

Audrey Hepburn – Moon River
When I play this song for people they either say “Audrey can’t really sing” or they sob. I think this is fucking brilliant.

Patty Griffin – Icicles
I have listened to this song almost every single night as I go to sleep for 4 years. The only time I don’t is when I don’t remember falling asleep.

Semi Precious Weapons – Put A Diamond In It
Yes bitches, I’m putting my own song on this playlist. I’m just being honest, this is supposed to be a list of my 8 most played at the moment. Get into it.

CONTEST TIME! Jimmy Gnecco of Ours will be performing May 15th at the Empty Bottle in Chicago and we want to send you and a friend there! All you have to do is name the first single off of Ours’ 2001 release Distorted Lullabies. Send your answer to contest@avanttrash.com and you’re our winner! Must be in Chicago on Saturday May 15 and 21+.

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Seriously, if you don’t have any mayjah plans this weekend, there is something fundamentally wrong with you. The irony is that I will not be attending any of these-work travels take me elsewhere. Shall we begin?

You might remember this first band from my balls-to-the-wall interview with them on their tour bus back in January. Well, motherfucking Semi
Precious Weapons are back in town, this time without Mother Gaga as headliners at 4 US show dates in L.A., Chicago, New York and Boston during a brief break on the Monster Ball tour.

They have their full-length album (You Love You) debuting in June on Geffen. These show are
not to be missed. I’ll only repeat myself once. Two times. NOT TO BE MISSED. For serious. Breaks my little black heart that I won’t be there tonight. You think that their dates on the Monster Ball were some bullshit debauchery, you just wait till they’re on their own. This show is going to be bananas and I for one am slightly pissed I won’t be able to witness them in all their glory.

Catch them TONIGHT at Subterranean-doors at 7, but do yourself a favor and get there in time to catch Nico Vega. If you’re not convinced, take a gander at their video for their single, ‘Semi Precious Weapons’ and scream that shit or you might get hurt.

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