Since Brittany already stole the band I was gonna write about today (the ultra radtacular Nothing Ever Stays ) I had to think fast. Luckily, Trevor’s post earlier today reminded me that tomorrow is the first day of the continent-crossing Emery tour, which also features, As Cities Burn, Mayday Parade, Pierce the Veil and, today’s Synthesis Band You’ve Never Heard Of….OF THE DAY!!!111: Cry of the The Afflicted.

Cry of the Afflicted first came to my attention when they were here in Chico recording their debut full length with local music / RC Plane / Halo legend Jeff Schneeweis (who also, coincidentally, recorded Nothing Ever Stay’s new EP as well…dude is on the GRIND). Hailing from British Colombia, the land of world-class trout fishing and beautiful white women, COTA rock some melodic alt-medal ala Saosin, Stutterfly, etc. Their aforementioned full-length, The Unveiling, came out this past August on Tooth and Nail subsidiary Solid State records, and features the requisite creepy ambiguous artwork.

Check them out on Myspace, or better yet, check them out in person on the following dates:

If you make it out to a show, keep an eye out for our correspondent, Mr. Trevor Sellers, and tell him you want him to BLOG MOAR:

Today on Synthesis’ Long Winded and Unfortunately Titled Synthesis Band You’ve Never Heard of Band of the Day, we bring you a band that some have actually heard about. Seattle’s Iceage Cobra (originally from Spokane) has been around for a while and done a few national tours (including stops at media-whore mecca SXSW), and released a full length album, Brilliant Ideas from Amazing People. The album’s radical, but you want to see these guys live because SHIT GETS NUTTY.

Mic stands are ditched, full stacks blow your ears out, high kicks wizz by your brow and beer gets spilt, hella.

We interviewed Iceage Cobra in the Synthesis Weekly when they came through town, and asked guitarist Jordan West about his stage moves. Our photo guru Mike Z caught Iceage Cobra in their natural habitat: wrocking.

So our friends (or I guess I should say friend) Number One Gun are set to release their third studio joint, The North Pole Project on January 15th. This record was written, performed and produced single-handedly by frontman Jeff Schneeweis, as you can see in the video for the album’s first single “Wake Me Up” posted above (and filmed, BTW in beautiful Chico, CA!). Check the video, then check the e-card for the new record THEN catch the band on their west coast tour with fellow Chico fame stackers Brighten. Dates are below: 

1/15/08-Seattle, WA- El Corazon
1/16/08-Portland, OR-TBA
1/17/08-Bend, OR-The Domino Room
1/18/08-Nampa, ID-Northwest Nazarene University
1/19/08-Salt Lake City, UT- Solid Ground
1/20/08-Las Vegas, NV-TBA
1/21/08-Phoenix, AZ- TBA
1/22/08-Victorville, CA- Club Karma
1/23/08-San Diego, CA- TBA
1/24/08-Anaheim, CA- Chain Reaction
1/25/08-Modesto, CA-The Modesto Underground
1/26/08-Sacramento, CA- Club Retro
1/27/08-Carson City, NV- The Warehouse
1/29/08-Fresno, CA- The Starline
1/30/08-Chico, CA- TBA

DO IT

[Continuing Chico’s Christmas Music coverage, today we bring you a band that I’m not actually in (although I’ve sat in with them at a party.)

This episode we bring you Them Steps, a local Chico hip-hop duo who are in the process of relocating to Portland, OR. Gotta give it up to Ripply Snell for not only being a smooth MC, but a pretty damn decent keyboard player as well. Not too many MCs play their instruments live, so due respects. If you’re in Chico, catch Ripply in action tonight at Gorgeous Armada Presents: Sleigh; Sleigh II AGAIN, live at the Chico Cabaret. I’ll also be there, in gold boxers, rocking an Explorer.

So its pretty much become standard from every emo pop band worth its salt to do a Christmas song, and this year is definitely no different. But while most suck major balls, one of the best original numbers in this year’s Christmas song pool comes from our friends and fellow townsfolk Brighten. Check out the video for “Merry Christmas Baby” which also features John from The Maine, and come to terms with the fact that, try as hard as you might, but you will never match the ultimate cuteness effortlessly exhibited by Brighten at all times. EVER. Oh yeah and if you’re an one of the few A&R guys who didn’t get fired this month, get off your ass and sign these dudes NOW. THNX

Pro: Getting to play fun music for 2nd and 3rd graders.
Con: Feeling like I am failing life by showing up to an elementary school stoned

Con: having to get up at 4 AM to play a morning news gig
Pro: getting your band photo taken with local news celebrity Rob Blair and crew

The Yule Logs are here. Hide your Egg Nog.