Last time we checked in with the elusive Ronnie Radke, Tiger Beat cover boy and former frontman for shithead rock band Escape the Fate, he was on the lamb, wanted for Battery in connection with an altercation that claimed the life of 18-year old Michael Cook. However, it seems Mr. Radke could only escape his fate for so long, and today he was sentenced to four years in jail. Somewhere, a fat teenage girl’s make-up is running down her face…

The upcoming “Music” title for Wii has a lot of promise. Now, if they can license some music besides classic Nintendo tunes, Rock Band and Guitar Hero will be in serious trouble…

From BBC:

The company did unveil a Grand Theft Auto game in development for the DS console and a new Wii title, called Music, which sees gamers play more than 50 musical instruments by using the Wiimote motion-sensitive controller. Mr Iwata said the success of the Wii and the DS was proof of a new form of social interaction developing. He said: “I believe we must find more ways for players to feel engaged, different ways for them to be enriched. The overall experience from our products must be increased enthusiasm.”

Atlanta emo-pop titans Cartel and Wind-Up Records, home to such luminaries as Creed, Evanescence,  and Alter Bridge, have come to terms on a deal encompassing the band’s recordings, merch and  “artist development”:

New York — Wind-up Entertainment and the rock band Cartel have entered in to a number of agreements.  The band’s future recordings will be released by Wind-up Records.  Additionally, the sale of all Cartel merchandise at on-line, retail, and touring points of sale will be handled by Wind-up Entertainment’s Pronto Merch.  Lastly, Cartel has entered in to an agreement with Wind-up Artist Development Corporation, Inc.

The Atlanta-based quintet, featuring Will Pugh (Vocals / Guitar), Joseph Pepper (Guitar), Nic Hudson (Guitar), Jeff Lett (Bass) and Kevin Sanders (Drums), self-released their first EP titled RANSOM in March, 2004.  A deal with the Militia Group followed, and the CHROMA album was issued in 2005.  Epic Records re-released the title in the summer of 2006, delivering a significant groundswell.   The band’s self-titled follow-up CARTEL followed in 2007.  The band parted ways with the major label, opening the door for this alliance with Wind-up Entertainment.

Wind-up Entertainment President Ed Vetri shared, “In the continuing evolution of the music industry, Wind-up has been and continues to be a leader in developing a business model that forms true artist partnerships and provides for long term development.  We believe that bands like Cartel, and deals like this, are the future of this business.  We are excited to begin working with a group that has proven hard work, great songwriting, and a commitment to touring provides the basis for a long term career. We are excited to be in business with Cartel, and look forward to building on their already sizeable fan base.”

Cartel front man Will Pugh enthusiastically commented, “We are very excited to announce that we have signed with Wind-up Records. The overwhelmingly positive familial atmosphere of the label has us looking forward to what is certain to be a lasting and successful relationship. We’re extremely eager to begin this new chapter in the life of Cartel.  All five of us sincerely appreciate and thank our fans for their continuous heartfelt support throughout the lifetime of the band, especially over the last nine months or so.  With a new label home firmly secured and fresh winds filling our sails we foresee bigger and better opportunities for us to continue to grow and thrive as a band, while building off the same foundational elements that we have always embraced: hard work, endless touring, good vibes and fantastic fan-friendly relations.”

Cartel is currently working on the repertoire for their third album, and will enter the studio in the coming months.  The release is planned for early 2009.  Cartel will be co-headlining The Crocs Next Step Campus Tour August 29 through September 26 with Yung Joc (dates subject to change).

Well, there’s the shark, might as well jump it. Oh wait…they already did.

(from www.rushisaband.com)

When I was stuck in Olympia WA last week, the saving grace of our stay was our gracious host Kirk Leonnard and his girlfriend Amy, and their guest room devoted to their Xbox 360, and more specifically, Rock Band. It was there that Kirty South and I found solace, singing and plucking our depression away to the likes of the Beastie Boys, The Marshall Tucker Band and Black Sabbath. We also discussed woman-repellent music including Canadian arena rock champions, Rush. Oh! If only we had access to the tracks that will be made available tomorrow. We would have driven poor Amy completely bonkers.

From B|W|R Public Relations:

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today additional Rush tracks will be available at the Rock Band™ Music Store catalog of downloadable content. On July 8th, air drummers and guitarists will rejoice when direct from the Rush Masters Vault the exclusive Rock Band versions of “Closer To The Heart” and “Working Man (Vault Edition)” (featuring never released alternative guitar solo) are made available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft). Rush now have 5 songs available for Rock Band including cover versions of “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight” and “Working Man,” almost a full-set by prog rock standards!

Also available are two amazing tracks from six-time Grammy® winning, multi-platinum funk rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Snow ((Hey Oh))” and “Tell Me Baby” from their critically acclaimed ninth studio double album Stadium Arcadium will be available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace).

Release date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace)
Thursday, July 10, 2008 (PLAYSTATION®Store)

Tracks:
From the RUSH Masters Vault:
“Closer To The Heart”
” Man (Vault Edition)”

Hot Chili Peppers
” ((Hey Oh))”
“Tell Me Baby”

(All tracks utilize the original master recordings)

Price: 1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace) per track
Locations: LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION®Network

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Apart from housing a shithead college for shithead students and Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico, California, boasts a thriving (if not nationally recognized) music scene. Many of the players in this scene contribute to a summer School of Rock-style band camp named The Collective Sound. last year they decided to start putting together a documentary of the goings-on of the staff and the campers, aged 12-18. Watching it will give you that warm on the insides feeling.

Then I implore to buy your kid, roommate, boyfriend or co-workers the fabulous new video game Rock Band. The tap-tap of the drum pads, the squelching of wrong notes on the guitar and getting to hear the same songs over and over and over again (not to mention the “singing”, which I have fortunately yet to be subjected to), ranks on the scale of annoying somewhere between a leaf blower and having a pine sliver shoved up your dick hole.