I can kinda feel The Meltdowns on several levels. The first track that came up, “Tonight We Dine,” reminds me of what Michael Jackson would put out if he were raised on the Papa Roach cover of his own “Smooth Criminal,” but then decided about a year and a half later that he was “too indie” for Papa Roach anymore, sold off his Ibanez 7-string and downloaded every Gang of Four track he could find on SoulSeek. Unfortunately, he still ended up with a shipwrecked career all because he fondled a little boy’s penis. But now he writes frenetic, dancy-y, house party, dancing on the countertops punk and gets MAD GASH and free PBRs everywhere he goes. That’s just reason #1.

Also, I would like to point out that by swapping letters in the band name “Gang of Four,” you get “Fang of Gore”; and when you type “Fang of Gore” into a google image search, you get this:

That’s just reason #2 why you should click on The Meltdowns’ MySpace Page, befriend them, and then let them crash at your house when they’re on tour.

The Meltdowns’ debut EP, “No Authority, Direction, or Control” was released in January and should be purchased HERE. It sounds like demon dance party dogs tearing through a sweaty basement club and nipping at the heels of rad chicks with ugly-ass haircuts.

Don’t worry: Unlike both the real and the alternate reality Michael Jacksons, The MELTDOWNS WILL NOT TOUCH YOUR PENIS. (maybe.)

The Meltdowns have East Coast shows coming up. You can find them after the jump.
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It’s been a big day in Tennessee, what with the devastating tornadoes and the announcement of Bonnaroo’s 08 lineup. And you thought Bonnaroo was supposed to be some sort of hippie fest…. Pearl Jam and Metallica headline.

Rumor: Led Zeppelin will play Bonnaroo

The Truth: Kinda sorta not really. Aging Rock God Robert Plant will be playing with Allison Krause, and the all female Zep tribute band Lez Zeppelin will be performing as well.

Rumor: Bonnaroo is now a metal festival.
The Truth: Kinda sorta not really. Metallica IS one of the headlining acts, and The Sword and Mastodon are also on board, but the whole lineup is spread pretty evenly across genre lines, from hip-hop to reggae to jam to indie rock to electroclash dance…whatever with Coachella, Bonnaroo is gonna be where it’s at.

Rumor: This Festival Will Change Your Life.
The Truth: That’s not a real rumor. Although Iron & Wine and Death Cab are on board.

June 12-15, 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. You can look at their pretty poster here, but I thought it would be handy to type out all the confirmed performers so far, and I did so after the jump. (more…)