Apparently, throughout the history of hard rock, the one thing that’s been missing on stage was an electric cello. It makes sense. They look like guitars and when you smash one on stage, it’s so much more impressive.

This new venture into the world of rock comes courtesy of Apocalyptica, a Finnish band (made up of three cellists and a drummer) that has been rocking like classical musician students on acid (which explains why they enjoy covering Metallica). Their upcoming album “Worlds Collide” will be their sixth studio album and features people like Corey Taylor and Hotel Tomoyasu (who did that song in “Kill Bill” when Uma is on the yellow crotch rocket) joining the band on various songs.

We got the album at the office a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been surprised by it ever since. Sometimes I forget there are cellos involved because it sounds so much like rock. Actually, the drums help a great deal, which I understand was incorporated into the band in 2005 (they formed as three cellists in 1993).

Some people will say that the band is doing wonders to expose a new generation to the classic arts, just because there’s a cello on stage. I don’t buy that. People don’t see something like Apocalyptica and suddenly think “hey, I should skip that punk show and check out the symphony tomorrow.”

Instead, people (like me) will see this and only thing “when are they gonna light that thing on FIRE?” I think I’ll start a band like this and call it Bach Rawk. I can see the t-shirts now….

Apocalyptica “Worlds Collide”

And here’s their current single (and probably the band’s motto) “I’m Not Jesus”

Tour Dates:

4/11 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues

4/12 San Diego, CA House of Blues

4/13 Orangevale, CA The Boardwalk

4/14 West Hollywood, CA The Roxy

4/16 San Francisco, CA Slim’s

4/17 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre

4/18 Seattle, WA El Corazon

4/21 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue

4/22 Englewood, CO Gothic Theatre

4/23 Kansas City, MO Beaumont Club

4/24 Sauget, IL Pop’s

4/26 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe

4/27 Chicago, IL House of Blues

4/28 Cleveland, OH House of Blues

4/29 Pontiac, MI The Crofoot

5/2 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club

5/4 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre

5/5 New York, NY The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza

5/7 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

5/9 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade

5/10 New Orleans, LA Parish at House of Blues

5/11 Houston, TX Warehouse Live

5/12 Dallas, TX House of Blues

5/14 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre

5/15 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre

Thanks to this upcoming Rilo Kiley tour, Jenny Lewis and I will finally be able to rekindle our love. It’s a love that has existed for years and been kept apart by distance and the evil soul of “the industry.” And it exists solely in my mind.

Don’t understand my fascination? Check out Rilo Kiley’s “Moneymaker” video and just try not to get all riled up (and yes, those are real porn stars).

04.17.08 - San Francisco, CA Concourse (SF Design Center)
04.19.08 - Portland, OR (Roseland )
04.20.08 - Seattle, WA (Showbox SoDo)
04.23.08 - Santa Cruz, CA (Rio Theatre)
04.24.08 - Pomona, CA (The Glasshouse)
04.26.08 - Indio, CA (Coachella Arts & Music Festival)
05.15.08 - San Diego, CA (Concerts in the Park)
05.19.08 - Denver, CO (Ogden Theatre)
05.20.08 - Omaha, NE (Slowdown)
05.21.08 - Omaha, NE (Slowdown)
05.22.08 - Minneapolis, MN (First Avenue)
05.23.08 - Milwaukee, WI (Pabst Theatre)
05.24.28 - Chicago, IL (The Riviera)
05.25.08 - Royal Oak, MI (Royal Oak Music Theatre)
05.26.08 - Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)
05.28.08 - Toronto, ON (Phoenix Theatre)
05.30.08 - Worcester, MA (Palladium)
05.31.08 - Providence, RI (Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel)
06.01.08 - Northampton, MA (Calvin Theater)
06.02.08 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)
06.05.08 - Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
06.06.08 - Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
06.07.08 - Baltimore, MD (Rams Head Live)
06.08.08 - Richmond, CA (Toads Place)
06.10.08 - Norfolk, VA (The Norva)
06.11.08 - Asheville, NC (Orange Peel)
06.12.08 - Charleston, SC (Charleston Music Farm)
06.13.08 - Manchester, TN (Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival)
06.15.08 - Dallas, TX (Palladium)
06.16.08 - Austin, TX (Stubbs BBQ)

I was searching through my Inbox last night and came upon a week old email touting DNA6 as one of “Canada’s Hottest New Indie Bands of 2008.” But the thing that caught my attention was a line in their press release that said the group has the ability to make new fans after each of their live shows.

After reading more, I discovered this was a hip-hop group that found a way to mix up the sounds of rock, soul, funk, and jazz. I know…it sounds insane.

But it’s a kind of controlled insanity and after listening to their second full-length album “Human Condition,” I was convinced of two things: Canada always seems to have some unique hip-hop going on (Swollen Members and early Buck 65) and DNA6 have knocked Jurassic 5 off their rap-for-people-who-don’t-like-rap pedestal.

Check out the track at the bottom of this post and you’ll get what I mean. The album, and this is assuming you’re the kind of person who still listens to albums all the way through, is an evolution of sorts, with the group jumping from genre to genre and mixing up their sound from track to track. It’s a great start for a group I’m convinced will be around for a while, assuming they strive to never repeat themselves.

Right now they are only on tour in Canada, so if you’re there, lucky you. For the rest of you, enjoy “All The Things You Do” at the bottom of the post

3/11 - Vancouver, British Columbia - The Plaza Club

3/12 - Mission, BC - Clarke Theatre

3/13 - Golden, BC- The Roadhouse

3/14 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Lydia’s Pub

3/15 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Lydia’s Pub

3/17 - Calgary, Alberta - The Blind Beggar Pub

3/21 - Fernie, BC - The Northern

3/22 - Nelson, BC - Spirit Bar

I was excited about the Mika tour when I found out about it over a month ago. It was so far in advance that I figured I’d wait and get the tickets at the venue so as not to pay the ridiculous Ticketmaster fees. I stupidly thought Mika isn’t that popular yet, so it won’t sell out. I was obviously wrong and by the time I got to the box office, tickets were long gone.

I decided to try my luck at the venue. I’ve never gone to a concert without tickets, but I figured someone would have an extra that they’d be trying to get rid of.

I got there at about 6:45. Doors were set to open at 7. I could hear the screaming teenagers from down the block (I don’t really know why they were screaming). The crowd was very young, high school girls and a lot of small children, even families. Some fans came dressed up in crazy bright colored outfits, sparkly leggings, and headbands. Far too many of the girls were wearing tank tops and no jackets (it was at most 30 degrees outside).

I wasn’t really sure what to do at this point. I asked the security guards if they thought tickets would open up at the last minute and they sort of laughed at me. I asked a random people if they had extra tickets. A few other hopefuls were also looking for tickets and were just as clueless as I was. There were some scalpers but they were selling tickets for $80 which was over my limit since tickets cost $30. After maybe 45 minutes of no luck, I could no longer feel my toes and I realized that even if I got in, by that point, the venue would be almost full and I would not be able to see anything (I am very short). Plus, I’d already had enough of that crowd. I decided I’d probably have a better time listening to Life in Cartoon Motion on the subway ride home than being at the concert, surrounded by attention-seeking teenagers. I’m sure Mika will come back to New York and next time, I’ll just buy tickets from Ticketmaster. I did feel a little sadness as I walked away, especially as two girls who looked to be about 5 skipped past me singing, “We’re going to see Mika!”

The Donnnas? Really? I’ll be honest, I was surprised. I really didn’t know this band was still around.  But OK, I could get into rock chics and power chords for a little bit this year, so bring it on.

Word is, the girls also started a record label called “Purple Feather Records,” which apparently has a blog in lieu of a website (it’s all I found after a quick Google…that sounds dirty).

The Hives came out with Black And White Album last year. I had no idea either.

Feb 19 08 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern With The Hives

Feb 20 08 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore With The Hives

Feb 21 08 Portland, OR Roseland Theater With The Hives

Feb 22 08 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom With The Hives

Feb 23 08 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo With The Hives

Feb 26 08 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre With The Hives

Feb 28 08 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue With The Hives

Feb 29 08 Chicago, IL Riviera Theater With The Hives

Mar 01 08 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall With The Hives

Mar 02 08 Cleveland, OH Agora Theater With The Hives

Mar 03 08 Toronto, ON Kool Haus With The Hives

Mar 04 08 Montreal, QC Club Soda With The Hives

Mar 06 08 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg

Mar 07 08 New York, NY Terminal 5 With The Hives

Mar 08 08 Washington, DC 9:30 Club With The Hives

Mar 09 08 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre

Mar 11 08 Nashville, TN Exit In

Holy crap, I didn’t think Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would ever go on tour again. I’ve never seen this band live and it looks like this may be my last chance.

Tickets go on sale after the Superbowl (where they will be headlining the usually dreadful halftime show) on Feb. 4, though there is a chance for fans to get an early jump on the tix.

And Steve Winwood fans, don’t despair. He’s their “very special guest”, which makes me think he’ll sing a couple of songs and then lecture us on death or how to avoid a brain freeze while eating ice cream.

May 30- Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
May 31- The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
June 03- Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
June 05- Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA
June 08- Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA
June 10- Post-Gazette Pavilion, Burgettstown, PA
June 11- New England Dodge Music Center, Hartford, CT
June 13- TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
June 17- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
June 18- Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
June 21- Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center, Darien Center, NY
June 22- Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
June 25- Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
July 02- United Center, Chicago, IL
July 03- Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, IN
July 08- Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
July 09- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Atlanta, GA ****
July 11- Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC
July 12- Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, Raleigh, NC
July 15- BankAtlantic Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
July 16- St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
July 19- TBD, Denver, CO ****
July 20- Quest Center Omaha, Omaha, NE
July 22- Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
July 23- Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
August 07- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights, MO
August 09- MTS Centre, Winnipeg, MB
August 11- Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, AB
August 12- Rexall Place, Edmonton, AB
August 15- The Gorge, George, WA
August 16- The Gorge, George, WA
August 20- Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ ****
August 22- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA
August 23- TBD, San Francisco, CA ****
August 26- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Selma, TX
August 27- American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
August 29- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Woodlands, TX

Pinback, the duo that makes songs that sometimes have no meaning (that’s the point), is embarking on a West Coast tour, which again, sucks for my East Coast ass. Bah.

I shouldn’t complain. I saw these guys in Phoenix during their Summer in Abaddon tour. But to be honest, I picked up their recent release, Autumn of the Seraphs, and while it’s good, I still like “Summer” a bit more. Maybe I’m missing something…or just upset that Pinback appears to be avoiding me.

C’mon guys, I was drunk that night and didn’t mean to yell those things…

02.05.08 - Chula Vista, CA (House Of Blues)
02.06.08 - Chula Vista, CA (House Of Blues)
02.07.08 - Pomona, CA (Glass House)
02.08.08 - Visalia, CA (Cellar Door)
02.09.08 - Santa Cruz, CA (Catalyst)
02.10.08 - San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)
02.11.08 - Arcata, CA (Humboldt State University)
02.13.08 - Bend, OR (Domino Room)
02.14.08 - Seattle, WA (Showbox)
02.15.08 - Vancouver, BC (Richard’s On Richards)
02.16.08 - Portland, OR (Wonder Ballroom)
02.18.08 - Berkeley, CA (Bear’s Lair)
02.19.08 - San Luis Obispo, CA (Downtown Brew)
02.20.08 - Ventura, CA (Majestic Ventura Theatre)
02.21.08 - Los Angeles, CA (Avalon)

Philly/Brooklyn rockers Marah have announced a tour starting this month in support of their new album Angels of Destruction!

The album was released on Tuesday. It’s the follow up to their 2005 album If You Didn’t Laugh, You’d Cry which Stephen King liked a whole lot. Really though, how could you possibly dislike a band that gives props to Mummers?

Marah’s albums tend to be heavily produced — banjos on top of carnival sounds on top of sports announcer voice overs. This album is certainly no exception. But it’s good. And their live shows are legendary for their intensity.

To quote the band’s blog: “P.P.S. – shows to follow will be mega!”

Marah - Angels of Destruction

Tour dates after the jump…

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I’m pretty sure I’m not alone, but I can’t get enough of Mika. His debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, puts me in a great mood every time I hear it. I’ve been listening to it regularly since I bought it in May (it was released in the US in March) and I’m still not sick of it. As you may have guessed, I’m kind of a sucker for falsetto voices and silly pop songs, so you can imagine how excited I was to hear he’d be touring the US in February. It’s a very short tour, but he’s hitting cities all over the country. If you haven’t caught the Mika fever yet or you won’t be able to catch a concert, I urge you check out the albumLife in Cartoon Motion. And in the meantime, here’s a video of “Lollipop” to get you in the mood:

Tour Dates:

1/31- Philadelphia, PA- Electric Factory

2/1- Boston, MA- Orpheum Theatre

2/2- New York, NY- Terminal 5

2/5- Chicago, IL- House of Blues

2/6- Minneapolis, MN- First Avenue

2/8- Salt Lake City, UT- In The Venue

2/11- Los Angeles, CA- Wiltern

2/12- San Francisco, CA- Warfield

2/14- Seattle, WA- Showbox SoDo

This is weird. I was *just* saying the other day how I’m really digging the albums of these two bands and would love to see them live again. Jimmy Eat World’s Chase This Light is wonderful gym music and the Foo Fighter’s Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace has been in constant rotation in my car.

And just this morning, I find out that these bastards will tour together, again, no where near my city. Not even on the East Coast. Awesome.

1/16 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
1/17 - Orlando, FL - Amway Arena
1/19 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Arena
1/20 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Civic Center
1/22 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
1/23 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
1/25 - Memphis, TN - FedEx Forum