Known for the intricate and very distinctive harmonies of Zuniga and Tony Scalzo (who also adds bass, keyboards, guitar to his band duties) and the Texas-drenched rhythms of drummer Joey Shuffield, Fastball had a massive hit with their Grammy-nominated platinum second album All the Pain Money Can Buy that featured the hits “The Way”, “Fire Escape” and “Out of My Head”. Not a band to rest on their laurels, the band soldiered on and released two critically-hailed follow-ups.

From the propulsive, driving rhythms of the album opener “All I Was Looking For Was You” to the pop sway of the title track to the sultry, heated fandango of “Angelie”, Little White Lies sees Fastball moving forward and becoming almost a whole new band. “Miles and I have really fine-tuned our writing styles to come up with super fun songs that go a little deeper musically than we’ve gone before,” explains Scalzo. “I believe it’s only the tip of the iceberg too. It’s seems to have opened a door to future creativity.”

In the years since their last album, the barometer of celebrity swung from public respect to invasion of privacy, something that doesn’t quite sit well with Zuniga. “It used to be cool to be a celebrity. I used to want to be famous,” he says, recalling their chart-topping history. This opinion of the evolution of pop culture infiltrates many of the songs on Little White Lies, especially the Tejano-spiced “The Malcontent (The Modern World)” in which Scalzo and Zuniga sing “I’m tired of living modern world with pretty boys and plastic girls.” He adds, “It used to be that famous people were famous for a good reason, but that’s not the way now.”

Little White Lies was produced by Miles Zuniga and C.J. Eiriksson (Blue October, Jack’s Mannequin) and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie) and will be released on April 14, 2009.

And what better way to show this spirit then by supporting Shirts for a Cure and help someone fight breast cancer? Take a moment to cruise to their web store (www.shirtsforacure.com) and choose from one of the nearly 250 shirt designs.

Everyone is doing it – from My Chemical Romance and Rise Against to Dillinger Four and The Bouncing Souls to Killswitch Engage and Darkest Hour… and everyone in between.

All proceeds from the shirt sales go directly to The Syrentha Savio Endowment which helps fight breast cancer in impoverished communities across the country. It’s the perfect gift that gives twice.

Thank you and happy holidays!

First, the band decided to play a game of cornhole with some fans during their Denny’s Allnighter after-party in Tempe, AZ.

Then they play musical chairs at their Denny’s Allnighter Afterparty with A Loss For Words and some lucky fans. Hilarity ensues!

Finally, we end with grits and syrup shots, and get to see Four Year Strong play Dave Matthews Band and Semisonic, still at Denny’s!

_______
More on Youtube

Filling out a simple registration could lead to a new equipment, endorsements, and the opportunity to head out on a major tour!

The contest runs through December 5th, so get in now…

Contest registration and additional information are located at: http://www.epitaph.com/demolition/

* You don’t have to be in a band to win. Fans can log in and help choose who will win the “Get Out of The Garage” giveaway. Listen and rate the bands, then get entered to win one of three very limited Epiphone-Atticus guitars!

I Set My Friends On Fire’s debut album, You Can’t Spell Laughter Without Slaughter, is set for release on October 7th, and along with “Crank Dat” making its way onto iTunes, the guys are producing a new web series titled The Chronicles of ISMFOF!

Here’s the trailer:

If you want to see more hilarious videos and keep up to date on the series, check www.myspace.com/isetmyfriendsonfire and youtube.com/ismfoftv.

Power-pop striplings Sing It Loud will release their debut full-length album, Come Around, on September 23rd via Epitaph Records. The electrifying quintet has made a name for themselves in the classic D.I.Y. way: touring non-stop across the country, bringing their energetic live shows to big cities and small towns alike and selling their self-titled EP at shows and on-line. And with the release of Come Around, all that hard work is finally paying off.

I for one am glad they made a few stops in Altoona, PA during their touring, and I’m definitely excited for this release. Quite a few songs are on their Myspace page, with “Don’t Save Me” being the most recent addition. (Head to myspace.com/singitloud to listen in.)

Or better yet, check them out on tour! They are touring with Valencia right now (and if you’re in InsidePunk.com territory, you’ll be happy to know Sing It Loud and Valencia will be back to Altoona, PA on September 15th!)

Website: myspace.com/singitloud

Photo: Collin Hughes

Track Listing:

1. Drift
2. Consider This
3. Where We Began
4. Kingdoms
5. The Introduction
6. Surroundings
7. My Rhythm
8. Circus Song
9. The Lonely Disease
10. If You Know What I Mean

First, the band reveal touring plans, their upcoming record, Hell Hath No Fury (due September 9), and being compared to Suicide Girls – click here for the video.

Next, they weigh in on a Warped Tour incident…

Two girls were kicked out of Warped Tour by security, which led to a security guard punching a girl in the face twice for self-defense. The girls of Civet watched the video of the fight and then talk about who was right and/or wrong in this situation – click here for the video.

And once you’re there, you’ll see a few more videos listed for your viewing pleasure.

And of course, check out Civet on Myspace at www.myspace.com/civet.

Photo credit: Matt Grayson

September 2008 Update: Check out this sweet video from Civet:

An exclusive online pre-sale has begun for the upcoming fall dates. The pre-sale includes VIP meet & greets, early show admission and fan club memberships! (Pre-sale tickets are limited though.)

The Compromising of Integrity, Morality & Principles in Exchange for Money Tour Dates:

10/09/08 – Norfolk, VA – Norva

10/10/08 – Pittsburgh, PA – Gravity Nightclub

10/11/08 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Café

10/12/08 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom

10/15/08 – Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall

10/16/08 – Jacksonville, FL – Free Bird Live

10/17/08 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution

10/18/08 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues Orlando

10/19/08 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Landing

10/20/08 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

10/22/08 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston

10/23/08 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas

10/24/08 – McAllen, TX – El Rey Theater

10/25/08 – Austin, TX – La Zona Rosa

10/27/08 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

10/28/08 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater

10/29/08 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Las Vegas

11/21/08 – Detroit, MI – Clutch Cargos

11/22/08 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland

11/23/08 – Toronto, ON – Kool Haus

11/25/08 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom

11/29/08 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory

See these bands on Myspace:

www.myspace.com/alltimelow

www.myspace.com/maydayparade

www.myspace.com/themaine

www.myspace.com/everyavenue