The Lost Patrol Band's new album "Automatic" will be released on October 16 via Burning Heart. A 7" single for the song "Automatic kids" (b/w 3 exclusive b-sides) will be released around the same time via frontman Dennis Lyxzén's own Ny Våg label.

Norwegian band Lorraine will return to the UK in September:

09/01 - The Park, Peterborough
09/02 - Colosseum, Coventry
09/08 - Hub, Plymouth
09/09 - Cavern, Exeter
09/12 - Charlotte, Leicester
09/15 - Wells Forum, Tunbridge
09/30 - Tunnel , Aberdeen

Japanese label Fabtone Records has licensed the Local Boys album "Whattheclockman" for release over in their part of the world. It will be out on August 2.

Tiger Lou is selling a few guitars: https://www.tigerlou.se/store/
Speaking of the Tiger, test presses for the "Until I'm there" 7" just showed up on my doorstep. Exciting!

Serena maneesh has announced that ex-mika Bomb guitarist Ann Lee will be replacing keyboard/vocalist Lina Holström.

Aftonbladet reports that Basshunter's "Boten Anna" will get an international release: ml" target=_blank>https://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,862378,00.html (in Swedish)

Tonight Records has posted Tobias Benstrup's 1998 album "Images of love" as a free download to celebrate late summer: m/imagesoflove" target=_blank>https://www.tonightrecords.com/imagesoflove

Keith Abrahamsson of Kemado Records (Dungen) is launching a new enterprise called Anthology Records that will be dedicated to digital and vinyl reissues of obscure and out-of-print experimental albums. One of their first selections: Swedish psych/prog pioneers Parson Sound. Read more: m/s/nm/20060724/music_nm/anthology_dc" target=_blank>https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060724/music_nm/anthology_dc

Aversionline likes Viola: m/blahg/2006/07/i-say-its-critters-today.html" target=_blank>https://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2006/07/i-say-its-critters-today.html
Listen to what the man says: that is one surprisingly good disc. I was kinda so-so on the band on my first few listens, but eventually something clicked and now I love it. I'd even go as far to say that it's destined for classic status. Also, let me reiterate: beware the return of goth/darkwave. It's coming.

Swedish hardcore act Raised Fist on tour in Canada:

09/13 - Le Trash, St-Hyacinthe
09/14 - La Saguenéene, Chicoutimi
09/15 - marina Hall, Sept-Iles
09/16 - L'imperial, Quebec
09/17 - Granada Theater, Sherbrooke
09/18 - tba, montreal
09/19 - Le maquisart, Trois-Rivieres
09/20 - Babylon, Ottawa
09/21 - The Dungeon, Oshawa
09/22 - Call The Office, London
09/23 - The Reverb, Toronto
09/24 - Club 1214, Windsor
09/25 - The Townehouse, Sudbury
09/27 - Kilroys, Thunder Bay
09/28 - Royal Albert, Winnipeg

Note: there will be no US dates, so any Americans wanting to see the band are advised to either cross the border or find a promoter willing to book the band.

The Kirsten's Postcard netlabel has posted a new comp release of Belle & Sebastian covers: m/releases.htm" target=_blank>https://www.kirstenspostcard.com/releases.htm
Why am I posting about it here? Well, because some of the contributors include Swedish indie acts such as Hell On Wheels, Billie the Vision and the Dancers and mixtapes and Cellmates.

MP3: JR Ewing - Change is nothing (everything is)

So yeah, JR Ewing is breaking up. No big surprise really, especially considering the shelflife of so many other hardcore bands. Frankly, I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. It's still a pity though 'cause their final album "maelstrom" is the best thing they've ever done. I suppose it's good they decided to go out on a high-point, I just wish their recordings always matched up to their reputation as a fierce live band. Hearing their older work you can barely tell, at least to my ears. Stronger, more mature songwriting and a much bigger major-label recording budget usually doesn't equal success for hardcore bands trying to rise above the DIY level, but these dudes worked it out. It's also amazing how strangely prescient the whole thing feels - there's a definite theme of conclusions running throughout the record. From "Change is nothing (everything is)" (the song I've posted today) to "For we are the dead" and "Here I vanish", it now seems obvious that the end was nigh. Well, until the inevitable reunion I guess.

JR Ewing - Change is nothing (everything is)

MP3: The Second Band - Wild in the wind

It's been hot here. Ridiculously hot. We're talking five straight days with peaks at 104°F/40°C. It's enough to make me wish that I still worked in an office so I could indulge in some air conditioning. Shit ain't right, lemme tell ya. I tried listening to frigid black-metal to make me feel cooler, but to be honest, the only thing that made me feel better was summery pop. Angry, grim music simply exasperated by misery and happy music did the exact opposite. One act that's greatly contributed to my improved positive attitude is The Second Band. Their latest EP "Your dark side is on the phone" is seven songs of piano-driven bliss. The opening track "Wild in the wind" which I've posted today is sure to draw a smile on even the most crotchety character. Case in point: it worked on me.

The Second Band - Wild in the wind

The first winner of the promo CD giveaway is mic Altena. In just a few moments I'll be stuffing an envelope full of CDs to send his way. As for everyone else - m/special/contest.html" onclick="window.open(this.href,'contest','width=410,height=230');return false;">be sure to enter for a chance to win in next week's drawing. Everyone who's already entered: no need to redo it. You're all still eligible.

Just posted: a review of Swedish troubador Nicolai Dunger live from Vancouver: m/index.php?article=200">[click here]