If you want to see one of the biggest badass people alive, grab a ticket to a Tom Waits show next to you. Now people, now!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Phoenix, AZ US -Orpheum @ 8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Phoenix, AZ US - Orpheum @ 8:00 PM
Friday, June 20, 2008 El Paso, TX US - Plaza Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 22, 2008 Houston, TX US - Jones Hall @ 8:00 PM
Monday, June 23, 2008 Dallas, TX US - Palladium @ 8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Tulsa, OK US - Brady Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Thursday, June 26, 2008 St Louis, MO US - Fox Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 28, 2008 Columbus, OH US - Ohio Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 29, 2008 Knoxville, TN US - Civic Auditorium @ 9:00 PM
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Jacksonville, FL US - Moran Theatre @ 9:00 PM
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Mobile, AL US - Saenger Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Thursday, July 3, 2008 Birmingham, AL US - Alabama Theatre @ 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 5, 2008 Atlanta, GA US - Fox Theatre @ 8:00 PM

Today some sad news struck most life long Police fans, as the band announced earlier this evening, that they’ll soon hold their final concert, ever. The statement was made with the occasion of a press conference, held in New York, at which the band also participated. There each of the band’s members Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers were presented with keys to the city by mayor Michael Bloomberg, as the later praised the band for “thirty years of staying at the top of your game” over its “long career.”

Details about the upcoming final gong for the band are poor. Besides knowing the concert will be held sometime in the summer, somewhere indoors (most probably in NYC), we’re left in the dark. The band also announced a $1 million donation to be directed towards the MillionTreesNYC tree-planting program, which will be matched with an additional million in public funds.

Artist name: R.E.M.
Album name: Accelerate
Label: Warner Bros
Gender: Rock/Alternative
Release date: April 1, 2008
ZMErating: 9/10
Website: www.remhq.com

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I used to love R.E.M.! Despite the fact that I never bought that ‘best band in the whole world’ crap, they were good; they were more than good, they were fantastic! They just brought this positive energy that was just captivating. Then they turned really political and stuff and so the past three albums dispelled some of their charm. But now, with this return to the roots they managed to clear of the rust from their guitar chords and manage to release something that’s actually good. But it’s kinda short, at just under 35 minutes. It’s very energetic and politically charged, with pretty much obvious lyrics such as ‘if the storm doesn’t kill me the government will’, and it’s like a cold shower on a not so sunny day.

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The Islanders are set to bring their hopelandic avangard rock to a heck load of new people this year, as they’ll embark on a pretty big, summer long, tour. The band can be seen playing in 3 continents, all over Southern America, Europe and North America, in the later Sigur Ros will join the rest of the Bonnaroo stellar lineup, where they’ll unleash their beautiful art rock/dream pop melodies. Dates after the jump.

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The best damn tour? Yeah, right. The one thing she could have done to erase the not so great image (for true fans and music listeners) she’s created was to make a great tour; and that’s what she promised to do. Well… she didn’t

In news that will undoubtedly make Hillary Duff (her arch rival) a bit happier, Lavigne stated that she was rendered speechless after coming down with acute laryngitis. This alleged illness forced the Canadian rock pop chick to scrap a total of six additional shows on her North American tour, bringing the grand total of nixed dates to eight.

“My sincerest apologies to all of my fans,” she said in a statement Saturday night. “My intention was to complete the rest of the tour, but tonight at sound check in Anaheim I realized this wasn’t possible. Even though I have been resting my voice for days, when I tried to sing nothing came out.”

While I really do feel sorry for her as well as for her fans this could be somehow her fault (what you put inside you actually affects you… for real; that goes for lifestyle too). Anyway, refunds will be available and all that stuff. Oh, one more thing: give us the good Avril back, you mean witch!

Watch out people, it’s hypocrisy time! At least that’s what my spider sense tells me. When I first read that Radiohead were going green, I thought it’s great stuff. When I read further what going green means for them… my jaw dropped like Britney Spears’ image.

They’ve decided not to travel to the US for a promotional performance because of concerns over global warming. Sure, that will really work for their blinded fans and screaming chicks but really… for the rest of us… you could have found a better excuse if you didn’t want to go on a tour.

So they voted to record a live version of House Of Cards in London rather than fly over to the US for the one-off performance. Frontman Thom Yorke said the band avoided leaving a carbon footprint equivalent to driving a car for a solid year by recording the track in London.

So Thom, since you’re so good with the math, think about this. If you donated all the money you would have raised for environmental purposes, how much of an impact would that have had? I betcha it’s more than driving a car for a year. Now go hide in your social media site or whatever, you lazy hypocrite.

Nick Cave just announced a busy touring schedule for the rest of the year, recently, for both him and his Bad Seeds, to promote their most recently released LP Dig, Lazaurs, Dig!!!. The band will first play a over month long tour in Europe, with the first show kicking off tonight  (April 29th) in Paris, after which they’ll head out to North America, a bit later though. About 5 months late to be more exact, getting back on their touring saddle in September. Nick hasn’t forgotten his other side project, Grinderman, either and, during the seeds-free summer time, will tour next to them. Tour dates and venues, right after the jump.

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2007 was the year of reunions, but 2008 doesn’t fall too much behind neither, with more and more previously iconic acts getting back together. One of these acts is also the shoegazing pioneers My Bloody Valentine, a true sensation of the late ’80s. Back in November, frontman Kevin Shields, announced the band’s reforming and moreover fueled rumors that a new LP is in the making. Soon after fans were ecstatic to find out the band will tour through much of Europe, but at the same time fans over the ocean were left brokenhearted.

Well my dear American friends, you can now rejoice as My Bloody Valentine is coming to play in New York City, this fall! That’s right folks, you’ve heard it right. For the first time in 16 years the band will set foot on US soil to perform. The reunited My Bloody Valentine will headline and curate a new upstate New York branch of the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival on Sept. 19-21. According to the Daily Swarm, MBV will also perform in six to eight additional U.S. cities.

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A while backed we listed the dates for Plants And Animals’ brief tour, in support of their debut full length album, Parc Avenue. Now, the fun continues as the Canadian indie rockers have added a string of new tour dates, including West Coast venues. This the first time the band will play on the West Coast. Tour dates after the jump.

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I already bought my ticket for the Iron Maiden tour! Hope you have yours, cause there’s pretty much sold out; except for ebay perhaps, but that’s always taking a chance. Anyway, what could be better than going to an extraordinary event such as an Iron Maiden gig? Going to an Iron Maiden gig and seeing Anthrax too!

That’s right, the metal legends have announced a short spring tour, kicking off with a warmup club show at Chicago’s Double Door on May 28th, 2008. The Chicago warm-up show will be the band’s first live performance with their new singer Dan Nelson. After that, they’ll hook up with Bruce Dickinson and the rest of the guys.

Anthrax’s Charlie Benante says

“Playing with Iron Maiden again is such a thrill for us! We can’t wait to be a part of these two magical nights.” Guitarist Scott Ian adds, “It is an absolute honor to be asked to open the Irvine shows for the Kings of Metal Iron Maiden. Anthrax’s tours with Iron Maiden are my all time favorites. Up The Irons!!!” Lastly, bassist Frank Bello exclaims, “I saw them 2 weeks ago and sang every word. They’re better than ever!! I can’t wait to play with them again!! Good times!!”

They’re currently writing some material for their eagerly awaited album “We’ve Come For You All,” which will be their first album with Dan Nelson on vocals and the first studio effort since 2003. Busy busy times for them.w