New Band “The Color Turning” joins www.gp2series.com

In conjunction with my new racing website F1 Prospects.Com I am posting music related links that I come across on racing sites or in my future podcasts to The Rock and Roll Report.

Continuing our quest to uncover young talent in all areas of life, www.gp2series.com introduces you to “The Color Turning.”

The GP2 series… it’s about youth. It’s about giving young talent a chance to shine. We don’t just mean the drivers, but our mechanics, our engineers, and all of our teams. But here at www.gp2series.com, we have a chance to provide a platform for talent in all walks of life. Last season, in association with our partner Bridgestone, we ran the highly succesful Bridgestone e-reporter competition for aspiring journalists (a competition we are delighted is being repeated in 2006.)

Through the music player on the website, we promoted young unsigned band Without Grace, leading to their music being used on further websites and television stations in association with the GP2 series. As we embark on our first test of 2006, it is our delight to introduce you to the first of many new young, unsigned bands we will be featuring this season.

Southern California’s The Color Turning make music that demands a willingness to eschew the lazy way in which, so often, the characteristics of sound are verbalized. Why describe it with a catchphrase when you can describe it for what it really is? Every move The Color Turning take, whether live or in the studio, is the sound of falling in love with music… the sound of the precious (and rare) brand of synergy that exists between a group of artists who share, among so much more, a voracious appetite for experimentation, change, and growth.

The Color Turning can’t help but sound like themselves. What they share most with their influences - seminal acts of their generation, such as Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Coldplay, and Bjork - is a pure and inherent understanding of the complex relationship between musical dynamics and human emotion. Nowhere is that understanding displayed more strongly than in their live show; an amalgamation of virtuosity in the traditional sense and, more importantly, the non-traditional sense. Yes, they can really play their instruments, but it’s originality rather than a cliched rock n’ roll stunt that proves it.

The Color Turning employ so many instruments that they, at times, seem more like a mini-symphony that a standard rock band: rhodes piano, e-bow, electronics, theremin. It is entirely fitting that the latter, an instrument that requires no physical contact, yet the sharpest of musicianship, is what breathes life into many of their songs. Accessible honesty is the means by which they move closer and closer to creating the perfect song: intensely emotive, entirely devoid of the sugar coating which can take the edge of so many well-intended sentiments.

They have been likened to artists such as Death Cab for Cutie, The Dismemberment Plan, Radiohead and Coldplay, but, as we are sure you will hear, their sound is very much their own. Unlike the majority of bands currently emerging from California, The Color Turning produce music which demands a sit down and a good listen, so subtle are its nuances, so complex its structures and so haunting its mood and lyrical content. At this stage of the GP2 series season, as the winter slips into springtime and the expectation of a new year surrounds our every move, their music perfectly compliments the mood.

And as for the band’s aspirations? As forthright, simple and down to earth as the band themselves… “we just aspire to be the best musicians we can be and to make original, respectable music that people enjoy.”

Enough said…

Find The Color Turning at www.thecolorturning.com

The Band

Steve Scavo - vocals, guitar

Sean Rodriguez - guitar, rhodes, electronics

David Delfonzo - guitar, piano

Jason Abraham - bass

Gareth Powell – drums

via www.gp2series.com

FREE TICKETS FOR ROLLING STONES AT MONTERREY

Veteran British band the Rolling Stones who rocked the USA by starring at the Superbowl recently, are expanding their sporting connection by playing in Monterrey, Mexico, venue for the ninth round of the A1 Grand Prix series.

A1 Grand Prix has secured 2,000 tickets to give away on a first-come,first-served basis along when people purchase tickets for this weekend’s A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Monterrey. Each of these tickets will carry a special stub that will guarantee entry to the Stones concert at the baseball stadium situated alongside the track in Fundidora Park the following Wednesday, 1 March.

There will be a concert on race weekend, too, on the Saturday night, 25 February, with 10,000 race tickets bearing a stub for a concert by leading Mexican band RMB.

SSBO Music ™ Launches New Music Download Store for Independent Bands and Record Companies

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 3, 2006 – SSBO Music™ today announces that it has launched its official website to promote independent recording artists and record companies by selling its music in the traditional format of CD and MP3 at (www.ssbomusic.com) for a membership fee of $35.00 by life. Samuel Beniquez president of SSBO Group™ (www.ssbo.biz), a public relations agency for bands and record companies disclosed today the launch of his latest music venture the SSBO Music™. Samuel, a music entrepreneur decided to create this website, where the Independent Bands as well as also the record companies can sell its music in digital format MP3 and in the traditional format of CD. One of the core missions is to promote artist advocacy and to make social consciousness by donating 5 percent of all CD and download sales to charitable foundations.

Music downloads are raking in millions every day now… all has changed since the early free music downloads from Napster. The music industry last year brought in a billion and a half dollars and expects this year to more than double that figure, selling digital music files to all the new iPod owners. By this reason is that Samuel created the store SSBO Music™ (www.ssbomusic.com), therefore desires that all the Independent Bands and Record Companies can take its portion of these billionaire profits.

SSBO Music™ is the first music download service that will offer high-fidelity music downloads, prepared also to include the complete digital music libraries of all the major music labels that desire to offer their music through the SSBO Music website. Ordinary music download stores provide music at data rates of 128 to 192 kbps (kilobytes per second); while SSBO Music’s Media Audio Downloads reproduce music at up to 1100 kbps, delivering the true sound quality of the original CD.

Our goal is to change the music industry with the SSBO Music. We promote quality music and new artists, allowing people to hear the best in Independent music first before groups become main-stream. Our marketing will give bands all access to promotions to millions of fans of independent music,” said Samuel Beniquez, Co-founder of the SSBO Music, Corp.

Bill Graham’s rock archives stream online

CNET is reporting that website Wolfgang’s Vault is now offering previously unheard performances from the archives of the late Bill Graham. More details can be found here.

Getting into podcast mode

Well truth be told I have been neglecting my first born for quite awhile but I have been busy. In October 2005 I created F1 Prospects.Com to write about my other love, open wheel formula racing and all the young guns around the world trying to make it to Formula 1. Ya I know, quite the change but I have been a racing nut for almost as long as I have been a music nut and I just felt like doing something to support young racing drivers. As a result of course my writing for the Rock and Roll Report dropped off dramatically but I have not abandoned rock and roll for the race track as I am currently putting together the pieces for creating my first podcast called F1 Prospects Radio. How does this relate to rock and roll you ask? Well one of the things I plan to do is feature indie rock and roll (podcast safe of course) prominently in the podcast. The current plan, which is always in flux would be to feature a song at the beginning and end of the podcast. Eventually I would like to move those tunes over to a dedicated Rock and Roll Report podcast as I wouldn’t be able to play the whole thing at F1 Prospects so the two podcasts would hopefully feed off each other.

I am currently getting the equipment together and working on my format but if you are interested in submitting your music to be featured and your are not affiliated with the RIAA in any way contact me at f1prospects@yahoo.ca and we’ll see what can be arranged.

Hopefully this will breath new life into the Rock and Roll Report and allow me to get my rock and roll and racing fix all at the same time. Let the adventure begin!

More Cool Stuff From the CD Baby Store!

THE SUGARPLASTIC: 7×7x7 Quirky pop compilation with songs about love, sleep, and gambling.

UHF: All Our Golden Tomorrows Psych pop that mixes classic pop songwriting, modern electronic experimentation and 60’s-era British psychedelia.

KILLOLA: Louder, Louder! Like 60?s Bubblegum that got spit out and stepped on with Doc Martens… SUPERcharged and incredibly catchy (If you often claim “I knew that band back in the day…” then get this CD, b/c Limited Print + Loads of buzz = not available for long).

THE PENETRATORS: Basement Anthology 60’s garage / punk / kbd legends from the 70’s with an incredible DIY sound and lots of great rocking original tunes. those who have heard us, can’t believe more people haven’t also heard of us.

CRUSHED BUTLER: Uncrushed First Punks From The British Underground 1969 - 1970

TRASHCAN DARLINGS: Episode 1: The Lipstick Menace Glamour punk pioneers. Great melodies and riffs combined with kick ass beats.

David Bash’s Favourite Albums of 2005 Part 2

51. Champagne-Ready, Steady, Go! (Rock Indiana)

52. The Tearaways-Beat Yer Own Mersey (Fried)

53. The Royal Purple-Instant Analysis (Umbrella)

54. The Quags-Devil’s Music (Self-Released)

55. David Brookings-Chorus Verses The Bridge (Self-Released)

56. Robert Post-Robert Post (Mercury)

57. Dum Dog Run-Dum Dog Run (Fuseic)

58. Jeremy-Find The Way To Be Happy (Jam)

59. Orange Park-Songs From The Unknown (Young American)

60. BC Camplight-Hide, Run Away (One Little Indian)

61. Cheese-Enlarge Your Johnson (Pink Hedgehog)

62. The Edisons-Lost In The Dream (Self-Released)

63. The LeeVees-Hanukkah Rocks (Reprise)

64. Supergrass-Road To Rouen (Parlophone)

65. Nudge Em All-Sunn (Groovie Drunker)

66. Oasis-Don’t Believe The Truth (Big Brother)

67. The Afternoons-Rocket Summer (Saturday)

68. Jeremy-Only Love Remains (Jam)

69. Mark Johnson and the Wild Alligators-Mark Johnson and the Wild Alligators (Radioghost)

70. John Davis-John Davis (Rambler)

71. Johnny Society-Coming To Get You (Messenger)

72. Cone Of Silence-Sixty Grit Sandpaper & Other Delights (Melograph)

73. The Maharajas-A Third Opinion (Low Impact)

74. Mark DeCerbo & Four Eyes-Sweet On The Vine (Zip)

75. True Love-Wings (Not Lame)

76. Sebastian Clark-Songs From A Van (Self-Released)

77. Van Duren-Open Secret (Pure Pop Planet)

78. Tim Anthony-The Happy Door (Jealousy)

79. The Sealevel-Beach From Last Summer (Firestation)

80. Dave Dill-See You In The Sunshine (Pickled Sun)

81. Mitch Linker-Mitch Linker (Self-Released)

82. The Imprints-Sounds Of The Aftermath (Self-Released)

83. The Spring Collection-The Spring Collection (Blindspot)

84. Rinaldi Sings-What’s It All About? (Tangerine)

85. The Loons-Paraphernalia (UT)

86. The Latebirds-Radio Insomnia (Grandpop)

87. John Ashfield-Distance To Empty (Self-Released)

88. Carolyn Edwards-Carolyn Edwards (True Classical)

89. Peter, Bjorn, and John-Falling Out (Hidden Agenda)

90. The Rubinoos-Twist Pop Sin (Air Mail)

91. The Glimmer Stars-The Glimmer Stars (Candy Bang)

92. Zatopeks-Ain’t Nobody Left But Us (Stardumb)

93. Useless ID-Redemption (Kung Fu)

94. The Small Change-The Smash Change (Unsmashable)

95. The Redwalls-De Nova (Capitol)

96. Blake Jones & The Trike Shop-Pop Songs & Kyries (Whisper-ma-phone)

97. Of Montreal-The Sunlandic Twins (Polyvinyl)

98. The Capitals-Broadcast One (Self-Released)

99. Feedbacks-My Own Revolution (Rock Indiana)

100. Tan Sleeve-American Blood (Cheft)

To be continued….

David Bash’s Favourite Albums of 2005 Part 1

International Pop Overthrow main man David Bash has put together a comprehensive list of his favourite albums of 2005 which I will post over the next few day. Here is part 1:

Here are my lists of favorite albums of 2005. As is my usual custom, I’ve broken this down into several categories, as I’m just not comfortable ranking unlike entities on one list…

Contemporary Categories

I. Top 100 Albums: I could extend this list at least by another 100 and still say that I thought every album on the list was a good one, but at right around #100 my head was starting to hurt from so much ranking, so I thought that was a strong signal for me to stop here.

With all the albums I did rate, God knows I’ve probably still missed a few that should be here. Oh well, without further ado…

1. Sparkwood-Jalopy Pop (Self-Released)
2. The 88-Over And Over (Mootron)
3. The Well Wishers-Under The Arrows (Not Lame)
4. Chris von Sneidern-California Redemption Value (Mastromonia)
5. Fran Smith Jr. and the Ten Cent Millionaires-Man Meets Machine (Self-Released)
6. The Spongetones-Number 9 (Loaded Goat)
7. Valley Lodge-Valley Lodge (D-Text)
8. The Fire Apes-Central Park Carousel (Kool Kat Musik)
9. The Len Price 3-Chinese Burn (Laughing Outlaw)
10. Jensen Bell-Modern Dating Tips (JB Standard Media)
11. Pendletones-Nothing Happened, You Just Got A Little Bit Older (Sound Carrier)
12. The Tunes-Bright Yellow Sun (Grandpop)
13. Millicent Friendly-Downtime (I Like Music)
14. The Capitol Years-Let Them Drink (Burn and Shiver)
15. The Indikation-In Terms Of… (Teen Sound)
16. Captain Wilberforce-Mindfilming (Self-Released)
17. The Sunshine-Love (Groover)
18. Neon-Neon (Slanted)
19. Pugwash-Jollity (1969)
20. Twinklehead-Made For These Times (Rec 90)
21. Ambershades-Clap, Clap, Clap (J&D)
22. Silver Sun-Disappear Here (Invisible Hands)
23. Teenage Fanclub-Man Made (PeMa)
24. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives-Origin Vol. I (Warner Music)
25. Paul McCartney-Chaos And Creation In The Backyard (Capitol)
26. The Lovetones-Meditations (Teepee)
27. Derby-This Is The New You (Self-Released)
28. Kimberley Rew-Essex Hideaway (Bongobeat)
29. Big Kid-All Kidding Aside (BK Productions)
30. The Get Quick-How The Story Goes (Rainbow Quartz)
31. Vinyl Kings-Time Machine (Vinyl Kings)
32. Andy Mac-Music For A Bright Moon Sky (Stay Clean)
33. Nic Armstrong & The Thieves-The Greatest White Liar (New West)
34. The Orange Peels-Circling The Sun (Parasol)
35. The Contrast-Forget To Tell The Time (Rainbow Quartz)
36. The A Sides-Hello, Hello (Prizon Jazz)
37. Checkpoint Charley-Songs One Through Twelve (Packdergg Music)
38. Smash Palace-Over The Top (Self-Released)
39. Brendan Benson-The Alternative To Love (V2)
40. The Click Five-Greetings From Imrie House (Lava/Atlantic)
41. Sam Ashworth-Gonna Get It Wrong Before I Get It Right (Runway)
42. The Wellingtons-Keeping Up With The Wellingtons (Self-Released)
43. Kaiser Chiefs-Employment (Universal)
44. The Supahip-Seize The World (Not Lame)
45. The Rudds-Get The Femuline Hang On (Self-Released)
46. Sparrow-The Early Yr’s (Absolutely Kosher)
47. The Everyday Things-Lighten Up, Francis! (Not Lame)
48. Fugu-As Found (Third Side)
49. Fool’s Garden-Ready For The Real Life (Lemonade)
50. The Mockers-The Lonesome Death Of Electric Campfire (Zebra)

Stay tuned for Part 2!