From Coachella to The White House, Yo Gabba Gabba! are hotter than ever and hitting the road to tour North America

If you don’t know of Yo Gabba Gabba! – You’re missing out. If you do know of YGG!, but think it’s all child’s play – You’re wrong.

What started out as a children’s television show in 2007 has become a true cultural phenomenon, as the YGG! crew is now loved by college students, adults, and hipsters worldwide. Why? How? It’s simple really. YGG! always manages to snag the best musical guests (they even played Coachella this year!) Think Weezer, DEVO, Of Montreal, Hot Hot Heat, MGMT, The Ting Tings, Snoop Dogg, The Killers, The Roots, and oh so many more! Now their YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! Tour is hitting the road and coming to Canada September 4 – 19.

Montreal, (Monday, May 31, 2010) — Fresh off a triumphant sold-out tour debut, a headlining performance at The White House, a critically-acclaimed, chart-topping album, and an appearance at Coachella that garnered rave reviews from spectators and media alike (Video), DJ Lance Rock and the cast of YO GABBA GABBA! are heading back on the road with YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! to play to enthusiastic fans in Canada. Today’s hottest live show for families will tour Canada from September 4 to 19. YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! is produced by S2BN Entertainment in association with Wildbrain Entertainment and The Magic Store and presented by DKD Events.

Champions on the stage and in the community, the Gabba Gang will partner with Child Find and The Missing Children’s Network to further their efforts to bring home missing children in Canada. In addition, $1 from every ticket sold for YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE!: THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY! will be donated to the local Child Find affiliate and The Missing Children’s Network in Montreal.

VIP packages with premium tickets and meet and greets will also be available. For complete tour, ticket information and VIP packages, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com.

The state-of-the-art production features music, singing, dancing and animation.  The show is an interactive experience that offers audience members of all ages the opportunity to witness their favorite characters come to life.  Joining the characters on stage will be hip-hop legend Biz Markie to teach kids how to beat box with “Biz’s Beat of the Day”.  Special guests will join the party on stage for the Super Music Friends Show and Dancey Dance segments.

Released in October, 2009, YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME Volume 1 topped kids and overall music charts at iTunes (#1 kids album), Amazon (top 5 kids album) and Target sales, which reached more than 40,000 copies in only 6 months since its release. YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME was picked as one of 2009’s top holiday gifts for toddlers by both PARENTS magazine and the popular Mom web destination MomLogic.com.  YO GABBA GABBA!: MUSIC IS AWESOME Volume 2 will be released on iTunes and will hit shelves nationwide this September.

Dates, venues and ticket prices are subject to change.

About Yo Gabba Gabba!
Yo Gabba Gabba! premiered in the U.S. on Nickelodeon in August, 2007 and currently ranks as one of the most popular children series on television.   Yo Gabba Gabba!, was voted as one of the best new shows on television by TIME magazine, won a BAFTA Award in 2008, was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Television” Award by the Television Critics Association, and is a two-time Emmy nominee. The series airs three times a day, seven days a week on Nick Jr. and in Australia, Canada, Israel, Latin America, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K.

Yo Gabba Gabba! infuses retro-style and beat-driven music to teach simple life lessons through music. The series stars DJ Lance Rock (Lance Robertson) and a cast of colorful characters, including: Brobee, the little green one, Foofa, the pink flower bubble, Muno, the red Cyclops, Toodee, the blue cat-dragon and Plex, the yellow robot. Today’s most popular names in movies, television, music and sports flock to guest star in the groundbreaking show, including Jack Black, Rachel Dratch, Melora Hardin, Tony Hawk, Biz Markie, Jack McBrayer, MGMT, Mark Mothersbaugh, The Roots, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, The Shins, Amare Stoudemire, The Ting Tings, Jimmy Eat World and Elijah Wood, among others.  Yo Gabba Gabba! toys, apparel and other merchandise are sold in stores nationwide in the U.S. and have skyrocketed in popularity.  Yo Gabba Gabba! is recommended as a trusted program for preschoolers by The Smart Television Alliance, a non-profit organization comprised of leading non-profit children’s media organizations including Common Sense Media, Parents’ Choice Foundation, Parents Television Council and Coalition for Quality children’s Media: KIDS FIRST!.  Visit www.yogabbagabba.com.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR COMES TO CANADA IN SEPTEMBER FOR SINGING & DANCING AND TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL CHILD FIND AFFILIATE

Saturday, September 4 – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, Toronto

Sunday, September 5 – Place des Arts, Montreal

Wednesday, September 8 – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton

Thursday, September 9 – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary

Sat. & Sun., Sept. 11 & 12 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver

Tuesday, September 14 – Brandt Centre, Regina

Wednesday, September 15 – MTS Centre Theatre, Winnipeg

Saturday, September 18 – John Labatt Centre, London

Sunday, September 19 – Scotiabank Place, Ottawa

$1 From Every Ticket Sold To Benefit Local Child Find Affiliates and The Missing Children’s Network

Punk pioneers Pennywise ready for Canadian stint: September 3 – 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PUNK PIONEERS PENNYWISE READY FOR CANADIAN STINT
TOUR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3 IN QUEBEC AND WRAPS UP SEPTEMBER 17 IN VANCOUVER
BAND IS REINTRODUCING ITSELF WITH NEW LEAD SINGER ZOLI TEGLAS

August 24, 2010—California South Bay punk stalwarts Pennywise, a main stage standout on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour, with Zoli Teglas of Orange County’s Ignite as the band’s new and permanent vocalist, will be taking its act across the Great White North during a brief Canadian tour kicking off September 3 in Quebec and wrapping up on September 17 in Vancouver. Read more

Gaslight Anthem guitarist Alex Rosamilia offers a glimpse into the explosive band and explains why “The Gaslight Anthem is – it just is”

Sure, it’s only August, and 2010 still has four whole months to deliver musically, but The Gaslight Anthem’s latest release, American Slang, is already looking, or I suppose sounding, like the best album of the year. The New Jersey natives’ third album, which was released this past June, is easily the best punk/rock offering to have come my way in a very, very long time. The sense of truth which the record emanates is hauntingly beautiful, and there’s no arguing with the band’s musical abilities either. And turns out the guys put on a wicked live show as well, so what more can one really ask for?

Following the band’s set at Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival – where Brian Fallon (vocals/guitar), Alex Rosamilia (guitar), Alex Levine (bass), and Ben Horowitz (drums) played to a crowd filled with devoted fans and entranced, soon to become devoted fans – Rosamilia took time to offer The Rock and Roll Report a glimpse into the explosive band, define his odd man out status, and even explain floccinaucinihilipilification. Yes, that’s a real word. And it all began with a bench by the water, a sigh of relief, and the declaration that, “It’s hard to have that much energy at like, three in the afternoon!”

Q: That’s what I was just going to ask – when you’re stuck with an early set time like today’s 3 p.m., is it hard to get on stage and be full force?

A: It is if you, you know, sometimes I’ve woken up and we’re on in like twenty minutes, but because of the border cross I got up pretty early today … But before we go on I listen to the same five/eight songs every day to try to get myself in the same mindset no matter where I am, or what time it is. Read more

Vans Warped Tour’s two best-kept secrets: After Midnight Project and Riverboat Gamblers

The Vans Warped Tour has become known for being able to bring together some of the best acts from across the punk, rock, and metal spectra – think Andrew W.K. and The Dillinger Escape Plan (who we recently covered) – slap them all onto one bill, and create an unforgettable (and mad) full-day live music extravaganza. But perhaps what’s even greater is all of the up-and-coming bands it introduces attendees to. Case in point, if it wasn’t for VWT 2010, I would have never stumbled across the following two bands, and my iPod’s repertoire would have been a lot less rockin’. The two standout gems of this year’s Warped Tour, which I discovered at the festival’s Montreal stop, are (drumroll, please): After Midnight Project and Riverboat Gamblers. Read more

The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato offers up one of the most interesting and truthful interviews to ever hit The Rock and Roll Report. Really.

The Dillinger Escape Plan has been wreaking havoc on the music scene since 1997, which is a lot longer than most bands could (or should) persevere. Heck, they’ve been active longer than The Beatles.

Longevity is never without its ups and down however and DEP has certainly experienced its fair share; from numerous lineup changes to, most recently, label drama. But thanks to their ever-evolving nature and standout extremism, the band has proven that they really are unstoppable. March saw the release of their fourth full-length studio album, Option Paralysis, which is (arguably, I suppose) their best record to date.

In June, DEP hit the road as part of this year’s Vans Warped Tour and, following their Montreal date, singer Greg Puciato took time to talk about his personal attachment to Option Paralysis, on-stage injuries, and oh so much more.

Q: You’re currently on the Warped Tour, how’s it been treating you so far?

A: It’s been great. Anyone that complains on any tour when they make their living playing rock n’ roll is an asshole, so the only acceptable answer to this question EVER is “great.” Read more

Andrew W.K. proves he’s the ultimate authority on partying hard, talks Vans Warped Tour, and shares his love for Canada

“Rockstars” have never been known for their humility. Rather, the trend has always appeared to be that the more fame an artist achieves, the less accommodating they become. Especially if they’re truly talented and musically gifted. Apparently Andrew W.K. never got that memo.

I caught up with the ultimate spokesman for partying hard when the Vans Warped Tour stopped in Montreal and was immediately surprised by the organization and smoothness of all things related to Andrew W.K. As most musicians “forgot” about their interview times, Andrew showed up only about a minute late to his 1:30 p.m. press time and immediately launched into interviews, before heading off to a three hour meet-and-greet extravaganza with his fans. The multi-instrumentalist, who can rock a piano as if he were Beethoven’s prodigy, is not only know for his solid music, but also for his live shows, which are packed with unrivaled energy and good times.

Read more

The Raveonettes’ Sharin Foo talks touring, nerves, being a duo, and opening for Iggy Pop

The Raveonettes are, by far, Denmark’s coolest export. The alt-rock duo is comprised of Sune Rose Wagner (who juggles guitar, vocals, and an array of other instruments, as needed) and Sharin Foo (who reigns over bass, guitar, and vocals.) October of 2009 saw the release of their fourth full-length album, In And Out Of Control, which was then followed by a string of live shows (and now, worldwide festival gigs). I caught up with Sharin in Toronto, during the NXNE festival, on the morning of The Raveonettes’ rocking gig, which saw them open up for Iggy and the Stooges in Yonge-Dundas Square.

Q: You’re scheduled to play a bunch of summer festivals all around the world, do you enjoy the traveling, or does it get tiring?

A: No, I like it actually. I actually do like playing only one, or two, or three shows; it’s really exciting. The traveling can be a little tiresome, jetlag and that kind of stuff, but I find touring can be a little harder sometimes because it’s so monotonous. You have to play five, six shows in a row and it’s harder to find that sort of excitement. So, actually, I do like doing the [dispersed] shows. It can be a little more terrifying because maybe it’s like a week or two since we played, and you’re like “oh, okay!,” but yeah, it’s fun.

Read more

Hot Hot Heat get candid and explain what rock and roll is all about, and how it got effed up

You may not know it yet, but Hot Hot Heat might just be the band that saves Canada’s rock scene. The group’s latest record, Future Breeds, hit shelves (physical and virtual) on June 8th, and proved that the darlings of rock have done it again. First appearing on British Columbia’s music scene in 1999, Hot Hot Heat may have gone through a lot of changes over the years, but one constant has always been their signature quirkiness, stellar musicianship and intoxicating sounds.

I had the chance to sit down with drummer Paul Hawley and bassist Luke Paquin at Toronto’s Red Bull Headquarters during the NXNE festival, as Hot Hot Heat prepped for an exclusive performance at the intimate, loft-style locale. What follows is not a typical Q&A interview, but rather an open conversation that allows one to gain a glimpse into what Hot Hot Heat is all about, and what the band members’ personalities are truly like.

Luke: Once you hit play [on your recorder], I’ll get serious so …

Paul: Well, if you hit play we’re going to hear some other interview you did.

Me: You’ll probably hear Alice Cooper then.

Luke: What, today? Where? Was it a phoner?

Me: Yeah, he apparently doesn’t like to do interviews in person.

Paul: Really? I don’t like to do them on the phone. I like to do them in person, but I’m also like, half his age.

Luke: Well, the thing about Alice Cooper is; he’s a pretty big deal. Read more

Tracy Bonham talks new album, Steven Tyler’s love of slides, crying on Stevie Wonder’s suit, and, of course, the song that started it all

Many a music lover know of Tracy Bonham thanks to her Grammy-nominated debut, The Burdens of Being Upright, and its quirky, unforgettable star single, “Mother Mother.” However, fewer know (shame on you!) of the numerous releases, both full-length albums and EPs, that followed, delivering the same high caliber of original, infectious songs as Burdens. So, you owe it to yourself to add some more Bonham to your CD rack (um, I meant iPod), and now is the perfect time to do so, as she gears up to release her first full-length album in five years, Masts of Manhatta, on July 13^th.

The R&RR recently had the chance to catch up with Bonham and talk Masts, Steven Tyler’s love of slides, crying on Stevie Wonder’s suit, and, of course, the song that started it all.

Read more

Special Ops Kick Off North American ‘Through the Heart of the Infidel’ Tour

Special Ops Invade “Through The Heart of The Infidel” Canada & US Tour Dates Presented by RockstarWeekly.com

Having just released their third studio album “Through The Heart of The Infidel” via Vancouver label Thorny Bleeder Records (digitally April 27th and CD in stores on May 25th), Montreal rockers Special Ops are proud to announce their “Through the Heart of the Infidel Tour” presented by RockstarWeekly.com. The tour will kick off in Toronto on April 28th and see the infantry invade Canada and the US in support of this latest release. Read more

Next Page »