Powderburn is an award-winning hard rock/heavy metal band from Austin, Texas. The Powderburn mission is to put a unique spin on modern metal, and maintain the utmost poise and professionalism. This has gained the band corporate sponsors, spots on national tours with some of the biggest bands in the world, and undeniable regional success.

If Rob Zombie was a bartender at the edge of the universe and he poured Alice in Chains, Metallica, and a dash of Guns N’ Roses into a stainless steel shaker and squeezed in a tiny peel of Stevie Ray Vaughn, he’d have a delicious new drink he could name Powderburn.

The indie rock band is currently recording 2 new songs. Check out their creative process.

Southern California band, Knock-Out, will be performing shows with Kung Fu Records’ The Vandals.

The independent band’s latest release, Another Wasted Night,  was put out on California Street Music.

The Vandals are gearing up for their annual Christmas Shows, which will include a show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, Calif. on Dec. 19th.

Check out more California Street Music bands at the Web site.

Looking at the current pop/rock landscape, the evidence would seem to suggest that it’s no longer possible for rock to be inventive, smart and appealing to a broad audience.

Spy For Hire fly in the face of that rather exhausted conventional wisdom. Their debut album, Speak In Numbers, is filled to the brim with songs that display a striking skill, intelligence and pop appeal. In listening, one can’t help but feel the possibilities of melodic rock being revitalized for a new era.

Based in the Atlanta/Columbus GA area, Spy For Hire are comprised of Ryan Rulon on vocals and guitar, Andy Rich on lead guitar, James Salter on bass and Jared Meharg on drums. Formed in 2004, the band has a bond that goes back to Ryan and Andy’s high school days.

Nightmare of You has proven that practices makes for vast improve with their sophmore album, Infomaniac. The New York City-based indie rock band has created an album based on synergetic instrumental measures.

The background of the indie band’s musical influences of the Talking Heads and Supergrass surely rounds out the sophisticated sound Nightmare of You provides on the CD.

The first line that captured my ear is “Someday, but not today,” which is a laid back track that gives us the “struggling life experience,” which incorporates a tasteful guitar solo.

The soulful song, “Experimental Bed,” is lead in by a hip-hop drum beat and is accompanied by a classic rock guitar sound that leaves you wanting more.

Photo by Ryan Nicholson

Wild Light, on tour with their new critically-acclaimed album Adult Nights, has launched a fan-created video contest in response to pre-existing fan footage on YouTube.

In a video announcing the contest, band member Seth Pitman explains: “We’ve seen some great fan-created Wild Light videos up on YouTube recently, and honestly, I want to see more.”

The San Jose, Calif. based quintent has opened eyes and ears with their latest self-titled release. Already making noise with their first single, “You’re A Fake”, the band has hit the radio airwaves and have been touring in support of the album.

The album is filled with sing-along tracks that will have fans screaming lyrics during live shows.  

I Am Empire’s intro track, “Encompass”, sets the stage with an in your face guitar riff and trascends into an all-around rock track that will keep the lyric, “We are the lost and found…” in your head for days.

As mentioned, “You’re A Fake”,  blazes out of the speakers with lead guitar picking accompanied by a solid riff, which leads into the lyric, “Get up, Get up!!”. This song has just began to break out the band, and has lasting power.

The indie rock band is currently on tour in Scotland.

Tony Lovato

Kisses For Kings have added “Bad Disease” and “Forgive Me” to their list of new songs on their site. The L.A. based band is currently in the studio working on a new album.

KFK was developed by former Mest leader singer/guitarist Tony Lovato. The band has had to deal with various band members, but have gone into the studio with a solid core of musicians.

Visit www.myspace.com/kissesforkings for more information about the indie band.