Austin-via-Boston act Frank Smith (The Lot Six, Drexel) will return with a new album in 2009, their sixth overall. The album will be titled Big Strike in Silver City and was recorded at The Bubble in Austin TX by Alex Lyon. You can check out the song "Highway Eyes" at Austin Sound.

Oklahoma/Missouri based Hulzsum will release a new single titled Babylon Lies In Ruin on January 14th, 2009. The new music from the "experimental punk rock band" should be available via iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and other digital stores.

Innerstrength Records has signed Washington, DC based grind / metal act Chyme. The band plans to enter the studio in early February to record their as-yet-untitled debut full length. A late Spring release is planned.