New York, NY's Sonic Youth have begun work on a new album. The band recently completed their contract with Geffen through the release of Rather Ripped in 2006, and will be returning to an independent label. Says leader Moore to Rolling Stone:

“There’s one label we are certainly going to go with at this point,” he says. “But I don’t think I’m allowed to disclose that right now. I don’t want to risk having a shit storm. I’ve written a half-dozen song ideas. I try not to complete them so much. Last time we got together, we were creating sort of new band-zone-vibe sort of things. It feels great The last four or five records we did were just so compromised by that [major label] situation. But that’s the way it goes.

This album will put the band's back catalog up in the 20s, including the recently re-released Goo [Deluxe Edition]. The band also just released a Greatest Hits record.

The BBC and AP are reporting that Gorki Aguila, a jailed Cuban punk rocker, will stand trial Friday for "social dangerousness." Aguila, lead singer of the band Porno Para Ricardo, has been an outspoken critic of Fidel and Raul Castro and the island nation's communist government. Cuban law defines "social dangerousness" as behavior that runs contrary to "communist morality." It allows authorities to detain offenders before they commit an actual crime. If found guilty the 39 year old could face up to four years in prison.

Porno Para Ricardo guitarist Ciro Diaz was quoted by the AP stating that "these kinds of trials are very biased. It's difficult for someone to be absolved. A lawyer can do very little because there's no evidence of criminal activity presented, only what the police say." The band recently completed their new record, which they intend to have online soon.

Bloomington, IN's Defiance, Ohio recently recorded the new song "Hair Pool" on a video for the website If You Make It as part of the site's Pink Couch series, where bands record songs live while sitting on a pink couch. Defiance, Ohio released The Fear, The Fear, The Fear last year through No Idea.

You can watch the video here.

Portland, OR's Austin Lucas has signed with Suburban Home Records. After cutting his teeth in a variety of crust, grind, and punk groups throughout the Midwest and Czech Republic, Lucas released Putting the Hammer Down earlier this year on Magic Bullet.

Lucas is currently writing and recording his new album this fall, and it should see a release date of March 2009. He will also be joining a few dates of the much talked about Revival Tour later on this year.

Graeme MacKinnon from Edmonton's The Wednesday Night Heroes is an entrant in the CBC's Hockey Night In Canada Anthem Challenge. The band commented:

This is totally ridiculous, and I think pretty hilarious. Graeme MacKinnon, from the Wednesday Night Heroes, and Wilfred Kozub from Wilfred N and The Grown Men, have entered a song into the CBC's Hockey Night In Canada Anthem Challenge. The song is called "Our Night (Hockey Night)" and is an ode to bootboy stormers like Slade, Geordie and even a little Gary Glitter (pre-pedophile era)!!!! Hear it for yourself, and have a laugh and a say!!!!

You can check out Graeme and Wilfred's entry here.

If you've been living outside of Canada (or inside of Canada and under a rock), you might not know that earlier this year the CBC (somewhat embarrassingly) lost the rights to the iconic and instantly recognizable theme song to their Hockey Night In Canada television program. They've since opened up a competition to Canadians to create a new theme, with heavyweights like Burton Cummings competing against basement musicians across the country. The entrants can be previewed and commented upon here.

Popular Solid State metalcore act Underoath are channeling their inner Wonka and offering fans a chance to win a golden ticket in their new full length. Several copies of the band's new record Lost In The Sound Of Separation will contain a lifetime pass to any of the band's shows, anywhere in the world.

The Tampa, Florida based band's new record hits stores on September 2nd and follows up 2006's Define the Great Line.

Jeff Dean from Chicago's Four Star Alarm recently posted a lengthy recording update. The band is now mixing with J Robbins (Against Me!, Dismemberment Plan, member of Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Government Issue).

I had been talking to J Robbins while this whole process was happening,and he was real excited about the idea of mixing our record (fucking crazy!). So before I knew it, I was in Magpie Cage studio with J. mixing this thing. J brought a completely new take on the recording,and I think the record is better for it. So what now? We have been going over the mixes, figuring out a couple adjustments and after that is straightened out we are sending it out to be mastered. We are hoping to have it back in our hands by the beginning of September, it's being mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.

You can find the whole account by clicking Read More.

Four Star Alarm is Jeff Dean (ex the Story So Far, Tomorrow's Gone and current member of the Bomb) on guitar, Greg Mytych (ex the Reputation, current Horace Pinker) on bass, Theodore Moss on vocals and Erick Kane (current Strike Anywhere) on drums. They released a two song 7" last year via Underground Communique Records and in 2006 issued their debut EP via Thick Records.

Huntington Station, New York's Yes Sensi have announced details on a number of new releases planned for the later half of the year. The band has a 7" titled 3 Songs to be released by Rok Lok Records and the UK based Russian Folk Stories. You can preview "Don't Fear The Riffer" at the band's MySpace page. The band will then release two new songs on a split 7" with CMR and will contribute a new track to an upcoming Dead Broke Rekerdz compilation.

The band last released their self-titled third full length in 2007 on Rok Lok.

Australia's Hobbledehoy Record Co has announced plans to release new material from Jamie Hay. Hay was a member of influential Newcastle act Conation and currently plays A Death In The Family and Fear Like Us. He also has a new studio project dubbed Tyre Swans, which also features Donnie Dureau of Blueline Medic. That record will be released soon on the Poison City label.

Hobbledehoy has plans to release a 7" and new CD full length from the artist in the new year.

Chicago, IL's A Lull, which features former members of the Evaluation, Ateriavia, and the Skies We Built, have just released their debut single titled "Skinny Fingers/ Little Echoes." The band has that and another song available as a free download online at their MySpace page.

California's The Singularity are recording a cover of Crimpshrine's "Another Day" for a tribute album to be released by Brotherhood Of The Snake. The tribute will also feature contributions from Off With Their Heads and the Blank Heads among others. The Singularity is currently hard at work on their upcoming full length. Hit MySpace for more details.

Squirrely Records has signed Phoenix Arizona's My Doll. The band joins a roster that features Josh Hollow and New York Taxi. You can preview some of the punk band's music at MySpace.

Portland, Oregon's 31Knots may not be known as the most accessible band making music today. However, their latest album, Worried Well, released this year on Polyvinyl is about as catchy as experimental post-rock gets. Our very own Jesse recently caught up with the band's vocalist Joe Haege to talk about what the band has been up to.

You can click Read More for the interview.

The Girls have announced tour plans in support of their upcoming full length Dirtnap release Yes No Yes No Yes No. The Seattle quintet will perform at Bumbershoot at the end of the month then hit the road in mid September with shows scheduled into October. On their way the group will meet up with acts like Flogging Molly, the Pink Spiders and Ben Weasel. Click below for the details.

At one time or another the Girls have featured members of the Briefs, the Spits, the Catheters, and the Cute Lepers. The band's current line up features vocalist Shannon Brown, guitarist Vas Kumar, bassist Griff, keyboardist Derek Mason and drummer Elie Goral.

With the release of their acclaimed new full length The ’59 Sound there amount of Gaslight Anthem media hitting our mailbox has exploded. If you've not yet had your fill here's some new video content that recently hit the net.

TV station Fuse has a set of clips online from the band's recent SURS interview. They discuss their thoughts on vinyl, the making of their new video and musical influences. You can check it out here.

The band also recently make their debut in Australia. Web site Moshcam filmed their show in Sydney at the Annandale Hotel on Wednesday July 30th. You can now stream the entire show for free here.

The Casting Out, which includes Nathan Gray of Boy Sets Fire, have detailed their debut full length Go Crazy! Throw Fireworks!. The album will be self-released in October and will feature 12 songs. Click below for the track listing.

The songs "Quixote's Last Ride" and "These Alterations" are available at the band's MySpace page. The band will play shows in October with the Bouncing Souls and Strike Anywhere, cumulating in an appearance at The Fest weekend in Gainesville.

Steve Foley, who played drums for The Replacements late in their career, died this past weekend in Minneapolis. He was 49. Reports are citing an accidental overdose of prescription medication as the cause.

In 1990 Foley, who had played in Minneapolis bands such as Curtiss A, Wheelo and Snaps, was brought in to replace original Mats drummer Chris Mars. He toured with the band until their final show on July 4, 1991 in Chicago's Grant Park. He and his brother later joined Tommy Stinson's band Bash & Pop. In recent years Steve worked as a car salesman in Minneapolis.

Our deepest condolences go out to Steve's family and friends.