The four year old Ska Is Dead Tour returns once again for Skanksgiving '08. The tour is confirmed for two large festival shows on November 15th and 16th, in Foxborough, MA and Sayreville, NJ, respectively. The lineup features The Pietasters, The Toasters, Mustard Plug, Westbound Train, Bomb the Music Industry!, Big D and the Kids Table, and more to be announced.

For more information, you can visit the official website or the tour's MySpace page.

Killing the Dream will be hitting the road next month in support of their new album, Fractures.

You can click Read More for the dates.

Crust/metal act Kylesa have announced plans to enter the studio to begin work on their forthcoming release:

We've been writing a new record over the past few months and we're about to head to the Jam Room studio on Monday to begin tracking. We're excited to record a new album since it's been two years since we recorded "Time Will Fuse its Worth". It's hard to believe it's been that long! The cd will be released on Prosthetic Records in early 09 and the vinyl version will come out around the same time. Phillip will be producing the record. We'll send a few updates and photos from the studio.

The band is also gearing up for a Japanese reissue of their album, Time Will Fuse Its Worth. The new version promises redsigned "matchbook"-style packaging with foil stamping and metallic ink colors. To coincide with the album, the band will be headed to Japan for the first time ever.

Legendary post-punks Wire will be hitting the road this fall in support of their latest album, 2008's Object 47. The veteran band will be hitting venues in the UK, Europe, Canada and the United States beginning in September.

You can click Read More for the dates.

The Dirty Hearts are from Austin and apparently have spent some time in the garage. Pigs is poised to be their breakthrough, an LP that ranges from ragers to dark, introspective tracks. The album is out on Socyermom Records.

Check out the full album at the Dirty Hearts' Punknews.org Band Profile.

The Night Marchers have announced their summer tour dates. The band includes members of Beehive and the Barracudas, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt and will be supporting See You in Magic, their debut.

You can click Read More for the dates.

Mineapolis, MN's Apocalypse Meow! Have posted two songs on their MySpace page. This band is made up of Justin Francis (Off with Their Heads) and Wil Simon (Cortez the Killer). Off With Their Heads will release From The Bottom on July 22, 2008.

The songs are streamable here

Thrice has apparently begun work on a new DVD. The band posted an announcement today soliciting questions from fans for an "ask the band"-type segment. The band explained:

You can ask the band about anything...live performances, touring, production techniques, specific albums, songs, or anything else you wanted to know about Thrice. Just email thrice@vagrant.com with your question.

The band will go through the questions and pick their favorites. Yours just might get answered on camera for the forthcoming DVD release. The opportunity to ask is limited, so hurry up and get your question submitted.

The band most recently completed their four EP cycle which includes The Alchemy Index: Volumes I & II: Fire & Water and The Alchemy Index: Volumes III & IV: Earth & Air.

A report from CMJ announces that big box retailer Best Buy has launched a new program to stock their shelves and online store with regional and local artists. The promotion is a partnership with Regional CD, a indie distributor which will allow bands to sell music directly without their own distribution or even a label.

Approved artists are considered based on Myspace/Facebook page, fan base, and local performances, and will be paid for every CD sold.

You can submit your own music via this page or read more about the program here.

Buffalo, NY's Dead Hearts are calling it a day. The band explained:

Our singer Derek informed us today that he was no longer able to continue doing the band due to commitments back home. We respect that decision and think it would be pointless to carry on without him.

The band has cancelled their upcoming tour with Know the Score and Energy. They most recently released Bitter Verses on Ferret.

The Aquabats have begun posting clips from the pilot of their long-in-developer TV project, The Aquabats! Super Show.. The band added:

This spring the Aquabats completed a pilot for a new television show based on the misadventures of rock and roll's greatest super dude men. Talked about and developed for well over a decade, the pilot is finally finished!

To celebrate the wrap, the band is planning a special screening of the pilot at their San Diego House of Blues show on July 25th. The band will be performing that night as well as making some special appearances at Comicon in San Diego.

You can click Read More for the first two clips.

Providence, RI's Soul Control have posted all four songs from their upcoming four 7-inch cycle. The band recorded at the Getaway Group studio with Jay Maas Each song appears on a one song / one sided 7" on a different label. The cover art for each of the four records can be combined to form a larger image. The labels involved are Triple B Records, Teenage Disco Bloodbath Records, Hex Records and Dead But Dreaming Records.

You can check out the songs here.

Bayside, The Matches, Valencia and The Status will be hitting the road together this fall on the "Involuntary Movement Tour." Tickets are available here.

Bayside is currently in the studio in Los Angeles recording new album Shudder, set for release on September 30, 2008. Produced by David Schiffman (Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Johnny Cash), it is the follow-up to 2007's The Walking Wounded, which has just been re-released as a Gold Edition, including a DVD with behind-the-scenes documentary, live show and music videos.

You can click Read More for the dates.

Saul Williams has posted the newest video from his recently collaboration with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor. The record recently saw a proper physical version after the original donation-only release, The Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, was released last year.

You can click Read More for the video.

Saddle Creek has signed Montreal, Canada's Land of Talk. The band will be releasing their Saddle Creek debut in October.

You can check some music from their previous album, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, on their myspace page.

A Thorn For Every Heart have booked a tour kicking off later this week. The band released Pick Up the Pieces this year, after ending their relationship with major label Interscope Records last fall.

You can click Read More for the dates.

Philadelphia, PA's The Dead Milkmen will headline one of the day of this year's Fun Fun Fun Festival in Austin, TX, according to a message on the Dead Milkmen's message board from drummer Dean Clean:

Yes its true. Looks like they posted about it in the newspaper already:
Austin360.com Austin Sound Keep your browser pointed here to find out more as it develops: http://www.funfunfunfest.com/ Of course I"ll be posting info about it on the home page when more details are available. So...y'all come on down to Austin to see us ya'hear?! -- Dean

The festival, which takes place on November 8th - 9th, will mark the second reunion since the passing of original bassist Dave Blood. Playing bass for the band for this show is Dandrew Stevens. The original message can be viewed here. The band released the retrospective Now We Are 20 in 2003.