Dashboard Confessional
Rock Band Live Tour
Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL
October 22, 2008

Chris Carrabba (lead vocals/guitar)

Wow! What a difference two shows can make. The first time I saw Dashboard Confessional live in concert was at Milwaukee’s Summerfest. I was honestly so bored with the slow, whining love songs that make up the majority of “emo” music and DC’s catalogue that I left the show early and went home. Here’s the thing: If I am standing up for an hour and half at a general admission show, then I do NOT want to hear painfully slow, sappy songs about someone’s love life not working out perfectly like a freaking fairytale. I want to dance, move, and sing along! Well, I was quite hesitant when I knew I would be standing on a GA floor at the Rock Band Live Tour watching Dashboard Confessional again. But to my surprise, the band played mostly upbeat, catchy pop songs. I was genuinely shocked! I ended up enjoying their songs and singing along once my ears caught onto the hooks and memorable choruses. I was so happy to not be bored and now I cannot wait to see Dashboard Confessionalagain!

Another plus from my second dose of Dashboard was frontman Chris Carrabba’s AMAZING voice! This dude can belt like the best of the divas: Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston… you get the idea. I had no idea he could sing like that – holding out high notes at full volume for what seemed like an eternity. I was impressed to say the least. And of course, the fact that Carrabba is equally as talented on piano as he is on guitar won me over for good. Not sure why I wasn’t aware that he played piano, but now I am. Yay for piano-rock! Moral of my story? Even if your first show with an artist is a bad experience, definitely consider giving that band and/or singer another chance. You never know what could happen. Maybe you could become a fan for life, go out the next day and buy the album, download the record on iTunes that same night when you get home, etc. Who knows? Go to as many shows as possible and you will eventually have some of the greatest musical experiences of your life…

P.S. Make sure you catch the Rock Band Live Tour when it comes to a city near you. Why? Because Chris Carrabba and Co. bring out The Cab and the Plain White T’s to sing an awesome cover of P!nk’s “So What.” It pretty much made my night. And now all I can think about is seeing P!nk on her next tour cuz that song RULES!!!

More photos of the Dashboard Confessional band members from the show after the jump.

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First Episode Premieres Today!

His gaze is hypnotic. His looks… devastating.  Women want him, and men want to be him.
He is BEARDO, and he has .tv by the underpants.  Nothing will be the same.

Click Here To View “Beardo”

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Produced By Bernard Butler (Suede, Duffy & Manic Street Preachers)
CMJ 2008 Favorites/ Happy As Can Be EP Out Now

Pitchfork Media At CMJ 2008 :  http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/146701-cmj-tuesday-marc-hogan

CMJ.com At CMJ 2008  :  http://www.cmj.com/relay/?p=5604

Sentimentalist At CMJ 2008 :   http://www.sentimentalistmag.com/2008/10/22/cmj-music-marathon-tuesday-102108/

Metro NY At CMJ 2008 :   http://newyork.metromix.com/music/photogallery/cmj-2008-day-1/706289/content

“Power-pop ooh-lahs, hip-rocking post-punk backbeats, and sleek guitar fingerings.” Spin Magazine

“Swirling, elegiac punk.” Dazed & Confused Magazine UK

“Honestly, what’s not to love? ” NME

“Swooooon”  Vice Magazine

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If you are in the Las Vegas Area come out tonight for Hinder’s Album Release Party and Show. It’s taking place at the Pearl Theater in the Palms. Tickets are just $28 a piece.

Also on a special note, part of Hinder’s performance will be broadcast live on Jimmy Kimmel tonight. Be there for the festivities or catch it on the TV or for some, Tivo.

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We ran into Duff from Velvet Revolver on Sunday at Harley Davidson’s Love Ride. I asked Duff what was new and what he was up to. Duff said Velvet Revolver is still alive and that they are going through many mp3’s from singers. He says, “There are so many talented people.” They are taking their time in the selection process because according to Duff, “We want to give everyone a fair chance.” He goes on to elaborate on the process; he wants to give the 10th guy they listened to the same objective perspective as they did the first guy.

On a Harley note, on the last tour Duff took his bike out on tour and drove it across America. He said that it was amazing to do that and see the country. He also rode his bike for the Love Ride.

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The End of the World host an afternoon of listening to their new album French Exit in which each song will be introduced and toasted by a friend of the band. The event will be held at Manhattan’s EAR Inn, a wonderful bar and designated New York City landmark. The location was chosen to highlight the classic nature of both the album and the celebration.

Private Party (Limited Seating so please RSVP as soon as possible)
RSVP: kip@tellallyourfriendspr.com

The Listening Party will be followed by a Record Release Party on November 8th at Studio at Webster Hall

French Exit Out November 11th On Flameshovel/Pretty Activity Records

Click Here To Listen To “Jody”

Listed In Pitchfork’s Fall 2008 Album Guide

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/node/146080

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Is Eminem’s Relapse coming out two days before Christmas? According to Amazon.com, Slim Shady’s return may be dropping December 23rd. Interscope hasn’t released official word about Relapse’s release date, and Amazon has altered the listing to the vague “TBD” since news of the pre-order page spread; Amazon has proven to be a trustworthy oracle regarding albums that were not yet announced. In the past year, both the Raconteurs’ surprise release of Consolers of the Lonely and Rivers Cuomo’s upcoming Alone II were revealed via Amazon pre-order pages rather than traditional press releases. Plus, Em himself hinted that Relapse could be out before the end of the year, and two days before the most marketable day of the year makes more sense from a sales standpoint than a post-Christmas release.

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I know this is partially old news by now but for the last couple of weeks I have been out of the country totally out of touch with recent news. While I was at the airport late last night I was reading the front pages at one of the newsstands to learn former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson had offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her seven-year-old nephew following the murder of Hudson’s mother and brother in Chicago. Unfortunately, the story has taken a sad turn. Authorities confirm that the body of a seven-year-old boy found in a vehicle similar to the one for which authorities issued an Amber Alert is Hudson’s nephew, Julian King. The body and vehicle were found in Upper Chicago on Monday morning, not far from where police apprehended the suspect in the murders of Hudson’s mother and brother. Police have declined comment on the boy’s identity. Late last Friday, the bodies of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered shot to death in their Chicago home. Police reportedly have a suspect in custody, Hudson’s brother-in-law and King’s father, William Balfour. No charges have been filed in the case, but Balfour is being held for violating his parole while authorities investigate. Julian’s mother, Julia Hudson, had pleaded for her son’s return, saying “All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let my baby go. I just want my son back. He doesn’t deserve this.”

Condolences have been flooding in for Hudson in the wake of this tragedy, including a message from Barack Obama. “Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew,” Obama said in a statement.

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The digital release is now available via the band’s website, whitedenimmusic.com

Subscribers will get things like limited 7″, limited live tracks, videos, artwork by Steve and the album is available in FLAC format.

White Denim will celebrating the release at the FunFunFun Fest afterparty on 11.8  with Dead Confederate at the Mohawk in Austin

White Denim just popped in to NYC for a pair of shows at NYC’s Mercury Lounge and Union Hall after their blistering set at Icelandic Airwaves

Check out today’s post on Brooklyn Vegan
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/10/white_denim_alb.html

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Ben Kweller
Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
10/14/2008

Most Tuesday nights for me are spent finishing up home work that I’ve put off since the previous week’s class. Fortunately, Ben Kweller and his Aussie friend, Whitley, hijacked my night turning it into something more than a night to make up for my procrastination. Needless to say, Mr. BK plays a good live show…

Ok, so that’s the understatement of the year: Ben Kweller plays a phenomenal live show. Most artists strive to sound as good live as they do on CD but Ben has something else to worry about; he sounds better live than he does on CD.

BK’s new disc, How Ya Lookin’ Southbound, Come In…, infused the live show with steel guitars and a welcomed southern twang. I know, some of you may be skeptical but I promise there’s a whole new dynamic with the live show. Not only does it work, it works brilliantly.

Read on for more photos and links to videos…

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