popwreckoning

Lollapalooza 2011 is due to announce its 20th anniversary lineup in just a few days on April 26, but before they do, they’re having a little fun.

Some of the headliners – Eminem, Foo Fighters and Muse – have been previously announced, but now Lollapalooza is giving fans a chance to guess more of the lineup through a trivia game.

The game asks new trivia questions daily and some of the questions unlock clues. For example, one of the clues given reads: “Name aside, her skies are looking very blue these days.” Lolla fan sleuths have decoded this to mean Skylar Grey would be performing this year.

The game also gives you a chance to win a flyaway, hotel and tickets for two. There will also be ticket giveaways daily until the lineup is revealed.

To play the game, go here.

The 2011 festival is August 5-7 in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois.

Like catchy pop-tunes? Local music? FREE STUFF?!

Lucky for you we’ve got two CD’s from Kansas City band the ACB’s.

How do you get these totally awesome rad catchy dance tunes into your hands? Easy. Comment!

Say the ACB’s band name was an acronym: what do you think it should stand for? Be creative! The best two will be chosen by PopWreckoning staff to get a free CD! Contest ends on April 14.

Don’t forget to include your email address when leaving the comment or else you’re screwed and won’t be eligible to get this totally awesome rad deal.

Check out their videos for “Streetfighter II” and “Boy Like Me.”

ACB’s Links:
Facebook
Myspace
Bandcamp

We’ve got a copy of Fenech-Soler‘s debut single in the U.S., “Demons” to give away. It’s the title track of the debut EP the Kings Cliffe band have released on this side of the pond (our review of the EP posted previously on PopWreckoning here, buy the EP from iTunes here). And this single we’re giving away isn’t just any copy: it’s a limited edition, hand-numbered vinyl single.

Want to win? All you have to do is comment and tell us what you would do if you were given the chance to meet Fenech-Soler. Answers must be submitted by 12 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 15 (think of it as a tax day present from us). We’ll select the winner at that time from the comments submitted. Please use a valid email address when entering or we won’t be able to contact you if you’ve won. This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Fenech-Soler: website | myspace | “Demons” video | Demons EP review

To have been listening to rock and alternative music in 1993 when Radiohead blasted into the charts with “Creep” would be something indescribable and wonderful.  I, unfortunately, was not among the privileged ears.  With the release of Pablo Honey the music industry would forever be changed by a band that would insistently challenge the industry, themselves, and the hearts and minds of their fans.

The 2009 2 CD/1 DVD edition is a special treat for the most hardcore, obsessed fans and for those who are only just beginning in the tutelage of Thom Yorke and Co.

Disc 1 is simply a re-issue of the original 1993 release.  And like the majority of Radiohead fans, Pablo Honey is my least favorite in their ridiculously solid and creative back catalog.  That is not to say that it is not a good album.  As a standalone, when not compared to their later releases, it is quite enjoyable.  The album is better than that, and I think it is always difficult to review an album fairly when in comparison to the works that made Radiohead who they are today, it will always pale in comparison.

Of course, the most popular single “Creep” is the band’s most hated.  But is it the best track?  Hardly.  Standouts are the opening track “You,” “Stop Whispering,” “Thinking About You” and “Lurgee.”

But the 2009 edition isn’t about the re-issue of the album; it is about the second disc and the accompanying DVD, the real golden treats …the nuggets.  The 22-track second disc contains demos, a remix, live versions and other b-sides from “Creep,” “Anyone Can Play Guitar,” “Pop is Dead” and “Stop Whispering” singles.  There are also four tracks from the BBC Radio One Session recording in June of 1992.

The DVD contains the music videos for the four singles, a live performance of “Creep” from Top of the Pops in September of 1993, and 9 of the 17 song setlist from the May 27, 1994 Astoria Theater performance in London.  For all you setlist junkies out there (and I am among you), the full set can be found here:  Astoria Theater Setlist.

Other goodies in the box set contain the sleeve covers for the 4 singles and the Drill EP, and an 8-page booklet with band pictures circa 1993.

Pablo Honey (standalone album) – 3 out of 5 stars
Pablo Honey (2 CD/1 DVD) – 4 out of 5 stars

Disc 2 Tracklist:
(Taken from Drill EP)
1.  Prove Yourself (Demo)
2.  Stupid Car (Demo)
3.  You (Demo)
4.  Thinking About You (Demo)

(Taken from “Creep” single)
5.  Inside My Head
6.  Million Dollar Question
7.  Yes I am
8.  Blow Out (Remix)
9.  Inside My Head (Live)
10.  Creep (Acoustic)
11.  Vegetable (Live)
12.  Killer Cars (Live)

(Taken from “Anyone Can Play Guitar” single)
13.  Faithless, the Wonderboy
14.  Coke Babies

(Taken from “Pop Is Dead” single)
15.  Pop is Dead
16.  Banana Co. (Acoustic)
17.  Ripcord (Live)

(Taken from “Stop Whispering” single)
18.  Stop Whispering (U.S. version)

(BBC Radio One Session – 22/06/92)
19.  Prove Yourself
20.  Creep
21.  I Can’t
22.  Nothing Touches Me

DVD Tracklist
(Music Videos)
Creep
Anyone Can Play Guitar
Pop Is Dead
Stop Whispering

(Top of the Pops – 16/09/93)
Creep

(The Astoria, London – Live: 27/05/94)
You
Ripcord
Creep
Prove Yourself
Vegetable
Stop Whispering
Anyone Can Play Guitar
Pop Is Dead
Blowout

Editors Note: Popwreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of Pablo Honey to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album Pablo Honey and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.

Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10th.

When Electric Six was forced to cancel their October 30 tour date they promised to make up their Kansas City stop. Thursday, March 31, they’ll roll into The Riot Room alongside The Constellations and Kansas City’s Antenna’s Up. Popwreckoning has been blessed with the opportunity to gave away four sets of tickets to the show.

Winning them is easy. All you have to do is answer the following question below by leaving us a comment: What is your favorite Constellation and why? Please be sure to leave us a WORKING email address and first and last name in which we can contact you at. This contest will end Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. CST. You will be contacted that evening to let you know if you have a place on the guest list that evening.

As usual, I’d like to thank you for reading Popwreckoning and would like to wish everyone the best of luck.

Twenty-four hours after their March 1 release of their seventh studio album Going Out In Style, Dropkick Murphys will bring their Celtic punk sound to the stage of Kansas City’s Beaumont Club. Set to burn the place down with cohorts in crime, Rise Against, this March 2 show is simply not to be missed.

PopWreckoning is offering you and a friend the chance to attend this show free of charge. In addition, we will throw in an autographed cd booklet to sweeten the deal.

Winning is simple – just comment on the site, answering the following question: If you were a leprechaun what would you leave at the end of your rainbow?

PopWreckoning staff will choose the most creative answer on March 1, 2011 at 1 p.m. CST. Winner must be present at the show in order to receive their autographed booklet, as PopWreckoning will not be responsible for mailing the prize to contest winners. Please make sure to leave both your full name and working email address in the comment so we know where and whom to contact.

Okay, enough said. Go, comment, dance, mosh! Also, read more about the Dropkick Murphys on their website here.

Buckcherry is on the road for the 2011 Jägermeister Music Tour featuring The Damned Things and ALL THAT REMAINS. In addition, each stop of the tour features a different local band.

The tour is a party – it even has Mr. Dee Jay, Brian Barr, spinning between the sets to keep the party going. But what happens when you go home from the tour? PopWreckoning wants to help you keep the party going and that’s why we’re giving you an exclusive Buckcherry prize pack.

We’re offering up an autographed drumhead and a Buckcherry t-shirt (M). To win, all you have to do is comment and tell us what you’d do if you got to personally have a party with Buckcherry.

Submissions must be in by Friday, February 4 at 12 p.m. CDT. We’ll pick a winner at that time.

You must use a valid email address so we can contact winners and you must be a North America resident.

Be sure to check out this tour when it comes to your town. Full dates are below or you can visit www.jagermeistermusictour.com for more information.

Full Jagermeister Music Tour Dates:
Jan 19 San Diego CA 4th and B
Jan 21 Anaheim CA The Grove of Anaheim
Jan 22 Las Vegas NV The Joint
Jan 23 Reno NV Grand Sierra Resort
Jan 25 Salt Lake City UT The Great Salt Air
Jan 27 Denver CO Fillmore
Jan 28 Kansas City MO Midland Theatre
Jan 29 Des Moines IA Seven Flags Center
Jan 31 Peoria IL East Peoria Civic Center
Feb 01 Chicago IL Congress Theatre
Feb 02 Waterloo IA McElroy Auditorium
Feb 04 St Louis MO Pop’s
Feb 05 Minneapolis MN 1st Avenue
Feb 08 Youngstown OH Covelli Center
Feb 11 Myrtle Beach SC House of Blues
Feb 12 Baltimore MD Rams Head Live
Feb 13 Sayerville NJ Starland Ballroom
Feb 15 New York NY Best Buy Theatre
Feb 16 Uncasville CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb 18 Albany NY Northern Lights
Feb 19 Philadelphia PA Electric Factory
Feb 20 Manchester NH Verizon Wireless Arena
Feb 22 Charlotte NC Fillmore
Feb 23 Orlando FL Hard Rock Live
Feb 24 Atlanta GA Tabernacle

Linkin Park is kicking of 2011 with their North American Tour and they want to hook you up with some of their exclusive tour merch!

To celebrate this highly anticipated tour, we’re giving away an official Linkin Park tour poster and a Deluxe CD+DVD version of their newest release A Thousand Suns. Be sure to visit LinkinPark.com for a full schedule of tour dates and the latest updates from the band and iTunes to check out the new album!

To win, comment and tell us your favorite Linkin Park song and why before 12 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Jan. 20 (the day the band’s tour kicks-off). We’ll pick a winner from the comments then. Make sure you use a valid email address and your real name. Contest is limited to U.S. and Canada residents only.

The upcoming special International LPU Summit in Chicago takes place on January 26. Members of the LP Underground will enjoy an experience like no other with the band, including: Q&A session with LP, the chance to participate in a meet & greet and take photos with LP, the chance to participate in a crew bus and backstage tour, watch a pre-show sound check, get first entry to the concert venue (concert tickets not included), and more! For more information, visit http://lpu.linkinpark.com/summit-chicago/

Deluxe CD/DVD edition of A Thousand Suns:
CD tracklisting:
1. The Requiem
2. The Radiance
3. Burning In The Skies
4. Empty Spaces
5. When They Come For Me
6. Robot Boy
7. Jornada Del Muerto
8. Waiting For The End
9. Blackout
10. Wretches And Kings
11. Wisdom, Justice, And Love
12. Iridescent
13. Fallout
14. The Catalyst
15. The Messenger
The DVD contains the documentary called “Meeting Of A Thousand Suns.” Mike Shinoda explains, “This documentary is easily one of the most powerful insights into our creative process ever recorded. It’s a revealing look into the personalities of the band: our fears, our victories, and the journey that we took to make A Thousand Suns.”

Be sure to check back to PopWreckoning.com – we’ll be updating with photos and a review of the band from the Kansas City stop on Jan. 29.

Are you dreading being cooped up in the familiar choke hold of your family home over the holiday season? Worried Aunt Betty might ask you about your falling GPA or Grandma might accidentally fart in front of of your new hot girlfriend? You can shake off your anxiety with one last bash before Christmas by joining us at The Beaumont Club December 22, 2010 (at 7:30pm) for a serving of local bands five courses deep.

Bands preforming will be Apples for Archers, J Boozer, The Cherry Tree Parade, Anything but Joey and Pomeroy.

How do you win you ask? That’s pretty simple.   Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a comment on the site stating exactly how you think your family will embarrass you this holiday season. All comments must include your first and last name as well as your email address. This is so I can add you to the venue’s guest list and contact you informing you of your victory! All comments lacking this information will be considered void and unable to win the contest.

Contest will end December 22 at 3 p.m. CST. You will be emailed of your victory by 4 p.m. CST. PopWreckoning will choose at total of 5 winners, who will receive 2 tickets to the show. The show is all ages and anyone can attend.

CONTEST HAS ENDED!

Lastly, Happy Holidays from all of us here at PopWreckoning!

The U.S. can be a little behind the times when it comes to listening European acts. The UK has already had plenty of time to get acquainted with the sweet electropop of 23-year-old Ellie Goulding, but now its time for the U.S. to get introduced to her as well. 

Ellie Goulding just released her debut EP An Introduction to Ellie Goulding stateside and will release her full-length album, Lights, in early 2011. Lights has already topped the UK charts and been praised by the Brit Awards and BBC polls.

PopWreckoning wants to help get you acquainted with the talented, young songwriter, so we’re giving away two autographed copies of her An Introduction to Ellie Goulding EP. All you have to do be one of the winners is comment and tell us what you would do if you were given the chance to be introduced to Ellie in person.

This contest is for U.S. residents and answers must be submitted by 12 p.m. CDT on Friday, December 10. We’ll select two winners at that time from the comments. Please use a valid email address when entering.

And for a sample of Ellie’s work, check out her cover of Elton John‘s “Your Song” below:

. “Your Song” (Elton John cover)