New York, NY – The Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum alternative rock band Papa Roach will be heading back to Europe in support of their new album The Connection (Eleven Seven Music, Oct ’12). The tour was announced while the band was at Download Festival. The headlining tour kicks off in Denmark on November 12th and will feature Middle Class Rut and American Fangs as support in the UK with support for the remainder of the European dates to be announced.
Papa Roach Tour Dates:
Nov 12; Copenhagen, Denmark; Amager Bio
Nov 13; Oslo, Norway; John Dee
Nov 14; Stockholm, Sweden; Tyrol
Nov 16; Nuremberg, Germany; Rockfabrik
Nov 18; Munich, Germany; Kesselhaus
Nov 19; Bologna, Italy; Estragon
Nov 20; Vienna, Austria; Gasometer
Nov 21; Zurich, Switzerland; Komplex
Nov 23; Saarbrucken, Germany; Garage
Nov 24; Klokgebouw, Holland; Distortion Fest
Nov 25; Brussels, Belgium; AB
Nov 27; Cologne, Germany; E-Werk
Nov 28; Paris, France; Trabendo
Nov 29; Weisbaden, Germany; Schlachthof
Dec 1; Portsmouth, UK; Pyramids
Dec 2; Sheffield, UK; Academy
Dec 3; Birmingham, UK; Academy
Dec 5; Manchester, UK; Academy
Dec 6; Dublin, Ireland; Academy
Dec 8; Glasgow, UK; Barrowlands
Dec 9; Newcastle, UK; Academy
Dec 10; London, UK; Brixton Academy
This Summer G-Eazy will embark on the “America’s Most Wanted” Tour alongside Lil Wayne, T.I. & more. We’re excited to offer both VIP Packages & Upgrades for T.I. and G-Eazy!
America’s Most Wanted Tour:
July 9: Birmingham, Alabama – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
July 10: Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena
July 12: Atlanta, Georgia – Lakewood Amphitheatre
July 13: Tampa, Florida – Live Nation Amphitheatre
July 14: West Palm Beach, Florida – Cruzan Amphitheatre
July 16: Burgettstown, Pennsylvania – First Niagara Pavilion
July 17: Baltimore, Maryland – 1st Mariner Arena
July 19: Wantagh, New York – Jones Beach
July 20: Camden, New Jersey – Susquehanna Bank Center
July 21: Scranton, Pennsylvania – Toyota Pavilion
July 23: Bangor, Maine – Bangor Amphitheatre
July 24: Holmdel, New Jersey – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 26: Charlotte, North Carolina – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 27: Raleigh, North Carolina – Time Warner Pavilion
July 28: Virginia Beach, Virginia – Farm Bureau Live
July 30: Darien Center, New York – Darien Lake PAC
July 31: Hartford, Connecticut – Comcast Theatre
August 2: Washington, D.C. – Verizon Center
August 3: Saratoga Springs, New York – SSPAC
August 4: Mansfield, Massachusetts – Comcast Center
August 6: Cincinnati, Ohio – Riverbend Music Pavilion
August 7: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Klipsch Amphitheatre
August 9: Detroit, Michigan – Joe Louis Arena
August 10: Tinley Park, Illinois – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
August 11: St. Louis, Missouri – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
August 13: Noblesville, Indiana – Klipsch Music Center
August 16: Dallas, Texas – Gexa Pavilion
August 17: Austin, Texas – Austin360 Amphitheatre
August 18: The Woodlands, Texas – CWM Pavilion
August 20: Omaha, Nebraska – Qwest Center
August 21: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Chesapeake Energy Center
August 23: Englewood, Colorado – Fiddler’s Green
August 24: Albuquerque, New Mexico – Isleta Amphitheatre
August 27: Chula Vista, California – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 30: Concord, California – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 31: Las Vegas, Nevada – MGM Grand Arena
September 1: Irvine, California – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Emblem3 is hitting the road this summer at clubs in YOUR city!
New dates announced this morning:
7/9 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
7/12 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
7/14 – Austin, TX – The Belmont
7/16 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
7/21 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
7/28 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
Club Emblem members are gonna get the first pick of presale tickets tomorrow (6/6) at 10am local venue time. Make sure you join today so you’re ready to go! Click here to join.
Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 10am local venue time. Keep an eye out for more dates!
Boston, MA (May 3, 2013) – TD Garden and Live Nation are proud to announce ‘Boston Strong: An Evening of Support and Celebration’ to be held at the TD Garden on Thursday, May 30, 2013. Net ticket proceeds of this historic concert will benefit The One Fund Boston, set up by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15.
‘Boston Strong: An Evening of Support and Celebration’ will feature (in alphabetical order) Aerosmith, Jason Aldean, Boston, Jimmy Buffett, Dane Cook, Extreme, Godsmack, The J. Geils Band, Carole King, New Kids on the Block, James Taylor, and Steven Wright. Additional artists will be announced.
“Live Nation and TD Garden have hosted thousands of concerts over the years, but none with such a sense of purpose as Boston Strong: A Concert of Support and Celebration.” saidDon Law, President of Live Nation New England. “Boston is a city with strong roots, and homegrown artists reached out to us to see what could be done. We are proud to help solidify this huge concert line-up.”
“Like so many other proud Bostonians who have been extremely generous, we are honored to step up and do our part to help the victims and their families,” said Donnie Wahlberg, New Kids on the Block. “Hopefully this event will not only raise money, but spirits as well.”
“The One Fund event at the Garden this May 30th is destined to be a true Boston landmark. From the promoters to the sound & lights, to the performers and the Garden staff; everyone involved has responded from the heart in a spontaneous and simultaneous desire to be there, and to do what we can for the city we love. I am honored to be a part of it, and…I can’t wait” said James Taylor.
“The TD Garden, in partnership with Live Nation, is proud to play host to this historic event and raise significant funding and awareness for The One Fund Boston,” said Amy Latimer, TD Garden President. “This is an important community gathering to celebrate the amazing spirit of this city, Boston Strong.”
Tickets are priced from $35 to $285. Prices include all fees and service charges. Information on special sponsor tickets which will include commemorative items, reserved parking, and other items will be available onwww.ticketmaster.com and www.livenation.com/vip.
Tickets will go on sale Monday, May 6 at 10:00 AM. Fans can purchase tickets at www.livenation.com, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 or at TD Garden Box Office. In an effort to make sure all net proceeds from ticket sales go directly to The One Fund, all tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster’s paperless ticket delivery. Fans must have the credit card used to make the purchase and a valid, government-issued ID to gain entry. For more information on paperless ticketing, visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/paperless. For more information on the event, you may also go to www.aconcertforboston.org.
For more information on The One Fund Boston or to donate, visit. www.onefundboston.org. For more information on ‘Boston Strong: An Evening of Support and Celebration’, please visit www.TDGarden.com.
# # #
Special thanks to area sponsors: Four Seasons Boston, Boston Harbor Hotel, The Colonnade Hotel, Dav El Chauffered Transportation Network, Hilton Boston Logan, Hotel Marlowe, Nine Zero, the Onyx, Ritz-Carlton Boston Common, and Seaport Boston Hotel.
In Week 19 Customer Support Specialist Alex lets us in on how he chose songs for his mixtape:
“Hello there! I’m Alex, the new guy in the support room! When I’m not whipping up a frenzy of typing and phone skills by answering questions, I’m usually scratching my head trying to figure out what hell I want to listen to. You see, I get in these weird moods to where I’m like freaking Goldilocks – some music is too fast and some is just too slow! But, there is that occasion where I find music that is just right for my mood at the time. For my Mix Tape, I decided to be in a weird mood and share it with the world!!! It’s called, “The 3rd bowl!” (You see what I did there?! HAHA!) I hope you enjoy it!”
Earl Sweatshirt – Chum
A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?
Silversun Pickups – Lazy Eye
The Kooks – Naive
Anthony Green – Babygirl
Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day
Frank Ocean – Swim Good
Wu-Tang Clan – Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’
Alabama Shakes – I Ain’t The Same
The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
At The Drive-In – One Armed Scissor
The Neighbourhood – Sweater Weather
The Blood Brothers – Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal
Marvin Gaye – Got To Give It Up (Part 1)
Eric Burdon, War – Spill The Wine
Minus The Bear – Get Me Naked 2: The Electric Boogaloo
The Notorious B.I.G. – Big Poppa
Odd Future – Oldie
Big Time Rush & Victoria Justice to Offer Fans the Hottest Ticket of the Summer with Their National “Summer Break Tour“
(NEW YORK, NY – March 29, 2013) Columbia Records and Nickelodeon’s multi-platinum selling superstars Big Time Rush and triple threat sensation Victoria Justice announced today that they will kick off their “Summer Break Tour” on June 21st in Los Angeles. Fans will get to see both artists’ electrifying performances in over 38 cities across the U.S., including stops in New York, Chicago and Dallas. Olivia Somerlyn will be support for this tour. Tickets for the tour go on sale to the public April 6th at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For more information on the tour, please visit www.SummerBreakTour.com.
Both Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice have taken their on camera careers to the stage with the help of the global partnership between Columbia Records and Nickelodeon. Big Time Rush are currently recording their highly anticipated third album set to release in early Summer 2013. The release will feature brand new music that will debut on the upcoming season of the TV series, “Big Time Rush,” which averages 3.6 million total viewers. Big Time Rush was the most watched live-action series premiere in Nickelodeon’s history, with 6.8 million viewers. Elevate, Big Time Rush’s second album released by Columbia Records/Nickelodeon, was the follow-up to the group’s blockbuster debut, 2010’s gold-certified BTR. The band’s 2012 summer anthem single “Windows Down,” has garnered over 15 million video views and quickly climbed the radio charts becoming their third consecutive charting single at Pop radio. To date, Big Time Rush has sold close to 4 million singles.
Victoria Justice starred in the hit Nickelodeon series, Victorious, which recently won its second Kids’ Choice Award in the category of “Favorite TV Show.” Prior to having her own series, Victoria starred in Zoey 101. In 2012 she starred alongside Chelsea Handler and Johnny Knoxville in the Paramount Pictures’ feature FUN SIZE. Victoria has been nominated for a Teen Choice, Kids’ Choice, NAACP Image, ALMA and Imagen Foundation Award. She has graced the cover of Teen Vogue multiple times, Seventeen, Latina, and has made appearances on The Jimmy Fallon Show, The View, and Ellen. Her smash hit single, “Freak the Freak Out” has been certified gold and the singer/songwriter has sold over 3 million digital downloads overall. She is currently in the studio writing and recording for her forthcoming solo album.
Club Rush Fan Club Presale
Big Time Rush is happy to announce that Club Rush members will receive exclusive access to presale tickets and VIP packages beginning April 3rd for select cities.*
Not a member yet? Haven’t renewed your subscription yet? No problem! Head here to become a member of Club Rush today!
You MUST become a member by 12:00pm PDT on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 in order to gain access to the presale.
Presale tickets for Club Rush members will be available at ticketmaster.com & Livenation.com
You will need your unique presale code (which you will receive in a follow-up e-mail no later than April 2nd at 12:30pm PDT) to access these presale tickets.
Summer Break Tour 2013 – Tour Dates
June 21 - Gibson Ampitheater - Los Angeles, CA
June 22 - Del Mar Fair - Del Mar, CA
June 23 - Sleep Train Pavillion – Concord, CA
June 25 - Desert Sky Pavillion - Phoenix, AZ
June 26 - AVA Amphitheater - Tucson, AZ # (Big Time Rush Only)
June 28 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion - Houston, TX
June 29 - GEXA - Dallas, TX
June 30 - Chesapeake Eneergy Center - Oklahoma City, OK
July 2 - Landers Center - Southaven, MS*
July 3 - Chastain Park Ampitheater - Atlanta, GA*
July 5 - Cruzan Amphitheater - West Palm Beach, FL
July 6 - St. Augustin Amphitheater - St. Augustine, FL (Big Time Rush Only)
July 7 - TWC - Raleigh, NC
July 9 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Charlotte, NC
July 10 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
July 12 - Bethel Woods Center - Bethel, NY
July 13 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ*
July 14 - First Niagra Pavillion - Burgettstown, PA
July 16 - Susquehana Bank Center - Camden, NJ*
July 18 - Jones Beach Amphitheater - Wantagh, NY
July 19 - Hershey Park - Hershey, PA*
July 20 - Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT (Big Time Rush Only)
July 21 - Comcast Center - Mansfield, MA
July 23 - Meadowbrook Pavillion - Gilford, NH #
July 24 - Bangor Waterfront - Bangor, ME
July 27 - Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
July 28 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center - Darien Center, NY
July 30 - Toledo Zoo Amphitheater - Toledo, OH (Big Time Rush Only)
July 31 - Blossom Music Center - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
August 2 - Klipsch Music Center - Noblesville, IN
August 3 - DTE Center - Clarkston, MI
August 4 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater - Chicago, IL
August 6 - Shottenstien Center - Columbus, OH
August 7 – US Bank Arena - Cincinnati, OH
August 9 - Gateway Arena - Sioux City, IA
August 10 - Target Center - Minneapolis, MN #
August 11 - Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI # (Big Time Rush Only)
* Indicates a show that will NOT have a fanclub presale.
# Indicates a show that will have the fanclub presale directly on BigTimeTour.com
In Week 18 our Account Manager Vanessa gives us an in-depth look into her mixtape:
“Good Old Rock N Roll
I have always been a music fan, with tastes all over the map. But I’ve always kept a spot in my heart for good old fashioned rock and roll. While it goes without saying that there have been countless incarnations of the genre over the decades, it all comes back to guitar-driven hooks and catchy melodies, and that “I am a bad ass” attitude that stands the test of time.
So I present to you some of my all-time and current favorite rock songs. It was extremely difficult for me to pick the songs I wanted to put on this playlist. The song I consider to be the best song of all time did not make this list (although my favorite song of all time did (yes there is a difference!)), nor did many, many classics that I would have included had they fit in more with the flow of the playlist. As far as the songs that made the cut are concerned: Some are actual classics, others are songs you’ve probably heard before, but I’ve also selected a few of my current top picks from up and coming acts that no doubt deserve the attention they’ve been receiving. Maybe I’ll introduce you to something new that you like; that’s all I could really hope for with this exercise.
Oh and I guess I’m supposed to say something about what I do at ground(ctrl): I’m an Account Manager with a general music industry background. “
Ryan Adams – To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)
Jim Croce – Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
John Martyn – Cocain
The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon
Wilco – I Must Be High
Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel
Foxygen – No Destruction
The Orwells – In My Bed
Parquet Courts – Borrowed Time
Black Lips – Time
Eagles Of Death Metal – WannaBe in L.A.
Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger
Chris is our Client Services Director here at ground(ctrl) and week #17 is dedicated to him.
“There’s a playlist for everything: The cross country road trip on that move from New Orleans to Sacramento. The elaborate Thanksgiving meal you’re preparing for your family. The pine mulch and assorted plants you’re going to put in the yard. The fifteen+ beers you’re going to enjoy one way or another on your front porch tonight. The stale pretzels you’re going to glue to your face with the Gorilla Glue™ you’ve been staring at for the last hour or so since you finished those beers and lost your keys in the bushes as you threw your phone at the shadow that’s been haunting you since your 17th birthday. This is what this playlist is for”.
1. Another World – Antony & The Johnsons
2. Granny – Vic Chesnutt
3. Twin Peaks Theme – Twin Peaks
4. Dirge – Perfume Genius
5. Anyone Who Had A Heart – Burt Bacharach
6. Impregnable Question – Dirty Projectors
7. Camping Next To Water – Badly Drawn Boy
8. Under The Western Freeway – Grandaddy
9. Only Love Can Break Your Heart – Neil Young
10. Memo – The Spinto Band
11. The Crying Game – Chris Spedding
12. Heroin – The Velvet Underground
13. 2:45 AM – Elliot Smith
14. The Young and the Restless Theme – The Young and the Restless
15. Gloomy Sunday – Billie Holiday
16. Moonlight Instrumental – David Vandervelde
This week our newest Project Manager Che talks about his history with the mixtape and shares some of his favorite music with us.
“Making a mixtape is something I would do 2-3 times a week when I was a whole lot smaller. I would always buy the most expensive blank tape I could find and would have to look for the rare 120 minute cassette as the 90 minute one just wouldn’t give me enough space. It would take time and planning, making sure no two songs sounded too much a like and making sure the time structure would fit the maximum amount of songs on each side. It might take me hours, but in the end I would label each side, come up with something only I would view as “catchy” and then it was time to listen. I would burn through it in a matter of days and then it was on to the next one. I decided to control my emotions and just start with 20 songs here, reminding myself that nothing is the way it used to be, so here it is”.
Bolt Thrower – For Victory
Deftones – Knife Prty
Sir Mix-A-Lot – My Hooptie
Dr. Israel – The Doctor Vs. The Wizard
In Flames – Gyroscope
Suicidal Tendencies – You Can’t Bring Me Down
The Smiths – I Want The One I Can’t Have
Earth Crisis – Morality Dictates
Lagwagon – Know It All
Slayer – Mandatory Suicide
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Jimmy Iovine feat. Ab-Soul
Cave In – Jupiter
Rocket From The Crypt – On A Rope
Public Enemy – She Watch Channel Zero?!
Sense Field – Overstand
Zao – Ravage Ritual
Prince – Forever In My Life
Bad Religion – Give You Nothing
Queens Of The Stone Age – Regular John
Beastie Boys – Shadrach (Peanut Butter Wolf Remix)
Many of the songs featured in my mixtape represent a time in my life. This spans from my first concert (New Kids On The Block), to the time I hid a NWA cassette tape in sock drawer (so my mom wouldn’t find it), to spending 5 years working on the road with Papa Roach. Each song holds a memory and means something to me. Enjoy it, or listen to it and cringe
New Kids On The Block – You Got It (The Right Stuff)
NWA – Gangsta Gangsta
Poison – Fallen Angel
Metallica – Breadfan
Public Enemy – 911 Is A Joke
White Zombie – Black Sunshine
Pantera – A New Level
E-40 – Sprinkle Me
Korn – Blind
Faith No More – Caffine
311 – Homebrew
Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
Far – Wear It So Well
Snapcase – Caboose
Weezer – My Name Is Jonas
Papa Roach – Last Resort
Eminem – Business
Mr. Bungle – Retrovertigo
Craig David – 7 Days
Journey – Faithfully
Dredg – Catch Without Arms
Steel Panther – Just Like Tiger Woods
After a year hiatus, one of the largest music festivals in the Midwest returns for 2013! Kanrocksas (http://kanrocksas.com) is being held at the Kansas Speedway on June 28th & 29th in beautiful Kansas City, KS. The full lineup announcement can be seen below:
What are you waiting for? Join the community now over at Kanrocksas.com! Post your stories, blog, ask questions, purchase Tickets & VIPs and get more information on your favorite acts coming to Kansas this year.
REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling
Hall and Oates – Maneater
Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
Men At Work – Down Under
The Police – Roxanne
Men At Work – Who Can It Be Now?
Billy Ocean – Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
Steve Winwood – Higher Love
Phil Collins – Sussudio
Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy
Warrant – Cherry Pie
Lionel Richie – Dancing On The Ceiling
Eddie Money – Take Me Home Tonight
Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
Men Without Hats – Safety Dance
Starship – We Built This City
Wang Chung – Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Harold Faltermeyer – Axel F
Hall and Oates – Private Eyes
Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over
Night Ranger – Sister Christian
George Michael – Careless Whisper
Cinderella – Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
Styx – Mr. Roboto
Rush – Tom Sawyer
Bad Company – Feel Like Making Love
Styx – Come Sail Away
Jefferson Airplane – Somebody To Love
Europe – The Final Countdown
Mixtape Week 13 is dedicated to our Project Manager, Jill -
“As I reviewed my playlist today, I was aware that I should probably prepare myself for the onslaught of shit-talking my fellow g(c)ers will inevitably dish out to me. I can’t really defend the list below yet I’ll rep every song with every fiber in my body. A few years ago I discovered what I call “cool kid music” & it sucked me in. Say Anything, Bombay Bicycle Club, Pierce The Veil… there is no logical reason why a girl like me became obsessed with those types of bands. but I did. & I love ‘em. So here it is. Cool Kid Music 101“.
Circa Survive – Get Out
Dear and the Headlights – Sweet Talk
Isles & Glaciers – Cemetery Weather
Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle
Motion City Soundtrack – A Life Less Ordinary (Need A Little Help)
As Tall As Lions – Love, Love, Love
PK – London
Pierce The Veil – The Boy Who Could Fly
We Were Promised Jetpacks – Quiet Little Voices
The Zolas – These Days
Young the Giant – I Got
I The Mighty – These Streets Are Alive
Dizzy Balloon – Raise a Glass
K Sera – Me Before Women & Children
Phantogram – When I’m Small
Say Anything – Ahhh… Men
Manchester Orchestra – I Can Feel A Hot One
Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
Bright Eyes – At The Bottom Of Everything
Dredg – Spitshine
Say Anything – Admit It!!!
You may recognize Eddie from one of the many events he’s traveled to over the past few years working as the VP/C0-Founder & COO for ground(ctrl). This week he brings us his own personal Sunday BBQ Playlist to this week’s Make Me A Mix Tape.
The Roots – The OtherSide
Jay-Z – Girls, Girls, Girls
Nas – If I Ruled The World (imagine that)
OutKast – Roses
The Game – Hate It Or Love It
Beastie Boys – Root Down
2Pac – To Live & Die In L.A.
A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?
De La Soul – Me, Myself & I
Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day
Kanye West – Touch The Sky
Wiz Khalifa – Roll Up
Will Smith – Miami
Snoop Dogg – Drop It Like It’s Hot
Kid Cudi – Pursuit Of Happiness
Rick Ross – Hustlin’
The Notorious B.I.G. – Nasty Girl
Drake – Best I Ever Had
2Pac – I Get Around
Pitbull – Culo
P.M. Dawn – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
Young MC – Principal’s Office
Ton-Loc – Wild Thing
To kick off 2013, we’re gonna hear from Zach, our Inventory Controller Extraordinaire -
“My name is Zachary. I am the Inventory Controller for ground(ctrl), located in the warehouse of West Sacramento. Music is a huge part of my life. I don’t think I could go a single day without listening to music or humming a tune. I have played the bass guitar for 18 years and hope to play until I have arthritis. I have played in bands off and on since (mostly on) since 1994. Below is a list of bands or songs that have inspired me and influenced me along the way. Hope you enjoy”.
Playlist: Spotify
The Doors – Light My Fire
His Hero Is Gone – Like Weeds
Nirvana – Lithium
Far – Punchdrunk
Paul Simon – Graceland
Pearl Jam – Evenflow
My Morning Jacket – Rollin’ Back
Otis Redding – Pain In My Heart
Rolling Stones – Let’s Spend The Night Together
Sam Cooke – Bring It On Home
Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
Michael Jackson – P.Y.T.
U2 – One
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Soundgarden – Slaves And Bulldozers
Townes Van Zandt – To Live Is To Fly
Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
Emmylou Harris – Boulder To Birmingham
The Smashing Pumpkins – Mayonaise
We’re happy to announce that ground(ctrl) is teaming up with Boyz II Men to offer an exclusive VIP Upgrade for their tour alongside New Kids On The Block and 98 Degrees on ‘The Package Tour’!
“We couldn’t be more excited to join New Kids on the Block and 98 Degrees on ‘The Package Tour.’ This summer is going to be fun and fans will not want to miss it,” said Shawn Stockman. Wanya Morris agreed saying, “This has been in the works for a while… ‘The Package’ is on its way, and we’re going to deliver.” Added Nate Morris, “We plan on bringing it, mark your calendars.”
This Spring two of rock’s biggest acts will get together for a tour in Australia. VIP Meet & Greet Packages for Guns N’ Roses and ZZ Top are now available and are very limited!
Guns N’ Roses/ZZ Top Australian Tour Dates:
March 9th – Perth – Perth Arena
March 12th – Sydney – Allphones Arena
March 13th – Newcastle – Hunter Stadium
March 17th – Melbourne – Arts Centre Melbourne, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Holiday Season is upon us, and below is information that you might find helpful in regards to both shipping/delivery times, and the availability of our Customer/Shipping Support staff throughout the month of December.
2012 Holiday Shipping and Customer Support Information
We highly suggest that you place your order by December 15th if you choose a standard shipping option. More information specific to each shipping method that we offer is included below:
Please note that UPS ship times apply to the length of time it takes to travel between our warehouse and your shipping destination. It does not include the length of time it takes to process your order and does not take into account the availability of items or estimated ship dates provided to you at the time of purchase.
Expedited Mail Innovations Holiday Shipping Information
Expedited Mail Innovations is a hybrid of UPS and USPS. Items shipped via this method get picked up at our warehouse by UPS and get delivered to you by USPS so both schedules below apply.
Please note that UPS and USPS ship times apply to the length of time it takes to travel between our warehouse and your shipping destination. It does not include the length of time it takes to process your order and does not take into account the availability of items or estimated ship dates provided to you at the time of purchase.
Customer Support will be available Monday-Friday from 7am to 6pm PST until December 21st. Customer Support will be closed on December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st. We will be answering support tickets ONLY on December 26th, 27th, and 28th, between the hours of 9am and 5pm PST. Normal business hours will resume on January 2nd.
Shipping Support will be available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm PST until December 21st. Shipping Support will be closed on December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st. We will have limited office hours on December 26th, 27th, and 28th but exact times have not been determined. Normal business hours will resume on January 2nd.
For all of our UK, Australia & Canada customers who need to contact our telephone support – we’ve got great news! New local numbers have been added for your convenience. Our support can be reached Monday-Friday 7am-6pm PST.
Austin Mahone will join Taylor Swift for six shows on her highly anticipated The RED Tour next year!
“I still can’t believe I’m opening for Taylor! I’m so appreciative and excited for this opportunity. Getting to play in stadiums, and it’s with one of the biggest artists in the world! I can’t wait!” said Austin Mahone.
The 16-year-old Mahone gained his legion of Mahomies when he started posting his homemade covers of pop songs online in 2010. He has since amassed well over 90 million YouTube views (and almost 500,000 YouTube subscribers), 1.4 million Facebook fans and more than 1.2 million Twitter followers.
With his fans, known as “Mahomies,” consistently supporting the pop sensation in force it’s no surprised that Mahone’s new single, “Say Somethin” is currently lighting up at radio, being a top 5 call-in on all major market stations!
In the past few months Mahone has signed a record deal with Chase Records, sold out NYC’s Best Buy Theater and LA’s Palladium Theater in just minutes and appeared on several national television shows, including Live! With Kelly & Michael to promote his single, “Say Somethin’.”
Support from the press – everyone from Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E! News, and VH1, to POPSTAR! Magazine, J-14, Twist and Young Hollywood — continues to fan the flames.
The Wall Street Journal deemed Mahone one of the “five leading contenders to be the next Bieber.” And The Hollywood Reporter hailed him a “YouTube Phenom.”
Mahone’s tour dates with Taylor Swift will start on May 4th.
Matchbox Twenty is hitting the road in North America in 2013! All of the tour dates will be posted throughout the morning right here on the Matchbox Twenty website.
The exclusive fan club presale begins Tuesday Nov 13th at 10am Local Venue Time. Followed by a presale on Wednesday Nov 14th at 10am Local Venue Time where you can bundle your ticket purchase WITH a fanclub membership. Following that will be ticket onsales open to the general public.
In an ongoing effort to provide our customers with superior customer service, we will be extending our telephone support hours beginning Friday, October 5th from 7AM-6PM PT. This is also to include an upgrade to our existing phone lines, so we appreciate your patience during this transition. Thank you for your continued support!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RUN-D.M.C. REUNITE, PERFORMING AT FUN FUN FUN FEST
JOSEPH “RUN” SIMMONS AND DARRYL “D.M.C.” MCDANIELS REUNITE FOR FIRST PERFORMANCE AS RUN-D.M.C. SINCE 2002
AUSTIN, TX (JULY 10, 2012) – Fun Fun Fun Fest is excited to announce today that Run-D.M.C. will perform at the 7th annual festival November 2-4th in Austin, TX for the first time since disbanding in 2002. Surviving members Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels will headline the main stage.
D.M.C. will also be performing a set during the festival with his live band, previewing tracks off his new album and doing some of his favorite Run-D.M.C. classics.
Run-D.M.C. formed in Hollis Queens, NY in the early ‘80s and are considered by many to be the true pioneers of hip-hop, in terms of beats, lyrics, fashion, and impact. Both their self-titled debut as well as the much-lauded Raising Hell in 1986 influenced the youth of a generation and eventually paved the way for many of today’s rap’s superstars.
Run-D.M.C. retired the moniker in 2002 following the untimely death of legendary DJ and producer, Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell. In honor of Jay’s life, FFF festival promoters are working with the band to donate a portion of proceeds to his foundation the JMJ Foundation for Music which is dedicated to providing access to the arts, regardless of socio-economic status, for children and young adults. Learn more about Jay’s foundation here:www.jammasterjay.org/JMJfoundation.html
“We couldn’t be more excited. Run DMC is one of our favorite bands, and one of the most influential groups of all-time – that we never thought that we would get to see play live, much less play in Austin at our festival,” said festival producer James Moody. He continued, “This is as big as it gets and we are so proud to be working with them”.
Along with underground favorites and discovering up-and-coming new artists,
Fun Fun Fun Fest has a long and respected history of bringing in rarely-seen performances and much awaited reunions, including artists like the The Descendents, Public Enemy, Hot Snakes, Hum, Pharcyde, Dead Milkmen, the Murder City Devils, Slick Rick, DEATH, Danzig, and more. The addition of the Run-D.M.C. reunion this year will go a long way to make the 2012 Fest a highly anticipated destination for fans young and old, from all walks of life, and from around the world.
Run-D.M.C. joins a short list of artists already announced through lineup leaks, including Atlas Sound, Baroness, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Starfucker, Rakim,
Lagwagon, The Head and The Heart, Danny Brown, David Cross, Bob Mould, Tomahawk and Against Me!. The full lineup will be announced on Thursday, July 12, includes over 160 artists at the festival grounds, and many more to be released for the FFF Nites after-party series.
Fun Fun Fun Fest has grown every year since its inception, focusing primarily on new music discovery, underground acts and rare throwback favorites in a wide variety of genres, including indie, hip hop, folk, comedy, punk, metal and more. Ticket sales reports confirm that 2011 was the biggest festival yet, with overall attendance close to doubling that from the previous year and 55% of attendees traveling from outside Austin.
Weekend 3-day passes go on sale Thursday July 12th, and a limited number of PIP Passes are already on sale. Stay tuned for more on this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest Water Olympics, Scavenger Hunts across Texas and FFF Nites.
For more information on this year’s festival, go to funfunfunfest.com. Follow them at facebook.com/funfunfunfestand on Twitter @funfunfunfest for updates and special promotions.
Founded in Austin, TX in 2006, Fun Fun Fun Fest is an independent genre based festival, respected as one of the most relaxed, creative and pioneering festivals in music today. It is custom booked for the most passionate underground and progressive musicians, comedians and fans around the world. FFF is exclusively booked and produced by Transmission Events out of Austin, TX.
Hello, my name is Jessica, and I am the new girl. My position is to make sure Eddie takes care of business. My first assignment was to make a playlist for our blog so that everyone could get to know me a little better. So I started collecting all my favorite songs. Then it occurred to me that the new girl is suppose to be a bit mysterious. I’m not sharing everything right away! So I created this playlist to be a collection of songs that are, how I would imagine, a new girl to be.
Gotye is following up his first major North American headline tour with a 30-plus date trek through the U.S. and Canada in late summer and fall, giving fans tons of chances to sing along to “Somebody That I Used To Know.”
After wrapping up his spring North American tour in April with his second performance at Coachella, the Australia-based Belgian singer/songwriter/musician will return to the states in August, beginning with an Aug. 22 gig in Morrison, Colo., at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
The tour includes a set at Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival Sept. 1 and winds down with an appearance at Austin City Limits Music Festival Oct. 13. Missy Higgins, Jonti, Chairlift, Zammuto and Givers provide support on select dates. Kimbra, who can be heard showing off guest vocals on “Somebody That I Used To Know,” will also join the tour for one gig – Oct. 12 in Grand Prairie, Texas.
A presale for fans who have signed up for Goyte’s mailing list or liked his Facebook page begins for all shows June 6 at 10 a.m. EST. A pre-sale for select dates begins June 5 for Citi cardmembers. A Live Nation/venue/radio presale begins June 6. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 8.
Check out the North American schedule for yourself below.
Aug. 22 – Morrison, Colo., Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug. 24 – Chicago, Ill., Charter One Pavilion @ Northerly Island
Aug. 25 – Milwaukee, Wis., Riverside Theatre
Aug. 26 – Minneapolis, Minn., Target Center
Aug. 28 – Edmonton, Alberta, Shaw Conference Centre
Aug. 29 – Calgary, Alberta, Stampede Corral
Aug. 31 – Burnaby, British Columbia, Deer Lake Park
Sept. 1 – Seattle, Wash., Seattle Center, “Bumbershoot Festival”
Sept. 2 – Troutdale, Ore., McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
Sept. 4 – Los Angeles, Calif., Greek Theatre
Sept. 6 – Berkeley, Calif., Greek Theatre
Sept. 14 – Kansas City, Mo., Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park
Sept. 16 – Cleveland, Ohio, Jacobs Pavilion At Nautica
Sept. 17 – Columbus, Ohio, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
Sept. 18 – Detroit, Mich., Fox Theatre
Sept. 20 – Toronto, Ontario, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Sept. 21 – Montreal, Quebec, Jacques Cartier Pier
Sept. 22 – Boston, Mass, Bank Of America Pavilion
Sept. 25 – New York, N.Y., Radio City Music Hall
Sept. 27 – Brooklyn, N.Y., Williamsburg Park
Sept. 29 – Camden, N.J., Susquehanna Bank Center
Sept. 30 – Columbia, Md., Merriweather Post Pavilion
Oct. 1 – Raleigh, N.C., Raleigh Amphitheater
Oct. 3 – Nashville, Tenn., Ryman Auditorium
Oct. 4 – Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Oct. 5 – Atlanta, Ga., Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Oct. 7 – Miami, Fla., Klipsch Amphitheater At Bayfront Park
Oct. 8 – Lake Buena Vista, Fla., House Of Blues
Oct. 10 – New Orleans, La., Lakefront Arena
Oct. 11 – The Woodlands, Texas, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct. 12 – Grand Prairie, Texas, Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie
Oct. 13 – Austin, Texas, Zilker Park, “Austin City Limits Music Festival”
Next month I will be celebrating a pretty big moment in my life, my 21st birthday. From what I’ve heard this is a kind of a big deal. I figured the only appropriate way to celebrate early was to provide this mixtape as a sort of early birthday gift.
Since we will be celebrating 21 awesome years of my existence I decided to offer up 21 awesome years of music to go along. My Mixtape is essentially 21 songs from my birth year of 1991 til the present year of 2012. These songs have raised me and taken me through some important steps in my life. So thanks for helping me wring in the big two-one by listening to music from the years I most likely will not remember the morning after my 21st.
Fun. – Some Nights
Yeasayer – Ambling Alp
The xx – VCR
Iron & Wine – Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Wedding Version
The Cool Kids – A Little Bit Cooler
Passion Pit – Sleepyhead
Tegan And Sara – Call It Off
Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger
Chantal Chamberland – La Mer
The Postal Service – Sleepin In
Fat Joe – What’s Luv? – Featuring Ja-Rule & Ashanti Explicit Album Version
The Starting Line – The Best Of Me
Destiny’s Child – Say My Name
DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat – Old School Reunion Remix ’96
Matchbox Twenty – Shame
Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are
TLC – Creep
The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love
Sitting in the ground(ctrl) office, without my headphones on, has presented my ears with a spectral cornucopia of sounds. The spectrum as it exists to me, ranges between the two extremes “absolute shit” (I’m looking at you Kiel) and the panty dropping high of “holy shit! What is that? I need it!” (Also looking at Kiel here). Although it may not sound like it, the VIP department is not my mixtape’s only source of inspiration. Each and every one of these songs reminds me of a specific co-worker and where I was when I first heard the track. The mixtape I have created consists of bands I possibly would not have heard of had I not been working here the past two and a half years.
The following track listing has been laid out with much care and purpose. I start the listener off with a song that represents, what I consider the true spirit of ground(ctrl), as an intro of sorts. The listener then takes a short jaunt into the world of dream pop, mild alternative & introspective indie, respectively. From there the mixtape takes a dark turn toward the gutter of fantastically gritty hip hop and obnoxiously loud rock n’ roll.
Certainly, these songs aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea but I hope every listener can come away with at least ONE new obsession. Enjoy!
Far – Fight Song #16,233,241 Phantogram – Turning Into Stone M83 – Steve McQueen Francis and the Lights – Darling, It’s Alright Kimbra – Settle Down Minus The Bear – Monkey!!!Knife!!!Fight!!! Dredg – Planting Seeds Bombay Bicycle Club – Bad Timing The Antlers – I Don’t Want Love Low Roar – Nobody Else Delta Spirit – Yamaha Yung Humma – Lemme Smang It (feat. Flynt Flossy) Azealia Banks – 212 (feat. Lazy Jay) Die Antwoord – I Fink U Freeky Death Grips – Get Got Refused – New Noise The Bronx – Digital Leash Mastodon – March Of The Fire Ants
Nicki Minaj is painting the town pink. After opening for Lil Wayne and Britney Spears last year, hip-hop’s reigning queen will headline her first tour in North America this summer.
The 14-date “Pink Friday” trek will kick off July 16 in Chicago, traveling to Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Seattle, currently wrapping August 12 in Vancouver. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced event go on sale starting Friday, May 4.
In addition to her solo dates, the “Starships” rapper will play several radio shows starting with Wild 94.9’s Wild Jam in San Francisco on May 10, KIIS FM’s Wango Tango in L.A. on May 12, Wired 96.5 Fest in Philadelphia on June 1, Jam’n 94.5 Summer Jam in Boston on June 2, Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York on June 3, and Hot Jam in Hartford on July 20.
Nicki will also bring back her intimate meet and greets. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a VIP laminate and lithograph and be the first to enter the venue on the night of the show. During each meet and greet, Minaj will sign autographs and take photos with her Barbz. VIP packages will be available here at www.mypinkfriday.com.
Before bringing her tour stateside, the hip-hop diva will tour Europe beginning June 8 in Stockholm, Sweden. Dates for her international shows in the U.K., Japan, and Australia sold out within hours.
“Pink Friday” North American Tour Dates
July 16 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
July 17 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre Detroit
July 19 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre at Playhouse Square
July 22 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre Atlanta
July 24 – Miami, FL – James L. Knight Center
July 26 – Birmingham, AL – Boutwell Auditorium
July 28 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
July 29 – Dallas, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
July 31 – St. Louis, MO – Peabody Opera House
August 2 – Denver, CO – Wells Fargo Theatre
August 4 – Las Vegas, NV – Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
August 7 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
August 11 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
August 12 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
I’d like to introduce you to a genre of music that I have coined “Stepmom Pop”. Stepmom Pop is the music that your Stepmom puts on when she’s had a few too many glasses of white wine and is feeling good at a family function. Maybe she starts flirting with one of your best friends? I can’t say for sure, but she’s definitely dancing and singing to anyone who will listen. She feels empowered when these rockin’ tunes pass through her blonde hair and into her ears and she wants you to know it. They remind her of her younger years down at the local watering hole, back before the Husband and pesky stepkids.
These songs make her feel good and man! They make her feel like a woman.
Oldman Ferro here. Got a bunch of “old” songs all assembled up in an electronic playlist. I brought Greg in a bag of cassette tapes and LPs and said “Here’s my playlist”, but he said “thats not how you do it dummy”.
I don’t like most new music. Not saying I don’t enjoy a whole bunch of modern albums, but there really hasn’t been a new artist or album that has blown me away for awhile. Someone asked me the other day what new music I was listening to….I said “None really”, and thats the truth. It’s not my fault most new music is horrible. I didn’t make it.
So I figured I would dig through all the stuff I grew up listening to, and whip together a hot batch of oldies. Songs my Dad would approve of.
I hope this playlist pleases you, because I REALLY need your approval. Whoever you are. Maybe I work with you? Maybe you stumbled onto the ground (ctrl) site? I don’t care. Just like me. Please like me? And justify my taste in older songs. I’m only 31, and I’m feeling a lot more like a cranky old guy on the porch that doesn’t talk to many people besides my dog.
I’m not even going to try and relate. Already passed that hump. I’ll never like rappers like Little Wayne, or Dubble Step. Sounds like a buncha hooey to me.
I tried out a new tool (with a great name) yesterday for stress testing out platform, Bees With Machine Guns. It spins up a number of EC2 instances and runs ab on them, attacking a URL that you specify with a bunch of requests. The output is really cute from it too. Like:
Organizing the swarm. Bee 0 is joining the swarm. Bee 1 is joining the swarm. Bee 0 is firing his machine gun. Bang bang! Bee 1 is firing his machine gun. Bang bang! Bee 1 is out of ammo. Bee 0 is out of ammo. Offensive complete.
I’m not much of a Python dev, so there was some learning getting it working on my mac. Here’s some step by step instructions for other folks like me:
Generate a security group and key pair in EC2 East in the AWS console. I called both of mine “bees”. Allow SSH from the security group. Put the keypair in ~/.ssh/
Create a ~/.boto file on your computer and add your AWS access key and secret access key as described here. You only need to add the [Credentials] block
Now you can run the instructions from the README. I.e. `bees up -s 4 -g bees -k bees` if you named your files like I did.
Note, if you want to SSH into the EC2 instances that it creates, you’ll need to `chmod` the keypair .pem file to 600 and you’ll SSH in with the user “newsapps” (not “ubuntu” like the AWS console will tell you).
Also, by default it doesn’t let you target specific files, only paths ending in “/”. To be able to attack files (like domain.com/img/whatever.jpg), edit your /usr/local/Cellar/python/2.7.2/lib/python2.7/site-packages/beeswithmachineguns/main.py file like so, commenting out that restriction.
If you want to test in other regions but east, you’ll need this patch. You can use ami-53005b16, which we created, like so: `bees up -s 4 -g bees -k bees -z us-west-1a -i ami-53005b16 -l ec2-user`
My hip hop tastes are centered in the late 90s, early 2000s. Here’s some mellow, smooth rap that feels good in a car on a sunny day, windows rolled down, air stream countering the heat, on the way to somewhere fun. Non-aggressive city sounds. Cruising with friends, looking out the window sounds. It’s a bonus that this list is great while coding too. For me, at least.
So take it easy, hop in the car with a cool drink, and head across town with me. If only it was warm in Seattle.
“In your life, there are a small handful of events that will profoundly shape you as an individual. These milestone moments can provide you with clarity, purpose, determination, prospective, and gratitude. Some people experience these moments of awareness after accomplishing something that they believed to be impossible. Some people are forever changed by the loss of a loved one. Sometimes these turning point occasions are experienced while appreciating a work of art that puts the world in perspective. In 1995, I felt that moment for the first time while taking in pure cinematic brilliance. Seventeen years later, I still remember the striking contrast of the bright neon lighting and the dark gothic-era architecture. I remember the development of a young character who, despite pressure from his peers, overcame adversity and followed his dreams. I have painstakingly pieced together a playlist that will hopefully be as influential to you as this theatrical gem was to me.”
We added a rule to the mixtape order, new people share their mix the week they start. This week we welcome a new member to our development team; Welcome David! David started on monday and is already kicking ass on some new hotness for the ground(ctrl) system. He found some time to make a playlist, hope y’all enjoy it!
From David:
“Having to put together a list of your top songs it not easy. You keep remembering songs and changing the list. This playlist doesn’t really have a theme. It’s all over the place with country, heavy metal, rock, rap, and oldies. It’s more heavy on the country side. It’s just a list of songs that last. Which means that no matter how many times I hear the songs, they just don’t get old.
The list is also not in any particular order. The order is how I thought of the song.”
This is a few months old but Jeff Toll over at BKWLD sent it to me today and it really hit home with me. I am a huge fan of Ira Glass & This American Life. In a sea of “journalism” with a clear agenda, Ira & the This American Life team report interesting, eye opening stories week after week in the true spirit of journalism. Recently they repurposed a monologue story about Foxconn & Apple that sparked loads of national attention. The autor of that monologue as it turns out took quite a few creative liberties about what he heard and saw in China casting his whole story into doubt.
The amazing part of all of this is that This American Life, a show that has run for 17 years and aired almost 500 episodes, dedicated an entire hour to owning up to the mistake, they examined the piece, apologized to their listeners and tried to correct the facts. Our culture almost never admits wrong doing, deny deny deny seems to be the way most things roll. What Ira says about becoming great at something (in this case journalism & story telling) is on point with learning along the way, even years into your journey. His words can apply to any creative or professional process be it song writing, design, baking, or even running a business. No one is great at the beginning, making mistakes, doing sub par work is crucial to one day being great.
” As a 15 year old kid living in the East Bay area and attending a private high school I worked hard to find music that rebelled against “the norm”. In 1991 the way to do that was to wear Doc Martin’s, ripped jeans, and flannel shirts…….let my hair grow out (yeah, I had hair) and give a big middle finger to everything I ever knew. The soundtrack to my freshman and sophmore years of high school became known as “grunge”. Yeah, I was one of those guys.
This playlist may not appeal to people who didn’t experience these times, but let me tell you that being in high school during this musical movement was epic. It was the death of hair metal and the birth of a massive influence that brought the angst of underground punk and metal into popular culture. It started with rock and morphed into industrial metal for me personally. But at that time, God was grunge. ”
When I was in high school, if there was a case to be made for love, forgiveness, or new friendship, it was carefully crafted in my living room, sitting cross-legged at the family stereo, headphones on, one deliberate song choice at a time committed to a cassette tape. The art form of a great mix-tape extended to the hand drawn cover and catchy compilation name you chose. The stakes were high; love could be lost if an over-reaching lyric struck the wrong chord with your target.
With all of these passionate, diverse musical tastes around the office, why not invite a staff member each week to put it all out there — craft a 20-song mix to win the love of your co-workers! Playlist links for RDIO and Spotify can be found below (the Spotify list is a little lighter as some tracks aren’t available).
I thought it would only be fair for me to take the first crack since this is my silly idea. I present:
Make Me a Mixtape Vol. 1 : Greg
The High School Years (and beyond)
All of these tracks were released between 1994-1998. Many of these bands you may not have heard up until now, but they all had a major impact not only on myself but also on the musical landscape for bands to come in the years after.
Over the past 5 years, ground(ctrl) has had a few homes; for the last 3 years or so we’ve been at 808 R St in downtown Sacramento. We have knocked down walls, built new walls, knocked those walls down, and moved our desks to all corners of the current building. Our growth has been rapid and surprising not just to us, but also to the phone guys who return every few months to reroute lines, as well as to the contractors who have been called back more than once to knock down something they built only a few months prior. We have always taken a very punk rock approach to our office space — Ryan calls it “bohemian”, but what that really means is DIY.
The time has come for us to move into a new office, and this time we are doing it RIGHT! In June 2012, ground(ctrl), along with our friends at BKLWD and The Artery Foundation, will move into our new home in Old Sacramento’s restored Ebner Hotel building. This represents a big step for all three companies and an amazing opportunity for shared knowledge and cross-company interaction. Having a Digital Agency (BKWLD), Record Label / Artist Management Company (Artery), and a company that lives in both worlds (thats us!) all under the same roof presents amazing opportunities for professional growth and understanding each and every day.
Fresh from their critically-acclaimed, sold-out-in-minutes NY Takeover and subsequent intimate run of shows along the eastern seaboard, Guns N’ Roses will be taking over Los Angeles in March with a three-date club run, announced today. It’s been 22 years since they last visited the Hollywood Palladium, where they have set their first stop on the LA run on March 9. GN’R will make their first appearance to two LA music landmarks: The Wiltern on March 11, and House of Blues Sunset Strip on March 12.
The continuation of this historic run of intimate shows has been lauded by critics at every stop:
“…the Roseland show could have happened at any point in the 25 years since Guns N’ Roses released its seminal first album” – New York Times
“…doing it on their own terms—with stadium lights and a supersized set list….Lasting through to the end of the set may have been an exhaustive stamina test, but it was worth every minute.” – Revolver
“Many bands take rare performances like this in unusually small venues as an opportunity to relax and take it easy, performing a far more casual set. That was absolutely not the case with GNR at House of Blues. The band left everything out on that stage in a performance that spanned just about every nook and cranny of the Guns N’ Roses catalog from hits to covers to rarities.” – Chicago Now
“Each one is an epic, and in many ways the complex songs sound better with this expanded line-up of the band…” – Rolling Stone
“…wildly exceeded my expectations. Say what you will about Axl, when he’s onstage he sings his ass off and gives it his all.” – VH1.com
“GNR pulled no punches, offering an all-out rock assault that included most of the hits fans would want to hear.” – Press of Atlantic City
Celebrated worldwide as one of the most important rock acts in musical history, Guns N’ Roses are Axl Rose, DJ Ashba (guitar), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Tommy Stinson (bass), Richard Fortus (guitar), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (guitar), Chris Pitman (keyboards) and Frank Ferrer (drums). Guns N’ Roses have just returned from their sold-out global 2011 arena tour, with more than 30 shows in the US, visits to Latin America and multiple festivals, having played to millions of fans around the globe. In April 2012, Guns N’ Roses will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The fine folks over at awwwards.com felt kind enough to highlight gunsnroses.com as the site of the day. The judges select one site each day for this distinction, and we are honored to be among such amazing work.
If you are at all interested in forward-thinking design patterns, this is a great site to bookmark and revisit daily.
We are so excited to announce our upcoming interactive “In the Hands of Fans” Tour! The tour will rely solely on YOUR requests to determine the set list played in each city.
“This year’s tour is based around the concept of putting the show into the hands of the fans,” said Jennifer. “THEY will make the requests that will help form the set list and guide the show. Through texts, handwritten signs, the Internet (Twitter, Facebook, etc) phone calls made during the show and selections directly from the stage, the fans will become the conductors as well as the audience. If it’s on one of our records or if we’ve played it on a stage it is fair game.”
We will begin taking your requests soon! Sign-up here to be alerted when the request line opens.
The 25+ dates will feature openers Lauren Alaina and Canaan Smith (in select cities).
We need your help with a top secret project. We can’t reveal what it is quite yet… but it is definitely exciting and you DO NOT want to miss out.
We’ve seen some amazing videos from you all thus far – and now we want to see your WORLDWIDE videos! Submit your videos of you singing, lip syncing and/or playing Big Time Rush’s song ‘Worldwide’.
Few things to keep in mind:
The song you’re signing/lip syncing/playing along to MUST be WORLDWIDE.
Submit a video that is high res as possible. We want to be able to see YOU in high quality
Acceptable video formats: .mp4 and .mov
File may NOT exceed 100Mbs
Friends are welcome to participate in your video
Most importantly – have fun while making your video!
Looking forward to seeing your videos Rushers – make sure you get them in by this Saturday, February 4th!
Sign up for the campaign HERE on bigtimetour.com and submit your file!
Please note that upon submitting this video, you and the participants in the video are giving Big Time Rush and Big Time Tour the right to use and display the footage that you created!
Korn announced more dates in the U.S. as well as VIP Packages that included, 1 on 1 drum lessons from Korn’s very own Ray Luzier or a 1 on 1 gaming experience agains Jonathon Davis backstage! In addition to the option of 1 on 1 experiences from some of the world’s best musicians, Korn offered other VIP packages that included signed Ibanez guitars and a listening session hosted by Jonathon Davis aboard his mobile studio.
Selena Gomez launched her new website with digital partner, ground(ctrl). The site is fun, sleek, and hip just like Selena. Her fanclub, dubbed, The Scene, offers yearly memberships that include official merchandise goods you can’t get anywhere else. Be part of The Scene and join in on the chatter, talk in the forums and participate in contests and campaigns.
The Cab and The Summerset embarked on their co-headlining tour, “Everything’s Fine Symphony Soldier Tour 2012″ We are excited to announce that we will be hitting the road in 2012 on a US tour with The Summer Set, He Is We, Days Difference, and Paradise Fears! Visit the tour page for a full list of tour dates and details. A limited number of VIP Ticket Packages are on sale now, including a laminate, meet and greet, and special soundcheck performance.
Today we launched the 11th edition of the LP Underground. We listened to your feedback from last year and are excited to announce some new benefits that YOU helped shape.
The LPU11 $60 Annual Membership includes: -A brand new website and online community EXCLUSIVELY for LPU members -Membership package including a t-shirt, membership laminate and lanyard, LPU flag, and an earplug case and earplugs -FREE worldwide shipping for LPU11 Annual merchandise packages -New benefits including early entry to Linkin Park shows and downloads of LPU-TV episodes -All existing benefits are still included such as access to meet & greets, presale tickets and invitations to LPU Summits, exclusive downloads and more
We’re also excited about this year’s LPU CD, featuring Linkin Park demos from Hybrid Theory to A Thousand Suns.
CURRENT LPUX MEMBERS: Your LPU account is active until 1 year after you joined. Your LPU Password has been temporarily set to match your email address. Please login to your account and reset your password by going to “Manage Account”, then clicking to “Account Settings”. You may now specify your desired password.
If you already have an account on a different site that is powered by ground(ctrl), your password will be your usual password to login.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the LPU, and we hope you’re as excited about LPU11 as we are.
You’ve asked. You’ve waited. We’ve delivered. Announcing NKOTBSB 2012 SPRING TOUR! Now’s your chance to catch NKOTBSB together on ONE STAGE. ONE NIGHT. After a long long wait, NKOTBSB is excited to announce that they’re coming to Australia! NKOTBSB brings their epic tour for an exclusive engagement in May 2012. The tour will kick off on Friday, April 20 at the Odyssey in Belfast, Ireland, and from there it’ll travel to the UK, Denmark, and then it’ll end up in Malmo, Sweden on Sunday, May 13.
The ground(ctrl) app allows you to access all of your favorite ground(ctrl)artist sites in one application.
• Access ALL of your g(c) accounts in one app.
• Purchase tickets for upcoming events
• Access latest news, media, & tour schedules
• View order history & tracking information
• Manage comments, messages, and friend requests.
We are excited to present you with the new korn.com Be sure to go check it out, sign up for a membership (its free, btw), and check out some of the amazing features like the bands blogs, 24/7 fan chat room (where you will find the guys hanging out) as well as information on general and VIP ticket packages.
I cant believe it is already April 1st, where does the time go?
Here @groundctrl it seems to have been spent working on new projects and growing our family. I am happy to welcome the following people to the @groundctrl family:
Justin Nordan – Client Service Manager for crowd(ctrl) (Sacramento, CA)
Nick Lawson – New Business (Beverly Hills, CA)
Alex Burner – Mobile Application Developer (Seattle, WA)
Jacob Golden – Front End Developer (Sacramento, CA)
Eddy Boer – Commerce Marketing Manager (Nashville, TN)
Phil Mamula – Art Director (Sacramento, CA)
Clint Harling – Warehouse (Sacramento, CA)
I guess this is where I plug our JOBS section (we are looking for customer service people in Sacramento, if you speak spanish that is a +)
“