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In Flames Plays the Commodore in Vancouver, BC

The Commodore Ballroom is easily one of the best live venues in Vancouver so I was stoked to see In Flames play there on the evening of November, 17th. A half hour before doors opened, there was already a horde of metal fans stretched down the block eagerly awaiting a packed line-up that included Portland's 36 Crazyfists, France's Gojira, All That Remains and the headliners In Flames. The show did not disappoint. Here's how it went down. More...

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Graves Of Valor Posts Buzzov*en Cover

South Carolina's GRAVES OF VALOR has recently posted a cover of BUZZOV*EN's "Crawl Away" on their MySpace page. This cover will appear on an upcoming BUZZOV*EN tribute album, "Unfit To Consume...," on Sleeping Village Records alongside contributions from SOURVEIN, KYLESA, BALBOA, BLACK COBRA, BEATEN BACK TO PURE, and more. You can find more information on this release here.

GRAVES OF VALOR has also recently completed writing for their forthcoming Relapse debut. The band is set to enter the studio soon to record, with a Spring 2009 release date expected. Advance song titles include "Bridles of Incinatus," "No Gods Left," "et tu Brute," and "Devoured by Vultures."

GRAVES OF VALOR has a handful of shows lined up in North and South Carolina with more extensive tour plans for 2009 to be announced soon. A current listing of GRAVES OF VALOR tour dates can be found below.

November 29 Wilmington, NC Lucky's Pub (as part of the Thanks For Nothing Fest)
December 5 Greensboro, NC Market Street Music Hall
December 7 Manning, SC The Barn
December 13 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend

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Guns N Roses Contributes Song For WWE Event

WWE has signed Guns 'n Roses to provide the official theme song for the Armageddon pay per view.

The band's song, "Chinese Democracy", from their long awaited new album with the same name, has been pegged as the official theme song for the Armageddon pay per view in December.

"Chinese Democracy" thus far has peaked at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles list. The additional exposure with WWE should increase awareness in the album.

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Blaze Bayley To Record A Live Album

Former Iron Maiden and Wolfsbane vocalist Blaze Bayley has posted the following message online:

"The road To Z7 is going very well so far.

"We've begun The Tour That Will Not Die and had great shows at Coalville and Oxford - thanks to everybody that came along and kicked ass on those nights. We've been accumulating hours of footage for use on the Road To Z7 documentary.

"This Friday we are playing in Shrewsbury and on Saturday is the Big Bash at Dudley JB's. All tickets for last year are still valid for free entry this year as our way of thanking all those loyal fans. There are no requirements for those ticket holders other than to bring them along with you. More...

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Syrens Signs To Cavity Records

Cavity Records has announced the signing of Texas' Syrens. The band is nearly done with an EP, which should see a release in early April 2009. The band mixes all the right elements of Botch, Minor Times and the Ocean for a brutal assault of in your face metal.

Syrens will be on the road with NORTH early next year.

In the meantime, you can check out some of the band's material on their MySpace page.

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Enslaved Cancels North American Tour

Norwegian progressive metal artists Enslaved has posted the following message online:

"It is with great regret that Enslaved has to announce the cancellation of the North American 'Vertebrae' tour [with Swallow The Su and Keep Of Kalessin] scheduled for May 2009. At the heart of the issue lies a tour that was hard to get together in the first place so we've decided to let the whole tour be cancelled and start working on setting up a new North American tour all the way from scratch again. . . Our sincere apologies to all the fans that were ready to come out to these shows; but rest assured — we are working day and night on setting up the new tour that will replace these dates."

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Suicidal Tendencies Singer Speaks On Band's Legacy

Suicidal Tendencies vocalist Mike Muir recently spoke to FreeTimes.com about a number of things ranging from the allegations of gang involvement to the legacy of Suicidal Tendencies. Some excerpts from the chat are below:

Freetimes.com: The rumor mill said the band was gang-affiliated. Were any of you?
Muir: "The world is a gang. There's certain words people use [to call attention and stigmatize], like 'Oh, oh, oh!' Anybody that grew up in Venice, if you didn't know somebody that was in a gang, you didn't know anybody. It has nothing to do with anything."

Freetimes.com: You're the only original member. What does it say about the band?
Muir: "That's the way it is. It doesn't mean anything to me. A lot of the time, I say I wish I could get somebody to take my place. I say that in a funny way, but in a real way. A long time ago, I used to say I wish I could just be in the audience and check it out."

Freetimes.com: What does Suicidal Tendencies represent to you in 2008?
Muir: "I think it would be a success if people hear it and think, 'You've got metal, you've got punk, you've got all this stuff - but there's something else. There's another way to do it.' If there's some 14-year-old kid, I don't want him just trying to play like Suicidal. I want him to sit there and go, 'You know what? We don't have to do what everybody else is doing. How can we do something completely different?' That's what we've tried to do with each of our records. People should hear it the first time and go, 'Whoa, that's not what I expected.'"

Read the full article at FreeTimes.com.

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Mauro Gargano Leaves the Ari Koivunen Band

Drummer Mauro Gargano has issued the following statement (translated to English):

"Already for sometime I have had lost the inspiration from doing this. Now that the guys left to the Raskas Joulu-tour and Ari has his next own gig only in January, there opened the possibility that they have time to find a new fellow in my place and no one is left in trouble... There is no bigger drama to this thing. Koivuset [Ari Koivunen Band] are still my great friends and I wish nothing but the best to them. It would kind of have been a backhanded favor to continue with them, when the others play fullhearted and I'm not so into that... And in addition we will release The Mama King -band's album in the spring. So there. :)"

Ari Koivunen, solo artist and winner of the Finnish national TV talent competition "Idols," was recently announced as the new singer for Finnish metal band Amoral.

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In Flames Nominated For Two Swedish Grammi's

Nuclear Blast Records reports:

"IN FLAMES have been nominated for two Swedish Grammi Awards this year. The categories are "Best Hard Rock" and "Best Live".

In Flames have won several Grammies in the past: 2004 - "Best Hard Rock", 2005 - "The Swedish Government’s Export Price", 2006 - "Best Hard Rock".

This year’s award ceremony is taking place in Stockholm (Hovet) on January 7th and is broadcasted live on the Swedish national TV station TV4 between 8 - 10 PM (CET)

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Dir En Grey Added To Mindless Self Indulgence Tour

Dir En Grey has been added to the Kerrang! tour in the United Kingdom which will be headlined by Mindless Self Indulgence and also features Bring Me The Horizon, Black Tide and In Case Of Fire.

The tour dates are as follows:

January 13 - Belfast, Ireland@ Belfast Mandela Hall
January 14 - Dublin, Ireland @ Dublin Academy
January 16 - Bristol, England @ Bristol Academy
January 17 - Cardiff, England @ Cardiff Great Hall
January 18 - Southampton, England @ Southampton Guildhall
January 20 - Oxford, England @ Oxford Academy
January 21 - Norwich, England @ University of East Anglia
January 22 - Nottingham, England @ Rock City
January 23 - Manchester, England @ Manchester Academy
January 24 - Leeds, England @ Leeds Academy
January 26 - Liverpool, England @ Liverpool Academy
January 27 - Glasgow, England @ Glasgow Barrowlands
January 28 - Newcastle, England @ Newcastle Academy
January 29 - Birmingham, England @ Birmingham Academy
January 30 - London, England @ Brixton Academy

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Mudvayne Enters Billboard Charts

Mudvayne has entered the Billboard Album Charts at number 15 with their their brand new studio efort, "The New Game." The album sold 48,000 copies in it's first week on sale in the United States.

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Ragor Begins Recording New Album

Russian black metal act Ragor has announced that they are currently in the studio recording a new album. The working title for the album is "Za Gran'yu Sveta (After Edge Of The Light)" and contains the following tracklisting:

"Krugom Lish' Mrak" ("Only Dark is Around")
"Sgoraet Vremya" ("The Time Is Burning")
"Otchaenie" ("Despairation")
"Za Gran'yu Sveta" ("After The Edge Of The Light")
"Zima Idyot" ("The Winter Is Going")
"Pogrebal'nym Kostrom" ("Of Funeral Fire")
"Stonet Pechal" ("The Grief Is Groaning")
"Prosnuvshis V Nedrah Iskoriozhennoy Zemli" ("Awaked In The Depths of Broken Earth")

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Primordial Announces First North American Tour

Primordial vocalist Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill has checked in with the following update:

"Forgive me it's been a while since my last transmission. It's been a long summer and an extended autumn but finally after the Way of Darkness Festival we are finished the festival season completely and I have to say I couldn't be more glad to be done with airports for at least six months. Getting up at the crack of dawn, airport security, landing then driving for another few hours to more or less go straight from the back of a van to the stage and then back home again after a sleepless night in a cheap hotel has really lost its appeal for a few months. I know this is what you sign up for when you start out in a band so it would be churlish to complain but for the moment I'm completely burnt out with it all. Until 2009...

"Heidenfest is almost upon us and we have been rehearsing for it. We have a 60 minute set and hope to rotate some different songs every night. There are a few things though that I feel I have to address about the tour because I've seen some disparaging remarks about the line up on forums and I've had a few negative conversations with people over the tour. We didn't choose the bands, we were one of the first bands offered the tour and although I did make suggestions to the booking agent for bands that would have added something to the tour but things are as they are. Nothing against the bands we are touring with ,none are to my listening tastes as I'm sure anyone who knows me will know that but we view the tour as a challenge. Hardcore Primordial fans may not want to pay the money for Heidenfest but believe me it won't be the last time we are on tour or playing in any of these countries. The decision is yours but once we stand on the stage nothing will change. We are looking forward to it and making some new converts and having a beer or two with some new people and bands. More...

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Opeth Added To The UK's Hammerfest

Opeth has been announced as the headlining act for the first day of Hammerfest which takes place in Pontins, Prestatyn Sands, Wales on April 24th and 25th. The headliner on the second day will be Bullet For My Valentine. The festival promises a treat for fans of every genre of metal with the following bands confirmed:

Alestorm
Annotations Of An Autopsy
Bullet For My Valentine
Cathedral
Dream Evil
Evile
Exit Ten
Grand Magus
Hammerfall
Opeth
Sabbat
Saxon
Skindred
Trigger The Bloodshed
Tyr

Plus 35 more bands to be announced.

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16 Posts New Track, "Skin And Bones," Online

LA down-tempo metallers, 16, have posted a brand new track, "Skin And Bones," from their forthcoming full-length "Bridges To Burn" online on their official MySpace page. "Bridges To Burn" will see a January 26, 2009 international release through Relapse Records and features original artwork from Florian Bertmer, which can be viewed here.

16, have reformed with the original Dropout line-up of Cris Jerue – vocals, Tony Baumeister– bass, Bobby Ferry – guitar, and Jason Corley– drums. More...

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The Amenta Plans European, Australian Tour Dates

Australia's THE AMENTA is teaming up with cyber grind freaks THE BERZERKER for THE SONIC CORRUPTION tour - a dual album launch headlining tour throughout Australia and New Zealand from January to March. That will be just before it, THE AMENTA will be on tour with
VADER, DEICIDE and SAMAEL in Europe. The latest The Amenta tour dates are as follows:

European tour with Vader, Deicide, Samael:

08.01.09 HOL Tilburg O13
09.01.09 HOL Haarlem Patronaat
10.01.09 BEL Vosselaar Biebob
11.01.09 FR Paris Locomotive
12.01.09 FR Lyon CCO Villeurbane
13.01.09 LU Esch/Alzette Rockhal
14.01.09 GER Stuttgart Ika-Longhorn
15.01.09 GER Frankfurt Batschkapp
16.01.09 GER Bochum Matrix
17.01.09 CH Erstfeld Transilvania Live
18.01.09 ITA Milan Rolling Stone
19.01.09 A Worgl Komma
20.01.09 SK Bratislava DK Dubravka
21.01.09 POL Katowice Mega Club
22.01.09 POL Warsaw Progresja More...

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Will Haven Confirmed For Chi Cheng Benefit Show

Following Death Angel's announcement that they'll be taking part in the benefit show for Deftones bassist Chi Cheng, Will Haven and Testament vocalist Chuck Billy have also confirmed their participation.

The benefit show takes place this Saturday, November 29th at Fat City in San Francisco. The show is only $12 and tickets can be purchased at the door.

Cheng is reportedly currently still in a coma following a car accident.

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Razor Of Occam Signs To Metal Blade

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of RAZOR OF OCCAM for a multiple Worldwide record deal.

RAZOR OF OCCAM is a metal band in the black/thrash genre based in London, UK including half of the Destroyer 666 line-up and members of Adorior. Originally spawned from the South Australian desert in the late nineties, the music of RAZOR OF OCCAM still emulates the harshness of its birthplace. Never content to follow the mainstream, the lyrics eschew the mystical nonsense typical of the genre and instead highlight the harsh reality of the godless, uncaring and awe-inspiring universe we inhabit.

The band has two releases to date, "Diabologue" (Damnation Records) and "Pillars of Creation" (Circle of Tyrants). They have recently finished the recordings for their third release, a full-length album titled "Homage To Martyrs" to be released via Metal Blade Records in the spring of 2009.

RAZOR OF OCCAM has predominately been a self-reliant act, securing gigs, festivals and tours in the UK, Europe and their homeland. They have played along side renowned acts such as Asphyx, Primordial and Dismember, including a European tour with Gospel of the Horns.

Comments the band on the deal: "The Metal Blade back catalogue speaks for itself. We can only hope to be deemed worthy of sitting alongside such illustrious names."

More details, the tracklisting, and a brand new MP3 from "Homage To Martyrs" will be announced and uploaded shortly. In the meantime, you can check the band out on their MySpace page.

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Opeth And Immortal To Release Vinyl Box Sets

German label Viva Hate Records has announced the release of limited edition, hand numbered OPETH And IMMORTAL vinyl wooden boxes.

The Opeth box is a 6xLP set of the following albums: The Orchid, Morningrise, My Arms Your Hearse. The wooden box will have the Opeth logo and album details printed/burned on it. The first 200 coloured versions contain an exclusive special Opeth shirt. This is due for release in January.

The Immortal box is a 6xLP set of the following albums: Diabolical Fullmoon, Pure Holocaust, Battles In The North, Blizzard Beasts,At The Heart Of Winter, Damned In Black. The wooden box will have the Immortal logo and album details printed/burned on it. The white vinyl version is limited to 100 pieces. The dark red vinyl version is limited to 200 pieces. Each will include a special shirt. This is due for release in March.

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Mortum Posts New Song Online

New Jersey black metallers, Mortum, have posted a new song on their MySpace page entitled, "Endless Depression." The song is one of 8 that comes off their debut album, "Awakening of the Primordial Spirit" [cover]. The album was recorded at AI Recording Studios in Waldwick, New Jersey.

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Robert Plant To Do New Album With Alison Krauss

Led Zeppelin fans hoping that legendary frontman Robert Plant will change his mind about joining his former bandmates on tour will be disapointed to hear that he will be entering the studio with Alison Krauss in January to record another album with the acclaimed musician.

“In January, I’m starting to record a new album with ALISON KRAUSS and T BONE BURNETT,” he revealed, before adding “but I understand that everyone’s got to eat,” implying that the Plant-less Led Zep has his blessing.

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Deicide Frontman Glen Benton Slams Blabbermouth

Glen Benton, frontman of the legendary death metal band Deicide has posted the following message online:

"Let me clear up a few things about past cancellations and the recent central american fiasco, firstly to all you stupid fucks on blabber crap in your mouth.net who talk your crap about my past cancellations of shows. I only cancel shows when the safety of the band has come into question or if there is a personal family issue for anyone in the band or crew that might arise ( and they do) and lastly the unprofessional and dirty dealings of adolescent shit promoters who like to play games with our money. Yes money!!!!!!…Did you stupid fucks that post your ridicules bullshit on blabber crap.net think we do this for free? Fuck no!!!!!…There is this bad habit my kids have it's called eating and living under a roof…and when you fuck with my money I take it personally and I walk, I have that option…I'm my own boss.. I have better things to do than get stuck at airports and stranded in foreign countries where I cant communicate in order to do my job when people drop the ball. So when we make an agreement with someone for a performance I expect them to live up to their part of the agreement, if not, I do what I have to. Most intelligent people would agree that not even I work for free. Unlike you children who post your ignorant bullshit on blabbercrap.net while living in your parents basement with mommy washing and folding your underwear and cooking your meals and wiping your asses…I am an adult with family and big people responsibilities…and have people who count on myself to make decisions in the best interest and safety of myself and the other members of DEICIDE..I am never happy having to walk off a tour or not do a scheduled show - this is not something I plan or conspire to do, and you the fan are not the only ones disappointed, we are as well. It is the nature of the beast in this business.

"I want all to know and remember this especially all you jack offs that like to talk shit but have never been out of your own front yard nevertheless out of this country, I don't do this for you…I do it for me…and when it comes to me you don't matter, so when you book DEICIDE you wannabe big time promoters …remember this, breech my contract in anyway and you to will find yourself with your dick in your hands and the fans kicking your ass….GB"

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Poison The Well Begins Recording New Album

Miami, Florida based Poison The Well has announced that they have begun recording their new full length album which will be released through Ferret Music in May 2009. However, band member J Robbins will not be a part of the recording process due to a family emergency. In his place will be Steve Evetts, who's resume includes Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die and Kid Dynamite.

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Soulfly Announces European Tour Dates

Soulfly will be heading to Europe for a lengthy tour in January and will be bringing Incite with them.

The tour dates are as follows:

Jan. 28 - Stuttgart, Germany @ LKA
Jan. 29 - Cologne, Germany @ Live Music Hall
Jan. 30 - Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Effena
Jan. 31 - Lille, France @ Splendid
Feb. 01 - Portsmouth, UK @ Pyramid Centre
Feb. 02 - Oxford, UK @ Zodiac at Academy
Feb. 03 - Bristol, UK @ Academy
Feb. 04 - Dublin, Ireland @ Academy
Feb. 05 - Belfast, Ireland @ TBA
Feb. 06 - Glasgow, Scotland @ ABC
Feb. 07 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
Feb. 08 - Leeds, UK @ Met. University
Feb. 09 - Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
Feb. 10 - Wolverhamton, UK @ Wulfren Hall
Feb. 11 - London, UK @ Electric Ballroom
Feb. 12 - Paris, France @ Bataclan
Feb. 13 - Clermont Ferrand, France @ Cooperative de Mai
Feb. 14 - Bilbao, Spain @ Kafe Antzoki
Feb. 15 - Madrid, Spain @ Sala Heineke
Feb. 16 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Coliseum
Feb. 17 - Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Apolo
Feb. 18 - Toulouse, France @ Bikini
Feb. 19 - Fribourg, Switzerland @ Fri-Son
Feb. 20 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Xtra
Feb. 21 - Milan, Italy @ Rolling Stone
Feb. 22 - Rome, Italy @ Alpheus
Feb. 23 - Treviso, Italy @ New Age
Feb. 24 - Graz, Austria @ Orpheum
Feb. 26 - Salzburg, Austria @ Rockhouse
Feb. 27 - Linz, Austria @ Posthof
Feb. 28 - Worgl, Austria @ Komma
Mar. 01 - Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
Mar. 02 - Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlachthof
Mar. 03 - Wuerzburg, Germany @ Soundpark Ost.
Mar. 04 - Berlin, Germany @ Huxleys
Mar. 05 - Chemnitz, Germany @ Sudbahnhof
Mar. 06 - Czech Republic @ Metalmania Festival
Mar. 07 - Poland @ Metalmania Festival

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Soilwork Cancels French Shows

Soilwork has posted the following tour report online:

"Howdy y'all, here's a little Soilwork update straight from Bilbao, Spain. So far, this European Tour with ONE-WAY MIRROR and ANANTA has been a total blast, filled to the brim with sweat, beers and heavy-ass riffage. Here's a big HAIL to all of you who came out to see us so far! You rock!!!

"Alas, we also have some bad news. For reasons beyond our control, we're forced to cancel the last of our three French shows, initially in Lyon and recently moved to Luynes (Aix-En-Provence). We sincerely apologize to our French fans for this unfortunate situation, and we promise to come back for a full-fledged French tour as soon as we can.

"On another note, since Ananta have to leave us after the Swiss show next Saturday, we've added on some different opening bands wherever possible. For the four shows in Germany, the opener will be DEADLOCK and for the three shows in Sweden it will be SCARPOINT.

Cheers!"

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Metallica To Release Next Album Online?

According to NME.com, METALLICA are considering releasing their new album online, but drummer Lars Ulrich says that their next record might be a while coming.

The band recently came to the end of their record deal, and are weighing up all the options, which could include a regular label release.

“We’re free of our record contract,” Ulrich told Rolling Stone. “We have that element of complete freedom with the next record, so we can do whatever we want. We could do an internet thing or even put it on Andy Greene’s record label.” More...

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Destruction Announces North American Dates

German thrash metal legends Destruction will be heading to North America in March for a tour. Joining them will be Krisiun and Mantic Ritual.

The tour dates are as follows:

March
5 -Farmingdale,NY - Crazy Donkey
6 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
7 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Chance Theater
8 - Montreal, QC - Fou Founes Electriques
9 - Quebec City, QC - L'Imperial
10 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
11 - Cleveland, OH - Peabodys
12 - Mokena, IL - Pearl Room
13 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
14 - Winnipeg, MB - Royal Albert Arms
15 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
16 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
17 - Calgary, AB - Warehouse
19 - Vancouver, BC - Plaza Club
20 - Victoria, BC - Sugar
21 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
22 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
23 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
24 - Los Angeles, CA - Key Club
25 - San Marcos, CA - Jumping Turtle
26 - Anahiem, CA - Chain Reaction
28 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
30 - Ft Worth, TX - Lola’s
31 - San Antonio, TX - Scout Bar

April
2 - Ft Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
3 - St Pete, FL - The Garage
4 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
5 - Raleigh, NC - Volume 11
6 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
7 - New York, NY - BB Kings

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