The Alternative Tone

This week's guest recommendations comes from Jon Lemay, DJ on Skidmore College Radio, WSPN and general music fan extraordinaire.   The Front Bottoms -  The Front Bottoms I discovered these guys when I saw them open for River City Extension over the summer, and what instantly stood out to be was just how crazy everyone went during their set. Kids were going nuts and screaming every lyric back at them--it was clear that this band meant a whole lot to everyone there. A couple months later, a breakup later, and a lot of listens to their self-titled debut later, and I understand everything. Maybe it's the unique combination of folk and pop-punk. Maybe it's Brian Sella's honest lyrics and quirky delivery. Or maybe it's the fact that this album ranges from really fun ("Maps") to really sad ("Bathtub"). I can't really say, but this band is making waves, and with their full length being released in May, you'd best hop on the boat. Key tra...

Check out Motives ' video for "Break The Static" below.

Hi there Falling Still! Who is Falling Still and how did you get together? Falling Still is three crazy people from Akron, Ohio. We all grew up together, sharing an     insatiable lust for rocking and rolling, which eventually led us to Los Angeles, where we                  currently live, work, and play. How would you describe Falling Still's sound for the unacquainted?   It's a loud, sweaty, bluesy, grungy, psychedelic mix of sounds and emotions. What are you guys up to at the moment?  Pushing on! We've realized that we can essentially write, record, and release new material instantaneously, which is a beautiful thing. So we're just going to keep at it. We'll also be playing tons of shows in the LA area. Well done on the self titled EP! How has the reaction been to the record so far?  People seem to dig it. We tend to get a lot more of a reaction from our live show, than we do the EP. But the ...

Marking one year since its release Animal Style Records has launched a pay what you want download for  The Fake Boys  "Pig Factory" for one week only here . 

New England’s Raindance will join forces with Full of Hell on extended weekend tour starting April 25 in Newburgh , NY . The trek winds down on April 28 on Bethlehem , NY . See dates below. Raindance’s latest release New Blood is out now on Animal Style Records. April 25 - Newburgh , NY - Mosh Basement April 26 - New Bedford , MA - No Problemo April 27 - Hoboken , NJ - Steven's April 28 - Bethlehem , NY - Gallery U

Bella Union is very pleased to welcome Landshapes  to the family, whose debut album 'Rambutan' will be released into the world on  Monday 17th June , and we couldn't think of a finer way to introduce them to you than the wonderful video for their new single 'In Limbo'. 

Marques Toliver  has released a video for   "Control". Check it out below.

  State  Lines  and  Haverford  released the album art for their upcoming split set to drop this Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013. The split will be available on a limited run tape, out of a hundred, and online for 'Name Your Own Price'. Fifty tapes are currently up for pre-order on the Meadowbrook Records website bundled with the repressing of State Lines first full length Hoffman Manor. The remaining fifty tapes will be sold online as well as this Summer on State Lines' tour and Haverford's tour. 

The Front Bottoms have announced a new album, single and video, and tour dates. Woohoo! Firstly, listen to "Twin Size Mattress" below. Then get stoked about the fact that they're releasing their new album Talon Of The Hawk, on May 21. Pre order it here . And then.. get tickets to see them on their upcoming tour!

John Grant has released a video for "GMF". Check it out below. 

Brooklyn indie quartet  A Great Big Pile of Leaves  have announced a new full-length  studio album,  You’re Always On My Mind , set for release on July 2nd through a continued partnership with Topshelf Records. 

Three really awesome bands; Cerce, The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die and Dads have announced a May tour together. Yay!  TWIABP / Dads / Cerce:  5/18/2013 - Cambridge , MA @ Elks Lodge  5/19/201 - Quebec , QB @ Pouzza Fest  5/20/2013 - Ottowa , ON @ 40 Muriel Street 5/21/2013  Toronto   ON  @  Sneaky Dees  (WATCH OUT!)  5/22/2013 – Ajax , ON @ 3230 Greenburn Place  5/23/2013 - Rochester , NY @ Dubland Underground  5/24/2013 - TBA  5/25/2013 - Howell , MI @ Bled Fest Just TWIABP & Dads:  5/26/2013 - York , PA @ New Grounds Just Cerce  5/26/2013 - Chicago , IL @ Alderan TWIABP / Cerce / Dads:  5/27/2013 - Bethlehem , PA @ Secret Art Space

Vinnie Caruana has announced European solo tour dates. Check them out below.  Tour Dates  April  Thurs 18 - Fighting Cocks, Kingston  Sat 20 - Hit The Deck, Bristol Sun 21 - Hit The Deck, Nottingham Mon 22 - Cluny, Newcastle  Tues 23 - Brudenell, Leeda Wed 24 - Scared Trinity, Manchester Thurs 25 - The Asylum, Birmingham  Sat 27 - Monster Bash, Berlin  Sun 28 - Groezrock, Meerhoot

It's a double The Flaming Lips video bonanza. Firstly, check out a trailer for their upcoming album, The Terror  out April 1. And, then watch the first video of The Flaming Lips explaining the tracks off their new album. This video covers the first couple of tracks, so look out for more.

Head over to Billboard  to stream The Dear Hunter 's Migrant , in full. The album is released April 2.

Mice Parade will be touring around the US again this coming May starting out their tour in Hawaii on the 25th. Mice Parade's Adam Pierce contributed some of his current listening material to a brand new podcast -  download it here  and check the tracklist out below as well as the live dates. Dates: 25 May - The Republik, Honolulu HI 28 May - Casbah, San Diego CA 29 May - The Echo, Los Angeles CA 30 May - The Crepe Place, Santa Cruz CA 31 May - Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco CA 02 Jun - Holocene, Portland OR 03 Jun - Triple Door, Seattle WA Podcast tracklist: 1. Sierra Maestra - Elena La Cumbachera 2. Rokia Traoré - Dounia 3. Magnetic Fields - You Must Be Out of your Mind 4. Desmond Dekker - Honour Your Mother and Father 5. Eddie Palmieri - Pa La Ocha Tambo 6. Doc Watson & Jean Ritchie - The Storms are On The Ocean 7. Red House Painters - Grace Cathedral Park 8. Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz International - Sweet Mother 9. The Replacements - Uns...

Frontier(s) have signed to Tiny Engines, and will be releasing a 7" later this year.

Baltimore , MD ’s Have Mercy have revealed details for their upcoming Topshelf Records  LP,  The   Earth Pushed Back,  out May 21 . Recorded at The Magpie Cage in their hometown with indie icon J. Robbins producing, the 10 track album finds the band expanding on the powerful, yet melodic sounds they cultivated on 2012’s  My Oldest Friend  EP.

Hi there Breath Of An Epoch! Hi there Kelly of The Alternative Tone! Who are Breath Of An Epoch and how did you get together? We are a three-piece from Rockford, Illinois and we're all in high school. Jesse (guitar and vocals) and I (TJ - vocals and bass) have been working together (under a different name) since 7th grade (we're juniors now) and 2 years ago we decided to actually make a band. So after experimenting with different members over that time frame, we recorded and released our debut EP the same day our old drummer Brandon left the band (October 4th). Since then, Dan, our triforce of courage, has taken Brandon's place. He rules. How would you describe your music for the unacquainted? Our EP doesn't do a very good job in representing our new style. Since Brandon's departure, we've all matured heavily and gained many new influences. Currently, we can be classified as a jazzy, mathy, midwest-y, experimental-y, emo three piece who use music...

Check out Young Statutes trailer for their upcoming album, Age Isn't Ours , out April 2. 

Check out a documentary called My Basement Is A Shithole made by Marietta 's Evan. The documentary is about basement shows in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the punk scene in general around there. Make sure you give it a watch!

mewithoutYou will be premiering a new video at midnight. Keep your eyes out here .

Gifts have uploaded their self titled EP as 'name your price' on Bandcamp. Check it out here . These guys are perfect for fans of Old Gray and Tiny Moving Parts.

Watch the video below to see Caravels performing some tracks off their upcoming album live in Las Vegas. 

Jimmy Eat World will be opening for City And Colour on July 12, at the  PNE Ampitheathre, Vancouver.  Get tickets here !

Stream "My Very Own You" by Little Big League on their Bandcamp now. It's taken from the band's upcoming LP These Are Good People.  My Very Own You by Little Big League

Eisley  announces today that they will release their fourth full-length album,  Currents , on May 28 via Equal Vision Records. In the coming weeks,  Eisley  will be premiering a brand new song from the band’s album, and will be revealing their summer tour plans. TRACKLISTING 1. Currents 2. Blue Fish 3. Drink The Water 4. Save My Soul 5. Millstone 6. Real World 7. Wicked Child (feat. Merriment) 8. Find Me Here 9. Wonder English 10. Lost Enemies 11. The Night Comes  12. Shelter

The reunited 1979 line up of Black Flag have announced tour dates. Check 'em out below. 05/14 – Luxembourg, CH @ Rockhat Club 05/15 – Milan, IY @ Alcatraz 05/16 – Zurich, CH @ Dynamo 05/17 – Rome, IT @ The Orion 05/18 – Hunxe, DE @ Ruhrpott Rodeo 05/20 – Wien, AT @ Arena Wien 05/23 – Austin, TX @ Infest 05/24 – Dallas, TX @ Trees 05/25 – San Antonio, TX @ The Korova 06/06 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre 06/07 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s 06/08 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club 06/09 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club 06/10 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre 06/14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw @ The Polish National House 06/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw @ The Polish National House 06/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer 06/19 – Lexington, KY @ Buster’s 06/20 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House 06/21 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar 07/10 – El Paso, TX @ Tricky Falls 07/11 – Tempe, AZ @ Club Red/Red Owl 07/12 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory 07/13 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observa...

The entirety of Annabel 's back catalogue is available for free on Bancamp until the end of the month. Get it here  quick!    

Koji has announced his debut full-length LP 'Crooked In My Mind', due out  April 30  via Run For Cover Records. 

You can now stream Telekinesis ' upcoming third album Dormarion over at NPR. Listen here

Sampler of various South Carolina bands, most within the lines of folk and indie folk. Download Here RIYL: South Carolina

Math tinged post rock.. or is it the other way round? It's hard to keep track these days. Download Here RIYL: And So I Watch You From Afar hanging out with The Appleseed Cast

Pop punk from Dublin Download Here RIYL: The Winter Passing; emo tinged pop punk

New feature time! "The Alternative Tone: On Shuffle" is a wonderful new weekly feature dedicated to reviewing five tracks from the past which might not necessarily be on your radar but definitely deserve to be. Don't forget to save the playlist!  Boilermaker - Iris (Taken from Luecadia) Embodying the sound of 90s emo, Boilermaker's "Iris" is a sludgy, evenly paced, slow motion headbanger of a track. The track, whilst heavy in the way songs of the 90s were often heavy, has a wonderful quiet understatedness to it which makes it an apt song for soundtracking one's emotions. Add in the instantly agreeable vocals and the track's unique unsprung coil guitar line, Boilermaker's "Iris" is an unpraised masterpiece.  The Weakerthans - This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open  ( Taken from Left And  Leaving) Yet another highlight from The Weakerthan's pop rock goes mature arsenal. "This Is A Fire Door..." is a mid tempo...

Escapist Records has put up the new Foxfires EP, The Golden Age,  for free/"Pay-What-You-Want" via the label Bandcamp page. You can grab it here . 

Check out Weatherbox 's recent Audiotree  session here .

 Sigur Rós have announced European tour dates. Read more to check 'em out and links to buy tickets. 

As part of this year's Record Store Day celebrations Bella Union records are thrilled to announce that The Walkmen   will be making available their seminal debut album  Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone  for the first time in the UK/Europe. This much sought after rarity will be available on coloured vinyl and will also include a CD.  Having sold-out the London Forum back in November The Walkmen will be making their UK live return in early May, first as main support to The Vaccines at  the O2 followed by a headline show at Liverpool Sound City and as one of headline acts at the Grizzly Bear-curated ATP at Alexandra Palace. The guys will then return at the end of the summer to perform at Bestival on the Isle of Wight.. Thursday 2 nd  May – LONDON – O2 (main support to The Vaccines) Friday 3 rd  May – LIVERPOOL – Liverpool Cathedral Sunday 5 th  May – LONDON – Alexan...

Download McCafferty's new single "Skeleton Bones" which is now 'name your price' on Bandcamp . It's sorta like pop punk, but it's not really.. because there's acoustic guitars.

Check out To Kill A King 's cover of Bastille 's "Oblivion" below. Download it for free here . 

Bay Area shoegaze sextet  Whirr  have announced a new 7" on  Run For Cover Records .  Originally released by the band as a tape, this recording is seeing the light of day on vinyl for the first time on Record Store Day (4/20/2013).  Both a pre-order version and a limited Record Store Day version will be available.  The pre-order version is available for order now at:  http://bit.ly/YtFsg0   The track list features songs spanning the band's whole discography, all performed breathtakingly perfect in comparison to their original, but the raw, live recordings show the songs in new light. Tracklist: 1. Blue 2. Flashback 3. Junebouvier 4. Twist

Tigers Jaw has announced on their Tumblr that they have lost 3 members and will have to cancel their mainland Europe tour dates.  Read below for Brianna's statement.    "After our show in Scranton two weeks ago, Adam, Pat, and Dennis let Ben and I know that for personal reasons they are unable to do Tigers Jaw anymore. This was a surprise for the both of us, but everyone is on good terms, and we respect and support them and their decisions. A full band Tigers Jaw lineup (consisting of Ben and I with the help of some talented friends) will be doing a full US tour in May-June as well as the UK dates of the previously announced tour with the Menzingers in August. We regret to announce that we will have to cancel the mainland Europe dates. We apologize to the promoters, venues, and anyone who bought tickets. These are likely to be the last Tigers Jaw tours for the foreseeable future. US tour dates will be announced soon. Thanks."

Slingshot Dakota have announced US tour dates. Slingshot Dakota US Spring Tour Alone: 4/13/2013 - Greenville , NC @ East Coast Music & Video 4/14/2013 - Columbia , SC @ New Brookland Tavern w/ Muscle & Bone w/ Frameworks: 4/16/2013 - Atlanta , GA @ Wonder Root 4/17/2013 - Jacksonville , FL @ Burro Bar 4/18/2013 - Orlando , FL @ Peakcock w/ You Blew It! 4/19/2013 - Pembroke, Pines FL @ The Talent Farm 4/20/2013 - Gainesville , FL @ Mars w/ Dikembe 4/21/2013 - Tallahasee , FL @ The Hidden Hand 4/22/2013 - OFF Alone: 4/23/2013 - Houston , TX @ Mango's 4/24/2013 - Austin , TX @ Annex at 1808 4/25/2013 - Dallas , TX @ TBA 4/26/2013 - Midland , TX @ The Pine Box 4/27/2013 - ABQ , NM @ Gasworks 4/28/2013 - Mesa , AZ @ The Nile 4/29/2013 - SAN, DIEGO CA @ TBA 4/30/2013 - LA @ TBA 5/1/2013 - Fresno , CA @ CYC 5/2/2013 - San, Francisco CA @ TBA w/ Duck. Little Brother, Duck!: 5/4/2013 - Portland @ Garfield House 5/5/2013 - Seattle , WA @ El Cor...