Dark Light Odyssey (April Mixtape)

Prologue
01. Then There Were 2 by John Murphy

Act I
02. Superhero by Anthrax
03. Fightin' Stance by Big Dumb Face
04. Get the Girl! Kill the Baddies! by Pop Will Eat Itself
05. Fallen by 30 Seconds to Mars
06. Dirt by The Stooges
07. Rage by John Murphy

Act II
08. I Don't Wanna Be (A Superhero) by Roadrunner United (Michale Graves)
09. No More Mr. Nice Guy by Alice Cooper
10. Their Law by The Prodigy feat. Pop Will Eat Itself
11. The Destroyer by Alec Empire
12. I'm a Monster by Ours
13. A World Without Heroes by Kiss
14. The End by John Murphy

Finis
15. New Star in the Sky (Chanson Pour Solal) by Air

Beastie Boys: Making Noise With Friends And Hot Sauce

It has been awhile since we have heard a new Beastie Boys album (and one involving rapping at that) but the trio have returned with Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, the follow-up to the indefinitely shelved Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 (due to MCA's cancer diagnosis and successful treatment). On May 3, the trio are set to release their eighth full-length album which also features guest appearances from Nas and Santogold. If you, like myself, love Beastie Boys and can not wait until the album's release. Here are three ways to pass the time until next Tuesday.

One Hit Wonder Or One Hit Blunder

Today's Subject: "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground

A song about two things that I knew absolutely nothing about in high school and barely know anything about in my adult life as well. Still, I felt drawn to its low key, almost monotonous, verses and mellow chorus. Also, there was the need to figure out what "disco lemonade" was. Yeah, I still have no clue what that means and, at the moment, am wishing that someone was lounging in my chair and casting devious stares in my direction so it could lead to sex and candy at the moment because I could really go for Allison Brie and a Mr. Goodbar (but am willing to settle for a Kardashian and some peanut M&M's).

New Garage Explosion Screening Tonight

Fact: The garage sound of bands like ? and the Mysterians, The Kingsmen and, later on, The Stooges is alive and well in 2011. Bands like Black Lips, The Coathangers, Black Keys and The Dirtbombs have kept the scene going through their lo-fi, enjoyably creative 7" and full-length albums. The current garage scenes of Memphis and Detroit are featured in a film entitled New Garage Explosion: In Love with These Times.

Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone

Fishbone has always been a band that divided the line between commercial success and cult following as well as brilliant musical geniuses and insane genre adventurers. More to the point, they, in all right, should have been the band that broke into mainstream along, if not before, with their peers and followers. This sentiment is the universal ideology given by their fans and friends in Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone. Deeper than that, the documentary is a look at six friends, their influence on the scene around them and the challenges and conflicts of the remaining members as they continue to create their art.

In Case You Missed It: Foo Fighters Edition

Foo Fighters are on a week-long victory lap behind the release of their recent release, Wasting Light. From Saturday Night Live to The Daily Show to an appearance and online concert for Late Night with David Letterman, it is hard to escape from the band's melodic clutches (and, realistically, would you want to). With that said, here is a collection of Foo Fighters appearances from the last few days. Watch them and try not letting the new songs get stuck in your head. It is impossible like eating a tablespoon of cinnamon or understanding the obsession over Entourage. The videos are posted after the jump.

Freddie Gibbs At Cobra Lounge Tonight!!!

In January, I was fortunate to cover a performance by Freddie Gibbs, which you can read here. By many, Gibbs is seen a modern day Tupac Shakur due to his delivery and his tales of urban society and its struggles. By all, he is seen as one of the most buzzed about names in hip hop today and has worked with the likes of The Cool Kids, Bun B and The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach. This Saturday night, you will be able to catch Gibbs before he  finishes work on his forthcoming LP, Baby Faced Killa, at Cobra Lounge. Recently, he performed at the Troubadour in Los Angeles with a live band and was featured on Last Call with Carson Daly. Watch the clip after the jump and, most importantly, come out tonight to see an artist on the rise.

Free Magrudergrind Show This Saturday

Free? Metal Matinee? Saturday afternoon? The only way this could be any better is if you were actually there. This Saturday, Scion A/V is offering a free concert headlined by D.C. grindcore trio, Magrudergrind, at Reggie's Rock Club. The trio recently released a new EP, Crusher, that not only showcases the band's technical skill but also steamrolls over its 12 minute running time. With their headlining spot at this Saturday's Metal Matinee, you can expect the same sonic ferocity in person in addition to selections from their impressive back catalog. Get your spot for the Scion A/V Metal Matinee by submitting your RVSP here. Mind Eraser and Noisear are set to open. Also, if you have not had the chance to listen to the new Magrudergrind EP, Crusher, yet, crank up your speakers and hit play after the jump.  

Hear Foo Fighters' Wasting Light

To state the obvious, Foo Fighters own April. It is not enough that they own the month, the band has returned with a musical assault on your eyes, ears and, possibly, your wallet. Last night,  the band's documentary, Back and Forth, debuted in theaters across the country and was followed by a live streaming 3D concert. This weekend, they will appear as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in addition to various cable networks showing the aforementioned documentary. Record Store Day will see the release of Medium Rare, a compilation of various covers recorded throughout the band's career (sadly, "Ozone" is not included) and next Tuesday is the Foo Fighters' first album in nearly four years, Wasting Light. Upon initial listening, the new album, definitely, does not disappoint. Instead of taking my pending review's word for it, check out the album's stream after the jump. Who knows? Maybe a white limo driven by Lemmy Kilmister might appear.

The Only Good April Showers Are Showers Of Awesome Music

One day, I promise not to use cheesy and corny titles for new releases but today is not that day. From the return of TV on the Radio and Foo Fighters to reissues of classics from Rush and Queens of the Stone Age, April is truly an amazing month of new releases. Best of all, on the third Saturday of April (16th), you can rush to your local record store and take part in Record Store Day (known as the greatest day ever).  Nevertheless, there is vast selection of interesting musical selections this month to choose from and you owe it to yourself to add some new pieces to your collection.

The Cool Kids Opening For Lil' Wayne Tonight!!!

More than likely, you are familiar with Lil' Wayne as he is one of the biggest names in hip hop and has probably appeared on your favorite rapper's album or mixtape. Midwest rappers The Cool Kids are best known in independent circles but continually make their mainstream presence known from performing at the Coachella, Lollapalooza and Pitchfork festivals as well as getting their tracks played in everything from episodes of Entourage to national Nike spots featuring Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Students of the old school hip hop sound, Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks just recently released a new single, "Bundle Up" from their forthcoming album and their amazing talent and Inglish's thumping beats are continuously spread out over an EP, various mixtapes and numerous guest spots. With The Cool Kids' popularity and stock constantly rising, they are the must see act for this concert, especially in a venue like United Center. Find out more on The Cool Kids here and pickup one of the mixtapes or their debut, The Bake Sale, while you are at it.