Quickie update from Wednesday's pre-Hopscotch party

Trying to get out the door for night one of Hopscotch (1st stop: the VIP party at Sheraton) but wanted to put up some videos and photos from last night. Here's the lowdown: Caught a good bit of Valient Thorr (had to work today) who were totally on it, thought Howl were amazing, and ended up liking Junius, even if they had to grow on me a bit. Will update these videos with details later. I like how I managed to only get Valient Himself in the above photo. Looks like he's rockin all by himself onstage. I was very glad for Junius' dramatic stage lighting because it made it easier to take photos of them.

Valient Thorr from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Junius at Kings from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Howl at Kings from Mann's World on Vimeo.

See more photos here.

New music from Valient Thorr!

Even if you don't have tickets to the sold out Mastodon/Valient Thorr show Saturday at Lincoln Theater, you can still hear some new music from VT. Click here for info on how to have the new song mailed to you. 

Still groggy from last night's Love Language/Light Pines show. Light Pines blew me away once again. I think they're my favorite of the LL/Max Indian/Light Pines triumvrate. This was my first time seeing LL in their new form, and it's definitely more stripped down, yet polished at the same time. But the best part of the evening was seeing Pour House soundman Jac Cain scurry around trying to get the audience off the stage during the big finale. 

Valient Thorr on Ear Farm

I can not believe (well, OK, I can believe it) that Valient Himself took his shirt off in that weather. Read it here.

Raleigh Undercover night 1: Valient Thorr

I could spend a little time writing about the other bands on Friday's bill at Raleigh Undercover, but the fact is, Valient Thorr stole the show right out from everyone. I do have to give Left Outlet props for taking on Queen and doing a good job with it. On any other night they might have been the big news, but last night was all about Valient, who gathered a few extra friends and took on Funkadelic, and had EVERYONE in that extremely packed space gettin' down.

A modest proposal to all Triangle club owners

I would seriously like for all you guys to get together and decide what time is "showtime" and then coordinate. Yes, I know I hang out at Slim's, where shows tend to start around 11 p.m. And, yes, I know that a four-band show by nationally known bands is likely to start a little earlier. That said, I did NOT expect Monotonix to be done playing when I got to Volume 11 last night at 10:30. I understand they did their set in the parking lot and totally rocked. Oh well.Early Man (above) was next, and I was very pleased to see that they'd filled out the band with a bass player and a second guitarist, both of whom were, as Angela succinctly put it, "hot as balls." Here's the video of "Feeding Frenzy."

Early Man from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Even though the crowd was a bit smaller than I would have expected, Valient Thorr, wasted no effort in their performance. Valient Himself certainly didn't act like a dude who had some pretty major surgery not too long ago. I dare saw no one had more fun than the gigantic stuffed fish (stuffed as in stuffed animal, not taxidermied), which someone started tossing through the crowd (see above). That thing went all over the club, and several times ended up onstage in Valient's arms. You can see it in action in the video for "Parable of Daedalus."

Valient Thorr from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Valient Himself to donate kidney to his father

OK, now this is truly a heartwarming story. Valient Thorr singer Valient Himself is taking some time off to donate a kidney to his ailing father. Here's some info about the procedure, as well as the upcoming CD, "Immortalizer," which is scheduled for release on June 17. Plus, David Menconi interviews Valient on his blog. Best of luck to Valient and his dad. LOS ANGELES, CA (March 26, 2008) – Valient Himself announced today that Valient Thorr will be postponing all activities April 15th through June 10th to allow him to donate a kidney to his ailing father. Valient’s decision to take public what is a private family event stems from the National Kidney Foundation’s public outreach. As Valient Thorr is on a single-minded mission to spread their message of redemption wrapped in rock n’ roll, this is another chance to illuminate a critically important issue that people don't think about unless they are personally touched. Says Valient, “If I can go from a hospital bed to playing in front of a crowd of 75,000 at the UK’s Download Festival in just eight weeks, people out there might consider becoming organ donors as well. If they have family members who need a kidney, it's definitely something to think about; and if not, they can still learn about designating themselves as organ donors on their driver's license.” More information on kidney donations can be found at www.kidney.org or www.livingdonors.org <> Says Catherine Paykin, Transplant Services Program Director, National Kidney Foundation, “We are delighted that Valient Himself has decided to take his donation story public. We hope that it serves to shed light on the lifesaving power of organ donation and encourages others to get involved. We wish him and his father a speedy recovery.” Prior to Valient Himself’s scheduled surgery on April 29th, the band will play a private show at the Volcom skate park on April 8th to air May 29th on Fuel TV’s Check 1, 2. They will resume their European tour on June 13th and return to the U.S. for a nationwide tour beginning in July. Information on specific dates will be posted as available on www.ValientThorr.com </> Valient Thorr will release IMMORTALIZER on June 17 on Volcom Entertainment. The new record — their fourth in five years — is a testament to the band’s hard-working existence, with a staggeringly productive tour schedule that finds them averaging close to 250 dates a year (this surgery rest being Valient’s longest time off since 2003). IMMORTALIZER was recorded in Seattle with the legendary Jack Endino, producer of seminal albums by Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney as well as younger upstarts Hot Hot Heat and High On Fire. IMMORTALIZER follows in the footsteps of the band’s self-released 2003 debut Stranded on Earth, their 2005 Volcom debut Total Universe Man, and 2006’s Legend of the World. New guitarist Voiden Thorr brings a sharper metal edge into the fold, joining fellow six-stringer Eidan Thorr, drummer Lucian Thorr and bassist Nitewolf. ### http://www.valientthorr.com http://www.kidney.org http://www.livingdonors.org

Valient Thorr tonight at the Brewery

I guess the Brewery didn't want a mad crush of people there for tonight's Valient Thorr show. That's the only reason I can think of for them not promoting this show until the last minute. I should note that Riverboat Gamblers are also a really good band.