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No Doubt sue Activision over Band Hero

Tim Karan on 11/4/09 @ 3:02 PM

No Doubt have filed a lawsuit against video game maker Activision for using the band's likeness as avatars in Band Hero. Each member of No Doubt is a playable character in the game and can be used to perform songs by other artists. The band say they originally agreed to have their likenesses in the game, but only to perform the No Doubt songs in the game. In an interview, No Doubt's manager Jim Guerinot said that the band were "mortified" when they learned this fact and that No Doubt were turned into a "virtual karaoke circus act."

When the band reached out to Activision to address their concerns, Guerinot says the company replied that changing the game "would be 'too expensive' and would jeopardize their revenue.'"

A statement on behalf of No Doubt reads:

"Musical artists No Doubt announced that they have filed a lawsuit against Activision Publishing today, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 and are seeking an injunction and damages.

No Doubt agreed to place avatars containing their name and likeness performing three No Doubt songs in the upcoming Band Hero game of the Guitar Hero series from Activision.

Without the band's knowledge or approval Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional songs by other musical groups.

Additionally Activision allowed the groups character to be isolated into solo performances of these cover songs and placed randomly in countless variations contrary to the agreement between the parties.

Despite repeated requests by the band that Activision honor its contract Activision has refused claiming the necessary fix would be too expensive."

In September, Courtney Love and the remaining members of Nirvana expressed similar disapproval when they learned that the likeness of Kurt Cobain was a playable character in Activision's Guitar Hero 5.

What are your thoughts on all of this?

Matt Skiba solo album gets title, release date

Scott Heisel on 11/4/09 @ 12:54 PM

We first brought you news back in August of a solo album being recorded by Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba, but details were sparse. Now, we can confirm that Skiba's debut solo full-length is titled Demos and will be released on Feb. 16, 2010, via Asian Man Records. Label owner Mike Park comments:

"15 brand new songs. All songs were recorded over the past 10 months by Mr. Skiba in various avenues. Whether in his bedroom or while traveling, Matt recorded these songs originally as demos, but the songs are perfect as is. We couldn't ask for more. Anybody who loves the Alkaline Trio without the glossed over production will be incredibly happy with this final product. We plan on releasing various colors of vinyl and will be taking pre-orders sometime in DECEMBER."

The cover art for Demos can be seen below.

Listen to a clip of the new FTSK song "Take It Slow"

Tim Karan on 11/4/09 @ 12:27 PM

A 90-second clip of the new Forever The Sickest Kids song "Take It Slow" has made it online. The song comes from the band's upcoming EP, The Weekend: Friday, which drops Nov. 17. Listen to it here and you can pre-order the EP here.

Good Old War to release split EP with Cast Spells

Tim Karan on 11/4/09 @ 11:41 AM

Good Old War and Cast Spells have announced that they'll release a split EP together in December. Good Old War will also serve as the backing band to Cast Spells--the solo project of Maps & Atlases' Dave Davison--on tour dates that month. The arrangement is similar to the one GOW have when they tour with Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green during his solo shows. The upcoming Maps & Atlases album will also feature vocals from the members of GOW.

The four-song split EP will feature two new tracks from both acts, and it's the first new music from GOW since their 2008 debut, Only Way To Be Alone.

Good Old War/Maps & Atlases tour dates are as follows:
12/03 Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory
12/04 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
12/05 Boston, MA @ The Middle East Upstairs
12/06 Hamden, CT @ The Space
12/07 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater
12/08 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's
12/09 Baltimore, MD @ The Quarter
12/11 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
12/12 Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose Upstairs

Hit The Lights shooting footage for DVD

Tim Karan on 11/4/09 @ 11:32 AM

Hit The Lights have revealed that they'll be shooting footage at an upcoming show for a DVD. The band plan to film during their Nov. 20 show at The School Of Rock in South Hackensack, New Jersey. HTL are currently on tour with There For Tomorrow, Vinnie Caruana, Sparks The Rescue and Oh No Not Stereo. No word on when the DVD will be released.

Motion City Soundtrack reveal details, art for My Dinosaur Life

Tim Karan on 11/4/09 @ 11:16 AM

Motion City Soundtrack have unveiled the official release date, track listing and album art for their upcoming major label debut, My Dinosaur Life. The album--produced by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus--will be released Jan. 19 on Columbia. Artwork for the album was created by collectible toy artist Joe Ledbetter. Check out a thumbnail of the cover and the tracklisting below.

Tracklisting:
1. Worker Bee
2. A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help)
3. Her Words Destroyed My Planet
4. Disappear
5. Delirium
6. History Lesson
7. Stand Too Close
8. Pulp Fiction
9. @!#?@!
10. Hysteria
11. Skin And Bones
12. The Weakends