
[Just in time for the beginning of baseball season — and the arrival of the Baseball Project — your humble blogger returns from some time in a distant land, away from the noise. That one mixtape I made for driving through the Midwest was pretty killer, though ...] Already, my most difficult show-going decision of spring: ► Scottish songsmiths Trashcan Sinatras gave a memorable performance last summer (the photo is from a June show at the Key Club) [...]

[Recapping today's noteworthy album releases:] x x x x x x Of local interest Apex Manor , "The Year of Magical Drinking" (Merge) — Jangly, earnest songcraft from ex-Broken West main [...]

Ringside have been around since 2005, but it's no surprise you've never heard of them before. Right after their debut dropped, the lead singer and songwriter, Scott Thomas, broke his back. Then Enrique Iglesias covered their single ("Tired Of Being Sorry") and turned it into a hit record. So the "band" (it's really almost 100% Scott) found itself floundering. Now he's back, with an album featuring appearances by Ben Harper, Esthero, Res, Ozomatli, some dudes from Weezer, Jim Keltner, and others. Remember The Fame? The Features? I've recommended lots of swell DIY pop/rock bands throughout [...]

Photography by ME! HOORAY! *WARNING* The following post contains tons of aural awesomeness, visual naughtiness, & some serious self-pimping. So, you know, you've been warned. Alright my friends... a happy Friday to you and shit! I gots something a little special for you today to wrap up the week that was, make that doubly, no, triply special, no, wait, QUADRUPLY SPECIAL!!! WOOT! Number 1: If you haven't notice or paid attention or something, TSURUFOTO NUDIEZINE [...]
[What a strange and wonderful batch of shows this first weekend of 2011 offers. It's even Dave Matthews' birthday on Sunday, so celebrate responsibly ...] Top 5 weekend outings: ► It's a long story involving a broken back, Enrique Iglesias, and time in Australia with Ben Harper and in Russia with Cossacks, but Scott Thomas and Ringside are back. The band's first album since 2005, "Lost Days," is coming out Jan. 25, featuring contributions from myriad heavy hitters including Harper, Ozomatli, Brian Bell of [...]

Singer and songwriter Scott Thomas has gone through a lot during his music career, but one thing was kept intact: good songs. His band Ringside returns with a new video for the title track "Lost Days" off the new album due out in 2011. The song features Grammy award winner Ben Harper , who has a great career with fans all over the globe. Together, they gel smoothly an create a great indie-rock track with some pop influence. The video is shot like a [...]

ARTIST: The SWAG Report 33 with freebie mp3 downloads for songs by Dr. Dre, Say Hi, Thunderball, Screeching Weasel, Poly Styrene, Elk, Kanye West, Illecism, 3rd Degree and more! So much more! DATE: 11-18-10 WRITER: Don Loder Hey junky, How're ya keepin'? Have ya got the shakes yet or what? Don'chu worry, doctor Donnie's here to cure what ails ya witta great big bag o' new tunes. An' I got some doozies for ya this week too -- I tracked down [...]

Typically, when actors try to become musicians, the result is less than stellar (Billy Bob, I'm talking to you). But, every once in a while, one of them gets it pretty close to right. I think Balthazar Getty just might be one of them, as half of the duo known as Ringside . I happened to catch them on The Henry Rollins Show last weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised. Getty and Scott Thomas, who handles the vocals, have some pretty catchy tunes and seem to be really into what they're doing. They even got [...]