We can't wait to get out there in the summer sunshine, but before we do, we're capping off the week in our usual fashion: with Exclaim!'s weekly news roundup.
The week began with fans and artists reeling after a violent weekend that included former Cro-Mags band member Harley Flanagan allegedly making his way backstage and stabbing current band members William Berario and Michael Couls at a concert in New York. Flanagan later gave his account of the incident and claimed self-defence.
Similarly, a weekend show by electro stars Swedish House Mafia in Dublin, Ireland, was plagued by violence including several stabbings, a brawl, and a death after a suspected drug overdose. In other tragic news, Dennis Flemion of the Frogs died in a swimming accident during a trip to Wind Lake in Racine, WI. He was 57.
Meanwhile, the furor surrounding Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe's manslaughter charges raged on as the band responded to the backlash over their fundraiser to pay for legal costs.
The week wasn't all bad news, however, since we also learned of a slew of new albums that will be arriving in the coming months. Hannah Georgas signed to Dine Alone Records for her sophomore album and shared a new track, Billy Talent returned with Dead Silence, and the Sheepdogs teamed up with Patrick Carney of the Black Keys for their self-titled effort.
Other new albums on the horizon include the Mountain Goats, Band of Horses, Tame Impala, and an archival White Stripes release. What's more, fans were treated to Frank Ocean's Channel Orange a week early when the R&B crooner released it unexpectedly on iTunes.
The week was definitely a good one for Ottawa Bluesfest organizers, as they were absolved from culpability regarding the stage collapse incident at last year's Cheap Trick gig, which was officially blamed on extreme weather.
Finally, a lineup announcement came from Vancouver's Olio Festival, Fucked Up unveiled a West Coast tour, and Fleetwood Mac hinted that they might reconvene and hit the road in 2013.
The week began with fans and artists reeling after a violent weekend that included former Cro-Mags band member Harley Flanagan allegedly making his way backstage and stabbing current band members William Berario and Michael Couls at a concert in New York. Flanagan later gave his account of the incident and claimed self-defence.
Similarly, a weekend show by electro stars Swedish House Mafia in Dublin, Ireland, was plagued by violence including several stabbings, a brawl, and a death after a suspected drug overdose. In other tragic news, Dennis Flemion of the Frogs died in a swimming accident during a trip to Wind Lake in Racine, WI. He was 57.
Meanwhile, the furor surrounding Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe's manslaughter charges raged on as the band responded to the backlash over their fundraiser to pay for legal costs.
The week wasn't all bad news, however, since we also learned of a slew of new albums that will be arriving in the coming months. Hannah Georgas signed to Dine Alone Records for her sophomore album and shared a new track, Billy Talent returned with Dead Silence, and the Sheepdogs teamed up with Patrick Carney of the Black Keys for their self-titled effort.
Other new albums on the horizon include the Mountain Goats, Band of Horses, Tame Impala, and an archival White Stripes release. What's more, fans were treated to Frank Ocean's Channel Orange a week early when the R&B crooner released it unexpectedly on iTunes.
The week was definitely a good one for Ottawa Bluesfest organizers, as they were absolved from culpability regarding the stage collapse incident at last year's Cheap Trick gig, which was officially blamed on extreme weather.
Finally, a lineup announcement came from Vancouver's Olio Festival, Fucked Up unveiled a West Coast tour, and Fleetwood Mac hinted that they might reconvene and hit the road in 2013.
