Cerebral Ballzy, New York City’s classic thrash-punk revivalists, wouldn’t necessarily be labeled ‘veterans of the road’ just yet. But they’re close. The young group has already toured Europe and the U.S. twice, and only on the back of a few singles and EPs. Needless to say, a pending full-length isn’t slowing these Brooklyn outsiders down – at least according to the spiraling list of dates below.

Over the next couple of months, they’ll be headlining a slew of gigs, starting out in Baltimore, MD on September 16th and ending in Ft. Lauderdale, FL towards the end of October. Florida fans should be stoked, as a grip of the tail-end dates will be with punk heroes OFF! making this an inexhaustible hardcore juggernaut.

Start preparing now. We’ll help; here’s their video for “Insufficient Fare”:

Cerebral Ballzy 2011 Tour Dates:
09/26 – Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Cafe
09/27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
09/28 – Covington, KY @ Radiodown
09/29 – Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s
10/01 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
10/02 – Toronto, ON @ Parts & Labour
10/03 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
10/05 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
10/07 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
10/09 – Oklahoma, OK @ The Conservatory
10/12 – Dallas, TX @ Sons of Herman Hall *
10/13 – Austin, TX @ Red 7 *
10/14 – Houston, TX @ The Studio – Warehouse Live *
10/15 – New Orleans, LA @ Siberia *
10/17 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/Inn *
10/18 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell Stage) *
10/20 – Tallahassee, FL @ The Engine Room *
10/21 – Orlando, FL @ Backbooth *
10/22 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre *
10/23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room *

* = w/ OFF!

Image by Ed Fielding

It’s been only a brief moment since we last heard of influential new-waver Gary Numan. Earlier this year, the British keyboard songsmith lent his unmistakeable voice to the excellent Battles track “My Machines”. Now, he returns with a new LP for himself, Dead Son Rising.

Due out October 24th, on his own website no less, Numan’s latest effort came to fruition from a series of demo tapes he had from other projects. “The original ideas behind these songs are now barely visible,” Numan explained in an issued press release. “In the last nine months, the album has grown into another animal, something more experimental and fluid. It’s ended up being something I’m really very proud of.” He has no plans of taming this “animal”, either. In fact, he’ll follow up …Rising with another LP in 2012, titled Splinter.

To support the current record, however, Numan has dates scheduled across the UK this month and again in December, when he’ll play ATP Festival. No word on whether or not he’ll make his way overseas, but we’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, check out the tracklist for Dead Son Rising below, which features song titles that take cues from a science-fiction saga Numan is currently writing. What a creative technophile, huh?

Update: You can now listen to a radio edit of Numan’s new single “The Fall” below.

Gary Numan – “The Fall”

Dead Son Rising Tracklist:
01. Resurrection
02. Big Noise Transmission
03. Dead Sun Rising
04. When The Sky Bleeds, He Will Come
05. For The Rest Of My Life
06. Not The Love We Dream Of
07. The Fall
08. We Are The Lost
09. For The Rest Of My Life (Reprise)
10. Into Battle
11. Not The Love We Dream Of (Piano version)

Gary Numan 2011 Tour Dates:
9/15 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
9/16 – Bournemouth, UK @ O2 Academy
9/17 – London, UK @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
9/18 – Wolverhampton, UK @ Wulfrun Hall
9/19 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
9/20 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 ABC
9/21 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy
12/7 – Warwickshire, UK @ Leamington Spa Assembly Hall
12/8 – Manchester, UK @ HMV Ritz
2/9 – Southhampton, UK @ Guildhall
12/10 – Minehead, Somerset @ ATP’s Nightmare Before Christmas
12/11 – Hertfordshire, UK @ The Forum (Univ. of Hertfordshire SU)

“The truth is we never thought we’d make it this far with Starfucker,” the band said in a statement (courtesy of PASTE). “It started as just a fun little house-show project, but now that we have the opportunity to do this full-time, travel and continue making music, we don’t feel like the name makes sense anymore.”

It’s with that in mind that the Portland-based band is changing its name. And it will be putting that career making (or breaking) power in the hands of its audience.

Fans can either send their ideas to newnameideas@gmail.com or submit them in person at merch tables at a show during their fall jaunt across the U.S. The lucky winner will win a free house show and maybe some more “cool shit”. The deadline, according to the band, is October 1st-ish, so get those brilliant ideas in ASAP.

The complete list of confirmed tour dates are down below. We’ll be sure to announce the winning name when it goes down. One last thing, we suggest Starlover; very wholesome.

Starfucker (for now) 2009 Tour Dates:
09/12 – Morrison, CO @ Monolith Festival
09/14 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Nuttys
09/16 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
09/17 – Urbana, IL @ Pygmalion Festival
09/18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox
09/19 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk
09/21 – Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
09/22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls
09/23 – New York, NY @ Santo’s Party House
09/25 – Haverford, PA @ Lunt Basement, Bryn Mawr College
09/26 – Durham, NC @ Duke Coffee House
09/28 – Nashville, TN @ The End
09/30 – Denton, TX @ Hailey’s
10/01 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
10/04 – Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts
10/05 – San Diego, CA @ The Loft
10/06 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
10/07 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
10/09 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
10/10 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabar

Following April’s release of Touchdown, Rock Is Dodelijk (translated from Dutch: Rock Is Dead) will mark the band’s second release of 2009, after April’s Touchdown. Recorded at an August 2008 hometown gig and this past May in Cologne, Germany, the album represents a unique spin on the live concept. The first half was done on each venue’s in-house multi-track system, which allows for mixing to be done afterward. The second half will be a bit rawer, as it was recorded in the midst of the crowd.

A tracklist has not been released yet, but expect cuts like “Hey Hey”, “Don’t Take Me To Space (Man)”, and “Why Tell The Truth (When It’s Easier To Lie)?”.

On top of the album, the band (which is simply known as Brakes outside of the U.S.; thank The Brakes) will be touring the states for the first time in over two years. The month of October will be broken up into east two outings. Beginning October 1st through the 12th, the band will play with the Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks in much of the eastern part of the country. Then, from October 13th through the 22nd, the band co-headlines with Ezra Furman & the Harpoons out west.

The live album is out October 6th on FatCat Records. They’ll also be releasing a double A-side single of “Why Tell The Truth (When It’s Easier To Lie?”/”Worry About It Later” on November 9th. Catch the band if you can, and enjoy the video for “Don’t Take Me To Space (Man)” below.

brakesbrakesbrakes 2009 Tour Dates:
09/13 – Salisbury, UK @ End of the Road Festival
10/01 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
10/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ North Star
10/05 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat Backstage
10/06 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/07 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
10/09 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
10/10 – Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo
10/11 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
10/12 – Chicago, IL  @ Empty Bottle
10/13 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
10/15 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
10/16 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/18 – Seattle, WA @ High Dive
10/19 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
10/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
10/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Originally slated for a 2010 release, Kells follow up to 2007′s Double Up was original titled 12 Play, 4th Quarter. But after that leaked, the whole album was re-recorded. Undoubtedly, things were delayed because of his most recent legal snafu. All that’s behind the Chicago native now and Untitled is set for an October 13th release. And with this being his ninth album, expect the old standbys (hypersexualized lyrics, stripper poles, the hottest producers, etc.) and something wholly new: Yodeling.

Those jonesing for something new until October can seek out his first-ever mixtape released back in June called The Demo Tape presented by DJ Skee and DJ Drama. Don’t pretend like you won’t, either. And if that’s not enough, down below you can check out the new album’s first single, “Number One”, which features Keri Hilson. Tour dates for the currently venue-less Ladies Make Some Noise Tour are after the jump. According to the Kelly camp, fans can expect something up close and personal.

We’re just holding back on the jokes with that one.

Untitled Tracklist:
01. Crazy Night
02. Outta the Game
03. Exit
04. Echo
05. Bangin’ the Headboard
06. Text Me
07. Number One
08. Like I Do
09. Elsewhere
10. Fallin’ From the Sky
11. Religious
12. #1 Fan
13. Be My Number 2
14. Supa Man High

R. Kelly 2009 Tour Dates:
10/08 – Mashantucket, CT
10/09 – Boston, MA
10/10 – Albany, NY
10/11 – Baltimore, MD
10/13 – Philadelphia, PA
10/15 – Newark, NJ
10/16 – New York CIty
10/18- Pittsburgh, PA
10/20 – Cincinatti, OH
10/22 – Atlanta, GA
10/23 – Chattanooga, TN
10/25 – Augusta, GA
10/27 – Birmingham, AL
10/29 – Dallas, TX
10/30 – Houston, TX
10/31 – New Orleans, LA
11/01- Memphis, TN
11/05 – Los Angeles, CA
11/06 – Las Vegas, NV
11/07 – Oakland, CA
11/12 – Indianapolis, IN
11/14 – Detroit, MI
11/15 – Milwaukee, WI
11/17 – Chicago, IL
11/20 – Louisville, KY
11/21 – Charlotte, NC
11/22 – Greensboro, NC
11/24 – Washington, DC
11/27 – Jacksonville, FL
11/28 – Miami, FL
11/29 – Tampa, FL
12/04 – Norfolk VA
12/05 – Richmond, VA
12/06 – Cleveland, OH
12/08 – St. Louis, MO

Due out September 21st, Tongue “N” Cheek contains both of Rascal’s No. 1 hits “Dance Wiv Me” and “Bonkers”. The album, with tracks produced by UK electro act Calvin Harris, is also his first album to be released on Rascal’s Dirtee Stank label, which he’s run since 2005.

Rascal’s hopes for this album seem to be downright cavalier. In an interview with Angry Ape, The Boy In The Corner said he isn’t concerned with having any more No. 1 singles, saying:

“I’m the first British artist to have two successive number ones on his own independent label. I never need to have another one again, though don’t get me wrong… it would be nice to.”

The album’s first single, “Holiday”, will be released on August 24th. Those of you in the Jolly Old England can check out Rascal’s trip through the UK as he plays several large scale shows on what is arguably his biggest tour to date.

Tongue “N” Cheek Tracklist:
01. Bonkers
02. Road Rage
03. Dance Wiv Me
04. Freaky Freaky
05. Can’t Tek No More
06. Chillin’ Wiv Da Man Dem
07. Dirtee Cash
08. Money Money Money
09. Leisure
10. Holiday
11. Bad Behaviour

Dizzee Rascal 2009 Tour Dates:
10/04 – Edinburgh, UK @ Picture House
10/05 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy
10/06 – Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy
10/07 – Manchester, UK @ Apollo
10/09 – Cambridge, UK @ Corn Exchange
10/10 – Exeter University, UK @ Great Hall
10/11 – Bristol, UK@ O2 Academy
10/13 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
10/16 – Norwich, UK @ UEA
10/17 – Birmingham< UK @ O2 Academy
10/22 – London, UK @ O2 Brixton Academy
10/24 – Liverpool, UK @ University
10/25 – Sheffield, UK @ O2 Academy
10/26 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
10/27 – Brighton, UK @ Dome
10/30 – Swindon, UK @ Oasis
10/31 – Preston, UK @ 53 Degrees
11/01 – Southend, UK @ Cliffs Pavillion
11/02 – Lincoln, UK @ Engine Shed

Pretty Lights is Colorado producer Derek Vincent Smith and stage show drummer Cory Eberhard. Smith’s style relies predominantly on the concept of taking broken beats and seamlessly combining them with old soul-laden samples from the ’60s and beyond. These massive sonic creations are then best enjoyed by you and a couple hundred sweaty strangers in the most bass-heavy settings possible.

To those who cannot wait to jam themselves in with the drunken and socially awkward in clubs across the country, you can download both Pretty Lights albums from the band’s official web site. That should brighten your day.

Pretty Lights 2009 Tour Dates:
08/29 – Richmond, VA @ The National
09/02 – Oxford, MS @ Lyric Theatre *
09/03 – Auburn, AL @ Sky Bar *
09/04 – Athens, GA @ Bogart Arena *
09/05 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
09/12 – Horseshoe, NC @ Trinumeral Festival
09/18 – Groveland, CA @ Symbiosis Gathering
09/21 – Tuscaloosa, AL @ Bama Theatre
09/23 – Chattanooga, TN @ Rhythm & Brews
09/26 – Wilmington, NC @ Diesel
10/02 – Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre
10/03 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater +
10/12 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern R
10/14 – West Hollywood, CA @ Key Club R
10/15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent R
10/16 – Eureka, CA @ Nocturnum R
10/17 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge R
10/18 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom R
10/21 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Varsity Theater X
10/22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Miramar Theatre X
10/23 – Chicago, IL @ Park West D
10/24 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre D
10/25 – Bloomington, IN @ Bluebird Nightclub D
10/27 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall D
10/28 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In D
10/29 – Knoxville, TN @ The Valarium D
10/30 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel D
10/31 – Charleston, SC @ Ann Street Shed SC
11/03 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar A
11/04 – Miami, FL @ The White Room A
11/05 – Tallahassee, FL @ Engine Room A
11/07 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues A
11/10 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater A
11/11 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa GA
11/12 – Fayetteville, AR  @ George’s Majestic Lounge G
11/13 – Memphis, TN @ Newby’s G
11/14 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade G
11/17 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle G
11/18 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club G
11/19 – New York, NY @ Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza G
11/20 – West Chester, PA @ The Note G
11/21 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club G

* = w/ Emancipator
@ = w/ Savoy
+ = w/ Lifesavas
R = w/ DJ Roots
# = w/ Chicharones
X = w/ Prepschool
D = w/ Dark Party
A = w/ Alex B
G = w/ Gramatik

First and foremost, Benson’s latest solo effort, My Old, Familiar Friend, is set for an August 18th release. But the stellar folks over at NPR.org have been streaming the 11-track effort since yesterday. This is Benson’s fourth solo album and the follow up to 2005′s The Alternative to Love. Produced by Pixies and Echo & the Bunnymen vet Gil Norton, fans can expect some “timeless melodies, complete with hand-claps, raw guitar work, and seductive storytelling.”

And no solo effort would be complete without the corresponding tour. Benson has a few dates booked from mid-August to mid-September which will take him to must-play markets such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and… Ann Arbor. Those looking for a taste of Benson outside the mecca that is the home of the Wolverines can check out his performance on The Late Show With David Letterman on August 21st.

Tickets for select dates are available via Ticketmaster.com.

Brendan Benson 2009 Tour Dates:
08/17 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
08/20 – Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s
08/22 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
09/10 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/11 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up
09/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

So, it comes as awesome news that hot on the heels of this release, Gossip has announced a U.S. headlining tour, one which commences on October 7th in Washington D.C and runs through the end of the month. Good news, right?

It gets better. “Heavy Cross”, Music For Men‘s first single, is also iTunes single of the week, meaning you can get it for free right this very second.

Gossip 2009 Tour Dates:
07/21 – Nyon, CH @ Paleo Festival
08/29 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
08/30 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
10/07 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts
10/09 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
10/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
10/15 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theater
10/16 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/17 – Madison, WI @ The Orpheum
10/19 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird
10/20 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
10/23 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
10/24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/25 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
10/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
10/29 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
10/30 – Little Rock, AR @ Vino’s

According to Billboard, Jackson signed a contract last November with New Jersey based All Good Entertainment Inc. which committed the King of Pop to an appearance in New York this summer. Under this contract, it stipulates that Jackson is unable to perform anywhere else before his Big Apple appearance. Therefore, Jacko’s being sued, as his O2 run is in direct violation of this agreement (well, duh). What’s worse, he’s now caught in the crossfire between All Good Entertainment and AEG Live, who put together the O2 deal, and given his recent finances, Jackson can hardly afford to pay up the $20 million in damages that either side might claim…

There may yet be a way out- the only loop-hole in the agreement is Jackson’s ability to perform with his siblings, something that has already been considered for the O2 shows. Prince Michael, his son, is said to be performing alongside his pops on the opening number (as yet unconfirmed). Then there’s always “Scream”, which would be nice to see live with sister, Janet, as his sparring partner.

Of course, all of this depends on his current physical state. Is he even stable enough for this? Currently, Jackson is holed up in Los Angeles, rehearsing and training for the performances — although, recent reports suggest someone ought to lend him an ear.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It residency begins on July 13th at London’s O2 Arena and ends on March 6th, 2010.

After a few early listens, Kings of Leon’s sound seems to be inching towards “pop”.  With dark guitar riffs and Caleb’s signature wail, this song still retains its country rock roots.Judging by the band’s back catalog, “Sex on Fire” certainly seems to be KoL’s first chance to receive some solid radio play on multiple stations, Top-40 and Rock alike.

The band will celebrate the release of Only By the Night on Tuesday, September 23 with a show at Webster Hall in New York City. After wards, Kings of Leon will then head out on a North American tour for the rest of the fall before heading over to England for a month of dates in December, which includes a headlining gig at Wembley Stadium. “Indie” rock group We Are Scientists, Georgian garage band The Whigs and Montreal alternative band The Stills will split opener duties

Kings of Leon 2008 Fall Tour:
09/23 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall ^
10/11 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint *
10/12 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues *
10/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theater *
10/17 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre *
10/18 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre *
10/20 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre *
10/21 – Portland, OR @ Schnitzer Hall *
10/23 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore *
10/25  - Austin, TX @ Austin Music Hall *
10/26 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Bricktown Events Center *
10/28 – Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater *
10/29 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom *
10/31 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom *
11/01 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theater #
11/03 – St Louis, MO @ The Pageant #
11/05 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Eagles Ballroom #
11/07 – Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus #
11/08 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore #
11/10 – Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall #
11/12 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre #
11/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory #
11/18 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle #
11/19 – Nashville, TN @ Municipal #

* = w/ We Are The Scientists and The Whigs
# = w/ We Are The Scientists and The Stills
^ = w/ The Whigs