Pelican Signs to Southern Lord

In an interesting move, post-metal giants Pelican, move on from their stint at Hydra Head records to the equally impressive Southern Lord records. Here’s some more info from Rock-A-Rolla:

Chicago’s influential post-metallers Pelican have signed to Southern Lord, marking a move from their long-term home Hydra Head. The band are currently recording an EP at Red Room studios in Seattle, the first release for the label, with a full-length to follow in the near future. According to guitarist Trevor De Brauw the new material will be “heavier, darker and very riff-oriented”, with a very special guest guitarist “who has been heavily influential to the band” slated to make a guest appearance. The EP will most likely be released before summer.

And here’s what Hydra Head have to say about the move:

All good things come to an end, and so its with a bittersweet heart that we announce Pelican have found a new home for their future recordings. Its all good vibes folks, so don’t get worked up about it…Pelican have been family and always will be family… its just that now they are part of another family as well…in the form of LA’s Southern Lord Records, a label that’s time and again shown they know a nice flavor when they taste it.

The Pelican guys are in Seattle now recording what will come to fruition in the form of a new EP at some point in the coming months. Trevor says its ‘riff-oriented’, which we figure pretty much goes without saying…they’ve got a special guest on the release as well…but that’s hush hush.

They’ll presumably be playing some of the new tracks on their string of upcoming dates this spring with Wolves in the Throne Room and Tombs (shout out to Mike Hill!) in support. Included on the tour is a stop at SXSW as part of SL’s label showcase.

We’ll have a second pressing of ltd CD version of their split with These Arms Are Snakes as well as the Champions of Sound 2 x 7″ comp featuring new cuts from Pelican, Kayo Dot, Brodsky and Zozozbra….but more on that later.

Pelican- March/April 2009 tour:
*w/ Tombs, Dredg
**w/ Tombs, Wolves In The Throne Room

Sun Mar 15 Iowa City IA @ The Picador *
Mon Mar 16 Kansas City KS @ Riot Room *
Tue Mar 17 Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee *
Wed Mar 18th San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar * plus Tricky
Thu Mar 19 Little Rock, AR @ Vino’s **
Fri Mar 20 Austin, TX @ Emo’s SOUTHERN LORD SXSW SHOWCASE (w/Eagle Twin, Black Cobra, Wolves In The Throne Room etc..)
Sun March 22 Austin, TX Red 7 **
Wed March 25th Tempe, AZ @ The Sets **
Thu March 26th San Diego, CA @ The Casbah **
Fri March 27th West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour **
Sat March 28th San Francisco, CA @Slim’s **
Sun March 29th Portland, OR. @ Hawthorne Theatre **
Mon March 30th Bellingham, WA @ Nightlight **
Tue March 31st Seattle , WA @ Neumo’s **
Thu Apr 2nd Salt Lake City, UT @Club Vegas **
Fri April 3rd Denver , CO @The Marquis Theatre **
Sun April 5th Chicago ,IL @ Empty Bottle **

Filed under: Hydra Head Records, Pelican, Southern Lord Records

Debut Solo Album by Wino

Scott “Wino” Weinrich’s debut solo album Punctuated Equilibrium, has just been released through Southern Lord Records. Here’s what they have to say about it:

WINOS’ FIRST SOLO ALBUM IS UPON US!

Over the last 25 years Scott “Wino” Weinrich has defined heavy music and is truly the Godfather of the movement. Starting with the Obsessed, and Saint Vitus and onto his mind-blowing power trios: Spirit Caravan and The Hidden Hand his virtuosity on six strings is matched perfectly with his soulful vocals and powerful lyrics. But as us Wino freaks know he has always graciously shared the spotlight with his band members. Even though it was Wino we came to see and hear he seemed to understand the power of the chemistry of the bands he was leading. His selflessness seems unnecessary considering his talents but it was his decision to equally share the glory.

After the demise of his last group: The Hidden Hand, Wino did not rest. With new found energy he completed the writing of many new songs and decided to enlist the help of some friends to help realize his new musical vision. The idea was not to start a new power trio with a new name as before. This time it was about finding players who would help realize his songs the way he wanted them. This more “Wino”- focused direction was fleshed out with the help of 2 amazing musicians: Jean Paul Gaster (Clutch, The Bakerton Group) on drums and Jon Blank (Rezin) on bass. “Punctuated Equilibrium” was recorded by J. Robbins who has worked extensively with both the Hidden Hand and Clutch in the past.

The album comes with amazing original artwork by David D’ Andrea and contains extensive liner notes from Wino himself that explicitly describe the origin and concept of each track. Here is an excerpt that I feel perfectly explains this album:

“This is the culmination of a very old dream, one that has come true in many different ways. One of the main things I have learned is how I understand “success”. To me, its not all riches and glory so much as the impact on others lives. My main philosophy that guides me is that I was given a gift, a Musical gift which I use to bring happiness to others. It is also important not to overlook your own needs, but putting yourself in the other person’s shoes is to me most important! Punctuated Equilibrium is how my personality has been described, as told in the lyrics.”

Filed under: Release News, Scott “Wino” Weinrich, Southern Lord Records

Earth "The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull" Now Avaialble on Vinyl

Earth’s terrific new record The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull has been given a super-deluxe vinyl treatment by Southern Lord Records. More info and pictures below:

The excruciating wait is over! It is with honor that we are able to offer the deluxe double vinyl version of the latest recording from Earth: “the Bees Made Honey In The Lions Skull”. Featuring the exclusive vinyl only bonus track: “Junkyard Priest” (featuring Milky Burgess on slide!).

The audio was specifically mastered for vinyl and the LP lacquers were cut by Bob Weston (Shellac). Complimenting the audio is the supreme packaging presentation.

These 180 gram gold vinyl lps come housed in a over the top bible-esque triple gatefold jacket. Outside is faux leatherette with gold embossing. Think CSNY “Deja Vu” lp meets the Holy Bible!. Inside is the amazing artwork and photography from Arik Roper.

We feel that this may be the best packaging we have ever done, definitely a site to behold! Of course the pictures dont quite do it justice and you need to see and feel this in person to get the proper effect.

Pressing is 4980 total. (3k black, 1k clear (for European Distribution only), 980 Gold (mailorder ). Once these are gone we will not repress this version again. We think this was well worth the wait, we hope you do to!

Pictures:

Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as “fair use”, for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s).

Filed under: Earth, Southern Lord Records, Vinyl