The band that put out one of my favorite records of the year — the band that was almost lost to history after 30-odd years of obscurity — Death, did a live appearance on Chicago’s WGN. Check it out.

MP3: Death – “Politicians In My Eyes”
MP3: Death – “Keep On Knocking”

The band plays a rare show at The Empty Bottle in Chicago tomorrow night.

MP3: Cains & Abels – “My Life Is Easy”

I fell in love with this song when I first heard the demo a few months back (before it got a name change), so I’m honored that Cains & Abels have given me the final mastered version to share with you. You may already know the band from their material on the supreme States Rights label (including their great debut full-length Call Me Up)– and if not, this song is a perfect introduction. It’s from their new album, which is as-yet-unreleased, but I don’t mind telling you that the t-shirt that goes along with this song is damn near the most comfortable shirt I’ve ever worn, so there’s that (well,in addition to Call Me Up, I mean) if you’d like to throw some $upport their way.

Now streaming in its entirety: Fulton Lights’ newest, Healing Waters– at both MBV and at CatbirdRecords.Com/FultonLights.

It’s been nigh on four years since we’ve heard from our old friend Levi Fuller, but he just sent over word that he’s got a brand new record due out on 10/27 (just one day shy of his 33 ⅓ birthday). Colossal is due on vinyl, digital, and limited-edition CD-R, and Levi was kind enough to send over the title track for us.

MP3: Levi Fuller – “Colossal”

Order Colossal from Denimclature (or the limited CD-R from Sinkhole Texas).

I have been meaning to post this for like weeks and weeks now– don’t know why it kept slipping my mind. Maybe it’s the contact buzz I get from listening to these guys that’s fogging my brain over or something. ANYWAY. Hopefully, you caught that longtime Catbird favorites Dios are back on the scene, courtesy of the mighty Buddyhead, and plus also, they’ve dropped the “(malos),” so take that, Ron James (watch, he’ll probably sue them).

I noted not long ago on MBV that they released a new digital EP, Cosmic Rays (which you should really nab– the thing’s only $4). Check it out below:

But even better, there’s a brand new full-length, titled We Are Dios, set to drop at any moment now. Me being the lucky stiff that I am, I have heard it. And it is awesome. You can grab it from the Buddyhead Shop when the time comes, but if you want to stay up-to-date as to when the time actually comes, you should probably do the wise thing and trade your email for this MP3 of a new track from the record, “Stare At Wheel.”

And just to cap things off, here’s a classic one…

MP3: Dios – “All Said And Done”

1. Destroyer – Streethawk: A Seduction (2001)

2. (tie) Destroyer – This Night (2002)

2. (tie) Destroyer – Your Blues (2004)

3. Destroyer – Thief (2000)

4. Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies (2006)

Here’s the final album version of Girls‘ “Lust for Life,” one of my favorite tracks (up there with “Big Bad Mean Motherfucker”) from Album…

MP3: Girls – “Lust For Life” (Album Version)

And starting Monday, everyone will finally have their chance to hear Album, as the record begins streaming in full at True Panther dot Com. Of course, the following week (on 9/22), the album actually gets released– but you’d do well to pre-order right now: it’ll net you a free poster and 15% off (by entering code “girls” at checkout). And then in November, the band kicks off a tour that’ll take them from Maxwell’s in NJ all the way back to SF.

And finally, don’t forget there’s this great, somewhat risqué video for “Lust For Life” (I think I almost saw Hunx’s junx!)

Just a quick update about the new Fulton Lights release, Healing Waters: we’re now officially sold out of the “First Edition,” and are on to Version 2, featuring the all-new cover art you see above.

MP3: Fulton Lights – “Healing Waters”

The album got a great review from The Onion A.V. Club last week, Said the Gramophone wrote it up last night, and the Fingertips Blog just posted an interview.

MP3: Beachniks – “Coney Island”

When we made up the Captured Tracks label profile over at MBV, we noted that the band Beachniks, featuring members of German Measles and Crystal Stilts, have a 7″ due on Captured Tracks. So it’s probably a safe assumption that this track, posted by the folks at Pinglewood, is likely to be from that forthcoming release.

Forest Fire – Live on La Route du Rock