Friday, July 2, 2010

We’ve posted some new reviews. You can check them out below:

You can check out any of our 9417 reviews right here.
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Contests: Win music and tickets from Cap’n Jazz

Cap'n Jazz In just a few short weeks, beloved Chicago, IL post-hardcore outfit Cap’n Jazz will be reuniting for a handful of mostly sold out reunion shows. To celebrate, we’ve got two passes to the band’s sold out Chicago, IL gig on July 18 as well as a copy of the recently reissued Analphabetapolothology on rare clear vinyl for one lucky winner.

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Steam Web APIs

The item system in Team Fortress 2 generates a ton of data. Up to this point we’ve provided access to this data through some hacked-together scripts that, frankly, were old and creaky before they went live. Ah, but now…

Pow! Shiny new web APIs that are officially supported. (Find out how to use them here.) This new system comes with a few new features:

  • Output can now be provided as JSON, XML, or VDF (Key Values)
  • The current item schema is available as an API call, so you don’t have to dig items_game.txt out of a patched client
  • It is much easier for us to add new APIs with the new system, so it should happen more often

For now, the old system will continue to run, and all applications built on it will continue to work. A word of warning, though: At some point down the road we will turn it off. So if you’re using it, please give the new Steam Web APIs a try.
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Articles of Faith reunite; new EP, Riot Fest appearance

The legendary Chicago,IL-based Articles of Faith have announced that they will reunite for the first time in 25 years to record a new EP and also to perform at the forthcoming Riot Fest 2010. The band, which will feature all original members, will be recording at Chicago’s Million Yen Studios for release on Alternative Tentacles Records on October 5th.

The band’s forthcoming Riot Fest performance is set for the week of October 6th-10th and also marks the first performance for the band in 25 years. They were originally active from 1981 through 1985 and were among the significant influences of the early emo movements. The band’s notable singer and guitarist Vic Bondi went on to form Alloy and Jones and most recently, Report Suspicious Activity who issued Dreamland and Report Suspicious Activity in 2005 and 2006.
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Tours: Arab on Radar (Reunion Tour)

Arab on Radar Three One G Records, experimental noise rock outfit Arab on Radar have reunited and have booked a run of tour dates beginning this month. The reunion was first revealed in April by Three One G co-founder Justin Pearson (The Locust, Swing Kids, Head Wound City, Some Girls) The band formed in 1997 and split up in 2002 after many releases and even shows opening for Marilyn Manson.

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Guided By Voices, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Ted Leo, F*cked Up at Matador Anniversary

Guided by Voices Guided by Voices will be reunited for the upcoming 21st Anniversary Festival of uber-indie Matador Records. The beloved band will be performing during the festival alongside bands like Pavement, Sonic Youth, Spoon, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The New Pornographers, Superchunk, Ted Leo And The Pharmacists, Fucked Up and many more.

It all goes down October 1st to 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Palms Casino & Resort In Las Vegas, NV
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Insubordination Fest pits promoter, fans against venue, Sonar

The otherwise well-recieved Insubordination Fest became the source of conflict between attendees of the 12-hour festival and club owners who were apparently trying to sell high-priced bottles of water while denying any other sources. While venue owner Dan McIntosh said bartenders were “encouraged” to sell water, no one was supposed to be denied tap water if requested.

That account differs from the view of most attendees who said they were denied water. Jacob Bruce, named in the report said this:

A manager had instructed all the bartenders not to hand out free water. I asked him what I was supposed to do and he said he could sell me a bottle for three dollars. said “three dollars!?” and he suggested that I buy a bottle and refill it in the bathroom, which I did all night right up until the of the show. The only time that I couldn’t was when the men’s room was closed because all the toilets were backing up.

Fest co-founder Mark Enoch was quite upset with the problems and is looking for alternative locations for next year. He added:

It was hellish. I don’t think I’ll ever get some of the customers back because of the venue, and I don’t blame them.

Other people weighed in on comments noting:

The owner is lying. I was there. At first they had jugs of water out on the bars as they have in previous years but they were removed. The club tried to jack up beer prices and it backfired on them. ($5 for a can of Boh or PBR was the cheapest option). When bar sales fell flat the club doubled down by locking everybody in and removing the free water. I asked for a glass of tap water and was denied. Several of my friends had the same experience. I was told I had to buy a bottle of water. Eventually the bartender relented and gave me a glass of ice, but would not fill it with water.

Check out the report via the Baltimore Sun.
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Madina Lake bassist injured after rescuing woman

In some very unfortunate news, Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone was severely injured after intervening in the beating of a woman in Chicago, IL. His bandmate Nathan Leone related the story:

Matthew walked from my apt. a block and a half down the street to meet a friend for a drink. Half way there he saw a man severely beating his wife. Being the most amazing, strong, heroic and incredible person I know.. even though the guy was twice his size, Matthew intervened. He managed to subdue this guy for a second and since his wife was beat up pretty good called the cops.. as he did so the guy jumped him from behind and beat him. This guy did things I can’t even type. After words, he and his beaten wife left Matthew unconcious on the street. Matthew is in the hospital with a third of his skull removed as we wait for the swelling in his brain to go down. The world can be evil beyond belief and as much as we want this evil eliminated, right now our hearts heads and energies need to go to my best friend, soul mate, hero, and angel, Matthew.

Our best wishes to Matthew for a swift and full recovery.
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