Loyal Divide have released a new album called Bodice Ripper, and they are playing a show at Beat Kitchen on March 12th to celebrate the album and to give them a proper send off to SXSW. The band will be performing four shows at SXSW.

Bodice Ripper is the bands debut full-length and includes the tracks from their EP Vision Vision, their single "Flights" and several new and outstanding tracks. The album shows the complete picture of the polished electro-pop band Loyal Divide has become.

When you try to image the musicial union of a Malaysian-born filmmaker, corporate executive and a Harvard-trained theologian and writer, it is hard to visualize what sounds they might make. After listening to the debut album Hush from Tom Silva and Nicole Sotelo (Clara May) I can tell you it sounds like Tom Jones if he had a conscious and sang in a small coffeehouse. This is an album with cares deeply about society and through the compassion explores themes of identity, racism, and ethnic conflicts. The main vocalist on the album in Tom Silva and his deep vocals add a dramatic weight the topics he choses to sing about. The duo, since neither play an instrument, enlisted the of producer and guitarist Phillip Amerson and several other musicians. The album is not all protest and fight, but is a mixture of anthems, ballads, pop, and yes, protest. The album is epic and heartfelt, and Clara May will be donating 10% of its profits to charity.

Jimmy Chamberlin’s new project Skysaw has announced their debut album. Great Civilizations will be released May 2011 on Dangerbird Records. The band includes DC-based singer Mike Reina, guitarist Anthony Pirog, Boris Skalsky and Paul Wood. The first single from the album is called "No One Can Tell" and illustrates the polished anthem-based arena rock we can expect from this band.

On March 15th Company of Thieves will be releasing "Death of Communication" via iTunes. This is the first single from their new full-length Running From A Gamble which will be released on May 17th through Wind-Up Records.

Dastardly is performing a free show tonight at Reggies Rock Club to raise funds to make the trek to SXSW. The band will be making their first trip down to Austin. Above is the band’s performance of "Freight Train" for Kitchen Sessions.

Dastardly will be performing tonight, March 5th, with Milano, The Bears of Blue River, and The Dirty Feathers.

Pillars and Tongues appeared on Daytrotter this week. They actual recorded the session back in September, but it is amazing nonetheless.

The band is performing tonight, March 5th, at Ponchos with Cross Record, Spritis of The Red City, and Drekka.

You’ve got love a band that is not afraid to have a little fun. Check out Scattered Trees in their Star Wars outfits. If you are heading to SXSW be sure to keep an for these guys.

California Wives have released a new single called "Tokyo". The track was recorded during their session for the debut ep Affair, but just didn’t seem to fit in with that session.

The band will be performing at 7 different SXSW showcases and then coming back home to perform at Empty Bottle on April 1st.

Houses have release a cool little tour video documenting their time on the road through the Midwest with Baths and Braid.

The duo will be performing at four different showcases at SXSW and then heading out on the road this May with The One AM Radio.

One of the more distinct voices in town belongs to Ami Saraiya. She mixes jazz-filled vocals with an edge that is powerful. On her new ep she has teamed up with The Outcome to establish a sound that is rather eclectic.  Ami wrote these songs will working the nightshift as a nurse se at Illinois Masonic.

Ami Saraiya and The Outcome will be celebrating the release on March 10th at Schubas with Jared Bartman and Julie Meckler.

Six months ago we brought news that Urge Overkill was working on a new album and gave you a sample in the form of the track "Effigy". Now, we have concrete details. The album will titled Rock&Roll Submarine and will be released on May 10th on their own label UO Records.

The reformed lineup is made up of original singer-guitarists/songwriters Eddie “King” Roeser and Nash Kato, along with drummer Bonn Quast (Polvo; The Cherry Valence) and bassist Hadji Hodgkiss (Gaza Strippers).

Urge Overkill will be performing at The Bottom Lounge on May 20th.

On May 3rd, Honest Engines will be releasing a new EP through Tandem Shop called The French Song EP. It will feature three new tracks including "Sunny Setting Sun" below. The EP is the follow-up to the band’s 2009 release Captain’s Log, and will available through all major digital retailers, as well as in limited edition handmade physical copies.