Many of you have probably already heard this, but this year’s Cornerstone will be it’s last. You can read the official announcement on their Facebook page, along with the reasons. This is a sad announcement, because many of the bands that we feature in this magazine would probably not have started or gone anywhere without Cornerstone and the sub-culture that it attracted. There are still many festivals to go to around the country, but Cornerstone seems to be the festival that they all look up to. I was lucky to have gone in 2000, but I guess I always thought I would get a chance to go again.

John J. Thompson is going to be blogging his memories, as well as soliciting memories from anyone that wishes to give them. Head to his blog and follow as he shares.

Today is the official release date for The Choir’s newest album, The Loudest  Sound Ever Heard.  You can pick it up at iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, and many other digital outlets. You can watch the official release video, or go to thechoir.net for details.

$2,000 Grand Prize and Finalists open for Bloodgood at Fox Theater, Pomona, Calif.

Frontline Records has announced a “Legacy Makers Emerging Artist Contest” for unsigned artists. Contestants will vie for a $2,000 Grand Prize from sponsor Meis Music Group, visibility on the label’s website, as well as promotion and distribution support of a single or album. The top three finalists will open May 9 for legendary metal band, Bloodgood with Oz Fox of Stryper, as part of the final competition at the famous Fox Theater in Pomona, Calif. Frontline Records artists and music industry representatives will judge finalist performances, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

There is no fee for this open call to unsigned artists. Individuals and groups must submit entry forms and a YouTube linked performance of an original song to the Frontline Records website http://frntlnrcrds.com.

One-hour evening workshops at the Fox, hosted by industry insiders and artists who want to give back to the music community are slated for 6 p.m. and include Jon Gibson, Dawn Johnson (Director, Take 2 Productions), Jim Wisner and Stephen Crumbacher (founding members of Crumbacher), Mark Ambrose (guitarist, Idle Cure), author Jerry Wilson (First and Forgotten) and Syntax Distribution marketing staff.

Workshop topics include: The road to success as an artist; Finding balance between artistic dreams and industry reality; Five key areas of a social marketing strategy. Admission at the door for both workshops and concert is a $5 donation benefiting human trafficking awareness, presented by MOSAIC Pomona.

Meis Music Group President Adel Meisenheimer created the Legacy Makers event. “Frontline Records was founded in 1986 and is home to over 100 recording artists, of which many are considered legends. The contest provides an opportunity for legends-in-the-making. We hope many will be encouraged with the competition and workshop offering. Instructors have impacted the music industry for a quarter century and are sharing valuable insights.” Event information is available at http://www.facebook.com/FrntlnRcrds. Entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. (PST), April 20. View Details, Entry Form and Contest Rules on Frontline Records’ website: http://frntlnrcrds.com.

Sponsored by Meis Music Group, Central South Distribution, Take 2 Productions, Mosaic Pomona, Fox Theater Pomona and Roxx Productions.

Another band has popped up on Facebook, this one featuring members of The Clergy and Crux. The only details so far on Gov’t Hate Mail is that they are “punk-ish” and that song samples are coming “soon-ish.” Should be cool.

“LUST CONTROL returns after a long hiatus to record their first offering in 20 years!  If you saw LUST CONTROL at Cornerstone Festival last year, or anywhere they have played since, you know that they are much heavier, much tighter, and more aggressive than ever!

We at Rottweiler Records are very excited to partner with LUST CONTROL to put forth the absolute BEST cd in the band’s history!  We are even more excited to launch this Kickstarter campaign in order to bring you, the fans into direct involvement in this project!

For more information straight from the horse’s (ahem) mouths, please view LUST CONTROL’S video because. . . OH MY GOSH!!!!  THE LUST CONTROL BAND MEMBERS UNMASKED!!!!

This is like when Kiss took their make up off, except Kiss was a huge band from the 70’s that wore make up, they were sickeningly rich, incredibly talented, adored by the masses, sold millions of albums worldwide, and have etched an indelible mark on rock and roll history!

Other than that, this is just like when Kiss took their makeup off!

Ok, just watch the stinkin’ video, would ya?”

A Facebook page for the Lithium Saints has popped up recently with this statement: “Lithium Saints - veteran alternative Christian rockers Sim Wilson of Undercover, Jesse Sprinkle of Poor Old Lu and Todd Olsen of The Waiting. Artwork by Chris Taylor of Love Coma.” A video featuring Sim Wilson recording vocals is also up, along with a link to a BandCamp site (currently empty)… so I guess we can expect songs soon? Sounds cool.

Read what Michael Roe has to say about the re-mastered special edition of Sticks and Stones – an online exclusive with a few never before seen photos:

Doc Love dishes on the soon to be released reissue of Sticks and Stones

For those that prefer the print, you can now purchase the print version of issue 12 at cost through Magcloud.

Next up on the list of new albums coming out is the 77s. Their classic Sticks and Stones album will be released in three different formats – one-disc, two-d0sc, and three-disc. There are also two extra special packages that combine the three disc version with posters, pins, t-shirts, and other collector’s memorabilia. These are not all pre-orders – some packages will be available for download or shipping when they go on sale next Tuesday. See the 77s store when it goes back online for the new album sale on March 13th.

Next up on the pre-release train is SLIDE. They are now offering two pre-release packages for Auto Tune Massacre – both of which will ship well before the official release date of March 21st. The physical CD includes one bonus remix not on the digital album, so SLIDE fans will want to get your hands on this. See the SLIDE online store for details.