Here's what Ari Spool wrote about ex-Dead Mooners Pierced Arrows for the Stranger way back in 2007:

Pierced Arrows are the reincarnation of Dead Moon, and when Fred and Toody Cole put their DIY stanchion to rest and started a new project, the punk-loving masses were biting their fingernails. "Would it be as good?" they murmured. "Would they sell out?" "Would they do something weird, like get a cello?" The answers were yes, no, and no, and everyone rejoiced by getting smashed to high heaven and tossing themselves on top of each other at the Funhouse last time the Arrows came up. Even Eddie Vedder was there. This is sure to be a repeat of a good time.

Might wanna make that "yes, yes, no" now:

Pierced Arrows, the Portland-based trio comprised of legendary members Fred and Toody Cole of the seminal punk band Dead Moon have announced their signing to VICE Records for the release of their sophomore LP Descending Shadows on February 2nd.

Full press release after the jump...

As noted in last week's Up & Coming previews:

I guess it had to happen eventually. Portland electro-rock band Starfucker are changing their name so they can really "make it" in the music world. Fair enough. They've seemed destined for success from the start, and they certainly deserve all they can get for their brand of playful, breezy, and occasionally sinister synth pop. Still, I wish they could keep the profanity. After all, Holy Fuck, Fuck Buttons, the Fucking Champs, Fucked Up, the Fucking Eagles, and of course Fuck have all achieved highly lucrative mainstream breakthroughs, right? Right? In any case, they are soliciting suggestions from fans for their new band name; e-mail them at newnameideas@gmail.com or tell them in person at tonight's show. I wonder if the Fucking Sellouts is taken. JK!

Today, there is this press release:

It's been an exciting year for Portland, OR's favorite breakout band, Starfucker, and today is an exceptional day. Last month, just as the four-piece were poised to set sail on an extensive North American tour, they announced a name change contest that allowed fans to play a pivotal role in re-naming the band. After many votes and infinite good ideas, the guys have chosen PYRAMID as their new moniker. They will perform their last ever show as Starfucker at Portland's venerable Wonder Ballroom on Halloween, so if you have a hankering for infectious beats and a costume contest judged by some of the members of the band, then look no further.

In addition to the name change news, PYRAMID are will self-release their debut UK single via their new imprint DDD featuring "Medicine," from 2009's Jupiter EP. "Medicine" will be available exclusively at London's Rough Trade stores as a limited edition, deluxe white vinyl 7"....

For more information on all things PYRAMID, check out the guys' new website here: www.pyramidlovesyou.com

Local band Pyramids is no doubt very excited about the news.

Update: Yes, I know Pyramids changed their name to Love Tan a while ago, because there was already a band by that name—I thought the parallels were funny.

Another external hard drive, so all that everything doesn't disappear? An empty iPod, to fill up for you? An apron with "Good for You, You Have Everything" embroidered on it?

Nope: Old hair.

Here is a big wad of Elvis Presley's hair, believed to originate from Presley's pre-Army head-buzz of 1958, which is expected to sell for between $8,000 and $12,000 at auction October 18.

Below that are some wispy bits of Michael Jackson's hair, reportedly recovered from the coat placed over Jackson's head when his hair caught on fire during that Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984, which are expected to sell for around a thousand pounds at auction October 17.

Fun fact: This woman started her journey toward life by being shot out of the penis of the owner of the first wad of hair, and cemented her own fame by accepting the penis of the owner of the second wad of hair into her wifely loins. (Or so she continues to insist.)

Must be available 10-15 hours a week for a duration of 3 months. Candidates should have an interest in online journalism. Experience with content management systems, basic html, and/or the local music scene is a plus. Interested parties should contact me here. Writing samples are also valued, but fancy, overwritten cover letters are not. Please note that internships consist mainly of exciting tasks like data entry and do not necessarily include writing opportunities, and that you don’t get paid anything.

Regardless of how you might feel about 50 Cent and/or his music, he comes across pretty well in this interview, and he makes some good points about piracy, despite what the RIAA would have you believe. "We can't stop it. If the major record companies could, they would," he says, "I see it as part of the marketing. Even the people who [pirate the music], they end up at the concert."

The music business stuff starts at around 1:20.

h/t: Techdirt

Displayed at the Wall of Sound:

Here is the press photo:

And here is the press release:

SEATTLE, WA, July 27th, 2009 - Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co.

On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. “Bayani Redux” will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon.

The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away.

Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses.

As Line Out noted last month, the Capitol Hill Sonic Boom is moving from its current home on 15th to a new location on Melrose between Pike & Pine. Yesterday, Sonic Boom owner Jason Hughes sent out the store's official press release about the move and the new (bigger!) location:

Yes, the rumors are true. We are closing our location on 15th and moving it to the lower Pike/Pine corridor into a space double the size! That’s right, we’re moving and expanding! The new location is on Melrose between Pike and Pine, 1521 Melrose Ave Suite B1, and will total out close to 3000 square feet giving us more space for CD’s, 7”s and a ton more LP’s (new and used).

The move is scheduled to take place in late September/early October. We are also excited to have the same neighbors as our Ballard location, Velouria Boutique (owned by Sonic Boom Records co-owner, Jason Hughes’ girlfriend, Tes de Luna). Velouria is opening a 2nd location and we couldn’t be more proud. Don’t go spreading all that “cute” nonsense now, even though it is a little. Velouria is an amazing business that supports local and independent artists much like Sonic Boom.

While we’re on the subject, Sonic Boom donated over $3200 to Seattle City School’s music programs during 2009’s Record Store Day as well as $260 to Seattle School of Rock from t-shirt screening the same day. We're also proud to be a small business that takes care of its employees. All our full time employees have medical/dental insurance (that’s 11 for those counting) and everyone here has the option to sign up for our retirement plan with 3% company match. Take that Wal-Mart.

We are also excited to be surrounded by great neighbors like Bauhaus, Linda’s, the Pretty Parlour, Utrecht Art Supplies, Goods, 6 Arms, Victrola, Spine & Crown Books, the Paramount, Wall of Sound, Neumo’s and all the great businesses that make the Pike/Pine corridor an amazingly vibrant area. The north section of the Melrose building will house an amazing variety of locally owned vendors including a butcher, flower shop, cheese shop, Oyster bar and more. The south section will be a locally owned restaurant. Talk about think local/shop local.

Sonic Boom’s new store will have a permanent stage and we will be hosting more in-stores than we had in our previous location. We’ll also be booking in-stores around the grand opening and will announce the line-up closer to the firm date.