

"Steve [Bonnell] and Brian [Turner] have kind of phased themselves out over the last year or so, and it'd be weird going on with them," says Jonah Bergman, the band's bassist. "So our Home for the Horrordays show is going to be our last one."
Even though Schoolyard has been playing recently without Bonnell and Turner, the two will be rejoining the band for the December show, happening at El Corazon on December 19th. It will also be the last show for Kane Hodder, who have played many a show with Schoolyard over the years. (And they too will be performing with their original line-up, including bassist Nick Cates and guitarist Jeremy White.)
Despite the break up, Bergman and Co. probably aren't done with music. Schoolyard's music has always been about dead things coming back to life, after all. In fact, he stressed that all Schoolyard fans will want to be sure they arrive to the show on time to see the opening "special guests."
But before they look too far ahead, with or without new projects, they're concentrating on giving Schoolyard the funeral service it deserves. "This band has been the only thing that we’ve thought about, and done every day for the last 10 years and now it’s gonna be done."
RIP, Schoolyard Heroes.
Home for the Horrordays is Saturday, December 19th, at El Corazon with Schoolyard Heroes, These Arms Are Snakes, Kane Hodder, Sirens Sister, and special guests. Doors are at 7 pm, it's all ages, and tickets are available here for $15.
Sounds Boring, But Isn't: A bunch of people from various record labels have gotten together to talk about what it means to be a record label.
One Way to Try and Save Newspapers: Like Prince and Sigur Rós, Blur is going to release a CD via a UK newspaper.
Fight! (Kind Of.): The feud/not feud between Fiery Furnaces' Matthew Friedberger and Beck continues.
Mark Your Calendars: The line-up for 2010's All Tomorrow's Parties includes Sleep, Iggy & the Stooges, Mudhoney, and more.
RIP: The driver of one of Miley Cyrus' tour busses was killed when the bus rolled this morning. Cyrus was not on board.
Miles Freeborn, former member of local hardcore band Furious Styles, e-mailed last night to say that he and his former bandmates do no support the t-shirt released earlier this week, which refers to alleged cop-killer Chris Monfort as a hero. He also says the band has been broken up for six months, and the decision to design and release it was made solely by former singer Mike Torres.
He writes:
We, all previous members, would like to make it clear that we were unaware of the shirts actual existence until the recent media coverage. We were very unpleasantly surprised by this news due to the fact that we had never given the okay for its release and never would have. The idea had in fact been denied through a phone call weeks previously.Furious Styles has been broken up for 6 months minus one reunion show played in August. We have had little to no contact with one another, especially not Mike Torres who quit the band to move to L.A.
Although it is apparent that Furious Styles has stood for a rigorous questioning of authority with our music and merchandise we do not celebrate the act that took place on Halloween eve against officer Timothy Brenton and Britt Sweeney.
It was not politically relevant or righteous. It was a brutal attack by an unorganized, deranged imbecile. We are sickened by the shirt's message and the fact that it now represents Furious Styles. The shirt was created solely by Mike Torres without any consent of ours.
Circulating photos in the media have showed pictures of old bandmates who haven't even played in Furious Styles for years, therefore greatly misrepresenting and condoning individuals who may or may not even be aware of the shirts existence.
We do not support this shirt and feel extreme guilt for any pain it has caused the families and friends of the victims surrounding this event. We are hoping to put a stop to the distribution of the shirt as well as the media's interpretation. We just want to make it clear who is responsible for this.
As SeattleCrime.com posted this morning, Seattle hardcore band Furious Styles has a new T-shirt design that refers to alleged cop-killer Christopher Monfort as a hero.
On the front of the t-shirt is a photo of Monfort with blood red splatter and a Seattle police badge under the words "Deliver us from evil." On the back, above two guns, it says, "Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamp." (See it here.)
Furious Styles have always been outspoken with their anti-cop sentiments. And members of Furious Styles have been involved in FSU in the past. The band's singer, Mike Torres (who supposedly designed the shirt, according to this thread on NWHardcore.com), was one of the FSU members arrested outside a show at Studio Seven back in 2006.
UPDATE: On Thursday, November 19th, Former members of Furious Styles e-mailed The Stranger to say that they do not support this t-shirt design. "We are sickened by the shirt's message and the fact that it now represents Furious Styles. The shirt was created solely by Mike Torres without any consent of ours." Read their whole letter here.
Seattle coffee roaster Caffé Vita is releasing a compilation titled GIVE today consisting of 30 downloadable tracks from local artists such as Fleet Foxes, Champagne Champagne (featuring Fences), Cave Singers, Common Market, Mad Rad, and Kinski. Currently unfinished exclusive tracks by the Long Winters, Ben Gibbard, David Bazan, Throw Me the Statue, The Dutchess and the Duke, and Unnatural Helpers will later be available
A GIVE benefit concert featuring Grand Archives, D. Black, Grant Olsen of Arthur & Yu, Kinski, Gabriel Mintz, Tea Cozies, and M.C. Tilson from the Saturday Knights takes place at the Crocodile Thurs. Dec. 3. Tickets can be purchased for $15 here.
Press release after the cut.
Just in time for Obama's visit to China:

Lou Jing sings Shanghai opera and speaks fluent Mandarin, but when she competed to be China's next reality TV pop star, it was not her voice that was criticised — it was her black skin.China, welcome to the future of the world. It's not where you are; it's still here, the racially diverse North America.The daughter of a Chinese mother and an absent African-American father, 20-year-old Lou caused a media storm when she was named one of Shanghai's five finalists for "Let's Go! Oriental Angel," an "American Idol"-style show.
But her fame has been for all of the wrong reasons, after her appearance sparked a vigorous and often vicious nationwide debate on whether she was even fit to be on Chinese television because of the colour of her skin....
Even though Obama is wildly popular among the Chinese people and the country is rapidly expanding its ties with Africa, commentators said Lou's story exposes deep racism in China, where the ethnic Han are in a vast majority.

Due to irreconcilable conflicts, we have decided to break up. We want to thank everyone that supported us - there are too many to thank so we won't start but hopefully we can thank you individually soon enough. Sorry there wasn't a second album - If it's any consolation we're putting up some outtakes and oldies on myspace - more will be put up tonight and tomorrow. Please look out for future projects from Conor, Kyle, Sky and Nico in the future.
New Faces have one full-length record, Two Years, out on Loveless. They've cancelled all scheduled shows, including this Friday's show at the Vera Project. Kids & Animals, Conservative Dad, Colonies, and Post Harbor will still play.
Another one bites the dust.
This is what you want, this is what you get: Public Image Ltd. discusses recording new material
Hello Cleveland!: Bruce Springsteen forgets where he is
No black ice involved: Grizzly Bear in European bus wreck
RIP: Rapper Derek B passes at 44
I hate the future: Britney Spears announces iPhone app
Rihanna shreds: Rihanna recruits Nuno Bettencourt for upcoming tour
St. Louis' Riverfront Times, which has been something of an authority on King Khan and Mark Sultan's run-in with the Kentucky State Patrol last Thursday, is reporting that the band has released an official statement:
On November 16, 2009 Kristin Klein entered a guilty plea to 2nd degree possession of a controlled substance in Christian County, Kentucky. Ms Klein was driving a rental vehicle that was randomly stopped at a safety checkpoint. Officers located a controlled substance in the cab of the vehicle. Ms Klein was unaware of the contraband and the validity of her license was indeterminable at time of arrest. Under KY law a driver of a vehicle is responsible for its contents. Therefore, Ms Klein entered a guilty plea and is scheduled to appear on April 2, 2010 to provide proof of her valid license.King Khan & BBQ Show are driving through the night to make their Los Angeles show at Troubador tomorrow. Tonight's show in Phoenix is cancelled, but all further west coast dates and will to be honored. Kristin Klein is safe with the band and continuing her tenure as tour manager.
So, it turns out that 52 percent of the respondents to the previous poll chose correctly: They got pulled over because the were in Kentucky. It's still unclear whether or not Khan or Sultan were arrested, but some are reporting that Khan was arrested for magic mushrooms. Either way, rejoice, because they'll be here Saturday and it will be fun.
Amen, brother: NPR laments the struggle for perfection in rock music
Mark E. and the funky bunch: The Fall to reissue old albums
What? Why?: The Who to play Super Bowl halftime show
They’re locking up all our stars pt. 1: Gucci Mane sentenced for parole violation
They’re locking up all our stars pt. 2: King Khan & BBQ Show arrested in the South
Jimmy Fallon isn’t worthy of a one-off: Jawbox might possibly play more shows?
The man killed in the house fire reported on Slog this morning was Comet bouncer Ben Hills:

This is terribly sad news. RIP, Ben.
Update: From the comments:
Friends of ben are meeting up at the comet right now to remember how truly awesome of a guy ben hills was.
Posted by R.I.P. Ben on November 11, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Really?: Aerosmith is not breaking up despite Tyler’s departure
Not enough “map of Taz”: Australian fans disgruntled over Britney Spears performance
Teenage Suicide (Don’t Do It): Chipmunk announces brief hiatus after disturbing Twitter posts
Music critics rejoice!: Magnetic Fields announce new album
Aging hardcore dudes rejoice!: Sick Of It All recording new full-length
Why hasn’t Paul Allen swooped in on this?: Enuff Z’Nuff hawk old bass gear
It's true:

Following early sellouts and rave reviews the past several years, and hailed by SPIN as “a pick-your-poison selection for your party at the edge of the earth,” the Sasquatch! Festival returns for its ninth year May 29-31 (Memorial Day Weekend), 2010 at The Gorge in Quincy, WA. For the first time, a special discounted 3-day festival pass will be available in time for the holiday gift season on Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 A.M. (PST) via sasquatchfestival.com. There are a limited number of discount passes, which will be available through December 31, 2009. Recently reunited indie rock legends Pavement will be performing. The festival’s complete lineup will be announced February 16.
Fuck! Yeah!
According to an interview in New York Magazine, Fucked Up are planning on recording a new version of the 1984 holiday hit "Do They Know it's Christmas?"
They've already confirmed a few of the guests, including David Cross, members of Vampire Weekend, TV on the Radio, Broken Social Scene, GZA, Bob Mould, No Age, and Yo La Tengo. And their wish list includes Feist, Jarvis Cocker, M.I.A., and a Jonas Brother.
I fucking LOVE Christmas music. All of it. Even the bad shit. Even the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" And picturing big-bellied Damian Abraham leading this goofy choir of sarcastic comedians and boat-shoe-wearing preppies and maybe even a Jonas Brother, all while dressed as Santa Claus (because Abraham would HAVE to dress like Santa Claus, right?) is probably the best mental image that could happen to me today.
Rock action: Mogwai announce documentary and live album
Controversy won’t save your crap band, Matt: Fiery Furnaces pick fight with Radiohead
RIP: Paul Preminger of Vancouver’s The Smugglers passes
Remember life before the internet? Pt. 1: Radiohead proposes bandwidth throttling in response to piracy
Remember life before the internet? Pt. 2: Anti-counterfeiting trade agreement threatens internet use
She’s got some balls: Otep proposes sex reassignment in response to gay marriage ban

Everyday Music manager David Miranda informs us that the Capitol Hill emporium will be moving from its current Broadway & Pine location next to Oddfellows Hall on 10th and Pine St. in January, after the building undergoes some remodeling. This is in the vicinity to where Elliott Bay Book Company is contemplating moving.
Everyday Music sells used and new CDs, vinyl, DVDs, posters, and music-oriented accessories—much of it to Stranger music writer Dave Segal.
Still pissing off the Christians: Black Sabbath guitarist undergoes stem-cell treatment on hand
Never trust the British music press: UK study suggests illegal downloaders buy more music
No thanks: Fall Out Boy drummer announces new hardcore band
More respect for cows than for women: Hardline band Vegan Reich reforming
Just in time for Christmas: Black metal documentary scheduled for December release
As Brian Cook mentioned in Today's Music News, Elton John be all sick and shit, so in case you hadn't figured it out, this week's dates at Key Arena have been postponed. The press release:
Seattle, WA - The Elton John / Billy Joel Face 2 Face concerts originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 and Saturday November 7 have both been postponed.
Promoter Live Nation and the KeyArena were informed by management today that Elton John has been advised by his doctor to postpone these performances due to a serious case of e-coli bacterial infection and influenza.
Organizers of the event are working to establish a new date. All patrons who have purchased tickets for the Face 2 Face concerts on Wednesday, November 4 and Saturday, November 7 at the Key Arena are being asked to hold on to their tickets until more information is available regarding the proposed rescheduled engagement.
Due to low ticket sales, according to Neumos. FUCK!!!
Cue "Demons Out" ("how am I supposed to sleep at night/when no one likes the music we write"):
Sub Pop Records and KEXP's Jon Kertzer (host of The Best Ambiance, which airs music from Africa and the Caribbean islands on Mondays 6 pm-9 pm) are partnering to form Next Ambiance, a world-music-oriented imprint. Its first release, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba’s I Speak Fula, will be available digitally Dec. 1; the CD comes out Feb. 2, 2010. You can catch the band opening for Béla Fleck at Triple Door March 16.
Respect to Sub Pop for expanding its horizons and disseminating music with which its main demographic likely isn't familiar. Kertzer should be an excellent curator for this new venture.
Press release after the jump.
Get well soon: Slayer cancel dates due to back injury
Get well eventually: Elton John recovering from e-coli and flu
Mo’ money, mo’ problems: Lil Wayne sued over sample use
Get Up Kids’ scheduling conflicts: New Spoon album announced
Put to rest: Armour For Sleep break up
Did he just mention Blood Circus?: Man accused of killing local sound engineer skips bail
Detroit's Tyvek have been added to the Blues Control/Brother Raven/Little Claw bill happening tomorrow night at the Funhouse. This makes a very strong lineup even stronger. Thank you, Portable Shrines and the Funhouse.