• They're already dressed for their funeral.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

"Once word leaked to real estate circles and other people, we started getting offers to buy the club, we're open to the idea, and we have a couple guys who have made offers to buy the club as is."

"I've had that space since i was 19, so there's a part of me that is gripping onto it, and a part of me that would love to let it go. I guess we'll see."

Asked if he thinks the odds are good of the club being bought and maintained as is, Lalario says, "If I'm a betting man, I would say so, but the way things are in this world who knows what'll happen.

"Either way, November 29th is our last public party, and everyone who's ever DJ'd or been through is going to come play. And it'll be a McGinn/Holmes fundraiser—thank god for McGinn—to help them cover campaign debts. Even on my last night, I can't make any money."

Club spokesperson Kerri Harrop agrees that chances are “pretty strong” that a buyer will step up to take over the club as is.

The War Room is dead, long live the War Room? More news as this develops.

Hello friends.

It is with no joy that I bring you this news. On November 30, the current War Room ownership will shutter its doors. The future of the venue remains to be determined.

On a professional level, I hate to see a good club close down.

On a personal level, my heart is nearly broken. The War Room has been the best clubhouse imaginable, for more than a minute. I celebrated my 40th birthday there. My 38th, too. We’ve ushered in great political change in that room, and said goodbye to dear friends under its roof.

And, we have partied our balls off up in that piece.

Full press release after the jump.

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Cue "Demons Out" ("how am I supposed to sleep at night/when no one likes the music we write"):

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 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