Hawthorne Heights’ “Stay Awake/Stay Alive” from the band’s recent HATE EP and a live/acoustic version of “Ohio Is For Lovers” recorded on the 2011 Stripped To The Bone Tour are now available for streaming on the band’s Facebook page.

Hawthorne Heights will be playing “Stay Awake/Stay Alive” on their current tour with Me Talk Pretty, Madina Lake and The Young Electric. Catch them on tour this month! Texas stops include Antone’s in Austin on Sunday, January 29; Scout Bar in Houston on Monday, January 30; and Trees in Dallas on Tuesday, February 2.

Are you going to the show? Tweet us your photos and we’ll post them up! Find us at @smagmag.

Tour Dates:

Jan 19 Virginia Beach , VA @ Shaka’s
Jan 20 Charlotte , NC @ Tremont Music Hall
Jan 21 Atlanta , GA @ Masquerade
Jan 22 Orlando , FL @ Back Booth
Jan 23 Jacksonville , FL @ Jack Rabbits
Jan 25 Ft Lauderdale , FL @ Culture Room
Jan 26 St Petersburg , FL @ Local 662
Jan 28 Birmingham , AL @ Club Crush
Jan 29 Austin , TX @ Antone’s
Jan 30 Houston , TX @ Scout Bar
Feb 2 Dallas, TX @ Trees
Feb 3 Tupelo , MS @ Goodtime Charlie’s
Feb 4 Little Rock, AR @ Juanita’s
Feb 5 Memphis , TN @ Newby’s
Feb 6 Sauget , IL @ Pop’s
Feb 7 Grand Rapids , MI @ The Intersection
Feb 8 Columbus , OH @ Alrosa Villa
Feb 9 Philadelphia , PA @ The Legendary Dobbs
Feb 10 Richmond , VA @ Kingdom
Feb 11 Allentown , PA @ Crocodile Rock
Feb 12 Worcester , MA @ Palladium
Feb 13 Amityville NY @ Ollie’s

The band will be announcing tour dates for the 2012 Stripped To The Bone Tour soon.

Buy Hate on iTunes

Bring Me the Music: A Rotten Records Showcase this weekend featured a set of local bands performing at the Fitzgerald’s Heights venue. Amongst the line-up was Metalloyd, a beloved and long-standing heavy metal band from Houston. They played for a full house on Saturday, January 6.

This local band has been playing for seven years since its initial line-up and, after 2008′s Rock the Bayou Festival, is making headway with its finalized members. Other venues Metalloyd has performed at are House of Blues Houston, Meridian, Warehouse Live, and White Swan Live.

Hometown: Houston, TX

Genres: Metal

Members: Chris (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Anthony (Lead Guitar), Luis (Bass), Daniel (Drums)

Song featured in video is “Alas, Babylon.”
Check out the full song!

–Andrea Zarate

Image credit: Andrea Zarate

Two of the Food Network’s big personalities, Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri, lead a team of amateur cooks/celebrities in this new reality/competitive cooking show. Being a hardcore fan of televised cooking competitions, I couldn’t pass up watching this show up last week. Unfortunately, the first episode did not leave me with a good impression.

At first, I thought this show was supposed to be a celebrity version of Works Cooks of America where Rachael and Guy would be guiding the celebrities and helping them improve their cooking (since they probably don’t have to cook themselves). And when I flipped to the Food Network channel to catch the last half of the show, I thought I was right. On the screen, it looked like Aaron had no idea what he was doing and experimenting unsuccessfully.

On that note, it’ll be helpful to introduce the contestants: Cheech Marin (of Cheech and Chong), Alyssa Campanella (Miss USA 2011), Joey Fatone (singer and TV personality), Summer Sanders (Olympic swimmer and medalist), Aaron Carter (singer), Taylor Dayne (singer) , Lou Diamond Phillips (actor and director), and Coolio (rapper and “ghetto gourmet”).

FIRST IMPRESSION

Overall, I was pretty disappointed. The whole thing seemed to drag on and on, probably due to the show’s lack of structure. There was only one main challenge and, at the end, a 10-minute elimination round with two celebrities (from the losing team) pitted against each other. It was a bit dull as I’m used to three quick rounds on Chopped as well as the super fast-paced kitchen chaos of Top Chef’s Quickfires, the drama-filled Elimination Challenges, and the utterly suspenseful Judges’ Table and stew room.

The critiques on the food, which is a major part of any cooking competition, were lackluster. Only two judges? Wait, can’t forget the hungry crowd/amateur critics. The show needs more expert opinions to give us viewers some proper insight…sorry, don’t mean to be a cooking competition show snob.

The crowd comments on Aaron’s dish: “It’s different.” You know they don’t like it. Who wants to tell a celebrity that their food is gross?

Also, I wonder if the show set any rules for the contestants because it seems like they allow cookbooks (Aaron needed one for ranch). I don’t blame the celebrities for not knowing how to make certain dishes, but I’d expect Rachael and Guy to play a bigger role. Perhaps, teach some basics…and some sanitation rules.

Back in the kitchen, when Aaron was making his ranch, did you notice he was sticking a finger in mouth to taste his ranch?? I bet that went right back in the bowl. Let’s keep it sanitary, please. Anyway, enough of picking on Aaron.

TRYING TOO HARD?

What probably made the show boring for me was the fact that they’re not super talented chefs nor really bad (thereby amusing) chefs, but amateur chefs. There’s no sense of urgency in the kitchen, no innovative ideas, no excitement.

Why was this show created, anyway? Maybe Food Network is desperate to have the leading food-oriented program (the title going to Bravo’s Top Chef, in my opinion)…but that would be too high of a standard. But they’re adding celebrities…seems like they’re trying too hard. Sure, they got me for the first episode, but I can’t turn down a show about food without trying it out.

Watched: Rachael vs Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off

When: Sundays at 9 pm/8c on the Food Network

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

Mini-cringe: When Joey mispronounces “camarone” in his dish name, “Fatone’s Camarone.” I think he adds a letter to it somewhere.

Side note: Watching Top Chef has brought out the critic monster in me (all in good fun, though), so this review on the first episode may be a bit nitpicky.

What were your impressions on the show? Was episode 2 any better? (The TV was hogged up so I missed it.)

Hello, 2012! It’ll be an exciting year for us…we have lots in store for you!

We’re starting out the year refreshed and (after looking over old print copies of SMAG) even more inspired. Things that we enjoy–interesting food, punk and Spanish music, crafty projects, Top Chef–will be a focus. Of course, we’ll share and promote other things as well…just send us suggestions!

The last few months, we’ve partnered with Austin Underground (since I co-produce the show) and I look forward to more of that teamwork in the coming months.

Some highlights from last year include the Bayside’s show at Emo’s Austin, the Pop Punk’s Not Dead Tour,  The Pinker Tones show at The Beauty Bar, and discovering Thieves at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Great memories…but wait! They’re not just memories, they’re videos that we can share.

AU/SMAG interviews Anthony and Nick of Bayside:

Our interview with This Time Next Year during the Pop Punk’s Not Dead Tour:

We interview Thieves, an Austin pop punk band, at FFFF:

Looking ahead, we’re looking forward to the Where’s The Band Tour, the Top Chef: Texas finale, SXSW, Vans Warped Tour, and the release of a new Billy Talent album.

What would you like to see more of on SMAG this year?

-Smez

The November 2 show at the new Emo’s in Austin, Texas, with Bayside, Saves The Day, I Am the Avalanche, and Transit was one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year for us here at SMAG. We met lots of cool fans too!

Check out our photos from the Bayside show…and to all you fans, tell us: What’s your favorite (or one of your favs) Bayside song?

*My favorite Bayside song of the moment…Blame it on Bad Luck. So glad they played it at the concert! Don’t you love it when that happens?

Expect future photo updates from the show.

– Smez

**Disclosure: Bayside is one of my top 2 favorite bands.

After the release of their third studio album, Burning at Both Ends, Set Your Goals have proved that they are a pop punk band forced to be reckoned with.

The new album delivers the similar upbeat tempos from previous records (Mutiny!, This Will Be the Death of Us), but have evidently progressed lyrically and musically. While songs such as “London Heathrow” and “Product of the 80’s” show SYG’s ability to produce quality pop punk melodies, the band shows another side of themselves with somewhat heavier pieces such as “Trenches.” The six-piece from the Bay Area have currently been touring the US all summer on the Vans Warped Tour, and have plans to tour this fall with New Found Glory.

Recommended: “Start the Reactor”

Burning at Both Ends is available in stores and for download on iTunes.

–Jennifer

Burning At Both Ends Track Listing

1. Cure For Apathy- 2:22
2. Start The Reactor- 2:42
3. Certain- 3:02
4. Happy New Year- 3:16
5. London Heathrow- 2:59
6. Trenches- 3:03
7. The Last American Virgin- 3:07
8. Exit Summer- 2:25
9. Unconditional- 3:26
10. Product Of The 80′s- 2:42
11. Raphael- 3:12
12. Illuminated Youth- 2:48
13. Not As Bad- 18:53

Photo: Stephanie Meza

Radio updates for the last two weeks…let us know if you like what you hear or if you have suggestions for the next show!

Show 5

Today we talked about events in Austin and what is happening this weekend. We mentioned our pets and the name of our pets and why we chose that name.

The technology segment covered the toasted skin syndrome and technology addiction. For the Spanish segment, Eli talked about the legend La Llorona and shared stories.

___________________________________

Show 6 

Lots of Harry Potter talk in this episode since the final movie installment is coming out in theaters. (We also shared HP stories…smez had lots to say on the subject.)

We started off by mentioning Austin events for today through next Wednesday. Eli talked about Latin bands she discovered and gave some music updates.RiverA talked Korean band Super Junior and some news on smtown in Canada and Paris.

There was also a funny bit during our HP discussion…must listen!

Here is your SMAG radio update…#4 in fact! See our song playlist and topics for the day.

We talked about upcoming Austin events, online chatting: then and now, Mexican sweets, and had a Korean drama update. My favorite part is the music! Check out what we played:

Feel free to request music or discussion topics. Also, if there is someone who you think would be a great guest for the show, let us know!

SMAG Radio streams online on kvrx.org every Thursday from 5-6 p.m.

Disney/Ducktales comic writer Warren Spector, game developer behind Disney’s popular Epic Mickey, and Alan Porter (CARS) will be signing copies of their books on Saturday, July 2 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Austin Books & Comics.

Warren Spector will be signing copies of his debut DuckTales comic book.  The comic is illustrated by veteran Disney comic artists Leonel Castellani, Jose Massaroli, and Magic Eye Studios. Readers of all ages will thrill to the adventures of Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webbigail, the Beagle Boys, and the rest of Duckburg.

Spector founded game developer Junction Point Studios, which was acquired by Disney Interactive Studios in 2007.  Junction Point is best known for releasing the 2010 hit title for Wii, Epic Mickey, which offered a unique twist on the world of Mickey Mouse.

Also well-known as a pop culture writer, Alan Porter is the author of “BATMAN: The Unofficial Collectors Guide,” JAMES BOND: the history of the illustrated 007,” and “STAR TREK: A comics history.” His latest CARS story “Rally Race” has been chosen as the first story to be featured in the just announced Disney*Pixar Presents magazine line from Disney Worldwide and Marvel Comics.

RSVP:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=203953259646437

Austin Books & Comics is located at 5002 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX.

Hot Water Music will enter the studio this winter to record a new full-length which will be released worldwide on Rise with a targeted spring 2012 release date. In August, the punk rock band will self release a new 2-song 7” record in support of their European headlining tour with Make Do And Mend.  

HWM will also be headlining RIOTFEST in Philadelphia in September and THE FEST in late October in their hometown of Gainesville , FL. 

Recommended songs: “Last Goodbyes” and “Kill the Night” 

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/hwmFL and www.riserecords.com