311 - Uplifter

311 set to release new album Uplifter, on 2nd June 2009.
There will be two versions of Uplifter made available. There will be a CD version, featuring the 11 new songs. And there will be a Deluxe Edition version, which will be the CD plus a special 80 minute DVD documentary titled “The Road to 3-11 Day 2008”, directed by Wayne Price. The DVD includes a behind the scenes look at the band & their fans during the week leading up to 3-11 Day, as well as backstage footage, interviews, fan footage and 8 live performances from the 3-11 Day 2008 concert at the New Orleans Arena! You don’t want to miss this! The Deluxe package will be a limited edition offering, so keep an eye out for pre-sale details soon.

311's new radio single, Hey You, is now playing on radio stations across the US. The single will be available for sale from all download providers next Tuesday 4/14. 311 will shoot a video for Hey You in the next few days. Until then, here is a video-free version.



Words from Nick Hexum:
Greetings friends. ’09 is off to an amazing start. There is an exciting vibe around the studio now that we have completed recording our new album, Uplifter. It’s a similar feeling among the band members to the one we had after recording Music and the Blue album. People ask me which of our previous albums I could compare our new record to. That’s hard to do, but I can definitely say that we feel like we have kicked ass and really made the very best album that we are capable of at this time. We really took the time to finish this album and explore every idea to the very end. Working without a strict deadline really paid off. Our partnership with Bob Rock has been fantastic. I’ve never enjoyed working with any producer so much. He’s brilliant. His ideas and knowledge are staggering. He’s a walking encyclopedia. He’s a good listener. His work with so many other bands has taught him how to cooperate well and it’s been a good influence on us. I can’t say enough good things about him. What does the album sound like? The title really fits the uplifting nature of the new music. To me, the music is positive and fun. It reflects the mind state we were in when we made it. We were in a good place. There are themes of personal struggle in the songs, but as always with 311, there is a resolution. No wallowing in self-pity for us. There are songs about relationships. Straight from the heart. There is a trio of songs on the album that are about what it’s like to be in this band. There’s a balls-to-the-wall burner about the fun of touring. It’s a thank you to the fans that is destined to be an anthem. There’s a heavy song about the magic of creativity. One song is an ode to music itself. Music is our constant companion and personally, I’d be fucked without it. I’m so excited for you all to hear the album and to rock the songs live this spring & summer! Much love. - Nick

311's American tour schedule of 50 shows released. Spring and Summer Tours. Tickets are now on sale for 42 shows. All info at 311.com. Summer Tour is 311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables.

Transformers 2

After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with more than meets the eye.
The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun.

Main Cast
Megan Fox • Mikaela Banes
Shia LaBeouf • Sam Witwicky
Josh Duhamel • Captain Lennox
Tyrese Gibson • USAF Tech Sergeant Epps
John Turturro • Agent Simmons
Hugo Weaving • Megatron (voice)
Frank Welker • Soundwave (voice) (rumored)
Peter Cullen • Optimus Prime (voice)
Darius McCrary • Jazz (voice)
Robert Foxworth • Ratchet (voice)
Charles Adler • Starscream (voice)

Transformers returns. They continue to adapt the storyline and reinvent the classic characters. The first one was focused on the human character, but I'm sure everyone was expecting the Autobots to be the main focus of the movie. From the trailer it looks like this one will focus on the Decpticons, but I'm sure they find some way to make it all about the human Sam. Either way, it will be worth watching.

Monika Puchalski

One of the Bundesliga’s better known supporting ladies.

Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski is hugely popular in Germany, but he hasn’t been having such a great time at Bayern Munich. He has already agreed to move back to FC Köln at the end of the season, which means Colgne will also be welcoming back his long-term girlfriend, Monika Puchalski.

Unlike many of her shameless counterparts, Monika does not live her life in the limelight. She spends her time looking after their child Louis, who will be one this April.