Good news for every independent musician in the World. MTV (owners of the Rock Band franchise) just announced its own new distribution platform through the immensely popular musician-simulation game Rock Band.

The Rock Band Network is a revolutionary system that will allow bands, studios and record labels to create and sell playable game content from their master recordings using the same professional tools used by Rock Band developers. Rock Band Network, currently in closed beta, should launch to the public in August (with in-game sales later in the year).

MTV has infused Rock Band Network with professional utilities to enable a community of music makers to get their work to the masses and profit by it. Paul DeGooyer, a senior VP with MTV games, tells Billboard that “We’re talking about a set of serious professional tools to allow people on the front line of writing and recording songs to completely control their destiny with respect to interactive products and then giving them direct access to the download store.”

Rolling Stone reports: “The Rock Band Network will launch in August and include instructions for how exactly songwriters can turn their tunes into game songs. Songs must first undergo play-testing at Creators.RockBand.com, a Website available to those who become premium members of Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online at a cost of $49.99 for four months or $99.99 for a year. When a track gets the go ahead, it will be sold at the Rock Band Network Store exclusively for Xbox 360 for a period of 30 days starting in the fall. A selection of approved tracks will later be sold for PlayStation 3 and Wii. Harmonix and MTV promise artists whose tunes make the cut will be compensated: rockers will be able to price individual tracks according to multiple pricing tiers, and they’ll get paid royalties accordingly.”

“Our goal with Rock Band has always been to go beyond making music games and create a true music platform,” said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and co-founder of Harmonix.

The mid-90’s Britpop feud between Oasis and Blur has become the stuff of legend. Noel Gallagher once famously hoped Blur frontman Damon Albarn would “catch AIDS and die” (he since recanted, blaming drugs for the outburst).  Surprisingly, he’s 100% behind the current Blur reunion: “I’m right into the Blur reunion, ’cause it’ll finish off the Kaiser Chiefs and put them to bed. There’s nothing worse than a shit Blur. And at least the original shit Blur are back to finish off all these other shit Blurs. I’m bang into the Blur reunion.”

From an old reunion to a possible new one: Nine Inch Nails‘ Trent Reznor no longer thinks very highly about former friend and collaborator Marilyn Manson.  Reznor calls Manson “a malicious guy and will step on anybody’s face to succeed and cross any line of decency … Seeing him now, drugs and alcohol now rule his life and he’s become a dopey clown. He used to be the smartest guy in the room.  And as a fan of his talents, I hope he gets his shit together.”

Lots of news on the Flaming Lips, The Cult, STP, Moz, and more after the jump!

While the drama surrounding the official state song of Oklahoma unfolded, Flaming Lips worked on their new double album! It should be out later this summer.

Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley outlined all the obstacles that prevent writing and recording a new album — Greg Graffin’s scholarly commitments, Brett Gurewitz’s production and label duties — but “the one thing that’s in short supply is time.”

The Cult will track Love in its entirety on tour this summer. I guess Ian Astbury doesn’t want to be remembered for his Sonic Temple cowboy hat (pictured left).  Unfortunately, no there are dates scheduled remotely near Tampa Bay.

Following the January death of Ron Asheton, Iggy Pop says The Stooges no longer exist. However, guitarist James Williamson has rejoined — meaning the surviving Raw Power lineup is intact — so the band will tour as Iggy & The Stooges … I’m a little confused, too.

Wayne Kramer of MC5 witnessed the failure of the war on drugs first hand as he and many other rockers toured and performed at the Sing Sing prison in New York. Tom Morello, Jerry Cantrell, and Perry Farrell were among those present. Kramer blogged about his experience for Huffington Post.

Scott Weiland confirmed Stone Temple Pilots are writing and recording new material with one-time Rolling Stones producer Don Was. He didn’t elaborate about the ongoing litigation between the band and Atlantic Records and whether or not that will hamstring the release of a new album.

Morrissey announced a B-sides compilation due in October called Swords. (Yes, he still records B-sides.)  Also, he released an amusing statement about his latest happenings complete with Rumsfeldian euphemisms. As Pitchfork observed, tour dates aren’t postponed or rescheduled but “repositioned.” Also, he won’t join Facebook or Twitter because “not enough happens in my life that I would wish to share with others.”

X frontwoman Exene Cervenka (right) was recently diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis. She vows her health problems won’t affect current X touring plans or her solo work. Ironically, X has supported the charity Sweet Relief (founded by an MS sufferer) for over a decade.

Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman of Rancid address and quickly denounce the latest Operation Ivy reunion rumors: “I love what we did back then, but what we do now is to move forward.”

Evan Dando wants a piece of General Motors’ bailout funds. He insists a recent GM ad includes an unauthorized soundalike of The Lemonheads’ “It’s a Shame About Ray.”

Drummer Tre Cool says Green Day is Rock Band bound. “I can’t play the drums on it,” he jokes. “If you were born before 1985 you won’t be able to play the drums.” There are no further details, but my money is on a “track pack” and not a full standalone game.  Green Day are OK, but they’re no Beatles.

The Jesus Lizard revealed full tracklist details for the upcoming reissues of their first four albums.  Head/Pure EP, Goat, Liar, and Down become available on September 22 via Touch and Go in various formats including vinyl.

What: The First Ever Something Planet Birthday Extravagganza

When: Saturday, May 9 @ 7pm

Where: Gasoline Alley, 14042 66th St., Largo FL 33771

Who: Rise of Saturn, Badda Skat w/ Tribal Style and Geri X

Why: The podcasting comedy troupe is turning one-year old and celebrating with a concert, Rock Band 2 tournament, beer chugging contest and a celebrity-judged jump rope contest.

How much: $6 for 21+ | $9 for under 21 (All Ages Welcome)

For more info: http://www.somethingplanet.com/

Clearwater-based Mohawk Bomb Records announces the release of No Lip Vol. 2. Available through www.mohawkbomb.com and via all major online music services (iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody and Napster), the compilation features 14 songs from 14 artists spanning the entire Rock music spectrum.

No Lip Vol. 2 celebrates independent bands from all over the World, with bands from Florida, California, Texas, Canada, England and Australia. Among the songs featured are previously unreleased tracks by Soulfound, The Redlight Stare, Ascending to Avalon and Soul Destroyer. Also, returning are 900 Pound Gorilla, Bull Lee and Drew Street Mary (along with Soulfound) who were all featured on No Lip Vol. 1.

Mohawk Bomb Records is a record label and marketing agency that specializes in finding new approaches to the currently crippled music business distribution model. Since its inception, Mohawk Bomb Records has released 3 albums and 2 compilations, including Soulfound’s 2008 full length album Is a Rock Band. Creative Loafing named the label “Best New Independent” in 2008.

“This compilation is even better than the first one,” stated Mohawk Bomb Records CEO and Soulfound vocalist/bassist Ivan Pena. “With No Lip Vol. 1 we were still getting our process ironed out. Now, we understand where we went wrong and have worked out the kinks.”

No Lip Vol. 2 was mastered by award-winning producer and engineer Steve Connelly at his studio, Zen Recording, in Pinellas Park, Florida.

To learn more about Mohawk Bomb Records and to purchase No Lip Vol. 2, visit www.mohawkbomb.com.

No Lip Vol 2 Promo Video from Mohawk Bomb Records

Click here to download podcast version of this press release ››

Soulfound’s newest release, “Live at Zen Recording,” drops February 17 on all major online music retailers Worldwide. CDs will be handed out as promo by each of the participating bands and the Mohawk Bomb Records Street Team.

This five-song EP is the latest release from Florida’s Soulfound on Mohawk Bomb Records. The EP was recorded live at Zen Recording Studios in Pinellas Park, Florida in November 2008. The five tracks are from Soulfound’s last studio album, 2008’s “Is a Rock Band”. The tracklist is as follows:

1. You Only Get One
2. Occupation
3. King of the Sandbox
4. My Kind of Thing
5. Looking for Me

This is a raw snapshot of Soulfound doing what they do. No trickery, tracks or gimmicks here, just pure, unrefined rock music.

Soulfound has been touring the Florida circuit since 1999. Originally formed in Gainesville, Florida, this Clearwater four-piece prides themselves in their sing-along songs and strong live performances.

To listen to “Live at Zen Recording” click here.

Mohawk Bomb Records, the award-winning, Clearwater-based independent record label, announces its release schedule for spring 2009.

Soulfound “Live at Zen Recording”: features 5 songs performed live at Zen Recording from their “Is a Rock Band” album, released in September 2008. There are 5 video companions to the songs available on Soulfound’s YouTube channel. The EP will be  available as a digital release on February 17, 2009.

No Lip Vol. 2 Compilation: This 14-song eclectic mixed bag of Rock music anthems is the second release in Mohawk Bomb’s No Lip series. Although leaning towards Punk and Pop Rock, No Lip pulls samples from the Florida, California, Texas, Ontario (Canada), UK and Australian music scenes as a survey course of the caliber of independent music. Profiles on each of the contributing bands will be posted on the label’s Website at www.mohawkbomb.com over the next month. The compilation will be available for sale online after February 24, 2009. Physical CDs will be passed out as free giveaways and sent to music press around the USA.

Mohawk Bomb Records is a new kind of record label, focused on sharing all music with the World using social networking and Web 2.0 technologies.