1. Century Media Records has launched a new “spirit-filled” division named Ain’t No Grave Recordings (ANGR). Its first two signees are SLEEPING GIANT (ex-Facedown Records), and THE GREAT COMMISSION (who must have been named after a really awesome day selling high-end bedroom furniture). Century Media notes “The bands who are associated with ANGR place a high value on the words within their music, their interaction with their audiences and their impact upon the world from an artistic and philosophic standpoint. Not every band evangelizes, but none will compromise the heart of what they’re doing.” I’m guessing a split 7″ with cross-labelmates DEICIDE is not on the agenda here…

2. SOCIAL DISTORTION’s Daytrotter session went live this week. So did one from J. RODDY WALSTON AND THE BUSINESS. How about one from SICK OF IT ALL Daytrotter?

3. 29 seconds of a new FOO FIGHTERS song confirms the existence of bass, guitars, drums, and vocals on at least one track from their upcoming full-length. I’m not really sure what the purpose otherwise was of this…

4. From SideOneDummy:

“TITLE FIGHT (Kingston, PA) has signed to SideOneDummy Records and is planning the release of their debut album in late spring of this year. The album was produced by Walter Schreifels (Gorilla Biscuits, Rival Schools, Quicksand) and Engineered by Will Yip at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA. The foursome tracked the album in two weeks in December, 2010.

TITLE FIGHT brings a refreshing new sound to the hardcore scene taking influence from bands like Seaweed, Jawbreaker, Texas Is The Reason and Hot Water Music. With an incredible DIY ethic and a true love for hardcore, Ned Russin (Vocals/Bass), Jamie Rhoden (Vocals/Guitar), Shane Moran (Guitar) and Ben Russin (Drums) are soon to be leaders in the next wave of great American hardcore.”

… THE SOUNDS and TITLE FIGHT, both announced in the first 19 days of 2011. Helluva good start to the year.

5. Photos of TOUCHE AMORE, JOYCE MANOR and GRAF ORLOCK from the JOYCE MANOR (6131 Records) record release show. The kids are into it (and I feel real old just looking at some of these crowd shots).