PENETRATION INC

CuCu Diamantes: The Sound & Voice Of Dr. Pepper’s “Vida 23” Ads, On Stage in Cannes with Rossy de Palma, Announces Two Glam NYC Shows

Left: “Singer Cucu Diamantes attends the People En Espanol '50 Most Beautiful' gala in New York.” (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)  Center: Diamantes On The “Vida23” Website. Right: CuCu and Rossy De Palma At The Cannes Film Festival.

CuCu Is Now The Sound & Voice Of Dr. Pepper’s New “Vida 23” Ad Campaign: Produced specifically for Dr. Pepper by Andres Levin & Alex Lopez Negrete, the exclusive CuCu Diamantes song “La La La Life/Vida23” powers these new Spanish Language TV & Radio Spots. Fans can also preview and download copies of the song at the Vida23 Site.

Diva In Demand: Darling of the art/fashion world and red-carpet favorite, Cucu was recently the surprise featured performer at People en Español's Annual 50 Mas Bellos (50 Most Beautiful) party in New York City. Cucu then jetted directly to The Cannes Film Festival, to perform at a special party for director Pedro Almodóvar, where perorming in vintage Cavalli, she was joined on stage by old friend and event host Rossy de Palma.

Fashion Shows: On June 25, Cucu will be performing at a an exclusive, invitation-only event for NYC-based Parisian designer, Catherine Malandrino at the chic new Meat Packing District club, Griffin. The following night, June 26, Cucu's back at her old cha-cha grounds, the Lower East Side celeb-favorite cabaret, The Box (where her "Mas Fuerte" video was shot).

More on the Cucu Diamantes MySpace page.

On This Beach, We All Play For The Same Team

Ironball Games & Events’ Gay Beach Dodgeball Tournament
to Unite and Benefit LGBT Community

Come Saturday, July 18, you’ll want to pop your umbrella on Asbury Park’s 4th Avenue Beach early! Not only is it the 8th annual LGBT beachfest known as Road Trip Weekend–which attracts thousands from throughout the tri-state area–but it’s also the day of the first annual Ironball Gay Beach Dodgeball Tournament.

The big day is presented by Ironball Games & Events whose mission is to embrace, empower and strengthen the camaraderie among all members of the LGBTQ community by bringing together individuals, couples and families to participate in fun, charitable sporting events.

Diva Meets DJ, Face Meets Bass: Bebe Zahara Benet and Kylie Producer Mark Picchiotti Hit the Studio!

RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner Bebe Zahara Benet and
Kylie Producer Mark Picchiotti Hit the Studio!

Ladies, start your…iPods, yes, the winner of "RuPaul’s Drag Race", America’s Next Superstar Drag Queen, Bebe Zahara Benet–and official RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner's Tour DJ Mark Picchiotti are heading into the recording studio!

Though the two met for the first time at the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finale/tour launch party in Manhattan earlier this spring, it was while criss-crossing the U.S., that diva and DJ quickly bonded and the inevitable deal was struck.

Immediately following this Friday's (June 5) appearance at Asbury Park, New Jersey’s Club Paradise, Mark and Bebe will jet directly to Picchotti’s luxurious Chicago Blue Plate studio where they will record at least two dance singles. One flip through the fiercenss that is Picchiotti's website music player and you'll see Bebe's all business: This man's gonna give her a hit!

Plushgun’s Season In The Sun

For Electro-Pop Brooklyn Trio, Summer 2009 Means Radio Play, MTV Hosting and a Whopping 40 City Tour

Plushgun, the Brooklyn-based alt-pop trio, appear to have a hit on their hands with “Just Impolite,” the current single from their debut album, “Pins & Panzers” (Tommy Boy). “Just Impolite” has earned Plushgun loads of dancing fans and taken the band from a Williamsburg bedroom studio to nationwide radio play, MTV hosting, Rolling Stone raves, foreign label deals and a recently confirmed 40+ city summer tour.

Swing Out Sister's Serves Up "Beautiful Mess," The Perfect Summer Cocktail

 

Swing Out Sister is back! Out today (May 19) is their ninth studio album, “Beautiful Mess,” the perfect, hazy, lazy, beachy, daydreamy summer soundtrack. Corinne Drewery and keyboardist Andy Connell's fizzy jazz-pop-retro-fusion cocktail is just as cool now as it was when they first served up “Breakout,” almost twenty years ago. Catch the duo (with band) live in San Francisco (June 3, Bimbo's), Los Angeles (June 4, The El Rey Theater), Washington, DC (June 6, Capital Jazz Fest), Philadelphia (June 7) and New York (June 8, BB King's).

Meanwhile...

NYC Glitterati Cottons To Amanda Lepore’s (Eye) Candy

Amanda Lepore, the pneumatic Downtown personality who bills herself as "The #1 Transexual In The World With a Fully Functional Vagina," celebrated the debut of her hyper-glamorous new video, “Cotton Candy,” last Sunday night at the Maritime Hotel’s chic Hiro Ballroom nightclub. Earlier the same evening she unveiled her boutique fragrance, Amanda eau de parfum, by Artwear Editions.

Amanda Lepore Debuts "Cotton Candy," Her Glamalicious Solo Video!

You've seen her starring videos for everyone one else–Tiga, The Dandy Warhols, Girl In A Coma and David LaChapelle–now Amanda Lepore has her very own solo video,  "Cotton Candy." Directed by Bec Stupak and guest starring Cazwell, this is the first single from Amanda Lepore's full-length album "I...Amanda Lepore" out later this Spring on Bill Coleman's Peace Bisquit label. "Cotton Candy" was written by Cazwell and produced by Goodandevil.

Horse Meat Disco's DJ Severino on Penetration Radio

On Sunday, April 5, DJ Severino of London's legendary Horse Meat Disco graced the Penetration show on  NYC's hot East Village Radio. He was in town to DJ hot spots around town including The Tribeca Grand with DJ Hell and Cut Copy, a cool loft party with Rub N Tug, Mr. Black and Vandam. He was joined by The House of Stank (W. Jeremy and Christy Love) who came by to hang. Lots of silly chat and hot tunes and the jawdropping nugget that Severino, at age six, was running home to mama waving the 7" single of Amanda Lear's "Tomorrow" (left). Hear the show by going to the Penetration page on EastVillageRadio.com and clicking  on the red "here" up top. Watch for the next Horse Meat Disco party in NYC (the last one was with DFA) and a forthcoming Horse Meat Disco CD on Strut (UK). In the photos above, Severino, W. Jeremy in the Horse Meat Disco T, Penetration's Andy Reynolds (lower right). Click on photo to enlarge.

BLOWOFF To Blow Up Atlanta, 4th Of July, 2009!

Most recent BLOWOFF flyer by Linas Garsys.

Rock and electronic music powerhouses Richard Morel and Bob Mould continue to add cities to the roster for their wildly successful dance party, BLOWOFF.

On the heels of the capacity crowd launch of BLOWOFF Chicago during Memorial Day /  IML / Bear Pride Weekend comes the news that BLOWOFF will debut in Atlanta on Saturday, July 4, 2009, coinciding with Atlanta Bear Fest 2009.

Chicago DJ Mark Picchiotti To Put Some Bass In Your Walk! Top DJ Tapped for RuPaul's Drag Race Winner's Tour / Absolut "Real Fruit" Tour with America's Next Drag Superstar, Bebe Zahara Benet

 
RuPaul's Drag Race Winner's Tour/Absolut "Real Fruit" Tour DJ Mark Picchiotti and America's Next Drag Superstar, Bebe Zahara Benet at the hit show's finale/tour kick-off partyat Therapy, NYC. Download 300DPI PHOTO Photo: Penetration, Inc.

He’s pumped out dance remixes for every diva on the pop charts, now international DJ Mark Picchiotti’s mixing live for the diva of them all, America’s Next Drag Superstar, Bebe Zahara Benet!

While Bebe Zahara Benet is getting adjusted to her new title as American’s Next Drag Superstar, Chicago’s premier DJ, Mark Picchiotti (pronounced “Pick-ee-ah-tee”) is pulling records for his diva-licious gig as the official DJ of RuPaul’s Drag Race Winner’s Tour (also known as The Absolut "Real Fruit" Tour).

 
RuPaul's Drag Race Winner's Tour/Absolut "Real Fruit" Tour DJ Mark Picchiotti and America's Next Drag Superstar, Bebe Zahara Benet at Roscoe's (Chicago), The Patio (San Francisco, w/Tammie Brown) and together.

The tour has already drawn capacity crowds in New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Now, due to popular demand, five more cities have been added to the tour. Throughout the Spring lucky “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fans in Dallas, Austin, Houston, New Orleans and New Jersey (June) will get to see Mark and Bebe live, but those not fortunate enough to live in tour cities can still put some bass in their walk. With a quick sashay over to www.markpicchiotti.com, fans can snatch DJ Mark Picchiotti's Megamix. It’s free, it’s fierce (includes his remixes of songs by Solange, Kylie, Beyonce and Basstoy) and downloads with a single click. Work!

You Betta Rap: Cazwell Showed 'Em How on the "RuPaul's Drag Race" Finale!

Cazwell, the spunky, funky, punky potty-mouthed pop poet who’s currently enjoying the success of his he-larious hit video, “I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King,” will guest star in the final episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” On the show, he coaches the contestants on their rapping skillz. "Those girls had a lot of balls to rap their first time on TV!," Cazwell said. A longtime figure on the NYC club scene, rapper Cazwell will release his full-length album, “Watch My Mouth” this May.

CuCu to ChaCha at Bowery Ballroom March 19, Former Yerba Buena Singer Debuts Solo Album

"We're cuckoo for CuCu Diamantes." – The NY Post

Sizzling hot!!!!!!! – Perez Hilton

"Catlike and acrobatic on vertigo-inducing heels, CuCu [is] fast talking and hyper-sexy." – The Washington Post

The fiery cantante Cubana from cult funk banda Yerba Buena.– MTV Tr3s Artist of the Week

After eight years with hot Latin fusion band Yerba Buena, ever-fierce Lower East Side singer Cucu Diamantes releases her debut solo album, CuCuLand, today, March 17. In celebration, she will be performing March 19 and The Bowery Ballroom.

If raves from from Perez Hilton to The NY Post, The Washington Post, and The Miami New Times are any indication, you’ll want to be there. In chacha heels! Check the flyer at left and snatch your tickets at boweryballroom.com or via Ticketmaster because CuCu Diamantes is a diva you need to know. Click here for a quick live clip of CuCu singing "Show Me The Money Papi."

Grab the FREE MP3 of CuCu's first single, “Mas Fuerte” here. You may have clocked the song in "Another Gay Sequel." Sneak peek the "Mas Fuerte" video, out any day now, here. It is the first ever shot at NYC's fab The Box nightclub.

Meet CuCu Diamantes after the jump!

Oh My God, I'm Having An Art Attack!: Escanadalo's Jaw-Dropping "La Bruja" Video

Enough with the overused "amazing," we're bringing back "fierce," just to describe the jaw-dropping collision of eye-popping art and a dark dance track that is "La Bruja" ("The Witch") by New York art collective, Escandalo. Imagine a witches coven on the original (27th Street) Sound Factory dancefloor and you'll get the aural picture. Artists Desi Santiago, Viva Ruiz and music production team Automagic (Will Lynn and Bryan Wright) debuted their stunning "La Bruja" video last night at an underground club (literally) deep in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

The video was produced by Chocolatina Productions, directed by the genius Beck Stupak (she produced–with Francis Legge–Cazwell's "I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King") and Jason Cacioppo.

Hear "La Bruja" remixes by Minty Fresh, Johnny Dynell, and The House Of Stank on the Escandalo MySpace page. Available now on iTunes and Juno. More + some hot photos of Escandalo here.

Bimbo Jones-in' For Best Remixer Award At Winter Music Conference 09

For the second consecutive year, UK dance band and remix and production team Bimbo Jones have been nominated for a "Best Remixer" International Dance Music Award. The trophy's will be presented during Winter Music Conference 09 at The Miami Beach Resort & Spa. Additionally, Bimbo Jones' Lee Dagger and Marc JB will be presenting an award.

Blowoff Blows Up: Party Set To Rock Chicago IML Weekend, Blowoff Now in Six Cities!

Rock and electronic music powerhouses Richard Morel and Bob Mould continue to add cities to the roster for their wildly successful dance party, Blowoff. Come IML weekend, Chicago’s Metro will be the newest rock club to host the musical smackdown featuring the DJ duo’s meaty signature mix of indie rock, electro and house and killer visuals. Blowoff, named after the deciding fight in a pro wrestling match, originated in Washington DC six years ago, expanded to New York in late 2007, before adding San Francisco, Provincetown and Brooklyn in 2008, are eagerly anticipated events and consistently pack in capacity crowds.

Bob Mould Plays Intimate Set at Hotel Cafe, Electrifies Coachella, Noise Pop & Honors R.E.M for Charity

First Single from Forthcoming Life And Times “I’m Sorry Baby but You Can’t Stand in My Light Anymore” out March 3 on iTunes

9 February – Bob Mould has announced a string of dates leading up to the release of Life and Times on April 7th, including a performance at San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival on February 28, an intimate, acoustic appearance at Hollywood’s Hotel Café on March 2nd and an electrified set at the famed Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival with the Bob Mould Band on April 18th.  Additionally, on March 11, Mould will join Patti Smith, Calexico, Jolie Holland and many others at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to the music of R.E.M.  Proceeds from the event go to fund music programs for underprivileged students.

Pravda: Your New Favorite Band

Pravda | The A.B.C. of L.O.V.E:

Pravda | Body Addict:

Wow, right? Now, meet Pravda, the fierce Parisian electro-punk duo united by a love for The Buzzcocks, Joan Jett, AC/DC, Miss Kittin & The Hacker, Motorhead, and…Beavis & Butthead?

France’s sexiest export since Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot, Pravda’s Mac (guitar) and Sue (bass, vocals and synth-programming) are hot. Fans across France, throughout the UK and Europe and are smitten with their kicking brand of no-nonsense crowd-pleasing electro-punk and cool/eye-popping stage presence. Pravda are about to deliver, "Westward," their debut US album. Produced by Jean Francois Coen and with additional production by Dimitri Tikovoi (Placebo/Goldfrapp/Kill The Young), it includes a rock cover of Miss Kittin & The Hacker's "Franck Sinatra" and will be released May 2009 in the US on Bill Coleman's NYC-based label, Peace Bisquit.

More about Pravda, including a great UK interview, here.

Bob Mould Readies New Album "Life and Times" for April 7 Release

Bob Mould Readies New Album Life and Times for April 7 Release
20 Years After His First Lauded Solo Album Workbook,
30 Years Since the Formation of Husker Du
Tour Dates Announced for February, March and April

Bob Mould is arguably one of the most influential musicians of the alternative rock era, first for his early work with post-punk rabble-rousers Husker Du, followed by the college-rock-defining pop of Sugar and finally for his solo albums, notably his first, Workbook, which quieted Mould’s previous ire to reveal his fine songwriting in a new light and allowed an introspective glimpse into the inner workings of an evolving artist.

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Workbook, and also the release of Bob Mould’s latest solo work, Life and Times, set for an April 7th street date.

Cazwell: "I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King, She Ordered Two Cheese Burgers And Onion Rings..." East Village Rapper Chats About His YouTube Smash. New Album In April!

(Above is the Normal Quality version. Best to go to the YouTube page, click on the Watch In High Quality option at the bottom right of the video player.)

With over 600,000 views on YouTube, Cazwell's latest single, the hilariously infectious "I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King," is a bonafide smash. A bumpin' bunch of remixes are out now, exclusively via Masterbeat through February 10, 2009, after which they can be purchased on iTunes and all major digital music retail websites. New full-length album, "Watch My Mouth," is out in April on Bill Coleman's Peace Bisquit label. Cazwell chats about the video (yes, it's a real girl!) after the jump.

Matt Alber Chats About The Making Of His Swoony New "End Of The World" Video

Matt Alber's Kleenex-clutching video for "End Of The World" off of his debut album–"Hide Nothing"–may be one of the most romantic videos ever. Even the staff up at his label, Tommy Boy's Silver Label, who've seen it a million times, still get misty when they watch it. We wanted to know more about the video and how it came about, so here's a little chat with the charming man himself, Matt Alber, about it.

1 Matt, your “End Of The World” video is sooo romantic and poignant. Is it autobiographical? It is in the sense that I've been in that emotional place where you wonder if you have what it takes to be in love.  The song is more about the hope of love than anything else.  My director, Robin Scovill and I set out to capture that moment when you find that hope again

Sneak A Peak Under Colton’s Covers: Two Singles Preview New Colton Ford Album of Remakes

Colton Ford swaggers into 2009, packin’ not one, but two meaty new sweatbomb singles. First up is the deliciously slick Dan McKie vs. Colton Ford cover of Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You" (1980 Recordings / Peace Bisquit) given a little extra uh-uh by hot British producer, McKie and remixer Dan Bailey. (Click titles to listen.) Second is Mr. Ford’s muscular working-over of Miss Spear’s B-side club hit, “Trouble" (Peace Bisquit / Woop Woop). Produced by the prolific Craig C. (Mary J. Blige, Ultra Naté, Mariah Carey, Rihanna), this ballistic update straps the original's electro-dance stomp to a seriously jacked up track and winking who’s-your-daddy vocals. Both of these aurally exciting ditties are out now digitally and will be featured on the forthcoming Colton Ford album of re-makes, “Under The Covers,” due March 2009.” How’s that for a little double-Penetration?

Blowoff's Buff Bama Bash

The DC-based hurly-burly Blowoff bash goes Inaugural with a nod to our new president. Artist Linas Garsys conjures up a provocative inauguration flyer, available for viewing at blowoff.us. Swelling to four times it’s natural size–Washington, DC, that is–our nation’s capital will be the place to be this weekend, with Blowoff sure to be even more packed and pumping than usual. Get there and celebrate! Tickets still available online from the 9:30 Club website.

For those who've yet to attend one of the rocking Blowoff events in DC, NYC, Brooklyn, San Francisco and come May (IML Weekend), Chicago, Blowoff is the super popular dance party created, hosted and DJed by rock and electronic music powerhouses Richard Morel and Bob Mould. Featuring their meaty signature mix of indie rock, electro and house, the party's fun for all, from alt/rock-loving boys (girls welcome!), burly beer-drankin’ men, leather daddies, to loads of chunky hunks like those featured in Blowoff’s smokin’ signature artwork. More info on the Blowoff website.

Noel MOREL! Electro-Rocker Richard Jingles X-Mas Beats and Bells with FREE Holiday Tune!

Favorite electro-rocker, MOREL, dons his gay apparel to put a little free joy in your Christmas sock. Download "Merry Christmas To Everyone " here. Richard Morel's beautifully packaged double-album of "shoegazer disco" deepness, "The Death Of The Paper Boy" makes a mighty fine holiday gift. Snap one up here. Celebrate! He is! Rich co-wrote/co-produced three songs on Cyndi's "Bring Ya To The Brink," album, which was just nominated for a Best Electronic Dance Record Grammy!

iTunes Holiday Single Benefits Homeless Gay & Lesbian Teens: Matt Alber Covers The Roches' "Star Of Wonder"

The man with the voice of an angel, is behaving as such.

For the holidays, classical-gone-pop singer Matt Abler has released a hauntingly beautiful cover “Star Of Wonder” originally by quirky sister trio, The Roches. All proceeds from the sale of the song exclusively on iTunes benefit LA Youth Network (LAYN) an organization that takes in homeless L.A. youth, many of whom are gay and lesbian teens

Says Alber, "A lot of these kids are gay, lesbian or transgender who flee from abusive homes and schools.  They arrive by bus, they hitch-hike, they do whatever they can to get away and land here with nothing.  LAYN is more than a band-aid or a hand-out; they provide real homes, one-on-one social workers and even send these kids to college.  Most of us have always had a roof over our heads. These kids just want a safe place to start their lives.".

Please post and forward and buy!: The more downloads sold, the more money Matt raises for LA Youth Network! Stream and purchase the song by clicking on the starry night image above or clicking here. (Give it a few seconds, it starts quietly, with wind chimes.)

Matt Alber's dreamy debut solo album, "Hide Nothing" is out now. Go to mattalber.com to listen to a streaming version. Watch for the super romantic "End Of The World" video soon on Logo.

Radio DJs wishing to support LAYN by playing and making an announcement about Matt Alber's "Star Of Wonder," please email  andy@penetrationinc.com for an high-quality MP3.

A quote from Terre Roche, note from the man himself on the mission behind "Star Of Wonder" after the jump:

Cyndi’s Album, Including 3 Songs Co-Written and Co-Produced by Richard Morel, Nominated for A Grammy!

Cyndi Lauper and co-writer/co-producer of three songs on her Grammy-nominated “Bring Ya To The Brink” backstage at the Energy 92.7 Anniversary Blast in San Francisco last weekend.
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Cyndi Lauper’s “Bring Ya To The Brink” album has just been nominated for a Best Electronic Dance Record Grammy! On it are three songs co-written and co-produced b electro-rocker, Richard Morel, “Same Old Fucking Story,” “Raging Storm,” and “Set Your Heart," all of which have been singled out by critics:

Blender Magazine spotlights Morel's contribution to “Bring Ya To The Brink” + video of Lauper and Morel on stage after the jump.

Richard Morel & Cyndi Lauper Together on Stage in San Francisco Dec. 6! "His new record is the shit!" – Lauper

Cyndi @ G.A.Y. (London) with  Richard Morel. Videos after the jump.
Photo: DailyMail

On Saturday, December 6, electro-rocker Richard Morel will accompany Cyndi Lauper on keyboards at her live performance for San Francisco's Energy 92.7 Energy Blast Anniversary. Also performing will be Lady GaGa, Michelle Williams, Morgan Page and others yet to be announced.

“His new record is the shit and he is a star in his own right!” raves Lauper of her pal Morel, who recently released his third studio album ("The Death Of The Paper Boy”) and who also co-wrote and co-produced three songs on her current, “Bring Ya To The Brink” album: “Same Old Fucking Story,” “Raging Storm,” and “Set Your Heart,” all three of which have been singled out by critics:

More + video after the jump.

LA Truckers Love Gay Marriage: Matt Alber Blogs Prop 8 Rally

I'd never been to a protest rally.  I might be that guy who honks and waves in support while I'm rushing where, but I've mostly steered clear of rallies-- they bring out my agoraphobia. Read the rest on Gay.com's music page, AmpeOUT.

TUESDAY 11/18: Matt Alber Chats About His New Album with Dennis Hensley on The Frank Decaro Show (Sirius OutQ/Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 109)

Tune in at 12:15p.m. EST tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18 to The Frank Decaro Show on Sirius Satellite Radio's OutQ channel (109) and catch singer Matt Alber and guest co-host Dennis Hensley as they rap about Matt's super-romantic new album, "Hide Nothing." Dennis Hensley is an author, singer, songwriter, actor and commedian who can also be heard on Radio With A Twist in addition to his regular guest host spot on The Frank Decaro Show. Matt' album is out tomorrow on CD and available digitally on iTunes.

Bimbo Jones Rack Up 9th #1 Billboard Dance Hit with Kreesha Turner's "Don't Call Me Baby"

UK dance band and remix and production team Bimbo Jones has done it again, scoring their 9th #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Play Chart with Kreesha Turner’s “Don’t Call Me Baby.” This, on the heels of the band’s own #1 four weeks ago with their “And I Try” single. Previous #1's on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart include Britney Spears “Piece Of Me,” Hilary Duff “With Love,” Janet Jackson featuring Khia “So Excited,” Jessica Simpson “These Boots Are Made For Walkin',” Jesse McCartney “Leavin'” and Kimberly Locke “Band Of Gold,” Plumb “In My Arms.” Check more video remixes on YouTube.  Bimbo Jones’ bumpin’ debut album, “Harlem 1 Stop,” is out now on NYC’s Tommy Boy and available digitally and on CD worldwide. Editors: Bimbo Jones press page is here.

The Cliks: Sneak Peek to a NEW SONG!

The Cliks give their fans a deep look into their artistic process. Here they are in the studio where they are working on their new album. For the latest news, vidoes and more sneak peeks, check the band's blog on The Cliks MySpace page.