Kik Axe Music and Entertainment

I've been meaning to post something about the XXX Movement (no, it's not porn) for the past few months. In fact, I feel bad that I haven't gotten around to it by now, but seeing SHOOTER JENNINGS share a couple of Kik Axe Music™ items on Google+ tonight reminded me that I needed to help spread the word about this. You see, there's long been a huge problem for artists that are considered too rock for country and too country for rock - the XXX artists. As I've noted repeatedly, radio is still influential and important, and as genre definitions become tighter and less stations exist, the squeeze for a lot of artists gets worse. To combat this habit of exclusion, Black Country Rock has set up http://www.givememyxxx.com/ where you can learn more about the movement and get involved. One of the first steps you can take is to download a copy of their FREE compilation album SOUTHERN INDEPENDENT VOL. 1 - a 12-track collection of XXX artists you should know.

Las Vegas rockers ADELITAS WAY will release their sophomore album, Home School Valedictorian, on June 7th via Virgin Records. Dave Bassatt (Shinedown) produced the album with the band, which consists of vocalist Rick DeJesus, guitarist Keith Wallen, bassist Derek Johnston, and drummer Trevor Stafford. Below you'll find a lyric video for the first single entitled Sick, which is also available on iTunes now.

While their long-awaited album WATCH THE THRONE still has listeners waiting, the debut single from JAY-Z and KANYE WEST has been inspiring remixes for the past few months. None, however have been quite like what you're about to hear. L.A.-based rock outfit VAYDEN has reimagined H.A.M. (Hard as a Motherfucker) into a rock anthem, releasing it for free in support of the people of Libya Vs. their dictator Muammar Gaddafi (or Quadaffi, Kaddafi, or any of the 112 accepted spellings of his name). For the sake of this article, we'll just call him "asshole."

You might've caught them recently on the HARD DRIVE Tour alongside SALIVA and REV THEORY, but if not - here's your introduction to Nashville rockers DOWN FROM UP. Below the break you'll find a stream of their new track Menace to Society. Hit play, crank it up. After you do that, check out the band's bio, then share your feedback on the track in the comments section below. If you dug what you heard, hit the "get it now" button below the music player and enter your email for a FREE MP3 of the track!

Anyone that tries denying the fact that cover songs still break bands (the argument comes up constantly) is either deaf, blind, or both. Just days after we shared a rocked-up Ace of Base tune with you comes another rock act going pop. With their new album KISS THE SUN GOODBYE coming out on May 17th via Century Media, VAMPIRES EVERYWHERE! have just set free their version of  Teenage Dream, the pop hit by Mrs. Russell Brand, KATY PERRY.

With a quick rise and fall marked by a pair of Geffen-released albums, Alabama's TRUSTcompany quickly dropped off the mainstream radar, announcing a hiatus in the Fall of '05. Six years later, the band is back with their first album for eOne Music. If you dug TRUSTcompany during their fast burn in the early 2000's, you may love their new album, DREAMING IN BLACK AND WHITE. It's exactly what I would've expected their third album to sound like, circa 2006.

On May 10, Columbia Records will release LIVE AT RIVER PLATE, the latest concert film from AC/DC (the best pure-rock band of all time IMO). Set for release on DVD, Blu-Ray, and a DVD/T-Shirt Bundle, a trailer for the film has been released today and can be viewed below along with the official details. Don't know about any of you, but I know what I'm getting on May 10...

Long Island indie rock band Tiger Riot have scheduled a handful of tour dates around New York in the coming weeks.  Confirmed dates are below but expect more to be announced soon.  Tiger Riot released their debut album Look Up!, through Brookvale Records on February 1st. Don't have it yet? There's still time to WIN a copy from Kik Axe Music™ right here!

Making good on their promise from last night, FOO FIGHTERS have released their latest single from their April 12 release WASTING LIGHT (pre-order here). The new track entitled Rope can be heard below the jump. What do YOU think of the new jam? Share your thoughts with the world in the comments section below, and be sure to check out FOO FIGHTERS' official site and Facebook page for future hints to the contents of WASTING LIGHT in the weeks ahead.

The All-American Rejects have spent the last year writing new material and are ready to hit the studio to record their fourth studio album! Over the last year, the Rejects' lead singer, Tyson Ritter, has also spent a great deal of time on his charity, Don't Hate on Haiti. With the band heading into the studio, Tyson has dreamed up a contest as a way to help raise money for the charity. To promote the Don't Hate On Haiti Contest, Tyson took to the blog on The All-American Rejects newly remodeled official website, with a video and a letter that goes a little something like this: