Common Wall Media

Indie rock band Fine China will return to the stage for the first time in nearly a decade Friday, December 11th, at the Rebel Lounge (2303 E. Indian School Rd.) to commemorate an expanded 10th anniversary 180 gram black vinyl reissue of the 2005 album The Jaws of Life. Featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Rob Withem, bassist Greg Markov, keyboardist Josh Block and drummer Thom Walsh, the show will mark the first time Fine China has performed since 2006. Brought to you through a collaborative effort between Plastiq Musiq, Velvet Blue Music, Common Wall Media, and President Gator avail December 11th.

PRE-ORDER HERE! 

Fine China was formed in Phoenix in 1997. After a series of well-received singles on Velvet Blue Music, the group's debut full-length When the World Sings was issued by Plastiq Musiq/Tooth and Nail Records in 2000. Produced by Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric, its analog synth-pop evoked the effusive charm of the band's early '80s English pop inspirations, including the Pet Shop Boys, New Order and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. The band's 2002 Tooth and Nail follow up You Make Me Hate Music was produced by Jason Martin of cult shoegaze band Starflyer 59 and Terry Taylor of alternative pioneers Daniel Amos. The record's angsty songs (see the album title) moved the band into guitar-driven rock territory, inspired by the Smiths, the Buzzcocks, the Pretenders, the Replacements and the Psychedelic Furs. 

In 2005, Fine China issued The Jaws of Life on Phoenix-based label Common Wall Media. Propelled by chiming songs like "Are You On Drugs?", "Rated-R Movie" and "Don't Frown," the self-produced album was lush and layered, recorded with engineer Bob Hoag at Flying Blanket Recording in downtown Mesa. Withem's lyrics are wry and occasionally biting, given to asides of hesitation and doubt, but ultimately faithful. "I'm sorry for the hatred in my soul," Withem sings with unguarded openness on the haunting slow jam "I'm Sorry For the Hating." The album's post-punk melodic ism and sharp wit have held up; even as a decade's passed, The Jaws of Life sounds fresh and current.

Pressed to vinyl for the first time, the album will feature a handful of new, exclusives remixes and a new original track from the band via a download card. 

Listen to Take Over and Destroy "Subterfuge" at Revolver

Listen to Gatecreeper's "Poisoned Mind" at Noisey

Pre-order the 7" at President Gator's Big Cartel Page

Our old friend Austin Gibbs and our new friend Brennan Smiley (The Technicolors) come together as The Bambinos. Look for an EP summer of 2015, but for now listen to "The Power" digital single avaialble now on iTunes, Spotify, and everywhere else. Release in association with 8123.

Lots going on with Common Wall Media artists over the last few months.

Future Loves Past continues to gear up for the release of their full-length album, All the Luscious Plants.

You can hear/download the first two tracks from the record at the following blogs:

"Grow Up Tall" at Phoenix NewTimes Up On The Sun Blog

"Pretty Things" at Consequence of Sound

Bogan Via have released an amazing video for their song "Kanye". You can check it out at this post from Mad Mackerel.

Also, download the Geographer Remix of the track at My Old Kentucky Blog. Bret and Maddie have also announced that they will be heading to Norway this fall to perform at Insomnia Festival.

Both Future Loves Past and Bogan Via also performed live sessions for Paste Magazine at Aloft Hotels over the past couple months. Videos from the sessions should be posted soon at Live @Aloft

Gospel Claws recently performed a live set for a Sons of Anarchy / Harley Davidson event. A web documentary should be posted soon.

Joel's more saintly project, The Through and Through Gospel Review performed its 2nd ever live show at the Musical Instrument Museum in June. The show was professionally filmed and recorded and we hope to have videos to share with you soon.

We are very proud to annouce that we have struck a deal with Phoenix, AZ favorites Future Loves Past to release their debut full-length album later this fall. More info will be coming soon, but in the meantime, we are co-releasing a 7" split with them and Yellow Minute, that previews one of the album tracks "Grow Up Tall". The release show will be at Sail Inn on July 6th. You can download the song right now from Phoenix NewTimes Up on the Sun Blog and pre-order the 7" from President Gator Records.

Gospel Claws and Bogan Via both had very eventful last few months of 2012.

Gospel Claws released their sophomore full-length album Put Your Sunshine Away, which has been recieving excellent reviews and press inculding the track "Hambone" being featured on NPR's All Song's Considered and the album was also named on of the Top Ten Local Albums of 2012 by The Phoenix NewTimes. We also co-released a vinyl 12" version of the record with President Gator Records, which you can buy here or at any local AZ record stores (Zia, Stinkweeds, Revolver).

Bogan Via continues to recieve strong praise for their debut Common Wall EP Wait Up, including Phoenix NewTimes Top Ten Local Albums of 2012. We have also just released a digital only Remix EP via the band's bandcamp page that includes remixes from Geographer, Glass Theory, Miniature Tigers, and more!

Hopefully 2013 will bring more great releases and more great new artists!