RIBS has announced the release of their latest single, "Kiss," from the upcoming EP Russian Blood.

In promotion of the new EP, due out May 22, Boston-based RIBS is hitting the road. Catch them Friday, May 25 at TT the Bear's in Cambridge's Central Square for the Russian Blood CD release party. Also playing: The Suicide Dolls (CT) and Yoga Girls (playing opening and closing DJ sets).

Friday, May 25. 18+. Doors 8:30pm. $10. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

Northampton, MA based string-rock quintet Darlingside is playing at the Mercury Lounge in NYC Friday, May 25.

A creative and innovative group of musicians, Darlingside captures an original sound as they carefully weave together genres of rock, classical, and folk music. Their diverse sound can be attributed to the eclectic array of musical origins: a young classical pianist appearing on NPR; a world traveler studying music in Brazil, Turkey, and Ireland; a touring boy alto and cruise songwriter; a Boston street musician; and a drummer drawing on a mix of rock, celtic, and jazz. Their upcoming debut LP, Pilot Machines (available July 17), is a melodic work that displays the band’s innovative, ambitious style and diverse talents.

Darlingside @ Mercury Lounge
Friday, May 25, 2012
217 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
All Ages, $13, Doors: 7pm, Set: 8pm
Also Playing: Tall Heights, Hoots and Hellmouth

Listen: Darlingside -- "Still"

The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library’s “Amylee” music video, the first music video by the indie ensemble pop band, was released this week. "Amylee" is the lead track on MJEML’s debut LP, Volume One.

Watch as the Michael J Epstein Memorial Library leads the battle against dolphin invaders as they launch an attack to try and take over the Earth (there's also a space shark thrown into the mix). Documentary filmmaker Dan St. Germain has brought to life yet another in a long line of madcap/eccentrically brilliant ideas of Michael J Epstein. The song is pretty damn good, too. --Chrissy Prisco

Deli: How did the band start and where did the band name, Random Variables, come from?

Random Variables: The three of us met in grad school and worked together as teaching assistants. Moreover, we all shared this great lab space in the bowels of our department's building. Through the course of casual conversation, we discovered that we all not only loved rock, but could play it too. So, when our department announced a "Coffeehouse" event, we decided to put something together; mostly covers, but we also wrote a few parody songs about professors, courses, etc.

Of course, we couldn't just be "Three Grad Students Playing Covers and Goofy Songs," so...click here to read the rest of the interview with Random Variables.

Listen: Random Variables -- "Distract"

Blackened Hands - the New Highway Hymnal from Tim Oxton on Vimeo.

The New Highway Hymnal have been at it for around a year now and they’re a great group of musicians. Comparisons to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are called for, but unjustified. The throbbing garagey rifts are there, but lead singer Hadden Stemp is channeling some Mick Jagger-cool here in its primordial phase. Last year, I wrote something along the lines of “Good job guys, but spend a little time playing shows and getting confident,” (I would look this up but it’s not that important) but hot damn if they haven’t gone above and beyond that.

Bassist Amelia Gormley has progressed nicely and totally plays the shy babe. I chatted briefly outside PA's Lounge with guitarist Lukas Goudreault on Friday night at Deep Heaven Now 5. It’s so awesome to talk to someone who is so passionate and enthusiastic about playing, as opposed to the too-hip disaffected musician. Drummer Travis Hagan does a damn good job of tapping out solid, sometimes poppy, most times firmly danceable-yet-dirty a la smokey lousiana blues club. Smoosh this whole sound through some reverb and it makes for some solid whiskey drinking tunes.

They join national garage giant Mark Sultan, and local giants Bent Shapes (née Girlfriends), Banditas and the BFs this Saturday, May 12, at PA's Lounge in Somerville.--Chris Saenz

Head over to the MIddle East Upstairs tonight, May 7, for an indie rock show featuring three local bands and one from Florida. It might be a Monday, but this show will melt away those back to work blues and get your week off to a good start.

Blueprint For A Riot
Empty Phrases
Gospel Music (FL)
High Diner

18+, $9, Doors 8pm

On Tuesday, April 24, NYC's Brooklyn Bowl was filled to the brim with the sounds of new music, humor, showmanship, and the victorious shouts for bowling scores. TAB the Band attacked the Williamsburg venue with solid rock tunes, both “oldies but goodies” from their album “Zoo Noises” and newbies from their upcoming record (release date TBA), causing moments of headbanging delight, accompanied by droll inter-song patter. Look out for TAB on May 24 at Irving Plaza, opening for the one and only Slash. - Meijin Bruttomesso

Al Polk (Streight Angular, Polk Records) is hosting Cinco de Polkfest, tomorrow, May 5 at All Asia in Cambridge's Central Square. Starting at noon, bands will perform every twenty minutes or so (line-up below).

$5 suggested donation. This event is sponsored by Narragansett Beer.

BANDS:
12:00 School 4 Robots
12:20 Freeze-Up
12:40 Fang Noir
1:00 New Highway Hymnal
1:20 Nick Ratking
1:30 Hillary Barleaux
1:45 This Building's On Fire
2:20 Letterik
2:40 Chris North
2:50 Changeling
3:10 All Eyes on Me Now
3:20 The Vegans
3:40 Light.Sweet.Crude
4:00 Mei Ohara
4:20 Mirror Neurons
4:40 Young and Old
5:00 Andrew Mello
5:15 Death Waltz 76
5: 35 Congress of the Sloth
5:55 Onslo
6:15 Personal Finance
6:35 Streight Angular
6:55 Radio Astronomer
7:15 Four Points Restraint
7:35 Crazy People

--The Deli Staff

Having recently announced their signing to Hollywood Waste Records, Boston's Lions Lions has announced the release of their debut album for the label, To Carve Our Names, on June 19.  Produced by Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta [Bayside, Four Years Strong, Get Scared, Forever The Sickest Kids], the band's music is already grabbing the attention of post-hardcore veterans and the screamo crowd alike. A new track, "The Undertow," is currently available on the band's Facebook page.

Following a run of dates with Comeback Kid this May, Lions Lions will join Our Last Night, Crown the Empire, Set it Off, Palisades and Alive in Standby (on select dates) on the The Freedom Isn't Free Tour. A full list of dates can be seen below.

Tour Dates with Comeback Kid:

5/12/2012 - DeKalb, IL @ House Café

5/13/2012 - Indianapolis, IN  @ Emerson Theatre

5/14/2012 - Nashville , TN @ Rocket Town   

5/16/2012 - Toledo, OH @ Frankies Inner-City     

5/17/2012 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose            

5/18/2012 - Lemoyne, PA @ Champion Ship   

5/22/2012 - Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre         

5/24/2012 - Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon

5/25/2012 - Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe's

5/26/2012 - Howell, MI @ Hartland Performing Arts Ctr - Bled Fest 

"The Freedom Isn't Free" Tour Dates:

5/30/2012 - Manchester, NH @ Rocko's

5/31/2012 - Providence, RI @ Fete's

6/01/2012 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft

6/02/2012 - Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre

6/03/2012 - Nutley, NJ @ Radiant

6/05/2012 - Richmond, VA @ Kingdom

6/06/2012 - Springfield, VA @ Empire

6/07/2012 - Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street Canal

6/08/2012 - Jacksonville, FL @ The Pit

6/09/2012 - Orlando, FL @ Bombshell's Tavern

6/10/2012 - Douglasville, GA @ The 7 Venue

6/12/2012 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar

6/13/2012 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Emerson Theatre

6/14/2012 - Joliet, IL @ Mojoe's

6/15/2012 - Detroit, MI @ I Lounge

6/17/2012 - Kent, OH @ The Outpost Concert Club

6/18/2012 - Piqua, OH @ Mote Park

6/19/2012 - Pittsburg, PA @ The Hideout

6/20/2012 - Allentown, PA @ The Crocodile Rock

--The Deli Staff

Boston-based rock band A Do has released a music video for the song "No," a single off their 2011 self-titled release. Striking vocals and energetic guitar riffs make this a song you'll want to be blasting as you drive down the highway or maybe blasting out the speakers as you dance around your apartment. A new album is slated to be released later this year.--The Deli Staff