• In support of Self-Titled full-length – out now on CD / Digital
• Available for free / pay-what-you-like download
• Recording new digital single this Fall

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Beginning tomorrow, GHOST ROBOT NINJA BEAR will be hitting the road for a short Midwest tour in support of its Self-Titled debut full-length. The band is the newest vehicle for former Nakatomi Plaza front man Oscar Albis Rodriguez, who will be performing solo for each of the five upcoming shows.

The Self-Titled record was self-released by Ghost Robot Ninja Bear earlier this summer and is available on CD format from Rodriguez at shows, as well as digitally from iTunes and other online retailers. Additionally, the album is available via Bandcamp as a pay-what-you-like download. Grab this terrific album for free, or show some love by donating a little something that will help Rodriguez survive for the next week on the road.

Recorded by Dave Snyder ( Ruth Ruth, Rivington, Nakatomi Plaza ), produced by Rodriguez and mixed by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines) this eponymous album is the follow-up to last year’s two digital singles, Staring At The Clocks b/w Carousel and One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango. For these eight songs, GRNB enlisted the help of some very talented friends: Gunnar Olsen (The Exit, Asobi Seksu), Shawna Potter (Avec / War on Women), Brendan Coon (Ludlow Lions) and Al Fair (Nakatomi Plaza, Bridge and Tunnel) to name a few.

With Ghost Robot Ninja Bear, Oscar Albis Rodriguez once again takes center stage and appears poised to escape the shadow of former bands. Thankfully, this collection of tracks won’t allow us completely forget older endeavors; still, it’s apparent that the front man’s songwriting abilities continue to evolve in exciting ways and his musical chops are sharper than ever. Weaving adventurous, dynamic compositions around anthemic choruses, GRNB specializes blazing riffs and layered harmonies that toe the line between melodic and graveled, while the rhythm section deftly propels each song into the next. It’s clear that Rodriguez has created a vehicle in Ghost Robot Ninja Bear that can stand on its own and will continue to forge a unique identity well into the future while paying tribute to the past.

Listen to “The Curtain Call” (free mp3).

- While Nakatomi Plaza may be gone, Rodriguez is still cranking out quality tunes at a rapid pace. – Punknews.org
- Crank the stereo as loud as it can go and prepare to be knocked flat out on your ass … damned good stuff. – Jersey Beat
- A gritty and loud, yet fun album that mixes all the best aspects of Fugazi, At the Drive-In and, of course, Nakatomi Plaza. – Buzzlegoose
- Ghost Robot Ninja Bear is excellent – the kind of punk record with just enough pop sprinkled in that I’ve been craving. – My Car and My Guitar
- An ambitious and engaging album, flourishing with interesting textures and anthemic choruses that could very well be the definition of progressive punk. – The Byke Rack

In related news, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear will be recording a new digital single this fall. Rodriguez will also record a new solo album in the coming months. It will be the follow-up to the aptly titled Oscar Albis Rodriguez’s Big Day EP, which you can download here.

As always, if you’d like to attend a show or speak with Oscar, drop me a line here.

MIDWEST TOUR
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AUG 28 – Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
AUG 29 – Cincinnati, OH @ Daniel’s Pub w/ 1985
AUG 30 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Melthouse
AUG 31 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop w/ Eric Ayotte
SEP 01 – Chicago, IL @ Pancho’s

• Self-released record out April 12, 2011 on CD / Digital
• Exclusive early Bandcamp release today as free / pay-what-you-like download
• On tour in support of album, including Generic Insight Radio Fest, SXSW dates

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GHOST ROBOT NINJA BEAR, the newest vehicle for Nakatomi Plaza front man Oscar Albis Rodriguez, recently unveiled details regarding the upcoming release of its Self-Titled debut full-length, as well as several weeks of touring in support of the record.

Recorded at Guilford Sound in Vermont with Dave Snyder ( Ruth Ruth, Rivington, Nakatomi Plaza ), produced by Rodriguez and mixed by J. Robbins at The Magpie Cage, the eponymous album is the follow-up to last year’s two digital singles, Staring At The Clocks b/w Carousel and One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango. For these eight songs, Rodriguez enlisted the help of some very talented friends: Gunnar Olsen (The Exit, Asobi Seksu), Shawna Potter (Avec / War on Women), Brendan Coon (Ludlow Lions) and Al Fair (Nakatomi Plaza, Bridge and Tunnel) to name a few.

Listen to “The Curtain Call” (free mp3).

The Self-Titled record will be available in CD format as well as digitally (iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, more) on April 12, 2011. However, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear is premiering the record exclusively on Bandcamp today as a pay-what-you-like download. Grab this terrific album for free, or show some love by donating a little something that will help the band survive for the next few weeks on the road.

On that note, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear will be touring in support of the Self-Titled record, including an appearance at Generic Insight Radio Fest 2 this weekend and a SXSW showcase next Thursday. After that, Rodriguez will continue on to the West Coast to play nearly two weeks of dates as part of a solo acoustic tour with Attica! Attica!, which features Rodriguez’s former De La Hoya band mate and Marathon front man Aaron Scott.

In related news, Rodriguez is also releasing a digital-only acoustic record today. Aptly titled Oscar Albis Rodriguez’s Big Day EP, you can download the five-song effort here. Again, name your price.

As always, if you’d like to attend a show or speak with the band, drop me a line here.

TOUR
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MAR 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Xpo 929 / Generic Insight Radio Fest 2 w/ Iron Chic, Slingshot Dakota, Soul Control, Daytrader, more
MAR 17 – Austin, TX @ Plush / Giant Steps Productions 4th annual notSXSW party w/ Fake Problems, Look Mexico, Touche Amore, Make Do + Mend, Everyone Everywhere, more
MAR 22 – Olympia, WA @ help!
MAR 23 – Bremerton, WA @ The Beerwell House w/ Attica! Attica!
MAR 25 – Vancouver, WA @ The Red Cedar House or The Hair Shop w/ Attica! Attica!, Shaunn Watt
MAR 26 – Seattle, WA @ The Black Lodge w/ Attica! Attica!, Damage Done, Success
MAR 27 – Portland, OR @ Red & Black Cafe w/ Attica! Attica!, Confederacy of Dunces
MAR 28 – Portland, OR @ Reed College Chapel w/ Attica! Attica!
MAR 29 – Chico, CA @ Cafe Flo w/ Attica! Attica!, Rustwater
MAR 30 – Modesto, CA @ Bound For Glory w/ Attica! Attica!, Roy Dean
MAR 31 – San Jose, CA @ Streetlight Records (early show) w/ Attica! Attica!
MAR 31 – San Jose, CA @ Good Karma (late show) w/ Attica! Attica!
APR 01 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Streetlight Records (early show) w/ Attica! Attica!
APR 01 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA w/ Attica! Attica!
APR 22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Matchless (Record Release) w/ War On Women, Joy By Proxy, more
MAY 10 – Gainesville, FL @ The Atlantic
MAY 11 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub w/ LARF, Overdale, more
JUL 13 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott w/ Jeff Rowe, Dan Webb and The Spiders, The Fake Boys

* Venerable webzine commemorates perseverance / survival with Pastepunk 12th Anniversary MP3 Compilation
* Free Download of 17 upcoming, unreleased, rare and demo songs from the Beartrap PR roster

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The spirit of independent creation has never seemed so strong. I’m amazed at what artists and labels continue to do as technology and consumer habits change in a tumultuous manner. DIY is everywhere – from digital to vinyl to original merch ideas and so forth, all of it is inspiring and sometimes overwhelming. We didn’t want to just be documenters of all of this, so we’re back with another free compilation featuring bands that like myself, hope to get in a few good shots at breaking through the noise.- Jordan Baker, founder of Pastepunk.com

First, can we all agree that maintaining anything punk rock-related for a dozen years is kinda impressive? Considering today’s fluctuating musical climate, simply reaching the five year milestone earns you “ancient relic” status within in the scene, while hitting double digits should at the very least prompt self-congratulation and celebratory fist bumping with anyone who may have helped out along the way.

Of course, reaching that point is only a fraction of the game. Staying relevant (and entertaining) in a constantly evolving, high-tech environment is the true challenge … although great bands never seem to be short on providing the inspiration for exactly that.

On that note, well-respected, long-running webzine Pastepunk.com is celebrating its 12th anniversary by teaming up with Beartrap PR to offer a free MP3 compilation containing 17 songs of previously unreleased and rare material, demo recordings for upcoming releases and several exclusive tracks recorded specifically for the comp.

The Pastepunk 12th Anniversary MP3 Compilation features songs from some of the best young, up-and-coming bands in punk, hardcore and indie rock today, including One Win Choice, Lipona, Annabel, Ludlow Lions, Banquets, Campaign, Solar Bear, Everyone Everywhere, Junior Battles, PJ Bond, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear, Museum Mouth, Animal Names, The Reveling, The Saddest Landscape, Only Thieves and Thinking Machines.

Embracing the digital revolution, this collection of tracks commands your attention and begs to be shared with friends. Seriously – share this link. These 17 songs are free but will only be available for the next month, so grab it now. For more information, go here, or directly download a zip file (including cover art and detailed information about every song) here. And a special shout out to York and Russ from Campaign, who designed the compilation’s artwork.

Pastepunk’s mission all along has been not only to entertain on a daily basis, but do so with thought-provoking commentary, discerning tastes and a bit of humor. In the words of the site’s creator:

After 12 years of running Pastepunk, the only thing I can conclude is that I should have started a consumer technology blog instead.

Preach on, brotha. Preach on …

TRACK LISTING
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01. One Win Choice – “Frame Your Favorite Pictures” (from upcoming full-length, Conveyor)
02. Lipona – “The River” (from upcoming full-length, Networks)
03. Annabel – “Decisions, Decisions” (from upcoming split 10″ on CYLS)
04. Ludlow Lions – “Utah Utah, I” (unreleased)
05. Banquets – “Teddy, My Pal, and His Panama Canal” (from German release of Nothing is Fucked Here)
06. Campaign – “Your Old Mess” (from upcoming EP, Blood Sweat and Beers)
07. Solar Bear – “The Lurking Class” – (Pastepunk exclusive)
08. Everyone Everywhere- “Turn and Go and Turn” (exclusive track for Japanese release of Self-Titled LP)
09. Junior Battles – “Ghostin’ (Con El Lobo Adolescente)” (demo for upcoming 2011 full-length)
10. PJ Bond – “Darling, I’ve Been Drinking Nights” (demo for upcoming 2011 full-length)
11. Ghost Robot Ninja Bear – “The Curtain Call” (from upcoming Self-Titled full-length)
12. Museum Mouth – “Egghead” (Pastepunk exclusive)
13. Animal Names – “Not The Best Hat” (unreleased b-side from Ballet Bones)
14. The Reveling – “Unglued” (demo for upcoming 2011 full-length)
15. The Saddest Landscape – “Raisans” (unreleased Dinosaur Jr. cover)
16. Only Thieves – “Song for Jimmy Boom Boom” (b-side from Heartless Romantics)
17. Thinking Machines – “Sora” (b-side from Work Tapes)

* Staring At The Clocks b/w Carousel now available as free / pay-what-you-like download
* First Single ( One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango ) released last March
* Limited-edition CDEP featuring all four songs available at shows
* Recording debut Full-Length in July

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GHOST ROBOT NINJA BEAR, the newest vehicle for Nakatomi Plaza front man Oscar Albis Rodriguez, is back with a second single crammed with post-hardcore excellence. Featuring the songs “Staring At The Clocks” and “Carousel,” the latest release is now available as a free / pay-what-you-like download.

Fans still bemoaning the demise of Nakatomi Plaza can get in on the same kind of guitar pyrotechnics displayed on the so-good-it-hurts albums Unsettled and Ghosts. Rodriguez is back and he is rocking skulls.

Recorded and mixed by Ali Hassan ( Bouncing Souls, The Loved Ones ), with help from Geoff Kraly (bass), drummer Christopher Enriquez ( ex-On The Might Of Princes / Gracer ), as well as Rodriguez’s Ludlow Lions band mate, Brendan Coon ( vocals on “Carousel” ), the two songs perfectly complement Ghost Robot Ninja Bear’s debut single, One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango, which was released earlier this year in March.

On that note, all four song are available as a limited-edition CDEP at shows only. Your next opportunity to snag one of these bad boys will be on June 27th in Brooklyn. If you’re interested in attending, drop me a line here.

JUN 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Acheron w/ Restorations, Bats and Mice, The New Dress, more

Finally, Rodriguez and crew will be recording Ghost Robot Ninja Bear’s debut full-length in July at the newly constructed Guilford Sound in Vermont with Dave Snyder ( Ruth Ruth, Rivington, Nakatomi Plaza ). The album will see a tentative release date in the Fall of 2010.

* One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango now available as free / pay-what-you-like download
* 2nd Single ( Staring At The Clocks b/w Carousel ) out 06/15/10
* Release show tomorrow (03/16) in Brooklyn, NY
* Recording Full-Length in July

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GHOST ROBOT NINJA BEAR, the newest vehicle for Nakatomi Plaza front man Oscar Albis Rodriguez, has just released its debut single, One Pedal To Another b​/​w Blood, The Tango. The two songs are now available as a free / pay-what-you-like download.

Featuring Rodriguez on guitar and vocals, the busy musician gets a little help from friends Geoff Kraly (bass) and drummer Adam Christgau (Ludlow Lions), as well as engineering / mixing expertise from Ali Hassan (Bouncing Souls, The Loved Ones). The single is the first of two, with the second being slated for a June 15th digital release. All four songs will be available as limited-edition CDEP at shows only.

On that note, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear will be playing its first show of 2010 tomorrow night in Brooklyn to celebrate the newest release. Rodriguez will be joined on stage by Kraly, Jordan Melkin (Ludlow Lions) and Christopher Enriquez (On The Might Of Princes, Ludlow Lions). If you’re interested in attending, drop me a line here.

MAR 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Charleston w/ Money / Paper / Hearts, Rest Assured, Only Thieves

Finally, the band will be recording its debut full-length in July at the newly constructed Guilford Sound in Vermont with Dave Snyder (Ruth Ruth, Rivington, Nakatomi Plaza ). The album will see a tentative release date in the Fall of 2010.