Viet Cong

Viet Cong announce name change

After months of controversy that had shows protested and canceled, the post-punk band formerly known as Viet Cong have announced their new name. The Canadian outfit are officially known as Preoccupations.

The band first encountered criticism after the release of their debut tape in 2014, but their name began affecting their shows once their full-length was released early last year. They were accused of insensitivity, racism, and cultural appropriation for their choosing their name from the brutal North Vietnamese army that fought the South and the US during the Vietnam War. The band promised that their name change was coming in September, and now they’ve officially chose on Preoccupations.

“We apologize to those who were adversely affected by our former band name,” Preoccupations said in their statement. “This was never anticipated nor our intent. We are artists and not politicians, we understand that the name reflected pain to some individuals and we are happy to change it and move on and focus on our music.”

In an interview with Pitchfork, frontman Matt Flegel said that the new name is from a list friend and fellow Canadian musician Chad VanGaalen sent the band. “It’s kind of been an issue finding a new band name — it’s hard to find something that hasn’t been taken. Obviously, it’s been a long time coming, but really we started coming up with names after we finished recording this new record. It made sense to have a new body of work to give it some sort of context. A new band name with new music moving forward.”

Read the band’s full statement below.

“After finishing our latest record and taking some time off, we are excited to announce that we will be performing and recording as ‘Preoccupations’ going forward. We will be previewing new material from a forthcoming record in a series of festivals and shows in North America and Europe in the coming months. We apologize to those who were adversely affected by our former band name. This was never anticipated nor our intent. We are artists and not politicians, we understand that the name reflected pain to some individuals and we are happy to change it and move on and focus on our music. Thanks to all our friends and fans. See you all soon.”

Fun Fun Fun Fest announces 2015 lineup

Austin-based festival, Fun Fun Fun fest has revealed its lineup for 2015. The festival, on its 10th anniversary, will take place November 6th to 8th at Auditorium Shores.

Included on the lineup are acts such as D’Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, CHVRCHES, Jane’s Addiction, who are performing Ritual de lo habitual, Ride, L7, Future Islands, Grimes, Chromeo, MSTRKRFT, Coheed and Cambria, Desaparecidos, Drive Like Jehu, American Nightmare, Gogol Bordello, performing Gypsy Punk, Converge, Neon Indian, Cass McCombs, Antemasque, Hudson Mohawke, Peaches, and Fucked Up.

On the lineup as well is British heavy metal band, Venom, who are performing their first-ever Texas performance at the festival. D.C. hardcore band dag nasty are also reuniting during the weekend to play.

Other acts are ScHoolboy Q, NOFX, Odesza, Toro y Moi, FUZZ, Mikal Cronin, OFF!, American Football, Parquet Courts, Benjamin Booker, Viet Cong, Alvvays, Joey Bada$$, Doomtree, Shamir, BadBadNotGood, Dwarves, performing Blood, Guts & Pussy, Andrew Jackson Jihad, together PANGEA, Babes in Toyland, The Growlers, King Khan and BBQ Show, and Big Freedia.

Three-day and VIP passes are avaliable for purchase at the festival’s website. Check out the full lineup above and watch the lineup announcement video, which stars Bill Nye the Science Guy, on the website as well.

Osheaga Music festival announces 2015 lineup through mobile driving game

Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival released its 3015 lineup in a immensely creative way today by releasing a mobile driving game called The Road to Osheaga which gives the users the ability to find out the names of the artists through collecting musical notes.

Some of the lineup includes The Black Keys, Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, St. Vincent, Alt-J, The Decemberists, Hot Chip, Weezer, Nas, Tyler the Creator, Interpol, The Kills, Caribou, Run the Jewels, Future Islands, The War on Drugs, and Father John Misty.

Also on the lineup is Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, The Avett Brothers, Of Monsters and Men, Brand New, Tove Lo, Charli XCX, Gary Clark Jr., Action Bronson, ScHoolboy Q, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Young the Giant, Patrick Watson, Twin Shadow, First Aid Kit, Toro y Moi, Philip Selway, MS MR, Viet Cong, Alvvays, Slyvan Esso, Milky Chance, Marina and the Diamonds, Raury, Strand of Oaks, Glass Animals, San Fermin, and Young Fathers. 

The music festival will take place the weekend of July 31st – August 2nd at the Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal. The full lineup will be released on March 24th which is the same day that tickets go on sale.