The Pink Logs attended the Download Festival in Los Angeles recently and were treated to a scintillating set from venerable post-punkers Gang of Four. In fact, the Pink Logs enjoyed the performance so much that, when frontman Jon King asked for an audience volunteer for an "interactive segment," the Logs were only too happy to comply...little knowing the nefarious scheme King had in mind, which these pictures all too graphically portray. Though shaken up, the Pink Logs still had a rockin' time!

This week landing in the mailboxes of Radio Programmers, Film/TV Supervisors, A&R Executives and many others is the latest in the NZ Phase Five compilations. If you haven't received your copy and need one, please let us know and we'd be happy to send you one.

NZ Phase Five, Vol. 12

Featuring:

Tiki Taane "Now This Is It"

Tiki Taane came to fame down under as frontman for the multi-platinum award-winning New Zealand act Salmonella Dub.  The talented producer, MC and singer cleverly mixes beats and sounds with songs and rhymes on his debut solo record 'Past Present Future'.

Pistol Youth "When I Go Out"

For the tech savvy anything is now possible, including writing and producing your first EP with band members that are oceans apart. Pistol Youth, the brainchild of Brad Carter from Steriogram recorded its debut EP over the internet, emailing files from studios, tour buses and apartments in NZ, the USA and Sweden. The band is also comprised of Michael Guy from The Academy Is..., Gavin Kerr from Wash and Anders Borgh from The First Class Hitmen.

Luke Thompson "Perfect Drive"

Living within spitting distance of Mt. Maunganui beach on New Zealand's east coast, Luke Thompson is never far from the sun or surf. Imagery plays a big part in his lyrics, complementing a laidback vocal style and guitar wizardry.

Midnight Youth "The Letter"

One of the new breed of NZ rock acts, Auckland band The Midnight Youth spent the early part of this year recording their debut album in New York. These guys have shared the stage with Incubus, INXS and Ok Go. This is definitely a band to watch.

Elemeno P "Baby Come On"

The alphabet challenging Elemeno P return with the first single from their self-titled third album. Commenting on the new single, lead singer Dave 'Gibbo' Gibson says "you could say it's like bubblegum pop, it's a catchy three chord progression that sticks, but it has way more than three chords and I don't like gum."

Mañana - Unbalance (Rodeostar)

While one might expect an act bearing a name meaning "tomorrow" in Spanish to hail from South o' the Border, the promising young quintet Mañana actually calls Basel, Switzerland home. The mixed-gender five-piece, which includes vocalist/guitarist Manuel Burkli, guitarist Jan Krattiger, bassist Samuel Burri, drummer Lorenz Hunziker and backing vocalist/keyboardist Jennifer Jans, concocts spectacular sonic excursions that waver between the experimental and pure pop bliss. For their debut effort, Interruptions, they worked closely with famed British producer Ken Thomas, who's previously helped such acts as Sigur Ros, Bjork and David Gahan realize their own sonic tapestries. The results of this inspired pairing were immediate, as Mañana's song "Miss Evening" earned a prestigious placement on EA Sports FIFA Football game, one of the best-selling videogames worldwide; the tune was also nominated for an Independent Music Award in America in 2007. Now, August 15 will see the long-awaited release of Interruptions through Germany's Rodeostar Records. "Mañana's music does a lot to you," says Markus Kavka, a VJ and producer for MTV Networks Germany. "It triggers things in your head and deep inside, in your heart. This touches me, and there's no higher compliment I could pay to music." Check out " Unbalace" here and for additional songs, go to http://www.myspace.com/mananamusic.

Ghosts, Spirits & Demons

The intriguingly monikered Aloha From Hell is a five-piece from the Bavaria region of Germany, composed of femme fatale vocalist Vivi, guitarists Moo and Andy, bassist Max and drummer Feli. Last year the fledgling quintet won the "Bandnewcomer Contest," sponsored by Germany's biggest youth magazine, Bravo. Winning the competition was a dream come true for the group, which was rewarded with a recording contract from SonyBMG. Though still teenagers attending school, Aloha From Hell has demonstrated an admirable work ethic, rehearsing five times a week. Before they even released a single, they had attracted fan clubs in Spain, France and, of course, Germany. They did eventually release their first single, "Don't Gimme That," with their debut album scheduled to be released later this summer. For complete bio, tour dates and other music, log on to http://www.myspace.com/bandalohafromhell.

TRICKY TAKES THE TOP SPOT: UK trip-hop icon Tricky makes the move from 4-1 this week, taking the pole position on the Mediaguide Alternative Specialty Song chart with "Council Estate," the first single from the forthcoming full-length Knowle West Boy (Domino), which advances to No.4 on the Album end. Last week's No.1 song, "The Geeks Were Right" by the Faint, tumbles down to No.6, while full-length Fasciinatiion (blank.wav) falls all the way from 3-16 on the Album end. Meanwhile, moving up to No.2 on the Song side is Cold War Kids with "Something is Not Right with Me," helping full-length Loyalty to Loyalty (Downtown) leap into the Top 5 on the Album index at No.5. The Verve hangs tough at No.3 on the Song chart with "Love is Noise," while comeback album Four (On Our Own) stays strong at No.6 on the Album end. Top debuts on the Song side this week include UMG's Brazilian Girls, who bow at No.4 with "Good Time." Despite the band name, only one of the three members is a female; regardless, their debut album, New York City (hittin' streets today), also enjoyed a Top 10 debut, bowing at No.10. Keeping with the jungle/rain forest theme, Jaguar Love makes an initial appearance on the Song side with "Highways of Gold," the first effort from their self-titled Matador EP (which takes the No.12 slot on the Album index). Boasting a No.1 debut on the Album end, meanwhile, is Darker My Love with 2 (Dangerbird), with the majority of airplay going to "Two Ways Out," which lands at No.7 on the Song chart. The new album also hits retail today, and the California quintet will have a chance at even greater exposure when they serve as openers for the Dandy Warhols tour, which starts September 9 in Minneapolis and concludes September 28 in Aspen.