Dangerbird Records

Shepard Fairey, the artist responsible for the iconography of Andre the Giant and Barack Obama, has paid tribute to our own Pablo Castelaz. He unveiled the image on Tuesday, June 30, at Pablo’s memorial celebration. You can see the beautiful design, and read what Shepard has to say about Pablo, at http://obeygiant.com/headlines/pablo.

Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Dangerbird Records co-founder Jeff Castelaz and Jo Ann Thrailkill, brother of Grady Gallagher, passed away at home on Saturday, June 27 after a 13-month struggle against cancer. Services will be held Wednesday, July 1.

The magnificent six years and six days that were Pablo’s life touched many. His brave journey began when he was diagnosed in May 2008 with Wilms’ Tumor, a rare form of cancer. From the start, the family honestly and courageously documented Pablo’s fight on the PABLOg, a daily diary that, over the course of the year, has evolved into a destination for countless families facing similar difficult questions and challenges. Pablo’s life remains a beacon for hope, and has inspired an outpouring of goodwill and solace from an ever-growing community that spans the globe.

The Pablove Foundation was established shortly after Pablo was diagnosed and will continue to serve in his loving memory. The Foundation makes annual contributions to fund cancer research and treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles’ Saban Research Institute, one of the top cancer research facilities in the United States. Pablove supports music and arts programs, and sponsors play rooms and activities in the soft tumor units at CHLA.

Jeff, Jo Ann and brother Grady would like to express their gratitude for the immeasurable love and support from their family and extended community. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please visit Pablove.org to make a donation.

This Wednesday (July 1), Dangerbird Records and The Pablove Foundation will hold a benefit for Pablo at The Echo in Los Angeles, with performances by Eulogies and Bad Veins. Please see details above, or visit attheecho.com.

Pablo’s message of love and light is felt by people all around the world, including Lance Armstrong and the LiveStrong Foundation. Lance posted this on his Twitter account this morning:

RT @LIVESTRONGCEO: I am going to spend my weekend with Pablo in mind. He is one strong young boy. – http://getwellpablo.blogspot.com

Please keep Pablo in your thoughts as well. For more information on the Pablove Foundation, visit http://www.pablove.org.

Join the fight: become a fan of the Pablove Foundation Facebook page.

We sent Eulogies out with a Flip Cam on their Spring Tour – check out their footage from the road:

This morning Dappled Cities were announced as part of the line-up for Australia’s Splendour In The Grass Festival, which takes place over 2-days in Byron Bay on the north coast of NSW on July 25-26.

Dappled Cities will be joining Jane’s Addiction, The Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, The Happy Mondays, Doves, MGMT and more on the bill of this iconic Australian festival.

It’s been 11 years since an independent artist ranked #1 on Billboard’s Hot Modern Rock Songs chart (Everlast’s “What It’s Like” hit #1 in December 1998) and today, Silversun Pickups are the proud title-holders. Lead single “Panic Switch,” from Swoon, has impressively jumped over tracks from Linkin Park and Green Day, which were also in the running. This is truly a triumphant day for Dangerbird and the band, as only three songs by artists on independently distributed labels have reached this position: The Offspring’s “Come Out And Play (Keep ‘Em Separated)” [#1, July 1994], the aforementioned Everlast, and now Silversun Pickups this week.

As co-founder of Dangerbird Records, Jeff Castelaz appreciates the significance of infiltrating a predominantly major label-ruled chart. “’Panic Switch’ hitting number one proves that the moving parts of the rock and roll experience are still in good working order: great band, great song, great listener response,” he says.

The quartet is currently making their way across Europe and will return in August for festival appearances, as well as a string of newly announced tour dates.

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of Los Angeles quartet Division Day to our roster of artists. Division Day will see the release of their much-anticipated sophomore full-length, Visitation, on August 18. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen (NIN/Beck/Gnarls Barkley) and mixed by Todd Burke (Ben Harper/The Rumble Strips/Idlewild). The follow up to 2007’s Beartrap Island, Visitation finds the band steering confidently into darker territory, marrying synthetic and organic textures in songs about death, transformation, and the devil.

Formed while still in school, the band self-released Beartrap Island in 2006. Division Day took to the road, touring the west coast relentlessly, making a splash at CMJ, where they caught the ears of The New York Times, leading to a commercial release the following year. Response to the record was tremendous, garnering excellent reviews, and nationwide tours. Some excellent words about Beartrap Island:

“Division Day turn their own sorrow into something worth celebrating.” – Pitchfork

“They call themselves freestyle / Hawaiian / shoegaze, which is kind of misleading. They should just call themselves “lovely” and be done with it” – NYLON

With renewed focus and excitement Division Day will return to the road upon the release of Visitation. Dates to be announced shortly.