San Diego, CA, April 22, 2008 – Marked as His Equal, the first San Diego Wizard Rock band, has announced the release of his second album, Never Say Goodbye, due out May 6, 2008. Never Say Goodbye will be available for purchase online through Marked as His Equal’s website and at concerts throughout the summer.

Never Say Goodbye expands Marked as His Equal’s musical repertoire, adding complexity, depth, and power to the band’s established roots-rock sound. The addition of mandolin and percussion brings fullness and fun to the new album. The subject matter has also expanded to include more of the Harry Potter book series and the Wizard Rock fan culture.

“Never Say Goodbye, the second release by Marked as His Equal, fulfills the promise the band made with their first album. Clearly the term ‘sophomore slump’ is not in this band’s vocabulary,” says Joseph Tracey, international recording artist and former independent music critic.

Marked as His Equal will perform several national concerts this year, including Florida SuperCon in May, Portus 2008 in July, A Harry Potter Birthday event in July, and Wrock the Boat in October.

For additional information on Marked as His Equal and Never Say Goodbye, contact Mark or visit www.myspace.com/markedashisequal.

Marked as His Equal is a San Diego-based Wizard Rock (a genre of music about the book and film series Harry Potter) band founded in April of 2007. The band consists of one member, San Diegan Mark Wischkaemper, and plays acoustic roots rock.

If you’re subscribed to the Wizard Rock EP of the Month Club, it’s time to subscribe for 2008. New subscriptions are also being welcomed, but re-subscribers will receive a mysterious but “decidedly awesome” bonus gift at “an unspecified point in the year.”

US and Canada residents can subscribe for $60/yr, and those anywhere else in the world for $75 via check or money order. Mailings will be early April, late May, early September, and early December. Want more information? Check out the Wizard Rock EP of the Month Club website.

In January 2006 Harry and the Potters recorded “Scarred for Life” and released it on vinyl 7 inch. Only 1000 copies were made and this summer they sold out. Good news for those of you who missed out on buying the limited edition album, it is now up on iTunes and Amazon for $3. Which means you can get digital formats for it and can now play it on your computer, iPods and cd player. How rad is that?

It’s the holiday season again and the wizard rock bands are posting some pretty awesome Christmas tunes for those of you that celebrate that holiday. With Jingle Spells selling out, its proceeds going to charity, some of you might not have gotten your hands on that wonderful compilation. To compensate I’m posting a list of bands that currently have Christmas music on their sites. So put away your standard Christmas tunes and get ready to wrock this holiday season!

Check out Catchlove’s myspace for “It’s Snowing” and “Christmas Wishes for Draco” then hop on over to the supplemental page for “Unless We Sing,” “Aragog the Spider,” “Chirstmas Wishes for Draco” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

After visiting Jace why don’t you hop in a horse drawn sleigh and check out Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, no “Happy Christmas Day” is not up on the site, however, he recently released a new song called “Open at the Close” and everyone needs to go have a listen.

Next we’ll fly on over to The Owl Post where you can hear “Xmas for the Cold and Lonely” where I have to agree with Devin… Who doesn’t want a wizard rock boyfriend for Christmas?

Once you leave the owlery head on over to the Hermione Crookshanks Experience for “The Sweater Song.” Then slither on over to the Parslemouths to check out “Voldy Baby.” Both of which can be found on Jingle Spells.

After spending time with those lovely ladies, why don’t you check out Ministry of Magic? While you’re there check out “Orchideous Symphony” and “Goodbye Privet Drive.” Rumor has it they will be posting “O Holey Night” soon (according to their blogs).

You just spent some time in the Ministry, perhaps you should go check out Roonil Wazlib to listen to a new song titled “On the Wings of a Bird.”

For a howling good time go check out The Remus Lupins, where “Christmas with the Weasleys (Or What You Will)” from Jingle Spells has been posted. And if you feel like braving being in the vicinity of the Whomping Willows then go have a listen to “Oh Christmas Tree” or check out his new songs “The Rebel Call” and “Never Say Die.” And if you feel inclined, pre-order III, Whompy’s new album due to be released January 3rd.

Keep an eye on Our New Celebrity, where a recent blog and an amusing photo has warned listeners that their Christmas music is soon in coming! And earlier this week Hollow Godric had a lovely Christmas tune up called “In a Breath of Winter” but it seems to have disappeared for the moment. Keep your eyes peeled however, ’cause I’m sure it will return soon!

Snidget’s myspace profile is joining the festivities with “Christmas in the Great Hall” and “Carol of the Spells,” while The Moaning Myrtles have “Holiday Revenge” posted (previously entitled “Christmas Poo”).

Now clearly, these are not the only wizard rock Christmas songs out there, and more are appearing as the holidays grow closer. Perhaps this list will keep you entertained and in the holiday spirit for the time being!

I know many of you were looking for information on where to purchase tickets for the various Yule Balls that are coming up and here’s what I’ve found out from reading various blogs.

Boston Yule Ball on Saturday, December 8th at Brandeis University. Tickets are free to Brandeis students, $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Doors open at 7, music starts at 8 and lasts until midnight. The line up includes The Whomping Willows, Harry and the Potters, Justin Finch-Fletchly and the Sugar Quills, Jason Anderson and the Best and Potter Puppet Pals. You can purchase tickets online by clicking here.

For details and how to pre-order your tickets for the Philly Yule Ball on Saturday, December 15th head on over to DJ Luna Lovegood’s Blog, there’s a nice and shiny paypall button for your convenience, tickets are $12. Bands performing include Princess of Hogwarts, The Hungarian Horntails, MC Kreacher. The Chocolate Frogs, Snidget, The Greybacks, dj Luna Lovegood, 25 Hour Unicorn Diner, The Moaning Myrtles and The Whomping Willows. Also a donation has been set up to try to bring Jace of Catchlove to PA to perform. You can donate by contacting sendjacetophillyyuleball@gmail.com

In other news, don’t forget to pre-order The Whomping Willows new album III. The pre-order price is $10.50, and the official release date is January 3rd–which is when prices will go up. Pre-order now for the special savings, I’ve pre-ordered mine so what’s keeping you?

More on Yule Balls as the information comes in.

Gred and Forge have released a new album titled “Half the Band I Used to Be.” There are 14 songs on the album and those in the U.S. can get the album for $10, International orders are $12. Check out the myspace page for more details.

Alex of The Remus Lupins so nicely lumped together all the Yule Balls/Wizard Rock dance parties in  his blog, so the credit goes to him because I’m lazy as sin.

December 15: The Toronto Yule Ball. A bunch of great northern Wrock bands are playing, including Tonks and the Aurors, and Oliver Boyd and the Rememberalls.

November 30: HP-Ohio’s Crystal Ball. This is more of an upscale, adult event, with a higher ticket price and a higher age limit. You have to be 18+ to attend, and dress swanky. The Whomping Willows and Draco and the Malfoys will be performing as well as a DJ. Click here for more information. Very little time left to order tickets.

December 15 and 16: The Philly Yule Ball. This event is being put on by DJ Luna Lovegood, also known as Mama Horntail, and the lineup is being solidified. You know Team Horntail is going to be there though, which means its going to be really awesome.

December 8 and 9: The Boston Yule Balls. Instead of playing in Boston and Philly as last year, Harry and the Potters decided to keep their annual holiday party in Awesomchusetts as they call it. Dec 8 and 9, they are playing shows with great lineups of bands – muggle and wizard alike. The Dec 8 show is at Brandeis University, just west of Boston, and will feature the Potters, Jason Anderson and the Best, the Whomping Willows, Potter Puppet Pals and Justin Finch Fletchly! Should be pretty fun. You cant go wrong when you have the puppet pals (botherbotherbother) and a singing tree in the same place. December 9, the show returns to it’s traditional homeland – the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. This show will featured Draco and the Malfoys, Uncle Monsterface, Math the Band, Harry and the Potters and Remus and the Lupins. Make no mistake, this is a show that should not be missed. Also, don’t be confused, Remus and the Lupins, not The Remus Lupins are playing this show.

Draco and the Malfoys have announced a special Holiday Deal, and you know how Death Eaters like to save money! Order both CDs and save $4!!! What Death Eater would pass up that deal?!

In other news, the dates for the 2008 Wrockstock have been announced. It will be held at the same location at Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri Memorial Day weekend. That’s May 23rd-26th!!!

That’s a lot of awesome news… can you handle it?!

There are less than 1,000 copies of The Leaky Cauldron’s Christmas compilation, Jingle Spells. They have sold more than 2/3rds of the album in one month, congragulations Leaky! So go order your copy today while you still can! You can preorder this awsome wrock comp here.

The Cruciatus Curse is releasing some of his greatest hits for Halloween. This Halloween release is a Wizard Rock news site exclusive!

Two Wizards are releasing a special Halloween single called Wizard’s Halloween. They are releasing it for free and you can download it here. This includes “Wizards Halloween” and “I Loved Ginny First (LIVE)” it was recorded live by Kevin O’Leary on October 12th at Indian Hill Music Hall. Enjoy!

The band Siriusly Hazza has just recorded their CD. The CD is called ‘You’re my patronus…’ and has ten tracks. It costs £3.00 if you live in the UK, and the international price will come later. The CD includes re-done versions of their songs.
You can read more about it in their blog.