Hearsay bits: Strange Condition gets new frontman, Hearts Like Lions change name and more

Noe DeLeon

Ryan Malloy's (far right) Condition is no longer all that Strange.

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Strange happenings: We've received word that frontman Ryan Malloy has parted ways with Strange Condition, which signed a development deal with Universal Records this past summer. The outfit is keeping the reason for Malloy's exodus quiet, but has confirmed that his slot is now being filled by Matthew Furlong, who previously fronted Fat Knuckle Jack, an act out of Fort Colllins. The band makes its live debut with Furlong this Friday, December 18, at Herman's Hideaway.

Young Hearts: Armed with brand new material and a new drummer, Hearts Like Lions has undergone a name change. The band (previously confused with similarly named groups like Lions the Brave, Lion Sized) has officially changed its nom de tune to Young Cities (not to be confused with the dearly maybe/maybe not departed Young Coyotes), and launched a new website. The act is slated to make its debut with its new moniker this Friday, December 18 at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge with OneRepublic.
Spin city: The Spin Cycle has been tapped to warm up dates on the Breathe Carolina's upcoming tour with Hypercrush, which kicks off on Tuesday, February 9 in Scottsdale, Arizona, after Breathe makes a short jaunt to play some dates overseas next month. Should make for excellent fit given the Spin Cycle's sugary synth-pop laden sound, which is undeniably kindred to Breathe Carolina's -- minus the screamy hardcore vocals, of course. After his nightly opening sets, the Spin Cycle's Joshua Aragon, will hop onstage with Breathe as part of its backing band.

Unchained: Chain Gang of 1974 mastermind, Kamtin Mohager, is clearly working overtime to build the excitement for the release of his new full-length next month. Just months after making Guerilla, a ten-track album full of remixes and b-sides, available for free download this past October, he's sent word that he'll now be posting another batch of gratis songs within the next few days on his site. The record, which he's dubbed Fantastic Nostalgic: The Early Recordings, consist of songs from the Chain Gang's first six months of existence.