In September we toasted the best new bands of 2011. Bright futures for those guys! But come this time of year it’s also important to remember the musical groups who called it a day. Some of these acts were taken from us before their time, while others imploded due to overwhelming apathy. Herewith our look at all of them, good and bad and who?. Thanks again to Matt Neatock for the video production. Please hold your applause until the end.

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This one’s a trip. The Stills have been particularly ominous in this Oceans Will Rise era. And come to think of it, the album title’s apocalyptic undertones should have been an initial hint. Their MySpace update before the record’s release about “scraping and gouging frantic, ripping through thick black unbelievable earth” could have been another. More? The LP’s lead video for “Snakecharming The Masses” was essentially an extended shot of a slowly burning house. Dark times. So no surprise, this one’s pretty evil, too — the guys morphing into devils and werewolves as they taunt and beat each other with the track’s lyrics — but the comic-book cinematography, and the gratuitous shots of Brendan Canning loving the Stills at a mixing board, give it all a touch of funny. Call it a black comedy.

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Montreal quintet the Stills are poised to release their third album Oceans Will Rise (via Arts & Crafts) next week and then head out on an American tour with “Sex On Fire” scribes Kings Of Leon this fall. In this week’s ‘Gum Drop we debuted triumphant Oceans standout “Eastern Europe” and asked vocalist/guitarist Tim Fletcher about the story behind the track. He let us know “It’s all about taking a time and place that was terrible and painful and remaking it beautiful to let it be that way forever in your mind like a tribute and place you can go to to feel warm again, to watch it all unfold and remember it kindly,” among other things. Listen to the track and heed his words here. While you’re at it, check out those dates with Kings Of Leon in detail at the Still’s website.

We also offered you a chance to a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Stars, a Converse gift certificate, and a Downtown Records Prize Pack.

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Montreal quintet the Stills are poised to release their third album Oceans Will Rise (via Arts & Crafts) next week then head out on an American tour with Kings Of Leon this fall. This installment of the ‘Gum Drop includes triumphant Oceans standout “Eastern Europe.” We asked vocalist/guitarist Tim Fletcher about the story behind the track.

“Eastern Europe” feels like a travel narrative, a movement from displacement (or a sense of alienation) to a sunnier trip homeward. There are a few moments in the beginning where the protagonist feels chicken, etc. That awkwardness runs counter to the feeling at the end — love blowing and howling around the streets. What events inspired the song? How personal is it?
It’s all about taking a time and place that was terrible and painful and remaking it beautiful to let it be that way forever in your mind like a tribute and place you can go to to feel warm again, to watch it all unfold and remember it kindly. Every word of it is true. Yes. Every place been to, every mile traversed, every feeling felt, every sparkling-soul cracked-universe vision seen, every little step truly taken, every event totally true, true, true! Yes yes yes! One time only relive ALL your memories here for the price of one!! Come one, come all!! (West Berliners check local heartbreak sweepstakes coupon flipsides for eligibility). Miracles do happen, baby. They really do.

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Check out those Kings Of Leon dates in detail at the band’s website.

As far as we can tell, the new Stills is pretty dark. Though not half as dark as this accompanying promo picture. Judge for yourself: The band already has three Oceans Will Rise tracks streaming at their MySpace. We posted the video for the bleak “Snakecharming The Masses” a ways back, but now you can hear it sans visuals along with the U2-like, ostensibly Amos Tutuola-referencing “Rooibos/Palm Wine Drinkard” and official first single “Being Here.” The guys have also just posted an apocalyptic all-around update. Guess what? They’ve been “scraping and gouging frantic, ripping through thick black unbelievable earth.” You’ve been forewarned.

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We’re hearing the Stills are close to releasing their third LP, which is perfect timing to capitalize on the buzz from their set at Rachael Ray’s indie rock SXSW showcase (go ahead and make fun of it, music bloggers, Rachael has five jobs so she doesn’t have time to care about your snark). That would make “Snake-Charming The Masses” the first single and the first video from the album that is yet to be named. It’s a sort of bleak and dire title, and so a bleak and dire tune (rimclicks, toms, and a pedal point march). Guess the extended shot of a burning house falls into that “bleak” category, too.

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Celebrity eater Rachael Ray has her own SXSW party taking place opposite ours. She’s got Holy Fuck, we’ve got Fuck Buttons. She’s got DJ Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite), we’ve got DJ Kevin Barnes (of Montreal). But we’ve got one major thing in our favor: Rachael Ray won’t be there. Here’s the 30 Minute Meal lady’s event info, via sxsw.com:

Feedback With Rachael Ray
Saturday 3/15 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Beauty Bar (617 E. 7th St.)
Listen Records, Watch Entertainment and Everyday With Rachael Ray come together to bring you Feedback…a feast of hot bands and tasty foods, hosted by America’s favorite cook and indie music lover, Rachael Ray. Join us at this merging of great food and even better music with performances by Autovaughn, The Ravonettes [sic], The Cringe, Scissors For Lefty, The Stills, and Holy *&%$. DJ Efren “Pedro” Ramirez from Napoleon Dynamite will be DJ-ing inside. Drinks on us and lots of Rachael’s Tasty Recipies. Open to all SXSW badgeholders.

Actually, her party sounds tasty (they said so twice). Don’t worry Anthony Bourdain — you’re still our favorite rock ‘n’ roll gourmand.