HM News Update: Week Ending 12-23
Quick and the Dead Lives Up To Its Name
Quick and the Dead have indeed broken up. Their last show was a couple weeks ago. The reasons for doing so is that musically they were being pulled in a different direction than what "Quick and the Dead" would allow. They have also gone through so many member changes that they just felt like starting anew. Shane Gould< Kerry Gould, and Bray Nelson have decided to continue on and record an EP then announce a new name. Indie Vision Music has decided to drop the price of the Quick and the Dead album to just $5.00. "Because Quick and the Dead are now broken up," the label has also decided to offer their UNRELEASED and RARE second full length that was never officially released to the public. It was recorded at the very end of 2006. You can download all 14 tracks by clicking this link.
Impending Doom Announce Another New Tour
Impending Doom has been on the road non-stop since their debut album, Nailed. Dead. Risen was released on Sept. 4 and they are keeping it going in the new year. They have just announced a tour with Dead To Fall, Winds Of Plague and Belay My Last. Check out their video for "Silence The Oppressors" at facedownrecords.com
DEAD TO FALL / WINDS OF PLAGUE / IMPENDING DOOM / BELAY MY LAST tour dates:
Jan. 26 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
Jan. 28 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Jan. 29 - Portland, OR @ Rock N Roll Pizza
Jan. 30 - Reno, NV @ Stoneys
Jan. 31 - San Jose, CA @ The Nova Hall
Feb. 1 - Corona, CA @ Showcase Theatr
Feb. 3 - Victorville, CA @ Karm
Feb. 5 - Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky
Feb. 6 - Mesa, AZ @ Cell Block
Feb. 7 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound
Feb. 8 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Factory
Feb. 9 - San Antonio, TX @ The Crossing
Feb. 10 - Houston, TX @ Java Jazz
Feb. 11 - New Orleans @ The High Ground
Feb. 13 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse
Feb. 14 - Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
Feb. 15 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Skelletones
Feb. 16 - Detroit, MI @ The Hayloft
Emery Announce New Tour
As critical acclaim continues to build for EMERY’s recently released third album I’M ONLY A MAN, the group has announced their first U.S. headlining tour in two years. The winter trek will kick off January 29 in Nashville, TN (see partial listing of dates below) and wrap late March; the support acts are Mayday Parade, As Cities Burn, Pierce the Veil and Cry of the Afflicted. Strong critical praise has been pouring in for I’M ONLY A MAN: Blender magazine gave the album a three-and-a-half star review, stating ”From the quietly disaffected seething ‘World Away’ to the faux-disco beats on ‘Don’t Bore Us, Get To the Chorus,’ this is screamo worth shouting about” (December 2007). Alternative Press magazine hailed: “Blessed today with confidence and new creativity, their third album, I’M ONLY A MAN, is effortless…” (December 2007). Produced by Ryan Boesch, who previously engineered discs by The Cure, Foo Fighters, Eels, Ozomatli and From First To Last, I’M ONLY A MAN takes the band further into territory glimpsed at in their prior releases: 2004’s self-financed The Weaks End and 2005’s The Question, which have now sold over 250,000 copies combined. For the new album, EMERY--TOBY MORELL (vocals/bass), DEVIN SHELTON (vocals/bass), MATT CARTER (guitar), JOSH HEAD (keyboards) and DAVE POWELL (drums)--expanded their melodic side with songs that resonate long after the first listen including the first single “The Party Song,” “Story About A Man With A Bad Heart” and “Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus.” Expect the group, known for their frenetic and undeniably infectious live shows, to tour throughout 2008 and beyond. Catch EMERY on their headlining U.S. tour this winter and visit emerymusic.com and myspace.com/emery for more information:
DATE CITY VENUE
w/ Mayday Parade, As Cities Burn, Pierce the Veil, Cry of the Afflicted
Tue 1/29 Nashville, TN Rocketown
Wed 1/30 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Thu 1/31 Chicago, IL Metro
Fri 2/1 Cleveland, OH Agora Ballroom
Mon 2/4 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
Tue 2/5 St. Paul, MN Station 4
Wed 2/6 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground
Thu 2/7 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
Fri 2/8 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
Sat 2/9 Salt Lake City, UT Avalon Theater
Mon 2/11 Seattle, WA Showbox at the Market
Tue 2/12 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Wed 2/13 Sacramento, CA The Boardwalk
Thu 2/14 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
Fri 2/15 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
Sat 2/16 San Diego, CA SOMA
Sun 2/17 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
Mon 2/18 Las Vegas, NV Jillians
Tue 2/19 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
Wed 2/20 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
Fri 2/22 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
Sat 2/23 McAllen, TX El Rey Theater
Sun 2/24 Houston, TX Meridian
Mon 2/25 Dallas, TX The Door
Tue 2/26 Tulsa, OK Otherside
Sun 2/27 Sauget, IL Pop’s
Sat 3/1 Buffalo, NY Xtreme Wheels
Sun 3/2 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Theatre
Mon 3/3 New York, NY Blender Theater at Gramercy
Wed 3/5 Worcester, MA The Palladium
Thu 3/6 Towson, MD Recher Theatre
Fri 3/7 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
Check out some of the early critical reaction for I’M ONLY A MAN:
“Behind the lighthearted, optimistic and rocking hooks of the band's lead single [“The Party Song”], off its new third album I'm Only a Man, lies a cautionary tale about the hazards of self-destructive behavior, inspired by lead singer Toby Morrell's friends and wife's personal experiences with making bad choices.”
-–Maxine Shen, NEW YORK POST, October 2, 2007
“Wow! From the opening flurry of drum and power-riffing guitars to vocals that verge from melodic to maniacal within a bar, Emery duck, dive, twist and turn through the morphing magic of ‘Rock ‘N’ Rule’ to the harmony-driven, Tears for Fears-ish ‘World Away’ into the dreamin’-then screamin’ riff monster ‘After The Devil Beats Wife.’ This is ‘live’ rock music, the sort that sucks you in with sweetness then blows your face off and plasters you to the wall at the back of the club. The third album from this Seattle band is dynamic stuff. Clever tune titles too. ‘Story About A Man With A Bad Heart’ and the winner, ‘Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus’ all add up to a disc of depth and discovery. Definitely, one for repeated listening.”
--DRUM!, CD review (January 2008).
“Pay attention to Emery. The Seattle quintet is touring with its third CD, I'm Only a Man, on which the heavy and the melodic come together. Listen for songs such as "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus" and "You Think You're Nickel Slick (But I Got Your Penny Change)."
--SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, November 2, 2007
“Not only is this the third release from Seattle’s very own musical prodigies, it’s also their most divine and musically explored album to date…this is a well put together album.”
--Corey Matchem, CAMPUS CIRCLE (Los Angeles), November 7, 2007
“…’Story About A Man With A Bad Heart,’ (is) a startlingly elastic slice of groovy pop charm charged with Matt Carter’s sliding guitar line.”
--Triston Staddon, ALTERNATIVE PRESS, November 2007
“It's all supported by a magnificent musical maze, as Emery trod down numerous stylistic alleys and byways, most magnificently on the album's epic closer "From Crib to Coffin." Across this ten-plus minute extravaganza, the band shift from the downbeat acoustic opening, across elegant piano and sweeping organ passages, and into bubbly space. I'm Only a Man is a diverse set, adventurous both emotionally and musically, yet never feels overly eclectic due to Ryan Boesch's excellent production and the band never losing sight of their core sound and vision. Emery's best yet, and an album that may prove hard to beat.”
--Jo-Ann Greene, ALL MUSIC GUIDE.COM, November 2007
“From the delicate, soft melodies to the grisly, angry screams, I'm Only a Man provides a great musical experience.”
--Elliot Butay, TULSA WORLD (Tulsa, OK), October 5, 2007
Facedown Records Adds To Family
"We are very happy to announce the signing of Connecticut's Wrench In the Works," states the label. "After hearing their songs, meeting them and seeing them live, we knew that we had to work with this band and we are excited to spread the word about them through Facedown. These guys have been booking their own shows all over the East Coast and nationwide for the past few years; their work ethic is very strong and the music is undeniably heavy and creative. Make sure to head over to their myspace page (myspace.com/wrenchintheworks) to check out some songs and send them a message. They are currently finishing the writing for their Facedown debut that will be engineered and produced this spring by Mike Schleibaum of Darkest Hour for a summer 2008 release. After the album is recorded the band will be hitting the road continuously with stops planned at Facedown Fest in Pomona, CA (March 28-29) and then on to the summer festivals. Taking the innovation of a "contempo-noise" alternative genre and joining it with the fundamental excellence of bands like Converge, Deadguy and Zao, Wrench In The Works has honed a style of progressive music that is genuinely unique and savagely majestic. A sound which is brutally aggressive joins with well-written metal-influenced-hardcore to show its unabashed rebellion against the genre's restricting conventions. As experimental metal begins to flow with the mainstream, Wrench In The Works desists from the gimmicks that plague the stage during so many metal-hardcore hybrid shows, allowing the unconventionality of their writing to shine through. Wrench In The Works' accomplishments have exceeded the status quo of the average underground band. The release of their 2005 full-length, "Prodigal Transmission," took the band on their first self promoted national tour as well as an eastern Canadian tour and countless weekend shows, continuously teaming up with a broad range of bands, including P.O.D., Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Hatebreed, The Red Chord and Pig Destroyer. With seemingly limitless ingenuity and passion, members Andy Nelson, Justin Mehl and Darrell Tauro will continue shattering eardrums as well as genre barriers as they write and record for their debut Facedown release.
Dance Gavin Dance To Tour With Poison The Well and The Locust
Starting mid-January, these three bands will form a varied run with Poison the Well's passionate melodic tunes, the art-damaged grind of The Locust, and the melodic screamo of Dance Gavin Dance. They'll trek through the SOuthwest and then head across the North to New York city.
Date City Venue
1/16 Metarie, LA The Higher Ground
1/17 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
1/18 Dallas, TX The Door
1/19 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
1/21 Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse
1/22 W. Hollywood, CA The Troubador
1/23 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
1/24 San Diego, CA Epicentre
1/26 Orangevale, CA Boardwalk
1/27 San Francisco, CA Slim’s
1/29 Seattle, WA El Corazon
1/30 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater
1/31 Boise, ID The Venue
2/2 Denver, CO Marquis Theater
2/7 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick
2/13 New York, NY Knitting Factory
The Myriad Does It!
If you've been keeping up with them via this enewsletter, you'll rejoice with us that The Myriad won the whole thing! They're going to be huge now. Good thing we decided to jump on the bandwagon early. Look for some intense coverage of the band in our March/April issue.
themyriad.net
Hawk Nelson Set To Take Off Again
Since their debut release in the summer of 2004, BEC Recordings/Tooth&Nail band Hawk Nelson has been rallying fans with their fun-filled, energetic tunes. On April 1, 2008, the Canadian foursome will release their third studio album with a tribute title to their fans, “Hawk Nelson is My Friend.” The CD packaging will include a “board game” for their fans and the special edition CD/DVD will include a more elaborate game for all to enjoy. Fans can get a taste of this highly anticipated release by purchasing the debut retail single, “Friend Like That“ on iTunes and other digital retailers just in time for a last minute gift on Christmas Eve. The debut CHR and rock single will be going for adds early January to kick off the 2008 year. In support of “Hawk Nelson is My Friend,” the band will hit the road starting February 28, 2008 in Abilene, TX for the “Hawk Nelson Green T Tour.” With their last two releases, the band has landed personal appearances on major television and motion picture projects, and gained high-profile song placement (“Bring ‘Em Out”) with NBC’s 2007 NFL Sunday Night Football campaign in addition to selling more than half-million units. It has been their success and media attention that has catapulted the band to the spotlight in the music realm; however, the band has remained grounded attributing any success to their dedicated friends aka fans. “Going into this record, we sat down and thought about how we’ve always had this mentality of not so much winning fans as making friends,” says Canadian born frontman Jason Dunn. “We want to be clear that we’re all about being on the same level as the audience.” “The album title is also what’s printed across the front of our most popular tee shirt,” adds quintessentially friendly Hawk Nelson bass player Daniel Biro. “And there’s a little joke in there, because so many people still think ‘Hawk Nelson’ is some guy’s name.” To be fair, that mix-up happens a lot less these days. In fact, the band’s good name helped recruit some cool new compadres for the recording of Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. For the first time, the guys worked with top producer David Bendeth at House of Loud (Elvis, Paramore, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), tracking at his New Jersey studio. And in addition to writing with longtime friend Trevor McNevan from Thousand Foot Krutch, Dunn and Biro also met and wrote with 80s pop star-turned-hit songsmith Richard Marx (“Right Here Waiting,” Keith Urban), Our Lady Peace lead singer Raine Maida and Chantel Kraviaciak (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), and Matthew Gerrard (High School Musical, Hannah Montana). In a raucously poetic sort of way, “Hawk Nelson Is My Friend” opens with first retail and radio single “Friend Like That,” a pounding rocker with fuzzy, spiraling guitars and fist-pumping Hey! Hey! Hey! Ramones-like shouts. Seeking guidance and earthly alliance at the same time, the song declares, I need somebody on the inside, somebody who can set me free . . . Make some noise if you feel this way. Anybody got a friend like that? Dunn explains, “So many people are struggling today. Most of all they need a friend, and we believe everyone has a friend in Christ.” The headlining tour, “Hawk Nelson Green T Tour” will be connected with a retail promotion with Music Today for the upcoming release. Beginning in January, fans will be able to purchase the album bundle ($30) that will include a concert ticket with preferred seating during the tour, special listening parties in select cities as well as a special edition of the famed Hawk Nelson is My Friend green t-shirt. Premier/Winter Jam have partnered with Hawk Nelson in their upcoming spring promotions during the Winter Jam Spectacular dates as well as the Revolve Women of Faith events for the 53+ city tour (see dates below). This powerhouse, punk foursome hailing from Canada has won the hearts of fans and media nationwide since their debut release in June 2004 with “Letters to the President.” Since their national debut, Hawk Nelson has appeared on NBC’s “American Dreams”, had a cameo appearance in the hit Nickelodeon film “Yours, Mine, & Ours,” where they played their original song “Bring Em Out,” as well as had their songs featured on NBC’s 2006 Stanley Cup promo spots, WB’s Smallville, Summerland, & Laguna Beach. In April 2006, Hawk Nelson released their sophomore studio release, “Smile, It’s The End Of The World,” which debuted on the Billboard 200. For more information visit myspace.com/hawknelsononline or hawknelsononline.com
Hawk Nelson's Green T Tour (subject to change):
2/28 - Abilene, TX
2/29 - Albuquerque, NM
3/1 - Phoenix, AZ - Dare 2 Share
3/2 - Tucson, AZ
3/3 - Wildomar, CA
3/4 - Rialto, CA
3/7 - Baltimore, MD
3/8 - Atlanta, GA - Dare 2 Share
3/9 - Phoenix, AZ
3/11 - Los Angeles, CA
3/13 - Eugene, OR
3/14 - Portland, OR
3/15 - Seattle, WA - Dare 2 Share
3/16 - Spokane, WA
3/17 - Boise, ID
3/21 - Oklahoma City, OK
3/22 - Arlington, TX (Six Flags)
3/26 - Lexington, KY
3/27 - Chattanooga, TN
3/28 - Birmingham, AL
3/29 - Memphis, TN
3/30 - Springfield, MO
4/1 - Nashville, TN
4/3 - Middletown, NJ
4/4 - Manheim, PA/Cincinnati, OH
4/5 - Cincinnati/Toledo, OH
4/6 - Evansville, IN
4/9 - Fosston, MN
4/10 - Duluth, MN
4/11 - Lakeville, MN
4/12 - Hoffman Estates, IL
4/16 - Huntington, WV
4/17 - Roanoke, VA
4/18 - Clarksville, TN
4/19 - Montgomery, AL
4/24 - Washington DC
4/25 - Greensboro, NC
4/26 - Columbia, SC
4/27 - Greenville, SC
4/29 - Mobile, AL
5/1 - Hoffman Estates, IL
5/2 - Greenville, IL
5/3 - Indianapolis, IN
Free Rush Of Fools Download
“O Come All Ye Faithful,” the newly-recorded holiday favorite from premiere new Midas Records band Rush Of Fools, is being offered as a free download at www.rushoffools.com, which has seen over 1300 downloads in the first 10 days. Rush of Fools and EMI CMG Distribution are partnering with Family, LifeWay, Parable, Mardell, Berean, Munce, and Covenant Christian retail stores as well as HisAir.net and MusicChristian.com to spread the holiday joy with free music. Midas Records and the band are also partnering with radio station websites around the country to share the free download to listeners. Some partnering stations include WJIE/Louisville, KY; WCSG/Grand Rapids, MI; WGTS/Washington, D.C.; WBDX/Chattanooga, TN; WONU/Chicago, IL; WYLV/Knoxville, TN; WYSZ/Toledo, OH; and KJTH/Ponca City, OK. The band’s version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” was arranged by Rush of Fools and produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp. The single also hit the R&R Christian AC Monitored chart this week with a Debut at #20. New artist, Rush of Fools has already been named the second best-selling new artist of 2007. The Alabama-based band went from winning a national talent contest to landing a record deal – emerging almost overnight. The 700 Club featured the band on December 3, recounting the band’s successful climb and pointing out how Rush of Fools has made an “unprecedented mark on Christian music history this year.” Additionally, Rush Of Fools has been chosen as the featured artist on the upcoming Newsboys “Go” Tour that will visit 30-40 cities nationwide in the Spring of 2008. In addition to the group’s radio and touring news, Rush Of Fools recently formed ministry partnerships with Godtube.com as well as “Freedom Begins Here,” which draws attention to the epidemic issue of pornography and sex addiction within and outside the church. Hosted by Dr. Gary Smalley and Pastor Ted Cunningham, the powerful series of DVD-driven “Toolkits” will release in 2008 and is designed specifically to empower churches and individuals to face the problem of sexual addiction head on. The band’s chart topping, smash debut radio single “Undo” is also continuing to receive recognition and chart-topping attention. The premiere single garnered the BDS Spin Award in October for reaching 50,000 spins, according to R&R magazine. In addition, “Undo” is also the most played new single of 2007 on the R&R Christian AC charts and continues to gain attention worldwide positioning the band as history makers, in that no other debut artist on a new label has ever achieved such immediate success. Rush Of Fools consists of Wes Willis (lead vocals, electric guitar), Kevin Huguley (lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitar), Jacob Chesnut (bass, vocals), Jamie Sharpe (drums, vocals) and JD Frazier (electric guitar, keys, vocals). For more information, visit myspace.com/rushoffools or labmediaonline.com/rushoffools
Believer Not Dead
Vocalist/guitarist Kurt Bachman posts: "We have completed most of the pre-production on the new tunes and are planning to start recording in November. We are very excited and interested to see how you enjoy the new stuff. We are also developing a web site (believerband.net) and are designing some new merchandise to coincide with the re-release of our past records on Metal Mind Productions, due November 5th. Please check back often, as we will keep the page updated with our madness, I mean progress. Joey and I will also post some blog entries periodically." Joey Daub posts: "As most of you know by now, the official Believer Myspace page is up and running. We hope you get a chance to check it out. Kurt and I are currently in the rehearsal mode for the official recording due to start mid November. Since Metal Mind Productions is re-releasing all three Believer records, we thought it would be cool to make a limited edition T-shirt for each one. All three T-shirts are available now. I must say that from the response of everyone on our myspace page Kurt and I are extremely stoked for you, fans, to hear the new record. You guys are truly the best fans ever! Many, many thanks. Again, thanks for all the support. The Trauma Team has started the actual recording and Joey has blazed through 2 tunes today (after many hours getting some sweet drum sounds). We will be hitting it hard again tomorrow. Sorry for our "slowness" but as you are know, we want this to be killer for you. We will keep you updated on our progress and will post some vids from the studio in the near future. In Fountain of Tears news, we are continuing the promotion of the,"Fate" album. Vonnie has just done an interview with a French online magazine and other press is being done as well. Due to my invovement with Believer, FoT rehearsals have slowed but will resume soon. Along with working on ideas for touring in 2008 with FoT, I am also twisting Kurts arm to get out and tour for the new Believer album. It should be a very busy 2008!" Can you believe it? Wow!
myspace.com/believerband
joeydaub.com
Edison Glass Post Video
The band’s new video for “Let Go” is a MySpace Featured Video. Be sure to go check it out here: myspace.com The band is currently finishing out a tour, which is featured over at Pure Volume: http://www.purevolume.com/tours_and_shows
“Never seeing Edison Glass before but hearing some of their music I was blown away by these guys. Four fellows that looked like roadies for bands that wear lots of make-up, but putting on a show that most of those make-up wearing bands could only dream of.”
--Buzzgrinder
Switchfoot Gets Dirty
Multi-Platinum selling band Switchfoot concluded its 34-city Appetite for Construction Tour with Relient K and Ruth in Everett, WA Dec. 3. The benefit tour that hit such major markets as New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas and more, raised over $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. With an average of over 3,000 tickets sold per night, and raising one dollar for every ticket sold for Habitat for Humanity, the impact of the tour leaves a lasting legacy. All of the money raised is going directly back into the local Habitat affiliates in each of the 34 tour markets. In addition to the monetary contribution, Switchfoot members swapped their musical instruments for building tools and worked side by side with future Habitat homeowners at several build sites across the country, including sites in San Diego, Houston, Seattle (Everett, WA) and Baton Rouge. The band further met with and gave tickets to top Habitat for Humanity volunteers in tour markets. “[Our fans have bought] a lot of tickets and CDs and T-shirts and stickers and you leave a tour with those sorts of numbers and people say that’s a successful tour. I disagree. That doesn’t mean anything,” says Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman in an interview with the Charleston Daily Mail. “I want us to have a touring history that has impacted people in other ways than selling them a product. To plug them into an amazing organization like Habitat is an honor. For us it’s a chance to donate more than money...if people can’t donate money, they can still use their hands to help.” Switchfoot guitarist, keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas echoed in an interview with the Mobile Register that Habitat for Humanity’s focus and efficiency are what won the band’s support. “The thing that excites me about Habitat is the idea that it is local. They’ve got an incredibly tight ship as far as how much of the money actually goes directly into the houses. The thing that blew me away the most is that they’ve housed more than a million people around the planet.” “One of the beauties about Habitat for Humanity is that there is virtually an endless range of opportunities for people to contribute—and to become part of the solution. Our friends in Switchfoot are an inspiring example of this,” says Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford. “Not only are they financially supporting our work with families in need of decent, affordable shelter, but they’ve also worked hard on Habitat build sites to engage in that part of Habitat’s effort. Even beyond that, they’re providing a strong voice—both literally and figuratively—for so many families whose housing plights go too often unheard. Habitat is very grateful and very proud of the friend we have in Switchfoot.” Inspired by Habitat for Humanity, co-headliners Switchfoot and Relient K also wrote a song for this tour, “Rebuild,” which they performed together each night of the tour. The song continues to inspire fans to the charitable work as Switchfoot offers the song for free on its website, www.switchfoot.com/rebuild, asking fans to donate time or funds to Habitat for Humanity. Since its inception, Switchfoot has been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes, including DATA, Bono’s THE ONE Campaign, Invisible Children and To Write Love on Her Arms. It also founded the Switchfoot Bro-Am, a surfing and music benefit-event raising money and awareness for Care House, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving homeless teens, teens in crisis and young mothers in crisis throughout San Diego County. The band further started the online magazine, lowercase people (www.lowercasepeople.com), a daring new endeavor to revolutionize the way beauty, truth and humanity is viewed. With over 5 million records sold, three albums in the Billboard Top 20, two top-five singles at both pop and alternative radio, Switchfoot is also recognized as one of the hardest touring bands in rock. Playing its first concert in Singapore next month, the San Diego-based band has sold more than two million concert tickets worldwide since the 2003 release of its double-Platinum breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown. With an ever-growing fan base, Switchfoot continues international touring in support of its next two critically acclaimed albums, Nothing Is Sound and Oh! Gravity. Recorded at Big Fish Recording in Encinitas, CA, Oh! Gravity. showcases a harder rock direction for Switchfoot. The album debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes chart and has received stellar reviews, with Billboard magazine calling it “the best of the San Diego group’s nearly 10-year recording career.” Spin exclaims this album is “their liveliest record, full of dive-bombing guitar fuzz, juicy arena-alt choruses.” “This is an outstanding record in every sense,” raved Associated Press. Alternative Press found that “Oh! Gravity. [is a] sparkling, focused album bursting at the seams with giant hooks and even bigger ideas. In fact, Oh! Gravity. is Switchfoot's most diverse disc to date.” Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman also returns to his indie-scene roots by releasing four solo EPs over the coming months. These EPs, individually titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, will be released prior to the upcoming Switchfoot album in late 2008. Switchfoot is: Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar); Tim Foreman (bass, backing vocals); Chad Butler (drums); Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keys, backing vocals); and Andrew Shirley (guitar). For more information, go to switchfoot.com.
©2007 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved
More news from last month:
Kingston Falls Enters Studio
Kingston Falls just finished up a winter tour and are now recording for their Facedown debut titled, "Armada On Mercury."
They are recording at Foundation Studios with Joey Sturgis (Devil Wears Prada) and the album will be released on March 18, 2008. You can check out a brand new blog from the band about everything going on at their myspace. While you are there, check out a couple of pre-production songs that will be re-recorded for the new album.
Show Dates:
Dec 22 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Sunset Hall
Jan 17 - Duluth, MN @ The Knockout
Jan 18 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Vault
Jan 19 - Willmar, MN @ First Street Warehouse
Feb 8 - Rochester, IN @ Solid Rock Promotions
Tim McAllister Gives It Away
After a 15 year hiatus, Flock 14 and World Theatre front man Tim McAllister releases his first solo album, Strong Tower, to raving reviews. McAllister says "I am both confused and certain. Melancholic and mad. These dichotomies define who I am. They also define my music. Despite, or perhaps because of this, I know many find a strange type of hope in the music." HM subscribers can download the album free at timmcallister.com.
Pillar Gets Nominated For Its First Grammy®
Pillar, one of the biggest selling Rock bands in Christian Music history, received its first-ever GRAMMY nomination today. The band received the nod in the category of Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for The Reckoning, at a press conference held at the Music Box in Hollywood. The nominations were announced by The Recording Academy. Pillar front man Rob Beckley, who is currently in Germany preparing to take the stage for a concert, shares, “Musically speaking, it doesn’t get any higher than this. The only way to top what has happened today, would be to win this GRAMMY Award. After all of our years on the road and in the studio, there are few words to fully capture our feeling during this moment. We totally love what we are privileged to do; and that’s play rock and roll for a living, and be a part of seeing people’s lives changed in the process.” The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Since Pillar’s Dove Award-winning debut Above in 2001, the band has tallied eight No. 1 radio singles, twelve top 5 hits, four Dove Awards, a GRAMMY nomination, seven national headlining tours, covers of numerous national magazines, sales well into the hundreds of thousands, and played for millions. Pillar’s fifth in-studio project, For the Love of the Game, will hit stores on February 26, 2008. For The Love Of The Game is big, fun, infectious rock and roll that further solidifies Pillar’s position as fearless leaders in the Christian Rock world. Additionally, February of 2008 will bring the start of Pillar’s 3-month headlining tour. Pillar is: Rob Beckley, vocals; Lester Estelle, drums; Noah Henson, guitar; and Kalel, bass. For more information on Pillar visit: pillarmusic.com or myspace.com/pillar.
Skillet Gonna Try And "Win A Grammy® for Mammy"
As 2007 comes to a close, Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO band SKILLET continues to celebrate a fabulous year with their second consecutive GRAMMY nomination. The critically-acclaimed and best-seller COMATOSE is nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album in the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10th. The show will be broadcast at 8pm et/pt on CBS. On top of the GRAMMY news, Skillet has also been lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year with their massive hit “The Last Night”, which was also R&R’s No. 2 Christian Rock song of the year. In addition, Skillet was named 2007s No. 2 top artist on both the CHR and ROCK year end lists. Skillet garnered four consecutive No. 1 singles from COMATOSE with “Rebirthing”, “The Last Night”, “The Older I Get” and “Comatose”. Skillet will release the COMATOSE CD/DVD Deluxe edition on December 26, 2007, and along with new cover art and the full COMATOSE CD, the deluxe edition will also feature:
1 BRAND NEW studio track, “Live Free or Let Me Die”
5 acoustic tracks:
“Rebirthing”
”Yours to Hold”
“The Older I Get”
“Whispers In The Dark”
“Say Goodbye”
3 music videos (“Rebirthing”, “Whispers in the Dark”, “Looking for Angels”)
Behind the scenes video - making of the record
FREE Wallpaper
FREE Ringtone -“Falling Inside the Black”
Skillet will kick off 2008 on the Winter Jam tour, hitting the following cities:
Winter Jam Tour Schedule: (All dates subject to change)
January 10 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall
January 11 Chattanooga, TN McKenzie Arena
January 12 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center
January 13 Charlotte, NC Bobcat Arena
January 18 Tampa, FL Sun Dome Arena
January 19 Orlando, FL UCF Arena
January 24 Normal, IL Redbird Arena
January 25 Columbus, OH Schottestein Center
January 26 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Gardens
January 27 St. Charles, MO Family Arena
January 31 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium
February 1 Little Rock, AR Alltell Arena
February 2 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
February 7 Augusta, GA James Brown Arena
February 8 Jacksonville, FL Memorial Coliseum
February 9 Mobile, AL The Mitchell Center
February 10 Tupelo, MS Bancorp South Center
February 15 Greenville, SC The Bi-Lo Center
February 16 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
February 17 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center
February 22 Columbia, SC The Colonial Center
February 23 Jackson, MS MS Coliseum
February 24 Southaven, MS DeSoto Civic Center
February 28 Oklahoma City, OK The Ford Center
February 29 Tulsa, OK Mabee Center
March 1 Wichita, KS Charles Koch Arena
March 2 Colorado Springs, CO World Arena
March 6 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
March 7 Ft. Wayne, IN Allen County Memorial Coliseum
March 8 Knoxville, TN Thompson Boling Arena
March 9 E. Lansing, MI The Breslin Center
March 13 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
March 14 Fayetteville, NC Crown Coliseum
March 15 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena
March 16 Nashville, TN The Sommet Center
Paramore Gets A Grammy Nomination, too
Fueled By Ramen recording group Paramore has been nominated as “Best New Artist” at the upcoming 50th Annual Grammy Awards, it was announced this week. The news comes just as “RIOT!,” the band’s acclaimed second album, has received RIAA gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000 units. Released earlier this year, the album features the breakthrough hit singles, “Misery Business” and “Crushcrushcrush.” The Tennessee-based quartet has been on the road nearly nonstop since the album’s June release, most recently headlining a major North American tour with 22 sold out performances. Paramore will ring in 2008 with a live performance on MTV’s annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza, and then head off to the United Kingdom for a hugely anticipated headline tour that includes two-night stands in such cities as Manchester, London, and Birmingham. Paramore is set to star on the upcoming cover of Alternative Press’s February issue. Last summer, lead singer Hayley Williams was among the stars featured on Alternative Press’s July cover, joining a number of her fellow Vans Warped Tour ‘07 roadmates. Elsewhere, Revolver called “RIOT!” “a masterful mix of springy drum beats, crisp guitar hooks, and (Williams’) girlish snarl,” while Spin praised the album for its “arena- rocking potential.” “RIOT!” debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200 this past June, marking one of the highest sales and chart debuts in Fueled By Ramen’s history (second only to Fall Out Boy). The album’s first single, “Misery Business,” has proven Paramore’s biggest hit to date, reaching the Top 5 at Modern Rock radio, while also scoring at Top 40, Hot AC, and Active Rock. The song’s accompanying video also exploded across the MTV spectrum. Having already been a #1 video at MTV2 and a #2 sensation at MTV, the clip is also a top airplay favorite at mtvU, MTV Hits, and MTV.com. In addition, “Misery Business” reached #1 most-played video status at Fuse, with further national play coming on Music Choice and The N. “Crushcrushcrush,” the follow-up single from “RIOT!,” has just begun breaking out at Alternative radio nationwide. The track’s video – directed by Shane Drake (who previously helmed the “Misery Business” clip) – recently debuted on MTV’s TRL, and has already reached #6 on the countdown. “Crushcrushcrush” remains in Big 10 rotation at MTV, while also notching top 10 play at MTV2. What’s more, the clip is receiving further play at Fuse and The N. Both “Misery Business” and “Crushcrushcrush” can be viewed online at youtube.com/user/FueledByRamen, where Paramore’s videos have scored over 20 million total plays thus far. Since the release of their debut album, “ALL WE KNOW IS FALLING (Fueled By Ramen; 2005),” Paramore continues to grow its fervent fan following online with each passing day. Paramore.net, the official band website, averages 70,000 page views per day while the band’s MySpace page - myspace.com/paramore - has logged over 17 million total plays thus far with their friends tally now exceeding 500,000. Paramore’s PureVolume site - purevolume.com/paramore - has notched more than 4 million streams to date.
As I Lay Dying Gets Nominated, as well
Metal Blade Records is proud to announce AS I LAY DYING’s Grammy Nomination for BEST METAL PERFORMANCE for “Nothing Left,” the first single from their newest release, AN OCEAN BETWEEN US. “I thought someone was pulling my leg when I first heard that we're nominated for a Grammy this year,” says vocalist, Tim Lambesis. “I'm completely honored! Who would have thought you could play metal and still make your parents this proud? Now I'll have to go out and rent a tux to wear for the third time in my life. I knew I should have just bought one the first time…” This band that Alternative Press calls “…one of the best pure-metal bands America has to offer” had their highest BILLBOARD Top 200 debut of their career with this album (#8) – also the highest debut in their label’s 25-year history. Metal Blade owner and CEO Brian Slagel comments on the label’s 2 Grammy nominations: All of us at Metal Blade Records are extremely honored to have As I Lay Dying and King Diamond, nominated for Grammy awards. They both truly deserve this honor for the great artistry they have accomplished on these tremendous releases. The bleak, futuristic video for “Nothing Left” was shot in Van Nuys, California at Sound City Studios with Brian Thompson (Killswitch Engage, Angels & Airwaves) lending his directorial talents. “The high concept storyline mixed with the bands ripping performance should make this video a metal favorite,” says Thompson. The story, which was conceived by the band and fine-tuned by Thompson, follows a female character through a series of events which takes place within a decaying, future landscape. The video saw its initial debut on MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball on August 11th and continues to run periodically on the show.
Clark Brothers Get In On Gram Nom Action
Tooth & Nail Records is proud to announce the nomination of Don Clark of their band DEMON HUNTER and of the design company INVISIBLE CREATURE for the 2008 ‘BEST RECORDING PACKAGE’ Grammy! The nominated package is that of Clark’s labelmates, THE FOLD, for their 2007 release called SECRETS MAKE YOU SICK. Clark and his brother Ryan run the company INVISIBLE CREATURE and have several other Grammy nods for their brilliant visuals. Ryan Clark was nominated in 2005 for his work on Norma Jean’s album O’ GOD, THE AFTERMATH. In 2006 the nomination was for THE BEST WORST-CASE SCENARIO by the band Fair. The Clark brothers’ band, DEMON HUNTER, have recently released their album STORM THE GATES OF HELL and are preparing for a 2008 tour. “Vocalist Ryan Clark busts out radio-ready hard rock choruses while his bandmates embroider their hardy grooves with strings and keyboards” says REVOLVER Magazine of the band's newest effort.
Ashley Cleveland Gets Nominated For ... guess what? A Grammy®!
204 Records is pleased to announce that two-time GRAMMY Award and three-time Dove Award winner Ashley Cleveland has been nominated for her latest album, Before The Daylight's Shot, in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which will take place February 10, 2008 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. The GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from 8:00-11:30 p.m. EST/PT on CBS in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound. For a full list of nominees, visit grammy.com. "I turned 50 this year," comments Cleveland on her latest GRAMMY Award nomination, "and this is an incredible birthday present and a great shot in the arm in an industry that thrives on youth!" Before The Daylight's Shot showcases Cleveland at the height of her talents, relating her faith and experiences in a real way that connects with listeners on an emotional and spiritual level. Returning to her rock roots, she demonstrates her songwriting prowess on Before The Daylight's Shot, writing most of the album's cuts. Whether she's singing about purpose ("Ready Or Not"), faith ("Deeper Walk"), fulfillment (through her bluesy take on Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground") or enduring married love ("Twilight Hour"), there's a clear-eyed maturity and depth of artistry that lifts her into an exclusive class. Cleveland's sound is unmistakable with her blend of rock, blues, gospel and folk, exhibiting her distinctive brand of open-tuned guitar playing. The combination of her natural wonder of a voice and fierce songwriting talent has been captivating listeners since her 1991 debut. Beyond her own career, Cleveland is also one of Nashville's most in-demand session singers, having performed on over 300 albums for artists including Emmylou Harris, Jars Of Clay, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Etta James, Pam Tillis and Michael McDonald. As a spokesperson for SHARE (Songs of Hope And Recovery for Everyone), Cleveland also regularly performs at national events focused on addiction recovery. Ashley Cleveland's Before The Daylight's Shot is available on 204 Records and distributed by TAG Artist Group. For more information on Ashley Cleveland and Before The Daylight's Shot, visit ashleycleveland.com.
You'll See The Ad And Read The Article (soon) In The Next Issue of HM, but...
...Now you won't have to wait any longer to find out a little bit on one of Rise Records' newest bands: Here I Come Falling. The band was discovered by label-mates The Devil Wears Prada, who after seeing the band firsthand brought them to Rise Records. With their debut Rise LP planned for early 2008, the band will release their dissonant screamo laced passages blended with technical metal fury, electronic elements and soaring melodic sections upon the world. Known for their furious, hold-no-bars live show, the band has already shared the stage with the likes of Norma Jean, Haste The Day, Drop Dead, Gorgeous and Alesana to name a few. They will hit the road for some dates in January with Once Nothing (Solid State Records) and a Feb tour with Burden Of A Day (Rise). Check myspace.com/hicf for tour details and album news!
In Some Other Non-Grammy® News, Memphis May Fire Release EP
The band dropped their self-titled Trustkill EP this week, to an eagerly awaiting fan base. With the EP, the Dallas, TX Memphis May Fire will debut their brand of pure, unadulterated rock, to an anxious and growing fan base! Buzz about the band has been flying around all over the Internet, and the band charted on “Top Unsigned Bands” by Myspace.com this past year. Print publications are picking up on the buzz, and there are already reviews planned in Alternative Press, HM Magazine, and Drumhead Magazine. Fans are able to preview the song "History Of Mercia" from the CD at Trustkill.com, and stream some other songs on the band's Myspace page. The band will be playing songs from the new EP live, on a mini-tour at the end of the December that will take them through their Southern US stomping grounds, alongside Twelve Gauge Valentine (Solid State) and The Handshake Murders (Goodfellow Records). Memphis May Fire have been recording and playing together since December of 2006, and released their first EP soon after, which ended up selling over 5,000 copies on tour. The band got together with the idea of focusing on music that suited them not just on the recording but mainly live. Upon first listen, it’s apparent that MMF’s influences are a combination of both traditional southern rock and contemporary metal. Trustkill records pres Josh Grabelle couldn't be more amped about the start of a long road. He comments, "there is a lot of really exciting, young, dangerous music coming out of Texas right now, and Memphis May Fire are the cream of the crop. Not since Bullet For My Valentine's "Hand of Blood" EP have we heard a more compelling set of songs for an EP, where absolutely EVERY song is bone-chillingly perfect, and timeless. These guys are on their way to something huge." The EP is available to order online at the Trustkill store here: trustkill.com/webstore/. See tourdates below.
12/28 Plano, TX (Dallas) Plano Center
12/29 Fayetteville, AR The Music Hall
12/31 Hot Springs, AR The Attic
1/1 Lexington, KY Eastland Church
1/2 Marietta, GA (Atlanta) Swayzes
1/3 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
1/4 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
1/5 Orlando, FL Island Oasis
“Much like a calm Underoath, Memphis May Fire fires off with dual vocals for the growling crowd as well as the gentler songbird moments for the indie scene. We take trips between rumbling hostility and its polar opposite, making for a never dull listen every time…. Energy and melody with fury and balance.”
-Skyline Press.net
Check out the band's e-card by clicking here.
Gwen Stacy Give Ferret Music Something To Talk About
Ferret Music’s newest signing has announced that February 5 2008 will be the official release date for their debut, The Life I Know. The band has released the track listing, and will be debuting the first song off the album, “The Path To Certainty”, on their Myspace page (myspace.com/gwenstacy). The album, produced by Brian McTernan (Cave In, Snapcase, Thrice) and Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, The Bled), will showcase the band’s furious, innovative, and experimental brand of hardcore. To top off all of the excitement, Gwen Stacey just announced a huge US tour with Haste the Day, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and Drop Dead, Gorgeous. Check ferretstyle.com for tour dates, and go to ferretstyle.com/store to preorder the album now!
The Classic Crime Performance On BlogTV Was Indeed Archived
The Classic Crime's intimate, live performance reported in last week's enewsletter was archived at this place. How's that for follow-up?
And now for something completely different:
Wallace and Gromit: Three Amazing Adventures came out on DVD last week.
The DVD includes three 30 minute Oscar winning and nominated claymation shorts with commentary and two never before seen episodes of Shaun the Sheep! That's some cool stuff, right there. (dot com)
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