HM News Update Week Ending 7-5
Norma Jean Releases Two New Songs
Check out the first brand new songs from Norma Jean's new album titled "The Anti Mother". It hits stores on August 5th! The brand new songs are titled "Robots 3 Humans 0" and "Birth Of The Anti Mother".
Check them out here:
myspace.com/normajean
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Brian "Head" Welch's Solo Album Out on September 9th
Former Korn guitarist BRIAN “HEAD” WELCH is back to making music with his debut solo album, SAVE ME FROM MYSELF, which will be released September 9 on Driven Music Group (distribution by Ryko/Warner Music Group), the label he co-founded with music execs Greg Shanaberger and Mark Nawara. The first single, “Flush,” will be serviced to radio the last week of June and will be available July 8 for purchase exclusively on iTunes. Fans can hear a portion of the track on Head’s Myspace page. SAVE ME FROM MYSELF was produced by Head, who recorded the music off and on for the past two years in Phoenix, Arizona. It features renowned musicians Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, David Bowie) and Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails), and was mixed by Ralph Patlan and Bob Clearmountain. The album is a testimony of Head’s life as he battled with drug addiction and leaving Korn, and finding spirituality. It will leave no doubt in everyone’s mind that Head, as a founding member of Korn, has not lost his passion for the heavy sound that originally helped make his former band famous. The album will remind listeners of Head’s dominant influence in the nu-metal sound that projected Korn to the top of the music charts for over a decade. SAVE ME FROM MYSELF can only be described as a heavy metal epic, with a positive message. Head’s production team is currently in pre-production on a video for “Flush” and is expected to hit the TV airwaves around the album’s release date. “I’m really excited about getting my music out there to my fans,” Head declares. “I literally poured everything I had into SAVE ME FROM MYSELF, and I know it’s gonna inspire a lot of people. It’s been a long time since I’ve connected with people musically, and now that the wounds have healed from my past addictions, I’m ready to feel the magic again.” He continues, “’Flush’ is a perfect way for me to come back into the music world because it’s basically about flushing all the crap in life down the toilet and starting out fresh—exactly what I’ve been doing for the last few years. All the drama that I experienced with getting drunk and doing drugs, all the time seemed interesting and amusing to write about. That lifestyle is total insanity and I’m just glad I’m not dead and I was able to write a song like ‘Flush.’”
In early 2005, Head rocked the music world by announcing his resignation from Korn. At the time, Head was committed to moving away from the craziness of the rock & roll lifestyle to continue to care for his daughter, Jennea, as a single father. Additionally, Head committed his life to his newfound faith with the goal of touching people’s lives and giving back to those most desperately in need. Only months after his Korn exodus, Head traveled to India to open Head Home, an orphanage that provided housing, food, and education to over 200 orphans in the most unreachable parts of India. Head also continued other philanthropic efforts in other areas throughout the U.S. With his successful charitable efforts and side projects underway, Head began composing and recording SAVE ME FROM MYSELF. At the time of his resignation from Korn, Head made it clear that although he had retired from Korn, he had not retired from the music and entertainment industry. With his new calling, Head has committed to changing the youth of America through his music and other entertainment ventures, including his autobiography, Save Me From Myself, which was released in July 2007 by HarperCollins. It quickly landed on the New York Times “Best Seller” list (non-fiction) and has sold over 70,000 copies.
For more band information, please check out:
myspace.com/brianheadwelch
brianheadwelch.net
Skillet on Country Music Television?!
From the producers of CMT's hit series GONE COUNTRY is the unique new home renovation show MOBILE HOME DISASTER, which premiered May 16th. In it’s 6th episode of the season, the show focuses on the Talcott family, whose favorite band is Skillet. Each of the kids were given a special Skillet gift package at the close of the show and then on top of that, were taken to see Skillet perform live and meet the band back stage at The Spirit West Coast festival in Del Mar, CA this past May. The Skillet episode of Mobile Home Disaster will air again on July 3rd at 11pm and 1 am and on July 8th at 3pm.
Winner Announced For GMA's Battle of the Bands
Christian music lifestyle web site HearItFirst.com and the Gospel Music Association (GMA) announce the winner of this year’s third annual Battle of the Bands competition, Orlando, Fla.-based Generation Letter. The five-member rock band will perform at GMA Music in the Rockies in August. Comprising George Romanacce (vocals/guitar), Stephen Morgan (guitar), Alex Couch (guitar), Joey Phillips (bass), and John Ripley (drums), Generation Letter originated from its passion to glorify God through music and to tell the great story passed down from generation to generation. John Ripley, the band’s drummer, says about its win: “As we evaluate the talents and creativity all of the artists that were involved in this competition, it is truly remarkable that we were chosen. We are thrilled beyond words to have this opportunity from GMA and Hear It First to take the stage at GMA Music in the Rockies.” From March 25 – April 27 bands were asked to submit their entries at www.hearitfirst.com/indiescovery. Voting took place in three rounds during the month of May, at which time fans were able to view band bios, pictures and hear full-length songs. Hosted by Indiescovery, HearItFirst.com’s portal specifically devoted to independent artists, the promotion is designed to introduce listeners to the best up-and-coming talent in Christian music. The grand prize package includes an all-expense-paid trip for four, including registrations, to GMA Music in the Rockies, where Generation Letter will perform a 9-minute opening act set alongside CCM mainstay artists Stellar Kart and MercyMe. First runner-up, singer/songwriter Nathan Arnold from Vancouver, Wash. will also have the chance to perform at the event. The second runner up, Long Beach, N.Y.-based band Cassidy will receive four free registrations. Director of marketing for GMA, Gabriel Aviles weighs in on the Music in the Rockies experience, “GMA Music in the Rockies is a place of discovery for new and emerging artists. We are thrilled that HearItFirst.com’s Battle of the Bands’ contest winners are going to be a part of this incredible experience.” Mark Adkison, HearItFirst.com president and founder, additionally comments, “HearItFirst.com is honored to join forces with GMA’s Music in the Rockies to bring unprecedented opportunities to talented, deserving, undiscovered bands. We are thrilled to be a part of Generation Letter’s journey, and look forward to many more partnerships with independent bands in the future.”
For more information on Generation Letter, visit:
HearitFirst.com/generationletter
generationletter.com
Sixpence None The Richer Reunites
Four years since they parted ways, platinum-selling group SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER has reunited and will release their first Christmas album entitled THE DAWN OF GRACE on October 14. The Dawn of Grace was produced by Steve Hindalong (City on a Hill, The Choir) and is made up of 10 tracks: nine traditional Christmas songs, including "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night", featuring guest vocalist Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay, and two original Sixpence holiday tunes called "The Last Christmas" and "Christmas for Two". The Grammy-nominated and multiple Dove award-winning band decided that a holiday album would be the perfect way to celebrate their reunion with their fans. Vocalist Leigh Nash comments, "Sixpence fans have been asking for a Christmas album for as long as I can remember. It was something we always wanted to do, but somehow time got away from us. Now that we are back together, we thought a Christmas album would be a nice gift for our long time supporters. We love it and hope they will too!" The band is currently in the midst of playing major summer festivals in the US and Europe, but will soon return to the studio to work on an original full-length release, due out in early 2009. Sixpence None The Richer, Matt Slocum and Leigh Nash--amicably parted ways in 2004, but could not stay apart for long. Guitarist/Songwriter Matt explains, "Leigh and I had been making music together since we were teenagers. As we approached our 30s, there was a bit of restlessness to explore other things, but in the midst of this exploration, I felt a void open up, like I needed to be making music with Leigh." Most noted for the Grammy-nominated ballad "Kiss Me", Sixpence became a household name. After the success of "Kiss Me" (landing on the soundtrack to Miramax Films "She's All That" and played at the televised wedding of England?s Prince Edward in 1999) the band followed up with a cover of The La's "There She Goes", propelling them into the limelight again. Sixpence has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the gems of morning talk shows, as well as had their music hit #1 status in 11 countries.
Superchick Rocks Out For Fifth Album
Pop-rock band Superchick is out in full-force this week to support the release of its fifth studio album, Rock What You Got. Rock What You Got marks the biggest media launch in its career history, setting precedent for all future Superchick releases. Superchick was highly visible this week, making several live appearances in celebration of its album launch. Among those was a brown bag concert in Nashville on Monday, sponsored by major radio network WAY-FM. The event drew more than 2,300 attendees in ninety-degree weather. On street day, Superchick visited with radio hosts Jon and Sherry Rivers, performing live for K-LOVE’s hugely popular morning program that has 4 million listeners weekly. That afternoon, the band brought nearly 600 fans out to an in-store event at Skia in Bentonville, Ark., hosted by local station KLRC-FM. “It was a great opportunity to be able to host the Rock What You Got release party here in northwest Arkansas,” says Mark Michaels, program director at KLRC. “The in-store event at Skia was incredible and completely surpassed all of our highest expectations!” Even more impressive than Superchick’s live presence this week was its extraordinary media exposure—the biggest ever media launch in Superchick history. In anticipation of Rock What You Got, for the first time Superchick offered fans a free download of new song “Alive” at www.inpop.com/superchicklovesyou before street date. Available beginning early May, the song has already reached more than 15,000 downloads. “Alive” is also the current featured free download at iTickets.com. In addition, Rock What You Got has maintained the No. 2 position this week on iTunes’ Top Christian Albums Chart, and the title track, along with “Breathe,” landed in the top 20 on the site’s Top Christian Songs chart. The Rock What You Got EP, which released May 27 in advance of the full length album, has already sold a combined 10,000 tracks. On YouTube Superchick is hosting a contest where fans can download the free “Alive” MP3 and create their own music video in hopes of winning the video game Rock Band. Additionally, Superchick took over HearItFirst.com this week, also offering the site’s members a chance to attend its fall headlining tour via a flyaway promotion. Superchick’s first album in three years, Rock What You Got finds the band honing a “rock-o-tronic” sound, an electro-punk mash-up of slashing guitars, pulsing keyboards and grit-pop vocals. While Superchick’s last album, Beauty From Pain, sought to empathize with listeners’ pain, band members have since walked their own dark, lonely roads with relationship splits and cancer touching four of their families. Rather than expound upon these personal hardships, Superchick turned Rock What You Got, produced by the band’s own Max Hsu (tobyMac, newsboys), into a battle cry to charge onward. In support of the new album, Superchick will kick off the “Rock What You Got” fall tour this September with special guests Stellar Kart, Article One and Starlit Platoon.
For more information, please visit:
superchickonline.com
Rush Of Fools Releases New Album on September 16th
Following on the heels of an unmatched debut year, Midas Records Band, Rush Of Fools is preparing for the release of its highly-anticipated project, Wonder Of The World. Slated to release nationwide September 16, 2008, the sophomore effort is reminiscent of the band’s debut release, filled with passionate lyrics and contemporary, hooky melodies, yet takes the band to a new level musically, personally and spiritually. The Alabama-based group helped to introduce a new genre of worship music and the “progressive worship” trend into the music scene with its debut project last year. The band’s self-titled debut exploded at radio producing the Radio and Records 2007 Song of the Year with “Undo,” while garnering ASCAP’s Song of the Year Award for “Undo” (April 2008). The #1 single was also a featured song on CBA’s top-selling WOW 2008 CD, while the record was the 2nd best selling new artist release of 2007. With unprecedented radio success, multiple Dove Award nominations, exclusive partnerships and national tours, Rush Of Fools has become one of Christian music’s hottest new bands. With a compelling artistry that embodies progressive worship, Rush Of Fools' evocative and engaging message of restoration and forgiveness has resonated deeply with today's passionate generation. The combination of relevant lyrics and distinct sound has also contributed to the band’s growing fan base. The core elevating factor of the band’s presence, much like its debut record, is the commitment to lyrical innovation that showcases that willingness to strip the artifice of success away and focus on the one, true Wonder of the World. The expansion of Rush of Fools’ musical vocabulary is evident throughout Wonder Of The World, with the pogo-ready rocker “Lose It All” lining up right alongside the hypnotic “Escape,” contrasting with the lullaby feel of “Tonight” and the piano ballad “The Only Thing that’s Beautiful in Me.” Produced by Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp, Wonder Of The World is a personal reflection of the band’s individual journeys and journey together as a whole. Lyrically and musically, Rush Of Fools showcases its progressive edge, while holding true its musical roots. “It doesn’t matter what aspect of life you’re working on, you always have to learn how to recreate something,” says Wes Willis, lead vocalist/songwriter. “You always have to learn how to grow and change and from a musical aspect, that’s definitely what we’ve done with this album. There was a lot of growth, I think, but not too far away from worship, because that’s who we are.” Just finishing up the national Newsboys “GO” tour, the band has been announced as part of the lineup for the 26th annual Night of Joy at Walt Disney World. One of the top Christian music festival events in the country, 2008’s Night of Joy will take place Sept. 5-6, 2008 as Rush Of Fools joins stellar Contemporary Christian Music performers, including Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, tobyMac, Rebecca St. James, Aaron Shust and Fred Hammond, among others. To support the upcoming album, Rush Of Fools will continue its aggressive national touring this fall with Big Daddy Weave (cities and dates to be announced at a later date). Rush Of Fools consists of Wes Willis (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Kevin Huguley (vocals, keys, electric guitar), Jacob Chesnut (bass, vocals), Jamie Sharpe (drums) and JD Frazier (electric and acoustic guitar, keys, vocals).
Check out the band here:
rushoffools.com
myspace.com/rushoffools
Asthmatic Kitty's Castanets Releases 4th Album
The result of three weeks alone in a Nevada desert motel room, City of Refuge, Castanets' fourth full-length for Asthmatic Kitty, blazed into the mind of Ray Raposa with the rising sun. The idea came the morning after an overnight drive with tour companions from Oakland, CA, to Las Vegas, NV; waking in the back seat to a Nevada gas station dawn, Raposa said "here," and as the drive progressed, so did his conviction that this was where he would record the next Castanets album. He sought and found solitude in a mom and pop motel in Overton, NV - unincorporated, two bars, no stoplight, home of The Lost City Museum - on the edge of Valley of Fire State Park (Moapa Valley to the indigenous peoples), an hour northeast of the surreal derangement of Vegas. Far from distractions and infused with the sense of isolation explored by the songs he'd written for the album, it proved the optimal backdrop. Minimal overdubs by friends Jana Hunter, Sufjan Stevens, Dawn Smithson (Jessamine, Sunn O)))), solo), Scott Tuma (Souled American, Boxhead Ensemble, solo), and co-producer Ero Gray were added later, but the silence of the sparsely populated region underscores the sounds of Raposa's voice and instruments. Over the course of three albums and myriad EPs, Ray Raposa and cohorts have made a career of crawling out on tenuous limbs, but to the amazement of the crowd below, never falling off. With an uneasy, asymmetric weave of sung songs, chants, electronic noise solos and spaghetti-western guitar interludes, City suggests a film soundtrack, with overture, mood-setting and plot-development songs, intermission, character studies, and themes of resolution and reconciliation. Castanets will also be releasing Dub Refuge, a dub version of City of Refuge remixed by Ero Gray. Additionally, Castanets has just finished an album of Hank Williams cover songs to be released in the near future.
New Method Signs With Avista Records
New Method may be considered one of Christian music's freshest rock bands, but this Columbus, Ohio quartet is on the verge of becoming one of the genre's biggest new names with the summer release of its album, Old School, and a national tour to support the music. Recently signed by Avista, an arm of Provident-Sony Music, New Method will release its first national release this summer. Additionally, the band has launched a new Web site, newmethod.net, that's full of the band's music, news, videos, tour dates, and games. The band signed with Avista in April and will release ringtones and MP3s of the CD before the release to stores. New Method's first album, the self-titled "New Method," was just picked up for national distribution through TAG Artist Group and will be in Christian bookstores in July. With all of New Method's musical achievements, the band continues to focus on its guiding principles: ministry and mission work. "All of us in the band continue to be excited about the opportunity to play our music for the youth and their families wherever we perform," said the band's founding member, Doug Meacham. "We've been blessed with a strong musical voice that we're using to reach out and share a message of love and hope with people who are searching for answers and inspiration in life." New Method will spend the summer touring in support of its new CD, Old School, and will continue to work with newly acquired partner, the international nonprofit organization Mission Of Mercy through the band's own brand of family tour - the Faith & Family Night Tour. "We wanted this CD to be a very unique project that begins with a reflection of the past, and moves into a more mature view of true love, and how we often fight against it," said Meacham. The band's plans include producing a video to support the record, plus increased touring through the Faith & Family Night Tour and Avista Summer Concert Series. The Faith & Family Night Tour was first organizedby New Method in 2003. Through the tour, New Method performs at sporting events along side organizations such as the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers basketball teams, the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer club, the Dallas Stars hockey, and more than 50 other professional teams since founding the event. Meacham, a pastor at his home church of Grace Chapel Community Church in Westerville, Ohio, said the band continues to seek ways to reach out to families and children in communities throughout the country using the band's music as a hook.
For more information, go to:
newmethod.net
youtube.com/newmethod
Gwen Stacy and Haste The Day Tour For Flood Disaster
Ferret Music artists Gwen Stacy have recently announced tour dates with hometown friends Haste the Day as well as their summer festival schedule. Gwen Stacy will play July 18th in Indianapolis, IN at The Music Mill with Haste the Day to benefit the Red Cross and their efforts to restore life to those affected by the tornadoes and flooding. All proceeds from the show will go directly to The Red Cross organization. Drummer TJ Sego commented on the benefit show “My hometown and our bassist Brent Schindler’s hometown are both disaster areas right now. Southern and central Indianapolis has been destroyed. I live outside of Franklin, IN now so I missed it, but my parents were stuck for 3 days. This whole flood thing has hit really close to us. My high school and Brent's high school were both destroyed. Nobody has flood insurance there, everyone has lost everything. We just wanted to do our part.” After this show, the band will hit the road in August again with Haste the Day, making their way to Purple Door Festival in Pennsylvania. Afterwards, Gwen Stacy will continue on to Taking Back the Streets Festival in North Carolina. The trek will have them playing with August Burns Red, Oh, Sleeper, Inhale/Exhale, Emery, As Cities Burn, The Chariot, Advent, Mychildren Mybride, and more. “We've never played these festivals before, there are a lot of good bands playing that we haven't played with that I'll be excited to meet and play with them.” Sego continued about their festival appearances. They have more touring on the horizon for this year.
Gwen Stacy On Tour:
7/18 Indianapolis, IN
7/31 Plainfield, MI
8/01 Muncie, IN
8/03 Barbourville, KY
8/07 Little Rock, AR
8/08 Springfield, MO
8/09 Wichita, KS
8/10 Omaha, NE
8/13 Evansville, IN
8/14 Kettering, OH
8/15 Erie, PA
8/16 Lewisberry, PA
8/17 Akron, OH
8/21 Pilot Mountain, NC
8/22 Virginia Beach, VA
8/23 Wilmington, VA
8/31 Cheswick, PA
War Of Ages Releases New Song From Upcoming Album
War of Ages has just posted the first song to be released from their new album. The song Through The Flames is from War of Ages' upcoming album Arise and Conquer which is set to release on July 22nd.
Check out the new song on their myspace page:
myspace.com/warofages
Jon Foreman Released Double EP
Acclaimed Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman released his highly anticipated and widely acclaimed Spring and Summer double EP on lowercase people records / Credential Recordings / EMI CMG. The double EP follows the June 10 digital release of the Summer EP, which launched to No. 162 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 12 on the Digital Album sales charts in its first week out. Having sold millions of albums and performed for numerous sold out crowds with his band Switchfoot, Jon is a man still journeying towards self-discovery, unafraid of questioning anything in his path. Through his Fall and Winter, and now Spring and Summer EPs, he shows a whole new side to his artistry. Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer each serve as a chapter of Foreman’s stripped down, intimate and direct vision. It is one that begins with a foray into death and decay, but eventually transforms into reflections on growth and rebirth. All four discs were produced by Foreman with Grammy-nominated Charlie Peacock serving as the executive producer. Notably, the song “The Cure For Pain,” from Fall, was used in the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. Some people write songs to get famous or gain respect, but Foreman writes songs to understand himself. “I write questioning songs,” he says. “I’m interested in reading philosophy and trying to figure things out. The melodies come to me quite easily so it’s the poets, philosophers and psalmists that help me put the melodies where they belong. The songs assist me in the challenge of knowing who I am, so the shoulders of great writers are a good place to start.” Encouraged by the other Switchfoot members to release his solo EPs, one thing that Jon is certain of is that the solo records won’t distract from the band. “I really feel that the next Switchfoot album will be our defining record,” he says excitedly. “The EPs have been incredibly liberating. I paid for everything, I wrote everything and I produced everything. There is nothing I could do that could be more personal and over which I could have more control. “I feel that this has allowed me to face the next Switchfoot project with my arms open wider. I’m in a band with these other guys who all have great ideas, and I need to be able to loosen the reins. This has been a chance for me to get that out of my system. It’s been a real rebirth to be able to have both sides come out into the light.”
For more information about Jon Foreman:
jonforeman.com
Letters To The Exile Available For Pre-Order
Letter to the Exile’s “A Call to Arms” is now available for pre order for only $5.99 or with a shirt for only $14.99. The band features Erich Barto of Alove For Enemies and delivers uplifting and passionate lyrics with blazing metal riffs and breakdowns that will shake hell itself. The album is due to hit stores on August 12th.
Pre orders will ship 2 weeks before the street date and can be order at:
harvestearth.com
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Comments
Good on you Brian Head Welsh, am looking foward to the up and coming album.
God Bless
