News Update Week Ending 10-19
Skillet Releases Live CD/DVD On October 21st
GMA’s Artist of the Year nominee and two-time GRAMMY® nominated band Skillet’s explosive live show will soon be available for fans as the first-ever live concert CD and DVD combo, COMATOSE COMES ALIVE, hits on October 21st. This is the first live project for the band in their 12 year history. COMATOSE COMES ALIVE features songs from their 2006 Lava/Atlantic/Ardent/INO release COMATOSE, which has become their best-selling project to date, with sales over 400,000 units, along with their 2003 best-selling CD COLLIDE, and more. In follow up to a spring ’07 tour with Flyleaf, and fall ’07 with Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, this winter Skillet played to over 300,000 on Winter Jam, and in the spring launched their own theater tour, during which this footage was garnered at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga, and where 60% of the shows sold out placing the tour in Pollstar’s Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours throughout the spring . Skillet’s electric live show was also a highlight of numerous summer festivals. The CD of COMATOSE COMES ALIVE includes the full live concert audio plus six enhanced acoustic versions and bonus tracks, while the DVD, recorded in 5.1 surround sound audio, includes the full live concert plus four music videos and a photo gallery of live shots. In the process of becoming one of the hardest working, most rocking, and broadly appealing acts of its generation, radio has welcomed SKILLET and COMATOSE with open arms, garnering 5 back-to-back #1 singles: the first single, “Rebirthing” spent seven-weeks at No.1 on Christian Rock. Their second single, “The Last Night,” also took the top spot, this time at both Rock and CHR (CRW/R&R), while “The Older I Get” (CHR/Rock) and “Comatose,” which received a 2008 GMA Dove Award for “Rock Song of the Year,” became their third and fourth consecutive No. 1 singles. Most recently “Those Night”s hit number one as well on CHR. At the end of 2007 the band was lauded with R&R’s No. 1 Christian CHR Song of the Year for “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 yearend lists.
For more info on the new release, go here:
skillet.com
myspace.com/skilletmusic
Everclear Releases New Song About Jesus
The brand new (Nov/Dec) issue of HM includes a feature on "What Everclear Says," where frontman Art Alexakis talks about his faith in Christ and a new song he was composing at the time of the interview (early Summer '08), which is talked about in this latest press release: EVERCLEAR's got a lot to say on their new single, “Jesus Was a Democrat.” The song, penned by frontman ART ALEXAKIS, tackles religious and political hypocrisy head-on with lyrical vibrancy and epic rock n' roll swagger. The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated rock quintet doesn't waste a note or a word on the politically charged, hyper-catchy new song. The song arrives as a free download via the band’s website just in time for the 2008 presidential election, and it couldn't be any more relevant. EVERCLEAR debuted “Jesus Was a Democrat” at the 2008 GRAMMY®s Rock The Conventions show in Denver this August and it left the audience stunned, particularly with an opening salvo like “Jesus Christ didn’t have blue eyes or blond hair/He looked just like all those people that you want to kill”. About dropping this charge at the DNC, singer, guitarist and songwriter ART ALEXAKIS exclaims, “People looked shocked and excited at the lyrics in a good way.” A little sonic “shock and awe” never hurt anyone, especially before an election. This isn't ALEXAKIS' first time standing up for a political cause. In 2000, he testified before Congress in favor of the “Deadbeat Dad” bill, and he also served as a Portland delegate at the 2004 DNC. However, the best way for him to get his point across is through music. “I've wanted to write this song for a long time. During the 1988 presidential campaign, the Right Wing made people believe that 'Liberals' were anti-American, anti-god and anti-Family Values. However, if you read Jesus' words, he sounded like a liberal.” Rather than condemning anyone or proselytizing, the song trumpets a message of love and tolerance. ALEXAKIS continues, “I hope the song can start a dialogue in places where there wasn't one before. I--like a lot of people who consider themselves Christians--get angry and bewildered at the intolerance of so many people who call themselves 'Christians.' They act and talk in ways that have nothing to do with the lessons of Christ. Look, sexism, racism, bigotry, and hate don't have any place in a Christian's life.” As for his own choice for president, ALEXAKIS is clear about that too. “I think it's imperative that we elect Barack Obama. His election will be a message to the whole world that in today's America anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of race, gender or economic strata.” Above all, “Jesus Was a Democrat” sounds like an honest statement from true Americans.
Cool Hand Luke Releases The Sleeping House
Today marks the debut of Cool Hand Luke’s highly anticipated new CD The Sleeping House, through the San Francisco based Lujo Records. Produced by Matt Goldman (Copeland, Meg & Dia), The Sleeping House is this Nashville-based band’s fifth studio LP. Continuing their story of deep faith and convictions, these artfully constructed songs are filled with both the intensity and creativity that Cool Hand Luke followers have come to love. For the past year, Cool Hand Luke has been in a state of transition. Without a label or booking agent, the band held on to their indie beginnings and took the challenge with a DIY outlook. Now, it seems that everything is coming together. August 7 marked the tenth anniversary of the band’s first show. August 8th saw Mark Nick’s wedding and August 9th was his 30th birthday. Now, the band is back to their original set up as a three piece, with Mark Nicks on vocals and drums, Casey McBride on bass and Joey Holman on guitars. The album release party will be the first show back with this arrangement.
For more info:
thesleepinghouse.com
lujorecords.com
coolhandlukeonline.com
Want To Hear Haste The Day's New Album?
Haste the Day’s forthcoming album Dreamer is streaming on FUSE TV’s website via The Worm. The album which drops next week promises to be the band’s best up to this point and most varied. The band, who are currently on the Solid State Records Tour with Norma Jean, have posted a behind the scenes episode from their recent video shoot for the song Mad Man. The recent shoot took place in New Jersey and will involve CGI animation. You can check it out on their myspace page.
Tour Dates:
10/15 San Diego, CA
10/16 Pomona, CA
10/17 Ventura, CA
10/18 Santa Cruz, CA
10/19 Reno, NV
10/21 Portland, OR
10/22 Seattle, WA
10/23 Spokane, WA
10/24 Boise, ID
10/25 Salt Lake City, UT
10/26 Englewood, CO
10/28 Des Moines, IA
10/29 St Paul, MN
10/30 Chicago, IL
10/31 Louisville, KY
11/1 Pontiac, MI
11/2 Cleveland, OH
11/4 Buffalo, NY
11/5 Pittsburgh, PA
11/6 Lancaster, PA
11/7 Syracuse, NY
11/8 Sayreville, NJ
11/9 Hartford, CT
11/11 Baltimore, MD
11/12 Norfolk, VA
11/13 Charlotte, NC
11/14 Charleston, SC
11/15 Atlanta, GA
Thalon News
Thalon releases latest video Go Back and you can check it out here. Go Back has been released to Christian Rock Radio so listen for it. They also have posted their EPK.
For more info on Thalon:
myspace.com/thalon
Copeland's New Album Is Out Now
Copeland's new album "You Are My Sunshine" is available in stores & online now! You can get it for only $7.99 at Best Buy, or download it online over at iTunes. Check out the new "You Are My Sunshine" album site where you can get the latest news, tour dates, music, extras and more. You can also send a Copeland polaroid of yourself to all your friends, share it on MySpace or facebook...or whatever you can cook up in your imagination. You can also take a peek at the album trailer.
Sanctus Real Raise Over $50,000 For Family In Need
Sparrow Records’ Sanctus Real connected with award-winning ABC reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to host a benefit concert in the band’s native Toledo, Ohio. The more than $50,000 raised will be given to the Frisch family, also from Toledo, whose house was selected for an “extreme makeover.” Held last month at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio, the ticket-only show drew more than 5,000 people who rallied in support of the building project to take place that week. Among those in attendance was the cast of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” who joined Sanctus Real on-stage during the band’s more than hour-long set. “The beautiful thing about being a part of the ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ benefit concert was that we saw OUR community, OUR town, OUR home brought together like never before,” says Sanctus Real frontman Matt Hammitt. “There’s power when people are unified, and there’s a righteousness that’s unbridled when that force is molded to serve, love and sacrifice for the ‘greater good.’” The Toledo episode is scheduled to air in November. For more information and show times, go here.
For more info on Sanctus Real, visit:
sanctusreal.com
myspace.com/sanctusreal
Heaven's Metal Fanzine News
Here is the lineup for the Headbanging 201 CD sampler that will be given free to Heaven's Metal Fanzine subscribers** in an upcoming issue (the Dec/Jan).
ORDER OF THE COMPILATION MASTER CD
01. FAITH FACTOR - IN GOD'S SHADOW from the album Against A Darkened Sky
02. MAIN LINE RIDERS - PUT THE HAMMER DOWN from the album Shot In the Dark
03. GRAVE ROBBER - RIGOR MORTIS from the album Be Afraid
04. DELIVERANCE - WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE from the album Weapons of our Warfare
05. HOLY BLOOD - THE PATRIOT from the album The Patriot
06. MY SILENT WAKE - CRUEL GREY SKY from the album A Garland of Tears
07. CENTURY SLEEPER - ARNOS VALE from the album Awaken
08. THE SEVENTH POWER - DOMINION & POWER from the album Dominion & Power
09. DELIVERANCE - NO LOVE from the album Self-Titled
10. HIS WITNESS - KINGDOM COME from the album Kingdom Come
11. COMMON YET FORBIDDEN - FACE OF THE FATHER from the album The Struggle
12. SYMPATHY - ENSLAVED BY DEPRAVITY from the album Anagogic Tyranny
13. BEALIAH - ...FATHER OF THE UNDEAD from the album Anthology of the Undead
14. AZMAVETH - MASTER OF LIGHT from the album Strong As Death
15. MENCHEN - FORTY from the album Red Rock
16. ANGEL 7 - NEW HEAVENS ABOVE THE NEW LAND from the album Black and White
17. HOPE HAS FAILED US - TEXAS BLOOD MONEY from the album Epitaphs & Eulogies
18. WHITECROSS - LOOKIN' FOR A REASON from the album Nineteen Eighty Seven
If you'd like to subscribe to the Heaven's Metal Fanzine, go here:
hmmagazine.com/store/001064.php
A Plea For Purging Is Writing For New Album
A Plea For Purging are currently hiding out in a lakehouse in the middle of nowhere writing and doing preproduction for their new record. They will go into the studio in December to record their follow up to A Critique of Mind and Thought.
For more info on A Plea For Purging, go here:
myspace.com/apleaforpurging
New Song By Paramore In Twilight Soundtrack
Chop Shop Records and Atlantic Records have announced the release of “TWILIGHT—ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK,” the musical companion to the upcoming Summit Entertainment film. Due in stores and online on November 4th, the entire album features songs that will appear in the movie, highlighted by Paramore’s brand new single, “Decode.” TWILIGHT is slated to open in theatres nationwide on November 21st. In addition to a second new song from Paramore, the soundtrack features tracks from Muse, Linkin Park, Collective Soul, and an original song from Perry Farrell. As if that weren't enough, TWILIGHT star Robert Pattinson (who plays Edward Cullen) has contributed an original song, “Never Think”—his first-ever released recording. The film’s score was composed by Carter Burwell, and the soundtrack also includes his “Bella’s Lullaby,” a heartfelt song that Edward composes for Bella Swan (played by Kristin Stewart) in the film. Based on the #1 New York Times Best Selling series (47 weeks and counting) by Stephenie Meyer, TWILIGHT is a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated fanbase that eagerly awaits this movie. Compiled by music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas (Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, The O.C.), “TWILIGHT—ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK” features some of Meyer’s favorite musical acts. “What a privilege it was to work with Stephenie Meyer, [director] Catherine Hardwicke, and Summit Entertainment on this project,” says Patsavas. “The tracks in the movie and on the soundtrack reflect the book and film perfectly, with songs either handpicked or especially created for TWILIGHT.”
Johnny Cash CD/DVD Releases January 27th
Compadre Records/Music World Music has announced the release of JOHNNY CASH REMIXED, featuring bold new interpretations of Johnny Cash classics from top music remixers and producers who were recruited to take the original master recordings and infuse them with the sounds and technology of modern music styles such as hip hop and dance music. The album, which includes a performance from Snoop Dogg, will be available in stores and online on January 27. A vinyl deluxe-edition was made available on September 23 in select independent record stores. Johnny Cash Remixed is a tribute to the legacy of an American music icon whose work has touched every contemporary genre, and has the blessing and support of the custodians of Johnny Cash's legacy.
"My father made his stead by defying the expected and accepted way of things" says John Carter Cash son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Executive Producer of the Academy Award(c)-winning film, Walk the Line. "He set the standard at the same time. He would have loved this remix record. While it stays true to the original recordings, this CD touches on undiscovered ground. This is what my father was about: staying true to tradition while creating groundbreaking new music." Johnny Cash classics were licensed from Cash's first record label, the legendary Sun Records, also the first record label home of luminaries such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. The original tracks, recorded with Cash's first band the Tennessee Two from 1956-1959, were pure and stark, with only the essentials; guitar, light percussion and Johnny Cash's unmistakable voice and presence. The new mixes maintain this fantastic charm and personality while filing out the sound and creating daring re-interpretations. The remixed tracks (and remixers) include "I Walkte The Line" featuring Snoop Dogg (QDT, the new production team led by Snoop Dogg - featuring Snoop, Teddy Riley and DJ Quik), "Country Boy" (Sonny J, whose album was released in August on Astralwerks US), "Get Rhythm" (Philip Steir, the only remixer allowed to work with the Reprise Records Frank Sinatra collection), "Leave that Junk Alone" (Alabama 3, creators of The Sopranos theme song), "Folsom Prison Blues" (the legendary Pete Rock), "Hey Porter" (Mocean Worker, whose remix of Elvis Presley's "Burnin' Love" was used as a soundtrack to Honda's Superbowl TV commercial), "Sugartime" (Kennedy, cornerstone of the new UK Dirty Pop movement), "Trail To Mexico" (indie favorite Mexican Institute of Sound/MIS), "Doin' My Time" (The Heavy, critically-acclaimed UK-based band) and "Wide Open Road" (Count de Money) among others. A documentary following the making will be included with the album, and was produced by Phear Creative in NYC. This short film features interviews from select remixers, filmed in their home studios, including Snoop Dogg captured at the Cash Recording Cabin in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Johnny Cash Remixed is Executive Produced by John Carter Cash, Snoop Dogg, and Mathew Knowles for Music World Productions, Inc. and Co-Executive Produced by Brad Turcotte for Compadre Records/Music World Music and Gregg DeMammos for DeMammos Entertainment.
Superchick's Melissa Brock Visits Uganda
Vocalist/guitarist for power-pop band Superchick, Melissa Brock visits with one of her sponsored children, Mumbere Kisonice, at a Compassion project in Masaka, Uganda last month. More than 2000 children have been sponsored since 2004 through Superchick's partnership with Compassion International.
War Of Ages On MTV
Headbanger's Ball is premiering the brand new War Of Ages video for Through The Flames right now on their website. War Of Ages recently finished up an incredible tour with Hatebreed, Emmure and Soilent Green and are planning for their first ever European tour this December on the annual Persistence Tour. Check the video out here.
Ragged Road Web Series
More than 750 people auditioned for the premier season of the Ragged Road web series, but only five were chosen to take the ride of a lifetime. The group will travel over 5,000 miles around the country meeting music industry innovators as they make their own path towards achieving their goals. Next week’s episode stop is Los Angeles. With music interests ranging from performing to producing, the cast members—Janelle, Rian, Derek, Jessica and Laura—have traveled to nine cities to visit famous locales and historic venues, including: Warner Bros. Records and Universal Music Publishing in L.A., Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and New Orleans’ Musicians Village. From spending time with well-known musicians Joel and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and Of A Revolution (aka O. A. R.) to production group Blackout Movement, the group had the opportunity to meet with significant industry players and discuss their achievements, challenges and successes, and learn more about what it takes to make it in the business. This documentary web series will chronicle the cast's journey during 10 episodes that will air online twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Go here for more info:
youtube.com/raggedroad
m80im.com/newsroom/
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Comments
It's hard to believe that anyone can think Jesus was a democrat. The drugs must have fried that guy's brain more than I thought. Jesus avoided getting involved with the government. It was Judas who wanted an overthrow of the government and he is a more correct comparison to Obama.
you are completely right JD. this gguys a nutter.
While some of the points he makes I believe someone from the faith community needs to address, I think that JD is correct in saying "Jesus avoided getting involved with the government" I'd go farther and say that Jesus pretty much blew off anything having to do with government is saying "give to Ceasar what is Ceaser's" just another commandment or is Jesus saying... don't bother me with this, give it to him. We are to respect our leaders and pray for them, but this isn't some principle just for them, check it out... we're supposed to do the same thing for our enemies...
sorry guys but you completely forgot to mention that mute math also has a new single being released on the "twilight" soundtrack. they're just as awesome, if not more awesome than paramore
Its hard to believe that anyone can think Jesus was a republican. Not a lot in common really. I dont think Jesus was right wing at all.
