, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

News Collection Week of 9-13

News 10 Sep 09 By

hardnewsupdateheading.gif

Gwen Stacy Debuts New Song
Gwen Stacy premiered a new track from their forthcoming album, A Dialogue, on their myspace page last Friday. The album will be released on October 20th on new home Solid State Records (Underoath, Norma Jean). Speaking on the record which was produced by Andreas Magnusson (Haste The Day, Black Dahlia Murder), drummer TJ Sego said “This record is a lot more of everything we were doing before but at the time, we didn’t have the time, knowledge, experience, or tools to accomplish this record. We studied a lot of musical theory and every song on the album has some form of musical theory in it. We didn’t just sit at a guitar and bang out some riffs, everything has purpose. This is the album we always wanted to do. This time around to us, we did it right.” The band’s previous album The Life I Know (2008) was released on Ferret Music and debuted on the Billboard “Heatseekers” Chart. The band has toured nationally numerous times including stints with The Devil Wears Prada, Unearth, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Poison The Well, Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, 36 Crazy Fists and Haste The Day. A national headlining tour around the album release will be announced shortly.
For more information on Gwen Stacy, visit:
myspace.com/gwenstacy

Kutless’ Strong Tower Album Goes Gold
Kutless has made some important announcements in their latest update: We are getting ready to hit the road again with our good friends Esterlyn and Chasen! They’ll be catching up with us for a few shows in the next couple weeks. Before we meet up with them you can catch us at LifeLight, Rock the Light, Fall Quest 2009 and Night of Joy in Orlando. Be sure to check out kutless.com for our complete touring schedule. We are looking forward to rockin’ out with all of you! Our record label, BEC Recordings, has released a sneak peek of the track listing and cover art for our brand new worship record. It Is Well is due out Oct. 20th in stores everywhere. Our first single, What Faith Can Do, was just released to radio, and will be available to purchase on iTunes Sep. 29th! Be sure to call your local radio station and request What Faith Can Do! We wanted to thank you for all your support and making this possible…Strong Tower went Gold…Our 1st Gold Record! Thank you so much! We are humbled and hope that you love our new worship album It Is Well just as much or if not more. God bless and THANK YOU, this could never have been possible with out our amazing and loyal fans!
Track Listing:
1. It Is Well
2. Amazed
3. Hungry
4. Taken By Love
5. What Faith Can Do
6. Remember Me
7. God of Wonders
8. Everything I Need
9. Give Us Clean Hands
10. You Save Me
11. Redeemer
12. I’m Still Yours

Silverline Signs To VSR Music Group
What once began as three guys casually playing songs in a basement has quickly transformed into one of the most talked-about bands in the country. Meet Silverline, VSR Music/EMI Music Distribution’s newest signing. Committed to rocking as hard as possible and standing up for truth in our lost generation, the now five-piece band hailing from Minnesota just released their debut, Start To Believe, on August 25th. Silverline’s first single, “Get It Right,” was added a few weeks ago at Air 1 Radio, while it’s also rising up the top 20 on the rock charts. Their music video for “Get it Right” is set to release September 22. In a time where music is so powerful, where music affects attitudes, alters thinking and influences lifestyles, Silverline offers what our nation desperately needs: truth. According to their biography, it is stated that in a country that confuses love with tolerance, a voice is needed from the darkness. Silverline exists to be a part of that voice. Touring and selling their music independently for a few years, Silverline indeed leaves their mark wherever they go. With Ryan Edberg’s passionate voice soaring with his thought-provoking lyrics, Silverline is also comprised of the talents from Steve Adams on guitar/bass, Dean Goossen on drums, bassist/guitarist Isaac Nelson, and Andrew Raybion on keyboards. With an unforgettable electrifying stage show, the band has performed and ministered to thousands in over 38 states. Silverline recently opened for Switchfoot this past July, and have already shared the stage with major bands such as P.O.D., Thousand Foot Krutch, Newsboys, Hawk Nelson, Sanctus Real and dozens of others. No matter what, on and off the stage the members of Silverline desire to bring light to a dark world. Rocking hard and playing hard, they deliver with a passion to today’s generation, a generation who are in desperate need for the truth.
Tour Dates:
9/4 – Sioux falls, SD
9/11 – St. Paul, MN
9/12 – Braham, MN
9/16 – Mount Horeb, WI
9/30 – Brainerd, MN
10/9 – Brainerd, MN
10/12 – Moore, OK
10/15 – Amarillo, TX
10/17 – Gallup, NM
10/18 – Phoenix, AZ
10/20 – Ventura, CA
10/23 – Salt Lake City, UT
11/6 – St. Cloud, MN
11/7 – St. Cloud, MN
11/8 – St. Cloud, MN
11/12 – Bismark, ND
12/5 – Kenton, OH
12/8 – Milesburg, PA
12/11-12 – Bellefontaine, OH
For tour information, visit:
myspace.com/silverlinemusic

Derek Webb Releases Stockholm Syndrome
Singer-songwriter Derek Webb unveils Stockholm Syndrome to excited fans and pre-release buzz this fall. Released on September 1, 2009, Stockholm Syndrome finds Webb once again facing debate head on. The album is the most provocative and stirring release of his storied career and Webb partners the much-anticipated release with a 20-date tour and a DVD documentary of the project. Stockholm Syndrome delivers everything listeners have come to expect from Derek Webb: killer pop hooks and lyrics as thought provoking as they are emotionally revealing. Sonically, however, this record is a radical departure for Webb, who has left his acoustic, folk/rock roots behind for a sound he describes as “intentionally inorganic.” Webb co-produced Stockholm Syndrome with former Caedmon’s Call bandmate Josh Moore (Bun-B, Slim Thug), a producer who in recent years has lent his ear to hip-hop recording projects. Together, Webb and Moore have succeeded in creating a dense, richly absorbing sonic vernacular that pays homage to an entire century of music. From 1920s jazz to 1950s doo-wop, from disco and dance music to old-school R&B, Webb uses this album as a means of exploring deep issues through the central metaphor of Stockholm Syndrome, illuminating the ways in which a society can fall in love with an oppressive culture and become enslaved by it. That sound is palpable in every track from the strut of “Black Eye” and “Cobra Con” to the electropop of “Jena & Jimmy.” Webb has also made a name for himself in the technological world for his unique fan engagement techniques. Nearly 5,000 people regularly followed details of Webb’s release of Stockholm Syndrome and Webb was among the top 70 Google searches (Internet wide) the first day information was released through his website. Webb employed Twitter followers in more than 20 cities with an online scavenger hunt that climaxed in a Nashville preview event. More than 1,500 people per day participated in the search for “artifacts,” USB drives that contained new music. Webb will revisit the scavenger hunt markets as part of his “Black Eye” Tour which kicks off in Louisville on September 17th. When Mockingbird, Webb’s critically acclaimed 2006 album, was released he convinced INO Records/Columbia Records to give away more than 80,000 free album downloads. This widely publicized promotion more than doubled Webb’s concert audiences and eventually paved the way for Webb to launch a revolutionary new online music distribution system, NoiseTrade. The Mockingbird experiment and subsequent launch of NoiseTrade led to a case study assessment in WIRED Editor-in-Chief Chris Anderson’s upcoming book Free: The Future of a Radical Price. Derek Webb has truly proven himself to be an innovator in the evolving music landscape. His extraordinary marketing capabilities and consistently thought-provoking lyrics are exactly why his fan base continues to expand. On Stockholm Syndrome, Webb showcases a new sound, yet the complex contemporary lyrics and point of view will be familiar to longtime Derek Webb fans.
Tour Dates:
9/17 – Louisville, KY
9/18 – Tuscaloosa, AL
9/19 – Jackson, TN
9/20 – Birmingham, AL
9/22 – Atlanta, GA
9/23 – Greenville, SC
9/24 – Charlotte, NC
9/25 – Raleigh, NC
9/26 – Vienna, VA
9/27 – Vienna, VA
9/30 – Winston-Salem, NC
10/1 – Asheville, NC
10/02 – Knoxville, TN
10/03 – Nashville, TN
10/04 – Lexington, KY
10/15 – St. Petersburg, FL
10/16 – Orlando, FL
10/17 – Jacksonville, FL
10/23 – Waco, TX
10/24 – Houston, TX
10/25 – Dallas, TX
10/27 – St. Louis, MO
10/28 – Kansas City, MO
10/29 – Chicago, IL
10/30 – Grand Rapids, MI
11/1 – Akron, OH

The Rocketboys Post New Single
The Rocketboys have posted their first single to their Myspace. The track comes from the group’s upcoming full-length album “20,000 Ghosts,” to be released September 29. 20,000 Ghosts was engineered and produced by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA), mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective) and features artwork from “Dark Was The Night” artist, Ryan Feerer. You can pre-order the album on The Rocketboys Merch Store. Following the release of their album, the group will embark on a national tour. Dates can be found below.
Tour Dates:
9/23 – Abilene, TX
9/24 – Austin, TX
9/25 – Tyler, TX
10/7 – Dallas, TX
10/8 – Little Rock, AR
10/9 – Memphis, TN
10/10 – Nashville, TN
10/11 – Carmel, IN
10/13 – Springfield, IL
10/14 – Champaign, IL
10/15 – Chicago, IL
10/16 – Toledo, OH
10/17 – Butler, PA
10/18 – Hamden, CT
10/19 – Boston, MA
10/20 – New York, NY
10/21 – Philadelphia, PA
10/22 – Washington DC
10/23 – Charlotte, NC
10/24 – Columbia, SC
10/25 – Greenville, SC
10/26 – Atlanta, GA
10/27 – Macon, GA
10/29 – Mobile, AL
10/30 – Alexandria, LA

SONSOFDAY Offers Fans A Chance To Be On Album
Christian rock band SONSOFDAY has announced plans to release their sophomore album Autumn Heart (1964 Records) on October 12th. The band is also giving fans a unique opportunity to be a part of the new album. Anyone that pre-ordered the album prior to September 8, 2009, will have their name and photo included in the album artwork booklet, and they will receive an autographed copy of the album before it’s released. The band spent eight months in a Vancouver, Washington studio recording the follow-up to their successful debut album. Produced, engineered and mixed by Vitaliy Belonozhko, Autumn Heart will feature 12 new tracks, including road-tested fan favorite “Revolution” and a cover of the timeless classic “People Get Ready.” “Autumn Heart is about the changes we go through in life, although at times it may seem like the sunny days are behind us and the cold is starting to grab a hold of our heart,” explains lead vocalist/guitarist Vlad Belonozhko. “When our inspiration runs dry and our true colors come out. And all of our hopes and dreams come falling to the ground. We must not give up and keep moving forward. There is hope, for the spring always follows even the coldest of winters.” The Belonozhko brothers – Vlad, Roman and Scott – immigrated from the Ukraine to the United States in 1992 in pursuit of a better life and religious freedom, which Ukraine was only just beginning to experience after the fall of Communism. The brothers formed SONSOFDAY in 2005, and soon after they were in the studio recording their debut album Fragile People (Red Hammer Records) which released in late 2007. Earlier this year, SONSOFDAY took home a Gospel Music Channel Video Award for Best Pop Video of the Year for “This Place” from their debut album. The band has toured relentlessly, including major festivals such as Creation West ‘09 (main stage). SONSOFDAY took first place in the 2009 National Talent Search (Regional), sponsored by Word Records and the Christian Festival Association. The band will advance to Nashville for the finals on September 20th.
For more information on SONSOFDAY, visit:
sonsofday.com

Germany’s Christmas Rock Night Announce Line-up
Germany’s Christmas Rock Night celebrates its 30th annual on Dec 4-5, 2009, featuring artists like: Haste The Day, Disciple, Thousand Foot Krutch, Showbread, Seventh Day Slumber, Fireflight, Flatfoot 56, Since October, The Letter Black, Secret & Whisper, Children 18:3, Manic Drive, Abandon and many more. You can find more information on Germany’s Christmas Rock Night here.

Spoken News
Spoken just announced in their latest newsletter that they need help from their fans: “Ok, where to begin? On Saturday August 29th as we we’re pulling in to Minneapolis, MN for a show at Club 3 Degrees, we start to notice that there is fluid from the rear end of our van sprayed all over our trailer and that it’s making this howling noise and from our extensive touring over the years we know that these are signs of the gears and bearings in the rear end either going out or already destroyed. So this is not good, we take it to a shop near the club and they basically give us the worst news possible from a vehicle stand point and that is it’s going to cost a lot of money (more money than the vehicle is actually worth) to get it repaired. So now, we are in a borrowed van trying to finish up the tour that we’re on before we take the rest of the month of September off to write and be with our families, and we’re trying to weigh our options and do what’s best in the long run for a new tour vehicle. The more and more we talk and discuss what’s going on it’s pointing to the fact that we should buy a new vehicle as opposed to fixing the old one, so now we’re looking to maybe “move up” in transportation. Getting out of a van and into potentially something larger and definitely more reliable that would provide us with the following:
1) A safer more reliable mode of transportation.
2) The opportunity to bring our wives and children out with us.
3) A small bit of comfort since we are and have been a “Full-Time” touring band.
Over the past 13 years we have tried very hard to make sure that we’re being responsible with our finances and keep our over-head cost as low as we possibly can, so we feel that taking out a huge loan to cover the high cost of a new vehicle would be very unwise so we are reaching out to our fans, friends, families, business, churches, and endorsers to help us raise the much needed funds via SPOKEN TOUR VEHICLE FUND. The link to donate is at the bottom of this message as well as our Website, Myspace, and Facebook pages.. We’re not putting a specific time frame on the availability to donate, but time is of the essence and we need something sooner rather than later and depending on how much we can raise that will determine what we can afford to buy, so we basically have these 3 options:
1) Used Tour Bus / RV- This would be the ideal situation for comfort for the amount of shows we play, but it’s a HUGE financial responsibility to both buy and maintain, It would basically be our home away form home (which has been a van for 13 years) since we’re away from ours so much.
2) New/Used (low mileage) Sprinter Van – These are basically an extend version of your basic passenger/cargo van. But they do offer a little more room than a van and are slightly more economical to operate.
3) New/Used (low mileage) 15-Passenger Van – This is listed last but hey we’ve been doing it for so long we’re used to it. It would get the job done as long as we’re able to find a good one that has a lot of life left in it.
We are trusting that the right decision will be made clear to us in a short amount of time, and that we are able to raise the necessary funds which will basically make the decision for us concerning or future tour vehicle. Here is how you can help:
1) DONATE: Every little bit helps, let em repeat that ANY AMOUNT WILL HELP US! If every single one of just our Myspace friends gave just $5.00 that would make well over $22,000.00 so if you feel inclined to give but feel that your gift would be insufficient please keep that little bit of information in mind. We will also work with business that need to make charitable contributions for tax purposes and find a way to issue you the necessary paperwork. If you would prefer to give via Check or Credit Card please contact us @: jefspoken@gmail.com so we can give you the proper instructions.
2) HELP US GET OTHERS INVOLVED: We would love it if you would share our story with your friends, family, business partners, investors, and church family. Help us spread the word and invite them to become an important part of this story.
3) PRAY: Spoken is so thankful for all of the support & prayer that our fans have given us over the many years of our career. Please pray that the LORD would move in peoples’ hearts to give and that he will guide the decision making process over the next several weeks.
Again, thank you for even considering your gift to the SPOKEN TOUR VEHICLE FUND. Once we get this little detail worked out, we’ll see you out on the road.
LOVE,
SPOKEN

The Almost Create New Retail Monster
Tooth & Nail/Virgin Records (EMI) rock band The Almost have created a Monster. Monster Monster is the five-piece rock group’s sophomore album, the follow-up to 2007’s Southern Weather, which scored a #7 Modern Rock single in “Say This Sooner,” a slot on MTV’s prestigious Discover & Download program and a quarter-million in sales after debuting in the Top 40 on the Billboard Top 200 with 29k+. Formed by Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie along with guitarists Jay Vilardi and Dusty Redmon, bassist Alex Aponte and newest member, drummer Joe Musten, The Almost’s Monster Monster represents the culmination of two years of touring, with the resulting disc a melding of the group’s individual talents into a truly collaborative effort. Before the release, The Almost will release a new video to fans, which will be followed by their lead anthemic rock single “Hands.” The album is slated for release on Nov. 3, but will be preceded by a Limited Edition special five-track EP entitled the Monster EP, featuring three album cuts and two B-sides. The EP will be available on Oct. 6 exclusively at Hot Topic stores, the band’s website, as well as on the band’s upcoming tour. The Monster EP will come in a special two-disc digi-pack, with a choice of five different covers. In an unprecedented new model for music delivery, EMI and Hot Topic will offer this Limited Edition EP packaging, which includes one disc with the EP’s music and a second blank CD with Monster Monster’s full-length artwork, lyrics and printed track listing on the physical CD, but no music. Fans will be able to download every song through a special promotional code on the day of actual physical release, Nov. 3, from ShockHound.com the MP3, merch and editorial site, which is a division of Hot Topic, Inc. The version streeting on Nov. 3 will not include the special five-cover packaging or the Limited Edition EP. “We feel strongly that physical retail is still viable and important. We are using the highly successful instant gratification model proven in the digital world but putting our own spin on it and bringing it to 681 Hot Topic stores,” says Randy Nichols, manager of The Almost. During the tour, the band will make stops at select Hot Topic stores for exclusive in-store performances and signings. Gillespie, who played all the instruments on The Almost’s first album, is thrilled the way the group began to mesh on Monster Monster, and the band itself is raring to go out and play the new songs for their rabid, loyal fan base. “This now feels like a real band,” he says. “Everyone gave up a piece of his own agenda for the good of the final result. And that’s how you end up with something special. They supplied the bricks and we built this house together.” The Almost begin their own headlining tour Sept. 23 at the State Theater in St. Petersburg, FL. through Oct. 6 at SOMA in San Diego, CA, with The Used jaunt beginning the very next day, Oct. 9, in Las Vegas. “We plan on hitting it as hard as we can,” says Vilardi. “We’d like to leave and not come back for two years.”
Tour Dates:
9/23 – St. Petersburg, FL
9/24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
9/25 – Gainesville, FL
9/26 – Columbia, SC
9/27 – Douglasville, GA
9/29 – Charlotte, NC
9/30 – Nashville, TN
10/1 – Memphis, TN
10/2 – Oklahoma City, OK
10/3 – San Antonio, TX
10/5 – Tucson, AZ
10/6 – San Diego, CA
10/9 – Las Vegas, NV
10/10 – Magna, UT
10/11 – Denver, CO
10/13 – St. Paul, MN
10/14 – Kansas City, MO
10/15 – Chicago, Il
10/17 – Detroit, MI
10/18 – St. Louis, MO
10/20 – Toronto, ON
10/21 – Montreal, QC
10/23 – Boston, MA
10/24 – Allentown, PA
10/25 – Baltimore, MD
10/27 – New York, NY
10/28 – Philadelphia, PA
10/30 – Myrtle Beach, SC
10/31 – Lake Buena, FL
11/1 – Atlanta, GA
11/3 – New Orleans, LA
11/5 – Dallas, TX
11/6 – Houston, TX
11/7 – Austin, TX
11/9 – Tempe, AZ
11/10 – Los Angeles, CA
11/11 – San Francisco, CA
11/13 – Seattle, WA

Glamour Kills Accepting Submissions
Glamour Kills is accepting submissions from skateboarders looking for sponsorships. Skaters can submit demo videos via DVD or by providing a URL for an online video. All submissions will be considered for GLAMOUR KILLS’ Flow Skateboarding team and demos can be submitted to sponsorships@glamourkills.com. Founded in 2005, Glamour Kills is an edgy and chic lifestyle brand that caters to a hip music-minded demographic with minimalist artwork and vibrant tones. They offer t-shirts, hoodies, denim, swimwear and other accessories to outfit everyone from the punk rocker to the club hopper.

Thalon Says Farewell
After 5 successful years of touring and impacting thousands for the Kingdom, Thalon says farewell. Bassist Jeremy Springer has followed God’s call on his life to go full time with She Dances, a non-profit organization he founded, which is committed to rescuing victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In full support of this decision, after much prayer and consideration, Austin (vocals,guitar) and Wesley( drums), believe that Thalon’s time of ministry has been fulfilled, and won’t continue after December 31 of this year. This is a great opportunity for so many of you that know and love Thalon to have them in one last time, as well as those of you that have never experienced the ministry of Thalon. Long time friend and co-writer of the song “Radio”, LP will join Thalon on their Farewell Tour. If you’ve never seen these guys together, this is something you’re not going to want to miss! The tour will go through December 31, 2009 and concerts held from Thanksgiving until the end of the year will also include several Christmas songs!
Tour Dates:
9/9 – Wellington, KS
9/10 – Altus, OK
9/11 – Oklahoma City, OK
9/12 – Fort Smith, AR
9/13 – McAlester, OK
9/14 – Waxahatchie, TX
9/15 – Paris, TX
9/16 – Texarkana, TX
9/19 – Sandusky, OH
9/20 – Celina, OH
9/22 – Batesville, MS
9/23 – Oxford, MS
9/25 – Birmingham, AL
9/26 – Senatobia, MS
10/10 – Headland, AL
10/14 – Portland, MS
10/16 – Cordele, GA
10/17 – Cordele, GA
10/30 – Oklahoma City, OK
10/31 – Houston, TX
11/6 – Odenville, AL
11/7 – Odenville, AL
11/20 – Park Hills, MO
11/21 – Park Hills, MO
12/4 – Nashville, TN
12/5 – Nashville, TN
12/12 – Clanton, AL
12/31 – Katy, TX
For more information on Thalon or booking info, visit:
haloproductions.net

New Kissing Cousins Video
New Kissing Cousins video to premier next week on Magnet. Video stars Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction, Mask, Grey’s Anatomy, etc.) We’ll keep you posted on exact time and date!
Cousins vinyl featured in LA Weekly here. Their vinyl release show at Origami Vinyl in Los Angeles last weekend was a screaming success, more people outside who couldn’t get in, than there was smashed inside! Go see them live!
Tour Dates:
9/09 – Scottsdale, AZ
9/15 – Fresno, CA
9/30 – San Diego, CA
10/02 – San Francisco, CA
10/03 – Forest Grove, OR
10/04 – Seattle, WA
10/07 – Los Angeles, CA

©2009 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved

More news from last week:

still fresh (as far as you know)

About the Author

More News from HM Magazine