Gwen Stacy Premieres New Video
Gwen Stacy’s new video for “The First Words” can be viewed on their myspace page. The song appears on the band’s latest album A Dialogue which was released this past fall on Solid State Records. The band will be announcing a headlining tour for 2/and March. Info and confirmed dates at the myspace page.
Evergreen Terrace Celebrates 10 Years
Evergreen Terrace is celebrating their 10 year anniversary by playing a show in their hometown. ET Guitarist Joshua James comments: “The last 10 years have been completely unexpected. We never thought this band would become such a huge part of our lives and we want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. Please come out Jan 16th to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. This won’t be just another show, it will be a memory for all of us and you as well. Our good friends in Stretch Arm Strong and Bane will be playing along with our friends and upcoming band: His Name Was Iron. Get your tickets today, you don’t want to miss this!” ET released their latest album Almost Home September 29th on Metal Blade Records.
Evergreen Terrace 10 Year Anniversary Show
Sat Jan 16th @ Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville, FL
Evergreen Terrace, Stretch Arm Strong, Bane and His Name Was Iron.
7pm / $15 in advance.
Tickets available here.
Flatfoot 56 Ready To Release New Album
Hailing from one of punk rock’s most traditionally rooted cities, Chicago’s FLATFOOT 56 is the most recent addition to the Old Shoe Records family of artists. Coinciding with the band’s 10th year anniversary, Flatfoot 56 has announced that their Old Shoe Records debut Black Thorn, produced by the Street Dogs’ Johnny Rioux, will be released on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th 2010. Founder of Old Shoe Records Josh Stolo discussed the merger. “Old Shoe bands always have a great work ethic and have something more to offer. Flatfoot’s music is anthemic and really crosses all divides. These guys live on the road and own every stage they play. It’s an honor to have them join our family.” Led by spirited front man Tobin Bawinkel (Vocals/Guitar), along with brothers Justin (Drums), and Kyle (Bass), and multi-instrumentalist Eric McMahon (Bagpipes/Mandolin), FLATFOOT 56 is fueled by a sense of camaraderie that directly translates to their die-hard fans and highly energetic live shows. The forthcoming new album, Black Thorn, tightly packs the quartet’s eclectic and driving musical charge into thirteen tracks that celebrate the pride of the working class and their Chicago roots. A collection of songs that delves into weighty thematic content, Tobin explains that the cohesive theme of Black Thorn is a fundamentally universal one. “Everyone goes through hardships, but you aren’t alone. Punk rock is about community and brotherhood. This record is our contribution to that.” As cathartic as it is ambitious, Black Thorn is an emphatic assault that remains vintage Flatfoot in its effortless combination of Celtic instrumentation and street corner punk rock. Bagpipes and mandolins remain just as vital as drums and guitars in defining Flatfoot’s sound. Already building momentum for 2010, Flatfoot 56 has been confirmed for a supporting run on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. Starting July 11th and ending August 2nd, the run will include a hometown performance in Chicago that will prove momentous for the Windy City natives. In March, the band will celebrate the release of Black Thorn with release parties in multiple US cities and will travel to Austin, Texas during SXSW to headline the Old Shoe Records showcase alongside labelmates Far From Finished. Consistent with the band’s unequivocal work ethic, loads of tour dates are currently being mapped in support of the band’s Black Thorn release. Celebrating a decade of punk rock with a purpose, Flatfoot 56 is a welcome addition to the Old Shoe Records family. Additionally, Black Thorn will be released by Stomp Records in Canada and I Hate People Records in Europe, and distributed by Big Mouth Japan in Japan.
For more information on Flatfoot 56, visit:
flatfoot56.com
Facedown Records Presents: Saving Grace
Saving Grace’s new album “Unbreakable” is available now! Like all Strike First releases, the physical CD version is a limited edition, environmentally friendly digi pack which you can pick up in our online store, Amazon, Interpunk, Smartpunk, or other online retailers. Or you can get the digital version at iTunes or Amazon MP3. Playing a brutal style of music influenced by mid 90s hardcore bands such as Arkangel, Reprisal and Earth Crisis as well as legendary extreme metal classics Slayer, Sepultura, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse, Saving Grace create a blend of brutal metallic hardcore unlike many of their modern day contemporaries.
For more information, go here:
strikefirstrecords.com/news.html
Watch Switchfoot on The Late Late Show
Switchfoot’s “Always” from Hello Hurricane is a hit on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Check it out here.
Josh Wilson Is Ready To Entertain
Sparrow Records singer-songwriter Josh Wilson found himself entertaining passengers at Newark International Airport. Wilson and his wife were on the way to India for a missions trip when their terminal was shut down for security reasons, delaying all flights. Wilson picked up his guitar and led a sing-a-long, lifting the spirits of inconvenienced passengers. Watch the video of the performance here.
Want Your Band To Win Free Stuff?
The legendary ROXY THEATRE in Los Angeles, CA has teamed up with D’Addario, Planet Waves and Evans on the hunt for hot, new, upcoming bands to “Rock the Roxy.” Musicians everywhere can enter the “ROCK THE ROXY YOUTUBE VIDEO CONTEST” to win a chance to perform at the AustinRox showcase in Austin this March. Groups can simply post their music video to You Tube and watch the view-counter roll! Videos must be less than three minutes long and submitted as a video response. As long as the video shows the band rocking out at some point (electronic-based instruments are also allowed), videos can definitely get creative and feature fancy film work. The top 50 bands with the most video views by February 9, 2010 will not only win a jam-packed prize package from D’Addario and other sponsors, but they’ll also move on to the semi-finals! In the semi-final round, bands will be judged for the chance to perform at a world-famous Austin Rox showcase in March 2010. Judges will include representatives from D’Addario, Evans, Planet Waves, The Roxy, Swing House Studios, partner companies, and even select celebrity musicians. The winning band will receive the following incredible prize package worth more than $20,000:
Performance at The Roxy/Swing House Studios at an Austin showcase (All backline provided by the showcase)
$500 in cash, Gear from Zildjian, Tama, Ibanez, Marshall, Vox, Guitar World, and Korg
1 year endorsement with D’Addario, Evans, and Planet Waves valued at $5,000
Airfare for up to five band members
Two rooms for two nights in an Austin, TX hotel
Transportation to & from the airport & hotel in Austin, TX
For more information on Rock the Roxy video competition, please visit:
rocktheroxy.com
Hands News
Hands is heading out on The Creatour this February with Facedown’s newest signing – Onward To Olympas.
Tour Dates:
2/5 – Litchfield, MN
2/6 – Big Lake, MN
2/7 – Brainerd, MN
2/9 – Bismarck, ND
2/10 – Minot, ND
2/11 – Fargo, ND
2/13 – Blue Springs, MO
2/16 – Kansas City, MO
2/17 – Sioux City, IA
2/18 – Watertown, SD
2/19 – Alexandria, MN
2/20 – Grand Rapids, MN
2/21 – Buffalo, MN
Five Iron Frenzy Is Back
It may come as a bit of surprise, but Five Iron Frenzy’s long awaited, much delayed DVD release is here! Preorders have begun at FIFDVD.com, allowing fans to grab the Double-DVD for $19.95 or as part of a combo with an exclusive T-shirt, poster, and button for only $27.00. According to Asian Man Records’ site, “We will ship pre-orders starting MARCH 2nd, 2010. These will not be available in stores until MARCH 16th, so you will be the first to enjoy the premiere of this double DVD. We are also offering a limited edition FIF PACKAGE DEAL to the first 500 people. You will receive the double disc, an exclusive 5 Iron t-shirt just for this deal, an exclusive 5 Iron button just for this deal, and a full color 11 x 17 poster of the DVD. The packages are $27, but of course if you just want the double DVD, those are $19.95. ENJOY!! “Riding the fence between a secular fad and a Christian phenomenon, Five Iron Frenzy never quite belonged in either place. Finally, 15 years after their formation, comes “The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy”. This special two-disc set takes you behind the stage to hear the untold stories. Alongside the feature length documentary is a load of special features such as music videos (including one never before released), short films made by the band, a commentary track, live footage (including last tour and last show), and much more. We hope you hate it.”
Former Pornographer Now Uses His Internet Skills For The Gospel
Godbeat Media Group has announced the official launch of Godbeat.tv, a family-friendly environment akin to YouTube where users can upload and share videos, create profiles, share personal stories, video blogs, their band or artist footage, church and youth group clips or other home-made videos. But unlike YouTube and similar video-sharing websites, Godbeat.tv President Jeff Myers says consumers will not have to worry about content. “Every single video uploaded will be screened by a live person at the time it is uploaded,” says Myers. “We will make sure every video on Godbeat.tv is 100% safe for its viewers. Users can also flag videos they feel are inappropriate as a further level of safety.” Additionally, Godbeat.tv offers a full HD player with the fastest upload and encoding times available in the marketplace. Users can also upload and select an “as is” aspect ratio which means videos will never be altered from their original state to fit the player. Users can choose from three standard-size embed players or, with a simple code edit, can make the player any size they like, fitting it into any website, blog or social network site. Myers first launched Godbeat.com in the spring of 2008 on a personal mission of redemption. For seven years, Myers was one of the top ten producers of online pornography in the U.S., producing 2.8 million registered images and thousands of hours of adult video. Though his business brought him great wealth, it also led to his own personal self-destruction. On April 13, 2006, a tip from one of Myers’ employees led police to a raid on Myers’ home and a subsequent arrest on drug charges. During his eight-month criminal trial, Myers attended a Christian campground that he had visited in his youth and recommitted his life to God. Myers spent a year in prison and began to lay the groundwork for what would become Godbeat Media Group. “Part of my personal mission for Godbeat Media Group is that the content be something uplifting, opening people’s hearts while keeping their minds pure,” says Myers. “The internet is filled with places that pollute people’s minds and I am committed to creating websites that stand as the antithesis of those. For years, I dumped garbage into millions of homes and now I want to replace all that with the positive message of the Gospel. I am living proof that the Gospel message of love and forgiveness, regardless of a person’s past, is absolute truth.” Godbeat Media Group has experienced tremendous growth since its launch in early 2008 with its first property, Godbeat.com. Godbeat.com features exclusive artist interviews, videos, live streaming concert events, along with up-to-date Christian music industry news, artist releases, reviews and more. Godbeat.com connects fans with their favorite artists in a personal way using multiple media platforms. Godbeat Media Group also hosts “Godbeat LIVE,” an exclusive monthly concert series streamed live from various Nashville venues. “Godbeat LIVE” features performances from nationally-known artists as well as independent Christian artists and bands. Although the series is just getting started, it has already drawn as many as 14,000 viewers. Godbeat Media Group is working on a Christian Reality Show as well as a major Christian Music festival to be announced in early 2010.
REVOLVER Magazine will present the “Dean Guitars 2010 NAMM Jam” concert–featuring Collective Soul, LA Guns, as well as members of Slayer, Arch Enemy, Testament, and more–January 15 at The Grove Of Anaheim in Southern California. Tickets for this special show, hosted by Vinnie Paul (Pantera/Damageplan/Hellyeah), will be given away to Winter NAMM attendees during the annual music conference held at the Anaheim Convention Center. Doors open at 6pm, with music starting at 7pm. REVOLVER Magazine will have a booth at the show where they’ll be giving away free copies of the January/February 2010 Pantera Vulgar Display Of Power commemorative issue, celebrating guitarist Dimebag Darrell five years after his death. The issue–otherwise only available on newsstands through February 22–features a stark and powerful cover illustration of the classic 1992 album cover photo by renowned and award-winning graphic illustrator Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher, Hellblazer, “Vampire: The Masquerade”). Each copy of REVOLVER’s Vulgar Display Of Power issue includes a special memorabilia pack with a replica of a Vulgar Display Of Power tour backstage laminate and concert ticket, a Pantera show flyer, and sticker. In addition to LA Guns and headliners Collective Soul, the “Dean Guitars 2010 NAMM Jam” will feature performances from Texas Hippie Coalition, Uli Jon Roth & Friends, Michael Angelo Batio and Carmine Appice’s SLAMM. The night will culminate with a midnight All-Star Jam featuring past, present and future legends such as Mike Amott (Arch Enemy/Carcass), Eric Peterson (Testament), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Don Dokken (Dokken), Warren DiMartini (Ratt), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), James Kottak (Scorpions), Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne Band) and many more. The Dean TV crew will film the entire event, with highlights airing during Dean Guitars’ “Live from NAMM” webcast and iPhone mobile webcast the following day.
Faith Factor Add New Member
FAITH FACTOR — the New Jersey-based Christian power metal band featuring ex-DEADLY BLESSING singer Ski — has announced the addition of keyboardist David Peters to the group’s ranks. he band states, “Dave just performed with us at the STRYPER 25th-anniversary concert in Allentown. Dave’s metal skills will be on a DELIVERANCE tribute CD from the Christian Metal Realm and Roxx Productions. FAITH FACTOR recently recorded the tribute song ‘Weapons Of Our Warfare’!” FAITH FACTOR released its full-length debut, “Against a Darkened Sky”, in November 2008 via Retroactive Records. The CD was mixed at Cync Studios in Deptford, New Jersey. The CD layout was designed by Christian artist Rob Rock’s (ex-IMPELLITTERI, DRIVER, JOSHUA) wife Liza with a 10-page booklet.
Roxx Productions Sign Crystavox
After 20 years of silence; one of Christian Metal’s loudest bands is back, with a great story and a line of new limited releases in collaboration with Roxx Productions. Crystavox, based out of San Diego, CA., recently met again informally to mark the 20 year anniversary of the bands first record deal (Regency 1989). Discussions progressed, causing the band to research where the original master recordings were located. Crystavox lead guitarist, Tony Lopez, located the master tapes – stored in a warehouse in Burbank, CA. The previous record label; Ocean Records, released the Archived Media back to Crystavox. “We were finally in possession of all the two-inch masters from both records but after 20 years in storage, we would have to bake the tapes in order to allow them to pass through a tape machine again,” said Lopez. “Convection baking worked and we were able to digitize the tapes in high resolution to the Pro Tools format,” Lopez concluded. Not only did the band now have control over a remix of such hit songs as “Scarifice” (#1 PRR 1990), “Home Again” (#3 CCM 1990), and “It’s All Right” (#7 PRR 1990), but also discovered a “never released” live concert and MTV style video. Bringing this dated and worn media back to life fell on the shoulders of drummer, Fred Helm, who had become a director and producer for regional and national televisions shows since his departure from Crystavox. “Finally getting to load this live show into our production studio was so much fun,” said Helm. “The only copy we had was a 20 year old VHS tape that had been played several times over the years. All the blacks were grey, the color was washed and in 1990, Widescreen TV did not exist. We have corrected the color issues and re-mastered the video in the 16:9 format. These videos; which consist of 4 live songs and 4 MTV-style video productions, will also include a recently recorded, “where are they now” segment – shot in HD, and featuring the band “self narrating” the story of Crystavox. The band took a shot at remixing the old songs to see if modern technology could add a new edge to the hit songs recorded so long ago – when MP3’s, the internet and non-linear digital recording did not even exist. “The pre mixes were good enough to import a complete Pro Tools HD system into the production studio and take a serious shot at remixing the old songs,” said Crystavox song writer and guitarist Loren Holmquist. “When I heard the pre-mixes, I was astounded as to the clarity and general lack of over-processed sounds that we had gotten used to,” said Adam Lee Kemp, lead singer for Crystavox. “The 80’s were all about excess; in vocals, layered harmonies, guitars and effects.” “Consequently, I knew that converting those previous concepts into a current format would involve a major overhaul in order to synchronize the delivery with modern music and culture.” “Ultimately, Fred was able to start-from-scratch and re-mix these New Versions using a minimal portion of subtle effects – causing the songs to appear modern, 20 years after they were recorded.” Kemp concluded. The songs have been totally redone; new guitars, drums and an over-sampling method vastly increasing the mastered volume of each song to today’s standards. The re-discovery of Crystavox in 2010 comes complete with a custom built media website featuring the bands songs and videos. The new release entitled, “The 20 Year Mix” will include a DVD and the “Best Of” songs released through Roxx Records/Roxx Productions. “I realized Crystavox might be in the position to re-release its library which, in its original versions would have done well. Realizing the songs had been remixed and there was a DVD interested Roxx,” said Bill Bafford, President of Roxx Productions. “We are very excited about this limited release and the relationship with Crystavox.” The release is set for Early Spring 2010 on Roxx Records. After the break up of Crystavox in early 1992, original members Adam Lee Kemp, Loren Holmquist, Fred Helm and Tony Lopez continued in the production and recording industries recording over 45 releases and 27 television shows.
©2010 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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