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

News Collection Week of 10-4

News 28 Sep 09 By

hardnewsupdateheading.gif

Flyleaf Announce Memento Mori Tour
A&M/Octone recording group, FLYLEAF, announce that they will embark on a “thank you to our fans” tour in support of their latest album, Memento Mori. The tour kicks off in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre on October 29th and sees the band traveling across the country through the end of November. They will share material from the new record, treating fans to intimate performances at smaller venues as a celebration of the release. FLYLEAF will release Memento Mori worldwide on November 10, however the cd will be available for pre-order via iTunes on September 29 and a special VIP package will be available here (any additional profits from the VIP package will go towards the Flyleaf Foundation which supports charitable causes). The band will perform on late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s infamous outside stage on October 28th. The first single from Memento Mori – the urgent, impassioned “Again,”- has just gone to radio and has reached the number 22 spot (with bullet) on the Active Rock charts, and number 28 (with bullet) spot at Modern Rock. MEMENTO MORI is the follow-up to the Texas five-piece’s 2005 self-titled debut. On this newest offering, the band once again worked with producer Howard Benson, who is known for his previous work with My Chemical Romance and The All-American Rejects. The resulting record is a compelling blend of bold guitars and soaring melodies, anchored by lead signer Lacey’s honest, emotional lyrics and fervent vocals.
For more information on Flyleaf, visit:
Flyleafmusic.com
Tour Dates:
10/29 – Los Angeles, CA
11/1 – San Francisco, CA
11/3 – Seattle, WA
11/4 – Portland, OR
11/6 – Salt Lake City, UT
11/7 – Boulder, CO
11/9 – Minneapolis, MN
11/10 – Chicago, IL
11/11 – Pittsburgh, PA
11/17 – Boston, MA
11/18 – New York, NY
11/20 – Baltimore, MD
11/21 – Philadelphia, PA
11/23 – Atlanta, GA

The Myriad News
Seattle-based band The Myriad is back after nearly a year long hiatus to tour with Tyrone Wells (Universal Republic) and indie darling Matt Hires for The Humane Society of the United States “All Creatures Great and Small” campaign. Since November 2008, drummer Randy Miller has been fearlessly fighting stage 4 cancer, and since the group operates more as a family than a band, they chose to stay home and help support Randy however they could. With the blessing of Randy’s doctors, the band is able to get back on the road and get reacquainted with their fans all across the country. Randy, however, will have to return to chemo the same day the band returns home. “This has, without a doubt, been the most uncertain year of The Myriad,” explains singer Jeremy Edwardson. “Last fall we made a decision to put down our instruments and wait with our drummer Randy as he began his fight with cancer. It would be 8 months before we all played in a room together again. That was a few weeks ago. We didn’t have an agenda. There was no “let’s write an album to change the world!” conversations that we had shared in the past. “The gathering was more about our friendship than the music we had shared. Randy was between chemo visits. He had just finished another week in the hospital and was starting to regain his strength. We were prepared to take breaks, leave early, etc. as his body would allow. We had no idea that Randy would actually prove to be a better drummer than we had ever seen in the past. He was secretly immersing himself in drummer videos and practicing at least an hour a day. He later told us his fight, his battle, was more than beating cancer. He wanted to come out a better husband, father, drummer, and ultimately a better man of God. This rocked our world. After a week of hanging out, jamming, laughing, crying, we walked away from rehearsals songless, but with a fire brewing for something more. Something we could feel deep in our bones. The feeling of something new – something big. This fall tour with Tyrone Wells has allowed us the opportunity to sort it all out as we travel across the country.” When the opportunity arose to get back on the road for the “All Creatures Great and Small” campaign, the band jumped at the opportunity. Steven Tracy, guitarist for the band, was quick to want to sign on to the tour. ”I’m really looking forward to being apart of this HSUS campaign. It’s something that I’ve felt strongly about for a while now. Factory farming feels like one of those topics that future generations will hopefully look back on as the way things ‘used to be’.” The Animals & Religion program of The Humane Society of the United States seeks to engage people and institutions of faith with animal protection issues, on the premise that religious values call upon us all to act in a kind and merciful way towards all creatures. It aims to increase awareness about our moral responsibilities to all animals and the environment, and encourages active support of animal welfare policies. More info at humanesociety.org/allcreatures. Steven continues, “Plus, we’re excited about the tour with Tyrone. This has been a year of change for The Myriad, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to try out some different things and explore some new territory. There is always something fun about touring with an artist that you’re relatively unfamiliar with. There are loads of opportunities to meet new folks and make some new friends. Some of my favorite memories have been late night conversations in the back of a bus or van with an artist I just met. Touring is always ripe with those moments.” Always striving to be as much of a musical vision as a band, The Myriad consistently draws rave reviews from both fans and critics worldwide. Handpicked out of a survey of 4000 bands by music critics at MTV, the band won the prestigious MTV2 Dew Circuit Breakout competition, after several million fan votes were cast. The band’s video for the single “A Clean Shot” was the most played video on MTV in the spring of 2008. “A Clean Shot” was also released on the video game ROCKBAND for Xbox and Playstation. The Myriad also filmed MTV promos like “Discover and Download” and “Artist of the Week” throughout the year to promote their latest release “With Arrows, With Poise.” Mixed at Hansa Sudios in Berlin, Germany by Michael Ilbert (the Cardigans, Kent, the Hives), and mastered at historic Abbey Road Studios in London, England by Adam Nunn (AIR, Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand, George Martin), as well as acclaimed Sterling Sound in New York City by Greg Calbi (Beastie Boys, John Mayer, Interpol, Norah Jones), “With Arrows, With Poise” helped increase a base of loyal fans worldwide. The band has toured extensively, playing with bands such as David Crowder Band, Eisley, Switchfoot, Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Phil Wickham, etc, and has quickly earned a sing-along relationship with fans everywhere: a connection founded more on captivating performances than on-stage antics. Creative melodies evocative of at times Kent, at others Bjork, are delivered with the grand musical scope of The Verve and Radiohead.
For further information about the tour, visit:
themyriad.net
Tour Dates:
9/30 – Washington DC
10/1 – Philadelphia, PA
10/2 – Boston, MA
10/3 – Wenham, MA
10/4 – Fairfield, CT
10/6 – Burlington VT
10/7 – New York, NY
10/8 – Rochester, NY
10/9 – Pittsburgh, PA
10/10 – Chicago, IL
10/11 – Grand Rapids, MI
10/12 – Ann Arbor, MI
10/15 – Indianapolis, IN
10/16 – Nashville, TN
10/17 – Atlanta, GA
10/18 – Orlando, FL
10/20 – Houston, TX
10/21 – Austin, TX
10/23 – Dallas, TX
10/25 – Scottsdale, AZ
10/26 – San Diego, CA
11/15 – Phoenix, AZ

Grave Robber To Release Collector’s Edition of “Be Afraid”
We are announcing the release and immediate availability of GRAVE ROBBER – “BE AFRAID” (Collector’s Edition) on Retroactive Records! This horror punk/metal/shock rock classic comes packaged in a full color four panel digipak (with a tray), and an additional bonus track, the Nazareth cover tune “Love Hurts” for this Collector’s Edition release! If you like your gothic/shock rock spiked with a little arsenic and a healthy dose of dark humor, check out Be Afraid! Band members, Dr. Cadaver, Nameless and Maggot offer you chainsaw guitars, super-tight arrangements and blatant morbidity wrapped around insanely catchy choruses, while Wretched provides elite vocal skills in mesmerizing Danzig/Rob Halford fashion! Their theatrical stage show and GWAR-like costumes lets fans know that this is not your everyday band. Formed in 2005, these devil’s rejects arm themselves with sonic vibratory executions and images of horrific realities, bringing an onslaught of sound and warning that will ring into eternity. Rest assured, you will be afraid…you will be very afraid! Fans of Rackets and Drapes, The Misfits, Alice Cooper, Type O Negative, Gwar, Kiss, Danzig and Rob Zombie will find themselves feeling as though they’re strolling into familiar musical history, yet simultaneously wading through a dense mire of uncharted territory. There’s nothing more terrifying than the unknown. Grave Robber is the one band that can hold your hand on a decidedly horrifying romp, leading you safely to the other side. Heed the call of Grave Robber: die and escape the grave or die eternally. The band’s name references Jesus’ return as the true grave robber, when Christ’s followers will be “raised as incorruptible and shall be changed” and “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:52, 54). While in church one evening, the message of Romans 6:11 (consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus) was preached just prior to communion. This concept of being “dead” to sin and symbolically eating the flesh and drinking the blood, coupled with a passion to reach a people who are largely ignored by the church, sparked a flame in the hearts of the members of Grave Robber to begin this unique ministry. This four panel digipak is the re-release of the 2007 jewel case version. It features different cover art and the unreleased bonus track, “Love Hurts” made famous by both the Everly Brothers and Nazareth (exclusive to this release).
Track Listing:
1) The Exorcist
2) Skeletons
3) Burn Witch Burn
4) Bloodbath
5) Rigor Mortis
6) Buried Alive
7) Screams Of The Voiceless
8) Golgatha
9) Reanimator
10) Schizofiend
11) Dark Angel
12) I Wanna Kill You Over And Over Again
13) I, Zombie
14) Army Of The Dead
15) Rigor Mortis (Team Cybergeist Remix)
16) Love Hurts (Everly Brothers/Nazareth cover)

Guardian Releases 20th Anniversary Edition Of “First Watch”
We are thrilled to announce Retroactive Records will be reissuing the legendary debut release by Christian metal powerhouse, Guardian. Guardian First Watch: 20th Anniversary Edition will offer 14 amazing tracks of classic metal that comes in a full color, four panel digipak (with a tray), properly remastered by J. Steinhaus for a maximum metal auditory experience. It will feature exclusive liner notes by David Bach (bass), stunning enhanced (WAY better!) original artwork by the amazing, Rex Zachary, and includes the original two bonus track exclusive to the original CD release, plus the two Elephante released bonus tracks from the amazing and out-of-print 1987 California Metal CD compilation that preceded the release of First Watch in 1989!!!!

Owl City Video Getting Rotation
My friends over at Endeavor Media (you know, the people that did the HM/Gwar commercials?) did the latest Owl City video, “Fireflies,” which is getting plays on most of the video outlets. You can vote here and view the video here.

We Came As Romans Release Debut on 11/3
Michigan’s We Came As Romans have set a November 3rd release date for their highly anticipated debut full-length, To Plant A Seed. Recorded with up-and-coming producer Joey Sturgis (The Devil Wears Prada, Emarosa, Attack Attack) at his Foundation Recording Studio, the 10-song follow-up to their breakout EP, Dreams, finds the band expanding their blend of pop-infused metal. Although recorded with the same producer, there is still an intentional difference between the two albums. We Came As Romans didn’t let the fact that they are only a six-piece hold them back from achieving a more symphonic sound on To Plant A Seed. “I played the trombone from Elementary school until I graduated high school and I always took the sound of a symphonic band or an orchestra with me,” explains Moore of their decision to add orchestral elements to the album such as the violins, brass, and piano interlaced throughout the album’s dynamic layers. Not unlike the EP, the lyrics on To Plant A Seed reflect We Came As Romans’ goal of spreading a positive message through their music. The band hopes, “when people hear the album, they might not change the way they think or the way they act right now, but hopefully we’ve planted that ‘seed’, that thought of love, and it can grow.” The theme of the album is carried through to the artwork. Painted by acclaimed artist Paul Romano (Mastodon, Chiodos), the album cover depicts a “very innocent looking boy in which the ‘seed’ has been planted in his mind and it grows to his heart, out of his palms and becomes branches,” describes Moore. The band – Dave Stephens (vocals), Kyle Pavone (vocals/synth), Joshua Moore and Lou Cotton (guitar), Andy Glass (bass), and Eric Choi (drums) – will keep a busy tour schedule for the rest of 2009 that finds them on the road for several months beginning September 26th, including a week in Canada, a three week run with The Chariot, three weeks of headlining, and three weeks with friends, I See Stars.
Tour Dates:
9/30 – Hamilton, ON
10/01 – Saint Catherines, ON
10/03 – Windsor, ON
10/09 – Rochester, PA
10/10 – Philadelphia, PA
10/12 – Crofton, MD
10/13 – Altoona, PA
10/15 – Raleigh, NC
10/16 – Montgomery, AL
10/17 – East Ridge, TN
10/20 – Louisville, KY
10/21 – Evansville, IN
10/22 – Toledo, OH
10/23 – Mt. Clemens, MI
10/24 – Indianapolis, IN
10/25 – Orland Park, IL
10/26 – Herrin, IL
10/29 – St. Louis, MO
10/30 – Little Rock, AR
10/31 – Claremore, OK
11/01 – Oklahoma City, OK
11/02 – Wichita, KS
11/03 – Cape Girardeau, MO
11/05 – Metairie, LA
11/06 – Macon, GA
11/07 – Douglasville, GA
11/08 – Dayton, OH
11/09 – Cleveland, OH
11/10 – Pittsburgh, PA
11/11 – Erie, PA
11/12 – Vineland, NJ
11/13 – Lemoyne, PA
11/14 – S. Hackensack, NJ
11/15 – Manchester, NH
11/17 – Toronto, ON
11/18 – London, ON
11/25 – Mt. Clemens, MI
11/27 – Orland Park, IL
11/28 – Minneapolis, MN
11/29 – Omaha, NE
11/30 – Denver, CO
12/01 – Salt Lake City, UT
12/02 – Pocatello, ID
12/03 – Seattle, WA
12/04 – Portland, OR
12/05 – Orangevale, CA
12/07 – Stockton, CA
12/08 – W. Hollywood, CA
12/09 – Anaheim, CA
12/10 – San Diego, CA
12/11 – Phoenix, AZ
12/12 – Albuquerque, NM
12/13 – Lubbock, TX
12/14 – San Antonio, TX
12/15 – Dallas, TX
12/17 – St. Louis, MO
12/18 – Indianapolis, IN
12/19 – Grand Rapids, MI

TFK Opens Creation Fest Tour
Thousand Foot Krutch’s “Welcome to the Masquerade” has already been touted as a “hit,” the “best album of its genre to be released,” and one of the “very best albums of the year.” During its first week out, TFK’s latest venture made an impact debuting on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 35 and No. 2 on the Christian albums chart. Digitally, the album spent street week in the Top 10 on the overall album and rock chart on iTunes (peaking at No. 4 and No.2). In addition to the previously announced reviews, TFK received a 4.5 star review along with the stamp of approval from All Music Guide. “On behalf of the band, I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for all of the tremendous support around the new album,” shares TFK frontman Trevor McNevan. “It’s really been an exciting week, and it feels great to be introducing the new songs live on the Creation tour. We’re mixing up the old with the new in this tour set and it’s off to a great start!!” Recently, TFK hit the road for the opening weekend of the Creation Festival: The Tour with Jars of Clay, Audio Unplugged, This Beautiful Republic, B.Reith and FMStatic. Playing to almost sold-out crowds (1700+ in Wichita, 1500+ in Longview),TFK introduced new tunes along with classic fan favorites. It was an incredible weekend of ministry and music as more than 50 kids were sponsored through Compassion International and more than 100 came to accept Christ. “We are excited to see how well the crowd is responding to this tour and artist line-up,” shares Nick Kulb, producer of Creation Festival: The Tour. “Additionally so, the artists are thrilled to be touring together, and we are looking forward to a tremendous fall tour!” As TFK fans get their hands on the new album and see the live show, they are raving about this album online. On Twitter, fans posted their reviews this weekend talking about their take on the album, which was overwhelmingly positive. All reviews can be found by searching the hashtag #tfkreview on Twitter.com.
For a city near you, please visit the Creation Festival: The Tour website:
creationfesttour.com/dates.php

BRMC On New Twilight Soundtrack
Summit Entertainment, Chop Shop Records and Atlantic Records have announced the release of “THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON – ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK,” the musical companion to the highly anticipated second installment in Summit’s film franchise. Due in stores and online October 20th, the entire soundtrack features songs that will appear in the movie, highlighted by Death Cab for Cutie’s brand new single “Meet Me On the Equinox.” THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON is slated to open in theatres nationwide on November 20th. In just one week, “Meet Me On the Equinox” has already exploded onto the modern rock charts, landing at #26. The song, which is the soundtrack’s first announced track, debuted in full on September 13th at MTV.com in conjunction with MTV’s Video Music Awards. The video companion to the song, which was shot in Toronto by director Walter Robot, will premiere soon. “We wrote ‘Meet Me On the Equinox’ to reflect the celestial themes and motifs that run throughout the TWILIGHT series, and we wanted to capture that desperate feeling of endings and beginnings that so strongly affect the main characters,” said Death Cab for Cutie bassist Nick Harmer. “This song marks the first attempt that Death Cab for Cutie has ever made at contributing new, unreleased material for a film. It just seems a perfect synergy that a band from the Northwest would create a song for a series of novels set in the Northwest. We are not only proud to be a part of the TWILIGHT legacy but also honored to join so many other fantastic artists that have leant their amazing creativity to this soundtrack.” In addition to Death Cab for Cutie, the soundtrack features songs from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, The Killers, Band of Skulls, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver & St. Vincent, Lykke Li, and Anya Marina. Also included is a remix from Muse, who not only appeared on the original “TWILIGHT” soundtrack but is one of author Stephenie Meyer’s favorite bands. Every recording featured on the soundtrack is exclusive to the soundtrack, either having never been released previously or as a remixed version. See below for the entire tracklisting. Chop Shop Music Supervision owner Alexandra Patsavas (Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy) returns as the “THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON” Soundtrack Album Producer/Music Supervisor, working closely with the film’s director Chris Weitz in compiling the tracklisting. Paul Katz of Eye2Ear Music serves as both the producer of the album as well as Summit’s point person on film-related music and soundtracks. “Chris Weitz had such a beautiful yet specific musical point of view for this picture,” said Patsavas. “It was so rewarding working with the director and the immensely talented artists on this project.” “We’ve all wanted to live in the world that Stephenie Meyer created and the soundtrack for ‘NEW MOON’ makes it almost possible,” noted Summit Entertainment’s President of Worldwide Production, Erik Feig. “Each song was written specifically for the movie by the most perfect bands around, in what we think is going to be a classic collection. It is a truly custom fit for a truly immersive experience.” “THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON – ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK” is now available to pre-order here. Several different options are available to pre-order, including digital, standard, deluxe, and a very special limited edition that includes exclusive e-mail alerts, stickers, a poster, a Death Cab for Cutie t-shirt, access to download the album 72 hours before its release date, as well as a commemorative plaque celebrating the “TWILIGHT” soundtrack’s double platinum status. Additionally, for the first time ever the soundtrack will also be available on a USB drive. Atlantic Records and Summit Entertainment have teamed up with Tyme Machines to include the full soundtrack on its commemorative “TWILIGHT” 3-D sculpted “Cullen Crest” 2GB USB drive. The USB drive will be available for purchase online and at select retailers on the soundtrack’s release date.
Track Listing:
1) Death Cab for Cutie—“Meet Me On the Equinox”
2) Band of Skulls—“Friends”
3) Thom Yorke—“Hearing Damage”
4) Lykke Li—“Possibility”
5) The Killers—“A White Demon Love Song”
6) Anya Marina—“Satellite Heart”
7) Muse—“I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)”
8) Bon Iver & St. Vincent—“Roslyn”
9) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club—“Done All Wrong”
10) Hurricane Bells—“Monsters”
11) Sea Wolf—“The Violet Hour”
12) OK Go—“Shooting the Moon”
13) Grizzly Bear—“Slow Life”
14) Editors—“No Sound But the Wind”
15) Alexandre Desplat—“New Moon (The Meadow)”

Church Music Gets Praise
David Crowder*Band’s fifth album Church Music is being welcomed by acclaim from fans and media alike as it released on September 22. As of its release, David Crowder*Band’s Church Music is resting the No. 3 spot on the overall iTunes album chart. Fans convened for a sold out show in the band’s hometown of Waco, TX on September 21, to mark the release of Church Music. Radio winners from all across the country were treated with a BBQ with David Crowder*Band at Crowder’s barn in Waco. Winners gathered from Spirit 105.3 KCMS in Seattle, K-LOVE, Star 99.1 WAWZ Middlesex-Somerset-Union, NJ and The JOY FM/Tampa, FL. KLOVE and THE JOY FM also broadcasted live from Crowder’s barn in Waco, TX. David Crowder*Band also played a sold out show at Los Angeles’ famed Roxy Theater on Thursday, September 24. Aptly titled, the band hopes their self-produced recording will prompt listeners to recognize the continual evolvement of music within the Church as well as transport them into an awareness that we exist within the very presence of God, therefore allowing Church Music to happen anywhere. To add to the uniqueness of the album, the 17 songs on the album play continuously from beginning to end with one song blending into the next. David Crowder*Band will join forces opening acts Danyew and Seabird to take the Church Music Tour to 32 cities and churches nationwide starting in October.

Gwen Stacy Debuts New Song
Gwen Stacy have released another new song titled Profit Motive on their myspace. The song is from their forthcoming album A Dialogue to be released on October 20th via Solid State Records.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Is Back With New Album
Atlantic recording group Trans-Siberian Orchestra has announced the upcoming release of its hugely anticipated new album. “NIGHT CASTLE” will arrive in stores and all digital retailers on October 27th. Years in the making, “NIGHT CASTLE” is without question TSO’s most ambitious and adventurous work to date. Founder Paul O’Neill and crew have created 26 songs that run the gamut from hard rock to classical, taking the listener on a journey through different points of history. “NIGHT CASTLE” details the triumphs and follies of man but is ultimately an epic story of transformation and love. The two-CD set will be released at a special low price, and will include a unique 68-page booklet, featuring story, lyrics, and full-color illustrations by legendary artist Greg Hildebrandt. “Obviously our fans have been unbelievably patient,” O’Neill says. “This was supposed to come out a few years ago. But we were dedicated to making something really special, and the longer it took, the more pressure we felt to give people the best possible piece of art we could. “These are hard times,” he adds, explaining the lower price, “and we’re trying to do what we can to make them better. We believe in value with Trans-Siberian Orchestra; everything we do – the shows, the albums, the souvenirs – are over-the-top productions with a lot of stuff for people to see and hear and feel, and we do that for as inexpensive a price as we can.” “NIGHT CASTLE” will be preceded by the first single, “Nutrocker,” which ships to multi-format radio outlets nationwide later this month. The track sees TSO paying homage to one of their greatest influences, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and features rock icon Greg Lake on bass. One of the most successful live acts in music history, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has slated a major North American tour to bring “NIGHT CASTLE” to its legions of loyal fans. The massive trek – which includes both matinees and evening performances in many markets – begins on November 1st and rolls on through early January (see attached itinerary).
For up-to-the-minute news and on-sale information, please visit:
tsotickets.com

Third Day Inducted To GA Hall Of Fame
Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-winning rock band Third Day took its place alongside other Peach State music legends on Saturday, Sept. 19 as the group was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Georgia Music Festival organization, was telecast on Atlanta-based public television station WGTV-Channel 8, and featured performances by Third Day and fellow 2009 inductees Collective Soul, along with Randall Franks and The Georgia Mafia Bluegrass Band, Reginald Smith and others. Together with Third Day and Collective Soul, the 2009 inductee class included music promoter Peter Conlon, GRAMMY-winning songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox, music industry pioneer Johnny L. Carson, and posthumous honors for singer/songwriter Roy Hamilton, record executive Shakir Stewart and bass guitarist Berry Oakley. Previous inductees into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame include rock legends such as the Allman Brothers Band, R.E.M. and Lynyrd Skynyrd, country star Alan Jackson, soul/R&B fixtures Otis Redding, James Brown and Usher, and songwriter/producer L.A. Reid. “This was such an incredible honor for all of us,” offers bassist, Tai Anderson. “Our families, management team, booking agency, label and fans were all represented that evening which made it even more special. Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, who originally signed us to Reunion Records back in 1995, was on hand to induct us. This was such a great way to celebrate 15 years together. Here’s to 15 more!” The Georgia Music Hall of Fame honor was the latest in the line of special moments for the band this summer, including the recent acquisition of its 27th career No. 1 radio single, “Born Again” from the 2008 release Revelation. The single sits at No. 1 on the AC Indicator charts this week for the fifth consecutive week with nearly 18 million impressions this week and 227 million impressions since the single was released to radio May 8th, 2009. The band hits the road again starting Oct. 8 for the fall leg of the “Revelation Tour,” which will also feature artists from the roots gospel project Glory Revealed, a lineup that includes Third Day’s Mac Powell, author/speaker David Nasser, Laura Story, Trevor Morgan, Shawn Lewis and other special guests. The fall “Revelation Tour” continues Third Day’s tradition of “paying it forward” by donating $1 per ticket sold to charitable organizations through its Come Together Fund. Through this fund, Third Day–who actively supports the ONE Campaign–has been able to serve charities such as Habitat For Humanity, Blood:Water Mission, World Vision’s Hope Child Initiative and is responsible for more than a million dollars in donations over the last four years to disaster relief in and outside of the U.S.

Shirock News
Nashville rock band SHIROCK has been singled out as the first independent band that Hollister Co., a division of Abercrombie & Fitch, has chosen to distribute in their stores across the U.S. SHIROCK’s debut album, Everything Burns was made available on September 22nd in over 500 Hollister stores, giving the band the distinction of being the only indie band to ever grace the shelves at the upscale retail chain. Produced by Jay Ruston (The Donnas, Cold War Kids), Everything Burns is an album featuring anthem-driven rock songs with passionate lyrics that convey positive messages of hope. How a young band like SHIROCK found its way to the hallowed shelves of Hollister makes for an impressive story. Abercrombie & Fitch / Hollister music supervisor Ted Keyes found SHIROCK’s music on iTunes, and liked it enough to add the band’s song “Calm Inside the Storm” to Hollister’s in-store playlist rotation soon after. SHIROCK started getting messages from fans saying they heard the song while shopping, and the response was so good on Hollister’s end that they stepped up their relationship to distributing the Everything Burns CD through their stores. Keyes explains, “SHIROCK embodies the aspirational qualities we look for when we select an artist to form a partnership with our company. Their music not only resonates with our target audience but presents itself as a testament to the true spirit of independent music.” Chuck Shirock, the band’s founder and front man, added, “We are really excited about the opportunity to be an independent band on the shelves of Hollister in company with groups like Green Day and The Killers. We’ve always felt the need to get our music to as many people as possible and being independent gives us the freedom to be creative and take advantage of unique opportunities. I want to thank Hollister for helping us accomplish that. This is an exciting time in music and we’re glad we are a part of it.” SHIROCK is a five-piece band that is not content with simply creating music and singing about making a difference – they take their message further with their non-profit organization “Everything Burns.” Built on the idea of “Living for Things That Matter,” the organization strives to encourage and equip people to get involved and make a difference in their communities. Earlier this year the band hit the road with their 14-city “Everything Burns Tour,” which partnered with local charities dedicated to solving issues of homelessness and poverty. In keeping with the band’s mission, all income from the tour went directly to charity. With a sound that has been compared to U2 and Coldplay “the band’s positive messages on songs like “Still Young,” “New Solution” and “Calm Inside the Storm” are uplifting without being preachy, encouraging without being strident” (Birmingham News). HM Magazine says Everything Burns is “literally the complete package. Quality songs, vocals, and instrumentation: imagine a filled-out rock band going after shiny Jack’s Mannequin hooks.” To support the release of Everything Burns, SHIROCK is planning another tour for later this Fall.
For more information on The Great Transparency, go here:
myspace.com/thegreattransparency

Strike First Records Signs Saving Grace
Strike First Records is proud to welcome to the family New Zealand’s Saving Grace. The 4 piece Gisborne City hardcore metal hybrid have been making waves worldwide for a half decade during which the band’s list of accomplishments includes the release of a self titled Demo EP in 2005, a split with friends Upheld in 2006 and their highly anticipated studio album ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ in 2008 which received rave reviews across their homeland and beyond in USA and Europe, and took the band on a 35-date whirlwind tour across New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and USA. Saving Grace’s hard work, dedication to touring and ever-growing fan base has gained the band the reputation of the most successful spirit-filled hardcore act downunder. 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. Saving Grace will release their sophomore album entitled Unbreakable on Strike First Records in January 2010.

©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