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MxPx News
Two days after their 18-year anniversary, Bremerton, WA trio MxPx announces the retirement of their drummer Yuri Ruley, as the band plans to scale back on touring but will continue to play select shows and release new material. In addition to this announcement, the band will be performing in Las Vegas on 7/18th as a farewell to Ruley and celebration of their most celebrated release to date by performing the entirety of third LP, Life In General. After 18 years and nearly 2.5 million records, having helped pave the way for pop-punk music, Ruley will be departing the band in order to focus more on his family life. “With MxPx being a touring band and constantly on the road 9 months out of the year, I knew at some point it would have to come to an end, but the reality of it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. MxPx has been my second family for nearly two decades, but I need to step away to focus on raising my family.” With Ruley’s departure, MxPx will be scaling back a bit to focus on the completion of their new live DVD/photo book and new EP. Vocalist and bassist Mike Herrera will lean his focus to Tumbledown’s sophomore release and guitarist Tom Wisniewski will continue with MxPx in conjunction with his new full-time job. “The current economy crisis has affected everyone in some way. For us as a mid-tier band that relies on consistent touring as a steady source of income, we’ve been affected drastically. Touring costs have sky-rocketed and companies have limited their marketing dollars, resulting in most bands being barely able to cover current road costs,” says Wisniewski. “I had no choice but to limit my availability on the road to get a full time job to support my family, but will continue to perform select MxPx dates and continue making music.” Not to be confused as the band’s final show, the bittersweet performance and farewell to Ruley will be the band’s first appearance into Sin City since September 2008 and will celebrate the near 14-year anniversary of their most notable album release to date, Life In General, with a live full album performance at the Hard Rock Hotel for their faithful fans. “This will be a night to celebrate both the band and our fans who have supported us and will continue to support us now and in the future,” says Herrera. The music of MxPx has been known for its ability to unite formerly distinguished fan bases such as the skate/surf community and the punk underground, MxPx used this wide variety of fans as a catalyst for the release of Life In General in 1996, which is notably the bands first mainstream success to date with tracks “Chick Magnet” and “Move To Bremerton,” having launched them to the top of the alternative charts in 1996. MxPx will continue to perform in festivals and one-off dates with Chris Wilson (The Summer Obsession) sitting in on drums. MxPx All-Stars will embark on a new International tour to Australia in early 2011, which will feature the same line-up from their first tour to Japan and Malaysia – Mike Herrera, Kris Roe of The Ataris and Chris Wilson. Also, stay tuned as long awaited full-length album of MxPx’s side-project, Arthur, featuring all three members and their former tech assistant Neil Hundt will be released later this year.
For more information on MxPx, visit:
mxpx.com
Children 18:3 Are Billboard Heatseekers
The storm is on the horizon and that storm is Children 18:3’s sophomore release, Rain’s ‘A Comin’, which released last week to killer reviews from the media and fan anticipation. This release also landed the sibling band from Minnesota on Billboard Heatseekers chart at No. 23. In addition to the media coverage, Children 18:3 also premiered their music video for their single “Cover Your Eyes.” The music video can be viewed here. The trio of siblings on Tooth & Nail Records hails from a rural farming community in Minnesota where the three siblings developed their undeniable glam-rock sound. Children 18:3 is comprised of siblings David (lead vocals, songwriter, guitar), Seth (drums) and Lee Marie (bass, vocals). The combination of male and female vocals along with their unmatched determination is a throw back to the beginnings of Tooth & Nail punk and rock n’ roll. The sophomore release excels in highs and will leave you feeling inspired to make a difference, to make a lasting change in your world. Known for their over-the-top glam/punk imaging and devastating live show, Children 18:3 have demonstrated here that they have the sand for a run at a larger audience. Over the past two years, they have toured with such industry heavyweights as Brian Head Welch, Project 86, The Classic Crime, Norma Jean, and Haste The Day.
Texas In 7/Signs To Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision Records is pleased to welcome Texas In 7/to its roster. Defying any definitions of age, the band has already toured the country and back, sharing stages with everyone from The Devil Wears Prada and Every Time I Die to August Burns Red and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster – all before the entire band had graduated from high school. With their two youngest members walking across the graduation stage this year, Texas In 7/are about to charge headfirst out of Ephrata, P.A. and into living out their dreams full-time. Balancing their sensitive expressions of faith with some of metalcore’s most ferocious and in-your-face vocals and breakdowns, the band has already proven that they have what it takes to put small-town-Pennsylvania on the map. Supporting their 2009 full-length release, I Am, members Logan Maurer (guitar), Ben Witkowski (bass), Alex Good (vocals), Adam Gray (drums) and Christian Royer (guitar) have just wrapped up a U.S. tour with An Early Ending and are currently overseas on their first European tour. Upon returning, the band will tour throughout the U.S. and Canada, remaining on the road through mid-October.
Tour Dates:
7/28 – Amsterdam, NY
7/29 – Rochester, NY
7/30 – Danbury, CT
7/31 – Horseheads, NY
8/1 – West Oshawa, Canada
8/2 – Mississauga, Canada
8/3 – Kitchener, Canada
8/4 – Sarnia, Canada
8/5 – London, Canada
8/6 – Windsor, Canada
8/7 – Brantford, Canada
8/8 – Burt, NY
8/9 – Fredericksburg, VA
8/10 – Jermyn, PA
8/11 – Spotswood, NJ
8/12 – Bloomsburg, PA
8/14 – Lewisberry, PA
8/26 – Montrose, PA
8/27 – Virginia Beach, VA
9/04 – Frenchtown, NJ
We Came As Romans To Headline Tour
We Came As Romans have announced their upcoming U.S. headlining tour. Joining the Detroit-based band on the “Band of Brothers Tour” will be: In Fear and Faith, Confide, Upon A Burning Body, and Abandon All Ships. To Plant A Seed, We Came As Romans’ debut full-length album, has remained on the Billboard Heatseekers chart for 34 weeks straight since its release on November 3rd, 2009. The band will remain on the road through the end of 2010. We Came As Romans are currently on the first annual Scream It Like You Mean It Tour alongside Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, I Set My Friends On Fire, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline, and Close To Home. Scream It Like You Mean It will run through August 8th, with the headliner starting on August 27th. The band will then head overseas with Parkway Drive, on a full European tour.
Tour Dates:
8/27 – Mt. Clemens, MI
8/28 – Grand Rapids, MI
8/29 – Indianapolis, IN
8/30 – Evansville, IN
8/31 – Louisville, KY
9/1 – Kettering, OH
9/2 – Toledo, OH
9/3 – Cleveland, OH
9/4 – Vineland, NJ
9/5 – Newport News, VA
9/6 – Raleigh, NC
9/8 – Columbia, SC
9/9 – Jacksonville, FL
9/10 – West Palm Beach, FL
9/11 – Tallahassee, FL
9/12 – Metairie, LA
9/13 – Corpus Christi, TX
9/14 – McAllen, TX
The Devil Wears Prada Post Zombie Video
The Devil Wears Prada’s guitarist/vocalist Jeremy DePoyster shot and edited together some cool behind-the-scenes footage of the band during the recording of their upcoming Zombie EP, due out August 24 on Ferrett Music. You can check it out here. The band is current on its “Back to the Roots” tour – more info can be accessed at tdwpband.com/events.
Lord, Save Us From Your Followers To Air On TBN
Kicking off the international version of the conversation of “Why is the gospel of love dividing America?” Lord Save Us From Your Followers will make its television broadcast premiere on a special edition of Trinity Broadcasting Network’s anchor show Praise The Lord on 7/15, 2010 at 7:00pm PST. The show is sure to pique interest and have a spirited discussion as the show will be hosted by Paul Crouch Jr., with head bumper-sticker man Dan Merchant appearing as his special guest. The show will be airing the film in its entirety, with live cut-ins to Crouch and Merchant discussing the topics. “Lord Save Us Form Your Followers is one of the most inspirational messages of what we as Christians should be doing to impact this world,” explains Crouch. “People for the most part have no problem with Jesus Christ, it is Christians that they many times take issue with. We must learn to get out of the way and allow Christ to shine though us and reflect His love, not our own selfish agendas.” Lord Save Us From Your Followers features exclusive interviews with Senator Al Franken, former Senator and religious right ally Rick Santorum, New York Times best-selling author, William Paul Young (The Shack), noted liberal evangelical Tony Campolo, conservative radio host Michael Reagan and racial reconciliation activist Dr. John Perkins, as well as news clips of Bono, Bill Maher, Bill O’Reilly, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, George Clooney, Pastor Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life), and evangelists James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Balanced with humor and insight, the film leaves no stone unturned in presenting a refreshingly amicable examination of religious warfare and the numerous hot-button issues that come along with it. Variety said of the film, “Admirably bold…It would take a hard heart indeed not to be moved.” Chicago Sun Times proclaimed, “Lord, Save Us aims to raise the level of religious discourse…a convincing argument for civil debate”, while The Oregonian described the film as “A peace offering, not a battle cry.” “A brilliant documentary,” exclaimed the San Antonio Express News, and the Dove Foundation said, “Five out of Five. We gladly encourage viewers to make use of this important film. It could be life changing.” As discussion of religion floods the media, the rhetoric is divisive, hyper, and most often, angry. Dan decides to find out why the Gospel of Love is dividing America and brings the sensibilities of someone who is deeply concerned with how his faith is being represented by others. After talking with scores of men and women on streets all across the nation, as well as interviewing many well-known active participants in today’s “Culture Wars,” he realized that the public discussion of faith doesn’t have to be contentious. With humor more common in a comedy-sketch program than a documentary, Lord Save Us provides a provocative, funny, and redemptive discussion that is sure to continue long after the credits run.
For More information on Lord Save Us From Your Followers, visit:
lordsaveusthemovie.com
For Today Release New Song
For Today released a new song from their upcoming album Breaker yesterday. You can hear “Seraphim” here. For Today is currently out with A Plea For Purging and In the Midst of Lions on the Scream the Prayer Tour through August. Then the band will head out with Bleeding Through in September for the Anti-Hero Tour. See all dates below. Breaker will be released on August 31.
Tour Dates:
7/16 – Willmar, MN
7/17 – Omaha, NE
7/18 – St Louis, MO
7/20 – Albuquerque, NM
7/22 – Las Vegas, NV
7/24 – Pomona, CA
7/25 – Orangevale, CA
7/27 – Seattle, WA
7/31 – Denver, CO
8/3 – Dayton, OH
8/5 – Gilford, NH
8/6 – Vineland, NJ
8/7 – Allentown, PA
8/8 – Baltimore, MD
9/3 – West Hollywood, CA
9/4 – Riverside, CA
9/6 – Lubbock, TX
9/7 – Austin, TX
9/8 – Metairie, LA
9/9 – Birmingham, AL
9/10 – Augusta, GA
9/11 – St. Petersburg, FL
9/12 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
9/13 – Jacksonville, FL
9/14 – Douglasville, GA
9/15 – West Springfield, VA
9/16 – New York, NY
9/17 – Poughkeepsie, NY
9/18 – Acton, MA
9/19 – Lancaster, PA
9/20 – Clifton Park, NY
9/21 – Pittsburgh, PA
9/22 – Buffalo, NY
9/24 – Louisville, KY
9/25 – Covington, KY
9/26 – Nashville, TN
9/28 – West Dundee, IL
9/29 – Iowa City, IA
10/1 – Oklahoma City, OK
10/2 – Wichita Falls, TX
10/3 – Colorado Springs, CO
August Burns Red News
In 2009, genre giants AUGUST BURNS RED shot for the stars with the release of their breakout album Constellations – which debuted at #24 on the Billboard Top 200 and rocketed the band to the forefront of the metal scene. In 2010, the band is touching back down to earth with the release of Home, ABR’s first live CD and DVD. The DVD/CD shoot – filmed last month in, appropriately enough, the band’s Home-town of Manheim, PA – drew a sold-out crowd of 1250 people who wanted to participate in the exciting performance, including some who traveled internationally, from as close as Montreal to as far as away as Amsterdam. “We played our first ever show as a band in Manheim, PA in April of 2003,” explains guitarist JB Brubaker. “Between then and now we’ve been fortunate enough to play all over the world. But when it came time for us to record our first live DVD/CD, it only made sense to do so back in Manheim where everything began. It was exciting for us to have people come from far and wide to the town where most of us grew up, and to be able to play such a special show in front of our families and close friends who have been supporting us since the beginning.” The powerful, pummeling performance featured many fan favorites from the band’s three full-length albums, Constellations, 2007’s Messengers and 2005’s Thrillseeker, meaning that Home will appeal to both new and longtime ABR fans. Shot and edited by Space Monkey Studios, whose phenomenal work has been seen on releases by acts like COHEED AND CAMBRIA, LAMB OF GOD, EVERY TIME I DIE and more, the live show is accompanied by a documentary on the band detailing life on the road and at home and featuring many fans discussing the ways in which AUGUST BURNS RED have impacted their lives in a positive, meaningful way.
Tour Dates:
7/15 – Wilmar, MN
7/31 – Elmira, NY
8/1 – Houston, DE
8/6 – Hartford, CT
8/7 – Gunstock, NH
8/13 – Lewisberry, PA
8/21 – Sao Paulo, Brazil
8/22 – Curitiba, Brazil
8/24 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
8/25 – Santiago, Chile
8/27 – Bogota, Columbia
8/28 – Caracas, Venezuela
9/4 – Frenchtown, NJ
Pomegranates To Release New Album
One of Us, the third full-length album from Pomegranates, will be released on October 14th by Afternoon Records. The band co-produced the album with TJ Lipple of Aloha (MGMT, Headlights, Minus Story), who also mixed and mastered. Over The Rhine’s Ric Hordinski (David Wilcox, Phil Keaggy) engineered several tracks. Pomegranates will kick off a U.S. tour with Colour Revolt on September 15th and perform at the 2010 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival on October 21st and 22nd. Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2006, the young indie band quickly distinguished itself with its mesmerizing art-pop compositions, eliciting acclaim from My Old Kentucky Blog (”Sweet, sweet sounds are pop honey to my ears”), massive support from WOXY.com and invitations to tour from bands such as French Kicks, Islands and Jimmy Eat World. Pomegranates’ 2008 full-length debut, Everything Is Alive, was hailed as “shimmering” by Spin, which noted: “the 11-track collection shows a youthful, open-eared quartet enlivened with a kick-ass record collection, ceiling-less imagination, ragged guitars, and songwriting chops for days.” The concept album Everybody, Come Outside! followed in 2009, prompting Daytrotter.com to observe: “Pomegranates is a band that already, over the course of two records, has shown itself to be of the highest ambition and they’ve already successfully executed some wonderful maneuvers, tightening a sound that is still mostly delightful experimentation…to create something that really does border on true elegance.” While at SXSW earlier this year, Pomegranates were named the band with the “best shot at the big time”by Spin and were interviewed by The BBC’s Radio 1, which subsequently played a track off of Everybody, Come Outside! With One of Us, Pomegranates continue to broaden their sonic palette, employing strings for the first time (on the epic “The Positive Light”) and experimenting with instrumentation throughout to conjure up what they describe as “weird fever dream-type sounds.” The title track’s idyllic introduction quickly gives way to propulsive drums and an indelible guitar line, building to an exhilarating crescendo as Joey Cook and Isaac Karns (who trade off on vocals throughout the album) chant “I dreamed I saw you” and the song dissolves as quietly as it began. This kind of exquisitely organic ebb and flow permeates the album. The raucous rave-up “Prouncer,” the album’s lead single, is bookended by “White Fawn,” as sparse and evocative as a haiku, and the ethereal instrumental “Perception.” “Anywhere You Go” grows in intensity, eventually spiraling out of control and sounding like a 33 1/3 rpm record played at 78 rpm while the hymn-like vocals of album closer “Into the Water, Into the Air” are layered over the jittery sound of a xiosynth run through a Harden Swaami (Fuzz/tremolo) into a Silvertone organ amp. Pomegranates – comprising Joey Cook (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Isaac Karns (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Jacob Merritt (drums) and Dan Lyon (guitars) – will complete their current summer tour with a performance at A.R.M. Fest in Kent, OH. The festival will benefit Anonymous Relief Mission, a non-profit organization based in Kent that assists people in transitional situations of their lives.
Track Listing:
1. One of Us
2. 50’s
3. White Fawn
4. Prouncer
5. Perception
6. Create Your Own Reality
7. Anywhere You Go
8. Between Two Dreams
9. The Positive Light
10. Demond
11. Venus
12. Skull Cakin’
13. Into the Water, Into the Air
Red Releases New Video
Don’t miss RED’s “Ordinary World” music video, along with its ”making-of” segment, available on the band’s website now! “Ordinary World” was recently featured by iTunes as one of its “What’s Hot” and “What We’re Watching” videos. You’ll want to check this one out.
Sarah Jaffe Announces New Tour Dates
Sarah Jaffe is thrilled to announce new US dates in support of her debut long player Suburban Nature after three successful tours as main support for Midlake, Norah Jones and Lou Barlow. This 24-year-old Texan and her guitar will continue to wow audiences every night on her upcoming tour. She’s had an amazing response from the press and fans on the release of her debut album Suburban Nature – out now on Kirtland Records. Produced by John Congleton (Shearwater, Polyphonic Spree, Explosions In the Sky) who also produced her debut EP – Even Born Again, the new album showcases Sarah’s incredible talent as a songwriter and musician. The music is dark and haunting and the songs and lyrics belie her age. In addition, Kirtland Records will be taking the first single of the album, “Clementine,” to commercial radio in August. Jaffe’s live performances are filled with hints of country, indie-pop, blues and folk intertwined with a delivery that has been described as slightly mesmerizing. She can silence a room with the heaviness of her music and then joke with the audience following the last note, warming her way into people’s hearts and psyches after slaying them with her songs and lyrics.
For the most up-to-date information and upcoming dates please go to:
sarahjaffe.com
Aaron Keyes To Release New Album
Atlanta-based songwriter, worship leader Aaron Keyes releases his acclaimed debut album, Not Guilty Anymore, July 19 from Kingsway with EMI CMG Distribution. With the title track and the album’s “Forever Worthy” already being sung in local churches, Keyes has always been a worshipper who values connection with God and others over crowds or concerts. Leading worship around campfires, which gave way to college dormitories, living rooms and later church halls and more, Keyes’ Not Guilty Anymore shares the hope of the gospel. “I think we cheapen Jesus’ blood when we live on in shame and guilt,” he says, “This album is about that place of realization of what the cross has done to set us free.” “Honest, engaging and beautifully creative, Not Guilty Anymore is also intuitive and pastoral in a way that is as powerful as it is subtle,” says Steve Nicolle, Kingsway VP North America. “Aaron Keyes doesn’t just sing songs, he lives them, and this album invites all who hear it to share in the journey.” Spending a week at Abbey Road writing with some of praise and worship’s finest songwriters, Not Guilty Anymore features collaborations with Stuart Townend, writer of “In Christ Alone” and “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” who joined Aaron to pen “My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62),” a song that worship leader and author Bob Kauflin (Worship Matters) puts in his “must use” file. “Just when I start thinking all the best worship songs have already been written…I hear a new song that affects me profoundly,” says Kauflin. “…I have four categories for congregational worship songs: Must Use, Could Use, Personally Use and Don’t Use. This is one that I’d put in my Must Use file.” Keyes also wrote “Blessing and Honor” with Steve Hindalong (“God of Wonders”), “I Am Yours” with Gary Sadler (“Ancient of Days”), “Be Like Jesus” with Paul Oakley (“Jesus, Lover of my Soul”) and “Help Me Lord” with Dutch worship leader Kees Kraayenord.
Track Listing:
1. You Never Cease To Amaze Me
2. Glory And Honour (Forever Worthy)
3. My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62)
4. Elohim Creator God (Blessing And Honour)
5. Is There Anyone Here (I Am Yours)
6. Like Jesus
7. Not Guilty Anymore
8. Nothing Less Than Beautiful
9. Help Me Lord
10. Where Are You Now
11. Not What My Hands
©2010 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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