Skillet’s “Monster” Used On WrestleMania
As they near the close of an exciting street week, Skillet’s active rock single “Monster” (currently #26 on the Active Rock BDS/Billboard chart and #28 on the Mediabase chart) was used during the “25th Anniversary of WrestleMania this past Sunday. This special featured all the action from the original April 5, 2009 Pay Per View broadcast, but condensed to one hour. Unforgettable performances were highlighted from WWE Superstars including Triple H, Randy Orton, John Cena, Big Show, Edge, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy and many others. WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the U.S., and is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide. ”WWE Superstars” is the newest addition to WWEs line up, a one-hour show, which recently premiered on April 16th, 2009 and has been WGN America’s most-watched Thursday telecast every week since its premiere.
For more information on Skillet, visit:
skillet.com
All Star United Rallies For Latest Project
GRAMMY-nominated rock outfit All Star United reunites for the release of its sixth and boldest project to date, The Good Album. The record, which is available now in both the U.S. and internationally, features production by award-winning producer/songwriter and All Star United frontman, Ian Eskelin. The legendary group, whose career spans ten years, 20 countries and 1000 live shows, once again feeds the frenzy of its global fan base with The Good Album. True to All Star United’s high-energy, fist-pumping rock sound, The Good Album maintains the band’s lyrical style as well, pushing boundaries with songs that explore our cultural tendencies toward materialism, pleasure-seeking, and celebrity-worship. “We keep making All Star records because it keeps us sane,” Eskelin explains. “Writing and producing for other artists is a very different thing from saying what you personally really want to say in the way you really want to say it. Making an ASU record means we don’t have to hold anything back. That means a lot of guitars and a lot of satire, and a whole lot of fun.” Among the most playful songs on the record is “Dude…That’s Freakin’ Awesome!” written as a rousing reminder that we’ve only got one life to live and should invest it in things that matter. Other tracks include “The Blame,” “Lights Out,” “Good Luck With The Girls,” and “Surface of the Sun,” which is currently the No. 3 “most added” and No. 8 “new & active” song on the Radio & Records Christian Rock chart. Fans can purchase the CD online at iTunes, Amazon.com, allstarunited.storenvy.com/ and musichristian.com/allstarunited/html.html. All Star United debuted on the music scene in 1997 with its critically acclaimed, self-titled LP. The project earned the band a GRAMMY nomination as the year’s best Rock/Gospel album and launched four CCM chart-topping hits, including the aptly titled “Smash Hit.” The quintet returned two years later with International Anthems for the Human Race. In 2002, the band found a home in UK-based Furious Records, and released Revolution. All Star United’s last project Love & Radiation, released in 2006, found significant traction with prime time TV placements on ABC and CBS as well as the film trailer for the movie “Superbad.”
For more information on All Star United, visit:
allstarunited.com
Mike Herrera’s Tumbledown Premiere New Video
MIKE HERRERA’S TUMBLEDOWN have partnered with HOT TOPIC’S SHOCKHOUND internet site to premiere the new video for their single, “Butcher of San Antone”. The video can be found here. The track is the second single from he bands self-titled debut album, released through End Sounds earlier this year. Mike Herrera is best known as the front-man of MxPx, but has been writing country music since 1998, and claims some of the industry greats as his influences; such songwriting legends as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Bill Monroe. MIKE HERRERA’S TUMBLEDOWN captures the punk rock energy of MxPx, while also displaying the soulful experiences of Herrera’s travels along the lonely, open road, coining their own unique pop-punk-a-billy sound. Sticking to their DIY roots, the band teamed up with Dallas-based video director, Joe the Visualist (Joe Harris) to create their interpretation of a classic comic book from the 60’s (Eerie Comics). Herrera illustrates the song as “the story of a vigilante priest out for revenge. It’s a comic book, pulp-style story and is definitely set apart from our other songs. It’s seedy and sleezy, just the way I like it. I think anyone can get into a story of murder and revenge. Don’t you?” Dark and gritty, a step away from your more traditional summer anthems, “Butcher of San Antone” does have its lighter moments with guest vocals from Nicole Pike of the Wreckin’ Machine. MIKE HERRERA’S TUMBLEDOWN, formed in Bremerton, WA, consists of Herrera as songwriter/lead vocals/guitar, lead guitarist Jack Parker, standup bassist Marshall Trotland, and drummer Harley Trotland. SHOCKHOUND is an explosion of music culture, filled with millions of MP3s, a massive selection of band merch, exclusive interviews and videos of your favorite bands, and a community of fellow music addicts who crave new sounds just like you do.
For tour information, visit:
tumbledownhq.com
Stars Go Dim Advances To The Samsung AT&T Summer Krush Finals
Famecast has announced that Tulsa based ‘Stars Go Dim‘ has advanced to the final round of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush Competition. Starting today a panel of industry judges will choose a winner to perform at the Grand Finale of one of this summers most successful tours. The event will take place in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tars Go Dim’s Bass Player Mike Wittig had this to say upon receiving the news, “We are so grateful to the thousands of SGD fans that continue to shower us with their support and inspire us to work even harder every day. We love our fans and cannot thank them enough. We could not have done this without them”. Even though the voting is over while the panel of judges works to choose the winner, the bands fans can still go to the band’s contest page and leave comments for the band and judges to see. If chosen the band will open up for a major act in Los Angeles as this amazing tour concludes. They can also win $5,000 in prize money, an article in Spin Magazine, and a new Samsung Jack for each band member. And the TOP FIVE FANS that voted the most will also each receive a Samsung Jack. The band has already stated that they plan to donate a portion of the winnings to a charity of their choice, if they win. 2009 has already been an amazing year for Stars Go Dim, and from the way things are going that is not going to change for some time as this band continues it’s climb to the top. Congratulations to the band, their loyal street team and many supporters!
Abandon Kansas Joins Gotee Records
Gotee Records is proud to announce the signing of indie pop/rock band Abandon Kansas to the label’s roster. n September 8, the label will release their debut We’re All Going Somewhere EP, available exclusively at iTunes and live events. Produced by Mark Townsend (Relient K, House of Heroes), Abandon Kansas created a project that will surprise you with its honesty and soul-searching drive. “We finally found a label that fits who we are as musicians and who we are as dudes,” states Jeremy Spring, frontman of Abandon Kansas. “We couldn’t be happier with the way this record turned out, and the opportunities Gotee has already given us. We want to make more music and we want to be able to release that is bigger and better ways. Gotee is going to help us do exactly that. “Mark also was a huge influence in helping us figure out exactly what kind of band we are. He really set us free from our whole pop past and helped us find our voice as in an indie band with melodic, pop elements.” Known for their incessant touring schedule, Abandon Kansas plans to be on the road full time the remainder of the year. Currently on the Secret Service tour with Sleep for Sleepers and Hazel and Vine, the band continues their touring tradition with a hometown album release show and then starting immediately on the Super Big Time American Traveling Concert Tour with the House of Heroes and The Wedding.
Tour Dates:
9/2 – Santa Rosa, CA
9/3 – Sacramento, CA
9/4 – Fresno, CA
9/5 – Los Gatos, CA
9/6 – Quincy, CA
9/11 – Wichita, KS
9/12 – Lake Ozark MO
9/13 – Claremore, OK
9/14 – Kansas City, MO
9/17 – University City, MO
9/18 – Bismark, ND
9/19 – Minneapolis, MN
9/23 – Franklin IN
9/25 – Orion, MI
9/28 – East Ridge, TN
9/29 – Greenville, SC
10/1 – Jacksonville, FL
10/10 – Plano, TX
Austrian Death Machine Post New Album Preview
As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis and California frontman Ahhnold are back for round two with the release of AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE’s Double Brutal, the follow up to 2008’s highly successful (and, well, brutal) release, Total Brutal. With an appetite for all things barbarous, AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE ups the ante with Double Brutal. This two-disc goliath features one disc of all new heavy tracks in the tradition of all of Ahhnold’s greatest cinematic moments and a second disc of cover songs including songs originally performed by METALLICA, MEGADETH, MISFITS, JUDAS PRIEST and more, with cover art once again being tackled by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, NOFX, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, etc). A new audio clip featuring sneak peeks at tracks taken from Double Brutal is currently available on ADM’s myspace page. Check it out to get a taste of the sheer brutality that is set to devastate the world on September 29th Doom-thousand and Nine. “Sometimes being stereotypically metal is fitting. I’m not trying to break new ground; I just want to break people’s necks…and have fun doing it” comments AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE creator Tim Lambesis. For anyone who doubts the barbaric and brutal nature of Double Brutal, rest assured this album truly is doubly brutal. How can anyone argue Double Brutal’s pure savageness and testosterone filled manliness when you have Ahhnold, the strongest man in the universe and leader of many a mission filled with exploding chests, eyes bursting out of their sockets, and hands down the most classic one-liners you will ever hear, AND Tim Lambesis who can do a one armed push up while listening to Survivors ‘Eye of the Tiger’ (it’s true, I’ve seen it)? Bottom line, AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE is still fast, still pissed, and still brutal.
MUTEMATH’s New Album Debuts On Billboard Top 200
New Orleans’ rock innovators MUTEMATH have scored their first-ever Top 20 album. Armistice, the band’s second album for Teleprompt/Warner Bros. Records has debuted at No. 18 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart this week, selling 18,473 units. It is also currently the No. 3 Overall Digital and Alternative album, the No. 4 Rock album, and the No. 10 Top Internet album in the country. Armistice’s Top 20 debut is a major leap forward from MUTEMATH’S 2006 self-titled debut. No doubt, the band’s devoted fans turning out in force to purchase the album propelled Armistice to its current chart positions. MUTEMATH begin their Fall 2009 “Armistice” Tour next month, which criss-crosses North America before finishing up with four headlining shows in Japan in November.
Tour Dates:
9/22 – Cincinnati, OH
9/24 – Baltimore, MD
9/25 – Philadelphia, PA
9/26 – Cleveland, OH
9/27 – Pontiac, MI
9/29 – Madison, WI
10/1 – Des Moines, IA
10/3 – Austin, TX
10/5 – Seattle, WA
10/6 – Portland, OR
10/8 – Sacramento, CA
10/9 – San Francisco, CA
10/10 – Los Angeles, CA
10/11 – San Diego, CA
10/13 – Las Vegas, NV
10/14 – Denver, CO
10/16 – Kansas City, MO
10/17 – Minneapolis, MN
10/18 – Chicago, IL
10/20 – Grand Rapids, MI
10/22 – Columbus, OH
10/23 – St. Louis, MO
10/24 – Tulsa, OK
10/25 – Memphis, TN
10/27 – Oklahoma City, OK
10/29 – Dallas, TX
10/30 – Houston, TX
10/31 – New Orleans, LA
11/2 – Birmingham, AL
11/4 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
11/5 – Orlando, FL
11/6 – Atlanta, GA
11/7 – Charlotte, NC
11/8 – Nashville, TN
11/10 – Norfolk, VA
11/11 – Washington DC
11/12 – Boston, MA
11/13 – New York, NY
11/16 – Nagoya, Japan
11/17 – Osaka, Japan
11/18 – Tokyo, Japan
11/19 – Tokyo, Japan
For more information on MUTEMATH, visit:
mutemath.com
Tickets On Sale Now For Vans Warped Tour Anniversary
If you’ve been to the movies lately, you might’ve seen a trailer about this upcoming “theater event,” which will feature a performance by Underoath. Tickets are now on sale for the VANS WARPED TOUR® 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EVENT Sunday, September 6 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. The special night–sponsored by Kia Motors, truth® youth smoking prevention campaign and Vans–will feature performances from The Aggrolites, The All-American Rejects, Bad Religion, The Decaydance All Stars, Ice T, Katy Perry, NOFX, Ozomatli, Pennywise, Rise Against and Underoath, as well as a special video appearance by blink-182. Tickets are $40 (GA Floor), $150 (VIP Balcony) and $50 (Reserved Balcony) and can be purchased here. The VANS WARPED TOUR will make a donation to Musicares® in association with this event. Offering a wide-range of programs and services to members of the music community, Musicares ensures they have a place to turn to in times of financial, medical and personal need. Footage of this exclusive VANS WARPED TOUR event will be captured for a one-night-only national theater event presented by NCM Fathom and 4Fini to be featured in over 460 movie theaters on Thursday, September 17 at 8pm ET and PT/7pm CT/6pm MT. The movie theater event will encompass two hours of all-star headliner performances recorded in Los Angeles on September 6, including exclusive appearances from several top acts who’ve kick-started their careers on the VANS WARPED TOUR, as well special behind-the-scenes footage. Tickets for the theater event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. The VANS WARPED TOUR 15th Anniversary Celebration appears on the big screen in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound in 464 select movie theaters, through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.
New Ajalon CD Now Available
The new Ajalon CD is now available from ProgRock Records. The album is on special pre-sale price for $13.95 and will begin shipping next week at which time the price will go up to $15.95, you can hear audio samples and order here. This Good Place marks a huge step forward for Ajalon. This is a CD that will feature some great musical moments as well as stellar performances from both the band and some awesome guest players such as Paul Bielatowicz and Fred Schendal to name just a couple. Listeners will find this a much more allegorical album lyrically than the first two releases. The thematic concept on this CD addresses the depravity and selfishness of the human condition and how it has lead to the downfall of our character. But the story is undergirded with the concept that it is never too late to turn from those ways to find something greater within ourselves that ultimately leads us to This Good Place! The CD will feature 7 tracks with a running time of approximately 60 minutes. There is one instrumental track on the CD and one epic song about 20 minutes in length. Much of the album features brand new material developed over the last three years. There are also a few previously unreleased classic Ajalon songs that have been reworked and newly recorded, mixed in as well. This is a very different sounding album that finds its’ place in the current mainstream of Progressive Rock music while maintaining some of that trademark Ajalon sound.
Relient K Signs To Jive Records
Relient K is asking fans to Forget And Not Slow Down on October 6 as they launch the first release since taking helm on the newly revived record label, Mono Vs. Stereo, in conjunction with Jive Records.
“The songs that tend to be the fan favorites in the past are the ones about making mistakes but ultimately moving past them,” says guitarist Matt Hoopes. “And this record has a lot of that feeling. No matter what trials and tribulations you encounter in your life, it doesn’t have to be the end of your story. You can move on and be happy and experience joy.” On this latest release, the band teamed up with longtime producer Mark Townsend, and enlisted legendary mixer Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Sheryl Crow), as they carried the ‘break-up album’ into the 21st century, tweaking it with clear-eyed songwriting and a four-to-the-floor optimism that is positively refreshing. To prep for Forget And Not Slow Down, Matt Thiessen retreated to a remote house in Winchester, TN in isolation for several months writing material for the new record. During his sojourn, Thiessen stayed in constant contact with Hoopes and the rest of the band – drummer Ethan Luck, bassist John Warne and guitarist Jon Schneck – sharing song ideas and mapping out a direction for the album. One guiding principle soon emerged: this record should rock. “We definitely wanted to make a rock record,’” front man Matt Thiessen confirms. “We wanted it to be uptempo and energetic. As far as the sonic aspect, we wanted to make it less modern sounding, with classic rock textures – Counting Crows, Foo Fighters, those kind of ‘90s albums. That was a good time for rock ‘n’ roll.” Always known as a fan favorite, Relient K gave fans the opportunity to tune in to the making of Forget And Not Slow Down by airing “In The Studio” webisodes on their website. To view these episodes, including a special appearance from Vince Gill, go here
Tour Dates:
10/1 – New Haven, CT
10/2 – Philadelphia, PA
10/3 – Farmingdale, NY
10/4 – Boston, MA
10/6 – Towson, MD
10/8 – Knoxville, TN
10/9 – Charlotte, NC
10/10 – Atlanta, GA
10/11 – Nashville, TN
10/13 – Chicago, IL
10/14 – Minneapolis, MN
10/15 – Kansas City, MO
10/16 – Denver, CO
10/19 – Dallas, TX
10/20 – Houston, TX
10/21 – Midwest City, OK
10/22 – Tulsa, OK
10/23 – Des Moines, IA
10/24 – St. Louis, MO
My Last Flight News
My Last Flight started as an internet band where Devin Donohoe just recorded some songs on a crappy 4 track and just posted them on myspace. Devin then went through some life changing experience and decided to share his story with everyone by playing a show on winter 2006. My Last Flight was lucky enough to open up for some national acts and played over 80 shows that year. From that moment Devin thought “Imagine what I can do if I had the help from other musicians?”. So that’s how My Last Flight became a full-band. We are very happy to announce that My Last Flight just released their debut EP called “You Are Loved” on New Line Music. The idea of this EP was to really empathize with people’s feelings. Lyrically, Devin tried put himself in other people’s situations. Musically, they just locked ourselves in their practice space kept writing and writing. The result came out great. Check out their new music here.
Superchick Partners With International “Operation Beautiful” Campaign
Grammy nominated pop-rock band Superchick has joined efforts with “Operation Beautiful,” an international campaign that encourages women to love themselves just the way they are. Superchick’s song “So Beautiful” has been tapped as an anthem for the movement, which the band will support on tour this fall. Launched in June 2009 by food and fitness blogger Caitlin Boyle, Operation Beautiful encourages women to post encouraging notes in public places, take pictures of those notes and share them online. The campaign’s official web site, OperationBeautiful.com, is rapidly becoming an Internet phenomenon, with more than 350 notes posted last month alone. Women from the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Guam, Iraq, New Zealand and other countries are posting notes in public restrooms, on boxes of supermarket diet shakes, in subway stations and in fitness center changing rooms with phrases like “You are perfect just the way you are!” and “Why wait? Start loving yourself now!” Sisters Tricia and Melissa Brock of Superchick recently discovered the web site and have committed to posting their own notes as they travel across the country on the BarlowGirl-Superchick Live Tour this fall. They are also encouraging their fans to join the movement and post notes of their own to help spread love and confidence to women everywhere. “A few weeks ago, we came across OperationBeautiful.com and fell in love with its mission to encourage confidence in girls and women of all shapes and sizes,” says Tricia Brock. “Not enough girls look in the mirror and see what’s beautiful and different about themselves! Spreading messages of positive self-esteem and self-image has been Superchick’s passion for the past ten years that we’ve been writing and touring. Needless to say, we were excited to come across this growing underground movement and honored to be a small part of it.” “Superchick’s record label contacted me earlier this month, saying they had the perfect song for Operation Beautiful,” says Boyle. “The song was ‘So Beautiful,’ and the first time I listened to it all I could think was ‘This is the rock anthem for Operation Beautiful!’ I want women to realize that they are beautiful – and I don’t mean physically beautiful. Every one of us has an inner light that shines through and makes us unique. We need to accept and embrace the way we are instead of trying to reach an unattainable ideal. Our daughters will thank us for it!”
To see what Operation Beautiful is all about, visit:
operationbeautiful.com
©2009 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved
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