August Burns Red’s New Album Comes Closer to “Existence”
Recently, AUGUST BURNS RED let fans get their first taste of their anticipated album Constellations, when they released the album’s lead track, “Thirty and Seven” – and the fans have spoken. To paraphrase an old cereal commercial, “They like it, they really like it!” It has received more than 244,000 plays on the band’s MySpace page, and became a hot seller on iTunes. With only a few more weeks until Constellations hits shelves, ABR are giving fans their second taste of metally goodness in the form of the album’s second track, “Existence.” While “Thirty And Seven” bridges the gap stylistically between the band’s beloved back-catalog and Constellations, “Existence” hints at the rest of the new album’s innovation and sonic wanderlust. Constellations hits store shelves 7/14th, 2009.
A variety of pre-order packages, which include a variety of limited edition extras, can be viewed here:
myspace.com/augustburnsred
Hands Posts New Music
Hands have posted a new song from their forthcoming Facedown debut Creator which is due to be released on 7/21. Hands will be on tour with The Showdown this summer starting in mid-July. Before they meet up with The Showdown they will also be playing a handful of dates with A Hope For Home. You can hear the new song, Resistance, here.
Tour Dates:
7/1 – Bushnell, IL
7/3 – Bushnell, IL
7/11 – Oshkosh, MN
7/17 – Wilmar, MN
7/18 – Colorado Springs, CO
7/21 – Pocatello, ID
7/22 – Boise, ID
7/23 – Portland, OR
7/24 – Roseburg, OR
7/27 – Reno, NV
7/29 – Anaheim, CA
7/30 – Tucson, AZ
8/1 – Borgentreich, GER
8/2 – Borgentreich, GER
8/4 – San Antonio, TX
8/5 – Houston, TX
8/21 – Camas, WA
Jars Of Clay Release New Video
The multi-Platinum and three-time GRAMMY Award-winning band Jars of Clay premiered its “Two Hands” music video last week on Yahoo.com. The video showcases Jars of Clay’s engaging delivery of the hit single interspersed with footage of the band on a recent trip to Africa in support of its Blood:Water Mission. The “Two Hands” music video was directed by Eric Welch and produced by Tameron Hedge. “Two Hands” is currently at No. 8 on the AC Indicator chart, No. 9 on the AC Monitored chart, and No. 10 on the CHR chart. You can check out the video
here.
Original Evanescence Members Form New Group
Members of the original line-up of Evanescence — one of the most successful bands to emerge over the past decade — announced this morning that they have reunited with a new front person in American Idol’s Carly Smithson. Ben Moody, who co-founded the band, was a principal writer of the 15-million selling debut Fallen, departed Evanescence in 2003. Since that time, he has enjoyed a prolific career as a producer and songwriter. When asked about the formation of We Are The Fallen, he shares, “I am finally home.” Singer Smithson added, “As an artist I have never been happier. Creatively, musically, visually, and on a comedic level we are united and together on the same page. We are a family.” Moody initiated this move, and reached out to the current line-up one-by-one. Gray and LeCompt signed on, followed by the commitment from old friend O’Brien. Smithson, who was a finalist on last year’s talent search, was the final piece to fall in to place. Guitarist John LeCompt offers, “Just when you thought it was over, we go and do something like this.” Drummer Rocky Gray added, “I’m very blessed to be able to be playing with my friends and think that this band has the potential to be bigger than anything we’ve done before!” Bassist Marty O’Brien weighs in, “I am so proud to be a part of this band, and can not wait for The World to hear these amazing new songs we’ve been writing!”
Evanescence’s debut album, Fallen, was a phenomenon, becoming one of the few albums released in the history of recorded music where a debut catapulted five unknowns to worldwide stardom. To date Fallen is still Evanescence’s most successful album having spent over 100 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. We Are The Fallen plan to tour this September, and the itinerary will be forthcoming. In the coming months, the band will release new recordings frequently. These will all be digital for the time being, with a physical debut in consideration for 2010.
For more information, please visit:
WeAreTheFallen.com
Inpop Records Celebrates Two #1 Hits
Inpop Records artists captured the top spots at Christian radio this week, with singer/songwriter Mat Kearney dominating the CHR chart and pop-rock outfit Everyday Sunday claiming the No. 1 song at Rock radio. “Closer to Love,” the debut single from Kearney’s new Inpop/Columbia/Aware project, City of Black & White, marks his first No. 1 song at Christian radio. Chris Hauser of Hauser Promotions, who is promoting the song to radio, comments, “I’m thrilled and honored to be attached to Mat Kearney’s first career No. 1. His music is way more than just a job to me. He speaks to me, moves me and inspires me with his take on life.” Also No. 1 this week is Everyday Sunday with the first single, and title track, from its June 16 release, Best Night of Our Lives, which climbed to No. 3 on iTunes’ Top Christian Albums chart. “Best Night Of Our Lives” is the second Rock radio hit for Everyday Sunday, following “Wake Up! Wake Up!” from its 2007 Inpop Records debut of the same name. A remixed version of the single by Soul Glow Activatur from Family Force 5 is also currently being offered as a bonus track exclusively through iTunes. Trey Pearson, founder and frontman of Everyday Sunday, remarks, “We are so excited to have ‘Best Night Of Our Lives’ go No. 1 at radio the week of our new album release. We had so much fun making this record, and it’s rewarding to see so many old and new fans rallying in support of our latest project.” “It is a huge privilege to hold the number one positions on two charts simultaneously,” says Shara Katerberg-Hsu, director of marketing at Inpop Records. “This is the first number one for Mat Kearney, who was first embraced by Christian radio when he broke records at CHR five years ago. Everyday Sunday’s latest accomplishment at Rock marks the band’s third No. 1 since signing with Inpop two years ago, solidifying its staying power as a first class rock act in our industry. Congratulations to both artists, and many thanks to the promoters and our friends in radio who have continued to support Inpop through the years!” Kearney initially sprung onto the music scene in 2004 with Bullet, his first national release and label debut on Inpop Records. In addition to spawning the hit song “Undeniable,” Bullet caught the attention of Aware Records, label home to John Mayer, Train and Five For Fighting. Kearney and Inpop Records inked a general-market partnership with Aware/Columbia Records in 2005, and he released his sophomore project, Nothing Left To Lose, in 2006. The album garnered Kearney Dove Awards for New Artist of the Year as well as Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song (“Trainwreck”) and prominent licensing placements on popular shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bones,” and “Friday Night Lights.” He was additionally featured as a VH1 You Oughta Know artist and headlined the first VH1 “You Oughta Know” tour. Kearney has also toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, The Fray, Jason Mraz and most recently Keane in the spring of 2009. On June 19, 2009 Kearney kicked off a headlining tour in support of City of Black & White, which debuted last month at No. 1 on the Christian SoundScan charts and No. 13 on the Billboard 200.
New Method News
New Method, a quartet based in Ohio, announced the latest dates for its extremely popular concert series, Faith & Family Fun Night. The band, recently signed with Avista, an arm of Provident-Sony Music, developed the tour in 2003. The band tours extensively throughout the United States in support of the tour, a concept developed by band founder, Doug Meacham. “Touring, traveling and playing is the best way we can reach new and established supporters. And as we work on our third album, this tour will provide us with more opportunities to grow musically and develop a new sound. Plus, the tour events are great for families, are high energy and contribute to an extremely positive cause all at the same time,” Meacham said of the band’s affiliation with the nonprofit Mission of Mercy.
Tour Dates:
6/28 – Columbus, OH
7/18 – Westerville, OH
8/1 – Sandusky, OH
9/5 – Mobile, AL
9/11 – Orlando, FL
9/12 – Orlando, FL
10/3 – Pigeon Forge, TN
The Devil Wears Prada News
It was announced today that Mike Hranica, vocalist for The Devil Wears Prada will appear on the cover for Alternative Press August issue (#253). This is the annual Warped Tour issue and Hranica had a memorable photo shoot with A Day To Remember’s Jeremy McKinnon during a stop in NY for the recent Sweet Brag Tour. The Devil Wears Prada’s new album “With Roots Above And Branches Below” has scanned close to 60,000 copies in five weeks and debuted at # 11 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart also landing at #1 on the Indie Rock Chart, #1 on the Hard Music Chart and #1 on the Christian chart. It also reached #2 on iTunes on it’s first day only stopped by Bob Dylan. A recent New York Times review (“Playlist” May 24th) called the band “impressive” and said of the music “it’s majestic punishment , thanks especially to the pneumatic-drill drumming of Daniel Williams and the flambuoyant guitar work of Chris Rubey and Jeremy DePoyster, both fluent in the legacy outrageously attitude-laden outrageously technical metal.” The band will appear on the mainstage of Warped Tour all summer as well as appearing at The Cornerstone Festival on July 4th in Marietta, IL.
For tour dates & album info on TDWP, visit:
myspace.com/tdwp
MuteMath Mobile Listening Party Kicks Off
In a unique move to allow their fans the chance to hear their entire new album, ARMISTICE, in advance of street date, MUTEMATH has devised an intrepid plan to bring the music to the streets of your city via bus for a Mobile Listening Party (MMLP). These special events will begin 7/6, leading up to the date of the album’s release on 8/18. The Teleprompt/Warner Bros. Records tour bus will begin its coast –to-coast journey bringing new music directly to their fans where they can interact with each other as they discover ARMISTICE for the first time. The VIP ticket pre-sale began on Friday, June 19th. A very special VIP bundle package will be available for one price and will include:
A ticket for the MUTEMATH show of their choice.
A copy of the new album ARMISTICE.
An exclusive MMLP T-shirt.
An exclusive album artwork lithograph signed by the members of MUTEMATH.
Immediate download of the album’s first single plus two non-album B-sides.
A Limited Edition “First-In-Line-Pass”
An invitation to the MUTEMATH Mobile Listening Party.
The touring MUTEMATH Mobile Listening Party will come to a close on the album’s street date of 8/18, with a Record Release Party show in the band’s hometown of New Orleans at the House of Blues. MUTEMATH will be joined onstage by New Orlean’s own, legendary, Rebirth Brass Band. This will be an incredible night for both the band and their fans. The VIP bundle packages will be limited so be sure to keep an eye on mutemath.com often to avoid disappointment.
Tour Dates:
7/6 – Seattle, WA
7/7 – Portland, OR
7/9 – Sacramento, CA
7/10 – San Francisco, CA
7/11 – Los Angeles, CA
7/12 – San Diego, CA
7/13 – Phoenix, AZ
7/14 – Albuquerque, NM
7/15 – Denver, CO
7/17 – Kansas City, MO
7/18 – Springfield, MO
7/19 – Des Moines, IA
7/20 – Minneapolis, MN
7/21 – Madison, WI
7/22 – Chicago, IL
7/23 – Grand Rapids, MI
7/24 – Detroit, MI
7/25 – Cincinnati, OH
7/27 – Columbus, OH
7/28 – Cleveland, OH
7/29 – Philadelphia, PA
7/30 – Boston, MA
7/31 – New York, NY
8/1 – Baltimore, MD
8/2 – Washington, DC
8/4 – Norfolk, VA
8/5 – Charlotte, NC
8/6 – Birmingham, AL
8/7 – Nashville, TN
8/9 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
8/10 – Orlando, FL
8/11 – Atlanta, GA
8/12 – Memphis, TN
8/13 – St. Louis, MO
8/14 – Tulsa, OK
8/15 – Oklahoma City, OK
8/16 – Dallas, TX
8/17 – Houston, TX
8/18 – New Orleans, LA
Sleeping Giant News
The highly anticipated new album from Sleeping Giant is out now! You can find it on iTunes for $7.99 or order a physical copy here. Sleeping Giant will be on the Scream The Prayer Tour this summer.
Tour Dates:
7/1 – Bushnell, IL
7/2 – Bushnell, IL
7/3 – Bushnell, IL
7/4 – Indianapolis, IN
7/5 – St. Louis, MO
7/6 – Tulsa, OK
7/7 – Albuquerque, NM
7/8 – Phoenix, AZ
7/9 – Pomona, CA
7/10 – San Diego, CA
7/11 – Sacramento, CA
7/12 – Reno, NV
7/14 – Denver, CO
7/16 – Willmar, MN
7/17 – Mokena, IL
7/18 – Nashville, TN
7/19 – Raleigh, NC
7/20 – Douglasville, GA
7/21 – Jacksonville, FL
7/23 – Houston, TX
7/24 – San Antonio, TX
7/25 – Dallas, TX
7/26 – Little Rock, AR
7/28 – 7/8 – Dayton, OH
7/29 – Toronto, ON
7/30 – Montreal, QC
7/31 – New York, NY
8/1 – Gilford, NH
8/2 – Baltimore, MD
8/15 – Coltewah, TN
8/21 – Camas, WA
Demon Hunter Announces Huntour 2009 Dates
Seattle metallers DEMON HUNTER have announced four exclusive performances in the US starting in August, dubbed “Huntour 2009”. The band will kick off the tour in their hometown of Seattle, WA before heading to Pomona, CA for two mini-festivals. One of the shows will feature the special reunion performance of classic Christian band Focused. The upcoming gigs will also feature Throwdown (in Pomona) and Bleeding Through (in Alaska), as well as Living Sacrifice and more to be announced. The Huntour 2009 is sponsored by Solid State Records, INRI Clothing, and Revolver Magazine. These will be the only shows DEMON HUNTER plays in 2009, and they will be making special announcements about the band, so be sure to catch them LIVE!
Tour Dates:
8/12 – Seattle, WA
8/14 – Pomona, CA
8/15 – Pomona, CA
9/11 – Anchorage, AK
For more information on Demon Hunter, visit:
myspace.com/demonhunter
For Today Posts New Song
For Today has posted a new song from their recently released sophomore album Portraits. You can hear “Isaiah (The Willing)” now on myspace. You can see For Today all summer on the Scream The Prayer Tour and pick up the album here.
Tooth & Nail Records Signs The Letter Black
Nationally known for discovering fresh talent that fans gravitate towards, Tooth & Nail Records is pleased to announce the signing of their most recent hard rock band THE LETTER BLACK, formally known as Breaking the Silence. Legendary producer Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Korn, 3 Doors Down) is working with the band in Seattle on their label debut “Breaking the Silence,” which will release this fall (September) before the band hits the road on a major tour. THE LETTER BLACK is fronted by female vocalist Sarah Anthony, followed by her husband Mark Anthony (guitar / background vocals), Matt Beal (bass), Mat Slagle (drummer) and Perry Johnson (guitar). Celebrating their joining the T&N family, Sarah Anthony shared when announcing the band’s news to their MySpace followers, “We’re very excited to join such a historic roster alongside so many great bands. The Tooth & Nail Family is extremely hard working and dedicated to supporting the goals we’ve set as a band. They have a solid understanding of the direction we’re looking to take this band, and we feel honored to team up with them.” Describing the band’s songs, Mark Anthony shares, “Our songs are not always happy, but rather about real life situations. All of us go through different chapters in our lives, and in these chapters we write letters of good and bad times. Some letters in our chapters, we are happy to share. Others, we are not so proud to reveal. THE LETTER BLACK reminds us of the past mistakes we have made and helps us remember to not keep making the same mistakes.” Formed in 2006, the band already has a strong established fan-base and plan to continue to expand this as they play at major festivals this summer including next week at the historical rock Cornerstone Festival, Rock the Desert (August) as well as a guest act on a major fall rock tour. With an impressive streak of 150 shows a year, a recent slot on the successful Five 4 Five Tour, this Uniontown, Pennsylvania-based band is sure to bring a major amount of attention on Tooth & Nail Records.
For more information on THE LETTER BLACK, tour dates and studio updates, visit:
myspace.com/theletterblack
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