I probably don't need to tell anyone this, but Eric Johnson is one spectacular guitarist. He's also a very nice guy. I interviewed him when "Bloom" was released and have caught him live several times-- well worth any ticket price! ~M
Eric Johnson will kick off a month’s worth of live dates this September, including performances in San Diego as part of the all-star ‘Love In: A Musical Celebration,’ a ‘theatrical celebration of the year 1967.’ Also appearing in addition to Johnson will be Jesse Colin Young, Buddy Miles, and Strawberry Alarm Clock, in addition to countless other artists, as well as Tony Award-winning Broadway star Ben Vereen. Eric will be performing three songs with other fellow contributors (not his usual backing band).
After his ‘Love In’ appearances, Johnson will headline a tour of his own (with his backing band reinstated), performing songs off his recent Grammy® nominated album “Bloom” as well as such fan- favorites as the Grammy®-Award winning song “Cliffs of Dover”.
These dates will continue a recent reunion of sorts for Johnson, as the rhythm section that appeared on Eric's 1986 debut, "Tones," is back on board - bassist Roscoe Beck and drummer Tommy Taylor. Both players have appeared sporadically with Eric over the years, but this will mark the first time since 1986 that all three will be on stage together. Since the trio's last tour was dubbed "Big Texans from Outer Space," the 2006 tour has been named "Return of Big Texans from Outer Space."
Roscoe (who has also played alongside the likes of Leonard Cohen, Robben Ford, Jennifer Warnes and the last Dixie Chicks World Tour) was last seen on stage with Eric circa the first-ever G3 Tour - then in support of "Venus Isle."
Johnson, who has toured steadily behind “Bloom” - which was released June 14th, 2005 through Favored Nations - is considered to be one of the most technically-proficient live performers on the scene today. In fact, Pollstar called his last routing “One of the best live shows of a rock guitarist of our time.”
An avid live performer, Johnson says that he doesn’t mind all of the touring, even after spending almost a year and half straight on the road. In fact, he is so focused on making his live performances accessible to his audience that he recently released two new DVDs—“The Art of Guitar,” an instructional video by the master himself, and "Live from Austin Texas", a never-before-released DVD and CD (New West Records) that captures the essence of the guitarist’s legendary December 14th, 1998 performance on Austin City Limits! Live from Austin Texas includes many of Johnson's hit recordings from his Grammy nominated "Ah Via Musicom" and the first release of two fan favorite Jimi Hendrix covers; "Love or Confusion" and "Are You Experienced".
"I prefer playing live because I can take the music and expand it through improvisation,” he said. “It's also great to see how the audience receives it.” If these shows are anything like his last, it’s safe to say that the fans will be eating it up, after all as Pollstar wrote, “If you love rock guitar you'll love the energy of his show. Don't miss him on this tour.”
The official dates for Johnson’s September tour include:
6/Thu - Love In: A Musical Celebration, San Diego, CA
7/Fri - Love In: A Musical Celebration, San Diego, CA
8/Sat - Love In: A Musical Celebration, San Diego, CA
9/Sun - Love In: A Musical Celebration, San Diego, CA
15/Sat - Crystal Bay Club - Crystal Bay, NV
16/Sun - The Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
17/Mon - Mystic Theatre - Petaluma, CA
20/Thu - The Canyon Theatre - Agoura Hills, CA
21/Fri - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
22/Sat - The Canyon Club - Las Vegas, NV
23/Sun - The Margarita Scottsdale Music Fest - Scottsdale, AZ
26/Wed - Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall - Durango, CO
27/Thu - Vilar Center for the Arts - Beaver Creak, CO
28/Fri - The Soiled Dove Underground - Denver, CO
29/Sat - The Fox Theatre and Cafe - Boulder, CO
For information on Eric Johnson, visit
www.ericjohnson.com
http://www.favorednations.com/artists/ej/ej.html
www.newwestrecords.com
For more information on Roscoe Beck, visit
www.roscoebeck.com
For more information on Tommy Taylor, visit
www.tommytaylor.com
For more information on ‘Love In,’ visit
www.loveinthemusical.com
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Jeff Oster offer you more horns
Jeff Oster’s story has been a long, strange, meandering one, with a second (or third, or fourth) act that once wouldn’t have seemed possible. Nearly 30 years ago, Oster first decided to play music for a living; 20 years ago, he set aside his musical ambitions and moved on to a more lucrative day job; and about five years ago, he finally found that his day job made it possible for him to revive those initial dreams.
Oster is now releasing his second album, “True,” an artful blend of ambient grooves with his warm, jazz-inflected trumpet and flugelhorn playing. The album is the next step in a unique trip that has turned a one-time limo driver, standup comic, bar-band musician and financial planner into an unexpected force in the world of instrumental music.
Produced by Will Ackerman, the founder of Windham Hill Records, “True” features music composed and performed by Oster, Ackerman, Jan Pulsford, Patrick Gorman and Ugandan vocalist Samite. The album was mixed by Bryan Carrigan (Alanis Morrissette, No Doubt) and the legendary engineer Bruce Swedien, whose other work includes Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
“There have been a million recordings of horn players, some of them utterly brilliant, but in all these recordings there has never been anyone who incorporates so many influences or blurs genres or traditions as gracefully as Jeff Oster does,” says Ackerman. “The elements are familiar, but the synthesis is unique. This is a milestone recording."
For Oster, though, the synthesis simply comes naturally. “The second record has more rhythm than the first, but none of it is really planned,” he says. “I just play what moves me, what I love, what sounds good to me. And I start by hunting for sound, more than anything else. I look for what’s out there that I can react to, build the songs from there, and figure, if I love it, maybe somebody else is going to love it.”
Raised in Florida, Oster began playing music at the age of eight. He moved to Oregon for college, made contacts in the record industry, and came to Los Angeles to visit; a six-hour audition to become Ray Charles’ trumpet player didn’t result in the gig, but it was exciting enough that he moved to L.A. to try to break into the business. When a record deal didn’t materialize immediately, he worked as a limo driver, often playing his song demos for the captive audience in his car. (One passenger, country singer Mel Tillis, was encouraging enough to help him get into ASCAP.) He wrote songs, played in cover bands in L.A., Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, worked the wedding circuit, and even tried his hand at standup comedy for a while. In 1987, though, a client convinced him that he’d make a good stockbroker and financial planner; the client was right, and for the last 20 years Oster has been extremely successful in the financial industry.
Oster’s musical dreams resurfaced strongly in 2003, when he began using the computer software program Sonic Acid to create music using downloaded drum, bass and synthesizer tracks. Although he’d record his horn parts from across the room using the computer’s tiny built-in voice microphone, the resulting songs sounded good enough to become favorites on the mp3.com service, where he placed four songs on the Top Ten Downloads list.
“I’d recorded these songs at three in the morning on a little 38-cent microphone,” he says, “but I was getting 40,000 downloads a month, so I knew I had something going on.”
The songs also attracted Will Ackerman, a musical idol of Oster’s since the late 1970s. The two men recorded together in late 2003, cutting tracks that became the “At Last” EP and then the full-length album “Released.” The album, which Oster has described as “Chet Baker meets Dead Can Dance,” won the 2005 Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album awards at the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards, which are voted by broadcasters and handed out by the New Age Reporter, the leading journal to cover New Age, World, Ambient and Electronic music. The Oster/Ackerman composition “At Last” also won the Best New Age Song award at the 2005 Independent Music Awards.
“True” features many of the same contributors as “Released,” with more emphasis on the rhythm tracks and on sounds from around the world, including Tibetan throat chants on “Tibet” and a spoken/sung interlude from Samite on “Serengeti.” Musicians include drummer Keith Carlock, bassists T-Bone Wolk and Michael Manring, cellist Eugene Friesen, keyboardists Philip Aaberg and Jan Pulsford, guitarists Patrick Gorman and Ackerman, percussionist Derrik Jordan, and vocalists Noah Wilding and Melissa R. Kaplan.
“It might sound like hyperbole, but we may be witnessing the emergence of the next instrumental superstar,” wrote Bill Binkelman in an advance review in the New Age Reporter.
For Jeff Oster, though, superstardom was never the point. His goal, he came to realize after the years of driving limos and playing in bar bands and working as a financial advisor, is simply to play what he wants, to find music he loves and pass it on to anybody who wants to listen.
“Over the years, I never had any idea of what kind of music I would make on my own,” he says. “At first I was either trying to play other people’s music, or I was trying to write music that other people would record. And I never really thought about what my music would be like. I never said, ‘I’m gonna be an ambient chilled jazz flugelhorn player.’ But because I have enough financial resources now, I’m not trying to sound like whatever’s selling now. I‘m just going for stuff that sounds good and makes me feel good. And that’s an incredibly freeing way to work.”
Oster is now releasing his second album, “True,” an artful blend of ambient grooves with his warm, jazz-inflected trumpet and flugelhorn playing. The album is the next step in a unique trip that has turned a one-time limo driver, standup comic, bar-band musician and financial planner into an unexpected force in the world of instrumental music.
Produced by Will Ackerman, the founder of Windham Hill Records, “True” features music composed and performed by Oster, Ackerman, Jan Pulsford, Patrick Gorman and Ugandan vocalist Samite. The album was mixed by Bryan Carrigan (Alanis Morrissette, No Doubt) and the legendary engineer Bruce Swedien, whose other work includes Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
“There have been a million recordings of horn players, some of them utterly brilliant, but in all these recordings there has never been anyone who incorporates so many influences or blurs genres or traditions as gracefully as Jeff Oster does,” says Ackerman. “The elements are familiar, but the synthesis is unique. This is a milestone recording."
For Oster, though, the synthesis simply comes naturally. “The second record has more rhythm than the first, but none of it is really planned,” he says. “I just play what moves me, what I love, what sounds good to me. And I start by hunting for sound, more than anything else. I look for what’s out there that I can react to, build the songs from there, and figure, if I love it, maybe somebody else is going to love it.”
Raised in Florida, Oster began playing music at the age of eight. He moved to Oregon for college, made contacts in the record industry, and came to Los Angeles to visit; a six-hour audition to become Ray Charles’ trumpet player didn’t result in the gig, but it was exciting enough that he moved to L.A. to try to break into the business. When a record deal didn’t materialize immediately, he worked as a limo driver, often playing his song demos for the captive audience in his car. (One passenger, country singer Mel Tillis, was encouraging enough to help him get into ASCAP.) He wrote songs, played in cover bands in L.A., Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, worked the wedding circuit, and even tried his hand at standup comedy for a while. In 1987, though, a client convinced him that he’d make a good stockbroker and financial planner; the client was right, and for the last 20 years Oster has been extremely successful in the financial industry.
Oster’s musical dreams resurfaced strongly in 2003, when he began using the computer software program Sonic Acid to create music using downloaded drum, bass and synthesizer tracks. Although he’d record his horn parts from across the room using the computer’s tiny built-in voice microphone, the resulting songs sounded good enough to become favorites on the mp3.com service, where he placed four songs on the Top Ten Downloads list.
“I’d recorded these songs at three in the morning on a little 38-cent microphone,” he says, “but I was getting 40,000 downloads a month, so I knew I had something going on.”
The songs also attracted Will Ackerman, a musical idol of Oster’s since the late 1970s. The two men recorded together in late 2003, cutting tracks that became the “At Last” EP and then the full-length album “Released.” The album, which Oster has described as “Chet Baker meets Dead Can Dance,” won the 2005 Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album awards at the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards, which are voted by broadcasters and handed out by the New Age Reporter, the leading journal to cover New Age, World, Ambient and Electronic music. The Oster/Ackerman composition “At Last” also won the Best New Age Song award at the 2005 Independent Music Awards.
“True” features many of the same contributors as “Released,” with more emphasis on the rhythm tracks and on sounds from around the world, including Tibetan throat chants on “Tibet” and a spoken/sung interlude from Samite on “Serengeti.” Musicians include drummer Keith Carlock, bassists T-Bone Wolk and Michael Manring, cellist Eugene Friesen, keyboardists Philip Aaberg and Jan Pulsford, guitarists Patrick Gorman and Ackerman, percussionist Derrik Jordan, and vocalists Noah Wilding and Melissa R. Kaplan.
“It might sound like hyperbole, but we may be witnessing the emergence of the next instrumental superstar,” wrote Bill Binkelman in an advance review in the New Age Reporter.
For Jeff Oster, though, superstardom was never the point. His goal, he came to realize after the years of driving limos and playing in bar bands and working as a financial advisor, is simply to play what he wants, to find music he loves and pass it on to anybody who wants to listen.
“Over the years, I never had any idea of what kind of music I would make on my own,” he says. “At first I was either trying to play other people’s music, or I was trying to write music that other people would record. And I never really thought about what my music would be like. I never said, ‘I’m gonna be an ambient chilled jazz flugelhorn player.’ But because I have enough financial resources now, I’m not trying to sound like whatever’s selling now. I‘m just going for stuff that sounds good and makes me feel good. And that’s an incredibly freeing way to work.”
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Catch Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds & Trisha Yearwood
The series that proves great music knows no boundaries returns, bringing together multiple Grammy winners, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Trisha Yearwood. Known for his smooth voice and prolific songwriting, Edmonds joins country superstar Yearwood for a magical evening that was taped before an invitation only audience in Nashville. The two soulful voices will join as one on the latest episode of CMT CROSSROADS: KENNY “BABYFACE” EDMONDS AND TRISHA YEARWOOD premiering Friday, Sept. 21 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT.
Lamb of God's "Killadelphia" goes Platinum
Make no mistake about it, Grammy nominated, LAMB OF GOD are the reigning supreme rulers of American Heavy Metal. Now, LAMB OF GOD announce “Killadelphia” DVD goes Platinum!!!
The band celebrate receiving the platinum award for “Killadelphia” DVD while they currently deliver their unruly brand of Heavy Metal as direct support to Ozzy on the mainstage at Ozzfest.
“If you thought Metallica’s Some Kind Of Monster was candid, wait until you get your metal-loving mitts on Killadelphia.”-Long Island Press.
LAMB OF GOD’s “Killadelphia” highlights every facet of the bands unforgiving live performance recorded from two unforgettable Sold-Out concerts at Philadelphia’s legendary Trocadero. This blistering live documentation features lead singer Randy Blythe’s storming vocals, the buzzsaw guitar slaughter of both Willie Adler and Mark Morton along with the powerhouse rhythm section of Chris Adler (drums) with John Campbell (bass).
“Killadelphia” boasts live versions of: Laid To Rest, Hourglass, As The Palaces Burn, Now You’ve Got Something To Die For, 11th Hour, Terror & Hubris, Ruin, Omerta, Pariah, The Faded Line, Bloodletting, The Subtle Art Of Murder & Persuasion, Vigil, What I’ve Become, and the utterly classic Black Label; which inspires crowds worldwide to part seas for the infamous ‘wall of death’.
Drummer, Chris Adler states “In today's age of gimmicks, lies and faux reality trying to make celebrities out of everyone with a few dollars, it was important for us to not stage or hype up a damn thing - to simply show LAMB OF GOD on the road; the good times, the bad times and one hell of a show- and for that stripped down, no-holds-barred approach to be received this well certainly flatters us, but also continues to make a dent in the industry full of fakes and talentless image. It's nice to know that we didn't have to be anything other than ourselves to achieve such success with this DVD, but the real praise should go to our friends and fans who picked up Killadelphia and in doing so have sent a message to the powers that be that we are sick of the over hyped, fake "real world" being shoved down our throats - we are all ready for the honest, genuine bands and music to take center stage once again. As a band we are extremely humbled by this achievement - it's rare that a band like ourselves receives this honor. Again, we pass along the thanks and praise to those of you who picked up Killadelphia. This is an accomplishment that we share with all of you. Thank you, congratulations and cheers! See you all soon - Stay Metal 'till then!”
“A must-own for any metal fan, this DVD features the blistering highlights of two fall 2004 performances at Philadelphia’s Trocadero, as well as farts and all.” –Revolver Magazine
“Killadelphia gives Lamb Of God fans an exclusive look of the band’s uncut behind the scenes reality.” -Outburn
“Morton and Willie Adler crank out a succession of irate riffs, which have grown more intricate with every album. Drummer Chris Adler (Willie’s older brother) and ursine bassist John Campbell stomp and pirouette around restless rhythms with heroic skill and vigor. Yet Blythe’s loose cannon rage balances their prodigious playing with the sort of rock ‘n’ roll danger the likes of Slipknot or Mudvayne can’t summon, even with spooky outfits or extra percussionists.” -More Sugar
“In the world of extreme metal, Lamb Of God is seen as something of a savior. Summarily crushed any fears in metaldom the “the big time” would compromise the band’s mutilating rhythms, surgical guitars and combative vocals.”-Dallas Morning News
“Lamb Of God exudes metal – long hair, a gregarious nature, and insane solos – and puts on a superb live show in detail. One of the best parts of the bands performance is the extravagance that is Chris Adler’s drumming.”-New Times, AZ
“If the extra scrutiny affected the band, you couldn’t tell by watching them play. The Killadelphia DVD was filmed at Philadelphia’s Trocadero in October while the jury was still out. Which is to say, they ripped the shit out of each song with mind-boggling grace. Guitarists Willie Adler and Mark Morton are two of the most articulate shredders in music today.”-Decibel
"Few Music DVD’s are this engrossing. The musicians are skilled metal players, and this sets up contention with singer/screamer Randy Blythe, who, at one point, doesn’t want the band to play cd versions of the songs during live shows. “I’m at the top of my game, though” one guitarist says to him, later telling him he won’t change his performance. This argument leads to a violent fistfight three days later in Glasgow, where Blythe is sucker punched from the side. Metal fan or not, Killadelphia is a devastating look into the darker side of music.”-West Valley View, AZ
“Live aspects of the production are fantastic. On this DVD Lamb Of God comes off like a juggernaut.”-Wonkavision
“Killadelphia is a bare bones documentary of the life on the road with one of the death metal stalwart’s Lamb Of God in support of the recent release Ashes Of The Wake. With the bands performances intertwined with all the hustle, bustle, and drunken jostles, the DVD will be an enjoyment for fans who have come to love the explosive live shows around the country and abroad the Lamb Of God have done since their incarnation. It’s quite a trip to watch, the band at its zenith. There are no glamorous reality-TV bullshit schemes to this DVD. It’s a stone-cold look at a band on the road without any trimmings, which makes it intriguing to anyone who’s a fan of the bands work.”-Rag Magazine, Florida
“The long-awaited DVD is here, featuring the band in all their live glory.” -Westwood One, National Syndicate
“Killadelphia is as unforgiving as their music.” -Daily News, PA
“Few bands give the fans a true perspective of life on the road, or the inner workings of the individual musicians. Lamb Of God show all the warts, from vans breaking down, complaints about touring and live shows, arguments and even fisticuffs! Guitarist mark Morton knocks out singer randy Blythe, all caught on film.” -Brave Words And Bloody Knuckles, Canada
The band celebrate receiving the platinum award for “Killadelphia” DVD while they currently deliver their unruly brand of Heavy Metal as direct support to Ozzy on the mainstage at Ozzfest.
“If you thought Metallica’s Some Kind Of Monster was candid, wait until you get your metal-loving mitts on Killadelphia.”-Long Island Press.
LAMB OF GOD’s “Killadelphia” highlights every facet of the bands unforgiving live performance recorded from two unforgettable Sold-Out concerts at Philadelphia’s legendary Trocadero. This blistering live documentation features lead singer Randy Blythe’s storming vocals, the buzzsaw guitar slaughter of both Willie Adler and Mark Morton along with the powerhouse rhythm section of Chris Adler (drums) with John Campbell (bass).
“Killadelphia” boasts live versions of: Laid To Rest, Hourglass, As The Palaces Burn, Now You’ve Got Something To Die For, 11th Hour, Terror & Hubris, Ruin, Omerta, Pariah, The Faded Line, Bloodletting, The Subtle Art Of Murder & Persuasion, Vigil, What I’ve Become, and the utterly classic Black Label; which inspires crowds worldwide to part seas for the infamous ‘wall of death’.
Drummer, Chris Adler states “In today's age of gimmicks, lies and faux reality trying to make celebrities out of everyone with a few dollars, it was important for us to not stage or hype up a damn thing - to simply show LAMB OF GOD on the road; the good times, the bad times and one hell of a show- and for that stripped down, no-holds-barred approach to be received this well certainly flatters us, but also continues to make a dent in the industry full of fakes and talentless image. It's nice to know that we didn't have to be anything other than ourselves to achieve such success with this DVD, but the real praise should go to our friends and fans who picked up Killadelphia and in doing so have sent a message to the powers that be that we are sick of the over hyped, fake "real world" being shoved down our throats - we are all ready for the honest, genuine bands and music to take center stage once again. As a band we are extremely humbled by this achievement - it's rare that a band like ourselves receives this honor. Again, we pass along the thanks and praise to those of you who picked up Killadelphia. This is an accomplishment that we share with all of you. Thank you, congratulations and cheers! See you all soon - Stay Metal 'till then!”
“A must-own for any metal fan, this DVD features the blistering highlights of two fall 2004 performances at Philadelphia’s Trocadero, as well as farts and all.” –Revolver Magazine
“Killadelphia gives Lamb Of God fans an exclusive look of the band’s uncut behind the scenes reality.” -Outburn
“Morton and Willie Adler crank out a succession of irate riffs, which have grown more intricate with every album. Drummer Chris Adler (Willie’s older brother) and ursine bassist John Campbell stomp and pirouette around restless rhythms with heroic skill and vigor. Yet Blythe’s loose cannon rage balances their prodigious playing with the sort of rock ‘n’ roll danger the likes of Slipknot or Mudvayne can’t summon, even with spooky outfits or extra percussionists.” -More Sugar
“In the world of extreme metal, Lamb Of God is seen as something of a savior. Summarily crushed any fears in metaldom the “the big time” would compromise the band’s mutilating rhythms, surgical guitars and combative vocals.”-Dallas Morning News
“Lamb Of God exudes metal – long hair, a gregarious nature, and insane solos – and puts on a superb live show in detail. One of the best parts of the bands performance is the extravagance that is Chris Adler’s drumming.”-New Times, AZ
“If the extra scrutiny affected the band, you couldn’t tell by watching them play. The Killadelphia DVD was filmed at Philadelphia’s Trocadero in October while the jury was still out. Which is to say, they ripped the shit out of each song with mind-boggling grace. Guitarists Willie Adler and Mark Morton are two of the most articulate shredders in music today.”-Decibel
"Few Music DVD’s are this engrossing. The musicians are skilled metal players, and this sets up contention with singer/screamer Randy Blythe, who, at one point, doesn’t want the band to play cd versions of the songs during live shows. “I’m at the top of my game, though” one guitarist says to him, later telling him he won’t change his performance. This argument leads to a violent fistfight three days later in Glasgow, where Blythe is sucker punched from the side. Metal fan or not, Killadelphia is a devastating look into the darker side of music.”-West Valley View, AZ
“Live aspects of the production are fantastic. On this DVD Lamb Of God comes off like a juggernaut.”-Wonkavision
“Killadelphia is a bare bones documentary of the life on the road with one of the death metal stalwart’s Lamb Of God in support of the recent release Ashes Of The Wake. With the bands performances intertwined with all the hustle, bustle, and drunken jostles, the DVD will be an enjoyment for fans who have come to love the explosive live shows around the country and abroad the Lamb Of God have done since their incarnation. It’s quite a trip to watch, the band at its zenith. There are no glamorous reality-TV bullshit schemes to this DVD. It’s a stone-cold look at a band on the road without any trimmings, which makes it intriguing to anyone who’s a fan of the bands work.”-Rag Magazine, Florida
“The long-awaited DVD is here, featuring the band in all their live glory.” -Westwood One, National Syndicate
“Killadelphia is as unforgiving as their music.” -Daily News, PA
“Few bands give the fans a true perspective of life on the road, or the inner workings of the individual musicians. Lamb Of God show all the warts, from vans breaking down, complaints about touring and live shows, arguments and even fisticuffs! Guitarist mark Morton knocks out singer randy Blythe, all caught on film.” -Brave Words And Bloody Knuckles, Canada
Cosmosquad returns with "Acid Test"
Heralded Southern California-based metal fusioneers COSMOSQUAD, featuring acclaimed guitarist Jeff Kollman (Glenn Hughes, UFO) and Canadian drummer Shane Gaalaas, (B'z, Diesel Machine), have returned with their fourth album, 'Acid Test'. It marks the group's first studio effort since 2001's highly regarded 'Squadrophenia' which firmly established the band as one of the premier progressive instrumental acts on the scene.
Described by Kollman as "purposely textured, moody, multi-layered, and compostional", COSMOSQUAD's expressive fusion of dark, ethereal textures and brute, metallic force are a far cry from the million-notes-a-minute mindset the genre is often associated with.
"'Acid Test' is not just a guitar record. It really is a collaboration between Shane and myself", states Kollman emphatically, who co-produced the album with Gaalaas at the drummer's Crumb West Studios in Simi Valley, CA . "The songs are focused on vibe and mood and go beyond mere shred and improv. It has those moments of sheer chops as well, but that's just another element that comes into play. The song is really at the center of what we do."
'Acid Test' is the first COSMOSQUAD effort without co-founding member, Barry Sparks, whose bass duties have been filled by a trio of capable, well credentialed players in Paul Shihadeh (Scott Kinsey), Kevin Chown (Uncle Cracker, Edwin Dare), and the group's latest full-time addition, Christopher Maloney (Dweezil Zappa, Hardline).
Explains Gaalaas: " Once we started recording, we spread the tunes around to our revolving cast of bass players and everybody came through with some great playing."
In addition, the album also features keyboards by Ed Roth and Jono Brown.
The 'Acid Test' track listing read as follows:
01. NuMena
02. The Spy Who Ate Her
03. Lubitorium
04. Bedbucket
05. Goathead
06. Hindenburg
07. The Long Walk Goodbye
08. Swink
09. Grossalicious
COSMOSQUAD is gearing up to hit the road in support of 'Acid Test'.
"This is not a 'project' or a group of session players getting together in between other work," explains Kollman. "This is a band in the true sense of the word. We are dedicated to continue working and writing together and to taking our live shows to a whole new level."
COSMOSQUAD will be kicking off their 2007/'08 tour with a performance at their favorite Los Angeles area club, the world-famous Baked Potato, followed by a string of performance clinics in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. The exact dates are as follows:
Friday, September 21 9:30 P.M
Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
Wednesday, September 26 7:00 P.M
Guzzardo Music
3010 Charles St.
Rockford IL 61108
Thursday, September 27 7:00 P.M
Henri's Music
500 S. Military Ave.
Green Bay WI 54303
Friday, September 28 7:00 P.M
White House of Music
3218 W. Washington
West Bend WI 53095
Saturday, September 29 2 P.M
Cascio / Interstate Music
13819 W. National Ave.
New Berlin WI 53151
Thursday, October 18 4:00 P.M
Musician's Institute
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
For more info visit:
www.cosmosquad.com
www.myspace.com/officialcosmosquad
Described by Kollman as "purposely textured, moody, multi-layered, and compostional", COSMOSQUAD's expressive fusion of dark, ethereal textures and brute, metallic force are a far cry from the million-notes-a-minute mindset the genre is often associated with.
"'Acid Test' is not just a guitar record. It really is a collaboration between Shane and myself", states Kollman emphatically, who co-produced the album with Gaalaas at the drummer's Crumb West Studios in Simi Valley, CA . "The songs are focused on vibe and mood and go beyond mere shred and improv. It has those moments of sheer chops as well, but that's just another element that comes into play. The song is really at the center of what we do."
'Acid Test' is the first COSMOSQUAD effort without co-founding member, Barry Sparks, whose bass duties have been filled by a trio of capable, well credentialed players in Paul Shihadeh (Scott Kinsey), Kevin Chown (Uncle Cracker, Edwin Dare), and the group's latest full-time addition, Christopher Maloney (Dweezil Zappa, Hardline).
Explains Gaalaas: " Once we started recording, we spread the tunes around to our revolving cast of bass players and everybody came through with some great playing."
In addition, the album also features keyboards by Ed Roth and Jono Brown.
The 'Acid Test' track listing read as follows:
01. NuMena
02. The Spy Who Ate Her
03. Lubitorium
04. Bedbucket
05. Goathead
06. Hindenburg
07. The Long Walk Goodbye
08. Swink
09. Grossalicious
COSMOSQUAD is gearing up to hit the road in support of 'Acid Test'.
"This is not a 'project' or a group of session players getting together in between other work," explains Kollman. "This is a band in the true sense of the word. We are dedicated to continue working and writing together and to taking our live shows to a whole new level."
COSMOSQUAD will be kicking off their 2007/'08 tour with a performance at their favorite Los Angeles area club, the world-famous Baked Potato, followed by a string of performance clinics in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. The exact dates are as follows:
Friday, September 21 9:30 P.M
Baked Potato
3787 Cahuenga Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
Wednesday, September 26 7:00 P.M
Guzzardo Music
3010 Charles St.
Rockford IL 61108
Thursday, September 27 7:00 P.M
Henri's Music
500 S. Military Ave.
Green Bay WI 54303
Friday, September 28 7:00 P.M
White House of Music
3218 W. Washington
West Bend WI 53095
Saturday, September 29 2 P.M
Cascio / Interstate Music
13819 W. National Ave.
New Berlin WI 53151
Thursday, October 18 4:00 P.M
Musician's Institute
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
For more info visit:
www.cosmosquad.com
www.myspace.com/officialcosmosquad
Ministry members plan projects after final studio album
Al Jourgensen's band Ministry may be releasing their final studio album - The Last Sucker - on September 18th on 13th Planet/Megaforce Records, but that doesn't mean Jourgensen is saying good-bye to the inside of a recording studio. As a matter of fact, Jourgensen plans to spend significantly more time in the studio doing what he loves best - collaborating. And collaboration is at the root of Cover Up, a soon-to-be-released album of some of Al's personal favorite songs being recorded by Ministry & Co-Conspirators in his El Paso, TX compound, 13th Planet Studios. Ministry and Co-Conspirators' Cover Up is expected to street in April 2008.
In addition to core Ministry members guitarist Sin Quirin (Revolting Cocks) and bassist Paul Raven (Killing Joke/Prong/Mob Research) Jourgensen enlisted an impressive group of co-conspirators for Cover Up - Fear Factory front man Burton C. Bell (also Ascension of The Watchers) sings on the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb," Tony Campos (bass) and Wayne Static (vocals) from Static X are on the Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," and Prong's Tommy Victor (vocals) and Mountain's Leslie West (guitar) do justice to Mountain's classic "Mississippi Queen."
Cover Up will also include Ministry's cover of the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" (which can also be found on The Last Sucker), as well as Ram Jam's "Black Betty," Deep Purple's "Space Truckin," Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" and "Radar Love" by Golden Earring. Additional featured artists, including Cheap Trick's Robin Zander (vocals) and Rick Nielson (guitar), and trax are in the works.
"It's a work in progress," states Jourgensen, "based on who's on tour and comin' through town. It keeps everything spontaneous. By now, everyone knows if they're droppin' by the studio, I'm gonna put them to work. I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve for this one.
"I'm just waiting on a few more return calls," laughs Jourgensen, "Seems like lately if you visit the 13th Planet compound, you'll end up on Cover Up or I'll end up signing you to my label - or both," sites Jourgensen in reference to 13th Planet Records recent signing of Victor's Prong and Bell's Ascension of The Watchers).
After 10 albums and 27 years (including a 2006 Grammy nomination for "Lieslieslies" from the Rio Grande Blood album, and a Grammy nod in 2005 for "The Great Satan," from Rantology, Jourgensen has decided that the Ministry garage is ready to close its doors, but the revolving 13th Planet Studio doors remain open for Jourgensen's collaborations and also for upcoming new signings for his 13th Planet imprint.
The Last Sucker is Ministry's 11th - and absolutely final - studio offering. The Last Sucker is the third in an unrelenting and uber-critical CD trilogy aimed at exposing the plethora of foils, failures and fabrications perpetrated by the George W. Bush Administration. The Last Sucker was produced and recorded this past Spring by Jourgensen at his 13th Planet compound and sees the return of Rio Grande Blood musicians Victor on guitars, Raven on bass, with newcomer guitarist Quirin. Jourgensen and his engineer John "Bixby" Bilberry handled all the drum programming. In addition, Fear Factory's and AoTW's Bell makes a vocal appearance on "Die In A Crash," as well as the album's final two songs, "End of Days" Parts One and Two.
In addition to core Ministry members guitarist Sin Quirin (Revolting Cocks) and bassist Paul Raven (Killing Joke/Prong/Mob Research) Jourgensen enlisted an impressive group of co-conspirators for Cover Up - Fear Factory front man Burton C. Bell (also Ascension of The Watchers) sings on the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb," Tony Campos (bass) and Wayne Static (vocals) from Static X are on the Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," and Prong's Tommy Victor (vocals) and Mountain's Leslie West (guitar) do justice to Mountain's classic "Mississippi Queen."
Cover Up will also include Ministry's cover of the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" (which can also be found on The Last Sucker), as well as Ram Jam's "Black Betty," Deep Purple's "Space Truckin," Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" and "Radar Love" by Golden Earring. Additional featured artists, including Cheap Trick's Robin Zander (vocals) and Rick Nielson (guitar), and trax are in the works.
"It's a work in progress," states Jourgensen, "based on who's on tour and comin' through town. It keeps everything spontaneous. By now, everyone knows if they're droppin' by the studio, I'm gonna put them to work. I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve for this one.
"I'm just waiting on a few more return calls," laughs Jourgensen, "Seems like lately if you visit the 13th Planet compound, you'll end up on Cover Up or I'll end up signing you to my label - or both," sites Jourgensen in reference to 13th Planet Records recent signing of Victor's Prong and Bell's Ascension of The Watchers).
After 10 albums and 27 years (including a 2006 Grammy nomination for "Lieslieslies" from the Rio Grande Blood album, and a Grammy nod in 2005 for "The Great Satan," from Rantology, Jourgensen has decided that the Ministry garage is ready to close its doors, but the revolving 13th Planet Studio doors remain open for Jourgensen's collaborations and also for upcoming new signings for his 13th Planet imprint.
The Last Sucker is Ministry's 11th - and absolutely final - studio offering. The Last Sucker is the third in an unrelenting and uber-critical CD trilogy aimed at exposing the plethora of foils, failures and fabrications perpetrated by the George W. Bush Administration. The Last Sucker was produced and recorded this past Spring by Jourgensen at his 13th Planet compound and sees the return of Rio Grande Blood musicians Victor on guitars, Raven on bass, with newcomer guitarist Quirin. Jourgensen and his engineer John "Bixby" Bilberry handled all the drum programming. In addition, Fear Factory's and AoTW's Bell makes a vocal appearance on "Die In A Crash," as well as the album's final two songs, "End of Days" Parts One and Two.
Gibson launches new semi-hollow body guitar
Gibson Guitar, the world’s premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, launched its newest model today, the Gibson ES-339, a traditional semi-hollow body guitar in the alluring size of a Gibson Les Paul. The newest guitar, which delivers the singing sustain and all of the characteristic nuances of the classic ES-335 Gibson semi-hollowbody guitar including the shape, resonant tone, hardware and more in the versatile size of a Les Paul, will be available exclusively through Musician’s Friend (www.musiciansfriend.com)and its affiliates through the end of 2007.
The Gibson ES-339 will prove to be a holiday gift favorite for guitar players of all types. Hailing from the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis, TN, the guitar is incredibly versatile due to its unique design. Gibson’s original semi-hollowbody guitar was the famed ES-335, which was created back in 1958 to provide the perfect combination of solidbody and hollowbody features. With a solid maple block running down the center of its thin hollow body, the ES-335 provides the robust, resonant tone of a hollow body guitar while delivering the sustain and feedback resistance of a solid body. Gibson’s hybrid design became known as a semi-hollowbody guitar and remains a perennial favorite of players of nearly all styles of music.
While the ES-339 features smaller body dimensions, it sacrifices none of the huge semi-hollowbody tone that makes the ES-335 universally appealing. The craftsmen at the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis managed to shave several inches off the traditional semi-hollow body design while retaining perfect proportions that look classy and natural. All the features guitarists love about the ES-335 are present and accounted for on the ES-339 including a pair of ’57 Classic Humbuckers that deliver full-bodied tone with rich midrange and singing sustain, as well as tulip-head tuners, nickel hardware, ABR-1 bridge, stop tailpiece, dot fingerboard inlays, and lacquer finish which make the guitars look like they came right out of 1958.
Gibson also included the mounting of the output jack on the side of the guitar instead of on top to keep the cable out of the way. The 339 also sports Gibson’s new Memphis Tone Circuit, which preserves the guitar’s high frequencies no matter where you adjust the volume control. The Memphis Tone Circuit gives the 339 a beautiful, open tonal spectrum at any volume.
The ES-339 is available in two neck sizes. The first, a 30/60 neck has the slim, wide feel of an early ’60s Gibson, with an extra .030-inches of depth—perfect for today’s faster playing styles. The second, a heftier ’59 neck profile, is also available for guitarists who prefer a chunkier neck but still enjoy fast, smooth playing action.
The ES-339, comes with a hard shell case, has an MSRP of $2,821, is offered in three vintage-style finishes—Antique Red, Antique Vintage Sunburst, and Light Caramel Burst and is only available through Musician’s Friend and its affiliates including Guitar Center.com, Music 123.com, Guitarsale.com and Private Reserve Guitars.com.
Gibson Custom Shop’s ES-339:
Model: ES-339
Pickups: ’57 Classic Humbucking Pickups
Hardware: Nickel
Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ dot inlays
Scale: 24 ¾”
Nut Width: 1-11/16”
Bridge: ABR-1 with stopbar tailpiece
Neck Material: 1-piece mahogany
Body Material: Laminated maple top, back, rims with maple center block
Controls: 2 tone, 2 volume, 3-way pickup selector switch
Colors: Antique Red, Antique Vintage Sunburst, and Light Caramel Burst
Case: Hardshell Case
Date Available: August 31, 2007
MSRP: $2,821
ABOUT GIBSON GUITAR:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com
The Gibson ES-339 will prove to be a holiday gift favorite for guitar players of all types. Hailing from the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis, TN, the guitar is incredibly versatile due to its unique design. Gibson’s original semi-hollowbody guitar was the famed ES-335, which was created back in 1958 to provide the perfect combination of solidbody and hollowbody features. With a solid maple block running down the center of its thin hollow body, the ES-335 provides the robust, resonant tone of a hollow body guitar while delivering the sustain and feedback resistance of a solid body. Gibson’s hybrid design became known as a semi-hollowbody guitar and remains a perennial favorite of players of nearly all styles of music.
While the ES-339 features smaller body dimensions, it sacrifices none of the huge semi-hollowbody tone that makes the ES-335 universally appealing. The craftsmen at the Gibson Custom Shop in Memphis managed to shave several inches off the traditional semi-hollow body design while retaining perfect proportions that look classy and natural. All the features guitarists love about the ES-335 are present and accounted for on the ES-339 including a pair of ’57 Classic Humbuckers that deliver full-bodied tone with rich midrange and singing sustain, as well as tulip-head tuners, nickel hardware, ABR-1 bridge, stop tailpiece, dot fingerboard inlays, and lacquer finish which make the guitars look like they came right out of 1958.
Gibson also included the mounting of the output jack on the side of the guitar instead of on top to keep the cable out of the way. The 339 also sports Gibson’s new Memphis Tone Circuit, which preserves the guitar’s high frequencies no matter where you adjust the volume control. The Memphis Tone Circuit gives the 339 a beautiful, open tonal spectrum at any volume.
The ES-339 is available in two neck sizes. The first, a 30/60 neck has the slim, wide feel of an early ’60s Gibson, with an extra .030-inches of depth—perfect for today’s faster playing styles. The second, a heftier ’59 neck profile, is also available for guitarists who prefer a chunkier neck but still enjoy fast, smooth playing action.
The ES-339, comes with a hard shell case, has an MSRP of $2,821, is offered in three vintage-style finishes—Antique Red, Antique Vintage Sunburst, and Light Caramel Burst and is only available through Musician’s Friend and its affiliates including Guitar Center.com, Music 123.com, Guitarsale.com and Private Reserve Guitars.com.
Gibson Custom Shop’s ES-339:
Model: ES-339
Pickups: ’57 Classic Humbucking Pickups
Hardware: Nickel
Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ dot inlays
Scale: 24 ¾”
Nut Width: 1-11/16”
Bridge: ABR-1 with stopbar tailpiece
Neck Material: 1-piece mahogany
Body Material: Laminated maple top, back, rims with maple center block
Controls: 2 tone, 2 volume, 3-way pickup selector switch
Colors: Antique Red, Antique Vintage Sunburst, and Light Caramel Burst
Case: Hardshell Case
Date Available: August 31, 2007
MSRP: $2,821
ABOUT GIBSON GUITAR:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com
Lionel Richie's concert DVD and companion CD out on Sept. 11
LIVE IN PARIS, Lionel Richie’s first concert DVD, which premiered on PBS television pledge drives across the country this month as part of the prestigious Great Performances series, will be released commercially by Island Records on September 11th. The concert, taped at the Bercy Arena in May 2007, will be available on DVD (with 19 live songs), and also as part of a deluxe package coupled with the 10-song audio CD counterpart
LIVE IN PARIS is a feast for Lionel Richie fans, as it intersperses his litany of career-refinancing Motown hits – among them “Running With the Night,” “Endless Love,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and more – with signature tunes from his years with the Commodores – “Easy,” “Still,” “Lady (You Bring Me Up),” “Three Times a Lady,” and more. Along with these are live performances of two songs from Richie’s current RIAA gold Grammy-nominated Island album, Coming Home, the #1 R&R Urban AC chart hit “I Call It Love” and “All Around the World.”
In addition, there are the full-length music videos for two songs from the Coming Home album, “I Call It Love” (shot in Los Angeles by director Jessey Terrero and starring Nicole Richie) and “Just For You,” plus the ultra-rare clip of “Angel,” from Richie’s first Island Records album of 2001, Renaissance. Bonus material includes intimate, behind-the-scenes footage of Lionel and his team preparing for the show in Paris.
The final track index for the LIVE IN PARIS DVD is:
1. Just For You *
2. Easy *
3. Running With the Night *
4. I Call It Love *
5. Still *
6. Oh No *
7. Stuck On You *
8. Dancing on the Ceiling *
9. Three Times a Lady *
10. All Around the World *
11. Se La *
12. Endless Love *
13. Sail On *
14. Fancy Dancer *
15. Lady (You Bring Me Up) *
16. Brick House *
17. Hello *
18. Say You, Say Me *
19. All Night Long (All Night).
The final sequence for the LIVE IN PARIS CD is:
1. I Call It Love *
2. Just For You *
3. Dancing on the Ceiling *
4. All Around the World *
5. Lady (You Bring Me Up) *
6. Brick House * 7. Sail On *
8. Fancy Dancer *
9. Endless Love *
10. All Night Long (All Night).
(Tracks 1,2,4,5,7,8,9 previously unreleased as live recordings.)
Legendary singer, songwriter, producer, Academy Award-winner, and five-time Grammy Award-winning Island recording artist Lionel Richie made chart history one year ago, when Coming Home became the first top 10 album debut of his 24-year solo career, following its release on September 12, 2006. The news came just three weeks before the opening of his 7-week, 17-city headlining North American tour of October-November, sponsored by United Way.
Coming Home, featuring nine songs written/co-written by Richie, was his long-awaited fourth album on Island Records, the follow-up to the live album Encore (released September 2004), Just For You (May 2004), and Renaissance (March 2001). In addition to being his first concert DVD, LIVE IN PARIS is Richie’s first original long-form U.S. video in 15 years, since 1992’s Back To Front (Motown).
www.lionelrichie.com
LIVE IN PARIS is a feast for Lionel Richie fans, as it intersperses his litany of career-refinancing Motown hits – among them “Running With the Night,” “Endless Love,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and more – with signature tunes from his years with the Commodores – “Easy,” “Still,” “Lady (You Bring Me Up),” “Three Times a Lady,” and more. Along with these are live performances of two songs from Richie’s current RIAA gold Grammy-nominated Island album, Coming Home, the #1 R&R Urban AC chart hit “I Call It Love” and “All Around the World.”
In addition, there are the full-length music videos for two songs from the Coming Home album, “I Call It Love” (shot in Los Angeles by director Jessey Terrero and starring Nicole Richie) and “Just For You,” plus the ultra-rare clip of “Angel,” from Richie’s first Island Records album of 2001, Renaissance. Bonus material includes intimate, behind-the-scenes footage of Lionel and his team preparing for the show in Paris.
The final track index for the LIVE IN PARIS DVD is:
1. Just For You *
2. Easy *
3. Running With the Night *
4. I Call It Love *
5. Still *
6. Oh No *
7. Stuck On You *
8. Dancing on the Ceiling *
9. Three Times a Lady *
10. All Around the World *
11. Se La *
12. Endless Love *
13. Sail On *
14. Fancy Dancer *
15. Lady (You Bring Me Up) *
16. Brick House *
17. Hello *
18. Say You, Say Me *
19. All Night Long (All Night).
The final sequence for the LIVE IN PARIS CD is:
1. I Call It Love *
2. Just For You *
3. Dancing on the Ceiling *
4. All Around the World *
5. Lady (You Bring Me Up) *
6. Brick House * 7. Sail On *
8. Fancy Dancer *
9. Endless Love *
10. All Night Long (All Night).
(Tracks 1,2,4,5,7,8,9 previously unreleased as live recordings.)
Legendary singer, songwriter, producer, Academy Award-winner, and five-time Grammy Award-winning Island recording artist Lionel Richie made chart history one year ago, when Coming Home became the first top 10 album debut of his 24-year solo career, following its release on September 12, 2006. The news came just three weeks before the opening of his 7-week, 17-city headlining North American tour of October-November, sponsored by United Way.
Coming Home, featuring nine songs written/co-written by Richie, was his long-awaited fourth album on Island Records, the follow-up to the live album Encore (released September 2004), Just For You (May 2004), and Renaissance (March 2001). In addition to being his first concert DVD, LIVE IN PARIS is Richie’s first original long-form U.S. video in 15 years, since 1992’s Back To Front (Motown).
www.lionelrichie.com
The Pack readies debut effort for October release
After creating one of the most original and infectious songs of last year with "Vans", a song that even Rolling Stone named top 5 for 2006, these four Bay Area teens are set to take it one step further with their debut album BASED BOYS. Always the trendsetters, The Pack defy classification by creating the genre that they call "based music". Their influence can be felt throughout the hip hop landscape - from kids in every hood embracing skate fashions, to Swizz Beat's own twist on their signature sound with his hit "Money In The Bank". These boys are ahead of the curve.
BASED BOYS is 17 tracks of body moving rhythms produced mostly by in house production whiz - Young L. The album also features production from Mr. Collipark (Ying Yang Twins, Bubba Sparxx), DJ Speedy (Young Jeezy) and Pit (Shop Boys - "Party Like A Rockstar"). The first single "In My Car" picks up right where "Vans" left off with the video will be directed by MTV VMA nominated Dale "Rage" Resteghini (Souljia Boy, Jim Jones, Young Berg)
The Pack's infectious personalities, sheer talent and youthful charisma have earned them much acclaim in a very short time. Their enormous online fan-base - over 17 million plays on Myspace and millions of YouTube views - has translated into more mainstream attention. MTV added “I’m Shinin” to it’s Elite 8 based solely on the fact that The Pack was one of the most popular groups on it’s website. So popular in fact, that their episode of “You Hear It First” was the most viewed/downloaded show in MTV.com history. The low-budget video that was originally shot only for YouTube quickly became the #1 video on MTV2! They have more requests for MTV's Super Sweet 16 than any other group - filming 3 different episodes already, including Chris Brown's special edition Super 18. Publications like Spin, Blender, XXL, Vibe and Thrasher have all done features on them - all without an album out!
The anticipation will be over on 10/16 when The Pack release BASED BOYS on Jive Records. If the present buzz is any indication of things to come, the sky's the limit for these 4 teens. Catch them on tour with Gym Class Heroes this fall!
www.myspace.com/thepack
BASED BOYS is 17 tracks of body moving rhythms produced mostly by in house production whiz - Young L. The album also features production from Mr. Collipark (Ying Yang Twins, Bubba Sparxx), DJ Speedy (Young Jeezy) and Pit (Shop Boys - "Party Like A Rockstar"). The first single "In My Car" picks up right where "Vans" left off with the video will be directed by MTV VMA nominated Dale "Rage" Resteghini (Souljia Boy, Jim Jones, Young Berg)
The Pack's infectious personalities, sheer talent and youthful charisma have earned them much acclaim in a very short time. Their enormous online fan-base - over 17 million plays on Myspace and millions of YouTube views - has translated into more mainstream attention. MTV added “I’m Shinin” to it’s Elite 8 based solely on the fact that The Pack was one of the most popular groups on it’s website. So popular in fact, that their episode of “You Hear It First” was the most viewed/downloaded show in MTV.com history. The low-budget video that was originally shot only for YouTube quickly became the #1 video on MTV2! They have more requests for MTV's Super Sweet 16 than any other group - filming 3 different episodes already, including Chris Brown's special edition Super 18. Publications like Spin, Blender, XXL, Vibe and Thrasher have all done features on them - all without an album out!
The anticipation will be over on 10/16 when The Pack release BASED BOYS on Jive Records. If the present buzz is any indication of things to come, the sky's the limit for these 4 teens. Catch them on tour with Gym Class Heroes this fall!
www.myspace.com/thepack
10TRecords announces Little Atlas release
10T Records is proud to announce the release of the brand new full length CD release by Little Atlas, entitled “Hollow” on October 8, 2007. This will be the Miami-based band’s 3rd official release and their first on 10T Records.
The Little Atlas style is difficult to categorize using current artists as a point of reference. The band has really carved out its own unique sound amid the current progressive rock landscape, creating compositions that range from haunting and dark, to frolicking and frenetic. Little Atlas is a work in progress - an ever-changing sound reflecting the mood and will of its creators. Their music has been described as "Music for Musicians" (Miami Herald) and as "Esoteric, yet familiar, complex yet catchy, a thoroughly unique sound and approach to song crafting" (Florida Jam Magazine)."
Little Atlas returns with their brand new, full-length CD release "Hollow." Featuring 10 tracks, "Hollow," is easily the band's most mature and accomplished work to date. All of the signature elements of the Little Atlas sound are firmly in place, along with even tighter arrangements, stronger production, and an overall more muscular approach that takes their unique sound into new and exciting places.
The songs on "Hollow" are presented as 10 distinct character studies, each told from a first-person perspective with a dynamic display of emotion, lyrical insight and soaring melodic hooks. From ethereal soundscapes to unexpected angular twists - from pastoral passages to aggressive and edgy rock, this is a new and evolved Little Atlas that is both unclassifiable and undeniable. The final mixes of “Hollow” were mastered by multiple Grammy Award-winner Joe Palmaccio (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, ELO, Derek & The Dominoes).
“We have known the guys in Little Atlas for years, and there’s a real deep satisfaction we have in being able to be a part of this great new CD,” says 10T Records president Steve Carroll. “Little Atlas was one of the bands that we originally built 10T Records around, and I know that this CD will not only be embraced by their existing fans, it will also initiate a whole new legion to their ranks.”
“Hollow” ” is available for immediate pre-order through the 10T Records website. All orders received between now and the official release date will ship by the end of the week prior to the official release. Additionally, all tracks from “Hollow” are available to preview in their entirety through the 10T Records website: http://www.10trecords.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=25
After October 8, “Hollow” will be available at your favorite retail outlet for immediate purchase.
The Little Atlas style is difficult to categorize using current artists as a point of reference. The band has really carved out its own unique sound amid the current progressive rock landscape, creating compositions that range from haunting and dark, to frolicking and frenetic. Little Atlas is a work in progress - an ever-changing sound reflecting the mood and will of its creators. Their music has been described as "Music for Musicians" (Miami Herald) and as "Esoteric, yet familiar, complex yet catchy, a thoroughly unique sound and approach to song crafting" (Florida Jam Magazine)."
Little Atlas returns with their brand new, full-length CD release "Hollow." Featuring 10 tracks, "Hollow," is easily the band's most mature and accomplished work to date. All of the signature elements of the Little Atlas sound are firmly in place, along with even tighter arrangements, stronger production, and an overall more muscular approach that takes their unique sound into new and exciting places.
The songs on "Hollow" are presented as 10 distinct character studies, each told from a first-person perspective with a dynamic display of emotion, lyrical insight and soaring melodic hooks. From ethereal soundscapes to unexpected angular twists - from pastoral passages to aggressive and edgy rock, this is a new and evolved Little Atlas that is both unclassifiable and undeniable. The final mixes of “Hollow” were mastered by multiple Grammy Award-winner Joe Palmaccio (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, ELO, Derek & The Dominoes).
“We have known the guys in Little Atlas for years, and there’s a real deep satisfaction we have in being able to be a part of this great new CD,” says 10T Records president Steve Carroll. “Little Atlas was one of the bands that we originally built 10T Records around, and I know that this CD will not only be embraced by their existing fans, it will also initiate a whole new legion to their ranks.”
“Hollow” ” is available for immediate pre-order through the 10T Records website. All orders received between now and the official release date will ship by the end of the week prior to the official release. Additionally, all tracks from “Hollow” are available to preview in their entirety through the 10T Records website: http://www.10trecords.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=25
After October 8, “Hollow” will be available at your favorite retail outlet for immediate purchase.
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