Our Comrads @ HeadbangerNYC.com reports:Rhino Records has set an October 2 release date for "Heavy Metal Box". True to its name, the project will be literally packaged in a metal box resembling a Marshall guitar amp. The liner notes will include photos, track commentary, interviews with Ronnie James Dio and Lita Ford and an essay by METALLICA's Lars Ulrich on the New Wave of Brish Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). "Heavy Metal Box" track listing: Disc 1: Disc 2: Disc 3: Disc 4: A production company is putting together a K!ss Experience show for a 2007-2008 debut. The company is currently seeking the Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley personalities for the project. All potential candidates must be able to travel, have no cr!minal record and have a flexible schedule for shows. Most importantly candidates must look and sound like the respected characters and also be K!SS fans. This is a professional venture so there will be guarantees and contracts. The production company will be constructing new costumes and gear for the successful candidates." All submission should include photos, video clips/audio clips and a brief background on yourself. E-mail your submission to: k!ssaudition@bigvegasproductions.com (replace ! with i) FAIR TO MIDLAND:They just played two crazy, sold-out shows supporting the Smashing Pumpkins, did a bunch of shows with Evans Blue, and next week they set out to tour the UK and Europe to tour with Dir En Gray, play festivals like Wacken, M'era Luna and Metal Hammer, and headline the Kerrang! Awards Week show in London on August 18th. As if that weren't enough, below is the first batch of confirmed dates for the Chevelle U.S. tour! And if you haven't caught FTM live yet, here are a bunch of opportunities. More to come, so stay tuned! FAIR TO MIDLAND TOUR SCHEDULE http://www.myspace.com/fairtomidland THE CHRIS DUARTE GROUP RELEASE NEW PROJECT"BLUE VELOCITY" ON BLUES BUREAU RECORDS JULY 31ST SUMMER TOUR STARTS AUGUST 2007 HOLLYWOOD (July 27, 2007) The Chris Duarte Group releases their fifth blues/rock masterpiece on Blues Bureau Records The band emerged on the scene out of Austin, Texas in the early 90's and gained notoriety after wowing a packed room of industry insiders at the South X Southwest convention. In the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan's passing, Duarte quickly gained a national reputation as a young man imbued with a playing style comparable at times to the late guitarist. After fielding interest from a number of labels, Duarte signed to Silvertone Records and his debut album "Texas Sugar/Strat Magik" reportedly sold in excess of 100,000 units in the United States, no small feet for a blues/rock guitarist. This, coupled with Duarte's strong commitment to touring, was the impetus for his winning the "Best New Talent Award" in Guitar Player's 1995 Reader's Poll. He also finished fourth in the magazine's "Best Blues Guitarist" category that year behind legends Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. Throughout the last decade, Duarte honed his chops as a guitarist, songwriter and singer as he recorded three more critically acclaimed records, "Tailspin Headwhack" in 1997, "Love Is Greater Than Me" in 2000 and "Romp" in 2003, the latter two of which were on the Zoe/Rounder label. Not one to rest on his laurels, Duarte has constantly worked on his growth as a musician and the years of recording and touring have culminated purposefully in "Blue Velocity", a record which aptly showcases many sides of this brilliant artist in the context of high energy blues rock with moments that bring to mind legendary artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Johnson. Along the way if this amazing career, the Chris Duarte Group has hammered out the groove on countless stages, logging a good half a million miles in Bluta, their reliable touring van since 1996. Catch them on tour this summer. TOUR DATES: CHRIS DUARTE ON TOUR with BLUESTONE~ For more information on The Chris Duarte Group go to http://www.shrapnelrecords.com Black Cobra recently relocated to San Francisco, from their previous bi-coastal living arrangement. Since the move they have really missed those scorching summer temps. Just in case you did not know, San Francisco does not have what we here at the At A Loss HQ would call real summer heat. For instance the high in Crownsville, MD today is 99 degrees Fahrenheit. The high in San Francisco today is 65 degrees. It is pretty hard to sweat, and be overall uncomfortable in those temperatures. Those boys in B.C. love to do that. To remedy those all too comfortable feelings have in San Francisco, B.C. decided to tour during the hottest month of summer - August!!! Saviours must be sick of those mild temps. too because they are going along for part of the ride. Following that stint the downtuned duo head over to Japan for a week of ear-carnage with Eternal Elysium and a rash of other Japanese hellbringers! More news on upcoming Black Cobra music coming very soon... Black Cobra August U.S. tour 'Cobra does Japan!!! 9/21 Nagoya, Japan @ Huck Finn w/Eternal Elysium, Nice View, Vex, Amber Vial 9/22 Hamamatsu, Japan @ Mescaline Drive w/Eternal Elysium, Shady Glimpse 9/23 Kawasaki, Japan @ Bottom's Up w/Eternal Elysium, King Goblin, Concrete Experience 9/24 Shinjuku, Japan @ Earthdom w/Eternal Elysium, Church of Misery, The Dead Pan Speakers 9/25 Fujisawa, Japan @ Oppa-La w/Eternal Elysium, Omega Supreme 9/28 Gifu, Japan @ 51 w/Eternal Elysium, Junky Waltz, Heartstar 9/29 Osaka, Japan @ Shinkagura w/Eternal Elysium, Birushanah, Ryokuchi 9/30 Nagoya, Japan @ Day Trip w/Eternal Elysium, The Sad Mile, Yung Guitar http://www.blackcobra.net | http://www.myspace.com/blackcobra GODSMACK STEERS COMING HOME STUDIOS' ASSAULT ON WORLD'S LARGEST BIKER EVENT: ROCK'N THE RALLY IN STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA!10TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE CONCERT DVD SHOOT CAPS DAYLONG PARTY ALSO FEATURING TED NUGENT AND FUEL TUESDAY, AUG. 7 LOS ANGELES (July 25, 2007) Multi-platinum rockers GODSMACK combine forces with Coming Home Studios to hijack the world's biggest, baddest biker event a full day of undeniable rock 'n' roll bedlam Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the ROCK'N THE RALLY MUSIC FESTIVAL, part of the legendary Sturgis Bike Rally in Sturgis, SD. GODSMACK will be celebrating its 10th anniversary by teaming with Coming Home Studios for a 19-camera, high-definition video shoot of their headlining performance a ROCK'N THE RALLY for an upcoming live concert DVD. GODSMACK's appearance will be an illustrious close to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for over 40,000 hard rock fans -- a massive, daylong party during Sturgis Bike Week in which Coming Home Studios also will present TED NUGENT and FUEL in the 34-acre amphitheatre at Glencoe Camp Resort. GODSMACK and Coming Home Studios are thrilled to have such a pivotal role in the most exciting event ever added to the largest motorcycle rally on the planet. "GODSMACK is more excited about this show than any other show we've played in the last decade," says front man Sully Erna. "Not only is biking truly a part of our lifestyles, but Sturgis is the Cadillac of events. The Mac Daddy of Biker parties. We are currently setting up for this to be our biggest show EVER! Eighty-foot flames and the baddest ass drum battle you've ever seen is just a hint of what will ROCK the RALLY this year. AC/DC will be proud of this one! So strap on your drinking boots and fire up those engines, 'cause Sturgis this year is making ROCK 'N' ROLL HISTORY!" The Boston rockers are on tour supporting their fourth studio album, Godsmack IV, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after its 2006 release and so far has produced the hit singles, "Speak," "Shinedown" and "Enemy." Later this year, GODSMACK will continue its 10th anniversary celebration with a commemorative box set gathering its four studio albums, the acoustic EP The Other Side and a DVD featuring mini-documentaries about the making of each album. FUEL's new album, Angels and Devils, will be released the same day as their ROCK'N THE RALLY appearance. Coming Home Studios' unique involvement in ROCK'N THE RALLY this year is a natural extension to their participation in the 2006 edition as executive producers of the five-day festival and exclusive producers of the television, pay-per-view and DVD specials. Coming Home Studios arrives in Sturgis amid production on The Steve Miller Band Live from Chicago and The Smashing Pumpkins Live at the Fillmore, the first two projects under its exciting new partnership with Blue Rider Pictures and Film Finances to fund and produce a series of DVDs and TV specials. "ROCK'N THE RALLY is an amazing festival and has one of the best set-ups that we have ever seen for a multi-day event," says Daniel E. Catullo III, president and CEO of Coming Home Studios. "Glencoe Campground is unbelievable and has become the 'hub' for Sturgis every year. We partnered with Gary Lippold last year as the television production company when he produced the first year of ROCK'N THE RALLY and after having such a great experience, we decided to take the relationship to the next level and are happy to be back this year as a partner in the actual festival. The line-up is being received extremely well and our bands represent the 'core' biker audience. Between Godsmack and Ted Nugent, the night is sure to be a blast!" Coming Home Studios has a long-standing relationship with Godsmack, having produced many DVDs for the band during the past decade. "Shooting the new Godsmack DVD at Sturgis is a perfect way to celebrate the band's 10th Anniversary and showcase a different fan base of the band," says Catullo. "Both Sully and I are completely stoked over the production that we have planned for this year's event. It will be a true spectacle." http://www.cominghomestudios.com SUPAGROUP TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, FIRE FOR HIRE, 9/25Appearing in the upcoming Lions Gate movie, College, out Fall 2007 New York, NY Supagroup are set to release their new album, Fire For Hire, on September 25. Anchorage, Alaska natives and brothers Chris and Benji Lee are back with some of the best pop power chords and rock n' roll anthems yet with the support of rhythm section heavies Leif Swift and Michael Brueggen. Produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, H.I.M.), Fire For Hire is the band's debut for the new joint venture between Foodchain Records and Merovingian Music, Ltd./CO5 Music with distribution by Caroline/EMI. The album contains 12 blistering tracks of Supagroup's trademark blend of bluesy, ballsy rock, including "Jailbait", "Born In Exile", "Promised Land", and the first single, "What's Your Problem Now?", set to hit radio in July. "This album has two kinds of music," declares Chris Lee, "rock and roll." "Jailbait" and "Let's Go (Get Wasted)" (from the Rules album), are also featured in the upcoming movie College, out in the Fall through Lions Gate Entertainment. The band performs both songs in a live concert segment in the movie that takes place in their adopted hometown of New Orleans. Look for Supagroup to hit the road soon and check out http://www.supagroup.com or http://www.myspace.com/supagroup for additional news and updates. SAPREMIA'S "HOLLOW" UPDATEOpen Grave Records has released 30 second sound clips of each track from South Jersey Death Metallers Sapremia's, "Hollow" EP on the Open Grave Records website (http://www.opengraverecords.com). "Hollow" is scheduled for an August 28th release, with a limited run of 500 units that will only be available via the Open Grave Records online store, as well as directly from the band themselves. "Hollow" is Sapremia's first new recordings in over 10 years, making this the follow up to their 1994 demo, "Existence of Torture". "Hollow" features 3 brand new songs ("Life of Fantasy", "Scattered Ash", and "Cold War", as well as rerecordings of the songs, "Existence of Torture" and "Fragmented Remains". Included as unlisted bonus tracks are both the "Subconscious Rot" and "Existence of Torture" demos. All preordered copies from the Open Grave Records online store will be signed by the band, as well the first 100 copies will include the original demo tape, "Existence of Torture" in its original form. QUEEN CITY'S 'DIRTY SOUTH REVOLUTIONARIES' TO TOUR BEHIND NEW FULL-LENGTHCHARLOTTE, NC - The Dirty South Revolutionaries' hard-hitting punk antics will be taken on the road in August and September to promote the release of their new album, "Queen City Underground" on New York's Tent City Records. DSR came together in 2004 from the filth and sultry heat of the city streets of Charlotte, NC. Each member had been in other high-profile local bands based out of the queen city, but none had found their real niche in the scene before the formation of Dirty South Revolutionaries. From their do-it-yourself punk roots and metal/death influences to their hardcore virtues of integrity and brotherhood, the band presents an eclectic blend of music's most aggressive genres. Prepare to have your ears assaulted by the sweet sound of "Queen City Underground." DIRTY SOUTH REVOLUTIONARIES TOUR DATES: 8/16 JOHNSON CITY, TN @ THE HIDEAWAY Information on DSR's music and projects can be found at: http://myspace.com/thedirtysouthrevolutionaries BLIND PROPHECY RECORDS Presents Indianapolis Metal Fest 1September 22, 2007 Plus Int'l Renowend Underground Ball Bustin Guitar Rocker "DAVID LADUKE" Also SHUNNED & many more to be announced soon! INDIANAPOLIS METAL FEST I: Location: Venue 2 - AGES 21+ Tickets are good for BOTH venues if you're at least 21 years old. Ticketholders under the age of 21 will only be allowed access to the all-ages ballroom. Venues are located across the street from one another. The show will kick off at 12PM on 9/22/07. Band slot times will be listed in coming weeks. Event tickets for Indianapolis Metal Fest are now on sale! To order tickets online, go to http://indianapolismetalfest.indietickets.com. You may also order tickets by phone by calling: (888) 690-9875. Mailorder tickets. Send your request to: metalfest@sbcglobal.net. Please note: For those of you who reserve tickets by email, a confirmation will be sent to you along with a mailing address where you may send payment. Payment for tickets must be received within 7 days of receipt of your confirmation. Indianapolis Metal Fest I is sponsored by: Blind Prophecy Records - http://www.myspace.com/blindprophecyrecords Chavis Records - http://www.chavisrecords.net Double Tap Entertainment - http://www.doubletapentertainment.com Metal Warrants Radio - http://www.metalwarrants.com Ball-Buster Music - http://www.ballbustermusic.com Project Independent - http://www.projectindependent.net X Factor Gear, 525.com Power Tracks, Explicitly Intense Magazine, Metal Storm Magazine http://www.indianapolismetalfest.com ROCK AUTHOR AND POLICE HERO SCHEDULED TO ATTEND INDIANAPOLIS METAL FESTINDIANAPOLIS (July 11, 2007) - Rock author, writer and photographer Chris A. is very pleased to announce that he has been invited to sign copies of his new book "A Vulgar Display of Power: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa" at the Indianapolis Metal Fest One on September 22, 2007. The book details the people and the events leading to the horrific on-stage murder of guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott, roadies Erin Halk and Jeffery "Mayhem" Thompson and fan Nate Bray in December 2004. In addition, Officer James Niggemeyer, the Columbus Ohio police officer who courageously entered the Alrosa Villa alone and ended the situation, is scheduled to attend and sign books. "I'm confident that a lot of folks who attend this show will be incredibly moved by the book and will appreciate the chance to meet Jim Niggemeyer. After all, how often does one get to meet a genuine hero." related Chris A. 100% of the proceeds from all books sold at the Indianapolis Metal Fest will be donated to the Anthony Bray College Fund. It's a cause that's important to the author. "Anthony's father, Nate Bray gave his life while trying to help others. Of the men killed that night, only Nate Bray had a child and besides commemorating his father's life I felt it was important to do something for Anthony's future. A good education will serve this young man well throughout his life." Festival organizer, Rob Mason extended the invitation after reading an excerpt from the book and speaking with the author directly. "What Chris and Officer Niggemeyer are doing is extremely important. We're proud to be a part of their mission to support Nate Bray's son, and the families of the victims of the Alrosa Villa tragedy." Regarding the metal festival itself the rock writer can't wait. "As cool as it is to occasionally hang out with rock stars the up and coming bands, the guys and gals slugging it out in the trenches is what I really dig. Festivals are vital to keeping metal moving forward! I hope to photograph most of the bands playing! I look forward to seeing all the bands and hanging out with the headbangers in the great city of Indianapolis!" For information about the book "A Vulgar Display of Power: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa" visit http://www.avdop.com or http://www.mjspublications.com. For more information about Indianapolis Metal Fest visit http://www.indianapolismetalfest.com or http://www.myspace.com/indymetalfest. "ALL THINGS DIGITAL HARD ROCK / HEAVY METAL" ARTIST CONTEST Throughout the month of July, AirPlay Direct, Vigilante Music, Inside Strategy and the Indianapolis Metal Fest will be running our first "All Things Digital Hard Rock / Heavy Metal" artist contest for our artist / label members. We will be awarding one Grand Prize package, winner takes all. The winning song / artist will receive the Grand Prize package which will include a 12 week full PR / media relations campaign (print and online) in the UK and Europe from Vigilante Music ($8,000 value), a 4 week digital promotion campaign (on-line radio and media) from Inside Strategy ($2,000 value), a premier "Featured Artist" advertising package from AirPlay Direct (value $1,500). and the Indianapolis Metal Fest will provide an opening live performance slot for the winner (invaluable...!). The Grand Prize package is valued at $11,500.00 plus the appearance at the Indy Metal Fest...! This contest is FREE and very simple... the best song wins. The only three requirements to enter are that you must be an AirPlay Direct artist / label member (free to join), your music must fall into the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal genre and you must submit your AirPlay Direct DPK prior to the official deadline of July 25th. Whether you are an indie artist or a well established record label with a roster, pick your best songs, you can submit from 1 to 3 tracks per artist. Submit you AirPlay Direct Digital Promo Kit / DPK to office@airplaydirect.com . Please make sure to note that you are submitting for the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal contest. Deadline for submissions is July 25th. The winner will be announced and "Featured" in the August Radio Programmers Newsletter, as well as in a company press release to all media outlets. D DRIVE SIGN WITH CHAVIS RECORDS... On the heels of their successful self-titled debut, D DRIVE are back with 12 finely crafted tracks of solid Melodic / AOR rock featuring the dynamic vocals of Phil Naro and eclectic guitar work of Don Mancuso with a special appearance by Lou Gramm. CR0016 D DRIVE - STRAIGHT UP THE MIDDLE 2007 STRAIGHT UP THE MIDDLE - ONSALE NOW - CLICK HERE Click on A Little Bitta Sunshine, Straight Up The Middle or I Don't Wanna Wait to listen http://www.chavisrecords.net, http://www.myspace.com/chavisrecords, http://www.donmancuso.com, http://www.philnaro.com, http://www.myspace.com/donmancuso MASSACHUSETTS OWN, THE RED CHORD AND METAL BLADE RECORDS ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE BRAND NEW ALBUM "PREY FOR EYES" OUT JULY 24th!!! THE RED CHORD ON TOUR IN JULY AND AUGUST WITH BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME!! PLUS UPCOMING METAL BLADE ANNIVERSARY TOUR DATES!!! New England's own death-grind powerhouse The Red Chord delivers a brutal new record!!! The album, titled Prey For Eyes, was recorded at New Jersey's Trax East with producer Eric Rachel (Atreyu, Every Time I Die). The Red Chord is preparing for a tour with Between the Buried and Me, Cephalic Carnage, and The End in July and August to support the release of their new record. The Red Chord also have a featured spot on the Metal Blade Records 25th Anniversary Tour!! The tour marks The Red Chord's first full US tour in support of their upcoming release, Prey for Eyes, out July 24th. Vocalist Guy Kozowyk had this to say about the Metal Blade 25th Anniversary Tour: "Metal Blade Records has been the forerunner of releasing heavy music for the past twenty five years. It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of this tour commemorating over a quarter century of their devotion to metal. A big thanks to Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder and everyone at Metal Blade for having us along for this amazing ride." A sprawling enigma, the Prey For Eyes traverses nightmarish soundscapes with mind-bending time changes, gnashing guitars and schizophrenic vocals. Guitarist Mike "Gunface" Mckenzie couples bludgeoning riffs with haunting chord passages. Brad Fickeisen furiously propels the tracks with demonic double bass drumming as Greg Weeks bolts down a rhythmic freight train. "We feel really great about the writing process for this album. We're very proud of it. It's as close to a defining Red Chord record as we've ever come," says Kozowyk. The title, Prey For Eyes, was inspired by an experience Kozowyk's brother, a prison guard, had with an inmate. "The prisoner won't talk and gets into this dialogue via a notepad. After documenting that he can no longer talk because the devil removed his tongue, my brother checks the con's mouth with his flashlight. When he tells him that his tongue is definitely intact, the inmate replies with the cryptic message "Pray for Eyes." Prey For Eyes is The Red Chord's third full-length album and promises to be their most brutal offering yet!! The confirmed track list is as follows: 1. Film Critiques and Militia Men To celebrate, the heavy metal journeymen have booked themselves a busy summer bringing their 'must see' show to fans across America. Prey For Eyes hits the masses on July 24!! The Red Chord on tour w/Between the Buried and Me, Cephalic Carnage, and The End: COMING IN SEPTEMBER!!! Metal Blade 25th Anniversary Tour!!!! The Red Chord, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Absence, PLUS 1 Guest TBA 9/06 New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues Malevolent Creation New Song Posted !!!Florida Death Metal Machine Malevolent Creation have uploaded a new track"Deliver My Enemy" from they're upcoming 10th full length release entitled "DOOMSDAY X" on they're myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/malevolentcreation. The band is currently putting together tours for the US,Europe and South America and Mexico and will continue to stay busy touring for this new album for as long as possible."DOOMSDAY X" contains 12 brand new tracks of relentless Death Metal and features the classic line up of: Release date for "DOOMSDAY X" is July 17th in North America through Nuclear Blast Records and in Europe on August 24th through Massacre Records in a licencing agreement with Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. Check Out The New EVERY TIME I DIE Track "Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Battery" Exclusively On MYSPACE.COM --- This Sweet Track Is From Every Time I Die's Forthcoming Ferret Music Release Titled "The Big Dirty" In Stores September 4th!!! IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF BATTERY: Though slotted as the final song on Every Time I Die's impending classic the big dirty, there is no track as indicative of the entire record as "Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Battery". Lyrically based on Federico Fellini's "8 1/2", this song has everything that the band has become notorious for wrapped into one two-minute and thirty second keg stand of ass-kicking fuck all. From the scathing self-indictment of the lyrics, through the involuntary tweak-out inducing riffs, all the way to the no permanent bass playerness of the band itself, "Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Battery" is what Every Time I Die does best- not give a shit about what you expect from them. If there was a middle finger that had a sharp point at the end and was about 6 feet in height, this song would take that finger like a flagpole, tie a flag to the end of it that had another middle finger on it (but smaller, obviously and not necessarily the same middle finger) and stick it in the uncharted terrain of brazen self awareness- a paradise which countless other bands have tried to recreate on stage, but failed at miserably. now get off our land. http://www.Myspace.com/everytimeidie Don't miss ETID ALL summer long as a headliner in North America on THE GREATEST TOUR ON EARTH- Hot Topic Presents Third Annual Sounds OF The Underground!!! You can find constant updates, tour dates, news, media, ticket and artist info at http://www.soundsoftheundergroundtour.com, http://www.livenation.com, and http://www.purevolume.com/SOTU07Tour. GREAT WHITE: MORE SUMMER SHOW DATES"BACK TO THE RHYTHM" DUE OUT LATE SUMMER ON SHRAPNEL RECORDS HOLYYWOOD (July 2007) 2007 marks GREAT WHITES 25th Anniversary, so original members Jack Russell (vocals), Mark Kendall (lead Guitar), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (Guitar/keyboards) and Sean McNabb (bass) have been in studio the last few months writing and recording. "Back To The Rhythm" is being mixed, produced, and engineered by band member Michael Lardie while collectively all are adding their sounds to the mix. "The new songs sound fresh to me, very GREAT WHITE, but with an approach of what we sound like in a live performance situation," explains Michael Lardie. "Kendall and I are having fun channeling our Stones roots and playing off each other in the Richards/Woods tradition." With it being their anniversary year and a new album in tow, GREAT WHITE is once again ready to rock all summer long. The band will hit the road for summer shows Nation wide to support their new album "Back To The Rhythm" [Shrapnel Records] as well as slam out all their greatest hits the fans know and love. SHOW DATES (many more to come): LILLIAN AXE RETURNS, SIGNS WITH METRO CITY RECORDS NEW DISC 'WATERS RISING' DUE JULY 17THAfter an extended hiatus that left many fans wondering if they'd ever see the group up and running again, melodic metallists Lillian Axe has risen from the ashes and are preparing their first all-new studio album since 1993's highly regarded 'Psychoschizophrenia.' Led by founding guitarist Steve Blaze, Lillian Axe earned the respect of 'Headbanger's Ball' viewers coast to coast with such releases as 1988's self-titled debut and 1992's 'Poetic Justice' the latter of which saw the band turn a blind eye to the then-burgeoning grunge sound and stick to their stylistic guns. Now signed to Metro City Records - a division of Screaming Ferret Wreckords and distributed by Locomotive/Ryko music Lillian Axe plans to issue the as-yet-untitled new platter on July 17th, 2007. "After having been signed to four different labels in our history, we learned a lot about what a label should provide and what to look for in a relationship with one," explains Blaze. "What we wanted now was hard work and a label that understands what Lillian Axe was about and what we were trying to accomplish. We are a different breed of animal and not always easy to put in a nice little package with a bow on top. I met Tim Koukos through my longtime friend and associate Chip Ruggieri whose opinions I greatly value. He said he had found the perfect home for Lillian. Tim immediately was straightforward and told me of his label and plans for the future." Screaming Ferret head Koukos shares Blaze's enthusiasm for the newly aligned union between label and band. "The more I talked to Steve the more I could see were this image of the band that I have in my mind comes from. I don't think I've met a more modest man in this industry yet. Besides being a sophisticated and complex songwriter he has his hand in movies and acting. A true artistic vision with realistic and down to earth morals and values that's reflected in the music. I swear, every time I hang up the phone with him I say to myself, "What a cool dude " Jul. 20 - The Parish - New Orleans, LA http://www.lillianaxe.com and http://www.screamingferret.com/ FAIR TO MIDLAND TO OPEN FOR SMASHING PUMPKINS IN SAN FRANCISCO EXTENSIVE FALL TOUR WITH CHEVELLE CONFIRMEDFair to Midland's dynamic and riveting live performances are being talked about all across the US and overseas. And on July 15 and 16 at the Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, Fair to Midland will open for The Smashing Pumpkins at the first two shows of the Pumpkins' West Coast residency. In addition to just releasing their first major label debut, Fables From a Mayfly: What I Say Three Times is True (Serjical Strike/Universal Republic), which debuted at #2 last week on Billboard's New Artist chart, Fair to Midland has also performed at this year's Coachella, Bamboozle, Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park and Download festivals. After they wrap up their current tour with Finnish band The 69 Eyes and some dates with Evans Blue, Fair to Midland--Darroh Sudderth (vocals), Cliff Campbell (guitar), Jon Dicken (bass), Brett Stowers (drums) and Matt Langley (keys/electronics)--will head to Europe for shows with Japan's Dir En Gray and gigs at Germany's Wacken and M'era Luna Festivals, and the Metal Hammer Festival in Poland. Upon their return, Fair to Midland will be kicking off over two months of touring as main support for Chevelle (from late August through October). Check out this live clip of "Dance of the Manatee" from FTM's CD release show in Dallas at the Curtain Club: http://www.serjicalstrike.com/site/multimedia.php?vid=43 FAIR TO MIDLAND's current tour schedule is as follows: June 26 - Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO (w/ The 69 Eyes) http://www.myspace.com/fairtomidland |