Seattle, WA...November 12, 2008...Jonathan Stewart, an aspiring musician, was granted a wish of a lifetime on Monday, November 10 with the cooperation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation� and Tooth & Nail Records. Stewart's wish included spending time with the rock niche label Tooth & Nail Records and attending UNDER�ATH's sold-out concert at Seattle's Showbox as a VIP guest.
Stewart was referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation� for a wish as he dealt with osteosarcoma, a malignant form of bone cancer. He finally was able to travel to Seattle for his long-awaited wish. Requesting to have Tooth & Nail Records as part of his wish was easy for Stewart.
"I chose Tooth & Nail because they fit my style of music and beliefs, and they produce some of my favorite bands," he said. "Ultimately, I would like to be signed by them or a company like them."
His Make-A-Wish day included visiting the label office, touring Compound Studios with producer Aaron Sprinkle (Copeland, MxPx, Hawk Nelson), members of UNDER�ATH and Randy Torres of Project 86 as well as hanging with the members of Demon Hunter. As another fun-filled surprise, Stewart was presented custom UNDER�ATH soda bottles from Jason Hockney of Jones Soda. Stewart also enjoyed dinner with UNDER�ATH and the label.
"We are honored that John would choose Tooth & Nail and UNDER�ATH for his wish," shares label president Brandon Ebel. "It was a very special day for our staff and the band. John and his family are very humble, down to earth people. He listened to brand new mixes from MxPx, played the video game Rock Band with UNDER�ATH, recorded a podcast with myself and The Almost, and was there when UNDER�ATH was presented their new box sets. John and his family will be in our prayers."
Expounding on being a part of Stewart's wish, Chris Dudley (keyboards/samples) of UNDER�ATH stated, "Hanging out with John was awesome. We took him on a tour of our record label, then we went to a recording studio and we actually recorded a song with him. He played guitar, his brother played drums, I sang, Spencer played guitar. It was one of our favorite days on tour, just because it's crazy for us to think that someone who is hooked up with Make-A-Wish would have their wish to be able to hang out with us for the day."
Executives from Cold Stone Creamery, one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's sponsors, also took part in the wish as part of their 16-city tour visiting various franchises and supporting the foundation's wish-granting efforts. Stewart and the members of UNDER�ATH sampled ice cream on Cold Stone's tour bus after dinner.
About Make-A-Wish Foundation:
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 171,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish�.
About Tooth & Nail Records:
What began in a bedroom over a decade ago has grown organically to become the enthusiastic support system behind many of the most important rock bands operating, including Underoath, Emery, Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch and The Almost. With headquarters in Seattle and offices in Nashville, Tennessee and elsewhere, Tooth & Nail Records is also the parent company to Solid State Records (Demon Hunter, Haste The Day) and BEC Recordings (Jeremy Camp, Kutless). Label founder Brandon Ebel became immersed in the network of musicians, clubs, fanzines and promoters who were making waves with bands whose positive messages (whether translated through melodic punk or heavy rock) and creative, inspired music. Driven to this unique perspective, the music press has caught on and embraced many T&N bands the kids already knew. With new signings like Family Force 5, Copeland, Capital Lights and The Becoming injecting fresh life into the company, Tooth & Nail continues to be a vital, dominant presence in the contemporary music scene. For more information, visit www.toothandnail.com.
A Make-A-Wish� Day: (Left to Right) Ken Stewart, Jason Hockney, Sue Stewart, Tyson Paoletti, Annie Crandall, Lori Gerlach, Micah Johnson, Casey Crowell, Jeff Carver, Brandon Ebel, Aaron Gillespie, Scott Carlton, Brandon Day, Spencer Chamberlain, Tim McTague, Jordan Butcher, Chris Dudley, Chad Johnson, Jonathan Stewart, Jim Worthen, James Smith, Chris Stewart, Grant Brandell, Jonathan Dunn
**Jonathan is in the front with the black coat and light jeans. His brother is next to him, and his parents are on the far left.
Chrisian Music News Source
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Saosin rocks US with Underoath
Post-hardcore rockers Saosin [ tickets ] are trying out new material on fans as they traverse the US with metalcore outfit Underoath [ tickets ].
The bands, which launched the tour last week, continue tonight (10/21) in Baltimore, and will make their way from the East Coast to the West Coast and back by late November. The Devil Wears Prada is also on the bill, and P.O.S., Person L, and The Famine appear on select dates. The itinerary is listed below.
As Saosin prepares for its sophomore album, the band is letting fans get a look at some behind-the-scenes action. Real-time audio/video feeds of the group's recent recording sessions at the Hurley clothing company's Costa Mesa, CA, studio were piped into Saosin's website, and the So-Cal rockers are now planning live feeds from their tour bus.
The band's forthcoming record, which follows its 2006 debut, is expected to hit the streets early next year. For those who can't wait, Saosin has released "The Grey" EP, which features three new songs recorded in the Hurley studio and an acoustic version of the previously released track "Come Close."
Underoath is supporting its new set, "Lost in the Sound of Separation," which surfaced last month and reached No. 8 on The Billboard 200. The Tampa, FL-based sextet is in the midst of a world tour that moves into South America in December. Underoath's full itinerary can be found at its website.
Christian Music News Source
The bands, which launched the tour last week, continue tonight (10/21) in Baltimore, and will make their way from the East Coast to the West Coast and back by late November. The Devil Wears Prada is also on the bill, and P.O.S., Person L, and The Famine appear on select dates. The itinerary is listed below.
As Saosin prepares for its sophomore album, the band is letting fans get a look at some behind-the-scenes action. Real-time audio/video feeds of the group's recent recording sessions at the Hurley clothing company's Costa Mesa, CA, studio were piped into Saosin's website, and the So-Cal rockers are now planning live feeds from their tour bus.
The band's forthcoming record, which follows its 2006 debut, is expected to hit the streets early next year. For those who can't wait, Saosin has released "The Grey" EP, which features three new songs recorded in the Hurley studio and an acoustic version of the previously released track "Come Close."
Underoath is supporting its new set, "Lost in the Sound of Separation," which surfaced last month and reached No. 8 on The Billboard 200. The Tampa, FL-based sextet is in the midst of a world tour that moves into South America in December. Underoath's full itinerary can be found at its website.
Christian Music News Source
Between the Buried and Me, Underoath, Authority Zero headed to Rock Band 2
The producers of Rock Band 2 have announced the addition of 20 free songs to the game. Tracks come from The 88, Authority Zero, Between The Buried And Me, The Cab, The Chevelles, The Cocktail Slippers, Dealership, Endeverafter, The Ghost Hounds, Hollywood Undead, Kutless, The Len Price 3, Lesley Roy, Opiate for the Masses, Semi-Precious Weapons, Shaimus, Thenewno2", Tickle Me Pink, Underoath, X Japan,
MTV Games and Harmonix will release a 20-pack of songs, free to those who purchase Rock Band 2 on PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. The tracks will be made available on November 4 for PS3 and Xbox 360, with the Wii pack ready for download when Rock Band 2 ships to Nintendo's console this December.
You can click Read More for the details.
* The 88 - "Sons and Daughters"
* Authority Zero - "No Regrets"
* Between the Buried and Me - "Prequel To The Sequel"
* The Cab - "Bounce"
* The Chevelles - "Get It On"
* The Cocktail Slippers - "Give It To Me"
* Dealership - "Database Corrupted"
* Endeverafter - "I Wanna Be Your Man"
* The Ghost Hounds - "Ashes To Fire"
* Hollywood Undead - "Young"
* Kutless - "The Feeling"
* The Len Price 3 - "If I Ain't Got You"
* Lesley Roy - "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
* Opiate for the Masses - "Burn You Down"
* Semi-Precious Weapons - "Magnetic Baby"
* Shaimus - "Like a Fool"
* Thenewno2" - Crazy Tuesday"
* Tickle Me Pink - "The Time Is Wrong"
* Underoath - "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures"
* X Japan - "I.V."
Christian Music News Source
MTV Games and Harmonix will release a 20-pack of songs, free to those who purchase Rock Band 2 on PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. The tracks will be made available on November 4 for PS3 and Xbox 360, with the Wii pack ready for download when Rock Band 2 ships to Nintendo's console this December.
You can click Read More for the details.
* The 88 - "Sons and Daughters"
* Authority Zero - "No Regrets"
* Between the Buried and Me - "Prequel To The Sequel"
* The Cab - "Bounce"
* The Chevelles - "Get It On"
* The Cocktail Slippers - "Give It To Me"
* Dealership - "Database Corrupted"
* Endeverafter - "I Wanna Be Your Man"
* The Ghost Hounds - "Ashes To Fire"
* Hollywood Undead - "Young"
* Kutless - "The Feeling"
* The Len Price 3 - "If I Ain't Got You"
* Lesley Roy - "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
* Opiate for the Masses - "Burn You Down"
* Semi-Precious Weapons - "Magnetic Baby"
* Shaimus - "Like a Fool"
* Thenewno2" - Crazy Tuesday"
* Tickle Me Pink - "The Time Is Wrong"
* Underoath - "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures"
* X Japan - "I.V."
Christian Music News Source
Underoath once was (almost lost), but now is sound
Strip away the doom-laden guitars, feral howl of vocals and chest-rattling bass, and you'll find God in Underoath. "Good God, if your song leaves our lips, if your work leaves our hands, then we will be wonders and vagabonds," you can make out Spencer Chamberlain singing in one of the quieter moments of the metal band's new album, Lost in the Sound of Separation.
"I'm as Christian as you can be," says bassist Grant Brandell, tracing his beliefs back to age 13. "It's definitely the foundation of our band. It's literally how we communicate with people. It's not just an on-stage thing."
Oh, if only it were that easy. Underoath, which plays Tuesday at Water Street Music Hall, has emerged from Florida as one of the premier metal bands of the moment, dominating a genre of music that is frequently seen as anything but Christian. And the relentless touring, with so many temptations at hand, so many easy choices to be made, can test a man.
"Just because you're a Christian," Brandell says, "doesn't mean you can't go through things that are not ideal."
Metal is a visceral experience. Brandell has witnessed shows get out of hand, with crowds pushing against barricades, "people getting beat up, people going nuts, getting hurt. And offstage, all of the backstage antics."
Underoath members are veterans of the Taste of Chaos, Warped and Mayhem tours, alongside the likes of Slipknot, Mastodon, Disturbed and Dragonforce. That surely must have tested the mettle of this Christian metal band.
"You've gotta know your place," Brandell says. "If you see someone in another band doing something I don't agree with, making yourself not being around ... is one way to deal with it. If I want to go out and get drunk and sleep with women, I can find that. It's definitely a personal decision.
"But it's not like you close yourself off to it. Talking about it, after the act, is one way to deal with it."
Metal has carried the rap, unfairly or not, as being some kind of art form without consequences. Perhaps most famously, Judas Priest was sued by the parents of a young man who killed himself, supposedly after listening to a Judas Priest song.
"You can take an art, like music, you can use it for any cause," Brandell says. "Metal definitely has an aggressive sound to it, it has an angry sound to it. Angry. Bad. Evil. At the same time, it's a powerful thing. You're still expressing yourself.
"We've had people come up and thank us, and we have people who think we're hypocrites. It's just how people perceive metal. The hardest thing is, we are human beings. I can have a bad day, I have my crappy days where maybe I didn't say the right thing to somebody. I don't want to say we're in a leadership position. But you're putting yourself up in the spotlight."
Christians though they are, Underoath is not immune to the volcanic nature of metal. In 2006, it was reportedly simmering with internal strife over, of all things, religious arguments within the band. That, and what the band at first denied, and now concedes is true — it all came out at what Brandell describes as "a big band meeting" — that Chamberlain had a cocaine problem.
"Yes and no," Brandell says of whether he was aware of Chamberlain's personal struggles. "I knew there was something there. I didn't know what.
"He wasn't happy. He obviously didn't want to be doing it. He wanted to break it, escape doing that. He definitely wanted help."
And these young guys, in their mid-20s at the time, maybe didn't know how to help. Some wanted to walk away from Chamberlain. It's tough on guys who believe, as Brandell says, that God "should impact every decision you make, all day long." Such an inconsistency was nearly the end of Underoath, Brandell concedes.
"Yeah, I've been through a couple of those with friends," he says. "I've never been in that situation myself.
"I'm not a therapist, I don't know the 12-step program. All I know is being a friend."
In time, Underoath has healed. Released last month, Lost in the Sound of Separation debuted at No.8 on the Billboard top 200 album chart. At least the band's fans stuck with Underoath. In "Desperate Times Desperate Measures," Chamberlain sings of how "I've been crawling around in the dark for a while." A band falling apart is a desolate sound. Perhaps those fans are taking solace in a familiar place.
Christian Music News Source
"I'm as Christian as you can be," says bassist Grant Brandell, tracing his beliefs back to age 13. "It's definitely the foundation of our band. It's literally how we communicate with people. It's not just an on-stage thing."
Oh, if only it were that easy. Underoath, which plays Tuesday at Water Street Music Hall, has emerged from Florida as one of the premier metal bands of the moment, dominating a genre of music that is frequently seen as anything but Christian. And the relentless touring, with so many temptations at hand, so many easy choices to be made, can test a man.
"Just because you're a Christian," Brandell says, "doesn't mean you can't go through things that are not ideal."
Metal is a visceral experience. Brandell has witnessed shows get out of hand, with crowds pushing against barricades, "people getting beat up, people going nuts, getting hurt. And offstage, all of the backstage antics."
Underoath members are veterans of the Taste of Chaos, Warped and Mayhem tours, alongside the likes of Slipknot, Mastodon, Disturbed and Dragonforce. That surely must have tested the mettle of this Christian metal band.
"You've gotta know your place," Brandell says. "If you see someone in another band doing something I don't agree with, making yourself not being around ... is one way to deal with it. If I want to go out and get drunk and sleep with women, I can find that. It's definitely a personal decision.
"But it's not like you close yourself off to it. Talking about it, after the act, is one way to deal with it."
Metal has carried the rap, unfairly or not, as being some kind of art form without consequences. Perhaps most famously, Judas Priest was sued by the parents of a young man who killed himself, supposedly after listening to a Judas Priest song.
"You can take an art, like music, you can use it for any cause," Brandell says. "Metal definitely has an aggressive sound to it, it has an angry sound to it. Angry. Bad. Evil. At the same time, it's a powerful thing. You're still expressing yourself.
"We've had people come up and thank us, and we have people who think we're hypocrites. It's just how people perceive metal. The hardest thing is, we are human beings. I can have a bad day, I have my crappy days where maybe I didn't say the right thing to somebody. I don't want to say we're in a leadership position. But you're putting yourself up in the spotlight."
Christians though they are, Underoath is not immune to the volcanic nature of metal. In 2006, it was reportedly simmering with internal strife over, of all things, religious arguments within the band. That, and what the band at first denied, and now concedes is true — it all came out at what Brandell describes as "a big band meeting" — that Chamberlain had a cocaine problem.
"Yes and no," Brandell says of whether he was aware of Chamberlain's personal struggles. "I knew there was something there. I didn't know what.
"He wasn't happy. He obviously didn't want to be doing it. He wanted to break it, escape doing that. He definitely wanted help."
And these young guys, in their mid-20s at the time, maybe didn't know how to help. Some wanted to walk away from Chamberlain. It's tough on guys who believe, as Brandell says, that God "should impact every decision you make, all day long." Such an inconsistency was nearly the end of Underoath, Brandell concedes.
"Yeah, I've been through a couple of those with friends," he says. "I've never been in that situation myself.
"I'm not a therapist, I don't know the 12-step program. All I know is being a friend."
In time, Underoath has healed. Released last month, Lost in the Sound of Separation debuted at No.8 on the Billboard top 200 album chart. At least the band's fans stuck with Underoath. In "Desperate Times Desperate Measures," Chamberlain sings of how "I've been crawling around in the dark for a while." A band falling apart is a desolate sound. Perhaps those fans are taking solace in a familiar place.
Christian Music News Source
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