Away Team

January 2nd, 2012 – Salt Lake City, UT band Royal Bliss is gearing up for the release of their new album Waiting Out The Storm on January 24th, 2012. The new single “Crazy“ will be impacting rock radio in January.  The band will be hitting the road on a co-headlining tour with Bobaflex starting January 6th.

Royal Bliss has been making their mark across the country for years now. Constant writing, recording, and touring have helped build the success of the band. The wide variety of influences from Johnny Cash to Snoop Dogg to Led Zeppelin and the Toadies with everything in between have melded a sound that cannot be denied. In 2009 their Capitol Records debut Life In-Between charted in the Billboard top 200 and was #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.   The album produced 2 top 25 songs (“Save Me” and “We Did Nothing Wrong”). Touring with acts such as Buckcherry, Candlebox, Chevelle, Kid Rock, and Papa Roach has only increased the demand for the dynamic band from Utah. From the on-stage antics of front man Neal Middleton, to the energetic live shows, Royal Bliss continues to win fans over, all over the globe.

The band’s new album Waiting Out The Storm was produced by Brian Virtue (Chevelle, Deftones, 30 Seconds To Mars) and is a healthy dose of timeless rock energy combined with sing-a-long pop hooks, poetic and heart-felt honest lyrics that has been missing in rock radio for quiet some time.

ROYAL BLISS / BOBAFLEX TOUR DATES (more dates to be announced)

FRIDAY, 1-06-12  IDAHO FALLS, ID    RED LION

SATURDAY, 1-07-12 MISSOULA, MT    LUCKY STRIKE

SUNDAY, 1-08-12  SPOKANE, WA    A CLUB

WEDNESDAY, 1-11-12 YAKIMA, WA           THE REC ROOM

THURSDAY, 1-12-12 RICHLAND, WA    RAYS GOLDEN LOUNGE

FRIDAY, 1-13-12  WENATCHEE, WA           HURRICANES

SATURDAY, 1-14-12 SEATTLE, WA            THE JET BAR

MONDAY, 1-16-12          PORTLAND, OR                             TIGER BAR

FRIDAY, 1-20-12  SANTA ROSA, CA    LAST DAY SALOON

SATURDAY, 1-21-12 RENO, NV     CARGO ROOM

MONDAY, 1-23-12  SALT LAKE CITY, UT   GRAYWHALE

TUESDAY, 1-24-12         SALT LAKE CITY, UT   THE COMPLEX

FRIDAY, 1-27-12  MANKATO, MN    BUSTERS

SATURDAY, 1-28-12 BURLINGTON, IA    THE EVENTS CENTER

THURSDAY, 2-02-12 OTTAWA, IL     RURAL OAKS

FRIDAY, 2-03-12  JANESVILLE, WI    BACK BAR

SATURDAY, 2-04-12 KENOSHA, WI            BRAT STOP

TUESDAY, 2-07-12   LANSING, MI            THE LOFT

FRIDAY, 2-10-12  BATTLE CREEK, MI   PLANET ROCK

SATURDAY, 2-11-12 FLINT, MI             THE MACHINE SHOP

WEDNESDAY, 2-15-12 MARION, OH            TINK’S ROCK

For more ROYAL BLISS, visit the band’s official website here.

ShipRocked 2011, the music and life-style cruise, sets sail November 14th – 19th, heading for the tip of Mexico and its popular stretch of gorgeous Caribbean water known for scuba diving, shopping and bars aplenty.

ShipRocked guests are in for a very special treat next month, when QUEENSRŸCHE takes the stage onboard the cruise to perform their epic concept album, Operation: Mindcrime, in its entirety!

This performance of Mindcrime – which will feature Maria Brink of IN THIS MOMENT on vocals as “Sister Mary” – will be the band’s first of the album since the Rocklahoma festival in the summer of 2008.

“We’ve always enjoyed performing for our fans in intimate settings and the forthcoming ShipRocked cruise will certainly be one of those occasions,” states Queensrÿche lead singer Geoff Tate, who returns with the band for their second ShipRocked cruise. “We’re calling this one, ‘Mutiny on the Mindcrime‘.”

The special performance of Operation: Mindcrime, covering all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as ‘Revolution Calling’, ‘Operation: Mindcrime’, ‘I Don’t Believe In Love’ and the closing track ‘Eyes Of A Stranger’, will be in addition to a greatest hits performance that will take place on another night of the cruise, which sets sail towards the Mayan Riviera on Monday, November 14th.

Maria Brink is ecstatic about joining Queensrÿche for the ten-minute song, ‘Suite Sister Mary‘. “I am so excited and grateful for this amazing opportunity to sing with Queensrÿche on the upcoming ShipRocked cruise! All of us in the band are huge Queensrÿche fans, and Geoff Tate is one of the best lead singers in the business. Getting to sing ‘Suite Sister Mary’ off the original Mindcrime album is a huge honor. This is going to be a cruise to remember!”

Acts confirmed for ShipRocked include: BROKEN TEETH, BUCKCHERRY, HELLYEAH, HINDER, IN THIS MOMENT, LIVING COLOUR, LYNAM, QUEENSRŸCHE, SEVENDUST.

ShipRocked 2010 Recap from ShipRocked on Vimeo.

Get ShipRocked with Vinnie Paul & HELLYEAH! from ShipRocked on Vimeo.

Buckcherry Wants You To Get ShipRocked! from ShipRocked on Vimeo.

For more SHIPROCKED 2011 click here.

Not too many bands take the path that Crossfade has taken and still manage to find success.  The South Carolina natives exploded onto the scene back in 2004, with their hit single “Cold”.  They then further established themselves on the rock radar with the follow up singles “So Far Away” and “Colors”, propelling their self-titled debut to Platinum status.  Two years later the band’s sophomore effort “Falling Away” was released to mixed reviews and mediocre sales.  From there, Crossfade virtually disappeared, it was rumored that the band had been dropped by their label Columbia Records in a disappointing end to a promising career.  Here we are five years later and Ed Sloan and Co. are back with a new label, a new album, and a new lease on life.  I recently had a chance to catch up with Ed to get the skinny on the aptly named forthcoming album, so sit back and join me as a rejuvenated rockstar reminds us that “We All Bleed”.

AWAY-TEAM: I’d like to first congratulate you on the new album “We All Bleed”, which is being released on June 21st.  The album is a little bit of a departure from your signature sound, and the Crossfade that we’re used to.  I noticed that Les had alot more songwriting duties this time around, do you feel like that contributed to your new sound?  What ultimately led you in the direction that you took on this album?

ED SLOAN: Well, I think you definitely hit the nail on the head right there with Les.  Ya know, he really writes alot of dark music, orchestral music, and that definitely added to the darkness of the record.  Plus I think the lyrics are a little bit darker than our typical albums, coming out of a three year touring haze I think made the lyrics come out a bit darker.  But definitely alot of Les in there makes the album much darker than usual.

AWAY-TEAM: It’s been quite a while since you’ve toured full-scale, I actually had the pleasure of seeing you play a free show outside the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa back on April 1st.  I remember thinking to myself, ‘Is this an April Fool’s joke?’  I mean, there was about two dozen people in attendance, and about a dozen full sets of teeth… (laughs)

ED SLOAN:  (laughs) Yeah, you’re right.

AWAY-TEAM:  …it was definitely a rough crowd!  Anyways, aside from that debacle, which to your credit you guys rocked the shit out of as if it were 30,000 people, then of course you just played Rock on the Range, how has the reception been after being gone for so long?

ED SLOAN: Actually it surprised us all, I mean we’ve seen fans from four years ago when we were last on the road.  I’ve seen hundreds of fans that I remember from back then, and a large amount of new fans.  It’s been great, all the shows have been great, and everybody’s just super pumped to hear the old stuff, but also with the new stuff it’s almost like they’ve stolen the record already or something. (laughs)  It’s been received very well from what we’ve seen so far.  After every show we do a signing of course, and there’s been a line out the door for that.  It’s almost like we never left!

AWAY-TEAM: That’s gotta make you feel pretty good.

ED SLOAN: Yeah, no doubt it does.

AWAY-TEAM: Your debut album went platinum, your sophomore effort only sold about 200,000 copies, and then not long after that you were dropped from Columbia Records.  When you first got the news that you were being dropped, what was your initial reaction?  Was it kind of a sense of defeat? Or was it more like ‘Ya know what? Fuck You.  I’m gonna take my shit and go kick ass somewhere else’?

ED SLOAN: It was actually our decision to leave Columbia.  Everybody thinks we got dropped, but they just gave us some stipulations that we wouldn’t deal with.  So we said ‘Screw you!’ and we got out of our contract.  It was definitely a ‘Fuck You’ to them because they were just, at that time the industry was going to shit, and their whole staff was going to shit, and we didn’t want to have to deal with it anymore so we were just elated to get out of our contract with them.  They wouldn’t do shit for us, all they were doing was working to pimp like Beyonce or whatever the big act was they were working with at the time.  That was all they could focus on, they didn’t have the money anymore, or the manpower, so we were glad to get the fuck out of there.

AWAY-TEAM: You were quoted as saying “Music has always been my escape, a friend, but then music became my enemy.” Elaborate on that for me.

ED SLOAN: Well that was after three years of touring, on two records, and being on that record label, and then us leaving them, or them dropping us, however it’s looked at.  Coming home it was kind of a shocker, after three years you gotta piece your life back together.  You gotta find a new place to live, and you realize it’s gonna be another two or three years to write another album, and find a new label to put it out…knowing that I didn’t wanna stop.  It just seemed kinda daunting knowing that what lied ahead of me was two years of writing another record, and finding another label, and all that kind of stuff.  So music just kinda became… for a while there music became something that I didn’t enjoy.  I couldn’t get to my happy spot when I write music, but that only lasted a year or so and then I snapped out of it.  That’s kinda why the album took a little while to get out, but we all got through it together.

AWAY-TEAM: Addiction and personal demons kinda seem to be a common theme on the album, obviously spearheaded by “Dear Cocaine”.  I may be a little bold in my assumption, but we all know “art imitates life”, so what was your “rock bottom” moment?  What prompted you to break from the doldrums of depression and drugs, and whatever else was bothering you at the time?

ED SLOAN: I think it was, I was just not focusing on music at all.  I was just laying around depressed, and not doing much meaningful.  You know, I really don’t know how to answer that because “rock bottom” comes the same for everybody, once you hit it it’s, ya know… well I guess it’s not the same for everybody but for me it turned out to be that I just wouldn’t do shit, just laid around and did anything to keep music off my mind, or my future off of my mind, so…

AWAY-TEAM:  When did you realize it was time to get up and get back to work?

ED SLOAN:  I think as soon as the other guys got in gear.  Ya know, they were all taking time off for other reasons; family, getting their lives back together.  I think as soon as… I lived at our studio where we recorded all of these albums, and I think it was Les started coming in every day and working his ass of ’til like 6:00, putting in like 18 hour days.  Slowly I started hearing some of the stuff he was writing, and it just started to infuse into my soul, and started to wake me up.  Finally I said “This is enough. I’m enjoying what I’m hearing.” so I joined in and started writing songs.  So I think it was just my bandmates kinda kicking me in the ass, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM: Well we’re glad they did it!  So now you’re on Eleven Seven Music, a label which Nikki Sixx presides over.  How long did it take you to land a deal with them? And how did it happen? Was it through an A & R guy? Or was it Nikki, being ever the opportunist, realizing there was a band of your caliber out there without a label?

ED SLOAN: Well, actually it was Allen Kovac, who is the CEO and Founder of that label.  Literally within like two weeks of everybody knowing that we weren’t with Columbia anymore, he called our manager at the time and said “Hey, I’m interested in signing the boys…” At that time, we were like “We’re not even gonna have a record ready for like a year.” ,which wound up being three years.  But Allen Kovac called at least like 6 times a year to find out how the progress was going, and he was very persistent.  Then when it was finally done, obviously he heard the whole record and still wanted to sign us, so it was definitely his persistence that made us realize that they were gonna fight for us and it was gonna be a good home for us.  So his persistence paid off, for them and for us.

AWAY-TEAM:  I know you’ve always produced your own albums, on this album you had a GRAMMY-winning super producer in Ben Grosse doing the mixing duties.  Did you guys pick his brain at all, from a kind of student-mentor standpoint?

ED SLOAN: Oh yeah! (laughs)  Yeah, he’s a great guy.  We were only supposed to be there for like two weeks, and he actually gave us two months.  We’d slowly start to ask him… we recorded the album ourselves, so anytime you get to see a master doing his work, we kinda try to suck the brains dry!  He was very forthcoming with alot of his tricks and gadgetry that makes his records what they are. So we definitely learned alot from him technically as far as recording.

AWAY-TEAM:  Will Hunt was brought on in 2009, many thought he’d end up being your permanent drummer, what happened there?  Was he supposed to just be a session drummer? Or was the intention for him to become a permanent fixture?  What’s the story behind that?

ED SLOAN: I think in the beginning, all throughout the writing of the album, you know we wrote the album with digital drums, and then we were like “Okay, at some point we’re gonna go into the studio, and at some point we’re gonna go on tour.  We have to get a full time drummer.” And that drummer was gonna be in the band, and Will was down with it, but he’d always have side projects.  Ya know between Evanescence, Black Label Society, Dark New Day, just all these different bands he plays with so the timing wasn’t right.  So he was able to come in and record the album, but because it was shelved for 6-8 months I think Will had to make a decision.  Ya know, “I’ve gotta go out and make money. I gotta do what’s right for my family, so we’ll see what happens when the record comes out.” During that time, we started auditioning new drummers knowing that Will probably wasn’t gonna be able to do it, and we found Mark Castillo from Boston who’s in the band now and plays live with us.  But it was completely amicable, it was just because the record was taking so long to come out that he had to go do his thing, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM: Right.  Mark was brought into the fold last year, and I understand there’s a bit of a funny story as to how he was welcomed into the band.  Tell me about that.

ED SLOAN: (laughs)  Well he drove 18 hours down from Boston, or 12 hours, whatever it is, and we hung out with him for a couple of days, and played 3 or 4 songs with him, jammed with him as far as auditioning him.  And we had him film himself coming down here, and we were like “Look man, if this works out we’d like to have some footage of the trip down.” And when he left, he filmed himself the whole way back.  So when we’re in the editing room making the webisode, we’ve got Mark coming down and him playing, then we’ve got Mark driving 18 hours back up to Boston, and then he pulls into his driveway saying “Thank God, I’m finally home!” and then at the end it shows “Welcome to Crossfade Mark Castillo.  If you ever try to leave us, we will kill you!” And I believe we said “Hey man, there’s a new webisode out.  You may wanna go to your computer and check it out.” Right when he got home he found out he was a member of the band that way, and I think he got kind of a shocker out of that instead of us just calling him to tell him he was in the band.  (Scroll down to see the webisode)

AWAY-TEAM: (Laughs)  That’s great, I love it!  You in particular have listed James Hetfield and Metallica as one of your greatest influences.  So based on content, compare your albums with their closest related Metallica album.

ED SLOAN: Our first record, to me anyway, I think is alot like The Black Album, because the messages were real dark, and it’s also got alot of heartfelt songs and lyrics on it.  And I think this new album is a little bit more like Master of Puppets, it’s darker and heavier, and still the same type messages that Metallica and Hetfield have always had.  But you know how Master of Puppets was a little more layered, a little tighter, a little more musicianship going on.  I think this one is comparable to that.  I mean I would never compare our stuff to Metallica’s integrity wise, I mean I would but… (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM: Well don’t take offense to this, hear me out on this one.  I think this one is closer to a St. Anger, and it’s not just, ya know, I think it’s a shitty album.  I think that you can draw some parallels to James just overcoming some of his personal demons, and the change in the signature sound, it just seems to have that parallel.

ED SLOAN: I got ya.  I can feel you on that.  You know that was definitely a 180 for them, ya know.  I don’t think we’ve quite done a 180 on this one, but I do feel you on the similarities of that change.  I guess, sonically their change was so crazy, such a 180, that’s the only thing I would differ with on that statement.

AWAY-TEAM: On that same tangent, I think you may have answered this already, but do you worry about rejection from your die hard fans?

ED SLOAN: Not at all actually.  Because I don’t think that it’s changed dramatically, I think it’s just been elevated.  It’s still Crossfade, it’s still the things that I think attracted people in the first place, I think are on this album.  It just may be a little heavier, although we do think that the messages, and the feeling, and the soulfulness and the darkness is still what people associate with Crossfade, at least that’s what I think.  Songs that are backdrops to their lives, songs that you can ride around in the car and be pissed the fuck off, and I think that’s the same with this album.  Ya know every album you lose fans, you gain fans, but I think we’re gonna have a winner here, so.

AWAY-TEAM: You landed your first deal through an online A&R firm called TAXI, you had actually gotten to the point where you were actually submitted country music on there in the hopes of getting signed.  Were those some of the songs that we now know as Crossfade? Or do you have some hidden gems, and a future as a country songwriter?

ED SLOAN: (laughs)  Yeah, actually I’ve got 40 or 50 songs that I’ve written that would never be qualified as Crossfade songs. (laughs) I’ve written almost an entire country album, I wouldn’t call it country, it’s more some of it’s pop… well ya know, it’s pop, it’s country, I mean I’ve written everything.  During those years I was actually sort of a musical slut, I’d write anything I could just to get the attention of somebody, anybody.  So I’ve definitely got a catalog of all kinds of strange music, including country. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM: Well there’s another case where the persistence paid off huh?

ED SLOAN: Absolutely.

AWAY-TEAM: Well Ed, it’s been an extreme pleasure.  Thank you so much for giving me your time.  Best of luck with the album.  It’s great to see you guys back out there doing what you do best.  I look forward to seeing you next time you make your way back through my neck of the woods.

ED SLOAN: Thank You!  I appreciate you including us in your thang!

AWAY-TEAM: Well thanks again.  Hope to see you soon.  Take care.

ED SLOAN: Sounds good.  Bye.

Crossfade will be part of the Rock Allegiance Tour with Buckcherry, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Puddle of Mudd, Red, and Drive A which kicks off this August.  For all things Crossfade including tour dates and to purchase music click here.

Special thanks to Ed Sloan for so graciously giving me his time, and to Tim Tatulli at ‘Stache Media for making it all happen.

The Rock Allegiance Tour, featuring co-headliners BUCKCHERRY and PAPA ROACH, with PUDDLE OF MUDD, P.O.D., RED, CROSSFADE and DRIVE A is set to kick off August 24th in Dallas, TX.

Buckcherry lead vocalist Josh Todd says, “Buckcherry is ready to join forces with our friends Papa Roach, Puddle Of Mudd, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade and Drive A for some fun in the sun that doesn’t stress your wallet. Come out and rock with us – we’ll make it a summer you’ll never forget! for under $30”

ROCK ALLEGIANCE Tour dates:
August
24 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theater
26 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre
27 – Miami, OK – Buffalo Run Casino Amphitheater
30 – St Charles, MO – Family Arena
Setember
1 – Rockford, IL – On the Waterfront *
2 – Mt Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
4 – Orange Beach, AL – Amphitheater at the Wharf
9 – Winston Salem, NC – Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10 – Portsmouth, VA – Telos Wireless Pavilion +
11 – Rochester, NY – The Brewery ^
14 – Columbus, OH – Promowest Pavilion
20 – Grand Island, NE – Heartland Event Center Outdoors
21 – Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena

* Without P.O.D.
+ Without Red
^ Without Puddle Of Mudd

Let the madness begin!  After its wildly successful inaugural run, the highly anticipated Carnival of Madness Tour returns this summer!  Joining the Carnival will be Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.

Sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, the Carnival of Madness Tour will tear through North America for 25+ dates set to launch August 13 in Twin Lakes, WI.

VIP ticket pre-sales for the first 15 events will be available for those belonging to Theory of a Deadman’s Deadfan Club beginning Tuesday, May 31, followed by those signed up for the Carnival of Madness mailing list at www.carnivalofmadness.com, beginning Wednesday, June 1.   VIP bundles with exclusive merchandise, content, and an enhanced Carnival experience will be available for purchase through Artist Arena.

The public on-sale for the first round of shows will be Friday, June 3.  All of the ticket on-sale info can be found at www.carnivalofmadness.com.  The “Carnival” ticket price acknowledges the current state of the economy offering an “affordable” ticket that will be in the $25 – $35 range.

Bill McGathy, the owner of the Carnival of Madness brand proclaims, “After the incredible energy generated in the inaugural event last year, the 2011 edition combines a fantastic Rock package with a ticket price that is actually affordable in these economically challenged times”.

“Theory of a Deadman is totally stoked to be doing the Carnival of Madness Tour this year,” says singer/guitarist Tyler Connolly. “It’s great to be joined by Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and newcomers Emphatic – who all have songs rocking at radio and awesome live shows.  It’s gonna be a fuckin’ great show from beginning to end and definitely something you don’t wanna miss!  See you there!!!”

Continues Alter Bridge singer/guitarist Myles Kennedy:  “Alter Bridge is pleased to be taking part of the Carnival of Madness Tour later this summer with Theory Of A Deadman, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.  It will be great to be back in the U.S. playing on our home turf with these bands.  If you dig straight up, no frills Rock…then this tour is for you.  Hope to see everyone there!”

One of Vancouver’s greatest exports, Theory of a Deadman, is returning to give rock music a much needed reality check with their fourth studio release, THE TRUTH IS… The album is slated for release on July 12 via Roadrunner/604 Records and the first single, “Lowlife,” is already storming its way up the rock charts.  THE TRUTH IS…, the follow up to the band’s previous Platinum-selling SCARS AND SOUVENIRS, was produced by Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, 3 Doors Down).  The band recently wrapped playing the inaugural Avalanche tour alongside Stone Sour, Skillet, Halestorm and Art of Dying, and will be playing select festivals before heading out on the Carnival of Madness Tour.  Theory of a Deadman is Tyler Connolly (vocals, guitar), David Brenner (guitar), Dean Back (bass) and Joey Dandeneau (drums).

Alter Bridge has been making their mark on the rock world for years through their three studio releases and non-stop touring.  The band is currently haunting the Top 20 of the Rock charts with their latest single, “Ghost of Days Gone By.” The single, the follow-up their #1 rock smash “Isolation,” is from their Alter Bridge Recordings via EMI Label Services release ABIII, which debuted at #17 on Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart when it was released last November.  In preparation for the Carnival of Madness Tour, the band just wrapped up a successful headline run with Black Stone Cherry and Like a Storm.  Alter Bridge has also made successful national TV appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live in support of ABIII.  Alter Bridge is Myles Kennedy (vocals, guitar), Mark Tremonti (guitar, vocals), Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums).

Kentucky’s Black Stone Cherry–vocalist Chris Robertson, guitarist Ben Wells, bassist Jon Lawhon and drummer John Fred Young–is a band adept at creating both timeless rock ‘n roll and new, innovative sounds.  The band have recently released their third album for Roadrunner Records, BETWEEN THE DEVIL & THE DEEP BLUE SEA, which is the summation of a year in the life of the band—every emotion, triumph, loss, romance and everything in between—it’s all here on this album.  The first single, “White Trash Millionaire,” is currently approaching sitting at #15 on the Active Rock charts and climbing.

Las Vegas-based rockers Adelitas Way will release their sophomore album, HOME SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN, June 7 on Virgin Records.  The album, produced by Dave Bassett (Shinedown), showcases the band’s lyrical and musical growth.  The band has spent the past couple of years on the road and is excited to be part of this year’s Carnival.

Hard rock band Emphatic will release DAMAGE, their Atlantic Records debut, on July 12.  Led by vocalist Patrick Wilson and lead guitarist Justin McCain, Emphatic has spent years honing their edge on the road, headlining clubs and theaters along with supporting such like-minded artists as Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry, and Papa Roach.  DAMAGE, produced by Howard Benson (Daughtry, My Chemical Romance, Flyleaf), features the song “Bounce,” which is currently climbing the Active Rock charts.

The Carnival of Madness Tour made its inaugural launch in 2010 with Shinedown, Sevendust, Chevelle, Puddle Of Mudd and 10 Years, which proved to be one of the biggest Rock shows of the summer as a Top 50 tour.

For up-to-the minute news and information, please visit www.carnivalofmadness.com.

CARNIVAL OF MADNESS 2011 TOUR DATES

DATE                                      CITY                           VENUE
Saturday, August 13               Twin Lakes, IL             Shadow Hill Ranch
Friday, August 19                    Council Bluffs, IA        Harrah’s Casino
Saturday, August 20               Sedalia, MO                Missouri State Fairgrounds
Friday, August 26                    Louisville, KY              Kentucky State Fair/Cardinal Stadium
Saturday, August 27               Waterloo, IA                McElroy Auditorium (outdoors)
Sunday, August 28                 St. Paul, MN               Minnesota State Fair
Thursday, September 1          Allentown, PA             The Great Allentown Fair
Saturday, September 3          Hampton Beach, NH  Hampton Beach Casino
Wednesday, September 7      Baltimore, MD             Pier Six Concert Pavilion
Saturday, September 10        Atlantic City, NJ          House of Blues
Sunday, September 11           Huntington, WV           Harris Riverfront Park
Tuesday, September 13         Charlotte, NC              Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheater
Wednesday, September 14    Fayetteville, NC          Crown Coliseum
Friday, September 16             Tulsa, OK                    Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino
Saturday, September 17        Poplar Bluff, MS         Black River Coliseum

If you don’t see your area listed, not to worry more dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Buckcherry completed their run on the Jagermeister Music Tour earlier this spring, coinciding with the release of their latest single, “It’s A Party.” The band partnered with Jagermeister to compile iconic live footage from the tour into an exclusive live video showcasing the band’s electric energy behind “It’s A Party.” Visit Buckcherry.com to view the video or click here.

“The video is a compilation of a few different performances on our last tour,” says Keith Nelson. Josh Todd adds, “It is the true essence of what we are about and when Buckcherry hits the stage, we get the party started.”

Buckcherry premiered the “It’s A Party” live video on Twitter, instructing fans to tweet a special message to unlock and view the video. “It’s A Party” appears on Buckcherry’s fifth studio album, All Night Long, which debuted in the Top 10 and includes radio hits “All Night Long,” “Dead” and “It’s A Party.”

All Night Long | Amazon | iTunes

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace

May 10, 2011 — “Sometimes you’ve got to burn the past to rise up from the ashes,” sings BURN HALO frontman James Hart.  What started out as Hart’s solo project has been laid to rest and reborn in BURN HALO’s sophomore album UP FROM THE ASHES. Due out June 28 on Rawkhead Records (through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group) and produced by Colby Wedgeworth, this new collection confirms BURN HALO’s evolution from being essentially a solo project by former 18 Visions singer/songwriter James Hart to a full-blown, collaborative band.  The music has grown too, and now marries the anthemic, radio-ready hard rock of their 2009 self-titled debut to metalcore flourishes reminiscent of 18 Visions.

The band—James Hart (vocals), Joey Roxx (guitar), Brandon Lynn (guitar), Aaron Boehler (bass), Dillon Ray (drums)—is already receiving early radio support for the first single, “Tear It Down,” from stations such as SiriusXM’s “Octane,”  WIIL (Chicago), KHTQ (Spokane), WCCC (Hartford) and WJJO (Madison).  A video for the song will be hitting the TV and Internet airwaves before the end of the month.  A behind-the-scenes teaser clip was recently posted on the band’s YouTube page here:  http://bit.ly/iOriSG.

“We wanted our own identity,” says singer James Hart. To achieve that, BURN HALO would collaborate in the studio for the first time.  “This album is us.  This is BURN HALO,” states guitarist Brandon Lynn.  Bassist Aaron Boehler was the first to initiate the writing process with drummer Dillon Ray.  Brandon and lead guitarist Joey Roxx quickly followed suit and began compositions of their own.  It was Brandon who was the real architect in the musical direction of the new album.  “Most of the songs we were writing early on were very standard rock songs,” says James.  “I had written an old song called ‘Dakota’ that was much more aggressive and a lot heavier,” says Brandon.  “To me, ‘Dakota’ is the most important track on the album,” explains James. “Without that track, we don’t have the album we have.” The path was clear and what they would pave out from there would be 11 bone-crushing rock songs that touch on every edge of the rock/metal spectrum.

The future wasn’t always so clear for BURN HALO.  It took quite a while for their current lineup to come together.  “There were just a couple of things that never felt right,” said James of touring prior to the recent band additions.  It was bassist Aaron Boehler who brought friend and fellow Tulsa, OK resident Brandon Lynn to the band in 2009 when the band needed a fill-in on rhythm guitar.  “It just felt right after one rehearsal,” James said of Brandon joining BURN HALO.  In early 2010, it was Aaron again who had targeted his best friend and previous band mate Dillon Ray to take over on the drums.  “The three of us living in Tulsa just gave us a great opportunity to work on the songs for tour,” Aaron states.  “I had been lobbying for Dillon to join the band since day one.”

Songs from the band’s debut album, which went on to sell over 25,000 copies, were heard frequently on WWE and ESPN, as well as the season finale of “Friday Night Lights.” It also spawned the hit single, “Dirty Little Girl,” which features a guest appearance by Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates.  Alternative Press had described the album as “…a raucous collection of arena-ready rock songs…” While Outburn had praised:  “…this self-titled debut doesn’t just rock a little, this disc is loaded with sing-along anthems that will get stuck in your head for days…this is a must have record that will spend more time spinning in your player than sitting on the shelf.  9 out of 10.”

On the touring front, the band has already racked up a slew of dates with bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Buckcherry & Papa Roach.  They’ll be hitting the U.S. concert trail this summer, with dates currently being confirmed.

Here’s the complete track listing for UP FROM THE ASHES:

1. Tear It Down
2. Up From The Ashes
3. Stranded
4. Threw It All Away
5. Alone
6. Stuck In A Rut
7. Give Me A Sign
8. Dakota
9. Rest My Soul
10. I Won’t Back Down
11. Shine

www.myspace.com/burnhalo
www.facebook.com/burnhalo
www.twitter.com/burnhalomusic

iTunes Ping page – http://c.itunes.apple.com/us/profile/id-11804
“Tear It Down” iTunes link – http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tear-it-down-single/id430249113

Columbia, SC rockers Crossfade have signed with Eleven Seven Music. Home to some of today’s most influential rock groups such as Motley Crue, Papa Roach, Drowning Pool, Buckcherry and more, Crossfade are scheduled to release their latest effort, We All Bleed in June 2011.

We All Bleed, the band’s third album, delves into familiar lyrical themes of betrayal and isolation, but there’s also more than a hint of renewal and resolution. “A lot has changed over the past three years,” says lead vocalist and co-songwriter Ed Sloan. “Being down and out is something I’ve had to confront like never before. There’s been pain, but I’ve also learned to dwell less on the negative, so there’s a feeling of rebirth, too.”

The album’s 10 tracks, produced by the band, maintain the sonic thunderclap of Crossfade‘s previous efforts, while propelling its guitar-grinding signature with a tapestry of orchestration and programming, and a flourish of keyboards, thanks to the addition of Les Hall and drummer Mark Castillo to the permanent line-up, alongside Sloan, bassist Mitch James.

Highlights on We All Bleed include “Dear Cocaine,” a slow burner that addresses letting go of addiction; “I Think You Should Know,” offering a deceptively temperate arrangement behind a lyric about escaping reality by retreating in sleep; and “Killing Me Inside,” a straightforward assailing classic Crossfade rock ‘n’ roll anthem, albeit with a touch of crafty orchestration.

“Killing Me Inside,” the first single off We All Bleed is available to purchase on iTunes. Get it here.

CROSSFADE TOUR DATES:
4/12 – Clarksville, TN @ The Warehouse
4/13 – Memphis, TN @ Newby’s
4/15 – Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen
4/16 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
4/17 – Charleston, SC Music Farm
5/21 – Columbus, Oh @ Rock On The Range
5/24 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
5/26 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
5/28 – Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club









For more CROSSFADE click here.

Featuring: Buckcherry. With support from Hell Yeah, All That Remains and The Damned Things
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Photos by Marcy Royce.

What a great lineup Jagermesiter has assembled for the Jagermeister 2011 Music Tour. It started on Wednesday, January 19 and will conclude on Thursday, February 24, 2011. BUCKCHERRY is the headliner with support from HELL YEAH, ALL THAT REMAINS and THE DAMNED THINGS.

So let’s get this party started. Or as BUCKCHERRY would say, “It’s A Party” and we’re going “All Night Long!”

The night kicked off with THE DAMNED THINGS. And the venue was not as full as I thought it would be. But that is because they took the stage at 6:35 pm. A bit early for most headbangers. This is a band that I’m not familiar with their music. I do know that of the 6 members, they’ve come from 3 other bands. Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley hail from Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano are infused from Anthrax, and Keith Buckley and Josh Newton injected from Every Time I Die. WOW! Cool stuff right there peeps. They debuted last June as THE DAMNED THINGS and are a heavy metal super group. Their first single, “We’ve Got A Situation”, was released in October 2010. While they performed well and with much energy, I just couldn’t get into their music. However, most of the crowd was into them.

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Next to take the stage was ALL THAT REMAINS. They are a metal core group that formed in 1998, so they’ve been around for some time. They have 5 albums under their music belt and their latest offering, “For We Are Many” was released in October of 2010. Members include Philip Labonte, Mike Martin, Oli Herbert, Jason Costa and female bass player, Jeanne Sagan. Jeanne really had me entranced while I photographed the band. She can compete vocally with the boys. And why I say that is because she can ‘growl’ with the best of them. The band was tight and musically sound. Once again, however, just not quite my type of music.

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Rams Head Live was now beginning to fill the empty spots from earlier in the evening. People were steadily trickling in the door where my post seemed to be most of the night. I felt safe at my post because crowd surfing was beginning to increasingly build. Moshing too! And this place is great because it’s large and they have big screen tvs all over the place. So I didn’t miss a beat of any drum or the strum of any guitar or the singing of any lyric.

Now it was time for Baltimore favorities, HELLYEAH. Holy cow! This heavy metal super group just took over. The heat was building as the bodies moved forward. I shed my sweatshirt but regretted that decision as I became soaked with flying water. The crowd was working themselves into a mini frenzy. This band has a history as well. Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett slid in from Mudvayne, Tom Maxwell comes from Nothing Face, Bob “Zilla” Kakaha jumps in from Damageplan, and, of course, the great Vinnie Paul comes from non other than Pantera. While the band formed in 2001, they didn’t become a full fledged group until 2006. Their first release was in 2007 along with their first live show, right there at Ram’s Head. Chad Gray made mention of how this place and the fans were special to them. The crowd ate up the attention. I could feel the intense crowd support. Their second release was in July of 2010. They performed a few songs I recognized. Such as “Hell Of A Time”, “Better Man”, and “Alcohaulin’ Ass.” Chad Gray was on fire. The guitars were wailing. The drums were pounding. And I was in heaven. Captured some great photos during my brief time in the press area. HellYeah leads with such a strong performance that they could have been the headliner for the evening. But not for this tour.

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BUCKCHERRY was up next!

Lights were dim, and figures began appearing on stage. They took the stage like a huge hurricane. A intense wind swept over the crowd, from the front of the stage and permeated to every corner of the place. And then wham, lights revealed the one and only, BUCKCHERRY. It was such rush! As Josh Todd began the first words of “Dead” from their August 2010 release, “It’s A Party”, the crowd just went crazy. It seemed every fan in the first few rows were singing along and fist-pumping as well. The band was tight and sounded great. 

As “Rescue Me” started, I began to realize that Josh is like the energizer bunny, full of so much energy and moving around to almost every square inch of the stage. It seems, to me anyway, that Josh is inspired by two great frontmen, Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones, and Steve Whiteman, of Kix. Moving, gyrating and working the crowd as he belts out the lyrics. I had a hard time keeping up with him. Which brings me so stage right. Since I just had an interview with Keith Nelson a few weeks earlier, I was eagerly visiting stage right often. What a great guitarist. Keith interacts often during each song with the fans. He was throwing guitar picks out to the crowd most of the night. Even trying to get some to the second level of Rams Head Live.

After I finished photographing the third song, “All Night Long” from their new release, I made my way back to my post. All kinds of thoughts played through my head such as, high energy. Tight and solid. Love what they do. Jager infused. Awesome sound. One of the most tattooed bands of this day. Mezmerizing solos. Hooks and riffs, I like. And then Josh does the greatest thing. Thanks the fans for supporting rock and roll. Totally cool! I love when bands recognize the fans as the reason the music is still alive.

The setlist for the evening was: Dead, Rescue Me, All Night Long, Everything, I Want You, It’s A Party, Next To You, Lit Up, Slammin, Lawless & LuLu, On Set, I’m Sorry, Crazy Bitch, and for the encore Out Of Line and Whiskey. Playing current songs as well as digging some out from the early days. AWESOME! I love when bands do that, shows they care about the early stuff just as much as the current release. Digging into the catalog makes this gal happy! I was kind of surprised, though, that the band chose to end their set with lesser known, lesser popular songs that weren’t huge hits. They played most of the hits in the middle to end of the night. But hey, they gotta do what they love as well as what the fans love. So I’m sure they chose that setlist with careful thought and consideration for all involved. The fans loved BUCKCHERRY this night, no matter the course of the setlist.

Although the night included some minor issues and flubs, what band doesn’t have that happen live. And Josh was having a hard time with his vocal range about half way through the night. Performing almost every night apparently had begun to show at Rams Head. He didn’t give up though, and that I commend him for. He adjusted and moved forward, giving it his all. Being a true fan, I did notice these things. However they surely didn’t majorly detract from the great performance by BUCKCHERRY. Can’t wait until they pass close by again. I’ll be there, once again!

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Special thanks and a shout out to Pavla Mikula, with Stache Media, for making this opportunity happen for me and the Away-Team. You, my dear, do indeed ROCK!

Buckcherry
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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Hell Yeah
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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All That Remains
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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The Damned Things
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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HELLYEAH have released their new video for Better Man off of Stampede.









HELLYEAH is currently on tour with BUCKCHERRY on the JAGEMEISTER TOUR:
Fri 02/11/11 North Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
Sat 02/12/11 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
Sun 02/13/11 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Tue 02/15/11 New York, NY Best Buy Theater
Wed 02/16/11 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Fri 02/18/11 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights
Sat 02/19/11 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Sun 02/20/11 Portland, ME State Theatre
Tue 02/22/11 Charlotte, NC Fillmore Charlotte
Wed 02/23/11 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live
Thu 02/24/11 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle
Sat 02/26/11 Dallas, TX Trees

For more HELLYEAH click here.

 Following BUCKCHERRY since their early days and really diggin’ their 2006 release “15” after they reformed in 2005, I was elated to know I was afforded the opportunity to have a discussion with Keith Nelson (lead guitar, rhythm guitar and backing vocals).  Based out of Los Angeles, California, BUCKCHERRY has been a mainstay in the world of rock and roll. Known as “the Crazy Bitch band”, they are so much more than that. Working hard and paying their dues along the way, BUCKCHERRY continues to be one of the leaders with the in-your-face rock and roll bands, having fun and delivering their best every night to you, their fans.

Read on to see what Keith had to tell me about the Jagermeister Tour, their music, what 2011 holds for the band and Steelers football.

This is Marcy Royce with away-team.com speaking today with Keith Nelson from BUCKCHERRY.

AWAY-TEAM: Hi Keith, how are you?

KEITH NELSON: Good, how are you hon?

AWAY-TEAM: Great, thanks! I hear you are in Denver tonight. How cold is it there compared to Pennysylvania?

KEITH NELSON: It’s actually not that bad out here today. Where are you in Pennsylvania?

AWAY-TEAM: I’m in York, just south of Harrisburg.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah I know it, I know it well.

AWAY-TEAM: And you’re from Pennsylvania as well.

KEITH NELSON: That is correct. Western Pennsylvania.

AWAY-TEAM: Glad to know you’re familiar with the state more than some other people are.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah. I’ve spent some time in Indiana, Pennsylvania as well. So, I know it.

AWAY-TEAM: Thanks a lot for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me today. I really appreciate it.

KEITH NELSON: No problem. My pleasure.

AWAY-TEAM: I’ll get to my questions as to not keep you too long.

KEITH NELSON: Alright babe.

AWAY-TEAM: You’re coming back my area, Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, February 12. And since BUCKCHERRY performed at the Raven’s Kickoff Party in August of last year, what is it that you and the band like about Baltimore?

KEITH NELSON: Well, Baltimore really has been one of those cities that’s always just welcomed us with open arms even from the very early, early days of the band, ya know. It’s such a rock and roll town and the response has always been awesome. We’ve gotten a lot of support from the radio station there and some really loyal fans. It’s really been a great place for us.

AWAY-TEAM: We are so glad BUCKCHERRY is coming back!

KEITH NELSON: Right on! It’s gonna be a good time.

AWAY-TEAM: How did this Jagermeister Tour come about for you guys?

KEITH NELSON: They approached us with the idea of doing the tour and packaging up with some really cool bands. We started talking to them and HELL YEAH got on board, and then ALL THAT REMAINS and THE DAMNED THINGS kinda confirmed as well and it really started to pick up momentum. It’s just a cool opportunity for us and Jager has been a really good sponsor. They’ve provided a lot of things for us and it’s really been a good thing. They did a really successful tour with ANTHRAX and MEGADEATH and a couple of the heavier bands last year. We actually went to see one of the shows because we’re friends with the ANTHRAX guys. So, it’s been a good partnership .

AWAY-TEAM: And you’re just on the front leg of this 26 U.S. tour for Jagermeister so I’m sure your raring and fresh and ready to go.

KEITH NELSON: We’re always raring and fresh and ready to go.

AWAY-TEAM: (laughing)

KEITH NELSON: We are about 80 shows into this tour in support of our new release, All Night Long, and it’s a good way for us to spend this winter.

AWAY-TEAM: I really do like your new release, All Night Long. I did review it for Away-Team.

KEITH NELSON: Nice!

AWAY-TEAM: And it has grown on me. At first I was wondering, do I like it do I not like it? The more it spins in the ipod the it’s doing well in my opinion.

KEITH NELSON: Well, thank you!

AWAY-TEAM: You’re welcome.

AWAY-TEAM: What is different about this Jagermeister tour from other tours that you’ve been on?

KEITH NELSON: Well, first of all four bands, four kick ass bands. That’s been a big difference. Usually you have one or two bands out with you. But you’ve got four bands. It’s a very, for your entertainment dollar, there’s really a lot of entertainment. So thankfully we’ve been able to, with our partnership with Jager, keep ticket prices low and really just give people the most bang for their buck.

AWAY-TEAM: I think you are definitely doing that! Us fans thank you.

KEITH NELSON: Well, it really is all about the fans. If we can’t provide something for the people that support us and hear our music then why are we doing this in the first place. It’s been very much at the forefront of our thinking. Keep the ticket prices low, keep the merchandise prices low, and just provide an evening of entertainment.

AWAY-TEAM: Thank you. We all appreciate that. I went to see SEVENDUST, DISTURBED and KORN on the Music As A Weapon Tour last week and Lajon said the same thing to the fans. He said without you we don’t have a job.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah. We just did some shows with SEVENDUST. Great guys, love Lajon, there all really good peeps.

AWAY-TEAM: They are one of my favorite bands out there. They definitely, just like you guys, put on one hell of a show.

AWAY-TEAM: What do you like so far the most about this tour and how does it feel to be headlining again?

KEITH NELSON: It’s fun to be out with the HELL YEAH guys. We played with then before. ALL THE REMAINS is a band that we really weren’t all the familiar with, but they are going over really well and they’re really good guys. The biggest surprise has really been THE DAMNED THINGS. I don’t really know that anyone knew what to make of them based on the bands that these guys came from. But they’re really just kick-ass rock and roll band. It’s been really, really fun to go and watch those guys play every night. The thing that I am really enjoying the most is that we are finally doing a headlining show where we are playing for an hour and a half and we get to really dig deep into our catalog and play some stuff that we haven’t got to play in a few years. And we can dig deep into the new record and play a few songs that we might not normally play when we play a shorter so. So that has been fun.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m one of those fans that like to hear the deep tracks. Glad to hear some of that is going to be in the set. Especially when I see you guys in Baltimore in a few weeks.

KEITH NELSON: Right on!

AWAY-TEAM: What is it that you want the fans to take away from this Jagermeister tour about BUCKCHERRY? Maybe some of them haven’t seen you guys before or they’ve only seen you once or twice.

KEITH NELSON: Ya know, I think that we look around at our peers and the people that are out there touring successfully in this day and age, I think that we’re one of the only few real rock and roll bands that are out there. Not saying that we’re the only one but there aren’t many and we really want fans to walk away from that thinking there are five guys making music on stage, there’s no backing tracks, there’s no smoke and mirrors. Just five guys making music.

AWAY-TEAM: Pure and raw.

KEITH NELSON: Just the way nature intended it.

AWAY-TEAM: Right! (laughing)

AWAY-TEAM: I do have a question about your set list. Is there a song that all of you agree must always be the show opener?

KEITH NELSON: No. Ha ha ha ha. We always disagree what song should be the show opener. But we disagree mildly. There are so many good choices for that. We’ve decided on one song that we will open with on every date of this tour. We’ve never opened with that song before. So we all definitely agreed on this one.

AWAY-TEAM: Good, that’s great. I can’t wait to see it, to hear it, to feel it. Because you guys definitely have the energy that I love to take in.

KEITH NELSON: Right on, thanks for that.

AWAY-TEAM: I have a question about your dream tour. Who would be on the bill with you guys, of course with you guys headlining.

KEITH NELSON: Well, I would probably be with something like Led Zepplin and the Sex Pistols and we would be sandwiched in between them somehow.

AWAY-TEAM: (Laughing) You would want to be in between instead of headlining?

KEITH NELSON: Oh yeah! We’re gonna let Led Zepplin headline, come on.

AWAY-TEAM: Well they are the epitome, one of THE best bands that everyone look to. You’re right.

AWAY-TEAM: What are the plans for BUCKCHERRY when the Jagermeister tour ends in February?

KEITH NELSON: Well after that we go up to Canada for three weeks and we’re taking Papa Roach up there with us. Continuing another leg of the Jagermeister tour. I know we are looking to getting over to Europe again in the spring and summer, playing some festivals over there. And some of our own shows. Really just spreading the word on this record and taking it out there and playing it for people.

AWAY-TEAM: The new release has been out since last August. How are the sales both physical and digital?

KEITH NELSON: Well, ya know, sales of records these days is really a weird subject because the bar keeps getting lowered and lowered. You can see that about two weeks ago the number one record on the billboard chart only sold 40,000 units. That’s unheard of. That wouldn’t even get you into the top 20 three or four years ago. So, sales are definitely declining across the board and I think given that we’re at a really good place in the market with where our record is. I think judging your success as a band based on solely on record sales is a big mistake. Because records just don’t sell by themselves. In 2011 we’re earmarked to play for more fans than we’ve ever played for and in more cities and more countries than we’ve ever played. So overall things are really good, really healthy with what’s going on with us.  

AWAY-TEAM: That’s great to hear you have that many shows in 2011. That is awesome!

KEITH NELSON: Yes, it is.

AWAY-TEAM: If you were able to cover one artist in your set, who would it be?

KEITH NELSON: Wow! If you would ask the five of us, you would get five different answers. I always wanted to do God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols. I just think that is a song we would do really well. That would get my vote.

AWAY-TEAM: Have you ever done it for soundcheck?

KEITH NELSON: No.

AWAY-TEAM: Do you think it would go over with the other guys?

KEITH NELSON: I think they would be into it.

AWAY-TEAM: Well, maybe toss it out there sometime.

KEITH NELSON: You never know.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m interviewing  you but if you could interview any one musician, who would it be?

KEITH NELSON: Ahhhhh. Steven Tyler. I would want to talk to him and get inside his head and ask him some questions.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m sure there’s a lot of shit floating around in his noggin’.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah.

AWAY-TEAM: And what are the top tunes in your ipod right now?

KEITH NELSON: All my favorite records are 20 or more years old. Ha ha ha. It’s crazy. Top tunes would be Horesehead by the BLACK CROWS, Seven Nation Army by WHITE STRIPES and Mannish Boy by MUDDY WATERS.

AWAY-TEAM: Some very good choices!

AWAY-TEAM: Last question Keith. You’re a Steelers fan. What do you think about the Superbowl?

KEITH NELSON: There’s only one way to think. Ya know, I think the Steelers are gonna win. I’m also lucky enough to be a Steelers fan AND a Ravens fan. It was very hard to watch those guys square off against each other. So I’ve kinda go neutral on that day. But, I’m a big Ravens fan as well. I think the AFC is going to prevail.

AWAY-TEAM: Amen. I think so too. I’m rooting for the Steelers even though I’m a Redskins fan.

KEITH NELSON: No doubt.

AWAY-TEAM: Gotta go with the PA team!

KEITH NELSON: That’s right.

AWAY-TEAM: Thanks so much Keith for all your time and your patience with this interview. And I’ll hopefully see you in Baltimore.

KEITH NELSON: Alright hon. Take care.

AWAY-TEAM: You too!

Check out all that is ‘pure and raw’ with BUCKCHERRY at their site: http://www.buckcherry.com/

Here is the 2011 Jagermeister Music Tour schedule:
Wed 19 Jan – San Diego, CA @ 4th and B
Fri 21 Jan – Anaheim, CA @ The Grove of Anaheim
Sat 22 Jan – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Sun 23 Jan – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort
Tue 25 Jan – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Great Salt Air
Thu 27 Jan – Denver, CO @ Fillmore
Fri 28 Jan – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
Sat 29 Jan – Des Moines, IA @ Seven Flags Center
Mon 31 Jan – Peoria, IL @ East Peoria Civic Center
Tue 01 Feb – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre
Wed 02 Feb – Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium
Fri 04 Feb – St Louis, MO @ Pop’s
Sat 05 Feb – Minneapolis MN @ 1st Avenue
Tue 08 Feb – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
Wed 09 Feb – Louisville, KY @ Expo 5
Fri 11 Feb – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Sat 12 Feb – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
Sun 13 Feb – Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Tue 15 Feb – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theatre
Wed 16 Feb – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Fri 18 Feb – Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
Sat 19 Feb – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Sun 20 Feb – Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
Tue 22 Feb – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
Wed 23 Feb – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Thu 24 Feb – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

The 2011 Jagermeister Music Tour will feature Jagermeister custom tour prizes from Schecter Guitars and Peavey Electronics. In addition, Jagermeister will be hosting nightly text-to-win giveaways including tap machines, tee shirts, hats and other branded POS.

Special thanks to Keith Nelson for taking the time to speak with me, and to Pavla Mikula at ‘Stache Media for helping to make it happen.