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.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pazzo Records

 

Fans get ready! POP EVIL will finally be able to release their second album, War Of Angels, on Tuesday, July 5 with new label Eone Music. The delay had nothing to do with the band, it was their former label, Universal, that was holding up the deal. I talked last month with Matt DiRito and Tony Greve and they were as frustrated as the rest of us that their 2nd release has been pushed back for months. “But I’m pissed that it ended up affecting the fans with the release date of the new album and everything. That’s what makes me mad. It’s everywhere we go, it’s every night, everyone’s asking us when the album is going to be released.  And I have to say I’m sorry. They sometimes get mad at us.” said Matt DiRito. But the wait is now almost over! YES!!!

War Of Angels is the follow up to their 2008 freshman release, Lipstick On The Mirror. It’s been a frustrating ride the last few months but finally the band will be coming to your town rockin’ with the new release. War Of Angels was produced by Grammy Award nominated producer/engineer Johnny K, who has worked with the Disturbed, 3 Doors Down and Staind.

Since the fall 2010 release of the single, Last Man Standing, the band has enjoyed success early on and the song peaked at #5 on the active rock charts. POP EVIL is more than ready to start this new chapter in their career and reward those loyal fans who have so patiently rode the storm out. The band even went so far as to tear up the band’s Universal recording contract while on stage at Rock on the Range festival a weeks ago to the cheers of thousands. It gave me tingles to watch it. And fierce pride to know these very talented musicians are finally going to get the recognition they deserve as contenders for the coveted belt of their genre.

Check out all that is going on with POP EVIL at their site: http://www.popevil.com

Also check these sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/popevil

Myspace: www.myspace.com/popevil

And for really cool stuff: www.evil-nation.com

POP EVIL is: Leigh Kakaty (lead vocals), Dylan Allison (drums), Dave Grahs (guitar), Tony Greve (guitar) and Matt DiRito (bass).

Continue reading on Examiner.com Pop Evil signs with eOne Music and prepares for release of War of Angels – Detroit Live Music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/live-music-in-detroit/pop-evil-signs-with-eone-music-and-prepares-for-release-of-war-of-angels#ixzz1Oby6OJuN

 

If you want to catch the teaser video for the tracks on the album, see below.

 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Photos by Marcy Royce

May 19, 2011
Away-Team writer: Marcy Royce
Pop Evil members: Tony Greve and Matt DiRito

I became a  POP EVIL  fan in August 2009 after catching their live show at Merriweather Post Pavilion when they were the support act for KIX and JUDAS PRIEST on the British Steel Tour. And I have been following them ever since.  Their music is that good to me. I was excited to know that I would have the opportunity this night to interview two of the members of POP EVIL , Tony Greve, guitarist, and Matt DiRito, bassist. Both joined the band in 2007, just months apart.

Now, let me prefaced the following with this: I have NEVER, and mean NEVER, had so much fun doing an interview as I did with Tony and Matt. I’ve never laughed so much in between questions and I’ve never been sidetracked with so much fun.  Read on to see what these guy had to tell me about POP EVIL , their new upcoming release; War Of Angels, their management team and being on the road.

And just for the record, 7.5 ounces will live on, forever.  You would have had to been there to understand this. Too funny! Thanks guys.

This is Marcy Royce with away-team.com speaking today with Tony Greve and Matt DiRito from POP EVIL .

AWAY-TEAM: I’m really glad I had the opportunity to do this interview with you guys. I’m with away-team. com and I’ve been with them for over a year now.

TONY GREVE: It’s cool that this worked out and you could come in and chat and do this interview. It works out both ways, it’s good for us too.

AWAY-TEAM: How was the trip last night from Indiana?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, it was easy. I slept the entire way. Not a big deal for me.

TONY GREVE: It was a pretty easy ride. It’s crazy though. We will pass out in one city and wake up another city.

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs) Good to have a dedicated bus driver.

TONY GREVE: Definitely!

MATT DIRITO: That’s why we have to take care of him and make sure he gets good sleep. I think he’s in his hotel room now sleeping.  

TONY GREVE: That definitely helps out. He’s gotta be well rested, that’s for sure. He’s got everybody’s lives in his hands.

 

AWAY-TEAM: You guys just did Carolina Rebellion almost 2 weeks ago, and this weekend you are doing Rock On The Range. And next weekend you are going to Rocklahoma.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. Lotsa rockin’! 

TONY GREVE: Holy shit yeah! 

AWAY-TEAM: How do you feel about all these being packed into one month? 

TONY GREVE: It’s kinda cool, ya know. We’ve already had how many festivals we did. We did U Fest in Arizona, Carolina Rebellion, there’s been so many festivals going on. That’s the cool thing about summer, all the big outdoor festivals that they put on and we get to be a part of.  

AWAY-TEAM: Do you like the outdoor festivals better than the other places you do in the winter when you are inside confined in a building?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. I do. I look forward to it all year and we know that these things are booked so far out because so many bands are going to be there. It’s crazy. We’re looking forward to it all year and all of a sudden it’s here. We’re like, oh, that’s next weekend already. Shit man! And they are all right in a row, too. It goes by like a flash. But just last weekend we did 3 outdoor festivals in a row. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Every single one of them were cold and rainy.

TONY GREVE: I’m talking pouring rain. It was raining sideways.

AWAY-TEAM: I saw that on POP EVIL’s Facebook Page. Day 2 of rain, cold.

TONY GREVE: It’s still raining. We can’t get away from it, dude!

MATT DIRITO: I know dude! It sucks.

AWAY-TEAM: You just can’t get away from it.

TONY GREVE: It’s following us.

AWAY-TEAM: We’ve been dealing with it since Sunday in this area. I don’t know how long you’ve been dealing with it? It’s been awful here.

MATT DIRITO: It started in Denver for us last Tuesday and hasn’t stopped.

TONY GREVE: Everywhere we go, all the outdoor shows are rain and cold.

AWAY-TEAM: How have the fans been with it all? Are they still packed in?

TONY GREVE: Yeah!

MATT DIRITO: What’s cool about it is, and I think it’s kinda fun is, that you get the really hardcore fans that come out.

TONY GREVE: They’ll be out there in the rain, soaking wet, and just rockin’. It’s awesome!

MATT DIRITO: Covered in mud, and shit. They’re just like…

TONY GREVE: Remember that one guy that stopped us and asked to get a picture with us. He was covered in mud. Dude, was he rolling around in it or what? (laughs).  From head to toe he just looked like a mud monster.

MATT DIRITO: It looked like Woodstock.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, it did! (laughs).

AWAY-TEAM: Wonder if he just fell into it and he just said, eh, screw it I’m caked in mud. Who cares? I’ll just shower later. (laughs).

TONY GREVE: That’s cool to see the fans that are that hardcore and dedicated to just stick it out. You’re talking festivals that go from noon until ten o’clock at night or even midnight. And they’re out there the entire time.

AWAY-TEAM: For hours!

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. It’s kinda insane.

TONY GREVE: I like to call them rock and roll soldiers. Man, they’re definitely sticking it out.

AWAY-TEAM: Absolutely. For hours upon hours they muster through hot sun or cold rain. The fans are going to get the gamut with those festivals when it comes to the weather. You never know what you’re gonna have. You guys are protected on the stage, somewhat. Do you guys have side protection at all?

MATT DIRITO: Sometimes. It always seems if it’s raining it’s going to get everywhere.

TONY GREVE: Dude, the stage was soaked in Rockford, Illinois. I remember that. I walked offstage and my feet were soaked, soaked, soaked.

MATT DIRITO: Slipping and sliding.

TONY GREVE: Yeah.

MATT DIRITO: This was kinda cool. I was playing and my bass amp was vibrating on the stage around me. Puddles were vibrating. (demonstrates to my laughter). Like Jurassic Park. You could see the ripples in the water, you could see the ripples on the stage. It was sweet! YEAH! (shows rock horns).

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs).

AWAY-TEAM: The first time

I ever saw POP EVIL was at Merriweather Pavilion in August of 2009 when you guys were with Kix and Judas Priest.

TONY GREVE: In Baltimore?

AWAY-TEAM: Yeah, Baltimore kinda. It was Columbia, MD.

TONY GREVE: Is that when Kix played, that show?

AWAY-TEAM: Yeah.

TONY GREVE: Dude, that was one show wasn’t it?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, that was the one.

TONY GREVE: (goes into singing the chorus from Don’t Close Your Eyes).  Yeah.

AWAY-TEAM: Exactly! That’s when I saw you guys for the first time. I had never heard of POP EVIL before that.

TONY GREVE: Before that show?

AWAY-TEAM: Yeah. And I’ve been following you since.

TONY GREVE: Really?

AWAY-TEAM: I was really, really impressed with you guys that day.

TONY GREVE: That is SO awesome! Thank you. (gives me the high five).

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, that’s cool. That was almost 2 years ago.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, that’s crazy.

AWAY-TEAM: And honestly, I have seen you guys grow so much in that time. You’ve solidified things, you’ve really moved forward and I am SO EXCITED for War Of Angels.

MATT DIRITO: Can’t wait for you to hear it.

AWAY-TEAM: I’ve read somewhere online that the release date is in June, not sure how true that is. However, I’m more than ready. POP EVIL is having this big announcement on Sunday at Rock On The Range, just under 70 hours or so and I’m interviewing you a few days too early. Damn! I know you can’t tell me anything.

MATT DIRITO: I don’t even know anything for sure. There’s still a bunch of stuff that is going on pertaining to the release of War Of Angels.

TONY GREVE: We’re always trying to grow and push forward, ya know.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah.  I think if we weren’t we’d be going down.

AWAY-TEAM: I can tell as a fan, you guys have definitely risen by leaps and bounds since the first time I saw you. I mean, you were good then in 2009, enough for me to take notice and for me to start following you. Getting Lipstick On The Mirror and really play it, dissect it in my iPod. I use it for my workout at the gym, too. Hero is one of my go-to tunes for my ab workout.

TONY GREVE: Nice!

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs).

TONY GREVE: I’m the kind of person that thinks like I’m never happy no matter what situation I’m in. Ever. It doesn’t matter. So unless something is constantly changing or growing or moving in one direction or another, either way, I just can’t be stagnate and still. Ya know? Some bands are just like okay with where they are at. We’ll never just be okay with where we’re at.

MATT DIRITO: It’s good to have that drive, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM: If you lose it, that drive, then things are going to change. And they are not going to change for the best either. You’ve gotta have that drive for the position you guys are in. I mean, you are really working your way up the ladder, you’ve got to keep putting your hook into things. Already I can see that.

AWAY-TEAM: I was on YouTube in the last week or so and I saw the teaser video for 10 tracks from the War Of Angels cd. I have watched that so many times. I’m trying to pick up the lyrics, pick up the riffs, pick up the hooks, pick up whatever is in there. I keep trying to really dig into it. I really want to get my hands on the cd so I can review it for www.away-team.com.  I know the beginning of May you interviewed with a guy from another publication  and I keep reviewing his interview. He already must have had War Of Angels and reviewed it. He was specifically talking about things in each track.

MATT DIRITO: We’d love to have you do a review of it.

TONY GREVE: Listen to the entire thing ahead of the release date and give us your feedback.

AWAY-TEAM: I can’t wait to hear more than what is on that video.  I know that guy asked each one of you which song you like to play live the most from War Of Angels.

TONY GREVE: Yes, yes he did.

AWAY-TEAM: Both of you said Boss’s Daughter.

TONY GREVE: It’s like a rock and roll song, ya know. It’s all about rockin’. It’s all about the party. It’s all about the Boss’s Daughter. Who doesn’t want to bang the Boss’s Daughter, right?

MATT DIRITO: Like the chick yesterday. Right? (laughs).

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs).

MATT DIRITO: You just don’t want to trip over your own feet.

TONY GREVE: Yeah.  And it’s just a heavy hitter. It’s a good rock and roll anthem.  Cool thing about it, I got to cowrite it with Mick Mars. Mick and I wrote the music to it. Guitar parts, the riffs and stuff. I went and spent the day at his house, we sat down and played guitar all day. What we came up with was the music for the riffs. The meat and potatoes for Boss’s Daughter.

MATT DIRITO: We put the lyrics to it.

AWAY-TEAM: How did that opportunity come up with Mick Mars? 

TONY GREVE: Well, at the time we both had the same publishing company. 

MATT DIRITO: He owed me money so I was like, Mick you owe me money. So let’s just hash this out… 

TONY GREVE: Let’s just do this and call it even. (laughs).  

MATT DIRITO: That’s a joke. That’s really just a joke.

TONY GREVE: That publishing company is always looking to get people together to write and see who comes up with what.  Our manager called me and said, guess what, guess who you get to work with? I said, I don’t know. Slash? He said no. But then he said Mick Mars. I said, that’s even way f’in cooler. He’s one of the most underrated guitar players, EVER!  

MATT DIRITO: He really is. He’s a great player.  

TONY GREVE: Being as f’in awesome as he is. He’s so good, it’s unreal.

AWAY-TEAM: So how long did you spend with him?

TONY GREVE: An entire day almost. Noon to midnight pretty much. He looks like he would be quiet and shy, and he’s none of that. He talks a lot and likes to tell stories. It was great, he was very talkative. You can tell he’s had his share of health stuff going on, but he was much better than I expected.  

AWAY-TEAM: That’s really cool that he worked with you on Boss’s Daugther. And I really do like that track off War Of Angels. And it’s one of my favorites off the teaser video. 

TONY GREVE: We had none of those riffs for Boss’s Daughter before we went in. We just sat down and we came up with all of it. It was way cool!

AWAY-TEAM: What other songs did he work with you on?

TONY GREVE: Just that one, that’s it.

AWAY-TEAM: Did you work with anyone else on any of the other songs?

TONY GREVE: I did not personally.

MATT DIRITO: Well, there is that song with Jack Blades.

TONY GREVE: Jack Blades, yeah.  From Night Ranger. That was more Leigh and Jack working on that. There’s a song on the album, well, maybe it will come out on this version of it or it may be a special bonus track in the future. I’m not sure. But we did a song called The Good With The Bad with Jack Blades. And that was pretty cool and he’s very awesome, too.

AWAY-TEAM: I know the big thing right now is the upcoming release of War Of Angels. I’ve read  another interview you had at the beginning of May and also listened to the radio studio stuff with Carson earlier today from 105.7, The X. And with War Of Angels, there are 10 songs on that teaser video. Is there going to actually be 12 songs total?

MATT DIRITO: We don’t know yet. That’s something we’ve got to work out.

AWAY-TEAM: I downloaded the song from POP EVIL‘S Facebook page, Save The World.  And I like that too.

MATT DIRITO: There’s another one that you can download, too. It’s an acoustic version of Monster You Made.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, yeah. Have you heard that one yet?

AWAY-TEAM: Yes!

AWAY-TEAM: POP EVIL played with Rev Theory at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore in March of this year. And I was there covering them and I also photographed you guys as well.

TONY GREVE: Oh, awesome!

AWAY-TEAM: Your photos are on my Facebook page, my Flickr page as well as on the Away-Team page under the photos section. There is also a brief review of you guys in the show review for that night.

MATT DIRITO: Sweet!

AWAY-TEAM: And Tony, you have a lot of flying V’s.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, the Dean Guitars. I’m a Dean Guitar player. And I’m branded for life now. (shows me his Dean Guitar tattoo on his wrist).  I love the way those guitars are shaped, they’re so awesome. 

AWAY-TEAM: And Matt, you are on the Spector Bass website.  A photo of you is there.

MATT DIRITO: I am on the Spector website.

AWAY-TEAM: Matt McCloskey of Rev Theory saw my photos from that show in Baltimore in March and contacted me about 2 particular photos that he liked. He wanted permission to send them to Spector. So one of those photos is just below yours on the left hand column.

MATT DIRITO: Oh. You shot that one? That’s awesome.

AWAY-TEAM: Yeah, thanks! Do you play Dean as well as Spector?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, I do play Dean.

AWAY-TEAM: I noticed the head stock on the white one. Is there more than one?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. Right now I use all Deans. I think I probably used a Spector about a year ago. It was just kind of a fill in bass here and there. But right now I only used Dean.  But Spector still has me up on the website. I still talk to the guys over there. They are really cool at Spector.

AWAY-TEAM: Well, with you guys moving farther up the ladder as a band and becoming bigger and bigger, Spector wants you on that site. They want you to help promote Spector. So as long as you are okay with it, they are okay with it.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. Anything that gets us out there, you know.

AWAY-TEAM: And Matt, you are a joy to photograph. Let me tell you.

MATT DIRITO: Oh, well, thank you!

AWAY-TEAM: It’s the hair, it’s the moves, it’s your stage presence, it’s…

TONY GREVE: He’s a joy to party with too. (winks).

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs). I wouldn’t mind doing that! (laughs).

TONY GREVE: Well, ALRIGHT!

MATT DIRITO: YEAH!

TONY GREVE: You just opened a whole new bag of worms! (gives me another high five).

Sidenote: Much laughter and off subject material happened here. Sorry. Just had to be there. I laughed so hard! Now back to the interview… (ha ha).

AWAY-TEAM: Who’s idea was it to market Last Man Standing to the NHL, the NFL, auto racing, the boxer, Mir? How did that all happen?

TONY GREVE: It was just kind of a no brainer, really, for us to pitch it to all of those guys.

MATT DIRITO: Good management.

TONY GREVE: Great management! You listen to that song and that song is a battle anthem. Going head to head, can ya handle it?

MATT DIRITO: We wanted to get it out as many ways as possible. It’s even on a video game now too. It’s on NX vs ATV, or something like that.  It’s an off road racing game. Last Man Standing, YOW!

TONY GREVE: It’s a battle anthem song that gets you pumped up. Whether you’re playing sports or MMA fighting, it’s gonna get ya!

AWAY-TEAM: I heard that song on Nascar one day and thought, I know this song.

MATT DIRITO: That’s awesome! So cool!

TONY GREVE: It’s great management too. Those guys really push us and work hard at what they do and they really care about this band. And it shows.

MATT DIRITO: They’re really good looking too!

TONY GREVE: Best looking managers out there.

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs)

MATT DIRITO: George and George, man. G and G. Get between 2 slices of George bread, ahhhh.

TONY GREVE: Make a little George bread pie.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah!

AWAY-TEAM: How often do you guys see them?

TONY GREVE: They come out quite a bit. George Jr. was just out with us a couple days ago.  Yeah, they’ll come fly out and stay a few days or a week or for however long.

MATT DIRITO: They’ll be at Rock On The Range for sure.

AWAY-TEAM: So they’re very supportive, they’re very interested in you and pushing you and taking you to new levels.

MATT DIRITO: Anytime, day or night, we can talk to them.

AWAY-TEAM: So you can call them at 2 in the morning and they’ll answer?

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, I can call them right now. We can drunk dial them later, ha ha!

TONY GREVE: Oh my gosh, YEAH!

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs hysterically).  How often do you do that?

MATT DIRITO: Every once in a while. Maybe you don’t want to put that in the interview. Sorry George! (waving). He’ll just tell us to go focus on the next hit. And ask me when I’m gonna give him the next hit.

TONY GREVE: Please don’t show him this. (laughs).

Sidenote: I’ll stop at the boys request. However, they did share interesting tidbits.

AWAY-TEAM: Talking about how great G & G is, I know that you can’t say a lot about Universal but what can you tell me? How bad did they “f” you over? Because you’re going with a new label now for reasons.

TONY GREVE: I almost want to wait to answer that comment. Wait until everything is complete.

MATT DIRITO: Until we make the announcement. The new label is not going to “f” us over. We’re going to keep doing what we do not matter what.

TONY GREVE: That’s true.

MATT DIRITO: But I’m pissed that it ended up affecting the fans with the release date of the new album and everything. That’s what makes me mad. It’s everywhere we go, it’s every night, everyone’s asking us when the album is going to be released.  And I have to say I’m sorry. They sometimes get mad at us.

TONY GREVE: They just don’t realize.

MATT DIRITO: I’m on their side, too. I’m angry that it’s not out.

TONY GREVE: We want it out, too.

AWAY-TEAM: From a marketing standpoint I think it’s helping you in a way for the fact that they know it’s not you, but yet you’re playing stuff from it live, it’s bringing the fans out more to your live shows than maybe they had been. I don’t know. It’s hard to tell with different fans and different reasons those fans may or may not have. I think it’s helping you. It’s building momentum, it’s really creating…

TONY GREVE: You think so?

AWAY-TEAM: Me, I’m salivating for it. I CAN NOT WAIT!

TONY GREVE: I think it is, as long as you don’t wait too long. There comes a point where you build the hype and momentum but if you don’t put something behind it, the momentum will die.

MATT DIRITO: You can’t have too much space in between.

TONY GREVE: It’s gotta come out.

AWAY-TEAM: It was supposed to be released in February, correct? And Last Man Standing was released as a single last fall.

TONY GREVE: Yeah.

AWAY-TEAM: So we are 3 months, almost 4 months past that original date. Sometime in June?

MATT DIRITO: Before the end of summer it will be out. Yeah.

AWAY-TEAM:  I cannot wait.

TONY GREVE: Us either. We’re ready to get this thing out and be able to tour on it, and play on it. And have everyone know the songs and sing them back to us.

 

AWAY-TEAM: Since you are playing the songs now, what is the percentage of songs from Lipstick On The Mirror to War Of Angels is there?

MATT DIRITO: It’s 50-50 pretty much. As far as the set goes.

AWAY-TEAM: So it looks like you are doing 12 songs tonight for the set. That’s awesome.

TONY GREVE: It will be a good show.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, I’m going to be exhausted. (laughs).  It’s been awhile since we’ve done a set that long.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, we’ve been doing these tours with Drowning Pool, Papa Roach and we’re only used to doing 6 songs in the set during those tours.

MATT DIRITO: It’s no longer than 30 minutes for the set.

AWAY-TEAM: You just get warmed up… and you’re done.

TONY GREVE: Yeah pretty much.

AWAY-TEAM: You’re really into it, you’re hitting your groove. And you’re done!

TONY GREVE: This one is going to wipe us out tonight! (laughs).

MATT DIRITO: It’s kinda like when I have sex. You just get into it and, bam, it’s done.  It’s over before you know it.

AWAY-TEAM: So the new label you guys are with, they are more inline with where you want to go as a band? With your goals?

TONY GREVE: There going to stand behind us.

MATT DIRITO: We think so. Their already doing good stuff for us. Just showing interest in how we present ourselves and stuff like that. It’s cool. The entire time we were with Universal I had no contact information for anybody even at the label. If I wanted to go talk to someone, like an AR rep or anyone who represents us from publishing to marketing, I didn’t know who to talk to.

AWAY-TEAM: Totally disconnected. Unreachable.

MATT DIRITO: I didn’t have any emails. Nothing from nobody. The only people’s names I know are the presidents of the label. They were the only ones we met really. Well, we kinda met everybody once but I wouldn’t have known who to talk to. These guys from the new label are already showing interest in being hands on with us. We’ll be able to tell you more in year or so.

AWAY-TEAM: After you’ve been through the honeymoon period with them.  Everything gets worked out. You get used to them, they get used to you.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. We never got a honeymoon period with Universal. They kinda f’d us in the ass and left us on the curb.

TONY GREVE: (laughs). That’s a great analogy! Awesome dude! That’s true though.

MATT DIRITO: There was no wining and dining, bro.

TONY GREVE: No phone call, no nothing.

MATT DIRITO: Not even a damn reach around.

TONY GREVE: They didn’t even have the common courtesy to give that guy a f’in reach around. (laughs).

MATT DIRITO: What the f*^#!

AWAY-TEAM: So how long have you been working with G & G then?

TONY GREVE: We met them before Universal.

AWAY-TEAM: So they’ve been with you through thick and thin.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah. All the success that we’ve had up to this point it due to George.

TONY GREVE: All credited to them. Universal never got us one radio ad. Never one radio play. Nothing. It’s been George, he’s done everything.

MATT DIRITO: After all this time, people at Universal didn’t even know we were signed to their label. So the people that were supposed to be working us to the radio didn’t even know we were signed to the label.

AWAY-TEAM: That’s messed up. So it’s very good that the band has moved on to a different, and better, label. It sounds like they are going to take you where you need to go just from what they’ve already started to show to you guys. Along with G & G. And are the new label and G & G married together to making POP EVIL what it needs to be in the future?

TONY GREVE: G & G are in the thick of it.

MATT DIRITO: They’re in the trenches taking grenades right now.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, they are.

AWAY-TEAM: As a fan, I really want to see you guys rise to the level of Motley Crue, Poison, Guns & Roses.  I really want to see POP EVIL do arenas. On your own, headling. Not opening for anyone.

TONY GREVE: We’re trying.

MATT DIRITO: That would be bad ass!

TONY GREVE: Maybe some day. Right? We’ll just keep pushing this f’in train forward.

AWAY-TEAM: So, the order of the tracks from War Of Angels, do they have a progression of a story or are you trying to say something with the way they flow?

MATT DIRITO: We tried to set it up that way. I think the goal was to really do sort of a theme album. And I think we are close to it. That’s just my opinion.  So when I think of theme albums I think of Pink Floyd, The Wall.

TONY GREVE: Or Dark Side Of The Moon.

MATT DIRITO: It literally tells a story, from start to finish. It’s like you can see a movie happening in your head. I don’t think ours is that crystal clear but it really does show a lot of what we’ve been through in the past few years as far as the transition from doing this part time, having day jobs, to where we are at now. Getting used to touring and being on the road. And how people respond to you and react to you.  Dealing with management and other bands, just everything that comes along with it. So I really do think it tells the story of all that and we did try to put it in order that way. It is interrupted in a few spots with a song that might be about getting a broken heart, somewhere in the middle of that. Sorta like you wouldn’t really know how it relates to us unless you sat down with us and went through it song by song, I guess.

AWAY-TEAM: Which one is the broken heart song? I don’t want to guess and be wrong.

MATT DIRITO: You can guess. That’s actually what’s cool about it. A lot of these songs can be taken in so many different ways. Like our next single, Monster You Made, to us, and to me personally, is a song about how our skin has become thick by being on the road, working with the record labels, and how the industry is. And about how it’s a horrible time to try and be breaking into this industry. It’s kinda changed us. I think people always change. If you’re not changing you’re not growing and becoming better. If you’re just staying the same, it’s just not good.

AWAY-TEAM: Did POP EVIL pull for these songs on War Of Angels, any influences

you may have from bands of the 80’s? It seems to me like a lot of flavor there from 80’s bands.

TONY GREVE: One of the coolest things is that, for me, music that has influenced me from the 80’s have been Slash, and many of those guitar players. I’m really not influenced by anything modern so the way I play would naturally come off that way. Slash and Dimebag…

MATT DIRITO: YEAH! Tony and I kinda grew up on that music. We grew up on Queen.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, Queen, Zak Wilde, Randy Rhoads and others. That stuff just has rock and roll heart and soul.

MATT DIRITO: Tony and I are the youngest guys in the band but we’re probably the most 80’s influenced.

TONY GREVE: Kinda funny how that works out.  We are pretty much the same age.

MATT DIRITO: We’re twins, separated by 3 minutes or so.

TONY GREVE: Yeah. Three minutes apart.

AWAY-TEAM: (laughs). So, ha ha, if you are ‘twins’, how much do you find yourselves being alike and thinking alike?

TONY GREVE: I just look at him and I already know what he’s thinking.

AWAY-TEAM: You’ve been together that long that you can do it?

TONY GREVE: I can just tell by his face and be like… Yeah, me too!

MATT DIRITO: Oh yeah!

TONY GREVE: We don’t even have to discuss what it is. I just say, yeah, I feel the same way.

MATT DIRITO: It’s true, that actually does happen. It really is true.

 

AWAY-TEAM: Is there anything else you guys want to tell the fans, tell me. Anything else you want to be know about this tour and War Of Angels?

TONY GREVE: Yeah. We want to thank the fans for everything, ya know. We really appreciate everything they’ve done and been through with us and for supporting us. We always, always want to thank the fans.  Without them there is no band, no show. None of this even matters without them. We wouldn’t even be having this interview right now.

AWAY-TEAM: You are so right.

TONY GREVE: So thank them, God bless them for everything. For this opportunity to do this. To be able to write and perform this music that we love so much. And sharing it with all of them means everything to us.

AWAY-TEAM: With War Of Angels, I really think POP EVIL is going to hit gold with this. It is so awesome from what I’ve heard so far.

TONY GREVE: I just want to move the fans. From in here (clutching chest). Ya know.

AWAY-TEAM: Like you said, it talks to everyone differently. Everyone has a different situation. But yet everyone can relate to the songs in their own special way. One song, different meanings to everyone.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, exactly. That’s what is so cool about it.

MATT DIRITO: It’s like my favorite albums that I listen to. If they get too specific on something it’s like you can’t always relate to it. But the songs that really hit home are the ones that are open to where you can apply it to your own life. They may have not be written like that but it’s how they are used. It’s how the meanings are taken from it.

AWAY-TEAM: Tony, you started Purple, right?

TONY GREVE: Yeah. It started with a friend of mine. We both got matching flower tattoos on our shoulders that are purple so I started writing it about that. Then Leigh took it to a whole new level with a new mindset, new mindframe.

AWAY-TEAM: And all of you contribute to every song?

MATT DIRITO: Not all the time. Sometimes it might be more Tony, sometimes more me.

TONY GREVE: It’s always different.

AWAY-TEAM: But everyone is comfortable where everyone else is with sharing of things.

MATT DIRITO: Yeah, we work on it.

TONY GREVE: It has to come to an agreement at the end of it.

MATT DIRITO: We all just want to have the best songs for our band and to move it forward with that.  So it’s not really an issue.

AWAY-TEAM: Well guys. I think that is about it. I want to thank you for your time tonight. Away-Team is grateful for this opportunity to speak with you both. And I look forward to see you again soon in the near future.

TONY GREVE: Yeah, Marcy, it’s been fun. A blast!

MATT DIRITO: Sure. We’re glad you were here.

 

 

Check out all that is going on with POP EVIL at their site: http://www.popevil.com

Also check these sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/popevil

Myspace: www.myspace.com/popevil

And for really cool stuff: www.evil-nation.com

YouTube videos you should check out:

                For War Of Angels  Last Man Standing: http://youtu.be/4YB6H5q_gyU

                Teaser Video for War Of Angels: http://youtu.be/2Ptq4jMH5OM

                For Lipstick On The Mirror  100 in a 55: http://youtu.be/DcfmwfY2GOE

Take it from me, you MUST go see these guys if you haven’t already. If you have seen them, you MUST see them again. They just keep getting better and better. And on June 28 be sure to get your own copy of War Of Angels through your favorite retailer or on Amazon or iTunes. This new album will kick your ass!

Special thanks to Tony Greve and Matt DiRito for taking the time to speak with me, and to George Cappellini at G & G Entertainment and Chris Iteen, Tour Manager, for helping to make it happen. It was a great pleasure and a thrill to do this interview.

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.

They have been seen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, have collaborated with music icons including Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan and heard around the world on World Wrestling Entertainment. Now, after four years since the release of their last project, BLINDSIDE is partnering with INO Records/RED to unveil their sixth album, With Shivering Hearts We Wait, on June 7th.

“When we decided it was time to make another record, everyone’s perspective was really renewed and we’re super pumped right now to be doing the band again,” front man Christian Lindskog said. “We just needed to break away from music for a bit because it starts to define who you are when you should be finding it in a higher purpose.”

After taking time to be with their families and reenergize after over a decade of touring the world and releasing material, the Swedish natives reconnected with producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, Flyleaf) to deliver an evolved artistic sound that still harkens back to band’s signature styles. Benson helmed the Elektra Records collections Silence (2002) and About a Burning Fire (2004) and helped create what is said to be their most compelling collection to date.

“The similarities between With Shivering Hearts We Wait and past projects is that we’re always striving to get the right songs for a project and the spirit is still Blindside,” assures Lindskog. “But this album is very different in the sense that it took us a lot longer to write and record it. We used to get everyone in a room and start jamming, but this time we started with an acoustic framework that was eventually translated into rock n’ roll songs.”

“There are definitely some new elements, such as putting strings or an electronic sound over a really bombastic song,” adds guitarist Simon Grenehed. “We wanted to make the record sound big and didn’t feel like there were any boundaries.”

Introducing strings and electronic elements, Blindside‘s rock n’ roll styling turns epic and bombastic on many of the songs. One such song, “Our Love Saves Us” will act as the albums debut single, impacting radio this month. Blindside are currently offering an MP3 download of the song, get it at www.withshiveringheartswewait.com.









For more BLINDSIDE click here.

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.

The 2011 daily performance lineup has been announced for ROCKLAHOMA, the three-day camp and rock festival that will feature a mix of the best classic bands and today’s top active rock artists. America’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend party kicks off summer May 27-29 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK.

The daily performance lineup for ROCKLAHOMA is as follows:
Friday, May 27
Whitesnake, Hinder, Skillet, Sick Puppies, All That Remains, My Darkest Days, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Texas Hippie Coalition, New Medicine, Bad Things, Wildstreet, Loveblast, D’Molls, Alias, Blue Tiger, Firststryke, Chuck Cooley and the Demon Hammers, Signum A.D., Silverstone, Return to Custody

Saturday, May 28
Staind, Sebastian Bach, Drowning Pool, Rev Theory, Cavo, Pop Evil, The Gracious Few, Hail the Villain, Taddy Porter, Electric Touch, Gypsy Pistoleros, Cutlass, Mock Star, Aura Surreal, Aska, Strikeforce, Siva Addiction, A Good Fight, Bait, Rocker Lips, Sweatin Bullets

Sunday, May 29
Mötley Crüe, Poison, Papa Roach, Seether, Black Label Society, Saving Abel, Escape The Fate, Crooked X, Art Of Dying, One Less Reason, Bad Things, The Glitter Boys, Black Tora, New Cool World, Pretty Little Suicide, Diemonds, Brandon Clark Band, David Castro Band, Desi and Cody

The official ROCKLAHOMA pre-party on Thursday, May 26 will feature performances from Fist of Rage, Tiranico, Aformatic, Floodlyne, Blackwood, and Stun.

New to ROCKLAHOMA 2011 is the AXiS Campground Stage. Since the camping experience is one of the most memorable parts of ROCKLAHOMA for many fans, event producers have added this special performance area to enhance the campground. Anyone holding festival and camping tickets will be able to experience the sounds of the country’s finest new rock bands performing on this stage, located next to the General Store in the main campgrounds. Camping tickets may be purchased by calling the ROCKLAHOMA Camping Office at (866) 310-2288, where fans can choose their exact campsite.

Single day tickets for ROCKLAHOMA go on-sale Friday, April 15 at 10am CST at all Ticketmaster outlets and at www.rocklahoma.com.

Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early as prices will increase as of Friday, April 15 at 10am CST and again the week of the event. General Admission 3-day ticket prices are now available for only $119 plus service fees and VIP Reserved 3-day tickets, which include unlimited beverages and catered meals as well as access to the air conditioned VIP tent, are just $320 plus service fees. As of 10am CST April 15, prices will be $139 plus service fees for General Admission and $350 plus service fees for VIP Reserved.

Doors to the main ROCKLAHOMA festival area and stages will open at 3pm each day. Campgrounds will open on Sunday, May 22 and remain open until Tuesday, May 31.

For more ROCKLAHOMA click here.

Rocklahoma returns May 27-29 to kick off summer with the nation’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend party at Catch The Fever Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK! 2011 marks the 5th Anniversary of the three-day camp & rock festival that will feature a mix of the best classic bands and today’s top active rock artists. Rocklahoma is proud to be presented by Bud Light.

The initial Rocklahoma lineup includes: MÖTLEY CRÜE, STAIND, WHITESNAKE, SEETHER, PAPA ROACH, SAVING ABEL, SKILLET, SICK PUPPIES, SEBASTIAN BACH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DROWNING POOL, MY DARKEST DAYS, REV THEORY, ALL THAT REMAINS, ESCAPE THE FATE, CAVO, THE GRACIOUS FEW (FEATURING MEMBERS OF LIVE AND CANDLEBOX), HAIL THE VILLAIN, JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, TADDY PORTER, POP EVIL, CROOKED X, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, NEW MEDICINE, ART OF DYING, ELECTRIC TOUCH, ONE LESS REASON, GYPSY PISTOLEROS, ALIAS, WILDSTREET, THE GLITTER BOYS, GUNNER SIXX, BLACK TORA, MAD MAX, AURA SURREAL, FIRSTRYKE, ASKA, PRETTY LITTLE SUICIDE, ARENA, BLUE TIGER, BAD THINGS, CUTLASS, MOCK STAR and more special guests to be announced.

“2011 promises to deliver the biggest Rocklahoma punch to date!” says Joe Litvag, Senior Vice President of AEG Live and Co-Executive Producer of Rocklahoma. “Not only have we stepped up our game with the top active rock artists on the charts this year like Seether, Papa Roach and Sick Puppies, but we’ve also taken the classic artists to a new level of insanity with the likes of Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake, and a few surprises yet to come! The Rocklahoma loyalists asked for it, and we heard them loud and clear…This is the perfect balance of talent that will give something to every rock fan in the region!”

General Admission and VIP packages for Rocklahoma go on sale Friday, February 18 at 10am CST at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.Rocklahoma.com. General Admission 3-day ticket prices start as low as $99.50. Fans can save by buying early as ticket prices will increase in the coming weeks. Camping tickets may be purchased by calling the Rocklahoma Camping Office at (866) 310-2288, where fans can choose their exact campsite.

The VIP tickets and packages for the 2011 festival are sure to please the most rabid rock fans. This year’s VIP packages include:

Groupie Package (1 Person)
- VIP Reserved Ticket
- Access to air-conditioned VIP Catering Tent
- Private Backstage Lounge Access
- Weekend Pit Access

Roadie Package (1 Person)
- VIP Reserved Ticket
- Access to air-conditioned VIP Catering Tent
- Private Backstage Lounge Access
- Private Restroom Access
- Weekend Pit Access
- VIP Deck Access
- Event Poster, T-Shirt and Festival Mug
- Commemorative Laminate

Rockstar Package (2 Person)
- All amenities from Roadie Package
- Three Night Stay at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
- Shuttle Service to and from festival
- Best Seats in the House

For a detailed list of amenities included in the 2011 Rocklahoma VIP ticket packages, visit Rocklahoma.com.

“We’ve always tried to offer the greatest experience to our Rocklahoma VIPs,” comments Mark Nuessle, President of Catch the Fever Festival Grounds and Co-Executive Producer of the festival. “This year we’ve brought back the air-conditioning to our VIP catering tent and backstage lounge, by popular demand, and we’ve expanded our packages to include Pit access, Best Seats in the House, and even hotel accommodations and transportation this year! For those who want to be pampered, Rocklahoma will take good care of you!”

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, OK. The Catch the Fever Festival Grounds is a premier destination for a multi-day festival and includes on-site camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas and much more.

Established in 2007 as a classic rock destination festival with the motto “life, liberty and the pursuit of rock,” Rocklahoma was revamped for 2010 as organizers teamed with AEG Live to create an event encompassing a much broader mix of classic, current and up-and-coming rock artists.

For more ROCKLAHOMA click here.

While their current single “Kick in the Teeth” continues to dominate at radio, Papa Roach have recently premiered the new music video for their new single “Burn” on Yahoo!. The band recruited Director, Jesse Davey who also directed the band’s infamous “Hollywood Whore” video, which continues to be a Youtube hit receiving millions of views.

Most recently Papa Roach was out on tour for the month of October with Skillet and Trapt on the Monsters of Annihilation Tour. Time For Annihilation…On the Record & On the Road was released on August 31st via Eleven Seven Music. The album debuted as the #1 Independent Rock, #23 Top 200, #4 Hard Rock and #5 Alternative Album on Billboard’s charts.









For more Papa Roach click here.

Buckcherry, fresh off a national tour with Nickelback have unveiled a new video for the track “Dead.”

“Dead,” the second single from the band’s recent studio album, All Night Long was hand-picked by Buckcherry fans via the band’s social network properties. The song encompasses rebelliously inspirational lyrical content and the themes woven throughout the video are no different. Dedicating the song to today’s disenfranchised youth, Buckcherry frontman Josh Todd comments, “I had real issues with authority figures growing up. I wanted to write about the authority figures in my life who told me I’d never amount to anything. It’s a big “fuck you” to all those people.” Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson adds, “(It’s) one of those songs that marries the greasy rock and punk elements together. This will be a scorcher to play live.”

Buckcherry will be joining the The Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour later this month with Disturbed, Papa Roach and Halestrom. Full dates are below and additional info is available here.

BUCKCHERRY dates:
15 Nov Helsinki, Finland
17 Nov Stockholm, Sweden
19 Nov Oslo, Norway
20 Nov Copenhagen, Denmark
22 Nov Berlin, Germany
24 Nov Vienna, Austria
25 Nov Munich, Germany
26 Nov Winterthur, Switzerland
28 Nov Freiburg, Germany
29 Nov Hamburg, Germany
01 Dec Dusseldorf, Germany
02 Dec Amsterdam, Holland
03 Dec Luxembourg, Luxembourg
05 Dec Brussels, Belgium
07 Dec Birmingham, UK
08 Dec London, UK
09 Dec Plymouth, UK
11 Dec Glasgow, UK
12 Dec Manchester, UK
13 Dec Nottingham, UK









For more BUCKCHERRY click here.

The California-based band TRAPT is already off to a great start with the first single “Sound Off.” The aggressive, energetic anthem is a return to the band’s rock roots, which brought them Billboard‘s pick for the Alternative Song of the Decade with “Headstrong.”









Trapt is taking advantage of several unique angles to get the word out about No Apologies.The Official Trapt Music Page offers several packages as a special treat to fans. The exclusive package options include a CD and T-shirt bundle as well as a bundle that includes the CD, a T-shirt, and a personalized Platinum plaque!

Trapt will be hitting the road in October, playing select dates with their label mates Papa Roach. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

Upcoming TRAPT dates:
OCTOBER
1–Myrtle Beach, SC (House of Blues)
2– St. Petersburg, FL (Jannus Landing)
5– Baltimore, MD (Rams Head Live)
6– Wallingford, CT (The Dome)
8– Clifton Park, NY (Northern Lights)
9– Atlantic City, NJ (House of Blues)
10–Worcester, MA (Palladium)
12–Rochester, NY (Main St. Armory)
13–Toledo, OH (John F. Savage Hall)
14–Moline, IL (iWireless Center)
16–Waterloo, IA (McElroy Auditorium)
17–Kansas City, MO (Midland)
19–St. Louis, MO (Pageant)
20–Oklahoma City, OK (Diamond Ballroom)
22–Traverse City, MI (Ground Zero)
23–Flint, MI (Machine Shop)
26–Denver, CO (Fillmore Auditorium)
28–Nampa, ID (Idaho Center)
29–Idaho Falls, ID (Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium)
30–Reno, NV (Grand Sierra Theatre)

For more TRAPT click here.