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BLUE OCTOBER SCORES HIGHEST CHART POSITION IN BAND’S HISTORY WITH ANY MAN IN AMERICA

Posted in Artist Watch, News with tags , , , , on August 24, 2011 by Randy

DEBUTS AT #8 ON BILLBOARD 200 AND#2 ON INDEPENDENT CHART 

 HEADLINE TOUR RESUMES SEPTEMBER 8TH

Multi-platinum rock band Blue October has landed their highest Billboard chart debut of their career with their latest album, Any Man In America.  The album, which was released on lead singer Justin Furstenfeld’s own UP/DOWN Records, debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200, was the second-highest debut on the chart this week and also landed at #2 on the Independent Album Chart, selling over 26,000 copies.

Furstenfeld had this to say about the band’s achievement: “I am in awe and beside myself with a big sigh and the most amazing crows flying in my stomach. The fact that when I started UP/DOWN Records, it was to prove that the listener can still be touched by artists with something to say, artists who are not afraid to stand up and remind listeners that they can still feel music like a first kiss. Making music that is real is what both Blue October and UP/DOWN records is all about.  I can’t thank everyone enough who has supported us and helped us achieve this milestone for the band.”

Any Man In America is the follow up to 2009’s Approaching Normal and is Blue October‘s sixth studio album overall. The album was produced by Furstenfeld (who also produced the band’s platinum breakthrough album Foiled), in association with Tim Palmer, who has produced and mixed for the likes of Robert Plant, Pearl Jam and U2.  Any Man In America takes the listener on a cathartic journey chronicling the deeply personal events that have unfolded in Justin Furstenfeld’s life since the band’s last release. USA Today states “this one’s a doozy…It’ll tear your heart out,” giving it a 3-star (out of 4) rating. 

Any Man In America‘s debut single, “The Chills,” is currently making its way up the charts landing in the Top 40 at Alternative radio this week.  A video for the song was just released and you can check it out here. Blue October also recently released the touching video for “The Feel Again (Stay)”.  Directed by Merritt Fields, “The Feel Again (Stay)” is one of Blue October‘s most truthful and haunting videos to date, and has already reached over 200,000 views since being released. It can be seen here.

After a few dates in their home state of Texas last week, Blue October will resume their Any Man In America tour on September 8th in Phoenix. The tour stops in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Las Vegas before wrapping on October 21st in New Orleans, LA. The Dallas Morning News recently raved “Wednesday’s performance showed a band that has not only arrived, but has set up a smooth-running and rewarding shop.” Justin and Blue October will be bringing representatives from the American Coalition of Fathers and Children on the road with them to educate fans about Family Breakdown, Divorce and Emotional Child Support.

Blue October is Justin Furstenfeld, Jeremy Furstenfeld, Ryan Delahoussaye, Matt Noveskey, and Julian Mandrake.

BLUE OCTOBER TOUR DATES:

THU, 08 SEP 2011 | The Foundry | Phoenix, AZ

FRI, 09 SEP 2011 | House of Blues | Las Vegas, NV

SAT, 10 SEP 2011 | House Of Blues |West Hollywood, CA

SUN, 11 SEP 2011 | House of Blues | Anaheim, CA

TUE, 13 SEP 2011 | House Of Blues | San Diego, CA

THU, 15 SEP 2011 | Knitting Factory | Reno, NV

FRI, 16 SEP 2011 | The Regency Ballroom | San Francisco, CA

SAT, 17 SEP 2011 | Roseland Theater | Portland, OR

SUN, 18 SEP 2011 | Showbox | Seattle, WA

TUE, 20 SEP 2011 | The Wilma Theatre | Missoula, MT

WED, 21 SEP 2011 | Knitting Factory | Spokane, WA

THU, 22 SEP 2011 | Knitting Factory | Boise, ID

FRI, 23 SEP 2011 | In The Venue | West Salt Lake City, UT

SUN, 25 SEP 2011 | Ogden Theatre | Denver, CO

WED, 28 SEP 2011 | Hoyt Sherman Place | Des Moines, IA

THU, 29 SEP 2011 | Fine Line Music Cafe | Minneapolis, MN

FRI, 30 SEP 2011 | Crossroads | Kansas City, MO

SAT, 01 OCT 2011| The Pageant | St. Louis, MO

THU, 06 OCT 2011 | Cains Ballroom | Tulsa, OK

FRI, 07 OCT 2011 | Mid-America Center | Council Bluffs, IA

SAT, 08 OCT 2011 | House of Blues | Chicago, IL

SUN, 09 OCT 2011 | House of Blues | Cleveland, OH

WED, 12 OCT 2011 | Royal Oak Music Theatre | Royal Oak, MI

THU, 13 OCT 2011 | Tower Theatre | Upper Darby, PA

FRI, 14 OCT 2011 | The Fillmore | Silver Spring, MD

SAT, 15 OCT 2011 | Webster Hall | New York, NY

SUN, 16 OCT 2011 | Water Street Music Hall | Rochester, NY

MON, 17 OCT 2011 | House of Blues | Boston, MA

WED, 19 OCT 2011 | The Fillmore | Charlotte, NC

THU, 20 OCT 2011 | The Buckhead Theatre | Atlanta, GA

FRI, 21 OCT 2011 | House of Blues | New Orleans, LA

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Bullet For My Valentine’s Moose on gearing up for the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Fest

Posted in 2011 Interviews, Artist Watch with tags , , , , , , , , on August 23, 2011 by Randy

 After playing dates with Avenged Sevenfold and label mates Three Days Grace, Bullet For My Valentine are looking to hit the road again with these bands for the 2011 Uproar Fest.  BFMV’s drummer, Michael “Moose” Thomas, yelled from across the pond to give a little heads up before their flight to New York…he also chatted about playing with A7X and Three Days Grace and a little history on the Cardiff music scene.

(Moose was in England so the audio is poor)

Matt Tuck (vox) was filmed at a European show saying, “next we’re going to conquer America.”  When asked if this was yet accomplished, Moose had this to say:

BFMV’s “FEAR” was released in April of 2010…when asked if they were working on any new material and/or playing it on the Uproar Fest, Moose replied:

Moose on the Cardiff music scene:

What Moose had to say about shows earlier this year with A7X and Three Days Grace:

What would you like to say to the fans?

Check out Bullet For My Valentine on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Fest!

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Bullet For My Valentine’s Moose on gearing up for the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Fest

Posted in 2011 Interviews, Artist Watch with tags , , , , , , , , on August 23, 2011 by Randy

 After playing dates with Avenged Sevenfold and label mates Three Days Grace, Bullet For My Valentine are looking to hit the road again with these bands for the 2011 Uproar Fest.  BFMV’s drummer, Michael “Moose” Thomas, yelled from across the pond to give a little heads up before their flight to New York…he also chatted about playing with A7X and Three Days Grace and a little history on the Cardiff music scene.

(Moose was in England so the audio is poor)

Matt Tuck (vox) was filmed at a European show saying, “next we’re going to conquer America.”  When asked if this was yet accomplished, Moose had this to say:

[audio:http://www.divshare.com/direct/15590866-4ee.mp3%5D

BFMV’s “FEAR” was released in April of 2010…when asked if they were working on any new material and/or playing it on the Uproar Fest, Moose replied:
[audio:http://www.divshare.com/direct/15590869-781.mp3%5D

Moose on the Cardiff music scene:
[audio:http://www.divshare.com/direct/15590873-eb7.mp3%5D

What Moose had to say about shows earlier this year with A7X and Three Days Grace:
[audio:http://www.divshare.com/direct/15590875-920.mp3%5D

What would you like to say to the fans?
[audio:http://www.divshare.com/direct/15590879-03c.mp3%5D

Check out Bullet For My Valentine on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Fest!

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TIMES OF GRACE STREAM VIDEO FOR “LIVE IN LOVE” ON FACEBOOK

Posted in Artist Watch, News with tags , , , , , on August 18, 2011 by Randy

VIDEO SHEDS LIGHT ON RISE ABOVE FOUNDATION

New York, NY: Times of Grace are streaming the video for the uplifting song “Live in Love” on their Facebook page. But this isn’t your average hard rock video. Rather, Times of Grace use this medium to shed light on the Rise Above Foundation and that organization’s important cause. The Rise Above Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Massachusetts children in foster care with enriching activities, opportunities and experiences.  Given the hopeful message encased in the lyrics, the song is a perfect complement to the efforts of the Rise Above Foundation.

The clip shows the band walking through the streets of Massachusetts, singing the song and splicing footage of those in need throughout. The striking, heart wrenching images further demonstrate the point that the band is trying to make about help and hope.

In addition to close up shots of worn faces and hands, which serve to make the plight of those in need incredibly real and tangible, the video also displays statistics about people in foster care, rehab and on the streets.  The video opens its arms to the homeless, the elderly and the children who are at risk.

Times of Grace singer Jesse leach commented on the video, saying, ” I am excited for this video to come out. I feel like we did a different approach to the typical performance video. I enjoyed the shoot and the day we spent driving around to different locations. I feel strongly about the message of compassion and love. I hope we are able to help change a child’s life through weriseabove.org or at the very least inspire others to reach outside themselves and make a difference. I want nothing more than for our music to have a positive impact in this world. One love to all !”

Director Tim Dennesen also weighed in, saying, “‘Live in Love’ sends  a powerful message.  Anthony Jarvis, the director of photography,  and I wanted to give raw visuals to this message to help spread awareness.  It was a mystical quest, and a lot of fun to work with Times of Grace.”

We Rise Above was equally thrilled about partnering with the band to spread their message and their mission, saying, “We’re honored that Times of Grace identified Rise Above as the Massachusetts charity to spotlight in this video. Working with a band with strong roots in Massachusetts is a great way to advocate for the youth in foster care that we serve. We are proud to be part of such a powerful effort to bring critical social issues to the surface.”

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