Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News: May 2001

May 2001

*Thursday, May 31st, 2001*

It is finally upon us. P.O.D.'s new record Satellite will be out August 28. The band says it's their most heavy and emotional record ever. Be sure to get this one!

Does anyone want to hear a brand spankin new song from Bleach? Well, go to www.mp3.com and you can. "We Are Tomorrow," a hit at their live shows, is there! And trust me... it rocks!

Luna Halo is gonna look different to fans these days. Jonny MacIntosh will leave the band to start a band with his wife Sarah (formerly of Chasing Furies). Right now he is on tour with Kevin Max of dc Talk with his solo music. On better news, Luna Halo is wasting no time in finding a new guitarist. Cary Barlowe, younger brother of lead singer Nathan, will take Jonny's place. The new album is going great and look for it out in late winter/early spring of next year.

The latest news from Relient K is that their next record has been renamed from Pressing On to The Anatomy of the Tongue and Cheek. That's quite a change! The album is still set to release on August 28th.

Dogwood is releasing their new record on September 25th. Rescue Records, their former label, will re-issue their first two albums, Good ol' Daze and Through Thick and Thin.

*Monday, May 28th, 2001*

The O.C. Supertones will be featured on CNN this coming Tuesday, May 29th (tomorrow) at 2:30 PM EST/11:30 AM PST! The Cable News Network is doing a piece on Christian music (as well as a piece on Festival Con Dios) and the Supertones are part of the story! Watch it live or set your VCRs!

Gotee rappers, Grits, will be featured in a song on the great CeCe Winans new project. The song will be called "Anybody Wanna Pray". Watch for this record out on June 19th, releasing on her own label, Wellspring Gospel. For an exclusive clip of Grits with Cece on "Anybody Wanna Pray," click here!

Chevelle recently announced that they are leaving Squint Entertainment in search of a label to better support their artistic needs. This doesn't seem to be too hard for the guys because many labels want this band in their lineup. Rumor has it that a mainstream label could be the leader to pick up this trio.

Truth has decided to hang up their microphones after more than 30 years of ministry. There will be a four-month Farewell Truth tour next February.

The Renaissance EP by MxPx is done. The nine songs are a whole new beginning for the masters of punk. 5 Minute Walk Records will release this record through the Christian market.

Havalina Rail Company is at it again. On June 8th, their new EP, A Bullfighters Guide To Space and Love, will release. If you would like to order this record, then surf on over to www.fourdoor.com but hurry quick because the first 500 will be hand-numbered and signed.

Here's the latest from Andrew of Project 86, taken from a recent Tooth and Nail Records newsletter: "It seems that our relentless touring schedule on this run has finally gotten the best of me. I am sidelined for the moment with a wonderful case of strep throat, which has caused us to cancel on the Little Rock and Springfield shows. I think no one is more disappointed than I am at this situation and unfortunately the most I can do is get rest. So for the next 24 hours I will be sleeping in boredom and restlessness in my quarantined hotel room. For those of you attended these shows only to find that we could not play, I want you to know that only this sickness could prevent us from taking the stage. And to those of you who have taken this thing personally, please understand there will be other days and other shows on the horizon."

Stacie Orrico’s video "Everything" will be premiering on the Daily Remix Tuesday, May 29th at 10pm CST! The Daily Remix airs on the Oxygen TV Network. Check your local listings to see if Oxygen airs in your area. Also on Tuesday, see the online premiere at WindowsMedia.com.

Audio Adrenaline is currently writing songs for their upcoming studio album, Lift. Look for more details soon on that album, due out in November.

Congratulations go out to tobyMac who has tied the record for most weeks at #1 with his current single, “Extreme Days.” The single has topped the CRR’s Rock chart for ten weeks in a row. It can also be found at #2 on R&R’s Rock chart.

*Thursday, May 24th, 2001*

Third Day's first ever live long-form video, The Offerings Experience, was taped in Atlanta just 6 weeks ago. In the intense effort to make it the best product possible in such a short amount of time, they are delaying the release of the production until June 4th. ThirdDay.com apologizes for the delay, but were faced with the challenge of delivering a good product, or a great product - and they chose the latter. For the inconvenience, they'll be giving away a free t-shirt every other day for those who pre-ordered the release. Also, congrats to the boys for all four best-selling recordings released nationally simultaneously landed this week on the SoundScan compiled Rock sales chart. The band's RIAA Gold-certified recording, Offerings - A Worship Album, held the number one position, followed by Time in the number eight slot, Conspiracy No. 5 at number 22, and the group's self-titled debut, Third Day, at number 31. Combined to date, Third Day has now sold over 1.6 million recordings.

A reporter from Newsweek Magazine recently spent some time with Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline while he was in NYC. Now, the reporter be going on the road with Festival Con Dios for two days. Look for that feature to run in Newsweek, sometime in June. CNN made a trip to Ft. Myers, FL recently to cover Festival Con Dios. That piece aired on Headline News on Monday.

Essential Records' new pop group True Vibe will embark June 19 on a significant 20-city major market, large venue tour with multi platinum-selling teen pop sensation and Jive Records recording artist Aaron Carter. The tour follows True Vibe's recent 11 sold-out concerts with the multi-GRAMMY winning group Destiny's Child. Remarkably, True Vibe has already performed live for more than one million people prior to this week's release of its highly anticipated, critically acclaimed and self-titled debut recording. The tour with Aaron Carter launches June 19 at Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and is being sponsored by TEENick, Nickelodeon's audience-specific programming that airs Sunday evenings and features the latest news on celebrities and style (photo). The tour will also be supported by numerous retail in-store events, radio promotions, and an aggressive national and regional publicity campaign.

She cranks out #1 records, she shows up on all the best tours and now, she’ s a published author. Stacie Orrico’s book, Genuine: Being Real in an Artificial World, distributed through J. Countryman publishing, hit stores on May 8th.

In addition to multiple movies and MTV use already scheduled, "Road Rules" has now approached Superchic[k] about using songs on their shows. Superchick is also in negotiations with a general market record label. Their debut release, Karaoke Superstar hit shelves this past Tuesday.

Flight 180 will be hitting the road in June in support of their new album, Girls & Boys! But the band is officially adding some very special shows to their summer tour schedule. After much consideration, Flight 180 has decided to add a couple of "House Party" shows to their 2001 summer schedule! Yep! They want to throw a special "House Party" at your place! Flight 180 will come to your house and play a special house show for you and your friends. It's easy and totally FREE! So, if you are interested in having the band come to your place and rock with you and your friends - all you have to do is e-mail Flight 180's management (CKPmngment@aol.com) to work out all of the details! Space is limited so if you're really interested be sure and contact CKP Management soon before all of the show dates are taken up!

A new album is in the works for the Kimmey sisters, Out of Eden, as we speak. It will be titled This Is Your Life which will be out on October 9th. This record will be something totally new from the girls.

Jeff Deyo, the former lead singer of SONICFLOOd has signed with Gotee Records as a solo artist. He will be a worship leader through Worship City Praise events across the country as well as work on his solo project at the same time. In other SONICFLOOd news, the new band made up of all new members has signed with INO Records and will be working on their sophomore studio cd, RESONATe, which is slated to release this Fall.

Miller Genuine Draft is starting a national radio campaign and Fono will be a part of it. "Collide" and "Drift Away" from their record GoesAroundComesAround will be in the campaign. Miller was searching through MP3.com, heard the songs, liked what they heard, and contacted the guys on using their songs.

"Is According To John finished?" you ask? Well, after three years from their debut A2J, they will release Beyond What I See. This will be released from their own label, NOBOX Records. For more info, go to www.accordingtojohn.com.

Jerry from Bleach had a little time on his hands one day so he talked about some of the new Bleach material and without further ado, here it is. "Good as Gold" and "Found You Out" are two live favorites possibly on the new album. "It Must Be Devine," "Said A Lot," "Good to Be Alive," and "Nineteen" are almost done, too, and also will possibly be on the albumo. "We Are Tomorrow" is a song that was supposed to be on their self-titled last record but didn't make it. It was re-worked and is better than ever. You can hear a brief clip of it in the flah intro of their newly re-designed site at bleached.com. "Celebrate" is a song being worked on now and is much like "We Are Tomorrow." The guys have eight more songs musically done which still need vocals.

*Tuesday, May 15th, 2001*

A partnership between ForeFront Records and Multnomah Publishers was announced yesterday, with the two companies agreeing to work together to create a six song EP around Multnomah’s best-selling book, The Prayer of Jabez. The concept-driven project will showcase original pieces, performed by artists who have been impacted by the book. The Prayer of Jabez, based on I Chronicles 4:10, examines each part of an extremely powerful prayer; “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” “I feel this is a movement of God that we have the privilege to be a part of,” said Greg Ham, President of ForeFront Records. “This book is amazing and is changing lives. I am excited to be able to partner with Bruce and Don on this project.” The EP (title is to be determined), is set for release in August and will tentatively priced at $8.98.

Pillar may look a little different to you the next time you see them. Guitarist, Travis Jenkins, has left the band due to God's calling for him and because he is getting married. He will become an artist, teacher and coach. Noah Israel will be the new guitarist.

On the heels of a smashing label debut with Sara Groves, INO Records will unveil their second-signing, MercyMe, with the release of Almost There. Dallas-based MercyMe has sold over 100,000 units as an independent praise and worship band with a modern rock/pop flair. Their most recent indie recordings have sold over 40,000 units, and have been top-15 best-sellers for the Mardel Retail chain. For the recording of Almost There, MercyMe engaged the services of producer Pete Kipley (Audio Adrenaline, Rebecca St. James). Almost There hits shelves August 14th.

In the middle of recording their brand spankin' new album, Disappear, the hard working Minnesota boys of PFR also went into a different studio to record the song "Livin' Thing" for an ELO Tribute record which will release this summer on Not Lame Records (http://www.notlame.com). Other artists on the record include The Hollies, Cheap Trick, and Sixpence None The Richer.

The Benjamin Gate just finished up their very first video shoot for their debut single “All Over Me.” The video was shot in front of a green screen and will be enhanced with special effects and scenery for the final edited version. The South African band is also making musical waves in the US. “All Over Me” is already showing up at #4 on the Rock charts.

PAX217’s latest video, “A.M” is showing up at colleges and universities across the country. College Television Network (CTN) has been airing the video on their 1,500 closed circuit television screens.

*Friday, May 11th, 2001*

LaRue has beat out some tough competition to reach the number one spot on the Top 5 Video Poll on zoogdisney.com! Their video for their song "Jaded" has beat out such competition as NSync and other big names! But they need your help to remain in the top spot! Click here and vote for "Jaded" as many times as you want! Here's your chance to help the spread of Christian music!

Forefront's latest act straight from South Africa, The Benjamin Gate, is releasing their highly anticipated debut album May 22. One unique aspect of the record is that the CD is 'untitled'. Well, kind of. [untitled] is the record's title. Look for this album on your store's shelves in less than 2 weeks!

Relient K is most certainly Pressing On, and now you can too! The band's sophomore album Pressing On releases on August 28th, but thanks to their label, Gotee Records, you won't have to wait till the 28th to hear the new songs. Gotee.com is featuring a new "Studio" section which gives fans sneak previews of new releases in the making! Surf on over to Gotee.com now to hear new, unmastered clips of three new Relient K tunes!

Stavesace isn't done with Tooth & Nail Records yet. They have started work on Retrospective for an end of the summer release. It will have songs from their past records as well as a few new songs and covers. They have recently finished their three-album contract with Tooth & Nail and have not chosen to re-sign. Watch for the band on the "Your New Empire" tour with Project 86 and Living Sacrifice.

Spoken is releasing their greatest hits on August 14. Email SpokenHits@metro1music.com and give your three favorite songs from the band. Those songs could make it on the album! You will be registered to win an autographed copy of the CD, a t-shirt, and two tickets to see the band live when you send in an email.

Flickerrecords.com artist, T-Bone will also be releasing his greatest hits on August 14th. A box set will have three CDs of songs from his first three albums with videos and new music.

*Wednesday, May 9th, 2001*

If you've seen Rebecca St. James live in concert on the Transform tour or heard her new CD by the same name, you've probably heard the song "Wait For Me." We're proud to announce that the song has been packaged in the new book from Joshua Harris, Boy Meets Girl. You may remember Josh from his last hit book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, in which Rebecca wrote the introduction. Boy Meets Girl contains an enhanced CD single which has exclusive video clips as well as a link to http://www.waitforme.org where you can find information about Rebecca, Josh and more.

Sheesh! Could the boys of Atlanta get any busier?! Third Day will be releasing a special live video of their recent Offerings tour. This particular performance shows the boys in their hometown of Atlanta playing to an enthusiastic crowd of over 15,000 people! This is a great chance to see this band perform live, so don’t miss it. The video is available in both VHS and DVD on their website, www.thirdday.com and will be released on May 15th.

FFH's new album is completed and is set to release in stores on August 21. The album is already being said that it has turned out great and is a real treat for all the FFH fans. The title of the album is Have I Ever Told You. Be sure to keep checking back for more information on this release, and also visit the band’s website at www.ffh.net.

Andrew Peterson is also busy in the studio, finishing up his sophomore album. No official title, but after fans will be in for a real treat. Andrew continues to write incredible, thoughtful songs about faith, life and love. The album is set to release on September 11. You can also keep tabs on Andrew’s album, tours and more at his website, www.andrew-peterson.com.

As if Bleach's luck isn’t bad enough sometimes, more bad luck hit the boys of rock this past weekend. As they were driving from TX to the Uproar Festival in Florida, the transmission fell out of the "Sand Crawler" (their nick name for their bus/RV) in Louisiana. So, with no time to spare, the Bleach wives and fiance hopped in a rented van in Nashville, drove the 500 miles to get the guys, and they all drove the 600 miles to FL, and then 600 miles back to Nashville (they couldn't just rent a vehicle in LA because the only two guys that are over 25 don’t carry credit cards and you need to be 25 to rent a car). It was the only choice that we had since we refuse to miss a show if there are any options available.

In some more Bleach-related news, congrats is in order to Bleach's drummer Jared Byers who just signed on to be endorsed by Orange County Drum and Percussion. Jared joins the OCDP artist list with such drummers from bands like Limp Bizkit, Blink 182, 311, The Beastie Boys, No Doubt, Beck, Lit, The Foo Fighters, and tons of others. OCDP is a small west coast based custom drum shop that builds each kit to the buyers specs (hence the "custom" part).

What's new with Polarboy? Well, they are working on a new live CD. They also asked their fans to come be in their new music video. It was filmed live during their performance at 2001's Ichthus Festival.

ForeFront Records will be releasing Fuse Box to start their Worship Edge series on July 31st. Fuse Box is five guys who are a part of Rebecca St. James’ band. Rebecca and Joel Hanson of PFR wrote some of the album’s songs. dc Talk's bass player, Otto Price, produced this album. This is worship music with a rock edge.

Dave Reynolds and Josh Wheeler, former Buck members, have started a new band call Out Of Time with current Buck members Mark Fahlstrom and Bob Poole. Their debut, indie rock CD, has just been finished.

*Thursday, May 3rd, 2001*

Audio Adrenaline is at it again. The band is planning a new album for this Fall and will be entitled Lift. Rumors are circulating that the music will be more of their own worship material along the lines of "Hands and Feet" and new song "One Like You." "One Like You" and "Will Not Fade" are also rumored to be included on this project.

According to a report from Christianmusic.About.com, dc Talk is no longer with Virgin Records, meaning that each solo member is no longer with them either. Their solo albums will be released only on Forefront, but another big secular label is rumored to be interested in one of the members...

Fans of new act Further Seems Forever who have seen them at recent local dates, might have noticed a new presence in the band. That 'new presence' is Gene Francis. Gene is a vocal student who actually can sing opera! He is a welcomed addition to the band and to their roster. The band's debut release, The Moon Is Down is available now and features their former lead singer, Chris Carrabba.

The Juliana Theory has also been recording and doing pre-production. Here's more on that from Brett Detar: "We have been in the studio on and off recently, working on new material. Exact plans for the release of these songs is still up in the air, but we are writing and recording alot of new material. We are really excited about the new stuff. It leans a bit more on the rock side of the spectrum than music from Emotion is Dead. We cannot wait for you to hear it."

Since their home label, Cadence, crumbled out from under them in late '99, Shaded Red's albums have become hard to come by. A recent band newsletter discussed the albums as well as a pending new release. "I'm sorry to say that they (self-titled debut, and Red Revolution) will not be available for sale in any bookstore. There is absolutely nothing that the band can do to get the product in these stores. But on a positive note, with the release of another album expected to be this following April, we will work hard to also get our first two CD's released in correspondence." They went on to suggest trying to catch them live to buy the albums there, or copy it from a friend.

CCM Magazine president and founder, John Styll has announced his retirement after 23 years with the company. He wishes the best for CCM as we wish the best for him.

Mars ILL has signed with Uprok Records, a division of Tooth and Nail (along with BEC and Solid State Records). The re-released Raw Material is expected to hit shelves again this fall.

Michael W. Smith is busy once again as well. Smitty will be releasing a live worship album in August. The project is as of yet, untitled.