Press Releases - Page 74 of 106

February 18, 2021

Psych Rockers SPIRIT MOTHER To Be Featured Saturday, 2/20, on VOL. 3 of LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT Concert Film Series

DT: FEBRUARY 18, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT: VOL. 1-5
–A WORLD PREMIERE LIVESTREAM CONCERT FILM SERIES EXPERIENCE–
TO LAUNCH VOLUME 3 ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20
FEATURING
SPIRIT MOTHER

HEAVY PSYCH ROCKERS SHARE PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE OF SINGLE
“SPACE CADETS”
ON PREVIEW VIDEO TRAILER;
WATCH HERE

TICKETS & VINYL PRE-ORDER ON-SALE NOW

Live In The Mojave Desert: Volume 3 – Spirit Mother Official Trailer

LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT: VOL.1-5 will continue to present their world premiere livestream concert film series highlighting the California Desert Rock scene this Saturday, February 20 with VOLUME 3 featuring Long Beach, CA heavy psych rockers SPIRIT MOTHER. Take a peek at performance footage of their single “Space Cadets” backed by a visual performance from the Mad Alchemy Liquid Light Show in the event trailer streaming above or on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_VmwXZ_wUrk. Tickets are on sale now for $10 which allow access to the experience starting at 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time Zone as well as video on demand replay for 72 hours. Get yours now HERE. Additional merch options are available including an exclusive limited-edition ‘Desert Lizard’ poster (pictured below) featuring art by John Howard and pre-order options for the concert stream on Vinyl (black variant and limited test pressing), CD or Blu-Ray at https://www.liveinthemojavedesert.com/merch-store.

Inspired by Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii 1972 concert documentary film, LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT: VOLUMES 1-5 kicked off their bi-weekly streams on January 23 which has so far included performances from San Diego-based krautrock trio EARTHLESS and stoner rock outfit NEBULA which includes ex-Fu Manchu member Eddie Glass. Additional volumes will feature heavy psychedelic rock trio MOUNTAIN TAMER (March 6) and STONER (March 20)—the new project from ex-Kyuss members Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri.

During the stream, viewers will experience an hour of performance footage–filmed and recorded throughout day and night from the natural amphitheater of California’s Mojave Desert—along with a virtual pre-show hangout session with band members discussing their favorite concert films and sharing psychedelic video clips and other trippy footage. Think MTV in the 80’s but with stoners and heshers!

(Poster Artwork by John Howard)

Here’s what some critics are saying about LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT: VOLUME 1-5 experiences so far:

“The difference, of course, is the professional, concert-film level at which ‘Live in the Mojave Desert’ is executed. On a sheer production level, it’s unmatched by anything I’ve seen in the streaming era, and in the use of visual effects, Sam Grant‘s skillful, rhythmic editing, the inclusion of Mad Alchemy and the sense of urgency that’s driving the whole project, it is a rare positive marker for this time that has disintegrated the live music experience and perhaps changed it permanently.”
– The Obelisk, 2/8/21, Nebula Stream review

“The on-paper proposition doesn’t really do justice to actually seeing nighttime desert rocks painted with light while Earthless tear a hole in the galaxy as only they seem able to do…this series of five streams that Earthless kicked off is more than just a show to watch for would-be real-life attendees. Sitting in my living room on a cold January afternoon, it was pure sonic escapism…the fact of the matter is that even if gigs were happening, the Live in the Mojave Desert series would be something incredible to witness.”
– My Rock News, 1/25/21, Earthless Stream Review

“Be under no false impression, this is a musical experience like no other. From the early portions of the stream that has interviews, discussions about the difficulties of filming in the Mojave Desert and music from a wide array of stoner, doom and psych bands. Often with trippy visuals as the backdrop to get you in that psychedelic mood.”
– GBHBL, 1/28/21, Earthless Stream review

For more information on LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT, please visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

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For interview opportunities for LIVE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT or SPIRIT MOTHER and/or to request stream access for review, please contact:

SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

February 15, 2021

Madame X’s “Creem Dreem” Photo Shoot Idea

One of my early publicity clients in the biz at Michael Levine PR was Detroit metal act Madame X (thanks to Don Arden and Pat Siciliano at Jet Records). I needed a solid national look to turn folks onto their 1984 debut album, so I pitched Creem magazine the idea of a photo shoot for their “Creem Dreem” section with the band’s sisters Maxine Petrucci and Roxy Petrucci…and, yep, President Ronald Reagan. I somehow got permission from the Hollywood Wax Museum to do the shoot with their wax figure of Reagan one morning before it opened. Maxine and Roxy, with their gloriously teased hair and tons of make-up, cozied up to the conservative President, touching his face and neck and happily mugging for Robert Matheu’s camera. It was one of the best photo ops I ever set, but I was disappointed that we were not sued by the White House.

February 11, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE And Post Malone’s “It’s A Raid” Animated Video Debuts Today

DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

OZZY OSBOURNE’S
“IT’S A RAID”
ANIMATED VIDEO DEBUTS TODAY (FEBRUARY 11)
AT 7:30 PM (ET)/4:30 PM (PT)

WATCH PARTY AND LIVE YouTube CHAT WITH
COLLABORATOR POST MALONE
SET FOR 7:00 PM (ET)/4:00 PM (PT)
ON OZZY’S CHANNEL

SONG IS THE FINAL RELEASE FROM
OSBOURNE’S #1
‘ORDINARY MAN’
ROCK ALBUM

Later today (February 11), OZZY OSBOURNE will premiere a new animated video for “It’s A Raid” from his #1 and acclaimed 2020 ORDINARY MAN album. The clip will debut at 7:30 PM (ET)/4:30 PM (PT), with OZZY and collaborator Post Malone set to host a watch party beginning at 7:00 PM (ET)/4:00 PM (PT) on OZZY’s official YouTube channel.

At a SiriusXM listening party last year to celebrate the release of ORDINARY MAN (Epic Records) OZZY recounted the song’s inspiration. While recording Black Sabbath’s VOL. 4 in Bel Air, California, OSBOURNE triggered the home’s security alarm and police surrounded the home, which he says had “piles of marijuana and cocaine.” OSBOURNE adds, “I’m shouting, ‘IT’S A FUCKIN’ RAIIIIID,” before hiding the drugs and ingesting cocaine while hiding in one of the home’s bathrooms.”

In the video, directed by Tomas Lenert, OZZY and Post Malone team up for a truly wild ride. The clip begins with OSBOURNE and Malone at the infamous Bel Air, CA house (which served as the inspiration for the song) before they lead police through the streets of the city and passing iconic Los Angeles landmarks on their journey.

“A couple of years ago I didn’t even know who Post Malone was,” OZZY says. “Since then we’ve worked together on two studio tracks and have performed together twice. Understandably Covid-19 made it difficult to get together to shoot a music video for ‘It’s a Raid’ so we opted for this wildly imagined animated video for the final single from the ORDINARY MAN album.” OZZY, who’s been in the studio working on a new album with producer Andrew Watt, adds that he “can’t wait to for everyone to hear my new music.”

This marks the second duet with Malone. The two previously teamed on “Take What You Want” from his Hollywood’s Bleeding album (which they also performed at last year’s “American Music Awards”). The track was produced by Watt, who collaborated with OSBOURNE for ORDINARY MAN as both producer and co-writer.

Here’s some critical feedback on “It’s A Raid”:

BILLBOARD (2-20): The track is “is a blitz of screaming metal that finds Osbourne in classic spooky grandpa mode, wailing about voices breathing through the phone, never feeling alone and the horrifying revelation that God is actually Satan, and he’s waiting right here for you. ‘Out in Hollywood, I’ve been locked up for seven days/ I’m never coming out/ Why do i feel my life accelerate/ I’m never coming down,’ Osbourne sings on the chorus over raging, double-kick drums and a wall of high-speed guitars. Leaving behind his hip-hop cadence, Posty straight up sings in his best Ozzy bellow, lamenting, ‘Outside my window, there’s a silhouette/ My rifle’s right beside my bed/ Hold on, I’m runnin’ out of cigarettes/ F–k!’ The thundering track ends with a final raging chorus featuring both singers and some flat-out shouting of the title over a light speed guitar solo.”

ROLLING STONE (2-20) described the song as “the thrashy new track, Osbourne takes the lead with Malone serving as Osbourne’s backup singer and hype man for the rest of the track.”

LOUDWIRE (2-20): “the high-energy number ‘It’s a Raid.’ The blistering rocker lands among the eleven tracks on Osbourne’s twelfth solo album Ordinary Man…A punky but catchy burst of audio, it’s perhaps the most adrenaline-fueled of the growing collaborations between the “Prince of Darkness” and the rock-indebted rapper.

IHEART (2-20): “The explicit track is set at a breakneck tempo and features Ozzy and Malone trading lines before unfolding into a half-time crawl in the bridge.”

SPIN (2-20): “The song is a banger…”

In its first week of release, the critically acclaimed ORDINARY MAN—OSBOURNE’s first new solo album in ten years–was the #1 rock album in the world, topping multiple charts in its triumphant first week of release. Worldwide, ORDINARY MAN entered the charts in the Top Ten in seven countries (including America and the U.K.) making it the highest charting album of OZZY’s career.

ORDINARY MAN marks OSBOURNE’s first new solo music in almost 10 years. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album features producer Andrew Watt on guitars, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) on bass and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums. Beyond the core band, ORDINARY MAN, features a who’s-who of OZZY friends and collaborators including Elton John, Slash, Post Malone, and Tom Morello.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Spotify
YouTube

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February 8, 2021

THE BLACK MOODS Reveal Stirring Music Video for “Home”

DT: FEBRUARY 8, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

THE BLACK MOODS
REVEAL STIRRING VIDEO FOR BALLAD
“HOME”

SONG IS FEATURED ON BAND’S SOPHOMORE ALBUM
‘SUNSHINE’

WATCH HERE

Modern classic rock trio THE BLACK MOODS tug at listeners’ heart strings with the touching music video for the ballad “Home” featured on their recent sophomore album SUNSHINE. The video for “Home” (as seen streaming above) shares the emotional struggle of being apart from loved ones due to rigorous touring and recording schedules bands endure with personal private footage from vocalist/guitarist JOSH KENNEDY, drummer CHICO DIAZ and bassist JORDAN HOFFMAN.

“I wrote ‘Home’ about being on the road, away from the ones you love and hoping they don’t grow up too fast or grow away from you before you get back,” shares KENNEDY. “We love touring and being in the studio, but there is a definite sacrifice you make when you do what we do. That is exactly what ‘Home’ is about.”

THE BLACK MOODS are a story of success and growth despite a pandemic amidst all odds working against them. Refusing to postpone the release of SUNSHINE–which was recorded by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny “K” Karkazis–the band went full steam ahead, marking several career highlights along the way including their first-ever Top 20 Billboard Active Rock charting single, title track “Sunshine” at #16 and a cover feature with their hometown local weekly newspaper, Phoenix New Times (May 7, 2020). Three additional album singles made the Top 30 including “Bad News” (#24), “Bella Donna” (#29) and “Whatcha Got (#30).

In the months following SUNSHINE’s release, the band moved their home studio from Phoenix to the Ozarks (where Kennedy was raised) and began working again with Karkazis on their next album in addition to remotely recording a forthcoming single with legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles). THE BLACK MOODS also recorded a fiery cover of “I Need To Know,” originally released in 1978 by one of their most esteemed musical idols, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. THE BLACK MOODS shared their version of the song October 23 across all digital platforms. Listen HERE.

Known for their galvanizing live performances—which have seen them appear alongside acts including The Doors’ Robbie Krieger, Shinedown, Jane’s Addiction, Whitesnake, Collective Soul and The Gin Blossoms—THE BLACK MOODS will take the stage at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento this October.

(Lineup [l-r] Chico Diaz (drums),Josh Kennedy (vocals, guitars), Jordan Hoffman (bass); Photo Credit: Jim Louvau)

For more information on THE BLACK MOODS, please visit:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE
YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

SRO PR Assets + Releases: http://sropr.com/portfolio/the-black-moods/

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For press inquiries, please contact:

SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

February 7, 2021

Area 15 + having lunch (Singapore Noodles)

2/7/21

Checking in from the massive art installation + entertainment space Area 15 + having lunch (Singapore Noodles) there at acclaimed chef Todd English’s new food hall, The Beast. Taking my hat off to all of the creatives who have made this what may be one of the most exciting places on Earth.

February 5, 2021

TOMMY EMMANUEL To Release New Live Album ‘Tommy Emmanuel–Live From The Balboa Theatre’ 2/12

DT: FEBRUARY 5, 2021

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK/LYNDIE WENNER
SRO PR (LOS ANGELES, NASHVILLE, LAS VEGAS)

TOMMY EMMANUEL
TO RELEASE NEW LIVE ALBUM
‘TOMMY EMMANUEL–LIVE FROM THE BALBOA THEATRE’
OUT FEBRUARY 12 ON CGP SOUNDS

LISTEN HERE TO THE ALBUM’S FIRST SINGLE “LOCOMOTIVATION,” RELEASED TODAY (FEBRUARY 5), AND WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

“My memories of the Balboa show are filled with adrenaline, wonder and joy,” says the acclaimed and Grammy-nominated acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter TOMMY EMMANUEL about his new digital-only live album TOMMY EMMANUEL–LIVE FROM THE BALBOA THEATRE out February 12 on his label, CGP Sounds. Listen here to the album’s first single “Locomotivation,” released today (February 5), and watch the video here. Pre-save and pre-add the album here.

Featuring 17 tracks (see the track listing below), LIVE FROM THE BALBOA THEATRE is a classic TOMMY EMMANUEL concert filmed on February 13 and 14, 2011 at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego, CA. The album features special guest performers such as Pam Rose, Anthony Snape, and Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo. Both Pam Rose and Anthony Snape are acclaimed songwriters who have co-written songs with TOMMY. Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo are masters in the jazz world who are also longtime touring collaborators with TOMMY.

This album–and the accompanying DVD (released in 2011)–was produced by KPBS in San Diego, and it was exclusively available through PBS pledge drives. It will now be available for the first time on all digital outlets.

“Playing with Frank and Vinnie, singing with Pam and Anthony, having fun with the audience and working with the PBS network made it a once-in-a-lifetime event, I hope you enjoy it and feel it too!” says TOMMY.

In other exciting TOMMY news, his guitar work graces Barry Gibbs’ newly released solo album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook. EMMANUEL plays on the Bee Gees’ classic “How Deep Is Your Love” featuring Little Big Town.

Track Listing for TOMMY EMMANUEL–LIVE FROM THE BALBOA THEATRE:

1. Guitar Boogie
2. Locomotivation
3. Haba Na Haba (with Pam Rose, Anthony Snape, Frank Vignola, & Vinny Raniolo)
4. My Life (with Pam Rose)
5. The Trails
6. Everlasting (with Anthony Snape)
7. Frequency (with Anthony Snape)
8. My Beloved (with Pam Rose)
9. I’ll Still Be Loving You (with Pam Rose & Anthony Snape)
10. Avalon (with Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo)
11. How High The Moon (with Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo)
12. Hungarian Dance No. 5 (with Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo)
13. Smokey Mountain Lullaby
14. Nine Pound Hammer
15. The Diggers’ Waltz
16. Moon River
17. What A Wonderful World (with Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo).

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen

ABOUT TOMMY EMMANUEL:

TOMMY EMMANUEL has achieved enough musical milestones to satisfy several lifetimes. At the age of six, he was touring regional Australia with his family band. By 30, he was a rock n’ roll lead guitarist burning up stadiums in Europe. At 44, he became one of five people ever named a CPG (Certified Guitar Player) by his idol, music icon Chet Atkins. Today, he plays hundreds of sold-out shows every year from Nashville to Sydney to London. He’s piled up numerous accolades, including two Grammy Award nominations, two ARIA Awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (the Aussie equivalent of the Recording Academy); repeated honors in the Guitar Player magazine reader’s poll including a cover story for their August 2017 issue; a cover feature for Vintage Guitar’s July 2020 issue; and was Music Radar’s reader’s poll #1 winner of the Ten Best Acoustic Guitarists in The World (December 2019). A noted fingerstyle guitarist, EMMANUEL frequently threads three different parts simultaneously into his material, operating as a one-man band who handles the melody, the supporting chords and the bass all at once. His talents, which translate in any language, carry him to the far corners of the globe, but EMMANUEL never plays the same show twice, and he improvises big chunks of every date. That leaves him open to those technical imperfections, though they also provide some of the humanity to an other-worldly talent. On May 8, 2020, he released a newly recorded career-spanning double album, THE BEST OF TOMMYSONGS, via CGP Sounds/Cruzen Street Records). Watch the album trailer here which focuses on TOMMY’s unique ability to tell stories without words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOQEMWYAQ4&feature=youtu.be

For more information on TOMMY EMMANUEL, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

SRO PR Assets + Press Releases:
http://sropr.com/portfolio/tommyemmanuel/

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For press inquiries regarding TOMMY EMMANUEL, contact:

SRO PR
(Los Angeles, Nashville, Las Vegas)
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com
Lyndie Wenner // lwenner@sropr.com

February 3, 2021

WARDRUNA Announce Virtual Record Release Show on March 26; ‘Kvitravn’ Lands in Top 10 Charts Worldwide

DT: FEBRUARY 3, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

WARDRUNA
ANNOUNCE VIRTUAL RELEASE SHOW
“FIRST FLIGHT OF THE WHITE RAVEN”
ON FRIDAY, MARCH 26

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 AT 10:00 A.M. CET
http://WWW.WARDRUNASHOP.COM

LATEST ALBUM
‘KVITRAVN’
LANDS IN TOP 10 OF ITUNES WORLDWIDE ALBUM CHARTS

OUT NOW VIA BY NORSE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC /COLUMBIA RECORDS

Ein Bild, das Text, Vogel enthält. Automatisch generierte Beschreibung

Following the release of their fifth album KVITRAVN—which debuted in several worldwide Top 10 charts (listed below)—traditional Nordic folk outfit WARDRUNA welcomes viewers to join them for a virtual record release show. Seeking to reconnect audiences from around the globe and to reimagine the WARDRUNA experience in a bold new way, the stream will take place Friday, March 26 at 12:00 P.M. PT / 3:00 P.M. ET from Oslo, NO.

Those joining the event will be able to experience WARDRUNA’s idiosyncratic, authentic, and extraordinary stage performances that transcend borders, time, language and musical genres with premiere performances of songs taken from KVITRAVN alongside their earlier works, all set in a special surrounding arranged specifically for this event. Tickets will go on sale starting this Friday, February 5 at 10:00 A.M. CET along with additional merch options exclusive to the stream at www.wardrunashop.com

Une image contenant noir Description générée automatiquement KVITRAVN Cover Artwork

Out now via BY NORSE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC/COLUMBIA RECORDS, KVITRAVN (“White Raven”) marks a distinct evolution in WARDRUNA‘s sound. The album “dwells in a dreamy darkness, eliciting a tone that is as somber as it is meditative” (Outburn, 1/22/21) as it features a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments and guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout its eleven songs, KVITRAVN illuminates Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.

KVITRAVN has made an impressive worldwide debut, charting in several Top 10 charts across the world; see the below images for a list of all placements.

Order KVITRAVN on various formats and bundles at this location: https://wardruna.lnk.to/Kvitravn_Album

Get an in-depth look into WARDRUNA‘s world with the four-part mini-documentary series as founder/composer EINAR SELVIK allows viewers a private look into his thoughts, processes and inspiration behind the music. Watch it now on the band’s YouTube channel HERE.

Photo Credit: Kim Ohrling

Find more information on WARDRUNA here:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

SRO PR ASSETS: www.sropr.com/portfolio/wardruna

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For press inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact:

SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

January 28, 2021

Gäbi Coffee & Bakery’s Butterfly Latte

1/28/2021

This is a Chinatown gem that folks have pointed me to: the palatial and artfully appointed Gäbi Coffee & Bakery. Ordered the quite mesmerizing Butterfly Latte: Butterfly Pea Tea, Steamed Milk, Banana Pure.

January 27, 2021

Davis Entertainment Group & Strong Management Merge to form UNCHAINED MANAGEMENT, MUSIC & MEDIA

DT: JANUARY 27, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
AND
STRONG MANAGEMENT
MERGE TO FORM NEW COMPANY
UNCHAINED MANAGEMENT, MUSIC AND MEDIA

(Unchained Management, Music & Media Team [l-r] Kenny Gabor, Steve Davis, Vaughn Lewis)

(January 27, 2021, New York, NY) STRONG MANAGEMENT founder/co-owner VAUGHN LEWIS and co-owner KENNY GABOR have joined forces with DAVIS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP founder STEVE DAVIS to form the new joint company UNCHAINED MANAGEMENT, MUSIC & MEDIA.

Based out of NYC, the company’s roster will combine their current clientele which includes (in alphabetical order): Big Chocolate, Brothers Born, Cannibal Corpse, Children of Bodom, CKY, The Contortionist, Disfiguring The Goddess, Entheos, Esmé Patterson, Havok, Killswitch Engage, Light The Torch, Lorna Shore, Loss Becomes, Memphis May Fire, Ministry, Monster Magnet, Oxymorrons, Queensryche, Revocation, Serpentine Dominion, Temple of the Black Moon, The Agonist, Through The Eyes of the Dead, Times of Grace, Whitechapel and William Elliot Whitmore.

“Having had the pleasure of being surrounded by both talented artists and executives for many, many years I could not be more thrilled to be moving forward in my career with Vaughn and Kenny,” shares DAVIS. “I have known them both as friends, colleagues and confidants for over a decade. We share a love of music, a love for those who create it, and a friendship that I cherish. Our common goals, passions, trust amongst us, shared moral compasses and a combined wealth of experience make this collaboration one I am extremely excited and proud of.”

DAVIS has spent the past 35-plus years of his life dedicated to making music part of his career after joining the concert committee at his alma matter, Hofstra University. He worked his way up the ladder and was a talent agent for 10 years at Associated Booking Corporation, Premier Talent and the William Morris Agency where he oversaw negotiations for concerts and helped book national tours for many artists including B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Dr. John, The Replacements, The Ramones, The Clash, Talking Heads, The Who, Bon Jovi, David Byrne and Big Audio Dynamite, just to name a few. After leaving the agency world, DAVIS spent nine years as the Senior Vice President of Artist Development at Atlantic Records launching and helping grow the careers of an incredibly talented and varied roster of artists. For the past 17 years, Steve has owned and operated the full-service management company, Davis Entertainment Group.

“Steve Davis has been a friend and trusted confidant for many years and I am excited to move forward in this new venture with him,” says LEWIS. “He is one of the smartest, genuine, honest and forward thinking people I know and his vision moving forward in this business and the common goal we share of putting artists first will make for an amazing team.”

LEWIS founded Strong Management in 1996 after leaving his career in investment banking to go on tour with his friends in NYC punk rock band H2O. Making the most of his experience, LEWIS quickly graduated from merch seller to tour manager and eventually to manager over the course of just three months on the road and continued to spend a full year on tour with the band spanning North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

“We’ve been talking with Steve about teaming up for quite some time, and it seems there’s no better time than now,” shares GABOR. “He’s a visionary with a ton of experience and success under his belt, and he’s also a great friend. When it comes to our artists, we all speak the same language, and I couldn’t be more thrilled of what’s to come.”

Queens, NY natives GABOR and LEWIS met while attending Stuyvesant High School and would subsequently attend college together at SUNY Binghamton. GABOR would spend his spare time helping LEWIS review contracts and advance shows during his final year at Brooklyn Law School and after graduating and passing the bar, GABOR spent a year of legal practice before partnering with LEWIS at Strong Management in 1997.

Strong Management has achieved national and international success over its 25 years of existence with a diverse roster of acts including Killswitch Engage, William Elliott Whitmore, H2O, As I Lay Dying, Oxymorrons and D Generation to name a few. They have also helped foster the careers of highly accomplished producers such as Rob Caggiano and Adam Dutkiewicz and esteemed Chef Brian Tsao. With the addition of Chicago-based manager Jason Rudolph in 2011, Strong’s roster has expanded to include acts such as Memphis May Fire, CKY, The Contortionist, Esme Patterson & Lorna Shore. Strong Management’s acts have been recognized for their achievements including multiple Grammy nominations, prime time television performances, and song placements on highly successful TV shows, motion pictures and video games. They have performed on some of the biggest festivals and stages in the world and have sold millions of records worldwide. All the while, their proudest achievement remains the strong bonds they have been able to build with their artists throughout the years

UNCHAINED MANAGEMENT, MUSIC & MEDIA will continue to nurture and develop those bonds with the strength and passion put forth by LEWIS, GABOR, DAVIS and RUDOLPH in this new venture. While continuing to grow the careers of current clients, and eventually adding to their management roster, UNCHAINED also look forward to expanding their activities beyond management within the entertainment sphere.

For more information and news on UNCHAINED MANAGEMENT, MUSIC & MEDIA, please visit: www.unchainedhq.com.

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For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact:

SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

January 22, 2021

LEE ROCKER Shares Video For “Graceland Auctions”—New Album ‘Gather Round’ Out Today

DT: JANUARY 22, 2020

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK, SRO PR

LEE ROCKER
OF THE STRAY CATS
SHARES VIDEO FOR
“GRACELAND AUCTIONS”
TO MARK TODAY’S RELEASE OF NEW SOLO ALBUM
‘GATHER ROUND’
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats fame marks today’s (January 22) release of his new solo album GATHER ROUND on Upright Records (his label distributed through Orchard) by sharing the Elvis-themed video for “Graceland Auctions.” Watch the fun-filled video, directed by Justin Drucker and starring ROCKER with his band, here.

One of the album’s standout songs, “Graceland Auctions” “came about by my lifelong obsession with Presley,” explains the Grammy-nominated upright bass player, singer and songwriter. “I’ve been a bit of a collector and have bid and bought various Elvis stuff. “It makes me laugh and it makes me want to cry.”

GATHER ROUND is ROCKER’s first album of all-original music, with the exception of his cover of The Band’s classic “Ophelia,” since 2007’s Black Cat Bone (Alligator Records). The sizzling 10-track rockabilly album was produced by ROCKER (vocal, string bass), who is joined by Buzz Campbell (guitar, backing vocal), Larry Mitchell (drums, percussion) and Matt Jordan (piano, organ).Two songs with videos—“Doghouse Shuffle” and “Pickin’ and Grinnin’”—were released ahead of the album. Watch the trailer here, read a ROCKER interview with Kelli Skye Fadroski of the Orange County Register/SCNG here, and listen to him on the Rock Solid Podcast with Pat Francis here.

Most of the songs on GATHER ROUND were written after the pandemic started. “My wife Deborah and I hit the road in our airstream and criss-crossed the country from California to New York and back,” shares ROCKER. “We rolled through 20 states from north to south and from east to west. In addition to the pandemic, the presidential election was raging. I wrote songs and music and drove 6,000 miles. It’s been year filled with global disaster and uncertainty. It’s also been a time of introspection and for me a time to reimagine how to record an album under these circumstances.

“When we returned to Southern California,” he elaborates, “I booked a studio to record in one day week for months. I played many of the instruments myself and had my band, Buzz Campbell, Larry Mitchell and Matt Jordan send me their tracks from remote home studios.”

Opening track “Gather Round” powerfully gets the album rolling.” It’s a song of positivity, of love, joy and happiness. When I wrote and now listen to the song, I feel like I’m raising my middle finger high in the air and waving it to 2020.”

“The Last Offline Lovers” is a song “I wrote to my wife Deborah. We’ve been together for 32 years and she has been my inspiration, love, and strength. All of the instruments on this are acoustic and I played all of them with the exception of the drums performed by Larry Mitchell.”

Another album highlight is “When Nothing’s Going Right,” a song ROCKER wrote that appears on the Stray Cats’ album last year, 40. “This is the original version I recorded before the Stray Cats’ version. I feel it has that spark of original fire.”

ROCKER minces no words and looks to brighter day on “Pickin’ and Grinnin.” He says: “I wrote this song as my statement on Trump and the dividing of this country which I love. We all need to reside in the UNITED states of America. Come together gather round. I know that we all can’t agree on everything but we should be able to agree we live in a democracy and that every four years we have an election that should be respected.”

ROCKER’s infectious party spirit is in full effect on “‘Dog House Shuffle.” “It’s just plain fun! It’s really my tribute to the original rocking bass players that have influenced me so much. These guys are in a way the unsung heroes of rockabilly and early rock. We’ve incorporated these players into the video.”

Last year, in a multiple-page feature in the new Bass Player magazine (December 2019), ROCKER was asked about his ability to come up with fresh rockabilly bass-lines. He says: “I’m still discovering things. I still have revelations: ‘how did I not think of this before?’ There are a lot of different rhythms and slaps, and different ways to walk your bass-lines. There’s only 12 notes but there’s an infinite number of ways to play them.”

The GATHER ROUND track listing is:

1. Gather Round
2. Graceland Auctions
3. The Last Offline Lovers
4. Everybody Wants to be A Cat
5. Pickin’ and Grinnin’
6. Every Time I See You
7. A Dirty Martini
8. When Nothing’s Going Right
9. Dog House Shuffle
10. Ophelia

LEE ROCKER, photo credit: Jet Luna

About Lee Rocker:

Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass in the legendary music group The Stray Cats. Grammy-nominated, The Stray Cats have sold nearly 10 million albums and garnered an astounding 23 gold and platinum certified records worldwide. Founded by Rocker, Brian Setzer, and Slim Jim Phantom, The Stray Cats remain a radio staple, were music video pioneers at the infancy of MTV, and repeatedly brought rockabilly music to the top of the charts. From the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine, to appearing on Saturday Night Live, to headlining music festivals and touring with the Rolling Stones, Lee Rocker has seen and done it all. In addition to The Stray Cats and the Rolling Stones, Rocker has toured and performed with George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, and John Fogerty. In 1982, Rocker and his father Stanley Drucker, (classical clarinetist) both received Grammy nominations; this was something that has only occurred twice in the history of the Grammy Awards. In 2012 Lee appeared on Broadway in the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet” and in 2014 he was inducted into the Bass Player Hall of Fame. Rocker has received numerous honors for his contributions to music and the arts, including being inducted to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and he is a recipient of the Visionary Artist Award by the City of Laguna Beach California. Lee Rocker and his band look forward to touring again and performing Stray Cats hits including “Rock This Town,” “Stray Cat Strut” and “Sexy and 17” as well as slamming renditions of songs from his many solo albums.

For more information on LEE ROCKER, visit:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

For press inquiries, contact SRO PR:

Mitch Schneider│mschneider@sropr.com

Andrea Faulk │ afaulk@sropr.com

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