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November 2, 2021

Don Brewer Of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Talks About Creating The Perfect Set List

DT: NOVEMBER 2, 2021

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK

SRO PR

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DON BREWER OF
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
TALKS ABOUT BUILDING THE PERFECT SET LIST
AND DISCUSSES SET HIGHLIGHTS
THE LEGENDARY ROCK & ROLL POWERHOUSE
IS CURRENTLY ON ITS 2021
“SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL TOUR”

Grand Funk Railroad (Pictured L-R: Bruce Kulick (guitar), Mel Schacher (bass guitar), Max Carl (vocals), Don Brewer (drummer), Tim Cashion (keyboardist))
Photo credit: Allen Clark

“You cannot talk about rock in the 1970s without talking about Grand Funk Railroad!”
–David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine

Legendary rock & roll powerhouse GRAND FUNK RAILROAD is currently on its 2021 “Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” performing 30 shows this year and dynamically underlining their trademark “Rock and Soul” classics. Recently, original founding member Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, “We’re An American Band”) took the time to talk about building the perfect set list and also discuss highlights of the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD set list. *See the two Q&A’s below.

Q&A with DON BREWER

–Is there a secret sauce to creating the perfect set list?

We have been working on our show for over 40 years. You learn what works and what doesn’t work by trial and error. Spreading out the hits during the show keeps the audience involved beginning to end. Always try to leave them wanting more!

–How do you determine a set list that satisfies both the audience and the musician?

Everybody in the band loves the music we play. I guess you could say we’re all Grand Funk fans. We don’t do a lot of new material because we know the audience wants to hear the classics. We have a spot in the show that we have experimented with new songs over the years and the songs keep changing. Helps keep it interesting for us.

–Can you talk about figuring out which song to open with? This has to be a challenge as a band wants to come on strong but some of the audience is still finding their seats and the sound may not be at its best near the beginning of a set.

We have tried several different songs as openers over the years, even doing an unknown original of ours. The two openers we do now, “Rock & Roll Soul” and “Footstompin’ Music,” are classic GFR hits and always get the audience going even if they don’t know Grand Funk.

–In coming up with the list, do you think about the various tempos of songs and

which keys they’re played in?

Don’t really worry too much about what key a song is in, but yes, tempos need to blend between songs. Our goal is to have the show flow from high to low and back to high again with a few sparkles in between. Entertainment needs to be entertaining.

–Finally, what goes into choosing which song will be the last one and which song

will be the encore?

The last song and the encore can be interchangeable. In other words, you can switch them and it won’t really make a huge difference. In our case we could close with “We’re An American Band” and come back with “Closer To Home,” Depends on how you want to leave the audience.

THE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS,
ACCORDING TO DON BREWER

“Rock & Roll Soul”: The phrase “rock and roll soul” is an apt description of the band’s music + mission. Why does this song light you up when you perform it?

“Rock & Roll Soul” was our first single after leaving our crooked manager Terry Knight who had stolen all our money and was taking us to court over the name Grand Funk Railroad. Having a top 40 hit with Rock & Roll Soul was our first step to freedom. The song is truly descriptive of GFR’s Rock/R&B blend. The opening line “We’re havin’ a party, everybody’s invited” is a perfect opening statement.

“Footstompin’ Music”: This song has a ferocious rhythmic groove and it’s another one that pumps up the listener/concert-goer. What inspired you to include it here?

After doing the song live as a three-piece band, in 1971 we tried recording this song in the studio a few times until we captured the final version on our album E Pluribus Funk. The drums, bass and organ track is a blast to play and the vocal lines are awesome: “Come on everybody, we’re gonna have a good time.” The song works well as an opener or as we do it now as our second song of the show. Gets the audience going every time.

“Shinin’ On”: This is another song that underlines how Grand Funk Railroad wrote and performed positive anthems that galvanized people. Why does the song continue to resonate for you?

“Shinin’ On” was fashioned after Freddy King’s great blues song “Goin’ Down.” After having Freddy open for us on our “Phoenix Tour,” we were so impressed with his music and style that the influence was clear. The song has a great R&B feel and switching up with me on lead vocal adds to the flavor for the show.

“The Loco-Motion”: This song’s an important one for the band, hitting #1 in 1974 on the pop charts. It’s the definition of a feel-good tune, a pop song that you guys really Grand Funk-ized, making it heavy. Can you talk about the joy in performing this one?

GFR doing “The Loco-Motion” came about as a funny episode. We were in our studio in Michigan with Todd Rundgren producing and working on the album Shinin’ On. We felt we needed another “hit” type song for the album and started throwing around ideas. Grand Funk doing “The Loco-Motion” was such a silly idea we thought we would try it. The result was a # 1 hit. I love watching the audience get up on their feet and start dancing as soon as we sing the opening lines. They even do a “Loco-Motion” line dance through the crowd. Fun to watch!

“Walk Like A Man”: This song is another instant anthem, highlighting the band’s rhythmic rock, with some progressive rock touches. What’s it like to perform this one?

This is a nice follow up to “The Loco-Motion” in that it stays in the same tempo and pop style as “The Locomotion.” Switching lead vocals again with me on lead gives it a little more texture in the show. Just a great GFR/Todd Rundgren-produced rock record.

Drum Solo/“Lightning and Thunder”: Can you talk about what goes into your classic drum solo? Lots of skill + athleticism…how do you pull this off so successfully?

I’ve been working on my solo for over 50 years. It is a true reflection of how I play drums and my “Rock” personality. It really is who I am when onstage with Grand Funk. I must say that at 73 it takes some added work in my lifestyle, and I do try to exercise and eat right. During the pandemic I continued to practice drumming as well as walk four miles and work out in the gym daily. Love It!

“Inside Lookin’ Out”: You guys put your own spin on this song The Animals originated…doubling down on its urgency with a monster groove courtesy of you and Mel. It’s a real working-class song that underlined the band’s relationship with its fans. So many years later, can you talk about how it fits into the Grand Funk Railroad set?

“Inside Lookin’ Out” has been a staple in Grand Funk’s show since our beginning in 1969. We originally did a cover of the Animals song in our previous band The Pack. When we changed to a three-piece as Grand Funk Railroad, we adapted the song to our new power trio style, slowed it down, and stretched out the guitar solo over the simple bass and drum groove. With Bruce Kulick on guitar, the song becomes a great show piece.

“Some Kind Of Wonderful”: This is another fine example of how the band merged rock with R&B and you took it all the way to #3 on the pop chart. It’s a real crowd-pleaser live. Why is it one of the set highlights for you?

We used to sing this a capella in the limo from the hotel to the venue as a warm-up on our way for a show. Our manager liked it so much that he suggested we record the song and we did for our All The Girls In The World Beware!!! album in 1975. It became a huge hit and is probably the most played song at wedding receptions around the world. I love to watch the faces in the audience light up when Mel starts that chugging bass line. We can usually see four generations of people in the audience singing along to the song. Amazing feeling!

“I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home”: How do you feel this song works in the set list? It was a song that resonated with many people including American troops in Vietnam. Musically, it has such an epic feel to it. Can you talk about why the song is key to have in the set?

“Closer to Home” is a true Rock Anthem. It seems to have a different meaning to everyone and it is definitely spiritual. I have seen men in the audience brought to tears when we play it. We use it as our closing song because it deserves a prestigious place in our show and it is easily recognized and sung along with by every audience.

“We’re An American Band”: This song you wrote, another #1 pop hit, really defines the freewheeling rock star lifestyle…it still makes everyone want to be a rock star, and your vocals on it capture it all perfectly. And of course, the cowbell is part of its charm. This is the song you close with. What’s going through your head when you perform it night after night?

“We’re An American Band” came to me when we were flying from town to town on our “Phoenix Tour” in 1972. We were being sued by our former manager Terry Knight and he was trying to stop us from performing. The line “We’re comin’ to your town, we’ll help you party it down” came to me first and I wrote the song around that line. Taking snippets of things going on during the tour at that time, like staying up all night with Freddy King playing poker, four young chiquitas in Omaha, sweet sweet Connie in Little Rock, and finally the declaration, “We’re An American Band,” because it sounds great and sings well. I feel lucky and blessed every time we play it live.

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ABOUT GRAND FUNK RAILROAD:

After playing to millions of fans on the band’s tours from 1996 to 2019, GRAND FUNK will continue to reach both new and long-time fans on the “Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” named in honor of their 1975 Billboard pop smash. Originating from Flint, Michigan in 1969, this top-selling American rock group of the 70’s is “Comin’ To Your Town To Help You Party It Down.” Notably, this year marks the 50^th anniversary of when the group’s show at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles.

Known as “The American Band,” the high-energy five-piece group GRAND FUNK RAILROAD includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the multi-million selling hit, “We’re An American Band”) and bassist Mel Schacher, “The God of Thunder.” Joining Don and Mel are true “All Stars.” Singer Max Carl is a rock veteran from 38 Special. Max penned and sang 38’s biggest hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Don refers to Max as “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.” Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick is best known for his 12 years with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. (KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.) Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Affectionately called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and English soul man Robert Palmer.

Grand Funk laid the groundwork for such bands as Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature hard driving sound, soulful vocals, muscular instrumentation and forceful pop melodies. The fact that Grand Funk’s legacy still reigns over the Classic Rock landscape 50 years after is a testament to the group’s influence and staying power. Mega-hits “We’re An American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home,” “Locomotion,” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” still receive continuous airplay on Classic Rock radio. “We’re An American Band” has received notoriety in recent years being used in movie soundtracks and in television/radio advertising. The huge hit was featured in a General Motors national TV ad campaign and in Disney’s animated feature film The Country Bears. “We’re An American Band” was featured in the Cuba Gooding Jr. film Radio, and in the swash buckler Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey.

Internationally acclaimed Grand Funk has toured the world, selling out in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. A 1971 performance at New York’s Shea Stadium sold out faster than the Beatles. The group’s widespread appeal is also evident in its prestigious recording achievements. Over their career, Grand Funkhas had 19 charted singles, 8 Top 40 hits and two Number One singles (“We’re An American Band” and “Locomotion,” both selling more than one million each). The group has now accumulated 13 gold and 10 platinum records with record sales exceeding 25 million copies sold worldwide. The most recent gold CD award was presented to the band for their greatest hits package Grand Funk Railroad the Collectors Series.The multi-talented band carries on the tradition of Grand Funk hits and creates a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad. GFR drew 25,000 people to their Molson Canal Series Concert outside Buffalo, 20,000 in Albany, New York, and 20,000 fans to downtown Orlando, Florida. EMI/Capitol (Universal Music) released a new Grand Funk Greatest Hits package that includes a bonus DVD of rare concert footage. Grand Funk Railroad’s 2019 “50 Years Of Funk Tour” was a huge success and now, with the group’s 2021“Some Kind Of Wonderful Tour,” seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans discovering the group for the first time will be able to celebrate 50 Years of Funk with Grand Funk Railroad.

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Grand Funk Railroad 2021 Tour Dates
https://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/tour.html

For more information on GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, visit:
WEBSITE | SPOTIFY

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For press inquiries regarding GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, contact:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com (National)
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com (Tour)

November 2, 2021

Industrial Rock Outfit CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE Cover Bad Brains’ “Sacred Love” In New Video

DT: NOVEMBER 2, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

INDUSTRIAL ROCK/METAL OUTFIT
CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE
SHARE COVER OF BAD BRAINS’ “SACRED LOVE”

MUSIC VIDEO FEATURES FOOTAGE FILMED DURING
AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE

Los Angeles industrial metal/heavy rock outfit CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE have shared a cover version of hardcore punk pioneers BAD BRAINS’ 1986 single “Sacred Love” with a music video featuring performance and behind-the-scenes footage from their recent (10/7) performance at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA. Check it out streaming below or on YouTube HERE. The single is also available for streaming now across all digital platforms at this link: http://smarturl.it/sacredloveccc.

“If you’re going to do a cover, make it your own,” says vocalist SVART. “Bad Brains have been one of the most influential bands in my life, so it seemed only fitting that we’d try an Industrial Metal rendition of ‘Sacred Love.’”

CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE – “SACRED LOVE” (BAD BRAINS COVER) OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE was formed by Svart and guitarist Cultprit and includes BX on synth/backup vocals. The band were originally signed to Roadrunner Records and released two EP’s in 2020, A Cult of Opposition and Follow. The band recently shared a new original single “Plunge” with a NSFW horror- themed music video in September and are currently recording their debut full-length record set for release in 2022.

The industrial outfit will bring their “pummeling beats, frantic guitars, and snarling vocals that make you want to get up and break something” (Genre Is Dead) to the stage at Welcome To Rockville festival in Daytona Beach, FL on Thursday, November 11 alongside headliners Slipknot, Gojira and Cypress Hill.

For more information on CONTRACULT COLLECTIVE, please visit:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

October 29, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE And Lemmy Kilmister Reunite In Animated Video For Their “Hellraiser” Duet

DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

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Description automatically generated Scene from the animated video of “Hellraiser” with Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister

OZZY OSBOURNE
AND LEMMY KILMISTER REUNITED
IN ANIMATED VIDEO FOR THEIR
“HELLRAISER” DUET
WATCH THE CLIP HERE

SPECIAL 10” BLACK VINYL SINGLE
SET FOR DECEMBER 3 RELEASE
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

OZZY OSBOURNE and his longtime friend and colleague Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead are reunited one last time in the new animated clip for their mash-up duet of “Hellraiser.” The clip is an homage to their decades-long friendship. Produced by Hey Beautiful Jerk and directed by Mark Szumski and Gina Niespodziani, the video opens with OZZY and Lemmy hanging out at the infamous Rainbow Bar And Grill on Sunset Blvd. (Lemmy’s unofficial second home) surrounded by friends. The two are transported from a calm day playing video games in the bar to a post-apocalyptic world where they battle evil forces before ultimately returning to the bar, where they pick up their video game as if nothing had occurred. Watch the clip here.

“I’m so glad we were able to honor my dear friend Lemmy (Kilmister) with this duet and now the video,” OZZY says. “We immortalized him with a clip of the two of us being together, hanging out and getting into some trouble as we so often did.”

The song–which was co-written by the two and OZZY’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde–originally appeared on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter’s 1991 NO MORE TEARS album; Motorhead then recorded their own version and released it as a single from their 1992 March ör Die album.

The never-before-released “Hellraiser” mash-up with Ozzy and Lemmy was recently included on the digital 30^th anniversary release of OZZY’s classic album NO MORE TEARS, released September 17 via Sony. In addition, “Hellraiser” will be issued as a stand-alone release on OZZY’s birthday, December 3. The special 10” black vinyl single features three versions of the song: the classic original OZZY track with Motorhead’s version of the same song as the B-side. It is available for pre-order here.

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October 27, 2021

OZZY OSBOURNE’S ‘Diary Of A Madman’s’ 40th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition Due Out November 5; Ozzy X Dogtown Limited Edition Collab On Sale This Friday

DATE: OCTOBER 27, 2021

FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

Diary of a Madman Ozzy

OZZY OSBOURNE’S
‘DIARY OF A MADMAN’
40^TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED DIGITAL EDITION
DUE OUT NOVEMBER 5

OZZY X DOGTOWN
LIMITED EDITION
SKATEBOARD DECKS AND CLOTHING COLLAB
ON SALE THIS FRIDAY (OCTOBER 29)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE will celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his 1981 DIARY OF A MADMAN with an updated digital release that includes a new track: a live version of his Mainstream Rock Top Five hit “Flying High Again.” At the same time comes news of an exciting collaboration with Dogtown, available this Friday.

Ozzy Downtown Skateboard OZZY X DOGTOWN Limited Deck

The OZZY X DOGTOWN collection comes as an homage to OZZY’s music being the soundtrack to skateboarding for more than 40 years. The collaboration features skateboard decks and clothing with art by Sean Cliver on 200 limited-edition custom paint “Midnight Fade” skateboard decks with a silver metal flake dusting designed by Jim “Red Dog” Muir, manufactured by Paul Schmitt at PS Stix, and hand silk screened by Chicken at Screaming Squeegees on the iconic 80’s Dogtown Stonefish shape. In addition, look for a limited run of T-shirts and pullover hoodies with the OZZY X DOGTOWN graphic to also be released. All items are available this Friday (October 29) at 12:00 Noon (PT). Click here or here to order or for more information.

Ozzy Dogtown Skateboard Collab

The DIARY OF A MADMAN special digital re-issue will be available November 5 via all digital platforms. The album is OZZY’s second studio release and the last album to feature 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Famer guitarist Randy Rhoads. The multi-platinum release (with five million albums sold worldwide) included the #2 Mainstream Rock track, “Flying High Again.”

Ozzy DIary of a Madman Photo Credit Ross Halfin Photo credit: Ross Halfin

The album was listed at #15 on Rolling Stone’s 2017 list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.” Kory Grow noted, “A year after proving he was still a vital musical force on his first post–Black Sabbath solo LP, 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz, Ozzy Osbourne demonstrated it wasn’t a one-time fluke with an album of poppy and gothic anthems like ‘Flying High Again’ and the almost classical closing title track. Guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash while touring for Diary in 1982, had already proven himself a virtuoso on Blizzard; here, he worked even harder to find the rare nexus between showboat chops and clever songwriting…”

THE DIARY OF A MADMAN 40^th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition track list is as follows:

Over the Mountain
Flying High Again
You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll
Believer
Little Dolls
Tonight
S.A.T.O.
Diary of a Madman
Believer (live)*
Flying High Again (live)*

*previously unavailable digitally

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October 21, 2021

JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN Releases “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” Single + Visualizer Today (10/21)

DT: OCTOBER 21, 2021

FM: LYNDIE WENNER, SRO PR

JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN
RELEASES NEW SINGLE & EP’s TITLE TRACK
“THE SKY IS ALL I NEED TO GET HIGH”
OCTOBER 21
WATCH VISUALIZER VIDEO HERE

Brit Pop/Rock-influenced guitarist, singer and songwriter JACOB REESE THORNTON of JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN announces today’s release (October 21) of the fourth single and title track of the EP “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” on indie label Gratuitous Noise. The new single was written by JACOB REESE THORNTON and as with many of his self-written songs, they’re inspired by his longtime musical influences (R.E.M., Oasis, Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac). “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High” was co-produced with Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses), who also played bass. All the vocals and guitars were performed by JACOB, with Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters) on B3 organ, and Jerry Roe (Legendary Shack Shakers) on drums. Jason Kingsland engineered and mixed the track with mastering by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road. The B-side “Sketches Of You” accompanies the single release.

LISTEN HERE to the single and the B-side available now on all streaming platforms.

Watch the YouTube visualizer video for the single HERE

"The Sky Is All I Need to Get High" (Official Lyric Video) - Jaob & the Dazey Chain

JACOB reveals the story behind the creation of “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High”:

“‘The Sky Is All I Need to Get High’ is the oldest track on the EP (released 9/20/21) and the only one I’ve yet to play live. I was in Las Vegas rehearsing for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in early Sept 2019. I had about 30 minutes to kill in my hotel room and figured I’d try to write a song. The bathroom acoustics were so incredible that I literally just sat by the sink, queued up a voice memo and let it roll. Weeks later I was sifting through old voice recordings and rediscovered the riff. Lyrically, the song is about trusting your own instincts and not letting people dictate the path you take. That’s a common theme in a number of my songs. I knew it had to be the opening track because it pretty much sums up the theme of the EP within the first 10 seconds.”

JACOB shares why he decided to add the “Sketches Of You” B-side. “I love digging through a band’s catalog and stumbling upon a cool B-side or bonus track. It’s like striking gold. It also harkens back to a time when 45’s were the way people bought music. Some DJ’s would flip the 45 and the B-side, THAT became the hit! I want to keep that tradition going. “SKETCHES OF YOU” is a song I wrote back in 2018 and released under my own name. The song is sort of a collage of my musical influences and South Florida upbringing. I was listening to a lot of Santana and Lindsey Buckingham at that time, and it shows.”

Poster Design: Kim Madden Designs

Three singles were released from the EP leading up to the new single “The Sky Is All I Need To Get High”: “Traces” (this past January), “The Kids” (May) and “Swan Dive” (July). JACOB AND THE DAZEY CHAIN is a three-time winner in Classic Rock Magazine’s “New Tracks of the Week” readers’ poll. JACOB & THE DAZEY CHAIN’s debut EP entered Amazon’s Top 25 best-selling, new alternative rock releases. The lead single “Traces” entered the top 20 Play MPE downloads across all AAA/Rock specialty stations and Top 10 (#9) streaming charts and receives regular play on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM with Los Angeles DJ Rodney Bingenheimer.

A LIMITED EDITION VINYL of the EP w/Bonus Tracks is available here

JACOB has performed by invitation at Eric Clapton’s 2019 Crossroads Guitar Festival and played on stage with Bruce Kulick (Kiss & Grand Funk Railroad) and Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz (from Slash & The Conspirators). He has also collaborated and performed with bass legend Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page & Paul Rodgers) (watch here).

“Jacob & The Dazey Chain represent Tasteful, Artistic Nostalgia. Young taste-maker Jacob Thornton, the talented and prolific rockstar-on-the rise who has one hand reaching toward the 2020’s and the other holding on tightly to the 1970’s.”
~The Aquarian Weekly, September 13, 2021

“It’s a once in a generational thing… I don’t think we get enough of these ”
~Lori Majewski, SiriusXM Volume, May 3, 2019

“So so talented–I think we are going to be talking about this kid for years and years…”
~Larry Flick, SiriusXM Volume; former Senior Talent Editor, Billboard Magazine, May 3, 2019

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October 20, 2021

LA-based Alt-Rock/Pop Trio BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT Battle Innermost Demons in New Music Video

DT: OCTOBER 20, 2021
FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR

ALT-ROCK/POP TRIO
BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT
TAKE ON THEIR INNERMOST
“DEMONS”
IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO

DEBUT EP ‘BOYS DO CRY’ OUT NOW

A poster of a movie Description automatically generated with low confidence

Los Angeles-based three-piece BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT (BSD) take on their innermost demons in a bloodthirsty, action-packed music video for their catchy single “Demons,” taken from their debut EP BOYS DO CRY, released on October 8. The video was directed by Danny Pollack (Machine Gun Kelly, The White Stripes) and is available to watch on VEVO or streaming directly below.

“This video is basically exactly what the song means to us,” elaborates the band. “We die… our own bullsh*t kills us. Except Bardo, he’s actually a sober nerd, we just thought that was funny.”

BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT display a seamless mixture of pop, alt-rock, punk and hip-hop across BOYS DO CRY’s six vivid tracks—including their recent single “I Love It” feat. Jason Aalon Butler of Fever 333 which is currently receiving airplay on SiriusXM’s Octane channel. The EP was executive produced by 4x Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and Butler.

Listen to BOYS DO CRY streaming now via Spotify and/or Apple Music.

BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT was formed in 2020 by vocalist Cole Hutzler and bassist Brent (ex-Strangefaces), along with producer and guitarist Bardo. The trio have developed a dedicated fanbase garnered from their viral TikTok videos–which have over 900k views and showcases the band’s own ‘renegade rock’ take on mainstream pop singles—in addition to their gripping live performance which has seen them perform three sold-out Los Angeles shows in the past year and a national tour with Royal & The Serpents and Pvris. The band recently guested on Royal & The Serpents’ set at Emo Nite Vegas Vacation in Las Vegas performing their single “Starphucker” on which Royal & The Serpents is featured. Stay tuned for upcoming show announcements.

Find BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT online:
IG | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com

October 19, 2021

Mongolian Rock Act THE HU Move Sold-Out Vancouver, BC Show To Larger Venue To Accommodate Covid Restrictions

DT: OCTOBER 19, 2021

FM: KELLY WALSH, MITCH SCHNEIDER / SRO PR

MONGOLIAN ROCK SENSATION
THE HU
MOVE VENUE FOR SOLD-OUT VANCOUVER, B.C. SHOW
FROM THE COMMODORE BALLROOM TO THE ORPHEUM
TO ABIDE WITH COVID CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS

SHOW WILL NOW TAKE PLACE AT
THE ORPHEUM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Chart-topping Mongolian rock sensation THE HU are currently on the last stretch of their second-ever North American headlining tour which kicked off on September 1 and has included performances at several top-notch music festivals (ACL, Rocklahoma, Firefly, Outside Lands, Louder Than Life) plus select dates with Halestorm and Volbeat. As the electrifying act make their way to Canada, the band have been required to move venues for their sold-out October 26 show in Vancouver, B.C. from The Commodore Ballroom to The Orpheum due to limited capacity regulations put in place to combat the spread of covid. For current ticket holders, please retain your tickets and Ticketmaster will reach out directly with more information about the venue move.

The band has issued the following statement:

“Despite rules and regulations related to covid keeping the doors to the Commodore closed, we don’t want to let our Canadian fans down. We’re still coming to Vancouver! Join us at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre instead and let’s light it up.”

Full dates and tickets can be found here: https://www.thehuofficial.com/tour-1

THE HU’s live performance has won over fans–including actress and co-host of ABC-TV’s talk show ‘The View’ Whoopi Goldberg who attended their sold-out show at Irving Plaza in NYC (9/18)—as well as critics.

Here’s what some writers are saying of the band’s shows:

“File this one under noise you didn’t think you needed. The seven-piece Mongolian band the Hu plays its guitars with bows and man buns, with backing ‘whoa’ chants and punishing drums. On Saturday at the Tito’s stage, they offer layered, loud rock epics built on classical Mongolian instrumentation. Truly, everything about these dudes rocks. By which I mean you’ll want to raise glasses and bark war chants after taking this set in.”
– Ramon Ramirez, AUSTIN 360 / AUSTIN STATESMAN, 10/3 (Austin City Limits)

“This was my very first time seeing them in concert and it certainly won’t be the last. They absolutely destroyed it as they closed out the Renegade Stage on day three at ROK21.The Hu mix a wide variety of traditional Mongolian and non-traditional sting and percussion instruments along with influences and different genres for an unmistakable sound, unique unto themselves. The Hu really are their own genre of music. They have a mix of everything from rock, metal, folk and Mongolian throat singing. They draw from all kinds of influences and genres, when it all comes together it’s incredible!”
– Critter, Z94, Rocklahoma, 9/6/21

“If you don’t already know you are a Hunnu Rock fan, The HU will seal the deal.”
– Carrianne Stoker-Postier, Digital Beat Magazine, 9/11/21 (Asheville, NC)

“Buttressed by guitar, bass, and a pair of percussionists, the core quartet aligned across the stage front in a wall of top knots and truncheon tempos. Recall, if you will, the talkbox intro to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and elongate it across T. Rex/Gary Glitter downstrokes as Tsendbaatar exhorts, growls, and drops into a death metal croak. Meanwhile, Austin can’t gawk and stomp along enough.”
– Raoul Hernandez, AUSTIN CHRONICLE, 10/3 (Austin City Limits)

DOWNLOAD PHOTO
Credit: Enkhbat Nyamkhishig

Founded in 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, THE HU are a modern rock group rooted in the tradition of their homeland. The band’s name translates to the Mongolian root word for human being, and their unique approach blends instruments like the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (Mongolian guitar), Tumur Khuur (jaw harp) and throat singing.

Their debut album, THE GEREG (Better Noise), debuted at #1 on the World Album and Top New Artist Charts and its singles have accumulated over 250 million combined streams and video views to date. Due to their global success, THE HU were heralded as Cultural Envoy of Mongolia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and have sold out venues across the world in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with scheduled festival appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Download Festival, and more, creating a community of fans from all walks of life.

THE HU were recently included as part of the track listing for Metallica’s Special 30th Anniversary ‘Black Album’ Reissue Covers Project, The Metallica Blacklist, on which they covered the iconic group’s song “Through the Never,” released on September 10. The band had previously shared a cover of Metallica’s “Sad But True,” which received over 9 million views on YouTube and was acknowledged by Metallica themselves on their social media accounts. The band has also explored eclectic ways to reach audiences with their sound, most notably writing and recording music for EA Games’ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Connect with THE HU
Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

ABOUT BETTER NOISE MUSIC

BETTER NOISE MUSIC is the premiere independent music label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music (formerly Eleven Seven Music), founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, Escape The Fate, AWOLNATION, All Good Things, From Ashes To New, Asking Alexandria, Cory Marks, Papa Roach, Bad Wolves, Nothing More, and The Hu. Partnering with FUGA, AMPED and Membran, the company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Berlin, Toronto and Sydney.

Connect With BETTER NOISE
Website | Twitter | Facebook | IG | YouTube

Previous press releases can be found here: sropr.com/portfolio/thehu

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For press inquiries, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh / kwalsh@sropr.com
Mitch Schneider / mschneider@sropr.com

Better Noise Music
Jimmy Harney – jimmy@betternoise.com
Eliana Nunez – Eliana@betternoise.com

October 18, 2021

Dave Navarro & Billy Morrison Rejoin Forces For Third “Above Ground” Concert Benefitting Musicares® December 20 at The Fonda Theatre In Los Angeles

DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
SRO PR

A picture containing text, sign Description automatically generated

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
TEAM UP FOR THIRD
“ABOVE GROUND” BENEFIT CONCERT
DECEMBER 20
AT THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA

WATCH NAVARRO AND MORRISON
DISCUSS THE EVENT HERE

“ABOVE GROUND”
WILL CELEBRATE
THE VINYL ALBUM AS AN ART FORM
WHILE ALSO RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

INITIAL SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED INCLUDE
BILLY IDOL, PERRY FARRELL, ETTY LAU FARRELL
COREY TAYLOR, TAYLOR HAWKINS, MARK MCGRATH
STEVE STEVENS AND FRANKY PEREZ

TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22
FOR EVENT
BENEFITTING MUSICARES^®

Guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) and an all-star band are gearing up for the third “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert on December 20 at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. After sitting out 2020 because of Covid, Navarro and Morrison will be joined by a diverse group of special guests including Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Etty Lau Farrell, Corey Taylor, Taylor Hawkins, Mark McGrath, Steve Stevens, Franky Perez and others TBA in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 22. Click here to watch NAVARRO and MORRISON discuss the event.

As with previous successful events in 2018 and 2019, this immersive evening of art and music with special guests will celebrate the vinyl album as an art form, with the performance of two seminal albums in their entirety, while at the same time raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health. Profits from the event will be donated to MusiCares^®, the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community. Navarro and Morrison talk about the event in a Q&A below.

“We are so grateful for Dave and Billy’s support of MusiCares with this incredible benefit concert, and for their continued support of our mission over the years,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “The proceeds from this event will help music professionals who need various kinds of support, from physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, and more.”

In 2018, Navarro and Morrison, with an array of special guests, performed Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam And The Ants and then The Velvet Underground & Nico by Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. In 2019, it was David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and the Stooges’ self-titled debut album, on which the world was introduced to Iggy Pop. This year, they’ll be celebrating two more musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed’s Transformer (1972) and Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977) which continues their trend of featuring one American artist and one British artist.

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON TALK
ABOUT “ABOVE GROUND 3”

–How did Lou Reed’s Transformer album shape you musically and why do you feel the album still resonates in our culture? As one example of its impact, the smash hit “Walk On The Wild Side” introduced many to transgender people.

DAVE and BILLY: It’s exactly that for us–the realization and education of gender and fluidity, and all the imagery that went along with that in the 70’s. It’s an unnecessarily tough subject now, so imagine Lou Reed in the 70’s addressing sexuality and gender? A total groundbreaking album that tore some barriers down. Which is what we are trying to do with the subject of mental health and Above Ground.

–Can you talk about the effect Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols had on you and the effect it still can have on people discovering it for the first time, both musically and lyrically?

DAVE and BILLY: This album is it for both of us–the one that changed everything. When we heard this for the first time as kids, something shifted forever inside us. The sound of Steve Jones’ guitars and the intelligent anger from [Johnny] Rotten about things that actually resonated with us, even at that early age. The band released only one official album and were together initially for about 23 months. And 40+ years later, it still shakes the foundations when you play it. That says it all.

–The upcoming event continues your trend of choosing to perform an album by an American artist and one by a British artist. Can you talk about this?

DAVE and BILLY: Truthful answer? Absolutely not planned! But now that you say it, we think it’s a tradition we should continue!

—Each ABOVE GROUND event has been marked by unique special guests and musical pairings. Which highlights come to mind from the 2019 show?

DAVE and BILLY: Sharing the stage with the incredible energy that is Jack Black has to be a huge highlight for us. Also watching Billy Idol open the whole Stooges set with an incredibly powerful version of “1969” put a huge grin on our faces. And finally, when you play an album in its entirety, there is always a song that is…shall we say…challenging! So having Dave sit down, get intensely personal, and make “We Will Fall” from the Stooges album his own will stick in our minds forever!

–There can never be enough said about how addiction, accidental overdoses and suicide have impacted our society, including of course in the music world. And MusiCares^®plays an important role in helping musicians with addiction problems. Can you talk about how pivotal a role the organization plays in the music world, including perhaps in ways the public may not be aware?

DAVE and BILLY: MusiCares has literally saved more than a few of our friends from dying. Their role cannot be overstated, and we have precious few organizations that actively step in to help people on the brink. On the frontline, finding and paying for beds in treatment, arranging therapy and counseling, and actually speaking up on a public level about the importance of mental health are all reasons why we continue to do what we can to draw attention to this subject.

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ABOUT MUSICARES

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: https://www.musicares.org/

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact SRO PR:

Mitch Schneider, mschneider@msopr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@msopr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@msopr.com

MUSICARES CONTACT:
Jenn Kerr for MusiCares
jennifer.kerr@porternovelli.com

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