9 LEFT DEAD SET TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM

9 LEFT DEAD is gearing up for the September 27 release of their debut album, THE WRONG THINGS, through Dirtbag (through Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group).

The buzz is already starting thanks to early adds for the first single, “Put Your Guns Down,” which can be heard on radio stations nationwide, including KATT (in their hometown, Oklahoma City), WIIL (Chicago), WKLC (Charleston, WV), WJJO (Madison), WRTT (Huntsville), as well as on AOL/Noisecreep.com, which officially premiered the track and can be heard here: http://aol.it/nqokmZ.

The song stems from an incident at an Oklahoma City prison, which is where singer Travis Jones and bassist Jared Ellis first met and worked together as guards.    

As singer Travis Jones told AOL/Noisecreep.com, “One day we had an inmate come in thinking he was a little more hardcore than he actually ended up being. I was having a bad night, and to add to it, this inmate kept running his mouth. One thing lead to another and he ended up taking a swing at me. So I moved in on him, picked him up, and slammed him into the ground taking control of the situation. Later on that night I was going back over what had just happened in my head and the line ‘careful what you wish for’ kept sticking in my head, because he wanted to fight, but I know he didn't see it playing out the way it actually did. And it made me think about those guys that think they are unstoppable until someone actually puts them in their place. That's where the idea for ‘Put Your Guns Down’ came from."

9 LEFT DEAD--Travis Jones (vocals), Jared Ellis (bass), Kreg Anthony (lead guitar), Nathan Parrish (rhythm guitar) and Bryan Whitley (drums)--originally formed in Amber, Oklahoma in 1999 when guitarist, now lead vocalist, Travis Jones, started the band under the name Harmful If Swallowed. Travis explains, “In the beginning, I never really focused too much on choosing music as a career. At that time it was a coping mechanism to deal with life and discover myself, which turned into an addiction. You always want to do something to change peoples’ lives and help them. It just turned out that while I was using my music to deal with my own circumstances, the music also helped other people–and that’s an addiction you can’t deny.”

In 2008, after Jared joined on as the band’s bass player, they decided to change their name to 9 LEFT DEAD. “The name change was for the best," states Travis, "It gave us what felt like a fresh start and a new beginning." In July 2010, Kreg and Nathan Parrish joined 9 LEFT DEAD, which was soon followed by the addition of Bryan, completing the band’s official line-up.

Wasting no time in showcasing the band’s seasoned live show, led by Travis’ powerful vocals and the band’s musical prowess, in April 2010, 9 LEFT DEAD won the “2010 Band Beatdown” sponsored by Oklahoma City rock radio station KATT and Rock U Live. They beat out over 100 bands and as part of their grand prize package, the band received an invitation to be one of the first bands to record at Bar Code Studios with multi-platinum and BMI award-winning songwriter Cody Hanson (Hinder). Within a month of winning the “2010 Band Beatdown,” 9 LEFT DEAD signed to C-Squared Management and their first major recording contract with Dirtbag/ILG/Warner Music Group.

With producers Cody Hanson and Marshal Dutton at the helm, the band has perfected the merging of their up-tempo, aggressive and pounding sound with melodic vocal hooks and identifiable lyrics that appeal to a broad audience. With an unbreakable chemistry, 9 LEFT DEAD brings an action packed show every night leaving it all out there on the stage for the fans. “That’s what this is all about,” states Travis, “we’re here to kick some serious ass for the people that come out to a 9 LEFT DEAD show!”

9 LEFT DEAD is currently lining up a new batch of tour dates, which will be announced soon. They’ve already had the opportunity to share the stage with such bands as Hinder, My Darkest Days, Adelitas Way, Egypt Central, Halestorm, Three Days Grace, Seether, Papa Roach, Drowning Pool, Switchfoot, Puddle Of Mudd, and HellYeah.

Black Stone Cherry Announces New Record: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea out May 31

Kentucky’s Black Stone Cherry, comprised of vocalist Chris Robertson, guitarist Ben Wells, bassist Jon Lawhon and Drummer John Fred Young, is a band adept at creating both timeless rock ‘n roll and new, innovative sounds.  While the band’s last record, Folklore and Superstition, was a compelling tribute to brotherhood and history, the new album is the summation of a year in the life of the band—every emotion, triumph, loss, romance and everything in between—it’s all here on Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. 

This is the first time Black Stone Cherry has not recorded in the South, this time taking up residence in Los Angeles to work with famed producer Howard Benson (Theory of a Deadman, Daughtry, Three Days Grace).  The new surroundings allowed them to strengthen their relationships as both band members and friends, ultimately a detail that sets Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea above previous recordings.  The raw intensity that pervades the music on this album harkens back to the early days of Black Stone Cherry, when they were a bunch of blue-collar guys just making music together for the hell of it.  The band admits “When we first began writing music, we hadn’t traveled very far out of our home state of Kentucky.  Now, ten years later, we’ve traveled the world and experienced things we never imagined we would.”

First single “White Trash Millionaire,” set to hit airwaves in April, pairs Robertson’s soulful delivery with the urgent and infectious rhythms of his fellow players.  Sure, this is Southern rock at heart; but the concept is universal: just take what the world gives you and make that work. “This album is the culmination of all of the everyday ups and downs life throws at you,” says the band.  “Sonically, you’ll hear some of the meanest sounding guitar riffs we’ve ever laid down, and at the same time, you’ll find ballads that will tug on your heartstrings.  We wanted the album’s intensity to match that of our live show.  We’re very proud of this album and excited for our fans to hear it!”

To celebrate the release of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Black Stone Cherry is participating in an ongoing partnership with Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon.  The promotion brings 450,000 Black Stone Cherry branded bottles to shelves nationwide through June, including special mp3 offers and a chance to win a trip to meet the band at one of their shows. 

Black Stone Cherry is set to have quite the busy spring, with tours with Hinder and Alter Bridge on the horizon:

4/8 @ Lucky Star Casino- Clinton, OK (with Hinder)

4/9 @ St. Mary’s University – San Antonio, TX (Fiesta Oyster Bake w. Hinder, Saving Abel)

4/12 @ Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO (with Hinder)

4/13 @ The Great Salt Air – Salt Lake City, UT (with Hinder)

4/15 @ Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA (with Hinder)

4/17 @ Knitting Factory Concert House – Spokane, WA (with Hinder)

4/19 @ Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise, ID (with Hinder)

4/21 @ Roseland Theater – Portland, OR (with Alter Bridge)

4/22 @ Knitting Factory – Reno, NV (with Hinder)

4/23 @ House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV (with Alter Bridge)

4/24 @ The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA (with Alter Bridge)

4/26 @ SLO Brewing Company – San Luis Obispo, CA

4/27 @ The Grove – Anaheim, CA (with Alter Bridge)

4/29 @ The Great Salt Air – Magna, UT (with Alter Bridge)

4/30 @ Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO (with Alter Bridge)

5/2 @ House of Blues – Chicago, IL (with Alter Bridge)

5/3 @ House of Blues – Chicago, IL (with Alter Bridge)

5/7 @ Metrolina Expo – Charlotte, NC (AVALANCHE 2011 w. Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman)

5/8 @ NorVa – Norfolk, VA (with Alter Bridge)

5/10 @ Valarium – Knoxville, TN (with Alter Bridge)

5/11 @ Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN (with Alter Bridge)

5/12 @ Piere’s Entertainment Center – Ft. Wayne, IN (with Alter Bridge)

5/15 @ The Machine Shop – Flint, MI

5/17 @ The Palladium – Worcester, MA (with Alter Bridge)

5/18 @ Northern Lights – Albany, NY (with Alter Bridge)

5/19 @ Best Buy Theatre – New York, NY (with Alter Bridge)