Wednesday February 2, 2011 Source:Michael J Media Location: Madison, Wisconsin
SUNSPOT’S “GO, PACK!” GAINING TRACTION ALONG WITH SUPER BOWL HYPE, Madison Rock Band’s Song Licensed By FOX Sports and Being Spun Regionally.
Madison, WI, Rock band Sunspot has racked up a few awards and a lot of recognition during the past decade, including winning Rock Album of the Year in the Madison Area Music Association Awards for their most recent audio release, Singularity. But it’s quite possible that Sunspot will enjoy some level of national recognition this week, as their song, Go, Pack! was licensed by FOX Sports just before the NFL postseason began last month. The track has not been played on any national broadcasts yet, but regional affiliate Fox 47 has been spinning the song on its ads hyping the Green Ba Packers’ berth in Super Bowl XLV this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition, the song is being spun on radio stations in Merrill, Wisconsin; in Wausau, WI and Kenosha, WI; as far away as Denver, CO; and on Madison’s own 105.5 Triple M, all markets where Sunspot enjoys a rabid fan base built through incessant regional touring.
“When I was a kid, our priest literally would end his sermons just in time so that everyone could get home in time for kickoff,” said bassist and lead singer Mike Huberty. “All of us were born and raised in Wisconsin, so we bleed green and gold and we wanted to write a song that expressed that. We’re over the moon that Packers’ fans have embraced it and we’re looking forward to cranking it up after watching the Pack decimates Pittsburgh to become this year’s Super Bowl champs!”
Huberty also added that while Sunspot is far from a “jock rock band,” the Packers are the one thing that has united the jocks and everyone else in Wisconsin. Will they unite in victory Sunday night? Time will tell, and it will also tell if Sunspot will be a household name by next week as well. Also, for those in the Madison area, Sunspot will also be performing live at Scatz Sports Bar in Middleton on Sunday for their Super Bowl party, from the end of the game until midnight.
Sunspot is three musicians that sound like an army. They’re the biggest sounding trio you’ve ever heard. With three-part harmonies, a blazing guitarist, a funny and poignant lyricist and singer, a killer chick drummer, and a real deal multimedia experience, they bring a live show that’s part theater, part art performance, part arena rock extravaganza, and all fun. Singalong rock with big guitars, smart lyrics, and a sense of humor, the trio from Madison, Wisconsin combines the physical impact of hard-hitting rock with the ear candy of pop music and the thoughtful words of a singer-songwriter. Think the Fountains of Wayne or Barenaked Ladies with Lars Ulrich on drums and Eddie Van Halen on guitar. Sunspot’s most recent CD, Singularity, was named Madison’s Rock Album of the Year by the Madison Area Music Association. Two of the tracks would go on to win awards in Madison, “No Place Like Home” as Rock Song of the Year, and “Sweet Relief” took home Video of the Year.
After joining forces in 1996 as students at the University of Wisconsin, they’ve gone on to record and release five albums, a DVD, and over a hundred biweekly video podcasts (Sunspot Road Mania), and have performed hundreds of shows all over the country, sharing the stage with bands like Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, Sponge, SevenMaryThree, Hot Hot Heat, and Sick Puppies. In 2010, Sunspot designed a unique live experience that was a combination of theater, audience participation, multimedia stage show, and rock concert party. The show, Major Arcana, linked live performances of their songs with a storyline and the band took it on a national tour. In December, Sunspot released the DVD version of their multimedia spectacle, Major Arcana, as a full 90-minute concert film accompanied by audio commentary, special features, and more surprises. The band also plans to release a new album in the spring of 2011.
Tuesday February 1, 2011 Source:Big Hassle Media Location: New York City
Available at Bandcamp with donations going to benefit Wisconsin based charities including The Foundation for Madison WI, Public Schools.
Wisconsin born and bred, Locksley are always proud to let people know about their home state. They let that pride show through with the song “Oh, Wisconsin!” a tribute to the state and a rally cry for all Packers fans excited to see Green Bay in the Superbowl, be they young or old, big or small, or prefer their cheese curds fried or squeaky (un-fried for the uncheesucated). It’s something all Sconnies near and far can get behind, especially when considering donations made on Band Camp will go directly to Wisconsin based charities including the Foundation for Madison, WI Public Schools http://www.fmps.org/ among others.
Suppose you haven’t had the pleasure of living in or visiting the badger state, or don’t consider yourself a Packers fan? Well there’s still a lot to love about the song “Oh, Wisconsin!,” which is at its heart a story many can relate to. “Oh, Wisconsin!” is about growing up in small town America with dreams of big city lights, and missing home after you’ve left.
Fittingly, Locksley are a Madison, WI band who now call New York City home. Over the past few years they’ve built up a devoted fan base on the strength of their hook filled straightforward rock ‘n’ roll and dedication to perfecting their live act. This summer they will release their new album featuring the single “The Whip” which last week was unexpectedly picked up by select Top 40 stations.
“Extra caught up with Bret Michaels at the 2010 American Country Awards, where the rocker was presenting an award—and he told us that his heart surgery will be happening soon. “In January, I get my heart operation,” Michaels explained. “I’m feeling about 80% right now, but once I get that done, I’m gonna be feeling a lot better!” The singer continued, “I’m just excited to be here. My first music I listened to was country music. That’s what my dad raised me on.”
All of country music’s finest were at the ACAs, including big winner Carrie Underwood, who took home Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Female Single of the Year, Touring Headline Package of the Year and Female Music Video of the Year. Underwood swooned, “I feel awesome it’s been a great night for sure,” but admitted that she misses new hubby Mike Fisher, who couldn’t attend the event. “My phone’s buzzing right now, bet that’s him!” Other winners included Lady Antebellum—who scored Group of the Year, Group Video of the Year and Group Single of the Year honors, plus, Blake Shelton (for hisHillbilly Bone video), Alan Jackson (Greatest Hits Award) and Rascal Flatts (Decade Award).
Monday November 1, 2010 Source: Location: New York City
New York hard rockers Black Water Rising are proud to announce that NHL team, the New Jersey Devils are using their song “Rise” from their self-titled debut as the Devil’s Army theme song which can be seen in their 2010-11 season opening video. The song is featured as part of the “RISE UP!” Campaign used to rally the Devils and their fans. The song is also being blasted at all Devils home games this season as they take the ice.
Hockey enthusiast and bass player of BWR, Oddie McLaughlin had the following to say about the band’s song being embraced by the Devils and their Legion of fans: I’ve been a huge hockey fan since I was a kid and to have our song ‘Rise’ played before the New Jersey Devils is beyond my wildest dreams. So let’s drop the puck and ‘Rise’ to a new level of hockey. Go Devils!
Black Water Rising’s self-titled debut release is available now on Giddy Up! Records. Giddy Up! Records is a brand new label with distribution through Sony/RED. The album artwork was designed by “Mister Sam” aka Sam Shearon, the renowned artist from England who has done work for Rob Zombie, Godhead and ESP guitars.
Milwaukee’s 102.9 The Hog/WHQG-FM announced today it will introduce international rock icon Nikki Sixx to its audience tonight, October 18. The station will air the nationally syndicated Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx weekdays from 7 p.m. to midnight, and The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx on Sundays from 8 - 10 p.m. local time.
Each night on Sixx Sense, host Nikki Sixx discusses music and lifestyle topics as he gives listeners a backstage look at the world and mind of a rock star. Joined by co-host Kerri Kasem, Sixx provides his unique perspective and attitude as the duo welcomes celebrity guests, recording artists and fascinating characters from all walks of life. All this and more is coupled with the radio station’s playlist. The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx is a two-hour original weekend program spotlighting the internationally renowned rocker in his role as radio host and tastemaker. In addition to featuring chart-topping music each week, Sixx highlights new and emerging artists, talks with guests from all areas of entertainment, and shares his personal new music pick.
WHQG-FM Program Director Keith Hastings stated, “Nikki Sixx is a flat-out superstar who breaks a lot of rules-luckily we have no rule book for The HOG! Sixx Sense and The Side Show Countdown are perfect for a hard rockin’ city like Milwaukee!” Sixx’s radio programs air in more than 60 markets, both nationally and internationally, including Los Angeles, Dallas/Ft. Worth,Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, Tampa, Denver and San Antonio. For additional information, please visit www.1029thehog.com
Since launching last February, Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx and The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx are fast becoming the place to hear it first for guests from all walks of life, including rock royalty, the first man on the moon, authors, actors and everyone in between. Dave Grohl, Jared Leto, Lemmy Kilmister, Perez Hilton, Rob Halford, CSI creator Anthony Zuiker, Four Agreements author Don Miguel Ruiz, Dog The Bounty Hunter and others have joined Sixx and his Sixx Sense co-host Kerri Kasem for their special brand of conversation. In addition, they’ve world-premiered albums and songs for artists and bands like Buckcherry, Drowning Pool and Slash and hosted the announcement for this summer’s OZZFest. Nationally syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx broadcasts Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight local time, and The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx is available for air Saturday or Sunday between 6 a.m. and midnight local time.
KnuckleBonz Unveils a Ronnie James Dio Limited Edition Collectible! A Portion of all Proceeds at KnuckleBonz.com will be Donated to the ‘Stand Up and Shout’ Cancer Fund Created in Honor of Ronnie James Dio. KnuckleBonz is excited to announce its production of the Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz® statue. This is a limited edition statue with only 3000 created, making these highly collectible. Each figure in the edition is hand-painted, numbered and includes a certificate of authenticity.
This is an officially licensed product, approved and endorsed by Wendy Dio and Niji Entertainment. Wendy Dio remarked about the project, “Ronnie would be very proud.” KnuckleBonz is honored to be creating a tribute piece of Ronnie James Dio, widely recognized as one of the most powerful singers in all of heavy metal.
The Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz Statue: The sculpture of Dio is displayed with his signature devil horns and iconic crouched stance. This is a hand-crafted statue. Every piece is painted by hand and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is included on the base of each statue. The statue is approximately 8” hiqh and stands on an attractive wooden display base. The Ronnie James Dio limited edition statue will be available December 2010. Pre-orders are available at www.knucklebonz.com.
“We learned that Ronnie wanted to work on a statue project before he fell ill. We are honored that Wendy Dio and his management called on us for this project,” remarks Tony Simerman, President and Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Ronnie’s family and the people at Niji on this project. I was a fan of Ronnie’s very early and owned all the original Rainbow records. I was fortunate enough to see him out in front of Sabbath. RJD was one of the greatest live performers I have ever seen,” adds Simerman.
KnuckleBonz creates hi-end sculpture that features rock’s most highly influential artists. Dedicated to honoring rocks greatest through master artistry, KnuckleBonz has established the music-based sculpture series: Rock Iconz.
This is a limited edition statue created by KnuckleBonz; only 3000 will be created.
Wednesday October 13, 2010 Source:MSO Location: Los Angeles, California
Ozzy Osbourne to kick of the first leg of of his North American Tour on Nov 12, 2010 with Halford to open.
Ozzy Osbourne announces second leg of North American dates to kick off Jan, 16 2011 in Omaha, NE. Slash to open all dates on the second leg of the arena tour.
Ozzy Osbourne, who will kick off his fall North American arena tour November 12 in Victoria, B.C—has now announced a second leg of U.S. dates which will get underway January 16, 2011 in Omaha, NE. The six-week 2011 trek, part of the multi-platinum Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s in-progress 8-month world tour, will include a pair of intimate shows: January 26 at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix and Feb 1 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Ozzy’s longtime friend and musical collaborator Slash will open all the concerts on the second leg. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour go on sale beginning Friday, October 15.
Osbourne recently completed a run of overseas festival appearances and headlining overseas performances including his first-ever concert in Israel: A September 28 OZZFest show at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv. The Tel Aviv show was described by the www.ynet.co.il as “one of the most important rock events in Israel, if not THE most important…There is no one that can contest Ozzy Osbourne’s charisma and madness. Park Hayarkon was awash with energies and foam at the main performance of the Ozzfest…” Elsewhere www.mako.co.il noted: “We have waited for years and finally it happened—Ozzfest arrived to the holy land. And as much as the anticipation was high—it shrinks in comparison to the real thing that happened on stage. Ozzy Osbourne lifted Tel Aviv with a crazy show. Osbourne managed to lift people up as only he can do. With simplicity and (relative) modesty, the prince of darkness gave his heart and soul with big love to the Israeli crowd and managed to jump and touch every single one of the tens of thousands of fans present.” The www.mouse.co.il added, “The crowd was versatile and colorful, the other bands on the bill were great, but the real star of Ozzfest was, undoubtedly, Ozzy Osbourne. The metal legend last night at Hayarkon Park gave a show worth living for.”
Later this week, OZZY will perform shows in Japan (October 16 in Kobe and October 17 in Tokyo) before returning to the U.S. to headline the Voodoo Experience festival Halloween weekend in New Orleans, LA; he will rock the three-day event at City Park City Saturday, October 30. OZZY will then launch his first leg of solo dates which includes a December 1 show at Madison Square Garden in New York and wraps December 12 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. HALFORD, featuring legendary Judas Priest front man, Rob Halford, will perform on the 2010 dates.
The fall dates will coincide with the October 5 release of an expanded two-CD version of the SCREAM album. This “Tour Edition” package will feature seven bonus songs: a mix of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings. Epic Records has also issued a four-sided vinyl edition that includes five bonus tracks: the three aforementioned songs from the SCREAM sessions and the live version of “Let Me Hear You Scream,” along with the single version of “Life Won’t Wait” (the second single from SCREAM).
OZZY’s 2010 dates are as follows:
Sat Oct 30 Voodoo Experience (City Park) New Orleans, LA
Fri Nov 12 Save On Foods Memorial Centre Victoria, BC
Sun Nov 14 Rogers Arena Vancouver, BC
Tue Nov 16 Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB
Thu Nov 18 Rexall Place Edmonton, MB
Sat Nov 20 MTS Centre Winnipeg, MB
Tue Nov 23 Bell Centre Montreal, QC
Thu Nov 25 Scotiabank Place Ottawa, ON
Sat Nov 27 Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
Mon Nov 29 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, MD
Wed Dec 01 Madison Square Garden Arena New York, NY
Fri Dec 03 Izod Center E Rutherford, NJ
Sun Dec 05 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland, OH
Tue Dec 7 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids, MI
Sun Dec 12 Target Center Minneapolis, MN
OZZY’s 2011 dates are as follows:
Sun Jan 16 Qwest Center Omaha, NE
Tue Jan 18 Toyota Center Houston, TX
Thu Jan 20 American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
Sat Jan 22 Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
Mon Jan 24 AT&T Center San Antonio, TX
Wed Jan 26 Comerica Theatre Phoenix, AZ
Fri Jan 28 Mandalay Bay Resort Las Vegas, NV
Tue Feb 01 Gibson Amphitheatre Los Angeles, CA
Thu Feb 03 HP Pavilion San Jose, CA
Sat Feb 05 Tacoma Dome Tacoma, WA
Tue Feb 08 Pepsi Center Denver, CO
Thu Feb 10 BOK Center Tulsa, OK
Sat Feb 12 The Palace of Auburn Hills Detroit, MI
Sun Feb 14 i wireless Center Moline, IL
Tue Feb 16 Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN
Fri Feb 18 St Pete Times Forum Tampa, FL
Sun Feb 20 BankAtlantic Center Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tue Feb 22 Jacksonville Veterans Mem. Arena Jacksonville, FL
