All posts by Katherine Amy Vega

Manager & Concert Photographer of Burning Hot Events Photographer, Web Designer & Developer, Video Producer, Graphic Designer, Entrepreneur, Freelancer, concert-junkie, musician, dancer, #1 fan of LOTR & the Spice Girls, cat-lover, & moar!
Albums & EPs, News

Grey Daze (Chester Bennington) and Loma Vista Recordings Move Amends’ Release Date to June 26

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“When we announced that we were working on Amends our intention was always to honor Chester’s memory and to finish the work he had begun with us. Amends means so much to his family, our families and the millions of fans worldwide who embraced Chester that we feel we owe it to everyone involved to ensure that Amends receives a proper release.” – Sean Dowdell

PHOENIX – Grey Daze, Chester Bennington’s pre-Linkin Park band, in partnership with Loma Vista Recordings, have re-scheduled the release of Amends to June 26.

The 11-song album, which was created to honor both the legacy of Bennington and to see one of his final dreams, the reunion and re-recording of the band’s long out-of-print and largely undiscovered catalog, to completion.

With an abundance of concern for those that need to spend time with their loved ones over the coming weeks due to Covid-19, the band and label came to the difficult decision to postpone the album’s release.

“This album means so much to Chester’s family, and to us and our families, that we didn’t want to release it in the midst of this crisis,” explained Grey Daze co-founder, drummer Sean Dowdell. “Having said that, we know there are a lot of fans who pre-ordered the album, have been watching the various videos and behind-the-scenes footage we’ve been sharing and we didn’t want to let them down either, so we came up with the idea of an April 10 worldwide listening session.”

Amends will be live streamed in its entirety via a series of fan-hosted, worldwide listening parties on April 10, across a variety of online platforms. Tune-in times and additional information for these listening parties will be revealed over the coming weeks via the Grey Daze socials. People who previously pre-ordered the album will receive their order on, or by, June 26.

The Phoenix-based band re-launched their website this morning, offering a unique glimpse into Chester Bennington’s original band and offering fans an opportunity to get early access to downloads by signing up for the band’s newsletter, dive into the deluxe CD, LP and merch offerings and learn more about the story of Chester, Grey Daze and the making of Amends.

Since the band announced the forthcoming album release, they have released a pair of singles: “Sickness” (the accompanying video, which tells a story from Dowdell and Chester Bennington’s long-running friendship can be seen here) and “What’s In The Eye”. “Sickness” is expected to enter the top 10 on the Active Rock radio chart this week.

Grey Daze
| Photography: Anjella/Sakiphotography

Amends is the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices and also a full circle moment among friends. The album is the fulfillment of a planned Grey Daze reunion that Chester had announced prior to his untimely passing. The remaining band members – Dowdell, Mace Beyers (bass) and Cristin Davis (guitar) – along with Talinda Bennington (Chester’s widow) and his parents, made it their mission to see the project through with assistance from Tom Whalley, the founder of Loma Vista Recordings and former Warner Bros. Records Chairman during Linkin Park’s tenure at the label.

Dowdell, Beyers and Davis selected the tracks from the band’s mid-90s, but largely unknown, catalog and re-recorded the music in 2019 to accompany Chester’s re-mastered vocals. Produced by Jay Baumgardner, several musicians leant their time and talent to the album, including Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer, Page Hamilton (Helmet), Chris Traynor (Bush, Helmet, Orange 9MM), LP (Laura Pergolizzi), Jaime Bennington, Jasen Rauch (Breaking Benjamin), Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.) and Ryan Shuck (Orgy).

Amends is available in a variety of collectible formats with several iterations available exclusively via the band’s website. The CD comes as a 16-page case-bound book; a first pressing, ruby red vinyl variant exclusive to the band’s webstore; and a numbered deluxe edition featuring both a CD and LP, which includes the first ever disc tray designed for vinyl, a 60-page book with never-before-seen photos, 180g red and white splattered vinyl, and a collectible set of band memorabilia dubbed the “Grey Daze Archive.” Digital and other standard versions of the album are available here. Pre-orders include instant downloads of “What’s In The Eye” and “Sickness.”

Albums & EPs, News

Plan D – Feat. Members of Pearl Jam, Melvins & Blondie – Release First in a Four-part Series 

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LOS ANGELES — Toshi Kasai, the producer/engineer who has worked with a number of the era’s most experimental and groundbreaking artists including Tool, Big Business, Foo Fighters and the Melvins has spent the past several years recruiting some of the world’s best drummers to take part in Plan D, an experimental project that sees him “translate” drum beats into a medley of music via the use of triggered analog synths.

See the process used to bring Plan D to life:


“Toshi Kasai understands us drummers. This amazing collection of drum vignettes is a perfect example of how Toshi hears the music in our rhythmic patterns. I am not sure how he did it, something including MIDI I presume, but none of that matters, Plan D stands on its own as a completely new musical entity and I’m super proud to be a part of it.” – Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden)

The result of those sessions come via four 12” releases arriving throughout 2020. The first is SW, which is available now, or you can pre-order the full collection (SW, NE, SE, NW) as a discounted bundle via Joyful Noise Recordings’ website. Each 12″ is limited to just 300 hand-numbered copies. Featuring artwork by Mackie Osborne, with all four parts forming one complete “treasure map.”

“Plan D is a musical demonstration built for Dimension, Duration, and Dynamics,” explains Toshi. “My long time desire became real and it’s even better than I planned because of the support from talented, experienced drummers. The unique and individual styles of drumming each tell a different story. It became an experimental, conceptual project. I directed their stories by writing notes on the synthesizer and triggering them by drum hits.”

SW Tracklist:

  1. Golden Voyage
  2. Stormy Sea
  3. Distance and Duration
  4. Landing, The Search Begins
  5. Stumbling Through The Jungle
  6. Whitewater
  7. The Mystery of The Limestone Cave

“Plan D is what happens when one of the best recording engineers/producers goes crazy with a bunch of world class drummers.” – Dale Crover (Melvins, Redd Kross, Nirvana)  

SW Drummers:

  • Clem Burke (Blondie, Eurythmics)
  • Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden)
  • Paul Christensen (Qui, hepa.Titus)
  • Dale Crover (Melvins, Redd Kross, Nirvana, Hew Time)
  • Joe Plummer (Mister Heavenly, Cold War Kids, The Shins, Hew Time)
  • Coady Willis (Big Business, Melvins, The Murder City Devils, Hew Time)
  • Troy Zeigler (Serj Tankian, Juliette Lewis, Buckethead)



Live Nation, News, Tours

Jimmy Eat World Announce Criminal Energy Tour with The Front Bottoms, Turnover and Joyce Manor

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Jimmy Eat World announce their Criminal Energy Tour today. The 20 date summer run will start in Atlanta, GA on August 6th and culminate in a hometown gig in Phoenix, AZ, Labor Day Weekend, on September 5th.  New Jersey based The Front Bottoms will join the tour as direct support with Turnover and Joyce Manor splitting the duties of opening the festivities on select dates (noted below). Tickets for the tour will be available to the general public starting on Friday, March 13th at 10AM local time with various presales beginning as early as Tuesday, March 10th at 12pm local time. The tour is produced by Live Nation, For more information and tickets please visit www.JimmyEatWorld.com.  

Jimmy Eat World continue the 2020 roadshow in support of their “bold, brave and  ultimately defiant” (NME)10th studio album, Surviving (listen here). With 10 records to pull from, the sets will prove to satisfy all fans new and old… As the band proclaims:  

“Whether we’ve slept on your floor after the ‘97 basement show or you’ve just only recently heard about us, we will have something you’d be into catching live!” 

Not to be missed, The Front Bottoms recently returned with “Camouflage,” a standalone single teasing a larger body of work on the horizon in 2020.  The FADER declared the song, “…a celebration of sorts for a band perennially on the fringes of a major breakthrough.”

Criminal Energy Tour Dates 2020

  • August 6th Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy*
  • August 7th Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre^
  • August 8th Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre^
  • August 9th Baltimore, MD – MECU Pavilion^
  • August 11th New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 (co-headline The Front Bottoms)*
  • August 14th Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage (co-headline The Front Bottoms)*
  • August 15th Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia (co-headline The Front Bottoms)*
  • August 16th Boston, MA – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion (co-headline The Front Bottoms)*
  • August 18th Toronto, ON – Rebel^
  • August 20th Indianapolis, IN – Amphitheater at White River State Park^
  • August 21st Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit^
  • August 22nd Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion^
  • August 26th Minneapolis, MN – The Armory#
  • August 27th Milwaukee, WI – The Rave (non-Live Nation produced show)#
  • August 28th Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom#
  • August 29th Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland#
  • August 31st Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium#
  • September 1st Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex#
  • September 4th San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU#
  • September 5th Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre#

*with Turnover
^with The Front Bottoms & Turnover
#with The Front Bottoms & Joyce Manor

Jimmy Eat World Online

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Albums & EPs, News

Amanda Palmer & Friends Release Forty​-​Five Degrees – A Bushfire Charity Flash Record

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Amanda Palmer has teamed up with friends, including The Dresden Dolls bandmate and acclaimed drummer Brian Viglione, to release a collaborative album for charity — Forty-Five Degrees – A Bushfire Charity Flash Record. The album includes contributions from Jherek Bischoff (who was a member of Palmer’s Grand Theft Orchestra), Clare Bowditch, Fred Leone, Missy Higgins, and Montaigne.

Funded by Palmer’s supporters on her Patreon, all profits are going to an Indigenous Australian-led organization called Firesticks Alliance in response to Australia’s 2019-2020 bushfire season.

In a public post on her Patreon, Palmer says, “all the artists involved are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done – my phone is covered in texts dripping with excitement. i kinda cannot believe we pulled off a record that sounds THIS powerful THIS fast. i just got off the phone with a journalist who was like: ‘holy shit, this record is actually really amazing.’ and i was like: YEAH IT IS. do not underestimate the power of fast art.”

THE DRESDEN DOLLS RIDE AGAIN!!!!!!!! …the look on his face when he nails that last piano hit. GOD DAMMIT I LOVE Brian Viglione – this is him tracking the drums for “beds are burning”, with missy higgins on vocals with me, and jherek bischoff on bass and guitar. this song dropped yesterday as the first taste of “forty-five degrees”, our bushfire charity flash record. the whole thing comes out tomorrow – guests include brian on a ton of songs, jherek bischoff on bass and guitar, montaigne and clare bowditch singing duets with me, and fred leone on didgeridoo. the song selection is off the hook. we worked really hard on this, it’s a truly powerful record. i hope you listen and i hope you love. patrons, heads up it’ll be emailed – and all your $ is going to firesticks alliance network. non-patrons, just watch this space for links tomorrow, it’ll be available everywhere music streams. all the sales head to bushfire charity. ♥️🔥♥️ i’m on my way to sydney today for tomorrow’s show at the enmore!! SEE YOU SOON SYDNEY. also, MELBOURNE, tix for me and @neilhimself’s charity gig march 8th at the forum are almost gone!!! all the album (and melbourne show info) is HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34048106 …. video taken in jaron luksa’s studio in LA, the rattle room, where brian tracked. thanks jaron. 🙏🏼🔥

Posted by Amanda Palmer on Tuesday, February 18, 2020

The album is available to purchase on Bandcamp for minimum of $5 — pay as much as you want.

While Palmer has toured in Australia for three months in support of There Will Be No Intermission, she recorded the album in Melbourne. There, Palmer and her husband, author Neil Gaiman, will be hosting a bushfire benefit on March 8. Tickets to “Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer Present a Bushfire Recovery Event”, including 18+ VIP Meet & Greets, are available through Ticketmaster and will certainly sell out.

Artwork by Sarah Beetson


Adrenaline PR, Kataklizmic Design, Music Videos, News

Theatrical Metal Quartet Raven Black Teases New Video in Advance of “The In-Between” Tour

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Theatrical metal band Raven Black will preview their upcoming third album, The Key, on The In-Between Tour this spring with In This Moment, Black Veil Brides and DED.

The nearly-two-month-long tour will begin March 24 in Orlando and will continue through May 16.

“We are incredibly excited to support In This Moment and Black Veil Brides along with DED on this tour, and share our new music with all of you,” says Raven. “We can’t wait to share our new album and feel there would be no better tour to present the Dark Metal Carnival.”

The Key, produced by Ulrich Wild (Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones), is scheduled for release this May via WurmGroup. Pre-orders for the album and an assortment of bundles are available via Raven Black’s webstore. A new video for the track “Hear Me Cry” will be available soon. VIP packages for The In-Between Tour are also available at the webstore.

Raven Black’s Dark Metal Carnival story began when a voodoo doctor, The Doctor, happened upon a lost and scared little girl named Raven. Using his magic, The Doctor attempted turned the girl into a doll. The Doctor’s attempt, however, was interrupted by the terrified girl’s screams, leaving her in a half-human, half-doll state. As Raven lived in the dark world of the Doctor, she secretly learned his magic and conjured up a demon named Muppet, whom she trapped inside of her heart and made her eternal protector. Together, The Doctor and Muppet created another character, Stitches, to help search for souls to join the Dark Metal Carnival in the 13th hour.

Together, the quartet has created a soundtrack to the Dark Metal Carnival, releasing the 2016 EP Seven Sins and the 2018 album 13. The band has toured extensively, perfecting a creepy live show that unifies the visual and aural aspects of Raven Black.

Raven Black Tour Dates

  • 3/24 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
  • 3/26 – Atlanta, GA –Tabernacle
  • 3/27 – Birmingham, AL – Sloss Furnaces
  • 3/28 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Events Center
  • 3/30 – Richmond, VA – The National
  • 3/31 – Silver Spring, MD – Fillmore
  • 4/1 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
  • 4/3 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theatre
  • 4/4 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora Ballroom
  • 4/5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
  • 4/7 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
  • 4/9 – Columbus, OH – Express Live!
  • 4/10 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore 
  • 4/11 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
  • 4/13 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
  • 4/14 – Ft. Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre
  • 4/15 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
  • 4/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth Live
  • 4/18 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
  • 4/19 – Columbia, MO – Blue Note (Outdoor Stage)
  • 4/21 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Center at The Midland Theatre
  • 4/23- Dallas, TX – Southside Ballroom
  • 4/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion
  • 4/25 – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Events Center
  • 4/27 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
  • 4/28 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
  • 4/29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
  • 5/1 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
  • 5/2 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre – Grand Sierra Resort
  • 5/3 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
  • 5/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
  • 5/6 – Boise, ID – Revolution Center
  • 5/7 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom
  • 5/8 – Kennewick, WA – Toyota Center: Retter & Company Theatre
  • 5/10 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
  • 5/10 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
  • 5/13 – Calgary, AL – MacEwan Hall
  • 5/15 – Billings, MT – First Interstate Arena
  • 5/16 – Casper, WY – Casper Events Center

Raven Black is:

  • Raven – Vocals
  • Muppet – Drums/Vocals
  • The Doctor – Lead Guitar/Vocals
  • Stitches – Bass

Raven Black Online

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Concerts, Kataklizmic Design, Media, Photo Galleries, Reviews

SPECIAL REVIEW: Bat for Lashes Bares the Unrivaled Beauty of Storytelling at Neptune Theatre (2-10-20)

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SEATTLE — Neptune Theatre was graced with the haunting vocals, jovial spirit, and authentic expressions of Bat for Lashes, granting an intimate and ethereal atmosphere to those in attendance. It had been a few years since she last journeyed from England to the United States, and as she stepped out to begin the concert, a hand from the cheering audience extended a bouquet of flowers to her. The beloved artist graciously accepted the gift with a warm smile, and she made her way to center stage. Donning a regal red lace-tiered gown, surrounded by seven electric lanterns, she shifted the tone in the auditorium as she stood still with her hands placed on the mic, raising her eyes toward the balcony, and began her performance with the synthy, notably 80s-influenced opening track of her latest album Lost Girls.

Bat for Lashes is the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Natasha Khan, who was accompanied by the keys and angelic backup vocals of Laura Groves. With a uniquely low and breathy vocal tone in general, Khan’s impressively wide vocal range is noteworthy as she frequently traverses to the soprano end of her range.

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes
| Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

At times Groves’ operatic high notes were quite a palatable complement as she harmonized with her partner on stage. Throughout the night, Khan would go on to alternate between singing while sitting at the keys and standing at the mic – twice gently playing a pink Stratocaster guitar. 

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes & Laura Groves (Accompanist)
Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

This came across as a slightly dressed-down performance for the musician, who has been known to whimsically dance around the stage and pick up a variety of interesting instruments.

Bat for Lashes – April 12, 2013 in Phoenix, AZ (View Gallery)
Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

But this more reserved presence may have lent itself to more opportunities for Khan to be an impactful storyteller between songs, which was an enriching experience.

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes
| Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

She explained that as she is also a filmmaker, she wrote her concept album The Bride as if she were writing a film. Preceding the song “Close Encounters”, she spoke about her reflections on those who tell abduction stories, and her take on those as a coping mechanism to deal with trauma. She said that, being a child of the 80s, she dealt with grief by imagining the mythology of aliens. 

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes
| Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

It is apparent that Khan’s music is deeply personal to her, and something that she took to as child to help her work through her trials as she dealt with painful situations such as racial abuse and the absence of her father. It was an inspiring example of the beauty of the way emotions can be channeled into creativity, and transformed into something that brings happiness and unity to oneself and others. Knowing all of this brings a new level of appreciation to the foreground as she joked about her bottle of water and said, “I’ve barely figured out how I can do this in front of this many people without a bottle of vodka.”

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes
| Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Anyone who appreciates feeling deeply will particularly find themselves resonating with this musician that at times feels otherworldly. Khan’s profound relationship with music and the environment around her was obvious as she spoke of the English countryside having seeped into her bones, and Kate Bush being part of her musical DNA. Before performing “This Woman’s Work”, she told the crowd that the song makes her very emotional — that she wouldn’t be who she is without Bush.

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes
| Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Afterward, following mention that it had been a long time since she’d been to the States, she said, “I’m so happy there’s people!” and closed the evening with an homage to Cindy Lauper as she covered “I Drove All Night”. Seattle made it clear that Bat for Lashes is unforgotten and adored, her distant travels were appreciated, and her artistry cherished and revered.

Natasha Khan (Vocals, Keys), Bat for Lashes & Laura Groves (Accompanist)
Photography: Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

View Setlist

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

Bat for Lashes – Neptune Theatre 2-10-20

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

Live Nation, News, Publicists, Tours

International Icon Janet Jackson Announces Black Diamond World Tour 2020

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Miss Janet Jackson kicks off her Black Diamond World Tour this summer to arenas across North America. The outing will feature an all-new production featuring new music from her highly anticipated, forthcoming album Black Diamond, set for release this year. Performing songs from her 12 multi-platinum albums including a special performance of Rhythm Nation 1814, which recently marked its 30th Anniversary.  (Tour dates below)

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off June 24th in Miami and will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas, and many more. The run will also feature shows at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden and STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. European dates and the rest of the world soon to be announced.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, February 13th at LiveNation.com

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her five GRAMMY® Awards, two Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award.  Janet, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is also a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist, in addition to being one of the biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 185 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry opened doors through which other top artists have followed, many acknowledging her impact on their musical perceptions.

Black Diamond 2020 Tour Dates

Wednesday, June 24, 2020Miami, FLAmerican Airlines Arena
Friday, June 26, 2020Orlando, FLAmway Center
Saturday, June 27, 2020Tampa, FLAmalie Arena
Monday, June 29, 2020Atlanta, GAState Farm Arena
Wednesday, July 1, 2020Nashville, TNBridgestone Arena
Friday, July 3, 2020New Orleans, LAEssence Festival*
Sunday, July 5, 2020Greensboro, NCGreensboro Coliseum Complex
Tuesday, July 7, 2020Washington, DCCapital One Arena
Thursday, July 9, 2020Philadelphia, PAWells Fargo Center
Friday, July 10, 2020Pittsburgh, PAPPG Paints Arena
Sunday, July 12, 2020Newark, NJPrudential Center
Tuesday, July 14, 2020New York, NYMadison Square Garden
Friday, July 17, 2020Mashantucket, CTThe Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino*
Saturday, July 18, 2020Boston, MATD Garden
Tuesday, July 21, 2020Buffalo, NYKeyBank Center
Wednesday, July 22, 2020Toronto, ONScotiabank Arena
Friday, July 24, 2020Detroit, MILittle Caesars Arena
Saturday, July 25, 2020Cincinnati, OHCincinnati Music Festival*
Monday, July 27, 2020Chicago, ILUnited Center
Tuesday, July 28, 2020Cleveland, OHRocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Friday, July 31, 2020St Louis, MOEnterprise Center
Saturday, August 1, 2020Louisville, KYKFC Yum! Center
Monday, August 3, 2020Dallas, TXAmerican Airlines Center
Wednesday, August 5, 2020Houston, TXToyota Center
Friday, August 7, 2020San Antonio, TXAT&T Center
Sunday, August 9, 2020Phoenix, AZGila River Arena
Monday, August 10, 2020San Diego, CAViejas Arena at Aztec Bowl San Diego State University
Wednesday, August 12, 2020Los Angeles, CASTAPLES Center
Saturday, August 15, 2020Anaheim, CAHonda Center
Monday, August 17, 2020Sacramento, CAGolden 1 Center
Tuesday, August 18, 2020San Jose, CASAP Center at San Jose
Thursday, August 20, 2020Portland, ORModa Center
Saturday, August 22, 2020Vancouver, BCRogers Arena
Sunday, August 23, 2020Tacoma, WATacoma Dome

Janet Jackson Online

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Twitter | YouTube


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Albums & EPs, News, Speakeasy PR, Tracks

Grey Daze Set April 10 Release for Eagerly-awaited Album, Amends

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MARCH 24, 2020 UPDATE: With an abundance of concern for those that need to spend time with their loved ones over the coming weeks due to Covid-19, the band and label came to the difficult decision to postpone the album’s release. More Info Here

PHOENIX — Grey Daze, Chester Bennington’s pre-Linkin Park band, release Amends, the Phoenix-born band’s eagerly-awaited album featuring newly recorded music with re-mastered vocals from the group’s long out-of-print, and largely undiscovered, catalog, on April 10 via Loma Vista Recordings.

New Single & Music Video for “Sickness” Released

Accompanying the album announcement, Grey Daze have simultaneously released a second single from the 11-song collection, premiering “Sickness” today via Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show (“Hottest Record”). A video for the track has also been released, with band founder and drummer, Sean Dowdell, explaining: “This is loosely based on a true story from when Chester was 15-years-old. He was being bullied at school and one day suffered a real beating. That was the day I assumed a role as protector and almost older brother figure to Chester that has lasted since, even after his passing.”

Amends is the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices and also a full circle moment among friends. The album is the fulfillment of a planned Grey Daze reunion that Chester had announced prior to his untimely passing. The remaining band members – Dowdell (drums), Mace Beyers (bass) and Cristin Davis (guitar) – along with Talinda Bennington (Chester’s widow) and his parents, made it their mission to see the project through with assistance from Tom Whalley, the founder of Loma Vista Recordings and former Warner Bros. Records Chairman during Linkin Park’s tenure at the label.

Dowdell, Beyers and Davis selected the tracks from the band’s mid-90s, but largely unknown, catalog and re-recorded the music in 2019 to accompany Chester’s re-mastered vocals. Produced by Jay Baumgardner, several musicians leant their time and talent to the album, including Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer, Paige Hamilton (Helmet), Chris Traynor (Bush, Helmet, Orange 9MM), LP, Jasen Rauch (Breaking Benjamin) and Ryan Shuck (Orgy).

Earlier this week, Dowdell and Talinda Bennington spoke with Rolling Stone about the project, discussing how it came to fruition and the emotions of sharing this album with the world.

“He wanted to do Grey Daze again because the music was awesome, he loved it back then, and he was excited to be able to create,” Talinda shared in the Rolling Stone piece. “Doing it now that he had all this experience under his belt – he had accomplished so much and come so far since then – he was excited about it. I can hear him now. He’s like, ‘F**k yeah!’”

Dowdell appears on both KROQ (Los Angeles) and KUPD (Phoenix) this afternoon to discuss Amends and how meaningful this release is to both the circle of people who were intimately involved but also to the millions of fans who have been waiting to hear Chester’s voice once again.

“We started Grey Daze in 1993, the band ended up breaking up in 1998,” explains Dowdell in a recently released documentary. “Fast forward to 2015, Chester’s on the road and says, ‘I think we should put Grey Daze back together.’ Obviously, what happened, happened and Chester was tragically taken from us. Of course, as soon as he passed, it was like ‘oh my God, I lost my friend, my friend’s wife is now a widow and my friend’s kids are now fatherless.’ There were all of these emotions. About six or seven months later, I started some conversations and said I really want to finish this album. We’re not going to accept mediocrity, we’re going to do our friend proud, we’re going to make sure Chester is proud and we’re going to make sure this is something he would have been elated to put out.“

Amends is available in a variety of collectible formats with several iterations available exclusively via the band’s website. The CD comes as a 16-page case-bound book; a first pressing, ruby red vinyl variant exclusive to the band’s webstore; and a numbered deluxe edition featuring both a CD and LP, which includes the first ever disc tray designed for vinyl, as well as a 60-page book with never-before-seen photos and 180g red and white splattered vinyl. Digital and other standard versions of the album are available here.

Pre-orders include instant downloads of “What’s In The Eye” and “Sickness.” A CD single is also available today at independent record stores nationwide, featuring both new singles “What’s In The Eye” and “Sickness,” as well as a $3 off coupon for the full album.

Amends Track Listing

  1. Sickness
  2. Sometimes
  3. What’s In The Eye
  4. The Syndrome
  5. In Time
  6. Just Like Heroine
  7. B12
  8. Soul Song
  9. Morei Sky
  10. She Shines
  11. Shouting Out

About Grey Daze


Grey Daze formed in 1992. The Phoenix-based band went on to independently release two albums: Wake Me (1994) and no sun today (1996). Grey Daze parted ways in 1998, with Chester serendipitously auditioning for the Los Angeles band Xero, who later became Linkin Park.

In 2017, Chester announced Grey Daze’s reunion, which would see the band re-working and re-recording a collection of songs they had started two decades earlier. The project was shelved in July 2017 but with the blessing of Chester’s widow, Talinda, and his family, Grey Daze regrouped and finished the album. 

Amends represents an important yet unheard chapter – the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices – and also a full circle moment along friends.

Grey Daze Is:

  • Chester Bennington (vocals)
  • Sean Dowdell (drums)
  • Mace Beyers (bass)
  • Cristin Davis (guitar).

Grey Daze Online

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Instagram | YouTube


Albums & EPs, News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Circa Survive Reissues Blue Sky Noise on Limited Edition Vinyl

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Psychedelic post-hardcore group Circa Survive will be reissuing their major label debut Blue Sky Noise on vinyl via Hopeless Records on March 20th. The album had a big debut landing on numerous Billboard charts including #1 Billboard 200, #1 Tastemakers, #3 Top Rock Albums, #11 Top Current Albums, #11 Top Album Sales, and #17 Vinyl Albums. The band will be celebrating the 10th anniversary by hitting the road with Polyphia and Gouge Away in tow on their Blue Sky Noise 10 Year Anniversary Tour that will kickoff on release day (dates below).

The limited edition commemorative vinyl reissue is an exclusive three LP set of the remastered version of Blue Sky Noise and fan favorite Appendage. This edition also includes previously unreleased demos from the Blue Sky Noise studio sessions called Appendage II. The vinyl reissue is limited to 4,000 units and features brand-new expanded packaging, triple gatefold jacket with the collection pressed on pink, yellow, and blue vinyl. Each album will include a seeded wildflower download card that is fully-plantable and biodegradable. In addition, a dollar from every album sold will be used to plant a tree through a donation to One Tree Planted. Learn more about One Tree Planted at OneTreePlanted.org. Preorders are now live and can be placed here.

Blue Sky Noise LP1

Side A

  1. Strange Terrain
  2. Get Out
  3. Glass Arrows

Side B

  1. I Felt Free
  2. Imaginary Enemy
  3. Through The Desert Alone

Blue Sky Noise LP2

Side A

  1. Frozen Creek
  2. Fever Dreams
  3. Spirit Of The Stairwell

Side B

  1. The Longest Mile
  2. Compendium
  3. Dyed In The Wool

LP3

Side A – Appendage

  1. Sleep Underground (Demo)
  2. Stare Like You’ll Stay
  3. Everyway
  4. Backmask
  5. Lazarus

Side B – Appendage II

  1. 100 Steps (Demo)*
  2. At A Loss (Demo)*
  3. Blank Slate (Demo)*
  4. New Sun (Demo)*
  5. Resentment (Demo)*

*Previously Unreleased

Circa Survive Tour Dates:

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

About Circa Survive:

Circa Survive emerged from the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown and quickly made a name for themselves in the indie music scene in a little over two years with the release of their 2005 debut album Juturna and sophomore album On Letting Go, both released on Equal Vision. Their major label debut Blue Sky Noise was produced by David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, The Smashing Pumpkins), mixed by Rich Costey (Rage Against the Machine, The Mars Volta, Deftones), and released via Atlantic Records in 2010. After parting ways with Atlantic Records, the band’s fourth album Violent Waves was independently released in 2012. Their fifth album Descensus was released on Sumerian Records in 2014 and their most recent album The Amulet was released via Hopeless Records in 2017. 

Circa Survive Is:

  • Anthony Green (vocals)
  • Colin Frangicetto (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)
  • Brendan Ekstrom (lead guitar)
  • Nick Beard (bass, backing vocals)
  • Steve Clifford (drums, percussion). 

Circa Survive Online:

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Instagram | YouTube


Featured photo (top) by Hayley Rippy


News, Tours

My Chemical Romance Finally Reveal Full U.S. Tour After Teasing Fans With Cryptic Clues

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This morning, My Chemical Romance announced an intensely anticipated 18-date U.S. arena tour — their first in nine years. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 31 at noon local time — find them here. Tour dates below.

Ever since My Chemical Romance (“MCR”/”My Chem”) started trickling out international tour dates following their sold out Los Angeles reunion show on December 20th, 2019, fans in the States have been on the edge of their seats and scouring the internet for any clues they can dig up — even analyzing the source code of the band’s website.

The disciples of the legendary emo/pop punk/post-hardcore group (the “MCRmy”) were quick to pick apart visuals they found in photos and the multi-cam full show posted on YouTube, comprised of a compilation of fan footage. They found a symbol on frontman Gerard Way’s jacket, which they learned was a sigil.

This behavior of MCR fans is clearly no secret to the band, and they put quite a bit into generating hype with media crafted to keep their fans anticipating what is to come. Amidst all of the taunting clues, those with knowledge of the occult, witchcraft, angels, and magic have been able to lend their knowledge to the fanbase. Many have speculated that considering all of the new branding and merch we have seen, there must certainly be a new album in the works. In the band’s videos, they have noted a star of which they believe the 5th point represents what would be the band’s 5th studio album — but this is purely one conjecture of many.

My Chem really started letting the cat out of the bag yesterday afternoon, when they posted a video that fans picked apart, just as they had been with other mysterious videos posted on Jan. 19, Jan. 16, and Jan. 9. By now, they were quick to recognize the sigils that flashed in the footage like subliminal messages, and they got to work deciphering them straight-away. It did not take long at all for the community to discover that they were U.S. cities.


Meanwhile, there were also allegedly leaks from a Houston radio station and a Dallas venue, which further cemented the belief that a tour announcement was impending.

Last night, a tweet requested that their audience visit their YouTube or official website at 8:35am PST/11:35am EST.

This morning, a cinematic video with the reveal was posted to YouTube at the promised time, and the suspected tour was confirmed.

The MCRmy’s theory was validated, but their hunger for more is insatiable after years grieving over the loss of the band since their hiatus beginning in 2013. Fans want a new song, a new music video, a new album… They want My Chemical Romance fully resuscitated.

North American Tour Dates

  • Sept. 9 – Detroit, Mich. @ Little Caesars Arena
  • Sept. 11 – St. Paul, Minn. @ Xcel Energy Center
  • Sept. 12 – Chicago, Ill. @ Riot Fest
  • Sept. 14 – Toronto, Ontario @ Scotiabank Arena
  • Sept. 15 – Boston, Mass. @ TD Garden
  • Sept. 17 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Barclays Center
  • Sept. 18 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Wells Fargo Center
  • Sept. 20 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Music Midtown
  • Sept. 22 – Newark, N.J. @ Prudential Center
  • Sept. 26 – Sunrise, Fla. @ BB&T Center
  • Sept. 29 – Houston, Texas @ Toyota Center
  • Sept. 30 – Dallas, Texas @ American Airlines Center
  • Oct. 02 – Denver, Colo. @ Pepsi Center
  • Oct. 04 – Tacoma, Wash. @ Tacoma Dome
  • Oct. 06 – Oakland, Calif. @ Oakland Arena
  • Oct. 08 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Forum
  • Oct. 10 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Aftershock Festival
  • Oct. 11 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ T-Mobile Arena

International Tour Dates

  • March 20 — Ascot Vale, Australia @ Download Festival
  • March 21 — Parramatta, Australia @ Download Festival
  • March 25 — Western Springs, New Zealand @ Outer Fields at Western Spring
  • March 28 — Osaka, Japan @ Intex Osaka
  • March 29 — Hibino, Japan @ Download Festival
  • June 18 — Milton Keynes, U.K. @ Stadium MK
  • June 20 — Milton Keynes, U.K. @ Stadium MK
  • June 21 — Milton Keynes, U.K. @ Stadium MK
  • June 23 — Dublin, Ireland @ Royal Hospital Kilmainham
  • July 04 — Bologna, Italy @ Sonic Park Fest
  • July 06 — Bonn, Germany @ Kunst!rasen
  • July 11 — Moscow, Russia @ Park Live


My Chemical Romance Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube