Taproot Debuts New Album’s Lead Single; New Tour Schedule Announced

Posted on April 3, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: THC Music/Amplified Distribution

A month after announcing it will release its first new album in more than a decade, Taproot premiered the first single from that album this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘VIP – V\C\T\M PLAY’ Monday. The song, which is available to stream and download is the first preview of the band’s forthcoming album, SC\SSRS. The record is scheduled for release Sept. 29 through THC Music/Amplified Distribution. The record will be the band’s first new music since the release of its album, The Episodes, in 2012.

Taproot’s new album will feature a revamped lineup from the band, of sorts. Original drummer Jarrod Montague has returned on this record. New guitarist Taylor Roberts also provides his talents to the record alongside Richards and longtime bassist Phil Lipscomb, who has been a member of the band since its formation in 1997.

The musical arrangement featured in Taproot’s new single boasts all of the intensity and fire of the aggro-rock compositions for which the band had come to be known throughout the course of its existing albums. Front man Stephen Richards’ familiar distinct vocal delivery style is as present as ever here, as are the sharp guitar lines and that equally distinct sound from the drums.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the song’s premiere. The lyrics provided with the song on the band’s official Bandcamp page hint at a theme of someone dealing with another person who is a toxic personality. That is just this critic’s interpretation.

In other news, Taproot has announced a new tour schedule in support of its new album. The tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 29 at The Machine Shop in Flint, MI, where the band will host a record release show. Tickets for the concert are sold out, as are tickets for a second show at the venue Sept. 30.

Tickets for a third scheduled date Oct. 30 at The Machine Shop are available here.

Following the band’s brief “residency” at The Machine Shop, it will head to The Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, IL on Oct. 6 and The Forge in Joliet, IL Oct. 7. Dates through the rest of October and into November are also included in the band’s tour, which is noted below.

Fri 9/29 – The Machine Shop | Flint, MI – SOLD OUT w/ Heartsick | Lift the Medium

Sat 9/30 – The Machine Shop | Flint, MI – SOLD OUT w/ Eva Under Fire | See This Through | Never the Crash

Sun 10/1 – The Machine Shop | Flint, MI – with Eva Under Fire | Heartsick
etix.com/ticket/p/7556754/taproot18-flint-the-machine-shop

Fri 10/6 – The Apollo Theatre – Belvidere, IL- w/ Smile Empty Soul | Heartsick | Finding Ghosts
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/taproot-the-apollo-theatre-ac-tickets/13044905

Sat 10/7 – The Forge | Joliet, IL- w/ Smile Empty Soul | Heartsick
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/taproot-the-forge-tickets/13047315

Fri 10/13 – EPIC Event Center | Green Bay, WI- w/ September Mourning | Heartsick
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7467383/taproot-green-bay-epic-event-center

Sat 10/14 – The Blue Note | Harrison, OH- w/ September Mourning | Lift the Medium, Xero Hour
https://www.cincyticket.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=6170

Fri 10/20 – The KING of CLUBS | Columbus, OH-w/ September Mourning | XFACTOR1 | Artifax
https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Taproot/538999?afflky=TheKingofClubs

Sat 10/21 – The Winchester Music Tavern | Lakewood, OH- w/ September Mourning | Brothers At Arms
https://bit.ly/TAPROOT_216

Fri 11/3 – Wally’s | Hampton Beach, NH w/ Eva Under Fire
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01005E7B0FDABC20

Sat 11/4 – The Gramercy Theatre | NYC, NY- w/ Eva Under Fire
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00005E7BE2474039

Fri 11/17 – Elevation | Grand Rapids, MI
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7187497/taproot-grand-rapids-the-intersection-elevation

Sat 11/18 – The Eclectic Room | Angola, IN
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/taproot-album-release-tour-the-eclectic-room-tickets/13087705

Before Taproot launches its upcoming tour in support of its new album, it will also perform at a pair of festivals Aug. 18 and Sept. 7-10 respectively. The band’s Aug. 18 performance is at the Northwoods Rock Rally in Glen Flora, WI. The September schedule is at the annual Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, VA.

Montague will appear on the band’s “reunion show” at this year’s annual Blue Ridge Rock Fest. Dave Coughlin (Sponge), who has handled drumming duties for the band since 2013, will handle drumming duties on the rest of the band’s tour.

In other news, Taproot is also scheduled to release a new compilation record, titled Best of Besides May 5. Pre-orders for the 17-song record, which features remastered demos and rarities, are open.

More information on Taproots’ new album, compilation record, and live dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://Officialtaproot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaprootMusic

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Fire Follows Debuts New Single, ‘Finally Home’

Posted on March 17, 2023 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Fire Follows debuted its latest single Friday.

The band kicked off the weekend with the premiere of its new single, ‘Finally Home.’ The single’s premiere follows that of the band’s then latest single, ‘Say Words‘ and its companion lyric video in January.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s now latest single is a stark contrast to that of its predecessor (and even its predecessors, ‘Shedding The Skin‘ and ‘The Puppeteer’). That is because instead of being the heavy, aggressive works that those songs are, this song is the polar opposite. It is more of a gentle, flowing ballad type composition. The sense of peace that it projects works directly with the song’s lyrical theme, which the band addressed in a prepared statement.

“‘Finally Home’ centers around an origin story through spiritual awakening,” the statement reads in part. “The listener is sure to see the lyrics come to life in their mind as (band founder) Chris (Watt) outlines the process of living life in quasi-isolation and the revelations that ensue from pursuing higher and ultimate truth.”

In other news, Fire Follows is serving as support for Smile Empty Soul’s current headlining tour. The band is sharing time with Tantric as support for the tour, which is scheduled to make its next stop tonight in Biloxi, MS. The tour is currently scheduled to run through April 2 in Austin, TX.

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

TOUR DATES: FIRE FOLLOWS, SMILE EMPTY SOUL, TANTRIC

3/17 Biloxi MS, The Cannery, w/Tantric, Lines of Loyalty

3/18 Fruitland Park FL, Throwdown at the campground

3/19 Atlanta GA, Terminal West, w/tantric

3/21 Tampa FL, Brass Mug, w/Tantric

3/22 Fort Myers FL, Buddha Live, w/Tantric

3/23 Pompano Beach FL, Pipers Pub, w/Tantric

3/24 Fernadina Beach FL, Sadlers Ranch, w/Tantric

3/26 Pensacola FL, The Handlebar

3/28 Memphis TN, Lafayette’s

3/30 Fort Worth TX, Tulip’s

3/31 Houston TX, Scout Bar

4/1 Corpus Christi TX, House of Rock

4/2 Austin TX, Come and Take it Live

More information on Fire Follows’ new single and live dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://firefollows.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firefollowsmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fire_follows

Ovtlier Debuts ‘All I Need’ Video

Posted on September 30, 2021 by philspicks

Ovtlier premiered the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘All I Need‘ Wednesday. The video’s premiere comes less than a week after the band premiered the song by itself.

The video features the band performing its new single in what looks like a darkened warehouse setting. That footage is paired with what is assumed to be a semi-autobiographical presentation of front man Joey Arena’s childhood.

That is assumed considering comments made by Arena in a prepared statement in a press release announcing the song’s premiere over the weekend.

“I was raised on unstable grounds,” the statement reads. “Therapy taught me to stop making excuses for those that have abused and abandoned me. A man that distantly titled himself as a “father” but neglected every simple duty of being one. A stepfather who looked for excuses to beat on me or throw me out for years. I accept that this is the hand that I am dealt. I respect and appreciate the journey I have been shaped and designed to travel. I am all I need”

It should be noted that some viewers may find some of the content in that main story unsettling. In other words, viewer discretion is advised. That imagery in question involves scenes of domestic disputes and one of the main characters flogging himself.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘All I need’ is of some interest. That is because the primary guitar line featured in this arrangement lends itself easily to comparison to that featured in Deftones’ hit song’ My Own Summer (Shove It).’ A close listen to each song reveals the similarity in sound. It is not precise, but is there.

As the arrangement progresses though, that guitar line gradually evolves and offers a heavy, dark sound that is complimented just as well by the song’s bass line and vocals from Arena.

In other news, Ovtlier is scheduled to serve as support for Gemini Syndrome on its upcoming headlining tour. Ovtlier’s dates with Gemini Syndrome are noted below.

GEMINI SYNDROME ‘Initiation’ USA Fall 2021 tour dates:
10/28 – Chippewa Falls, WI – Joel’s 4Corners #
10/29 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center #
10/30 – Racine, WI – Rt 20 (WIIL Rock Halloween Bash) #
10/31 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory #
11/02 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern #
11/04 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop #
11/05 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works #
11/06 – Liverpool, NY – Sharkey’s #
11/07 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance #
11/08 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge ####
11/09 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground #
11/10 – Reading, PA – Reverb #
11/12 – Johnson City, TN – Capones #
11/13 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger #
11/14 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks ###

Direct support is Ovtlier #
Smile Empty Soul, Ovtlier, Sunflower Dead, Pushing V, Tommy Gibbons ###
GEMINI SYNDROME and Ovtlier only ####

‘All I Need’ is just the latest single from Ovtlier. The band most recently premiered its single, ‘Bulletproof‘ and a companion video. The band has also released the singles, ‘Who We Are‘ and ‘Buried Me Alive.’

More information on Ovtlier’s new single and tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovtlier

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OvtlierBand

Gemini Syndrome Announces New Live Dates

Posted on September 23, 2021 by philspicks

Gemini Syndrome is scheduled to head back out on the road next month in support of its new album.

The band is scheduled to launch its new headlining tour in support of 3rd Degree — The Raising, Oct. 28. The album is scheduled for release Oct. 15 through Century Media Records. Ovtlier, Oh! The Horror, Pushing Veronica, and Them Damn Kings are scheduled to serve as support throughout the nearly month-long run.

Front man Aaron Nordstrom spoke about the upcoming tour in a prepared statement.

“We’re very excited to be back out in the road again this fall,” said Nordstrom. “It’s a time of transformation on our planet and our lives in preparation for the rebirth of the approaching solstice. We’re grateful to share this INITIATION with all you Spiritual Soldiers on the frontline helping to bring music back to this f***** up world.”

Added Nordstrom, “Our hope is that through sharing our experiences, lessons learned, and battles overcome, that we can help others to examine their own consciousness. Their role in the world in its almost infinite capacity, and to help remind each other that we are ALL in this together. We are a family, and when we are United in our commonality, we can achieve things worthy of the attention of the GODS. If you want to change the world, quietly go to work on yourself.”

Drummer Brian Steele Medina expanded on Nordstrom’s comments.

“We love nothing more than performing and creating a sacred space for transmutation with our brothers and sisters,” he said. “Now more than ever, it feels like everything is trying to pull us apart and perpetuate the illusion that we are separate. That we are not ONE. It’s all b*******. Give us your pandemics, your Pentagon UFO videos, and your barriers… It’s all f****** noise, but we’re louder and we will rise above it all.”

3rd Degree — The Raising has produced five singles to date: ‘Broken Reflection,‘ ‘Abandoned,‘ ‘Die With Me,’ ‘IDK‘ and ‘Reintegration.‘

The schedule for Gemini Syndrome’s upcoming live run is noted below. The tour comes on the heels of another tour that the band recently ran, and most recently, a performance at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival on Sept. 10. Tickets and VIP packages for the band’s upcoming tour are available here.

GEMINI SYNDROME ‘Initiation’ USA Fall 2021 tour dates:

10/28 – Chippewa Falls, WI – Joel’s 4Corners *

10/29 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center *

10/30 – Racine, WI – Rt 20 (WIIL Rock Halloween Bash) *

10/31 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory *

11/02 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern *

11/04 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop *

11/05 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works *

11/06 – Liverpool, NY – Sharkey’s *

11/07 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance *

11/08 – New York City, NY – Mercury Lounge ****

11/09 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground *

11/10 – Reading, PA – Reverb *

11/12 – Johnson City, TN – Capones *

11/13 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger *

11/14 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks ***

11/16 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box **

11/17 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey **

11/20 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar

11/22 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse **

11/23 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock **

11/24 – West Hollywood, CA – Whiskey a Go Go **

11/26 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar **

11/27 – Reno, NV – Reno Brewhouse **

* Direct support is Ovtlier

** Direct support is Oh! The Horror

*** Show with Smile Empty Soul, Ovtlier, Sunflower Dead, Pushing V, Tommy Gibbons

**** GEMINI SYNDROME and Ovtlier only

More information on Gemini Syndrome’s new album, single, video and live appearances is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://geminisyndrome.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeminiSyndrome

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeminiSyndrome

Another Lost Year Announces New Tour Dates

Posted on July 30, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: EM Label Group/Mirage M’Hal Records

Another Lost Year has added more dates to its current tour schedule.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based band announced this week that it has added six more dates to its current tour schedule. Those dates, in support of the band’s new album Alien Architect, run from Friday, August 5^th – Friday, August 19^th. After finishing that run the band will take some time off to rest and prepare for a tour with Death Division that launches Thursday, August 25^th in Sauget, IL. That tour schedule runs through Saturday, September 10^th in Yorkville, Illinois. ALY’s updated live schedule is noted below.

Another Lost Year Tour Dates:
Aug 5th – Fayetteville NC @ Drunk Horse Pub
Aug 12th – Algona, IA @ LoCO Fest w/ EVE6, Smile Empty Soul
Aug 13th – Varna, IL @ Lake WIldwood Pavillion
Aug 14th – Joliet, IL @ The Tree of Joliet
Aug 18th – Ironton, OH @ Rally On The River w/ Bobaflex
Aug 19th – Morgantown, WV @ Schmitts Saloon w/ Bobaflex

Dates w/ Death Division

Aug 25th – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Aug 26th – Keokuk, IA @ L-Tryn’s
Aug 27th – Clarksville, TN @ O’Connor’s
Aug 28th – Jackson, TN @ Empourium
Aug 30th – Tupelo, MS @ Goodtime Charlies
Sep 1st – Slidell, LA @ Corner Pub
Sep 2nd – San Leon, TX @ 18th St. Pier
Sep 3rd – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
Sep 7th – Omaha, NE @ Shamrocks
Sep 9th – Dubuque, IA @ Diamond Jo Casino
Sep 10th – Durand, IL @ Durand Biker Bash
Sep 10th – Yorkville, IL @ The Revival @ Hide A Way Lakes

More information on Another Lost Year’s tour schedule is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.whoisALY.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherLostYear

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Official_ALY

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Romantic Rebel Added To Smile Empty Soul’s “Shapeshifter Tour 2016” LIneup

Posted on July 14, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Romantic Rebel is headed back out on the road.

The band announced Monday that it will join Smile Empty Soul on the road this summer for the band’s “Shapeshifter Tour 2016.” The tour launches this Friday, July 15^th in St. Louis, MO. It will share time on stage as support for Smile Empty Soul alongside The Everyday Losers, Shallow Side, and Beitthemeans on the tour. Romantic Rebel’s upcoming live dates are in support of its upcoming EP Begin Again. The band announced Monday that fans who come out to its live shows will be able to pick up Begin Again before its official release date, which has not yet been announced.

Singer KT Paige recently sat down to discuss the EP and what it means not just to her but to the band in whole. She noted in her discussion the work put into the songs not only by herself but also by guitarist Alex Vincent, who co-wrote the record, and by producer Johnny K (Disturbed, Pop Evil, Finger Eleven, Sevendust, 3 Doors Down, Megadeth, Machine Head, Nonpoint, etc.), who helmed the EP and is also working with the band on its upcoming as yet untitled sophomore album. “This EP is very special to us,” she said. “Alex and I wrote these songs from the heart; about past experiences and struggles. That said, we were very attached to them and didn’t want to see them change. Johnny, being the multi-talented producer that he is, helped us take the songs we thought couldn’t get any better to a whole new level. It’s amazing how a simple change in melody can make me feel even more emotional about a song than I had felt previously.”

While waiting for Romantic Rebel’s new EP to be released audiences can purchase the EP’s lead single ‘Too Far’ now online via iTunes. The single’s companion video is currently streaming on the band’s official YouTube channel now. More information on Romantic Rebel’s latest tour schedule is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.RomanticRebelBand.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RomanticRebelRocks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rr_the_band

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Band Schedule, Pre-Party Announced For Welcome To Rockville Festival

Posted on April 12, 2014 by philspicks

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

The organizers of the annual Welcome to Rockville festival have announced the complete schedule for this year’s festival, including performance times for each act on the bill.

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Digital Summer and World Gone kick off this year’s festival. Digital Summer and World Gone are schedule to open the festival at 11:15am on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. Cathercist, winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, is up next at 11:45am ET on the Ernie Ball Stage. Within Reason and Ghost of War will open the festival’s second day at noon on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. The complete performance schedule for the weekend’s events is included below.

Performance times for Monster Energy’s Welcome To Rockville are as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, April 26

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

11:15 AM Digital Summer

12:30 PM Rev Theory

2:00 PM Adelitas Way

3:30 PM Hellyeah

5:15 PM Chevelle

7:15 PM A Day To Remember

9:40 PM Avenged Sevenfold

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

11:45 PM Gemini Syndrome

1:15 PM Middle Class Rut

2:45 PM Chiodos

4:15 PM Alter Bridge

6:15 PM Volbeat

8:20 PM The Cult

Jägermeister Stage

11:15 AM World Gone

12:30 PM Silvertung (Jägermeister Band)

2:00 PM Evergreen Terrace

3:30 PM Smile Empty Soul

5:15 PM Memphis May Fire

7:15 PM We Came As Romans

Ernie Ball Stage

11:45 AM Cathercist (Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands Winner)

1:15 PM Monster Truck

2:45 PM We As Human

4:15 PM Devour The Day

6:15 PM Fozzy

Sunday, April 27

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

Noon Within Reason

1:15 PM Sick Puppies

2:35 PM Black Label Society

4:15 PM Seether

6:25 PM Five Finger Death Punch

8:50 PM Korn

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

12:35 PM The Pretty Reckless

1:55 PM Black Stone Cherry

3:25 PM Theory of a Deadman

5:15 PM Staind

7:35 PM Rob Zombie

Jägermeister Stage

Noon Ghost Of War (Jägermeister Band)

1:15 PM Kyng

2:35 PM Lacuna Coil

4:15 PM Emmure

6:25 PM Motionless In White

Ernie Ball Stage

12:35 PM Twelve Foot Ninja

1:55 PM Nothing More

3:25 PM Butcher Babies

5:15 PM Trivium

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Before the bands take to their respective stages, audiences will be treated to Monster Energy’s Welcome to Rockville Official Pre-Party Friday, April 25^th. The Pre-Party is presented by X102.9 and Bud Light and will feature performances by Rev Theory and more. It will be held at 1904 Music Hall (19 N. Ocean Street in downtown Jacksonville, FL). It is free to ticketholders that are 21 and older. Ticketholders that want to attend the Pre-Party must show their festival tickets at 1904 Music Hall to get a Pre-Party wristband in advance. Wristbands are in limited quality. So they will be first come first serve beginning at 12pm ET on Friday, April 25^th. Doors open at 8pm. The show will start at 9pm.

More information on the fourth annual Welcome to Rockville Festival is available online at http://www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com, http://www.facebook.com/welcometorockville, and via Twitter at @RockvilleFest. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

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Tag Archives: Smile Empty Soul

Taproot Debuts New Album’s Lead Single; New Tour Schedule Announced

Fire Follows Debuts New Single, ‘Finally Home’

Ovtlier Debuts ‘All I Need’ Video

Gemini Syndrome Announces New Live Dates

Another Lost Year Announces New Tour Dates

Romantic Rebel Added To Smile Empty Soul’s “Shapeshifter Tour 2016” LIneup

Band Schedule, Pre-Party Announced For Welcome To Rockville Festival