News & Press Releases
Top National Music Artists mix it up with Vegas-area bands at Journeys Backyard Barbeque Tour Stop
Free Headliner concert by Saosin featured, alongside local Battle of the BandsSome of nation’s hottest new music artists will mix it up with some of the country’s best action
sports athletes as a lifestyle event like no other hits the Las Vegas area on Saturday, April 18.
The Journeys Backyard Barbeque will be rockin’ outside Galleria at Sunset (1300 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014) in the South parking lot from noon-7:00 pm., with the area’s hottest up-and-coming bands competing on the tour’s 32 foot wide mobile stage. Top area bands will also hit the stage in free headliner act concerts. Alongside the music, the action will also be off the charts as top pro skateboard and freestyle motocross athletes streak through the sky in action-packed live demo shows in the tour’s 60,000 square-foot “alternative sport playground” of jumps and ramps.
From indie rock, to emo and punk, local unsigned artists of all music styles will compete in the “Converse All Star Battle of the Bands.” Acts with clean lyrics will compete on-stage for more than $1,000 in cash and prizes, judged by the audience -- who can come away winners as well! After voting, winning fans will be text-messaged or emailed to let them know they’ve won a prize, including Journeys gift cards and Converse products. In addition to cash and other merchandise prizes, the winning band will also receive a one-year supply of Converse shoes for each band member.
Every band competing at the event will also be given the chance for national exposure by having their bands appearance posted on the tour website, including their MP3’s made available for fan downloading. Bands are also able to further promote themselves, by selling merchandise on-site and participating in autograph sessions.
Many of the breakthrough bands featured on this tour will get boosted exposure for a larger fan
base and potential recording industry contacts. Local bands selected to compete at the event include: “Away We Go” (12:00); “This Romantic Tragedy” (2:00), and “Fearless Fearless” (3:15).
Away We Go is an up and coming band from the heart of Las Vegas and are well on their way to the top. Though it is hard to classify them to an exact genre, they are easy on the ears and all generations can listen to them. They first originated in the summer of 2007, and the scene had no idea what they were in store for. "From their touching lyrics to their charming melodies, it´s impossible not to like them." Says a local fan, "... not to mention the unique instrumentals." No need to worry though there’s more where that came from. They hang like hangers and show on shelves, but they are a priceless item! Check them out at: www.myspace.com/awaywegorock
This Romantic Tragedy, also known by their devoted fans as TRT, has quickly made a name for themselves not only in Las Vegas, but also through out the US and other countries. Their music has captivated tens of thousands of fans with their unique sound that orchestrates a mixture of Screamo, Hardcore, and Electronica with a touch of Pop. Quickly the band has been making a name for themselves by playing hundreds of shows including winning the local headliners in Xpoz 2008 Extreme Thing and 2009 Rockstar’s Taste Of Chaos. Being as young as they are, ages ranging from 16-22 years, this band is composed by 6 members, Jay Cammilleri on vocals, David Diaz on guitar and vocals, Gabe Centeno on Keyboard, Synthesizer and vocals, Kyle Huender on guitar, Carlin Leavitt on Bass and Mark Nuehardt on drums. Once being called “Sexiest Band In Las Vegas”, TRT has captured their audiences with not only their music but with their striking performances as well as their image. With already having 2 CD’s released, the band returned back to the studio to record their latest CD entitled “Trust In Fear”, which was produced by Cory Spotts (Who also produced CD’s for Blessed the Fall and Greeley Estates, Etc.) They have already succeeded in playing with such successful bands as: “Chiodos”, “Escape The Fate”, “A Day To Remember”, “Bring Me The Horizon”, “Pennywise”, “Bless The Fall”, “Scary Kids, Scaring Kids”, “Sky Eats Airplane”, “Thursday” and many more. Check them out at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=6589707
Fearless Fearless This band formed in early 2008 as pretty much total strangers to each other, but definitely not to the music scene. Coming from bands such as Meg and Dia and The Countdown, this lineup has just begun to show Vegas and everywhere else a new sound that definitely will have you wanting more. The sound of Fearless Fearless can be described as a mix between pop-rock, alternative and just straight up PARTY (if you had to categorize it). This high energy 5-peice are known for their intense live performance, crazy crowd participation and different surprises at each show. The band just finished shooting their music video for the single “Spanish” off their upcoming self titled e.p. which is set to release on itunes and local record stores in early Spring 2009. Check them out at: www.myspace.com/FearlessFearless
A sweet musical treat will be served up after the battle of the bands ends, when opening act “The Record Life” takes to the main stage at 4:40 pm. Finishing things off, headliner band “Saosin” presented by MacBethhits the stage in a rare, free showcase concert from 6:00-6:45 pm.
The Record Life 21-year-old Jakob Johnson is The Record Life. Johnson was introduced to music early on by his father, who he would go on road trips with accompanied by a mixtape soundtrack consisting of The Beatles, Lynyrd Skynard, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Green Day, and Social Distortion. By the time Jake was 7, he was a member of the Central Phoenix based choir, touring in the states and internationally. His debut album, Into the Sea of Something Big, has a sound influenced in equal parts by his so-called Record Life of listening and playing, and an homage to his favorite artists and genres - - from Queen’s operatic scope (“Alone In The Atmosphere”), the Beatles’ harmonic melodies (“Step On Your Own”), and Death Cab for Cutie’s intricate miniaturist pop (“My Lover, the Floodlight”). Produced by The Pharmacy’s Kraig “Sqrl” Tyler and Bret Mazur, former members of Crazy Town, and Lee Miles (Tickle Me Pink), Into the Sea of Something Big, tells the story of its creation. The album starts with Jake’s first, fateful trip to L.A. (“Step on Your Own”) and learning his craft (“Alone in the Atmosphere”) and journeys through the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction, long-distance online affair he carried on with a woman who deceived him for a year. From the first falling in love (“Got Me Good”), to the realization she wasn’t who she said she was (“Not the Same”) and the vow to walk away (“Write This Down”), Johnson pours his heart into his strange tale of love lost, found and lost again on MySpace, Facebook and iChat, a true, 21st century romance. Check him out at: www.youtube.com/therecordlifemusic.
Saosin’s lead singer Cove Reber, bassist Chris Sorenson, drummer Alex Rodriguez, and guitarists Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski – have released three EPs, its self-titled, full-length debut and Come Close, a live CD/DVD set. They’ve toured relentlessly including three Vans Warped tours, three Rockstar Taste Of Chaos tours and 2007’s Projekt Revolution tour. Saosin has toured the world with the likes of AFI, Avenge Sevenfold, Incubus, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Underoath among others. The band’s self titled album debuted at No. 22 on The Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart while lead single “Voices” became a Top 25 hit at Modern Rock radio. Saosin was profiled numerous times in Alternative Press (including a 2007 cover story and, more recently, in its “Most Anticipated Albums of 2009” feature) while Rolling Stone observed “Saosin’s spidery, riff-rocking attack is brawny and nuanced, and they know their way around a big chorus – barnburners like ‘It’s So Simple’ and ‘Come Close’ will give you a dark head rush.” The band is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their sophomore album, which promises to be “diverse and amazing.” Check them out at: http://www.saosin.com/
Before the event, fans can tune in to local radio partner KXTE for their chance to win Journeys Backyard BBQ Prize Packs -- featuring tour merchandise and tickets to the Journeys VIP area.
Between catching the hot new artists, fans can chill with cool entertainment and free giveaways in the tour´s interactive fun zone, featuring more than 15 sponsor booths.
This free, all-ages tour will leave a smokin’ hot trail across the country this spring – from Vegas to Orlando, Atlanta to Baltimore, and wrapping up in Chicago.
For updated information, call 702-898-3396 or visit http://www.journeysbbq.com/
This year’s tour is made possible by Presenting Sponsor, Journeys. Additional tour sponsors include: Rockstar Energy Drink, got2b, Disney XD, Coast Body Wash, Guitar Hero, Macbeth, Converse; DC Shoes; Osiris Shoes; Vans; Adio; DVS Shoes; etnies; Ipath; Circa; Globe; bnqt.com.
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3/13/09
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For Hi-res band press photos, visit www.JOURNEYSBBQ.com/press and click on selected city
Contact:
Beth Pursley
www.journeysbbq.com/press
952-221-4717
