HEAVY AS TEXAS, Featuring Members of Exhorder, Reveals Energetic Music Video for “King of Fools”

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Southern metal project HEAVY AS TEXAS – featuring Exhorder members Marzi Montazeri (guitars) and Kyle Thomas (vocals) – released their debut self-titled album on April 19, 2019 via Crunchy Western Records! The album is available now via iTunes and the band’s official website.

As a follow up to the release of their “To Keep a Promise” music video, HEAVY AS TEXAS have revealed another new music video today, this time for the track “King of Fools”. The video was directed by Mark Borchardt. Watch the video here via BraveWords.

Vocalist Kyle Thomas says about the track itself: “Although I always feel lyrical meaning is subjective, we all fear being taken advantage of and made to look like a fool. This song captures the insecurity of what it’s like to be greatly valued or admired in public, but thieves and detractors have their way behind the scenes. Sometimes only his queen can make the king feel safe.”

 
Director Mark Borchardt adds about the video: “In ‘King of Fools’, we find the reigning despot accompanied by mirth and sensuality even though his march finds him in the complete wreckage of his metaphorical kingdom. His once powerful domain is now a crumbling shadow, his rule now over no one but his diminished acolytes. Truly, he is a King of Fools as he fades away from us to face the inevitable nothingness of his being.”

Heavy metal fans may recognize guitarist Marzi Montazeri for his contributions to various projects featuring Philip Anselmo throughout the years, as well as his performances with the annual Randy Rhoads Remembered events at NAMM. Vocalist Kyle Thomas is also recognized for his time with Alabama Thunderpussy.

For the new album, HEAVY AS TEXAS tapped renowned drummer Anup Sastry (Marty Friedman, Jeff Loomis, Skyharbor) and notable engineer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier (Korn, Prong, Winds of Plague) on bass. Currently, the Houston, TX-based band’s line-up is rounded out by full time members Lenwood Sonnier on bass, and James Goetz on drums.

The new HEAVY AS TEXAS album was produced by Marzi Montazeri, with mix and mastering duties handled by Chris Collier.

Paul Abrahamian of CBS’s Big Brother Shares ‘Stay’ Video from His Pop-Noir Project VAN ALDEN

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Van Alden, the deep, pop-noir music project of  Los Angeles-based artist and clothing designer, Paul Abrahamian, announces his new video, “Stay,” from his upcoming, sophomore EP, due out June 21, 2019 with a premiere on EARMILK.

A follow up to his self-title 2018 release, the new EP  is a strong showing of a fully-modern singer-songwriter, bent on expressing life’s more intense and complicated emotions from  loss, memory, to freedom despite pain. The dark, moody, and  synth-heavy sounds make the record feel like a lonely 3AM smoke on a rooftop in L.A.

The sonic palate of the record is a mixture of many of the bands influences, such as James Blake, The Neighbourhood, Bon Iver, Chet Faker, and Caribou. This wide range of inspirations push genre-blurring to the max  and result in an edgy, dark energy that pervades the record.

Abrahamian garnered the public’s eye with his appearance on two seasons of CBS’s hit series, Big Brother. The new record serves as a juxtaposition of the perceived idea of Abrahamian as a “reality star” to his identity as a music artist, allowing established and new fans to see another side of his personality, artistry and  energy that translate into an undeniable live show. Tracks like “Otherside,” “Boheme,” and “Never Die” are cinematic, living in their own all-encompassing world into which listeners are instantly pulled. Those who only know Abrahamian from his time on reality television, will be pleasantly surprised by the artistry displayed by Van Alden.

Van Alden is set to perform live throughout the Summer in support of the new release.

THE ASYLUM Playlist for 05-09-19 And 05-16-19

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Here’s what was played this week on THE ASYLUM (click here for podcast):

The Other Side [Live] by The Winery Dogs
Back In the Day by Billy Sheehan
Thunder by Richie Kotzen
Welcome To Fat City by Crobot
Omen by The Damned Things
Dance by Myrath
Machi Bhasad by Bloodywood
KARATE by BABYMETAL
Better Off Without by Arrival Of Autumn
Citadel (Galantia Pt. 1) by Tanith
Fireseeker by Visigoth
Stranger in the Room by Night Demon
Damnit, Lana! by Valence
Kai Tangata by Alien Weaponry
World Gone Mad by LIFE OF AGONY
Crown of Lies by Mothership
Humanicide by Death Angel
Last Man Standing by Overkill
War by Borders
Raven’s Flight by Amon Amarth
Villany by Dark Sky Choir
You & Die by Dead By Wednesday
Follow The Liter by Stagger featuring Ethan of Scars Of Envy
One Last Breath by Scars of Envy
As I Catch My Breath by Charred Walls Of The Damned
Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son by Iron Maiden
We’re Not Gonna Take It / See Me, Feel Me [Live] by The Who

Catch THE ASYLUM every Thursday from 10PM – 1AM EST on BullspikeRadio.com and send your requests to Turbo@turborules.com.

SAINT AGNES Release Debut Album “Welcome To Silvertown”

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Today marks the anticipated release of Welcome To Silvertown, the debut album from up-and-coming British garage rockers Saint Agnes, on Notting Hill Music Masters. Self-produced and engineered by Luke Oldfield (The Wytches, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats), the noir recording captures the true rebel heart and energy of the band that has received love from Classic Rock Magazine, The Quietus, Kerrang, Alternative Press and more in recent months, as well as being added to playlists on Apple and Spotify and being spun on Sirius XM’s Octane channel. The quartet’s inaugural album is rife with themes of wild fantasy, escapism, emotional fragility and the inside-outs of living in East London’s district of Silvertown, all bookended with the band’s incredible penchant for lyrical songwriting.

While the thuds of the opener title track (which has received 1.5 million streams on Spotify) deliver the riff-laden assault that Saint Agnes fans have come to love, tracks like “Why Do You Refuse To Die” step into new territories, inspired by the high intensity and excitement of classic Western films. The pulsing pop-noir of “I Got a Drum” arrives Gospel-indebted, while “Diablo Take Me Home” touches on their love of the blues and Jack White-esque Detroit riffery. “The Witching Hour” rockets into bold sonic territories anew, with Stooges-esque rhythms set against a Grace Slick vocal delivery.

In celebration, the latest video for the track “Move Like A Ghost” premiered on Kerrang this week, watch it here.

Speaking of the album, the band says; “We wanted to transform everyday mundane events into moments of high drama in an attempt to better understand our own stories. We wanted to magnify and illuminate certain aspects of ourselves in order to see a little more clearly, and we wanted to create narratives that people could connect with and recognize as their own battles, their own feelings.”

Co-fronted by enthralling frontwoman Kitty Austen (vocals/guitar/keys) and guitarist/vocalist Jon Tufnell, backed up by bassist Ben Chernett and drummer Andy Head, the band’s magnetic chemistry and catchy songwriting are making their mark with many comparing their incredible showmanship and tough-as-nails attitude with The Kills, Jack White, Starcrawler and Rival Sons.

Now in 2019, the gates of Saint Agnes’ quasi-fictional sin city are flung open. Enter if you dare—there are plenty more tales from these sick streets waiting to be told.

Welcome To Silvertown Track Listing

Welcome To Silvertown
Move Like A Ghost
Diablo, Take Me Home
I Got A Drum
The Witching Hour
I Feel Dangerous Around You
The Death Or Glory Gang
Black Horse
Why Do You Refuse To Die?
Heart Of Mine

Saint Agnes has already logged 200 shows in their native UK and continue to win over audiences with appearances at several of Europe’s biggest festivals this spring and summer.

SAINT AGNES 2019 FESTIVAL APPEARANCES
5/4 Leeds, England @ Live At Leeds Festival
5/5 Leicester, England @ Handmade Festival
5/11 Brighton, England @ The Great Escape Festival at Prince Albert
5/28 Milan, Italy @ Rock In Park Festival
6/2 London, England @ Camden Rocks Festival
6/8 Saint-Laurent des Cuves, France @ Festival Papillons de Nuit
6/13 Isle Of Wight, UK @ Isle Of Wight festival
7/6 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic @ Rock for People Festival
7/25 Pikehall, Derbyshire, UK @ Y Not Festival
7/26 Standon, Herfordshire, England @ Standon Calling Festival
7/27 Trebur, Germany @ Trebur Open Air
8/17 Durham, England @ Hardwick Live
8/30 Bingley, England @ Bingley Music Live

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH To Film Video For “Fell In My Hole” Taken From New Album “When The World Becomes Undone”

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A Pale Horse Named Death are currently on tour on the East Coast of North America, stopping tomorrow in Nepean, ON and running through March 12th in Mercersburg, PA A complete list of dates can be found below.

Following the tour, APHND will be heading to Gothenburg, Sweden to film a video for the track “Fell In My Hole.”

“We are so excited to finally be working on a video for ‘Fell In My Hole’ with directors Joel Nilsson & Tony Jelencovich in Gothenburg Sweden’s graveyards and cemeteries,” says Sal Abruscato.

The band are on tour in support of their latest release When the World Becomes Undone, that was released in January via Long Branch Records. Stream or purchase the album here.

APHND will invade Europe in October and November, expect dates to be announced soon. Additionally, the band will begin work in June for a 7″ single for Long Branch Records.

Beauty often blossoms at the root of darkness. A Pale Horse Named Death siphon strangely blissful melodies from apocalyptic heavy metal awash in swells of cavernous gothic keys and grunge song-craft The band continue to excavate vulnerability from venom on their anxiously awaited third full-length album, When the World Becomes Undone. A delicate dichotomy drives the avowed and acclaimed “Brooklyn Lords of Doom.”

“It’s our signature combination of seemingly depressing and dark musical tones with unexpectedly pretty melodies,” affirms Sal Abruscato. “There’s a hypnotic phenomenon that happens when you take super heavy riffs and add a harmonic sensibility. It allows you to drift off and zone out.”

The new album was mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Meat Loaf, Yes, Sepultura, Halford etc.) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering while the artwork was once again created by Sam Shearon (Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, Cradle of Filth etc.).

APHND LIVE:
5/8: Nepean, ON @ The Brass Monkey
5/9: Quebec City, QC @ La Source de la Martiniere
5/10: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
5/11: Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile
5/12: Mercersburg, PA @ The Mercersburg Mansion House

DRUIDS Release Eerie Music Video for “Shivast”

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Des Moines, Iowa-based psychedelic/stoner metal trio DRUIDS recently released their new album, Monument, via The Company KC. The album is available now via Bandcamp, with exclusive multi-colored vinyl also available via The Company KC here.

Today, DRUIDS have revealed their second music video, this time for the sludge anthem “Shivast”. Watch the eerie Kristian Day-directed music video now via Decibel Magazine here.

DRUIDS vocalist/bassist Drew Rauch says about the track: “This is the climax of our story on Monument – facing your fears head on and confronting your issues.”

 
Vocalist/guitarist Luke Rauch adds, “‘Shivast’ is about a journey through the afterlife. In this story and in the video, a young woman is processing emotions and experiences she is missing due to her untimely death. She encounters guides and oracles on her path to enlightenment.”

While online, check out the retro, sci-fi inspired video for the track “New Breath,” directed by Bo Becker of Transpiritus Video, here.

 
DRUIDS have also posted a guitar playthrough for their first single, “The Whip” here, as well as a drum playthrough for the track “New Breath” here.

Though Monument is an absolute classic metal-inspired riffscapade on its surface, there’s much more lying beneath its sonic exterior. Amid the ebb and flow of atmosphere and groove-heavy passages, the album tells a story – inviting the listener on a journey through the afterlife. Each song on Monument depicts the experiences of mystical worlds that the story’s protagonist encounters after death, and ultimately grows from. Some lessons are beautiful, and some brutal. Although they have departed from their world, they are still learning and growing as a spirit.

 
Monument was produced by Brandon Darner, engineered and mixed by Micah Natera, and mastered by Doug Van Sloan.

 
DRUIDS will hit the road in June for some dates with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch, as well as more solo dates. See below for all confirmed tour dates:

Remaining DRUIDS Tour Dates:
6/1 La Crosse, WI @ The Dive Bar
6/2 Bloomington, IL @ Nightshop
6/3 Detroit, MI @ PJ’s
6/4 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
6/5 Pittsburgh, PA @ Howler’s
6/6 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bazaar (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)
6/7 Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)
6/9 Allston, MA @ Great Scott (with Modern Life is War and Krimewatch)
6/10 New London, CT @ 33 Golden Street
6/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Century Bar
6/12 Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
6/13 Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar
6/14 St. Louis, MO @ the Sinkhole
7/13 Des Moines, IA @ 80/35 Festival

 

DRUIDS first laid their destructive groundwork over two releases – Pray for Water and The Sound of Meditation (released in 2009 and 2013, respectively) – continually looking to push their own personal boundaries, physically and sonically. With the release of 2016’s Cycles of Mobeum, the boys embarked on a full year of heavy touring all over the United States, giving audiences in unsuspecting cities a heavy, cathartic live show, awash with wailing guitar solos, rhythmic drumming and chunky, grooving bass-lines. They took to the studio in early 2017 to record their follow up, Spirit Compass, with producer Brandon Darner (David Keuning, Radio Moscow) to shape what would be a smoldering follow-up.

A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH Kick Off East Coast North American Tour

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A Pale Horse Named Death begin a string of East Coast North American dates in Teaneck, NJ. The tour runs through March 12th in Mercersburg, PA, A complete list of dates can be found below.

“APHND is super excited for this Northeast tour and performing in Canada for the first time in our history, we look forward to making new friends and fans in the great North,” says frontman and mastermind Sal Abruscato.

The band are on tour in support of their latest release When the World Becomes Undone, that was released in January via Long Branch Records. Stream or purchase the album HERE.

Beauty often blossoms at the root of darkness. A Pale Horse Named Death siphon strangely blissful melodies from apocalyptic heavy metal awash in swells of cavernous gothic keys and grunge song-craft The band continue to excavate vulnerability from venom on their anxiously awaited third full-length album, When The World Becomes Undone. A delicate dichotomy drives the avowed and acclaimed “Brooklyn Lords of Doom.”

“It’s our signature combination of seemingly depressing and dark musical tones with unexpectedly pretty melodies,” affirms Sal Abruscato. “There’s a hypnotic phenomenon that happens when you take super heavy riffs and add a harmonic sensibility. It allows you to drift off and zone out.”

The new album was mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Meat Loaf, Yes, Sepultura, Halford etc.) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering while the artwork was once again created by Sam Shearon (Rob Zombie, Fear Factory, Cradle of Filth etc.).

APHND LIVE:
5/3: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft @ The Chance
5/4: Elmhurst, NY @ Blackthorne 51
5/5: Jewett, City, CT @ New England Stoner & Doom Festival @ Altones Music Hall
5/8: Nepean, ON @ The Brass Monkey
5/9: Quebec City, QC @ La Source de la Martiniere
5/10: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar
5/11: Toronto, ON @ The Rockpile
5/12: Mercersburg, PA @ The Mercersburg Mansion House

ALIEN WEAPONRY Premiere New Single “Ahi Kā”

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New Zealand based thrash metal trio ALIEN WEAPONRY have released a brand new single ahead of their first-ever headlining tour in North America. The track, titled “Ahi Kā” premiered today exclusively via Billboard, and marks the first new material from the band since their 2018 debut album, Tū. Listen to the song HERE.

In addition to the premiere of “Ahi Kā”, Alien Weaponry is excited to share that the song will be featured on Adult Swim‘s new compilation record Metal Swim 2, which comes out tomorrow (May 3rd). Along with the latest from Alien Weaponry, the record features new tracks from Akvan, Author & Punisher, Baroness, Botanist, Dark Castle, Dreadnought, Eyehategod, Kat Katz + Andy Gibbs from Thou, Nervosa, Oathbreaker, Sunn O))), The Body, Vile Creature, and Volahn.

Metal Swim 2 comes out May 3rd in digital, streaming-only format and is free to enjoy at http://adultswim.com/metal.

The Metal Swim 2 compilation was curated by Laura Sterritt who offers, “The spirit of metal manifests for listeners in all kinds of ways: as an art form, as an emotional outlet, and just good ol’ fashioned fun. I was excited to curate this group of forerunners from metal’s wide swath of sub-genres, so both longtime metalheads and newcomers alike could find something within that resonates with them.”

ALIEN WEAPONRY will start their “Tūmatauenga Tour” in North America this weekend. The 16-city trek begins May 4th at Domination Festival in Mexico City, MX and concludes on May 29th at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, CA. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Alien Weaponry was formed in 2010 by brothers Lewis (vocals & guitar) and Henry de Jong (drums), who were 8 and 10 years old at the time. The two would later move to the small town of Waipu in 2012, and went on to meet Ethan Trembath (bass) there in 2013. The de Jong brothers came up with the name Alien Weaponry after watching the film District 9.

Both Lewis and Henry are of Ngati Pikiāo and Ngati Raukawa (Māori tribal) descent, and began their schooling at a kura kaupapa Māori (full immersion Māori language school) where singing waiata (songs) and performing haka were a daily routine. Also ingrained in their early education were stories of New Zealand history told to them by their father, who would also introduce them to the music of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others.

Fans and music critics alike have applauded the band’s approach to unifying Te Reo Māori (the native language of New Zealand) with thrash metal sensibilities; ultimately creating a sound that is driven by emotionally and politically charged conflict while boasting youthful, warrior-like resilience.

ALIEN WEAPONRY – North American Headlining Tour
Saturday, May 4th – Mexico City, MX @ Domination Festival*
Monday, May 6th – Dallas, TX @ Cambridge Room at House of Blues
Tuesday, May 7th – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock @ House of Blues
Wednesday, May 8th – Austin, TX @ 3TEN @ Austin City Limits
Saturday, May 11th – Rockingham, NC @ Epicenter*
Sunday, May 12th – Washington, DC @ DC9
Monday, May 13th – Boston, MA @ Middle East
Wednesday, May 15th – New York, NY @ Saint Vitus
Thursday, May 16th – Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
Friday, May 17th – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
Sunday, May 19th – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Open Air*
Wednesday, May 22nd – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry
Friday, May 24th – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma*
Sunday, May 26th – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
Tuesday, May 28th – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Wednesday, May 29th – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
* – Festival Date

CANNIBAL CORPSE Begin North American Run With SLAYER, LAMB OF GOD, And AMON AMARTH

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CANNIBAL CORPSE will kick off their North American tour supporting Slayer this week. The journey begins May 2nd in Phoenix, Arizona and runs through sixteen cities, concluding on May 25th in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Additional support will be provided by Lamb Of God and labelmates Amon Amarth. The band’s latest journey follows their co-headlining run with Morbid Angel on the “Decibel Magazine Tour” earlier this year. See all confirmed dates below.

CANNIBAL CORPSE w/ Slayer, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth: 

5/02/2019 Ak-Chin Amphitheatre – Phoenix, AZ
5/03/2019 Isleta Amphitheatre – Albuquerque, NM
5/05/2019 UTEP/Don Haskins Center – El Paso, TX
5/07/2019 Bert Ogden Arena – Edinburg, TX
5/08/2019 The Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory – Dallas, TX
5/10/2019 MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL
5/11/2019 Coral Sky Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
5/13/2019 Big Sandy Superstore Arena – Huntington, WV
5/14/2019 Merriweasther Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD
5/16/2019 Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN
5/17/2019 Providence Medical Center Amphitheatre – Bonner Springs, KS
5/19/2019 DTE Energy Music Center – Clarkston, MI
5/20/2019 Covel Centre – Youngstown, OH
5/22/2019 Canadian Tire Centre – Ottawa, ON
5/24/2019 BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ
5/25/2019 Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA

CANNIBAL CORPSE continues to tour in support of their critically-lauded Red Before Black full-length released last year via Metal Blade Records. Many words come to mind when you hear the name CANNIBAL CORPSE, but only one truly defines the soon-to-be thirty-year death metal veterans: Unstoppable. Produced by Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Goatwhore), Red Before Black serves to not only reiterate this but to once more raise the stakes, making it abundantly clear who sets the standard when it comes to manifesting consistently compelling music that is as brutal as it is complex. “Throughout our career, we’ve tried to improve the precision of both our musical execution and our album production, while still maintaining full-on aggression. Red Before Black continues in that direction, but might go even further on the aggressive side of things. It’s definitely precise, but it has a rawness to it that goes beyond anything we’ve done recently,” asserts bassist Alex Webster. “We really worked super hard crafting these songs, practicing them, and getting them where we wanted to be more so than on any of our previous albums,” adds drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz. “And as Alex said, musically I think it’s the rawest sound we’ve had – and at the same time I think it’s our most focused, tightest, and catchiest record.”

To preview and purchase Red Before Black, visit: metalblade.com/cannibalcorpse.

BRISTOL TO MEMORY Sign with Wiretap Records

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Southern California alternative rock 4-piece Bristol To Memory has signed with Wiretap Records and will release their label debut later this summer.

Check out the most recent single/music video “Wrapped Up” here.

The band will release “Into You” the first single off their upcoming LP in June.

Combining elements of alternative rock, indie, and pop punk, Bristol To Memory’s sound is influenced by bands such as The Get Up Kids, Brand Newand Saves The Day.

First formed in 2005, their name originates from the cross streets in Santa Ana where front man Rory O’Connell, brother/bassist, Kealan O’Connell and their childhood friend, drummer, Alex Buster, grew up. Rounded out by Daniel Wonacott (former guitarist for Finch) Bristol To Memory is now stronger than ever. Their musical compositions and collaboration evoke a feeling of nostalgic excitement with their dynamic guitar progression, thrilling choruses, and poetic lyrics.

Touring the United States, Canada and most recently Mexico City, Bristol To Memory has performed on noteworthy stages such as the Vans Warped Tour, SXSW Music Festival, House Of Blues, The Roxy, and The Whiskey.

Bristol To Memory’s music has already been licensed for several national television networks such as MTV, The Oxygen Channel, and Fox Sports West with the Los Angeles Angels Baseball Club.

Receiving the award for ‘best punk band’ from OC Weekly in both 2014 and 2015, Bristol To Memory has gained a reputation of one of the foremost up and coming bands in Southern California. With five solid EPs of material already under their belt, Bristol To Memory recently wrapped production on their first full-length album produced by their own lead guitarist Daniel Wonacott. The album is scheduled for release in August 2019 via Wiretap Records.

Bristol To Memory Upcoming show:

JUN 14 Fullerton, CA- The Slidebar (‘Into You” single release show)