Friday, January 19, 2018

HAGGARD CAT (EX-HECK) DROP NEW VIDEO FOR 'AMERICAN GRAFFITI'

Fiery garage rock duo HAGGARD CAT have today dropped their scathing new punk rock video for "American Graffiti" and it doesn't disappoint.

Frontman Matt Reynolds comments:

"American Graffiti is written about knowing something is wrong and choosing to do nothing about it.  We exist in a time where we have the benefit of hindsight into what happens when we harbour certain toxic views and allow these principles to govern our society.

"Instances have been allowed to escalate throughout history and with all the knowledge right at our fingertips and more accessible than ever, we are still part of a world where segregation, division and hate not only exist but are entertained by an apparent majority.  Common sense is stamped out by the loudest voice and replaced with greed.  Mistakes will be repeated and a permanent mark left.

"American Graffiti is about those people that have let it happen, or worse encouraged it to, and think they can simply delete it from their conscience."

Watch the video for "American Graffiti" now here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJtDu2wtAIo>.

"American Graffiti" is taken from the debut album on Earache Records titled 'Challenger' which is due to be released on April 20th, 2018.  Pre-order the album now on CD and limited edition orange vinyl (limited to just 100 copies!) here <http://webstore.earache.com/haggard-cat> or on iTunes including an instant download of "American Graffiti" here <http://bit.ly/challenger-itunes>.

After making their names in their previous act, the acclaimed UK hardcore band HECK, vocalist/guitarist Matt Reynolds and drummer Tom Marsh aim to carry that same attitude and fire over to HAGGARD CAT, creating a two-man beast of a band which is set to reignite the UK rock scene.

Following previous tours with the likes of Jamie Lenman - and soon FEED THE RHINO - as well as playing a headline slot at Camden Rocks and opening the main stage at ArcTanGent festival, plus rave live reviews in The Independent newspaper and multiple plays on BBC Radio One, 2018 looks like it could be the Year of the Cat.

'Challenger' features ten hard-hitting tracks which are noticeably more riff-oriented than HECK, and includes artwork created by English musician and illustrator Jamie Lenman.

<http://earacherecords.com/myspace/haggardcat_challenger.jpg>.

Known for their intense live performances, HAGGARD CAT's stage presence and sheer sonic power far exceeds what should be possible for a two-piece band - who are also joined on stage by their trusty mascot, Chris - a three-legged wooden stool which accompanies the band at every show.  Don't miss them on tour supporting FEED THE RHINO in February:

Feb. 20 - Bristol, UK - The Exchange
Feb. 21 - Exeter, UK - The Cavern
Feb. 22 - Southampton, UK - The Joiners
Feb. 23 - London, UK - The Underworld
Feb. 24 - Norwich, UK - Owl Sanctuary
Feb. 27 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
Feb. 28 - Newcastle, UK - Think Tank
Mar. 01 - Glasgow, UK - G2
Mar. 02 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion
Mar. 03 - Birmingham, UK - The Flapper

Follow HAGGARD CAT online for the latest news and music:

Official Site <http://haggardcat.com>
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/HaggardCat>
Twitter <https://twitter.com/theHaggardCat>
Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/thehaggardcat>
Spotify <https://open.spotify.com/artist/0fIUq6BR8xSAMsi1VvBW2e>

BLACKBERRY SMOKE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM 'FIND A LIGHT', RELEASING 6TH APRIL 2018

BLACKBERRY SMOKE's sixth studio album, 'Find A Light' is set for release on 6th April via Earache and is available for pre-order from today here <http://smarturl.it/BBS-FindALight>.  Check out the album's lead track, "Flesh And Bone" here <http://smarturl.it/BBS-FleshandBone>.

Self-produced by the Atlanta-based five-piece, 'Find A Light' features 13 new songs written/co-written by frontman and guitarist Charlie Starr.  In addition to Starr and band members Richard Turner (bass/vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar/vocals), and Brandon Still (keyboards), the album also features special guests, Robert Randolph ("I'll Keep Ramblin'"), Amanda Shires ("Let Me Down Easy") and THE WOOD BROTHERS ("Mother Mountain").

About the collection, Starr tells us, "The new album is a melting pot of BLACKBERRY SMOKE music with a wide range of sound and emotion.  I think it's our most inspired work yet."  As is their modus operandi, the band are set to spend most of the year on the road in support of 'Find A Light' (these road dogs often play upward of 250 shows a year), with their first UK appearance of 2018 set for Ramblin' Man Fair <http://www.ramblinmanfair.com> in July.

'Find A Light' follows on from 2016's critically acclaimed 'Like An Arrow', which debuted at #8 on the UK's Official Album Chart (as well as #12 on the US Billboard 200 and #1 on Billboard's Americana and Country charts).  The 'Like An Arrow' cycle also saw the band appear on BBC TV's flagship music show, Later... with Jools Holland <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfjfnn5aNk0>.

In addition to their work as musicians, BLACKBERRY SMOKE remain heavily committed to charitable work and have raised almost $200,000 to benefit children's cancer research.

'Find A Light' track listing:
1. Flesh And Bone (written by Charlie Starr)
2. Run Away From It All (written by Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
3. The Crooked Kind (written by Charlie Starr)
4. Medicate My Mind (written by Charlie Starr, Travis Meadows)
5. I've Got This Song (written by Charlie Starr)
6. Best Seat In The House (written by Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
7. I'll Keep Ramblin' feat. Robert Randolph (written by Charlie Starr, Robert Randolph)
8. Seems So Far (written by Charlie Starr, Travis Meadows)
9. Lord Strike Me Dead (written by Charlie Starr)
10. Let Me Down Easy feat. Amanda Shires (written by Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
11. Nobody Gives A Damn (written by Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
12. Till The Wheels Fall Off (written by Charlie Starr)
13. Mother Mountain feat. The Wood Bros. (written by Charlie Starr)

www.blackberrysmoke.com / www.facebook.com/blackberrysmoke

For more info on BLACKBERRY SMOKE, please contact:
Michelle Kerr at Cosa Nostra PR (UK PR) - michelle@cosanostrapr.com
Dan Tobin at Earache (record label/international enquiries) - dan@earache.com

Friday, January 12, 2018

HAGGARD CAT (EX-HECK) SIGN WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH EARACHE RECORDS

Nottingham two-piece punky rock 'n' rollers HAGGARD CAT have signed a worldwide recording deal with Earache Records.

After making their names in their previous act, the acclaimed UK hardcore band HECK, vocalist/guitarist Matt Reynolds and drummer Tom Marsh aim to carry that same attitude and fire over to HAGGARD CAT, creating a two-man beast of a band which is set to reignite the UK rock scene.

See a photo of the band here <http://earacherecords.com/myspace/haggardcat.jpg> (L-R: Matt Reynolds, Tom Marsh)

Having already toured with the likes of Jamie Lenman - and soon FEED THE RHINO - as well as playing a headline slot at Camden Rocks and opening the main stage at ArcTanGent festival, HAGGARD CAT are now preparing for the highly-anticipated release of their new album 'Challenger' on April 20th through Earache Records.

HAGGARD CAT comment: "We're so proud to sign to Earache and follow in the footsteps of some of our absolute heroes; we're in some great company and we can't wait to show the world the beast that we've been working on.  The future is going to be loud!  Wear protection!"

'Challenger' features ten hard-hitting tracks which are noticeably more riff-oriented than HECK, and includes artwork created by English musician and illustrator Jamie Lenman.  View the album artwork here <http://earacherecords.com/myspace/haggardcat_challenger.jpg>.  Listen to the first single, "American Graffiti", on Spotify here <http://open.spotify.com/track/5ZVkrXn44PrXcj6ZSTK93K> and give the band a follow.

Pre-order 'Challenger' now on CD and limited edition orange vinyl (limited to just 100 copies!) here <http://webstore.earache.com/haggard-cat> or on iTunes including an instant download of "American Graffiti" here <http://bit.ly/challenger-itunes>.

Known for their intense live performances, HAGGARD CAT's stage presence and sheer sonic power far exceeds what should be possible for a two-piece band - who are also joined on stage by their trusty mascot, Chris - a three-legged wooden stool which accompanies the band at every show.  Don't miss them on tour supporting FEED THE RHINO in February:

Feb. 20 - Bristol, UK - The Exchange
Feb. 21 - Exeter, UK - The Cavern
Feb. 22 - Southampton, UK - The Joiners
Feb. 23 - London, UK - The Underworld
Feb. 24 - Norwich, UK - Owl Sanctuary
Feb. 27 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
Feb. 28 - Newcastle, UK - Think Tank
Mar. 01 - Glasgow, UK - G2
Mar. 02 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion
Mar. 03 - Birmingham, UK - The Flapper

Follow HAGGARD CAT online for the latest news and music:

Official Site <http://haggardcat.com>
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/HaggardCat>
Twitter <https://twitter.com/theHaggardCat>
Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/thehaggardcat>