T Mac on the Big Screen

Toby is coming to the big screen on Monday, June 9! He will only be there one day so make sure you get your tickets. If you want more information or to see if he's coming to a theater near you, check out www.thebiggerpicture.us/tobymac/.

Third Day on Billboard Magazine Cover!

Third Day has graced the cover of Billboard Magazine as the first ever Christian band to do so! Fans can pick up the June 7th edition of the magazine for the feature story, or check out ThirdDay.com to view the article in a PDF file. The article comes just in time for the band's upcoming July 29th album release of Revelation.

For more on Third Day, check out www.thirdday.com.

RED on MTV2

Red, whose brand-new music video “Already Over” started airing on MTV2 last Saturday, is seeing the video get immediate reaction on the network. You can check out Red's video at www.mtv2.com.

For more info on Red, check out www.dropsofred.com.

Jonah 33 Says Goodbye

Rock band Jonah 33 has called it quits. Vocalist Vince Lichlyter recently addressed the band's end with fans while announcing a brand new solo project called "Helium." Below are Lichlyter's words on Jonah33's breakup and the future for him and the other guys...

"As most of you know, Jonah33 is no longer…that season has ended. However, it is exciting because new seasons are beginning not just for me but for other members too. Below, I have shared with you why Jonah33 has ended and some of the new seasons for the members in the band. Check it out. If you have questions for me let me know by emailing me at heliumlaunch@gmail.com, and I will try to answer them and post the answers in a new blog. I am on the road with Ginny Owens and Farewell June playing some of my latest so check out the tour dates and come by if we are playing in an area near you!

Jonah33 decided to call it quits mainly because there is one solid principle in the Kingdom, and that is that everything operates in seasons. The season for Jonah33 had come to end. There are many details that need not be mentioned, but overall, we all felt like it was time. The ship had "run its course" if you will. It seemed like odd timing as we had just released The Heart of War, our 3rd album, but it just seemed natural. Of course, in perspective of God's timing, we all had other things to go to, so it was just confirmation that it was the right move. We met SO many people over the past 8 years, too many to count, that supported us, believed in us and loved us, and for that, we will always be in debt. Words cannot describe what they mean to us.

I decided to launch a solo project called Helium because I find that with everything I write, ultimately, I am trying to bring people back to God. We all know that if you let a balloon go filled with helium, it will continue to ascend. That's my desire and passion. That everything I do will cause people to always turn back towards Him.

Stage Collapses During Starfield Concert

One of the staff from Jesus Freak Hideout reported in about a terrible accident that happened at a Starfield concert in Abbotsford, B.C, Canada. JFH's Karen M, moderator of their forums wrote in about how her son Michael experienced the disaster first hand when the floor of the church showcasing the Starfield show (with Bethany Dillon and Shane and Shane) collapsed into the basement. Here's Michael's own account of the tragedy...

"There was an area in front of the stage where kids were jumping and dancing. The lights on the stage started swaying and then they fell toward the audience. The floor collapsed and sank and we fell into the basement below. I landed sort of weird and I hurt my knee and hip. Once I realized I was alive and pretty much OK, I knew I had to help, so I asked what I could do. Me and another guy were lifting pews off people. There were people with blood running down their faces and they were moaning and holding their head. Because the water manes broke, water was gushing everywhere and it looked just like a scene from a movie. It was completely surreal."

CBC News also reported on the accident. Starfield made this announcement today in response to what happened...

"As you may have heard by now, there was a serious accident at our concert last night, and many young people were injured. At this moment, we are consumed with concern and compassion for those who were injured, especially for those who were described to be in serious condition. Our hearts are with them. We ask that you join us in prayer for them. As a less important side note, none of the members of our tour were injured in the accident. The band would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of encouragement and support that we are receiving."

Joy Electric Talks About New Album

Joy Electric has a new album coming May 27th, My Grandfather, the Cubist. The brains behind the programming, Ronnie Martin, discusses the project...

"Finishing an album is a whirlwind. Last minute changes, last minute songs, last minute mixes... it's not done until you get it back from the mastering plant, and even then there might be problems... as there was with this one! Everything gets worked out in the end, but you have to learn to let go and be content with what you have before you. The alternative is...well... toiling incessantly, nitpicking excessively, and finding any excuse not to finish. At some point you have to say "enough! there's always the next one..."

I'm still too close to the record to give a balanced overview, but I will say that I'm fairly happy with most of it. It feels like the realization of something I've been pursuing for far too long and finally a sound I'd like to grow from and develop further. It's unabashedly melodic, and probably more so than any record I've done, which sounds funny to say. What I mean is that most of the musical parts are comprised of melody lines rather than sound effects or dischordant electronic textures, which is an idea I've never consciously pursued to this extent because I really like texturing. It reminds me of some of the early songs and it's hard to believe that it took me this long to be able to make an entire record in the manner with which this one was made. The question always comes back to: will anyone notice or care about the confounded method? Of course not, but for me it's about establishing my own set of challenges and then trying to accomplish them...however long it takes. Breathe out now, Ronnie, breathe out...."

1. Victorian Intuition / Father Winter Replies
2. Rudimentary Animation
3. Draw for Me, M.C. Escher
4. Four Gone Pierre (or What Electricity Made)
5. The First Time I Loved Her it Was Here
6. I Recall the Telephone Booth
7. On Being Principally Utopian
8. Whether By Horse, or Horseless
9. Only Copernicus
10. Prelude to Cubism
11. My Grandfather, the Cubist
12. Cubism Interlude

A Word From Anberlin About Their Album

Anberlin has a new release looming, singer Stephen Christian had the following to say about the album's title, New Surrender...

Hey guys, Stephen wrote a description on the album title, check it out below:

we will all come to the point in our life where we have to admit that we
feel defeated, that something has conquered us.
we must change, not because we want to, but because we desperately
have to. we can not take life in its current suffocating state, even to
admit such desperation shows that we are feeling deserted,
wandering the barren desert,
a shell of our former selves.

it is only up from here, it is impossible to sink any lower into ourselves
or our circumstances.
but we can be salvaged, a deliverance.
no vice can stand, no fix can take.
the thorn in the side can be removed,
but you have to be willing to admit and surrender.
surrender your habits,
your lifestyle,
your past,
your present,
and your future.
this is your new surrender.
the new surrender.

new surrender.

A Member of Showbread Says Goodbye

Not only is Showbread's double album project Anorexia Nervosa being released May 13th... but one of their own is saying goodbye. Here is the announcement...

As many people have already heard, John Giddens (aka JG) has decided to leave Showbread.

Living in a van, being poor and sleeping on floors for six years makes people go a little crazy. JG has decided to leave behind the life of the traveling circus in order to pursue some kind of normalcy (a "real" job, a family, etc.)... On april 6th, John was present for the filming of a Showbread music video, which was his last activity as a member of the band.

John has been part of the insanity that is Showbread since 2003… He's seen and experienced more bizarre and wonderful things than a lot of folks, and here is where he takes a bow and rides into the sunset.

There were no bitter words and no regrets; JG knew his time was up, as did we. We love him like a brother and remain dear friends to the end.

Showbread exists because of a very personal and divine calling to bring something strange and beautiful into the world. The entity that is Showbread is much, much bigger than any one person participating in it at any time… Showbread is about a very personal truth that is very real to us and manifests itself in the form of bizarre music... not about a band member or "keytar". We'll miss JG on the road dearly, but we know his decision is in the best interest of himself as well as the band.

This is the most exciting time for Showbread… we have completed our best work ever and God is preparing us to unleash it on the world by rebuilding and strengthening us. Believe me when i say this is the best place the band has ever been, creatively and spiritually... We will very much appreciate the loving support of the Raw Rock community.

In the mean time, we'll have someone else along playing synthesizers on the YOU CAN'T SAVE YOURSELF tour, which begins, may 16th…

Both of the new records come out in a little over a month…

Jars Speaks on Recent Album...

Jars of Clay have released their first ever official hits compilation, entitled Greatest Hits. Guitarist Steve Mason reflects on the project, while looking to the future...

"Hey friends –

You’re friend Steve here. We have some exciting news for you. Just released to the masses is the new collection of songs they call the "Jars of Clay Greatest Hits." I am a bit in shock that we’d ever have something like this released, but it returns us to gratitude for all of you that have listened, followed the band, and come out to the shows…further encouraging us to make more music! It’s a story that continues into its 15th year.

We’ve tried to get the highlights – the songs you’d hear on the radio, and most importantly…include a newly recorded song! We wrote "Love Is A Protest" as a hopeful signpost in our musical journey. That’s what we want to continue to be about in all that we do.

Now, it should be noted that these albums are typically released at the end of a recording career. This is certainly not the case! We’re headed into the studio in April/May of this year to begin a new full length album. Stay tuned for more fun..."

For more info on Jars of Clay, check out www.jarsofclay.com.

NeedToBreathe Has a New Music Video

Saturday, April 5 marked the world premiere of NeedToBreathe’s highly-anticipated video "Washed By The Water" on JCTV’s monthly Top 10 countdown show Xtreme Video Zone.

Currently a Top Ten radio hit, "Washed By The Water" now has over 2 million audience impressions weekly. From their sophomore release The Heat, "Washed By The Water" is the follow-up to the group's recent No. 1 single, "Signature Of Divine (Yahweh)."

For more info, check out www.needtobreathe.net or www.myspace.com/needtobreathe

A Word From Peter Furler From Newsboys

It's a long way to the top when you want to rock'n'roll - and sometimes when you get there it's not quite what it seems. That's been the experience of Newsboys' frontman Peter Furler who told of how he had many times battled thoughts of wanting to do something else, despite achieving fame and fortune. The Newsboys are in Melbourne to launch Victoria's biggest Christian music festival, REZFEST 08, at the Point Cook Homestead this Sunday and Monday.

It seems an eternity from the days when Furler was working on construction sites to make a buck - and buy musical equipment. Furler remembers all too well the days of scrounging through the leftover bins of Hungry Jacks or Burger King or living on $1 meals in the US when they were trying to find their way. And even now after selling almost seven million albums, there are days when, after travelling 900 miles to a festival they have played 20 times before, they wonder why they are doing it.

"I think for us it is for the love of it - and the fact that we have got nowhere else to go," Furler said frankly of his lack of 'back-up' employment options. "Many times we have had thoughts of wanting to give up," he said.

There have been plenty of low points along the way, including the tragic death of a former band member in a motorbike crash (Kevin Mills) and the sickness of the daughter of one of their most popular guitarists (Jody Davis). There's also been times when Newsboys have been hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt as they tried to put on big shows in the aftermath of 9/11 when far less people were venturing out, given the climate of fear.

Furler credits his early days in Australia spending hours in a church practicising the drums for helping to build the tenacity and discipline to get him through the tough times. He remembers only too well eating the communion bread and wine as he practised in the locked church after the morning service until when people arrived for the evening service. The lessons from his days as a lifesaver also helped build character.

"I really think that instilled in me something - that discipline of getting up at 4.30am in the morning," he said. "It taught me that what you put into something is what you get out of it," he said.

For more on the Newsboys, check out www.newsboys.com.

Flyleaf is Set to Perform at the Final Four

Saturday, April 5, the Pontiac Garage at the Final Four® will energize both fans of music and basketball with performances by numerous popular artists, including Belton, Texas-born alternative metal band Flyleaf and Austin-based rock band Meridianwest. It will also be home to The World’s Largest Pep Rally featuring cheerleaders, mascots and pep bands.

Our nation’s military will be honored with a military salute and flyover and, for the third year in a row, Pontiac’s pre-game predictor—the Pontiac Virtual Final Four—will pit four elite gamers against each other in the ultimate showdown in college hoops gaming skill. The day culminates with viewing of the Men’s Final Four semifinal games, which will be broadcast by CBS and KENS-5 on giant video boards at The Big Dance.

For more on Flyleaf, check out www.flyleafmusic.com.

Skillet Gets Ready For Comatose Tour

Skillet just performed before over 300,000 fans on Winter Jam and are ready to headline their COMATOSE TOUR starting next week on March 27th in Minneapolis.

Hitting approximately 30 cities, including New York City,’s Grand Ball Room and Chicago’s House of Blues, the tour will also feature Thousand Foot Krutch and special guest Decyfer Down, running through May 11, 2008.

Tour dates are listed below and more info can be found at skillet.com and myspace.com/skilletmusic.

Hawk Nelson Continues Going Green with a New Album Coming!

On April 1st, Hawk Nelson fans will be heading to the nearest store if they haven't already pre-ordered the forthcoming studio release, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. Since February 27th, fans on the West Coast have been able to get a small sample of the upcoming album on the popular "Hawk Nelson Green T Tour," which sold out to three West Coast venues.

In addition to three sold-out dates, the tour has had more than 31,000 in attendance and over 6,700 Green T bundle purchases. The Green T bundle is for the avid Hawk Nelson fan that wants an up-and-close experience at the concert. With each ticket purchased, the fan will get an official Hawk Nelson Green T, which will be a special edition numbered shirt. So far the fans love the Green T concept.

Hawk Nelson Is My Friend releases April 1st. Go to the official Hawk Nelson website for more tour details and upcoming dates for the Green T tour that continues until May 4th. You can also check out their MySpace for more updates.