DEBUT
ALBUM FROM IN THEORY
SET FOR RELEASE JUNE 5;
FIRST
SINGLE, “A NEW MEDICATION”
RECEIVES EARLY RADIO AIRPLAY ON KROQ-FM
BEFORE BEING RELEASED TO THE MASSES MARCH 13
March
6, 2007 -- Sometimes getting kicked out of religious school
can be good for a band’s development.
Case
in point: In Theory--Theo Gersht (guitar and lead vocals),
Avromie Summers (lead guitar), Sam White (bass) and Aaron
Revivo (drums)--whose debut album, THIS IS IT, is due
out June 5 on Shelter From the Storm Records (distribution
by ADA). The first single, “A New Medication,”
is officially being serviced to radio on March 13, although
it had its broadcast premiere on the “Locals Only”
show on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 5, helping
to give the single an early buzz.
In
Theory began when Theo, a classically trained pianist and
composer, discovered the guitar. He and Aaron formed the band
which, after some line-up changes and the addition of Sam
and Avromie, became In Theory. After Theo and Sam were expelled
from their religious high school for playing music after hours,
the band’s bond was stronger than ever. But they never
lost touch with their Orthodox Jewish faith, which includes
not performing shows on the Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is
called in Hebrew, lasting from Friday night to Saturday night).
Due
to parental pressure, the band was in danger of breaking up
last year when by happy accident, they found themselves at
a private post-Grammy® Awards party thrown for another
band—who didn’t show up. In Theory stepped in
to play, and caught the attention of veteran producer/musicians
Vincent Bitetti and Barry Fasman, who almost immediately signed
them to their new label, Shelter From the Storm Records.
Working
with producers Fasman and Bitetti was a real learning experience
for the band. “We’d recorded songs before,”
explains Theo, “but we’d never been produced before.
Those guys really challenged us and made us work very hard,
but they also listened to us, so it was a real collaboration
between people with very different experiences and with very
different musical ideas.” The end result exceeded both
the band’s and the producers’ expectations. “Barry
and Vince taught us that patience and focus will get you where
you want to go,” Theo concludes.
Over
the last three years In Theory has recorded demos in their
garage, built a following on MySpace (over 160,000 plays to
date) and played live wherever they could. In Theory has gone
from gigs after school at the local community center to playing
the biggest clubs and venues in their hometown (Los Angeles).
They’ve shared bills with such artists as Papa Roach,
Hawthorne Heights, Relient K, Plain White T’s, Anberlin,
Story of the Year, Alien Ant Farm and Hellogoodbye.
Fast,
loud rhythms layered with bar chords and lyrics that betray
a wisdom beyond their years, the band’s sound is at
once rebellious and infectious. Although they are often compared
to Green Day or The Offspring, and is labeled an Alternative
or Pop/Punk band, In Theory reject such labels. Asks Sam,
“Alternative to what?” “We play what we
like,” Avromie concludes.
The
album title can be taken in many different contexts. “In
addition to meaning this is I.T. (In Theory),” explains
Theo Gersht, “it’s also an answer to all our friends
who think we’ve fallen off the face of the earth over
the last eighteen months. This album is why we couldn’t
make it to the birthday party or the graduation ceremony or
why we were in Texas last Thanksgiving instead of at your
house.”
The
first single from THIS IS IT, “A New Medication,”
reflects the band’s frustration and empathy over losing
a friend to alcoholism. “Many of the songs on the album
are about relationships,” observes Theo, “but
they’re not necessarily boy-girl relationships. ‘A
New Medication’ is a good example of that. We worked
very closely with this guy, but alcohol was a huge problem.”
Theo is quick to point out, however, that the single isn’t
a “message song,” and that it can be interpreted
many ways. “We left the lyrics non-specific on purpose,
so that more people could relate to it.” Other songs
take their inspirations from friends, lovers and parents.
Meanwhile, In Theory recently caught the attention of RKS
Guitars, who signed them to a full sponsorship. They’ll
be bringing their new gear on the road in the coming weeks,
with dates to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for details.
###
www.intheorymusic.com
www.myspace.com/intheory
www.shelterfromthestormrecords.com
CONTACT:
Amanda Cagan
ABC Public Relations
818 990 6876
acaganpr@aol.com