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MONSTER IN THE MACHINE MONSTER
IN THE MACHINE September 14, 2007 -- Monster In The Machine is hitting the road starting September 26 to spread the word about their ethereal debut album, BUTTERFLY PINNED, which was released August 21 on Emotional Syphon Recordings (ADA Distribution), the independent label owned by Ko?n guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer. It was was mixed and recorded at the home studio of band mastermind and former Cellophane singer Shannon Crawford (vocals/keyboards/guitars) and at Henson Studios (formerly A&M Studios) in Los Angeles, CA. The band will be performing three acoustic shows with Riders On The Storm (featuring Robbie Krieger and Ray Manzerek of The Doors) before heading out with Israeli band Rock Four on a three-week tour sponsored by KCRW-FM (the prestigious and groundbreaking Los Angeles radio station) starting October 6. Accompanying Crawford on the jaunt will be Lats (bass, formerly with Memento), John Chase (guitar) and Jay Kuri (drums). Doug Ardito (bass, who performed with Crawford in Cellophane) and Josh Freese (drums) appear on BUTTERFLY PINNED, but will not be part of the touring line-up due to prior commitments with other musical projects. “Savior” is the album’s first single, which is currently heating up radio airwaves across the country. A video for the track was recently filmed in Los Angeles and will be ready to invade TV and the internet in the coming weeks. Crawford has crafted a record that entrances the listener with swirling acoustic melodies and haunting, hypnotic electronics. From the infectiously incendiary chorus of “Under Your Shadow” to the sonic dreamscape of “Helicopter,” the music remains memorable. Pristine melodies soar over brooding beats, and tracks like “Savior” convey a message of disenchantment and call for change. Underneath the beauty of the music lies an honest mirror reflecting social ills. Yet, hope for a solution exists. Issues faced include the death of our environment, religion’s contradictions and the perilous existence of an artist under the thumb of a corporation. These are some of the darker themes that Crawford delves into on BUTTERFLY PINNED. Once Crawford was finished
with the recording, he played the demos for longtime friend James
“Munky” Shaffer, who he grew up with in Bakersfield,
CA. “James has been my biggest cheerleader for years. He’d
been on the fence about starting a label, and when I played him
my first songs, he said, ‘That’s it. I’m starting
it.’” Shaffer loved the music so much that he lent his
guitar talents to the tense album closer “Don’t.”
Imani Coppola also makes a guest appearance playing violin on “Shut
the Door.” Since its release, BUTTERFLY PINNED has been racking up rave reviews. To wit: “…a slow, atmospheric album that recalls the glam shimmers of David Bowie (‘Under Your Shadow’), the whispers, falsettos and mellotron-induced psychedelia of Sparklehorse (‘Perfect’), a nervous Interpol keyboard dance groove (‘Savior’), and a trip-out on the early Cure (‘Dot On My Soul’)…best sort of surprise.” --Rob
O’Connor, Revolver “…an inspiring, incredible debut that must not be missed.” --Rick Florino, Chord
--Jeffrey Sisk, Daily News (McKeesport, PA)
--Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
www.monsterinthemachine.com ### CONTACT:
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