Author: Matt Durlin

I grew up with a deep love and passion for the Christian grunge and alternative rock scene in the 1990s. That passion for music continued as a DJ for multiple college radio stations, including at Messiah College in Pennsylvania. I've had the honour to talk Trevor McNevan (Thousand Foot Krutch), Kevin Max (dc Talk) and Mark Lee (Third Day). Before joining the Rock On Purpose team, I wrote for New Release Today as Rock News Writer. I'm excited to share this love of great, deeply powerful music with the rock and roll community.

GoFundMe Launched To Support Matt “Mojo” Morginsky In Wake Of House Fire

The producers of the movie Pick It Up: Ska in the 90s have banded together to launch a GoFundMe campaign in support of former O.C. Supertones lead singer Matt “Mojo” Morginsky and his family, whose family home was recently lost in a house fire.

“On May 25, 2019 at 7:00 in the morning, the Morginsky family’s 100+ Year old Denver, Colorado home was struck by a sudden-and-accidental house fire, creating an immediate, total loss for the family,” according to the GoFundMe campaign page.

Fans of the band are being invited in to help out through the fundraiser.

At the time of publication, the campaign had raised over $5,000 to help the members of the family get back on their feet after losing all of their belongings due to the water and smoke damage, and the house being deemed an asbestos hazard by authorities.

Matt Morginsky is best known in these circles as the energetic lead singer of 90s Christian ska group The Orange County Supertones, which released six full length studio albums from 1996 to 2005, and a seventh, For The Glory, in 2012. The Supertones lyrically were well known for their in-your-face theological depth.

Since then, Morginsky and his family has been serving as Lead Pastor at Grace and Peace Church in Denver, Colorado. You can learn more about what Mojo has been up to in this new ministry role by visiting gpchurchdenver.org/about.

Learn more about The O.C. Supertones by following them on Facebook, or by finding their music on Spotify and iTunes.

June 15, 2019 0

Seventh Day Slumber Impacting Billboard Charts With Latest Release

Rockfest Records announced that Closer To Chaos, the most recent release from Seventh Day Slumber (the band fronted by label founder Joseph Rojas), is finding fast success on Billboard charts.

In a social media post, Rockfest Records broke the news. The album is “hitting multiple charts its first week out! #39 Billboard Rock Album, #14 Billboard Hard Rock Album, #10 Christian/Gospel Album, #127 Billboards Top Current Album!”

Seventh Day Slumber is celebrating and thanking fans for the success by giving away a trip to Nashville for one lucky fan and a guest to hang out with the band for 3 days. All you have to do to win is share the video post and email a digital or physical copy of Closer To Chaos to the band. According to the video post on their Facebook page, the winner will be announced on July 29.

Frontman Joseph Rojas shares, “It’s deeply humbling to see this album hit multiple charts in its first week. This is a very personal project for us as a band, and we believe the messages in these songs are vital for so many people today. Witnessing fans embrace the music really reaffirms the mission we’re on.”

Keep up with Seventh Day Slumber by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by visiting their website.

Source: Turning Point PR

June 15, 2019 0

Scott Stapp Unveils Lyric Video For “Name”

As anticipation continues to build for The Space Between the Shadows, Scott Stapp today dropped a lyric video for a rock ballad set to appear on the forthcoming album.

“Name” is a song about a son without a father– the space between the shadows, according to a post shared on social media.

In addition to this lyric video as well as a compelling video for the lead single “Purpose For Pain,” Stapp recently announced that he will embark on a tour in support of The Space Between the Shadows, his first new solo music since Proof of Life in 2013.

For more information about the former Creed frontman or to preorder the upcoming album, visit scottstapp.com.

May 26, 2019 0

Founding Members of dcTalk, Petra, WhiteHeart and Jars of Clay Form New Supergroup, CCM ALL STAR REVIEW

Few artists have been more influential in defining the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) brand than dcTalk, Petra, WhiteHeart, and Jars of Clay. Main stage staples of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, fans will soon be able to see something never before experienced as members of each group come together to collectively perform their biggest hits.

Kevin Max (dcTalk), John Schlitt (Petra), Billy Smiley (Whiteheart) and Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) have united to form the CCM ALL STAR REVIEW. With sales exceeding 30 million records between them, the members have collectively generated more than 45 #1 songs and earned more than 15 GRAMMY and 60 Dove Award wins and nominations.

“With the advent of the popularity of rock coming full circle to festivals and theatres, the timing is right for a new show that really celebrates the history of Christian Rock and Pop,” says Smiley.

“A lot of the fans of Petra, dcTalk, WhiteHeart and Jars of Clay are bringing their kids to the shows,” adds Schlitt. “And many people had never seen some of these great musicians live and just had the music on vinyl, cassettes, or CDs.”

The CCM ALL STAR REVIEW will make their live concert debut on August 11th, headlining the No Greater Love Festival in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The supergroup will be backed by the Union of Sinners and Saints, the Schlitt and Smiley-fronted group that recently released their own self-titled debut album.

“2020 might be the year we see an interest in the history of quality CCM music of the past by taking it to some of the festivals we all played at for years, and some other major events happening around the country,” says Max.

Adds Haseltine, “We’ve all know each other for a long time, but this is a chance to have some fun, do what we love, show unity in the purpose, and share it with longtime friends and their families.”

Tour dates and additional information will be announced in the coming months.

From Nashville Publicity Group

May 25, 2019 0

Oh, Sleeper Album Details Announced

Texas-based metalcore band Oh, Sleeper has finally announced details of the highly anticipated and long awaited album Bloodied / Unbowed.

The album, which is the fourth for the hard rock act and first since 2011, will release everywhere on July 12, according to social media. The second single from the upcoming record is “Fissure.” The hard and heavy new track is available now on Spotify and iTunes.

The band also unveiled preorder bundles for Bloodied / Unbowed, starting at $10. Fans wishing to preorder the new release can check out the official Oh, Sleeper merch store.

Oh, Sleeper was founded in 2006 before signing on with Solid State Records in 2007. The band staked its claim as a staple metalcore act with their chart-impacting third album, Children of Fire.

The first single from Bloodied / Unbowed, “Decimation and Burial,” dropped last November.

Learn more about Oh, Sleeper by following them on Facebook or Twitter.

May 18, 2019 0

Convictions, Earth Groans Announce Summer Tour

Fresh off the release of their 2018 album Hope For The Broken, Convictions is set to melt faces with their brand of metal as they embark on a tour this summer.

According to social media, the tour will feature Solid State recording artist and fellow hard rock outfit Earth Groans. “We are so excited to get back on the road with some of our best buds,” the band said in the post. “This is the first of many dates for us this summer!”

The tour will kick off in the steel city of Pittsburgh, PA and make stops across the midwest, including major hubs like Nashville and Minneapolis.

6/29 • Pittsburgh, PA – The Smiling Moose
6/30 • Lakewood, OH – Symposium
7/2 • Columbus, OH – Big Room Bar
7/3 • Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome
7/4 • Urbana, IL – Audiofeed Festival
7/5 • Louisville, KY – Tiger Room
7/6 • Nashville, TN – Rocketown
7/7 • Springfield, MO – Outland Ballroom
7/8 • Wichita, KS – Barleycorn’s
7/9 • Omaha, NE – Drinkery
7/11 • Sioux City, IA – The Marquee
7/12 • Oshkosh, WI – LifeFest
7/13 • Minneapolis, MN – TBD

For more information about the tour and to learn more about Convictions, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit www.convictionsrock.com.

May 12, 2019 0

Personal and Musical Growth: Oh, The Horror! By Gold Frankincense & Myrrh

We are in the midst of a musical landscape that where it is increasingly difficult to thrive as a heavy faith-based band without having some level of pre-established name recognition or a backer. This context makes what is transpiring with the rising band of teenage sisters from Florida turn heads.

In 2010 Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM) released their debut album Identity Crisis and began playing shows at local venues. Over the last eight years, GFM has increased their touring schedule and built a solid international fan base.

Their latest release, Oh, The Horror!, demonstrates growth as they explore deep subject matters and introduce fans to an edgier brand of what they have self identified as “beautycore.” The album features a tight sound from musicians who are fine tuning their craft, more screaming vocals, and a continuation of the familiar melodic harmonies that only siblings can provide.

“Give Me A Sign” kicks it off as up-tempo tune that plays like a fun punk rocker, featuring vocalists CJ and Maggie harmonizing while Lulu provides a steady hand on the drums. Lyrically, the song is a cry for help from someone stuck in place and running out of time:

“Give me a sign, I need something to not give up the fight
Cause I’m lost, down to nothing, just trying to survive
It feels like I’m stuck and going nowhere fast
My life is on the line, I’m running out of time
Give me a sign.”

GFM begins to explore a more mature brand of metal with “The Other Side.” This song features thick and meaty guitars, heavier dragging percussion and increased dissonance. Lyrically, the song asks whether it is really possible to find something better, only to resolve that the grass is never greener on the other side. This is a lesson that takes a lifetime for many to learn, a subject tackled by Solomon in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes as he declared that there is nothing new under the sun.

They lighten up the mood with “R.I.P.,” a fun fight song cowritten with Josiah Prince (Disciple) that is sure to be a favorite in live sets. The pre-chorus is a hooky chant leading into a stand-up declaration that GFM is not going away any time soon.

The edgy metal sound returns on “Never Again” as they literally scream back at their doubters. They are seemingly planting a flag firmly in the ground, declaring that they are comfortable in their identity– they no longer have an identity crisis.

“I will stand my ground, I won’t apologize for who I am
You will never break me, You will never break me.”

“On the Inside” follows as an anthemic rocker celebrating beauty that goes beyond the surface level, the strength and character that is found within that can’t be taken away even though we may get scars and flaws on our body.

“Can You Promise Me That This Will Never End” wraps the package in a neat bow, tying the theme of the album– growth, maturity, confidence in our identity, and finding a place in the world– together nicely while staking their claim as a staple in the hard music landscape for the foreseeable future.

The GFM sisters brought their A game on Oh, The Horror! as they continue to make music that is not only fun to listen to, but speaks truth to our souls and encourages confidence in who we are as people.

Oh, The Horror! can be found on iTunes and Spotify.

May 9, 2019 1

Iconic Rock Band STRYPER Announces 2019 HISTORY Tour

Veteran Christian metal band STRYPER will return to the road in May for the 2019 HISTORY Tour: Greatest Hits & Covers that influenced our generation. The all-new HISTORY Tour comes on the heels of the band’s yearlong God Damn Evil World Tour, which concluded in Japan in February.

“The music of our generation was and is timeless,” says STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet. “It was all about the song and musicians who inspired you to want to play. We grew up on bands like Van Halen, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Journey and BOSTON. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the music of these legendary bands. We thought it would be an amazing experience to play some of these songs live and show you, the audience, exactly were our roots lie. We’ll also be incorporating our own hits & videos from 1984 to 2019, and something from Perry’s past as well (Firehouse). We’re excited to get back out on the road and we look forward to seeing you soon!”

STRYPER consists of original members Michael Sweet (vocals and guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar), as well as bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of the multi-platinum band Firehouse) who joined the group in 2018.

Exclusive meet and greet packages will be available in most cities. Fans will have the option of purchasing either a Standard Meet and Greet Package or VIP HISTORY Tour Meet and Greet Package. Both meet and greet packages include an opportunity to meet the band, get autographs, take photos with the guys and receive exclusive one-of-a-kind merchandise. However, the VIP HISTORY Meet and Greet Package (limited to 6 fans per city) offers additional merchandise options and a stage tour (hold Michael’s guitar, photo in front of Robert’s drum kit, overview of gear with STRYPER crew member).

STRYPER continues to dominate the hard rock/heavy metal scene with the their critically-acclaimed tenth studio album God Damn Evil, released in 2018 via Frontiers Music. Rocking since 1984, STRYPER is responsible for such classic ’80s metal albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell with the Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, STRYPER is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” To date, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated band has sold over 10 million records worldwide.

God Damn Evil is available now wherever you can buy or stream music: http://radi.al/GodDamnEvil

STRYPER 2019 HISTORY TOUR:
May 10 — The Firmament — Greenville, SC
May 11 — Union Jack’s — Annapolis, MD
May 13 — Beachland Ballroom — Cleveland, OH
May 14 — The Token Lounge — Westland, MI
May 15 — The Rockpile West — Toronto, Ontario
May 17 — Gramercy Theatre — New York, NY
May 18 — The Chance — Poughkeepsie, NY
May 19 — The Paramount — Huntington, NY
May 21 — Chameleon Club — Lancaster, PA
May 22 — Jergel’s Rhythm Grille — Warrendale, PA
May 24 — Bogarts — Cincinnati, OH
May 25 — Mercury Ballroom — Louisville, KY
May 26 — The Lerner Theatre — Elkhart, IN
May 29 — Vinyl Music Hall — Pensacola, FL
May 31 — Warehouse Live — Houston, TX
June 1 — Magic Springs Theme Water Park — Hot Springs, AR
June 2 — Graceland Sound Stage — Memphis, TN
June 5 — House of Blues — New Orleans, LA
June 8 — The Masquerade — Atlanta, GA
June 13 — Paparazzi OBX — Kitty Hawk, NC
June 14 — Phase 2 — Lynchburg, VA
June 15 — Roanoke Rapids Theater — Roanoke Rapids, NC
July 17 — Rock Fest 2019 — Cadott, WI
July 18 — Arcada Theater — St. Charles, IL
July 20 — Roar on the Shore Bike Week — Erie, PA
Sept. 7 — Teatro al Aire Libre — La Paz, Bolivia
Sept. 10 — CC. Festiva — Lima, Peru
Sept. 12 — Teatro Caupolicán — Santiago, Chile
Sept. 14 — Tropical Butanta — Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sept. 15 — Circo Voador — Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Sept. 17 — Toinha Brasil Show — Brasilia, Brazil
Sept. 19 — Mister Rock BH — Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Sept. 21 — El Teatro Flores — Buenos Aires, Argentina

More dates to be announced!

For tour dates, tickets, VIP packages and additional information, visit the official website at www.stryper.com.

Source: Nashville Publicity Group

March 23, 2019 0

Scott Stapp Drops Lead Single, Announces Summer Tour

Former Creed frontman Scott Stapp released “Purpose for Pain,” the lead single from his upcoming album The Space Between The Shadows, his first new solo music since Proof of Life in 2013.

According to a social media post, Stapp said “Purpose for Pain” carries a lot of meaning as he comes out of a dark season.

“[The song] is about seeking a higher meaning, a spiritual mentality when dealing with our struggles and life’s painful moments,” said Stapp. He continued by explaining that everyone goes through dark times and deals with pain of one kind or another throughout life. “If we can dig deep and hold on to hope during the most difficult situations, believing there is a purpose waiting for us on the others side, we can find meaning and clarity that gives us the strength to keep fighting.”

In addition, initial dates for The Space Between The Shadows summer tour dates were announced, with tickets going on sale Monday, March 25.

“Purpose for Pain” is available on iTunes or Spotify.

For more information about the upcoming album from Scott Stapp and tour information, visit https://scottstapp.com.

March 23, 2019 0

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