NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) - "THE SOUND OF MADNESS," the acclaimed third album from Atlantic recording group Shinedown, has been certified Gold by the RIAA, marking sales exceeding 500,000 units. The news comes as the band's single "
Second Chance" has just exploded into the top 10 at CHR/Top 40 outlets nationwide and is quickly shaping up to be the Jacksonville, Florida-based quartet's biggest crossover hit to date.
Currently standing at No 15 on Billboard's "Hot 100," "Second Chance" has already topped the airplay charts at Active Rock outlets, while also reaching No 2 at Alternative. In addition, the single's companion video is now in "X-Large" rotation at VH1, where it is the No 3 clip on the network's "Top 20 Countdown." "Second Chance" is also in "Heavy" rotation at MTV.
As if that weren't enough, Shinedown's latest single, "The Sound of Madness," is blowing up at Active Rock radio outlets across the country. The track's top 10 success marks the band's tenth consecutive top 10 showing at the format.
Shinedown - who recently performed "Second Chance" on CBS' "The Early Show Saturday Edition" and NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - is currently traveling the country as both headliners and as featured artists on a number of radio-sponsored festival concerts (see below itinerary). In June, the band will cross the Atlantic for a hugely anticipated European tour, including performances at such world famous festivals as England's Download Festival, Germany's Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, and the Netherlands' Pinkpop.
Upon their return, Shinedown will team up with fellow Atlantic artists Staind and Halestorm for the much anticipated "Stimulate This!" tour. The four-band bill - also featuring Chevelle - is designed to offer hard rock fans maximum value at a minimal price.
Kicking off July 1st at Peoria, Illinois' Peoria Civic Center, the "Stimulate This!" tour will hit more than 40 US markets, including some of the hardest hit by the recession. In a show of solidarity for their fans, the four bands have worked closely with the concert promoters to create a package of exceptional value for ticket buyers. Through their collective efforts, base ticket prices will remain mostly under $40 each - half the cost of comparable multi-band summer tour packages - with some venues offering lawn seats for less than $10.
"We've always said that we, as a band, only answer to one boss... and that's everyone in the audience," offers Shinedown's Brent Smith. "It's our job... our privilege to offer our fans an escape. Teaming up with these other great bands, we're doing what we can to help lift everyone's spirits in these tough times... the power of music can do that."
Additionally, each stop on the "Stimulate This!" tour will include special promotions for ticket holders that will vary from market to market, but could include discounts on concessions at the venue during the show, store discounts at local retailers, and online rebates for band merchandise, to name a few.
Inspired by the bands' efforts to craft a cost-efficient tour for their fans during these hard times, Atlantic Records will give away a pair of tickets to five fans in every market who pose the best reason as to why they need a free night of rock. Fans can send their stories and enter the contest through Atlantic Records' www.atlanticrecords.com - see website for details.
Produced by multiple Grammy award winner Rob Cavallo (Kid Rock, Green Day), "THE SOUND OF MADNESS" debuted at No 8 on the Billboard 200 upon its release last summer. The album marks the dynamic hard rock band's first foray into the international marketplace, where it has been met with incredible enthusiasm, particularly in the UK: "There's little doubt that Shinedown are among the most exciting new bands around," declared Classic Rock, while Kerrang! praised Smith as "simply a masterful entertainer and frontman, a star."
"THE SOUND OF MADNESS" follows the band's RIAA platinum certified 2003 debut "LEAVE A WHISPER" and its gold certified 2005 follow-up, "US AND THEM." Both albums have yielded a staggering seven consecutive top 5 radio hits, including "Fly From the Inside," "45," and the chart-topping "Save Me."
Shinedown is Brent Smith (vocals), Barry Kerch (drums), Zach Myers (guitars), and Eric Bass (bass).
For further news and information, please visit www.shinedown.com or www.myspace.com/shinedown.
SHINEDOWN - ON TOUR 2008:
7/1-8/30: "Stimulate This!" w/Staind, Chevelle, and Halestorm except 7/25 w/Staind only
Additional dates to be announced.
MAY
12 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall
13 Chattanooga, TN UTC McKenzie Arena
15 Greenville, SC BI LO Center - Greenville Crawfish Boil
16 Washington, DC RFK Stadium - DC 101 Chili Cook-Off '09
17 Columbus, OH Columbus Crew Stadium - Rock on the Range
19 Winston Salem, NC Millennium Center
20 Harrisburg, PA The Forum
22 Cleveland, OH Time Warner Cable Amphitheater
23 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center - Mayday 2009
24 Rockford, IL Rockford Airport - WXRX Bell Bowl
26 Omaha, NE Sokol Auditorium
27 Wichita, KS Cotillion Ballroom
29 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheater - Discorus
30 Kansas City, MO Liberty Memorial Park
JULY
1 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center
4 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
7 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Convention Center
9 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
10 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion
12 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga PAC - WHRL Big Day Out Festival
14 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
16 Wallingford, CT Chevrolet Theatre
17 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Park Convention Hall
21 Pikeville, KY Eastern Kentucky Expo Center
22 Corbin, KY Southeastern KY Agricultural & Expo
24 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium
25 Dubuque, IA Dubuque County Fair
26 Brookings, SD Swiftel Center
28 Rapid City, SD Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena
29 Billings, MT MetraPark Arena
AUGUST
10 Ridgefield, WA The Amphitheatre at Clark County
13 Denver, CO The Fillmore Auditorium
14 Rio Rancho, NM Santa Ana Star Center
15 Lubbock, TX Lonestar Amphitheater
18 Laredo, TX Laredo Entertainment Center
28 Toledo, OH Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
30 Philadelphia, PA Festival Pier @ Penn's Landing
