LOS ANGELES (Capitol Records) - Art Alexakis, lead singer and main member of the rock group Everclear, is one of the few, if not only, rock stars ever to be elected by voters as a delegate to the Democratic
National Committee. Earning his credentials by emphasizing outreach to youth voters and remaining politically active and outspoken, Alexakis is known as an advocate of parental financial support and testified before congress to lobby for a "deadbeat dad" bill. Art has maintained an active fan base of not only his music, but his politics as well.
As an elected delegate from Oregon's 3rd congressional district (Portland), Alexakis will be traveling with other delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Boston to nominate John Kerry and to adopt a national party platform. During the 2004 Democratic primary campaign, Alexakis went on the road with then candidate John Edwards supporting his presidential campaign.
"We have an amazing democratic ticket, John Kerry and John Edwards are the American Dream team," says Alexakis. "This is a year of choice for America, we are being controlled by an appointed regime that has traded the American Dream for corporate profits, censorship and cronyism. We need leadership that is inclusive rather than exclusive, leaders who believe that free speech is a given right and not just for a privileged few. To say that this is an important election year is an understatement, in my opinion, it's more like a call to arms."
Because of the unique cultural appeal Alexakis has as a rock star delegate (and as host of Portland, OR radio show, "Blackjack Radio"), he is a magnet for media aimed at the youth & young adult market. "This is such a great opportunity for me to connect with young people to get involved, educate themselves with the issues, register and vote," says Alexakis. "It's time to put ideas into action. It's up to each of us to take back the American Dream, we need to get up off our asses and do whatever we can to fight hypocrisy, lies and double-talk."
To help draw visitors to sites where people can learn how to register to vote, Art has re-recorded the Woody Guthrie classic, "This Land is your Land," which will be available as a free download on Rock the Vote.com and VH1.com.
"I chose to record this song and get it out because this song reflects what I personally believe in - that this country belongs to all of us and that the Bush Administration does not have a monopoly on patriotism. I think lending my support to causes like Rock The Vote and VH1, outlets that inspire young people to take part in our democracy IS an act of patriotism and I'm proud of it."
Art Alexakis is the front man in the rock band Everclear, whose debut major label album (Capitol 1995) Sparkle & Fade achieved platinum status. Their 1997 release So Much For The Afterglow sold over two million copies in the U.S., featured the hits "I Will Buy You A New Life" and "Father Of Mine," garnered the group a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental ("El Distorto de Melodica") and earned Billboard's "Alternative Artist of the Year" (1998). In 2000, the Portland-based band released the pop-inflected Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How To Smile (also platinum) which was followed later that year by a harder-rocking companion, Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 2: Good Time For A Bad Attitude.
Everclear is currently working on material for a new studio album, expected in 2005. The band will be celebrating it's 10 year anniversary this fall with a Greatest Hits collection to be released by Capitol Records on September 28, 2004.
Art will be in Boston July 25 - 29.
