STATESIDE

Well, folks, just when you thought it was safe… Stateside is going back out on the road. Yep, this July we’re headed out for a short tour with our good buddies American Minor, and we’re kicking things off in their home base in Champaign, IL on July 8th.

If any of you would like to help us promote these shows, you can download this here poster, take it to your local photocopying service, make a bunch of copies, grab a marker and write the date & club on ‘em, then stick ‘em up all over your town. We cannot be held responsible for any city ordinances violated in the process.

In other news…for those of you who don’t care about album packaging and artwork, you may like to know that our new CD Phonograph is available on I-Tunes. Downloading our album is good for the environment, so you should consider your civic duty to do so. Especially since you’re going to waste all that paper hanging up our posters.

However, if you live in Europe you will undoubtedly want to rush out on July 5th (or as you guys say, 5 July) and pick up your hard copy of Phonograph, which will be released on that day by Fargo Records. You may say “colour”, I may say “color”, but I think we can all agree on “rock n roll”

See ya on tour,
JPK

Thanks to everybody who came out to the gigs on our tour last month. (You know who you are). Check out the tour diary and see if there are any embarrasing photos of you and your friends up there.

In other news, we've got some more shows coming up in case you missed us on tour (for instance, if you live in the state of Tennessee). The May 8th show in Nashville will be with The Taste, featuring none other than former Stateside member Philip Shouse! This will be a blast.

In June we'll be playing up in Knoxville with our good buddy Mic Harrison of the V-Roys and Superdrag; it'll be the release show for Mic's new CD.

That's all for now. Remember, our new album makes a fantastic Mother's Day gift.

We now have two MP3's from our new album Phonograph; click to download "Time Time Time" or "Light Years Away". Let us knowwhat you think!

If you haven't heard, the album comes out in the US on Action Driver April 20 and can be ordered here then. Folks in Europe and Japan will be able to buy it later this year.

Also, be sure and check out the live dates for any changes or additions to our April US tour, or join the mailing list to receive email updates. Hope to see you on the road!

Our new album Phonograph will be released to retail April 20 on Action Driver Records and distributed nationally by Lumberjack Distribution.

Our CD release show in Birmingham is March 26 and we'll have copies for sale at the show. We're going to be playing the whole record and will be joined by our good buddies James Brangle and Jody Nelson of Through the Sparks on organ, acoustic, and pedal steel, to help us recreate the album on stage.

For those of you in Europe and Japan, you'll have to wait just a little bit later to get your copy. Phonograph will be released in Europe by Fargo and in Japan by Wizzard in Vinyl this summer.

We're also finishing up the planning for our US tour this April. As soon as everything is finalized, we'll post the dates. Better yet, why not sign our mailing list and we'll send you an email.

We are very sad to announce that Stateside guitarist Philip Shouse is no longer with the band. The parting was amicable, and Stateside will continue as a four-piece. We would like to thank Phil for his invaluable role in the creation of the current Stateside lineup, and we wish him the best of luck. You can keep track of Philip's activities at his website, Shouses of the Holy. Thanks Phil, and good luck.
In other news, the band is still hard at work in the studio, but will be taking enough time off in July to head up to Tennessee and Kentucky for some shows. Check the live page for details.

Stateside is still slaving away over their upcoming album. However, expect a few new tracks to appear soon on a split EP with their good buddies American Minor. Keep it here for more news.
In the meantime, Stateside is appearing live on the following dates:
Thu, May 8 - Birmingham AL - The Nick (w/American Minor)
Thu, May 22 - Atlanta GA - Day 1 of the Bubbapalooa Festival at the Star Bar

Stateside is busy at work on their new album. However, the band is taking a break from the studio a few times this month to do some shows, including a St. Patrick's Day blowout in Birmingham; the boys will be playing multiple sets with no opener! See the LIVE page for details, and check back here for updates on the forthcoming album.

StatesideRocks.Com is pleased to announce that the band will be kicking off 2003 with a residency at Birmingham's legendary rock and roll venue, The Nick. The dates are three Wednesdays in February: the 5th, 12th and 26th. If you're going to be in Alabama, this is a great chance for you to catch a hometown Stateside gig, if you haven't yet.
In other news, plans are in the works for another East Coast mini-tour in the Spring, as well as new recordings as soon as possible. As always, check back here for updates.

A big honor just came down the pike for the boys in Stateside: Bun E. Carlos, drummer for rock n roll legends Cheap Trick, has named Twice as Gone one of his Top Ten Favorites for 2002!!!! This is very flattering for the guys, since they are huge Cheap Trick fans. To check out the list, click here.
Touring-wise, it's been a busy first couple of months for the new improved lineup. Check out the Photo Page to see some shots of the band's London debut.
There are a couple of new gigs on the Live Page, but for the most part, the boys are going to be laying low for a couple of months. Check back here for updates, and expect to see 2003 tour dates soon. Happy Holidays!

Well, we're back from our little UK tour, and we've got some folks to thank. First, we need to thank Danny Smith and Jon Wharnsby in London, who helped us find the club AND our hotel (no small feat in a city like London), and who showed limitless patience with us, a bunch of Tennessee and Alabama boys overseas for the first time. Without them, we might not have had a show in London at all. Be sure and check out seismicsounds.co.uk, the excellent website for which Danny often writes.

Secondly, we'd like to thank David Morrison from the Gilded Palace of Sin in Brighton for all his help. (When in the Brighton area, go buy a record from him at Rounder Records shop). If it weren't for his kindness and generosity, the Brighton show would not have happened at all. Also, our gratitude goes out to David's fiancée Susan for all her hospitality, and to Ben for his help as well. And if it hadn't been for Charlie from the terrific Brighton band Flying Machine, we would not have had any drums or amps to play through at all! Be sure and check out Flying Machine, as well as The Redlands Palomino Co., the best British country band we've ever heard.

Also, we need to thank Bob from Practical van rental in Gatwick. If it weren't for his advice and encouragement, we would have no doubt cut our trip short, and we are very grateful that we stayed. Thanks, Bob!

We also have a couple of folks here in the States to thank, for other reasons. First of all, our gratitude goes out to Spectraflex Cables for their generosity, and to our new favorite US band, American Minor. Do yourself a favor and go to see them if they come to your town! You'll thank us later. Last but not least, special thanks go out to Ty Cole here in the Magic City (that’s Birmingham, Alabama, if you don’t know) for the killer photos he took.

Read this review of Stateside's London gig at the Borderline.

Stateside is heading over to the U.K. this week for a series of dates in England (see the live dates page for details). In the meantime, here is the latest press photo featuring the new band:

The band has also added a few dates in November - there will be more dates as Stateside will be playing New York City on Nov. 22. They'll add more dates as they head up the Eastern seaboard, so stay tuned:

Sat, Nov. 2 - Birmingham, Alabama - Hippodrum
Thu, Nov. 14 - Charlotte, N.C. - Fat City Deli
Fri, Nov. 15 - Raleigh, N.C. - Humble Pie
Fri, Nov. 22 - New York City, NY - Lakeside Lounge

Read a recent feature story on Stateside from Knoxville's MetroPulse

Here’s the big news we told you about: Stateside has a new lineup! Help us welcome aboard Philip Shouse (guitar), Greg Slamen (bass), Thomas Mimikakis (drums), and Nikolaus Mimikakis (guitar). And of course, there’s always John Paul Keith (vocals/guitar). Yes, you read it right: three guitars. And yes, Thomas and Nikolaus are brothers (twins, in fact).

These talented fellas are from the great state of Alabama, and they rock so much that JPK is relocating to Birmingham to play with them. To read a note from JP himself explaining the departure of the original members, click here.

Those of you in the UK will get to see the new lineup in October (see the LIVE page), and a small mini-tour of some Southern US cities is in the planning stages for September.

In other news, JPK can be heard playing guitar and singing backup on a couple of tracks from the forthcoming Ryan Adams album, Demolition. It’s due to hit stores in September.

Don’t forget to check back soon to see if Stateside is coming to your town this fall, and we’ll bring you some photos of the new boys soon!

Well, folks, it’s been a while since we’ve had an update, and there’s a lot of news coming up. In the meantime, however, we’d like to tell you about Stateside’s long-overdue European tour! Dates for the fall are being booked as we speak, starting with these British dates:

Tues. October 1, 2002: LONDON - The Borderline
Wed. October 2, 2002: WINCHESTER - Railway Tavern
Fri. October 4, 2002: BRIGHTON - The Freebutt
Sat. October 5, 2002: SHEFFIELD - The Boardwalk

More dates are coming, including France, so be sure and check back soon to see if Stateside is coming to your town. Or better yet, sign up on the mailing list and we’ll send you an email when more dates are confirmed.

Also, the press page has once again been updated with some recent reviews and articles from around the globe. Check it out…

Check out this Fargo Records Shockwave Ad for Stateside: Twice As Gone

Twice as Gone continues to do well overseas, having been NUMBER ONE for THREE WEEKS IN A ROW on Radio Arverne in France! In addition, the record is now entering its seventh week on the playlist of France's RTL radio. Meanwhile, across the Channel, Stateside's "You Were Made For Me" is getting some spins from the legendary Bob Harris of the BBC's Radio 2!!!! Plans are in the works for some gigs in Paris coming up very soon, so be sure and sign up on the mailing list so we can let you know when they're confirmed.

SUR LES ONDES du 1 au 15/02/02

1 Stateside Twice as Gone Fargo/Night & day

Stateside has gotten some press in big places in the last month - See England's New Musical Express and Rolling Stone for mentions of Stateside's new CD, Twice as Gone. Order the CD here!

Twice As Gone is now officially available in France! If your local CD store doesn't have it, you can order it from Amazon France or Alapage.Com. (A Note to fans in the UK and Germany: you'll be able to order it from amazon.co.uk and amazon.de as of March 11, 2002, or you can go ahead and buy it from us here at Disgraceland.)

Also, Stateside has gotten more international press, as well as having been added to the playlist of RTL.

We told you some time ago that Stateside had signed a deal with Paris-based Fargo Records. Well, now we have an official release date for you: Twice as Gone will be released in the United Kingdom, France and Spain on February 8, 2002.

The CD will be distributed by Night and Day. As always, we'll keep you posted on any news, press or shows that may arise.

STATESIDE’s debut CD, Twice as Gone, has been picked up by the Paris-based label Fargo Records!

The album is scheduled to hit stores all across Europe in January 2002! Fargo is the label that brought Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker to the European masses, as well as Alejandro Escovedo’s A Man Under the Influence and Chris Whitley’s Perfect Day. This is exciting news, especially since the Japanese company Wizzard in Vinyl also recently picked up Twice as Gone. Come help us celebrate Friday, October 26 at Exit/In here in Nashville! For those of you who were there last time, you’ll remember what a rocking bill it was, with Alabama’s Girlfriend Voice opening up (and literally breathing fire) before the fantastic Jonathon Bright took the stage; Stateside closed the show and a wonderful time was had by all. It’s the same bill this time, and the show starts around 9:30 PM.

In other news, Kelly Hogan’s new record, Because it Feel Good (which features a song written by JPK) has been getting rave reviews, including in Rolling Stone! Congratulations to Kelly.

See you Friday at the Exit/In!

It’s been a while, but here’s the latest. First, we are proud to announce that Twice as Gone was one of the top sellers at Miles of Music for the month of August, debuting at Number Two and spending two weeks at Number Three. Thanks to everybody who bought a copy at M.O.M.!

September was a busy month in relation to the Land of the Rising Sun: Twice as Gone has been picked up for distribution in Japan by Wizard in Vinyl. In addition, there are two new interviews with John Paul Keith from some nice Japanese magazines in the Press section, as well as a Japanese review of the record.

In related news, Chicago’s reigning queen of alt country, Kelly Hogan, has a new album out on Bloodshot Records, Because it Feel Good, which features a song written by JPK. The song is called “(You Don’t Know) The First Thing About Blue” and Kelly does a fantastic job with it. It’s a terrific album from a terrific singer, so do yourself a favor and buy it.

You’ll also notice there are a couple of new shows on the Live page, as well as the new Stateside message board on the Contact page. Be sure and sign up!

The debut album from STATESIDE, Twice as Gone, is now available exclusively from Disgraceland.com! All 12 songs on the CD were written by John Paul Keith (The V-Roys, The Nevers), and it features guest appearances from Ryan Adams (Whiskeytown), Bucky Baxter (Bob Dylan, Steve Earle), Paul Noe (The Judybats, The Nevers), and Kevin Teel (Bare Jr.). Nashville's Rage Magazine calls it "edgy Southern rock with a Britpop flair and occasional punk rock abandon...and the spit-in-your-eye songwriting that rock n roll history is made on." This is a website only exclusive!

(The CD will not be available in stores until July 31). Order now at www.disgraceland.com, or listen to the single and title track at Disgraceland's Listening Room.

The tracklist and a few real-audio samples are available here! For this special occasion, Disgraceland is also offering a John Paul Keith Bonus Cup!

You can get Stateside's Twice As Gone AND The Have Nots' Have At It for one low price! Go to Disgraceland's Online Shop for the details. Both are chock-full of songs written by JPK and both are musts for your collection! Pick up the bonus cup!

Hello everybody; John Paul Keith here.

I just wanted to drop you all a line to let you know that, effective immediately, my rock and roll band (Billy Mercer, Brad Pemberton, Adam Landry, and myself) will be known as STATESIDE.

As most of you know, me and the boys have been playing together around Nashville for about a year now, under my name. We have also completed a CD, due for release on Disgraceland Records later this month. Since I wrote the songs on the record, and since none of us could think of a good band name, we have been billed under my name alone. Recently, however, while working on the artwork for the CD, we finally decided on Stateside. So from now on, when you get an email from Disgraceland or see an ad in the paper about a band called Stateside, you'll know it's just me and Billy and the boys, playing songs many of you know from my days in The Nevers, and a lot of brand new tunes as well.

In fact, we’re playing our debut gig as Stateside on Saturday, June 23 at Exit/In with Hangman’s Daughter. Another upcoming gig is also at Exit/In, this time on Saturday, July 14, opening up for Ryan Adams of Whiskeytown fame (and then backing him up during his set).

Also, be sure and check out our website with its new address at www.StatesideRocks.com. We’ve got some new photos and an MP3 from the album. Please help us spread the word, and stay tuned for a definitive June release date for the Stateside CD!

Thanks!
John Paul Keith
jpk@statesiderocks.com