RIPPLE MUSIC to Sponsor The 2012 Metroplex Heavy Fest, Featuring Headlining Performances From Wo-Fat and Earthen Grave

Ripple Music and Big Dude Productions are proud to announce that the California-based hard rock record label will be sponsoring the first annual 2012 Metroplex Heavy Fest in Dallas, Tx. on July 27th & 28th, 2012! The festival will be held at The Boiler Room, owned by Steve Benton of Drowning Pool, and will celebrate some of the regions hardest and heaviest acts, including special headlining preformances from Wo-Fat and Earthen Grave (featuring members of doom legends, Trouble). The event will be hosted by Dave Sherman (Spirit Caravan/Earthride/WeedisWeed) and will feature raffles, live recordings of the performances, and special guest appearances. "To be approached by Big Dude Productions to be a part of this event was somewhat surrreal," states John Rancik and Todd Severin of Ripple Music. "We love heavy music. We love supporting heavy music. We love the guys who create the music and have the hard stuff running through their veins. What better way to give back to the scene than get involved and help keep it vibrant and alive?" Big Dude Productions is proud to announce: The 2012 Metroplex Heavy Fest With special MC for both nights Dave Sherman of Spirit Caravan, Earthride and WeedisWeed Held at Steve Benton’s (of Drowning Pool) Boiler Room, in Dallas, TX. Friday July 27th & Saturday July 28th Sponsored By: Ripple Music With Co-Sponsors: Lace Music Products Coffin Cases Fourth Floor Graphics Voodoo Harley Davidson of New Orleans The showcase of talent that ranges from Doom, to Stoner, to Sludge, but is all heavy!!! ·         7 bands on each night! ·         The best of local, regional, national and globally known bands from the area, in one place! ·         $10. cover each night! ·         Raffles held for both nights on killer schwag and gear! ·         Live recording of both nights! ·         Pod-Cast taping for internet radio on both nights! Lineup for both nights: Friday July 27 @ The Boiler Room, Dallas, TX. / First band 7PM - Last band 1AM The Velia Shrine - 7PM Stone Machine Electric - 8PM Big Sandy Gilmer - 9PM Mothership - 10PM Wo Fat (headliner) - 11PM Hawk vs Dove - 12AM Kin of Ettins - 1AM Saturday July 28 @ The Boiler Room, Dallas, TX. / First band 7PM - Last Band 1AM Black on High - 7PM Pothead Goat - 8PM World Beneath World - 9AM Orthodox Fuzz - 10PM Earthen Grave (headliner) - 11PM Burn Down - 12AM FTW - 1AM www.ripple-music.com

STONE AXE Set To Continue The Rock N’ Roll Party With Live Album Release

Port Orchard, WA – Three years, two full length albums, an EP, countless appearances on compilations and 7” projects, deluxe re-issues of out of print albums . . . the only thing missing from the Stone Axe repertoire is a full length live album. Wait no longer! Stone Axe and Ripple Music will be releasing the first full length live album from the Washington based rock n’ roll preservationists on May 8th in North America (May 7th in the UK). Stone Axe: Captured Live! is a fifteen track time capsule from the 2011 edition of the Roadburn Festival held on an annual basis in Holland. This recording, indeed, captured the band in all of their rock n’ roll fury, steamrolling through a raucous set of music that has the crowd cheering, singing, and clapping along. “Captured Live! was recorded during our appearance at the Roadburn Festival, which was also the last night of our 2011 UK/European tour,” explains multi-instrumentalist and band leader, Tony Reed. “We’d been on the road for a long time, we were worn out, and we were playing a million miles an hour – just on the fringe of losing all control. It was an awesome and exhilarating experience and we think this recording captures the emotions of the night, as well as the weeks leading up to it.” Stone Axe: Captured Live! is available through Nail Distribution in North America and Code 7 Distribution throughout the UK. In addition to this release, Stone Axe were recently handpicked by the editors of Metal Hammer to have their song "Old Soul", from Stone Axe II - Deluxe Edition (available now from Ripple Music), included on a special issue covermount CD. This special issue pays homage to Black Sabbath is entitled 'The Sons of Sabbath' and will be available at the end of May! Here’s what the press has to say: "This is one impressive live release. Since I’ve been unable to attend any past Roadburn Festivals, Stone Axe has brought Roadburn to me. Anyone in the same boat as me can certainly appreciate it. This is one of those “must own” albums."  --  The Soda Shop "Stone Axe - Captured Live! Roadburn Festival 2011 has just been released on the Ripple Music label, and it is an amazing slice of in-your-face rock and roll. In fact, if it had been released in 1974 instead of 2012, Stone Axe would be flying from gig to gig in a jumbo jet with their name on the side, and Tony Reed would be a household name and worth a fortune." -- Rock Guitar Daily "Seriously ever track is worth hearing and the band is seriously tight live.For those who are already fans of this band this is a welcome addition to their catalog. For those who have never heard this fantastic act then this would serve as a fine introduction."  --  Heavy Metal Time Machine

MOS GENERATOR 10th Anniversary Re-Issue Test Pressing to be Auctioned Off for Wounded Warrior Project Charity

Continuing with the company tradition of giving back to the community, Ripple Music will auction an extremely Rare Original Test Pressing of the Mos Generator 10th Anniversary vinyl, with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). With the mission to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, WWP is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, WWP is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury – from the physical to the invisible wounds of war. Only 5 of these test pressings exist, and this is the only one made available to the public.  You can jump into the auction, win a cool heavy rock collectible and benefit the guys who throw their lives on the line every day so that we can have the liberties that we do at the same time. To do so, just visit us at the Ripple Music Ebay Store! The auction will start on Monday, April 23rd and end on Monday, April 30th. The Mos Generator test press auction is the latest in a growing line of charity auctions that Ripple Music has created.  Previously, rare JPT Scare Band, Stone Axe, and the Heavy Ripples test pressings were auctioned with proceeds going to Gulf Disaster, Japan Tsunami and the Joplin Tornado disaster relief agencies.  With the sacrifices made by the men and women of the U.S. armed forces, Ripple founders John Rancik and Todd Severin thought the time was right to release another rare test pressing from their vault and raise money for a worthwhile effort. Donations can be made to the charity outside of this auction by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org Press raves about Mos Generator 10th Anniversary Edition: "Frontman/guitarist Tony Reed continued to assert himself as one of the underrated guitar heroes of the past couple of decades." -- New York Music Daily "Reed wears his influences on his sleeve not only in terms of what he plays but in the way he engineers his records – every instrument comes through CRYSTAL clear, there are no fancy studio frills or tricks, or the “wall of guitars” effect that is found on so much music deemed ‘heavy’ of late. To be sure, everyone in this band is playing loud and note-perfect through very cool old gear (the cover gives you a handy rundown of what they use!), but it’s the sheer energy and talent that has gone into writing the music that makes this record heavy."  --  The Sleeping Shaman "Of all the second-wave Sabbath types, these guys were and remain by far the most original, with tricky prog tempos, tunefully sludgy Tony Iommi-style lo-register riffage and a sense of humor to rival their sense of purpose. If metal is your thing and you slept on this stuff when it first came out – and a lot of people did, this was before myspace, let alone youtube – now’s a good time to rediscover them."  --  Lucid Culture

Stone Axe, Grifter, and Iron Claw Ready for the Official North American Release of New Albums in the Wake of their Triumphant Appearances at Desertfest

By all accounts, the crowds were blown away.  Rocking the Midlands hailed Stone Axe's recent route through the U.K., as "the best kept secret in rock!"  The Obelisk called Grifter's Desertfest show "no bullshit rock n roll" and "the destination I'd been running to all day."  And famed rock critic, Mark Taylor, from Touchline Live Music andMetaltalk.net, claimed that finally seeing Iron Claw live as they took the Desertfest stage was a "skullcrushing joy." 

So, after planting the flag of hard-driving retro rock firmly in the heart of the U.K., what do the trifecta of Ripple bands do for an encore?  They ready themselves for the official North American release of their latest albums!  Officially released on April 10, Ripple Music is proud to unleash Stone Axe II Deluxe Edition 2 CD set, Stone Axe Captured Live at Roadburn, Grifter's self-titled debut and Iron Claw A Different Game.  

With the blazing resurgence of true retro-rock taking hold all over the world, these four releases will be at the top of every heavy music lover's lists.  Fans are ready to bask in the guitar heroics of Tony Reed, the gritty biker rock of Grifter and the true retro-resurrection of legendary U.K. doom-sayers, Iron Claw. 

Released through Nail Distribution across the U.S. and Canada, with world-wide digital distribution through the Allegro Media Group, you can expect to find these releases at a record store near you, and as always through the Ripple Music Store.  Add to this onslaught the critically-hailed Trucker Diablo album The Devil Rhythm and Mos Generator's 10th Anniversary Deluxe reissue LP, and it's clear that the time has finally come for real rock and roll to reclaim it's rightful place upon the throne.

 
Here’s what the press is saying:

"This one helluva album, and with all the revived interest in 60's - 80's rock and metal going on at the moment this set will help mark out Stone Axe as one of the very best in their field. and long may they continue. Hell if you have already got this album its worth getting again for the bonus disc alone. 5/5" -- The BCFM Sunday Rock Show

"Grifter is the best classic rock band around" - Captain Zen Beyond 

"Scotland's Proto-Metal pioneers, Iron Claw, return with a long-awaited album of gritty, blues-based melodic heavy rock that is already garnering album-of-the-year accolades." - Puregrainaudio


 

www.ripple-music.com

Iron Claw Unleash New Single "Final Hour" Debuting New Singer, Gary Hair--Available as Exclusive Limited-Time Download via The Soda Shop

Capping off a year that found Scotland's Iron Claw being hailed as the Rock n’ Roll comeback story of the Decade, Iron Claw has roared back to build upon the momentum and notoriety gained in 2011.   Rightly hailed as one of the silent legends, the pioneers of British Heavy Metal and Hard Rock, with their Ripple Music debut, A Different Game, Iron Claw proved that their role in Rock history shall never go unspoken again. A hard biting, bluesy album found the band re-energized and vibrant on their first ever official releases.   After separating with vocalist Gordon Brown, Iron Claw conducted an extensive, nationwide search to find their new lead singer, Dumphries native, Gary Hair, then immediately ducked into the studio to put their new vocal chords to work. Now, having emerged fully refreshed, revitalized and a bit meaner, Iron Claw are ready to unleash their new single, "Final Hour" onto a rock-loving world. As bassist Alex Wilson puts it, Gary brings a "heavier direction to the band, more hard rock energy and passion. This should mark a return to an even heavier, rockier Iron Claw sound." A sound befitting of a band that has rightly become legendary among underground metal fans. As a special bonus, Ripple Music and Iron Claw have teamed up with heavy rock leader, The Soda Shop, to present and exclusive premiere of "Final Hour" and the video, streaming on The Soda Shop website. And for 24 hours only, on March 15th, "Final Hour" can be downloaded from The Soda Shop for free. Don't miss out on your chance to catch this latest chapter in the ongoing rock and roll history that is Iron Claw. Check out "Final Hour" here, and download it for free on March 15th. And don't forget to check out A Different Game, still available on Ripple Music and world-wide through Nail Distribution, Code 7 Distribution, Clearspot International and at the label’s web store.     Here’s what the press are saying: "The songs crackle along, the voice conveys experience and resolve, the solos tasteful. An effortlessly playable collection of working man's hard rock, and a heartening reassertion of power from metal's forgotten founding fathers. 8 out of 10" -- Metal Hammer, Issue 225 "Scotland's Proto-Metal pioneers, Iron Claw, return with a long-awaited album of gritty, blues-based melodic heavy rock that is already garnering album-of-the-year accolades." - Puregrainaudio   "This is a solid, dynamic, vintage rock ‘n roll record, 13 tracks spanning 57 minutes yet hardly a dull moment to be found. A Different Game is more of the same—high quality heavy rock unearthed from the underground" - Hellbound.ca   "My first listen to A Different Game should not have been in my car: the rear speakers are nearly blown. Thanks to the heavy end of Iron Claw, they're likely obliterated!" - Dangerdog.com   RIPPLE MUSIC Also available at CDBaby, Amazon.com, and eBay.

Stone Axe Return to UK/Europe in Support of New Deluxe Release

The cream of the retro rockin’ resurgence crop has announced that they’re making their long anticipated return to the shores of the United Kingdom and northern Europe this April! Stone Axe are loading the road cases, fine tuning the live set, and packing fresh clothes for the 2012 edition of their European Tour with Stubb and Trippy Wicked, once again, performing in the support slots. Last year, Stone Axe went overseas to support the Expanded Edition of their first album and, in the process, turned heads and made a ton of new fans and friends. This year, Stone Axe is touring in support of the 2-disc Deluxe Edition of the band’s second album, featuring the highly regarded follow up to the debut, as well as a bonus disc packed with vinyl only releases and rare oddities from the Stone Axe vault. The ten day tour will take these classic rock preservationists throughout England, Scotland, The Netherlands, and parts of Germany as they revisit some of the choice spots from the year before, and tackle new venues in search of new fans looking for a show with some substance. Of key note, Stone Axe will be performing two sets at the inaugural Desertfest held in London; one set being under the name Stone Free as the band performs a free set from the band’s greatest influence, Free! Stone Axe II – Deluxe Edition will be available in the UK/Europe by or on April 2nd, 2012 and on April 10th, 2012 throughout the U.S. STONE AXE on the road with STUBB & TRIPPY WICKED April 5th Scrutty Murphy's - Birmingham UK April 6th Desertfest (2 sets) - London UK April 7th Stereo Cafe Bar – Glasgow, Scotland April 8th - TBA April 9th The Star and Garter - Manchester UK April 10th The Rambler - Eindhoven NL April 11th Immerhin - Wurzburg DL April 12th AJZ - Bielefeld DL April 13th Oetinger Villa - Darmstadt DL April 14th The Vortex - Siegen DL Here’s what the press is saying: “Stone Axe is an American analomy, maybe a treasure: resurrecting and revitalizing the best of classic Seventies rock in a modern context. They do it right and do it well. Fans should scoop this up, and newcomers, too. Recommended." –Dangerdog "This one helluva album, and with all the revived interest in 60's - 80's rock and metal going on at the moment this set will help mark out Stone Axe as one of the very best in their field. and long may they continue. Hell if you have already got this album its worth getting again for the bonus disc alone. 5/5" -- The BCFM Sunday Rock Show

Mos Generator 10th Anniversary Edition LP/CD Set for North American Release

Mark it on your calendars, the deluxe edition of the debut Mos Genrator album, featuring a full length LP, a CD with previously unreleased tracks and a full incendiary live concert, and a digital download of further live, demo, and jam tracks will be available throughout North America on April 10th, 2012! In conjunction with Nail Distribution, Ripple Music is proud to announce that this quintessential debut album and amazing musical package will now be available to a wider market of insatiable rock n’ roll fans. “This Mos Generator package is one of those sets that speaks to the lifelong Mos fan, as well as those who are discovering the band for the first time,” states Tony Reed, singer and guitarist for the band. “It was a goal for myself and the label to create a package that was affordable, something that looked cool, and was packed with some special moments from the bands ten year history.” Featuring over two and a half hours of music, the Mos Generator 10th Anniversary Edition was designed with the music fan in mind. The package includes three popular formats for listening to the bands 70’s-inspired hard rock in the way of 12” vinyl, CD, and digital download, and all packaged in an eye-popping 12” gatefold jacket. Here’s what the press is saying: “ . . . like the rampaging inhabitants of a sonic Jurassic Park; thunderously heavy, jaw droppingly magnificent and maybe just a little bit scary. This is music that went extinct many years ago, but against all expectation and logic, here it is alive and thriving in the modern age. 4/5”  --  The BCFM Sunday Rockshow "Of all the second-wave Sabbath types, these guys were and remain by far the most original, with tricky prog tempos, tunefully sludgy Tony Iommi-style lo-register riffage and a sense of humor to rival their sense of purpose. If metal is your thing and you slept on this stuff when it first came out – and a lot of people did, this was before myspace, let alone youtube – now’s a good time to rediscover them."  --  Lucid Culture “Really a fantastic package all around. Once again Ripple Music not only delivers the goods, but they go the extra and exceed all my expectations on this one."  --  Heavy Metal Time Machine   RIPPLE MUSIC STORE Also available at CDBaby, Amazon.com, and Ebay    www.ripple-music.com