NEW YORK, NY (Arista Records) - FLYLEAF, the self-titled debut album by the first Texas-based band signed to Octone/J Records, crosses the RIAA gold plateau for U.S. sales in excess of 500,000 units, with the group out on the road for five weeks as part of the "Music As A Weapon Tour" with
Disturbed and Stone Sour. (Please see tour dates below.)
In conjunction with the tour, Flyleaf is issuing the limited edition "Music As A Weapon" EP, available only at shows, featuring four original non- album tracks: "Fully Alive (acoustic live performance)," "Justice and Mercy," "Much Like Falling," and "Christmas Song." All proceeds from the EP sales will be donated to World Vision, which focuses on helping children who face poverty and injustice around the world (https://www.worldvision.org).
Blessed with a deeply committed fan base, consistent record sales in non- traditional retail outlets, aggressive non-stop touring since the album's release 14 months ago, and two extremely well-received Mainstream/ Modern Rock singles and videos - "I'm So Sick" followed by "Fully Alive" - Flyleaf is more than living up to critical expectations. "Expect great things from Flyleaf," raved Metal Edge last March, "who in fact are a way more organic act than the very polished Evanescence and have the potential to become household names."
FLYLEAF's rising to No 3 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart was one of the heads-up metal events of 2006. The album was recorded in the spring 2005 during a two-month stay at Bay 7 Studios in Los Angeles with acclaimed producer Howard Benson, known for his work with Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, P.O.D., and the All American Rejects. "Combining the bass-heavy groove of early Deftones with lashings of melodic catchiness," wrote Kerrang magazine, "Texas-based Flyleaf achieve that rare feat of sounding like nobody else out there right now."
Flyleaf - vocalist/lyricist Lacey Mosley, guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann, bassist Pat Seals, and drummer James Culpepper - have been playing together since 2002, though diminutive singer Mosley and the two guitarists go back a year before that. Raised by a single mother of six who always stayed one step ahead of the rent collectors, Mosley's tough luck childhood almost took her down - until redemption materialized in the form of songwriting, inspired at first by the lyrics of Pantera's Phil Anselmo.
Flyleaf gigged locally out of their homebase of Belton, Texas, supporting major bands like Riddlin Kids, Bowling for Soup, Fishbone, and Evanescence. A memorable show at the SXSW (South By Southwest) conclave in 2003 led Octone's James Diener to sign the band in 2004 (Octone is also home to the phenomenally successful Maroon 5). Their self-titled debut EP was issued in July 2004, produced by Rick Parasher (Pearl Jam, Blind Melon) and Brad Cook (Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age), containing three tracks that later showed up on their album: "Breathe Today," "Cassie," and "I'm Sorry."
In support of the EP, Flyleaf toured with Saliva, Breaking Benjamin, 3 Doors Down, Staind, and Trust Company, playing to 1,000 people every night who mostly had no idea who Flyleaf was. But their spirited performances and Mosley's riveting presence quickly won over the fans. Subsequent tours with Cold, Staind and P.O.D. followed the FLYLEAF album release (September 2005). "I'm So Sick" was the first single pick, as recognition increased with video rotation on MTV's Discover & Download, MTV2, FUSE, a one-week hosting spot on MTV2's T-Minus Rock, and a performance on MTV2's All That Rocks awards show. This past May-June, Flyleaf played their first headlining 30-city cross- country tour, then joined the main stage action for the re-launch of Korn's "Family Values Tour," beginning in July.
"Fully Alive" is currently spinning on more than 70 Modern and Active rock radio stations and the video was added into rotation at FUSE last month. Flyleaf premiered the single on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, CD USA, and NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly.
For more information, to hear music, and watch videos log on to: https://www.flyleafmusic.com.
Flyleaf - "Music As A Weapon Tour" with Disturbed & Stone Sour
Nov. 15 Providence, RI Dunkin Donuts Center
17 Portland, ME Cumberland Civic Center
18 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Ctr.
19 Amherst, MA Mullins Center
21 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
22 Glens Falls, NY Glens Falls Civic Center
25 Dayton, OH Hara Arena
28 Nashville, TN Gaylord Entertainment Center
29 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Arena
Dec. 1 Ft. Meyers, FL Boston Red Sox Park
2 West Palm Bch, FL TD Waterhouse Center
3 Biloxi, MS Mississippi Coast Coliseum
5 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Arena
6 Jacksonville, FL Memorial Coliseum
9 Dallas, TX Nokia Theatre
10 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center
12 Lincoln, NE Pershing Auditorium
14 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
15 Indianapolis, IN Pepsi Coliseum
16 Detroit, MI Cobo Arena
18 Peoria, IL Civic Center
19 Green Bay, WI Brown County Arena
20 Cedar Rapids, IA US Cellular Arena 22 Madison, WI Alliant Energy Center
