.jpg)
THE STORY SO FAR...
Piss Off Records and DarkerThan Productions are proud to present:
Powersludge;
a raw rock and roll extravaganza of grand
aural proportions. Combining a variety of influences,
Powersludge
move like a freight train through your
stereo speakers, melting into the very core of your being with their catchy
licks and memorable melodies. At first listen you may hearken back to the glory
days of Hard Rock, when Motorhead
and AC/DC
shook the world or
Guns N Roses swore on the Grammies:
sleazy, booze induced, hard edged, Rawk and Roll.
Powersludge formed in the winter
of 2004, when a mutual friend introduced
Mike Gunderman and
Shaman Crowe. Crowe, who's
previous project Necron 99
was banned cross Canada in 2003 due to its over
the top stage show, was looking for something a little more mainstream.
Gunderman, whos work with
Avernus and
Four Mile Road
Band had given him an extensive
knowledge in rock meter, was an easy fit. Enter
Slow Daze Gerry Hixx
and former
Bippy guitarist
Steve Fooks and
Powersludge was born. As the
four’s chemistry began to flow material was soon to follow. First one song and
then the next surfaced and before long the songs that you can hear on their now
infamous "Gimme The Booze E.P."
erupted into form.
The now sought after E.P. made waves into
the heavy metal frontier with tracks like
"Skull From Mexico" and "DarkerThan," while
tracks like "Pretty Sucker"
and "Gimme
The Booze" embraced a more punk rock
direction. Yet there was always this substance that held these songs together.
Something that let you know that throughout this exploration of influences there
was a constant sound involved. We've come to call it simply
"the 'sludge"
here at Piss Off Records because
that's what it is: and mighty powerful sludge at that.
With the summer of 2006 came the "Hellbound For Texas Tour." Billed as a package deal with Stampede Queen and a "dual CD realease party," the tour counted Coyotes (Calgary, AB) as one of its many stops. When, amid fan disappointment, Stampede Queen was not able to fulfill their remaining obligations (due to a band member family emergency), Powersludge completed the rest of the stops as scheduled playing two complete sets per night.
All this road work was to pay off in the long run, however, as Powersludge began to hone their live presentation. At every turn Powersludge got louder, harder, leaner, meaner and better. From what was a joke came an actual requirement:
Powersludge
provides each of their fans with a pair
of earplugs upon entrance to any
Powersludge
event.
Having completed their successful tour,
Powersludge took some time over
the winter to catch up on a little work. Powering
the 'sludge is an expensive
business and from time to time it is necessary to work a little in the name of
rock and roll. Mike
journeyed to Libya, Gerry
to a goldmine, Steve
to a kitchen located on the otherside, and
Shaman
to a film career.
Although busy with their work schedules,
Powersludge
was able to begin recording a new album,
working on a home video and planning for another tour.
On July 14, 2007, Powersludge kicked off
"The Huge In Japan Tour." The
tour, so named because of Japanese internet interest over the winter, is a great
example of things to come. While some bands tend to hide behind a wall of sound,
Powersludge rides on top of it
like great vultures waiting to pick the uncertain from their feet.
Powersludge
are a great force to be reckoned with in terms of shear aural power.
Another surprise came on July 28th, 2007,
when Powersludge
unveiled a new E.P. titled
"Jagerleizer."
Although there was no advance rumour of the
record, it sold out of it's first pressing that very same night! The record,
consisting of nine previously unreleased tracks, is not the studio offering
which recording began on over the winter. Rather, nine more live tracks recorded
during demo preparations for that recording last summer.
"Jagerleizer" is a testament to
how Powersludge
have grown as a band. Tongue and cheek tracks
like "Breakfast On The Run"
and "Peep
Hole," stand equally strong against
Hard Rock Anthems
like "Hot
As Hell" and
"Rock Ain't Dead Yet." It
is an offering of aural sleaze, dripping with remnants of last night's
Jagermeister binge. It is Rock And Roll,
Hard Rock,
Punk Rock and Heavy Metal. It is what all rock
and roll should be: sleazy booze induced mayhem. I guess that's why
Powersludge reign as the
"Illustrious Kings Of Booze Induced Sleaze."
Having filled in for the erstwhile Gerry Hixx during the “Huge In Japan Tour 2007”, Robin Fooks was announced as the official bassist in October of that same year. Robin offers a fresh approach as well a new style of bass playing to Powersludge, creating an even more cohesive direction for the band. Having
played in the cult classic hard rock group Steel Wheelchair, Robin has a great variety of experiences and and a wealth of knowledge from which to draw from both live and in the studio.
December 2007, saw Powersludge release the video for “Hot As Hell”. The music montage released to YouTube saw the group receive over 300 hits in under 48 hours! This rabid fan response prompted the group to research new alternatives to video production culminating in plans for an all ages event at Stettler’s Performing Arts Center March 29, 2008. “An Intimate Evening With Powersludge”, was a great success. Footage from this all ages show will be available winter of 2008 as a DVD/Double Live CD with the title “Every Eye Dry In The House – An Intimate Evening With Powersludge”.
Although “Hot As Hell” was eventually pulled, the video managed to rack up 1,792 hits before YouTube pulled it for “terms of use violations”, i.e.: too much nudity!
Sadly, Steve Fooks parted ways with Powersludge officially June 2008. When asked to comment on the announcement, Shaman Crowe stated "numerous calls and attempts to contact Mr. Fooks have left us no choice but to assume that we are without a guitarist at this point." There had been little or no contact with Steve since Powersludge's performance at the Performing Arts Center in Stettler and that had left the group in a race to fill the vacant spot before the summer's cross Canada tour.
Powersludge were not to be defeated however, announcing Matt Jarmin as a replacement mid-June. Matt's extensive work with Last Call and Electric Indian brings a fresh punch to Powersludge. Powersludge introduced Matt to their fans on July 12, 2008 at their Free All Ages performance at West Stettler Park with sleaze rockers Tuff Love in the support slot. About 150 people turned out in support and the response was so great Powersludge was ushered to the stage for an encore which included a version of LGRB (Lowdown Gerry Remand Blues); a song that has only been available via the internet and never before performed live!
The summer of 2008 turned out to be a productive one as finishing touches were put on Every Eye Dry In The House - An Intimate Evening With Powersludge (Live!), recording for the next record (as yet untitled), remixing the original two EPs (for release as a double album titled "Make Mine A Double!"), and submitting the track "Blood On The Ice" to The Hockey Night In Canada Anthem Challenge.
A select group of fans were treated to a secret show at Hangar 56 on September 27, 2008 to check out the new and improved Powersludge. The general consensus was that the band was tighter and more effective, delivering clasic cuts with new bruises and the current material was the best Powersludge yet!
As Powersludge had reworked their sound over the summer, playing minimal gigs, it was decided that the "Horn's Up & Jagers Down Tour" would continue through the winter with its next stop with Tuff Love again in the support slot at The PumpkinHeadbanger's Ball 2008.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT:
http://www.pissoffrecords.com/powersludge.htm
http://www.myspace.com/powersludge
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6555643655
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Powersludge/6284417426
http://youtube.com/user/Powersludge
http;//www.pissoffrecords.com/pumpkinheadbangersball.htm
TRACKLISTINGS:
POWERSLUDGE - "GIMME THE BOOZE (EP)":
1) Skull From Mexico
2) Pretty Sucker
3) Someone Else
4) Trapped Under Sludge
5) Desolate Observation
6) DarkerThan
7) Hellbound
8) Megatheft
9) Gimme The Booze.
Catalog number: PO1205A
POWERSLUDGE - "JAGERLEIZER (EP)":
1) Breakfast On The Run
2) Lose My Mind
3) Harley Heart
4) Stool Pidgeon
5) Hot As Hell
6) HollyWood
7) Peep Hole
8) Just Another Reason
9) Rock Ain't Dead Yet.
Catalog number: PO0707A
POWERSLUDGE - "H-H-H (Single)":
1) Hellbound
2) Hollywood
3) Hot As Hell
Catalog number: PO0508A
POWERSLUDGE - "BREAKFAST ON THE RUN (Single)":
1) Breakfast On The Run
2) L.G.R.B.
Catalog number: PO0708B
POWERSLUDGE - "HOLLYWOOD (Single)":
1) Hollywood
2) Stool Pidgeon
3) Megatheft
Catalog number: PO0908C
272 RECORDS - "KILL CITY VOLUME XI (Compilation)":
18) Pretty Sucker - Powersludge
Catalog number: B001EVJOYW
POWERSLUDGE - "MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!":
1) Skull From Mexico
2) Pretty Sucker
3) Someone Else
4) Trapped Under Sludge
5) Desolate Observation
6) DarkerThan
7) Hellbound
8) Megatheft
9) Gimme The Booze
10) Breakfast On The Run
11) Lose My Mind
12) Harley Heart
13) Stool Pidgeon
14) Hot As Hell
15) HollyWood
16) Peep Hole
17) Just Another Reason
18) Rock Ain't Dead Yet
Catalog number: PO1108D
Powersludge are guns for hire.
Anyone interested in booking the "loudest band on the block?"
When it comes to liquor sales, there are few bands that can top Powersludge. Setting sales records wherever they go, Powersludge is gaining in notoriety as one of the best original rock acts in the area. Combining equal parts AC/DC and Motorhead with a whole lotta ‘80’s era rock and roll, Powersludge has developed a very unique sound and live presentation.
The combined efforts of vocalist/guitarist Shaman Crowe, drummer Mike Gunderman, bassist Robin Fooks and guitarist Matt Jarmin have paid off well. Currently on the “Horns Up & Jagers Down Tour 2008” in support of their latest release “Jagerleizer,” the band has filled clubs, conducted wet t-shirt contests and orchestrated Hawaiian Tropic beauty pageants, all between healthy bouts of Jagermeister. The overwhelming response has always and will always be: more Powersludge.
With a high energy stage show and catchy riff ridden rock and roll, Powersludge are sure to have you on your feet. Combining elements of a variety of different genres with a supercharged rock fury second to none, Powersludge are sure to be a hit with many hard rock fans.
Known for bringing the party with them and comfortable in any setting, Powersludge would be a great addition to any event. If you’re looking for a band to raise the bar at your next function, then look no further. The good times just keep getting better when you add a little Powersludge.
Powersludge's sets can be tailor fit to suit any environment or venue. Currently we offer two sets of original material (occassionally broken into three sets), and no cover material. One night only engagements tend to work best. Willing to work with any other groups as required, in all available timeframes.
RIDER:
1) There will be a minimum charge of $600 with a $5.00 door charge. $600 is payable in advance to Piss Off Records. The $5.00 door charge will be in effect the date and time of the event. Door charge is payable to Powersludge at the end of the event. Door charge will be lifted if payment exceeds minimum charge.
2) Accommodations must be provided for a minimum of four people. See also section 7.
3) There must be a secure parking facility for our truck and trailer.
4) 1 bottle of Jagermeister per night.
5) Area inside event will be provided for the purpose of retail merchandise. Powersludge will keep the merchandising profits.
6) Mileage at a rate of $0.85/km from Stettler, Alberta to event location and back. If event is followed by another event at a closer venue, mileage will be adapted to compensate for distance less traveled on both ends.
7) If Powersludge is supplying front of house equipment, i.e.: P.A., lights, soundman, et cetera, there will be an additional charge of $400 and accommodations required for 1 more person (soundperson). Also, sufficient time must be made available for the purpose of set up and tear down and staff must be on hand at any time when there are public within access of said equipment. No public use of Powersludge equipment unless previously negotiated.
8) Venue is required to have all necessary door persons and staff to facilitate a hard rock performance.
9) Venue is responsible for equipment loss or damage, if damage is a direct result of patron misconduct, i.e.: theft, fights, et cetera. This is also amended to include events like hotel fires, floods, et cetera.
10) Venue is responsible for advertising in all available local media. This includes but is not limited to marquees, local newspapers and television.
11) Contract may be subject to change, with notification to all applicable parties served, and unanimous approval throughout.
For booking inquiries contact:
Shaman Crowe (email) shamancrowe@hotmail.com (phone) 403 741 8418 or
Mike Gunderman (email) mikecg@telus.net (phone) 403 741 9963