Atlantic recording group Skillet has announced the release of a new digital EP. The “AWAKE AND REMIXED” EP will arrive at all DSPs on March 22nd.
The EP – which features alternative versions of songs featured on the RIAA gold certified album, “AWAKE,” including the current top 5 Active Rock hit, “Awake and Alive” – heralds the Grammy Award-nominated band’s upcoming US tour. Skillet will be among the bands participating in the “Avalanche Tour 2011,” joining such hard rock luminaries as Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Art of Dying, and fellow Atlantic recording group Halestorm. The wildly anticipated trek begins Thursday, March 24th at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom and then traverses the country through early May (see attached itinerary).
“AWAKE” – which includes a trio of Active Rock radio blockbusters including the current hit “Awake and Alive,” the RIAA gold certified “Hero,” and the RIAA gold certified, top 5 smash, “Monster” – has proven a true sensation, with digital single sales from the album now exceeding 1.5 million. Produced by Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Daughtry, Flyleaf), the collection was among the top 10 on Billboard’s 2010 “Top Alternative Albums” chart, with Skillet coming in at the year’s #7 “Top Alternative Album Artist.” Furthermore, Skillet at the close of 2010 was one of 15 artists including the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and the Zac Brown Band to have remained on the Billboard Top 200 chart for 64 weeks or more, making “AWAKE” #74 on Billboard’s 2010 “Top 200 Albums.” “AWAKE” reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Albums” chart within 24 hours of its August 2009 release, while simultaneously exploding into the #2 spot on the SoundScan/Billboard 200.
One of America’s hardest working live acts, Skillet spent much of 2010 on the road, touring alongside Atlantic labelmates Shinedown as well as headlining their own “Alive & Awake Tour.” In addition, the band has shared stages with such acts as Creed, Papa Roach, Flyleaf, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether, and Puddle of Mudd.
“Hero,” the Top 15 single from “AWAKE,” has received an array of high-profile placements, including promos for NBC’s Sunday Night Football and THQ’s WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game.
Founded in 1996, Skillet has earned rapturous praise for their inspirational and intense approach to hard-edged alternative rock. Hit Parader celebrated Skillet for “(bringing) to mind the kind of slick, studio-savvy work that made vintage Aerosmith and Bon Jovi so much fun to listen to.” “Skillet…continually push their musical muscle with soaring guitar work interspersed with their take on 80’s hair-metal ballads,” declared Mix.
In addition to cumulative album sales nearing 2 million, Skillet has racked up a wide range of honors throughout their extraordinary career. Frontman John Cooper and producer Brian Howes received two BMI Music Awards for “The Last Night” and “The Older I Get,” both featured on 2006’s Grammy Award-nominated “COMATOSE.” That album proved Skillet’s popular breakthrough, achieving RIAA gold certification. “COMATOSE” followed the band’s 2003 label debut, “COLLIDE,” which launched Skillet into the mainstream while also garnering their first Grammy Award nomination.
For up-to-the-minute news and information, visit www.skillet.com or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic.
(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)
SKILLET – ON TOUR 2011
All Dates w/AVALANCHE TOUR 2011
Feat. Stone Sour, Theory of a Deadman, Halestorm, and Art of Dying
MARCH
24 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
25 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
26 St. Paul, MN Roy Wilkins Auditorium
28 Bloomington, IL US Cellular Coliseum
29 Fort Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
30 Nashville, TN Nashville Municipal Auditorium
APRIL
1 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Music Park
2 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
3 Ladson, SC Ladson Fairground
5 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center
6 Tupelo, MS Bancorp South Arena
8 San Antonio, TX Illusion Theater at Alamodome
9 Corpus Christi, TX Concrete Street Amphitheater
10 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
12 Houston, TX Reliant Arena
13 Wichita Falls, TX Kay Yeager Coliseum
15 Belton, TX Bell County Expo Center
16 Lubbock, TX LoneStar Amphitheater
17 El Paso, TX El Paso County Coliseum
19 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Convention Center Arena
21 Wichita, KS Hartman Arena
22 Springfield, MO Shrine Mosque
23 Little Rock, AR Arkansas State Fairground
26 Waterloo, IA McElroy Auditorium
27 Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex
29 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
30 Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront
MAY
1 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
3 Richmond, VA Richmond Coliseum
6 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion – X Fest
7 Charlotte, NC Metrolina Expo Trade Center
8 Jacksonville, FL Rockville Festival – Metropolitan Park
