Click above images for high-res download Photo credit: Drew Crozier

THE VILLAINS

Press Release, April 18, 2012

Coming off the success of their 2010 debut album, JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT, The Villains return with their sophomore release, VELOCITY. Produced by Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Don Henley) and Billy Chapin (Edwin McCain, Backstreet Boys) and mixed by industry veteran John Kurzweg (Jewel, Creed), the 12 new songs on VELOCITY mark the tremendous growth of the band in the last year and a half. From the blistering opening track “Cadillac” to the optimistic “I’ve Got A Feeling,” the songs run the gambit of experiences and emotions. The growth of the band is evident as is the tightness and vibe of the new tracks themselves.

All five Villains, Magno, Dan Call, Sean McNally, Michael Wilkes, and Jimmy James Schmitt, have a rich history of writing, recording, and touring. Each has recorded and performed with many mainstream and indie artists from Nashville to New York, as well as touring the world together and individually.

What started as a recording project for Magno, Dan, Sean, and Michael after three years on the road with another artist quickly turned into a record that would eventually become their debut. Singer/songwriter Jimmy James Schmitt was invited into the band to round out the group. In the spirit of acts such as The Band, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, the blend of different singers and styles solidified the sound rather than compromising it.

“Just Another Saturday Night,” yielded two Triple A charting singles, “Let's Forget About It Tonight” and “You Don't Have To Say,” both co-written by Sheryl Crow and Don Henley guitarist, Peter Stroud. The record was a critical success and the band toured opening for Blues Traveler and Sister Hazel through the end of the year.

After months of writing and rehearsing, they entered Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville to record their second record, VELOCITY. They once again enlisted the help of Peter Stroud as well as co-writing with A-list songwriters such as Tom Douglas (Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw), Stan Lynch (Don Henley, The Eagles), Richard Feldman (Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker), Josh Leo (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alabama), and James House (Dwight Yoakum, Martina McBride).

The Villains look forward to sharing the new record with their fans by doing what they do best…playing live and continuing what they started just a short time ago.

VELOCITY, indeed!

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