Following the success of their 25th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year, legendary rock band Stryper headed into the studio to work on their upcoming album, The Covering, tentatively scheduled for release October 13th from Big3 Records/SONY. For a limited time, fans can preview the new album by following Stryper frontman Michael Sweet on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/michaelhsweet, where he will be revealing a hidden website where fans can hear exclusive song clips not available anywhere else.
The Covering, produced by Michael Sweet, will be unlike any previous Stryper recording, in that it’s a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including past hits from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Kansas and many others. A cover of Black Sabbath’s hit “Heaven and Hell” will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. The Covering will also include “God,” a new original recording from Stryper.
"Stryper recorded The Yellow and Black Attack (Enigma Records) back in 1983, and it was released the following year,” says Michael. “Twenty six years have passed and after seven studio releases and multiple compilation and live projects, we decided to show our fans where our roots lie musically. The Covering consists of particular songs and groups that molded and shaped us and made us who we are today.”
One of the highlights for Stryper fans is that The Covering is the first studio album in nearly two decades on which all four original members, plus longtime keyboardist Charles Foley, have recorded together.
“This record includes the original lineup,” explains Michael. “Tim, Robert, Oz and I haven't recorded a full-length project together since 1990’s Against the Law (Enigma Records), so this is truly history in the making. We also had what was probably the best time we've ever had recording a record together and I believe that this comes through in the energy and the spirit of each track. We're all extremely excited about this record and more importantly, we're all extremely confident about the future of Stryper and the four of us making music together for years to come."
Platinum-selling rock band Stryper will join a cast of music superstars to perform during the 86th annual NYSE Euronext holiday tree lighting festivities on Thursday, December 10th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the illumination of the 65 ft. tall and 34 ft. wide Norway Spruce taking place at approximately 4:55 p.m. on Broad Street directly in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
The 86th annual NYSE Euronext holiday tree lighting will feature Stryper along with Billy Ray Cyrus, The Manhattan Transfer, Twisted Sister with Constantine Maroulis and the Broadway cast of “Rock of Ages,” Collective Soul, Honor Society, David Nail, Joshua Bell, Kate Voegele, Tamela Mann and The Monsignor Donovan Choir, Valerie Smaldone, Dancing with the Stars' Kym Johnson, the New York Jets Flight Crew and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
The NYSE Euronext holiday tree has been a New York tradition since 1923. Performances at this year's tree lighting event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3 p.m. and continue through 6 p.m. The tree lighting (from 4:50 p.m. – 5 p.m.) will be available for viewing online at www.nyx.com.
For a very limited time, and to coincide with this special performance, Stryper is offering a FREE download of their single "Alive" by going to www.stryper.com/alive and entering the access code 777. The download will begin immediately after entering the code.
(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – Stryper will give an unplugged performance on the popular nationally syndicated TV morning show DAYTIME on Tuesday, Oct. 27 (check local listings). Vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox will perform an acoustic version of “Peace of Mind” from their new album Murder by Pride, as well as their classic hit song “Soldiers Under Command.”
DAYTIME airs daily in more than 200 markets. To find where the show airs in your area, click here. Previous celebrity guests include Tim McGraw, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, Donald Trump and many more.
For more information, visit www.stryper.com and www.daytimeonline.tv.
(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – Groundbreaking Christian rock band Stryper kicked off their 25th Anniversary Tour on Friday night, September 11th, at the House of Blues in Boston, MA. Making the occasion even more special, the band was joined on stage by Tom Scholz and Gary Pihl of the legendary band BOSTON for a performance of "Peace of Mind." BOSTON founder, guitarist and songwriter Tom Scholz is featured on Stryper's cover version of "Peace of Mind" on the recently released Murder by Pride (Big3 Records/SONY).
This is not the first time that Stryper and BOSTON have crossed paths. In 2008, Scholz and Pihl also joined Stryper on stage to perform “Peace of Mind” for VH1 Classic's After Math: The Station Fire Five Years Later. And last summer, Stryper's lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet joined BOSTON on vocals and guitar for their 54-city headlining tour of North America.
Stryper's 25th Anniversary Tour is a family affair of sorts. That's because opening act Flight Patterns is fronted by Michael Sweet Jr., the 22-year-old son of Michael Sweet. Also on the bill is Whiplash Records rock trio Manic Drive, who earned a record seven GMA Canada Covenant Award nominations this year, taking home two awards for Rock Album of the Year and Video of the Year.
The tour will hit nearly 50 cities in North America this fall before heading out on a three month international run in early 2010. All four of Stryper's original members - Michael Sweet (vocals/guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Tim Gaines (bass) - will take to the stage to perform their hits and fan favorites, as well as songs from Murder by Pride. Fans will also be pleased to find the band performing in all new yellow and black stage outfits from the original designer.
TOUR DATES (North America)
Sept 11 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
Sept 12 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
Sept 13 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
Sept 18 - The Fillmore at Irving Plaza - New York, NY
Sept 19 - The Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ
Sept 20 - Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
Sept 23 - Chameleon Club - Lancaster, PA
Sept 24 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Sept 25 - The Hayloft - Mt. Clemens, MI
Sept 27 - Reverb @ Big Bop Concert Hall - Toronto, ON
Sept 28 - Club Soda - Montreal, QB
Oct 1 - Palace Theatre - Greensburg, PA
Oct 2 - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN
Oct 3 - McGuffy's - Dayton, OH
Oct 4 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Oct 7 - Epic - Minneapolis, MN
Oct 8 - 8 Seconds Saloon - Indianapolis, IN
Oct 9 - Crossroads - Kansas City, MO
Oct 12 - Pops - Sauget, IL
Oct 15 - State Theatre - Falls Church, VA
Oct 16 - Canal Club - Richmond, VA
Oct 17 - Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Cary, NC
Oct. 18 - House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC
Oct 20 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Oct 21 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Oct 22 - Florida Theater - Jacksonville, FL
Oct 24 - Bourbon Street Nightclub - New Port Richey, FL
Oct 25 - Culture Room - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct 28 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
Oct 30 - Wildhorse Saloon - Nashville, TN
Nov 4 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Nov 5 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Nov 6 - Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX
Nov 7 - Dos Amigos Cantina - Odessa, TX
Nov 10 - Cervantes - Denver, CO
Nov 11 - Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
Nov 13 - Santa Fe Station Casino - Las Vegas, NV
Nov 14 - Club Nokia LA Live - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 16 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Nov 19 - Avalon Nightclub - Santa Clara, CA
Nov 21 - Red Room - Vancouver, BC
Nov 22 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
Nov 23 - Aladdin Theatre - Portland, OR
Dec 5 - Tito Puente Amphitheatre - San Juan, Puerto Rico
(NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – Canadian rockers Manic Drive, whose new album Blue (Whiplash Records/Bema Media) hits stores today, will join legendary Christian rock band Stryper as the opening act for the North American leg of their 25th Anniversary Tour. Blue will be the band's first release through Provident-Integrity Distribution, a unit of SONY Music Entertainment.
As one of Canada's most popular Christian bands, Manic Drive earned a record seven GMA Canada Covenant Award nominations this year, taking home two awards for Rock Album of the Year and Video of the Year. The music video for their hit single “Blue” climbed to #2 on Gospel Music Channel's rock video chart, and is a regular fixture on numerous outlets nationwide. Manic Drive has toured throughout the summer, including main stage performances at Ichthus Festival, SoulFest, Uprise Festival, Unity Christian Music Festival, Rock the Desert and JoshuaFest.
In addition to heavy touring and a new radio single ("Closer"), the band has an aggressive promotional schedule which includes upcoming appearances on Live from Studio B, Atlanta Live, FamilyNet's Mornings and the nationally syndicated mainstream morning show Daytime.
Stryper is touring in support of their latest studio album Murder by Pride, which was released in July. The tour will feature all four original members wearing new yellow and black stage outfits from the original designer and performing the band’s hits from the last twenty-five years.
Confirmed tour dates (more to be announced):
Sept 11 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
Sept 12 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY (Stryper Only)
Sept 13 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
Sept 16 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
Sept 18 - The Fillmore at Irving Plaza - New York, NY
Sept 19 - The Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ (Stryper Only)
Sept 20 - Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
Sept 23 - Chameleon Club - Lancaster, PA
Sept 24 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH (Stryper Only)
Sept 25 - The Hayloft - Mt. Clemens, MI (Stryper Only)
Sept 28 – Club Soda – Montreal, Canada
Oct 1 - Palace Theatre - Greensburg, PA
Oct 2 - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN
Oct 3 – McGuffy’s – Dayton, OH
Oct 4 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Oct 7 - Epic - Minneapolis, MN (Stryper Only)
Oct 9 - Riverstar Entertainment Complex - Cincinnati, OH (Stryper Only)
Oct 15 - The State Theatre - Falls Church, VA
Oct 16 - Canal Club - Richmond, VA
Oct 17 - Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Cary, NC
Oct 21 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Oct 22 - The Florida Theater - Jacksonville, FL
Oct 24 - Jannus Landing - St. Petersburg, FL
Oct 25 - The Culture Room - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct 28 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Oct 30 - Wildhorse Saloon - Nashville, TN
Nov 4 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Nov 5 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Nov 6 - Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX
Nov 7 – Dos Amigos Cantina – Odessa, TX
Nov 10 - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom - Denver, CO
Nov 11- Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
Nov 13 - Santa Fe Station - Las Vegas, NV
Nov 14 - Club Nokia LA Live - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 16 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA
Nov 19 - Avalon Nightclub - Santa Clara, CA
Nov 22 – El Corazón – Seattle, WA
Nov 23 – Aladdin Theatre – Portland, OR
