'American Idol' Metalhead JAMES DURBIN Prepares For Release Of Solo Debut

October 19, 2011

"American Idol" finalist James Durbin is gearing up for the release of his Wind-Up album "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" on November 21, and is giving fans a taste of what's to come as he reveals the track list and first two singles from the highly anticipated debut. The anthemic lead single "Stand Up" will go to rock radio and the power-charged "Love Me Bad" will go to Top 40.

Unforgettable performances on the "Idol" stage with legends such as JUDAS PRIEST and Zakk Wylde led Durbin's own "Idols" to support the rocker's first-ever release, including Mick Mars of MTLEY CRE, songwriters James Michael (SIXX: A.M., MTLEY CRE) and Marti Frederiksen (AEROSMITH, BUCKCHERRY, OZZY OSBOURNE),along with Swedish rock band HARDCORE SUPERSTAR. Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks exclaimed it was "surreal" to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalls, "When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind." The long-time MTLEY CRE fan continued saying, "He's a true rock legend and he's playing on my record. It doesn't get any cooler than that." Mick Mars echoed the same fervor, "It was sick to have played on James' debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass; he's the real deal."

"Stand Up" is a gleaming showcase for Durbin's signature rock-star yowl and powerful, energetic voice and the NFL agrees. It has tapped the single as its stadium anthem for the 2011 season featuring it on jumbotrons nationwide during games this fall and is featuring it on their "Game Day" EP as the song impacts radio.

22-year-old Durbin was guided throughout the making of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" by leading rock producer, Howard Benson. Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, DAUGHTRY, MOTRHEAD) gives Durbin room to evolve musically on the hard-hitting album, saying the opportunity to work with Durbin was "pretty simple: I loved his voice. I think he has a compelling story to tell." Benson, who kept his eye on Durbin throughout 'Idol' thought, "It was interesting that he spoke his mind and didn't back down from who he was. That's always a good sign."

On "American Idol", James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette's and Asperger's Syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" he is ready to wave that flag high again.

"Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" track listing:

01. Higher Than Heaven
02. All I Want
03. Love In Ruins
05. Right Behind You
06. Love Me Bad
07. Deeper
08. May
09. Screaming
10. Outcast - feat. Mick Mars
11. Everything Burns
12. Stand Up

In a recent interview with SoundSpike, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford called Durbin "brilliant. Absolutely sensational." He added, "The first we heard about James and the connection with PRIEST was when he covered our song 'You've Got Another Thing Comin''. We were really excited to hear that was taking place. As we kind of followed his growth through the last season of 'Idol' and listening to him speak, it became clear he was a champion for heavy metal music.

"I can recall, right from these early weeks, thinking, 'If this guy gets to where we hope he's going to get, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if something comes our way, in terms of do we want to get involved.' When the call came, we weren't 100 percent surprised. We were absolutely delighted. We dropped everything to fly to Los Angeles and then fly back to London, all within the space of a couple days. It was a great moment for James and, more importantly, it was a great moment for heavy metal music because it was suddenly in the arms of 30-odd-million-plus households throughout the USA. And then, of course, it bounced around the rest of the world afterward. Everything that we've done in those types of appearances for us has been not only for PRIEST but championing the cause of heavy metal music."

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