BRAND NEW SIN Bassist To Appear At NAMM

The remaining members of the Syracuse, New York band BRAND NEW SIN — which recently parted ways with lead singer Joe Altier — have issued the following update:

"Our bassist, Chuck Kahl, was cordially invited to attend the 2008 winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA this coming weekend thanks to Hartke and Sampson.

"The NAMM show is the largest music products trade show in United States. Held every January in Anaheim, California, the show brings together all facets of the music products industry to reveal new musical instruments/products and ideas to help music products retailers and manufacturers become more successful. More than 80,000 NAMM members and guests attended the January 2007 show. The NAMM show is not open to the general public.

"Our side project, THE UNDESIRABLES, will perform a free show this Saturday, January 19 at D. S. Humphrey's, 271 Barker Roadoswego (315-342-7355). Andy Godlewski of DEAD ROSE will rock the stage in Chuck's place!

"In the meantime we have been receiving several e-mails from interested singers for BRAND NEW SIN in the past 24 hours. It's not like the open cattle-call like 'Idol' or Bodog. We don't have the time or patience for that. Instead we choose to send out a questionnaire first. We treat everyone the same. We want to know if it's a waste of time before we invite someone into our practice room. If you can't drop your life to go on tour then why bother, right? So far we have received applicants from around the corner in Syracuse and as far away as Tennessee, California and even Hungary.

"That said, spread the word: BRAND NEW SIN is auditioning singers! If you are interested, contact the band at [email protected] with your name and e-mail address only."

In a recent interview with the Syracuse Post Standard, Altier stated about his departure from the group, "All things come to an end at some point," Altier said. "I guess the best thing is to not get into the politics of the band. We always kept inside things about the band within the band. It was an amicable parting of the ways."

Altier said he began thinking about his life and involvement with BRAND NEW SIN in a different light when his father died in October.

"Something like that, you flip 180," Altier said. "When the dust settles, you see every aspect of your life differently. ... At that point, I realized how quickly life goes by. ... I'm 33. I think it's time to take hold of my life."

BRAND NEW SIN last year parted ways with Century Media Records.

BRAND NEW SIN's acclaimed album "Tequila" was recorded at Method of Groove studios in Brooklyn with producer Joey Z (LIFE OF AGONY, STEREOMUD). The disc, mastered by the acclaimed George Marino (METALLICA, AC/DC, GUNS N' ROSES) at Sterling Sound, features a guest vocal appearance by Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) on the track "Reaper Man". The group also recorded a new version of the entrance theme music for Big Show, the 7-foot, 500-pound ECW wrestler. The theme, "Crank It Up", was first heard on the compilation CD "WWE: Wreckless Intent", which debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard chart.