DAYS OF THE NEW's MEEKS Splits With INTERSCOPE, Negotiates New Record Deal

DAYS OF THE NEW leader Travis Meeks has reportedly parted ways with Interscope Records and is on the verge of signing a new record deal with an as-yet-undisclosed "small" label.

The following update on Travis' recent activities was posted by his uncle, Dave Meeks, on the group's official message board:

"Hi everyone and my apologies for not posting in awhile. I have kept news down to a minimum due to the uncertainty of anything concrete. Well, we just signed the release from Interscope. Travis and I really appreciate them releasing us without any complications. Interscope is a pop/rap label and I really believe they where not into Travis' vision and music. One of the heads of Interscope heard the demos and said he didn't like the music. So, they released us, which is what Travis has asked for for the last two + years. So, everyone is happy. It should be final this week (1/30/04). We were under contract with Interscope and they could have made it hard for us, but they didn't and we are thankful. Thanks guys.

"So where does that leave [DAYS OF THE NEW]? Well, Travis is in LA this weekend (1/24/04) meeting with a new label (new for us). While I can't say who it is, I'll drop a hint. The are a small label. They are very successful. They only sign a few bands. They love Travis' music and I think now, we will see music from [DAYS OF THE NEW] unlike anything before. 'Green' (the second DAYS OF THE NEW record) will look like a child's recording compared to what we will see on 'Purple'. Travis is very excited.

"Travis is healthy and in very good sprits. He has gained some weight (that's a good thing). He is working very hard. We were laying down tracks until 4 AM Friday morning (I'm too old for this stuff). Travis had to catch a plane Friday morning for his LA trip and we missed it. The manager was very displeased with me, but the music was flowing so great I couldn't stop it. The song is 7 minutes long and very epic sounding. Travis laid down the percussion parts twice and came out dripping with sweat. He layered the vocals about 8 times.

"Travis is ready to play live again. This is the first time I have seen where he is anxious to play live. We are putting new artists together. Looking for the right feel and chemistry. I was hoping to go out in February, but looks like it will be delayed. Not sure when, but we want to go out as a part of pre-production and play some of the new stuff live. Just so you know, us playing in March will depend on the new label and how they want to proceed, but this is the plan.

"There is so much to tell you, but I have to wait until the time is right. I am not much on publicity, neither is Travis. That should change soon, but you folks will be the first to know. With the fan club, it is our plan to release information to the members first, before anybody else knows it.

" 'Purple' is coming. Travis has written about 40 songs worth of material. The writing is different. Dark and light. Love and sadness. Simple and complex. Primitive and advanced. The new label will be hearing the stuff this weekend and we will know soon what will happen.

"Thanks for reading and I will keep everyone posted. Folks, I am usually a very reserved person, but even I am having a hard time containing my excitement for the things to come. Some on this board will not like the direction, others will love it. It will be the deepest writing Travis has ever done.

"This is the beginning of DAYS OF THE NEW."