Former ANTHRAX Guitarist DAN SPITZ Issues Update On DEUXMONKEY, Other Projects

DEUXMONKEY, the new band featuring former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes, vocalist Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) and drummer Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P. ),has finished recording the drum tracks for its forthcoming debut album.

Commented Spitz: "I must say Patrick is one phenomenal drummer to witness under the microphones. With a diligence of no compromise, he pounds away double-bass drum beats that match my picking technique in perfect execution. It really is a fantastic feeling to have found such a wonderful person, as well as such a perfect match for thrashing.

"I remember seeing Patrick play with Yngwie sitting on a paint bucket and he simply struck me as one sick Swedish boy."

Spitz added, "I have to head to New York for the first pre-production of a HUGE rock musical i have committed to doing. I'll be a main character/guitarist. It will eventually travel arena-size venues around the globe.

"The story is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Shenkkan and the show is put on by my lifelong friend, and, of course, Mr. Broadway, Neil Berg. He's done 'Grumpy Old Men' and so many other productions that are incredible hits.

"It's called 'The 12' and the story has Biblical ties told through the band and its music. So far we are at 15 songs, with some of Broadway's biggest stars aboard. The first show will be sometime in April at an arena in Florida. There will be a few showcases in the interim to fine-tune at smaller venues.

"You are ALL invited to this one at the China Club in N.Y.C. on January 10th. Free admission, as far as I am aware. The full-time touring will start the following year. I'll keep you all posted.

"Upon return from pre-production, I'll start guitar tracking [for the DEUXMONKEY album] and we'll start the vocal process with Wade at another studio.

"Peter is very excited as well to get this one under his belt. He's very busy with the ACCEPT reunion duties and upcoming touring schedules, but can't wait to get on tour with DEUXMONKEY as well.

"The songs got faster and heavier in the studio.

"I'm just so very excited to have taken the break in my life to regroup my passion and thirst for my art.

"I'm playing guitar constantly now and fine-tuning my skill set to a new level I've never ever dreamed of. Starting the ride all over and planning a world touring schedule to boot feels just like the 'Fistful of Metal' days in Ithaca, N.Y.

"I remember Scott [Ian, ANTHRAX guitarist] and I stuck in the cold winter studio sessions all alone for months and months hoping to finish up and get on the road. I feel the same way right now.

"So glad [Dave] Mustaine said, 'Play, Spitz.'

"Both Candi [Dan's wife] and I have received countless emails, blessings and so many offers for future endeavors regarding our identical twins, Brendan and Jaden, who have autism. It is quite obvious the mission of my musical art will tie together with bringing a more global awareness of what we going through as a family.

"I want to thank everyone who has contacted us. I also want to thank all the companies who are helping and in for the long haul.

"Brendan and Jaden are doing great. No therapist (we have five here weekly) could figure out a way to teach them words, the alphabet and so forth. Enter the iPod Touch with apps for learning. Like a crackhead with a fresh new bag and pipe, they are not only spelling, but they have gone online and bought their own apps. They tell us they have never seen this happen before. LOL. Brilliant!"

DEUXMONKEY is:

* Dan Spitz (ANTHRAX) - Guitar
* Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) - Bass
* Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P.) - Drums
* Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) - Vocals

For more information, visit the DEUXMONKEYMySpace page.

Spitz underwent open-heart surgery on June 5, 2009 after it was discovered that the main artery to his heart was almost "completely closed."

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's most recent split with singer Joey Belladonna.

In a January 2007 interview with Eddie Trunk of the "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about Spitz, "Whether people are aware or not, Danny's, like, a big deal in the really, really fancy, expensive watch world — like crazy, super-high-end watches — and he's got his own line of watches coming out. It's weird, because before the reunion I would read this stuff online, and I would just kind of be like, 'What the hell…?' But then like after hanging out with the guy for 20 months and you actually talk to him and see the watches and what-not, I was like, 'Holy crap!' It's a pretty big deal."