IN THIS MOMENT Guitarist Checks In From Japan

Guitarist Chris Howorth of Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT has issued the following update:

"I am writing from my hotel room in Osaka, Japan. This is our third day here and its been an exciting trip so far. We flew in two days ago and it was a hellish flight, after 10+ hours in a tiny seat with no air vents and some really nasty-smelling food, we arrived in Tokyo, only to be stuck on the plane for an additional 45 minutes due to swine flu quarantine procedures. It was so bizzare; we likened it to the scene in 'E.T.' when the govenment tents off the house and storm in with all the hazmat gear on, or the scene in 'Alien 3' when they show up to take Ripley off the planet, we are talking hazmat suits, face masks, goggles, gloves taped on, the works. They filmed us with an infra-red camera and questioned everyone (God help the poor bastard who flies to Japan with a stuffy nose or something).

"Anyway, once we finally got to the hotel we ate and crashed hard. The next morning, to our, surprise we were greeted by a handful of fans at the hotel who had presents and stuff for us to sign; it was a great way to start the day.

"The first show in Tokyo was amazing. It was packed out, and the kids were so enthusiastic and made it a great first show. Afterwards we all went out to a traditional Japanese dinner that was terrific. The next day (today) we boarded the bullet train to Osaka, and after a two-hour ride at over 100 mph, we arrived at the Osaka train station and were met by more fans with presents and stuff for us to sign again. We never get used to this stuff — even in the States it's wierd that fans show up for us and want pictures and autographs, but in Japan it's even more crazy. (We are just normal everyday nerds who happen to be in a band — why does anyone want our autographs? Especially all the way over here.) Once we arrive at the venue and soundcheck, we head over to the hotel and are again met by half-dozen fans with more presents and stuff.

"Japan is so rad — the people are so kind and polite, and the music fans are diehard, to say the least. It's an absolute pleasure and honor to be here.

"We are heading back to the venue in an hour for the show, so I need to start getting ready to rock. I will write again and a couple of days and let you know how the rest of the shows go. I am pretty confident that Osaka will be awesome!"

Remaining IN THIS MOMENT Japanese shows:

May 17 - Soma - Osaka, Japan
May 18 - Club Quattro - Nagoya, Japan
May 19 - Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan

To promote the band's recent European tour, IN THIS MOMENT released a special edition of its latest album, "The Dream", featuring three bonus tracks — "Sailing Away", "Dying Star" and a cover version of BLONDIE's "Call Me" (audio available below).

IN THIS MOMENT singer Maria Brink was featured in the March 2009 "sex and music" issue of Playboy magazine. The issue, which hit newsstands on February 13, included an interview with the singer in which she talked about being on the road 300 days a year. "My dudes are gentlemen," Brink — who is dating DEVILDRIVER bassist Jonathan Miller — said of her bandmates. "They give me the back of the bus. I hang curtains and have candles and flowers and all my dresses. It's my little secret girlie place."

IN THIS MOMENT's massive North American trek alongside MUDVAYNE and NONPOINT kicked off on February 3 and concluded in March. This run came on the heels of the band's most successful year yet, which saw Maria Brink landing major cover features in Inked, Revolver and Metal Edge as the group's latest album, "The Dream", sold more than 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD's first single, "Forever", tore up the Active Rock chart, led by heavy airplay from such tastemaker stations as WCCC (Hartford),KFNK (Seattle),KXTE (Las Vegas),WJJO (Madison) and Sirius' Octane.