SHINEDOWN Frontman Explains Decision To Release EP Under Different Name

SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith and guitarist Zach Myers will release a new digital EP called "(Acoustic Sessions)" next Tuesday (January 28),consisting of six cover songs all selected by the group's fans. But why isn't the set going out under the SHINEDOWN name? Smith explained it to The Pulse Of Radio. "The label wanted to do that, and we were like, 'Okay.' 'Cause the label was like, 'Yes, you're in SHINEDOWN, but it's not really SHINEDOWN because…' I mean, it's all an extension of SHINEDOWN because Zach's the guitar player in SHINEDOWN and I'm the singer in SHINEDOWN. But, you know, it was just me and Zach, so I think the label kind of wanted to do maybe a little bit different branding on this particular acoustic cover EP that was coming out, 'cause it is a little different."

The EP will be released through iTunes and all leading digital retailers.

It will include covers of THE CLASH's "London Calling", METALLICA's "Nothing Else Matters", OTIS REDDING's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay", THE BLACK CROWES' "She Talks to Angels", SOUL ASYLUM's "Runaway Train" and KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD's "Blue on Black" featuring Shepherd himself.

A video for "London Calling" has already been filmed and can be seen below.

Videos of all six performances were filmed, along with four more of songs by BON JOVI, PEARL JAM, PHIL COLLINS and ADELE. The artists, however, did not give permission for the latter four videos to be posted online, but the songs themselves will likely be re-recorded and released later this year.

SHINEDOWN is also getting ready to enter the studio and begin recording its fifth album, the follow-up to 2012's "Amaryllis".