SPINESHANK Performs Impromptu Acoustic Set In Utah

The reactivated original lineup of SPINESHANK featuring Jonny Santos (vocals),Tommy Decker (drums),Mike Sarkisyan (guitar) and Rob Garcia (bass) recently performed a special, impromptu acoustic set in Ogden, Utah to a crowd of lucky attendees. Just two hours prior to the band's scheduled performance, all power was cut on the city block that the venue is located on. After some thought, the musicians reached out to the promoter to help them find some acoustic guitars in order to keep the show going. Fans witnessed a unique performance experience that has never happened in SPINESHANK's history: a candle-lit, zero amplification set that opened viewers' eyes to the barest and most honest side of the band.

Acoustic setlist:

* Smothered
* Beginning Of The End
* Nothing Left For Me (new song)
* While My Guitar Gently Weeps (THE BEATLES cover)
* New Disease
* Exit Wound (new song)

"What could have been a complete disaster turned out to be one of the most magical evenings in this band's history," states guitarist Mike Sarkisyan. "It was rather crazy. I mean, when bands do acoustic sets, there are still mics and amplification involved. We just did it completely bare bones. We had no other choice and the kids went fucking nuts."

"We had never attempted to do anything acoustic in this band, so we were very nervous and skeptical at the same time," adds singer Jonny Santos. "Then I realized that this band has always done its best to come through for its fans over the years and this was one of those moments. We found two acoustic guitars from some locals and Mike and I dove head-first into what was one of the most amazing sets I have ever played in my life. My hats off to the fans that waited for what was the first acoustic set in SPINESHANK history. I feel blessed to have been a part of that night."

SPINESHANK will release its fourth album, "Anger Denial Acceptance", next year through an as-yet-undetermined record label. Produced by Sarkisyan and Decker and mixed by Mike Plotnikoff (PAPA ROACH, BUCKCHERRY),the CD promises to surpass everyone's expectation of what SPINESHANK is capable of.

The official "lyric video" for one of the songs from the forthcoming effort, "Murder Suicide", can be seen below.

In a recent interview with FrontRowRock.com, Decker stated about "Anger Denial Acceptance", "It's three of the stages of grieving, rearranged a bit. I think it's something a lot of people can relate to; things ending, relationships, people. Members of this band have been through a lot in the last few years and it all came out in this record. This is the most personal record we've ever done. Everything you hear is real. The pain, anger and sadness come from a real place. It was not a fun record to make."

When asked about the recording process for the new CD, Decker said, "The recording process was a lot different this time. It was the first record where we didn't have an outside producer come in, we did it completely on our own. We also did it in different sessions. We'd write three or four songs and then go record them. Write three or four more and record them in a different studio. We actually took our Pro Tools rig to a cabin in Big Bear and did a lot of the vocals there. We were totally isolated from the outside world; we were able to fully focus and concentrate on the songs. It was a really cool way to record."

For a list of SPINESHANK tour dates, visit the band's Facebook page.

SPINESHANK's third and last album, "Self-Destructive Pattern", was released on September 9, 2003. The album's lead single, "Smothered", was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Metal Performance".

Following his departure from SPINESHANK, Santos formed SILENT CIVILIAN, which released its debut album, "Rebirth of the Temple", in May 2006. A follow-up effort, "Ghost Stories", came out in May 2010 via Mediaskare/Century Media.