EMI ROCKERS TEAM UP WITH LIFESTYLE & MUSIC RETAILER FOR
“HELLO MY NAME IS…” PROGRAM THIS SPRING
FEATURING EXCLUSIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE & MERCHANDISE
 
Los Angeles, CA – Lifestyle and music-oriented retailer Hot Topic and up-and-coming rockers Crooked X (MPM/EMI/Capitol) are teaming up for Hot Topic’s “Hello My Name is…” program this Spring during the Disturbed’s Music As A Weapon tour -- a multi-city, nine-week music, tattoo, and lifestyle festival. From April 4th to May 8th, fans will have the chance to meet Crooked X and see them perform live acoustic shows at private concerts in four select Hot Topic locations.
 
Through local radio promotional tie-ins, fans can go into their hosting Hot Topic store and purchase either Crooked X’s self-titled debut or any Crooked X t-shirt to receive a sticker that gives them access into these exclusive events. The first 30 fans to get a sticker will also receive a wristband that gets them access to a private Crooked X acoustic set on the same day of the event.
 
With Hot Topic’s early on support for the budding new band, they hope to create the possibility for music lovers to discover the band’s edgy sound while also providing new avenue for fans to interact with Crooked X on a very personal level.
 
Hot Topic will feature Crooked X “GOT NO SHAME” t-shirts, to be sold exclusively through Hot Topic [nationwide] along with other Crooked X merchandise developed in partnership with AEG’s Band Merch, the band’s exclusive merchandise partner. The shirt ties into the band’s new single and video, GONE. The relationship was negotiated with Hot Topic by EMI’s Matt Sawin and CX co-manager and producer, Spencer Proffer of McGhee Proffer Media.
 
The Disturbed’s Music As A Weapon tour is a music, tattoo, and lifestyle festival—presented by Samsung Mobile and powered by Sprint. Crooked X will rock The Ernie Ball Second Stage, which will be officially sponsored by multi-city battle of the bands organization Headbang For the Highway www.myspace.com/headbangforthehighway , a 38-city, nine-week trek.
 
Crooked X is Forrest French (vocals, guitar), Jesse Cooper (lead guitar, vocals), Josh McDowell (bass) and Boomer Simpson (drums). Crooked X channeled their youthful agro-energy, hopes, and hormones into a 10-song, self-titled debut album rife with searing guitars, passionate vocals and intense, radio-ready heavy rock. Their organic sound was inspired by the ‘70s, but boasts a new millennium sound. Amazingly, the members of Crooked X --who have been friends and playing music since fifth grade—are now only 14, mere high school freshmen in Coweta, OK (population 7,000). Guitarist Jesse Cooper emphasizes: “We don’t want to be looked at for our age, because our music is good for any age. And, YES, we do write our own songs.” Crooked X cites everything from Pantera to Hank Williams Sr. to Metallica as influences, and share songwriting and lyrical duties for a true full-band collaboration. Crooked X’s MPM/EMI/Capitol self-titled debut (out January 27, 2009) features the dark riffs of “Nightmare” (featured in Rock Band™), the first single, “Rock & Roll Dream,” and “Adrenaline,” the subject of a Wayne Isham-directed video. Even before scoring their 2008 deal with EMI, Crooked X were opening for KISS in Europe, touring with Ted Nugent, and released (on October 7th, 2008) a digital-only release of the three-song EP, Til We Bleed, for rabid fans of all ages.
Markets for Crooked X’s “Hello My Name is…” appearances at Hot Topic are:
April 4: McCain Mall, North Little Rock, AR
April 7: Cordova Mall, Pensacola, FL
April 8: Gwinnett Place, Duluth, GA
May 8: Blaine, MN