Four Finalist Unsigned Bands Announced for Extreme March Madness

MINNEAPOLIS, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- It's finally finalized. The premier tournament for the best unsigned bands in the nation. You've heard of March Madness? Well this is Extreme March Madness -- complete with scorching tunes and a cool snowboarding course. After six months, three rounds of judging and over 800 bands from which to choose, the four finalist bands that will compete in Sam Goody's third annual UnVailed have been unveiled. And the lineup is so hot, it could melt the snow from under the riders' boards.

Ever Since Day One, a funky-ska six-piece from Boston; Heavy Petting Zoo, a bluesy-folky-country rock-n-roll band from San Francisco; Ace Troubleshooter, a Christian pop-punk trio from Minneapolis; and BabyFat, Washington D.C.'s grooving rock 'n funk four-piece will make their way to Vail, where they will play hard in the hopes of claiming the title of The Nation's Best Unsigned Band.

"Sam Goody's UnVailed 1998: The Ultimate Band and Board Event" is a three-day music and sports fest in Vail, Colo., March 26-28, which combines play-offs among four of the country's most promising unsigned bands, headlining performances by hot, up-and-coming, major label acts and highlight-film quality competition by an invitation-only field of professional male and female snowboarders. Tickets for each night's concert, with two unsigned bands and headliners, are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and can be reserved by calling Resort Entertainment at 970-476-3781. When purchased at the door with an American Express card, tickets will be discounted to $10.

"The quality of the local, unsigned music that we're bringing to Vail will surprise many," said Marcia Appel, senior vice president of Musicland Stores Corporation (NYSE: MLG), the parent company of Sam Goody.

"There's no question that great music is being produced, it's just a question of it being heard," Appel continues. "We created UnVailed to be a pipeline for new music and, you have to admit, what better way to spend spring break than hanging out in one of America's premier winter sports resorts, enjoying some of the best music and snowboarding around the country?"

The grand prize for the winning band is $10,000, the chance to be heard by attending major label representatives, and an appearance in a nationally- syndicated TV show, which will put the band in more households than MTV. The television show will also feature the extreme snowboard action showcased during the daytime hours of the ultimate band and board event.

For those who want to get an advance taste of UnVailed, check out the hard-edged alternative acts on the "UnVailed 1998" compilation CD, which includes headliners from UnVailed's semi-finals competition. The compact disc is on sale for $5.99 at all 713 Sam Goody stores, 157 On Cue stores and 68 Media Play stores nationwide. (Call toll-free 888-60MEDIA for the closest Sam Goody, On Cue or Media Play store.)

"Sam Goody's UnVailed 1998: The Ultimate Band and Board Event" was created by the Partnership Marketing Department and Request Media, Inc. of Musicland Group, Inc., along with Eclipse Television & Sports Marketing and CA Marketing Group. Sponsors of UnVailed are Speed Stick, Pepsi, American Express, L'Oreal Studio Line Senses, Mickey's Malt Liquor, Jansport, Fender and Hawaiian Tropics.

Sam Goody, the largest national chain of specialty music stores, is owned by Musicland Stores Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., the leading specialty retailer of prerecorded home-entertainment products in the United States. As of February 28, 1998, the company operated 713 Sam Goody and Musicland stores, 157 On Cue stores and 68 Media Play stores. It is also the parent company of Request Media, Inc., publisher of REQUEST magazine, which has an audited monthly circulation of 500,000 (www.requestline.com).

And the winners are ... drum roll please ...

Ace Troubleshooter
Minneapolis' regional winners of "Sam Goody's UnVailed" competition are in a bit of a quandary about how to spend the $10,000 if they win the big contest in Vail. Josh Abbott, hard-hitting drummer in the trio, wants to buy a van. The only problem is that he can't drive yet. Though the average age in the trio is a mere 17 years, 3 months-- the band has a mature stage presence and well-formed pop-punk sound, complemented by boundless energy. The trio consists of John Warne (lead vocals, guitar), Matthew Pacyga (bass, vocals), and Abbott (drums). Warne and Abbott have played together for almost three years, and Pacyga joined the mix after meeting the two at Bible Camp in 1997. The group put out their CD "Back in the Shootin' Match" in 1996, and more recently, a cassette, "Uh-oh, Spaghettio." As for the $10,000? The final decision to pay off their drum set and buy new instruments epitomizes the group itself--they may be young, but they're also serious about their music.

BabyFat
Washington D.C.'s regional winner of "Sam Goody's UnVailed 1998," BabyFat has a self-described sound of "rock, rap, island, funk and soul with a groove that won't quit." The four-piece band, consisting of Charlie Hornfleck (vocals, guitar), Rob Hornfleck (guitar, vocals), Rich DeJong (drums) and Jamal Jones (bass, vocals), have a three-part goal in mind: to move people, groove people and make them smile. And that's exactly what they seem to be doing in their live performances--from New York to South Carolina -- and CDs alike. To date, the band has cut one full length CD, two EPs and a cassette in 1992. BabyFat has also been included on a number of compilation CDs. Their most recent CD, "Three Hits and a Party," quickly sold out -- not surprising, as the band has acquired many fans in their 120-plus live shows per year and heavy local college radio airplay throughout the past six years.

Ever Since Day One
Diversity has brought Ever Since Day One to the verge of stardom. The talented sextet from Boston all attended the Berkeley College of Music, where they merged their unique styles to form a well-rounded Ska/Funk sound. Carl Barc, bass player extraordinaire, described the group's musical influences this way: "We all love the beat and raw energy of Fishbone and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, but we also dig the grooves in Funk, Hip Hop and Rock." With the lead guitarist from Caracas, Venezuela, the female saxophonist from Lake Tahoe, Calif., and the remaining cast from the Midwest and Northeast, Ever Since Day One has a solid foundation from which to build and grow. These 22- and 23-year-olds have toured throughout half the country and understand that extensive time on the road will help them sell records in the future. What will they do with the $10,000 if they win the UnVailed final? Without hesitation, Carl responds, "Pay off the bus!"

Heavy Petting Zoo
An original rock 'n roll band that incorporates blues, folk and country into the mix, Heavy Petting Zoo has been a mainstay in the Bay area club scene for three years. The quartet's diverse musical style allows them to play in a variety of settings which translates into a unique musical experience for the listener. The San Francisco regional winners of the UnVailed best unsigned band competition reached the final four by practicing their craft every day. Whether touring Northern California or jamming in their basement, these young musicians are constantly working to bring their sound to the next level. With

musical influences as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughn, the Rolling Stones and Jaco Pastorius, Heavy Petting Zoo is ready to bring their untamed sound to Vail.