Hey everyone its Brian here holy crap it has been a long time since I have posted anything here. So I guess I better do it now. The Dev has been keeping himself busy (on his break) Hahah! He has been working on a new album featuring Ziltoid the omnisient ( I probably spelled that wrong?) Its a pretty cool addition to the whole catalogue of Dev. There is a Myspace up for that project so if you feel like searching it out you may get some more information from that site. Shouldnt be to long of a wait for that to come out so keep your ears open. As far as DTB goes there is nothing going on to speak of really, everyone is busy doing their own side projects and whatnot, so there is definately a lot of new music coming out from all of us but just not together. Hahah! Dev right now is producing the new Darkest Hour album, and then as soon as he is done that he will be producing the vocals for the new Soilwork. Always keeping busy! So yeah there it is hopefully I wont take so long to do this again.

Later,
Brian

 Issue #75

  

The big news this time is an addition to the HevyDevy family. Devin and I would like to announce the birth of baby boy Reyner Liam Johnstan Townsend (to be called Reyne – pronounced "Rain" - in daily life) on October 4, 2006, weighing 8lbs 10oz. He's awesome. It's an old cliché but words really can't describe it.

While Devin has taken time away from touring to spend with his new family, this does not mean that he has been idle. He finally finished his second ambient album called The Hummer [samples of Hummer can be heard over the menu section of the Synchestra DVD] that has been submitted for printing and should be ready to order about November 15. Devin says "Like DevLab, some people may not want to take a risk on it but I'm incredibly proud of it and have been slowly working on it for 2 years. It is an ambient record that is supposed to be relaxing and if you loop it, it is intended to be nice to snooze to." Album art is by Konrad who also did DevLab.

 

Also occupying his time in the past month has been work on his puppet show. The first puppet is coming together with Devin just sculpting the finishing touches. The main character is Ziltoid the Omniscient, an alien with ideas on destroying the Earth. It will consist of five minute episodes with Ziltoid interviewing artists and musicians, seeking from them some reason not to blow up the world. He is working with many other people on the project including Travis Smith (metal CD layout master), Marcus Rogers (Vampira video), among others. Ziltoid will be beaming episodes to the web when he sees fit, and he may be releasing Ziltoid merchandise later in the year. There is no set timetable for the show as it will be done when time is available. "Ziltoid the Omniscient is something I have wanted to do since I was 15 years old [Devin says] and people will wonder why so much energy was put into making him but I saw the movie The Dark Crystal and thought it was so creative that I wanted to do something like that. This is nothing on that scale but some of the puppet-making techniques have been incorporated. It will be in your best interests to like Ziltoid or he will have to lower himself to destroy you." Ziltoid's theme song is already written and will be made into a video as well.

 

 

Devin filmed a 15-minute instructional video for the website describing his guitar rig and gear specifics on how he gets his sound. He demonstrates examples of various songs through all of the gear that he is currently uses. That video will be ready for viewing and uploaded later in the year.

 

While Strapping Young Lad and the DTB are on hiatus for a while, on this break, Devin has already written five new songs that don't fit in with either. He hopes to record a full album in project style (like Terria or Infinity) in Spring of 2007.

February 20 Devin starts producing the new Darkest Hour album in Vancouver.  It is the second time working with the band. The last album did really well for them so Devin is looking forward to topping that one. He will also be mixing this record.

I apologise for any inconvenience but only the mail order aspect of HDR will be operational so I can focus my attention on Reyne. During this time only the filling of orders and direct correspondence regarding orders will be answered. Thank you for your understanding.

So I have to say sorry to anyone that has been writing messages here. With it being summer and all I have been spending very little time on here and with the amount of mail and everything that comes in here, I just dont have the time to respond to most of them, hope everyone understands this? I am sure once I have some more time on my hands I will get back to it, but for now you might be waiting awhile for a response. Hope everyone is having a wicked summer!

Later,
Brian

So there we were just a couple of nights ago playing with Kings X a band that every member of the DTB has tonnes of respect for. What a night that was for all of us, and a great big thank you to all who came out to the show. As I am sure most of you know we will be taking a break now so that SYL can get some shows in as their new cd will be out soon, and Dev and Tracy are having a baby, so that wont leave much time for any tours and such. But I am sure we will be back soon enough! In fact Dev has already mentioned that he has started to think about the next record. I dont think he ever stops! hah Well I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has come out to the shows and bought the records! You are all awesome!

Later,
Brian

HEVYDEVY RECORDS
PO Box 153, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 7G1, Canada
Email: hevydevy@shaw.ca  Web: www.hevydevy.com 

Issue #73

Hi Everyone! There has been a lot of action in the past couple of months and this is officially the longest newsletter we have ever had. First this year was the release of Synchestra which has been received phenomenally, more so than any other Devin album. It managed to make the charts in France, Germany and Finland so thank you for that! The momentum is just beginning too with the release of the video for Vampira that can now be seen on YouTube (www.youtube.com and search for Vampira), the MySpace page (www.myspace.com/devintownsenddtb), or the HevyDevy website Fan section. The video is hilarious and maybe not what you would expect from an album like Synchestra but sure to get attention!

The second big announcement recently is the addition of Strapping Young Lad to the Ozzfest lineup this summer. This is a great opportunity for them and the exposure from such a tour may provide for more headlining tours in the future. The scheduled dates are as follows and remember that we have nothing to do with the booking of this tour or where it goes. There are also some off-day shows planned as well that are not known at this time. Please check the website for updates.

June 29 Seattle, WA, White River Amphitheater
July 1 - San Francisco, CA, Shoreline Amphitheater
July 2 - Sacramento, CA, Sleep Train Amphitheater
July 7 - Phoenix, AZ, Cricket Pavilion
July 8 - San Bernardino, CA, Hyundai Pavilion
July 11 - San Antonio, TX, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 14 - Kansas City, KS, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 15 - St. Louis, MO, UMB Bank Pavilion
July 16 - Chicago, IL, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 18 - Pittsburgh, PA, Post Gazette Pavilion
July 19 - Detroit, MI, DTE Music Energy Theatre
July 21 - Columbus, OH, Germain Amphitheater
July 22 - East Troy, WI, Alpine Valley Music Theatre
July 23 - Indianapolis, IN, Verizon Wireless Music Center
July 26 - Scranton, PA, Toyota Pavilion
July 27 - Buffalo, NY, Darrien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 29 - New York, NY, Randall's Island
July 30 - Hartford, CT, New England Dodge Music Center
Aug 1 - Boston, MA, Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 4 - Camden, NJ, Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
Aug 5 - Virginia Beach, VA, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Aug 6 - Bristow, VA, Nissan Pavilion
Aug 9 - Raleigh, NC, Alltel Pavilion
Aug 13 - West Palm Beach, FL, Sound Advice Amphitheatre

As well as Ozzfest, SYL will be playing several of the European festivals with some headlining dates in June. What we know so far is as follows:
 
June 3 Festival du Chateau de Moncel, Jarny, France
June 5 - Flame Fest, Bologna, Italy
June 6 Le Transbordeur, Lyon, France
June 7 - Elysee Montmartre, Paris, France
June  9  Download, Donnington, UK
June 11 Biebob, Vosselaar, Belgium
June 12 Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
June 13 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
June 14 Lille Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
June 15 Festivalen, Hultsfred, Sweden
June 17 Provinssirock, Seinajoki, Finland

SYL have been busy recording a new album to be released in July to coincide with the summer tours. It is called The New Black, features 10 songs including DECIMATOR, YOU SUCK, ANTIPRODUCT, HOPE, WRONG SIDE, MONUMENT, FAR BEYOND METAL, FUCKER, ALMOST AGAIN, POLYPHONY, THE NEW BLACK.  Devin says: Its all sorts of styles in one. Its about Infinity, its really cool to listen to and sounds great. Each SYL disk has been its own thing, and this is too. Its really heavy, it has lots of cool textures and the band is proud of it. There are two bonus tracks, THE LONG PIG and C:enter:###. The album is being mixed by Mike Fraser of ACDC/Aerosmith/Metallica fame. From the Century Media press release: The soon-to-be genre defying epic will showcase a new dimension of the SYL beast that puts an emphasis on incorporating more hooks and catchier melodies into the group's renowned insanity, which is backed up with an abundance of devastating guitar solos. It would be safe to say that you can expect the unexpected. [Devin says] The recording process went amazingly well, and Strapping as a whole is really excited about this effort. We were very inspired with the idea of doing Ozzfest, and the concept we are running with on this record is really based around abhorring the current music scene, yet being a part of it in some weird way. SYL is ready to be a subversive product for the unwitting 14-year-olds to scream along with We also intend to sprinkle a little ugly around all the pretty bands this year. You can think of us as the proverbial pubic hair in the cheesecake of this year's festival. We are ugly, large and angry. We have also been around longer as a band than 90f the other bands. Most of all, we're just really excited to be a part of Ozzfest and this summer is going to be crazy. In 2006, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD prepares to deliver their most accessible offering yet, which Townsend also promises will still challenge their listeners and claims is the next logical step in the group's continuous evolution. This is the year that SYL leaves their defining mark on the genre.

The Devin Townsend Band have a show with Kings X April 24th at the Red Room in Vancouver. Devin is honoured to be playing with them as the band were a huge influence on him early in his career.

From Gwars website comes: GWAR and Slave Pit are as pleased as a pimply porcupine to announce that none other than the incredible Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, producer of about a million killer bands) will be co-producing the new GWAR record, tentatively entitled 'Go to Hell!' The bulk of the material is already completed, and recording at Flattus/Cory's Karma Studios begins in early April. Then Oderus and Flattus will travel to the semi-frozen wasteland of Vancouver (in the bat-shaped helicopter, of course), to mix and master what is without a doubt going to be the heaviest album in GWAR's discography. To ensure this every album will come with a large brick, that fans are encouraged to throw at someone. The concept of the album is the closest thing to a rock opera that GWAR has done since 'Ragnarok', and concerns GWAR's epic journey into the tunnels and caverns that honeycomb your world, a journey not only to escape their earthly prison 'from within,' but also to find and confront this so-called 'Satan,' who seems to think that he is a bigger badass than Oderus. Along the way GWAR encounters a bevy of demonic dickheads and hapless victims, all ready to die for your entertainment. The album will also have a special 'enhanced' section, with incredible behind-the-scenes footage and GWAR knows what else! Look for GWAR's latest and greatest album yet to hit the stores in September. I couldnt have possibly said it better myself.

Also coming in the next few months, Century Media Records is re-releasing SYLs "Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing" in Europe on June 12.  Also from Century Media: The re-issue features a re-mastered version of this classic debut, four bonus tracks, the "S.Y.L." video and a 12-page booklet with extended liner notes from Devin Townsend himself. As Devin recalls, I had finished with THE WILDHEARTS just prior to this [1994], and they were so anti-everything that I decided to take a similar approach while focusing on dissonance and just being as over-the-top as I could. Songs didn't really matter; it was just the intensity and the vibe plus lots of humour. Screaming and laughing are pretty close, I think, and I have just never been 'hard,' so we do what comes naturally, right? Right. The re-issue includes the Japanese bonus track Japan, the Judas Priest cover of Exciter, and one never-before released track called Monday. Monday was written in 1995 with a drum machine and is the last song from that era. Devin played with the idea at the time but thinks that he was never able to finish it properly.

The DTB was planning a tour of Europe in May that we apologize was forced to be cancelled. Contrary to popular opinion, the reason was not for Ozzfest or for the new SYL album but Devin and I found out we are going to have a baby. Not a great shock to those who analyze the album lyrics but Devin decided that he needed to be home for the first part of the pregnancy and medical tests. The baby is due in October which will postpone any touring until 2007. No gender is known or names chosen at this time though I keep insisting to Devin that Gollum Townsend is not an option.

After a brief lull in posting, the Ebay store is back going in full swing. New things are being posted regularly so check back often for clearance deals. http://stores.ebay.com/hevydevyrecords

We would like to thank the readers of Terrorizer magazine for voting for Devin/SYL in their readers poll. He/they were listed under best band, vocalist, musician, and personality categories... Thats really awesome, although I dont understand Devins being left out of the Most Shaggable category - that is an obvious oversight on your part :o)

Tracy 
       

I was thinking of this blog thing and it came to me that I should probably post the regular DT newsletters here. So, I am posting the old one now, which is a few months old now but the new one should come in a few days.

Tracy 

This new year brings new things, namely new albums. The new Devin Townsend Band album, Synchestra is scheduled for release January 27-30 depending on where you live.

There are two versions of this release, the CD version which has 14 songs (13 listed, one secret track) and a Special Edition that includes the CD version as well as a DVD with an intimate in-studio live performance, a video for the song Storm, and a funny collection of tour clips assembled by DTB member Brian Waddell. It also comes with a hidden Easter egg that is definitely worth seeking out. Inside Outs European version comes in digipack format, the HevyDevy version comes in a double jewel case, both with expanded artwork done by HDR webmaster, the amazing Geoff Rousselot.

The Devin Townsend Band was offered a highly desirable slot on the USA Opeth/Dark Tranquility tour in February. After becoming friends during the Sounds of the Underground last summer Devin was eager to join the tour but being seven weeks in length, he was unable to commit that much time. Opeth were kind enough to allow the band to take only part of the tour and those dates are as follows:

Feb 15th - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
16th - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
17th - Towson, MD - Recher Theatre
18th - Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
19th - Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts
20th - Louisville, KY - Headliner's Music Hall
21st - Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
24th - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
25th - Providence, RI - Heartbreak Hotels
26th - Quebec City, QC - Imperial
28th - London, ON - The Drink Nightclub

There are also 3 separate dates. These are:

Feb 11th - Vancouver, BC - Red Room - headlining
Feb 23rd Springfield, VA with Dark Tranquility
Feb 27th Toronto, ON - headlining

The reason that Devin was unable to commit to the full seven weeks is that he is already hard at work writing the next Strapping Young Lad album. The band is rehearsing daily and are set to begin recording early March for a summer release.

For those who are into that sort of thing we have recently created a DTB page on myspace.com. We plan to add to it as time goes on with pictures and news. Here you can also hear an mp3 of Gaia from Synchestra. The address is www.myspace.com/devintownsenddtb. Beware other pages on that site as there are a few imposters that we have been trying to get rid of. Devin will likely not be posting much but I (and Brian) will do my best to keep it up to date.

HDR has decided to significantly reduce the stock we carry. This will result in a discontinuation of many of the shirt lines we have and much of what we have now will not be re-ordered. You may have already noticed that many items in the store are marked "SOLD OUT". After much discussion, it is apparent that currently we are putting everything we earn into maintaining this massive stockpile that as time goes on keeps getting bigger and harder to manage. So, we need to simplify. We have also decided to stop carrying hoodies entirely. Due to yet ANOTHER Canada Post price increase Jan 16, postage for a hoodie overseas is going up to $27.55!!! While popular, they are too costly to produce and ship. We have already added some items to the Ebay store that can be had for cheaper than the website. The Ebay store is http://stores.ebay.com/hevydevyrecords. Others will be added there over time. Input is welcome.

Hey everyone!

Brian here again, just wanted to say thanks to everyone that came out to see us on the Opeth tour! Got to meet a lot of ya, but unfortunately we couldnt do the whole tour as Devin is now in the studio recording the new SYL! As per usual the Dev never stops! Hah We really made some good friends on that tour and it was a pleasure to have audiences that understood what we were about. You all rule!!!! Dont know what is in store for us next but hopefully we will see all of you soon!

Brian