As a result of our jaunt to NYC for the CMJ music festival, I inked a sponsorship deal with Spector Basses, one of the leading bass manufacturers in the world. (If you click the link and scroll down a bit you'll see my mug on the artist roster. It's still a bit surreal to me.) Spector happens to be home to my favorite bassist, Mr. Doug Wimbish. Some of my other favorites such as Rex Brown (Pantera, Down) and Robbie Merril from Godsmack are also endorsed by Spector. I am overjoyed and honored to be affiliated with them.

I also inked an endorsement deal with an upcoming local string manufacturer - SFarzo Strings I'm stoked about this because it helps out some cool local folks who make a good product and I can stop breaking the bank buying strings!  I can now be as cool as our guitarist Shaun Bivens, who is also endorsed by Sfarzo.

A special thanks go out to P.J. Rubal at Spector and Janine at Sfarzo.  You both rock super hard!!...........Dark Kent

The last weekend in March we travelled to southern cal with to rip it up for the 4th annual  San Diego Indie Music Fest. It was quite a trip. 70 bands on 7 stages, plus a mini film festival, dance troupes and lots of other candy for the spirit and soul.  Despite the fact that we played early, the turnout was great and we got a lot of love from the masses.  Bay area groups The Cuban Cowboys and Sistas in the Pit also put it down with gusto.

This week A.B.C.P. got word that we've been selected to perform at the 4th annual Afro-Punk festival in Brooklyn come July. Unlike the Bay Area in NYC there is a thriving community of  brown folks who like to rock out.  It will be nice to catch that vibe for a weekend.

The big news of the last few week is that A BAND CALLED PAIN has been invited to perform at X-FEST 2007 in Indianapolis on October 6th. Also on the bill are THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, THE BRAVERY,FUEL,ALTER BRIDGE, HURT, SICK PUPPIES, ANOTHER ANIMAL (Godsmack minus Sully Erna), and BLACK LIGHT BURNS (Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit's new band). Needless to say, this is a big festival and will more than likely be the biggest crowd we've played for. The venue holds 18,000 and when we hit the stage 3rd the place won't be near capacity but a few thousand at least will be there......HELL TO THE YEAH!

A couple of weeks following X-Fest we have another high profile event as we travel to New York City to perfom at the world famous CMJ Music Conference on October 18th. We'll be gigging in NYC that Friday and Saturday as well but the details are TBD. Once again, can I get a HELL TO THE YEAH!

Oh yes, amidst all the excitement, I forgot that we have an upcoming gig on Sept. 8th at the Rock it Room in San Fran. Peep the schedule for details.

That's what's up. Holler when you hear me.

DARK KENT

Since my last transmission, my comrades and I in A BAND CALLED PAIN had our cd release party at SLIMS and it was quite a night. We had a great turnout and the support bands, FLEXXBRONCO and TURN ME ON DEAD MAN were stellar as well. We rode the emotionally charged wave of the that show all the way to the stage of the Red Devil Lounge where we, along with the rip-roaring DOLORATA and SISTAS IN THE PIT transformed that small club into a fierce and fast flowing fireball of rock excess. We had an absolute blast! Just to give you a heads up about the SISTAS, they are the first all black, female rock and roll band that I've ever heard of and it's about time. They also toured with IGGY POP AND THE STOOGES earlier in the year so you know that they've got it crackin'. I've had the honor of performing in the lead singer of the SISTAS, Kofy Brown's soul band for the last few years and I can tell you first hand how much of a joy it is to work and perform with her. Speaking of, we recently finished mixing 3 tunes for an upcoming album entitled SOUL ROCK. You can check out one of the tracks, "My Own Time" at Kofy's Myspace Page

Word......Dark Kent

A BAND CALLED PAIN

"HELLBOUND"

ON

DANE COOK'S

TOURGASM

  ABandCalled Pain         

"HOLY"

ON THE

                  SAW II   

               Soundtrack