Greetings again from sunny Destin Florida.
Parallel is back working in the studio this weekend to record another record.
This time, we flew down. What a terrific idea. The band was in a much better mood since it was only a 1:15 flight versus 10 hr drive. Joe was a little upset because the luggage handler flipped his bass upside down and cracked the case. But other than that, we were fine.

The studio hasn't changed much. Dave Cox and Company have more speakers. Paige hooked us up with brownies and cookies. But it still has the same feel as the other times we made Black Dress and Superhero Madness.

We started our recording sessions with a couple of song ideas. In the past 48 hours we have created 9 songs on the fly. The sound is still there, but this time we are focusing on vocals and making the melodies stand out. This = girls should love this. Even have some dance type songs.

More to come.
Wil
Parallel

In july of  '07 I let you all in on our earliest progress on the new record.  Now here we are 9 months 7 days 13 hours and about 59 minutes later and I'm proud to say that,after working with our friend, partner, and guiding light Dave Cox down at Destin Recording, our fourth full length studio album is finished. Steadily making its way to those of you who wanted it most, you can only get your copy at your local Parallel merch table so I cordially invite everyone to come out to a show and partake.

Superhero Madness has been an altogether different experience for this band.  For the first time since Staring At The Sun, this record has all "new" material on it.  So much that; five out of ten songs were written in the two months preceding initial recording.  Without question this is the most honest, naked glimpse into our perception of who we are as a musical entity. 

The title came alive during tracking for the song "Tip Toe".  We were listening to some playback trying to blast through the guitar work when I suggested " that sounds like Batman racing through the night towards the Batcave." To which John aptly replied "it sounds like superhero madness".  We toyed with other ideas but always seemed to gravitate back to that.  I guess because of the way it sums up the album as a whole.

"Backdown", the opening track, is a mission statement for the entire project.  It is a battle cry of sorts that simply states "I wont backdown I'm gonna raise my woice!"  The second song and long time crowd pleaser has evolved from an acoustic singer/songwriter ballad into a ravishing pop-rock tale of an underachieving relationship. "Thinkin It Through" became a staple on our set list long before it was released on this record.  "If You Believe" seems to strike a chord with the downtrodden in all of us.  Offering absolution and inspiration all wrapped up in a dynamic ballad with obvious religious undertones and an ALMOST penitent gospel feel, this one takes me all the way back to my days of singing in the junior choir in church.  And let's face it everybody has a mountain they would like to move.  But as you dig a little deeper into this collection an  unfamiliar alter-ego starts to break the surface.  From the distorted chords of "Beautiful" to the slutty guitar riff in "Sit" and the frustrated mantra fueling "Get Out" from inside the romp and stomp battle drums rolling through "Tip Toe" even down to the jaded sing along lick screaming from "Love Is Gone", all of a sudden you're listening to a relentless barrage of  fireborn passion belted forth from an unwavering, unyielding, unabashed rock and roll band.  Thankfully "Anymore" brings us back to our secret identity with a piano driven "kiss my ass" that is quickly becoming a fan favorite. And "Outside The Lines" seemed the only logical way to end our crusade "after all the music's gone and the party's been shut down"  it gives the listener the opportunity to reflect on the experience and provides insight on the dangers of letting the moment pass you by.  

 I think Joe would agree with me when I say that lyrically this is as close to "reality" as we have ever written. Each and every song was taken directly from specific episodes in the collective lives of Parallel.  I believe that could be attributed solely to the swiftness in pre-production.  There was simply no time to create those fictitious themes and storylines that grace our previous work.  We were forced to draw from personal experience which creates a certain vulnerability but more importantly it embodies a tangible emotion that cannot be denied. 

I am proud of this record.  I am proud of my brothers in this band for creating somthing so powerful.  I am also proud of all the other players, producers, engineers, and directors that helped us put it all together.

If you have a copy I hope you can agree with what I've said here. If you dont have a copy shame on you and you should get one.  Until then consider this an introduction by one of the contributing artists.

Thanks again for demanding more...and remember...Kurt Vonnegut is king.

jack

Regardless of what happens or where I end up at the end of this journey, I hope I never cease to slow myself down and drink up every last sip when I'm in the presence of greatness.

We have spent the last four days with world renound producer John Kurzweg (Creed, Jewel, Puddle of Mudd, Social Burn, No Address and Parallel's title track for the current record "Black Dress") working on our next record, which is not scheduled to come out fast enough for any of you. The man's vast knowledge of any and everything musical has left me exhausted, excited, dumbfounded, and appreciative all at the same time. And that was during a retrospectively meaningless tutorial on the relevance of Pro-tools vs. Beat Detective, and the impact they have had on the last 15 years of Producing, engineering, and mixing music in general. I KNOW. Aside from the surreal experince and the fact that he is the nicest guy in the world, I'm thrilled that his influence and contemplation will undeniably be felt all over this new project.

I have had a few experiences in my life when I wanted to stop and savor the moment. Tuesday morning sometime around 2 or 3 we worked out the arrangement for a new song "Outside the Lines". Kurzweg grabbed a Taylor, Cunningham grabbed a Taylor and I picked up a mic off the floor. We had decided to roll tape on a live scratch track as a blue print but somewhere someone must have opened a door and let in a vibe. Halfway through Kurzweg's second lead break, I leaned over to Cunningham and exclaimed "I gotta get a copy of this!". When the smoke cleared their were at least two grown ass men in the room with a hint of saline glistening. 30 min later the first remnance of our next masterpiece had leaked out to myspace. If you haven't heard it yet, check it out cause those tracks have already been lost to the world of overdubs and once we take that version off, it will be gone forever.

I will never forget that when I first laid eyes on Mr. Kurzweg, he shook my hand, and when I last laid eyes on John he embraced me in a hug. Thank you John Kurzweg. Lets do it again sometime.

Thanks again for listening. Please enjoy... and remember... If it were monday, we would all be fucked!

jack

Alot of you are reading this with a preconceived notion that this is once again bullshit and we're going to make up some lame excuse as to why you cant have a copy of our new record "Black Dress" this friday at Town Tavern.  Well the era of empty promises and utter disappointment is over.  I would not dream of making such a bold statement (again) if I was not 100 percent on this.  That's right I'm actualy holding my copy right now and I must say that is a striking young man in the foreground.  At any rate I will personally guarantee the availability of the disc this friday night.  For those of you who do not plan to attend first let me say shame on you! Second you can obtain a copy at Woody's music in Rock Hill or go to woodysmusic.com or if you are lucky enough to know my phone number I am making house calls for a limited time.  Retail price is $13 and we do except plastic.  So don't be stingy, break into those piggy banks and buy one for a friend as well.

Thanks again for being patient and not disowning us long ago...and remember...let me do the talking.

jack 

It's 10 am and I just opened my eyes and thought holy shit what a rock show last night.  But lets back track just a little.

Friday night at Wild Wing was awesome as always.  Although I must admit I was a little skeptical about how many faithfuls would come out since we had the 7M3 show right here in town the next night.  Turns out I owe you all an appology.  The fans were out in full force trying desperately to make this home town boy feel like a rock star.  We took the stage around 10 and the spectacle began.  Women were shakin it while their men stood at the back and nodded their heads, bouncers were doing the two step and bartenders were slinging booze like it was flowing from the spikets!  A good time was had by all and after Joe and Wil almost went to blows over some equipment issues we decided to call it a night.

Ah saturday.  After a 7 O'clock load in and sound check we slipped over to The Gin Mill for some drinks and that's when everybody started pilin in.  Opening the show with "Need To Know" and continuing right down the list of 13 tracks from the record has proven to be a successful formula.  With a plethera of potential hits including (but not limited to) "Black Dress", "College Ave." and "Spin" we damn near brought the house down.  J Rose, the newest member of the Parallel support staff, got some great video footage starting back in Rock Hill and running all the way through the assault of screams for "ONE MORE SONG, ONE MORE SONG!!!!".  Fan support was superb as always but I am constantly overwhelmed by the growing number of new faces coming out and showing support. Thanks.

We had the pleasure of meeting and opening the show for a great band heralding from Louisville, Kentucky The Muckrakers.  After a refreshing 45min set they packed in their gear and joined the rest of us common folk awaiting solid 90's grunge Rock alumni: Seven Mary Three.  These seasoned veterans didn't even say hello, thanks for coming out, nothing.  They just exploded onto the stage and for two hours of Rock and Roll euphoria, blistered our ears with such anthems as "My My", "Waters Edge", "Rodrigo" and of course the timeless "Cumbersome". Front man Jason Ross proved he could still hack it donning typical grunge rocker attire topped off tastefully with a full beard and that one shirt that every guy still has hanging in the back of his closet.  You Know.  The red and black plaid flannel button down. Come on. But this guy actualy has the balls to rock it.  With a vocal that, to coin a phrase, "rumbles to the core" guitars that sound like chainsaws being forced to run on the incorrect mixture of gasoline and drums that thundered down from the heavens these eternal fixtures of Rock surgicaly cut into the crowd leaving in their wake a vast conglomeation of women gone mad with an instiable lust and men on the brink of rage.  And just like that, with no appologies, no "see ya next time", no "call me tomorrow".  they were gone.  The effect left me feeling like I'd just been touched in a "no no" place and I kind of liked it.  Before long we all started milling towards the bar to pay our tabs when......WHAT'S THAT?......AN ENCORE?!!  Mr. Ross and guitarist Thomas Juliano treated us to a much appreciated ballad entitled "Lucky".  A crooning tale of a young man struggling to keep his demons pinned up.  The next thing I remember I was wrestling with my blanket.

"BLACK DRESS" the new record is out this week.  So, for those of you who aren't already camped outside my front door waiting for yours, come out to The Gin Mill saturday night and get your copy.

Thanks again for coming out and listening.  And remember... don't get any on ya!

jack

Wow, we made our first in studio appearance last night on 106.5's local and regional music show 90 minutes.  I could not have been happier with the show.  First I'd like to thank Divakar for the opportunity and for running such a class act.  I hope a slew of you fans were able to tune in and catch the session.  For a grand total of 22 minutes we rambled aimlessly and giggled like little school girls as we tried to come across as the supercool, hip, happenin rock band that everyone just has to meet.  All jokes aside, when Wil started into the opening arpeggiation of "Floating Away" I knew we had it in the bag.  Some of the guys were worried how the whole thing would come off but I felt pretty confident we nailed it. 

7M3 this saturday night is one show that I would try not to miss.  John keeps telling me how great they were last time they came to Amos and this time your favorite band will be opening up.  So lets try to rally the troops and remind them up there at Amos why they choose to give Parallel all the best opening slots.  I believe doors open @ 9:00 but for those of you who know us well you know well be partying some where early so give us a call.

THE NEW RECORD IS ON THE WAY TO PRINT.  Ill not make any promises as to the release date but its comming soon.  1000 copies, and I promise they will go quick.  So, mortgage the house or pimp your girl out or whatever you have to do to make sure youve got cash in hand when the time comes cause we wont be able to keep em on the shelf.  

Thanks for listening and showing support.  And remember...  tell all your friends about your favorite rock band Parallel.

jack

The official debut Parallel record "Black Dress" is scheduled to come out in January. Check back to our myspace site to see where you can get your copy.

Parallel is signed to Studio Z Records. An Independent Record Company out of Destin Florida. They intend to push the record into major distribution and to Top 40 radio stations.  Stay tuned for the first single "Black Dress," although that could change.. We will be posting the songs on Myspace for you guys to review...

 

Parallel will go back to the Studio in Destin Florida this weekend to complete the new record. We just need to add a few things to make these songs grammy winners.  Stay tuned.

 

 

the three rough tracks that the band has obtained from our producer! I have never been so proud to be apart of this band. The first time that I listened to "Floating Away" with just my girlfriend, I literally almost cried. It is without a doubt the MOST emotional song that we have ever written. Jack's voice sounds like velvet! If you liked "Drops of Jupiter" by Train, buckle up because when this album comes out... you all just have no idea what is starting to form!

 

Cooley