Painkiller Hotel

What will be the magic ingredient behind the success of Painkiller Hotel first album "Black Roses”? Gimmick? Scandal? Hype?

None of the above. The Illinois quartet comprised of Kevin “Eddie Prez” Presbrey (Guitar/VOX), Mike Krull (Drums), Adam Harker (Bass) and Joel Frieders (Guitar) aims to earn success with a steadfast determination to succeed, a tenacious work ethic and, oh yeah, some memorable songs. "We made our name by making good music," explains Painkiller Hotel's vocalist and main songwriter, Prez. "I'm extremely proud of what this band has been able to achieve without the help of some crazy image. People are drawn to the band based on the strength of the music, not because our moms sued us in court or our mug shots were on FOX NEWS."

With the pending release of band's first album on Severe Records, "Black Roses", Prez believes their new music will help people put a face to Painkiller Hotel's music. "Black Roses" features ten tracks produced by Chris Sevier (Matt Woods, Eliot Morris, Livin' Legend, Chance, Mista D, Paris Luna) and mixed by George Tutko (Duran Duran, Blondie, Rod Stewart, John Cougar, and The Rolling Stones). Their first album captures a band that is mature enough to know its strengths, and ambitious enough to try new things. "Coming into this record, our goals were to show how much this band has progressed after touring and waiting until we had perfected our live show," explains Prez. "We wanted to bring in a producer who was similar to Desmond Child (Bon Jovi, Aerosmith) to help perfect our songs, and that's exactly why Chris Sevier was perfect for this record. Also, we aimed to refine what we do best as a band and give ourselves room to branch out in different directions."

"Black Roses" does just that by combining Painkiller Hotel's knack for surging anthems - "Lead Me On" and "You're All I Ever Wanted" - and dark rockers - "Weakness" and "You Don't Know What You're Missing" - with more experimental tracks - "Brightest Flame" and "Voice In My Head." While the album's first single, "Lead Me On" distills the best elements of Painkiller Hotel's music-shifting dynamics, huge choruses and tight arrangements - the quartet was eager to throw away the map and explore various sonic avenues on "Black Roses." That adventurous spirit is evident in the tripped out textures of "Changes," a song that Prez and Sevier came up with by creating the melody first instead of a guitar riff. "I didn't plan for it to sound like a roots-rock song, but that's the way it came together naturally, so I decided to go with it." That attitude, serving the best interest of the song instead of serving your ego as an artist, became an important part of the recording process, explains bassist Adam Harker. "We've all been guilty of adding something to a song that makes us feel better artistically, but takes away from the song as a whole," he says. "When we started recording, we made a serious effort to check our egos at the studio door and serve the song first," Interjects drummer Mike Krull.

Painkiller Hotel earned its stripes playing regional bars and clubs throughout the Midwest over the past few years. The grassroots support for the band caught the attention of Severe Records, which signed Painkiller Hotel last fall to a non-exclusive one album deal with the possibility of up streaming. Once the record is officially released in May 2007, the band will launch a radio promotion campaign through Tinderbox Music, a publicity campaign, and tour across the states, leaving just enough time to shoot some music videos in between.