SexTapes

ToneRiot Records™ has announced the release date for the SexTapes™ debut album on November 11, 2008. The album will be available through iTunes (worldwide), Best Buy stores, FYE, Borders Books, Wherehouse Records, Amazon.com, and more.

Los Angeles, CA (Billboard Publicity Wire) November 5, 2008 -- ToneRiot Records™ has announced the release date for the SexTapes™ debut album on November 11, 2008. The album will be available through iTunes (worldwide), Best Buy stores, FYE, Borders Books, Wherehouse Records, Amazon.com, and more.

Lead vocalist Chris Pitman shares, "I'm glad to finally get this album out there as it was just finished this summer. Between my involvement with Guns N' Roses and the band's high expectations for a solid and unique hard rock sound, we're stoked to finally have a great record that we're proud to release to our fans."

Music all sounds the same today, so SexTapes™ has created what they would brand as future hard rock. The music is best classified as a bit psychotic, but with plenty of melody mixing up the punk and psychedelic overtones. SexTapes™ consists of co-writer/founding member Kelly Wheeler on guitars, Marko Fox on bass, Ryan Brown on the drums and co-writer/producer Chris Pitman on lead vocals and guitar synth.

The band originated out of sheer perverse amusement with a series of informal jams by Wheeler and Fox in a cluttered garage. There, amid a bewildering array of audio electronics in every conceivable state of condition, promising sonic experiments continued with slated vocalist Pitman's enthusiastic blessings, even though he was about to embark on a mammoth tour as an integral part of Guns N' Roses (GNR). Pitman is also a member of the legendary rock band. Between playing multiple instruments (for studio recording and live in concert), co-writing and co-producing for the new GNR album, "Chinese Democracy," he is also a co-writer with front man Axl Rose of the song, "If The World," in the new Warner Bros. Pictures and Ridley Scott film, "Body Of Lies." The interrelated relationship between the two bands means that all in-store SexTapes™ albums will also be available along with GNR albums.

Recorded at The Pass Studios in Hollywood where rock legends like Smashing Pumpkins recorded "Zeitgeist" and The Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded "Stadium Arcadium," the debut album was produced and mixed by Chris Pitman. All songs are written by Kelly Wheeler and Chris Pitman.

For more information on SexTapes™, please visit: www.sextapesband.com, www.myspace.com/sextapesband and www.chrispitman.com.

For all media, including interview requests please contact MLC PR contact @ monaloring.com or 818.706.8080 - Billboard

The long awaited release of Chinese Democracy is just around the corner and because of that there are just too many GNR related stories to run on their own, so we put together a special Guns N' Roses edition of Quicks for you today. Here is what is happening in Axlland:
A man accused of illegally posting songs on the Internet from an unreleased album by the rock band Guns N' Roses has agreed to plead guilty, a federal prosecutor said on Tuesday. Kevin Cogill will enter his guilty plea to one federal count of copyright infringement at a hearing on December 8, said Craig Missakian, assistant U.S. attorney. more

According to Gavin Allen from WalesOnline, The Alarm frontman Mike Peters is planning to stage a charity music festival in Las Vegas next summer (the first fortnight of July 2009) with The Alarm playing alongside rock giants Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. more

Hot on the heels of yesterday's Swedish Chinese Democracy love-in comes another chance to hear GN'R's latest before anyone else. The band want fans to upload an "inappropriate air guitar" video to YouTube – the best gets to take 100 friends (yes, 100) to the UK's exclusive Chinese Democracy listening party. more

From November 17th-20th, Virgin Radio Italy will be broadcasting Guns N' Roses' new album Chinese Democracy each day, according toBW&BK.

Chris Pitman of Guns N' Roses is now pushing a side project called SexTapes. The music is a bit psychotic, but with plenty of melody mixing up the punk and psychedelic overtones. SexTapes is unique, so it doesn't really sound just like any other band, but as a reference, some say SexTapes sounds like a cross between Jane's Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen with a modern twist. You be the judge.

ToneRiot Records released SexTapes debut album yesterday (November 11, 2008.) The album is available through iTunes (worldwide), Best Buy stores, FYE, Borders Books, Wherehouse Records, Amazon.com, and more.

SexTapes consists of co-writer/founding member Kelly Wheeler on guitars, Marko Fox on bass, Ryan Brown on the drums and co-writer/producer Chris Pitman on lead vocals and guitar synth. The band originated out of sheer perverse amusement with a series of informal jams by Wheeler and Fox in a cluttered garage. SexTapes front man, Chris Pitman is also a member of the legendary rock band Guns N' Roses.

Between playing multiple instruments (for studio recording and live in concert), co-writing and co-producing for the new GNR album, "Chinese Democracy," he is also a co-writer with front man Axl Rose on the song, "If The World," in the new Warner Bros. Pictures and Ridley Scott film, Body Of Lies. The interrelated relationship between the two bands means that all in-store SexTapes will also be available along with GNR at stores near you.

Now, with this debut album two years in the making, SexTapes is ready to rock. - Antimusic.com

Chris Pitman has lent his keyboard skill as a member of Guns N’ Roses over the past decade. He also shares writing and producing credits on various songs through their new album, Chinese Democracy. Before Guns N’ Roses, Chris also toured with Tool and founded the band Lusk. Along with celebrating the release of Guns N’ Roses’ new album, Chris also released the self-titled album of his other band (SexTapes) earlier this month.

You can purchase the SexTapes album through Best Buy, Target, iTunes, and everywhere good music is sold; including their website - SexTapesBand.com, where you can purchase a limited edition package.

Q: How did the formation of your band SexTapes come about, and how big of an influence was Paris Hilton in the naming of the band?

Chris Pitman: Friends in Hollywood getting together ‘cause we were interested in making a commentary on the current state of popular music. The only way to truly comment on anything is to be productive and make something, not just put together weightless words or criticisms. That is the way of the non-productive, and the weak. There is nothing to defend there. But, a loud mouth, with a jaded and negative view of the world, is usually exalted by the Idiocracy of Dunces.

I’ve never stayed at the Paris Hilton.

Q: After fans get past their hesitation of asking their local music store clerk if they have SexTapes for sale, what can fans expect to hear on the bands debut album?

Chris Pitman: A music of a unique kind, mixed within the same common language they’ve heard all their lives. Rock n’ Roll is a simple language of 25 words or less, and we have managed to regurgitate it again in a unique sequence.

Q: What comes easier for you, writing lyrics or writing music?

Chris Pitman: Neither are particularly easy, or enjoyable to figure out. It is a lot of work and it can take thousands of hours to make something right. But when accomplished, that is the reward.

Q: You share writing credits on "If The World," the new Guns N’ Roses song that premiered in the credits of Body of Lies; what was the inspiration behind the lyrics of the song?

Chris Pitman: It’s about Environmental Decay in its Futurist Context.

Q: What has been your proudest accomplishment as a recording artist?

Chris Pitman: It’s always about the last piece that you’ve finished. Everything that you’ve ever done has led up to your latest work. Your whole life is wrapped up within it, and this is the current state in your journey.

Q: Who were your musical influences growing up, and are there any artists that continue to influence you?

Chris Pitman: I go to therapy to try to shake off any influences. That is the damnation of man, and of all artists; being an automaton/parrot. Just listen to what it does on the fake radio/billboard/corporateCancer.org

Q: Which Guns N’ Roses songs do you enjoy performing the most?

Chris Pitman: The improvised jams in-between songs, because they can only be performed once.

Q: Which do you enjoy most, the beginning of a concert or the end?

Chris Pitman: The audience determines which is enjoyed the most. It’s their show, not ours.

Q: Besides your last name only having one T in it, what else would fans be surprised to learn about you?

Chris Pitman: That I’ve bowled a 298 game.

Q: We end all of our interviews with word association, so I say wombat and you say...

Chris Pitman: 7-10 split. - GunsNRoses.us

SexTapes™ front man, Chris Pitman is a member of the legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses. Between playing multiple instruments (for studio recording and live in concert), co-writing and co-producing for the new GNR album, “Chinese Democracy,” he is also a co-writer with front man Axl Rose on the song, “If The World,” in the new Warner Bros. Pictures and Ridley Scott film, Body Of Lies. The interrelated relationship between the two bands means that all in-store SexTapes™ will also be available along with GNR at stores near you.
SexTapes™ consists of co-writer/founding member Kelly Wheeler on guitars, Marko Fox on bass, Ryan Brown on the drums and co-writer/producer Chris Pitman on lead vocals and guitar synth. The band originated out of sheer perverse amusement with a series of informal jams by Wheeler and Fox in a cluttered garage. There, amid a bewildering array of audio electronics in every conceivable state of condition, promising sonic experiments continued with slated vocalist Pitman’s enthusiastic blessings, even though he was about to embark on a mammoth tour as an integral part of Guns N’ Roses (GNR). In fact, in addition to the GNR tie, the resume of the first three members shows a shared musical history with less than a “six degrees of separation” scenario. You see, prior to Jane’s Addiction, Wheeler had played bass with his then roommate Perry Ferrell in Psi-Com, a regular in the L.A. underground scene in the mid-80s. Afterwards he brought on Karmageddon with drummer Danny Carey, now of Tool notoriety. Pitman, too, had been in various bands with his University of Missouri Conservatory of Music bro, Carey, both in their defiant K.C. days, and later in Zaum (along with Fox), adding synth textures on Tool’s multiplatinum album “Aenima.”
Now, with this debut album two years in the making, SexTapes™ is ready to rock.
With the addition of Brown, the band moved from a garage into a spacious studio lockout in North Hollywood. There they began cherry-picking from the early demos, keeping in mind their goal of creating an originally addictive record. In 2006, the drum tracks were laid down, with Wheeler and Fox also tracking their parts with Pitman’s production. Finally back from being on the road with Guns N’ Roses, Pitman recorded the lead vocals, afterwards enduring the meticulous process of adding multiple layers and roughly shimmering guitar-synths, which, at times, are reminiscent of his masterful arrangements on Lusk’s “Free Mars.”
Recorded at The Pass Studios in Hollywood where rock legends like Smashing Pumpkins recorded “Zeitgeist” and The Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded “Stadium Arcadium,” the debut album was produced and mixed by Chris Pitman. All songs are written by Kelly Wheeler and Chris Pitman.
SexTapes™ is future hard rock. The music is a bit psychotic, but with plenty of melody mixing up the punk and psychedelic overtones. SexTapes™ is unique, so it doesn’t really sound just like any other band, but as a reference, some say SexTapes™ sounds like a cross between Jane’s Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen with a modern twist. You be the judge.
ToneRiot Records™ has announced the release date for the SexTapes™ debut album on November 11, 2008. The album will be available through SexTapesBand.com, iTunes (worldwide), Best Buy stores, FYE, Borders Books, Wherehouse Records, Amazon.com, and more.

Visit www.sextapesband.com - Hollywire.com

SexTapes front man, Chris Pitman is a member of the legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses. Between playing multiple instruments (for studio recording and live in concert), co-writing and co-producing for the new GNR album, “Chinese Democracy,” he is also a co-writer with front man Axl Rose on the song, “If The World,” in the new Warner Bros. Pictures and Ridley Scott film, Body Of Lies. The interrelated relationship between the two bands means that all in-store SexTapes™ will also be available along with GNR at stores near you.

SexTapes consists of co-writer/founding member Kelly Wheeler on guitars, Marko Fox on bass, Ryan Brown on the drums and co-writer/producer Chris Pitman on lead vocals and guitar synth. The band originated out of sheer perverse amusement with a series of informal jams by Wheeler and Fox in a cluttered garage. There, amid a bewildering array of audio electronics in every conceivable state of condition, promising sonic experiments continued with slated vocalist Pitman’s enthusiastic blessings, even though he was about to embark on a mammoth tour as an integral part of Guns N’ Roses (GNR). In fact, in addition to the GNR tie, the resume of the first three members shows a shared musical history with less than a “six degrees of separation” scenario. You see, prior to Jane’s Addiction, Wheeler had played bass with his then roommate Perry Ferrell in Psi-Com, a regular in the L.A. underground scene in the mid-80s. Afterwards he brought on Karmageddon with drummer Danny Carey, now of Tool notoriety. Pitman, too, had been in various bands with his University of Missouri Conservatory of Music bro, Carey, both in their defiant K.C. days, and later in Zaum (along with Fox), adding synth textures on Tool’s multiplatinum album “Aenima.”

Now, with this debut album two years in the making, SexTapes is ready to rock.

With the addition of Brown, the band moved from a garage into a spacious studio lockout in North Hollywood. There they began cherry-picking from the early demos, keeping in mind their goal of creating an originally addictive record. In 2006, the drum tracks were laid down, with Wheeler and Fox also tracking their parts with Pitman’s production. Finally back from being on the road with Guns N’ Roses, Pitman recorded the lead vocals, afterwards enduring the meticulous process of adding multiple layers and roughly shimmering guitar-synths, which, at times, are reminiscent of his masterful arrangements on Lusk’s “Free Mars.”

Recorded at The Pass Studios in Hollywood where rock legends like Smashing Pumpkins recorded “Zeitgeist” and The Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded “Stadium Arcadium,” the debut album was produced and mixed by Chris Pitman. All songs are written by Kelly Wheeler and Chris Pitman.

SexTapes is future hard rock. The music is a bit psychotic, but with plenty of melody mixing up the punk and psychedelic overtones. SexTapes is unique, so it doesn’t really sound just like any other band, but as a reference, some say SexTapes™ sounds like a cross between Jane’s Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen with a modern twist. You be the judge.

Check them out on myspace at this link - Hard Rock Hideout

Meet SexTapes™, the hot new rock band coming out of LA fronted by Guns N’ Roses member Chris Pitman.

A cross between Jane’s Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen, with a modern twist, the band has incorporated psychedelic sounds with alternative rock. The band was founded by co-writer Kelly Wheeler who is on guitars, and has Marko Fox on the bass, Ryan Brown on the drums and co-writer/producer Chris Pitman on, as aforementioned, lead vocals and guitar synth.

SexTapes™ originated out of sheer perverse amusement with a series of informal jams by Wheeler and Fox in a cluttered garage. There, amid a bewildering array of audio electronics in every conceivable state of condition, promising sonic experiments continued with slated vocalist Pitman’s enthusiastic blessings, even though he was about to embark on a mammoth tour as an integral part of Guns N’ Roses (GNR). What you may not know is that SexTapes™ front man, Chris Pitman is also a member of the legendary rock band. Between playing multiple instruments (for studio recording and live in concert), co-writing and co-producing for the new GNR album, “Chinese Democracy,” he is also a co-writer with front man Axl Rose on the song, “If The World”, in the new Warner Bros. Pictures and Ridley Scott film, “Body Of Lies”. The interrelated relationship between the two bands means that all in-store SexTapes™ will also be available along with GNR at stores near you. ToneRiot Records™ released the SexTapes™ debut album on November 11, 2008. The album is available through www.sextapesband.com, iTunes (worldwide), Best Buy stores, FYE, Borders Books, Wherehouse Records, www.amazon.com, and more.

LA’s the Place got to chat with Kelly Wheeler a bit…

LA’s the Place: Why’d you name the band SexTapes?

Kelly Wheeler: I thought it evoked the feeling you get when listening to great music. Exceptional artists pour everything into their craft and sometimes you come across a song, or whole album even, by an artist that’s so good and personal, it’s damn sexy! It’s like you’ve found this private thing that they didn’t care if one person or a million people hear. Finding this is rare, but when you do, listening to it is almost like watching sex! I always thought that it was a great analogy for high quality music.

LATP: What has Pitman’s relationship with GNR meant for you?

KW: It’s always a trip to hear about Chris’ journey with GNR. Obviously, we may get noticed a little more because of it, but at the end of the day, our music speaks for itself.

LATP: What is your favorite song on the album and why?

KW: Probably “Medicine Man.” I like the big eastern-hued riff propelled by that gigantic drumbeat! Sounds like something wicked this way comes. Ominous, but with the right melody-which sort of sums up the SexTapes sound.

LATP: You all have interesting backgrounds, tell us more about them.

KW: I’ve been playing in Los Angeles bands since back in the day after moving here from Santa Barbara. I’ve been fortunate enough to play with great musicians like Perry, Danny and Terri (Farrel of Jane’s Addiction, Carey of Tool, Nunn of Berlin, respectively), and now get to continue that with Chris, Marko and Ryan in SexTapes. I’m also an art director and graphic designer and create the SexTapes visual experiences. Since I enjoy being creative in a lot of different areas, SexTapes allows me freedom of expression in a wide range of mediums.

Marko has also played in bands since back in the day, and moved here from South Carolina to impose his own brand of Punk N Roll on an unsuspecting Los Angeles. Marko and I have been friends for years, but had never played together until SexTapes started. Ryan has been the bedrock beat for SexTapes since joining. He got his training from Indiana University and has recorded and toured the world with some of the biggest names in jazz, rock and pop. Chris knew him from the LA band, OWL and upon hearing the demo, Ryan was immediately inspired to play in SexTapes. Chris is a multi-instrumentalist who got his start as a vocalist/keyboard player in Kansas City bands after attending the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music. He’s been with Axl in Guns N’ Roses for about ten years and has played with Danny (Carey of Tool) and Marko in Zaum, and with Paul D’Amour (Tool) in Lusk. Chris & I have played on and off together for years, and have always wanted to do another project.

Finally our inspirations/schedules lined up and here we are. - LA’s The Place

11/11/08 will see the release date of the band SexTapes which features Guns N Roses keyboardist Chris Pitman. An amazing work featuring great vocals and trashy punk inspired glammed out futuristic rock n roll....brought to you from the man himself. Check out the bands myspace profile for updates including the debut video from the band for the lead single Paranoid Freak. - Deep Publishing

Welcome to Singled Out! where we ask artists to tell us the inside story of their latest single. Today Chris Pitman and Kelly Wheeler from SexTapes tells us about "Medicine Man" from their brand new album. You may recognize Chris' name as he's also a member of Guns N' Roses. SexTapes is a band that Chris cofounded with Kelly Wheeler who also serves as his songwriting partner in crime as well. The sound you can expect from SexTapes is a cross between Jane's Addiction, Led Zeppelin and Queen with a modern twist. We now turn it over Chris and Kelly for the story:
Chris Pitman: Medicine Man was evoked by a monstrous guitar riff by Kelly Wheeler. It conjured images of the Spanish Moors in battle in the early centuries, to me anyways, and thus I thought it was important to have a battle cry. While I was working out the vocals and lyrics it seemed to focus on a single, older man, filled with wisdom. In the bridge section, there is an instrumental breakdown. It was there that a drumming tom-tom roll was placed, that sounded like an ancient Indian ritual evocation. We then added Indian shakers for effect, and then the chilling battle cry. And there is the inspiration for Medicine Man.

Kelly Wheeler: I came up w/ the Medicine Man riff back in the day when I was playing w/ Danny (Carey of Tool). I love eastern harmonies and this line was always one of my favorites. I started to flesh it out when I added the rest of the guitar arrangements and the driving drums on the song demo I recorded. During production, Chris put together the killer descending Queen-like chorus arrangement from layers of my guitars, which really tied it all together. Chris just slammed it with the vocals and lyrics for Medicine Man! He really brought out the exotic feeling I had in mind for the song with his images of a Native American spiritual leader. The finishing touches like the tribal drums, using the ancient word, Heyah (which translates as "God," or "The Great Spirit"), and his excellent mixing job, make the song the centerpiece of the album.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the album - right here! - Antimusic.com