ASKA News-12/24/02

CENTURY MEDIA picks up "AVENGER" CD
North America's largest metal distributor, Century Media Records, has added ASKA's "Avenger" disc to their inventory lists and are currently distributing the European version of the disc worldwide for Steelheart Records. Century Media has carried the band's previous effort, "Nine Tongues", for some time. The band commented that they were "very pleased to have "Avenger" added to the roster". Interested parties can order direct from Century Media through traditional means or purchase online at www.centurymedia.com. Earlier this year Century Media Records joined forces with Germany's Nuclear Blast Records becoming one of the largest metal music distributors/labels in the world. Incidentally, Nuclear Blast Records have been carrying ASKA discs in their stores and catalogs for several years and the band is proud that the trend continues now with Century Media's addition to the fold.
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ASKA DRUMMER SECURES SECOND ENDORSEMENT DEAL
New ASKA drummer, Danny White, recently partnered with the ATTACK drum head family when he secured his second gear endorsement in as many weeks. White will be using the drum heads live and in the studio and recommends ATTACK drum heads to all aspiring and established musicians. Additionally, other companies are lining up to have members of ASKA endorse their products. For years ASKA's guitarists have been strong supporters of Ernie Ball Strings and numerous other musical equipment manufacturing companies. For a complete list of companies endorsed by ASKA, see the links section of this website.
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ASKA DEBUTS NEW SONG
Saturday, December 14th was a special evening for ASKA fans that attended the band's show with OMEN at The Underworld club in Dallas, Texas. Near the end of a blistering set made up entirely of songs from "Avenger" and "Nine Tongues", the group debuted new song, FREEDOM. FREEDOM is one of the highly anticipated songs which is to be included on ASKA's forthcoming fifth disc. The band has shared some of the other song titles from the forthcoming release with us but they stress that "at this point these are all working titles only and are very much subject to change". In addition to FREEDOM, there were songs titled; LEGION, QUEEN OF GOTHS, LOVE THEN OBLIVION, BY THIS AXE I RULE, SLEEPERS, LONGSHIP, and a host of others which they failed to repeat for us.
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ASKA CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Six months ago, the band changed their headquarters and Post Office Box mailing address but the band reports that there is still quite a volume of mail that is being sent to their old address. Here then is the new address. Please update your address books and send your stuff to:
ASKA
PO BOX 561311
The Colony, TX 75056
USA
The band reads everything that comes through and make an honest attempt to respond to everybody as time permits.

ASKA BANNED AT 'THE ROCK' CLUB IN DALLAS
ASKA was recently informed through various sources that they were effectively banned from ever playing another show at THE ROCK club in Dallas, Texas.

The Rock, located within the Deep Ellum district of downtown Dallas, had for many years been a regular ASKA stop and played host to numerous "Farewell" and "Welcome Home" appearances for the band as they'd depart and return from tours scheduled around the globe.

Earlier in the year ASKA had a falling out with club manager, Louis "Louie" LeCamu. LeCamu purports that the dispute was over money. The band concurs, saying that, "Yes, it was about money but it was also about (LeCamu's) disrespect of our fans and of us as people."

LeCamu would reportedly scream and cuss at the band and would claim that ASKA had too much gear and that fans didn't want to leave the venue after the show was over. LeCamu's abusive tactics became more brazen over the years. ASKA tolerated the behavior as best it could. George Call elaborates, "We found ourselves having to bite our tongues constantly around (LeCamu). Everybody else was cool there except for him. It got so bad that at one point (former ASKA guitarist) Darren (Knapp)was gonna jump him and beat his ass in. That's when I took over dealing with the guy because Darren wasn't gonna have anything else to do with him."

Not long after, a violent altercation ensued at the club after an ASKA performance in which a member of band's crew was attacked by a club bouncer. This was followed by several last minute switched and/or cancelled ASKA dates at the venue courtesy of LeCamu. ASKA decided to put their foot down by talking to LeCamu's boss. In retaliation, LeCamu told ASKA that after 12 years of doing business together, he was going to lower their pay per show and refused any and all attempts at good faith negotiations with the band going as far as hanging the phone up on George, midspeak, during one of his numerous attempts at diplomacy with LeCamu.

From that point on, ASKA refused and declined any further shows at THE ROCK and proceeded to make their fans aware of what was taking place through an inspired use of email and direct mail outs. Word of the fallout spread quickly within the music community and gave many bands the impetus to come out with their own LeCamu/The Rock horror stories.

The "banning" of ASKA, a band who refuses to play The Rock already, can only be construed as further proof that LeCamu has serious issues he needs to address and contend with before he meets his maker. The band continues to urge it's fans to vote with their pocketbooks and patronize other clubs and venues.

Despite the band's clashes with the venue, some fans continue to patronize The Rock. ASKA bassist, Keith Knight, had this to say on the subject "Man, it's a free country. People can go where they want to. All we can do is make people aware of the problem." George Call continues, "Right. It's like putting up a sign at the lake saying "Beware: Infested with Man-Eating Alligators." There's always gonna be those poor, pitiable, people that will read that sign and ignore it. They'll rationalize to themselves why it's OK to go on in when they know full well it's the wrong thing to do. It's human nature. Some people are weak like that. Bottom line; We won't go there. Not ever. Not until (LeCamu) apologizes or is replaced. Ban that."

ASKA News-11/26/02

After only months of being in ASKA, drummer Danny White clinches a deal with Pintech Electronic Percussion for a full product endorsement. The guys have been making some serious headway on production of the new album, but still no confirmation on when it's release will be. Maybe they will pull one out for the show on the 14th.

ASKA News-11/21/02

ASKA will NOT be appearing with Blind Guardian/Symphony X on November 30th at the Canyon Club (inside the Bronco Bowl entertainment complex) in Dallas, Texas as had been earlier announced and advertised in entertainment publications throughout the region. Though ASKA is more than ready and willing to do the show, Blind Guardian's management have announced that it is cancelling all regional support acts for the duration of their American tour. The Canyon Club staff informed ASKA management that they had attempted to remind Blind Guardian's handlers that ASKA is an internationally signed act(Steelheart Records)and that the band's presence on the bill would by all estimates make a good night better, both attendance-wise and sonically, but the Blind Guardian camp remains resolute in their decision. Anyone requirng refunds for pre-purchased tickets can contact the Canyon Club or ticket box-office directly.

ASKA News-10/31/02

This weekend ASKA rocks with Metal legends Omen at the Dallas’ newest premier metal club The Underworld. The night’s opener will be ASKA bud’s- TYR to get the night started, then followed by ASKA in the middle slot and Omen will close the show. It’s going to be a screaming night of pure heavy metal. ASKA continues to work on the pre-production for the new album, as well as shopping studios to record their new disk.

Danny’s first ASKA interview with Neon’s Metal Madness is now posted. Check it out under Avenger Interviews. November 30th, ASKA rocks with European Metal bands Blind Guardian and Symphony X at the Canyon Club in Dallas. Tickets are now on sale at Star Tickets.com

ASKA News-10/09/02

It’s pretty obvious that there is no bad blood between ex-ASKA drummer Jason Sweatt and the rest of the guys. Sweatt joined ASKA for some head banging and background vocals at the ASKA show at Fast Freddies in Arlington on October 5th.
ASKA will be fulfilling the rest of their scheduled dates and then taking some time off to finish writing and recording the new album. So catch them while you can. It may be a while before they return.
The next ASKA shows will be Saturday, October 12th at J. Gilligan’s in Arlington. Then November 2nd, ASKA and Omen at the Underground in Lower Greenville. Then a few weeks later at the Canyon Club in Dallas with Blind Guardian and Symphony X on November 30th. This will be one huge power metal night that any true metal head can’t miss. This may be the last show for ASKA until after the New Year.