Avalon Drive
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AVALON DRIVE

Damion Page - Vocals
Ryan Kennedy - Bass
Shane O'Keeffe- Guitars
Shane Holmes - Drums

"This band is a polished act that has an appealing punk poppy sound that deserves to be heard by audiences world wide, when you listen to the song you instantly think to yourself that this is a band you want to see live Blake said of the band" - Colin Blake, MTV Talent/Artist Relations Manager.

Damion Page (vocals), Shane O'Keefe (guitar/backing vocals), Ryan Kennedy (bass), and Shane 'Holmesy' Holmes (drums) came together in early 2005 under the guise of Avalon Drive. Since then the Brisbane based four-piece have built an impressive fan base, and playing high energy live shows and festivals carving their place in the Australian rock scene.

The band independantly released their self-titled debut EP in August 2005 spawning the singles 'This Simple Life' and radio favourite, 'Outside Alone'.

In March 2006, Avalon Drive were invited to join US rockers, Yellowcard, on their Australian tour playing their first ever performance in Sydney at Luna Park's Big Top to a sold out crowd of 3000 people. The response to Avalon Drive so crazy that the band had to cut short their set due to the crowd barrier breaking. "You rocked out so hard for the opening band you broke the barrier," said Yellowcard frontman, Ryan Key to the thousands of fans.

With the release of their second EP in July 2006, the band went on to perform on Rove Live (Network Ten) and Toasted TV (Network Ten) ahead of their own national tour in support of 'Get Up', the first single from 'The City Of Burnt Out Lights' EP. In August 2006 the band toured nationally with The Veronicas (AUS) for thirteen arena shows; The All American Rejects (US) for four shows nationally, and one show with INXS (AUS) at Brisbane's Riverstage.

The band takes influence from rock and roll, but emphasize the value of good songwriting. It has been a long time coming for a melodically driven alternative sound to come out of Brisbane. The wait for a band that is as good live as in the studio and on the record is over.

After three national headlining tours, and supporting three of the biggest names in the country in 2006, it doesn't stop there. In February 2007, Avalon Drive were invited to support Californian rockers, Hoobastank on their one and only Brisbane show at the Tivoli and in March, Avalon Drive continue to bag high profile tour supports, touring nationally with Fall Out Boy.

In May, Avalon Drive released their highly anticipated new single - a taste form the band's forthcoming album - 'Make Your Move' which was instantly added to Nova airplay nationally and one of the most requested songs. The video clip which features high energy live performance shots, shot by Pixel Frame (Tina Cousins) in Brisbane has also been aired nationally on ABC and Channel V.

And it doesn't stop there. In 2008, the band signed a recording deal with SonyBMG which will see them release a new single and their debut album in mid-2008.

"It's been stressful, hectic and amazing," guitarist Shane O'Keeffe describes the writing process. "We have really put our hearts into this album and couldn't be prouder," adds singer, Damion Page.

"It will definitely a more mature sound than what has been heard from previous Avalon Drive," says O'Keeffe.
RELEASES

Avalon Drive (Self Titled)
Re-release (w/ DVD)
1st August 2005

"City Of Burnt Out Lights"
June 17 2006

"Make Your Move"
May 21 2007
TOUR DATES

» June 9 2007 - Come Together Festival, Luna Park, Sydney, NSW

» Avalon Drive release new single + announce launch shows! -



GALLERY
Click an image to download a high resolution 300-dpi resolution image:
LINKS
www.avalondrive.com
www.myspace.com/avalondrive
www.sonybmg.com.au

REVIEWS

"This band is a polished act that has an appealing punk poppy sound that deserves to be heard by audiences world wide. They have obviously performed together a lot and are a very tight sounding unit. The cool thing about Avalon Drive is that when you listen to the song you instantly think to yourself that this is a band you want to see live. The energy comes through the song at all the right times and the submitted track, "Make Your Move" has all the builds and peaks that you want from a top forty song in this genre. These guys have had some great success in Aus and definitely have a solid fan base here. They deserve to break into the international scene as their song writing and musical talents can stand up to any band in this fun, high energy end of rock music." Colin Blake, MTV

"very high energy... you would think there were a million people watching" Courtney Hard, SonyBMG

"For sharp, polished, high-octane rock how can you go past Avalon Drive? They have kick-ass songs that stick in your head for weeks." Kirsty Brown, National Street Press

" Avalon Drive is a band with all the ingredients in place; the songs, the sound, the live energy, and the look." Mark Bulgin, Myspace

"Avalon Drive are arguably Brisbane's Next Big Thing in the commercial Arena" - Time Off Magazine, July 2006

"Brisbane boys Avalon Drive have been delivering melodic pop/rock to Aussie kids for some time now to an enthusiastic responce. With a firm hold on fans in the same market as local acts like Kisschasy and After The Fall, they have earnt their keep on stage alongside popular overseas artists like Rufio, Marchbook Romance and Yellowcard - at which show they were forced to cut short their set after fans broke the crowd barrier! Their first major stab at radio arrives in the form of Get Up, an upbeat, catchy slice of pop/rock that shows promise for the band at Australian radio as they mature. Support a rising local act and give this track a run at CHR and CR radio!" - Music Network Hit Pick (May 22 2006)

“This group command some serious attention! Running all over the place like headless chickens, they give a performance as if this were their last show ever. Pushing through debut EP material into newer songs from their upcoming EP, it makes for an energetic opener.” - Time Off Magazine (After The Fall support), 10th May 2006

"Before I even get to the actual review of the record, I have a question to pose for people to chew on. Do you ever find an underground or relatively unheard of band's record, and you're not expecting much from it, but in the end it floors you, becoming one of your favourite records in a long time? Well, that's where my review ended up. The Epic Rock band 'Avalon Drive' from Brisbane, Australia haven't been a band for a very long time but have individually been part of various bands, only getting together to start something special 18 months ago. That being said, this EP sounds so clean, so good, so right, it's as if they have been around for ages. With such explosive energy right off the first track, '7 Minutes', Avalon Drive really catch your attention and show that they mean business. The tempo is awesome for the record and at times the music is quite melodic. The vocals are perfect for the emotion-laced lyrics as well as the overall sound. This is one band that will surprise many; a band that is on the rise and bound to be big" - Punk United.com (September 2005)

Avalon Drive's debut is a first class all the way, and by far the most promising emo - rock act on the Australian scene. They certainly have the songs and the talent, and if their luck holds out, it's only a matter of time before the band make their mark on the international scene." - Beat Magazine (October 2005)

"All the ingredients are there - the guitars are loud and aggressive, and Damion Page's vocals stress enough pain and defiance to ensure his name will be scrawled in black permanent marker across the diaries of high school students around the country." - Faster Louder.com.au (October 2005)

"Whoa - These guys are a hot rock property. The band has a knack for fantastic melodies and this works nicely to balance the weight of the bigger rock riffs. All the right elements are there but they also have a special x factor, an energy that just makes you want to hit the play button again and again." - Rave Magazine (October 2005)

"Boasts a refreshing sound with catchy melodies and had a great touch with the inclusion of the keys. Having that original element creates a distinguishing sound and is a great selling point for the band." - Faster Louder.com.au (February 2006)

CONTACTS
For all management enquiries contact:
Marc Mancini
Phone: +61(402) 257 148
Email: info@aaaentertainment.com.au

For all booking enquiries contact:
Jeremy Sharp @ The Harbour Agency
Phone: +61(2) 9331 5646
Email: jeremys@theharbouragency.com


 
Avalon Drive with Toasted TV Crew