THE VILLAINS REACH MAXIMUM ‘VELOCITY’ WITH SOPHOMORE ALBUM OUT NOW

2012 is going to be a big year for Atlanta’s THE VILLAINS, whose sophomore album, VELOCITY, was released on February 14 via Toucan Cove Entertainment/Universal Republic. It’s the follow-up to their 2010 critically-acclaimed debut, JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT (released via Rock Ridge Music).

The new album’s first single, “Rainy Day Girl,” is being serviced to AAA stations nationwide and has already picked up adds from WJCU (Cleveland), WOCM (Ocean City), KSPN (Los Angeles), WCBE (Columbus), KBAC (Las Vegas), WFIV (Knoxville), KRVM (Denver) and many others. A video for the song can be seen on the band’s official YouTube page here: http://bit.ly/HQXShj.

Produced by Stan Lynch (former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer, who also co-produced Don Henley’s INSIDE JOB) and Billy Chapin (who has played guitar for Backstreet Boys and organ for Edwin McCain) and mixed by industry veteran John Kurzweg (Jewel, Creed), the twelve songs on VELOCITY represent the experiences and emotions that accompanied the recent period of growth for the band. In the spirit of acts such as The Band, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, THE VILLAINS utilize different singers and styles for a cohesive, but aurally interesting mix. Songwriters such as Tom Douglas (Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw), and Richard Feldman (Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker), as well as Lynch, were enlisted. From the blistering opening track “Cadillac” to the optimistic “I’ve Got A Feeling,” VELOCITY is a relatable slice of life set to music created by five industry vets.

THE VILLAINS–Sean McNally (drums and vocals), Dan Call (bass and vocals), Magno (guitars, keys, and vocals), Michael Wilkes (guitars), Jimmy James “JJS” Schmitt (guitars and vocals)–have a rich history of writing, recording, and touring. Each has recorded and performed with many mainstream and indie artists from Nashville to New York, as well as touring the world together and individually. As the backing band for Country artist Keni Thomas (2006-2009), they supported Keith Urban, Trace Atkins, Montgomery Gentry, and they performed a number of USO shows and at the Pentagon.
JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT yielded two AAA-charting singles, “Let’s Forget About It Tonight” and “You Don’t Have To Say”, both co-written by Peter Stroud (guitarist for Sheryl Crow and Don Henley). As All Music Guide review praised, “Adult alternative and roots rock enthusiasts who have a soft spot for classic soft rock should have no problem appreciating this promising debut.” And the Deseret News (UT) hailed, “THE VILLAINS is for listeners who are tired of the overplayed classic singles airing on most country and classic-rock stations these days.”

Stay tuned for tour news for THE VILLAINS coming soon.