17/08/2008
NEW SINGLE ON UK iTUNES HOMEPAGE
The band's new double-A side single which was released Monday 11th August is featured on the UK iTunes homepage under the 'New Singles and EP's' section. The single features the songs 'She Don't Want Him' and 'Not In The Fire' both taken from new album Innocence which is being re-released on Monday 25th August. Download the single now for just 79p per track.
The album will be racked in HMV high street stores nationwide from 25th August onwards. You can pre-order it now from HMV.com.
23/07/2008
KERRANG! FEATURE THIS WEEK: "BRIT TRIO GET SET FOR STARDOM."
Kerrang! magazine have run a piece on Verra Cruz in this week's edition (issue no 1220/July 26) out today: "Unsigned Brit Trio get set for stardom."
Talking about their appearance at Download Festival and the new album Innocence, out August 18th, Marc said, "I don't think we sound like anyone else that's around at the moment. We're something different, something to enjoy. We would really like to make it in this country, that why being given a platform like Download and to be told to 'Just do what you do' was amazing. It was a total pleasure. We were left smiling for the whole day!"
17/07/2008
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
Black Diamond 107.8FM in Midlothian and Edinburgh are playing 'She Don't Want Him' every day this week as their single of the week on all their daytime shows including the Rock Show.
16/07/2008
XFM ROCK SHOW
XFM Rock show presenter Katie Parsons played forthcoming single 'Not In The Fire' on her rock show on Sunday 13th July which now broadcasts in London, Manchester and Scotland.
07/07/2008
VC ON YOUR RADIO
Iron Maiden frontman and BBC 6 Music presenter Bruce Dickinson played album track 'Blind Man' on his Friday Rock Show 4th July.
Also picking up airplay is forthcoming VC single 'Not In The Fire'/'She Don't Want Him' (release date: 11/08/2008) which has received spins from local rock shows around the UK including Chas Byrne's rock show on Delta FM (Surrey) Neil Jones' rock show on Star FM (Cambridegshire), and Jeff Collins' rock show on Sunshine Radio (Hereford/Monmouthshire).
See the band live playing new songs from 'Innocence' (release date: 18/08/2008) at The Underworld, Camden on Thursday 14th August.
30/06/2008
VERRA CRUZ EPK
Watch the Verra Cruz EPK on this site by clicking on the 'watch video' section. It features clips of live footage from a gig in Hamburg earlier this year and exclusive interviews about the making of new album 'Innocence' out August 18th.
23/06/2008
SINGLE RELEASE AND ALBUM RE-PROMOTION
VC Records are pleased to announce the release of a double A-side single 'Not In The Fire/She Don't Want Him' available as a download-only on August 11th. The two songs are taken from the new album Innocence which is to be re-released on August 18th.
This time around, Innocence will be available in most reputable UK high-street record shops. Like, rocking dude!
19/06/2008
KERRANG! GIVE KKKK DOWNLOAD LIVE REVIEW
In this weeks edition of Kerrang! (out yesterday) they have a 16-page special Download 2008 review which features a KKKK write-up of VC's gig on Saturday morning on the Gibson Stage:
"Opening with a touch of Bristh (Lap) steel, unsigned competition winners VERRA CRUZ (KKKK) draw an impressive crowd despite not being announced in the festival programme." Short but sweet - thanks Kerrang!, Gibson and Olympus and everyone who turned out to see The 'Cruz, it was a great day.
16/06/2008
XFM ROCK SHOW PLAYS 'FREEDOM'
Xfm Rock Show (London/Manchester/Scotland) gave Verra Cruz their first spin last night playing 'Freedom' from the new record as their *Heatseeker track.
The band rocked the Gibson Stage at 11am on Saturday morning at a sunny and vibing Donington Park. They were amazed to have an audience to play to being an early slot at a hard-rocking festival and were greeted by a virtually full tent! They were then whisked away to the press area to spread the news on the new album 'Innocence' and double A-side single 'She Don't Want Him/Not In The Fire' which is being released as a download only on August 11th.
11/06/2008
KERRANG! PICK UP THE DOWNLOAD STORY...
Kerrang.com have run a piece about Verra Cruz winning the Gibson/Olympus competition to play at Download Festival on Saturday. Read more here.
07/06/2008
VC TO PLAY GIBSON STAGE AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL!
News just in that Verra Cruz have been confirmed as the winners of the Gibson Olympus competition to open the Gibson Stage on Saturday 14th June at Download Festival!
Bands were required to upload YouTube footage of them performing live and VC uploaded a version of Hell Hound from Shepherds Bush Empire last year - you can watch it on this page. The panel was made up of Radio 1 Rock Show presenter Daniel P Carter, Kerrang! journalist Katie Parsons and A&R consultant Olivier Behzadi. The band were informed yesterday afternoon on the way to St Albans for the last night of their mini UK club tour. This will be the first time VC will play a major UK rock festival.
Say the band: "We don't think any of us have ever won a competition in our lives! But Download - it's massive for us. Thanks to all the judges - our response will be to rock as hard as is physically possible!" The timing couldn't be better for the band as they have just decided to release a double A-side single from their new album Innocence. The single featuring She Don't want Him and Not In The Fire will be released August 11th.
More on that later. For now the boys are celebrating their Download slot and working on a savage set for next Saturday. Headliners at Download 2008 are Kiss, The Offspring and LostProphets. If you already have a ticket be sure to make your way to the Gibson Stage at 11am on Saturday. Read the press release on the Download website here. Read the press release on Gibson.com here.
26/05/2008
UK TOUR STARTS TONIGHT...
Well having spent much of the last couple of years on the European festival circuit it's time for VC to rock the UK clubs once again and announce the arrival of their new album 'Innocence.'
The first date is a free show in Bristol tonight at the Fleece, followed by Southampton, London, Norwich, Southend, Cheltenham and St Albans. For full details, check the 'Tour' page.
15/04/2008
ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW 6TH MAY
To celebrate the release of their second studio album 'Innocence', Verra Cruz are playing a special Album Launch Show at The Water Rats, London on Tuesday 6th May.
The band are supporting Thundershock and will be onstage around 8pm playing a shortish set of around 30mins. This is the their first London show for over a year so come down, hear some of the new songs live and hang out with the boys after the show.
You'll be able to buy the new album on the night and get it signed and you can also check out their new range of girls and boys T-shirts!
Verra Cruz have a special five pounds paying guest list on the night, otherwise tickets are ten pounds on the door.
If you want to be on the guest list, email the band your name and email address and you'll be emailed back a confirmation: vc@verracruz.com
For full venue info and directions go to: www.themonto.com
03/04/2008
'INNOCENCE' ON iTUNES 7th APRIL
Apologies for the slight delay of the release of the digital version of 'Innocence', however we can now confirm it will be available from the iTunes Music Store from Monday April 7th.
17/03/2008
'INNOCENCE' IN STORES TODAY!
The second studio album from Verra Cruz was released today and can be found in all good record stores or online (worldwide delivery) from www.purashop.com where you can also hear audio clips of each track. See the band on tour in March with Crushead and Kat, for full details see 'Tour Dates' page.
07/02/2008
'INNOCENCE' PRESS RELEASE
Isn't it supposed to work the other way? Isn't innocence supposed to come first - at least some way before emancipation? Perhaps, but that's not the way Verra Cruz do it.
Following on from their highly acclaimed debut album (the 2006 Fierce! release 'Emancipation Day') which received high praise (see 'Press' pages) comes 'Innocence'- eleven tracks with more wisdom and experience and grit and guts than seems reasonable in three decent blokes from round here.
"I think," says singer Marc, "that with this album we have gone deeper, allowed the songs to be what they are. For me growing up, listening to music helped me to question life, question the status quo, helped me to open my heart, helped me to feel, caused me to look for God. It's our hope that our music can do the same."
There's no shortage of honesty and questions on the album. The title track takes the lead, finding inspiration in the midst of honesty and truth:
"The song itself was written about being married, and finding childlikeness again" explains Marc. "So much innocence is lost so easily in this world. I'm looking to get it back. Marriage has been a really healing thing for me."
Musically the album reflects this deeper focus. Strings, a touch of Rhodes and a sneak taste of flute all make an appearance, adding tones and colour where they work best. But Verra Cruz are still turned up to 11, still fired by the passion that three guys can channel live.
Says drummer Jimmy, "There's definitely a heavy blues presence on the album, particularly evident on 'Put The Weapon Down' and 'Soul On Fire'. But we're also a rock three-piece and influenced by some of the great three pieces - Jimi Hendrix experience, Cream, Nirvana etc. So there are some flat out rock moments on the album which came really naturally ('Not In The Fire', 'Blind Man', 'Freedom'). And then these songs sit alongside some of the most intense and emotional songs on the album like 'Innocence' 'Friend To You' and 'Grace'. These are love songs - or songs about love - so we worked hard to make the production do them justice as songs but also maintain the intensity of the band sound."
The album features the band's new bassist - Henry Cross, and was recorded partly at Sam Gibson's (Delirious?, Pearl Jam, Neil Fynn, Natalie Imbruglia) studio in Herefordshire, as well as in Rustington. The band self-produced, mixed it with Sam back at Chapel Lane Studios and then took it to New York for mastering.
Describing it as 'a step of faith', or 'lots of little steps of faith', Verra Cruz have hit on something powerful and arresting - an album that lives beyond the eleven tracks, an experience that drags the listener in and refuses to let go.
'Innocence' is released worldwide on March 17th 2008 through Fierce! Distribution & Purashop.
26/11/2007
STRANGE FOOD LIVE EP IS HERE!
For those of you who missed out on seeing Verra Cruz live this year, your chance has come to catch up with the guys doing what they do best, if you did see them live, you already know how amazing they are.
This month sees the release of "Strange Food" a limited edition live EP, only 1000 in print.
Fresh from a jam packed touring schedule in the UK and Europe, that saw them playing to ten's of thousands over the summer festivals, Verra Cruz have made the time to put together "Strange Food". Recorded whilst on the road with Switchfoot, this live EP features 8 tracks bursting with a rawness and energy that'll leave you breathless.
As we've said this is a limited edition, so if you're looking to spoil a loved one, (or yourself!) this festive season, be sure to buy a few as once they're gone...they're quite literally gone! Click here to go straight to Purashop and get your copy now.
10/11/2007
IN THE STUDIO II
After four weeks in the studio we have finished laying tracks for our new studio album. Just a couple of tweaks and then we start mixing in December with Sam Gibson. The release date is now set for March 17th 2008. Until then, you can get our new live EP which is set to drop in the next few days - we'll let you know soon!
18/10/2007
IN THE STUDIO
We've just finished our first week of laying tracks for our as yet untitled second album. We've been recording at Chapel Lane Studios in Herefordshire, UK with Delirious? producer Sam Gibson engineering the sessions. Sam is renowned for his rocking drum sound and mix magic amongst other studio wizardry. We've recorded twelve songs and the album is set to drop in late February 2008.
New songs include 'Blind Man' 'Not In The Fire' 'Put The Weapon Down' & 'Innocence' some of which you may have heard if you've been at recent shows. We are planning a winter 2008 tour to run out the new material. We've also been making a little studio video which we'll start editing together and put up on our myspace site soon. Next week we will relocate to the South Coast to continue work on the record.
Also coming soon is our limited edition live EP which should be available next month to buy online only.
13/09/2007
INCOMING: NEW LIVE EP!
It's been a great year for us so far and we rounded off the summer festival run with Greenbelt mainstage at a raging hot Cheltenham raceourse. Thanks for all you who came out to see us play, it was really cool for us and there's something special about seeing so many familiar (sunburnt) faces in the crowd. Rock was had.
Earlier this year we supported Switchfoot on their European tour and recorded all the shows on the tour. For whatever reason, the Denmark gig came out really well and we've decided to release it as a Live EP before Christmas. The 8-track EP will be a limited edition of 1000 copies only and the good people at Fierce! Distribution are setting up the ordering side of things right now through their new online store Purashop.com. We'll let you know as soon as it's live and you can go straight there and buy it in October. So keep checking back here for full details and we'll keep you up to date.
NEW SINGLE ON UK iTUNES HOMEPAGE
The band's new double-A side single which was released Monday 11th August is featured on the UK iTunes homepage under the 'New Singles and EP's' section. The single features the songs 'She Don't Want Him' and 'Not In The Fire' both taken from new album Innocence which is being re-released on Monday 25th August. Download the single now for just 79p per track.
The album will be racked in HMV high street stores nationwide from 25th August onwards. You can pre-order it now from HMV.com.
23/07/2008
KERRANG! FEATURE THIS WEEK: "BRIT TRIO GET SET FOR STARDOM."
Kerrang! magazine have run a piece on Verra Cruz in this week's edition (issue no 1220/July 26) out today: "Unsigned Brit Trio get set for stardom."
Talking about their appearance at Download Festival and the new album Innocence, out August 18th, Marc said, "I don't think we sound like anyone else that's around at the moment. We're something different, something to enjoy. We would really like to make it in this country, that why being given a platform like Download and to be told to 'Just do what you do' was amazing. It was a total pleasure. We were left smiling for the whole day!"
17/07/2008
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
Black Diamond 107.8FM in Midlothian and Edinburgh are playing 'She Don't Want Him' every day this week as their single of the week on all their daytime shows including the Rock Show.
16/07/2008
XFM ROCK SHOW
XFM Rock show presenter Katie Parsons played forthcoming single 'Not In The Fire' on her rock show on Sunday 13th July which now broadcasts in London, Manchester and Scotland.
07/07/2008
VC ON YOUR RADIO
Iron Maiden frontman and BBC 6 Music presenter Bruce Dickinson played album track 'Blind Man' on his Friday Rock Show 4th July.
Also picking up airplay is forthcoming VC single 'Not In The Fire'/'She Don't Want Him' (release date: 11/08/2008) which has received spins from local rock shows around the UK including Chas Byrne's rock show on Delta FM (Surrey) Neil Jones' rock show on Star FM (Cambridegshire), and Jeff Collins' rock show on Sunshine Radio (Hereford/Monmouthshire).
See the band live playing new songs from 'Innocence' (release date: 18/08/2008) at The Underworld, Camden on Thursday 14th August.
30/06/2008
VERRA CRUZ EPK
Watch the Verra Cruz EPK on this site by clicking on the 'watch video' section. It features clips of live footage from a gig in Hamburg earlier this year and exclusive interviews about the making of new album 'Innocence' out August 18th.
23/06/2008
SINGLE RELEASE AND ALBUM RE-PROMOTION
VC Records are pleased to announce the release of a double A-side single 'Not In The Fire/She Don't Want Him' available as a download-only on August 11th. The two songs are taken from the new album Innocence which is to be re-released on August 18th.
This time around, Innocence will be available in most reputable UK high-street record shops. Like, rocking dude!
19/06/2008
KERRANG! GIVE KKKK DOWNLOAD LIVE REVIEW
In this weeks edition of Kerrang! (out yesterday) they have a 16-page special Download 2008 review which features a KKKK write-up of VC's gig on Saturday morning on the Gibson Stage:
"Opening with a touch of Bristh (Lap) steel, unsigned competition winners VERRA CRUZ (KKKK) draw an impressive crowd despite not being announced in the festival programme." Short but sweet - thanks Kerrang!, Gibson and Olympus and everyone who turned out to see The 'Cruz, it was a great day.
16/06/2008
XFM ROCK SHOW PLAYS 'FREEDOM'
Xfm Rock Show (London/Manchester/Scotland) gave Verra Cruz their first spin last night playing 'Freedom' from the new record as their *Heatseeker track.
The band rocked the Gibson Stage at 11am on Saturday morning at a sunny and vibing Donington Park. They were amazed to have an audience to play to being an early slot at a hard-rocking festival and were greeted by a virtually full tent! They were then whisked away to the press area to spread the news on the new album 'Innocence' and double A-side single 'She Don't Want Him/Not In The Fire' which is being released as a download only on August 11th.
11/06/2008
KERRANG! PICK UP THE DOWNLOAD STORY...
Kerrang.com have run a piece about Verra Cruz winning the Gibson/Olympus competition to play at Download Festival on Saturday. Read more here.
07/06/2008
VC TO PLAY GIBSON STAGE AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL!
News just in that Verra Cruz have been confirmed as the winners of the Gibson Olympus competition to open the Gibson Stage on Saturday 14th June at Download Festival!
Bands were required to upload YouTube footage of them performing live and VC uploaded a version of Hell Hound from Shepherds Bush Empire last year - you can watch it on this page. The panel was made up of Radio 1 Rock Show presenter Daniel P Carter, Kerrang! journalist Katie Parsons and A&R consultant Olivier Behzadi. The band were informed yesterday afternoon on the way to St Albans for the last night of their mini UK club tour. This will be the first time VC will play a major UK rock festival.
Say the band: "We don't think any of us have ever won a competition in our lives! But Download - it's massive for us. Thanks to all the judges - our response will be to rock as hard as is physically possible!" The timing couldn't be better for the band as they have just decided to release a double A-side single from their new album Innocence. The single featuring She Don't want Him and Not In The Fire will be released August 11th.
More on that later. For now the boys are celebrating their Download slot and working on a savage set for next Saturday. Headliners at Download 2008 are Kiss, The Offspring and LostProphets. If you already have a ticket be sure to make your way to the Gibson Stage at 11am on Saturday. Read the press release on the Download website here. Read the press release on Gibson.com here.
26/05/2008
UK TOUR STARTS TONIGHT...
Well having spent much of the last couple of years on the European festival circuit it's time for VC to rock the UK clubs once again and announce the arrival of their new album 'Innocence.'
The first date is a free show in Bristol tonight at the Fleece, followed by Southampton, London, Norwich, Southend, Cheltenham and St Albans. For full details, check the 'Tour' page.
15/04/2008
ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW 6TH MAY
To celebrate the release of their second studio album 'Innocence', Verra Cruz are playing a special Album Launch Show at The Water Rats, London on Tuesday 6th May.
The band are supporting Thundershock and will be onstage around 8pm playing a shortish set of around 30mins. This is the their first London show for over a year so come down, hear some of the new songs live and hang out with the boys after the show.
You'll be able to buy the new album on the night and get it signed and you can also check out their new range of girls and boys T-shirts!
Verra Cruz have a special five pounds paying guest list on the night, otherwise tickets are ten pounds on the door.
If you want to be on the guest list, email the band your name and email address and you'll be emailed back a confirmation: vc@verracruz.com
For full venue info and directions go to: www.themonto.com
03/04/2008
'INNOCENCE' ON iTUNES 7th APRIL
Apologies for the slight delay of the release of the digital version of 'Innocence', however we can now confirm it will be available from the iTunes Music Store from Monday April 7th.
17/03/2008
'INNOCENCE' IN STORES TODAY!
The second studio album from Verra Cruz was released today and can be found in all good record stores or online (worldwide delivery) from www.purashop.com where you can also hear audio clips of each track. See the band on tour in March with Crushead and Kat, for full details see 'Tour Dates' page.
07/02/2008
'INNOCENCE' PRESS RELEASE
Isn't it supposed to work the other way? Isn't innocence supposed to come first - at least some way before emancipation? Perhaps, but that's not the way Verra Cruz do it.
Following on from their highly acclaimed debut album (the 2006 Fierce! release 'Emancipation Day') which received high praise (see 'Press' pages) comes 'Innocence'- eleven tracks with more wisdom and experience and grit and guts than seems reasonable in three decent blokes from round here.
"I think," says singer Marc, "that with this album we have gone deeper, allowed the songs to be what they are. For me growing up, listening to music helped me to question life, question the status quo, helped me to open my heart, helped me to feel, caused me to look for God. It's our hope that our music can do the same."
There's no shortage of honesty and questions on the album. The title track takes the lead, finding inspiration in the midst of honesty and truth:
"The song itself was written about being married, and finding childlikeness again" explains Marc. "So much innocence is lost so easily in this world. I'm looking to get it back. Marriage has been a really healing thing for me."
Musically the album reflects this deeper focus. Strings, a touch of Rhodes and a sneak taste of flute all make an appearance, adding tones and colour where they work best. But Verra Cruz are still turned up to 11, still fired by the passion that three guys can channel live.
Says drummer Jimmy, "There's definitely a heavy blues presence on the album, particularly evident on 'Put The Weapon Down' and 'Soul On Fire'. But we're also a rock three-piece and influenced by some of the great three pieces - Jimi Hendrix experience, Cream, Nirvana etc. So there are some flat out rock moments on the album which came really naturally ('Not In The Fire', 'Blind Man', 'Freedom'). And then these songs sit alongside some of the most intense and emotional songs on the album like 'Innocence' 'Friend To You' and 'Grace'. These are love songs - or songs about love - so we worked hard to make the production do them justice as songs but also maintain the intensity of the band sound."
The album features the band's new bassist - Henry Cross, and was recorded partly at Sam Gibson's (Delirious?, Pearl Jam, Neil Fynn, Natalie Imbruglia) studio in Herefordshire, as well as in Rustington. The band self-produced, mixed it with Sam back at Chapel Lane Studios and then took it to New York for mastering.
Describing it as 'a step of faith', or 'lots of little steps of faith', Verra Cruz have hit on something powerful and arresting - an album that lives beyond the eleven tracks, an experience that drags the listener in and refuses to let go.
'Innocence' is released worldwide on March 17th 2008 through Fierce! Distribution & Purashop.
26/11/2007
STRANGE FOOD LIVE EP IS HERE!
For those of you who missed out on seeing Verra Cruz live this year, your chance has come to catch up with the guys doing what they do best, if you did see them live, you already know how amazing they are.
This month sees the release of "Strange Food" a limited edition live EP, only 1000 in print.
Fresh from a jam packed touring schedule in the UK and Europe, that saw them playing to ten's of thousands over the summer festivals, Verra Cruz have made the time to put together "Strange Food". Recorded whilst on the road with Switchfoot, this live EP features 8 tracks bursting with a rawness and energy that'll leave you breathless.
As we've said this is a limited edition, so if you're looking to spoil a loved one, (or yourself!) this festive season, be sure to buy a few as once they're gone...they're quite literally gone! Click here to go straight to Purashop and get your copy now.
10/11/2007
IN THE STUDIO II
After four weeks in the studio we have finished laying tracks for our new studio album. Just a couple of tweaks and then we start mixing in December with Sam Gibson. The release date is now set for March 17th 2008. Until then, you can get our new live EP which is set to drop in the next few days - we'll let you know soon!
18/10/2007
IN THE STUDIO
We've just finished our first week of laying tracks for our as yet untitled second album. We've been recording at Chapel Lane Studios in Herefordshire, UK with Delirious? producer Sam Gibson engineering the sessions. Sam is renowned for his rocking drum sound and mix magic amongst other studio wizardry. We've recorded twelve songs and the album is set to drop in late February 2008.
New songs include 'Blind Man' 'Not In The Fire' 'Put The Weapon Down' & 'Innocence' some of which you may have heard if you've been at recent shows. We are planning a winter 2008 tour to run out the new material. We've also been making a little studio video which we'll start editing together and put up on our myspace site soon. Next week we will relocate to the South Coast to continue work on the record.
Also coming soon is our limited edition live EP which should be available next month to buy online only.
13/09/2007
INCOMING: NEW LIVE EP!
It's been a great year for us so far and we rounded off the summer festival run with Greenbelt mainstage at a raging hot Cheltenham raceourse. Thanks for all you who came out to see us play, it was really cool for us and there's something special about seeing so many familiar (sunburnt) faces in the crowd. Rock was had.
Earlier this year we supported Switchfoot on their European tour and recorded all the shows on the tour. For whatever reason, the Denmark gig came out really well and we've decided to release it as a Live EP before Christmas. The 8-track EP will be a limited edition of 1000 copies only and the good people at Fierce! Distribution are setting up the ordering side of things right now through their new online store Purashop.com. We'll let you know as soon as it's live and you can go straight there and buy it in October. So keep checking back here for full details and we'll keep you up to date.
