Tuesday November 19, 11:06 am ET
"Disease" Single Explodes
Slate of TV & Online Appearances On Tap for Release Week
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2002--With their latest single, "Disease," tearing up the airwaves, Melisma/Atlantic recording group matchbox twenty hits the stores today (November 19th) with the release of their highly anticipated third album, "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE."
Matchbox twenty's most accomplished and vital work to date, "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE" represents a remarkably realized expression of the band's musical potency and power. Alongside a slate of extraordinary new songs penned by multiple Grammy Award-winning lead vocalist Rob Thomas, the set also features writing contributions from bandmates Paul Doucette and Kyle Cook.
Produced by matchbox twenty's longtime studio collaborator Matt Serletic (who also co-wrote a pair of songs on the album), "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE" was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York and at The Hit Factory in New York City. Along with Serletic, the band was ably assisted behind the board by engineer Greg Collins (System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and mixer Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers). With "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE," matchbox twenty has crafted a richly satisfying collection of heartfelt and passionate rock `n' roll.
"Disease," the first single from "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE," is quickly shaping up to be another massive multi-format success for matchbox twenty. The song - which was the #1 Most-Added track at multiple radio formats in its first week out - has already hit the top five at the Triple A/Modern Adult, cracked the top ten at Top 40 Adult, and is now ranked at #23 with-a-bullet at CHR/Pop outlets nationwide. "Disease" has drawn acclaim from such publications as Billboard, who declared that the track "goes a lot further than the majority of today's radio fodder, with a creative, unpredictable melody, a thoughtful lyric about shedding an addictive romance, and Thomas' most passionate, unleashed vocal to date - truly." The review - published in the magazine's October 12th issue - goes on to rave that, "Across the board, Matchbox is ready to catch fire."
Matchbox twenty is lined up for a slate of major TV appearances coinciding with the release of "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE." The band appeared on CBS-TV's Late Show With David Letterman on November 18th, the eve of the album's release. That performance will be followed by matchbox twenty's first-ever appearances on NBC-TV's Late Night With Conan O'Brien (November 22nd) and Last Call With Carson Daly (November 29th).
The band is VH1's "Artist of the Month" for November - a month-long celebration which includes the debut broadcast of matchbox twenty's eagerly awaited Behind The Music. The "Artist of the Month" promotion will also include multiple airings of matchbox twenty's acclaimed installment of Storytellers, as well as the world premiere of the "Disease" companion video clip - directed by Phil Harder, who also directed the award-winning video for the band's "Mad Season."
VH1 is also sponsoring a special "I'm With The Band" Flyaway Sweepstakes, with winners receiving a trip to see matchbox twenty in concert, as well as the opportunity to meet the band during rehearsals for the show. Fans can enter the contest at VH1.com, which is supporting Behind The Music with an extensive online companion feature, including an interview with Rob Thomas, a full album listening party for "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE," and a special Q&A session with the band.
The extensive program of online activity continues with a major offering by LAUNCH, the music destination on Yahoo!, which has named matchbox twenty their "Artist of the Month" for December. When fans go to LAUNCH (http://launch.yahoo.com), they will get features including an exclusive mini-concert taped before a live audience, with debut performances of songs from "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE." LAUNCH will also highlight a career-spanning video showcase comprising all of matchbox twenty's clips to date. Other components include a band interview, a full album listening party, a special contest, and much more.
AOL Music is heralding the release of "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE" with a number of promotions, including a taping of the popular Sessions@AOL series. Last month, AOL Music's First Listen unveiled a special audio piece which included Rob Thomas's original solo acoustic guitar demo version of "Disease," matchbox twenty's first band rehearsal of the song, and the final album cut, with the vocalist/songwriter's exclusive commentary running throughout the package. On November 8th, AOL presented the song "Could I Be You," in another First Listen album preview, which was followed by the November 15th online premiere of the "Disease" music video.
In addition, coming weeks will see matchbox twenty featured on a number of leading music destination sites, including: WindowsMedia.com, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MP3.com, RollingStone.com, ArtistsDirect.com, Katrillion.com, and RealOne.com.
Each copy of the "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE" CD contains a collectible matchbox twenty DownloadCard with a unique PIN (Personal Identification Numbers). The card and PIN allows CD buyers access to a assortment of exclusive features, including documentary footage, new music, concert ticket pre-sales, and more.
The album also includes a special insert regarding the new PAX initiative known as "Speak Up," a campaign to encourage students to anonymously report weapon-related threats in their school via a newly established toll-free number. matchbox twenty are long-time supporters of PAX, a non-political nonprofit organization dedicated to the issue of gun violence.
Finally, in conjunction with the release of the new album, matchbox twenty has produced a unique book - entitled "matchbox twenty Sessions 2002" - documenting the making of "MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE," with exclusive in-studio photos and text from the band members. The book will be sold on the band's website and at all 100 Hard Rock Cafes across the U.S., with all net proceeds going to the matchbox foundation, a charity organization set up by the band to distribute money to various causes.
Since making their debut six years ago, matchbox twenty has become one of the most admired and consistently successful rock bands in recent history, with over 20 million albums sold worldwide. Named as the "Best New Band" in the 1997 Rolling Stone Readers Poll, they have since moved from accomplishment to accomplishment, clearly establishing themselves as an exceptional unit, both in the studio and on stage.
"MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE" follows the RIAA quadruple-platinum "mad season by matchbox twenty," released in May 2000. matchbox twenty made their recording debut in 1996 with "YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU," which earned the RIAA's prestigious Diamond Award and has been certified 12X platinum in the U.S. alone.
Matchbox twenty has logged an extraordinary string of hit singles, including such chart-toppers as "Push," "3AM," "Real World," "Back 2 Good," "If You're Gone," "Mad Season," and the #1 Billboard "Hot 100" smash, "Bent." In addition, Rob Thomas has received a number of songwriting honors, including: three Grammy Awards; a remarkable 11 BMI Awards - including 1999 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and 2002 BMI Pop Song of the Year (for "If You're Gone"); and Billboard Songwriter of the Year honors for two years running.
Matchbox twenty is: Kyle Cook * Paul Doucette * Adam Gaynor * Rob Thomas * Brian Yale.