NewsWhat's New with the Former Champions
Former Champions “Special FX Machine” Free Download.
Fat-bottomed dance beats and synth melodies, soaring guitar and gripping vocals are a few ways to describe the sophomore release from Former Champions, “Special FX Machine”. Blending the genres of electronica and rock, the songs on this album were created from months of composing and live show testing, revising, and editing to reach their final form.Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Former Champions showcase both electro rock vocal led compositions as well as an array of instrumentally driven organic electronic pieces. This sonic blend of synthesized keyboards, sub-bass, distorted guitar, harmonized vocals, samples, and a multitude of drums and percussion combine to create what the band describes as “street music.”
2013 will be a busy year for Former Champions, as they hit the road with a heavy tour schedule in support of this album including appearances at many festivals across the country. For those who haven't yet heard Former Champions they are often compared to those they have shared the stage with, including Lotus, The New Deal, Conspirator, EOTO, Perpetual Groove, Papadosio, Dopapod, and many others.
Download: Special FX Machine (Album)
Tour Schedule:
Apr 12 - The Taphouse // Norfolk, VA
Apr 18 – 8x10 // Baltimore, MD **
Apr 19 – North Star // Philadelphia, PA **
Apr 20 – The Camel // Richmond **
Apr 25 – The Empty Glass // Charleston, WV
Apr 26 – Sycamore Deli // Blacksburg, VA ^^
Apr 27 – Martin’s // Roanoke, VA ^^
May 1 – Hideaway Saloon // Louisville, VA
May 2 – Main St. Live // Murfreesboro, TN
May 3 – Lamasco Bar // Evansville, IN
May 4 – Be Here Now // Muncie, IN
May 5 – Grog Shop // Cleveland, OH (w/Yosemight)
May 6 – Woodlands Tavern // Columbus, OH
May 8 – J Alan’s // Dayton, OH (w/Subterranean House Band)
May 9 – Mad Frog // Cincy, OH
May 11 – Olde Towne Tavern // Covington, KY (w/Meiosis)
May 17 – Hoss’s Deli // Newport News, VA
May 18 – Bungalow Live // Chantilly, VA
May 24 – Browns Island // Richmond, VA (w/No BS Brass, Murphy’s Kids)
May 25 – The Hot Spot // Waynesboro, VA
Jun 7 – RA Bistro // Lynchburg, VA (w/Crazy Redbeard)
Jun 8 – Brewbaker’s // Winchester, VA
Jun 13 – 1904 // Jacksonville, FL %
Jun 14 – Dunedin Brewery // Dunedin, FL %
Jun 15 – Funky Buddha Lounge // Boca Raton, FL %
Jun 16 – The Jam // Gainesville, FL %
Jun 18 – Georgia Theatre Rooftop // Athens, GA
Jun 19 – The Hummingbird // Macon, GA
Jun 20 – Orton’s // Wilmington, NC
Jun 21 – Mad Tea Party 2 – Hedgesville, WV
Jun 22 – Grey Haven Winery // Gum Spring, VA
Jun 28 – Pasture Palooza // Berryville, VA
Jul 4 – Port O Call // Kill Devil Hills, NC #
Jul 5 – Martin’s // Roanoke, VA #
Jul 6 – Jewish Mother Hilltop // Va Beach, VA #
Jul 20 – Under the Stars Festival // Aldie, VA
Sep 1 - Front Porch Fest // Stuart, VA
** w/Segway
^^ w/Jahman Brahman
% w/Gravity A
# playing as part of Startin’ Somethin’ (Michael Jackson Tribute)
Endless Boundaries reviews live CD, Pastiche....
here is the review: Former Champions have offered up a free live album called Pastiche today featuring selections of live shows this month. These include the band’s stop at Doc Taylors in Virginia Beach on January 3rd, Cary Street Cafe in their hometown of Richmond on January 8th, and Hannah’s Haus in Beaufort, North Carolina on January 11th. This is a group of guys: Matt Walton (Guitar/Vocals), Ben White (Keys/Vocals), David Ashby (Bass), and Geoff Bakel (Drums) who melt the right mix of electronic rock, jazz, trance, and groove and need to be added to your playlists immediately. Endless Boundaries has been supporting Former Champions and informing live music fans about the quality they bring to the table. This should be the year they level up faster then a few games of Call of Duty against your mother and it starts with this brand new live release for free download. Go to http://formerchampions.bandcamp.com/album/pasticheFC to Play Michael Jackson's Thriller Album
On Halloween night, Wed, Oct 31, the FORMER CHAMPIONS are pleased to announce they will be performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album in it's entirety at The Canal Club in Richmond, VA along with The Malah and Damn Right! Richmond native and R&B singer extraordinaire, Jerel Crockett will be at the wheel on the vocals for this performance. Halloween is going to ugly!!! RSVP to the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/270684253044355/The Champs are getting ready for Camp Barefoot 6
The Champs will be playing twice at this years Camp Barefoot. Thursday late night at 2:45 on the Cary Street Cafe Stage and Friday evening on the Main Stage at 5:15! This Festival is always great, so come get down with us!http://www.campbarefoot.org/Former Champions to play Camp Bisco 11!!
The Champs are excited to return to play Camp Bisco 11 on the Showcase Stage. We'll be sharing the stage with Damn Right!, Dopapod, Silo Effect...among others. Check out the website for more info http://www.campbisco.net/Former Champions get fan praise for new album
We are excited to share the news that Former Champions were voted #8 in 2011 for best studio release by fans on Endless Boundaries Radio, 88.9 FM in Philly and South Jersey. Take some time to check out the link below. Thanks Fans!!!
http://www.endlessboundaries.com/endless-boundaries-playlist-ep-687-best-of-2011-on-z889-wbzc-fm/
Former Champions Sign with Nimbleslick to Kick Off 2012
We are extremely excited to announce that the Former Champions have teamed up with Nimbleslick Entertainment to expand our national presence in 2012. They currently are representing several notable acts like Zoogma, The Heavy Pets, The Mantras, and Perpetual Groove, to mention a few. Our tour schedule is already starting to load up and we will surely be coming to rock a venue near you soon. Please keep your eyes peeled for us coming your way.
Bring Down the House with The Champs NYE!!
We are extremely excited to be ringing in the New Year at one of our favorite drinking holes in Richmond, City Dogs in the Fan!! This will be an exciting evening featuring 3 sets of Champs music one of which will be a rare acoustic set. This is the best deal you will find. The $40 ticket is ALL INCLUSIVE!!! We will also be raffling off a few pieces of our new merchandise. Please contact us at formerchampionsnews@gmail.com for details and how to get a ticket.
Former Champions to play Camp Bisco 10
FC are happy to announce they will be performing on the Showcase Stage at this year's Camp Bisco 10 festival in Mariaville, NY, July 7-9. More details will be announced when they become available. In the meantime click here to visit the official site http://www.campbisco.net/ .
Former Champions added to Perpetual Groove's Amberland 2011 music festival
Former Champions are happy to annouce that they've been added to this summer's Amberland 2011 line up. Check out the following links for more information.
Amberland 2011Perpetual Groove - Amberland
Online Store Is Born
FormerChampions.net is proud to offer online ordering of Former Champions' merchandise. Current inventory includes both men's t-shirts and women's tank tops, but check back soon for various audio related products (physical CD's, digital downloads, etc.).
To eliminate shipping costs, will call pickup is available for local Richmond, VA residents.
Champs playing FloydFest 2011
FC will be at this summer's FloydFest X, being held July 28-31 in Floyd, VA. For more information please visit the festival's official website at http://www.floydfest.com/New Feature - Champs Song of the Week
Beginning Monday, February 21st, 2011, a new section titled "Champs Song of the Week" will highlight a particular song from the Champs' Live Music Archive page (FC Archive). The aim is to provide those of you without the free time to explore the Champs' vast catalog of live music, a chance to find some particularly tall and mean performances of your favorite songs. This is also a great way to introduce your friends to the deepness that is the Former Champions.
Want to have a particular song featured? Then send an email over to SongOfTheWeek@formerchampions.net with the name, track number, and date the song was recorded on. Those who have their request featured will be credited on the Song of the Day page.
Champs appearing @ Shockoball !!!!!
EQ Produktions has put together a two day music and arts event taking place on Feb 25th and 26th in Richmond at the Canal club. Friday night will feature Former Champions, Brothers Past and Ghost Payne. Appearing Saturday will be Eliot Lipp, Virtual Boy and Chencilla. In addition to the music, the event will feature dozens of artists doing live painting and an array of clothing, art and jewelry will be on display. Contact FC for tickets or go to thecanalclub.com. Also, more info can be found at facebook.com/eqproduktions
Hot $ Fire TV launched
The FC website now features a video section entitled, 'Hot $ Fire TV'. The H$F TV page will feature short video collages of FC members, fans, and friends as they partake in random acts of all things tall, mean, deep and/or true. We will also be assembling and releasing a longer video four times a year that compile FC footage summarizing happenings for each season. This page can be found under the 'Media' section up top or by clicking here.
Tall and Mean Tuesday Night
Come on out to Cary St. Cafe every Tuesday Night and watch the Former Champions get tall and mean.
Live and In your Face
The Champs play live regularly. Check em' out sometime. Schedule coming soon!
Former Champions Website is Born!
The Former Champions have commissioned ALB Tech to build them a website. So it seems there is some progress - and there will be plenty more. Hang tight and have patience - we're workin' on it! Feel free to give any feedback!
Check back soon!
