SPLENDER TAKE RADIO AIRWAVES BY STORM WITH “I THINK GOD CAN EXPLAIN,”

FROM: AMANDA CAGAN/ MAGGIE WANG

SPLENDER TAKE RADIO AIRWAVES BY STORM WITH
“I THINK GOD CAN EXPLAIN,”
THE THIRD SINGLE FROM THEIR
‘HALFWAY DOWN THE SKY’ C2/COLUMBIA ALBUM;

BAND GEAR UP FOR TOUR DATES IN MARCH AND APRIL

As they gear up for a new round of tour dates, SPLENDER are strongly impacting radio with “I Think God Can Explain,” the third single from their debut album HALFWAY DOWN THE SKY (C2/Columbia). Described by lead singerWAYMON BOONE as a song “about a deep and dark obsession,” it’s the #1 most added track at Adult Top 40/Hot AC radio this week. Stations spinning the BOONE-written song–a potent blend of impassioned vocals and ringing guitars–include such high-profile ones as KYSR/Star 98.7 in Los Angeles and WPLJ in New York City. The single has consistently been among the most added at Top 40, also garnering an impressive array of adds at Modern Rock stations.

“I Think God Can Explain” follows the New York band’s Top 20 Radio & Records pop/alternative track “Yeah, Whatever” (which also remained on the Billboard Modern Rock Monitor for 26 weeks) and received a strong thumbs-up from Billboard:

“The lyrical quality runs deep, hinting at the great potential that Boone, James Cruz, Jonathan Svec and Marc Slutsky have to make it happen in a big way. Hang in there, guys: with songs like this, your time simply has to come. (P.S. to radio: Now would be good.)”

On the concert front, SPLENDER—WAYMON BOONE (lead vocals, guitar), JONATHAN SVEC (lead guitar), JAMES CRUZ (bass), MARC SLUTSKY (drums)–will tour throughout the spring and summer, encompassing dates with Vertical Horizon in April as well as appearances at various radio station festival events such as the WYSR show in Atlanta (April 1) and WTMX in Chicago (April 5). The band will also perform at prestigious city events like Atlanta’s Music Midtown and Nashville’s River Stages.SPLENDER are no strangers to the road. Since the release of HALFWAY DOWN THE SKY in May ’99, the band have performed with Kula Shaker, Goo Goo Dolls, Everclear, Fastball, Def Leppard and Iggy Pop, among others. In September ’99, they were part of the DKNY 1999 Jeans Tour along with Train. Of their Irving Plaza show in New York City, Aquarian Weekly noted:

“Splender fed off their own and the crowd’s energies and delivered with hooks and verve…Drummer Marc Slutsky exuded power behind the skins; James Cruz was a resourceful bassist; Jonathan Svec produced some punkish riffs and atmospheric effects from his guitar; and Waymon Boone was a cheerful and exuberant frontman. He was cheerleading the crowd through uptempo numbers while showcasing his soulful voice on the contemplative tracks. His voice and the band’s music conveyed the sense of irony and detachment of the songs.”

At the same time, SPLENDER‘s Todd Rundgren-produced album has garnered praise:

“(Splender’s songs) are punchier than they have a right to be…It would be just fine if they became radio’s new flavor…the guys in Splender sound proud to be giving rock ‘n’ roll to you.” –CMJ New Music Monthly, June 1999

“Aggressive melody with tightly wound arrangements, massive hooks and strong harmonies…extremely creative.” –Hits, May 1999

“With guitar pop band Splender, producer Todd Rundgren has taken a turn from mellow. Spearheading the shift is drummer Marc Slutsky, who shares the aggression of the great drummer of XTC–a band whose influence is felt throughout the disc….Splender has done a fine juggling act here, making you hum and think.” –Modern Drummer, November 1999

“This is a stunning debut from one of the most underrated bands of 1999 (it is hoped Splender will knock ’em dead in 2000).” –Kansas City Star (MO), January 7, 2000

Fans wanting to keep in touch with SPLENDER while they’re on tour can do so via the band’s official website: www.splender.com. That’s where fans can keep up-to-date with the latest news, tour dates and photos. The band also take the time to chat regularly on the site’s message board.

Check out SPLENDER at the following stops (with more dates to be announced):

* Dates with Vertical Horizon.

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