NASHVILLE |FROM: MAGGIE WANG/KRISTINE ASHTON
SMOOTH CRIMINAL: Described by the Los Angeles Times (March 11, 2001) as “dynamic and daring,” ALIEN ANT FARM‘s remake of Michael Jackson’s hit single “Smooth Criminal” is the band’s new single off their New Noize/DreamWorks Records debut ANThology. The song–which officially goes for radio adds May 22–has already been receiving airplay on rock stations such as Q101 (Chicago), WAAF (Boston) and 99X (Atlanta) and was the #1 most requested song for three consecutive weeks at New York’s WXRK. “We’re all big fans of Michael Jackson,” says frontman DRYDEN MITCHELL. “We were messing with it in the garage one day, and the riff screamed out to be heavy.” “Smooth Criminal” follows ALIEN ANT FARM‘s Top 20 modern rock hit “Movies” and has been cited as a standout track by critics. Entertainment Weekly (3/30/01) comments: “As Michael Jackson prepares new material, Ant Farm reaps the fruits of his labor, adding crunching guitars to the original’s rollicking bass line and an aggro sneer to its chorus of woos.” New York’s Good Times (3/20/01) adds: “Dryden Mitchell and AAF experiment with traces of rock, emo, metal, and even funk that showcase a steady blend of introspective sounds that are both melodic and soothing, as well as edgy and raw…Their cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ is a solid example of the band’s musical range as well as their unique creative ability.” The Southern-California quartet–DRYDEN MITCHELL (vocals), TERRY CORSO (guitar), TYE ZAMORA (bass) and MIKE COSGROVE (drums)–have recruited Marc Klasfeld (Nelly, [hed]p.e., Sum 41, Insane Clown Posse) to direct the “Smooth Criminal” video May 23 and 24 in Los Angeles. The single will be featured in this summer’s “American Pie 2” movie, while ALIEN ANT FARM have also penned an original song titled “Good (For A Woman)” for the film’s soundtrack. Catch AAF on the road this summer on the Warped Tour launching June 22 in Phoenix, AZ.
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