Taproot Invites Fans to Peel Their Faces; "Facepeeler Video Contest" Trumpets Band's Eagerly Awaited "BLUE-SKY RESEARCH"; New Album Lands August 16th

Velvet Hammer Music/Atlantic recording group Taproot has unveiled plans for an exciting online video contest to herald the release of its much anticipated third album. The album -- dubbed "BLUE-SKY RESEARCH" -- will arrive in stores on August 16th.

The Taproot Facepeeler Video Contest invites aspiring filmmakers, flash artists, and animators from around the globe to compete for exclusive prizes by creating their own unique video for the "BLUE-SKY RESEARCH" track, "Facepeeler." Participants will be able to upload their Quicktime Video submissions at www.taprootvideocontest.com. All entries will be showcased on the site as well, and will be voted on by peers and fans. Hosted by StreetWise Concepts & Culture, the Taproot Facepeeler Video Contest is set to launch Monday, August 1st. Taproot will be appearing on FUSE's "Daily Download" show on Thursday, August 4th to perform as well as discuss the launch of the contest.

Co-presenters of the contest include Sony Media Solutions, Etnies, Ibanez, FUSE, and Quicktime. The grand prize includes a full production suite from Sony Media Solutions, apparel from Etnies, and an Ibanez guitar autographed by the band. Ten voters will also be randomly selected to receive prize packs from Streetwise and Etnies. Full details and contest rules are available at www.taprootvideocontest.com.

Singer Steve Richards says, "With all the new technology available today, some of the most exciting video footage and art is coming from people outside of the traditional 'biz.' We're excited to give some of the up-and- coming talent out there the platform to show off their skills, and we can't wait to see how many interesting ways our song gets interpreted."

Produced by Toby Wright (who helmed Taproot's critically praised "WELCOME"), "BLUE-SKY RESEARCH" sees the Ann Arbor-based quartet continuing their musical exploration of hard rock's many textures. The album showcases the band's gift for inventive melodies and thought-provoking lyricism, as is evident in the album's first single, "Calling." "BLUE-SKY RESEARCH" finds the band collaborating with such like-minded artists as Billy Corgan, who shares credit on three of the album's most intriguing songs: "Lost In The Woods," "Violent Seas," and "Promise." Overall, the album displays Taproot's consistently remarkable artistic growth, once again showing them to be among today's finest hard rock outfits.

Taproot is currently on the road, teaming with Chevelle for a major U.S. tour. The trek -- which features support from 30 Seconds to Mars -- travels through mid-August, with further Taproot live dates to be announced shortly.

Taproot is: Stephen Richards: vocals, guitar; Mike DeWolf: guitars; Philip Lipscomb: bass; Jarrod Montague: drums

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