It’s been a “Short And Sweet” 12 years since three barnyard hooligans known as the MCRACKINS were hatched onto the international punk scene with the release of their official debut full-length album “What Came First?” on Shredder Records in the U.S.A. Although many were at first skeptical of Vancouver, Canada’s mysterious and strange looking pop-punk trio, the 1995 album turned out to be a surprise hit from an unknown band who claimed to have been transformed from men to 2 eggs and a dog and given super pop-punk powers as the result of a freak nuclear accident. Since then, twin eggs Bil (guitar,vocals), Fil (bass) and dog Spot (drums) have continued to amaze, astound and win over music critics and fans alike while building a cult-like following around the world due to the prolific release of 11 great full-length albums,E.P’s, singles, and compilation cd’s too numerous to mention. All told over 100,000 in sales worldwide.

It is a well-known joke (or yolk if you will) that their discography reads like the rap sheet of a seasoned criminal, as they have had over 200 songs released by over 30 different record labels around the planet as approximately 70 separate releases. With sporadic touring throughout their native Canada and the U.S.A up until that point, 1996 saw the band take their hilarious and fun filled live show across the pond to Europe. Dubbed the “European Eggvasion”, the MCRACKINS destroyed 7 countries and even found time to record some live electric and acoustic sessions for the BBC. The years have also seen the band make a few music videos, which have received light to medium rotation on music channels in Canada, U.S.A and Europe, an appearance in a Molson Canadian beer television commercial, a cameo role in a feature motion picture “Downhill Willy”, and various television and radio features.

Although the band has been taking somewhat of a much-needed break from the recording studio over the last few years, they have decided to get “Back To The Crack” with a vengeance. In true MCRACKINS fashion, the band have been hard at work in the studio since October 2004 and have just finished what they have self described as a world class bubblepunk masterpiece of epic proportions. With over 14 months and countless hours invested in this opus, it promises to not disappoint. Their 12th cd which will be called “Bat Out Of Shell”, will be released worldwide later this year by the fine folks at Wynona Records, Italy and will contain 12 new ear buzzin toons with enough hooks and harmonies to make even Brian Wilson smile. A full European tour will follow in Jan/Feb 2007 in support. So “Get Crackin” the MCRACKINS are back!!!!!!!!!!

•  you guys rule

LEAVING, TX.

If you travel a few miles south of Alt-Country and turn right at Cow-Punk you’ll find Leaving, TX… a gritty, dusty, whiskey-soaked hell-hole somewhere just outside the gates of purgatory. Formed in late 2004 by songwriter Chris Patterson and bassist Garry Cecil, Leaving, TX has rapidly come to life in the Washington, DC music scene… Quickly and rightfully earning comparisons to Drive By Truckers, Steve Earle, and Reckless Kelly just to name a few. The bands driving alt-country sound is anchored by its original songs which seem to fill fans with hooks they just can’t seem to get out of their heads.

Patterson is a self-taught musician who after leaving the jam-band Grooved Pavement spent the next 18 months studying and writing. During this time he spent many nights on the local singer-songwriter circuit finding out which songs were working with the audience. After a visit to Austin, TX he came back with the desire to finally build the band that would showcase his music.

Patterson soon contacted bass player Garry Cecil and played several of the new tunes for him. The magic was immediate and the two set out to find the rest of the band. Thor Smith was soon brought in to fill the role of drummer, having done the same in Patterson’s former band. After several auditions with guitarists, Andrew Buhler showed up on the band’s doorstep and after one song together, he was brought into the mix and given his own keys to the city.

Chris Patterson – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars. The bands songwriter is a native of Iowa although he has called sixteen cities home over the past twenty years. Patterson received his first guitar at the age of 8 but claims he didn’t learn to play it until he was 30. He carries with him very strong Irish roots and spends a couple weeks each year in Ireland seeking out music and his ancestry. His songwriting is strongly influenced by Tim Easton, Jon Dee Graham, The Waterboys, and Hank Williams.

Garry Cecil - bass and backing vocals. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Cecil was raised in the “wee” village of Corstorphine. He was raised on British music but when he arrived in America he soon became schooled by Hendrix, Zappa, and Capt. Beefheart. This eventually led Cecil to the country rock movement and later to bluegrass. It was a trip back to Scotland that had him dive head first into the punk/new wave scene. He has played in numerous bands over the years, “Non- Dairy Creamers”, “Gunpoint Affection”, and “The Swinging Richards”, and most recently the highly regarded “Primitive Mind”, opening for such greats as BB King, Lunasa, Junior Brown, and Doc Watson.

Thor Smith- drums. Smith is a native of Halden, Norway. He started drum lessons in the first grade and played his first professional gig at twelve years old. After a few years in a Hawaiian show band, Smith moved to New York in the early eighties with an original new wave outfit called “Ice Nine”. He then spent almost six years with the DC group “The Smash Band”. Semi-retired from music he was coaxed back into the scene after meeting Chris Patterson and getting hooked on his draft beer at rehearsals and original tunes.

Andrew Buhler - electric and pedal steel guitars. Buhler is a proud native of Miami, Florida. He started fooling around with the guitar after his father bought him an LP of Hendrix’s “Smash Hits” at age 10. From Miami to Japan to Cuba, he’s been tormenting his family and friends with the instrument ever since.