NEW WEST RECORDS SIGNS OLD 97’S
LABEL DEBUT DUE IN JUNE

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Cameron Strang, president of New West Records, has announced the signing of the Old 97’s, who will release their label debut in June. “We’ve been fans of the Old 97’s for a long time and we’re really excited to add them to the New West roster,” said Strang in making the announcement. “We’re looking forward to a great partnership with the band.”

The Old 97’s were formed in Dallas, Texas in 1993 when Rhett Miller (vocals, guitar) and Murry Hammond (bass) teamed up with Ken Bethea (guitar) and Philip Peeples (drums). They forged a sound that joined the rawness of early punk and the song craft of power pop with their classic country and honky-tonk influences. The band released their first album in 1994 on Texas indie label Big Iron Records and soon went on to then-upstart indie Bloodshot Records, which released their Wreck Your Life album in 1995.

Critical acclaim from the two indie albums led to the Old 97’s signing with major label Elektra Records, which went on to release three albums: 1997’s Too Far To Care, 1999’s Fight Songs and 2001’s Satellite Rides. During this time, Miller and Hammond also formed a side project dubbed the Ranchero Brothers, which they used to develop material that would eventually find its way onto the Old 97’s albums. Rhett Miller also took a temporary leave from the band to record a solo album, The Instigator, which was released by Elektra in late 2002.

For their New West Records debut, the Old 97’s are teaming up with producer Mark Neill, whose long list of credits as a musician, producer and engineer includes work with Los Straitjackets, Deke Dickerson and the Paladins. The band will record at studios in both San Diego and Woodstock, New York.

The Old 97’s will begin a nine-show run (many of which are already sold-out) January 16 in Minneapolis. These are their first dates together since 2002. The Old 97’s are managed by Vector Management and booked by Frank Riley of High Road Touring.

Tour Dates:
Fri Jan 16 Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue
Sat Jan 17 Chicago, IL at Metro
Sun Jan 18 Madison, WI at Luther’s Blues
Mon Jan 19 Indianapolis, IN at The Vogue
Wed Jan 21 Cleveland Heights, OH at Grog Shop
Thu Jan 22 Philadelphia, PA at Theater Of The Living Arts
Fri Jan 23 Washington, D.C. at 9:30 Club
Sat Jan 24 & Sun Jan 25 New York, N.Y. at Bowery Ballroom