Southern California based Sunflower Dead have released a powerful anti-suicide themed song “Turn Away” (Radio Edit), which was produced by Dave Fortman (Evanescence, Distturbed, Slipknot) and released through David Ellefson’s EMP Label Group. The song is the follow-up to “Victim”, which reached #36 on the Mediabase and BDS Rock charts earlier this year – their highest charting single to date. The band will be going out on tour with Scott Stapp and Messer, starting in August (dates below).
“Turn Away” is meant to be empowering and give hope, says frontman Michael Del Pizzo: “Isn’t it funny how a song with an overtly anti-suicide theme is one that we attempted to self-sabotage multiple times but couldn’t finish the job? “Turn Away” was coming to fruition, no matter how many times we tried to toss it aside. It just seemed to have a life of its own and is now what we consider to be the most important track of our career”.
That career has bloomed over the course of the last 7 years and has been growing steadily, beginning with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2012 through their own Bloody Bats Records imprint, with production by Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory, Powerflo). The album received positive press & numerous accolades, including being named Revolver Magazine’s “Album of the Week” through independent music fan voting. The band spent the next 2 years on the road promoting the LP, including tours with In This Moment, All That Remains, Hellyeah, Nonpoint, Powerman 5000, Hed (PE), Ill Nino, Soil, Smile Empty Soul and Hurt.The debut album moved over 6,000 units and helped establish a loyal fanbase dubbed ‘The Evil Seeds.’
Touring and experiencing what worked in a live setting helped mature the band’s songwriting skills. They brought that experience into the studio while recording their 2nd full-length LP, “It’s Time to Get Weird” with producer Dave Fortman and Mikey Doling (Snot). The album showcased a more polished sound while incorporating a more playful side that live audiences were just beginning to get a taste of. The ‘Weird’ album was a step forward on multiple fronts – from the production team, to a slicker stage look and photos with famed rock photographer Neil Zlozower, and guest vocals on the album’s title track by Korn’s Jonathan Davis. Lead single, “Dance with Death” was the band’s first foray into Active Rock radio, and reached #52 on the Mediabase Active Rock charts just as the album was released on October 30, 2015 independently, again through their own Bloody Bat Records. The title cut “It’s Time to Get Weird (featuring Korn’s Jonathan Davis),” was released in early 2016, becoming the band’s first Top 40 hit on the Mediabase Active Rock chart. With the success of both singles, Sunflower Dead returned to the road supporting the release throughout 2016 and 2017. The band toured with Avatar, Hellyeah, both legs of In This Moment’s ‘Hellpop’ tour and direct support on two runs with Mushroomhead.
With the addition of Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory, Poweflo) on bass and Brian “Brett” Weir (Downplay, Starset) on drums, the band returned to the studio with Fortman and recorded their third album “C O M A”, which they released through David Ellefson’s (Megadeth) EMP Label Group on Oct. 19th, 2018. The band plans to tour throughout the rest of 2019 into 2020.
Track listing for C.O.M.A. album:
https://audiomack.com/album/
1). Let Me In
2). Victim
3). The Biggest Mistake
4). Through Fire
5). Savior
6). Kept Down
7). Torn In Two
8). Counting All My Failures
9). Turn Away (Radio Edit)
Upcoming Tour dates w/Scott Stapp & Messer
Friday, 8/23 – Perham Hall – Zillah, WA
Sunday, 8/25 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
Tuesday, 8/27 – The Triple Door – Seattle, WA
Thursday, 8/29 – Pig Out In The Park – Spokane, WA
Saturday, 8/31- Fort Randall Casino – Lake Andes, SD
Monday, 9/2- A Taste Of Colorado – Denver, CO
Friday, 9/6 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, 9/7 – The Canyon Montclair – Montclair, CA
Sunday, 9/8 – The Canyon Santa Clarita – Santa Clarita, CA
Friday, 9/13 – The Cave – Big Bear Lake, CA
Saturday, 9/14 – The Canyon – Agoura Hills, CA
Sunday, 9/15 – The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
Thursday, 9/19 – Paramount Theatre – Rutland, VT
Friday, 9/20 – Eastern State Exposition – West Springfield, MA
Saturday, 9/21 – Strand Center For The Arts – Plattsburgh, NY
Thursday, 9/26 – Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL
Friday, 9/27 – Amaturo Theater – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Saturday, 9/28- The Ranch – Fort Myers, FL
Tuesday, 10/1 – McGlohon Theater@ Spirit Square – Charlotte, NC
Thursday, 10/3 – Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, FL
Friday, 10/4 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
Sunflower Dead is:
Michael Del Pizzo – Vocals, Accordion, Piano
Jaboo – Lead Guitar
Jamie Teissere – Guitar
Christian Olde Wolbers – Bass
Brett Weir – Drums
Connect & Share with Sunflower Dead
Official Website – www.sunflowerdead.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/user/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Jcn8bp
Itunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/
Bands In Town – https://www.bandsintown.com/
