U.S. CHRISTMAS To Reissue Debut On Vinyl Via Play The Assassin

U.S. CHRISTMAS To Reissue Debut On Vinyl Via Play The Assassin

New Jersey-based indie imprint Play The Assassin will issue Bad Heart Bull, the debut release from Appalachian doom folksters, U.S. CHRISTMAS on May 8, 2012. Originally self-released by the band on CDR in 2004, the vinyl will be limited to 250 copies and issued in three different configurations -- ultra clear with black splatter; bone white with blue swirl, and swamp green with yellow haze. Vinyl/T-shirt bundles and autographed test pressings are available with all proceeds being split between the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe/Pine Ridge Reservation.

Bad Heart Bull is a 43-minute slab of mutant doom blues; think Neil Young without the “Heart Of Gold.” “I used a lot of different electric guitars and amps –- a little Fender Vibro Champ for some of the leads on ‘Black Snake’ and an Orange full-stack for the wall of distortion, but the foundation of Bad Heart Bull was Les Paul Customs and Marshall Mosfet stacks,” says Hall. Pre-order Bad Heart Bull now at THIS LOCATION.

Now dubbed USX, U.S. CHRISTMAS is an apocalyptic space-rock/doom ensemble originating from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Led by guitarist/vocalist Nate Hall, the band, now featuring BJ Graves (drummer), Justin Whitlow (percussion, sounds), Josh Holt (bass, drones), and Meghan Mulhearn (violin) -- have entered their second decade of blurring the boundaries of crushing rock and acoustic dark blues.

The band’s eclectic musical influences range from modern metal and doom to guitar slingers and classic artists including Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Hawkwind, Caustic Resin, and Neurosis. While the music of U.S. CHRISTMAS has never been described as being jammy or amorphous, the band’s brand of dirty, loose psychedelic rock originates from members bringing their individually-created musical parts into a room together and letting their collective synergy form a singular groove. One would think the spaciness of the music would bring lyrical themes dealing with outer-space, yet their lyrical content actually focuses more towards that of nature, earth, and terrestrial human history.

After a pair of self released CDRs (Bad Heart Bull and Prayer Meeting), U.S. CHRISTMAS released their third album, Salt The Wound, via Russia’s RAIG Imprint, and then signed with the United States-based, Neurot Recordings (home of Neurosis, Shrinebuilder, Across Tundras, etc.) to release three studio offerings: Eat The Low Dogs, Run Thick In The Night and The Valley Path. Hall will be issuing his debut solo album, A Great River, via Neurot next month.  

http://www.playtheassassin.com

http://www.myspace.com/uschristmas

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/USX.APPALACHIA 

U.S. CHRISTMAS' Nate Hall Explores His Top 5 Places In Appalachia

Via Decibel Magazine's Deciblog

U.S. CHRISTMAS mainman Nate Hall is a livelong resident of western North Carolina. "I can’t imagine life without this place," he notes in a recent Deciblog entry. "Everyone in U.S. CHRISTMAS lives in the Appalachian region, so don’t hesitate to hit us up if you plan to visit." Check out Hall's top 5 places to explore in Appalachia (complete with breathtaking photos) up now at the recently re launched (and rather fabulous looking) Deciblog

The psychedelic, high-volume blues rock ensemble U.S. CHRISTMAS released their long-anticipated fifth full-length, Run Thick In The Night, via Neurot Recordings on September 20. The disc was recorded by Sanford Parker at Fahrenheit Studio in Johnson City, Tennessee, mixed by Parker and USX members Nate Hall, Matt Johnson and Josh Holt at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, IL and mastered by Collin Jordan.

"Run Thick In The Night pushes what initially can be a sedative sonic experience into a mind bending one - leading to an aural sensory garden that opens doors into blissful self contemplative trains of thought and a Serotonin producing feeling." -- Slug

"On their fifth full-length they go from earsplitting, soulful incantations to dusty, lonely, folk-style ballads and somehow make the whole thing work seamlessly." -- The Daily News

"Run Thick In The Night is a slow-burner, a smoldering, caterwauling tone poem composed from icy brooks and hailstorms at 9,000 feet. The New South indeed." -- Metro Spirit

"Whether it’s a forlorn ballad like 'Fire Is Sleeping' or 'Devil’s Flower In Mother Weather' or a sprawling epic like 'The Moon In Flesh And Bone' or 'In the Night,' USX weave a psychedelic spell as potent as that by any other mystic. Open your third eye and get that nail ready." -- Sleazegrinder

"Hailing from the Appalachian mountain region, this band brings to you some of that regions folk culture and landscapes in both the sound and lyrical content that you can almost feel them intertwine and approach you with a seductive and psychedelic rock swing as opposed to a more bluesy swagger." -- Hellride

http://www.myspace.com/uschristmas
http://www.neurotrecordings.com

U.S. Christmas (live) - "In the Night"

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Interview Alert: U.S. CHRISTMAS

Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, U.S. CHRISTMAS create a kaleidoscopic brand of sound that evades easy classification. Founded in Marion, North Carolina in the summer of 2002, the band played rough biker bars, art spaces, and house shows all over the southeast dirt circuit for years, self-releasing albums in rough CDR format. Scott Kelly of Neurosis heard the band's third record, Salt The Wound (released in Russia by the label RAIG) through his show on Combat Music Radio/KMBT, which inevitably lead to the release of the band's fourth album Eat The Low Dogs on Neurot Recordings.

USX now approaches a decade of playing, recording, and evolving, and continues to blur the boundaries of heavy music with earsplitting rock that is by turns jangly, crushing, dark and truly eclectic. Said Hall of the upcoming release: "This record followed some difficult times for many of us, and I think you can hear that in RTITN. It is not as lyrically dark as ETLD, however it is a continuation of those elements. Run Thick In The Night is rooted in something outside of us, but is driven by a clear and persistent vision. It was necessary for USX to make this album, and it was something I absolutely had to do. I can't really explain it any better than to simply say that it is a very personal, spiritual album for me. ...When I hear the music now I see distinct real places that have, over time, woven into my imagination and become surreal.

"We recorded the entire 13-song album in one weekend in Tennessee, with Sanford Parker at the helm," he continues. "Our friend Travis Kammeyer helped out a lot with studio time and he added some really cool Hammond organ sounds. Minsk drummer Tony Wyioming also played hand drums on a few tracks. Our friend from North Carolina, Hush, did the original artwork, which I think really fits the mood perfectly. Josh Graham from Neurosis/A Storm Of Light did the layout work for us, and it was the perfect finishing touch. I am really proud of RTITN, and really proud of everyone in USX."

Check out footage of the band from the Hopscotch Music Fest this past weekend in Raleigh here:http://tinyurl.com/39qrgsy.

U.S. CHRISTMAS:

Nate Hall - Guitars, Words, Vocals

Matt Johnson - Synthesizers, Guitars, Sounds

Chris Thomas - Guitars, Bass

BJ Graves - Drums

Justin Whitlow - Drums, Experimental Sounds

Josh Holt - Bass, Drones

Meghan Mulhearn - Violin

http://www.myspace.com/uschristmas
http://www.neurotrecordings.com

U.S. Christmas - "Wolf on Anareta"

Guitarist/vocalist Nate Hall of U.S. CHRISTMAS

will be available for phone interviews on:

Wednesday - September 29, 2010

and

Thursday - September 30, 2010

From 1:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Interviews will be in support of the band's new full-length Run Thick In The Night, released earlier this month via Neurot Recordings. The disc was recorded by Sanford Parker at Fahrenheit Studio in Johnson City, Tennessee, mixed by Parker and USX members Nate Hall, Matt Johnson and Josh Holt at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, IL and mastered by Collin Jordan.

Interested parties should reply with TWO (2) possible time slots.

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U.S. CHRISTMAS: North Carolina Mini Tour To Commence This Week

U.S. CHRISTMAS: North Carolina Mini Tour To Commence This Week; Album Release Draws Near

Psychedelic, high-volume blues rock ensemble U.S. CHRISTMAS will release their long-anticipated fifth full-length,Run Thick In The Night, via Neurot Recordings on September 20, 2010. The disc was recorded by Sanford Parker at Fahrenheit Studio in Johnson City, Tennessee, mixed by Parker and USX members Nate Hall, Matt Johnson and Josh Holt at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, IL and mastered by Collin Jordan.

Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, U.S. CHRISTMAS create a kaleidoscopic brand of sound that evades easy classification. Founded in Marion, North Carolina in the summer of 2002, the band played rough biker bars, art spaces, and house shows all over the southeast dirt circuit for years, self-releasing albums in rough CDR format. Scott Kelly of Neurosis heard the band’s third record, Salt The Wound(released in Russia by the label RAIG) through his show on Combat Music Radio/KMBT, which inevitably lead to the release of the band’s fourth album Eat The Low Dogs on Neurot Recordings.

USX now approaches a decade of playing, recording, and evolving, and continues to blur the boundaries of heavy music with earsplitting rock that is by turns jangly, crushing, dark and truly eclectic. Said Hall of the upcoming release: "This record followed some difficult times for many of us, and I think you can hear that in RTITN. It is not as lyrically dark as ETLD, however it is a continuation of those elements. Run Thick In The Night is rooted in something outside of us, but is driven by a clear and persistent vision. It was necessary for USX to make this album, and it was something I absolutely had to do. I can't really explain it any better than to simply say that it is a very personal, spiritual album for me. ...When I hear the music now I see distinct real places that have, over time, woven into my imagination and become surreal.

"We recorded the entire 13-song album in one weekend in Tennessee, with Sanford Parker at the helm," he continues. "Our friend Travis Kammeyer helped out a lot with studio time and he added some really cool Hammond organ sounds. Minsk drummer Tony Wyioming also played hand drums on a few tracks. Our friend from North Carolina, Hush, did the original artwork, which I think really fits the mood perfectly. Josh Graham from Neurosis/A Storm Of Light did the layout work for us, and it was the perfect finishing touch. I am really proud of RTITN, and really proud of everyone in USX."

As a precursor to the release, the band will embark on three North Carolina shows with fellow NC doom trio BLACK SKIES. In November, the band will play Run Thick In The Night in its entirety at The Hideaway in Johnson City, Tennessee.

U.S. CHRISTMAS Tour Dates:

09/16/2010 Legitimate Business - Greensboro, NC w/ Black Skies

09/17/2010 The Milestone - Charlotte, NC w/ Black Skies

09/18/2010 The Soapbox - Wilmington, NC w/ Black Skies

11/13/2010 The Hideaway - Johnson City, TN [Full RTITN album set]

Check out footage of the band from the Hopscotch Music Fest this past weekend in Raleigh here:http://tinyurl.com/39qrgsy. The fest featured countless artists from all genres including Weedeater, Harvey Milk, Black Skies and Public Enemy.

U.S. Christmas - "Wolf on Anareta"

U.S. CHRISTMAS:

Nate Hall – Guitars, Words, Vocals

Matt Johnson – Synthesizers, Guitars, Sounds

Chris Thomas – Guitars, Bass

BJ Graves – Drums

Justin Whitlow – Drums, Experimental Sounds

Josh Holt – Bass, Drones

Meghan Mulhearn - Violin

http://www.myspace.com/uschristmas

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

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U.S. CHRISTMAS: Cover Art + Track Listing Revealed

Neurot Recordings is proud to unleash the latest full-length from psychedelic, high-volume blues rock ensemble U.S. CHRISTMAS. Entitled Run Thick In The Night, the band's fifth long player was recorded by Sanford Parker at Fahrenheit Studio in Johnson City, Tennessee, mixed by Parker and USX members Nate Hall, Matt Johnson and Josh Holt at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, IL and mastered by Collin Jordan. Check out the cover art [by Hush:myspace.com/hushillustration] here: http://tinyurl.com/36v9gmj

Run Thick In The Night Track Listing

1. In The Night

2. Wolf On Anareta

3. Fire Is Sleeping

4. Fonta Flora

5. Ephraim In The Stars

6. The Leonids

7. Suzerain

8. Maran

9. The Quena

10. Deep Green

11. Devil's Flower In Mother Winter

12. Mirror Glass

13. The Moon In Flesh And Bone

Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee,U.S. CHRISTMAS create a kaleidoscopic brand of sound that evades easy classification. Founded in Marion, North Carolina in the summer of 2002, the band played rough biker bars, art spaces, and house shows all over the southeast dirt circuit for years, self-releasing albums in rough CDR format. Scott Kelly of Neurosis heard the band’s third record, Salt The Wound(released in Russia by the label RAIG) through his show on Combat Music Radio/KMBT, which inevitably lead to the release of the band’s fourth album Eat The Low Dogs on Neurot Recordings.

USX now approaches a decade of playing, recording, and evolving, and continues to blur the boundaries of heavy music with earsplitting rock that is by turns jangly, crushing, dark and truly eclectic. The band has often been associated with space rock with Germany's Rolling Stoneincluding the band in an article/compilation CD on the history of that genre. However, USX are not simply continuing the space rock tradition (although the band, alongside Minsk and Harvestman, recorded a tribute to the British space-searchers Hawkwind earlier this year, also released via Neurot), but are rather a group of musicians who pay attention to a wide variety of music from all eras and origins. Close attention to the band’s lyrical content will show that USXis not at all concerned with outer space, but rather themes of earth, nature and terrestrial human history. In fact, the mountains and people of western North Carolina are a primary influence on the band’s sound. And though many have focused on their use of vintage synthesizers and theremin, the band does not rely on any one instrument to create its bizarre sounds – proof that brains and hands are a musician’s most important tools.

U.S. CHRISTMAS will kick off the weekend performing two special shows with Corrosion Of Conformity before heading out on a handful of one-off performances in September throughout North Carolina including at stop at the Hopscotch Music Fest in Raleigh [http://hopscotchmusicfest.com]. The fest features countless artists from all genres including Weedeater, Harvey Milk and Public Enemy. Confirmed dates below. Further dates TBA.

U.S. Christmas

(Live at Triple Rock, Minneapolis 11/27/2009)

U.S. CHRISTMAS Live

7/30/2010 Stella Blue - Asheville, NC w/ Corrosion Of Conformity (Animosity lineup), Zoroaster, Righteous Fool

7/31/2010 The Pour House Music Hall - Raleigh, NC w/ Corrosion Of Conformity (Animosity lineup) Black Tusk, Righteous Fool

9/05/2010 Static Age Records - Asheville, NC w/ Body and Enoch

9/11/2010 Hopscotch Music Fest - Raleigh NC

9/16/2010 Legitimate Business - Greensboro, NC w/ Caltrop

9/17/2010 The Milestone - Charlotte, NC w/ Caltrop

Run Thick In The Night will be released via Neurot Recordings on September 20, 2010.

U.S. CHRISTMAS:

Nate Hall – Guitars, Words, Vocals

Matt Johnson – Synthesizers, Guitars, Sounds

Chris Thomas – Guitars, Bass

BJ Graves – Drums

Justin Whitlow – Drums,

Experimental Sounds

Josh Holt – Bass, Drones

Meghan Mulhearn - Violin

http://www.myspace.com/uschristmas

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

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