District 97 Lineup Change and 2016 Tour

There have been some major changes for District 97 in the past few months, Rob Clearfield (keyboards) and Patrick Mulcahy (bass) have both parted ways with the band. The split is amicable and everyone remains on good terms.

Luckily, two very talented Chicago-based musicians are ready and eager to join Leslie, Jim and Jonathan in moving the band forward: Andrew Lawrence (keyboards) and Tim Seisser (bass).

District 97 will also be launching a Kickstarter on Wednesday, November 18th so that the new lineup can take the world by storm in 2016!

Here are the confirmed dates so far:

26 March 2016 - The Borderline, London, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
27 March 2016 - The Musician’s Pub, Liecester, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
28 March 2016 - The Robin 2, Bilston, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
29 May 2016 - Sound Control, Manchester, UK - tickets
1 April 2016 - Art Rock IV Festival, Reichenbach, DE (with IQ, RPWL and many more) - tickets
3 April 2016 - Progdreams Festival, Zoetermeer, NL (with Three Friends, Focus, and many more) - tickets

US dates to come in May 2016 !

District 97 Prepares top Release New Album

Chicago-based quintet District 97 is getting ready to unveil their third full-length studio recording, titled In Vaults, on June 23rd on Laser's Edge label.

With an energetic and assorted blend of alternative/pop and progressive rock, District 97 was formed in the Fall of 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn, the latter eventually replaced by Jim Tashjian on guitar. The foursome honed a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension Experiment-inspired instrumental rock before deciding the right vocalist was needed to complement their sound; enter 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist, Leslie Hunt. With a look, sound and stage presence comparable to a young Ann Wilson, Leslie’s dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction that forged a unique marriage between accessible, catchy vocal melodies and an adventurous instrumental prowess.

Capturing the attention of Laser’s Edge, the label signed District 97 for the 2010 release of their debut album, Hybrid Child, followed in 2012 by their follow-up, Trouble with Machines, both albums balancing meticulous attention to detail and studio-craft with the visceral power of a rock band that is firing on all cylinders. Heavy bouts of live performances surrounding both records included a number of high profile festivals, opening support slots for prog icons Kansas, and even European and North American tours with John Wetton (King Crimson/Asia/UK). These spectacular shows saw District 97 open with their own material, and then join forces with Wetton for a full set of legendary King Crimson tracks, as memorialized on their joint 2014 live album, One More Red Night.

In Vaults track listing:
1. Snow Country
2. Death by a Thousand Cuts
3. Handlebars
4. A Lottery
5. All’s Well That Ends Well
6. Takeover
7. On Paper
8. Learn from Danny
9. Blinding Vision

http://www.district97.net
http://www.facebook.com/District97
http://twitter.com/District97

District 97 and John Wetton Release One More Red Nightmare Live CD

A new live CD capturing a set of King Crimson songs performed by District 97 and former King Crimson lead singer John Wetton has been released on Primary Purpose via Cherry Red Records.

One More Red Night: Live in Chicago includes three songs from the iconic landmark album Red; which inspired many musicians including Kurt Cobain. This CD also captures several other well-known songs from the three King Crimson studio albums John Wetton played and sang on, plus their earlier hit 21st Century Schizoid Man. This is the first release of this recording and features many tracks which are now rarely heard live.

“I've said it before, and I maintain that D97 is the best young progressive band around right now. Gifted players, great material, and a brilliant, charismatic singer in Leslie Hunt. Their shows are an exciting pleasure to attend, and I am proud to work, and be associated with them.” - John Wetton, Annapolis, October 1,2014.

District 97's drummer and One More Red Night producer, Jonathan Schang, says “The first Crimson song I ever played live with John was Lament. To hear 'that voice' coming from right in front of me, seemingly made only stronger by the passage of time, was an experience I shall never forget. Getting to know John more closely, both as a musician and a human being, is an honor and a privilege. I'm thrilled that our joint interpretations of his iconic work with King Crimson are now available for all to enjoy.”

Track List:

1. One More Red Nightmare

2. The Great Deceiver

3. Lament

4. The Night Watch

5. Fallen Angel

6. Book of Saturday

7. 21st Century Schizoid Man

8. Starless

9. Easy Money

To purchase District 97 & John Wetton One More Red Night: Live in Chicago:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/More-Night-District-With-Wetton/dp/B00N3SE9US/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Night-District-With-Wetton/dp/B00N3SE9US/
Cherry Red: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4842
iTunes US: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-more-red-night-live-in/id912870501
iTunes UK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/one-more-red-night-live-in/id912870501

District 97’s last album was Trouble with Machines, features a guest appearance by John Wetton on the mini-rock opera, The Perfect Young Man:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-With-Machines-CD-DVD/dp/B0082GN8Z8
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/trouble-with-machines/id545414289

John Wetton’s last solo project was a 2 CD re-issue of Monkey Business and Jack-knife, the former of which includes many of his early 1970s versions of tracks that went on to become some of King Crimson’s most iconic songs:
http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Knife-Monkey-Business-John-Wetton/dp/B00I4583HK/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Knife-Monkey-Business-John-Wetton/dp/B00I4583HK/
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/jack-knife/id889141024
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/monkey-business-feat.-richard/id889182992

Official websites:
www.district97.net
www.johnwetton.com

District 97's Reveal Plan for 3rd Album

District 97 have just released a video of a new song, performed live at Martyr's Night Club this past June. The new track is titled Takeover and was co-written by vocalist Leslie Hunt and drummer Jonathan Schang. There's only one catch...

They don't have enough money to record it!

So they are starting a Kickstarter campaign on August 25, next Monday. If you want to hear their 3rd album, please consider helping to bring this project to fruition by contributing to their campaign. Links to the Kickstarter campaign will be available here next Monday.

Also check out their Midwest Kickstarter Launch Tour! Dates can be found at http://www.district97.net/shows. In the meantime, enjoy the new song!