PROTEST THE HERO, the Canadian five-piece whose quirky humour and virtuoso playing has gained it a fevered following worldwide, is planning to enter the studio in March or April to begin recording its new album for a tentative summer release. The band states: "The material is more challenging than ever before and we know we'll have to work hard to bring it to life."

To finance the recording of the new CD, PROTEST THE HERO has launched an Indiegogo campaign and has begun accepting donations. The group states: "We have completed all of our obligations to record labels. It's time to go it alone and take control of our careers. It's now or never!

"We will no longer be accepting monetary advances from labels to fund albums. We now turn to our friends, family, and our fans to help us make this album. Please take a look at our campaign — then decide whether to throw us a couple bucks or a couple of middle fingers!"

A total fundraising goal of $125,000 has been set, around $107,000 of which has been raised thus far. Special contribution"perks" include a private pizza party at a bandmember's house ($1,250), a cover song of your choice recorded by the group ($2,500), and the opportunity to contribute vocals to the new album ($5,000).

PROTEST THE HERO's latest studio album, "Scurrilous", was released in March 2011 in North America via Vagrant Records.