DOPE Frontman Explains Absence From 'Pedal To The Metal Tour'

July 30, 2009

DOPE frontman Edsel Dope has released the following statement regarding the band's non-participation in the "Pedal To The Metal Tour" alongside MUDVAYNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and STATIC-X:

"We were specifically asked not to make any announcements about our departure from the 'Pedal To The Metal Tour' 'till after the tour got under way.

"We apologize to everyone that was hoping to catch us on the tour.

"Unfortunately, it was a simple matter of economics. There are so many well-known bands on the tour that there just wasn't enough money to go around. I'm not talking about money to get rich or buy rock star bullshit that we don't need, I'm just talking about enough money to cover the normal, basic, costs to do the tour and to cover our basic bills back home while we are away. Unfortunately, it just wasn't there for us...

"Again, sorry to our fans and our friends... We were really looking forward to touring with our BLACK LABEL brothers again and to reconnecting with all our old-school STATIC-X buds...

"We will be heading to Australia and Japan later in the year and we will look to get back around the U.S. again sometime soon..

"Sorry again to any of you that bought tickets expecting to see DOPE. We wish we could have been there for you."

DOPE's fifth album, "No Regrets", sold 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 88 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD, which was released on March 10 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records),features a guest appearance by Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY),who lent his signature guitar squeals to the song "Addiction".

Edsel Dope, alongside Virus, has revitalized DOPE's lineup on "No Regrets". Joining them on bass and backing vocals is Tripp Tribbet, formerly frontman of TWISTED METHOD, who also happens to be the younger brother of MUDVAYNE/HELLYEAH guitarist Greg Tribbet. On drums, DOPE recruited former GENITORTURERS drummer Angel Bartolotta.

DOPE's video for the song "Addiction" was helmed by directors Kevin Custer (KINGDOM OF SORROW, TESTAMENT) and Dale "Rage" Resteghini (TRIVIUM, HATEBREED) in New Jersey.

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