MELDRUM Schedules Hollywood Date

MELDRUM, the Swedish/American band led by former PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum (wife of EUROPE axeman John Norum),has scheduled a headlining show at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on January 17, 2008. The group will also appear at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants),which is being held January 17-20 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

MELDRUM recently unveiled its premiere North American release, "Blowin' Up the Machine", a brand new album of fierce, hard-rocking metal on Locomotive Records.

The multinational act — singer Moa Holmsten and bassist Frida Ståhl from Sweden, and American guitarist Michelle Meldrum — released its European debut, "Loaded Mental Canon", in 2002 but has good reason for the delay of its follow-up.

"What can you do when Zakk Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and MOTÖRHEAD take you under their wings and on extensive tours with them?' said Michelle. "You can't say no. We are so thankful to have worked with the people we have."

During breaks from touring, MELDRUM hunkered down to work on "Blowin' Up the Machine", and when it came time to record, they enlisted the drumming prowess of Michelle's former PHANTOM BLUE bandmate Linda McDonald and none other than Gene Hoglan (DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DETHKLOK),with whom Michelle formed her first band WARGOD as teenagers.

"It's kinda like coming full circle for both of us," Michelle said. "It feels like it did when we were kids. I mean, when you know someone so well musically and as friends, it is definitely a special chemistry. I love him like a brother."

"Now, I may joke about how cool it is to play with three 'hot bitches,' but lemme tell ya, MELDRUM are some damned fine and talented musicians," Hoglan said. "Moa can sing like an angel or summon the devil, Michelle can riff and lead with the best of 'em, and Frida is simply one of the best bassists I've ever worked with. I'm proud to be a part of the team."

MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy also makes a special guest appearance on "Blowin' Up the Machine", writing the lyrics for the song "Miss Me When I'm Gone" and contributing vocals to the track.

"I was sitting in a hotel room warmin' up before a gig and I thought, 'I'm gonna crank out a riff that would sound like us but with Lemmy's vocal style," Meldrum said. "Then we asked him if he would be interested in writing some lyrics for the song and he was totally into it. When the time came to record it, we asked him if he wanted to special guest on the CD and he did. It is definitely an honor to work with someone like Lemmy."

"You say girls can't play rock'n'roll?" said Lemmy. "Well, listen to MELDRUM and bite your tongue!"

"Blowin' Up the Machine" was mixed by Michelle, Brett Chasen, Bob Kulick, and Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, KORN, METALLICA, FEAR FACTORY). Michelle also engineered the vocals and guitars, and served as executive producer, with Stahl and Holmsten co-producing.

"We are the real thing," Michelle said. "We live, eat, and breathe this lifestyle of music. We sound brutal and heavy, but we are really nice gals and love having a good time!"

MELDRUM's video for the song "Purge" can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Southern California and features Gene Hoglan.