From the Towering Mind of A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson: Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another edition of the 2 Skinnee J's newsletter. As you all know, the month of March is widely recognized as a transitional time when the dreaded cold of Winter slowly but inevitably gives way to to the hope of Spring. Not so coincidentally the 2 Skinnee J's brand new album, Volumizer, is slated for release on March 19th, simultaneously causing all flowers in the northern hemisphere to bloom, all birds to sing and babies worldwide to poop their pants with excitement. It will set off a chain of events so glorious and create an age of prosperity and artistic enlightenment so sweeping and grand of scale as to make the Renaissance look like a Cal Tech Geology Department office party. And, God willing, it will make me (and the band, of course) TONS AND TONS OF CASH. You might be asking yourself "Gee, why is Stumpy in such a good mood? He usually rants on and on about how crappy and worthless the band is - why the change of heart?!?" Well, I haven't really changed my mind about the band. What I have done is just come back from a weekend in LA where I witnessed the making of the video for the band's first single, "Grown Up". I saw an inspired director and performer in comedian Andy Dick expertly create a mood and an aesthetic of undeniable brilliance. I saw a group of really hot dancers execute choreographer Michael Rooney's tremendous interpretation of our music with passion and frenetic grace. I saw Andy Dick's stunt double, "Stone Cold" Brewster Gould, lay it all on the line and even injure himself just so we could get a couple cheap laughs. I saw a team of Hollywood's finest wardrobe, hair and makeup people transform a ragtag bunch of rockers into a group of MTV heartthrobs that I just might be able to market stupid little action figures for. And finally I have seen a band whom I have derided all the way from the bottom of the barrel to the lower middle of the pack give the greatest performance of their lives. I know, I know - that's not saying much, but I can finally see that silver lining, that ray of hope... This is my Super Bowl and I'm Joe Montana. Let's just hope that the rest of the guys aren't the Cincinnati Bengals. Band News Volumizer Release Date Set for March 19th After two long years of sitting on our record label's shelf, our 2nd full length album will finally hit stores on March 19, 2002 (a full ten years ahead of our own projections). As mentioned before, the album will include three new songs, not yet available on your favorite file sharing sites. Here is the tracklist: 1. Horns of Destruction 2. 3 Minutes 3. Grown Up 4. Girl with the World in Her Eyes 5. Big Beat Evangelists 6. Brew Ha Ha! 7. Lost & Found 8. Pass the Buck 9. Lemondrop 10. Sugar & Candy 11. Loud Neighbors 12. Coming Home You should be able to find the album at discerning record stores everywhere. OR, you can buy it directly from us on our website. OR you can buy it directly from us at shows (probably for cheaper than at stores - and we'll throw in some extra goodies, too!) In any event, the money that doesn't go straight to the label goes straight to Mr. A.J. "Stumpy" Johnson, and who can argue with that. Our First Single Goes to Radio!!! The first single from the album, Grown Up, wend to radio last week. Currently it's being played on 19 stations, but we need help getting it to spread everywhere, so if you have the time, call your local alt.radio station and demand to hear your daily requirement of 2 Skinnee J's. Shortly we'll send a complete list of radio stations that we're trying to get our song on, but here's a list of some of the stations already playing it and their song request lines. Feel free to call them as often as you'd like! WHRL/Albany: (518) 218-1031 WMRQ/Hartford: (860) 666-4444 WJSE/Atlantic City: (609) 927-1027 WRRV/Newburgh: (845) 451-9778 WEEO/Hagerstown: (717) 709-0800 WRAX/Birmingham: (205) 741-1077 WARQ/Columbia: (803) 776-1013 WWVV/Savannah: (800) 343-4569 WXSR/Tallahassee: (850) 386-3101 KXNA/Fayetteville: (501) 582-1049 KQRX/Boise: (915) 520-9500 KPNT/St. Louis: (314) 969-3833 KMBY/Monterey: (877) 657-1343 In further news about the single, we just returned from California where we filmed a video with Andy Dick. The video was based on a 1960's era bollywood movie called "Gum Naam." Andy Dick directed and appeared in the video, which also includes some incredible dance numbers choreagraphed by Michael Rooney (the guy who made up the dances for the latest Kylie Minogue video as well as the two amazing Fat Boy Slim videos, "Praise You" and "Weapon of Choice" - you know, the one with Christopher Walken). The video is being edited as we speak and should be completed sometime this week. Check the website for pictures from the shoot. Upcoming Dates We'll be heading out for most of the spring supporting the release of the record and we look forward to a real tour - the likes of which we haven't done in over a year. We'll be kicking off in Chicago for a record release party, then heading back east, only to head back to the midwest in late spring. Check the website for updates, but here's what's planned so far. Tues. 3/19: Chicago, IL - House of Blues (Record Release Party!!) Wed. 3/20: Dekalb, IL - Otto's Thurs. 3/21: Cleveland, OH - Odeon Theater Sat. 3/23: Norfolk, VA - The NorVa Tue. 3/26: Wilmington, NC - Marrz Wed. 3/27: Hilton Head, SC - Blue Nite Cafe Thu. 3/28: Winston Salem, NC - Ziggy's Fri. 3/29: Radford, VA - Radford University (with Ludacris) Sat. 3/30: Richmond, VA - Canal Club Mon. 4/01: Greenville, SC - The Handlebar Wed. 4/03: Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre Thu. 4/04: Washington D.C. - 9:30 Club Fri. 4/05: Columbia, SC - 3 Rivers Music Festival Sat. 4/06: Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall Sun. 4/07: Charleston, SC - The Music Farm Sat. 4/13: Baltimore, MD - Goucher College We'll be adding new dates as go along, so check the website for updates... or you can check www.pollstar.com and get the dates before we even do!!! Merchandise!!!!! A new CD recorded live at the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh, NC is now available at shows and will also be available on the web on both sites. The cd includes two songs not available previously -- a remix of the force and Freedom. Also, check out the websites for new t-shirts designed by one of our fans, Julianne. Also, at upcoming shows you'll be able to buy the new album, probably for less than at stores. www.2SJ.com Check out the website for updates. Latest developments include new pictures and our resumes. Also, give us feedback at skinneej@aol.com if you have any suggestions/complaints about the website. The attachment with this letter is a fabulous picture taken on the set of the upcoming video "Grown Up". Those receiving the attachment may download it, or those not receiving it may view it online @ http://members.aol.com/FamousRT Those not wanting to download it may also view it at that address, it is up for everyone! Contact me anytime at FamousRT@aol.com. 2 Skinnee J's debut album, Supermercado, available nationwide in stores near you. For more information, visit http://members.aol.com/FamousRT/2sj.html Remember, you are All Champions! <---- back