Established Australian hard rock band Airbourne have signed a worldwide deal with Spinefarm Records – and they’re being joined at the label by Pittsburgh punk rock iconoclasts Anti-Flag.
Over the past ten years, Airborne – lead by brothers Joel & Ryan O’Keeffe (vocalist / lead guitarist & drummer respectively) have sold out major venues, released charting albums and appeared on bills with bands like Iron Maiden to the Rolling Stones.
AC/DC’s Angus Young, who was recently asked in an interview what he thinks of modern rock music & he said “I see it as healthy, because there’s newer stuff coming through. I really like Airbourne”.
With album No.4 expected from the band later this year, Airbourne have joined forces with Spinefarm Records in a new global deal that sees Spinefarm partnering with Universal Germany’s Vertigo imprint for the German speaking markets.
Meanwhile, Anti-Flag will release American Spring, their Spinefarm debut and tenth album overall, this May. The band last released an album in 2012 in the form of The General Strike.
Airbourne signing
Said the band: ““We’re pumped up to have signed on the dotted line to the world’s toughest and truest hard rock label, Spinefarm. We have worked with some of the guys on this team in the past, and we’re extremely confident about having each other’s back in the trenches for many hard rockin’ years to come. We’re chompin’ at the bit to get ROCKIN’ and KICKIN’ ARSE in 2015 & beyond.”
Says Spinefarm General Manager Worldwide, Jonas Nachsin, who previously worked with Airbourne as Roadrunner President: “We are so proud to be the new global home for the amazing AIRBOURNE! They are a band who have thrilled audiences around the world with their insanely energetic live shows and wildly anthemic songs, and all of us at Spinefarm are thrilled to be part of their ensuing juggernaut.”
Daniel Lieberberg, Senior Vice President, Universal Music Germany, adds: “Germany, Austria and Switzerland have always been strong markets for this unique band. We’re excited to closely collaborate with Spinefarm Records on our mission to bring Airbourne to a new level in our part of the world.”
Anti-Flag signing
Said the band: “We are excited to announce that our tenth full-length record will be released on Spinefarm Records this spring. There is no shortage of fodder for a new record of commentary on the social and political climate in 2015: endless wars, the new Jim Crow and American injustice, corprotocracy, environmental coup d’état, the surveillance state, loss, grief and anxiety. We hope that these songs can grant us solace in a seemingly hopeless era.
“It has been frustrating to see much punk rock music —and music in general— quiet in the face of so many atrocities that are taking place around the world. This record is not quiet. If you are disillusioned with the status quo, these songs are for you. The American Spring is now.”
Spinefarm Records General Manager Worldwide Jonas Nachsin said: “Anti-Flag are a band with a message certainly, and in addition, the music is just as compelling. This album, our first with the band, is just incredible. While we are happy to help deliver it to their legion of devoted fans, our plan is also to extend it out to those who haven’t yet been exposed to this treasured act. We are proud that they chose us to bring on American Spring.”Music Business Worldwide
