July 1, 2008 - The Official is now official again

The Fastball official site has just relaunched, in a brand new 3-tone environment. The site features a straightforward red/black/white design with a header image featuring many new band images, the "fast-ball" logo, and some stenciled pigs that say "thank you." So far the site is in basic form, with several pages still needing to be added, but it's coming along. The first news post regard the upcoming album, confirming the Fall 2008 release, as states that the album is currently out in LA sunning it up and being mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Stay tuned to www.fastballtheband.com for more to come. 

  June 19, 2008 - Official Site In Progress

Yesterday the www.fastballtheband.com link stopped pointing to the temporary MySpace homepage. Today the link now points to a holding page stating that the new Fastball Official Site is currently under construction. Further discoveries about what the site is starting to look like have been made, and there is a thread about it in the forum. But, I have decided to remove the description and the screen shot of the site in progress from here. I'm sure if the band intended us to know what was being done, then they would have made the site in progress available through the main site link. Perhaps it is intended more as a surprise, so out of respect, I leave you guessing.

  June 16, 2008 - Spotlight on Fan Videos

Well as most of you know, the availability of Fastball related videos has increased exponentially over the last 4 years, due mostly to the fine cameramanship of you fine fans. So I'd like to spotlight some of the great recent additions.

First, TexasYesFan compiled video that he and Shelly took from the Saxon Pub show in March and has composed a synced two-angle video for The Modern World. More dual angle videos from this show will be coming in the near future. Until then, great work, check it out below.

Second up, long time fan Shinobiman, previously known for his own Fastball fansite Red Lights, recently took time to compile a music video for All I Was Looking For Was You. He took numerous segments from the many live videos of the song out there, cut and pasted them together, and synced it all up with the studio recording of the song from the MySpace page. Check it out below.

Third, long time fan (and a long time forum lurker :) ) InkBlotPanel took an unbelievably long bus ride down to New York recently to catch Fastball at the Rocks Off Cruise show. He pulled out his camera from his spot in front of the stage and captured some great, albeit slightly truncated, video of new song Soul Radio. Good enough for Miles to upload it to YouTube and put it on the band's MySpace page. Check it below.

Next, fan Shelly has come out be a strong force in Fastball fan video arena over the past several months. She recently partook of the Fastball's acoustic set at the Belmont Hotel, and she's posted some wonderful vids from the show. The one below features Rampart Street and Working On A Love Song. The dedicated fan she is, let the video roll through the whole show, and in this vid caught Miles retelling a quite funny story. You gotta see it, so do so below.

Lastly, long-time fan, long-time Fastball follower, and long-time Fastball videographer Andy was also at that same previously mentioned Rocks Off Cruise a couple weeks ago. He had his camera as usual and has since posted several videos from the show to YouTube. Featured below is Fastball performing the rarely performed live song, Everytime She Walks. Now if we can just coax him into posting on the forum some also. :) Check the vid below.

Not only do these videos depict some great music from Fastball, but more over they show just how dedicated the fans are, and how eager and willing they are to share their live show experience with the rest of the fans around the world who might otherwise not see them otherwise. You guys and gals are great! Keep it up. And to everyone reading check out the rest of the fans videos and post your thought or thanks to them on their respective pages or in our forum.

  June 16, 2008 - Album to get September release and proper mix

According to Tony at recent shows and on his MOG page, the band are hoping to release the new album on Tuesday, September 9. This is a much later release date then previously speculated by fans. The band have previously indicated the possibility that they may release the album with a record label, noting that there were a few possibilities. This later release date, and the fact that it is set on a Tuesday (when new music is typically released) tend to suggest that the album might in fact be released through a label; however, this has yet to be confirmed by the band.

Tony also mentioned recently, that the guys will be returning to Mix This Studios to mix the new record with Bob Clearmountain. Bob Clearmountain is a reknowned mixer/producer, having worked with artists like Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, INXS, Squeeze, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Robbie Williams, and so many more. Most Fastball fans will be familiar with Bob, as he mixed Fastball's 'Keep Your Wig On' and the Small Stars' 'Tijuana Dreams.' The results should be fantastic, as his previous work with the band resulted in some great music. Visit Mix This for more info on Bob and his studio.

  June 14, 2008 - Fastball premier album art and title on MySpace

That's right folks. The guys just uploaded a couple new pics to their MySpace profile, one of which looks to be the new album's cover art. The other is a new picture of the band. The cover art features the new "fast-ball" logo, previously seen on the band's official site. And according to the cover art, the new album will be called Little White Lies. A great title, and nice sharp cover. Click the image to the right for a higher resolution version.

  June 9, 2008 - Fastball to open 2 shows for Squeeze

Two new shows have been added to the Fastball calendar. The band will be opening 2 dates for 70's/80's New Wave/Pop band Squeeze, probably most well known for their hit single "Tempted" from 1981. These dates are part of the band's ongoing reunion tour. Fastball / Squeeze will play La Zona Rosa in Austin on Sept. 5, and The House of Blues in Dallas on Sept. 6.

  June 9, 2008 - News-Times Article with Miles Zuniga

The May 30th edition of Danbury, Connecticut's 'News-Times' featured an article about Miles and Fastball. It is a great article filled with a lot of insight and information about Miles, the band, and the new music. Everything from Miles' show biz days as an extra in shows like 'The Practice' and 'Hill Street Blues' to his time in prior bands The Neptunes and Big Car, the Rykodisc affair to how age and family have matured the band and influenced their view on Fastball and the music they create. Not a big article overall, but a very insightful (and fact filled) one, nonetheless. Read the whole article, "Fastball: Passionate Professionals" now.

  June 8, 2008 - Cruise Reviews

In addition to the fan reviews making their way onto the forum, the band's recent set aboard the Half Moon was a featured review for New York's QRO Magazine. The band received an overwhelmingly good review from the magazine giving them high accolades for putting on a quality, crowd pleasing set, despite the conditions of being on a crowded moving boat, with no real stage. And while the band may have tripped (figuratively) with a couple [new] songs that didn't quite fit the mood, they more than kept the pace, by going into the next song, and playing the hits. The article also shed's light on the upcoming album by repeatedly bringing up the new songs, as well as tying things from the band's past, making it a well rounded review. The review features video clips and link to a photo gallery of pictures from the show.

  June 8, 2008 - Song Updates

For those looking for lyrics/info on some of the band's newer songs they are now online or updated. I have recently added song pages for Always Never, Everyday, All Of The Time, Rampart Street, Soul Radio, and updated the song lyrics for Mono To Stereo.

  June 3, 2008 - Fastball rock cruise ship in NY harbor; Tony let's another album title slip

Okay, so Fastball rocked out 2 shows in New York this past weekend. No news on the Poughkeepsie show, though it certainly does take a back seat to the band's show the next day, aboard cruise ship the Half Moon in New York harbor. I think it can be said that there was a lot of energy at this show, from Fastball, the crowd, fans, and opening band The Energy. TexasYesFan and his friend made the long trip and made a long weekend out of the New York shows. He was just one of numerous fans to make the trek to or from New York to catch this unique show. And word is that a great time was had by all, not just by catching the band play, but by hanging with old and new friends and fans. He has posted a full review of the Rocks Off Cruise show on the forum, so check it out. He's also posted a link to a online photo album with a bunch of pics. We also hope to get a Q-Review from Qgirl who was also on hand for the show.

  
In other news, in Tony's MOG post about the recent NY shows, it shows he is currently listening to She's Got The Rain from the album "Little White Lies." Have the band found another strong contender for the new album's title? Or perhaps decided on one? Hopefully some official news about new album will be revealed by the band this month.

. . . . . more 2008 News

. . . . . Missed something? Check out the 'News Archives' to your right.

 www.perurocks.org | www.lovehopestrength.org
 

06/27 - White Rabbit (San Antonio, TX)
07/01 - Alameda County Fair (Pleasanton, CA)
07/03 - Neptune Festival 2008 Concert
            Series (Virginia Beach, VA)
07/23 - Sticky Fingerz (Little Rock, AR)
07/24 - 2 Cents Plain (St. Louis, MO)
07/25 - Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL)
07/26 - Rock Island Brewing Co. (Rock Island, IL)
07/27 - The Hub (Cedar Falls, IA)
07/28 - Beaumont Club (Kansas City, MO)

Opening for Squeeze:
09/05 - La Zona Rosa (Austin, TX)
09/06 - The House of Blues (Dallas, TX)

see 'shows' page for more dates/info.

News / Info. / Questions / Etc.
erik [at] blackrainonline [dot] com