Blak Presidents

BLAK PRESIDENTS BIOGRAPHYBACKGROUND:The Blak Presidents first began as a studio project by drummer Raphael ”Ray 7” Merriweathers Jr. (UR), and lead signer Brian “Boots” Shannon as a suggestion by legendary techno producer “Mad” Mike Banks to form a techno/rock hybrid group that pushes the envelope of Electronic Music. With marching orders in hand several songs were recorded including the song “Never” that was later featured on the UR project Interstellar Fugitives 2. After recording several cuts Ray 7 submitted the project to Ade’ “Mr. De’” Mainor the Submerge Recordings/Electrofunk chief. Mainor fell in love with the project and signed the Blak Presidents to a recording deal. Veteran musicians Duminie DePorres (guitarist), and Andre’ Womack (bassist) joined the group, and helped compose, perform and conceptualize the Blak Presidents debut album “Fight The Future”.CONCEPT:Blak Presidents on the surface is all African American rock band with a sound that fuses rock with r&b, techno dance music and the blues. The introspective lyrics written by lead singer Boots deal with subjects such as drug addiction, social change, and armed service recruitment to name a few. The band opted to eliminate the letter c from the word black in its name to make a statement about the social climate in America. In the bands opinion the c represents, complacency, capitalism, over consumption, control and conditioning. The band fells that the word "Blak" is the removal of all the negative connotations associated with the word black. The band hopes to lead minds via self-empowerment and unity through music..THE BAND:After graduating high school Brian "Boots" Shannon (Lead Singer/Guitar) joined the Detroit Fire Department. While entering a burning dwelling, the floor gave way almost costing Boots his leg, and life thus ending his firefighter career. Injured but not incapacitated Boots decided to pursue his musical talents full time and found a home with producers Ray 7, Mr.De' and Mad Mike. Duminie "Doom" DePorres (Lead Guitar) was originally influenced by the music of Jimi Hendrix and George Clinton. While playing as a professional guitarist he has played with Public Enemy, George Clinton, Funkadelic, Umar bin Hassan, the Last Poets, Enemy Squad, H.R. of the Bad Brains, and with en Vogue during the filming of the music video "Free Your Mind". He has recorded with Soul Clique, Jazzhead, and developed a strong working relationship with Theo Parrish of Sound Signature. Together they recorded and toured as the Rotating Assembly. Duminie is endorsed by Dean guitars and demonstrates his virtuosity in Blak Presidents. Raphael "Ray 7" Merriweathers Jr. (Drums and Percussion) began his professional music career at the age of 16. Already a skilled young drummer, he began performing with Top 40 bands and spent years splitting his time between touring and working studio sessions. It was during his time as a studio drummer that Ray discovered electronic drum programming. Finally being fed up with Top 40 gigs, Ray joined Underground Resistance. As M.I.A. he released "Schoolcraft Bump" and began performing with Underground Resistance's Chaos band. He has since served as the musical director for all of UR's bands including Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Los Hermanos. Andre "Drago" Womack (bass guitar and keyboard bass) also began playing instruments as a youth. Listening to artists like Michael Jackson and Prince and playing in school bands Drago became accomplished on drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards. Drago later gained employment as a school bus driver in Detroit but got tired of the lack of discipline in his passengers. Drago quit the school system saying "I can't whip they bad asses" and has been pursuing his musical career full time. Drago has played with the Tek Brothers, Triple Threat, D2, City Boy Players, Inner City , and Galaxy 2 Galaxy to name a few.THE SOUND:The Blak Presidents album was recorded at the Tunnel 7 and Electrofunk Studios in Detroit. It was mixed at the Electrofunk Studios. It features unique guitar tones, and synthesizers to make a very punchy aggressive sound. It was recorded digitally and mastered utilizing new analog modeling techniques. It features production from Mr. De’ and UR members Mad Mike and Ray 7. The band wrote and composes the majority of the album to showcase their creativity and Duminie DePorres ripped innovative guitar solos throughout the album. Boots vocals come threw the track while layering his harmonies with various background tracks. This album will be a classic recording in the near future.THE NEW ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE AFTER AFTER A GREAT JAPANESSE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 18TH