New York City-based Wind-up Records is known for championing radio-rock mega bands like Creed and Evanescence as well as a coterie of smaller acts like indie acts such as Seether and Aussie synth-poppers Strange Talk. In a missive issued today, the rock behemoth announced the launch of its own electronic music label, Eclypse Records, created in association with Australian DJ/producer Feenixpawl, signaling an overt interest in broadening their musical horizons. In sync with the announcement came Eclypse Records’ first release, Feenixpawl’s new EDM-fueled single, “Ghosts,” featuring Melissa Ramsay.
Obligatory press release gush from Alan Galbraith, General Manager at Wind-up Records: “We’re excited about the artist Feenixpawl, and we’re equally excited that we can do something together creatively that’s on another level. It’s more than just a relationship between us and a very talented artist. It’s the opportunity to – with their input – get deeper into the electronic music space.”
Obligatory press release gush from Shawn Cohen, Wind-up Records Head of A&R: “Wind-up has been wanting to get into the electronic music space, so once we started the conversation with Feenixpawl, it just seemed like a natural fit. They brought more to the table than just themselves as musicians and writers and performers – they brought with them a strategy.”
Obligatory press release gush from Aden and Josh of Feenixpawl: “It has been a dream of ours since this musical journey began, to start our own record label. This is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to dance music and we’re truly privileged to bring this new venture to dance music fans.”
There’s no word yet on future acts who will join Eclypse Records’ stable (our gut tells us not to expect any deep, minimal techno), but for Wind-up’s sake jumping on the EDM bandwagon had better pay off quick since Creed — who disbanded, reunited and broke up again — likely won’t ever get back together.
Talking last week on Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed’s podcast, former Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti, currently of Alter Bridge and his eponymous solo band, basically said another Creed reunion was unlikely due to the past behavior of troubled singer Scott Stapp, who many will remember released a shocking video last year declaring he was broke and homeless. Oh yeah, and he looked like hell.
“We’ve had a lot of falling outs. He’s definitely caused me a great deal of grief in life,” Tremonti tactfully said of Stapp, “but I don’t want to see anyone go down like that,” referring to his reported troubles with substance abuse. Tremonti added that he’s almost 41 and doesn’t have the patience to deal with bullshit from band mates at his age.
Jasta floated the idea that Stapp could change his life at some point in the future and, who knows, everyone could become friends again and Creed could find itself being welcome with open arms in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tremonti’s silence said volumes. Listen to the full interview here.