Exit State : Announcement : 26th January 2012

ANNOUNCEMENT : 26TH JANUARY 2012

EXIT STATE CONFIRM MATT HARRIS AS NEW PERMANENT LEAD GUITARIST

We're very happy to announce that Matt Harris, who has been deputising on lead guitar since last November, is joining Exit State as our new permanent lead guitarist. We'd like to welcome Matt to the family & look forward to many good times on the road, not least with the upcoming shows with Michael Schenker.

Says frontman Roy Bright "It's been a massive decision for us to confirm the right guy & was always something we were prepared to take our time over. We've had the benefit of seeing Matt perform with the band several times now & also getting to know him behind the scenes & it's fantastic for us all that the position is resolved. Matt's an experienced & real guitarist, capable of mixing classic playing with a modern feel & that's exactly what we wanted in Exit State".

Matt states his influences as wide-ranging - Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Mozart, Opeth, Alice In Chains & Black Sabbath. Now aged 26, he started playing guitar at 14 & is principally self-taught. He's played in a variety of styles over the years, with his main previous project being metal band Wheels Of Confusion who eventually disbanded after making a mark on the North Manchester/Lancashire scene.

Now established with Exit State this is the current tour schedule Matt can look forward to....

March
24 : Burnley, Sanctuary Bar
April
8 : Manchester, Moho Live (guests of Valiant Thorr & Jett Black)
21 : Stoke-on-Trent, The Rigger (support from Fantasist)
28 : Oldham, Whittles (support from Fantasist)
May
9 : Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall (special guests with Michael Schenker)
10 : Manchester, HMV Ritz (special guests with Michael Schenker)
11 : Glasgow, O2 ABC (special guests with Michael Schenker)
12 : London, Shepherds Bush Empire (special guests with Michael Schenker)
18 : Bury, The Towler
25 : Crumlin, The Patriot
June
29 : Newcastle, Trillians (support from Fantasist)
July
21 : Manchester, SOS Festival (headlined by Tygers Of Pan Tang)
August
4/5 : Wakefield, Rock n Wrestle Festival
October
27 : Belgium, Lotenhulle, Helloween Ball (headlined by Wizzard)

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“the true joy of this band is their refusal to conform to stereotypes, combining metal, pop & plain old rock n roll effortlessly & without apologies” Black Velvet magazine (“Death Of A Rockstar” album review)

“Satisfyingly heavy, unexpectedly catchy, unashamedly experimental and curiously engaging. Impressive” - Rocksound Magazine (“Bad Days” EP review)

"Something that should always be savoured" - Powerplay ("Black Veins" album review)

"You NEED Exit State in your life" - Big Cheese (feature)

"not only marked their identity & sound.. have paved the way for other bands to follow them" - Circle Pit TV ("Black Veins" album revie