OPIATE FOR THE MASSES Working on Provocative New Album Tentatively Titled 'THE SPORE' - 2004 Touring Plans Include MARCH/APRIL Run with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and JULY/AUGUST Stint on the VANS WARPED TOUR

The people need hard-hitting, challenging, thought-provoking music, and Opiate For The Masses is continuing its mission to provide it.

(PRWEB) March 20, 2004 --2004 finds vocalist Ron Underwood, guitarist/keyboardist/programmer Jim Kaufman, bass guitarist Ryan Head, drummer Elias Mallin and new lead guitarist Andy Gerold are hiding away in the Hollywood underground to complete work on a new album tentatively titled 'The Spore' while simultaneously preparing to embark on two major tours. The road trips include a March/April run in the West and Midwest with Warner Bros. recording artist Avenged Sevenfold and a July/August East Coast trek on the highly esteemed Vans Warped Tour. 'The Spore' is currently scheduled for release in early August on Kaufman's own Sedated Records label.

These developments are major leaps forward for Phoenix natives Opiate For The Masses, whose last project was the five-song EP 'Goodbye' released independently by Concrete Entertainment in 2002.

"Andy and I had actually played in two bands together in Phoenix before. Last New Year's Eve, I was invited to sit in with the latest band Andy was playing in and it was awesome," Kaufman said. "It just felt so right. His style was exactly what we needed. The guitar harmonies and parts that we play complement each other.

"When I first sat down and was writing ideas in a notebook for the perfect band I wanted to form, I'd had Ron as the vocalist, Elias as the drummer, and Andy was the original guitarist!"

Just eight days after Kaufman and Gerold reconnected for the New Year's Eve gig, Gerold moved to California to join Opiate For The Masses.

Intense songwriting, rehearsal and demo sessions for 'The Spore' have continued with Gerold's input, and the album is quickly taking shape. Recording will commence soon.

" 'The Spore' tells an autobiographical story but metaphorically it can be about anything. Right now there are a few pieces missing that we need to fill in but the framework is there," says Kaufman. "I feel strongly about the songs. It's good to have different styles of songwriting and Andy has brought in another dimension."

Opiate For The Masses has spent the first part of 2004 concentrating on finishing songs for 'The Spore' and, as a result, has only played one show with Gerold on board. The band is eager to hit the road and present new OFTM music to the world.

"The tour with Avenged Sevenfold is going to be a lot of fun, and we're also really excited about expanding our fan base and playing our music for the punk and hardcore audiences on the Vans Warped Tour," Kaufman says.

For all the latest Opiate For The Masses news, tour dates and more, visit www.opiateforthemasses.com.
Current tour dates for include:

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES WITH AVENGED SEVENFOLD

Fri, March 19 Tucson, AZ     Skrappy's
Sat, March 20 Las Vegas, NV Huntridge Theater
Mon, March 22 Fresno, CA     Big Game
Tue, March 23 Sparks, NV     New Oasis
Wed, March 24 Salt Lake City, UT Albee Square
Fri, March 26 Fort Collins, CO TBD
Sat, March 27 Denver, CO     Bluebird Theater
Mon, March 29 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
Tue, March 30 Iowa City, IA Gabe's
Fri, April 2    Milwaukee, WI Eagles Club
Sat, April 3    Detroit, MI     Majestic Theatre
Sun, April 4    Chicago, IL     Bottom Lounge
Tue, April 6    Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Wed, April 7    Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES ON THE VANS WARPED TOUR

Wed, July 28     Atlanta, GA    Hi-Fi Buys Amphi.
Thu, July 29     Orlando, FL    CF Fairgrounds
Fri, July 30     Tampa, FL     Vinoy Park
Sat, July 31     Miami, FL     Hi-Fi Buys Amphi.
Sun, August 1    Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Fairgrounds
Mon, August 2    Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless
Tue, August 3    Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless
Wed, August 4    Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
Thu, August 5    Pittsburgh, PA Post Gazette
Fri, August 6    Philadelphia, PA Tweeter Center
Sat, August 7    New York, NY Randall's Island
Sun, August 8    Englishtown, NJ Raceway Park