Anime Blast Chattanooga announced a number of new additions to its 2012 guest lineup. Eric Stuart and the Eric Stuart Band, The Man Power, Project: Leviathan, Professor Shyguy, and Greg Wicker of Greggo’s Game Shows, will all join previously announced guest Kyle Hebert for Anime Blast Chattanooga, which is being held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on the weekend of Nov. 9-11.
ERIC STUART
Brooklyn born and raised singer/songwriter Eric Stuart has toured the country either on his own or with such rock legends as Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He's also opened for such acts as Jethro Tull, Julian Cope, Hall and Oates, and Chicago.
His first full-length album, Curiosity, was released in 1996 on his own independent label, Widow's Peak Records, and was soon followed up in 1997 with Picture Perfect World (EP).
In the summer of 1997, Eric's classic rock & roll style was noticed by Ringo Starr who invited him to open The Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Tour, featuring Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce (Cream), Gary Brooker (Procul Harum), and Simon Kirke (Bad Company). That exposure served as a springboard for Eric to open for the Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Paul Rodgers Tour that same summer.
Since then Eric Stuart has been touring on a regular basis including two U.S. tours with Peter Frampton. In 2000 Frampton produced Eric's next album, Blue, Dressed In Black along with John Regan and Harvey Jay Goldberg. Now living in Nashville, Eric's songwriting talents have given him the opportunity to begin co-writing with some of Nashville's finest songwriters.
In 2004 Eric released the self-produced independent album Bombshellshocked on RevUp Records. In 2007, he released his next album entitled In The County Of Kings and In 2009 Eric Stuart Band released the next CD 'Empty Frame Of Reference', both on Widow's Peak Records.
In March 2001 Eric Stuart Band released their new album entitled 'Falls On Me'.
All this while continuing a successful voice acting/directing career, starring in hit shows including Pokémon (Brock, James), Yu-Gi-Oh! (Seto Kaiba), Slayers (Gourry), Viva Pinata, Ultimate Muscle, Dinosaur King (Dr. Z), Kirby, Slayers (Gourry), Chaotic, Sonic X, TMNT, GoGoRiki, in addition to voicing many national radio and TV commercials and audiobook narrations for Audible.com.
THE MAN POWER
The Man Power is the greatest comic book rock n roll band of all time. Hailing from Nashville, TN, the band has been forming a fan base through playing anime conventions, Japanese cultural events, rock n roll clubs, private parties, and anywhere that loves fun. The group's live show consists of a high level of crowd interaction, undeniable charm, tongue in cheek stage gimmicks, and frequent celebrity cameos.
The musical style of The Man Power is a cross between glam rock, 3 chord punk, and Saturday morning cartoons. Their songs' subject matter ranges from girls to anime to just wanting to take a girl to Japan.
The band has shared the stage with such acts as 80s pop icon Tiffany, Japanese punk legends Peelander-Z, rock opera heroes The Protomen, and controversial dance rock act The Slants. The band has played at events catering to over 9,000 attendees all over the country, were voted band of the month at The Deli Nashville for April 2011, and have played shows with 4 separate Power Ranger actors in attendance!
The Man Power consists of Chris Sexxx on lead vocals and guitar and Cody Warhammer on drums and vocals. At many appearances, the band also features a revolving line up of Man Power Girls that act as hype girls and are the best mascots around! Lady Lauren and Anime Anna are the lead girls, but you never know which girls will turn up at a show with the boys.
After self-releasing its first EP, "The Man Power," the band blew away the world with their debut full length record, "Hide Your Daughter and Get Your Earplugs Here Comes The Man Power," in 2011 on Man Power Records. The album is a representation of the band's roots and a glimpse into the future.
So what else is there left to say? The Man Power is your new favorite band! Don't miss the band when it is in your town because if you do you might never see your girlfriend again.
www.themanpower.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/themanpowerchannel
www.twitter.com/themanpower
www.reverbnation.com/themanpower
PROJECT: LEVIATHAN
Project: Leviathan is a one piece Electro-Gothic-Rock solo act started in Nashville, TN by Cody Joe Bottoms. Drawing from such musical influences as Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and AFI, Bottoms creates a dark electronic musical experience that is not only exciting for the ears, but also visually stimulating. Bottoms has been creating and producing music for over 16 years for his own musical projects and many professional touring acts. Bottoms is also the drummer for the rock power-house, The Man Power and has been the singer for such metal bands as Sacaea along with many others.
Throughout 2012, Project: Leviathan will be performing at many Japanese Anime conventions and Electronic music events in the southeast United States. “I decided I wanted to make music about what I love,” Says Bottoms.”I have a love for Gothic culture, Anime, Electronic music, Fashion, Cosplay, Bears, Coffee, Squags, AKA Zombies, Love and Life.”
PROFFESOR SHYGUY
Professor Shyguy can be best described as: high energy, chiptune-electro-rocking, 8-bit, epically vocalized, highly danceable, theatrical nerd-pop. His performance consists of him singing, playing guitar, keyboards, and drums, sometimes three of those things at the same time. He has toured the Southeast, from Baton Rouge to Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Wichita, etc. and has shared the stage with Ellen McLain of Portal and Jonathan Coulton fame, as well as opened for and performed with Samantha Newark of Jem and the Holograms. He has performed in venues of surprised and entertained crowds that range from the legendary dive bar Springwater in Nashville to a Microsoft conference for High Schoolers
GREGGO’S GAME SHOWS
Greg Wicker (or “Greggo” as he’s fondly known) has been producing and hosting game shows at anime conventions since 1999, when he premiered Anime Match Game at Project A-Kon in Dallas. Since then, Greggo has done anime-themed versions of several classic game shows, created a few games of his own, and even had an original project that very nearly turned into an actual television show on Anime Network. These days Greggo is concentrating on perfecting his craft and making game shows available for conventions everywhere, bringing his rapier wit and friendly personality with him wherever he goes. You can see some of Greggo’s past game show efforts on his YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/gregdasgo or visit his website at http://www.facebook.com/greggosgameshows."
Anime Blast Chattanooga officials said the hotel rate of $89 a night with the Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center has been extended to include Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights of the convention. Interested attendees can visit https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=9559729 or call 1-877-901-6632 to make a reservation or add a day to an existing reservation.
Anime Blast Chattanooga is a three-day convention that aims to entertain, educate, and encourage a diverse group to band together and grow in their fandom. By hosting interesting guests and holding engaging panels and events, Anime Blast Chattanooga hopes to leave its mark on the anime community.
Anime Blast Chattanooga
Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
When: November 9-11, 2012
Cost: $30 pre-registration, $50 VIP badge (limited amount)
Website: www.animeblastchattanooga.com