The Afters announce release of 'Never Going Back To OK'

|PIC1|INO/Columbia Record's rock pop band The Afters are preparing to release their highly anticipated sophomore project "Never Going Back to OK" on February 26, which has already garnered a top 5 track at Christian CHR and Rock charts in the US for the self-titled first single.

The charming and entertaining "MySpace Girl" viral video will also premiere soon on MySpace.com's Main Page and shortly following at Seventeen.com.

In the viral video for the cute, catchy - yet true story - song "MySpace Girl", fans will see The Afters' cartoon counterparts re-enact the story of the song about a guy meeting his future wife at a drive thru and following up with her via myspace.

In addition, actual "friends" were chosen from the band's MySpace page to be a part of the video. The popular social networking site MySpace will premiere the video starting February 13 on their homepage as well as the site's music video page. One week later, Seventeen.com will be catching in on the excitement and posting the video for two weeks starting on or near February 19.

Confirmed for one of the last two cover stories of CCM Magazine (March), with the title track single headed toward No 1 on the Christian CHR charts, "Never Going Back to OK" has received a groundswell of radio airplay. It was targeted early on as a hit by a majority of key market stations nationwide including the AIR-1 Network, WONU/Chicago, Radio-U/Columbus, YES-FM/Toledo, WNAZ/Nashville, KVRK/Dallas, WMKL/Miami and many more. The Afters first Christian AC single, "Keeping Me Alive" goes for adds this week on February 8.

The Afters' second album is a culmination of all the buzz and excitement of the past three years for this emerging band. After receiving a Gospel Music Award for "Best New Artist of 2006" and having the most downloaded inspirational track ("Beautiful Love") of the same year on the iTunes charts, the band is back with a diverse record in "Never Going Back to OK" that includes pensive ballads such as "Ocean Wide", potent tracks like "Keeping Me Alive", lighter songs such as "MySpace Girl" and a catchy rock title track.

"On the last record there was a common thread of hope that came out in all the songs," vocalist/guitarist Brad Wigg says of "I Wish We All Could Win". "This album seems to reflect transformation. I think a lot of the songs are talking about moving forward, of becoming who we are meant to be."

Though weeks from its release date, "Never Going Back to OK" has received early immense acclaim including:

"The result is an edgier band that manages to maintain secure melodic footing ... its clear there's a music statement being played just as loud as the lyrics ... this album is better in every way."
4 ½ stars!!
- CCM Magazine

"This upcoming release is really going to blow you away ... a breakthrough album ... I hope the fans don't waste any time getting their hands on this album."
- GospelMusicChannel.com

"The Afters' sophomore effort is a bright, hopeful, melodic burst of sound."
- HM Magazine

"This is a very good effort by The Afters-far from OK-and a recommended pick for 2008."
- Christian Retailing

""With 'Never Going Back To OK', The Afters present a dynamic collection of inspiring power-pop anthems and pensive ballads that reach well beyond the scope of their influences ... The Afters' musical depth and lyrical poignancy assure them a place among the genre's elite."
- Stereo Subversion

"The ballads show more depth than they have before, and you get that when you really listen to "Ocean Wide" and "Beautiful Words" ... "Falling Into Place" has multiple layers lyrically and musically. The Afters continue to explore the bounds of earthly and heavenly relationships. And they get a little better with every step."
- CBNMusic.com

"They're ready to take off, and Never Going Back to OK just might be the vehicle that puts them over ... The Afters' Never Going Back to OK is 'more than just OK.'"
- Phantom Tollbooth

The Afters will also be touring across the US throughout 2008 including headlining their own dates this spring and hitting the major summer festivals.

Releasing their debut project "I Wish We All Could Win" in 2005, The Afters received top attention from their fans and media outlets. The Afters' music has appeared on the networks of MTV, mtvU, ABC Family and E! News as well as on HOT AC and VH-1 radio along with outlets such as Billboard, BOP and Popstar.

The MTV college network and mtvU have been strong supporters of the band as their music video for "Beautiful Love" was awarded with an mtvU Award for Best Streaming Video in 2005. The Afters were awarded the Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year" (2006), and had the most downloaded single on the iTunes inspirational charts in 2006 with more than 100,000 downloads.

The foursome composed of Josh Havens, Matt Fuqua, Brad Wiggs and Mark Dodd, met while working at a Starbucks in Mesquite, Texas, and was later discovered by MercyMe front man Bart Millard.

Go to www.theafters.com for more.