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ABSENCE OF CONCERN OFFICIAL GARAGEBAND PAGE
Jackson, MS based Absence of Concern, released their debut album “Open Letters to a Closed Mind” regionally in August 2006. After the bands management was able to communicate with Best Buy Senior Entertainment Manager, Mark Kirklin, about the bands awareness developed all through the state of Mississippi. Kirkland took a chance stocking some units in several Best Buy stores to extend the unsigned band the chance to see if its audience would respond. Since then it has been selling out multiple times at several Best Buy locations, and has also been stocked and selling out at other chains like FYE, Borders, big chains like Be Bops record stores, and Mom n Pop's across the state. "Open Letters to a Closed Mind" debuted at 6 in the Jackson, MS. market, selling close to 200 copies the first week, while ranking the 2 selling rock artist sold for the week just behind Hinder's “Extreme Behavior.” One of the standout tracks “Every Time I Try” attracted the attention of rock station, Rock 93.9 who has spun the single over 400 times. “We wanted to do an album that exposes the close minded attitude of growing up in the Bible Belt”, says founder Jon Dray Lee. “We all come from small MS towns full of good, hard working people, but just like everything there is a dark side to it all”. Since the release, Absence of Concern has become one of the regions standout rock/alternative acts due to their hard work ethic and rigorous live promotional agenda. Their second single “Beast in the Beauty” has become one of the top requested songs on KEYJ-Abilene, TX. PD Frank Pain says, “Beast in the Beauty is one of the fastest reacting singles we’ve had on the station in years.” Kirklin followed the band into Texas, being the 1st to stock the bands release at the Best Buy in Abilene, with a 1st order of 30 units quickly selling out within 2 weeks. Drummer Adam Box adds, “Absence of Concern is about worrying only about the things you can control in life, being real to yourself and others...life is too short to be a poser. “We knew right after the first practice that we were going to be making music a long time together. Its very encouraging to be in the room with 3 other guys from completely different social and musical backgrounds and all see the same vision.” Their success however didn't come together overnight. A rigorous touring schedule opening up for bands like Hurt, Seether, 12 Stones, Crossfade, Theory of A Deadman, Revelation Theory, Submersed, Element 80, along with one demo release “When Things Fall Apart” has built the foundation for what this band has become. Guitarist Derek Blush admits it was destined, “Its been an emotional roller coaster, so many things have gone wrong yet we find ourselves every few months in a hell of a lot better place then we were before.” Break Thru Artist Management President, Sandy Thomas say's..."you have to admire young rock bands who have the courage to hang in, when trying to chase an original music career.....it's years of struggle, tough to get on the radio...no money, difficult to get a credible booking agent to work for you....all your doors are slammed pretty tight.....you’re grateful when you run into executives like Mark Kirklin....or programmers like Frank Pain, who will look at what you’re doing, and open the door if it makes sense.......it's encouraging....and it say's...keep working, it'll always be about a consistent hard working pace.
