Giants of the rock world Thunder have signed up with Arkade – the new web initiative which helps musicians take back control from the music industry.

Thunder have seen the attraction of controlling exactly what is made available to their fans in an immediate medium, an opportunity which has created the desire to record sets from their forthcoming Autumn shows to then upload to www.arkade.com/artists/Thunder.aspx The live tracks will be available at competitive download rates to an army of dedicated fans and music lovers who are always on the search for fresh, unique music.

The move reflects the shifting sands of today’s music industry and the increasing demands by music buyers and ties in with Thunder’s seventh studio album, The Magnificent Seventh. The album finds the five-piece from South London delivering the goods in no uncertain terms. With songs like the typically Thunder-esque rockers ‘The Pride’ and ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’, along with the awesomely melodic ‘Fade Into The Sun’ and the real retro feel of ‘You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down’, it’s a brilliant return to form from the band who were Justin Hawkins’ first live gig in 1990.

Thunder have thrown themselves into the traditional indie mould releasing The Magnificent Seventh on their own label and embracing the download culture:
“The internet has revolutionised the music business, we all know that, but the really exciting bit for me is the way it can be used by any band to take control of their own destiny. The concept of the online shop is getting easier and cheaper to bring about, and The Arkade is a great example of just how painless it is for bands to plug themselves into potential fans and music buyers all over the world. It’s a very exciting time to be making and selling your own music, now there is life both before and after deals with record labels, Thunder is proof of it.” claims Bowes.

Arkade subscribers receive 100% of the download price for their music and retain all the rights to their material. There are a range of additional services available to help artists and bands market and promote themselves. By offering online distribution and download, Arkade allows easy public access to a wide range of music, bands and artists.

The prime movers behind Arkade are a hard-hitting team who know the industry inside out. Founder Greg Walsh realised that the existing industry was skewed against new acts, thus stemming the flow of talent and revenue. Knowing things could be done differently he created Arkade. Walsh is a Grammy winning producer who has worked with the likes of Pink Floyd and Tina Turner.

Customers are able to search for artists by name or by genre. Arkade generates “charts” featuring the most popular downloads to further drive interest. The initiative offers the perfect way to discover and support new talent.

Arkade offers subscribers and customers the future of the record industry: now. Add to that the fact that the direction taken and the revenue generated is entirely in the hands of the artists and this represents a serious shake up for the business. Arkade is open for business. Get in line.

Thunder Live Dates

OCTOBER 2005:

Friday 28th : BOLSOVER CASTLE ROCK & BLUES, BOLSOVER CASTLE GROUNDS, DERBYSHIRE

Tickets : WayAhead.com / 0115 912 9000
(on sale 12/09/05)

DECEMBER 2005:

Tuesday 6th : SPIRIT OF 66, VERVIERS, BELGIUM
Tickets : Spirit Of 66
Wednesday 7th : MELKWEG, AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Tickets : Melkweg.nl / TicketMaster.nl
Friday 9th : ROCK HOUSE, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Tickets : RockHouse.at
Ticket hotline : 00 43 1 96 0 96
Saturday 10th : Z7, PRATTELN, SWITZERLAND
Tickets : StarTicket.ch
Sunday 11th : CENTRALSTADION, DARMSTADT, GERMANY
Tickets : Modernewelt.de
Ticket hotline : +49 711 95474 64
Tuesday 13th : HIRSCH, NURENBURG, GERMANY
Tickets : Modernewelt.de
Ticket hotline : +49 711 95474 64
Wednesday 14th : HARMONIE, BONN, GERMANY
Tickets : Modernewelt.de
Ticket hotline : +49 711 95474 64
Friday 16th : SCHULTURNHALLE WINTERBACH, STUTTGART, GERMANY
Tickets : Modernewelt.de
Ticket hotline : +49 711 9547464
Saturday 17th : C-FRIZZ, BERLIN, GERMANY
Tickets : Modernewelt.de
Ticket hotline : +49 711 95474 64

Relevant Links

Thunder www.thunderonline.com

For further information

For further information, please contact Mel Thomas. Stay Gold Press.
Tel: 01273 201327 / 07768 865737. mel@staygold.co.uk

Quick Links

Overview of the Arkade >>> information

Help pages >>> help

Learn about the team behind the Arkade >>> details

Go to the main Arkade website www.arkade.com

Useful Music Links

Musicians' Union www.musiciansunion.org.uk

BPI www.bpi.co.uk
The British Phonographic Industry is a trade body and an authoritative source of industry information.

MCPS www.mcps.co.uk
The Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society Ltd represents composers, songwriters and music publishers.

PRS www.prs.co.uk
The Performing Right Society administers the performing right in musical works.