[Mickey]

(Nashville, TN) July 19, 2002 – Award-winning, Tooth & Nail recording artist Bleach will be a featured artist on the highly anticipated Back To The Few tour with GoTee Records artist Relient K. Bleach joins the tour this fall in support of its already critically acclaimed and first new project in over three years, Again, For The First Time, which is set to release August 27. The Back To The Few tour also features XS Records band Philmore and Tooth & Nail band Holland (formerly called Somerset).

Beginning Sept. 21 in Chicago, IL, the 40+ city Back To The Few tour will traverse the nation into numerous major markets, including Minneapolis, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Atlanta and Boston (full tour itinerary below). Taking a diverse approach to venue selection, concerts have been scheduled in a variety of settings including high schools, auditoriums, clubs, and churches.

“As a band, it has always been our vision to bring great rock music with a positive message to the people who need it most, regardless of whether it happens in a church or in a club,” says Sam Barnhart, guitarist and founding member of Bleach. “We are excited about the Back To The Few tour because we will get to do exactly that.”

Bleach drummer Jared Byers also looks forward to the Back To The Few tour as he will have the opportunity to travel alongside his former band, Relient K. “I am stoked about being able to tour with my friends in Relient K. They’ve always been a lot of fun to tour with, so I know this tour is going to be a blast,” said Byers. Shortly after the release of Bleach’s third album in 1999, Jared and his brother Milam (former lead guitarist for alterna-pop rock diva, Miss Angie) joined the Bleach line-up. Even though the brothers have been with Bleach for the past 2 years, the band’s upcoming release, Again, For The First Time, will be their first studio album with the group.

The album is also Bleach’s first new album since their critically acclaimed, self-titled and third recording. After taking nearly three years off for rest and renewal, the band is back, re-energized with a fresh new project. Again, For The First Time is truly a representation of what the band has been doing for the past three years, renewing focus in life. Accompanying the message of renewal is a more gritty, raw live sound courtesy of producer Oran Thornton.

That sound is already receiving critical acclaim. WebRock.com says “Fans of the band’s earlier projects, and of their live shows, will have no trouble sinking their teeth into Again, For The First Time… Again, For The First Time is a cool album that’s chock full of good vibrations.” CCMmagazine.com says, “The album’s title is fitting, as Bleach’s fourth time around is as raw and fresh as a college rock band’s debut. The listener is treated to a live, modern rock ‘n’ roll vibe that equals or bests any of Bleach’s previous projects.” Acaza.com says, “Bleach hasn’t missed a beat with this album… The guitar riffs are crunchy, the drumbeats are clean, and the hooks are catchier then ever… It won’t take long to get these songs stuck in your head.”

Fans eager to preview the new album will have numerous opportunities to do so. Bleach is currently touring many of the large summer music festivals. The first single from the album, “We Are Tomorrow,” was released to radio last week. In addition, a video single has been released video shows nationwide. The video can be downloaded as a QuickTime file at http://www.toothandnail.com/downloads/bleach/wearetomorrow.html.

*Back To The Few tour itinerary:

09/21/02 - Chicago, IL - Park West
09/22/02 - Minneapolis, MN - Christ Church
09/23/02 - Des Moines, IA - Frank's House of Rock
09/24/02 - Council Bluffs, IA - First Assembly of God
09/27/02 - Spokane, WA - Fat Tuesdays
09/28/02 - Seattle, WA - Graceland
09/29/02 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
09/30/02 - Eugene, OR - Wow Hall
10/01/02 - Eureka, CA - Civic Center
10/02/02 - Livermore, CA - TBA/ Shriner's Hall
10/04/02 - Bakersfield, CA - Bakersfield High School
10/05/02 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
10/06/02 - San Diego, CA - Cain's/Point Loma
10/08/02 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
10/09/02 - Las Cruses, NM - TBA
10/11/02 - La Porte, TX - Fairmont Park Baptist Church
10/12/02 - Dallas, TX - The Door
10/13/02 - Oklahoma City, OK - 23rd St. National Guard Armory
10/15/02 - Wichita, KS - Ground Zero
10/16/02 - Boulder, CO - Flatiron Theater
10/18/02 - Shawnee Mission, KS - Youth Front
10/19/02 - Sullivan, MO - TBA
10/20/02 - Nashville, TN - The Factory
10/22/02 - Little Rock, AR - Vino's
10/23/02 - Huntsville, AL - University of Alabama
10/24/02 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
10/25/02 - Tampa, FL - State Theater
10/26/02 - Jacksonville, FL - Murray Hill Theater
10/27/02 - Greenville, SC - Teen Arena
10/29/02 - Blacksburg, VA - Virginia Tech University
10/30/02 - Norfolk, VA - Norva
11/01/02 - Pitman, NJ - Broadway Theater
11/02/02 - Wayne, NJ - Calvary Temple
11/03/02 - Boston, MA - Axis
11/05/02 - Buffalo, NY - Showplace Theater
11/06/02 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Laga
11/08/02 - Marion, IN - Indiana Wesleyan University
11/09/02 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
11/10/02 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater & Ballroom

*All dates and locations are subject to change.

For much more on Bleach, click here