OPUS, Drummer of Dead By Wednesday, Releases Innovative 80’s New Wave Turned Metal Solo Album Titled REVAMPED! OUT NOW!

July 9, 2023

REVAMPED is a creative, fun and innovative new take on select 70’s and 80’s tunes. The record features mostly new wave remakes from the likes of Berlin, Missing Persons, Eddy Grant, and more, but also mixed in with some classic rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Blue Oyster Cult!

"These songs were hand picked from the soundtrack of our youth, the playlist that many grew up with and enjoyed. These are tunes that shaped an entire generation but then we literally just remade or better yet “revamped” them, all while keeping the integrity and essence of the original still throughout. REVAMPED updated the production on the classics and made all 11 songs more 2023 and well, a bit more metal too!" says Gerald Edward Pawlik, Executive Producer.

Available worldwide on physical and digital streaming & downloadable platforms via Mindsnap Music / Combat Records / Salt of the Earth(distributed by Von Artists Ltd./The Orchard) and at Tower Records stores. There is a limited edition cassette tape with download card available as well. For more info email: OMindsnap@aol.com

Grab the new solo album Opus’ REVAMPED (Vol. 1) here: https://orcd.co/revamped_vol1

Listen/watch the debut single along with the new visualizer video for the REVAMPED cover of the Richard Marx song “Should’ve Known Better”. The cover was even endorsed by the man, Grammy award and multi-platinum recording artist, Mr. Richard Marx himself. You can check it out here: https://youtu.be/iaTZsVUKXuM

Grab the single NOW here: https://orcd.co/re-vamped_shouldve-known-better

The debut REVAMPED (Vol. 1) features Opus, the drummer of Dead By Wednesday & Earth (former Ellefson, Altitudes & Attitude & Gargantua Soul of the 90’s), along with studio guitarist/solo artist and super shredder Joey Concepcion, both who performed & recorded all the music on this album. It was mixed and mastered by Nicky Bellmore (Dee Snider/Jasta/kings & liars) at Dexters Lab Recording in CT. The combination of Opus and Joey C. was also the duo responsible for the making of the ground breaking guest vocalist album Darkest of Angels by Dead By Wednesday, which came out on David Ellefson’s former EMP Label Group, and featured Brian Fair (Shadows fall), Eric AK (Flotsam & Jetsam), John Arch (Fates Warning), Rob Dukes (x-Exodus), Ceschi Ramos (Codefendants/x-Dead By Wednesday), Waylon Reavis (A Killers Confession/x-Mushroomhead) & many more.

“We might have gone too far with some of these cover tunes but we don’t care! It was so fun remaking these songs for the creation of this album!” says Joey Concepcion.

“Growing up a die hard metal head, I used to snub & hate on new wave music. Why? I don’t really know. I think partially it was my being “cool” age & also what heavy metal stood for at the time… sort of rebellion to all things main stream. However, I’ve always liked all different styles of music & feel that this is what makes a musician better & stronger. Lately, I’ve been vibing on some old school 80’s stuff… Which leads me to why I wanted to do this album," adds Opus.

Credits:

Executive Producer - Gerald Edward Pawlik
Produced by Christian F. Lawrence
Engineered & Recorded by Joey Concepcion
Mixed & Mastered by Nicky Bellmore / Dexters Lab Recording
Vocals & Drums by Opus
Guest Vox on “Paint it Black” by Jeffrey Nothing & “Drive” by Kris Keyes
Screams by Joey Concepcion
Guitars, Bass, & Keyboards by Joey Concepcion & Opus

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OPUS, Drummer of Dead By Wednesday, Releases Innovative 80’s New Wave Turned Metal Solo Album Titled REVAMPED!

June 7, 2023

Available worldwide on physical and digital streaming & downloadable platforms via Mindsnap Music / Combat Records / Salt of the Earth(distributed by Von Artists Ltd./The Orchard), on July 8th. There will be a limited edition cassette tape with download card available as well. For more info email: OMindsnap@aol.com

Pre-save the new solo album Opus’ REVAMPED (Vol. 1) here: https://orcd.co/revamped_vol1

Grab the single NOW here: https://orcd.co/re-vamped_shouldve-known-better

“We might have gone too far with some of these cover tunes but we don’t care! It was so fun remaking these songs for the creation of this album!” says Joey Concepcion.

Credits:

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OPUS, Drummer of Dead By Wednesday & Owner of the Successful Indie Label Mindsnap Music has Released a New Book

August 13, 2022

Christian F. Lawrence, known as “Opus”, the drummer and back bone of Dead By Wednesday, who also plays & tours with David Ellefson, Hail the Horns, & Earth has released an autobiography about his crazy life. The book talks about touring, recording, hanging with celebrities, being a reality TV actor, and even a stint on MTV!

Read about all this, plus learn about some taboo branches on his family tree, as well as some unbelievable twists and turns life has thrown at him, in his first book break when I’m DEAD.

The title break when I’m DEAD was taken from a DBW song off their DOA album. The book was co-written by Doug Esper who worked with Chuck Mosley of Faith No More. It features interviews and intakes by Bumblefoot (ex-Guns n’ Roses), David Ellefson (formerly of Megadeth), Brian Fair of Shadows Fall, Eric AK from Flotsam & Jetsam and many more metal giants in the rock n roll industry. The cover photo was shot courtesy of music icon Michael Alago and then designed by Melody Myers.

The book was published by Scout Media, which was established in 2013 and is an independent publishing company for aspiring authors and musicians. They have put out books so far for Jesus Jones, Dog Fashion Disco, & more! Check them out here: http://www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/

You can pre-order & get the autobiography officially out NOW!!!

To buy the eBook now:

https://books2read.com/breakwhenimdead

To pre-order the paperback:

http://www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/christian-opus-lawrence

The book will also be available at all Barnes & Noble and Walmarts everywhere!!

"Break when I’m DEAD chronicles Opus and his trials and tribulations through touring, recording, and writing music, as well as his stint as a reality show star and the journey of being a father through an uncertain era of politics and a pandemic. Journey along with Opus to discover some of his unusual life and personal events, as well as a shocking family tree," says Brian Paone (Scout Media).

"I’m super stoked on finally releasing my new book and ad author to my list of accomplishments. This has been a long process and in the works for a while so I’m glad it finally came into fruition. Everyone thinks they have an interesting life that should be in a book, well this is not just a stroke my own ego type book at all, I think a lot of people who read can not only relate, especially if you’re a musician but will be very surprised by some of the content. It’s always been a dream of mine to write a book and finally it’s done! I’d like to personally thank everyone involved who helped me make this a reality!" says Opus (drummer of DBW).

About Opus:

“Music is either in your blood, or it's not.” An adage by which Connecticut native Christian “Opus” Lawrence has become known for. From the first moment he heard the menacing and plodding rhythms of KISS's “God of Thunder” roar through his speakers, he knew he would dedicate his life to creating music. Immediately drawn to the hard intensity of the drums, Opus purchased his first kit when he was 11, using money he earned from a paper route. Influenced by such greats as Vinnie Paul, Dave Lombardo, Stuart Copeland, John Bohnam and Tommy Lee, he submerged himself in his art, and tasted his first success as a musician while playing in the alternative metal band, Violent Industry. While drums remained his first love, Opus wanted to conquer all aspects of songwriting, and taught himself guitar as he continued to play out as a drummer.

In 1997 he formed Gargantua Soul with singer Kris Keyes, and spent the next decade creating a cult following as the 7-piece nu-metal/hard rap-rock group produced 3 albums and toured the country. Gargantua Soul was the only unsigned band to play Woodstock '99, and they appeared on such shows as VH1's Farm Club, Howard Stern Show, and on ESPN to name a few.

After the band broke up in 2005, Opus went on to create the heavy metal band Dead by Wednesday with his cousins. His drumming evolved into a more aggressive style, though still holding onto the groove and finesse he had become celebrated for. His skills being sought after, Opus has acted as a hired touring drummer for Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo's solo project, and 80's platinum selling artists The Bullet Boys from LA.

Dead by Wednesday continues to conquer the metal world, having shared the stage with such legends as Shadow's Fall, Rage Against The Machine, Flotsam and Jetsam and Hatebreed. Throughout this melodic timeline, Opus always composed his own personal music using his guitar and vocals. Influenced by a vast style of musicians, including Alice in Chains, Cat Stevens and Pink Floyd, it is through his acoustic music that he is able to tap into a more emotional aspect of his craft.

In 2014, he decided to tread on a new waters and recorded his first solo acoustic CD, _Opus Unplugged_. He took his solo act on the road, incorporating his repertoire of cover songs. He soon played sold out shows opening for Zak Myers of Shinedown, Sevendust (unplugged), for both Scott Ian's (Anthrax) and Dave Ellefson's (Megadeth) spoken word tours, and toured nationally with Sean Danielson of Smile Empty Soul. This multi-talented artist has continuously searched for various outlets to express his creative nature, adding acting to his extensive resume, and has appeared on film and various cable reality shows. While he loves the energy he experiences from the crowd through playing the drums with his bandmates, his acoustic music allows him to connect with his fans on a new profound and intimate level.

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OPUS, Drummer of Dead By Wednesday, Hail the Horns, Ellefson, & Earth Re-releases Solo Acoustic EP “Best Creation”

October 4, 2021

Best Creation Buy/Stream Link:

https://orcd.co/opus-best-creation

OPUS, drummer of Dead By Wednesday, Hail the Horns, Ellefson, and Earth re-released his solo acoustic EP Best Creation via his own label Mindsnap Music, a subsidiary of Von Artist and distributed by The Orchard/Sony.

Mindsnap Music put out the successful new sleaze hard rock band Bomber Alley (featuring members of Dee Snider’s solo band) recently with more great releases coming soon, including brand new Dead By Wednesday, Howland’s Hyatt (Drummer of Metal Church), Joey Concepcion, Soldiers of Solace, and more.

"This solo acoustic album is near and dear to my heart. It's about the whole experience of becoming a father in a rock-n-roll life style. My son Orion is my “best creation” to date and its awesome that this album is getting released coincidentally on Oct. 2nd, being that his birthday is the next day Oct. 3rd!! Now that’s pretty awesome!” says Opus.

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