BLUNT FORCE HEADS DOWN TO CROSSROADS, RETURNS AS SHARK HAT

December 1, 2003

Linden, NJ. Last summer, with a big rock & roll record in the can, NY/NJ quintet Blunt Force felt strong, confident, and ready to unleash its music on the masses. Yet there was one bit of unfinished business: The band members still owned their souls. In a classic transaction at a Mississippi Delta crossroads, Satan would accept their souls in exchange for the success they desired. But there was a catch -- the band would need to change its name to SHARK HAT.

The group had toiled away in the local bar scene for years, perfecting its seamless mix of rock, funk, blues, classic R&B, bluegrass, and just about everything else the members had heard along the way. They'd also spent the better part of 2003 making a self-financed record of original material -- their first proper LP -- at Mix-O-Lydian Studios in Lafayette, NJ. The result was a vivid document of the colorful playing and dynamic singing/songwriting styles that had driven the band since its inception around 1997.

Given everything these men had been through, all the dues they'd paid, there was only one step left to take. So, armed with little more than a guitar and a bottle of Jack Daniel's, they went down to the crossroads. They sipped their Jack and they waited. Finally, after a violent gust of wind, they heard a booming voice. There was no doubt who it was.

"Dudes," bellowed Satan, "you guys rock."

The five cowering musicians gasped in relief.

"But your name is terrible. 'Blunt Force,' "the Evil One mocked, "do you want people to think you're a speed metal band? I know why you've come here today, and you're smart to do it. I will accept your souls in exchange for the rock and roll powers you desire. But I cannot let you call yourselves Blunt Force. I may be Satan, but I don't think it's right to mislead the public."

This coaxing made sense to the boys, and they suddenly realized something that many musicians never come to understand: The devil is just an A&R guy -- only he's honest. He must have really liked this scruffy group of misfits.

"From now on," the Horned One continued," you shall be known as SHARK HAT. Doors shall open for you that you never even dreamed existed."

"SHARK HAT!" agreed the band. And thus it was done.

Join SHARK HAT's name-release/CD-release party FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004, at Tierney's Tavern, 136 Valley Rd., Montclair, NJ. Email booking@sharkhat.net for more info.

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