- Title: UNITED STATES/FILE: NEW BOY BAND SENSATION 'THE MOFFATTS' DEBUT ALBUM RELEASED
- Date: 3rd July 1999
- Summary: MOFFATTS PERFORMING DURING SOUND CHECK AT LA'S CLUB ROXY
- Embargoed: 18th July 1999 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA366MFR0N23ZEBBZHF7X0J2FJ3
- Story Text: The Moffatts are another boy band sensation in the making, playing their own instruments (as do the Hanson brothers) and drumming up support overseas to augment their first U.S.tour (ala the Backstreet Boys).
Separating this band from the pack is their polished US debut recording, co-produced by Glen Ballard, and an awareness of the music industry that belies their ages.
The Moffatts are no new kids on the block, but they are the latest in a string of boy bands making pop music and driving young girls crazy around the globe.
The Vancouver-born teenagers have been performing before audiences since they were old enough to walk, having made their first public appearance about 12 years ago when father Frank encouraged them to record a version of The Judds' "Grandpa" as a present to their own grandfather.
That impromtu performance at the world's largest surburban mall in Edmonton, Canada, effectively launched the boys' career, leading to nominations for five British Columbia Country Music Awards and made them the youngest band ever to receive a major-label recording contract.
Now signed to EMI/Capitol, the boys are looking to break the US market with their pop debut entitled "Chapter I: A New Beginning".After over 1100 live shows in Europe and Asia the album has been a best-seller in Spain (gold), Portugal (gold), Indonesia (2x platinum), Singapore (gold), and Malaysia (2x platinum).In Thailand and the Phillipines the band toured extensively, selling out 10,000 seat arenas on the way to over 3 times platinum sales in both territories.
Although the Moffatts are relying on a trend of extensive European touring before hitting the US shores, a method recently established by other pop acts like the Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, and even folk/pop foursome the Corrs, the group has another weapon in their already formidible arsenal: the production wizardry of Glen Ballard.
"This is a real band that should have real credibility despite the fact that they're young," says Ballard."I'm struck by the fact that they're really good musicians and quite seasoned as a unit; when you add to the fact that they're 15,15,15 and 16 years old that really makes it an extraordinary event."
Ballard co-wrote four songs with the boys, triplets Bob, Clint, Dave, and older brother Scott.The material has definite pop appeal; their stops across the US has found female fans waiting for hours before a gig just to see the lads.But the Moffatts are not just another boy band looking to make it big, their songwriting skills are at once enough to turn the young girls' heads and make other listeners think.
There are two "hidden" tracks on the cd that could have been written by groups twice their ages given the subject matter.They have also recorded a record with Backstreet Boys and N 'Sync, entitled "Let The Music Heal Your Soul", which was written to promote music therapy, and another benefit track recorded in Germany to aid the children of Kosovo.
While the majority of their earlier gigs were for charity, the Moffatts are savvy enough to know that their future in the industry must be built upon more than goodwill and charity events.
"There's a lot of people supporting us, a lot of time went into this album, so we are looking for an outcome," says lead singer/guitarist Scott."We just want to have a gold album so that we can record another album for the label and pursue the music industry, you know.If we get double platinum, three times platinum, that's a party bonus."
The Moffatts are currently touring the US in support of "chapter I: a new beginning". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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