NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD, ROCK BAND STEREO FUSE PARTNER FOR YOUTH RUNAWAY PREVENTION CAMPAIGN
Stereo Fuse to deliver National Runaway Prevention Month messages
via "Like I Do" single and video
In this culture of attention deficient superficiality, it's no wonder that substance abuse, depression and suicide in youth and teens are at a staggering high. According to the Office of Applied Studies and Mental Health Services Administration, 1.6 million youth ran from home in 2002 And according to the National Runaway Switchboard (NRS), more than half of the youth calls handled through its 1-800-RUNAWAY crisis line deal with a youth who is already on the street as a runaway, throwaway, or homeless youth. This very dangerous reaction to internal and external pressures is the focus of November's National Runaway Prevention Month.
NRS is the federally-designated national communication system for homeless and runaway youth. The organization handles an average of 100,000 calls annually providing solution-focused crisis intervention, referrals to more than 17,000 resources, and education and prevention services to youth, fam ilies and community members throughout the country. Additionally, NRS reaches at-risk youth by providing educational information and materials to U.S. high schools, and by maintaining a youth-targeted website - www.switched-onmag.org. It is on this level the pop rock band Stereo Fuse will use its song "Like I Do" as a soundtrack to further dialogue about the crisis.
Penned by singer Colin Hill, "Like I Do" was a re-exploration of common teenage experiences and the feelings of disenfranchisement and disillusionment. Having rough years as an older teen, Hill wanted to offer in this song a sense of understanding and hope. Said Hill, "I do believe in the importance of giving positive messages to kids. They face life-altering challenges every day, and need support." With that, Stereo Fuse is foregoing the traditional promotion of "Like I Do" and directing the radio campaign and video promotion at National Runaway Prevention Month. "We coul d be all about the band right now, but this is more important. When more than a million kids are leaving their homes thinking the streets are safer, there's a big problem that needs to be enlightened," asserts Hill.
The music video thematically represents many of the reasons kids run away, and provides several ways to reach NRS. It will be seen on cable, at retail and lifestyle outlets and in movie theatres through the end of the year. Stereo Fuse will also tour high schools to enhance the NRS campaign through music.
The Dallas-based Stereo Fuse is Colin Hill (vocals/guitar), Jeff Quay (guitars) and Chad Jenkins (drums). ALL THAT REMAINS (Toucan Cove / Universal) which features "Like I Do" is in stores now.
For a band whose music reaches the masses with accessible lyrics and ear-catching melodies, the story of their current line-up oddly starts with a legendary offense by the original (and unnamed) vocalist. Midway through a triumphant showcase performance in Atlanta in 2000, guitarist Jeff Quay paused to tune his guitar while the bassist toweled off and drummer Chad Jenkins quenched his thirst. The singer took that moment in time to tell a joke so offensive the band had to leave and change its name.
The joke remains unrepeated, but it did result in a singer search, which led to singer-songwriter Colin Hill, who was making his way as an acoustic performer in their hometown of Dallas, Texas. Hills vocal combination of seasoned rocker edginess and unedited emotional release fit perfectly with the well-crafted songs Quay and Jenkins had been seasoning.
But it was actually a cover song that put this trio on the map. A staple of Hills solo act was Material Issues Everything. When Quay heard Hills rendition, it resonated so strongly, they recorded it immediately. A radio station in Biloxi was first to champion the song, which went on to become the No. 1 most requested across the Southeast and Midwest. Hundreds of CDs were sold, and thousands came to see them play.
All That Remains
In Stores Now!
Features the hit "Everything" and the new single "Beautiful"
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