No Vote Left Behind is proud to announce the initial list of participating artists for its festival/fundraiser, which will take place in most major Seattle venues September 23-26, 2004. Based on the premise that music has the power to change things - like presidents - NVLB has assembled a diverse cross section of the creative community united in the desire to effect a change in our country's current regime, and to raise a collective voice toward a more progressive agenda.

Artists participating in the festival will include Pearl Jam, Queensryche, David Cross, Mudhoney, John Doe, Grant-Lee Phillips, Pansy Division, the scAVENGERS, Jon Brion, Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), John Roderick (Long Winters), John Vanderslice, The Delays, Robbers On High Street, Kinski, El Vez, Hedwig and The Angry Inch and many more to be confirmed shortly.

"It's hard to believe that it was just a few short months ago that I came back from an exasperating Christmas visit with family and hatched the idea that was to become No Vote Left Behind," says co-founder Natasha George. "NVLB has grown in ways that I could have never imagined. Thanks to everyone who helped us make this happen!"

"This festival is a tribute to the incredible music scene here in Seattle,"says co-booker Barbara Mitchell. "There's an amazing amount of talent, but more than that there's a deep sense of community and a willingness to work toward a common goal - in this case, making a statement that it's time for a regime change. We couldn't have done this without the club booking agents, bands who talked to their friends, and everyone else who was willing to help us. Amazingly, it worked!"

Participating venues include the Crocodile, Showbox, Sunset Tavern, Tractor Tavern, Neumo's, Graceland and the Comet Tavern, among others.

An announcement of the full line-up, including specific venues and dates for each artist, will be made after Labor Day, with tickets to go on sale Friday, Sept 10, 2004. To celebrate the announcement of the line-up, a kick-off event will be held at Neumo's on Saturday, September 11th, featuring Outtasite, Children of the Revolution, and Sir Mix-a-lot. A portion of the proceeds from this show will benefit NVLB. For more information on the kick-off event click here.

Due to the federal regulations, you must be at least 18 years of age and a registered U.S. citizen to purchase tickets to these shows. No exceptions. If you elect to purchase tickets to No Vote Left Behind events, you are making a financial contribution to No Vote Left Behind, which is a political action committee. Donations to NVLB are not tax-deductible.

No Vote Left Behind will fund:

* A fundraising music festival in Seattle the weekend of September 23-26, 2004
* Targeted donations to the Democratic National Committee to help secure a Kerry/Edwards victory in November
* Progressive candidates in contested congressional races in order to win back the legislative branch
* Progressive, like-minded PACs and causes such as voter registration, election monitoring, and verified voting drives

How We Are Different

With nearly $650 million in yearly revenues and 8,700 local jobs, the Seattle music industry is a cultural and economic force. NVLB is working to transform this vibrant community into a national political funding source. As NVLB's Chris Olson explains, "There are a lot of other great organizations that are using music to increase voter turn-out and register voters. We want to use music more directly as a fundraising tool. We really want to be a partisan voice in the music community working for regime change. The reason we organized as a hard-money PAC is because it allows us to have that voice, and to say, 'Our community is against Bush.'"

While ousting the Bush administration is the driving mission behind all NVLB activity, NVLB funds will also go to fund progressive candidates' campaigns for the House and Senate in hotly-contested races, because there is more to regime change than the presidential election.

For more information, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

QUEENSRYCHE FALL TOUR, PRESENTED BY VH1 CLASSIC, TO FEATURE PERFORMANCE OF LEGENDARY ALBUM 'OPERATION:MINDCRIME' IN ITS ENTIRETY ALONG WITH FULL, ENHANCED PRODUCTION INCLUDING LIVE ACTORS

A GREATEST-HITS SET WITH LIVE STRINGS ALSO PLANNED

BAND WILL ALSO DEBUT PORTION OF MUSIC FOR UPCOMING SEQUEL STUDIO ALBUM TENTATIVELY TITLED 'OPERATION:MINDCRIME II'

Art rock pioneers Queensryche will perform the classic album 'Operation:mindcrime' in its entirety on the upcoming fall 2004/winter 2005 tour, which is being presented by VH1 Classic. A "greatest hits" set will open each show, and at the end of the night there will be a preview of the upcoming Sanctuary Records release 'Operation:mindcrime II,' the working title of the long-awaited, eagerly desired sequel to the groundbreaking concept album. Audiences will be blown away by the Surround Sound audio setup on the tour.

Vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarist Michael Wilton, guitarist Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield will open each show with a "greatest hits" set ending with the smash "Silent Lucidity." Local orchestra string sections will perform with the band in select cities. Michael Igor Delassandra, formerly an official composer for the Vatican, will accompany Queensryche and perform on keyboards.

“The band is so excited to be performing 'Operation:mindcrime' in its entirety again after not having done this in 15 years," says Tate. "We are presenting it in a whole new way that finally does justice the intricacies of the story and the personalities of the characters.”

'Operation:mindcrime' will be recreated in full with enhanced production. Live actors will embody the fascinating characters of this chilling tale -- interacting both on stage and off. Vocalist Pamela Moore, who toured with Queensryche recently, will be back to provide the vocals of the album's pivotal character, "Sister Mary." New video footage will be incorporated as well. Queensryche also performed 'Operation:mindcrime' in its entirety in 1990-91, but this time around new and expanded video footage will be used. Fans who saw the show in 1990-91 will enjoy a more vivid experience this time.

One of the most exciting parts of each concert will certainly be the finale -- the preview of 'Operation:mindcrime II.' Fans have wanted a sequel ever since 'Operation:mindcrime' exploded and earned the band critical acclaim and commercial success. In particular, fans have always asked one burning question in relation to the 'Operation:mindcrime' plot: "Who killed Sister Mary?" The new album, scheduled for release in 2005, will address that question.

The North American tour begins in October 2004 and another run of dates is planned to start in January 2005.

For a list of dates, click here.