Former ATDI’s guitarist Jim Ward (now lead vocalist), guitarist Paul Hinojos and drummer Tony Hajjar have formed a new group called Sparta and their DreamWorks Records debut, “Wiretap Scars” hit stores last week and is already making waves on radio and in the music underground. 

“Before we actually started Sparta, I was struggling,” Jim Ward recalls, “trying to find a happy, ideologically perfect place.  But once Paul called and suggested pursuing what is now Sparta, there was no more questioning.  It felt undoubtedly, wholeheartedly the right thing to do.  And the writing process was totally and immediately carefree, loose and happy.  Knowing each other so well music-wise made for good chemistry, but the new energy has made for a really welcome chapter in all of our lives.”

Shortly after forming, the band decided to jump in head-first and hit the road for a short tour in late 2001. “Our first tour was awesome and humbling at the same time,” says guitarist Paul Hinojos.  “We basically had to start from scratch, cobbling together 11 shows in the western U.S., but the response was instant.  We were blown away by not only the support we had from the kids – who came out in force – but also by the response we received from them.  We can’t express enough gratitude for that.”

After coming off the road they began recording and last March Sparta released a four-song EP, Austere, which showed the promise of things to come that was delivered with their new full length debut “Wiretap Scars”. 

Now it’s time for them to hit the road and support the new CD. They aren’t messing around there either, as they have landed slots at three major European festivals; Leeds and Reading festivals in the UK and the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium. 

In September they will hit the road in North America with Loundermilk and Jimmy Eats World as well as participate in EdgeFest 2002 in Tulsa on September 14th.  Later this Fall they will head to Japan and then back to the UK for a series of dates. 

You can find out more about the group and their new CD, get the latest tour dates, download the MP3 or watch the video to their first single “Cut Your Ribbon” at Spartamusic.com  - plus look for a Music from the Underground special on Sparta coming soon to antiMUSIC.
 

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