The year 2010 welcomes another compilation effort from Los Angeles based label Poison Tree Records. Featuring established acts such as The Meat Puppets and Nick Oliveri, this disc also includes emerging artists DrawCard and LucaBrasi along with a slew of up-and-coming bands from all over the world. This internationally released comp boasts a high-energy feel with a few heavy twists and turns…definitely something for everyone on this compilation.

A little background on Awaken artists… The Meat Puppets, originally hailing from Phoenix, AZ, are not only veterens of SST Records, but have maintained a solid core following throughout their 30 year carrer. Nirvana covered several of their songs (mostly found on MTV’s Nirvana Unplugged cd) as Kurt Cobain was not only a good friend of the band, but also a dedicated fan.

Ed Mundell of Monster Magnet, is hitting the music scene with his brand new side project The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic.
Ed is joined by Rick Ferrante from Sasquatch (Small Stone Records) on drums. The song 7,000 Years Through Time was recorded specifically for Poison Tree Records and previously unreleased.

Palm Desert, CA band Fatso Jetson is one of the heavy hitters on the Awaken compilation. Forming in the mid 1990’s, the band released their first couple of albums through SST Records. Fatso Jetson is currently distributed by Cobraside. Still playing shows whenever possible, this band shows no signs of slowing down.

Former bass player of Black Flag and co-founder of SST Records, Chuck Dukowski and his wife Lora Norton are the brains behind the Chuck Dukowski Sextet. Finishing off this solid line-up is guitarist Milo Gonzales and drummer Tony Peluso. Playing more intimate shows in and around their native Venice, CA, they’ve also performed for large crowds, including the infamous Dour Festival in Belgium.

Native Australians DrawCard are a 4-piece band perched on the edge of worldwide success. Their debut album “Modern Rivalry” was mixed by the amazing Sylvia Massey (Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sevendust). DrawCard’s songs have been featured on FuelTV, Skratch Magazine’s Warped Tour compilation, MTV Real World-Road Rules Challenge; just to name a few. Their sound is somewhat pop/punk-oriented with an undeniable edgyness.

Nick Oliveri is best known for his involvement in Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator and the Dwarves. The track “Invisible Like the Sky” is originally found on his cover-laden solo album “Death Acoustic”. His gritty and aggressive vocals are a perfect juxtoposition to the unplugged foundation on this song.

South St. Louis, MO based band LucaBrasi is an amalgamation of members from The Urge, Helmet, Adair and Ulcer, Inc. The song “Quiet Minds” on the Awaken compilation showcases their heavier roots. In the process of recording their new record “The Norris Division”, they have cultivated a growing fanbase throughout the Midwestern region of the United States.

“Poison Tree Records is a (traditional) multi-genre indie label based in Los Angeles, CA. We have had the pleasure of working with a lot of great bands from around the world. We are far more than a label; we are a brotherhood of artists all with the same goals and outlook on the music industry.” (courtesy of www.poisontreerecords.com)