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TAPROOT is currently the featured artist on ZippoEncore.com.  You can support the band by visiting the website and voting!  The top, most voted band will receive 50 custom, limited edition Zippo lighters that include the band's logo.  Also, don’t forget to check out the track “Release Me” on the website and off of their upcoming release, Plead The Fifth, due out May 11^th.

About Taproot:

From the beginning, TAPROOT has created a smarter, deeper style of post-hardcore and heavy melodic rock. This overture can be credited to the unique combination of personalities in the band; Vocalist - Stephen Richards, Guitarist - Michael DeWolf, Bassist - Phil Lipscomb and newest member, Drummer - Nick Fredell. All four of these men were raised on the preaching of PANTERA, WHITE ZOMBIE and ALICE IN CHAINS, idolizing each band and hoping that one day the rock ‘n roll success train would stop at their station.

As the new millennium approached, the interest in heavier rock and metal grew and their peers began to rely on gimmicks to gain attention and land deals. TAPROOT relied solely on the riff, the groove and the growl that emulated from their skill and performance at colleges, basement shows and even opening slots for touring acts. Inspired by the likes of DEFTONES, HELMET, and TOOL, TAPROOT demonstrated how heavy music can still be emotionally intense, genuine and accessible to the masses. They eventually caught the eye of Atlantic Records and began that road to rock ‘n roll stardom.

Their debut in 2000 was welcomed with open arms and allowed them to become one of the Top Heavy Rock artists of the last decade. All the while, remembering not to compromise their music and style, TAPROOT has sold over 900,000 albums, toured countless times with DISTURBED, CHEVELLE and INCUBUS, and has proved that they are true ambassadors in this ever growing modern metal pantheon. They created heavy rock that fans wanted, and touched a lot of people in times of need.

After tasting the success that the last decade of rock and metal had provided, TAPROOT managed to keep grounded and outlive many of their peers, maintaining their original passion of simply playing heavy and real rock. Call it that Midwestern humility, or the blue collar work ethic that they were conditioned with by native Detroit, TAPROOT has been here, standing proud and are ready to continue this next chapter of their career.

The band is very proud to announce the release of their fifth and most powerful album, Plead The Fifth. Partnered with independent label leaders, Victory Records, TAPROOT is fired up to take over the rock spectrum. Plead The Fifth combines the elements that their fans have come to expect from the band with an updated take on their style of heavy rock. This partnership with Victory Records is a very liberating, and the band looks at it as a reinvigorating shock to the system, vital to the beginning of their next chapter. TAPROOT has never been a band with gimmicks and bullshit; they create real, grassroots American hard rock with soul, energy and power.

Plead The Fifth showcases their roots-driven metal and rock while also reminding their listeners of the great depth in their songwriting. The songs are meaner, leaner and loaded with more punch and melody than any of the records that preceded it. Lead single, “Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)” is easily one of the catchiest and most riff-driven songs that they have ever written. Plead The Fifth hits stores on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

Long live TAPROOT. See you in the pit.

TAPROOT is currently headlining a US Tour with DESTROPHY.

May 6, 2010          Shreveport, LA @ The Riverside Warehouse

May 7, 2010          Houma, LA @ City Club

May 8, 2010          Jackson, MS @ Fire

May 9, 2010          Tallahassee, FL @ Floyd’s Music Store

May 10, 2010        Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

May 12, 2010        Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11

May 13, 2010        Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar

May 14, 2010        Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

May 15, 2010        New York, NY @ Webster Hall

May 16, 2010        Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

May 19, 2010        Orono, ME @ 103 Ultra Lounge

May 20, 2010        Manchester, NH @ Rocko's

May 21, 2010        Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon

May 22, 2010        Mt Clemens, MI @ Hayloft Liquor Stand

May 23, 2010        Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s

May 25, 2010        Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection

May 27, 2010        Maplewood, MN @ The Rock

May 28, 2010        Chicago, IL @ Cubby Bear

May 29, 2010        Appleton, WI @ Revolution

May 30, 2010        Waterloo, IA @ Spicoli's Grill and Reverb Rock Garden

Jun 3, 2010           Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre

Jun 5, 2010           Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory

Jun 6, 2010           Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

Jun 9, 2010           Modesto, CA @ Fat Cat

Jun 10, 2010         Santa Clara, CA @ The Avalon

Jun 12, 2010         Las Vegas, NV @ Feelgood’s Rock Bar

Jun 13, 2010         Hollywood, CA @ The Whiskey

Jun 17, 2010         Dallas, TX @ Trees

Jun 18, 2010         Houston, TX @ Scout Bar

Jun 19, 2010         San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar

Jun 22, 2010         Little Rock, AR @ The Village

Jun 24, 2010         Louisville, KY @ Phoenix Hill Tavern