CHAMPS 4/16 FINISHED WITH NEW RECORD! -posted June 2, 2008

Rumors of a new Champs record are true!!! We have been extremely busy, slaving away each day and well into the night writing, demoing, and recording the new Champs cd. It has required lots of traveling to exotic places, working alongside dozens of musicians, producers, engineers, and pilates intructors but it is certainly paying off thrice-fold. Some time was wasted trying to record in Aromatic Stereo but we have since moved on. Expect to hear more soon about our progress. If you hear of any labels who are intrested in paying large sums of money for recording expenses in return for miniscule publishing rights please email. ...Gotta head back into the studio to lay down some hot tracks. Bye for now!

 

Thanks Everyone!

We had the most superb time ringin' in the 2008 New Year with you! Please enjoy looking at yourselves as much as we have. More prom photos »

New Year's Eve 2007 -posted Dec 1, 2007
 

New Year's Eve 2007

** $100 cash prize and crowning to the best dressed prom king & queen **
** DJ George Brazil **
** A fantabulous midnight ball drop**
** A professional photo booth to capture the moment for you and your prom sweetheart **
** The Poontanglers **
** Dirty Dancing **
** Champagne Toast **
** Noise Makers **
** Drink Specials **
** You name it, we'll have it **

Get tickets early @ Visulite Theater

What the Hell?#! -posted June 4, 2007

Please help us figure what the hell this video is all about. Tell us.

Squishy Video, Part Two

Champs New CD Special Sale! -posted April 6, 2007

Buy the Champs’ new cd entitled “37 Steps to Emotional Healing” at a blowout price! We rolled up our sleeves and reached deep into the Champs’ vault to pull out this special collection of 37 tunes going all the way back to the beginning. ’37 Steps’ is a sure winner among the collegiate stoner crowd but also contains some pop classics for the suburbanite and retired crowd. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this is the perfect cd for anyone who has arms, legs, or eyelids and might even make a great gift for anyone undergoing a tummy-tuck. Get it while you can!

**Special offer** The CD is $0.10 per song, or, in other words, only $3.70!!! To buy it, visit MoRisen Records.

Champs working on lost hits of the `90's CD -posted May, 13 2006

Alternative Champs are currently pulling together material for an upcoming release. The band recently completed their four day search for old demos, live recordings, etc. to go on the collection of rare songs from the pre-'Fort Awesome' years. The band plans to meet at Overdub Lane Recording Studio in early June in hopes that John Plymale, (who co-produced 'Welcome to Fort Awesome') can turn crap 4-track recordings that have been sun-brewed and mildewed, into beautiful audio. The Champs plan to use the amazing art of Kirk Fanelly for the cover. (pictured) Expect the CD to be released soon after it is pressed and packaged.

Boo Shit! -posted Oct 11, 2006

Carnevil: This Saturday, the Champs get scary! Tickets for the event can be purchased at Common Market or Jeff's Bucket Shop; as this is a charity benefiting Carolina Rain (the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network), the suggested donation is $25 ($40, cash only, at the door) to eat, drink, be merry and, as McGuire said, "let your freak flag fly." And of course, no costume, no entrance, no exceptions. For more information on the night's events, the sponsors' list or charities, go to www.carnevil.org

Vote for the Champs, Best of 2006! -posted June 20, 2006

Alternative Champs have nominated themselves as the best band in Charlotte, NC for 2006. Now we just need others to back it up! Please click the image on the left and fill out the Creative Loafing Best of 2006 Official Ballot making sure to select the Alternative Champs in which ever music category you choose.

Munchbox, compilation available on iTunes! -posted June 1, 2006
Track list:  
1. Surely you know - Elevator Action
2. Coming Out Wild - The Sammies
3. I Started Running - The Talk
4. Nuvo - Elevator Action
5. For John - The Sammies
6. Welcome to Fort Awesome - Alt Champs
7. Anyother Saturday - The Talk
8. Superheroes - Marat		 9. The Lightest Things - 12K Armies
10. Rockingham - Alt Champs
11. N.Y.L.A. - The Talk
12. Falling Out - The Sammies
13. Swimming in The Pool - Alt Champs
14. Secret Society - Elevator Action
15. Everyday is Getting Better - 12K Armies
16. A Ritual Girl - Marat
Slim Goodbody costumes needed! -posted April 15, 2006

Alternative Champs are holding a contest to see who can procure five Slim Goodbody costumes for the band to wear at an upcoming performance. Slim Goodbody, for those who have blocked him out or don't remember, was a regular on CBS's Captain Kangaroo from 1976 to 1980, teaching kids how to stay healthy when they weren't sitting on their asses watching Captain Kangaroo. Since his departure from the air, American kids have become the fattest kids on Earth. Coincidence? ...I think not. Anyway, Contestants can either relay information to the Champs on where to find existing costumes or they can make them themselves. If they turn out cool the Champs might even help to pay for them! Just email us with info. Thanks and good luck!

Champs song at #2 on guy's iPod -posted March 14, 2006

Alternative Champs song "Swimmin' in the Pool" is currently at #2 on area man's iPod playlist. Jeff Johnson, a long time Champs fan and iPod user, added "Swimmin in the Pool" to his playlist two weeks ago and the tune has been streaking up the charts ever since. The Champs' over-chlorinated tune edged out Van Halen's "Janie's Cryin" at 12:37 pm on Thursday when Jeff Johnson had a sudden change of heart. "I usually crank "Janie's Cryin" on my way back from lunch, but Thursday I said, 'fuck that shit', and queued up some Champs." The Champs hope to reach the #1 spot but face some tough competition with Boston's "More than a Feelin" which has over 1,000 plays.

Champs getting mad play on VH1 Radio -posted February 21, 2006

Alternative Champs have been getting recent play on VH1 Crunch Radio. New Wave Radio, another VH1 station is also streaming the Champs. Apparently we are a New Wave band joining the likes of Talking Heads, Television, Patti Smith, Devo, Tubeway Army and Joy Division. Next week we will be a country act as soon as our Wrangler Sponsership finalizes. Click here to check out VH1 Crunch Radio.

Champs reach 10k friends on MySpace.com! -posted February 21, 2006

Not exactly sure what all the cyber-fuss is about but...MySpacers are diggin' the Alternative Champs. The Champs hit the 10k friend mark in February reaching the ranks of many well established rock bands. The Champs' MySpace profile has been extremely active ever since the release of their debut cd Welcome to Fort Awesome in August 2005. The Champs' habbit of personally replying to all MySpace messages has also spawned some fan loyalty.

Click here to go to Alternative Champs' MySpace Profile.

Video for Squishy, My Love posted -posted February 21, 2006

The Squishy, My Love video, directed by Richard Wright edited by Chris Waldorf is posted for all to enjoy. Check it out here or download it for your iPod here. If you somehow manage to figure out what the video its about please contact us; for we have no clue what the hell we were thinking.

Brent to tour with Vetiver! -posted February 21, 2006

Alternative Champ Brent Dunn will play bass on tour with psych-folk warblers Vetiver! San Francisco based Vetiver is Andy Cabic, Devendra Banhart, Alissa Anderson, and Jim Gaylord. Their 2004 self-titled cd garnered very positive reviews and their new record is ready to drop in May. Original Styrofoam Peanut and Champs' 9th cousin thrice removed, Sanders Trippe will accompany Brent on tour playing guitar. The Champs have managed to keep Brent's mad bass skills under wraps for several years now but apparently the cat is out of the bag. Check here for tour dates. Have fun Brent!

South by SouthSuckNugget -posted February 10, 2006

The Champs scheduled to not play SXSW 2006! We are bummed to announce that we will not be attending SXSW 2006 in Austin, Texas after all. Our bags were packed, our set list was ready, and our Fruit of the Loom costumes were dry-cleaned; but fate has reared its ugly head. Apparently, the folks at SXSW decided to allow only three bands from the MoRisen roster to appear instead of the orginally stated four. And since the Champs aren't releasing anything presently, MoRisen will be sending The Talk, The Sammies, and Elevator Action instead. Sorry to the thousands of folks we contacted about the show. Good luck to our label mates and we'll see you all at SXSW 2007!

Champs working on songs for silly movie -posted January 14th, 2006

The Champs are writing a batch of tunes for the upcoming Lion's Gate movie Employee of the Month. In November the Champs received the script from Baby New Year/Lion's Gate Publishing and have been making demos over the holidays. Who knows whether the tunes will be used or not. Rick and Mike are currently listening to them as they drive around town. Greg Coolidge will make his feature directorial debut which centers on best friends (Dane Cook and Dax Shepard) who work in a Costco-like store and meet a hot new cashier (Jessica Simpson) who prefers ambitious men. The men begin an all-out war to become the store's next employee of the month in order to impress her. Ramirez and Williams will play store employees. Stay tuned...

Ken Stringfellow Likes Alternative Champs -posted December 4, 2005

Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, R.E.M.) is currently still diggin' the Champs. In recent ego-centric web surfing we have noticed a few more flattering comments from this talented and well respected musician. He seemed to get where the Champs were coming from when he wrote in a recent email to Rick, "...In my world, Yes and Van Halen, the Clash and the Toy Dolls, all can coexist without any conflicit to my sensibilities... I mean, it seems to me that there's being...frivolous, and then there's celebrating life, which may involve sadness, humor, anger...that's art, dammit!" For this statement alone we hereby crown Ken "Strings" Stringfellow February's Champs Fan of the Month. Click here to buy his amazing new cd.

Champs Featured on ABC Family Network -posted December 4, 2005

When you think of the Champs do you think of teen age girls on horseback? The folks at ABC Family's hit television show Wildfire certainly did. The Champs have had several songs from their new CD Welcome to Fort Awesome played during recent episodes including Set My Face On Fire, So Damn Happy, and Welcome To Fort Awesome.