REAL PASSION AND BRUTAL HONESTY... can be heard in the new CD by CLIFTON called simply "EP" But the landscape of emotions projected is far from simplistic. The conflicts of loneliness, trust, partnership, indecisiveness, confusion and mortality are just a few of the complex motives for this work. The same ingredients combine to ignite explosive live performances by songwriter Clifton Castelloe and his band. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Castelloe was transplanted to Santa Barbara, CA in 1994 where he became one-half of SIZE 9: an acoustic duo and later four-piece band formed with Christian Love, son of Beach Boy, Mike Love. The pair toured Southern California doing acoustic sets and full-on rock shows combining adventurous melodies and tight harmonies. While at home, Castelloe produced the demos for the band's eponymous debut EP, later recorded by Jeff Peters (Brian Setzer, Meredith Brooks) at Sonora Studios, Los Angeles. He also wrote and recorded songs for other projects including "Take Me Back to High School" (Sammy Swing and the Mambo Mammas) which spent MONTHS AT #1 ON Mp3.COMs Comedy Chart WITH OVER 23,000 DOWNLOADS, and is featured in the film "First Time, Again" by Mikel Cvetanovic. In 1999, Castelloe began rehearsing with Mark Twain: an indie rock trio that was making waves on the Central Coast. His work with the band can be heard on the Mark Twain CD "Curb" released in 2001. The second track, "Waiting for the Change" received critical acclaim and SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS AT #1 ON THE ALTERNATIVE CHART AT GARAGEBAND.COM. At the beginning of 2003, Castelloe began recording the songs that would become the CLIFTON EP, his most recent release. A collaborative effort from the start, the songs evolved from jam sessions with longtime friends and bandmates Steve Reed and Eric Bardakos. The songs were then taken to Bruce Winter (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Wasted Tape) who was busy recording music for movie soundtracks with Reinhold Heil (Run Lola Run, The Princess and the Warrior, The Italian Job). Winter's recording expertise and explorative approach were critical elements in capturing what became the CLIFTON EP. The band consistently electrifies audiences with their live performances. Castelloe says, "Something supernatural happens when we play live together... the music takes us to another place and the audience comes with us!" The band is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For booking information call (704) 905-4131 or email: cliftonshows@americanrecords.com BAND MEMBERS Jesse Valentine - Keyboards and Vocals Thomas Stanfel - Drums and Vocals Sean Nowak - Percussion and Vocals Glenn Gibson - Bass and Vocals Clifton Castelloe - Guitar and Lead Vocals PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS Seymour Duncan Pickups ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT http://www.sonicbids.com/clifton