Photo: facebook.com/unlockingthetruth
A trio of Brooklyn-based 8th graders have landed a two album deal with Sony. The trio started out by playing impressive guerilla street gigs in Times Square.
The group, who are named Unlocking The Truth, are 13 year old Malcolm Brickhouse (vocals/guitar) and Alec Atkins (bass), and 12 year old Jarad Dawkins (drums).
According to the New York Post, the deal was completed at Manhattan Supreme Court, and secures $60,000 up-front for the band on their first album, with a possible $350,000 advance on their second. This is a significant amount of money for the boys who will have to juggle recording and touring with school work. If they're successful and fulfil Sony's hopes for them they could end up with a six-record deal and gain over $1.7 million.
The NY Daily News revealed the youthful band were first spotted in 2012 in Washington Square Park by Steve Jordan, drummer for Eric Clapton. That led to gigs across the country, including opening for Guns ‘N’ Roses in Vegas, and most recently they played Coachella and are poised to support Queens Of The Stone Age.
Watch Unlocking The Truth performing below
Such is the unique success of a band so young, the bands manger Alan Sacks, received a call from a Sony exec who saw a viral video of the tween rockers. Their manager voiced his perception of the anticipated success claiming the boys have a chance of becoming the new face of rock because they are unique black artists excelling in heavy metal, a genre typically dominated by white musicians.
Whether the band can convert YouTube success into album sales will remain to be seen. It appears likely, however, that you will see a lot more of Unlocking The Truth in the coming months.
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