Outspoken - Bitter Shovel David "E" Frazier - Vocals Kevin McCreery - Guitar Shaun Kennedy - Guitar Frank Green - Bass Donnie Highland – Drums

"I'll play Michael Jordan for money any day." - David "E" Frazier.

Like the rest of the members of Outspoken, the band's singer, David "E" Frazier, does everything full-throttle. He's driven, focused and hardworking... and that's just out on the golf course.

Frazier backs up his bravado with a low handicap and a penchant for hustling dollars on the course. That's the essence of post-grunge alt. metallers' Outspoken; they are, yes, outspoken and full of bluster, but swagger is deserved. The five men in Outspoken- Frazier, guitarist Kevin McCreery and Shaun Kennedy, bassist Frank Green and drummer Donnie Highland- speak, play music and live in a manner that's both blunt and from-the-heart. For these guys, it's their way or the highway!

With a heavy, dark vibe similar to bands like the Deftones, Staind and Cold along with Frazier's soaring vocals, the Louisville-based band has the music and the chops to make McCreey's wishes come true. Frazier's powerful singing is commercial and familiar without being pedantic; you can rock out to it, but it won't scare girls away. The band's debut, Bitter Shovel, works in layers, whether the intertwined cascading guitar parts or the multiple harmonies. It's complex, but a remarkably easy and spellbinding listen. And Frazier's penchant for not mincing words comes through in the Lyrics; the messages are uplifting-often focusing on self-empowerment. "Now,"one of the heavier tracks on the album pairs an undeniable chorus with Toll-like whispers and creepy vocals underneath. It's about getting out of an abusive relationship-It's about saving yourself," says Frazier. "If you're in a bad situation, open your eyes and get out."

"We were ready for 'Behind the Music' even before our album came out."-Kevin McCreery

The slightly obsessive Frazier got out of his own bad situation, leaving Louisville for Nashville to make his mark in music. A former partnership with a shifty producer ended with Frazier telling him to "Eat shit and die," because of multiple sins, including mixing too mush country into Frazier's aggressive rock vocals. (And when a fomer Marine is pissed at you, do what he says.)

Undaunted by the split, the singer knew he needed a partner who could play the guitar sounds he heard in his head. He turned to his brother (who discovered Louisville's altmedal lads Flaw) to help him find a guitar player. In a not so very rock & roll move, and ad was placed on the world wide web looking for players. The first, and only, person to call was McCreery. Days after an hour-long phone call, the excited guitarist drove 600 miles to meet Frazier. McCreery put a lot of miles on his car commuting between Saginaw, Michigan and Music City to collaborate with Frazier. With total belief that they were on to something great, he soon sold everything he owned and moved to Nashville. The duo wrote a slew of songs and looked to fill out the band's roster.

"When we're on the road, I want to get thrown off of tours because we're blowing away the headliner."-McCreery

All roads led back to Louisville or so the story continues. Local band favorites What Ever Will were breaking up, and that band's Shaun Kennedy, Donnie Highland and Frank Green all came aboard what would later become Outspoken. Now McCready and Frazier were driving back and forth on I-65 every other week from Nashville to Louisville. In January 2001, the duo packed up and headed north permanently. Things heated up quickly. Within three months of all members residing in the same zip code, Lava Records came calling, and by the end of the year the entire band packed up for Seattle with record deal in hand to record with Rick Parashar (Unwritten Law, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam).

It was another trip worth making, though three months locked away in the studio brought along a little boredom, which led the rock band to act, well, like a rock band. Pressed for details, McCreery laughs that someone who can actually remember most of the debauchery should tell the story: "We had a lot of time on our hands. Because recording can be monotonous, and different people record at different times, people would come up missing for a couple days..."

Besides sampling the town's nightlife, Seattle's recent musical past creeps into Bitter Shovel, whether in the Alice in Chains-like dreamy and brooding "My Turn" or the rifferiffic "Now" which recalls vintage Soundgarden in its circular guitar lines and Frazier's howling vocal performance. Be advised however-this isn't a reheated grunge album. Bitter Shovel is a combination of southern rock sensibilities fused with a menacing atmosphere in the production, making the album a perfect of commercial rock layered with dark undertones. The softer side of the band can also be heard on the song "Way I Am." The lush, gorgeous strings are compliments of legendary musician/orchestrator Paul Buckmaster (Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne.) The epic track is poised to become a slow-dance favorite at high schools by the time graduation 2003 rolls around.

"I want Outspoken to be a household name. I think we're a kick ass band. We can stand up to anybody out there." -Frazier.

Outspoken: Blunt. Confident. Brash. Don't be against them.

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