Adelitas Way

This article is about Adelitas Way, the band. For their self-titled album, see Adelitas Way (album).

Adelitas Way
Origin	Las Vegas, Nevada
Genres	Hard rock Alternative metal Post-grunge
Years active	2005-present
Labels	Virgin Records
Associated acts	Copper Shuvel The Leo Project
Website	AdelitasWayMusic.net
Members
Rick DeJesus Keith Wallen Derek Johnston Trevor "Tre" Stafford Robert Zakaryan
Past members
Chris Iorio Creighton Bibbs

Adelitas Way is a hard rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada that broke into mainstream in 2009 for their song "Invincible", which is the official theme song for WWE Superstars on WGN America. They also perform the song "A New Day" as the theme song for the defunct WWE Tag Team The Legacy and later used as the former theme song for Ted DiBiase.^[1] On July 14, 2009, its debut self-titled album was released.

Band history

Formation and early years: 2005-2008

The band was formed in 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada by lead vocalist Rick DeJesus, lead guitarist Chris Iorio and drummer Trevor Stafford. During a road trip to Los Angeles, California, Rick and a buddy took a detour to San Diego, California, and when Rick woke up from a nap in the back of the van, the two were getting arrested in Mexico. Corrupt cops robbed his friend, but Rick stowed 20 bucks away in his sock when he witnessed the robbery. The cops saw that Rick had no money on him so, they mugged him and took off. Freaked out, the friends went to the first bar they saw in Tijuana to have a beer and calm their nerves. It was the Adelita Bar. “There were a bunch of young, really pretty girls and I realized it was basically a brothel,” explains Rick. “I chatted with one girl, questioning why she was living this life? And I wrote a song about it. The band name emerged from the sad stories behind the ‘Way’ they lived at the Adelita—Adelitas Way. As a songwriter,” Rick continues, “I’m very emotional, I put myself in people’s shoes a lot and live vicariously. My songs are about true situations.” That’s reflected in their album. For instance, “All Falls Down” is about Rick’s headspace before he left Bristol Township which is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Before I moved, everything was gloomy and depressing but, as a kid, your only concern was what you were going to be for Halloween or get for Christmas. So the song is about how you should have savored those moments. I took things for granted.”^[2]

Mainstream success: 2008-present

In the fall of 2008, the band got signed to their first ever major-label, Virgin Records.^[3] After inking with Virgin Records, Rick DeJesus, and drummer Trevor Stafford headed for Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois where producer Johnny K awaited their arrival. Before the band started touring in support of their new record, the band expanded with the additions of a permanent bassist in Derek Johnston and an additional guitarist/vocalist, Keith Wallen (formerly of the Knoxville band, Copper). On April 17, 2009, their album's first single "Invincible" became available via download through iTunes. Their self-titled debut album was released on July 14, 2009. The single was also featured on the video game, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 and is currently the official theme song for the WWE show: WWE Superstars. The song was also played as the Phoenix Coyotes and the St Louis Blues took the ice in the 2009-2010 NHL season. "Scream" is also on the soundtrack for Saw 3D.^[4]

Beginning in mid-February 2009, only a few weeks after completing their debut album, the band took to the road, and have been touring almost continually since. They have toured with numerous other bands including 10 Years, Chevelle, Saliva, Sick Puppies, Shinedown, Halestorm, Rev Theory, Breaking Benjamin, Puddle of Mudd and Theory of a Deadman. They appeared at Rock on the Range in May 2009 and are on the schedule for ROTR 2010. In mid-February 2010, it was announced that they would be touring with Three Days Grace and Chevelle from late March through mid-April.

The second single off the Adelitas Way album, "Last Stand" was released on February 23, 2010. The video for "Last Stand", which premiered on March 2, was directed by Paul Boyd.

On May 20, Rick announced that summer tour dates were on the way and that the band is working on new material.

In October 2010 it was revealed the song "Scream" would be a part of the Saw 3D Soundtrack.^[5]

The band went on tour with Seether that started on June 2, 2011 to support the new album Home School Valedictorian.

On June 6, 2011 the band appeared on Rockline Radio.

The first single off Home school Valedictiorian "Sick" hit #1 at active rock, and #36 at Modern Rock radio The band's second single off of Home School Valedictorian will be "The Collapse".

Adelitas Way will be on the this years Carnival of Madness tour which starts August 13 in Twin Lakes, WI.^[6]

Adelitas Way is currently on their first major headlining run that Started November 2nd, in Corpus Christi, TX.

Band members

Current members

• Rick DeJesus - lead vocals
• Keith "KWB" Wallen - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Derek "DB8" Johnston - bass guitar
• Trevor "Tre" Stafford - drums, percussion
• Robert "Rahji" Zakaryan - lead guitar

Former members

• Chris Iorio - lead guitar (2008–2010)

Discography

Main article: Adelitas Way discography

• Adelitas Way (2009)
• Home School Valedictorian (2011)

References

1. ^ "Adelitas Way's song "A New Day" is the new theme song for Legacy". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-06-29. http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2009/june29-30/10678846. Retrieved 2009-06-29. 
2. ^ http://musicremedy.com/a/Adelitas_Way/album/Adelitas_Way-6702.html
3. ^ http://www.crazedhits.com/adelitas-way-sign-to-virgin/
4. ^ http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/09/23/saw-3d-soundtrack-dir-en-grey-saliva/
5. ^ http://tunelab.com/2010/09/06/adelitas-way-headed-to-the-studio/
6. ^ http://www.carnivalofmadness.com/tickets_and_dates.php

External links

• Official website