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Screaming Souls to make noise for Holy Cross youth

Date: 9/13/2010

Sept. 13, 2010

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- When they pick up their instruments to play at Holy Cross Chuch on Sept. 26, Western Massachusetts rockers Barry Kingston and the Screaming Souls will be doing something they have never done before.

The concert, which is being hosted by the recently formed Holy Cross youth group, will be the first acoustic show in the band's history.

"The Screaming Souls have never played unplugged," front man Barry Kingston said. "It's going to make us change some arrange-ments and I think it's going to result in a very imaginative, original concert."

The concert is slated to be played in the gym at Holy Cross, located at 221 Plumtree Rd., at 7 p.m. Those who attend the concert are encouraged to bring a cash donation.

"This event is being sponsored by the Holy Cross youth group. They called us up and asked us to play," Kingston said. "All of the donations go right back towards the youth group."

Kingston has recorded a total of five albums, including three studio discs and one live album with the Screaming Souls. The Screaming Souls' 1998 debut album, "Shakin' from the Trees," earned Kingston a Grammy nomination and the band's music has been used on television.

Songs from "Shakin' from the Trees" were sampled on MTV's "Real World, New Orleans" and "Purple Sky," off of the same album, was used by NBC during its coverage of the 2000 Olympic Games.

Their most recent album, titled "IV," was released in December, 2008.

The Screaming Soul's sound is one of unadulterated, guitar-driven rock with classic rock-and-roll at its roots. On top of terrific guitars, solid melodies and strong vocals, much of Kingston's music is designed to send messages of inspiration to its listeners.

"People who inspired me to want to play music are all the greats like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. The people who inspired me to write music were people like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan," Kingston said. "But the ones that inspired me to write music that speaks to people are bands like U2 and Bob Marley. Those are two bands, to me, that play what I call 'message music.'"

"I feel like I was called to use music not to just entertain, but also to inspire," he added.

On top of his concerts, Kingston also runs "90 to 100" events every year with his New Spirit project. According to the organization's Web site, "New Spirit is a non-profit youth ministry organization committed to proclaiming the good news of God's real presence in the world and his unconditional love for each of us."

Kingston and his partner in the project, Pat Sears, have traveled throughout Southern New England for the past 16 years, leading youth events and retreats.

"Music is the focal point of these events," Kingston said.

More information on Barry Kingston and the Screaming Souls, including samples of their music can be found at www.screamingsoulsnow.com , Kingston's personal Web site at www.barrykingston.com and Kingston's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/barrykingston.



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