PARKER THEORY soph release "Leaving California" in stores now (May 2007)
Popular independent pop-rock band Parker Theory is excited to announce the release of its sophomore album Leaving California through Rescue Records (Mri/Sony Red Distribution).


Parker Theory's infectious melodies have attracted widespread attention and enthusiastic local radio play since its inception in 2000. The first recording, a self-titled EP, impressed Steven Harwell, the lead singer of Smash Mouth and opened the door for the band to begin playing some of the popular venues in California with the novelty rock band.

The first track off the band's debut album, Can Anybody Hear Me, was the top pick in a University of Columbia research project featured in the National Geographic news where 14,000 participants chose their favorite song without knowing who the band was.
The same song, "She Said," topped mp3.com's pop rock chart and led to Fabtone Records releasing an extended version of the album in Japan.

Can Anybody Hear Me was also nominated in the Orange County music awards, and the San Diego music awards alongside some of the biggest names in the San Diego music scene"Switchfoot, Unwritten Law, Jason Mraz, and Slightly Stoopid.

Leaving California is a package of cleverly penned alt-pop-rock songs.
With strong melodies ala Crowded House, it sonically covers ground somewhere between Jimmy Eat World and Snow Patrol. The strong singles on the album, "In the End," "Shoe Song," "I Believe," and "Build You a House," would not be amiss on movie soundtracks, advertisements, and television shows such as WB's Smallville, Grey's Anatomy, and One Tree Hill.
"I think musically we have a lot of different feels on this new record," says lead singer and guitarist Jesse Pruett. "I like so many different styles of music that I think that comes out in the record."

The stories, experiences, and passions on Leaving California share the universal laughter, sadness, joy, and hope of the adventure of life. Pruett wrote the album at home on acoustic guitar in 2006. "I wanted to try and write what was coming out naturally and what I was feeling or thinking about at the time, and focus on the basics," he says.


Pruett says he hopes "people find strength, healing, vision for life, and happiness" in listening to the album. "I feel like there is so much out there to experience. That is why I decided to name it 'Leaving California.' We are on a journey and I don't want to stay in one place. This goes for all aspects of my life. I want to always be moving forward and enjoying life to the fullest."



After months of writing the album, Pruett got back together with good friend Jeff Forrest (keyboard and harmonies), who owns Doubletime Studio, and his bass player Jon Upson, and asked his friends"drummer Jarrod Alexander, and guitarists Nick Maybury of Future of Forestry and Rob Fikse"to play on the album. The band was produced by Pruett and recorded at Doubletime Studio with Forrest (Blink 182, As I Lay Dying, Incubus).


Following the success of the band's first album in Japan, Fabtone Records released Leaving California in Japan. The band is touring there for the first time this month.


www.parkertheory.com