New direction takes band away from label

The band has already recorded half of its new album.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
Cherry Monroe and Universal Records are parting ways.
The rock band from the Youngstown and western Pennsylvania areas will no longer record for the label, said James Sliman, Cherry Monroe's manager, explaining that Universal didn't agree with the musical direction the band had taken.
Cherry Monroe's attorney is finalizing the details of the breakup and is steering the band toward a new record deal, which the band hopes to reveal in early fall, Sliman said. The rockers will remain with Universal Music Publishing regardless of which label it joins.
Matt Toka, the Youngstown native who is the band's songwriter, had said in April that his new material is influenced by classic rockers such as The Police, Motley Crue, Guns 'N Roses, AC/DC, The Who, The Kinks and Bob Dylan.
Universal wanted the band to stick to the polished and punchy pop-rock sound of its first record, Sliman said.
Next move
Cherry Monroe has already recorded six new songs for its next album, which will likely be released in early 2007, and will return to Los Angeles in coming weeks to record more. "The album is already half finished," said Sliman.
Although the band is parting on an amicable note with Universal, it sees the label change as a positive step. "We're just excited to be moving forward and to continue to write new songs for this next album and for our fans," said drummer Jason Levis, an Ellwood City, Pa., native.
Universal brought Cherry Monroe to the national stage last year when Rust Records, the Cleveland-based imprint of the label, signed the band to a record contract. The band toured extensively although record sales never lived up to expectations.