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Relient K Earns RIAA Gold With Mmhmm

Mmhmm, the current hit album from Gotee/Capitol recording artists Relient K, has been certified gold by the RIAA for U.S. sales in excess of 500,000 units. The certification marks the band’s second gold album, following this spring’s RIAA sales award presentation for 2003’s Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right ... But Three Do.

The announcement comes as the Canton, Ohio-based band continues to thrill sun-baked North American audiences as a main stage act on this year’s installment of the celebrated Vans Warped Tour. Relient K will continue the trek through to its final bows, set for August 15th at Northampton, Massachusetts’ Three Counties Fairgrounds.

Released last November, the Top 15 Mmhmm has proven to be Relient K’s most successful outing to date, reaping unanimous critical commendations and the fastest sales of the band’s career. Fuelled by non-stop road work – including last spring’s arena/amphitheater tour alongside Good Charlotte and Simple Plan – the band’s fourth album recently jumped 38 places to re-enter the top half of the Billboard 200 (spurred by a one-week 27 per cent sales increase).

In other Relient K news, the video for the album’s first single, “Be My Escape,” has been added into rotation on MTV this week – where it will also make its debut on Total Request Live. Small screen viewers may also take in the quartet’s scheduled August 22nd appearance on ABC-TV’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, during which they will perform “Be My Escape” outdoors. News of the performance follows last week’s appearance on NBC-TV’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Additionally, an appearance on MTV’s Hard Rock Live will air later this summer.

Relient K – Matthew Thiessen: vocals; Matthew Hoopes: guitar; Dave Douglas; drums; John Schnek; bass; John Warne – jumped onto the scene in 1998, quickly drawing praise for their idiosyncratic brand of melodic, optimistic, pop-injected punk. The quartet developed a reputation as one of the hardest working bands on the circuit, playing an average of 200 gigs a year. The constant touring paid off: Relient K’s three Gotee-released albums – including 2001’s The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek – each achieved stand out sales figures while expanding the band’s loyal fanbase across the country.

By 2003, Relient K had become one of modern punk’s biggest underground acts. Their third album, the gold-certified Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right ... But Three Do” was a Top 40 smash on the Billboard 200. The album garnered Relient K their first Grammy Award nomination.

For more information on Relient K, check out www.gotee.com or the official artist website at www.relientk.com.

Provided by: Gotee/Capitol Records