Syracuse Post Standard Press release:

BRAND NEW SIN MAKES SWEET CHOICE FOR NEW LEAD

A new Joe replaces the old Joe to lead the rock band; no Syracuse dates set yet.
Friday, May 09, 2008By Mark Bialczak Staff writer

Joe Sweet made a lasting impression on a couple of fellow musicians 15 years ago.

Sweet was the frontman for the Utica rock band Nine Ball at the time; Syracuse rockers Kevin Dean and Kenny Dunham were fans.

"In concert, you hear this guy's voice, and you say, 'Wow,' " Dean says.

Dean, Dunham and Brand New Sin band mates Kris Wiechmann and Chuck Kahl are wagering that those kind of compliments will be coming their way soon. They've picked Sweet to replace lead singer Joe Altier after 61/2 years of touring the country together.

When Altier and Brand New Sin parted ways amicably in January, Dean put word out on the band's several Web sites that they were seeking a replacement.

They received e-mails from about 50 hopefuls from around the country.

"We didn't have time for a cattle call like 'American Idol,' " Dean says. "So we started with an e-mail with some questions. 'Have you ever been in a band? Have you ever toured? Have you been on a label?' "

They picked out their favorite 20 responses and asked them to send performance footage on DVD.

"They were from California to Texas to Alabama, but mostly regional," Dean says.

They decided to call in one area candidate for a live audition. And then Dunham remembered how much they loved Sweet from those days with Nine Ball.

"They called me," says Sweet, 35, who lives in Utica. "I've been getting into rock again. I thought, 'That's pretty convenient.' I went there and tried out."

Sweet says he went online and read a little about Brand New Sin. He says he was relaxed.

"I didn't know they had videos out. That was probably a good thing," he says.

They chose Sweet over the other candidate, whom they won't name.

"It was not a hard decision," Dean says.

They've been rehearsing together for five weeks.

"As we practiced and I learned more, I said, 'These guys have done a ton of things,' " Sweet says.

The first post-Altier Brand New Sin gig will come June 14, at Operation Metal Siege at Coney Island in Brooklyn. On July 24, they’ll play at the Electric Company after the outdoor Saranac Thursday show, a couple blocks away from the F.X. Matt Brewery in Utica. Dean says they’ve yet to schedule a Syracuse show.

“The plan is to wait,” Dean says. “It’s got to be right. When the time is right, our Syracuse fans will be itching, and they’ll come see us.” Sweet says he’s totally in, ready to tour nationwide.

“I’m loving it. These guys are very professional,” he says. “They have a great imagination. They set little goals and keep accomplishing them. I’m in it for the long haul