STRAPPING YOUNG LAD Drummer GENE HOGLAN Checks In

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD drummer Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, ex-DEATH) has posted the following message on the group's official web site:

"Hey everybody, it's your big buddy Gene here, here to give all of you a long-awaited update! An UPDATE, you say? On a STRAPPING site? Can you believe it? As of this writing, The Dev [Devin Townsend] is hard at work on the upcoming DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND project, Byron is on the road with the FEAR FACTORY boys, and Jed is on the road himself in Canada, with his lovely bride-to-be, Susanna. And I of course, am being a lethargic reprobate here in L.A.

"First of all, all of us in STRAPPING would like to extend our thanks to all our new friends that we've made this year, in support of our scintillating new one, 'Alien'. To all the fantastic bands and their equally shining crews from the Sounds of the Underground jaunt, and to all the wicked folks who have been throwing the superlatives our way throughout 2005! And of course, all the great new fans we've met this year. Thanks loads!

"We know things have been getting a bit stale with this here website, but when ya play in the band, and basically have to do everything for yourself, well, hopefully you all know how it is. We promise to stay a little more on top of things in the future. Thanks to all our fans and friends in the forum for keeping things rolling for us! You guys are all killer!

"As you've probably noticed. 2005 has been a typically hectic year for us, a great part of which has been spent on the road, touring 'Alien'. This year has seen us racking up the miles throughout the States and Canada, with just a taste over in Europe. All our fans abroad, don't think we've forgotten you! We've got plans for a full tour of Europe early next year, as well as touching down in Australia and hopefully Japan, too!

"2005 has been a banner year for us in general, with 'Alien' doing pretty well! Hell, it only took 10 weeks to outsell 'SYL', which ain't saying much, but, hey, that's cool for us! The 'Love?' video and track has been played ad naseum on all the rippin' metal shows, it even went to #1 on the Music Choice satelllite channel for awhile! Righteous! Our ugly mugs have disgraced the covers of a few well-known metal mags ('dja catch that Metal Maniacs a few months back?),and the powers-that-be have not felled us. We've all got our fingers and toes...Speaking of which, and on a personal note, check out that Modern Drummer article from the July issue (there's a link on here somewhere-yay, ME!)! They're all in our Press section.

"For those of you sick SYLementalists who can't get enough of us sexy dudes live, we are announcing yet another tour! The wise men of FEAR FACTORY are haulin' our asses out all over the U.S. (and Canada),from late October through early December, so visit our Tour Dates section, and see when your next chance to buy some STRAPPING swag is gonna be!

"Speaking of swag, our online Merch shop is fully rolling, so if you are in some remote part of the planet and STRAPPING hasn't come to your neck of the woods, or if you've just been too broke or lazy to pick up those SYL undies and things that all your friends already own, swing on by, check it out! And, in those infamous words of Mr. Townsend, 'Buy a fuckin' T-shirt!' ;-)

"And, as some of you are already aware, our Forum section is one of the more kickin' forums around! From anybody who's got something to say, to those with a mere two-bit opinion, you're all more than welcome to blurt what's on your mind. Both Mr. Jedly and myself log on and reply frequently, so do your worst. Our administrators and moderators are the cream-of-the-crop, and our 'Ask the Band' section can be quite revealing. The SYLForum is a cool place to be...

"Well, folks, that's about it for now. You'll be hearing again from myself or one of the other STRAPPING men soon. Thanks for listening."