Sen. Lee Honored to Meet First Step Act Beneficiary Matthew Charles
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement after meeting Matthew Charles, the first prisoner released due to passage of the First Step Act:
“It was truly an honor to meet Matthew Charles today,” Sen. Lee said. “Here is a man who served his debt to society, turned his life around, and is already contributing to his family and community. There is still more we can do to make sure our criminal justice system is as fair and humane as possible, and success stories like Mr. Charles will make further reform possible.”
“There is more reform that is needed,” Mr. Charles said during the half hour meeting. “This is a starting point but it is a good starting point. It is going to shift the atmosphere of federal prisons just by the First Step Act being passed.”
Matthew Charles was sentenced to 35 years for selling 216 grams of crack in 1996. While in prison he completed 30 Bible correspondence courses, taught GED classes, and helped fellow inmates with their cases. He was released in 2016 after a judge determined he qualified for a sentence reduction under the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act.
Since being released, Mr. Charles has been a model member of the community, finding an apartment to live in and continuing to volunteer at the food pantry he was assigned for parole even after he didn’t have to. He reconnected with his daughter and grandkids and spent Christmas with them.
But federal prosecutors appealed his release, eventually succeeding in putting Mr. Charles back in prison.
In 2018, Charles was again released by a federal judge citing The First Step Act provisions to eliminating the crack vs. cocaine sentencing discrepancy.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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Boy Becomes Hero Press Assets
Press Release Download Here
Press Photo Download (Credit: Antonio Ivans) Here
Cover Art Download Here
Bio Download Here
Another incredible component of this project is the personal importance for Andrew. After battling addiction for 10+ years, he became sober in early 2017. He had always struggled to find his place in the music world after bouncing around bands and finally had the clarity and inspiration to create the concept album he'd been dreaming of.
The recent loss of artists like Kyle Pavone and Mac Miller combined with Andrew's past experiences with his own addiction and depression while seeing friends struggle with similar demons on various scales, inspired Andrew to give back through Reverie. Boy Becomes Hero has partnered with To Write Love on Her Arms with the creation of the "Gravity Initiative" shirt. The shirt is available online both individually and as part of pre-order bundles. 100% of proceeds from the shirt and bundles as well as 10% of all additional album sales will be donated to TWLoHA to help further their mission.
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LIMBS
Announces Spring Tour
With The Plot In You
Debut Full-Length Album Father's Son Out Now
Available for Purchase Here
Previously featured on Revolver, Metal Injection,
Creative Loafing, Metal Insider, and more
Tampa, FL - January 29, 2019 - Post-hardcore group LIMBS will be back on the road this spring for the "Feel Nothing Tour" with The Plot In You, Like Moths To Flames, and Dayseeker. The full-U.S. run kicks off in Grand Rapids on March 30th, with additional stops in Chicago, Brooklyn, Atlanta, LIMBS' hometown of Tampa, and more. The band will also be joining Fit For an Autopsy, Vatican, Great American Ghost, and more at AURA Fest 2019 in Savannah next month. For a full list of upcoming tour dates, please see below or visit www.whoislimbs.com.
Last year the band found a home with UNFD, ahead of the April release of their debut album Father's Son, which gives listeners a dark and brooding look at a young man's journey out of religion as he comes to terms with both his upbringing and his own actions.. A conceptual album following a young man breaking free from his indoctrinated upbringing, the album explores the harm it causes and the strength in reclaiming your own life.
LIMBS' latest live video for their album's title track, "Father's Son," was filmed during the band's 2018 tour with Underoath, Dance Gavin Dance, and Veil Of Maya. Streaming HERE the video captures the electricity and raw power of a LIMBS live show - from headbanging to epic stage dives and beyond. Experience it for yourself when LIMBS hits the stage later this year.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.whoislimbs.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/whoislimbs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/whoislimbs
Instagram: www.instagram.com/whoislimbs
Upcoming Tour Dates:
2/16 - Savannah, GA @ AURA Fest 2019
3/30 - Grand Rapids, MI @ The Stache
3/31 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
4/2 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall
4/3 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
4/4 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
4/5 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
4/6 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck
4/7 - Philadelphia, PA @ Foundry
4/9 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
4/10 - Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger
4/11 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
4/12 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
4/13 - Orlando, FL @ The Abbey
4/15 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
4/16 - Dallas, TX @ Curtain Club
4/17 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
4/19 - Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater
4/20 - San Diego, CA @ Soma
4/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
4/23 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
4/24 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
4/26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Amsterdam
4/27 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Citadel
4/28 - Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
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