JIMMY ALLEN, HIT SONGWRITER AND CO-FOUNDING PUDDLE OF MUDD MEMBER, SLICES THROUGH THE MUCK WITH NEW BAND, CUT-OUT

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CUT-OUT features original Puddle of Mudd bassist,

Systematic drummer, Professional Murder Music guitarist,

and Allen's renowned songwriting

            Jimmy Allen’s hit songwriting ability and musicianship first came to light during 1997 when “You Don’t Know” off of the independently released Puddle Of Mudd CD Stuck, was a Top 5 radio smash in Kansas City.  Successes not withstanding, Jimmy made the decision to leave the then un-signed Puddle of Mudd.  However, his influence and songwriting contributions blossomed into huge hit songs including "Blurry," "Drift & Die," and "She Hates Me," from the “new” Puddle Of Mudd’s triple-platinum major label debut, Come Clean.

Allen co-wrote these hits and three other songs on the album.  Unlike many ex-members of hit bands, he is thrilled at Puddle’s new success and has nothing but genuinely good things to say about the band. The good-natured, laid-back Kansas City native now working in Los Angeles has emerged from the Mudd to form his new band, CUT-OUT.

Allen’s uncanny ability to write songs that are both commercially accessible but with an uncompromising rock edge required assembling a lineup of solid “A” players. The  lineup includes ex-Puddle of  Mudd bassist Troy McCoy, who left Puddle in 1996 to start emo-punk band Cooker before joining up with Jimmy Allen to form CUT-OUT.  Drummer Phillip Bailey’s previous band Systematic was discovered by Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and signed to Elektra Records and garnered a Billboard Magazine top 20 hit (Beginning of the End) for Mainstream Rock Radio in 2001 before becoming the stick man for CUT-OUT.  The lively stage persona of LA based guitarist, Brian Harrah was added to provide the sonic attack of CUT-OUT’s live show.  Brian has toured with Manhole and Professional Murder Music (Geffen Records, 2001).

The band, with Allen on guitar and vocals, is drawing instant attention. Industry Heavy-weights like Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age, A Perfect Circle) and Jason Slater (Snake River Conspiracy, Good Charlotte) immediately offered to produce the demo for CUT-OUT’s first tracks, and with one listen to "It Doesn't Matter," it's evident that Allen and company are more than deserving. CUT-OUT slices through the muck with razor-sharp lyrics and soul-bleeding sonics. The band's heavy and melodic music – and musicianship -- are already making waves in all the right circles.

In defining the band's overall sound, Allen explains, " CUT-OUT is all about getting pretty rowdy with it and having a good time.  There's no bells or whistles to us.  We're pretty hard-driven blue-collar rock.  It's in our blood; we're very raw and gritty, with detuned guitars."

Record companies, however, are looking to CUT-OUT to turn up the volume as a viable addition to artist rosters, and the band is surveying the possibilities and weighing their growing list of options.  In addition, made evident by the many calls from labels looking for him to write with their artists, Allen's reputation as a killer songwriter precedes him. He is considering some very interesting songwriting collaborations while  maintaining his focus on CUT-OUT.

"Record companies thought I could help out some of the artists on their roster to make them fit more in a radio format." Allen quietly understates, "I really enjoy writing with other people, but right now CUT-OUT is absorbing all my energies."

CUT-OUT’s immediate plans include putting the finishing touch on their demo, writing new songs and launching cutoutband.com while they move ever closer to locking down a record deal. Additionally, the band is playing underground, ‘word-of-mouth,’ shows in Los Angeles at venues like The Viper Room, The Roxy, The Derby, The Whisky and 14 Below leading to major, high visibility industry showcases being scheduled in the near future.

In spite of so obviously being the total package complete with a track record and name-brand recognition, CUT-OUT isn't about to pull a rock star trip.  "We're not ego-driven people; we're kind of mellow and we just like to rock.  We're like the new AC/DC.  We just wanna get out there and kick some ass."

So for those about to rock, CUT-OUT salutes you.