Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands Goes Global

- Press Release

Ernie Ball hosts the first ever Ernie Ball International Battle of the Bands, teaming up with the Rockstar Taste of Chaos 2006 tour. Rockstar Taste of Chaos, the only worldwide lifestyle music tour, will land in 30 cities and 12 countries from New Zealand to France, from October 8 through November 21, 2006.

Following the success of the Ernie Ball North American Battle of the Bands (now in its tenth year), the International Battle of the Bands gives talented unsigned international bands a shot at playing live on the Taste of Chaos Tour. A panel of industry professionals will select one band per tour stop to play live on the second stage.

"For ten years we?ve been offering up this opportunity to all bands in North America. We are pleased to expand our reach internationally, giving bands abroad the chance to play on this fall?s hottest music tour," said Derek Brooks of Ernie Ball.

In addition to a spot on the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour, all registered bands are automatically entered in an online voting competition. The four bands with the most votes will win thousands of dollars in rock 'n' roll music gear from Battle sponsors including Ernie Ball/Music Man, Electro Voice, DW drums, M-Audio, Affliction Clothing, Mark Bass Amplification, Coffin Cases and many others. Fans can vote for their favorite groups online from October 8 - December 5, 2006.

To take part in Ernie Ball's first International Battle of the Bands competition, bands must upload photos, a band biography, and up to five MP3 audio files to the Battle of the Bands site from August 21 thru September 28. Bands must reside in one of the countries on the tour stops. For more details on sign-ups, please visit the Rockstar Taste of Chaos/Battle of the Bands website at http://www.battleofthebands.com/rockstartasteofchaos