STL rockers New World Spirits reunite for January show
’90s St. Louis rockers New World Spirits are back for another go-round.
The band will reunite early next year for a special concert at the Pageant, according to a new press release from the band. The band last played a decade ago.
Here is the press release in full:
ST. LOUIS — New World Spirits, one of St. Louis’ most successful local bands in the 1990s will reunite for a special show at The Pageant on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The reunion is a treat for fans of the local music scene that have long been waiting for the band to reform since they played their last show in 1999.
“We’re all feeling pretty good about being back together,” said bassist Mike Kociela. “Our first night of practice went great – I was blown away by how tight the band sounded. It’s going to be a throw-down at The Pageant!”
After forming in Springfield, Mo. in 1990, New World Spirits rapidly developed an impressive following. Relocating to St. Louis in 1991, the band continued to build a strong fan base, consistently packing local clubs. Their 1995 independent debut album, “Creeperweed,” was number one in regional sales.
New World Spirits was featured on St. Louis’ then-fledgling alternative rock station 105.7 The Point’s “Point-Essential Vol. 11″ compilation CD, drawing attention from Universal Records, which signed the band in 1995 and released their major label debut, “Fortune Cookie.” The first single from the album, “Bed” got spins on more than 100 alternative and rock radio stations around the country.
After diverging interests caused the band to split from their contract with Universal in 1997, they recorded and released a final album, “Spark,” independently before parting ways in 1999.
Since that time, each of the band members has gone on to have successful careers outside of music. Bassist Kociela is a partner and event marketing director at Scorch Agency (www.scorchagency.com), producing large-scale concert tours and events like the annual Taste of St. Louis; guitarist Danny Drabb is a digital creative director at St. Louis-based international public relations firm Fleishman Hillard; drummer Steve Hunt owns his own business, Hunt Painting & Drywall, and fronts his own band called The Hunted; and lead vocalist/guitarist J. Chambers relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where he is a senior writer for an advertising firm, focusing on the conceptual development of global communications programs.
“I think the reasons for us to do this finally outweighed the reasons not to,” says Chambers. “Playing together again is a tremendous gift for all of us, and hopefully one for everyone who has been waiting for this. They’re as much a part of this as we are. They always were.”
Tickets for the all-ages New World Spirits reunion show at The Pageant will go on sale to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2010 at The Pageant box office, all local Ticketmaster outlets and on www.ticketmaster.com. The general admission ticket price is $20 ($2 minor surcharge).
Get more information at www.nws.com or at twitter.com/newworldspirits.



Kevin C. Johnson has covered the St. Louis' music and nightlife scene for the past decade.
10 plus years in the making! ya can go home again, atleast for a few hours!! cant wait, gonna be awesome!
I can’t believe it’s been TEN YEARS! Can’t wait!