In keeping with overblown arena rock tradition, we recognize that all career-making live albums must have a sequel. Trouble is our 1994 Epic Records debut, Three Chords and a Cloud of Dust Live, wasn’t exactly career-making. In fact, it pretty much ruined us at Epic. Thirteen years and eight-hundred shows later, we’re giving ourselves a do over. And what we hope sets Three Chords II apart from classic sequels like KISS Alive II, Cheap Trick at Budokan II, and hell, even Frampton Comes Alive II, is that it wasn’t taped in a recording studio then overdubbed with fanatical crowd noise. This show actually happened. Bum notes, dropped beats, and all.

Three Chords II was recorded live in its entirety at The Newport Music Hall on November 17, 2006 in our hometown, Columbus , Ohio . The capital city was simmering in anticipation of the next day’s meeting between #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan down the block at Ohio Stadium. Outside the Newport , High Street was ready to burst into a couch-burning, car-flipping riot. Inside, with the legendary Dead Schembechlers joining us on the bill, the sold-out crowd of 1,800 pushed against the security barrier, banging down 36-ounce Budweisers like sailors on leave.

Ready. Steady. Go. Our amps turned up and turned sideways. No set list. No effects. No laptop computers or in-ear monitors. Nothing pre-recorded or looped or click-tracked to submission. Just a rock band—a real rock band, the kind that plays Les Pauls and Marshalls, not Apple PowerBooks—working to somehow keep the train on the tracks.

You can download the new live album from iTunes or eMusic. While you're listening, look at these great pictures of the CD release show taken by Allan Foster. For those in the physical world, the album will be in stores and available for order September 11th.