Days of the New frontman Travis Meeks is completing a month-long stint in a California rehabilitation center for treatment of a crystal methamphetamine addiction. After his July 1st release, he plans to return to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, and play his first concert of the year, at the Southgate House in Cincinnati on July 4th.

"I have been working with Travis for over a year and a half, and throughout that time I have watched the drug use continually escalate," says Jonathan Hay, Meeks' publicist. "Sometimes he'd lock himself in his studio or his house and go without sleep for days, just doing crystal meth. He was going broke, but broke rock stars get 'donated' drugs."

In addition to his troubles with crystal meth, Meeks had also been using crack, cocaine, alcohol and pain medication before entering rehab on May 29th, according to Hay. "I've talked to him everyday on the phone since he's been able to accept calls," Hay continues. "He's been to group meetings, playing softball, and relaxing. He said he'd even gotten sunburned. It's so good to hear him doing so well. His voice even sounds different on the phone. He laughs, he has confidence; audible strength, courage, and will. He said that he loves the new record from Metallica, whom he toured with for four months, and can relate to James Hetfield who himself went through a rehab program."

Since the release of Days of the New's 1997 self-titled "Orange" album, the modern metal group's tenure has been a turbulent one, with Meeks the only original member left in the band at the time of the 2001 release of the "Red" album, the band's third and most recent eponymous album. Former Days of the New members guitarist Todd Whitener, bassist Jesse Vest and drummer Matt Taul have gone on to form Tantric with singer Hugo Ferreira.

As recently as December, Meeks had been in the running for the singer slot for the group of former Guns n' Roses players that has become Velvet Revolver, and is now fronted by Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland.

Upon Meeks' return to Louisville, he plans to refocus on his own music, and continue work on "The Purple Album," his band's fourth.

COLIN DEVENISH
(June 24, 2003)