Big Frank Records adopts micropayment technology to sell music. Label Releases "42", Album by Catapult

Boston, Mass. – November 18, 2003 – BIG FRANK Records, a record label based in Boston, today announced a new, 11-song CD by the rock band Catapult, entitled "42", marking the band's first full-length recording. In a trend-setting, forward-thinking move, the band is leveraging the ubiquity of the Internet and a revolutionary micropayment technology to sell its songs online.

Catapult will become the first rock band in the music industry to sell its recordings to the public exclusively though the Peppercoin payment system, which will allow buyers to purchase MP3-file song tracks songs for 50 cents, and as low as 25 cents.

Peppercoin is a micropayments company with a consumer-friendly, pay-as-you-go approach that eliminates the need for prepayments or subscriptions. It is based on technology developed by M.I.T. Professor Ron Rivest, considered the father of modern cryptography and whose prior inventions led to consumer's ability to securely present credit card transactions online. Peppercoin counts among its customers online music retailers such as Music Rebellion and sheet music and software vendor Recordare.

The album "42" features 11 beautifully crafted studio versions of songs that are a staple of the band's electric live performances. Depending on whom you ask in the band the album's title is either a tribute to the baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, or to the late author, Douglass Adams.

Catapult the band is comprised of a classic bedrock power trio of Mark Bates (vocals, guitar), Erick Ellison (bass), and Karl Haas (drums). The band formed in 2002 through an ad in the Boston Phoenix placed by Bates. The groups varied past, including a stint living in Liverpool for Bates, and their passion for a good song have made Catapult a powerhouse in the Boston music scene.

Music fans can visit www.catapulttheband.com, take a few minutes to sign up for a Peppercoin account and begin buying single tracks for 50-cents without any upfront subscription, commitment or prepayment.

Formed in the summer of 2002, Catapult first made waves with the release of its debut E.P., "Broken Nursery Rhymes," in February 2003.

"The first CD ["Broken" was great, but it showed a band trying to find itself," said frontman and lead songwriter Mark Bates. "Our new release ["42" shows a band that is secure in what its doing and has found its place. When we set out to record "42", we all wanted to do something that was unique and unlike any record we had heard come out of Boston in a long time; and we think we accomplished that."

To help promote "42" Catapult is setting out on a 5-day tour of the United Kingdom. The tour will kick off at the club Pop in London on November 24th and will include stops at such venues as the Cavern Club in Liverpool. "We are extremely excited about this opportunity," said Mark Bates. "It's a dream come true, to play a place like the Cavern Club is just legendary."




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