Blackball Universe is currently working on new releases.  Thank you for your patience while our new website is developed.

Press Release for The Dead Dumb Happy Life (Volume 1)

Posted on by
NEW ALBUM FROM BLOOD SUGAR X — TUESDAY, MAY 15
FREE DOWNLOAD FOR FIRST 30 DAYS
          
                                                  “The Circus of Blasphemy”
                                                 Courtesy:  Norm Maxwell
The wait is finally over.
Oakland’s own punk-funk-soul-pop band is coming out after a four year hiatus, with The Dead Dumb Happy Life (Vol.1). This Blackball Universe Records release features 10 songs written and produced by Blood Sugar X founder Xavier Dphrepaulezz, with many never-before-heard tracks.
The Dead Dumb Happy Life (Vol.1) features performances by Xavier Dphrepaulezz (vocals, keyboard), Masa Kohama (guitar), Keenan Ephriam (drums), Cornelius Mims (bass), Oliver Brown (percussion), Jaime Gamble (drums), Ethan Farmer (bass), Brandon Coleman (keyboard) and Timothy Liu (cello).
Dphrepaulezz founded the band in 2004 and released the first album while performing under the name ‘Blood Sugar’.  For the next three years, the band toured the U.S. and the United Kingdom with great success playing venues in London and the world-class SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. But, the band hit a roadblock at the end of their tour. Xavier stopped playing, fed up with the music industry.This hiatus lasted until his son was born in 2010. When he saw his son’s reaction to his music, Xavier was re-inspired. He’s back to recording under his label Blackball Universe Records. Says Xavier about playing for his son, “It was like a world opened up that I’d been keeping from him.  That’s what got me playing again…the language of humanity.”
Starting May 15th through June 15th, The Dead Dumb Happy Life (Vol.1) will be available for free download at bandcamp.blackballuniverse.com
For a look at Blood Sugar X’s single“Stupid Expectations,” featured on the new release, click here.
Blackball Universe Records was founded in 2001 by Dphrepaulezz as a vehicle to promote various genres of music including Chocolate Butterfly and Me And This Japanese Guy.  As a young, inspired musician, Dphrepaulezz left Oakland to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles.  After a less-than-stellar Hollywood experience with major record labels and the industry,  a near-fatal car accident inspired Xavier to found his own label. From South Central (in conjunction with Club Bingo), to touring around the world, and now back to his roots in Oakland, Xavier continues to manage Blackball Universe Records as a source for unconventional, popular music.
Stay tuned for more releases from Blackball Universe Records in the coming months.  For now, keep up-to-date with what we’re doing by following us on Twitter and YouTube.