You can bet good money that a band named 'Shihad' wouldn't last more than 5 seconds on an American stage, let alone a NYC one, without getting pelted with beer cans, garbage or possibly human feces before they even strum the opening chords. So, it was a pretty good idea; despite their 12 long years under that moniker; that the New Zealand rockers changed their 'evil-doer' title to something much more simple and world friendly, like 'Pacifier.' "It was a tough decision to change our name," " admits vocalist/guitarist Jon Toogood. "We had earned a big following in Germany, Italy and Australia over the years with our old name, 'Shihad,' and once you earn that sort of fan base they'll do anything for you because they love you. Everyone knew us as 'Shihad' and for us to change it was a huge sacrifice... It was an extremely tough decision."

As tough as the decision may have been Toogood and his mates knew that if they were to have any chance making it in America 'Shihad,' a word so close to jihad, would have to go. "The name of our band was one thing, but we knew that if we really were to make it in the states we would have to just go out there on stage and kick ass, and that's we do," Toogood explains. "We basically always sold our band through touring live and making sure that every night we play a show we get out and blow peoples heads off and that's we intend to do here."

The New Zealand based band; (Jon Toogood- guitar/vocals; Karl Kippenberger- bass; Phil Knight- guitar; Tom Larkin- drums); began making music together 12-years ago as a speed metal act who was heavily influenced by such American metal bands as Metallica, Fugazi and Slayer. "Back then for us it was the faster the better," say Toogood, "But as we grew older and matured we mellowed out a bit and became more of a sort of rock band." With an intense stage show, contagious choruses, tightly crafted rock tunes and a non-stop work ethic, Shihad quickly built a solid fan base throughout New Zealand, Australia and all across Europe. The band was even hailed as "The Best Rock act;" "Hardest working band" and "Artist of the Year" by Rolling Stone Australia in 2001.

Toodgood and company have become full-fledged rock stars in the land down-under as well as the entire South Pacific and are determined to be the biggest rock act in the world, all they have to do to complete their mission is make it in the U.S.A.. "America is the home of rock and roll," Toogood said, "so, it's really important for us to be here, its something we always wanted to do and now we're getting our chance to do it."

Their first step towards American acceptance was changing their controversial band name to the squeaky clean name of 'Pacifier,' (which they got from the title of one of their hit songs off their last CD "The General Electric.") Second step was to get passed all the band name drama and simply let their music do the talking. "This record is so good," the singer explains, "that it's gonna surpass the whole having-to-change-your-name-after-12-years bullshit. Once people hear this record, if they love this band, they're not even gonna think about it."

Their self-entitled American debut on Arista Records is a super tight album that has a hard-rocking edge and commercial flavor similar to The Foo Fighters and Incubus that appeals to rock fans from all corners, but if this record were to come down to a simple theme Toogood says "it would be all about change.. Shedding your skin and starting again, you know?"

Pacifier's massive pop-rock sound should easily catapult them to the top of the American music heap. Super-producer, Josh Abraham (Limp Bizkit; Staind) did an awesome job of knuckling down with Pacifier to created a dynamic rock release full of energy and emotion, but as good as the music is the real test for success lies in the ears of the American rock fans. "We played quite a few shows here already. We played in New York's CBGB's and getting to play in front of people, American kids, was when it was really real to us. And getting the response we did from the kids was amazing." Said Toogood about their recent show which they won over the audience and had the them going nuts. 'There's just something really awesome about playing for people who never heard of you and have no expectations and little do they know that we've been playing for all these years and we are so tight and so rocking and we just blow them away. I like the challenge of going in front of a completely cold audience and winning them over."

Pacifier plans to win over all of America when their first single "Bullitproof" drops in January. Once they hit us with their big guitar sound and beefy rock vibe they may very well garner the kind of global attention they desire. Only time will tell the kind of impact Pacifier will have on American audiences and with a new controversial-free image and 12 solid rock tracks on their side, they may just get the prize. "The thing is this, when rock and roll is really pure and really good it all comes together and becomes magic," says Toogood. "We know in our hearts that this is a good honest record and what's great about that is when we play it live we get to play it from the heart and it will be satisfying to us no matter what happens." www.pacifierband.com

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