Releases
All Rattle and Dust:
Taking cues from Social Distortion, Tom Waits, and the Violent Femmes (among others), this EP reveals Driscoll to be a budding master at writing warm, tuneful Rock songs. The combination of his slightly raspy voice and the often jangling guitars is incredibly inviting – kinda like those old Bruce Springsteen jams that make you feel like you’re being showered in an honest, protective anthem. Stiletto, Stiletto demonstrates a wide range of expression, revealing Driscoll’s potential for real depth. And although it’s just got 6 songs, this EP feels very complete - All Rattle And Dust does a good job of balancing the raw emotion of roots-oriented Rock and Roll with the pop sensibilities needed to make a hit. Overall, Stiletto, Stiletto is a keeper, and possibly a preview of great things to come. If fans can overlook the somewhat amateurish production (and packaging), they might just discover their new favorite band.
Beat Strings:
The Beat Strings breathe new life into the musical mantra of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Sexual grittiness, the longing of sensuality, hints of substance references, and the foundation of rock and roll are impressions left upon a listener. These concepts and feelings have been carefully created by the influence of each member, and the experiences they have been through in life and in the band.
The Beat Strings offer a mixed bag of rock nuggets spanning the indie, glam and post-punk scenes. Singer Adam Bolts has an intriguingly offbeat warble that often veers into falsetto, anchored by punchy bass lines and frenzied super chunky guitar riffs. Variety is the name of the game, venturing into cabaret, folk and many other less common genres.
Crayon Rosary:
Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Crayon Rosary provides a simple, yet unique approach to music. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, Casio sampler and an assortment of childrens toy instruments, this duo creates a mood and melodies reminiscent of such bands as: The Magnetic Fields, Neutral Milk Hotel and The Flaming Lips. Incorporating the more pop sensibility of these bands, Crayon Rosary create quirky, yet catchy tunes with vocal harmonization comparable to the beach boys making them approachable to the fans of such bands as: Saves The Day, One Line Drawing and The Postal Service. With their debut EP being released on XOXO records and a schedule including past dates with Rainer Maria Murder By Death and Q and not U, Crayon Rosary is sure to make a their mark on the indie scene.
Cymarshall Law:
The best music always comes from the heart; it is honest and almost real enough for you to touch. Enter Cymarshall Law. Born on August 29th the same day as jazz great Charlie Parker and King of Pop Michael Jackson, Law has always taken this as a sign that he too could achieve greatness in life. When he was 9 his Jamaican parents moved his family from his birthplace in United Kingdom to the U.S. in order to give their children greater opportunities. Across the Atlantic is where Cymarshall would first meet and fall deeply in love with Hip-Hop. Cymarshall has performed in many places across the United States and Europe making a name for himself as one of the best up and upcoming lyricist in the game as well a charismatic, energetic performer who never leaves a crowd unsatisfied. In 2003 Law won an Emcee Battle at Tower Records in Philadelphia judged by platinum selling recording artists The Black Eyed Peas and has previously and since shared stages with KRS-ONE, Smif-N-Wesson, Bootcamp Click, Sean P , Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Wordsworth , The Last Emperor , Jean Grae, Immortal Technique and a list of other talented emcees. Cy's talents have brought him all over the world touring Europe several times and he was also one of the featured performers at Canada's 2006 DMC DJ battle Championship. Cy was also selected to be on the famous/legendary Vans Warped Tour and crowned an EOW (End of the Weak) MC Challenge Champion all in 2007. That same year Law got picked up by Rawkus Records to become one of the Rawkus 50 which Rawkus described as "the next most important artists in Hip-Hop." Since then in 2008 Cy has been a featured performer at Americas biggest Hip Hop Festival : Scribble Jam and in 2009 Law has done more touring in Europe going places like Sweden , Holland and Spain. Cy has also received the Hip-Hop stamp of approval from the legendary Blastmaster himself, KRS-One, as Cy released "Control" f/KRS-ONE the first single from his debut LP, Hip Hop In The Soul, (Nov 2008), which was entirely produced by the next great Producer Mr. Joeker. Cy's Hip-Hop In The Soul was well received throughout the urban community, receiving rave reviews from Okayplayer.com, Kevinnottingham.com and was featured by esteemed outlets such as 2Dopeboyz.com, Artofrhyme.com, schememag.com, Thatshiphop.com, Myspace.com, Vimby.com and hiphopoffical.com. Cymarshall Law represents what many believe is missing from Hip-Hop today, story-telling, the ability to against the grain with originality ,style and a flavor uniquely all his own; Cymarshall Law was born to be a star. In 2010 the world will get a chance to hear what Law describes as " my best work to date " on his latest album Freedom Express Line which is being released on the new label XOXO Records that has just signed the rising talent , distributed now by Sony Red / MRI , Cymarshall looks to take the next step towards greatness , showing the world he is among the best in his art form or in any genre.
Hands Down Eugene:
Hands Down Eugene is a homogeneous mix of Nashville’s most talented musicians backing Missouri’s latest export; prolific songwriter Matt Moody. The never ending revolving door of talent features members of: My Morning Jacket, Ben Folds, Glossary and The Carter Administration.
Madison was hand crafted over the course of 10 months @ Battle Tapes Studios in Nashville. Producer Jeremy Ferguson (Mock Orange, Be Your Own Pet, Forget Cassettes) creating something along the lines of Built to Spill, a few beers, and the Beatles listening to traditional country music.
p.s don't forget your headphones, you will be in for a real trip.
Let Me Run:
Based out of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Let Me Run was formed in late August 2007. The band consists of 4 friends making the best music they can and having a great time. Let Me Run has taken off and not stopped to look back. Drawing influences from bands like Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker, Let Me Run crafts a sound that is all their own, yet feels like an old friend. With a midwest tour under their belt and too many shows to count- in and out of the tristate area, Let Me Run can't slow down. Party invincible.
In other words, imagine yourself drunk as fuck flying a fighter jet through the Grand Canyon at one billion miles an hour with a bear. That is how let me run lives every second, every day.
Monument:
MONUMENT is the musical construct of five individuals that have come together in pursuit of creation, destruction and re-creation. MONUMENT has found a common plane of expression that provides a platform for dissemination of their darkest fears and quietest secrets.
The material the band has concocted is a delicate melange of dreamy melodies trapped in a whirlwind. Soundscapes that overlap and underscore a vast range of human emotion as well as symbolize the dynamic world we have created; these are the swoops and swirls that make up the signature sounds of MONUMENT.
In just a few months since recording their first demo as a complete band, MONUMENT has circulated hundreds of copies to friends and fans by touring throughout the Northeast while creating a loyal fanbase for themselves in the New York/New Jersey area.
River City Extension:
River City Extension is an orchestral, punk inspired world-beat folk-rock band. With so much going on in the world, and words like faith and love getting chalked up to habit and antiquity, it’s hard to believe that there are people who still hope for anything, that there is any vision or direction. If there is one thing we have always been able to trust in though, it’s music. It’s ever changing face, looking into the mirror of the world, and mimicking it’s reflection for the rest of us to understand. Music allows us to see ourselves for who we are; it cuts into our souls, and we react violently; it softens our hearts, and we cry vigorously; it holds our hands, and we trust it reluctantly. The past couple of years have proven difficult for these eight individuals as they have been forced to delve into the dark corners of life we all seem to sweep our worst moments into when no one else is looking. River City Extension began as an outlet to feel, and has proven to be a most veritable safe-haven for the scared and the dreaming, leveling the world’s population to the idea of the common man, and the simple belief that the world is within our grasp, and no one can ever tell you differently. The band is a collective of very real individuals, who fight when they need to, but vow to never let the sun go down on their anger. A dysfunctional family might be a proper analogy, if they did not seem to embrace their challenges and differences with such eagerness and enthusiasm, always excited and ready to move forward and climb higher. Originally hailing from Toms River, NJ, the band has found support and friendship in age-old music communities all across the world, forming a collective of friends and companions that will outlast the rise and fall of genres and fads, great attempts and humble failures, love and the things we lose along the way. Honest, raw vocals soar over a cacophonous landscape of our hometowns and childhood memories, pouring imagery into the exhausted eyes of residual consumers and should-have-been lovers, only to leave them wanting more. River City Extension has had the great opportunity of reaching out to ambiguously classy music connoisseurs and the folks who shamelessly would just like to dance, sharing the stage with such acts as Cake, The Avett Brothers, Robert Randolph, Nicole Atkins, and Glen Tillbrook (Squeeze) to name a few. They have recently finished their debut full length, The Unmistakable Man, for release on XOXO Records in May of 2010. The record was co-produced by Eric Sanderson (Pela) and Joe Michelini (RCE), but is surely heavy with the blood, sweat and tears of every voice and instrumental line that was poured into it by each member and hand on deck over this grueling, testing process. The band is due to tour the country this summer, and can only hope to bring something new and interesting to the table in a world where our wilderness is disappearing and our true friends and family remain few and far between. In the words of Gregory Shwartz: “A cup of warm milk is easier then a lullaby, softer then a blanket. More impressionable then a shroud burnt image. Maybe this time our difficult vision will come together. And familiar friends will once again see themselves, being the best people they are. Thirsting a thirsty thirst as they crucify the seventh of nine lives. Twelve witnesses debate a cup half full, half empty, half full. The call and response, a warm rain, a cup of wine. These acts of spirit make one hungry, those acts of compassion make one feel fed. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you, River City Extension.”
The Gaslight Anthem:
New Jersey has an air about it, sometimes I think it lives in the concrete like blood through its own veins. If you're from here, you never lose it, if you're not you recognize it from a mile away. The Gaslight Anthem, hailing from New Brunswick, NJ, are no exception. Their lyrics are riddled with Jersey references, it's almost like there's a deal you have to make here ... It'll let you out, if you promise to give her a line or two. But more so than the "Jerseyisms", The Gaslight Anthem are carrying on for a bigger, less localized movement. It's a punk rock tradition of no frills, good times, wearing it on your sleeve, staying hungry, and playing every show like it was your last. The Gaslight Anthem's mixture of punk rock sing-along’s, folk story telling, and a unique soulfulness underneath it all has been bursting out of its own seams since their inception in the winter of 2005.
With lyrics focused on hard luck, hope, the labours of love, and the ragged invitations of "jukebox romeos" as conveyed by singer/guitarist Brian Fallon's gruff baritone. It's not hard for people to relate to the mis-adventures of the common man. The Gaslight Anthem are steadfast on retaining their relate ability to everyone.
The future road is long for The Gaslight Anthem but these boys are hungry, in fact they're "just about starving tonight," to quote another New Jersey native.
Look out for the endless touring with such bands as: Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Thrice and American Steel and the debut full length SINK OR SWIM out now XOXO Records.
No frills, punk, soul, and the good times. Over and out.
The Old Scratch Revival Singers:
Beginning as a documentation of a descent into hopelessness within the walls of a malevolent house, "Oh, Didn't He Ramble" is the forthcoming debut release from The Old Scratch Revival Singers. The project was begun to explore the ideas and moods of the ex-Heart Attacks (now All Rattle and Dust). Since then, the ideas and playing of more people have been added. The live group is now a seven piece combo. While the album does incorporate some electrical instruments, the live show does not. The music is not far from its Iowa roots, it contains elements of bluegrass, ragtime, and gospel. With a propensity for darkness, superstition and old time religion, The Old Scratch Revival Singers provide themes of damnation in this world, and salvation in the next.
This Charming Man:
Previous to forming The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Fallon was the singer of the punk rock outfit This Charming Man. This Charming Man's debut EP, "Every Little Secret" is filled with catchy sing-a-long hooks and unforgettable lyrics. "Every Little Secret" is the only documentation of this short lived band.
Newest Releases
- Beat Strings: Fang in Rain [XOXO011]
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- Let Me Run: Meet me at the Bottom [XOXO010]
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- The Gaslight Anthem: Sink or Swim [XOXO009]
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- View All Releases
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