Post-hardcore band Thursday will be touring in January and February, playing their third studio album – War All The Time – in its entirety. The tour is a nod to the album’s 21st birthday, but it is also a celebration of the release of War All The Time (Live), the second pressing of which will be shipping in the spring. Joining Thursday on the road will be Rival Schools and Many Eyes. You can get your tickets at thursday.net!
1/25 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
1/26 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic
1/27 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
1/28 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
1/30 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
1/31 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
2/1 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
2/2 – Denver, CO – Summit
2/3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
2/5 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
2/6 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
2/7 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
2/9 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
2/10 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory OC
2/11 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
2/13 – Austin, TX – Mohawk (Outside)
2/15 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
2/16 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
2/17 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham
2/18 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
2/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of the Living Arts
Naked Sunday is a hard rock band from The Midlands. The quartet formed in 2012, but their lineup wasn’t settled until 2018. They have since released two albums – Signs of Insanity (2020) and Home (2022) – and one EP, 2021’s Skeleton Keys. More recently, Naked Sunday’s track “Lilith” was featured in John Williams’ film Tales of the Creeping Death.
I was fortunate enough to have the chance to talk to bassist Corty Lou about the band’s inception, influences, the latest singles – “Vilified” and “Shine” – and more!
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So tell me, how did Naked Sunday form? And how did y’all decide on the band name?
Corty Lou: Naked Sunday formed around 2012 but became the established lineup it is today in 2018, after much hard work and the release of our first album, Signs of Insanity. The name was based on the Stone Temple Pilots song “Naked Sunday” – we enjoyed how the two words just fitted well together, and of course, it leaves a lot to interpretation.
Who are Naked Sunday’s biggest influences?
CL: As for myself, it would be Motley Crue/Sixx AM, [vocalist/guitarist] Martin’s would be Guns N Roses, [lead guitarist] Alex loves UFO, and [drummer] Liam loves the Foo Fighters, but collectively we all love Queen. We don’t like to make the same record, and much like Queen, we set out to be different from everyone else (especially on our local scene).
Do you remember the moment you realized you wanted to play music for a living? Was there a specific band/artist that made you think “I have to do that”?
CL: I think the second I heard Queen and picked up a guitar, I wanted to perform and make music. It was an instant callin. The first time I could play a few chords, I was writing my own songs, and that love of music and creating is still with me.
What is the writing/recording process for the band?
CL: As a band, we do all write together. Sometimes Martin will come in with some chords and lyrics and it’s almost a full written song, but the band put their stamp on it, myself and Alex usually write riffs and then at rehearsal, Liam will piece them together and we will structure the song as we see fit. A lot of the time we will work a song, such as a new one we are working on at the moment called “LEGION,” by road testing them, and doing demos so we all have structures to work to, or that we can edit and say this may work better. We also share Whatsapp videos of riffs, etc., so Martin can start writing lyrics, or Liam has a heads up so he can develop the feel of the track on the drums.
I want to talk about the latest singles, “Vilified” and “Shine.” Can you share the story behind each of those tracks?
CL: They sit like a brother and sister track to us. “Vilified” is definitely Martin’s baby lyrically. It is about others trying to turn people against you because you have passion or drive. Martin faces a lot of criticism because he is driven and gets great results. It’s a middle finger to the high school bully, the rogue workmate that isn’t a mate, the people in the pub who laugh behind your back but are friendly to your face – it’s a song for the working man.
“Shine” is a different kettle of fish. It is about wanting someone to succeed, totally the opposite of “Vilified.” It’s about rooting for the one you love, wanting them to be the best possible person they can be and the best gift to the world they can be. It’s a delicate number with some of Alex’s best guitar work, and we have to give credit to Miguel Seco, who produced these songs. Without his help and love, especially with “Shine,” we feel he got the best out of us (our fifth Sunday member).
With your full library in mind, do you have a song you connect with more than the others?
CL: I think “Home” for us is something we all connect with. It was the title track to our second album and featured on Fireworks rock and metal magazines CD. It, for us, is just something that we all get lost in, and the audience loves singing the ending. It is a song about our sleepy home town of Stafford – you want to leave, but inside your head there is no place like home.
What is your favorite song to play live?
CL: “Lilith” is one that I think we all dig. It started out as a song I wrote on bass at a rehearsal at Neon Sound Studios in Burntwood. (Martin has a connection of writing a UK 16 Chart song here with Mike Newey the owner.) We even went back to the studio to record it. It’s a brooding dark builder with a very metal ending and the start of us moving into heavier territory. Liam helped with the structure of this, and it just is an absolute blast to play live. The song also features in the film Tales of the Creeping Death by John Williams.
That’s really cool, that you guys had a song in a film! How did that feel, when you learned it was to be used?
CL: So the director John Williams heard “Lilith” and used it in this incredible werewolf scene. The werewolf was designed by Gary Pollard. The film features legendary English actor Ricky Tomlinson. For us it was a dream come true, being massive horror fans. I remember Martin taking the call and jumping around being super excited, then we learned they also added “Unbreakable.” A very surreal and beautiful moment.
Last but not least, what are the band’s plans for the rest of 2023 and into 2024?
We have one final gig of the year left at The Dog House Stafford. It’s our normal Christmas Bash with our good friends Lungdren and Guns for Girls. Then it’s getting the mix back for our single “Web Around My Grave,” which again is a heavy number, followed by a new photoshoot and then recording the final track of our EP Rise, which is a beautiful Tom Petty style song. Then it’s back to gigging straight away around the UK, spreading our wings and following up album number 3. We also have a video to film with the talented Mr Nick J. Townsend of WEAK13, who filmed “Vilified.”
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Things are moving fast for Naked Sunday! You can keep up with all their news, gig announcements, and music by following their socials, and be sure to give “Vilified” and “Shine” a listen on your favorite streaming service!
Rock band Mac Saturn will be headlining a North American tour in early 2024 in support of their new album, Hard to Sell, which will be released on January 26th. The 35-date run comes with support from alt-rock/indie pop trio The Thing With Feathers. You can get tickets at macsaturn.com – and bring your dancing shoes!
1/26 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
1/27 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
1/28 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
1/30 – Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB
1/31 – South Burlington, VT – Showcase Lounge
2/2 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music
2/3 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
2/4 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
2/6 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
2/8 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
2/9 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
2/10 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
2/12 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
2/13 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
2/15 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
2/16 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
2/17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
2/19 – Houston, TX – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues
2/20 – Dallas Downtown, TX – The Cambridge Room at House of Blues
2/21 – Austin, TX – 3TEN ACL Live
2/23 – Tempe, AZ – Innings Festival 2024 (The Thing With Feathers will not be appearing.)
2/26 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues
2/27 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
2/28 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
3/1 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
3/2 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
3/4 – Boise, ID – 9th Street Parallel at Knitting Factory
3/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
3/8 – Denver, CO – Marquis
3/11 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
3/12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
3/13 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
3/15 – Indianapolis, IN – Old National Centre
3/16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
3/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection-The Stache
Hailing from Wales, Revolution Rabbit Deluxe is a band with a sound that ranges from power pop and Brit rock to alternative/indie with strong punk overtones. This four-piece outfit has blended their many influences into a sound that brings the late 70s/early 80s punk rock and new wave movements firmly into the 2020s. (I was visited by heavy The Clash vibes.) This near seamless modern take on these genres is evident on the band’s latest album, Control Freaks.
Control Freaks was released on October 28, 2023. The record kicks off with the track “I’ve Got Nothing” and doesn’t relinquish its hold on the listener straight through to the finale. Within the twelve songs you will find everything from poppy, danceable bops, such as “Summer All Year Round,” to more socially aware (in true punk fashion) tracks like “Fabian Control Freaks,” which is extremely catchy and will have you singing along. Revolution Rabbit Deluxe even throws in a couple of slower, more heartfelt songs in “Mother and Child” and “The Girl From Irpin,” proving that this quartet can run the gamut of human emotion.
If you are a fan of old-school punk or alternative/indie rock, or if you simply want to lose yourself in something that is upbeat while making a statement, Control Freaks is a must-hear! The band’s promise that the album will “bring a smile to your face as we march headlong towards inevitable(?) oblivion” is more than delivered on.
Standout tracks: “Mother and Her Child,” “The Girl From Irpin,” “The Sweetest Things,” and “Glasgow Kiss”
Defining themselves as an “indie rock/funk/grunge band,” The Space Turtles hail from Long Island, New York. They are fairly new on the scene, but with their firing-on-all-cylinders determination, The Space Turtles are rapidly gaining momentum. The trio implements a variety of influences and musical backgrounds, which means you’ll hear things that are reminiscent of bands such as Weezer and Nirvana, but also Red Hot Chili Peppers, a touch of Nine Inch Nails, 311, and more!
The Space Turtles released their Tough Call EP in late 2022 and have been booking shows throughout 2023.
My favorite track from the band is “Ghost Plans,” which is the second song on the aforementioned Tough Call EP.
And, just in time for Halloween, The Space Turtles dropped “Spooky Shit,” a fun and funky song that honors all those things we love about October!
Follow The Space Turtles on their socials and your favorite streaming platforms to keep up with all the cool happenings!
Alt-rockers Boys Like Girls are embarking on The Speaking Our Language Tour this fall with State Champs. Presented by Emo Nite, this tour will also feature one of a list of special guests in each city: either Four Year Strong, 3OH!3, The Summer Set, The Ready Set, LoLo, Every Avenue, SayWeCanFly, and/or Max Bemis. Tickets available at boyslikegirls.com.
9/17 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte☆
9/18 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl☆
9/19 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle☆
9/21 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans☆
9/23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live☆
9/24 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues☆
9/26 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater☆
9/27 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center☆
9/28 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory☆×
9/30 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren+
10/1 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium+^
10/2 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues+^
10/4 – San Diego, CA – Soma+
10/6 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic*
10/8 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom*
10/10 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom*
10/11 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre*
10/13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot*
10/14 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium*
10/16 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis*
10/18 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee*
10/19 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom*~
10/21 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*~
10/22 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit*~
10/23 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre*
10/24 – Toronto, ON – History*•
10/26 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway*
10/27 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom*
10/30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia*
10/31 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring*
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