Category Archives: Night Owl PR

Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Night Owl PR, Performances

Less Than Jake Unleashes 9th Studio Album Silver Linings

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Seminal ska-punk luminaries Less Than Jake will be commemorating the release of their 9th studio album Silver Linings with their first-ever livestream performance this evening at 6pm EST from Gainesville, FL. Tickets are still available here.

Less than Jake Livestream
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Their 9th studio album and first with new drummer Matt Yonker (Teen Idols, The Queers) is a dozen tracks of a rejuvenated and refreshed Less Than Jake. They picked up right where they left off and aren’t trying to fit in with any current trends because their ska-punk formula has stood the test of time and simply works. Vinyl, CD, and merchandise bundles are still available via Pure Noise Records webstore.

Less Than Jake silver Linings Album Art

Outburn Magazine proclaimed, “expert level ska punk.” The Punk Site asserted, “there is no filler, no throwaway tracks, just old-school ska punk done just as it oughta be.” KERRANG! chimed in, “a collection of typically upbeat ska-punk jams.” ReadJunk added, “a punkier version of LTJ.” Cryptic Rock declared, “Less Than Jake are only one of a handful of bands that can be considered the best of the best.”

To celebrate the album release, the band revealed their 8 bit style new music video, “Keep On Chasing“, today. Watch it here:

Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four-letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.

With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already intact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.

Less Than Jake Is:

  • Chris DeMakes (vocals, guitar)
  • Roger Lima (vocals, bass)
  • Buddy Shaub (trombone)
  • Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone)
  • Matt Yonker (drums)

Less Than Jake Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured photo (top) by Paris Visone

(Burning Hot Events earns from qualifying purchases.)

News, Night Owl PR, Performances

The Starting Line Announces Three Livestream Performances

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Including Classic Albums and “Best of” Set

Philadelphia pop punk staple The Starting Line will be joining the growing list of Live at Studio 4 livestream concert series performers. They’ll be doing three separate performances that include their classic albums Direction (December 30th at 9pm EST) and Based On A True Story (January 15th at 9pm EST) as well as a “best of” set (January 29th at 9pm EST) live from the legendary Studio 4. Tickets and exclusive merch bundles are now available here.

Tickets and Exclusive Merch Bundles on Sale Now

“We haven’t played together in a year,” explains The Starting Line lead vocalist and bassist Kenny Vasoli. “The only logical thing to do is perform over three dozen songs, whilst being meticulously filmed and recorded. Quite a few of these tracks have NEVER been played live. This is a delightfully insane challenge for me. I know there will be flaws, but I truly can’t wait to embrace the impending raw reflection. I’ve been starved of playing live music with my friends all year… I’m eager and grateful to end that streak.” 

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“I’m so excited to have The Starting Line as part of our Live at Studio 4 series,” Will Yip adds. “They’re a band that has had such an impact on our scene and I feel very honored to have them do these three shows here.”   

Live at Studio 4 is a livestream concert series that’s curated by Grammy-nominated producer Will Yip and filmed by Sunny Singh of hate5six at the legendary Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA. Past livestream performances include: The Menzingers, The Bouncing Souls, Tigers Jaw, and Anthony Green.

The Starting Line is:

  • Kenny Vasoli (lead vocals, bass)
  • Matt Watts (rhythm guitar)
  • Mike Golla (lead guitar, backing vocals)
  • Tom Gryskiewicz (drums, percussion)
  • Brian Schmutz (keyboards, backing vocals).  

The Starting Line Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Rich Myers

(Burning Hot Events earns from qualifying purchases.)

Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Night Owl PR, Tracks

Model Prisoner’s Debut EP Piss Universe Out Now

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Philadelphia’s Model Prisoner recently released their politically-fueled debut EP Piss Universe, a mélange of metal, hardcore, and hip hop. In addition, Metal Injection unveiled the music video for their title track – a song about our society being a hot mess like a f*cked up beauty pageant where fake images and lies prevail, corruption rules, and it’s all just a game about money. Also, Model Prisoner’s bloodline includes influential bands such as Nowhere Roads, Swarm of Arrows, and Label the Traitor. Watch the “Piss Universe” video here.

Piss Universe was engineered, mixed, and mastered by rapidly rising producer Wyatt Oberholzer (Year of the Knife, No Option, Fixation, Struck Nerve) at The Knife Lair in Philadelphia, PA. Additional production and beats were provided by Jack Mickelson. The duo consisting of Keats Rickard and Jay “Lanky” Mallory tracked with Oberholzer in staggered sessions across a few months during quarantine. Influenced by the current state of our country, the result is explosive music with violent vocals and angry lyrics.

Model Prisoner Piss Universe EP Art

Their debut EP Piss Universe was released on August 28, 2020 and is available everywhere for streaming and download via Bandcamp with a vinyl release planned for the fall.

Model Prisoner Is:

  • Jay “Lanky” Mallory (lead vocals, drums)
  • Keats Rickard (guitar, bass, samples, backing vocals)

Model Prisoner Online:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Lydia Peterson


News, Night Owl PR, Tracks

Less Than Jake Launches Lost At Home Sessions Volume 3

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Ska punk luminaries Less Than Jake will be launching their third creative installment of Lost At Home Sessions. Volume Three “The Sit Around” goes on sale today at 12pm EST over at Bandcamp.

Less Than Jake Lost at Home
“The Sit Around” Cover Art

“I was ‘sitting around’ watching the news one day,” describes saxophonist and vocalist JR Wasilewski. “I thought about how me and my group of friends used to joke when we were kids working summer jobs, how awesome it would be to just be able to sit around all day and do nothing besides play video games and go to the beach without a care in the world. But when presented with that situation, everybody quickly realized how incredibly impossible it seemed to actually just sit around.”

The lyrics for “The Sit Around” were written by Wasilewski and it’s also the very first song that he sings the lead. “We’d been punting around the idea of me singing leads on a song for years,” Wasilewski explains. “To be frank, I always said no thanks. I felt (and still feel) Less Than Jake is most identifiable by those two voices (Chris and Roger). Adding a third voice beyond just a background vocal, to me, seems to mud up the waters. I like to sing, I just never saw myself as a lead vocalist.

“We talked about it for this song and I said I’d entertain the idea of a lead vocal, mostly because this Lost At Home project is allowing us to test the waters creatively. It’s not a proper album, just songs composed during a strange time in history. I figured if there was ever a time for me to sing, why not now?”

Less Than Jake Prize Pack

Those who purchase the song at the current price will automatically be entered to win a prize pack (pictured above) that includes an old and rare glow-in-the-dark bobblehead and some out of print vinyl. Contest entries close on July 24th.

Proceeds Benefit Bread of the Mighty

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, a North Florida-based food bank that has been serving the community for over 32 years. They collect, sort, store and distribute donated food and basic essentials to over 190 non-profit agency partners such as food pantries, churches, homeless shelters and other organizations who then distribute food in their communities to directly feed the hungry. For every dollar donated, they can provide up to ten meals.

Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg), while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.

With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already in tact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.

Less Than Jake Is:

  • Chris DeMakes (vocals, guitar)
  • Roger Lima (vocals, bass)
  • Buddy Shaub (trombone)
  • Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone)
  • Matt Yonker (drums)

Less Than Jake Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured photo (top) by Paris Visone


News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Less Than Jake and Lagwagon Announce Co-Headline Tour

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Ska-punk luminaries Less than Jake have teamed up with influential SoCal punk rock band Lagwagon to bring you quite possibly the best punk tour of the year. Special guests include pop-punk quartet Masked Intruder and punk rock duo Plasma Canvas.

Lagwagon
| Photography: Ilkay Karakurt

The tour will kick off at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI on May 8th then head north into Canada then half way down the East Coast then aims for Nashville then moves toward the Southeast to conclude in Fort Lauderdale on May 29th. Presale begins on Friday, February 21st at 10am EST. Also, Less Than Jake recently wrapped up recording their new album which you can expect this summer via Pure Noise Records.

LTJ-LAG-Tour
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To some, the name may bring you back to a movie soundtrack or a video game; others are transported to a sweaty day on the Vans Warped Tour. One thing that can not be argued is that if you have experienced Less Than Jake live, it is something that you will never forget.

With ten full length releases, numerous EPs, 7-inch singles and compilations, the band has quietly sold millions of records worldwide, with little support from radio and television outlets. They have been self-managed for the last seven years and have shown no signs of slowing down their breakneck touring schedule.

To quote an industry insider, “while their contemporaries’ crowds have diminished, Less Than Jake’s draw has seemingly gotten larger.” If asked how this was accomplished, the band members shrug and respond, “we never stopped touring or trying to be an active band.”

Continuing to play over 150 dates a year while also writing and recording new material has kept the band fresh in a time when “ska” has become something of a four letter word. The list of acts they have supported is staggering (Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg) while the list of bands that have supported them makes even the most hardened music industry veteran do a double take (Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yellowcard). All the while the band has held firm to its punk rock roots and have managed to live through many musical trends simply by just being Less Than Jake.

With well over 300 releases on various labels under their belt, most would think their legacy is already intact, but the status quo has never interested Less Than Jake. They continue to write and perform new material and have no thoughts of letting up. With the energy and exuberance of a band half its age and the determination of savvy veterans, there is seemingly no end point to this enduring and entertaining band.

Less Than Jake Is:

  • Chris DeMakes (vocals, guitar)
  • Roger Lima (vocals, bass)
  • Buddy Shaub (trombone)
  • Peter “JR” Wasilewski (saxophone)
  • Matt Yonker (drums)

Less Than Jake Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


Featured photo (top) by Jodi Cunningham


Albums & EPs, News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Circa Survive Reissues Blue Sky Noise on Limited Edition Vinyl

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Psychedelic post-hardcore group Circa Survive will be reissuing their major label debut Blue Sky Noise on vinyl via Hopeless Records on March 20th. The album had a big debut landing on numerous Billboard charts including #1 Billboard 200, #1 Tastemakers, #3 Top Rock Albums, #11 Top Current Albums, #11 Top Album Sales, and #17 Vinyl Albums. The band will be celebrating the 10th anniversary by hitting the road with Polyphia and Gouge Away in tow on their Blue Sky Noise 10 Year Anniversary Tour that will kickoff on release day (dates below).

The limited edition commemorative vinyl reissue is an exclusive three LP set of the remastered version of Blue Sky Noise and fan favorite Appendage. This edition also includes previously unreleased demos from the Blue Sky Noise studio sessions called Appendage II. The vinyl reissue is limited to 4,000 units and features brand-new expanded packaging, triple gatefold jacket with the collection pressed on pink, yellow, and blue vinyl. Each album will include a seeded wildflower download card that is fully-plantable and biodegradable. In addition, a dollar from every album sold will be used to plant a tree through a donation to One Tree Planted. Learn more about One Tree Planted at OneTreePlanted.org. Preorders are now live and can be placed here.

Blue Sky Noise LP1

Side A

  1. Strange Terrain
  2. Get Out
  3. Glass Arrows

Side B

  1. I Felt Free
  2. Imaginary Enemy
  3. Through The Desert Alone

Blue Sky Noise LP2

Side A

  1. Frozen Creek
  2. Fever Dreams
  3. Spirit Of The Stairwell

Side B

  1. The Longest Mile
  2. Compendium
  3. Dyed In The Wool

LP3

Side A – Appendage

  1. Sleep Underground (Demo)
  2. Stare Like You’ll Stay
  3. Everyway
  4. Backmask
  5. Lazarus

Side B – Appendage II

  1. 100 Steps (Demo)*
  2. At A Loss (Demo)*
  3. Blank Slate (Demo)*
  4. New Sun (Demo)*
  5. Resentment (Demo)*

*Previously Unreleased

Circa Survive Tour Dates:

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About Circa Survive:

Circa Survive emerged from the Philadelphia suburb of Doylestown and quickly made a name for themselves in the indie music scene in a little over two years with the release of their 2005 debut album Juturna and sophomore album On Letting Go, both released on Equal Vision. Their major label debut Blue Sky Noise was produced by David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, The Smashing Pumpkins), mixed by Rich Costey (Rage Against the Machine, The Mars Volta, Deftones), and released via Atlantic Records in 2010. After parting ways with Atlantic Records, the band’s fourth album Violent Waves was independently released in 2012. Their fifth album Descensus was released on Sumerian Records in 2014 and their most recent album The Amulet was released via Hopeless Records in 2017. 

Circa Survive Is:

  • Anthony Green (vocals)
  • Colin Frangicetto (rhythm guitar, backing vocals)
  • Brendan Ekstrom (lead guitar)
  • Nick Beard (bass, backing vocals)
  • Steve Clifford (drums, percussion). 

Circa Survive Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter
Instagram | YouTube


Featured photo (top) by Hayley Rippy


News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Former Taking Back Sunday Bandmates Team Up for Emo Night Tour in 2020

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Former bandmates Fred Mascherino and Eddie Reyes have reconnected and teamed up for their very own rendition of Emo Night. They’ll be taking their show on the road in January 2020 for a few dates that will include stops in Amityville (NY), Asbury Park (NJ), and Easton (PA). The festivities will include DJ sets, emo karaoke, and performances by The Color Fred and Fates Got A Driver.

“The Color Fred played an Emo Night that our friend Jon runs in Pennsylvania and we had a blast,” explains Mascherino. “He was spinning all of the bands that Eddie and I use to play with, so we thought it would be fun to do it in other places and have Eddie’s band help make it even more fun.”

The Color Fred is an indie rock band headed by former Taking Back Sunday guitarist/vocalist Fred Mascherino. Bend to Break, The Color Fred’s first full-length album, was released on October 30, 2007. The album hit #8 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. The band toured throughout North America and Europe, playing with bands such as Dashboard Confessional, Angels and Airwaves, and Four Year Strong. They released an acoustic EP titled The Intervention for Record Store Day in 2009 and did a virtual solo acoustic tour in support of its release.

Mascherino then entered the studio to record LP2 and wound up collaborating with his friends Josh Eppard (Coheed and Cambria) and Andy Jackson (Hot Rod Circuit) in what eventually became Terrible Things. The trio signed to Universal Motown Records, released their popular self-titled full-length, then spent most of their time on the road supporting bands including The Offspring, Minus the Bear, Bayside, Circa Survive, and Streetlight Manifesto. Mascherino then went on tour playing bass in The Lemonheads and guitar for Say Anything. During that time, he was producing and co-writing with bands eventually building his own studio, Diver Down. In late 2018, Fred decided to close the studio to the public and start recording his own music again. Coming full-circle, the new material is being released as The Color Fred. The first song “Don’t Give Up on Me” was released this past May. More new material is underway in the studio and will be released in the near future.

Albums & EPs, News, Night Owl PR, Tours, Tracks

Rivals Reveals “Thunderstorm”, Supernova EP out Today; On Tour with Slaves

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Rivals brand new 2-song, 7″ EP Supernova was released today via Smartpunk Records HERE and is available on streaming services as well. Listen HERE. The title track has already received over 53k streams on Spotify alone. “We’ve really started to step up the creativity with sounds and environments,” describes Rivals vocalist Kalie Wolfe. “Building and creating a world around a theme and trying to show everyone what we see and feel. Between Supernova and “Thunderstorm“, we really stepped out of our comfort zone for this.”

“I’ve always wanted to write a song that was like ‘what’s up b@*%#*$, were back’ and that’s what ‘Thunderstorm‘ is,” explains Wolfe of their new single “Thunderstorm.” “For those who doubted us, said we wouldn’t last or said we couldn’t make it. For the doubt in our own hearts throughout the last two years and how we pulled our own ‘guns’ out to really pushed our way through all of that doubt. We became our own heros and I’m proud as hell of us for what we’ve accomplished in the past few years. ‘Thunderstorm‘ is our fight song.”

Catch them on tour with Slaves

Rivals Is:

Kalie Wolfe (vocals)
Sebastian Clarke (bass)
Micket Woodle (guitar)
Josh Alves (drums)

Rivals Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Featured photo (top) by Matt Bender



Albums & EPs, Music Videos, News, Night Owl PR, Tours

Rivals Announce New EP, “Supernova” Music Video, and Tour With Slaves

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Rivals forthcoming 2-song EP Supernova is due out on November 8th on 7″ vinyl via Smartpunk Records and is now available for pre-order HERE. Limited edition pre-order items include ultra clear vinyl 7″ (500 units), 3’x3′ wall flag (100 units) and Supernova t-shirt.

“We’ve really started to step up the creativity with sounds and environments,” describes Wolfe. “Building and creating a world around a theme and trying to show everyone what we see and feel. Between “Supernova” and “Thunderstorms,” we really stepped out of our comfort zone for this.”

In addition, The band revealed their motion video for “Supernova” that captures the atmospheric textures of the music. “A long time ago I dumped a guy and later on, when my career started to take off, he tried to come back into my life,” explains Rivals vocalist Kalie Wolfe of their new single “Supernova“. “I sort of wrote this as a f*ck you song to him, that he won’t get me now after all the stuff between us happened.”

In support of their forthcoming EP, the band will be kicking off a run of dates with Slaves today in Dallas, TX. Their double outing with Slaves will be making stops throughout Texas (Dallas, San Antonio, Houston). Also, they’ll be joining back up on release day (November 8th) for a few more shows that includes three dates in California (Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles) and the final show of the tour at Club Red in Mesa, AZ.

Rivals Fall Tour 2019 with Slaves

Rivals Is:

Kalie Wolfe (vocals)
Sebastian Clarke (bass)
Micket Woodle (guitar)
Josh Alves (drums)

Rivals Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter


Featured photo (top) by Matt Bender