.. GIRLS LIKE CIGARETTES.
The Story So Far...
New York-based, Baltimore transplants, Girls Like Cigarettes boast not only the type of infectiously catchy alternative rock one might've heard on 120 Minutes during the formidable early 1990's -- thus channeling groups like Husker Du/Sugar, Catherine Wheel, Pixies, Radiohead, Everclear, and Nirvana, all of whom loom large in the band's output -- but have the impressive ability to be supremely populist yet to truly sound like nobody else on the scene today. As a result, both fans and tastemakers alike have acknowledged the band’s unforgettable hooks and undeniable energy, leading national music magazines like SKOPE to hail the band as one of the hottest new bands on the alternative music scene and prompting multiple Grammy-Award winning producer John Seymour (U2, Alice in Chains, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Bouncing Souls, Dave Matthews Band, Guided by Voices, Vertical Horizon) to say that listening to the band’s new online single “Whatever Happened?†made him feel the same way he felt when he first heard Nirvana’s “Nevermind†and Everclear’s “Santa Monica.†Christ, those are big shoes to fill, but maybe...just maybe...these guys from Baltimore CAN save rock and roll.
Sonically, the group pulls few punches, both in their songwriting and their incendiary and visually impressive live performance. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Joe Black writes songs so timeless in their subject matter and delivery that they transcend what’s “hot†or “not†in the music industry, leading Matt Perrine, music critic for Flyhighduluth.blogspot.com to note that the band’s first underground hit Combustible You “rides a Stuart Davis-esque wave of radio-ready pop, but, like that enigmatic singer/songwriter's works, the lyrics aren't typical Top 40 fare: 'For better or worse / You exploded first.'" These songs, dealing with issues of loss, love, hope, redemption, and hoping your ex gets sucked into the propeller of an airplane, are then wrapped in a decidedly catchy and melodic sheen, not unlike taking your napalm with a spoonful of sugar. The end product could’ve been released in the 80's, 90's, today, tomorrow, 20 years from now? Possibly this is the reason for the persistent comparisons to such legendary and timeless bands.
Also bolstering the comparisons to the "golden 90's" is Pat Fisher's obvious guitar virtuosity, which careens from pummeling rock n' roll heaviness to introspectively shimmering solos, and matches the sonic lushness and experimentation of Fisher’s own guitar heroes: Johnny Marr, The Edge, Joey Santiago, and is a welcome break from the current (and tired) slog of of metal-influenced “screamo,†and 7-String shredders. One listen to the solo in “Beautiful Death Machines†shows Fisher emulating the cascading sounds of machine guns, if bullets were musical notes; In “Whatever Happened,†Fisher merely pulls out all the stops and pummels his Gibson SG into the stratosphere between massive power chords, bluesy Black Flag-inspired bends and runs, and issues a guitar solo that would make Weezer green with envy. All of this shredding, has earned Fisher both accolades from Guitar Player Magazine Associate Editor Matt Blackett, who hailed the band's ridiculously thick guitar tones, and assisted GLC in scoring a prestigious equipment endorsement from boutique Maryland-based amplifier manufacturer BUDDA -- all before any major label record deals were signed. In the interests of spreading the love around, over at stage center, drummer Jeff Reed, who approaches his job like a seasoned studio vet -- and in fact has done session work with major label artists like Evan Taubenfeld -- produces a massive drum sound and meticulous rhythm. Finally, Freshman band addition Ernst Anarchy -- who joined the group on bass guitar in 2009 -- has spent his fair share of time in the rock and roll trenches, both with Fisher and Black in "rock and roll trainwreck" LOLA, but also as the original bassist for internationally known MD punk/metal band IRONBOSS. To see the two of them on stage together echoes other legendary rhythm sections like Bonham and Jones, Entwistle and Moon, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss.
In Summer 2007, the group recorded three songs at Baltimore's WRIGHTWAY STUDIOS with up-and-coming producer/engineer Stephen Wright (SR71, Jimmies Chicken Shack, Lake Trout, Evan Taubenfeld, Dru Hill, 2 Live Crew). Not surprisingly, after posting the songs on MYSPACE MUSIC, the band quickly exploded on the MYSPACE TOP ARTIST CHARTS, lingering in the TOP 100 NATIONAL CHARTS in the Indie, Alternative, and Powerpop categories while crashing the TOP TEN for NYC POWERPOP, TOP 20 INDIE/ALTERNATIVE. Their 7000+ friends and 250,000+ plays highlights the band’s growing legion of fans, a dedicated core of whom have pasted the mini-hits “COMBUSTIBLE YOU†and "WHATEVER HAPPENED" on their own players all across the world. Not a day goes by when someone new doesn't discover the group and connect with the message they’re sending. As a result, in December 2007, the group signed with FOLEY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, whose owner/president, Eugene Foley, has worked with various record labels (EMI, Sony, Interscope, Atlantic, Geffen, Elektra), and whose clients have earned nearly 40 Gold & Platinum Records & 3 Grammy® Awards for their overall career accomplishments.
From a live performance perspective, the group has played such notable venues as RAMS HEAD LIVE (Baltimore), SONAR (Baltimore), THE ANNEX (NYC), DON HILLS (NYC), ASYLUM (DC), THE RED & THE BLACK (DC), VELVET LOUNGE (DC), MERCURY LOUNGE (NYC), and would appear to be setting themselves up for bigger and better things, reaching a wider and wider audience. They have also prominently been featured on WDBK REAL 91.5, INSOMNIA RADIO, XM RADIO, TLP RADIO, 98 ROCK WIYY, UNSUNG HERO, WHFS 105.7, WFMU JERSEY CITY, and WTMD RADIO BALTIMORE while their new song “She’s a Politician†could often be heard at Barack Obama rallies in the NY/NJ area in the runup to that historic election. Rounding things out, the band has garnered national press attention with inclusion in the March 2008 edition of CMJ NEW MUSIC MONTHLY, to include a slot on the accompanying companion CD, coverage in international music magazines like SKOPE MAGAZINE and KINGS OF A&R, and a COVETED slot in the CMJ08 MUSIC FESTIVAL held in New York City from 21-25 October.
With a significant buzz evident at the band's shows from D.C. to NYC -- and because the group is not content to sit on their collective creative laurels -- GLC plans to go into the studio in Spring 2009 with the aforementioned John Seymour, also a Foley-managed client, to issue their debut long-player. Says Joe Black: "Gene introduced us to John and we clicked immediately...the way he produces is the way we hear ourselves in our own heads; which is critical. Also, the opportunity to go into the studio with such an accomplished Producer is something we couldn't pass up. This band has always been about pushing it to the 'next level' -- artistically, instrumentally, or from a business perspective. It's all about staying in perpetual motion and making ourselves better and better..." You're not kidding: in the efforts of truly realizing the band's creative vision, guitarist Fisher -- instead of relying on other studios to provide an inspired space to record -- opted to open his own recording studio in Baltimore, MD, called ARDEN STUDIOS. This studio -- located at the Studio 14 complex in downtown mobtown -- is a full service studio, GLC's rehearsal space, and is GLC's "World Headquarters." In any event, two songs from those sessions – “Whatever Happened†and “She’s a Politician†have been posted on MYSPACE as a teaser. The rest of the songs, however, are staying under strict lock and key until the full-length is released. Says Black, “we’ll be doing some different things musically, maybe having some guests on the album that are really exciting if it pans out, and we don’t wanna spoil the surprise...everybody is going to have to wait it out.â€
Further discussing the band's familiar, yet unique sound, Black notes: "We're obviously drawing inspiration from those late 80's/early 90's alt.rock, punk and brit-pop bands that we grew up listening to. That said, we take the vibe of those bands, and hope to give that sound a modern "GLC" twist...a unique guitar melody line, an unexpected rhythm, a surprising lyric. Sometimes, though, we just rock it out and not think too much about it." Continuing, Black sums it up as such: "ultimately, Girls Like Cigarettes songs are supposed to be songs that people blast in their car stereo on the way home from work, singing along with the lyrics, or play at ear-splitting volume after a bad day or fucked up breakup. It's supposed to have emotion and melody and hooks and energy and be, to some extent, the story of our lives. That's what I look for in a song; and that's what we're here to do. It's our mission statement, if you will. Love it or hate it, it’s who we are...we don't play music for hipsters, trendsters, or rock critics. We're not interested in being some mid-Atlantic indie band. We wanna be the biggest band in the world." Judging by the band's accomplishments thus far, they may be well on their way.
Anyway, I’ll leave you with one final thought: Bands this good come around only once in a long, long while so you have to embrace them when they're here...because tomorrow they could be gone, baby, gone. As BREAKTHRU RADIO personality DJ MOJO – a close friend of the band who used to be in the legendary NYC noise collective SWANS and who has had the honor of being name-dropped in a Beastie Boys song – says, “Girls Like Cigarettes are no joke...†No joke, indeed, Mojo...
Where has this band been hiding, and why are they not world famous?
FOR BUSINESS, PRESS, INDUSTRY ENQUIRIES:
Eugene Foley
Foley Entertainment Group
Phone: 908.684.9400
www.FoleyEntertainment.com
FOR BOOKINGS, GENERAL INFORMATION, OR TO CONTACT THE BAND:
[email protected]
PRESS:
“‘Combustible You’ is a masterpiece of genius lyric writing and melody. Everything about the song is perfect. The sweet groove and smooth feel are such magnificently sublime counterparts to the bitter, vengeful lyric. Where has this band been hiding and why are they not world-famous?†- Garageband.com
“Girls Like Cigarettes is already being compared to REM, The Cure, and Early-U2...not bad company if you ask me...†- WDBK 91.1 “REAL 91" - The Starting Five Showcase / TOP 30 Charting Artist
“Girls Like Cigarettes are no joke...†– DJ MOJO, BREAKTHRU RADIO DJ, writer for SPIN MAGAZINE, and former member of legendary NYC band SWANS
"'Combustible You' rides a Stuart Davis-esque wave of radio-ready pop, but, like that enigmatic singer/songwriter's works, the lyrics aren't typical Top 40 fare: 'For better or worse / You exploded first.'" - 15 on Matt Perrine's "Shake*Your*Shores" Awesome Mixtape Series No. 29 @ flyhighduluth.blogspot.com
"New York City’s new hotshot trio Girls Like Cigarettes plays catchy, passionate indie rock..." --The Baltimore Examiner
"Loud, brash, and supremely catchy....New York City's answer to Oasis...." --Pennlive.com, MMC Special Edition
"The chiming fretwork on "Beautiful Death Machines" recalls the work of underrated 90's group Wire Train. They also evidence good taste by claiming influences from Hüsker Dü to Teenage Fanclub..." -- Bill Kopp, Editor-in-Chief Skope Magazine, writing for Musoscribe.com.
"...As the song went on I realized that: a) it rocks and b) it's catchy as hell. This could be a radio hit, or could have been one in the 90's. Anyway, this is a song I will download and listen to again and again and again..." TokyoPopStar Online Blog, review of "Whatever Happened?"
"Girls Like Cigarettes offers a pop sensation, but with an off-beat, alternative side. Very interesting and very different...Definitely a band to watch out for on the Alternative scene!" - SKOPE MAGAZINE ONLINE REVIEW
"'COMBUSTIBLE YOU'" - KINGS OF A&R, "Choice Pick," 10 November 2008, Soundcheck.
"Girls Like Cigarettes is one of the best 3-piece bands around today. Smart, catchy, loud....very rarely does a band pull off all three so well." --Tim Poggioli, DJ, Insomnia Radio
"Girls Like Cigarettes was the best band I saw at CMJ08! These guys just freaking ROCK..." --Marjorie Yambor, Program Director, Revolution 91.7 WWHR
“I don’t know if girls like cigarettes...but they’re going to LOVE Girls Like Cigarettes...†- Tim Qualls, Host of the Tim Qualls Show, Comcast 28, Philadelphia/NJ/Delaware
“I received the new Girls Like Cigarettes CD today and, if their mission was to blow my mind, they have valiantly succeeded. Wonder how many spins in my car's cd player it'll take to melt this f*cker...†- Smoke Ring Productions Online Blog
“Some of the most beautiful, depressing, sarcastic, elegiac, yet infectiously catchy pop music I’ve heard since David Bowie hooked up with Mick Ronson and Radiohead learned how to play guitar...†– Underground Online Music Blog
"Girls Like Cigarettes have GREAT guitar tones..." -Guitar Player Magazine Editor Matt Blackett
"What's that I hear? Happy Days-era Catherine Wheel? Maybe some Doolittle-era Pixies? Mix that with some of the band's bombastic early-U2 inspired arena-ready choruses, and you've got one winning fuckin formula..." -- old school .alt online blog
"GIRLS LIKE CIGARETTES pick things up right where bands like THE PIXIES and RADIOHEAD left off. Suddenly its the 90's all over again with a modern twist and I'm riding on a wave of nostalgia as i drown myself in their sweet and sour melodies...and with a singer named Joe Black you know you can't go wrong! This is a good ride to the past and present, as this three piece's riffs are catchy as f@*k and setting the record straight in today's unfortunately sterile and uninspired music scene. Bring it on!" --"Arno", British Music Journalist, NME, Q, and other publications.
"Girls Like Cigarettes are an alt-rock band in the most traditional sense of the term...they love the Pixies and Hüsker Dü...TIMELESS!!!" --The L Magazine NYC's CMJ ISSUE
RADIO/TV/PRESS: CMJ COLLEGE MUSIC JOURNAL; SKOPE MAGAZINE; TIME OUT NEW YORK; VILLAGE VOICE; BALTIMORE CITY PAPER; KINGS OF A&R; L MAGAZINE; WFMU 91.1 New York, NY; WIYY 98 Rock Baltimore, MD; WDBK 91.1 Camden, NJ; WHFS 99.1 Baltimore, MD; WVUA 90.7 University of Alabama; WTMD 89.7 Towson, MD; WVUM 90.5 University of Miami; WMUC 88.1 College Park, MD; WLOY Baltimore, MD; WBMB 89.7 New York, NY; WMBC Baltimore, MD; Breakthru Radio; Warp.com.mx Radio (Spanish Language); The Tim Qualls Show: DE/PA/NJ; Insomnia Internet Radio BALTIMORE & NEW YORK; TLP Internet Radio; Tim Duncan Show - WFMU NYC; XM RADIO; Technorati; Large Hearted Boy; Pop Tarts Suck Toasted; Brooklyn Vegan; The Capstone Connection; LAST.FM