Soul and punk seem to be two very conflicting things – maybe that’s why The Gaslight Anthem’s 2008 release, The ’59 Sound, came out of nowhere for me. They’re a group of tattooed guys from the fertile punk grounds of New Brunswick, New Jersey, but when I heard the title track for the first time, there was something very different going on.
Lead singer Brian Fallon obviously grew up listening to classic R&B while getting schooled Jersey-style, since the music he writes walks an obscenely delicate line between nostalgic Springsteen storytelling, Motown melody, and Social Distortion guitars.
Now, they’ve announced American Slang, their third album, which has been touted as a “dramatic leap forward” from their previous two. It includes tracks such as “Bring It On,” “Orphans” and “Stay Lucky” that are sure to bristle and burn with the spirit of soul and the artistic adventurousness of a band that has found own unique voice.
They’re also hitting the road in July, including dates in St. Louis, and one show sure to be kickass with The Hold Steady in Detroit.
June Dates:
15 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
July Dates:
14 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
15 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore (special lineup also featuring The Hold Steady and The Whigs)
16 – St. Louis, MO – Pop’s
17 – Kansas City, MO – Midland Theatre
20 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
22 – San Jose, CA – “Music in the Park Series”
24 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
26 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
27 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
28 – Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
29 – Philadelphia, PA – Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
31 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s