The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem live at Alexandra Palace, London, 2014
The Gaslight Anthem live at Alexandra Palace, London, 2014
Background information
OriginNew Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Genres
Years active
  • 2006 (2006)–2015
  • 2018
  • 2022–present
Labels
SpinoffsThe Horrible Crowes
MembersBrian Fallon
Alex Rosamilia
Alex Levine
Benny Horowitz
Websitewww.thegaslightanthem.com

The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 2006. The band consists of Brian Fallon (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Benny Horowitz (drums, percussion).

The Gaslight Anthem released their debut album, Sink or Swim, on XOXO Records in May 2007, and their second album, The '59 Sound, on SideOneDummy Records in August 2008. The band's third album, American Slang, was released in June 2010, and their fourth, Handwritten, was released in July 2012 through Mercury Records. The lead single from Handwritten, "45", became their most successful single on the charts, and possibly their most well known to date. The band's fifth studio album, Get Hurt, was released on August 12, 2014, through Island Records. On July 29, 2015, the band announced an indefinite hiatus following their European summer tour, which concluded at Reading Festival on Sunday 30 August.[1] The band temporarily reunited for a string of shows in 2018 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The '59 Sound, before resuming their hiatus.

In March 2022, the band announced that they had reunited and returned to "full time status", and that they had begun writing their sixth studio album. The album, titled History Books, was released on October 27, 2023.[2]

History

Before the Gaslight Anthem

Brian Fallon was in a number of bands prior to the Gaslight Anthem, most recently This Charming Man. The band went through a number of line-up changes, to the point where the band consisted of Fallon, Mike Volpe, Benny Horowitz, and Alex Levine. At this stage, the band renamed themselves to the Gaslight Anthem, due to a change in direction. After this, Volpe left and Alex Rosamilia joined, and the current line-up of the Gaslight Anthem was formed.[3]

The band's first gig was at The Only Game in Town in Somerville, New Jersey, in early 2006.[4]

Sink or Swim (2007–2008)

The Gaslight Anthem's debut, Sink or Swim, was well received by both independent music review sites such as punknews.org,[5] AbsolutePunk.net,[6] and more mainstream publications such as Spin.com.[7] In 2009, the song "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" was featured as part of the soundtrack of the video games Skate 2 and Skate It.

A 4-song EP titled Señor and the Queen was released on February 5, 2008, through Sabot Productions. A double-7" vinyl version of the EP was also released on standard black vinyl, as well as limited edition pressings on clear vinyl, red vinyl (500 copies), and white vinyl (100 copies).

The '59 Sound and breakthrough (2008–2010)

The band's second album, The '59 Sound, was released on August 19, 2008, through SideOneDummy Records.[8] The record was produced by Ted Hutt and features Hot Water Music's Chris Wollard and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Dicky Barrett as guests. The album was voted the No. 1 album of 2008 by eMusic,[9] and received a high rating from Pitchfork Media.[10]

The first song on the album, "Great Expectations", references the character Estella from the Charles Dickens novel of the same title. In 2008, the band covered "God's Gonna Cut You Down" for the Johnny Cash tribute album All Aboard! A Tribute to Johnny Cash.[11]

On August 6, 2008, the band made British music history becoming the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the magazine having previously written about them. Kerrang! called them "The best new band you'll hear in 2008."[12] In addition, the band received airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music,[13] and embarked on a UK and European tour in November.[12] In August 2009, The Gaslight Anthem won the 2009 Kerrang! Award for "Best International Newcomer".[14]

In 2009, the Gaslight Anthem supported Social Distortion on their European tour and was announced as a supporting act for Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park Calling.[15] The band performed at Pinkpop on June 1, 2009. At the Glastonbury Festival on June 27, 2009, Springsteen joined the band on stage during their performance of "The '59 Sound." Brian Fallon later contributed to Springsteen's headlining set, performing the song "No Surrender."[16] At London's Hard Rock Calling festival on June 28, Springsteen again joined the band to perform "The '59 Sound", and Fallon again joined Springsteen in singing "No Surrender." The Gaslight Anthem subsequently performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 7, 2009.

American Slang (2010–2011)

The band's third album, titled American Slang, was released on June 14, 2010, in the UK and June 15, 2010, in the USA Kerrang! The Gaslight Anthem name new album. According to frontman Brian Fallon, the songwriting on the new album was different than on the band's previous efforts. He named the Rolling Stones, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, and Derek and the Dominos as influences.[17]

In addition to five UK dates, the band played at festivals including Bonnaroo Festival, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Southside Festival, Hurricane Festival, Hard Rock Calling, Rock Werchter, The Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts,[18] A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise, Reading and Leeds Festivals[19] and Øyafestivalen.[20]

The Gaslight Anthem toured the UK and Europe at the end of 2010 with support from Chuck Ragan and Sharks.[21] They performed two songs from American Slang on Episode 6, Series 37 of Later... with Jools Holland, originally broadcast in the UK on October 22, 2010.[22]

The Gaslight Anthem at Trädgår'n in Göteborg, Sweden, April 6, 2013.

Handwritten (2012–2013)

In July 2010, Fallon said he was already working on new material for a fourth album.[23] Subsequently, Fallon stated on his blog that the band would start writing their record in January 2011.[24] However, prior to playing on Pinkpop in June 2011, Fallon stated that they had just started working on the new album and that it would not be released for at least a few months.[25] In the same interview Fallon said only one song was finished so far, referring to Biloxi Parish which they performed on stage at Pinkpop 2011 as well as Rock Am Ring. Fallon stated that the band's next record would sound closer to their breakthrough record, The '59 Sound, rather than American Slang.[26] During this time, Fallon was also working with good friend Ian Perkins on their side project, The Horrible Crowes.

On October 6, 2011, the Gaslight Anthem announced via Facebook that they had signed with Mercury Records. They stated that they were sorry to leave their friends at SideOneDummy, but felt that the change was necessary for their musical career. On October 14, 2011, the band announced that their last show before going into the studio to record their new album would be on December 9, 2011, at the Asbury Park Convention Hall.[27]

On February 22, 2012, the band's Twitter feed announced the forthcoming album would be titled Handwritten.[28] The album was released on July 20, 2012, in Germany, July 23 in the UK, and July 24 in the US.

On September 21, 2012, in Pensacola, Florida, the Gaslight Anthem performed Pearl Jam's "State of Love and Trust" live at DeLuna Fest with Eddie Vedder on vocals. On November 30, 2012, the last of three nights in a row at New York City's Terminal 5 venue, Fallon announced that they would be releasing a live DVD of the previous night's show.

Get Hurt (2014–2015)

The band announced on July 4, 2013, via their Tumblr site, that they were "Working on new songs for a new Gaslight Anthem album in 2014."[29] Fallon cites Pearl Jam's No Code album as an influence and inspiration for the upcoming album.[30]

On July 29, 2013, rumors about the band’s hiatus peaked from a Tumblr post by Brian Fallon. After playing a show in New York City, he explained his frustration about audiences continually requesting Bruce Springsteen covers. “My name isn’t Bruce,” he added.[31]

The band released a limited edition box set titled Singles Collection: 2008-2011 in June 2013. The set compiled nine of the band's 7" singles in a wooden box. In December 2013 the band released their first DVD, titled Live in London, and one month later in January 2014 they released The B-Sides, a collection of acoustic songs, live songs, and outtakes from their various singles.

On March 10, 2014,[32] the band entered Blackbird Studios in Nashville[33] to record their fifth album.[32] The band stated on April 14 that they had arrived at the "last week in the studio" of recording the album.[34]

In an interview with Rolling Stone published May 23, 2014, Fallon described the new record as "completely different than anything we had ever done before. Instead of going that extra step of just adding some organ or some background vocals, this time we actually really changed up a lot of the sounds."[35]

On June 16, 2014, the title of the album was announced as Get Hurt. It was released on August 12, 2014.[36] On July 24, 2014, the music video for the title track debuted.

In 2014, the album's bonus track ("Once Upon a Time") was featured in the 20th Century Fox film Devil's Due.

Indefinite hiatus and The '59 Sound anniversary tour (2015–2021)

On July 29, 2015, the band announced an indefinite hiatus following their European summer tour in support of Get Hurt, which concluded at Reading Festival on Sunday 30 August.[1]

Two and a half years later, on January 3, 2018, it was revealed that the band would be reuniting for Governors Ball Music Festival held on Randall's Island in New York City.[37] The band later announced that they were briefly reuniting for a string of shows celebrating the 10th Anniversary of The '59 Sound.[38] Regarding the decision, Brian Fallon noted, "The big thing between us was let's just do what's fun. So if it's heavy-handed and not that cool, then let's not do it. But we all feel that this is an important record to not only us, but to the people that love it. I would not be on the phone talking about my Sleepwalkers record had it not been for The '59 Sound.".[39]

Fallon stated, however, that the band would not be working on new material during the reunion: "I think Green Day's American Idiot is probably the best comeback or mid-career record that any band has done. So if I was sitting on American Idiot level stuff, then I might push for the, 'Hey guys, maybe we should try these songs out.' But I'm not sitting on that. I don't have a Born to Run in me."[39] Fallon elaborated, "People will always say, 'Why are you doing a solo record?' And I'm like, 'because I don't have anything to say with Gaslight'. Those five records, that's what you got. That’s the piece. I feel it's a lot like The Replacements. There's no new music because that's all Paul Westerberg and the band has to say. When the book is over, it's over. And I have like... four-and-a-half records I’m really proud of."[40]

In June 2018, the band released The 59 Sound Sessions, a 10th anniversary album of nine early versions and B-sides from The '59 Sound.[41] They then celebrated this milestone with a tour through North America and Europe.[42][43] After the tour's completion, the band reentered its indefinite hiatus, with Brian Fallon releasing two further solo albums, Local Honey (2020) and Night Divine (2021).

Reunion and History Books (2022–present)

On March 25, 2022, the band announced on Instagram that it was reuniting and working on its sixth studio album, with Brian Fallon posting: "I am very pleased to announce to you all that The Gaslight Anthem is returning to full time status as a band. We’ll be announcing a lot of tour dates in the next couple of days. We’re also beginning to write new songs for what will be our sixth LP. We’re very much looking forward to the future and seeing you all again. We want to thank you for staying with us. Stay tuned!"[44][45]

Brian Fallon and Ian Perkins, members of the Gaslight Anthem, performing onstage at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado (October 2, 2023)

A world tour was announced on March 28, with dates across Europe, the UK, and the United States. The tour began at the Columbiahalle in Berlin, Germany, on August 9, 2022, and concluded on October 8, 2022, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey,[46] with another round of tour dates across North America throughout May 2023 being announced in February 2023.[47] In December 2022, the band shared on their social media that they had begun recording their sixth studio album.[48][49] On April 28, 2023, the band released a single, "Positive Charge". It marks their first new music in nine years.[50]

Brian Fallon and Brittany Luna (lead singer of the Catbite band) on stage at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, Colorado, during the Gaslight Anthem's fall 2023 tour

On July 21, 2023, the band announced its first studio album in nine years, History Books, which was released on October 27, 2023. The announcement was accompanied by a single of the same name, featuring a guest vocal appearance from Bruce Springsteen. The collaboration came about after the two met up in 2021 and discussed the possibility of Fallon reviving the band, with Springsteen later suggesting that Fallon write them a duet for a prospective project with the band. Of the song and collaboration, Fallon said, "There’s a definitely a little wink in there," alluding to the longstanding comparisons made between the band's sound and Springsteen's. "It’s like 'Now write this off,' we've got the approval of the guy! What are you going to say? You can't say anything!"[51] "Little Fires" was released as the album's third single on September 5, 2023.

Description and influences

The New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica described the band as "part of a rich tradition of New Jersey punk, spanning the Misfits to the Bouncing Souls."[52] The Gaslight Anthem's music also embraces many elements of the Jersey Shore sound. Brian Fallon's fondness for Bruce Springsteen has been considered a significant influence on the band's music; however, the band have claimed that they never set out to intentionally sound like him.[53] Representative of such views, one critic wrote, "The Gaslight Anthem are like something out of speculative fiction: this is what pop music would be if Springsteen hadn't listened to his producer, let the Ramones record Hungry Heart, and launched the C.B.G.B.'ers into megastardom."[54] Drummer Benny Horowitz and guitarist Alex Rosamilia stated that they are "more Bruce Springsteen appreciators", and that they "didn't start listening to him until [they] joined the band."[55]

Following the release of their third album, American Slang, Fallon himself said, "There's so much else that we look at for our sound and influences that you don't want to be notched in with one guy... There's a lot of things [Springsteen] does that I admire. We come from a lot of the same places but a lot of different places, too. But at the same time, that's a good thing to be compared to. I think it's one of those things we're gonna have to wear until it wears out."[56] Of the Springsteen comparisons, Rosamilia added, "I think there's enough out there on the Internet about that already."[57]

The song "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" is a tribute to Joe Strummer, who has been spoken about and referenced by lead singer Brian Fallon often. Similarly, Tom Petty is referenced in several songs, either by name or through references to particular songs of his. The band has covered Petty's "American Girl" and "Refugee" live.[58] As a bonus track for the deluxe version of Handwritten, the Gaslight Anthem covered the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song "You Got Lucky".

Band members

Current members

  • Brian Fallon – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Alex Rosamilia – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Alex Levine – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Benny Horowitz – drums, percussion

Current touring musicians

  • Ian Perkins – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2010–2015, 2018, 2022–present)
  • Bryan Haring – keyboards, backing vocals (2022–present)

Former members

  • Mike Volpe – lead guitar (2006)

Discography

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Gaslight Anthem 'Taking a Break' After Tour". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  2. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem announce new album, release single with Bruce…". Kerrang!. July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Earlier bands". Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ Hann, Michael (August 9, 2012). "The Gaslight Anthem: 'Fans look up to us. That's creepy'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem: Sink or Swim". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  6. ↑ Good, Tom (June 25, 2007). "Gaslight Anthem, The – Sink Or Swim". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  7. ↑ Apar, Corey (August 3, 2007). "The Gaslight Anthem". Spin Magazine Online. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  8. ↑ Conoley, Ben."Gaslight Anthem Have Got Soul", Exclaim!, September 2008.
  9. ↑ "The Best Albums of 2008". emusic. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  10. ↑ Breihan, Tom (November 25, 2008). "The '59 Sound". Pitchforkmedia. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  11. ↑
  12. 1 2 "Kerrang! The Gaslight Anthem return to the UK". Kerrang Magazine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  13. ↑ "BBC – 6 Music – 6 Music Chart". BBC. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
  14. ↑ "News – The 2009 Kerrang! Awards winners". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on August 6, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem to support Bruce Springsteen". Idiomag.com. February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Glastonbury bows down to The Boss". BBC News. June 28, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  17. ↑ ""Signature Sounds" Cover Story July 2010". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  18. ↑ "The Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts". Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Guns N' Roses, Arcade Fire and Blink-182 to headline Reading And Leeds Festivals 2010". NME.
  20. ↑ "Øyafestivalen 2020". Oyafestivalen.no. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  21. ↑ Satvir Bhamra (August 17, 2010). "Amplified. – Sharks added to The Gaslight Anthem tour". Amplified.tv. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Later... with Jools Holland, BBC official website". BBC. October 22, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Music News - Toronto Concerts, Reviews & Interviews | Toronto Sun".
  24. ↑ "Cassettes in the Mailbox: The Band is Blowing Dixie, Double Four Time..." Cassettesinthemailbox.blogspot.com. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Brian and Alex in a radio interview on Pinkpop for 3FM". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  26. ↑ O'Donnell, Kevin. "Gaslight's Brian Fallon on "Radical" Side-Project". Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  27. ↑ "New Show Added". Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  28. ↑ The Gaslight Anthem [@gaslightanthem] (February 23, 2012). "We're gonna call our new record "Handwritten." Can't wait for you to hear" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ "Europe 2013 Summer Tour Coming to a Close". The Gaslight Anthem. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  30. ↑ Steve Baltin (December 17, 2012). "Gaslight Anthem Singer: It 'Might Be the Weird Album Coming Up' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  31. ↑ Brain Fallon (July 29, 2013). "Tonight You Have Broken My Heart". Tumblr. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  32. 1 2 alex levine [@alexgaslight] (March 10, 2014). "Now it's time to make a record!!! @gaslightanthem #Day1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ↑ "Alex Rosamilia – Instagram". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  34. ↑ The Gaslight Anthem [@gaslightanthem] (April 14, 2014). "Last week in the studio and nearing the finish line!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem Head to Nashville for 'Completely Different' LP". Rolling Stone. May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  36. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem". The Gaslight Anthem. June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Lineup". The Governors Ball Music Festival. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  38. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem". Retrieved January 3, 2018 – via Facebook.
  39. 1 2 "Brian Fallon on New Solo Album 'Sleepwalkers,' Gaslight Anthem Reunion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  40. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (February 9, 2018). "The quiet, eventual optimism of Brian Fallon". Theindependent.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  41. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem announce The '59 Sound Sessions, featuring unreleased tracks". Consequence of Sound. May 23, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  42. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem - Artist profile". Eventseeker.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  43. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem to reunite for The '59 Sound 10th anniversary tour". Consequence of Sound. January 29, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  44. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem". Instagram.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  45. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem on Instagram". Instagram. March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  46. ↑ Lugen, Mikala (March 28, 2022). "THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM ANNOUNCE FIRST HEADLINING WORLD TOUR IN FOUR YEARS". Volume Utah. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  47. ↑ Staff (February 14, 2023). "The Gaslight Anthem Announce 2023 Tour Dates". The Rock Revival. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Brian Fallon on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  49. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem Kick Out the Optimistic Jams in New Song 'Positive Charge'". MSN. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  51. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel. "The Gaslight Anthem Share New Song "History Books" Featuring Bruce Springsteen". Stereogum. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  52. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (June 18, 2010). "A New Dawn Breaks for the Gaslight Anthem". The New York Times.
  53. ↑ Levack, Chandler (July 12, 2010). "For The Gaslight". The Star. Toronto.
  54. ↑ "Review of 'Senor and the Queen.'" Sobriquet Magazine Record Reviews, May 12, 2008
  55. ↑ "Setting the Stage on Fire – The Gaslight Anthem". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011.
  56. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem Talks Springsteen Comparisons, 'American Slang' Success". Billboard.com. July 12, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  57. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem | Music & Clubs | Metro Newspapers". Metroactive.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  58. ↑ Ambrose, Anthony. "inTuneMusic Online: The Gaslight Anthem / Pela / Good Old War @ Asbury Park 5/9". Archived from the original on July 10, 2012.
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