Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires deliver their raucous brand of Southern Rock to the people, as their U.S. tour kicks off this week in support of recent single “Sweet Disorder” and Dereconstructed the group’s acclaimed 2014 album.
Got yer tickets but you just can’t wait for the show? Have a listen to the album right over here.
The voyage begins tomorrow night, September 25th in Lexington, KY at Cosmic Charlies and has been extended through Saturday, November 7th in Whitesburg, KY at Appalshop. The group will also be joined by Saddle Creek recording artists Pujol for select dates (as you’ll see below).
Single “Sweet Disorder!” was produced by Tim Kerr, cut by Jeremy Ferguson, mixed by Bains and Ferguson at Battletapes in Nashville, TN. The b-side, “Stars,” a Primitons cover, was recorded by Lee on Lee’s phone in Atlanta, GA and shined up by Ferguson, also at Battletapes.
Both “Sweet Disorder!” and Dereconstructed are available for purchase from Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and your friendly neighborhood record shop.
What do The People have to say about Dereconstructed?
“Dereconstructed, the band’s second album, ponders Southern identity in a welter of cranked-up guitars, bristling drums and rasping, hollering vocals. It’s pandemonium with a conscience.” - New York Times
“A terrific album.” [4/5 Stars] - The Guardian
“If there’s one tradition Bains and the Glory Fires unquestioningly uphold, it’s the Friday-night custom of burning down the house.” - NPR Music
“It’s a dirty-sounding album, full of scuzzy red-line guitars and overdriven vocals, but even all that speaker-busting grit doesn’t hide the alluring melodies Bains threads among the mayhem.” - Paste
“Bains likes to rock. He and the Glory Fires wrap his commentaries, ruminations, and invective in what he calls “real Alabama rock ’n’ roll,” a raging burnpile of garage and Southern rock, dirty, supercharged blues and soul, Stonesy groove, Crazy Horse howl, and punk slam. With these songs, Bains surely wants to make you think; he surely will make you shake.” - The Boston Globe
Bains hails from Birmingham, a city torn apart by some of the South’s most tragic events, and the singer isn’t shy about assailing the shortcomings and flaws, while also delivering a dose of don’t-forget-where-you’re-from pride. It’s fiercely intelligent stuff with a raucous sound.” [Best Album of 2014] - Garden & Gun
Tour Dates:
Sep. 25 - Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlies* Sep. 26 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar* Sep. 27 - Champaign, IL - Pygmalion Festival Sep. 28 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle * Sep. 29 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme * Sep. 30 - Detroit, MI - UFO Factory * Oct. 01 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose * Oct. 02 - Lancaster, PA - Lizard Lounge * Oct. 03 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right * Oct. 04 - Providence, RI - Aurora * Oct. 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie * Oct. 06 - Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant Street Oct. 07 - Washington DC - Black Cat (Backstage)* Oct. 08 - Harrisonburg, VA - Clementine Cafe * Oct. 09 - Charlotte, NC - Milestone Oct. 10 - Greenville, SC - Fall For Greenville Oct. 20 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry’s Oct. 21 - Little Rock, AR - White Water Tavern Oct. 22 - Dallas, TX - Three Links Oct. 23 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger Oct. 24 - Austin, TX - Mohawk Oct. 25 - Houston, TX - Walter’s Oct. 26 - Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea’s Oct. 27 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia Oct. 28 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder * Oct. 29 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub * Oct. 30 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar Oct. 31 - Jacksonville, FL - Burro Bar * Nov. 01 - Gainesville, FL - The FEST Nov. 05 - Raleigh, NC - Slim’s Nov. 06- Richmond, VA - The Extravaganza @ Broadberry Nov. 07 - Whitesburg, KY - Appalshop * w/ Pujol
For more information + ticket links, please go here.
Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Sub Pop roster: Mass Gothic, the
Massachusetts-bred, NYC-based outfit, has signed with Sub Pop Records for a
worldwide deal and we’re pretty damn stoked about it.
The group, led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Noel Heroux
will release its label debut (and tour extensively to support it) sometime in
2016. More specific details will be forthcoming soon. Mass Gothic will make its
official live debut at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York this October.
More about Mass Gothic:
Noel Heroux grew up outside of
Boston, Mass. He began playing piano at a very early age, and started writing
and recording music in his early teens.
In 2005, he formed an early version of the rock band Hooray
for Earth, playing shows and self-releasing early demo recordings locally.
Heroux initially started the band as a solo project, but it quickly morphed
into a full-fledged band effort upon the release of its debut EP in 2008. In
Hooray for Earth’s brief career, the group recorded two full-length LPs
and two EPs, before calling it quits in 2014.
Mass Gothic finds Heroux at the helm writing and recording all of its material,
augmented by a full band in studio and on stage. Mass Gothic will release its
Sub Pop debut in 2016, with extensive touring to follow.
Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas From Your Friends at the Sub Pop Airport Store:
Imagine this scenario: You arrive at the airport, on your way to see relatives for the holiday season. You have already bought and packed presents for each family member, when panic strikes. You have forgotten someone. You remember the stray facts from half-remembered phone conversations with loved ones this last year. Your sister had triplets; your cousin returned from the Peace Corps; your estranged uncle has been welcomed back for Christmas; grandma has a new boyfriend that she’s introducing to the family.
If you are traveling in or out of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week, there’s no need to fear. Your friends at the Sub Pop airport store have you covered for last-minute gifts. Here are just a few that you can pick up at the store (while supplies last):
Loser Editions of Your Favorite Records:
Did you know that first pressings of new Sub Pop LPs are usually done on colored vinyl? We call this the “Loser Edition,” and the airport store always has a steady supply of the newest releases. You could take home Beach House’s Thank Your Lucky Stars (ultra rare glitter vinyl AND green vinyl), Deaf Wish’s Pain (clear with black), Flake Music’s When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return (orange vinyl), and/or many other varieties for people with differing musical/color tastes. Just look for the gold ‘Loser’ sticker on the front of each LP.
Sleater-Kinney Box Set:
Are you tired of scanning the resale market for last year’s Sleater-Kinney box set, Start Together? After thinking we sold out of box sets last winter, we stumbled upon a few more in a supply closet. Are we the last brick n’ mortar store in the world to have these in stock? Possibly. Do you want the hottest box set from last year, for this year? Here is your chance! We also still have a few Deluxe editions of this year’s superb No Cities to Love LP if you want to go all out and complete the discography.
‘Tis the Drinkin’ Season:
Now that I’m an adult, I’ve learned an important secret about the holidays: they are primarily made tolerable by alcohol. With that in mind, the airport store has plenty of options for you and your lushy-loved ones. Might you consider a Sub Pop branded Stanley flask, so your aunt can always have a supply of peppermint schnapps? And what about later, when you and your siblings want to do shots after dinner talk turns political? There are the always fashionable “Loser” and “Winner” shot glasses in-stock at the store. And why not plan ahead for the morning after, when you’ll need copious amounts of caffeine to feel human again? We also have our own Sub Pop roast of Lighthouse Coffee available for purchase.
Mark Arm Bobbleheads:
What’s a perfect gift for the Mudhoney-loving family member who has everything? We suggest purchasing the brand new Mark Arm bobblehead, er, I mean, ‘throbblehead.’ Who doesn’t want a little buddy to rock out with when you’re spinning all those classic records?
Dank Crystal Candles:
Are you unsure about what to get your quiet relative, the one who usually spends the whole holiday party holed up in his or her room? The airport store is proud to carry Dank Crystal candles in many different scents, each designed to enhance the aura of every room and delicately cover up even the dankest of odors. But what makes the Dank Crystal unique in the crowded candle market? Well, aside from being handmade by Sub Pop’s own Bekah Zietz, each candle has its own purified crystal inside. A Dank Crystal is the perfect present for ensuring some calm and relaxing vibes to conclude the year.
This just represents a small sample of gift ideas you’ll find at the store. We also have countless other items for the Christmas, late-Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa gift-giving season. So, remember to give yourself extra time at the airport for these next few weeks and stop by the Sub Pop airport store. Sales associates are standing by, eager to help all you slackers find the perfect last-minute present.
Ones and Sixes has earned Low international acclaim from the likes of NPR Music, Under the Radar, The Guardian, DIY, Q, MOJO, Uncut, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, CLASH, The Sunday Times, and more. And the band are the current cover stars of MAGNET’s September issue, interviewed by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon (view cover / read an excerpt of the story here).
Low’s previously announced North American and European tour in support of Ones and Sixes, begins September 18th in Madison, WI and ends November 21st in Seattle, WA. (see below for dates + ticket links)
Ones and Sixes is available for purchase from the Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. [ Loser edition LPs are sold out in the Mega Mart (sorry and thank you!), so head to your local purveyor of fine vinyl records today if you want to snag a Loser Edition LP on that stunning yellow vinyl. ] Whatever format you get - you’re ears will thank you.
[ photo by Zoran Orlic ]
Tour Dates
Sep. 18 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon* Sep. 19 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall* Sep. 21 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club* Sep. 22 - Montreal, QC - Bar Le Ritz PDB* Sep. 23 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall* Sep. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg* Sep. 25 - Hamden, Connecticut – The Ballroom at The Outer Space* Sep. 26 - Washington, DC - Black Cat* Oct. 07 - Manchester, UK - Cathedral ^ Oct. 08 - Glasgow, UK - Art School = Oct. 10 - London, UK - Roundhouse ^ Oct. 12 - Koln, DE - Gebaude 9 = Oct. 13 - Hamburg, DE – Knust = Oct. 14 - Copenhagen, DK – Vega = Oct. 15 - Stockholm, SE – Kagelbanan = Oct. 17 - Berlin, DE – Lido = Oct. 19 - Munich, DE – Ampere = Oct. 20 - Bologna, IT - Teatro Antoniano = Oct. 22 - Zaragoza, ES - Las Armas = Oct. 23 - Barcelona, ES – Bikini = Oct. 24 - Valencia, ES - Deleste Festival Oct. 26 - Madrid, ES - Teatro Lara = Oct. 27 - Santander, ES – Escenario = Oct. 29 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso ^ Oct. 30 – Tourcoing, FR – Le Grand Mix = Oct. 31 - Brussels, BE – AB + Nov. 02 – Paris, FR – Le Divan du Monde = Nov. 11 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue* Nov. 12 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge* Nov. 13 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge* Nov. 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex* Nov. 16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour* Nov. 18 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall* Nov. 20 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir* Nov. 21 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile* Feb. 01 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
* w/ Andy Shauf ^ w/ Two Gallants + w/ Chelsea Wolfe = w/ Mike Noga
Luluc’s previously announced west coast and southeastern U.S. trek in support of album Passerby kicks-off tomorrow night, Thursday, September 17th in Seattle, WA at The Sunset and ends October 2nd in New Orleans, LA at Republic. (see dates below) Additionally, the band will act as main support for Jose Gonzalez (September 28th-October 2nd).
Passerby is currently available from Sub Pop and of course from your friendly neighborhood record store.
The album has earned Luluc international praise from the likes ofNPR Music’s “First Listen” & “All Songs Considered,” No Depression, Bust, RollingStone.com, MOJO, Magnet, Stereogum, Exclaim, Drowned in Sound, The Line of Best Fit, CLASH, Tone, All Music Guide, My Old Kentucky Blog, Mess + Noise, Double J, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio (AU), and more. At radio,Passerby peaked at #8 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart.
What “They” have to say about Luluc:
“Passerby provides a tremendous introduction to a band whose deliberate impeccability never feels staid or fussy. It helps that The National’s Aaron Dessner, who knows a little something about impeccability, leaves his fingerprints all over these songs: He produced Passerby with Randell and Hassett, and he provides a good bit of the rich but spare backing instrumentation throughout. Dessner and Luluc both know how and when to let a song breathe.” [First Listen] -NPR Music
“Passerby is gorgeous and refined through and through, and likely to sound as timeless as all that great stuff Joe Boyd himself produced back in the late ‘60s.” [Review] - Rolling Stone.com
“Luluc has indie credentials to spare, but all that really matters is that this music is impossibly delicate and deeply beautiful.” [Review, 8/10] - MAGNET
“Strikes all the right chords: spectral melodies, buttery harmonies, and a blissful melancholia that hints at Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel without going to far into either territory. Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett might have created the year’s most addictive record to dates; from the predawn flutter of Opener “Small Window” to the shimmering heat of “Early Night” and “Star,” every track onPasserby begs to played again and again, preferably in the dusky sunlight of late summer.” [5/5 Review] - BUST
“[It] captures the band’s homespun charm in its main melody which sits over spindly strings that move like ripples in still water.” [“Without a Face”] - Stereogum
Tour Dates Sep. 17 - Seattle - Sunset Tavern Sep. 20 - Portland - Mississippi Studios Sep. 22 - San Francisco - Brick & Mortar Music Hall Sep. 23 - LA - The Echo Sep. 26 - San Diego - UCSD Loft Sep. 28 - Hollywood, FL - ArtsPark Amphitheater* Sep. 29 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre * Sep. 30 - Orlando, FL - The Social * Oct. 01 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse * Oct. 02- New Orleans LA - Republic * *w/ Jose Gonzalez
No Fly List: Notes From the Airport Store (September 2015)
People Are Still Asking Us Who We Are and Why Are We Here
“A Sub Pop store? At the airport?”
This is a common refrain we hear, as the store wraps up its second summer at Sea-Tac Airport. For the percentage of travelers who are familiar with Sub Pop, the idea of having a store (and placing said-store in the airport) is usually met with astonishment and/or incredulousness.
I’d say this happens for two reasons. The first being that for people of a certain age and/or mindset, Sub Pop is associated with a very specific slacker/grunge/anti-establishment sentiment, and the blatant money-grab of a store in an airport is the final cause célèbre that the label has *shudder* sold-out.
If there was a specific blueprint laid out 27 years ago, that planned the existence of a store in an airport, I haven’t found it yet. But there is retail precedence for the label, and in my mind, the audacious idea of having a store in the airport is very much in keeping with Sub Pop’s motto of ‘spanning the globe for profit,’ along with a history of garish displays of ego, such as planting our flag on the goddamn Space Needle.
(I’d also say that this mock derision is the least-likely response to seeing the store in-person, behind curiosity, excitement, and blissful ignorance.)
The second reason is that a lot of people treat the airport as a non-place. (If you need time to brush up on the anthropology of super-modernity and non-places, I’ll be here waiting.) Essentially, no one visits the airport willingly; it exists solely to funnel people to their final destination, where they really want to go; airports do not need to reflect history or culture because people only come to the airport in order to leave.
After being open for 16 months, I’m able to say that we’re slowly changing people’s expectations of what an airport store can do. While we receive our fair share of surprised travelers every day, we also meet people who actively seek out the store. Every day I hear a different story. Yesterday, there was a woman flying from Buenos Aires to Montreal, who specifically chose Seattle as her layover in order to see the store. Last week, a couple told us that they plan on getting married (!!!) in-front of the store one day, before running off (or in this case, flying away) to Mexico. I even see familiar faces and repeat visitors, which at the start of this job, I would not have expected. People from all different corners of the Earth converge on the store, and sometimes, a little piece of Sub Pop goes home with them. If that’s not ‘World Domination,’ I don’t know what is.
So, as a busy summer draws to a close, I want to say thank you to everyone who visited us, including the avid fans, the suspicious onlookers, and the curious people who had no idea what Sub Pop was until they wandered into the store. We look forward to your next visit, where we will probably try to convince you to buy more things (but in a totally non-pushy way).
