It's been ok being back in NYC as the pollen exploded all around us (achoo/sniffle).
We are hitting the road today for Cleveland's Beachland.
Can't wait.
-Tom
ps- here are some random tour photos...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
UPDATED TOUR PRESS
People have been writing about us and our tour.
Listen up. I'm only going to say this once: Action Painters are the best band in New York... Latest single release "456" comes with an EP Lay That Cable and a spring tour. I shouldn't need to encourage you to see this band. But I will anyways: go see this band. They are probably in your town. As for "456," it is the band's biggest work to date. The scope is utterly enormous.
On Wednesday, Action Panthers from good old Brooklyn, NY, are gonna rock the Beachland. These folks are pretty cool, with a nice indie rock sound that isn't too minimalist. I've been digging these guys since the dudes at Citizen Dick blogged about them last month, and was stoked to see them making their way into town. Allison Zatarain, is a serious contender for my indie rock crush of the week. Not only is she cute and a good writer, but her name reminds me of Cajun food, which is totally awesome.)
Their 2007 debut, Chubby Dancer, is solid all the way through, at times wearing post-punk influences shamelessly well, at others shedding them and showing off an original brand of sunny guitar pop that might have lingered and transformed in the night.
It's a sound that should resonate perfectly in the walls of the Southside's Lava Lounge, where they’re playing Thursday night [Apr 30] with Triggers.
Action Painters have been getting a fair amount of buzz lately... it is clear what the buzz is about when you listen to the music - it is undeniably catchy, yet still rough around the edges, exactly what we want from our ‘indie’ rock. Synths add a vintage touch. I don’t think I’ve ever warmed to a band so quickly!
Pasta Prima-Baltimore
Pasta Prima-Baltimore
It’s Friday night in Baltimore and there’s plenty to see! The Metro Gallery has a good one with Action Painters...
Vinyl Visions- Baltimore
Vinyl Visions- Baltimore
The band's style is similar to that of Julius Airwave, but the amount of energy in their songs set them apart from most groups that share their style.
Brightest Young Things- Washington, DC
Brightest Young Things- Washington, DC
Need some action? Action Painters frontman Tom Haslow won’t let you down. But don’t come just for the eye candy (see also: Allison Zatarain on keyboards), not that there’s anything wrong with that. Come for the total package — um, no pun intended — just a little raw and just below the radar.
Some cool indie rock from Brooklyn just landed on my desk and thought I’d share a track with y’all. These guys are on a big ol’ US tour including a stop here in Philly on Saturday night at the North Star Bar with my pals East Hundred
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Our sincere thanks to everyone who came out to see us the last few days, especially the Philly maniacs who made our first show there so epic. Each of the last four shows was amazing in its own way. This phase is just beginning for us and it's a beautiful thing that we have discovered.
Being in hot and dirty NYC is way less exciting than it should be.
-Tom
Being in hot and dirty NYC is way less exciting than it should be.
-Tom
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Day 4 of the tour found us in Philadelphia, PA, home of liberty, independence, colonial flags, and sweet sweet colon bombs. We bid a warm fondue to Casa Hankin in the afternoon and rolled into Philly, where, because we're tourists and don't have the sense God gave a danged grasshopper, we proceeded to chow down on delicious, greasy-ass cheesesteaks on Market Street and completely cripple ourselves for the next several hours. (Occasionally I tease Allison about being a vegetarian -- after that, never again.)
The afternoon in Philly was gorgeous -- hot and sunny and amenable to the rabble-rousing that was happening in front of Independence Hall. We took a pleasant walk around Olde City, probably the only neighborhood in America that can legitimately put an e at the end of "Old." Lessons learned: a) unlike New York, which spaces out its squares (Union, Herald, Times, etc.) every twenty blocks or so, Philadelphia decided to put all of its squares in a single, centralized square district; b) if you lose your metronome, consider getting a horse and putting it on a treadmill; c) when you don't know what you're looking at or talking about, every building's stairs look just like the stairs from Rocky.
North Star Bar is a really kick-ass venue. It's huge, it's got a sweet balcony, it's got a cozy green room downstairs (which was blissfully cool, considering we rocked the main room up to about 130 degrees and 400% humidity), and errebody's real friendly. The place was packed, the crowd was fired up, and we melted some faces. East Hundred, our band-friends who hooked us up down Philly-way, played a fearsomely tight set right after us and brought the place down. We were glad to see some familiar faces that night, including Ray's ladyfriend Cameron and her ladyfriends; Amit's buddy Todd from Holy Land days; and my high school friend Adam, who I used to tool around the B-more suburbs with, driving a ridiculous white minivan and generally acting a fool.
We're back in NYC for a couple days and then it's off to the heartland: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and points west, south, and sort of east. (We're just setting the GPS to the intersection of Bread Basket and Rust Belt and seeing where it takes us.)
--Joe
The afternoon in Philly was gorgeous -- hot and sunny and amenable to the rabble-rousing that was happening in front of Independence Hall. We took a pleasant walk around Olde City, probably the only neighborhood in America that can legitimately put an e at the end of "Old." Lessons learned: a) unlike New York, which spaces out its squares (Union, Herald, Times, etc.) every twenty blocks or so, Philadelphia decided to put all of its squares in a single, centralized square district; b) if you lose your metronome, consider getting a horse and putting it on a treadmill; c) when you don't know what you're looking at or talking about, every building's stairs look just like the stairs from Rocky.
North Star Bar is a really kick-ass venue. It's huge, it's got a sweet balcony, it's got a cozy green room downstairs (which was blissfully cool, considering we rocked the main room up to about 130 degrees and 400% humidity), and errebody's real friendly. The place was packed, the crowd was fired up, and we melted some faces. East Hundred, our band-friends who hooked us up down Philly-way, played a fearsomely tight set right after us and brought the place down. We were glad to see some familiar faces that night, including Ray's ladyfriend Cameron and her ladyfriends; Amit's buddy Todd from Holy Land days; and my high school friend Adam, who I used to tool around the B-more suburbs with, driving a ridiculous white minivan and generally acting a fool.
We're back in NYC for a couple days and then it's off to the heartland: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and points west, south, and sort of east. (We're just setting the GPS to the intersection of Bread Basket and Rust Belt and seeing where it takes us.)
--Joe
Baltimore Pixxx
Joe here. Just adding a couple of pictures to Ray's account of our night in Baltimore:
On stage at Metro Gallery, Baltimore, Md. The backdrop was a crazy painting!
Departing from Casa Hankin. My dad doesn't actually report for the New York Herald circa 1932, that's just the only hat he has.
On stage at Metro Gallery, Baltimore, Md. The backdrop was a crazy painting!
Departing from Casa Hankin. My dad doesn't actually report for the New York Herald circa 1932, that's just the only hat he has.
Action Painters bassist/ghost writer Ray here.
Night three of the tour brought us to the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Right after unloading we gave an interview to B'more blog Vinyl Visions (whose writers had to talk their way in after they were turned away for being under 21). Pretty in-depth stuff, too; we covered everything from favorite food to the difference between a Venn diagram and a Van diagram, the latter being who gets shotgun on the looming nine hour drive to Athens, OH.
We played against the backdrop of artist Brian C. Baker's ethereal painting series Soulforms, whose massive scale fit the giant gallery space just right. Nice turnout since the show doubled as AP guitarist/local hero Joe Hankin's homecoming (big ups once again to the 'rents, Craig and Esther Hankin).
Loaded out, drank down the street at Club Charles, piled back in the van and headed to Paper Moon for a 2 AM early/late breakfast with Joe's electron microscopist buddy Ned, called it a night.
So now it's on to Philly for cheesesteak and cheap beer. I promise I will blackout by the end of the night since my girl Cameron will be in attendance, and today she turns 23! It is impossible to outdrink a birthday girl, although I will give it my all.
On a serious note I've gotta say RIP Bea Arthur from our very own Golden Girls superfan and keyboardist Allison.
Come on Philly.
Night three of the tour brought us to the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Right after unloading we gave an interview to B'more blog Vinyl Visions (whose writers had to talk their way in after they were turned away for being under 21). Pretty in-depth stuff, too; we covered everything from favorite food to the difference between a Venn diagram and a Van diagram, the latter being who gets shotgun on the looming nine hour drive to Athens, OH.
We played against the backdrop of artist Brian C. Baker's ethereal painting series Soulforms, whose massive scale fit the giant gallery space just right. Nice turnout since the show doubled as AP guitarist/local hero Joe Hankin's homecoming (big ups once again to the 'rents, Craig and Esther Hankin).
Loaded out, drank down the street at Club Charles, piled back in the van and headed to Paper Moon for a 2 AM early/late breakfast with Joe's electron microscopist buddy Ned, called it a night.
So now it's on to Philly for cheesesteak and cheap beer. I promise I will blackout by the end of the night since my girl Cameron will be in attendance, and today she turns 23! It is impossible to outdrink a birthday girl, although I will give it my all.
On a serious note I've gotta say RIP Bea Arthur from our very own Golden Girls superfan and keyboardist Allison.
Come on Philly.
tour press
People have been writing about us and our tour.
Broken Bell
Pasta Prima
Vinyl Visions
Brightest Young Things
Broken Bell
Pasta Prima
Vinyl Visions
Brightest Young Things
Friday, April 24, 2009
Day 2 - New Hope - New Bag of Corn Chips
Day 2
Venue: John & Peter's
City: New Hope, Penn.
Band's Caloric Intake: 6800
Band's Mood Ring Color: Orangish
Phrase of the Day: "Get me awaaaay from those Fritos"
After several hours of serene suburban sprawlin' we got into pre-gig mode. Applied make up, stretched out our jazz hands and played a variety of Commie trust games. On our way out of Baltimore we stopped for a spiritual re-charge at the local Guitar Center. I bought some sticks, Allison bought a keyboard stand, Tom was trying to barter with a guy in Pro Audio for his goatee - but failed.
In the car I devised a game that I believe will catch on very quickly in the US - The rules are simple, the pleasure is unimaginable. It doesn't have a name yet but I am open to suggestions. Basically, one names 2 real full names from ones high school and one made-up name. After this, the other bored, nauseous passengers then have to guess which name is bullshit. Extra points for you if you can keep the first name constant (i.e. John Glenn, John Roberts, John Balls) or construct believable sounding Indian surnames.
Three short hours later we arrived in New Hope. New Hope is a great town if you like over priced tie-dye gear and yuppies pretending to be hippies pretending to like you. I kid, I kid, its a great town, home to The Bucks County Play House, where I won an acting award several years back for my one man review "Shelly Long: Where The Shit Are You?"
We arrived at the bar and announced ourselves. This was met with smiles and confusion since we walked into the wrong fucking bar. Too bad- the bar looked cool. At the right bar, John and Peters, we loaded out with the help of some locals who were wonderfully kind and juiced for our set.
John and Peters is a cool looking venue, cavernous and cottagey - blues & rock semi- famous rockers pictures pepper the walls. The stage is situated smack in the middle of the room and carpeted really really nicely. I think the stage doubles as a gymnasium for toddlers during the days. The sound is pretty good and the lighting rig is no joke man.
We set up, drank beer, ate various foods and talked to locals. We hit the stage with a mission to rock and by all accounts succeeded - though Tom's amp died two songs in, and the NHL playoffs are systematically trying to fuck our draw, we overcame these obstacles and played a spirited and energetic set. The highlights included a powerful "Sooner or Later," "That's Alright Momma" Featuring Z-Cup on lead vox, and my personal fav of the night Tom sharing with the audience that he is indeed the son of Cindy Lauper and either Sting or Captain Lou Albano.
The crowd felt our heat and were thoroughly entertained. We made some friends, some cash and a thoroughly strong enough response by the club to be asked back again on a Saturday - Holla Holla!
And so we did our thing in New Hope and hit the road back to Baltimore. On the way home I once again debated Tom on the merit and glory of right wing, religious or wacky sports talk radio. Allison and Joe slept, Ray serviced himself in the back row for most of the trip, all the while barking uncontrollably every time he saw a bright red car. Why do you do that Ray...? Perhaps we will find out later this tour.
Amit
More photos + video (below post has max of 5 lame)
A few pics from this morning + video from last night.
Day 2 of the Tour in New Hope: A Night of Firsts
I'm not going to write much today cause it's technically "Amit's day." Whatever. Today is day #3 of the tour. We played New Hope last night after a failed attempt at stenciling the amps and drums (who knew the spray paint we found in Joe's parents' garage would be old and empty?)
New Hope was quaint and smokey. You can smoke inside there no shit. Joe, Ray, and Tom had cigs hanging from their lips while rocking it, which looked like more trouble than it was worth to me. We played to a rocking room, and since we were the only band on the bill we kept the jams coming despite Tom's blown amp. I sang a little "That's Alright Mama" live for the first time for the enjoyment of everyone. I also played behind a double-stack keys stand for the first time - very strange. Wall of keys! A night of firsts indeed. Here are some photos - enjoy!
XO,
Allison + Action Painters
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Day 1 of tour in DC: AWESOME!
Day 1 of the tour is already over. We drove all day yesterday from NY to DC. The band gave my shotty cause I get mad carsick.
We got to DC early (thank you traffic gods) and parked right outside of the Red & the Black club. Then we took a leisurely, google-map guided stroll to the Capitol Building. I got a looksy from a senator and I felt the power. Then we returned to the club to set up our stuff and got ready to rock the f*ck out!
The show was amazing. The attic-like room at the Red & the Black was packed and very sweaty. We were stoked since this was our first trip to DC - we will definitely be back. The sound gal had to cut us off, (we had to wait for the hockey freaks to trickle in post-game), the crowd was asking for more, and we left them with a little Cyndi Lauper action.
Day 2 of the tour has begin. We woke up at Joe's parent's house in the middle of nature in the outskirts of Baltimore. I already have a gimp arm from playing Wii tennis against Tom, who I beat like a bitch. (Ok then he beat me but I totally let him). I think we're going to do some ill stenciling to our gear - the world will know our name.
Over and out for now,
Allison (+ Action Painters)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
TOUR STARTS WEDNESDAY IN DC
WE WILL BE BLOGGING DAILY HERE.
COME OUT AND SEE US!
AND REMEMBER, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AN ALBUM'S WORTH OF AP TUNES AT WWW.ACTIONPAINTERSBAND.COM.
TOUR DATES:
4/22/09 Washington DC - THE RED AND THE BLACK
4/23/09 New Hope, PA - JOHN AND PETER’S
4/24/09 Baltimore, MD - METRO GALLERY
4/25/09 Philadelphia, PA - NORTHSTAR BAR w/East Hundred
4/29/09 Cleveland, OH - BEACHLAND w/GoodTouchBadTouch/Posh Army-ALL AGES SHOW
4/30/09 Pittsburgh, PA - LAVA LOUNGE w/Triggers
5/01/09 Detroit, MI - THE BELMONT - w/Cowboy Messiah
5/02/09 Columbus, OH - TREEHOUSE
5/04/09 St. Louis, MO - OFF BROADWAY - w/Target Market
5/05/09 Chicago, IL - ELBO ROOM
5/06/09 Cincinnati, OH - WOXY Lounge Act Session
5/07/09 Cincinnati, Ohio - NORTHSIDE TAVERN w/The Koala Fires
5/07/09 Athens, OH - THE UNION w/Russenorsk & She Bears
5/08/09 Canton, OH - OLD GLORY
5/09/09 Brooklyn, NY - RETOX- w/Disasteradio
5/11/09 New York, NY - PIANOS - XYZ Affair Residency show
AND SOME UP AND COMING NYC SHOWS:
5/15/09 Brooklyn, NY - NEWSONIC (THE LOFT)
5/28/09 New York, NY - MERCURY LOUNGE w/1990’s
6/13/09 Queens, NY - WONDERLAND COLLECTIVE - ASTORIA
COME OUT AND SEE US!
AND REMEMBER, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AN ALBUM'S WORTH OF AP TUNES AT WWW.ACTIONPAINTERSBAND.COM.
TOUR DATES:
4/22/09 Washington DC - THE RED AND THE BLACK
4/23/09 New Hope, PA - JOHN AND PETER’S
4/24/09 Baltimore, MD - METRO GALLERY
4/25/09 Philadelphia, PA - NORTHSTAR BAR w/East Hundred
4/29/09 Cleveland, OH - BEACHLAND w/GoodTouchBadTouch/Posh Army-ALL AGES SHOW
4/30/09 Pittsburgh, PA - LAVA LOUNGE w/Triggers
5/01/09 Detroit, MI - THE BELMONT - w/Cowboy Messiah
5/02/09 Columbus, OH - TREEHOUSE
5/04/09 St. Louis, MO - OFF BROADWAY - w/Target Market
5/05/09 Chicago, IL - ELBO ROOM
5/06/09 Cincinnati, OH - WOXY Lounge Act Session
5/07/09 Cincinnati, Ohio - NORTHSIDE TAVERN w/The Koala Fires
5/07/09 Athens, OH - THE UNION w/Russenorsk & She Bears
5/08/09 Canton, OH - OLD GLORY
5/09/09 Brooklyn, NY - RETOX- w/Disasteradio
5/11/09 New York, NY - PIANOS - XYZ Affair Residency show
AND SOME UP AND COMING NYC SHOWS:
5/15/09 Brooklyn, NY - NEWSONIC (THE LOFT)
5/28/09 New York, NY - MERCURY LOUNGE w/1990’s
6/13/09 Queens, NY - WONDERLAND COLLECTIVE - ASTORIA
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Nice
It's getting warmer in NYC, we're about to go on tour, and damn we're excited. We feel like this:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
OUR NEW EP, LAY THAT CABLE, IS OUT!!!
Our new album is out!
You can download it for free at www.actionpaintersband.com/laythatcable.
All we ask is for your email address so we can keep you up to date about future stuff. You can opt out whenever bro.
We have to thank the following people: Helge Bernhardt for co-creating and shooting the video for "456" and mixing 2 songs, Natalie M for shooting the vid, Jason Whalen for the beautiful cover art, Jesse McLean who is designing the t-shirts we will soon print and who's been a huge support in many ways, Dave Kross for playing bass on the tracks, and Peter Wade for keeping us motivated and on our game.
This EP is a little blip of what we are planning for this year, so enjoy it and expect more stuff soon...
Also, the blogs are blowin' up about it! Here are what some lovely and kind music writers have said about it.
http://citizendick.org/2009/03/31/action-painters-citizen-dick-news-alert/
http://www.boomboomchik.com/2009/03/action-painters-new-ep.html
http://bonafidedarling.blogspot.com/2009/03/action-painters-lay-that-cable-ep.html
http://youretheshitandimkneedeepinit.blogspot.com/2009/03/lay-that-cable-open-door.html
http://yourexloverisdeadblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/ye-lid-news-action-painters-done.html
http://insomniaradio.net/2009/03/31/action-painters-money-changes-everything/
http://ihavemadeyouamixedtape.blogspot.com/2009/03/btla-vol-3.html
http://www.sitkot.com/2009/04/new-tracks-and-upcoming-shows.html
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