SARGENT HOUSE

It’s the end of the current tour for Fang Island, who have been doing the rounds over the preceding weeks aided and abetted by No Spill Blood. Hailing from Rhode Island, Fang Island specialize in a type of infectious, no frills guitar music that marks them out as the greatest band on earth. Okay, they’re not the greatest band on earth, but they might well be the most enjoyable band to rock out to on your headphones. The band’s ethos is simple – create the sound of “everyone high-fiving everyone.” While we have no idea how this might sound, if it’s measured through musical notation then this is probably it.

The three-pronged sonic assault that is No Spill Blood takes the stage, and from the alarm tone synth of Good Company it’s a heavy, molten slab of Death From Above 1979 style noise. Drummer Lar Kaye is a hard-hitter, and he and the howling vocal and bass of Matt Hedigan provide the basis for Ruadhan O’ Meara to layer on the colour with his dense synth patterns. It’s a full room from the first notes, as the band tear through the ‘Street Meat’ material, with the synth elevating things, swirling around the venue and grounding back on the solid work of the rhythm section. Crowd surfers are hoyed out of the air by bouncers, but the atmosphere is never anything less than cheerful. Bodies pump in rhythm, and when the band kicks back in after the prog-y breakdown of New Tricks a sea of heads simultaneously rock back and forth on their hinges. A false ending winds down the set, Buckfast makes an appearance, and the band gear up once more to bring things to a conclusion. Go on, the Bucky.

Things are buzzing nicely as Fang Island hit the stage. This gig was upgraded from The Grand Social to a post-midnight slot here in The Button Factory, so folk are by now well-readied from the previous band and the previous beers. There is no rest for NSB’s Lar Kaye, double-jobbing on bass guitar for the headliner’s set, and from the off it’s head-shaking stuff with The Illinois. Seek It Out comes in with a distorted intro before scaling back, and an anthemic Life Coach follows. With two albums to their name, the band dips in to both through the set. ‘Major’ song Chompers is all finger-tapping, snare-rattling excellence – the song’s upward key change is the single greatest moment of this weekend. The band stop, barley pause for breath and delve straight back into the rock-out ending.

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No Spill Blood live at the Kazimier

Featuring members of Elk and Adebisi Shank, No Spill Blood are to music what Genghis Khan was to warfare; loud, fearsome and bloody.

Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds might be the barometer in sci-fi musical epics, but No Spill Blood, with their other-worldly keyboard magic, thudding fuzz bass, outrageously great drumming and guttural vocals that could scare even the most feral of children play as if in the midst of a real intergalactic invasion.

From the moment they land, take away subjects to probe and experiment on and disappear into the starry sky with reckless abandon, you realise it’s not the Earth that has been invaded. No, it’s far worse than that; it’s your mind. You’ll want more, guaranteed.

Fang Island live at the Kazimier

A night of eclecticism reached its natural conclusion with the arrival of Brooklyn boys Fang Island.

Not long of a few dates at SXSW and touring in support of their second LP Major, Fang Island capped off one of the most memorable shows in Liverpool for a good while in real style.

Mixing grind, sheer volume and dazzling effects with classic guitar-pop mores, these Yankee Doodles gave the crowd even more bang for their buck. Tracks like Make Me and Never Understand contrived to collide among themselves with sharp vocal harmonies, winding and tasteful solos and a constant chugging rhythm of intricate intensity.

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If you missed the live broadcast of Fang Island performing Sisterly and Seek It Out and their interview with Steve Lamacq’s show on BBC6 Music show don’t fret they have the archived session available to hear HERE for just this month - so check it out!

DON’T MISS FANG ISLAND ON EU TOUR NOW WITH NO SPILL BLOOD - SEE ALL DATES HERE

We are delighted to announce that Fang Island will be heading back over to Europe in April. Joining them as support  on all shows will be Sargent House label mates No Spill Blood - with Lar Kaye of Adebisi Shank & NSB pulling double duty on this tour and playing bass in Fang Island on all the shows.  Upon Fang Island’s return to the states they will also be playing this years Sasquatch Music Festival on Sunday, May 26th.

SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE

FANG ISLAND & NO SPILL BLOOD - EURO 2013
Apr 08, 2013 - Cork, Ireland @ The Pavillion
Apr 09, 2013 - Limerick, Ireland @ Bourke’s
Apr 10, 2013 - Belfast, N. Ireland @ The Speakeasy
Apr 11, 2013 - Liverpool, UK @ The Kazimier
Apr 12, 2013 - Glasgow, UK  @ Broadcast
Apr 13, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Apr 14, 2013 - London, UK @ Birthdays
Apr 15, 2013 - Antwerpen, Belgium @ Kavka
Apr 16, 2013 - Paris, France @ Le Batofar
Apr 17, 2013 - Lyon, France @ Le Sonic
Apr 18, 2013 - Reims, France @ L’ecluse
Apr 19, 2013 - Lausanne, Switzerland @ Le Romandie
Apr 20, 2013 - Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg  @ Out Of The Crowd Festival
Apr 21, 2013 - Aachen, Germany @ Musikbunker Aachen
Apr 22, 2013 - Berlin, Germany @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
Apr 23, 2013 - Hamburg, Germany @ HafenKlang
Apr 24, 2013 - Aarhus,Denmark @ Voxhall
Apr 25, 2013 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Huset KBH
Apr 27, 2013 - Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
Apr 28, 2013 - Aalborg, Denmark @ 1000 Fryd
Apr 29, 2013 - Kiel,Germany @ Die Pumpe
Apr 30, 2013 - Pilsen, Czech Republic @ Pod Lampou
May 01, 2013 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Kokpit Kafe
May 02, 2013 - Vienna, Austria @ Chelsea
May 03, 2013 - Dornbirn, Austria @ Cafe Schlachthaus
May 04, 2013 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Kokolores
May 05, 2013 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
May 06, 2013 - Oberhausen, Germany @ Druckluft
May 07, 2013 - Brighton, UK @ The Green Door Store
May 08, 2013 - Derby, UK  @ The Victoria Inn
May 09, 2013 - Galway, Ireland @ Roisin Dubh
May 10, 2013 - Dublin, Ireland @ The Grand Social

Fang Island
May 26, 2013 - Quincy, WA @ Gorge Amphitheatre - Sasquatch Festival

Fang Island, the Brooklyn-based trio who famously (and appropriately) described their hook-heavy guitar heroics as “everyone high-fiving everyone,” keep things relatively low-key in their new clip for “Asunder,” off last year’s Major.The five-and-a-half-minute in-studio clip, recorded and mixed while the band made a recent tour stop in Los Angeles, focuses on the threesome as they, well, tear the room asunder. Scroll down for Fang Island’s upcoming tour dates, which include a trip to this year’s Sasquatch! Music Festival.

FANG ISLAND & NO SPILL BLOOD - EURO 2013
Apr 09, 2013 - Limerick, Ireland @ TBA
Apr 10, 2013 - Belfast, N. Ireland @ The Speakeasy
Apr 11, 2013 - Liverpool, UK @ The Kazimier
Apr 12, 2013 - Glasgow, UK  @ Broadcast
Apr 13, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Apr 14, 2013 - London, UK @ Birthdays
Apr 15, 2013 - Antwerpen, Belgium @ Kavka
Apr 16, 2013 - Paris, France @ Espace B
Apr 17, 2013 - Lyon, France @ Le Sonic
Apr 18, 2013 - Reims, France @ L’ecluse
Apr 19, 2013 - Lausanne, Switzerland @ Le Romandie
Apr 20, 2013 - Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg  @ Out Of The Crowd Festival
Apr 21, 2013 - Aachen, Germany @ Musikbunker Aachen
Apr 22, 2013 - Berlin, Germany @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
Apr 23, 2013 - Hamburg, Germany @ HafenKlang
Apr 24, 2013 - Aarhus,Denmark @ Voxhall
Apr 25, 2013 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Huset KBH
Apr 27, 2013 - Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
Apr 29, 2013 - Kiel,Germany @ Die Pumpe
Apr 30, 2013 - Pilsen, Czech Republic @ Buena Vista Club
May 01, 2013 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Klub 007
May 02, 2013 - Vienna, Austria @ Chelsea
May 03, 2013 - Dornbirn, Austria @ Cafe Schlachthaus
May 04, 2013 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Kokolores
May 05, 2013 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
May 06, 2013 - Oberhausen, Germany @ Druckluft
May 07, 2013 - Brighton, UK @ The Green Door Store
May 08, 2013 - Derby, UK  @ The Victoria Inn
May 09, 2013 - Galway, Ireland @ Roisin Dubh
May 10, 2013 - Dublin, Ireland @ The Grand Social

Fang Island
May 25, 2013 - Quincy, WA @ Gorge Amphitheatre - Sasquatch Festival

No Spill Blood will be heading out on their first European tour with label mates Fang Island. Lar Kaye ( Adebisi Shank) will be pulling double duty on this one playing bass in Fang Island and Drums in No Spill Blood. Good times.
SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE


FANG ISLAND & NO SPILL BLOOD - EURO 2013
Apr 09, 2013 - Limerick, Ireland @ TBA
Apr 10, 2013 - Belfast, N. Ireland @ The Speakeasy
Apr 11, 2013 - Liverpool, UK @ The Kazimier
Apr 12, 2013 - Glasgow, UK  @ Broadcast
Apr 13, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Apr 14, 2013 - London, UK @ Birthdays
Apr 15, 2013 - Antwerpen, Belgium @ Kavka
Apr 16, 2013 - Paris, France @ Espace B
Apr 17, 2013 - Lyon, France @ Le Sonic
Apr 18, 2013 - Reims, France @ L’ecluse
Apr 19, 2013 - Lausanne, Switzerland @ Le Romandie
Apr 20, 2013 - Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg  @ Out Of The Crowd Festival
Apr 21, 2013 - Aachen, Germany @ Musikbunker Aachen
Apr 22, 2013 - Berlin, Germany @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
Apr 23, 2013 - Hamburg, Germany @ HafenKlang
Apr 24, 2013 - Aarhus,Denmark @ Voxhall
Apr 25, 2013 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Huset KBH
Apr 27, 2013 - Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
Apr 29, 2013 - Kiel,Germany @ Die Pumpe
Apr 30, 2013 - Pilsen, Czech Republic @ Buena Vista Club
May 01, 2013 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Klub 007
May 02, 2013 - Vienna, Austria @ Chelsea
May 03, 2013 - Dornbirn, Austria @ Cafe Schlachthaus
May 04, 2013 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Kokolores
May 05, 2013 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
May 06, 2013 - Oberhausen, Germany @ Druckluft
May 07, 2013 - Brighton, UK @ The Green Door Store
May 08, 2013 - Derby, UK  @ The Victoria Inn
May 09, 2013 - Galway, Ireland @ Roisin Dubh
May 10, 2013 - Dublin, Ireland @ The Grand Social

Fang Island have just been announced on one heck of a killer line up of bands for this years Sasquatch Festival taking place May 24-27th at The Gorge in Quincy, Washington. See ticket and line up info HERE

Fang Island is laughing. Fang Island is constantly laughing. Jason Bartell and Chris Georges, the two primary songwriters for the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Rhode Island outfit, are sitting in the Greenpoint bar where they played their first show in New York. They sip Brooklyn Lagers on a muggy evening while wearing nearly identical jean jackets. The duo is discussing whether drummer Marc St. Sauveur would don the “Denim Daddy” attire on stage, ultimately deciding that he would refuse. Bartell and Georges giggle at the thought.

The infectious enthusiasm is not an act. Fang Island described its self-titled debut as “the sound of everyone high-fiving everyone” — a statement that is simultaneously accurate and destined to lead profiles for the duration on the band’s existence. The band’s sophomore effort, Major, builds on the theme. It features more singing than the first album, which was chock full of melodies, riffs, and melodic riffs. But the DNA here is similar: free and fun, with enough hooks to hang the audience’s denim jackets. Everyone is still high-fiving everyone; now there are just more people watching.

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Back in 2005, Chris Georges and Jason Bartell were stamping and etching and engraving their way through printmaking majors at the Rhode Island School of Design. Like many a college chap, they decided to start a band and, inspired by an article in The Onion, christened it Fang Island. 

While such ensembles often fade, evaporating into the oblivion of the real world post-graduation, Fang Island is still going strong. These days, drummer Marc St. Sauveur keeps beat while Georges and Bartell carry a melody that’s euphoric, exciting, and oh so upbeat. Simply put, Fang Island exudes happiness. (They even describe their sound as “everyone high-fiving everyone.”) We trapped Georges and Bartell in our Closet to hear their musings on the future, favorite places to rock out, and how they keep it fresh. High-five, guys.

Fang Island will be heading back out on tour in support of their new album Major, this time they will be co-headlining with pals Anamanaguchi which means they will be swapping who plays last each night on the way to Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin then a few shows on the way back. You know these shows will be nothing but good times and rock music so don’t miss it.

FANG ISLAND LIVE
Oct 26, 2012 - Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall **
Oct 27, 2012 - Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar **
Oct 28, 2012 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean **
Oct 30, 2012 - Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s **
Oct 31, 2012 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall **
Nov 1, 2012 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory **
Nov 4, 2012 - Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov 6, 2012 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn **
Nov 7, 2012 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 **
Nov 8, 2012 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar **
Nov 9, 2012 - Washington DC @ College Show (Students Only)
Nov 10, 2012 - Morgantown, WV @ 123 Pleasant St.
** w/ Anamanaguchi

SEE ALL FANG ISLAND SHOW DETAILS HERE

Check out Anamanaguchi’s Remix of Fang Island’s track Sisterly which is the Bonus Track on all the Digital releases of Major.

Fang Island will be heading back out on tour in support of their new album Major, this time they will be co-headlining with pals Anamanaguchi on the way to Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin then a few shows on the way back. You know these shows will be nothing but good times and rock music so don’t miss it.

FANG ISLAND LIVE
Oct 26, 2012 - Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall **
Oct 27, 2012 - Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar **
Oct 28, 2012 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean **
Oct 30, 2012 - Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s **
Oct 31, 2012 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall **
Nov 1, 2012 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory **
Nov 4, 2012 - Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov 6, 2012 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn **
Nov 7, 2012 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 **
Nov 8, 2012 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar **
Nov 9, 2012 - Washington DC @ College Show (Students Only)
Nov 10, 2012 - Morgantown, WV @ 123 Pleasant St.
** w/ Anamanaguchi

SEE ALL FANG ISLAND SHOW DETAILS HERE

Check out Anamanaguchi’s Remix of Fang Island’s track Sisterly which is the Bonus Track on all the Digital releases of Major.

If you need a song to get you revved up and ready to go, look no further; Adebisi Shank has you covered. This Irish trio puts out some seriously upbeat math-rocky craziness, and Genki Shank (free dl) from their album This Is The Second Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank is a great introduction.

A bit more intuitive than some of their other, mathier tunes, Genki Shank has a great galloping beat and a perfect example of less-is-more bass playing. It’s like the aural equivalent of a stiff cup of coffee. I know I’ll listen to it right after I reluctantly drag myself out of bed tomorrow morning, you might want to give that a try too.

Don’t Miss Adebisi Shank’s last few USA shows with Fang Island
08/28 Raleigh, NC @ Kings
08/29 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
08/30 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 

Fang Island stopped by to see our pals Audiotree while in Chicago to chat and play some great tunes from their new album Major and some from their last Self Titled album. Check it out. It’s a beauty.

Tracklisting for the Session:
The Illinois
Seek it out
Chompers
Sisterly
Life Coach
Dooney Rock
Asunder
Daisy
Welcome Wagon

Fang Island stopped by to hang out with Ratso and the gang and play a song while in Chicago at Chic-A-Go-Go. 

By the end of Fang Island’s 45-minute set at the Mohawk on Friday, just about everyone in attendance was physically spent and drenched with sweat. However, just before the band’s encore song and penultimate track, “Daisy,” guitarist/vocalist Jason Bartell suggested to the crowd, “If you have any energy left, expound it.” It was all the motivation the otherwise exhausted crowd needed to ignore their ailments and devote their energy to the band for another three minutes. Throughout the duration of the song, everyone went harder than they had before, giving one last burst of strength before being two steps away from collapsing. It’s a feeling that ensures one will pass out as soon as their body hits a mattress out of satisfaction, and Fang Island more than earned their right to push the audience to that point.

A big reason why Fang Island’s music is so euphorically draining is their sheer abilities as musicians. The group’s three guitarists (which include Bartell, Chris Georges, and a touring guitarist) brilliantly played off each other with breakneck paced riffs and heroic solos. Meanwhile the touring bassist and drummer Marc St. Sauveur formed a solid backbone on which the guitars were allowed free range. Each song was effortlessly executed and performed with the kind of gusto that one expects from a band whose music is the equivalent of a caffeine infused shot of adrenaline. It all made for a harmonic force that one could not passively observe, as the band was having just as much fun playing as those in the audience had crowd surfing, mosh pitting, and yelling the lyrics at the top of their lungs.

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