During SXSW 2007, Synthesis co-sponsored a Drive-Thru Records party at Emo’s. While an endless throng of rock bands set up, played and subsequently broke down, most of us Syn folks enjoyed the free beers and free Mexican food, chatting with publicists, band members and rock music aficionados.  Honestly, no Drive-Thru bands were bad by any means, but the only one that really impressed me was Steel train. Especially moving was their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Have A Cigar,” a song about being fed up with music industry bullshit. This choice, to cover the song during a notorious music industry schmooze fest, brought much warmth to my heart (or perhaps it was the aforementioned mexican food…).

The band has announced more tour dates, and for those who enjoy late-night network television, they’ll be appearing on Late Night With Conan O’Brien tonight. Let lose the rock.

From their press release:

Steel Train’s sophomore album, Trampoline, recently released on Drive-Thru Records, delivers the sounds and spirit of some of the band’s favorite music styles, including British and American classic rock, folk-rock, psychedelia, pop and alternative. Produced by Mark Trombino (Rilo Kiley, Jimmy Eat World), Trampoline is a wonderfully layered and versatile album that reveals the uplifting, self-medicating message of an emerging songwriter.

While the songs sound consistently joyous, the lyrics are hyper-realistic addressing the events that can shatter our world and break our hearts as well as focusing on the forces that lift us up and offer a second chance. Throughout the album, urgent guitars, euphoric melody laden keyboards, and yearning vocals cut through on tracks like “Alone on the Sea,” “Kill Monsters in the Rain,” and “Black Eye.” However, the band agrees that the track which embodies the album is “I Feel Weird,” an energized pop number full of piano, and xylophones. Trampoline is a bold departure from the band’s past excursions, and showcases a new Steel Train, musically and philosophically.

Upcoming US Tour Dates:

w/ The Hush Sound
07/16 - The Basement - Columbus, OH
07/17 - Headliners - Toledo, OH
07/19 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
07/25 - The Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
07/31 - Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA
08/06 - Soma - San Diego, CA
08/10 - Antone’s - Austin, TX
08/11 - The Door - Dallas, TX
08/14 - The State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL
08/15 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
08/16 - The Social - Orlando, FL
08/18 - The Loft - Atlanta, GA
08/19 - Greene Street Club - Greensboro, NC
08/21 - Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
08/23 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
08/24 - Xtreme Wheelz - Buffalo, NY

w/ O.A.R.
07/18 - St Louis Waterfront - St Louis, MO
07/20 - Sandstone Amphitheater - Bonner Springs, KS

Music Festivals
08/02 - LOLLAPALOOZA - Grant Park - Chicago, IL

www.myspace.com/steeltrain
www.steeltain.net
Steel Train

Sacramento’s Self Against City are, according to guitarist Blake Abbey’s new blog, now nothing more than “a Drive-Thru Records statistic:”

So ……..where to begin.

Life has been stellar so I have no reason to complain so I’ll start with a big thank you to everyone who has believed in music like I do and lived the life for the sake of doing something great. I gave up literally everything for 3 years of my life I invested in being part of a group. Like always I am just too much for anyone to keep in their pocket so It’s on to Chapter Three. This is where the good stuff starts anyways. Self against City is now a Drive- Thru Records statistic nothing more nothing less. Any one who considers buying a t-shirt or a cd with a Drive-Thru Records logo just realize you are feeding a Fat gay Pedifile and Vampire Whore that only talk shit and break up good bands and literally destroy human moral with negativity. So……on a much more positive note Music is free now so that rules ……..let’s share….and put all these Shark Bastards out of business.

the all singing all dancing crap of the world-

The pedophile and Vampire Whore in question are of course Drive-Thru Records owners, and siblings, Richard and Stefanie Reines. I’ve definitely heard fun rumors over the years about Drive Thru, so it’ll be interesting to see what comes out of this one. DO TELL BLAKE!

Video Matt, that scion of internet video, recently caught up with old friends Self Against City, who are currently readying their sophomore release for Drive Thru records. He sat them down for an interview, then they returned the favor.