Following the staggering release of American Slang, the third long player from the New-Jersey based punk-rockers, The Gaslight Anthem embark upon their Autumn tour, taking a pit stop right here in Southampton.
And for those to whom The Gaslight Anthem means very little, pay attention.
The Gaslight Anthem are the result of a creative fusion. They are what would happen if you took punk-rock music, blended it with a bit of folk, added a sprinkle of husky vocals and baked it in new Jersey, with a stunning result. Naming influences of both Bruce Springsteen and Joe Strummer, one track to the next glistens with an exceptional originality that somehow stays true to their idols at the very same time. Add this to a live performance that is way beyond their years, and you begin to understand why tickets to the The Gaslight Anthem’s show at the Southampton Guildhall have been selling like gold dust.
The Gaslight Anthem have had an extraordinary few years. In 2009 the band toured the world in support of their acclaimed album THE ’59 SOUND and were featured performers at major festivals including Coachella, Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park, Glastonbury, Pinkpop, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds, Hyde Park Calling, Fuji Rock, Hurricane, Gurten and Roskilde. THE ’59 SOUND was named one of the best albums of the year (and, in some cases, the decade) by NME, Kerrang!, Q Magazine, VISIONS, Rock Sound and Big Cheese, and the band also won the “Best International Newcomer” award at last year’s Kerrang! Awards.
This year, with the release of American Slang The Gaslight Anthem have made an extraordinary leap forward. The third long player reveals a remarkably powerful rock ‘n’ roll outfit honed by two years of nearly non-stop touring.
Singer/guitarist Fallon’s passionate lyrical approach has grown more personal and introspective, his raw throated vocals stronger and more resonant against the band’s pulse-pounding dynamic force. Songs like “Bring It On,” “Orphans” and the rousing title track bristle and burn with the spirit of soul, the energy of punk, and the artistic ambition of any hall of famer you’d care to name.
American Slang is the battle cry of a great band finding its own voice and using it to shout to the rooftops and beyond, and boy, won’t you want to hear them.
Check them out on the 22nd October @ The Southampton Guildhall
www.livenation.co.uk/southampton
