The Gaslight Anthem

Biography

The Gaslight Anthem rose out of the fertile punk and hardcore scene of New Brunswick, NJ, flaunting a unique style that melded the sounds of Bruce Springsteen, Wilson Pickett, and various Motown groups with the rough, emotional grit of Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker. The band -- comprised of vocalist/guitarist Brian Fallon, bassist Alex Levine, drummer Benny Horowitz, and guitarist Alex Rosamila -- began establishing a loyal hometown crowd after forming in 2005, and their soulful punk rock melodies attracted wider attention upon the release of their full-length debut, Sink or Swim, which droped in May 2007 via the local imprint XOXO Records. Although rough around the edges, the album presented plenty of energetic, sing-along songs that garnered accolades from punk zines, blogs, and fans alike. The increasing popularity was enough to score gigs with the likes of Against Me!, the Loved Ones, and the Draft, and by the end of 2007, the Gaslight Anthem had played over 200 shows. They recorded the four-song EP Seņor and the Queen in Austin, having managed to secure some down time between tour dates, and the record surfaced on Sabot Productions in early February 2008. Meanwhile, the Gaslight Anthem announced their brand-new deal with the California-based indie label SideOneDummy Records. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide