The Hold Steady studio diary - Stay Positive - #7
It’s always fun watching band members disappear during the overdub phase of a record. There’s nothing like sitting and listening to the same guitar part or vocal line over and over that will send other musical types running for the local bar. With four more days at Water Music and plenty of overdubs to do, we needed to make sure we used the big room to it utmost. That means picking the overdubs more suited for the space we were in.... read more
Found in: Blogs, Dear DiaryThe Hold Steady to tour U.S. with Drive-By Truckers
In case you missed it, on July 15 The Hold Steady released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the summer, Stay Positive. On Sept. 29, the Brooklyn rock outfit will start taking over Europe on its month-long tour of the continent. On Oct. 30, the band returns stateside and tours across North America until the end of November. ... read more
Found in: Music, NewsThe Hold Steady studio diary - Stay Positive - #6
[Above: Bobby Drake]Every band has its own dynamic. Sonic Youth, DBT and Dinosaur Jr are all very different bands internally. Some are more democratic than others, and with that, dealing with each band and individual member is a case by case scenario. The same holds true with The Hold Steady. In terms of songwriting, both Tad and Franz are strong songwriters in their own way.... read more
Found in: Blogs, Dear DiaryThe Hold Steady drink beer and play darts with Vice
At this point in their careers, the members of The Hold Steady have become more or less synonymous with boozing and fist pumping, which is a feat most of us (Andrew W.K. excluded) can only dream of accomplishing someday. ... read more
Found in: Music, NewsPitchfork Fest '08 Day Two: Evolution of Hip
(Getting sick, sick, sick with Chk, Chk, Chk)As the natural progression of emergently original things go, Pfork’s festival speaks no more to one niche market, which is something best analogized by !!!’s Nic Offer late afternoon Saturday, before thrusting his pelvis to a series of genre-blurring grunts:We’re the lowest rated band on Pitchfork, with the highest set time. It goes to show you the kids know something the critics don’t.... read more
Found in: Blogs, FestivusThe Hold Steady studio diary - Stay Positive - #5
[Above, L-R: Bobby Drake and John Agnello]Things are really rolling. We’ve been tracking furiously and the band is really hitting their stride. We’ve nailed easier songs like “Stay Positive” and harder ones like “Creepy Jam,” which will end up being called “One For The Cutters.” That song became one of my favorites early on. We cut it live with Franz playing the intros and verses with a synth harpsichord simulation. We knew we needed a real harpsichord on the song, but we had to find one that was accessible. But that would be for another day. ... read more
Found in: Blogs, Dear DiaryThe Hold Steady: Stay Positive
Craig Finn just might be the most self-aware frontman... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsThe Hold Steady studio diary - Stay Positive - #4
“I don’t think anyone could have anticipated 'Adderall' not making the record.” Sound familiar? The first part is all too familiar with me. That’s how our administration explains levy breaches or not finding WMD’s, etc. But that’s a different blog for a different day. At least in this case, my statement is absolutely true.... read more
Found in: Blogs, Dear DiaryThe Hold Steady confirms new details for Stay Positive
Those of you jonesing for some bar-rocking Americana only need to wait a little bit longer, because The Hold Steady is about to open up the party pit... read more
Found in: Music, NewsWhat is the best live act touring today?
Vote in PasteMagazine.com's latest poll... ... read more
Found in: Music, News
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