NEW YORK, NY (Columbia Records) - The Ohio-based rock band Lovedrug, local heroes hailed by Cleveland's Scene magazine as its "No 1 Band to Watch in 2004," will bring the band's powerful and haunting sounds to the clublands of
America on a major U.S. tour with Matchbook Romance beginning October 27 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey and concluding November 25 at the Axis in
Boston (see full itinerary following). Rounding out the bill are Gatsby's American
Dream and Armor For Sleep.
News of the Lovedrug tour dates arrives hot on the heels of the band's recent inking with Columbia Records, who will re-release the band's acclaimed debut album, Pretend You're Alive, on January 24, 2006.
Originally released on the indie label The Militia Group in late 2004, Pretend You're Alive debuted at No 4 on the Billboard Internet Sales chart, cracked the Top 50 Indie Albums chart, and quickly became the fastest-selling album in The Militia Group's history.
Modern music fans may've caught their first taste of Lovedrug when the group's "In Red" was featured in the cult television program, "Point Pleasant." Also, their song "It Won't Last" was featured on MTV's The Real World.
Formed in June 2002, Lovedrug released a 5 song EP that August and sold- out two pressings within three months. The stunning success of the group's self-titled EP led the band to enter the studio with producer Tim Patalan (Sponge, "Freddy vs. Jason" soundtrack, Aware compilations), who helmed the second Lovedrug release, the 6 song "Rocknroll" EP, released summer 2003.
The Lovedrug-Patalan connection proved fruitful and fortunate, with the group reaching new heights of melodic prowess, band chemistry, and inspired songcraft on Pretend You're Alive.
The press began to sit up and take notice. Blender.com called the album"... a rarity ... Lovedrug combines smart lyrics with hearty rock & roll to create a record full of indiepop gems."
"Pretend You're Alive grapples with many deep philosophical issues," observed Meanstreet, "which earns them legitimate street cred" while Copper Press called Lovedrug's debut "Remarkably polished and passionate."
Over the course of the band's remarkable three-year evolution, Lovedrug has shared stages with a broad range of artists including Robert Plant, The Killers, Switchfoot, Joseph Arthur, Sam Phillips, Something Corporate, Copeland, Superdrag's John Davis, Braid, Straylight Run, Mewithoutyou, Action Action, Cat Power, Creeper Lagoon, Elliot, and Eisley, among others.
The extensive roadwork has paid off for Lovedrug, whose performances connect directly into the hearts and souls of the group's ever-growing fanbase. Cleveland's Scene, described "Down Towards The Healing," a crowd- pleasing staple of the group's live sets, as "one of the most affecting songs of the year - local or otherwise."
Lovedrug are: Michael Shepard (vocals, guitar, piano), David Owen (guitar, vocals), Matthew Depper (guitar, bass, vocals), and Matthew Putman (drums).
LOVEDRUG TOUR WITH MATCHBOOK ROMANCE,
GATSBY'S AMERICAN DREAM & ARMOR FOR SLEEP
October 27 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
October 28 Millvale, PA Mr. Small's w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
October 29 Lancaster, PA The Chameleon Club w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
October 30 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
October 31 Cleveland, OH House of Blues w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 2 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 3 Chicago, IL Metro/Smart Bar w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 4 Milwaukee, WI The Eagles Club w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 5 La Crosse, WI University of w/ Matchbook Romance, Wisconsin Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 6 Minneapolis, MN Quest Club w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 8 Saint Louis, MO Mississippi Nights w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 9 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 10 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 11 Jacksonville, FL Freebird Live w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 12 St Petersburg, FL State Theatre w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 13 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream Armor For Sleep
November 14 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 16 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 17 Norfolk, VA The NorVa w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 18 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 19 Buffalo, NY Sphere Entertainment w/ Matchbook Romance, Complex Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 20 Syracuse, NY Club Tundra w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 22 New York, NY Irving Plaza w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 23 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
November 25 Boston, MA Axis w/ Matchbook Romance, Gatsby's American Dream & Armor For Sleep
