LOS ANGELES (Capitol Records) - Capitol recording group the Redwalls have set June 21st for the release of their much anticipated label debut, 'De Nova.' Recorded with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, the Vines), the album finds the Chicago-based quartet offering up a baker's dozen tracks of brilliantly natural harmonies, roaring riff packages, and crisp rock melodies.
The Redwalls - who recently completed a set of cross-California dates in support of Rooney - are previewing 'De Nova' to overseas audiences this week during a series of U.K. dates with the Manchester-based Nine Black Alps, recently dubbed 'hotly-tipped nu-grungers' by NME. The itinerary kicks off today, May 2nd, at the Garage in London. The band returns Stateside later in May for a month-long headlining tour of clubs across the South, East Coast, and Midwest. The trek begins May 19th at Bricktown Live in Oklahoma City.
In other Redwalls news, the band is slated to perform June 17th on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the same night they are booked to perform a special New York City benefit show for the non-profit Housing Works. In addition, the Redwalls have been added to the distinguished list of artists performing in July at this year's Lollapalooza concerts at Grant Park in the band's Chicago hometown.
The Redwalls' Logan Baren, 22 (guitar), Justin Baren, 19 (bass), and Andrew Langer, 20 (guitar), are childhood friends and neighbors from the suburban village of Deerfield, Illinois (practice home to the Chicago Bulls and site of the famed Tooth Fairy Museum) who have been playing together since Justin was in junior high. All three write, sing, and even play a little piano. The band is rounded out by 21 year-old drummer Ben Greeno.
NME dispensed high praise on the band following their SXSW '05 appearance, cheering that the Redwalls 'take the more conservative dadrock triptych (the Beatles, Faces, the Stones) as their blueprint but do it with such spirit that we're tempted to write the last 35 years of musical development off here and now.'
The Chicago Reader declared the Redwalls, 'Young guys playing stuff that sounds much older than they are with spooky ease and confidence.' 'The barely college-aged Redwalls,' enthused Flavorpill, 'have found a devastating formula for catchy, scratchy Brit-blues that brings them that much closer to the icons to whom they so adeptly pay homage.'
In 'De Nova' news, album track 'It's Alright' will be featured in June on HBO in an episode of the Mark Wahlberg-executive produced comedy series 'Entourage.' In addition, the band will be seen in an upcoming MTV News installment of 'You Hear It First' this month.
The Redwalls' 2003 independent album, 'Universal Blues' (Undertow), along with their nonstop hooks, thrilling harmonies, and electrifying grit have already won over audiences around the U.S.A. The Redwalls have toured extensively with Chris Robinson and Rooney, shared stages with the Jayhawks, Keane, the Long Winters, and Ike Reilly, and wowed crowds at both Twangfest and International Pop Overthrow.
