The Commercials

Artist Information

Biography

Hailing from Harrisburg, Pa, The Commercials set out to create music that is both meaningful and fun, and which brings together the band¡¦s many diverse influences. Their music is honest, recounting stories of relationships and life. While many trends and bands have come and gone, The Commercials stay true to their focus and continue to expand their ever loyal fan base. The integrity and joy they share when they hit the stage are the greatest signs that creative emotions are fulfilling their purpose.

The group's most recent full-length album is "It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It":
* Released on Blackout! Records, previous home to bands like H20 and Kill Your Idols
* Distributed by Lumberjack Distribution
* Carried in 30 Regional Hot Topic stores, reordered often
* College radio promotion by Planetary Group
* Print and online promotion by Cover The Mouth Publicity
* Ads in Alternative Press, Punk Planet, EmoGame.com and others
* Video for "It Never Ends" worked to MTV2, Fuse and Much Music
* Voted "Top User Pick" and were a featured artist on www.radiotakeover.com
* Feature articles in AMP Magazine, Skratch Magazine, Wonka Vision and Chord Magazine

In Nov. & Dec. of 2004, The Commercials received massive exposure on Purevolume.com as a finalist in the Takeover Records "Sign My Band" contest (one of ten bands selected out of over 7,000).

The group regularly plays over 150 shows every year - regionally, nationally and in Canada. They have toured with Bayside (Victory), Me Without You (Tooth and Nail), Keepsake (Fearless), Digger (Hopeless), A Small Victory (Lobster) and Zolof The Rock and Roll Destroyer (Eyeball).

The Commercials are sponsored by Mountain Dew's 6Packs, 6-minute audio segments featuring the band's music and dialogue that are spun by college radio stations nationwide promoting the band and their local shows. They also just picked up a sponsorship with Level 27 Clothing.

In January, the Daily Record in York, PA named them a "Top 5 band to watch in 2005." Things certainly seem to be coming together for the band. With a new release planned for July and for the first time working with an outside manager, the group is excited about the future. Says Tony, "We've been doing this for a long time, and I think we're always progressing. I feel like our songwriting keeps getting better, and we keep getting more and more fans as we continue to do tours. We haven't been a fly-by-night success like some bands, but I feel like everything we do builds on top of what we did before, and our fans are really supportive and always growing, and we're really thankful that they support us in everything we do. I'm really excited for our new material to come out and to continue touring, and take this band as far as we can."

Instrumentation

Drew Teague - Bass, Vocals
Tom “Gunz” McGrath - Guitar, Vocals
Tony Bavaria - Guitar
Dan Jones - Drums

Discography

Full Lengths -

"It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It" (2003) Blackout Records, NJ
"Twenty Years Tonight" (2001) Jumpstart Records, PA
"First Time For Everything" (1998) Chowda Records, NY
"Greatest Hits Demo Tape" (1997) Astromech Records, PA


Split Releases -

"Kickstart Audio 5 Way Split CD" (2002) Kickstart Audio, PA
The Commercials, Last Day Parade, Fading Fast, The Cotton Weary, This Radiant Boy
"Split 7 Inch" (2000) Joy Circuit Records, NJ
The Commercials, River City High, Split 50
"Kickstart Audio 3 Way Split CD" (2000) Kickstart Audio, PA
The Commercials, Sunday Drive (now known as The Starting Line), The Jimmy Tuesday Band
"Better Then Sevens" (1999) Reinforcement Records, NJ
The Commercials, Tinkle, The Young Hasselhoffs, Heft, The Abducted, The Goons, The Vapids, Santa's Dead
"Franks For The Memories" (1997) Rent A Pig Records, CO
The Commercials, Tripple A, The Quakers, Holy Smokes


Compilations - Too many to list

Audio

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• About the Recordings [+ Show ]
  

  “It’s Not What You Say…” is a unique, exciting twist on the pop-punk field, armed with clever songwr...“It’s Not What You Say…” is a unique, exciting twist on the pop-punk field, armed with clever songwriting, skilled musicianship, and a penchant for breaking out of any controlled mold.”
  - pastepunk.com
  
  “The 10 tracks that comprise IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY… are light years ahead of the competition, as this group’s muscular approach to the sounds is coupled with heartfelt, insightful lyrics that emanate experience and fortitude.”
  - Skratch Magazine
  
  “The album literally roars out of the gate…The songs genuinely rock…Excuse the terrible pun, but…if all Commercials were this good, I’d watch ’em all the time.”
  - 1340mag.com
  
  “The Commercials first major label release…hits like a ton of bricks… It’s very rare these days to find a whole album on which there isn’t one bad song. The Commercials have accomplished this feat… From start to finish this record doesn’t let you down.”
  - Hey Sherman
  
  “…fast and furious punk rock with a slight edge of emotion.”
  - pahardcore.com
  
  “If Fountains of Wayne made sweet rockin’ love to Poison, The Commercials would be born nine months later.”
  - Cityview (Iowa)
  
  

• About the Live Show [+ Show ]
  

  “…they blew everyone in the room away. Talented musicians all across the board and great vocals are...“…they blew everyone in the room away. Talented musicians all across the board and great vocals are going to make these guys a band to watch out for.”
  - ThePlaylist.net
  
  “Rock and roll seeped out of every pour on their bodies as they flipped on stage while creating music that you can’t help but like.”
  - Red Cap
  
  “The next band that hit the stage was The Commercials and I have to say, “wow!” This band was amazing.”
  - Laodicea.net
  
  “Thankfully the Commercials followed… Take, for instance, their fast paced cover of Texas is the Reason’s “Back and to the Left,”…the group actually performs it better than the original.”
  - Red Is All The Rage
  
  

• What Some Real People Said [+ Show ]
  

  “I love that CD, it rocks! Any time I need my Commercials fix I pop in that CD and rock out.” - Ev...“I love that CD, it rocks! Any time I need my Commercials fix I pop in that CD and rock out.”
  - Evil Jared of The Blood Hound Gang, Universal Records
  
  “The Commercials have put the “P” back in PUNK. With great songs like “Ch-Change” and “All About Me,” this CD will keep you bouncing around for hours. Strong melody, great lyrics and a superb sound are all packed into one.”
  -Tom Simon, Universal/Motown Record Group, International Marketing Department
  
  “It’s awesome guys, keep up the good work.”
  - Matt Pinfield, former host of 120 Minutes and MTV VJ
  

• Latest Review (from Warped Tour) [+ Show ]
  

  The Commercials - I would say a pop-punk band, really good and a different sound if you like piebald...The Commercials - I would say a pop-punk band, really good and a different sound if you like piebald or Spitalfield, or saves the day check this band out! www.myspace.com/thecommercials
  
  

Setlist

Basic Requirements

Calendar