The Commons

Artist Information

Biography

An independent rock band with touches of country & blues, The Commons have come a long way since their debut album “Anchor” hit the streets in the spring of 2000. Over the course of seven years they have released two EP’s, and three more studio albums including “Eat Off The Vines” in 2001, “Come On Get Gone” in 2003, and “Dirt Waffle” in 2005. With each of these albums came a change in the band’s sonic palette and an evolvement in their musicianship and camaraderie. Now, with tracks in independent movies, television and numerous compilations, The Commons have carved out their latest full-length offering “American Ghost.”

Recorded between May 2006 and June 2007 at SRG Studios in Hamilton, New Jersey, “American Ghost” elegantly captures the band at its height of creativity and exploration of sonic texture. Engineered, mixed, and mastered by lead-guitarist Sean Glonek, it is a deftly layered album in terms of its sound and lyrics, and its distinctive production reveals a clear sense of the band's musical maturity and sonic adventurism.

Released in August of 2007, with an anticipated heavy radio, advertising, and touring campaign, “American Ghost” is a collection of stories about people lost in an American dream. Ten “mini-movies” with characters all bound by love, loss, triumph, disappointment, sacrifice, and hope. Once you open this sonic storybook you may love it, you may hate it, but if you allow these stories deep enough into your mind you may find that you are an American Ghost.

Instrumentation

Keith Monacchio: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Sean Glonek: Lead Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Mandolin
Tom McDonald: Bass Guitar
Tom Kale: Drums, Percussion

Discography

*Anchor (Full-Length Spring 2000)
*The Commons EP (Fall 2000)
*Eat Off The Vines (Full-Length Fall 2001)
*Come On Get Gone (Full-Length Summer 2003)
*Dirt Waffle (Full-Length Summer 2005)
*American Ghost (Full-Length Summer 2007)

Compilations featuring The Commons:

*American Laundromat Records "High School Reunion" (2006)
*Face Down Records "About A Girl" (2007)
*American Laundromat Records "Dig For Fire: A Pixies Tribute" (2007)

Official Website

http://www.thecommons.net

Links

• MySpace

Audio

• Kate & Joe
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• Hey Josephine
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• Fast Food Parking Lot
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• Gas Huffin Housewife
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• The Marrying Kind
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• Lipstick
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Lyrics

• Hey Josephine

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• 2007 Asbury Music Awards [+ Show ]
  

  "American Ghost nominated for 3 Asbury Music Awards." Best Local Release, Best Song (Hey Josephine)..."American Ghost nominated for 3 Asbury Music Awards." Best Local Release, Best Song (Hey Josephine), Best Lead Male Vocalist (Keith Monacchio)

• A Terriffic Album [+ Show ]
  

  "The Commos have consistently turned out some of the finest music and music fans are the better for ..."The Commos have consistently turned out some of the finest music and music fans are the better for it. You can never run out of superlatives when discussing this band. Year in and year out they offer some of the best sounds around and with American Ghost they have a lot to be proud of. A terriffic album . A terriffic band. Always have been. Always will be."

• Flawless [+ Show ]
  

  "American Ghost is 10 distinctly American character studies from the pen of Keith Monacchio, one of ..."American Ghost is 10 distinctly American character studies from the pen of Keith Monacchio, one of New Jersey's finest songwriters, flawlessly executed by his band The Commons."

• Addicting [+ Show ]
  

  "The Commons have consistently put out quality music since 1999. The contemplative mood of American..."The Commons have consistently put out quality music since 1999. The contemplative mood of American Ghost conjures up images that really hit home. Anything these guys have done was never meant to be background music. This material is meant to be listened to. The more I listen, The more I become addicted."

• One Of This Year's Best [+ Show ]
  

  "The band has provided a perfect setting for Monacchio’s brilliant songs through five albums, and ..."The band has provided a perfect
  setting for Monacchio’s brilliant
  songs through five albums, and
  American Ghost is one of this year’s best. From the addicted young
  mother in “Gas Huffin Housewife”
  to the murderer “John Somebody,” or the “The Greenhorn” who has taken a dangerous job on a fishing boat to support his family, everyone
  is looking for a way out. If the
  closing “Hey Josephine” doesn’t
  break your heart, you need an
  x-ray to locate it."
  
  
  
  

• A Sparkling Little Gem [+ Show ]
  

  "A pleasingly gentle, soothing and arresting indie rock album that focuses on an intriguingly eccent..."A pleasingly gentle, soothing and arresting indie rock album that focuses on an intriguingly eccentric array of oddball folks who live on the fringes of America. The story songs found herein are rich in minute detail, stunning pathos, and considerable touching warmth, showing a real love and compassion for the various colorful individuals who are lost and adrift all over this country. The harmonic arrangements, tuneful melodies with tasty traces of blues and country, sharp songwriting and robust vocals are all 100% on the money excellent and effective. A real moving and sparkling little gem.
  

• One of New Jersey's Best
  

  "American Ghost is one of the best musical offerings coming out of New Jersey this year, bar none."

• A Rich Beauty
  

  "A series of rich, American tales. That's the beauty of American Ghost."

• A Classic Album [+ Show ]
  

  "What the Commons have done with this latest album is continued their tradition of melancholy storyt..."What the Commons have done with this latest album is continued their tradition of melancholy storytelling in the way that Counting Crows did so well with their, "August & Everything After" album, and Bruce Springsteen did with, "Nebraska". Will this album be as classic as those two? Only time will tell."

• A Gazillion Stars [+ Show ]
  

  "A brillant and essential addendum to the vernacular of recorded music. Discerning listeners will lu..."A brillant and essential addendum to the vernacular of recorded music. Discerning listeners will luxuriate in this emotionally gripping, sonically sensuous,and simply beautiful masterpiece. A dignified heart wrenching and graceful album from The Commons, the best band too many folks never heard, bravo, bravo, bravo gentlemen.."

Setlist

The Commons perform all original music and are able to play a set up to 3 hours in length depending upon the venue.

Basic Requirements

Calendar