Fourth of July
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Fourth of July

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Fourth of July"

Fourth of July calls the very fertile music scene of Chicago home, and Chicago provides some very hefty standards to live up to. Though young, the band is beginning to find its way around. Their sound is steeped in the traditions of melodic vocally driven alternative rock. If Fourth of July can keep pumping out catchy songs like “Phoenix,” they should be able to make their mark in their scene and yours as well. Keep your ears open, you could be hearing more from these guys really soon.

Ken Glanton
Earfood.net - Earfood.Net


"Fourth of July"

Fans of Radiohead should admire the way Fourth Of July tap into vintage Brit shoegazer music on their self-titled, six-song demo. The band cast a spell by weaving androgynous vocals through shimmering guitar arrangements on “Phoenix,” “Watch Your Step,” and “Assume Normal.” The sound can get a bit repetitive, particularly on the longer tracks, so Fourth Of July wisely included the catchy, more rock-oriented “Your Love Is Now.” (www.fourthofjulymusic.net)
– Terrence Flamm
10/5/05
Illinois Entertainer
- Illinois Entertainer


"Fireworks in October: Or Why it's so Damn Hard to be in a Band."

One of the great things about running a music website besides the chicks and free stuff, is running into a young band that has got some potential. You can see it, and you can hear it long before anyone else. Sometimes even before the band realizes how good they could be. It’s also great to see a band before they get jaded by the industry and don’t want to talk to the likes of Earfood. It’s cool to see a band grow that’s all I’m saying.

One of the young bands I have been following for a while now is a band called Fourth Of July from Chicago. The lead singer and I trade emails often, and he makes sure we know what they are up to. They have this song called “Phoenix” (which I have posted above) that is dead on the money GOOD. I find myself listening to them at least once a week, and every time I listen I wonder what will happen to them. It’s fucking tough out there right now. Maybe they can stick it out, find there way around and stake a claim for themselves. I hope they do, but in these times you couldn’t blame them for getting an MBA and a cozy desk job. Rock N Roll treats its own like shit these days. It used to only take one song, and A&R were up your ass, but now they want so much more out of bands. There is no such thing as artist development. Artist like Fourth of July are supposed to write, record, work jobs, book their own tours, create a huge fan base, etc. etc then the majors want in. At that point fuck it who needs the majors.

As we struggle to define what it is that our label (Earfood Records) is to be I can’t help but wonder What good are labels doing the music world today. Certainly there are many independents (Epitaph, Arts & Crafts, Saddle Creek to name a few) that are providing good role models for young labels like Earfood or Skybucket (another Birmingham Label doing good things).

Major labels on the other hand just don’t cut it these days, at least I find no evidence to support it. In the old days a producer could swipe up a young band like Fourth of July, and turn out something special for us all to enjoy. That’s not how it’s done anymore, and Fourth of July seem to know it. They work hard; at least as far as I can tell, and they get better ever time they send me a new song. I am looking forward to the next batch of songs.

Though young Fourth of July is beginning to find their way around, with influences ranging from Jeff Buckley and a heavy affection for Elliott Smith, the band is definitely headed in the right direction even without the support of a label or producer. Their sound is steeped in the traditions of melodic vocally driven alternative rock. Radio is hopeless these days, and a band like Fourth of July surely doesn’t have the 10 grand per station it takes to get some airplay (if they do I want to be paid of for writing this post about them). Another thing that seems clear to me from discussions with Fourth of July is that you shouldn’t expect to see any MBA’s coming out of the band anytime soon, they seem committed. You would do yourself a favor by getting to know this band or any band during their youth. One day you can say I saw them before anyone knew who they were. You could even take it a step farther, if you find a band and you like them invest in them, you never know you might be helping to finance the next Nirvana, or U2. This is where the real bragging rights come in. If you are a fan, Earfood says put your money where your mouth is- we have. The thing about being in a young band is the cold hard truth that the longer you can hang in there, the more of a chance you get to getting whatever it is you want. That’s enough from me today, I’m making myself sick thinking about how this industry works. I personally manage two young bands, both have deals with small labels, but it’s still hard and I see it everyday. Enough already- download “Phoenix” turn it up in your headphones, and get back to work. If you live in Chicago go see this band before they make it, and we feel pretty sure they will.
- Earfood.Net


Discography

E.P. "If the Dinosaurs could see us now."
Assume Normal
Watch Your Step
We Speed Light
Phoenix
Your Love Is Now
The Matter is Lost

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Fourth of July is a guitar and vocally driven three piece from Chicago, Illinois. Fronted by a singer reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Neil Finn, and Thom Yorke; Fourth of July is both dynamic and catchy. Fourth of July is a merger of American and British pop rock in that it is both accessible to the listener, while always remembering the need to challenge at the same time.