Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Press kit contains nine years accumulation of articles--will gladly fax or snail mail all compiled historyupon request. Recent review:
"One of the hardest working bands on the Northeast indie scene is the Pennsylvania quartet known as The Commercials, a power punk band who sound a lot more mature than your average heartache of the week outfit. In fact, the 10 tracks that comprise IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY... are light-years ahead of the competition, as this group's muscular approach at the sounds made famous by mall punks everywhere is coupled with heartfelt, insightful lyrics that emanate experience and fortitude."
-Skratch Magazine, California
- Skratch Magazine
Yes Yes, it's fair to say the Commercials are awesome, January 5, 2004
Reviewer: chris heiner (Mount Grentna PA)
Ive been listening to the Commercials for about two years now, and have gone to see them wherever I can make it, Although this cd is amazing, I reccomend their second cd over this one. This cd has four songs from that one. The best song on this cd is number 6 which is Vince Is Dead, you can listen to it on www.mp3.com, I strongly reccomend this cd.
- Amazon.com
July 7, 2004
Reviewer: Eric (Boalsburg, PA United States)
I first heard of this band when I saw them open for Mae, Hidden in Plain View, and The Startingline. They grabbed my attention right away with their enthusiastic stage performance. Sometimes you go see bands that seem to be trying to hard to move around to get your attention. Not so the Commercials; they really seemed to be passionate about everything they were doing onstage.
Of course, I remembered this energetic band and eventually bought a CD off amazon. I was surprised with what I got. For a band that pretty much sticks to Pennsylvania and adjacent states for most of their touring, the recording was of an impressive quality. They masterfully write songs that are similar enough to give you a cohesive sense of the Commercials style, yet not so similar that you find yourself singing the chorus from one song during another. Their style is catchy, but definitely not annoying. The vocals come off smoothly and naturally, screamed only when necessary for effect, never sounding like an over-produced backstreet boy. Typical chord progressions lie under creative guitar riffs that draw your mind away from the otherwise pop-punk sound. The drumming is interesting: heavy use of the double bass drum pedal is a signature of their large, metal-loving former drummer, Pudge (who was still in the band at the time of this recording). Through Pudge has since moved on to focus on his hardcore band, the Commercials still provide some quality Pennsylvania underground rock to those who listen.
- Amazon.com
Hot punk not pink puke, April 21, 2005
Reviewer: Lady Godiva "hippychic" (NYC)
I am so sick of corporate manufactured bubble gum artists who can't even lip sync on live tv without screwing up. How refreshing to hear this band, who writes such intense innovative music and perform with passion . If we all supported real artists and ignored the pink puke hopefully it would encourage more genuine music to be make and discourage the prefab hype. One can only hope. Here's a toast to longevity fame and fortune, Commercials, you deserve it. - Amazon.com
A CD packed with punk rock flavor!, November 4, 1999
Reviewer: Tom Simon (NJ)
The Commercials have put the "P" back in PUNK. With great songs like Ch-Chang and My Bologna Has A First Name, this CD will keep you bouncing around for hours. Strong melody, great lyrics, and a supurb sound are all packed into one.
- Amazon.com
Punk rock with a bend towards the FAT sound., June 5, 1999
Reviewer: A music fan
This band combines the FAT Wreck Chords sound with a splash of Emo. Very late 90's sounding punk rock in the vein of NOFX and Blink 182. Sometimes the music branches off from this style and sounds a bit like Sunny Day Real Estate or Texas Is The Reason. Fast music, tight playing, good vocals. Best song on here is the fast paced, FAT sounding Ch-Change. - Amazon
Among the best in an otherwise overstretched genre., July 30, 2003
Reviewer: Paul Taylor (UK)
This is brilliant melodic power pop-punk and is infact among some of the best i've actually heard, if you want to buy any pop-punk from any band you are clueless about then the commercials should be that band. First time for everything maintains it's high level of quality throughout and will leave you stoked after just one listen, as this album grows on you you probably will not be able to put it down for a long period of time seriously as soon as i got hold of this (for a knock off price) it was on constant rotation for months so i cant really recommened this cd enough! - Amazon.com
2005
I have both of the Commercials albums and was lucky enough to see them live a few months ago on tour. Although I liked both of these albums, which are fully of energy yet melodic, the new material they played on tour is light years ahead in their song writing abilities. I heard the new CD is coming out early summer. I can't wait to get it, as I had a chance to preview it when they played live. Easy to hear some influences, yet they are in a category all their own. Thanks Commercials, keep touring and don't forget to come back to NYC! - Amazon.com
The Commercials "It's Not What You Say... It's How You Say It" (Blackout!)
I've been hearing good things about The Commercials for a long time, and had quite a few conversations online with their drummer, Pudge, but I hadn't listened to them a whole lot for lack of the chance to do so. When we were told we were going to be able to review this disc I was pretty excited to check it out. Now that I'm listening, I'm really excited about this.
The Commercials have elements of hardcore and punk, but with quite a bit of melody thrown in. The music is easy to listen to and sing along to, in the sense that it's not abbrasive or intrusive to normal day to day situations. You could listen to this at work and while it's still a little edgy in sound, no one will get annoyed with it if it's not their style. Odds are that they'll like it. They strike me as one of those bands that is the exception to the rules that people have with disliking a certain style of music. Some say they don't like country, but they like the Dixie Chicks. In that same formula, The Commercials are the punk version of the Dixie Chicks. I'm really surprised that we haven't seen huge amounts of radio airplay for them yet. (DW) http://www.cornzine.com/tools/reviews/band_reviews.php3?id=145
- The Commercials "It's Not What You Say... It's How You Say It" (Blackout!)
Discography
New Material Split Ep slated for summer 05 release
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
with The Commercials, Last Day Parade, Fading Fast, The Cotton Weary, This Radiant Boy
"Split 7 Inch"
(2000) Joy Circuit Records, NJ
with The Commercials, River City High, Split 50
"Kickstart Audio 3 Way Split CD"
(2000) Kickstart Audio, PA
with The Commercials, Sunday Drive (Changed Their Name To The Starting Line), and 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
with The Commercials, Tripple A, The Quakers, Holy Smokes
Compilations
"International Punk Rock Box Set"
(2000) Meat Head Records, Ontario Canada
"East Coast Drama Vol. 2"
(2005) Hey Sherman Records, FL
"Songs About Chicks"
(1999) Tank Records, MA
"East Coast vs. The World"
(2003) Fast Action Records, PA
"Out Here Alone Volume 1"
(2002) Dia Contra Noche Recordings, PA
"To Protect And Serve"
(1999) Chapter 13 Recordings, TX
"Ramones Maniacs"
(2001) Trend Is Dead Records, IL
"This One Will Blind Ya"
(1997) Ripped Records, PA
"Girls Kick Ass"
(1999) Punk Rock Onion Records, IL
"Most Features Free"
(2001) Madgurl Records, OH
"Fun With Dirt 2"
(2001) Fun With Dirt Records, IL
"AMP 6 Pack Volume 10"
(2003) AMP Energy Drink and Freedom Zone
"Lumberjack Distribution Spring 2003 Sampler"
(2003) Lumberjack, OH
"We Will Be Heard"
(2003) Mushroom Cloud Records, NE
"What Doesn't Kill Me"
(2002) Blackout Records, Stillborn Records Sampler, NJ
"AMP Magazine SAMPLER Volume 2"
(2003) Amp Magazine, CA
"What'd You Expect For Free Vol 8"
(2000) Skratch Magazine, CA
"52 Lessons On Life"
(2003) Reinforcement Records, NJ
"Interstate Drive"
(2003) Standstill Records, PA
"Aliens Now Own The Earth..."
(2002) Redcap Records, PA
"Does A Body Good"
(2000) No Milk Records, NJ
"Worse Then Alternative, It's Another Punk Comp"
(1999) Reinforcement Records, NJ
"Palancha In The Pit"
(1999) High Risk Records, TX
"Pennsylvania, USA Volume 1"
(2001) Kickstart Audio, PA
"Rockin A Tard Place"
(1997) Chowda Records, PA
"Sugar Sampler Volume 2"
(2000) Jumpstart Records, PA
"America's Finest"
(2001) Jon Doe Records, NJ
"Broken Glass"
(2000) BGP, NJ
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
THE COMMERCIALS ( thecommercials.net )
"The Commercials " hail from central PA, in the same fertile 25 mile radius that has yielded such acclaimed talent as as "Live" , "Fuel" " "Poison" and "Jeffrey Gaines".
"The Commercials" formed while still school mates in the late 90`s, gaining a devoted fan base and such local popularity that they sold over 6000 copies of a self released CD.
The boys began relentlessly touring at age seventeen , with focus and discipline like no other musicians their age. Hundreds of tour dates later , Skratch Magazine dubbed "The Commercials" the hardest working indie band on the East Coast.
The band is signed with Blackout! records and has appeared at the Furnace Fest, SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Millenium Rock Fest, Southwest by Southwest and Warp Tour east coast venues 2003, 2004 and 2005.
These talented musicians have toured virtually everywhere in the USA and Canada, and have shared the stage with friends The Ataris, Saves the Day, At the Drive In , A Small Victory, Taking Back Sunday, Hot Water Music, Zao, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, Keepsake, Digger, Bayside, Me Without You to name just a few .
Earlier released CDs by `The Commercials" are available for purchase at Amazon.com and are currently rated 4 and 5 stars.
The Commercials new song, Summer Jam, slated for split release in July , has already been download at their music sponser site over thirteen thousand times.
"The Commercials" video "It Never Ends" from their last release, peaked at number twenty -five on the ratings for the best indie videos. The band is currently sponsored by Mountain Dew`s 6 packs, which provide tour support and college radio promotion.
"The Commercials" have been featured in articles in Amp Magazine, Skratch Magazine, Wonka Vision, And Chord Magazine as well as countless newspapers and internet editorials.
The Commercials were voted "Top User Pick" and were a featured artist on www.radiotakeover.com in June 2003. They were named the "Top 5 Bands to Watch in 2005" by the York Daily Record, home town paper of "Live". Early this year, the band became finalists in the "Sign My Band /Tour with Yellow Card " contest, beating out 7000 other entries.
" The Commercials" continue to play over 150 dates a year. Amazingly, the band managed, promoted and produced all their efforts with this year being the first out of eight that they have secured professional assistance outside of the band. If any band deserves recognition for talent, sheer hard work and dedication, it`s this one.
Catch them at this year`s Warp Tour or other dates as noted on their website. Brand new material by the band will be available on a split release EP due out this summer.
The Commercials , with band member Tony spear-heading the effort, also operate an under age venue for new musicians, artists and poets to showcase their talent. This provides an excellent drug and alcohol free , safe haven for kids to socialize and enjoy themselves. The Commercials are committed to mentoring and building the confidence of teen musicians by providing a place for them to hone their skills in front of a live audience.
Please encourage and support "The Commercials" as well as all independent musicians and songwriters by booking their talent, purchasing their music , attending their shows, and by word of mouth. Thank you for giving their music a voice to be heard.
Links
