Dad Rock II-The Gaslight Anthem

Brian Fallon, lead singer of The Gaslight Anthem

If I'm talking about Dad Rock, it only makes sense that I include a band that Jesse and I saw together. Last June, through a bizarre but fortunate series of events, we had free tickets to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. We left after work one evening and made it as far is Fairview Heights, Illinois. Jesse wanted to get up early (before 5 AM) the next morning so we could make it to Bonnaroo in time to see The Gaslight Anthem.

I had heard a few tracks off the band's breakthrough album, The '59 Sound. I generally liked the music--they clearly channeled a young Springsteen and had incredible energy.

When we arrived at the festival, they had already begun playing and we were far from the stage on a 95 degree day following a rain storm. Jesse and I parked ourselves near a lemonade stand, far from the mud pits that would have provided a better view.

Even from that distance, while we dripped with sweat, lead singer Brian Fallon and the rest of The Gaslight Anthem dripped with charisma. It may be a cliche, but the band really did sound better live than on recordings. They played most of the songs on their new album, American Slang, which was released the very next day. 

The Gaslight Anthem is led by Brian Fallon, lead singer and lyricist. Fallon brings the energy of an early punk band, the lyrics of a modern culturally observant poet, and the humility of someone comfortable with his blue-collar roots. In fact, he worked as a roofer before the band became financially viable.

Alex and Jesse

After seeing them perform, Jesse and I were able to attend an interview that Spin Magazine did with Fallon and lead guitarist, Alex Rosamilia. There were only about 5 other people at the interview, so it felt like it was our own private meeting with the band. In the interview, they were pleasant and funny, clearly enjoying what they do. We had a chance to talk briefly with Brian and Alex--we were on a 1st-name basis by that time--and they were very accommodating in taking time for a few photos. 

The Gaslight Anthem have had a big 2010. American Slang has been a consensus choice on all the "Best of the Year" lists. I am still listening to it constantly more than 6 months later. The band is from New Jersey, and they clearly have a Springsteen influence. They borrow at times from his lyrics (it seems every girl in a song is called "Maria"), his images (cars), themes (lives of desperation that really aren't that bad because they are honest).

Brian Fallon is a fascinating guy. As a dad, I was overwhelmed by the quantities of tattoos when I saw him up close--he certainly looked hard-core--but he always had a twinkle in his eye that made him seem more like the kid who was always full of mischief, but you could never come down hard on him because you knew he was basically good. Near the end of the Spin Magazine interview, he was asked about the lyrics of his new song, Old Haunts, and if the lyrics were "anti-nostalgia." (The '59 Sound had been full of nostalgia.)

Fallon smiled and said, "No, it's not anti-nostalgia at all. Actually, that one was for my mom. She's always talking about how I only live in the past or the future...so I had to write a song for her, about the present."

The Gaslight Anthem--maybe I should include them under Mom Rock.
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Here is Bring It On performed live at Bonnaroo 2010:
 

Now for an acoustic version of Old Haunts:
 

Finally, a glimpse of The Gaslight Anthem with The Boss:
 

Dad Rock--Introduction

I have not posted in a while--been busy and lacking creativity. The other night, my wife suggested I do a list of the best "Dad Rock" songs. Thanks, Barb, for the inspiration.

About six weeks ago, my son showed me a column that described the growth of Dad Rock--referring to the growing number of bands that appeal to all ages. The column specifically mentioned a number of bands that I enjoy (as does my college-aged son). The writer described Dad Rock as music that makes you want to speed down the road with the top down (or at least at 5 miles an hour over the speed limit with a sun roof).

In True Stories, I have already shared some of my favorite bands from the past (and a few from the present). Over the next few weeks, I will be introducing you to some of the best in Dad Rock.

Up first--Frank Turner

Frank Turner is a folk-punk artist who formerly was in a hard-core punk band. He has soared in popularity in England with his ironic lyrics, great live performances, and a sense of humor. In I Still Believe, he sums up the joy of music:

I still believe in the saints

In Jerry Lee and Johnny, and all the greats

I still believe in the sound

That has the power to raise a temple, and tear it down

I still believe in the need

For guitars and drums and desperate poetry

I still believe that everyone

Can find a song for every time they've lost, and every time they've won

So just remember folks we're not just saving lives, we're saving souls and we're having fun. 

Turner has lyrics and song titles that can make every English teacher smile. Check out I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous:

Let's begin at the beginning: we're lovers and we're losers

We're heroes and we're pioneers, and we're beggars and we're choosers.

We're skirting round the edges of the ideal demographic.

We're almost on the guest list but we're always stuck in traffic...

I am sick and tired of people who are living on the B-list.

They're waiting to be famous and they're wondering why they do this.

And I know I'm not the one who is habitually optimistic,

But I'm the one who's got the microphone here so just remember this:

Life is about love, last minutes and lost evenings,

About fire in our bellies and furtive little feelings,

And the aching amplitudes that set our needles all a-flickering,

And help us with remembering that the only thing that's left to do is live  .

After all the loving and the losing, the heroes and the pioneers,

The only thing that's left to do is get another round in at the bar.

One last Frank Turner song with great lyrics and a video that shows his sense of humor. How can you go wrong with a title like Reasons Not to Be an Idiot?

I'm not as awesome as this song makes out

I'm angry, underweight and sketching out

I'm building bonfires on my vanities and doubts 

To get warm like everybody else...