Driven Far Off

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Thrice Announce Co-Headlining Tour With Manchester Orchestra

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Thrice are preparing to hit the road for three weeks this Spring on a co-headlining trek with Manchester Orchestra.  The month-long tour supports Thrice’s recent album Beggars (09/09, Vagrant) and will commence with two nights in Manchester Orchestra’s hometown of Atlanta, GA before wrapping through the country.  The tour concludes in Albuquerque, NM on May 9, with O’Brother supporting both bands on all dates.  Thrice continues to work with Invisible Children, the charity working to raise awareness about the war in northern Uganda, and will have advocates out on the road this Spring.

Vocalist Dustin Kensrue shares his excitement about the upcoming trek by saying, “We’ve only gotten to hang out [with Manchester Orchestra] in passing, so we’re excited to get out on the road with them. They’re a great band and one of the few out there that I feel an affinity with in more ways than one.”

Thrice on tour:

Apr 14 ““ Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Apr 15 ““ Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Apr 16 ““ New Orleans, LA @ The Howlin Wolf
Apr 17 ““ Oxford, MS @ The Lyric Oxford
Apr 18 ““ Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre
Apr 20 ““ Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Apr 21 ““ Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
Apr 22 ““ Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Apr 23 ““ St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Apr 24 ““ Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Apr 25 ““ Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court
Apr 27 ““ Vermillion, SD @ Eagle’s Club Room
Apr 29 ““ Billings, MT @ The Railyard
May 1 ““ Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theater
May 3 ““ Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
May 4 ““ Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
May 7 ““ Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
May 9 ““ Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre

Thrice – Beggars

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Thrice - Beggars

Artist: Thrice
Album: Beggars
Label: Vagrant
Purchase: SmartPunk
Release Date: September 15, 2009

Overall: 9.5
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9
Production: 9

Without any type of progression, we become dull, stagnate beings that float around aimlessly until Death knocks on the door and begs for the keys to our existence. We then fail to reinvent ourselves, not for the sake of reinvention, but for the sheer necessity to constantly improve our condition and shift through the experiences that shape who we are. Music without this sense of maturation will sound the same throughout a lifeless discography, each record appearing like the predecessor except with a new cover and the songs rearranged with less-than-creative titles. What creates a musical act that will stand the test of unforgiving time is their ability to accept that their sound will change over the years and when it comes down to it, it’s about expressing themselves freely without attaching their creative spirits to the type of records critics or obsessive fans want to hear.

Thrice has been creating music as early as their high school years (circa 1998), putting out records that have been progressing towards a specific point, whether consciously or subconsciously. On September 15th, 2009 (digital version released in August) the band will release the record that everything else has led up to. “Beggars” is the record that proves that progression must be implemented because it is a risk worth taking, the result being the creation of songs that will leave the listener in awe and convince the naysayers that Thrice is one of the most important bands of our time.

Ten tracks that bring back a rawness and honesty that were once allocated to “alternative rock” in the 1990’s. With computers taking over much of the “talent” many mainstream artists are praised on, there seems to be a need to hear music that relies solely on the human-to-instrument talent of the musician(s). Each track feels raw, not sloppy but more in the sense that the band is inside your bedroom playing a private show for you instead of just pouring through speakers or headphones. The first half of the record has more groove than previous Thrice releases, being more energetic without the screaming and hard yelling they were known for in the first phase of the band. There are a few slower songs (“Wood & Wire”, “The Great Exchange”, and “Beggars”), but these songs are soaked deep in honesty and showcase the beauty of Dustin Kenrsue’s lyrics. One of the most haunting and truthful lines comes from the last track; “If there’s one thing I know in this life, we are beggars all.”

The more you listen to this record, the more it grows on you and the easier it is for you realize the perfection of the groove, soul-wrenching monster that is “Beggars”.

Note from the reviewer: I did not find it appropriate to dissect each song on the record, as other reviewers are more likely to have already done based on some invisible critique formula. Attempting to translate the essence of each song in word form would be a failed attempt and it would also serve as a spoiler, taking away from that first time you listen to the record straight through. Showing you the most important parts of the movie before you sit down in the theater with your soda and popcorn, ready to be taken to another world. I highly advise you purchase a copy of “Beggars”, listen to it somewhere isolated where there is no other noise interference, and allow the music to enter you and expand you and make you feel something that mainstream music can’t provide you with.

Thrice Headlining Tour Dates

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Thrice has just announced a few more headlining tour dates for their west coast tour with Brand New.

10/25 ““ Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Amphitheater *
10/27 ““ Austin, TX @ Stubbs BBQ *
10/29 ““ Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom *
10/30 ““ Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom *
11/02 ““ Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre ^
11/03 ““ Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle *
11/04 ““ Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues *
11/05 ““ Tampa, FL @ The Ritz *
11/07 ““ N. Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues *
11/09 ““ Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte *
11/10 ““ Richmond, VA @ The National *
11/11 ““ Baltimore, MD @ Sonar *
11/13 ““ Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa *
11/14 ““ Philadelphia, PA @ The Electric Factory *
11/15 ““ Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel ^
11/16 ““ Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ^
11/17 ““ Poplar Grove, IL @ Chubby Rain-House of Tunes ^
11/19 ““ Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep ^
11/20 ““ Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue ^
11/22 ““ San Francisco, CA @ The Grand Ballroom at The Regency ^
11/23 ““ Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon ^
11/24 ““ Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues ^
11/25 ““ Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues ^
12/04 ““ San Diego, CA @ Soma ^

^ – Headline date
* – Supporting Brand New

Thrice Set New Release Date; Stream Album; Tour With Brand New

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Thrice has set September 15th as the release date for their new album, Beggars. Beggars leaked in mid-July resulting in a pushed up digital release exclusively on iTunes on August 11. September 15 will be the day that the newly beefed up physical CD will be in stores. The package will include a download card featuring five bonus tracks ““ two b-sides (“Answered,” “Red Telephone”) which were recorded during the Beggars sessions, as well as a hot-off-the-presses studio rendition of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” ““ a fan favorite from recent Thrice live shows. Also included are a remix of “All The World Is Mad” by Free The Robots and a remix of “Circles” by Textual.

Beggars is currently streaming on MySpace.

Thrice is confirmed as main support on a portion of Brand New’s recently announced fall US tour. Their leg begins October 25 in Lubbock, TX and wraps up in Philadelphia on November 14. Thrice’s headline dates begin the next day in Pittsburgh, PA at Diesel and more dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for Thrice’s November headline dates will be made available early to fans through a special Ducat King presale beginning Wednesday, August 5 here (http://www.thrice.ducatking.com/). Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning August 20.

THRICE – live dates

08.19 ““ Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center #
08.20 ““ Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre #
08.21 – Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre #
08.22 ““ San Diego, CA @ Cricket Amphitheatre #
08.23 ““ Los Angeles, CA @ Home Depot Center #
08.29 ““ Vancouver, BC @ Big Easy Festival
10/25 ““ Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Amphitheater *
10/27 ““ Austin, TX @ Stubbs BBQ *
10/29 ““ Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom *
10/30 ““ Dallas, TX @ The Palladium Ballroom *
11/02 ““ Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre ^
11/03 ““ Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle *
11/04 ““ Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues *
11/05 ““ Tampa, FL @ The Ritz *
11/07 ““ N. Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues *
11/09 ““ Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte *
11/10 ““ Richmond, VA @ The National *
11/11 ““ Baltimore, MD @ Sonar *
11/13 ““ Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa *
11/14 ““ Philadelphia, PA @ The Electric Factory *
11/15 ““ Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel ^
11/16 ““ Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection ^
11/17 ““ Poplar Grove, IL @ Chubby Rain-House of Tunes ^
11/19 ““ Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep ^
11/20 ““ Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue ^
# – Vans Warped Tour
^ – Headlining w/ The Dear Hunter, Polar Bear Club
* – Supporting Brand New

Thrice Talk About Album Leak; Set New Digital Release Date

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Thrice posted a statement about the leaking of their new album, Beggars, originally set for release on October 13th. Check out the statement below. The album now has a digital release date of August 11th and the physical release date is still set for October 13th.

Obviously, we’re incredibly disappointed with what happened. We understand that records leak constantly and that it’s almost entirely unavoidable nowadays, but we never thought we’d have to deal with a record leaking three months before it’s release date, and certainly never thought we’d have to deal with a leak before anyone in the band had even gotten a master reference of the record, or before the artwork for the booklet had even been completed.

We’re also disappointed that you’re hearing the record for the first time, watermarked, with a Vagrant Records voiceover over every song. And we’re disappointed that the leak has thrown a massive and immovable wrench into the efforts that many people have made to prepare for the three months leading up to release. That said, what’s done is done, and we’re moving forward.

“Beggars” will be available for download, legally and voiceover free”“the way it was intended to be heard”“as soon as we can possibly make it happen. Leaks happen overnight. Changing an entire retail marketing plan doesn’t.

Thrice Announce Release Date For New Album

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Thrice has set October 13th as the release date for their new album, Beggars. The California-based quartet recorded the 10-track set at producer and guitarist Teppei Teranishi’s New Grass Studios this spring. Check out the album art and track listing for the album below.

“I’m really excited about this record,” said vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue. “Beggars is more visceral and more raw – both in the songwriting and in the overall sound. It moves with a different energy than any of our past records. It was born out of us playing together in a room, almost as a backlash to the giant headgame that was The Alchemy Index.”

Drummer Riley Breckenridge added, “”With The Alchemy Index, I think we broadened the scope of what we can do as a band, and while the writing and recording of the four EPs was a great learning experience, it was definitely an arduous, and at times, fragmented process. Beggars was a chance for us to apply the things we’d learned and push ourselves to create something more cohesive. At the root of that, was the four of us getting back in our studio, focusing on jamming song ideas out until they felt right, letting ‘happy accidents’ happen, and building on the energy of the four of us being in the same room together playing live.”

Thrice - Beggers

Beggars track listing

1. All The World Is Mad
2. The Weight
3. Circles
4. Doublespeak
5. In Exile
6. At The Last
7. Wood & Wire
8. Talking Through Glass
9. The Great Exchange
10. Beggars

Warped Tour Bands Talk MJ

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wtmj

The folks at Buzznet caught up with 11 different artists at Warped Tour and asked each of them what their favorite Michael Jackson song is and what is a memory they have of Michael Jackson. Find out what Escape The Fate, 3OH!3, Meg & Dia, Jeffree Star, The Maine, A Rocket To The Moon, Thrice, Sing It Loud and more had to say about MJ!

Check out the video below.

Thrice Album Update

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Below is a message from Dustin Kensrue of Thrice.

Hey everyone. Ed is going to put some more photos up soon but he has been busy building various wooden devices to make our studio sound better.
Things are are going good. I think we’ll probably record about 13 songs, 10 or 11 or which will find their way on to the record. Major themes are starting to shape up in my head lyrically but I’ll keep them to myself for the time being.
Not listening to much because I’m writing lyrics in my head while I drive or do mundane tasks, but I have once again been listening to
Josh Ritter – The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
which is a really great record.
Also listened to Samiam – Astray, last night while cleaning the kitchen. Mmmm. Samiam.

Watching: Mostly also while doing mundane tasks (apparently I am fairly domestic)
Lost (what the heck, no episode this week?)
Heroes
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (I can’t believe I forgot to mention that before, that show is the BEST! If you watch, you know.)

Also, we’ve been Twittering quite a bit. Teppei and I just learned what Twittering was this week. We have children. But, it seems pretty cool, and now we are, tweeting? I think that’s how the cool people say it, right? Anyway, our tweeting name is OfficialThrice.

lovedustin

Thrice Update

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Thrice has posted an update about their writing status for the new record

Sorry for the lack of updates”¦here’s a quick low-down. Dustin was out on a little solo outing for the last couple weeks, but Riley, Ed, and I got together a few times and worked on some ideas. Writing has been going pretty good. We’ve come away with a pretty solid idea for a song every time we’ve gotten together. The songs seem like they’re shaping up nice so far”¦we’ve only got a few rough skeletons for songs but we’re all pretty excited about what’s happening. I guess that’s about it for now, thanks for stopping by. Gratzie,
Teppei