Bands & Artists - The Gaslight Anthem

Biography

The Gaslight Anthem is a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States. Since forming in 2005, they have released two full-length albums and an EP. They were described by Kerrang! magazine as "the best new band you'll hear in 2008." The lineup consists of Brian Fallon (vocals and guitar), Alex Levine (bass), Benny Horowitz (drums), and Alex Rosamilia (guitar). The Gaslight Anthem's music embraces many elements of blues, classic rock, and punk rock. The band has described their sound as "Bruce Springsteen singing for a Cure cover band, with a tinge more aggression." The group's fondness for Springsteen, a significant influence on their music, is a fact celebrated by fans and critics alike. Representative of such views, one critic wrote, "The Gaslight Anthem are like something out of speculative fiction: this is what pop music would be if Springsteen hadn't listened to his producer, let the Ramones record 'Hungry Heart,' and launched the C.B.G.B.'ers into megastardom." The band released its first LP, Sink or Swim, in 2007 through XOXO Records, and toured with many reputable bands, including Against Me!, The Draft, Dead to Me, and Fake Problems. The Gaslight Anthem's second release, a 4-song EP entitled Señor and the Queen, was released on January 29th, 2008 by Sabot Productions. Their second full-length, The '59 Sound, was released on August 19, 2008 on Side One Dummy Records. The album debuted at #70 on the Billboard top 200. It was produced by Ted Hutt, who has produced albums for The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, and MxPx. On August 6, 2008 they became the first band to ever appear on the cover of Kerrang! magazine without the publication having previously written a single word about them. In Fall 2008, the band toured with Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, and Thrice. On December 9, 2008, the Gaslight Anthem made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, performing the song the "The '59 Sound." On January 30, 2009, they appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, again playing "The '59 Sound."