MP3 Archer Avenue - We Watched the Headlights; We Watched the Stars
A Texas Rock and Roll band that sounds like the Gin Blossoms crossed with the alt. country twang of the Old 97''s.
10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: 90''s Rock, POP: Power Pop
Details:
Archer Avenue is a rock n’ roll band from San Antonio, TX whose music has been compared to a cross between “the Gin Blossoms and the Old 97’s” (San Antonio Current). A mix of pop, rock, indie, and a hint of alternative country, Archer Avenue’s sound is hallmarked by huge vocal hooks, 3 part harmonies, deeply personal and catchy lyrics, and superior guitar work in the vein of Ryan Adams, Deathray Davies, and much more.
The band formed in 2003, followed by an EP “Left of the Dial” and a regional Southwest Tour in 2004. “Left of the Dial” caught the attention of Grammy Award Winning Producer Pete Anderson just before reaching the top 100 new downloads on iTunes Germany and UK in 2005.
Pete Anderson is known as guitarist/producer for country star Dwight Yoakam, but also has produced records for K.D. Lang, The Meat Puppets, The Backsliders, Michelle Shocked, Roy Orbison, Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys, and others, with a combined total record sales of over 30 million units.
After catching a show in El Paso, TX, Anderson herded them out to Burbank, CA to record at his studio (The Dogbone) in June 2005, serving as executive producer on the album. He enlisted the production team of Tony Rambo as producer/engineer (has worked with the Donnas, the Vines, Nikka Costa, That Thing You Do! Soundtrack, Pete Anderson, Dwight Yoakam, The Temptations, and hundreds more) and Sally Browder (Wayne Kramer, Auntie Christ, The Eyeliners, The Humpers, The Red Aunts, New Model Army) on editing.
The resulting “We Watched the Headlights, We Watched the Stars” has been met with considerable amount of critical acclaim with a diverse tracklist of pop tunes, rock songs, honky tonk jams, and a cover of “You’re Gonna Miss Me” by Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators. The band has released the first run of Headlights on their own imprint (That Phantom Sound).
Fiercely independent, Kathy Coleman from https://www.tradebit.com said it best “These are some personable guys. They''re out there drumming up interest for their independent release without the help of some PR firm, and I gotta hand it to ''em. I enjoyed the heck out of their disc.”
REVIEWS of "We Watched the Headlights, We Watched the Stars":
"I don''t understand why a band like this is not ALL OVER alternative rock radio, or even adult alternative radio. I mean, when you have bands like say, Semisonic, then why not Archer Avenue?"
- PUNK ROCK PARENTS (.com) (Review by Lee)
"(Archer Avenue''s) lyrics are snappy and intelligent, and their songs quick-grabbing...and their playing excellent, especially Marc Sauceda''s sharp guitar playing."
https://www.tradebit.com (Review by Kathy Coleman).
"a guilty pleasure from a promising young band."
- HYPERACTIVE MUSIC MAGAZINE (Review by Jesse Shires)
"We Watched the Headlights, We Watched the Stars"...is a slick blend of catchy hooks making for a great album to take along on a road trip through the Texas countryside.
-EL PASO TIMES (Review by Adriana Chavez)
"alt-country inflected power pop that we''ve heard from fellow Texans like Rhett Miller and the Deathray Davies"
- ABSOLUTE POWERPOP Blog (Review by Steve)
"If you enjoy bands such as Blue Rodeo, The Jayhawks or Sloan, then Archer Avenue may peek your interest... a fantastic c.d. with catchy songs..."
- BACKSTAGE WINNIPEG (CANADA) (Review by Curt T. Jason)
"Much of the time they suggest a more earnest (and less relentlessly clever) Old 97s crossed with the Gin Blossoms... the difference between spirited demos and a polished record."
-THE SAN ANTONIO CURRENT (Review by Gilbert Garcia)
"Honestly and perfectly blending an array of ear pleasing musical styles..."
- THE EDGE MAGAZINE (Review by Zach Marcotte)
"A very cool, upbeat, jangly ''n'' crunchy twang, hook-filled roots pop debut effort that was produced by the equally awesome Pete Anderson."
- KOOL KAT MUSIK (Review by Ray Gianchetti)
"lots of swagger and attitude, they sing nice three- and four-part harmonies, and they all play their instruments with panache..."
- THE GREENMAN REVIEW (Review by Gary Whitehouse)
"With gritty vocals, tight uncomplicated guitar solos, nice backing harmonies and a slightly Southern tinge, Archer Avenue has created a very refreshing and distinctive sound..."
- SAN ANTONIO ROCKS! (Review by Rowan Lafolle)
(Visit https://www.tradebit.com to read the Reviews in their entirety).