Since the 2007 release of The Gaslight Anthem’s debut album, Sink or Swim, Brian Fallon has won over audiences by blending roaring rock and roll with poignancy and heart. Follow-up records including The ’59 Sound, American Slang, Handwritten and Get Hurt would only reinforce his strengths as a songwriter, while affirming the group’s finesse for bridging poetic reflection with a backbeat as tough as a streamroller. Drawing critical acclaim and recognition from outlets like Rolling Stone and The New York Times, the frontman has often been celebrated as one of the most engaging songwriters of his generation, routinely inspiring the type of awe and discourse typically reserved for musicians twice his age. Although in addition to being one of the most respected artists working today, Fallon earned a reputation for being one of the most prolific. Releasing a total of five studio albums, four EPs and the compilation, The B-Sides, with The Gaslight Anthem in just seven years, he has also been involved in multiple side projects as early as 2011. Forming The Horrible Crowes with his guitar tech, musician Ian Perkins, that same year, Fallon would next join Molly and the Zombies with Brian McGee, Catherine Popper and Randy Schrager in 2013. And though The Gaslight Anthem announced their plans to go on an indefinite hiatus this past July, Fallon has shown no signs of slowing down.
Set for release in early 2016, Painkillers will be the New Jersey born musician’s very first solo record, with recording already underway in Nashville with producer/musician Butch Walker. Known for his own solo work, as well as his production credits with everyone from Frank Turner, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Pete Yorn, The Wombats and The Maine, Walker’s (and Fallon’s) social media pages have so far provided the biggest behind the scenes look at the recording sessions. Just a few days ago, Fallon even posted an update on his website where he shared his enthusiasm for the project with fans. After joyously proclaiming that, “Week one of recording is all done! So far it’s going amazing and I’m well pleased with how great it’s coming out,” he shed light on the recording process, writing, “We’ve been starting every song out with acoustic guitar, vocal, bass, and drums live and then we pretty much build from there. It’s a great way to do it because as each thing goes on top you start to hear more and more of a finished song. We’re choosing each layer carefully and only putting on what we feel adds to the song, not just layering for the sake of slapping 32 guitars of the same part.”
And as if photos of the studio sessions, JHS Pedals and Fallon’s Martin D-41 Acoustic weren’t enough to fuel anticipation leading up to the album’s release, Fallon has already announced a string of upcoming shows to begin in January. Touring throughout the remainder of the month, he will be accompanied onstage by a core band comprised of Ian Perkins, Catherine Popper and his band mate in The Gaslight Anthem, guitarist Alex Rosamilia. Until then, fans can look to Fallon and Walker’s own updates for continued insight and commentary on the development of Painkillers.
Don’t Miss Brian Fallon When He Comes To Your City
Additional Dates To Be Announced Soon
January 7th / Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
(Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/1FRKmiw)
January 8th/ Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater
(Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/1WKzVS1)
January 9th/ Mashantucket, CT @ The Fox Theater/Foxwoods Resort Casino
(Ticket Link: www.foxwoods.com/brianfallon.aspx)
January 10th/ Wilmington, DE @ World Cafe Live
(Ticket Link: http://ticketf.ly/1jMlDSz)
January 12th / Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
(Ticket Link: http://ticketf.ly/1LfQRfg)
January 13th / Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
(Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/1Guu21U)
January 15th/ Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
(Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/1MWJski)
January 16th/ Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom
(Ticket Link: http://ticketf.ly/1MaEpyj)
January 17th/ Nashville, TN @ City Winery
(Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/1JQrjQk)
Article: Caitlin Phillips
