RED DONS EURO TOUR 2015

RED DONS are heading back to Europe for a five week trip supporting their new album “The Dead Hand of Tradition” at the end of the month!

Below are a new song from the album entitled “Amman (Before the Bomb)” and the tour schedule. Check local listings for updates on the shows and email us at info@takenbysurprise.net with any questions.

RED DONS EURO TOUR 2015
27.08. Bremen, DE – Sportamt confirmed w/ Jungbluth
28.08. Hamburg, DE – Hafenklang – GET LOST FEST
29.08. Copenhagen, DK – Ungdomshuset
30.08. available Sweden, Denmark
31.08. Gothenburg, SE – Bengans
01.09. Oslo, NO – The Crossroad Club
02.09. Stockholm, SE – Lilla Hotellbaren
03.09. Umeå, SE – Verket
04.09. Oulu, FI – Tukikohta
05.09. Helsinki, FI – Ääniwalli – WALLIHAUTA
06.09. travel
07.09. Uppsala, SE – Red Room
08.09. Malmö, SE – Norra G 26
09.09. Berlin, DE – SO36 w/ No More Art
10.09. Warsaw, PL – ADA w/ Gulag Beach
11.09. Brno, CZ – Bajkazyl w/ Cult Values
12.09. Vienna, AT – EKH w/ Warcry, Cult Values
13.09. Bratislava, SK – Fuga
14.09. Ilirska Bistrica, SL – MKNZ w/ Warcry
15.09. Budapest, HU – Müszi w/ Nervosas
16.09. Zagreb, HR – Attack w/ Warcry
17.09. Milan, IT – Lo-FI Club
18.09. Geneva, CH – La Verseuse
19.09. St. Etienne, FR    – La Guelle Noir
20.09. Barcelona, ES – tba
21.09. Valencia, ES – La Residencia
22.09. Alicante, ES – tba
23.09. Madrid, ES – Wurlitzer Ballroom
24.09. San Sebastian, ES – tba
25.09. Bordeaux, FR – Heretic Club
26.09. Paris, FR – La Mecannique Ondulatoire w/ Youth Avoiders, Stalled Minds, Pale Angels
27.09. Antwerp, BE – Music City – RODEOFEST
28.09. Cologne, DE – Privat
29.09. Frankfurt, DE – Dreikönigskeller
30.09. off
01.10. off
02.10. Tübingen, DE – Epplehaus, HEIMAT TO HELL FEST w/ The Stops
03.10. Munich, DE – Kafe Kult w/ The Stops, Stalled Minds
04.10. Leipzig,DE – Zoro w/ The Stops, Destruction Unit

First track from RED DONS – THE DEAD HAND OF TRADITION LP streaming now!

Five years after their seminal “Fake Meets Failure” LP, Red Dons return with their junior album “The Dead Hand of Tradition,” set to be released August 10th on  Taken By Surprise Records in Europe and later this summer by Deranged Records in North America.

A lot has happened in those five years.

Two of the band’s core members Douglas Burns and Hajji Husayn left their hometown Portland, Oregon behind, for Chicago and London. They recorded and released a slew of singles on labels like Grave Mistake and Dirtnap (including a collaboration with TV Smith of UK punk legends The Adverts). Despite the distance between them, they’ve managed to tour regularly in North America and Europe.

In January this year they reconvened in Portland to record “The Dead Hand of Tradition” at Buzz Or Howl Studios, the same establishment where they recorded the album’s predecessor. “The Dead Hand of Tradition” features ten new tracks of their signature dark, driving, melodic punk rock sound. The formula of their distinctive songwriting hasn’t changed, but has matured as a result of having five more nomadic years under their belts. These new experiences have only added to the themes of alienation, emigration, and loss present in their music.

With Red Dons stalwart Richard Joachim on drums and recent recruit Ruby Sparks of The Stops (Dirt Cult Records / Sabotage Records) on guitar, the band just finished a Midwest / Canadian tour including an appearance at the Ottawa Explosion Fest last month and is returning to Europe for five weeks in the fall.

Pre-order limited white vinyl HERE!

Find the opening track “The Good Disciple” streaming at the link below.

RED DONS + TV SMITH – A VOTE FOR THE UNKNOWN 7″ PRE-ORDER!

SURPRISE 050 |  RED DONS + TV SMITH – A VOTE FOR THE UNKNOWN 7″

A VOTE FOR THE UNKNOWN is a collaborative effort between punk legend TV SMITH and the RED DONS. The former ADVERTS front man provides the lyrics and vocals to music recorded by the band. Tracked in a Swedish bomb shelter and mixed by Hajji Husayn at the NORTH LONDON BOMB FACTORY, this record is a must have for any ADVERTS fan looking for one more offering from TV SMITH backed by a punk band.

Edition of 500 copies on black vinyl in screenprinted sleeves.

RECORDS ARE SCHEDULED TO SHIP MARCH 21!

Order HERE!

ENDLESS COLUMN – SUMMER 7″ PRE-ORDER!

SURPRISE 051 | ENDLESS COLUMN – SUMMER 7″

ENDLESS COLUMN started in 2010 when Doug Burns (OBSERVERS, RED DONS) moved to Chicago and started the band together with Jimmy Hollywood (TYRADES), David Wolf (DAYLIGHT ROBBERY) and Eric Watts. They deliver rocking lo-fi garagerock with surfy undertones. These four songs are taken from their demo, recorded and mixed entirely on a Tascam 246 in the summer of 2011, and mastered by Daniel Husayn at North London Bomb Factory. The band went on a hiatus after Burns moved away for school for two years in 2012 and is now back together playing shows again.

One time pressing of 500 on black vinyl in screenprinted sleeves. Released in cooperation with TWINTOE RECORDS.

RECORDS ARE SCHEDULED TO SHIP MARCH 10!

Order HERE!

THE CRY! EUROPEAN TOUR 2015!

THE CRY! are finally coming to Europe, thanks to our good friends over at OTIS TOURS and WILDWAX SHOWS! Both their albums are being repressed right now and will be available at all the shows!

Here’s the dates:

12/03 THU – Angolo dei 33 – Trento tbc
13/03 FRI – Soundbonico – Piacenza
14/03 SAT – Blah Blah – Torino
15/03 SUN – Groove – Lugo (VI)
16/03 MON – Arci Virgilio – Mantova
17/03 TUE – Available Italy
18/03 WED – Ligera – Milano
19/03 THU – Loggia del Leopardo – Vogogna (VB)
20/03 FRI – Horst – Kreuzlingen (CH)
21/03 SAT – Arge – Salzburg (AT)
22/03 SUN – Cafè Mokka – Thun (CH)
23/03 MON – Available France / Swiss
24/03 TUE – Available France
25/03 WED – Lupita del Raval – Barcellona (SP)
26/03 THU – Loco Club – Valencia (SP)
27/03 FRI – Wurlitzer Ballroom – Madrid (SP)
28/03 SAT – Crazy Horse – Bilbao (SP)
29/03 SUN – Dabadaba – San Sebastian (SP)
30/03 MON – Available France
31/03 TUE – Mondo Bizzarro – Rennes (FR)
01/04 WED – Mecanique Ondulatoire – Paris (FR)
02/04 THU – Joe Tex Cafè – Lille (FR)
03/04 FRI – Available France / Benelux / Germany
04/04 SAT – Sonic Ballroom – Köln (D)
05/04 SUN – Kafe Kult – Munich (D)
06/04 MON – DasBACH – Vienna (AT)
07/04 TUE – Available Europe
08/04 WED -Gleis 22 – Munster (D)
09/04 THU – Kunstkeller – Fürth (D)
10/04 FRI – Goldgrube – Kassel (D)
11/04 SAT – Komet – Hamburg (D)
12/04 SUN – Bei Ruth – Berlin (D)

New LUNCH video from their upcoming LP!

Here’s a video for the song NOT AN OCEAN from the forthcoming debut album LET US HAVE MADNESS OPENLY by Portland’s LUNCH! The record was recorded at BUZZ OR HOWL STUDIOS by Stan Wright and mastered by Brad Boatright at AUDIOSIEGE, it will be a co-production with MASS MEDIA RECORDS from California. The band is scheduled to tour Europe later in 2015.

PISS TEST – SECOND 7″ and MANDATES – SUSPICION b/w WASTIN’ TIME 7″ out now!

SURPRISE 054 | PISS TEST – SECOND 7”
PISS TEST return with a second EP and continue their assault of snotty punkrock jams in the vein of ANGRY SAMOANS, THE LEWD or Portland’s KBD heroes THE STIPHNOYDS. Four new tracks, four new hits.

Buy HERE!

No domestic US version available, get in touch for trades / wholesale!

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SURPRISE 053 | MANDATES – SUSPICION b/w WASTIN’ TIME 7”
Newest single by Calgary’s finest powerpoppunk band following up their great debut LP we repressed earlier this year! Recorded by Teledrome’s Ryan Saddler and mixed/mastered by power pop genius Pat Kearns at Perma Press Studios in Portland!

Buy HERE!

Co-released with TEENAGE RAMPAGE RECORDS!

PISS TEST EUROPEAN TOUR AND NEW EP!

PISS TEST from Portland, Oregon are finally Europe bound, to bring their debut album BIGGEST BAND IN EUROPE where it belongs. The band just finished another EP in time for this trip, with hits like LEATHER JACKETS IN THE HEAT or USED TO SKATE, ready to conquer what is rightfully theirs. Find a full stream and the tourdates below and bow to PISS TEST!

PRE-ORDER THE EP HERE!

 

Do. 13.11.2014 – Aachen – Autonomes Zentrum
Fr. 14.11.2014 – Hamburg – Rote Flora
Sa. 15.11.2014 – Bremen – G18
So. 16.11.2014 – Berlin – K19 w/ LEVITATIONS
Mo. 17.11.2014 – Leipzig – Klubraum Plagwitz
Di. 18.11.2014 – Budapest – Művelődési Szint (Müszi) w/ CRIMINAL CODE
Mi. 19.11.2014 – Zagreb – Klub Močvara w/ DIVIDED MINDS
Do. 20.11.2014 – Brno – Vegalite – w/ CRIMINAL CODE
Fr. 21.11.2014 – Vienna – Venster 99
Sa. 22.11.2014 – Munich – Kafe Kult w/ GIVE
So. 23.11.2014 – Tübingen – Pausenhof
Mo. 24.11.2014 – Schwäbisch Hall – Club Alpha 60
Di. 25.11.2014 – Frankfurt – ExZess
Mi. 26.11.2014 – Kortrijk – The Pit’s
Do. 27.11.2014 – Paris – La Mécanique Ondulatoire
Fr. 28.11.2014 – Amsterdam – OCCII w/ THE KIDS
Sa. 29.11.2014 – Rheine – Trinkhalle

CHEMICALS EUROPEAN TOUR 2014! New D.A.G.R.I.P. LP coming soon!

CHEMICALS return to Europe for a secons round after their succesful first trip in April 2013! They’ve been busy shredding Portland to pieces in the meantime recording a new album entitled D.A.G.R.I.P. with recently reacquired RED DONS drummer Richard Joachim back on board the USS KMKLZ! The record was produced by Tim Kerr (BIG BOYS, POISON 13) at Buzz Or Howl Studios and mastered by Daniel Husayn at North London Bomb Factory. Fun fact: Steve Turner from MUDHONEY is playing guitar on one of the songs.

Here’s a first track called BORDERTOWN for your listening pleasure:

And here’s the tourdates:
Fr. 10.10.2014 – Amsterdam – Pacific Parc – 11pm
Fr. 10.10.2014 – Amsterdam – ADM amsterdam – 3am
Sa. 11.10.2014 – Groningen – ORKZ BAR w/ BAD VISION
So. 12.10.2014 – Berlin – Bei Ruth w/ BAD VISION, Spray Paint, Modern Pets
Mo. 13.10.2014 – Hamburg – Hafenklang
Di. 14.10.2014 – Copenhagen – Ungdomshuset
Mi. 15.10.2014 – Bremen – Sielwallhaus
Do. 16.10.2014 – HELP Germany
Fr. 17.10.2014 – Frankfurt – Dreikönigskeller w/ Nervous Twitch
Sa. 18.10.2014 – Leipzig – LIWI w/ GULAG BEACH, NASTY PACK
So. 19.10.2014 – Munich – Kafe Kult w/ Opiliones
Mo. 20.10.2014 – Opava – U Vočka
Di. 21.10.2014 – HELP Czech Republic / Slovakia / Hungary
Mi. 22.10.2014 – Vienna – Arena Beisl Erdberg w/ Demenzia Kolektiva
Do. 23.10.2014 – Trento – CSO Bruno
Fr. 24.10.2014 – Graz – SUB w/ Divided Minds, Black Gust
Sa. 25.10.2014 – Nürnberg – nürnberg.pop
So. 26.10.2014 – HELP Germany / Holland / Belgium
Mo. 27.10.2014 – Liege – péniche Légia w/ POUTRE
Di. 28.10.2014 – Paris – La Mécanique Ondulatoire w/ HIS ELECTRO BLUE VOICE
Mi. 29.10.2014 – Tours – Le Bar À Mines
Do. 30.10.2014 – Tarbes – CeltiCPuB IsNoTaPuB
Fr. 31.10.2014 – Benidorm – FUNTASTIC DRACULA CARNIVAL
Sa. 01.11.2014 – Benidorm – FUNTASTIC DRACULA CARNIVAL
So. 02.11.2014 – Perpignan – BBC Perpinya w/ Cyclops
Mo. 03.11.2014 – Marseille – la Machine à Coudre
Di. 04.11.2014 – St. Etienne – L’Assommoir café-concert
Mi. 05.11.2014 – Geneva – URGENCE DISK RECORDS
Do. 06.11.2014 – Tübingen – Pausenhof
Fr. 07.11.2014 – Hannover – Stumpf
Sa. 08.11.2014 – Antwerp – Het Bos w/ Acid Baby Jesus
So. 09.11.2014 – Kortrijk – The Pit’s – Bang Zoom Noise Produktions VZW

Please contact me at info@takenbysurprise.net if you can help with the open dates.

AUDACITY – MELLOW CRUISERS LP pre-order!

The AUDACITY – MELLOW CRUISERS LP is finally up for pre-order after a set of rejected testpressings caused some delay. Shipping will start around October 15. Maybe earlier, fingers crossed. The band is still on tour in Europe, make sure to catch them play if you can!

“The Fullerton quartet Audacity could have been just another semi-anonymous pop-punk bunch, if only it had put a little less creativity into the music on its second album. Instead, the band attacks its rough-hewn but unshakably melodic songs from a variety of angles while always retaining its anarchic spirit throughout the album’s too-short 29 minutes.”

This record was originally released by RECESS RECORDS and BURGER RECORDS in the USA.

ORDER HERE!