The Hounds Below (x-Von Bodies) Play Rock Shop Tomorrow (Nov-14) and The Delancey on Friday (Nov-16)

After Detroit garage rockers The Von Bodies broke up last year, vocalist/guitarist Jason Stollsteimer wasted no time in making The Hounds Below his next full-time project. Moving from garage rock to post-punk, All Music called the band's debut disc Light Me Up in the Dark (released last month) "a meeting point between The Cure, early U2, The Pixies and a number of other bands of similar vintage".

Last time through, The Hounds Below were supporting The Cribs so they played the not-so-intimate Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg. This time around, the band is touring with Pomegranates and you can see them up-close and personal. The tour is stopping at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn tomorrow night (Tickets are $10) and The Delancey on Friday night (Tickets are also $10).



The Hounds Below released their self-produced full-length debut, You Light Me Up In The Dark, on October 9 through Slimstyle Records. Though a debut from a band that only solidified its lineup this January, You Light Me Up In The Dark is a fully-formed record. The Michigan four-piece blends melodic rock, a post-punk sense of urgency and the balladeers of yesterday, mastering the art of mature indie-pop while still winking at youth’s never-ending need to wave a flag of revolt. The result is a modern love letter to the masses that manages to paint a canvas of hope detailing wasted days and blurry nights.

Made up of Jason Stollsteimer (Vocals/Guitar), Skye Thrasher (Guitar), Mathew Hofman (Bass) and Griffin Bastian (drums), The Hounds Below is full of glaring guitars backed by energetic percussion and Stollsteimer’s ability to project Detroit’s unique personality through his lyrics. Initially conceived as a solo project in 2009, Stollsteimer was approached by friends to open as their bands came through the Michigan area. “I love playing live as much as I love writing songs so I would assemble a few friends to back me up and do the show,” says Stollsteimer. This quickly led to high-profile shows through the Midwest with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Heavy, The Black Angels, and The Raveonettes.

“The youthful enthusiasm of the other guys and the power of a full band really left their own creative footprint on the songs,” says Stollsteimer. “It’s updated our sound quite a bit and we’ve written many new songs.” One of the earlier songs that is still in the band’s repertoire is “For You And I,” which Stollsteimer says glibly is about “a general distrust in something larger. You can figure it out from the lyrics.” Playing close to the vest, Stollsteimer’s lyrics are most often inspired by fantasy or from observation of his friends, including their lost loves or their relationships.

Links:
The Hounds Below

The Hounds Below: Post "For You and I" from Forthcoming Full Length / Show at Music Hall of Williamsburg with The Cribs

DOWNLOAD: The Hounds Below - "For You and I"



The Hounds Below have announced multiple performances at next week’s SXSW (South By Southwest Festival) in Austin, TX. Made up of Midwestern music notables, the band includes Jason Stollsteimer (who launched his former band The Von Bondies to global recognition) as well as Jesse Shepherd-Bates (bass), Griffin Bastian (drums) and Skye Thrasher (guitar). The Hounds Below are also announcing U.S. dates as main support for The Cribs (dates below). The U.S. dates will be immediately followed with a month long headlining tour of Europe in May (dates to be announced shortly).

"For You And I" which will appear on the band’s debut album (to be released summer 2012) recently premiered with a non-album version on Consequence Of Sound (link above). The song is an example of the band’s synthesis of 90’s alternative pop and 50’s troubadour rock and dollops of elements in-between.

Formed over three years ago, The Hounds Below organically grew their fanbase through touring, DIY single releases and working out their material in the live setting before recording. With that mentality, the quartet has been able to complete numerous U.S. runs along both coasts and Canada as well. Their formidable live show has seen them share stages with such acts as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Heavy, The Black Angels, The Raveonettes and Fountains of Wayne.



TOUR DATES:
3/15-- Austin, TX/SXSW-- Camel Party (@Emo’s East)-4:00pm
3/16 --Austin, TX/SXSW-- The Side Bar-2:00pm
3/16 --Austin, TX/SXSW-- Texas Jumpsuit Party (@Lovejoy’s)-4:30pm
3/17 --Austin, TX/SXSW-- 40 Watt Party (@The Side Bar)-3:30pm
3/17 --Austin, TX/SXSW-- Do 512 (@The Rooftop)-1:00am
4/9 --Chicago, IL-- Schuba’s (with The Cribs)
4/10 --Pontiac, MI-- The Pike Room (with The Cribs)
4/11 --Toronto, ON --Lee’s Palace (with The Cribs)
4/13 --Brooklyn, NY --Music Hall Of Williamsburg (with The Cribs) [Tickets are $20]
4/14-- Boston, MA-- Brighton Music Hall (with The Cribs)

Links:
The Hounds Below