The Buddies Release Video for "All the Beer is Gone", Directed by Ryan and Eric Henriquez

Last year, the video's co-director Ryan Henriquez was directing a web series on the making of Deer Tick's last album Divine Providence in Providence, RI. Ryan spent several days with the band and the album's two producers, Adam Landry and Justin Collins, both of whom were interviewed for the series. During a break from recording, Justin Collins played Ryan the demo for "All The Beer Is Gone" by The Buddies, a band in which Justin sings and plays guitar, comprised of members from Chicago and Justin's hometown of Nashville. Ryan's mind was instantly blown by the demo. Over the course of the next several months, Ryan played it for literally anyone who would listen. When the Buddies' album F*** the Buddies was released later that year, Justin sent Ryan the album and talks began immediately about the creative direction for a video for "All The Beer Is Gone."

In an interview last year with Chicago blog DO312, vocalist Coley Kennedy described the band's sound as "Garbage-rock!” (As Justin once referred to our sound). The Mouse and I love old rockabilly music. We are also really into bands like The Smiths, Echo and The Bunny Men, and Jesus & Mary Chain (as is Pete). I think the front-porch/alt-folk/’60s/grunge-ier sounds The Buddies make are the result of Justin, Scott and Kim. The six of us all place a lot of importance on a really strong melody. We all share adoration for bands such as The Clash, The Faces, The Replacements, The Pogues, and The Stones. Throw all of our influences in a trash can, shake it up and dump it out … voila! The Buddies!"



In early 2012, the band members flew from their respective cities to NYC to film the video over a weekend at a loft in Greenpoint. The video was directed by brothers Eric and Ryan Henriquez and produced by Ryan's Perry Rome Productions. The video marks the Henriquez brothers' first collaboration since co-directing a live video of "Baltimore Blues, No. 1" by Deer Tick's John McCauley & Ian O'Neil. The video was shot by Bill Antonucci and edited by Miku Happonen, both of whom had collaborated with the Henriquez brothers on several music-related video projects over the past few years.

Links:
The Buddies

The Buddies (x-Welcome to Ashley) - Drummer Diagnosed with Cancer / Vocalist Starts GiveForward Campaign

All I can say is "d*mn" - life is complicated enough without having to deal with serious illnesses.

The Buddies’ drummer, Kim Collins, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her band leader, Coley Kennedy, has set up an online fundraiser to help with medical and living expenses.

Our friend, Kim Collins, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Please help us offset/assist with medical/daily living expenses to alleviate the financial burden.

Kim plays drums, sings, and plays the accordion in our band, The Buddies. She's the pretty one. Kim is also the better half of the folk-duo, Smoking Flowers, along with her husband of 12 years, Scott Collins.

TennCare will be providing Kim with some financial assistance. but it's merely a drop in the bucket compared to the many thousands of dollars in expenses that she and Scott will have to pay out of their own pockets.

Anyone who knows Kim, knows of her lust for everyday life, her passion for making and performing music, and how much she cherishes time spent with friends and family; and her dedication to living a healthy, and holistic lifestyle. Kim's a strict vegetarian. She meditates and practices yoga daily. Her body is truly her temple. She's kind, caring, and compassionate. and, she's also stubborn as a mule! and Kim does NOT accept defeat. So, of course, Kim's prepared to fight this head on. She's been strong and positive from day 1. In addition to surgery to remove the cancer, Kim has already begun (and will continue) a strict cancer fighting raw vegan diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For starters, Kim would love a nice food dehydrator. (see wish list on bottom right of screen).

We don't know what the total expenses will be, but we wanted to get something started. Whether you give $10 or $1000, or simply choose to pass this fundraiser along to someone else, know that Kim and Scott will be forever grateful of your generous contributions. Every little bit will help tremendously.

Links:
The Buddies

The Buddies (x-Welcome to Ashley) - Live Video From Bowery Electric, NYC 1/6/12

After watching a show at Pianos a couple years ago, where the European opening band made their NYC debut to an audience of three (myself and two other bloggers), I'm always impressed when an out-of-town opening band can fill the room.

Last Friday night, The Buddies played a strong 40+ minute set of memorable whiskey-drenched songs reminiscent of The Replacements or a "Southern rock" version of The Pogues and the crowd stayed at the front of the stage throughout the band's set. The band wrapped up their set by playing their final number, which sounded like an Irish drinking song, from the center of floor and it was met with an enthusiastic response. Obviously, I wasn't the only convert that night as The Buddies have been invited back to Bowery Electric and are playing a show on April 21st.



The Buddies combines three members of Chicago post-punk band Welcome to Ashley (bassist The Mouse [aka Jeremy Barrett], guitarist Pete Javier and vocalist Coley Kennedy) with Justin, Kim and Scott Collins from Nashville's Pale Blue Dot and the band just released their first full-length F*ck the Buddies.

Links:
The Buddies

The Buddies (x-Welcome to Ashley) Play Bowery Electric on Friday, Jan. 6th

DOWNLOAD: The Buddies - "All the Beer is Gone" (from F*ck the Buddies)



I really enjoyed the music of Chicago post-punk band Welcome to Ashley (which sounded something like The Smiths crossed with Urge Overkill) and the band has now morphed into The Buddies (which has been called a "southern rock version of The Clash"...though I'm thinking more of The Pogues or Jason and the Scorchers).

The Buddies combines three members of Welcome to Ashley (bassist The Mouse [aka Jeremy Barrett], guitarist Pete Javier and vocalist Coley Kennedy) with Justin, Kim and Scott Collins from Nashville's Pale Blue Dot and the band just released their first full-length F*ck the Buddies.

In a recent interview with Chicago blog DO312, Collie described the band's sound as "Garbage-rock!” (As Justin once referred to our sound). The Mouse and I love old rockabilly music. We are also really into bands like The Smiths, Echo and The Bunny Men, and Jesus & Mary Chain (as is Pete). I think the front-porch/alt-folk/’60s/grunge-ier sounds The Buddies make are the result of Justin, Scott and Kim. The six of us all place a lot of importance on a really strong melody. We all share adoration for bands such as The Clash, The Faces, The Replacements, The Pogues, and The Stones. Throw all of our influences in a trash can, shake it up and dump it out … voila! The Buddies!"



At the show at Bowery Electric, The Buddies are playing with American Darlings and Sangsara. Cover is $8 and doors are at 7:30PM.

Links:
The Buddies

Welcome to Ashley Release New Video For "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead" (Chicago Post-Punk)

Chicago post-punk band Welcome to Ashley have released a new video "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead", which was filmed by singer Coley Kennedy and bassist Jeremy Barrett. "Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead" is the first video from the band's newest EP "Absent Man" which is available on iTunes.



Links:
Welcome to Ashley

Welcome to Ashley - Absent Man EP Review (Power-Pop)

Welcome to Ashley is a four-piece post-punk band from Chicago, IL whose music combines the melancholy pop influences of bands like The Smiths and The Bravery with an Urge Overkill style alt-rock swagger.

This new 4-track EP follows a 2007 EP ("The Catbird Seat") and the band's 2006 self-titled full-length debut. Singer Coley Kennedy has a distinctive voice and a way of turning a phrase that keeps this CD memorable. The band also keeps the production lean (there is none of The Bravery or Echo & the Bunnymen's "layers upon layers" of sound) which gives focus to the jangling guitar and melodic bass sounds and keeps the music uplifting over the somewhat melancholy lyrics.

Welcome to Ashley look like they are staying close to home for the next few months. Here is the band's upcoming tour dates:

Oct. 23, 2009, 9:00PM, Empty Bottle, Chicago, Illinois
Dec. 04, 2009, 9:30PM, Radio Radio, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dec. 09, 2009, 9:00PM, Schubas, Chicago, Illinois

Links:
Welcome to Ashley's MySpace Profile

Chicago's Welcome to Ashley Play Three NYC Shows This Week (Power-Punk)

Photo by morgan miller
"WTA have a glam-rock swagger that you haven't heard in most pop bands since Jim Ellison's day" -Time Out, Chicago.

This says a lot to me (especially coming from a major Chicago magazine) as I always thought that Material Issue was one of the top live acts of the early 90's. Welcome to Ashley are in town for a three-night run of shows that starts tomorrow night.

Here are the details:
- Sunday, June 28th at Arlene's Grocery (10PM set time)
- Monday, June 29th at Goodbye Blue Monday (9PM set time) and
- Tuesday, June 30th at Lit Lounge (headlining set - probably 11PM [call the club]).

The band released their debut CD in 2006 and a handful of EPs in the following years. The newest EP, Absent Man, came out in April and is available on iTunes. Check out "Trust in Me" (from Absent Man) which is streaming on the band's MySpace page (link below).

Links:
Welcome to Ashley's MySpace Profile