Bronx Cheerleader

“It was just a complete shot in the dark,” is the way Bronx Cheerleader‘s Scott Warren describes his decision to fire off an email to Steve Mason, lead singer and one of the founding members of the legendary Beta Band, asking if he’d be interested in remixing one of Bronx Cheerleader’s songs. Warren’s one of many fans who follows Mason on Twitter. “That’s where first I learned that he was opening his own recording studio,” referring to Mason’s Kronk Studios. “He posted a remix of “Feeling Sick” by Ambulances and I thought it sounded really cool. Just on a complete whim, I sent him a message asking if he’d be interested in doing a remix for Bronx Cheerleader and sent him ‘Get Out Your Guns’ [from Bronx Cheerleader's 2012 Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls LP]. I never thought I would get any sort of reply.”

But reply he did. A couple days after that fateful email, Warren got word that Mason was up for the task, but had a few obligations to get through first. “He had to do a remix for Django Django first. It was like: “Okay, I can wait in line behind Django Django I guess…” says Warren with a laugh, citing their recent album as one of his favourites of the year. He has high praise for his remixer, too. “The Beta Band were such a breath of fresh air when they first came on the scene. They sounded like nothing else that was around at the time. I cite Steve’s music [with The Beta Band, King Biscuit Time and his more recent solo work] as one of the major influences on what I do.”

The remix-friendly “Get Out your Guns” was worked over by former Bronx Cheerleader member Carson Manette (whose Water Over Road remix of the song is available via iTunes and Bandcamp), and the plan wasn’t actively seeking out new versions. The opportunity to work with Mason was just too good to pass up, though, as was the chance to be the first to bring the track to public ears! Quick Before It Melt is honoured that Bronx Cheerleader have brought this exclsuive remix to their fans through us first, before being made available on Bronx Cheerleader’s SoundCloud and Bandcamp pages. The Steve Mason remix of “Get Out Your Guns” is available today as a downloadable MP3 by just right-clicking on the link below, and saving the file to your computer. Enjoy! - www.quickbeforeitmelts.com

In the frigid lands of Ontario, there is a band with a New York name that makes better sunny California psych-pop than many bands in the Golden State. Much better. The guitar riffs swirl and soar, the layered vocals drip with the perfect mix of moodiness, and the hooks are as interesting as they are immediate. They’ve been referred to as Canada’s own version of the Shins. But they’re not. They’re Bronx Cheerleader.

Named for Mercury Rev’s “Bronx Cheer” (the “leader” was added hastily after a U.K. band had already snagged the name), Bronx Cheerleader is a pop band with a proggy family history. Frontman Scott Warren and his former band, Pope Factory, were in the midst of a U.S. tour, which included stops at the 2001 CMJ Music Marathon, held in September of that year. On Tuesday, September 11, Warren and company were packing the van to leave for a CMJ showcase. Needless to say, the events of that day not only cancelled that event but also took their toll on the band: Pope Factory played its final show in Nashville a few weeks later.

After a hiatus in rural Eastern Ontario, Warren had an epiphany: Instead of continuing to make quirky prog-pop, his new band would focus on melodicism and laid-back jams. The altered formula worked: Bronx Cheerleader’s debut LP, Tough Guy Clichés, was a hit on college radio, charting before the band had even played a live gig and popping up on lots of “Best Of 2005? lists. Seven years later, the band released its sophomore effort, Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls, a record that, while not punk-y at all (aside from a track titled “Ann Coulter”), showcased the band’s strengths: folk instrumentation, simple, effective melodies, glistening production.

Nearly a decade has passed since Warren formed the band, with innumerable changes (musical and otherwise) along the way. Though Bronx Cheerleader has been reclusive for the past few years, that’s about to change with the band’s upcoming North American tour, which will undoubtedly introduce more Yankees to one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. - www.cmj.com

In the frigid lands of Ontario, there is a band with a New York name that makes better sunny California psych-pop than many bands in the Golden State. Much better. The guitar riffs swirl and soar, the layered vocals drip with the perfect mix of moodiness, and the hooks are as interesting as they are immediate. They’ve been referred to as Canada’s own version of the Shins. But they’re not. They’re Bronx Cheerleader.

Named for Mercury Rev’s “Bronx Cheer” (the “leader” was added hastily after a U.K. band had already snagged the name), Bronx Cheerleader is a pop band with a proggy family history. Frontman Scott Warren and his former band, Pope Factory, were in the midst of a U.S. tour, which included stops at the 2001 CMJ Music Marathon, held in September of that year. On Tuesday, September 11, Warren and company were packing the van to leave for a CMJ showcase. Needless to say, the events of that day not only cancelled that event but also took their toll on the band: Pope Factory played its final show in Nashville a few weeks later.

After a hiatus in rural Eastern Ontario, Warren had an epiphany: Instead of continuing to make quirky prog-pop, his new band would focus on melodicism and laid-back jams. The altered formula worked: Bronx Cheerleader’s debut LP, Tough Guy Clichés, was a hit on college radio, charting before the band had even played a live gig and popping up on lots of “Best Of 2005? lists. Seven years later, the band released its sophomore effort, Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls, a record that, while not punk-y at all (aside from a track titled “Ann Coulter”), showcased the band’s strengths: folk instrumentation, simple, effective melodies, glistening production.

Nearly a decade has passed since Warren formed the band, with innumerable changes (musical and otherwise) along the way. Though Bronx Cheerleader has been reclusive for the past few years, that’s about to change with the band’s upcoming North American tour, which will undoubtedly introduce more Yankees to one of Canada’s best-kept secrets. - www.cmj.com

Bronx Cheerleader have been a regional treasure in and around their hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, for years now but their new album, Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls, deserves to be heard by a wider audience. Camelot is a deliciously dirty lo-fi anthem-in-waiting, and one of the stand-out moments on this record, of which there are many. - The Guardian Music blog (UK)

Much like how Deerhunter's music contrasts to Michael Cimino's gruesome movie of the same name, St. Catharines' Bronx Cheerleader's music is far from the imagery of some ponytailed girl from the Boroughs in a short skirt and knee-highs jumping around with pompoms in hand.

Instead of music that would fit the imagery of the band name, Bronx Cheerleader's latest record, Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls is an album full of reverb drenched guitars and dreamy vocals. It is a collection of ten beautifully crafted and catchy tunes – and rightfully so, considering that the album was 3 years in the making.

"A lot of that had to do with member changes and having to find new people," said Scott Warren, the brains behind Bronx Cheerleader. "The album was recorded track-by-track, and half way through we had to find a new drummer and re-do the drum tracks.

"We spent a lot of time making this record and I feel like I've heard it 300 times and I don't ever want to hear it again, but I'm also really glad it's done."

The album was recorded by guitar player Carson Manette in his home studio, and the artwork for the album was created and designed by Warren – who is also a graphic designer. The cover, a red and blue image of comedian Lenny Bruce — famous for his book How to Talk Dirty and Influence People — was also printed in Warren's garage, where he has a print shop set up.

"We are pretty much DIY all the way, down to the recordings and printing the jackets in my print shop in my garage," he said. "As for Lenny Bruce, my Dad had his book and when I was 16 or so I picked it up and that was how I first got into Lenny. Then I started buying his records and stuff. He was really way ahead of his time.

"I just like the image, as far as the album cover, I really wanted to go with something busy, and actually if you turn it upside down you can see mountain climbers as well."

Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls is Bronx Cheerleader's second album. Their debut, Tough Guy Clichés, was released in 2006, and songs from the album were licensed for on television shows on a subsidiary network of Fox.

"They weren't on shows that were on the Fox network, it was called My Network TV and the shows were terrible – unwatchable," said Warren. "When I heard that the songs were going to be on the shows, my wife and I sat down and watched the first 15 minutes and then had to turn it off.

"Their rep just contacted me, I guess he had found our music on a blog, I didn't solicit it, they just came to me – and it paid O.K. too."

With Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls finished and released, Bronx Cheerleader is hosting an album release party on Mar. 8 with The Bends and Kaptur and then plan to hit the festival circuit this summer and hopefully make it out East this summer. - The Brock University Press

Much like how Deerhunter's music contrasts to Michael Cimino's gruesome movie of the same name, St. Catharines' Bronx Cheerleader's music is far from the imagery of some ponytailed girl from the Boroughs in a short skirt and knee-highs jumping around with pompoms in hand.

Instead of music that would fit the imagery of the band name, Bronx Cheerleader's latest record, Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls is an album full of reverb drenched guitars and dreamy vocals. It is a collection of ten beautifully crafted and catchy tunes – and rightfully so, considering that the album was 3 years in the making.

"A lot of that had to do with member changes and having to find new people," said Scott Warren, the brains behind Bronx Cheerleader. "The album was recorded track-by-track, and half way through we had to find a new drummer and re-do the drum tracks.

"We spent a lot of time making this record and I feel like I've heard it 300 times and I don't ever want to hear it again, but I'm also really glad it's done."

The album was recorded by guitar player Carson Manette in his home studio, and the artwork for the album was created and designed by Warren – who is also a graphic designer. The cover, a red and blue image of comedian Lenny Bruce — famous for his book How to Talk Dirty and Influence People — was also printed in Warren's garage, where he has a print shop set up.

"We are pretty much DIY all the way, down to the recordings and printing the jackets in my print shop in my garage," he said. "As for Lenny Bruce, my Dad had his book and when I was 16 or so I picked it up and that was how I first got into Lenny. Then I started buying his records and stuff. He was really way ahead of his time.

"I just like the image, as far as the album cover, I really wanted to go with something busy, and actually if you turn it upside down you can see mountain climbers as well."

Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls is Bronx Cheerleader's second album. Their debut, Tough Guy Clichés, was released in 2006, and songs from the album were licensed for on television shows on a subsidiary network of Fox.

"They weren't on shows that were on the Fox network, it was called My Network TV and the shows were terrible – unwatchable," said Warren. "When I heard that the songs were going to be on the shows, my wife and I sat down and watched the first 15 minutes and then had to turn it off.

"Their rep just contacted me, I guess he had found our music on a blog, I didn't solicit it, they just came to me – and it paid O.K. too."

With Real Punks Don't Sing About Girls finished and released, Bronx Cheerleader is hosting an album release party on Mar. 8 with The Bends and Kaptur and then plan to hit the festival circuit this summer and hopefully make it out East this summer. - The Brock University Press

Band: Bronx Cheerleader
Album: Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls

Written by: Chiara DiAngelo

If you are unfamiliar with Bronx Cheerleader, with a long-awaited new LP being released this week, now is the time to get to know them. Based out of St Catharines, Bronx Cheerleader is: Scott Warren (vocals, guitar), Joe Lapinski (guitar, pedal steel), Carson Manette (guitar, keys), Eron Stroud (bass, vocals) and Marshall Bureau (drums). Having been largely off the grid since acclaimed Tough Guy Cliches dropped in 2005, Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls represents their much anticipated return to the scene.

There is a spacey, dream pop essence to the 10 tracks on this record. While Warren’s vocals are often akin to James Mercer of The Shins, especially on shoe-gazey “Marble” and “Sour Life,” to me that’s where the similarities end.The appearance of keyboards and pedal steel guitar on various songs, such as “Ann Coulter,” gives further depth and dimension to Bronx Cheerleader’s sound. Add in heavier pulsing tracks like “Get Out Your Guns” and “Low Man,” and Bronx Cheerleader provides a record that is interesting and much more diverse than many of the bands that fall into this genre.

A bit of an institution in Niagara, a release party is set for Thursday March 8 at Mansion House (St Catharines); Bronx Cheerleader will also be debuting the LP to Toronto this Thursday at Rancho Relaxo. WIth CDs and vinyl available for sale at both shows, I’d recommend picking up a physical copy – the cover art is fantastic! - Buying Shots For Bands

For their last album, Bronx Cheerleader went with the misleading title Tough Guy Clichés, the music being anything but commonplace and the macho posturing constrained to the album’s artwork. Likewise, don’t expect their new album, Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls, to prompt you to pierce your nose with safety pins and set the feminist movement aflame. What you should expect is an impeccably crafted set of songs that are delicate to the point of almost being weightless, secured to the ground with some surprising bass-heavy funk and instantly catchy melodies.

You’ll start bobbing your head and singing along to “Low Man” and be seduced by the sweet country swing of “Marble” before you know it. “Sour Life” (originally slated as the first single for a side project head Cheerleader Scott Warren was working on last year) swirls in a psychedelic haze of toy instruments, vintage analog drum machines, and odd percussion. If at first Warren felt it didn’t fit with the Bronx Cheerleader aesthetic, it’s now one of the album’s anchors, setting the template for experimentation that makes it’s way to the sinister sounding “Get Out Your Guns”. “Ann Coulter” the song bares little in common with the self-styled shit-disturber it’s named after; it’s an all-out slide guitar singalong that makes perfect sense in the context of Real Punks’ expectation-disturbing sound.

And therein lies the charm of Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls. All these divergent, almost mismatched elements–the western inflection, the funky bass lines, the experimental sounds, and Warren’s beautiful, breathy delivery–go together like hand in glove. Bronx Cheerleader have been a regional treasure long enough. Niagara is ready to share them with the rest of Canada and the world. With Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls, Bronx Cheerleader are saying that they’re ready for that, too. The album is available tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28, 2012 via iTunes, or from the band’s online store at www.bronxcheerleader.com. - Quick Before It Melts

Bronx Cheerleader - Tough Guy Cliches

Brooding in the basement? Feeling frustrated and slightly disaffected? Why not accompany your mellow misery with quiet-loud disciples Bronx Cheerleader? This St. Catherines-based bedroom pop outfit wrings every last drop of pathos from cryptically-titled tunes like Downspout and Our Grudges Have Handles. Whilst this record sounds quite lovely - slightly frayed arrangements are gently underpinned by a nuanced touch of reverb, with fragile harmonies delicately woven throughout - it also sounds a bit formulaic at times. At best, this could be interpreted as a tribute to acknowledged influence Elliot Smith, at worst, a pastiche of more established artists like Low, Sufjan Stevens and Iron & Wine. I will go with the former and suggest supporting Bronx Cheerleader, as they most assuredly have the talent to mature into a niche of their own making. (Karyn Bonham) - Broken Pencil

Earlier this year I had the pleasure and the privilege of hosting the music return of Bronx Cheerleader, whose cover of Pavement’s “In The Mouth A Desert” was featured along with drummer Sauder’s turn standing up to the QBiM Q&A firing line. The band were in the studio recording at the time, and had the creative juices flowing and wanted to share something with the world, so I was only too happy to help them out.

The Pavement cover was the first in a series of free downloads that will precede the release of their next album, Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls, scheduled for this September. Just yesterday the guys released the next free download, “Camelot”, the first single from the forthcoming album. They’ve also completed a video for the track (look up, waaaaaay up, and you’ll see it) and have it all available on their refreshed website. “Camelot” has this great lo-fi grittiness and airy vocals that kind of remind me of Sloan, in a very good way. The band liken it to a cross between the MC5 and TV On The Radio. I can hear that, too.

If you’re a fan of obscure cinematic lost treasures, then I think you’ll love the video–and props to anyone who can place the “wini-western” source material.

Real Punks Don’t Sing About Girls drops (and yes, guys, some of us still say “drops”) on September 7 on LP and CD from Yummy Recordings. - Quick Before It Melts

Although the absolutely lovely and inventive packaging compliments the discs’ title due to its’ stark depictions of mobsters and cops, the style of music couldn’t be farther from the titular literary devices. This music, beautifully crafted by main man S.D. Warren, reminds of the gentle pop stylings of the Clientele or similar Brit bands that ply their wares with hushed emotions and acoustic strums. Putting this on at a party may not be the best idea, but if you’re looking for something to sink your self-pitying teeth into, then you can’t go wrong here. “Racing Time” isn’t just dedicated to Elliott Smith, as Warren’s voice lovingly emulates the late man’s sing-speak along with the perfect driving pop beat. For the epic dream-like centrepiece, look to “The Assault” that allows the falsetto to soar and stimulate the introspection. Throughout Tough Guy Clichés there’s always a nagging familiarity, but it can easily be put aside. For those looking for a great slice of oozing sincerity, there probably won’t be as confident and driven statement of emotion as Bronx Cheerleader concoct here. (Yummy) - Exclaim! Magazine

This record, right down to its creatively fabulous artwork & packaging, doesn't disappoint. Sure, you might be saying, "But I have no expectations! How can it disappoint?" It's like turning the same old corner you turn every day and seeing a rose garden has sprung up in your path. If you consider yourself an aficionado of Canadian music, then make sure this album has flown within your radar. Beautiful production, beautiful harmonies, beautiful instrumentation. Simply beautiful.
- Amanda Putz, CBC Radio Host

Bronx Cheerleader Tough Guy Clichés (Yummy Recordings)

Other than war, no milieu brings out male fallibility more than organized crime. Yet, Americans harbor a nostalgia for the relative certitude of the glory days of gangland; how else can you explain Al Capone's northwoods hideout as a tourist attraction complete with caricatured t-shirts that read, "Justice -- Chicago Style"? Cleverly, ex-Pope Factory man Scott Warren uses the push and pull between these two ideas as the loose underpinning for Tough Guy Clichés. His lyrics are smart but never cutesy or deliberately shocking. A song title like "Our Grudges Have Handles" sums up his approach pretty well. The music, played by Warren and several ex-Pope Factory and Palooka members, belies the subject matter. Mostly acoustic, gauzy, and navel-gazing, at times it's barely there; Warren's voice literally floats by. A little more lo-fi than necessary, but still devastating on tracks like "Hollywood Ending". Some of the better CD packaging you'll ever see, too.
(John Bergstrom)
- Popmatters

This debut outing is wonderfully packed with strongly memorable melodies. Led by Scott Warren of former Toronto band Pope Factory, this is a DIY bedroom effort which was mixed and mastered by Yummy Recordings label head, Joe Lapinski. Relying heavily on acoustic guitar and frequent double tracking of Warren's soft vocals some of the album's 12 songs raise the spectre of Elliott Smith, but Warren's vocals are more akin to the ethereal voice of Great Lake Swimmer's Tony Dekker brought down to earth by the twin ghosts of Nick Drake and the aforementioned Smith. Standout tracks include "Hollywood Ending", "The Idea", Racing Time", and "Invisible Suit" with it's unexpected serpentine groove.

A series of songs that sparkle with the pent up energy of Warren's self-imposed exile from music. Shimmering with melancholia, Tough Guy Cliches, marks a very welcome return to the fold for Scott Warren.
- Sixeyes

This record, right down to its creatively fabulous artwork & packaging, doesn't disappoint. Sure, you might be saying, "But I have no expectations! How can it disappoint?" It's like turning the same old corner you turn every day and seeing a rose garden has sprung up in your path. If you consider yourself an aficionado of Canadian music, then make sure this album has flown within your radar. Beautiful production, beautiful harmonies, beautiful instrumentation. Simply beautiful.
- Amanda Putz, CBC Radio Host

Before even thinking about writing a review for this album I sat and stared with a giddy gaze at my wall. I was around five songs into the album before I actually put my pen to the paper. “Hollywood Ending”, a standout track reminds me vaguely of The Shins. The song begins delicate, yet ends with gooey layers of unstoppable sound.Fronted by S.D. Warren (ex–Pope Factory), Bronx Cheerleader have created a precious and mezmerizing pop/rock debut. Sure, the
term pop/rock sounds generic, however, they are anything but. Sprinkled throughout the
album and accompanying the standard guitar/bass/drum combo are bountiful bits of harmonica, mandolin and keys. Warren’s harmnious vocals shine and display his range in “So Nice to See You (Fall)” complete with catchy riffs and pant shaking drumming. Tough
Guy Cliches is an album that will increase your capacity to smile all day long. (Yummy)
- PULSE - NIAGARA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE

Before even thinking about writing a review for this album I sat and stared with a giddy gaze at my wall. I was around five songs into the album before I actually put my pen to the paper. “Hollywood Ending”, a standout track reminds me vaguely of The Shins. The song begins delicate, yet ends with gooey layers of unstoppable sound.Fronted by S.D. Warren (ex–Pope Factory), Bronx Cheerleader have created a precious and mezmerizing pop/rock debut. Sure, the
term pop/rock sounds generic, however, they are anything but. Sprinkled throughout the
album and accompanying the standard guitar/bass/drum combo are bountiful bits of harmonica, mandolin and keys. Warren’s harmnious vocals shine and display his range in “So Nice to See You (Fall)” complete with catchy riffs and pant shaking drumming. Tough
Guy Cliches is an album that will increase your capacity to smile all day long. (Yummy)
- PULSE - NIAGARA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE