Cheers Elephant

So if you decided not to chase Jack White around town, or wait in line for three hours alongside hoards of starfuckers to hear Lil Wayne mumble through a 20 minute set, maybe you were able to catch a dose of Cheers Elephant. The Philly quartet reminded unsuspecting onlookers what SXSW used to look like before the three story Doritos Machine in the Sky by bringing their Kink-y brand of psychedelic power-pop to the masses. - Spectrum Culture

Being a music writer occasionally forces you to frequent less than desirable places. As I wrote yesterday, most shows take place at three venues: cool clubs, DIY spaces, and shitty clubs. As much as I was excited to see Philly band, Cheers Elephant, they were playing at Piano’s. The mark of a good band though, is being able to rise above one’s surroundings – thankfully Cheers Elephant did just that.Although Piano’s certainly isn’t the shittiest club in New York City, it’s definitely not my favorite. A shitty selection of overpriced drinks, cramped quarters, and an overall bad vibe emanates from the place. While the sound is alright, Piano’s just serves as a reminder of why I like hanging out in Brooklyn more than Manhattan.Having the best of intentions, I made sure to get to Piano’s a little bit early. Proving that the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions, instead of getting to talk to the guys in Cheers Elephant I suffered through some truly horrible Fall Out Boy-ish emo punk – played by a bunch of thirty-somethings no less. After what felt like having my ears pelted with rotten vegetables, Cheers Elephant was about to play.Not really in the best mood, I really just wanted to watch Cheers Elephant play and escape from Manhattan. Things changed as soon as Cheers began their set though. From the opening notes of ‘6th and Girard’, I forgot about the shitty club I was standing in and the shitty band that had just played. Instead I was caught up in the beautiful introduction to what would be a great set of music.Cheers Elephant did something really interesting though. They began their set seeming like a bunch of nice guys that just wanted to play some pretty songs for you. But as the set went on the music became more psychedelic and menacing, the energy level slowly picked up, and the band got more in your face.By the time that Cheers Elephant got to their closer, ‘Space and Time’, gone were the nice guys who started the set. The band that replaced them finished the set with a full on psych-rock assault that wanted to kick my ass and steal my girlfriend. But it was still awesome. Once the band finished I came back to reality, having forgot about the crappy club I was standing in.As I started to figure out where the rest of the night would go, I was struck with how good the band was. Not only did I witness a great forty-five minutes of music, I disregarded my questionable surroundings without any trouble. If that doesn’t make you want to check out Cheers Elephant, I don’t know what will. - Blaqbook Magazine

Being a music writer occasionally forces you to frequent less than desirable places. As I wrote yesterday, most shows take place at three venues: cool clubs, DIY spaces, and shitty clubs. As much as I was excited to see Philly band, Cheers Elephant, they were playing at Piano’s. The mark of a good band though, is being able to rise above one’s surroundings – thankfully Cheers Elephant did just that.Although Piano’s certainly isn’t the shittiest club in New York City, it’s definitely not my favorite. A shitty selection of overpriced drinks, cramped quarters, and an overall bad vibe emanates from the place. While the sound is alright, Piano’s just serves as a reminder of why I like hanging out in Brooklyn more than Manhattan.Having the best of intentions, I made sure to get to Piano’s a little bit early. Proving that the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions, instead of getting to talk to the guys in Cheers Elephant I suffered through some truly horrible Fall Out Boy-ish emo punk – played by a bunch of thirty-somethings no less. After what felt like having my ears pelted with rotten vegetables, Cheers Elephant was about to play.Not really in the best mood, I really just wanted to watch Cheers Elephant play and escape from Manhattan. Things changed as soon as Cheers began their set though. From the opening notes of ‘6th and Girard’, I forgot about the shitty club I was standing in and the shitty band that had just played. Instead I was caught up in the beautiful introduction to what would be a great set of music.Cheers Elephant did something really interesting though. They began their set seeming like a bunch of nice guys that just wanted to play some pretty songs for you. But as the set went on the music became more psychedelic and menacing, the energy level slowly picked up, and the band got more in your face.By the time that Cheers Elephant got to their closer, ‘Space and Time’, gone were the nice guys who started the set. The band that replaced them finished the set with a full on psych-rock assault that wanted to kick my ass and steal my girlfriend. But it was still awesome. Once the band finished I came back to reality, having forgot about the crappy club I was standing in.As I started to figure out where the rest of the night would go, I was struck with how good the band was. Not only did I witness a great forty-five minutes of music, I disregarded my questionable surroundings without any trouble. If that doesn’t make you want to check out Cheers Elephant, I don’t know what will. - Blaqbook Magazine

Cheers Elephant get compared to the Kinks a lot. That’s fair — their colorful, idiosyncratic character portraits like “Captain Crowningshield” on their new CD Man is Nature, or “Mr Marvelous” from their first, compare to Kinks tracks like “David Watts” or Tin Soldier Man” in tone and subject matter. And singer Derek Kryzwicki’s voice even hits a Davies-esque warble occasionally. The Teeth garnered the same comparisons, but those guys had genetically-grafted punk DNA which wasn’t quite my cup of tea.

I don’t think Kinks when I hear Cheers Elephant, though. Some of their vocals do have that distorted, circus-barker-through-a-megaphone vibe that Davies had; but that’s more affected than inspired. Their quirkiness is served up with a wink and a nod, and — although I’ve never been — I can imagine a suit-clad Ray Davies backstage in ‘65 asking one of his brothers, with a straight face, “how come no one thinks they sound like the Beatles”. Davies’ imagination proved to be a bit too rich for that to ever happen, though, which in the ‘60s was too rich for his own good. But today, as the beacon of rock n’ roll effulgence fades farther and farther into the past, it takes more than a little ingenuity to even be worth mentioning.

Cheers Elephant are, and if there is a consanguinity with the Kinks, it is their visual imaginative-ness. The title character in “Captain Crowningshield” is a cross between Willy Wonka and Group Captain Lionel Mandrake from Dr. Strangelove. He is a character Ray Davies would have liked. My favorite track on Man is Nature though is “Bicycle Ride,” which someone told me once at one of their shows is about Albert Hoffman. The people who will buy this CD are the same sort to whom it has occurred, for example, that watching The Wizard of Oz on mute while listening to Dark Side of the Moon is a fantastic idea and makes a perfect Saturday night, and have likely spent several minutes experimenting with the perfect sync-moment, and so know that Albert Hoffman was a Swiss scientist who invented/discovered LSD, and became the first person ever to trip balls when he rode his bicycle home on that history-making night in 1938. Great fuckin’ topic for a song, if you ask me.

In “Slide Jelly”, the final track on Man is Nature, the curtain opens to a slide guitar line snaking through a backdrop of cricketing crickets. It shifts gears quickly, going from drowsy bucolic to exuberant sing-a-long as abruptly as if it had sprung from a jack-in-the-box. Contained in these music-box sections are deranged moments where the pitch shifts sharp as if the winder-arm was forced ahead by a child impatient to get to the song’s turn-around. When the box is closed for the last time and we return to the repose of the beginning of the song, we’re treated to a fly-over by a jetliner whose roaring engines blend seamlessly out of and into the backdrop of a cricket’s song. It’s an elegant metaphor for the Alan Watts quote which ends the album, the gist of which is: “Man is nature”.

With all the playfulness of Cheers Elephant’s live performances and recordings, the soul of the band is a sober one. This is a good thing. Ray Davies, for instance, descried the lack of a teetotaler’s heart at the helm during sessions for Something Else. Cheers Elephant, on their part, have managed to avoid the Lo-Fi cliche-in-the-making, for example. They could have easily gone in that we’re-hip-but-not-too-hip, we-wanna-make-pop-songs-without-actually-doing it route, but instead opted for the apparently passe we-spent-more-than-a-weekend-on-it production style. Their performances are tight; the new CD is crisp, clear and polished, and betrays a steady hand at the console while still singing about acid. Keep it up, guys. - Philly Broadcaster

Setting: Sitting at the bar, realizing that I have several friends in common with two of the members of Cheers Elephant. Such a small world.


Cheers Elephant: I don’t like to go into shows with too high of hopes, as you set yourself up for a letdown. However, after listening to their latest album over and over for the last couple of weeks, I was expecting a lot from four-piece indie rock group from Philly. And man, did they deliver. They opened with an interesting tribute to Carl Sagan, which I’m still not sure I understand, and went right into their catchy tune, “Shark Attack.” They played some of the best songs off of the album (see set list below), as well as my favorite, “Como Es La Vida” (see video below). With uniquely awesome projector effects to their dance-inducing songs and energy, Cheers Elephant put on one hell of a show. I’m not sure whether my words are doing them justice, so you’ll just have to see for yourself at their next show. Members: Derek Krzywicki- Lead vocals, guitar; Jordan del Rosario- Lead guitar, vocals; Travelin' Mat- Bass, vocals; Roberto Kingston- Drums
- Philly Mostly Vegan

Setting: Sitting at the bar, realizing that I have several friends in common with two of the members of Cheers Elephant. Such a small world.


Cheers Elephant: I don’t like to go into shows with too high of hopes, as you set yourself up for a letdown. However, after listening to their latest album over and over for the last couple of weeks, I was expecting a lot from four-piece indie rock group from Philly. And man, did they deliver. They opened with an interesting tribute to Carl Sagan, which I’m still not sure I understand, and went right into their catchy tune, “Shark Attack.” They played some of the best songs off of the album (see set list below), as well as my favorite, “Como Es La Vida” (see video below). With uniquely awesome projector effects to their dance-inducing songs and energy, Cheers Elephant put on one hell of a show. I’m not sure whether my words are doing them justice, so you’ll just have to see for yourself at their next show. Members: Derek Krzywicki- Lead vocals, guitar; Jordan del Rosario- Lead guitar, vocals; Travelin' Mat- Bass, vocals; Roberto Kingston- Drums
- Philly Mostly Vegan

Cheers Elephant highlighted an all-local music bill last night at Johnny Brenda’s (accompanied by Hong Kong Stingray and headliner Creeping Weeds), playing an intoxicatingly fun and energetic 45-minute set accompanied by visual projections and an enthusiastic crowd. The band ripped through nine songs, focusing heavily on their new album Man is Nature. They played seven songs off of that new LP, and just one (“Space and Time”) off of their debut album. They also debuted a brand new song (video below), a surprising move seeing as Man is Nature is barely a month-old.

The new song, which was given no title, was actually one of the best of the night, both musically and visually. The song featured some of what’s expected (great harmonies, fun rhythm) as well as an unexpected (and awesome) guitar solo. Most impressive was how polished the brand new song sounded, which is actually an impression that could be said for the entire set. With songs like “Jumbo Shrimp” and “Einstein’s Noggin’,” they may come off as a bit of joke, but it’s clear they take serious care about getting things right.

The flawless set was capped off with the only old song of the night, “Space and Time.” The song is track 2 from their debut self-titled LP, and recalls the more psychedelic sound of the band’s early days. While I believe the new album is a great improvement in that it develops a more unique sound for the band, “Space and Time” remains one of their best songs, and it was the perfect choice for set closer. - The Swollen Fox

Cheers Elephant highlighted an all-local music bill last night at Johnny Brenda’s (accompanied by Hong Kong Stingray and headliner Creeping Weeds), playing an intoxicatingly fun and energetic 45-minute set accompanied by visual projections and an enthusiastic crowd. The band ripped through nine songs, focusing heavily on their new album Man is Nature. They played seven songs off of that new LP, and just one (“Space and Time”) off of their debut album. They also debuted a brand new song (video below), a surprising move seeing as Man is Nature is barely a month-old.

The new song, which was given no title, was actually one of the best of the night, both musically and visually. The song featured some of what’s expected (great harmonies, fun rhythm) as well as an unexpected (and awesome) guitar solo. Most impressive was how polished the brand new song sounded, which is actually an impression that could be said for the entire set. With songs like “Jumbo Shrimp” and “Einstein’s Noggin’,” they may come off as a bit of joke, but it’s clear they take serious care about getting things right.

The flawless set was capped off with the only old song of the night, “Space and Time.” The song is track 2 from their debut self-titled LP, and recalls the more psychedelic sound of the band’s early days. While I believe the new album is a great improvement in that it develops a more unique sound for the band, “Space and Time” remains one of their best songs, and it was the perfect choice for set closer. - The Swollen Fox

Philly’s Cheers Elephant recently released their second full length album Man Is Nature. Since the release of their 2008 debut the band has put a lot of live shows behind them and have certainly polished up a bit. As musician’s they’ve matured on a number of levels; the songwriting is more complex, the playing more proficient and the production and sound of the record is much more cleaner and robust sounding. The band has also really improved their harmonies. There’s a noticeable stylistic music shift in their songwriting on this new album. On their debut they came off like a quirkier version of The Kinks. They’ve still got some of those British Invasion elements in their music (the layered harmonies, the classic Brit-rock guitar riffs), however they’ve added some seemingly new jam band elements in to their musical lexicon. Dare I say that they occasionally sound like Phish at their most contained? I do. Thankfully, Cheers Elephant don’t get overly zealous in their noodling. They stretch out and manage to reel their jams back in just in time before they lose their way. This is the kind of discipline bands typically learn over time, by playing a lot, experimenting and then focusing on the song of which Man Is Nature has some very good ones. Download “Jumbo Shrimp” below from their new album. - XPN Philadelphia - Bruce Warren

t’s been a few years since Cheers Elephant’s self-titled debut LP, and naturally things have changed a bit during that interval. The band is still reminiscent of all the best British Invasion folk rock, like some Byrds-meets-Yardbirds combo refined by time. But the slight psychedelic tinge from the first album has been curbed on their sophomore effort Man is Nature, and the production’s sound is somewhat more subdued. The songwriting is also decidedly more “mature”, but still full of the rollicking folkie rhythms and warm, tube amp licks that we’ve come to know.

Opener “Shark Attack” is inviting and should be considered a front runner for the first single, a piece of spontaneous power-pop that wouldn’t sound out of place on the current Polyvinyl Records roster. “My Bicycle Ride” has the vocal harmonies kicked into full gear and sports a soaring hook. The two ballads, “¿Come Es La Vida?” and “Jumbo Shrimp”, are remarkably similar, but the former has a Latin-inflected chorus and in the latter, a scorching blues riff rears its ugly head at critical moments. The second half of the album provides the band some room to be playful. “Comment Allez-Vouz” is a Kinks-y number that makes fun use of its title. “Captain Crowninshield” has that silly, psychedelic era Beatles feel. At first, “Slide Jelly” is a closer that completely sounds like a closer. Ominous outdoorsy sounds permeate the background as a lonesome lap steel snakes its way in. But then, sparks fly and the most off-kilter moment of the LP intercuts the solitude. The lap steel gets deranged and a frenzy of “la-la-las” ascend to goofy heights, only to recede again.

It’s to Cheers Elephant’s credit that their tunes go down so easily, and for some of us, it’s even better that they’ve honed and polished their sound. For others, this might possibly be a bit of a griping point. Not that they’ve changed all that much since 2008, but I could imagine a few select people missing the rawer, more dynamic feel of their earlier material. When all is said and done, it just depends on who you ask. You can purchase and download Man is Nature here. - Deli Magazine

In November of 2009, a New York friend was in town with his girl. As one of my major goal’s in life is to have denizens of other cities repent of their evil ways and admit Philly’s superiority, I leafed through the listings, desperate to find that ONE PERFECT SHOW that would blow his Five Boroughed mind. And I came up empty.

But I had heard some vague buzz about Cheers Elephant, and set out to hear them at Johnny Brenda’s, sound unheard. Long story short: his (cutely dressed) girlfriend worried that she wasn’t flanneled up enough “for Williamsburg” (ouch) but then Cheers Elephant took the stage. Their heavily early-mid Kinks sound ripped through us. And I couldn’t scramble home fast enough to grab a copy of their self-titled debut.

I loved it. And then forgot about it. Somehow it never got added to my iTunes. So it was a real pleasure to find it lurking in a random folder a few months ago. Even more of a pleasure? Finding how much they’ve improved with their sophomore album, Man Is Nature, which was released on January 8th. The Kinks influence is still there, but much less pronounced. If The Kinks were known for zigging and zagging with their sound, Cheers Elephant are staying true to their spirit by moving away from their sound. More lush. More guitar jams. Further refinement of their superb songwriting. And like any good Philadelphian, they love them some bikes.
- Noise Narcs

I’m used to seeing Cheers Elephant play standing. They swing their instruments to and fro, hunch to the floor then spring up, and slam around all hyper. Adding to that live kinetic energy, singer-guitarist Derek Krzywicki can high-kick like nobody’s business. (No fooling – the dude must do yoga or something.) So when the band rolled into XPN on a cold night last month for their Key Studio Session—wearing knit sweaters and wool winter caps, proceeding to get comfy on stools spaced around the room—I thought maybe we were in for a much mellower preview of tunes from their new album, Man Is Nature. Not so: Cheers Elephant may have been seated, but they blasted out the jams like they were on stage, nailing each harmony and every guitar solo. A lot of the energy can be attributed to drummer Roberto Kingston. When I caught the band live, he was the Bez of the band, shaking his tambourine and moving around to the side of the stage (on account of a hand injury). Now he’s on back the drum stool (where he’s been since the band’s inception), a whirlwind machine of Keith Moon proportions: flailing and seemingly unstructured, but actually crazy precise. Listen to him slam his toms on “Shark Attack” and shriek out a semi-intelligible interjection on “Capt. Crowninshield.” Actually, it’s a spectacle that has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Fortunately, Cheers Elephant’s record-release show for Man Is Nature happens this Saturday, January 8, at World Café Live. Pretty sure they won’t be seated for that show; you’d better not be either. - WXPN and Y-ROCK

I had the chance to chat with Derek of Cheers Elephant over the phone last night. Our conversation covered many topics from drunkard elephants to David Byrne’s reasons for dancing.

Before I get into the music, let me begin with a little tale about a big elephant. When the first elephant was brought from Africa, the voyage’s organizers underestimated the amount of water an elephant would require while crossing the Atlantic. Luckily, there was plenty of ale onboard to quench the elephant’s thirst. By the time this elephant reached America, he had developed a taste for ale; in fact, the elephant would drink nothing else. The elephant became a side show on Coney Island. Pay a nickel and watch an elephant pop and drink your beer. Cheers Elephant! Get it?
A unique tale for a truly unique band, Cheers Elephant’s roots go back to elementary school, where 3 of the guys learned scholastic basics together. Obviously they were more interested in the music. After “life happening”, the elementary school friends reconnected and brought on their fourth. Hence, today, we have Cheers Elephant.

Dedicated to being unique and creative, the dudes from Cheers Elephant put on a fresh and exciting show each time they take the stage. Derek the lead guitarist and vocalist really stressed this to me. He explained how when he gets on stage he lets the music take a hold: “when I get on stage, I let my body do the talking.” Fair warning: these guys really let the music take hold. (Check out these pics from the Philly Folk Fest when we caught their set.) For Derek, David Byrne of the Talking Heads is a major influence. Byrne was known for his moves on stage and wearing large suits because “his body understood it before his head.”
Catch Cheers Elephant tonight on stage at The Fire. They set begins at 1130pm and is part of the Philly FM Fest taking place all weekend throughout Philadelphia. Cheers to you and Cheers to Cheers Elephant!
- Tri-State Indie

I had the chance to chat with Derek of Cheers Elephant over the phone last night. Our conversation covered many topics from drunkard elephants to David Byrne’s reasons for dancing.

Before I get into the music, let me begin with a little tale about a big elephant. When the first elephant was brought from Africa, the voyage’s organizers underestimated the amount of water an elephant would require while crossing the Atlantic. Luckily, there was plenty of ale onboard to quench the elephant’s thirst. By the time this elephant reached America, he had developed a taste for ale; in fact, the elephant would drink nothing else. The elephant became a side show on Coney Island. Pay a nickel and watch an elephant pop and drink your beer. Cheers Elephant! Get it?
A unique tale for a truly unique band, Cheers Elephant’s roots go back to elementary school, where 3 of the guys learned scholastic basics together. Obviously they were more interested in the music. After “life happening”, the elementary school friends reconnected and brought on their fourth. Hence, today, we have Cheers Elephant.

Dedicated to being unique and creative, the dudes from Cheers Elephant put on a fresh and exciting show each time they take the stage. Derek the lead guitarist and vocalist really stressed this to me. He explained how when he gets on stage he lets the music take a hold: “when I get on stage, I let my body do the talking.” Fair warning: these guys really let the music take hold. (Check out these pics from the Philly Folk Fest when we caught their set.) For Derek, David Byrne of the Talking Heads is a major influence. Byrne was known for his moves on stage and wearing large suits because “his body understood it before his head.”
Catch Cheers Elephant tonight on stage at The Fire. They set begins at 1130pm and is part of the Philly FM Fest taking place all weekend throughout Philadelphia. Cheers to you and Cheers to Cheers Elephant!
- Tri-State Indie

Now I’m not quite sure what exactly the boisterous Philly indie-psych four piece Cheers Elephant was doing on this lineup. The closest they came to “folk” was an electric bluegrass’d reimagining of their song “Mr. Marvelous.” But mostly they did what they do so well — amp-peakin’, high-kickin’, loud guitar jams. Halfway into their set, an elderly attendee walked in, stood right in front of the largely seated crowd and stared scoldingly at the band. His fingers plugged his ears, his eyes pleaded that these kids and their rock n’ roll would hush up. But the band played on. Their new song “Como Es La Vida” was epic. And the Lobby Tent crowd screamed. Did Cheers Elephant fit at Folk Fest? Of course not. Were they any good? Absolutely. Did they make an impact? Oh hell yes. - Philadelphia City Paper

Now I’m not quite sure what exactly the boisterous Philly indie-psych four piece Cheers Elephant was doing on this lineup. The closest they came to “folk” was an electric bluegrass’d reimagining of their song “Mr. Marvelous.” But mostly they did what they do so well — amp-peakin’, high-kickin’, loud guitar jams. Halfway into their set, an elderly attendee walked in, stood right in front of the largely seated crowd and stared scoldingly at the band. His fingers plugged his ears, his eyes pleaded that these kids and their rock n’ roll would hush up. But the band played on. Their new song “Como Es La Vida” was epic. And the Lobby Tent crowd screamed. Did Cheers Elephant fit at Folk Fest? Of course not. Were they any good? Absolutely. Did they make an impact? Oh hell yes. - Philadelphia City Paper

Rooted in and out of Philadelphia with a history that dates back to a middle school punk band, Cheers Elephant is Derek Kryzwicki, Roberto Kingston, Jordan del Rosario, and Travelin' Mat. Origivation recently had the opportunity to casually share a brew with front man Derek (that is, after the group headlined Origivation's Music Series at World Café Live back in June) to learn more about who they are, where they're going and...what's up with those lyrics?
Conceived in 2007, Cheers Elephant has by this time developed a solid footing in Philly's music scene, of which Derek Kryzwicki notes a healthy community-feel built on mutual respect for fellow bands. "In my mind, the same number of bands are coming out of Philly as any other city," he says, "but the view is warped. People's perception is that there aren't many bands in Philly." Locals do feel that these home grown bands should be expanding more because we, as Philadelphians, know and love them and so should the rest of the world."

Obviously. (It's the typical Philadelphian attitude: holding our ideals superior and blindly misinterpreting why the rest of the world doesn't get it.)
Well, let's just say that the rest of the world doesn't get it just yet, as the band doesn't receive nearly as much brotherly love in other places compared to Philly. Cause let's face it; fans feel the same way about the lack of openness in other cities. If you've ever been to a show in New York and the crowd surrounding you stands pretentiously cross-armed as if they don't know how to feel a beat, then you know what I'm talking about. However, universal acceptance is a result of "sheer odds and mathematics," notes Derek. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely people will know your name.
The eclectic feel of the group's first album makes it difficult for both Cheers Elephant and their fans to hammer down the sound. Depending on the song to which you listen, the genres could include bluegrass, folk, psychedelic rock, alternative and country.
This eclectic sound is often reminiscent of epics like The Beatles, Beach Boys, and The Kinks not only because of similar song structures but also for the utilization of 3 part harmonies.

Derek's lyrics are greatly inspired by science, philosophy, and the world around us. The theme of the first album, which never hints to love found or lost, is all about "inner peace and experiencing your own personal grace amongst the universe." The sentiment of a hippie? Perhaps. But Derek has never relied on imagination-enhancing drugs to answer life's big questions. In fact, he reveals that the song "Continuation" is about not finding solace in drugs for your own happiness or self-acceptance.
"You don't need drugs to celebrate life," he says. "You never know where music comes from when it comes to you appropriately," says Derek. "It doesn't involve thought. It just comes out of the sky. Somehow, it's like all our brains are radio transmitters." The song "Space and Time" for example, a classic crowd favorite, came to fruition randomly during a practice session. "Beats just starting coming out, vocals started coming out of mouths, and the next thing you know we all looked around, and King pointed to all of us and said 'SONG! NEW SONG!'"

Despite the band's easy-going personalities, relaxed views on life, and the fact that dates are illusive and irrelevant, the foursome has been in the studio recording a "proper" album for "two years too long," says Derek. Perhaps the band's most critical member, Derek feels that the first self-titled album - which was really a collection of demos - lacked continuity because it was recorded in multiple locations. This perfectionist attitude leaves him a bit restless about the details of the album, feeling like they coulda-woulda-shoulda done things differently. "John Lennon and Paul McCartney, for example, were never able to hear their own greatness as an outsider," says Derek.
Cheers Elephant are proudly known for their lively and eccentric shows that appeal to all senses, but recognize the difficultly translating this energy into a recording. And frankly, that's not necessarily what the band is trying to accomplish.

Derek clarifies that in the right state of mind at a show, you can let go of your emotions, but there is something truly intimate that's captured in the studio that can't be portrayed in a club. Nonetheless, Derek boldly states, "I am striving to be the best front man in Philadelphia."
Derek may have answered life's big questions for himself, but the band is still exploring new realms and defining who they are musically. Cheers Elephant is progressing the first album's eclectic feel and embracing a style that's uniquely their own. The world can expect the new album to be much more melodic, less rhythm driven, and to be released in late September. Of course, keeping in mind that dates are illusive. - Origivation Magazine

"Whether playing on stage or recording...out of every chord and note comes a passion for uninhibitied creativity and diversity" - Regina Young

"Whether playing on stage or recording...out of every chord and note comes a passion for uninhibitied creativity and diversity" - Regina Young

Cheers Elephant was next with a phenomenal show that I'd probably have to call the best set of live music I've seen so far this year. Like the last forty years of rock and roll all spun together and spit out again as something brand new, it was amazing. Do not pass on your chance to see these guys soon, as they aren't going to be playing small clubs for long.

- Tom

Cheers Elephant was next with a phenomenal show that I'd probably have to call the best set of live music I've seen so far this year. Like the last forty years of rock and roll all spun together and spit out again as something brand new, it was amazing. Do not pass on your chance to see these guys soon, as they aren't going to be playing small clubs for long.

- Tom

Cheers Elephant sound more British than most young Philly bands. They set out for prime Kinks real estate, and nearly close the deal with their rambunctious shows. (They could grow up to become the Teeth.) But as smoothly as songs like “Here We Are” and “Wide Eyed” channel ’60s psych and folk, the band reveals spidery digressions and fat Primus-style basslines amid their noisy rave-ups live. The result is a heady swirl of influences that grapple with each other for attention while Cheers Elephant play happily along. These guys may not have their sound set in stone yet, but most everything they’re doing is pleasing to the ears. - Doug Wallen

Cheers Elephant sound more British than most young Philly bands. They set out for prime Kinks real estate, and nearly close the deal with their rambunctious shows. (They could grow up to become the Teeth.) But as smoothly as songs like “Here We Are” and “Wide Eyed” channel ’60s psych and folk, the band reveals spidery digressions and fat Primus-style basslines amid their noisy rave-ups live. The result is a heady swirl of influences that grapple with each other for attention while Cheers Elephant play happily along. These guys may not have their sound set in stone yet, but most everything they’re doing is pleasing to the ears. - Doug Wallen

It's no secret that I'm a fan of these guys - their indiepsychedelia is a twisted yet innocent, intricate yet trouble-free collection of fantasia. It's like they sift Jefferson Airplane and Village Green-era Kinks with 13th Floor Elevators and occasionally they'll drop some seriously cacophonous prog-like shit into the mix that makes me think they either have no idea how to play together or they're actually geniuses. But I guess that's what I like them so much. - Bruce Warren

It's no secret that I'm a fan of these guys - their indiepsychedelia is a twisted yet innocent, intricate yet trouble-free collection of fantasia. It's like they sift Jefferson Airplane and Village Green-era Kinks with 13th Floor Elevators and occasionally they'll drop some seriously cacophonous prog-like shit into the mix that makes me think they either have no idea how to play together or they're actually geniuses. But I guess that's what I like them so much. - Bruce Warren

According to the members of Cheers Elephant, the first elephant to set foot in America was able to open beer bottles and drink the contents as a result of scarce potable water on the ship, thus the four fantastic musicians of the group, inspired by this story, created their name. Known for their eccentric shows and British sound, this Philly Local psychedelic, folk, rock band will have you intrigued from the very moment they step onto the stage. Often compared to the Kinks and Dr. Dog, Cheers Elephant has established a dense following both locally and otherwise. - Helen Leicht

According to the members of Cheers Elephant, the first elephant to set foot in America was able to open beer bottles and drink the contents as a result of scarce potable water on the ship, thus the four fantastic musicians of the group, inspired by this story, created their name. Known for their eccentric shows and British sound, this Philly Local psychedelic, folk, rock band will have you intrigued from the very moment they step onto the stage. Often compared to the Kinks and Dr. Dog, Cheers Elephant has established a dense following both locally and otherwise. - Helen Leicht

These guys will be big because there are a ton of people who like the crossover blend of melodic pop with crazy guitar jams. And jam these guys do, with tons of theatrics, but not overshadowing the fairly sophisticated instrumentation and the psychedelic vibe. If Dr. Dog is The Band, then Cheers Elephant is Village Green Preservation Society Kinks.( - Royce Epstein

Cheers Elephant delivers a sound that is worth cheering for and one that you will never forget, which makes perfect sense, if you think about it! One of Cheers Elephant's songs is titled Here We Are. Here, of course, could mean one of any number of places, but in this instance, here means a definitive spot in the chronicles of local music. The name of the band could seem odd at first mention, and to some, the band's music may seem a bit different, too, but there is certainly nothing wrong with that. MySpace categorizes their sound as psychedelic, rock, and folk, but Cheers Elephant's true classification is pure subjective in all it's diverse glory. The band has been together for a good two years now, and in the past few months, have come to grow fond of performing live shows and, mutually, the live crowds have grown quite fond of cheering them on. So, while everyone ponders exactly what musical section Cheers Elephant should be labeled in at the record store, there is no need to ponder where the band's name came from. According to the band themselves, the name Cheers Elephant has to do with the first elephant to come to America, that was forced to drink ale, then only drank ale from that moment on, only to be billed as sideshow; an interesting and fulfilling story from a more than interesting and fulfilling band. - Brock Koller

These guys will be big because there are a ton of people who like the crossover blend of melodic pop with crazy guitar jams. And jam these guys do, with tons of theatrics, but not overshadowing the fairly sophisticated instrumentation and the psychedelic vibe. If Dr. Dog is The Band, then Cheers Elephant is Village Green Preservation Society Kinks.( - Royce Epstein

In the course of seeing them twice, Cheers Elephant has won over everyone who’s gone with me: the bitchiest guy I know, an indie snob, and two girls who admittedly don’t care much about music. The fact that Cheers, Elephant was able to pass this fan base obstacle course speaks to their strength. Their live show is what I would imagine would happen if a train marked “rock” smashed into a van marked “folk”, and then an airplane called “drugs” smashed into that mess, and then cool kids showed up to dance on the wreckage. Interestingly, their recorded stuff is much sweeter than the live show might suggest: they bring a manic intensity when they’re on stage, but their songs are legitimately layered and interesting in CD format, too. - Caitilin Caven

Just like an iconic Delirium Tremens glass filled to the brim with its golden elixir, Philadelphia's Cheers Elephant just want people to relax and enjoy themelves.
"We're generally happy people," guitarist/vocalist Jordan Del Rosario says with a laugh. With drummer who sports year round frlip-flops and a live show they describe as energetic, drunken partytime with dancing and sometimes balloons and sorts-their laid back, upbeat attitude isnt surprising. On their self-titled debut album, the quartet effortlessly glides between genres and rythms. Modern psych-folk drums and reverb slide easily into and Afro-calypso melody that would bring tears to Paul Simons eyes. Heartfelt ballads and feel-good, old time country tunes fit handily between songs that draw heavily from rock bands ranging from Frank Zappa to the beatles.
"A lot of bands say they're eclectic, and it's cliche, but it's really true," says guitarist/vocalist Derek Krzywicki.
"Our sound is original," says bassist Matt Rothstein agreeingly. "It seems to take in many genres of music and place it into one thing." Adding instruments like slide guitar, sitar, flute, strings and saxaphone only furthers their claim, though Krzywicki is quick to point out that it's not a gimmick. "We're not trying to do much besides sound good and keep ourselves interested," he says.
But the band, which also includes drummer Robert Kingston, has had the album finished sinced May, with some tracks even recorded three years ago. In that time their sound has changed-so much that they've already begun writing songs for another record, which they hope to release within the year.
"It's full-throttle from this point forward," says Krzywicki with a grin. - Katherine Silkaltis

In the course of seeing them twice, Cheers Elephant has won over everyone who’s gone with me: the bitchiest guy I know, an indie snob, and two girls who admittedly don’t care much about music. The fact that Cheers, Elephant was able to pass this fan base obstacle course speaks to their strength. Their live show is what I would imagine would happen if a train marked “rock” smashed into a van marked “folk”, and then an airplane called “drugs” smashed into that mess, and then cool kids showed up to dance on the wreckage. Interestingly, their recorded stuff is much sweeter than the live show might suggest: they bring a manic intensity when they’re on stage, but their songs are legitimately layered and interesting in CD format, too. - Caitilin Caven