Don Babylon

"I'd do a best of 2017 but it'd just be this [Babe by Don Babylon] and a bunch of 4lung albums." - Car Seat Headrest

"Unreconstructed, unconstrained, unremittingly mojo-heavy rock." - Mike Rea

"[BABE] exists as kind of a mutant blender of American music circa 2017. Emo heartpouring, Archers of Loaf frankness, country piano flourishes, and even Fugazi-style disjointed riffage find their way into the potent mix" - Indicate Interest Zine

"A winding road that leaves the listener wondering if they somehow landed on another record at times, BABE is a testament to the trio's songwriting ability and attention for structure. Though rock for most of the record, the band flirts with other styles -- maudlin, country, and post punk -- in a way that helps bookend sections of the record and allow strong compositions like "There Will Be Blood" to really shine through and leave a lasting impression." - RVA Mag

"We were so pumped to be able to help Don Babylon put one of this year’s most exciting records onto something you can touch… Head to their Bandcamp to pick up a CD. Praised by Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo, and everyone who’s seen them, we’re massive fans…" - Medical Records

"Doors open in ten minutes. Come early, Don Babylon goes on at 7:45 and they've got one of the best albums of 2017!" - Car Seat Headrest

Track Of The Dayz: Don Babylon - People Having Fun (Not Really)

Discovered by Car Seat Headrest, Don Babylon is an American trio from Richmond, Virginia. 'Babe' is their first album. A very successful record that goes to seek its influences as well in a rock - sometimes heavy - of the 90s that towards a rock of the pioneers, revisited evidently.

The proof with the song of the day, People Having Fun (Not Really) - response to a People Having Fun (Really) placed just before in the tracklisting and much more stoner in mind. A drawer song whose first part many Jailhouse Rock Elvis Presley (and that we perceive as an advance tribute to Chuck Berry, who died on March 18) But with a punk accent and a very current emergency . The song unfolds in its second half a nervous blues-rock and a rock good to scream at the top. Efficient in every way." - I Left Without My Hat

I remember a couple of years ago when it seemed like all the young rockers in town were going bananas over Don Babylon. I caught them at a Gallery 5 show and was amazed to see how many kids in the crowd were clearly in the house to see this middle-of-the-bill band I’d never heard of before. The snarly rock n’ roll they cranked out had an appeal I could certainly understand–elements of Weezer and The Strokes came through a classic garage-band approach. It was an instant attention-grabber. Over the past year or so, I haven’t heard the name Don Babylon around town as much, and I was just starting to wonder if the band had gone the way of many promising young bands when I discovered their brand new debut LP, Babe, on Bandcamp. - Drew Necci

One of the key distinctions Richmond holds over other areas in Virginia is the particular culture it has cultivated. An island of misfit toys of sorts, anyone, any creed, background I’d argue is better accepted in the fine streets of the River City. One of most notable examples? The music scene. You’d be hard pressed to find a more motley crew than the sweaty bodies that shove their way into a stranger’s home to catch their favorite local bands. One house show, headlined by Don Babylon epitomized just that.

The night started with an intimate gathering at Don Babylon’s drummer’s place in hell block . I found the fellows sipping on Richmond’s finest cliché and they welcomed me warmly. We knocked back a couple and caught up on the details of the night’s show. If you have never experienced a Don Babylon show, you are missing out. Regardless of your taste in music, you have to appreciate the energy they elicit and the intensity of their crowds. House show or venue, it’s inevitable that the pool of listeners will evolve into a whirlwind of movement. We had one last drink before the clock struck nine, the band grabbed what cords and pedals were left and the journey to the house began.

Approaching the fence at the back, we pushed in the door and found a rather low key atmosphere. A few folks with beer and smokes in hand chatting it up, no sound coming from the inside. We were fashionably late, so what’s the deal, no music yet? I couldn’t have been more wrong. We navigated the house and found a few bodies lounging around the living room, and a loud thumping from the basement. This was where everyone was, stuffed in the basement. The band and I shuffled down stairs and ran into old faces at every turn. A good fifty millennials jammed in the main room obstructed the opening act. The band finished their set and the flood to the upper levels ensued. It was notably hotter down there, so I figured I would explore the party before the next act. It was not as easy as I’d imagined. The few folk hanging on the couches upstairs had easily tripled. It seemed the show was tonight’s main attraction. More and more swept through the house, and before the next hour, a crowd of almost two hundred filled in what little space was left.

I grabbed some fresh air with a few friends, noticed it was almost time to shove my way to the basement again. Except now the upstairs had become as crowded as the basement. Two separate parties had emerged, one in the living room with the Top 40 hits blasting, and another occurring under with guitars crunching away. A harmonious mix of people from all over the spectrum sharing one space. Freaks, geeks, punks, and greeks converged together for a good time.

Nearing 1AM, Don Babylon was about to take the ‘stage’. I tottered toward the front and grabbed the piping above me. This anchoring was vital. The punk offshoot that the band lovably labels as “Drunk punk” made waves and the crowd reacted. The bodies swayed, I was practically thrown about, though this is the best part about these shows. The packed room sold out to the music and dropped their securities and just moved. Don Babylon closed out with my favorite tune “Ya Dingus” and thanked the crowd. - Ink Magazine

"Don Babylon uses humor and hooks to draw the listener in. Its fist-pumping, radio-friendly take on all things rock is all about release." - Style Weekly

Don Babylon are always fun; this quartet mixes garage rock sounds of their own with an almost-Weezerish power-pop sensibility that really just gives them a 90s feel. I'm into it. - RVA Mag

As mentioned, the CBGB Music & Film Festival is back for a third year, going down October 8 – 12 at venues across NYC. The initial lineup for this year was just announced and includes Jane’s Addiction, Devo, Billy Idol, Macy Gray, The Muffs, Upset, Duff McKagan, and more... - Brookyln Vegan