The Townies
Sanford, Maine, United States | SELF
Music
Press
A euphoric sense of New Wave mortality leaning towards reckless Indie Rock and Roll, we find ourselves back in picturesque New England with the tremendously upbeat Townies. The new album `Plug` is out and on the first few listens it`s a determined little so and so, the simple octave-bending Power-Pop and cool sensibility recounts moments of alternative guitar innocence. Influences drawn through The Replacements, The Whigs and The Pixies, i`d be inclined to add The Only Ones and 90`s Brit-Pop to that simmering hotpot. - Andy at Mojophenia
“For people proud of their Counting Crows and Better than Ezra discs:The Townies, One for the Ditch A reformation of sorts of early '90s locals Between Dreams, the Townies like their straight-ahead rock and roll with a tinge of melancholia. It's the radio rock that never got all kinds of heavy and alternative (though, at the time, was considered alternative for a little while). With songs about falling in love and playing rock and hanging out, this is comfortable and familiar stuff for people looking to nod their heads and sing along....” - Sam Pfeifle , The Portland Phoenix
“The Townies record is college rock, through and through….. R.E.M.'s Green days live on through layered vocals and similar “Pop Song” riffs. …This is lively, bouncy and energetic….. Anthemic and Replacements-like, with raw, guttural vocals. This builds literally and lyrically…..brings a strong sense of urgency. I like the bold tempo and distortion, and the way it ends with noise…..” - RZO, Hardcore Norfolk
“The Townies have just released their debut CD, "One for the Ditch". "Superblonde" starts the album off on a high-energy rock note, and I found myself immediately drawn to Shorey's voice. It's got that emotive quality reminiscent of Dave Herlihy of O Positive. Speaking of which, "One for the Ditch" was produced by Dave Martin & Dave Ingham of O Positive. The record slows down with "Twisted." McAllister's guitar sounds superb, as do Shorey's lyrics: "You've been cautious with your lies and your twisted life/ So get up and ask me for a light/ So sit down, 'cause I've had enough." "Glide" keeps with the slower mid-album tempo, & Smith's drums really stand out. "Bored" speeds things back up, and it is three very catchy minutes, with Jose Ayerve of Spouse & Martin adding backing vocals. "Rescue Dog" might be my favorite. Shorey's vocals are commanding and intense without being overpowering. "I'm broke down in a breakdown lane, seems so simple," ....” - AIMSEL PONTI, Portland Press Herald
The straight-ahead surge of “Irish Smile” pulls absolutely no punches. A special thing about this track is how it maintains its high energy level while building a sturdy structure. “Irish Smile” is an honest, hard-working track that kind of gathers you up, deposits you in the back seat of its semi-ratty ride and then drives you off to a fight. The good thing - it’s a fight you know you’re on the winning side of." - C.D. Di Guardia, Boston Band Crush
Discography
The Townies "One for the Ditch" on Smashing Records.
"The Townies song ‘Rescue Dog’ is voted #1 on Boston's WZLX Boston Emissions best local new song poll for two straight weeks from 12/12/10-1/2/11!"
- Hosted by Anngelle Wood, WZLX
"The Townies song ‘Irish Smile’ is chosen for Portland’s WCYY Spinout's Top LOCAL Spins of 2010! "
- Hosted by Mark Curdo, WCYY
Photos
Bio
The Townies were formed in 2008 when former Between Dreams members Dave Shorey, Jeff Bacon and Jim McAllister reunited and added a new rhythm section of Scott Denham on bass and Gordon Smith on drums. Between Dreams had a productive run from 1990-1995 where they released two records Victim’s of Joanne and Shiver, both recorded and produced in Boston by Epic-CBS Record's recording artist Dave Martin from the successful Boston band O-Positive (www.opositive.com). Their 1995 album Shiver was the first recording project by the successful chain record store/music label Bull Moose Music.
Between Dreams (myspace.com/betweendreamsrock) performed over 200 shows including the Paradise Rock Club in Boston and even the world famous CBGB’s rock club in New York City. Between Dreams music was used exclusively for the American Ski Company (Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Killington) and their 1994-1995 and 1995-1996 advertising campaigns, including radio and TV ads that played over 1000 times in New England and beyond. Between Dreams music was featured in the Diamond Star Production Film "What About Me" in 2002 and on the Boston television program “Chronicle” WCVB-Boston in 2001. Also, noted as "Portland Maine's Best Band" in the Casco Bay Weekly, 1995.
The Townies recently performed to a nearly sold out crowd at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston and have just completed their debut record entitled “one for the Ditch” produced by Dave Ingham and Dave Martin of O-Positive (Epic-CBS Records) fame and recorded in Newton, Massachusetts at Shuzbut Studios. Doug Cowan of Portland Maine’s Bullyclub/ Welterweight (myspace.com/bullyclub) and Jose Ayerve of Northampton Mass’s Spouse make guest appearances on the record. Cowan, who was also a member of Between Dreams, co-wrote a song for the record and has joined the band as well.
The Townies re-vamped their line up in April 2010 by adding a diamond in the rough bassist, Sean W. Hennessy. Hennessy played professionally in the 80s and 90s with the successful band Waxing Poetics (www.waxingpoetics.net) based in Norfolk Virginia and was signed by Emergo ~ MCA Records. They recorded several albums, the first of which was produced by Mike Mills of REM and Mitch Easter of Let's Active. They played arena shows with the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Psychedelic Furs, The Ramones, 10,000 Maniacs, cracked the Billboard Top 200 Charts while also having a video on MTV. Hennessy is a professional photographer and runs a tv/film production company. He shot and produced the first video for The Townies new single “Superblonde” from the new album “one for the Ditch”.
Band Members
Links
