The Big Sleep - in the woods, new record, 2008 Tour Dates

A few years ago, Big Sleep drummer Gabe Rhodes bought a dodgy little cabin for a song. Two hours north of New York City, the thing teeters on pillars of rock and cement that appear to have been poured by a junior-high shop class or maybe drunk trappers circa 1780. Inside, three small cozy rooms with beautiful exposed rafters, fireplaces, hanging lanterns and more candles than you can count. No plumbing. No electricity. And The Big Sleep needs electricity like Prince needs purple. So, how to make one of the loudest live bands in New York City come alive ? Behind the cabin, there’s a gasoline-powered generator that Gabe uses for power tools. The band had never plugged its amps into a gas-generator. After five minutes of sound-checking, the amps started warbling and guitarist Danny Barria was worried : “I think this amp is melting down,” he said. “Let’s kill the power for a minute and then let’s do this take.” The result is a thunderous and intimate misfit moment : The Big Sleep — dar ! kness, long-hair, provisioners of noise — pulverizing the stunning serenity like a bully does to the good student. The cabin stood. [La Blogoteque]

The Big Sleep‘ new record “Sleep Forever” is out now on Frenchkiss. Help them celebrate tonight at Mercury Lounge w/ Sian Alice Group, Priestbird, and Heavy Creatures. DJ Chris Alker spins between sets. More tour dates below…

The Big Sleep – 2008 Tour Dates
Feb 21 – MERCURY LOUNGE RECORD RELEASE SHOW New York, New York
Feb 27 – Messiah College Larsen Student Union Grantham, Pennsylvania
Feb 28 – Black Cat Backstage w/ Statehood Washington,, Washington DC
Mar 1 – Great Scott w/ Say Hi Allston, Massachusetts
Mar 5 – The Boot w/ Say Hi Norfolk, Virginia
Mar 6 – Local 506 w/ Say Hi Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mar 7 – Drunken Unicorn w/Say Hi Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 8 – Bottle Tree w/ Say Hi Birmingham, Alabama
Mar 10 – Hi-Tone Cafe w/ Birds of Avalon & The New Mary Jane Memphis, Tennessee
Mar 12 – SXSW – Mohawk (FRENCHKISS SHOWCASE) Austin, Texas
Mar 13 – SXSW – Red Eyed Fly (NoisePop Party) Austin, Texas
Mar 14 – SXSW – Beauty Bar Day Party Austin, Texas
Mar 14 – SXSW – Guero’s – Boxing Lesson CD Release Party Austin, Texas
Mar 15 – SXSW – Saxon Pub (Outside Distro Party) Austin, Texas
Mar 18 – Blue Bird w/ Old Time Relijun Bloomington, Indiana
Mar 19 – AV-Aerie w/ Parts and Labor Chicago, Illinois
Mar 20 – Ravari Room w/ Wax Fang Columbus, Ohio
Mar 31 – Blind Pig ** Ann Arbor, Michigan
Apr 1 – Opera House ** Toronto, Ontario
Apr 2 – Club at Water Street Music Hall ** Rochester, New York
Apr 3 – Lupo’s ** Providence, Rhode Island
Apr 4 – Black Cat w/ Les Savy Fav and the Dodos Washington, Washington DC
Apr 5 – TLA w/ Les Savy Fav and the Dodos Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 6 – Paradise Rock Club ** Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 7 – Webster Hall ** NYC, New York
Apr 9 – Recher Theatre ** Towson, Maryland
Apr 10 – Satellite Ballroom ** Charlottesville, Virginia
Apr 12 – Bogart’s ** Cincinnati, Ohio
Apr 13 – House of Blues ** Cleveland, Ohio
Apr 15 – Blue Bird ** Bloomington, Indiana
Apr 16 – House of Blues ** Chicago, Illinois
Apr 17 – Club 770 – U of W ** Madison, Wisconsin
Apr 18 – Blue Note ** Columbia, Missouri
Apr 21 – Boulder Theater ** Boulder, Colorado
Apr 22 – In The Venue ** Salt Lake City, Utah
Apr 23 – House of Blues ** Las Vegas, Nevada
Apr 29 – Bimbo’s ** San Francisco, California

** w/Minus The Bear & Portugal The Man