CEREMONY—the seminal California-based punk band of Ross Farrar, Anthony Anzaldo, Andy Nelson, Justin Davis, and Jake Casarotti—release the new single/video, “Dark Summer” from their seventh album, Tell Me Your Dream, out August 7th via Relapse. Following “Death Destruction Mayhem,” which Consequence says “tak[es] the band’s developed and matured post-punk sound and reappl[ies] it to the hardcore and punk rock that motivated their earliest work,” “Dark Summer” is a jet-black post-punk rumination.
On the track, Farrar says: “In Rock ‘n Roll music, feedback occurs when a guitar is purposely moved too close to an amplifier – like a dark summer – when dread finds you amid brilliant sunshine, it feels disorienting, confusing, and chaotic. What you’re left with is malaise, doldrums of sorts that are both beautiful and terrifying.”
Watch the Video for “Dark Summer”
Tell Me Your Dream reunites CEREMONY with producer John Reis, a punk lifer whose eclectic noisemaking in Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes and other legendary bands runs in parallel to CEREMONY’s multitudes. After working on CEREMONY’s acclaimed 2015 album, The L-Shaped Man, Reis maintains a unique perspective on the quintet — as a hardcore punk band, as participants in the greater California rock-and-roll tradition, and as friends. “John sort of joined the band on this one,” says guitarist-keyboardist Anzaldo. “We could not respect him more as a guitarist, as a singer, as a songwriter. He understands what it’s like to be in every position. So we really gave him the keys.”
Tell Me Your Dream is a reflection of the enduring sense of trust forged within the band. This is no surprise considering CEREMONY’s roots date all the way back to a grade-school friendship between Anzaldo and Farrar. “We’re bound together like family,” says Anzaldo. “Our relationships are beyond the band. CEREMONY is going to live no matter what. We’ve shifted into this dynamic where the choice isn’t ours anymore.”
Deep connections in a shallow world. A clear sense of purpose in uncertain times. These are the reasons CEREMONY continues to grow, to expand, to adapt, to endure. This band can’t stop. And it won’t. To meet the moment, you have to be there for it.
On the heels of back to back weekends playing Coachella earlier this year, CEREMONY’s North American tour will kick off September 9th in Montreal and includes stops in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more throughout the fall. Tickets are now available here.
Pre-order Tell Me Your Dream
Watch the Video for “Death Destruction Mayhem”
Listen to “Other Hells”
CEREMONY Tour Dates
Wed. Sept. 9 – Montréal, QC @ Les Foufounes Électriques
Thu. Sept. 10 – Toronto, ON @ East End United Basement
Fri, Sept 11 – Detroit, MI @ Russell Industrial Center Lot (Supporting Turnstile)
Sat. Sept. 12 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
Sun. Sept. 13 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
Thu. Sept. 24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Sat. Sept. 26 – Vancouver, BC @ The American
Thu. Oct. 1 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
Fri. Oct. 2 – New York, NY @ Warsaw
Sat. Oct. 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Sun. Oct. 4 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Fri. Oct. 16 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade – Hell
Sat. Oct. 17 – Orlando, FL @ The Abbey
Sun. Oct. 18 – Miami, FL @ Churchill’s
Thu. Oct. 22 – Denver, CO @ Marquis
Thu. Nov. 5 -San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
Fri. Nov. 6 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
Sat. Nov. 7 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
Fri. Nov. 13 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Fri. Nov. 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Keep your mind open.
[It will feel like a dark summer if you don’t subscribe.]
[Thanks to Matt from Pitch Perfect PR.]