Bio
Gary Kaplan – Lead Vocals & Guitar Dan Coffey – Bass & Backing Vocals
Cliff Heaton – Drums Rob Freda – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Hardly a year has gone by since the release of The Fletchers’ well-received sophomore album Lights Out Loud, yet with a third album, 2011’s Heroes of Gravity primed for eager ears, this NJ-based indie-rock band isn’t slowing down. “We find inspiration in everything we do, and the past year has been a bit of a whirlwind,” said Gary Kaplan, the band’s frontman and guitarist. “It’s easy to write when there’s something real to tap into. We’ve grown as a band and we’ve become more tuned into each other’s experiences, so we’re drawing on a lot of that with this new album.”
Having become a more cohesive unit since forming in 2008, band members Kaplan, Dan Coffey (bass and backing vocals), Rob Freda (guitar and backing vocals) and Cliff Heaton (drums) collaborated to shape the ten songs that make up Heroes of Gravity. The album’s powerful, hook-laden melodies, tight harmonies and honest, passionate lyrics further showcase the signature sound that was forged on the first two releases – last year’s Lights Out Loud and 2008’s Bright Blue Lights. That sound, which melded influences ranging from The Who to Sugar, Velvet Underground to REM and XTC to Blur, helped win fans nationwide, charting on college radio and receiving praise across the internet thanks to websites such as Spin and PopVulture, popular streaming sites like Jango and several creative videos on YouTube.
Over the past year, The Fletchers have individually experienced some significant challenges, losses and triumphs, which have helped shape Heroes of Gravity. There’s been some heartbreak and some real joy, and this album really a bit of tribute to all of that,” said Kaplan.
Then of course, there’s the rock and roll, which for The Fletchers means their own unique blend of British and American rock sensibilities. Adding to the influences, Heroes of Gravity at times conjures the spirits of the Rolling Stones, the Black Crowes, and “Screamadelica”-era Primal Scream on standout tracks like “Believe It Then” and “I Can’t Wait.”
“Heroes of Gravity is definitely more of a collaboration that our previous albums, which I think maybe drew more from my own personal inspirations and influences,” said Kaplan, who previously found success as a member of 90s indie buzz-bands Rotator Cuff and Dandelion Fire. “Dan, Cliff and Rob are such amazing technical musicians. Over the last three years, we’ve gelled as a band and our sound is definitely benefiting from more of their creative input. Musically, this album is deeper and has more soul. We definitely think this album pushes us to the next level artistically and hope our fans are as inspired by it as we were making it.”
PR Contact
Deana Graffeo Weeks
BANG! Publicity & Marketing
917-374-3857
Deana@bangpublicity.com
Booking
Ryan Paladino
RS Productions
908-568-0484
Rpalidino34@gmail.com
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