Do you remember high school parties? The cheap vodka in plastic bottles, scantily clad girls, red and blue Solo cups, and the bad rap music blasted beyond belief? Ah, those were the good ‘ole days. Now imagine those parties, but instead of bad rap music, you could listen to Fake Problems. Better yet, hire them for the evening, set them up right next to your outdoor pool, and invite everyone you know! Surely the party will rage, and what a party it will be! Worth remembering to, so don’t drink too much “punch.”
Slated for release on September 21, Real Ghosts Caught On Tape is a teenage wasteland full of catchy pop tunes that will make you reminisce about lost loves, drug hunts, and simply wasting time. Whimsical, charming, playful, and cheery, the music sounds like a selection in an old ‘50s jukebox at an ice cream parlor. Chew that bubblegum and drink that orange milkshake while you twist and shout to songs like “ADT,” “Complaint Dept.,” and “5678.” The band has mentioned in previous interviews that some of their influences include Bright Eyes, Hank Williams, and Blink 182. I hear some Vampire Weekend and Spoon introduced in Real Ghosts.
Photo by: Bryan Sheffield
Comprehensible lyrics mix well with simple hooks that will make your girlfriend dance, smile, and like you more than she did five minutes ago. “Everybody’s clapping along” and “Tap, tap your feet to your heartbeat” are some of the lighthearted lyrics, while the teen angst comes through in the lines “It’s a shame the way we build ourselves up just to let each other down” and “Why do we hate this place? Why do we run away?” as they are sung by Chris Farren. He captures certain feelings one has while living through their teenage years: the boredom, the heartbreaks, the fun, and the love. “Songs for Teenagers” may say it all, but don’t dismiss the rest of the album in telling you about your years past.
Photo by: Bryan Sheffield
You can catch Fake Problems on tour with The Gaslight Anthem this fall, and you can expect four baby-faces to walk onstage and rock out. If you’re bold, give them your address and see if they can play your house party. But make sure you provide drinks, snacks, and a place to crash. A kick-ass backyard with a pool and a speaker system could certainly seal the deal! Sounds like a good time, right? And if you do end up hosting a rock and roll band at your next house party, make sure you invite the person who told you to do so. Just a suggestion.
Fake Problems Tour Dates w/ The Gaslight Anthem:
09/04 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
09/05 – Fargo, ND – The Venue
09/06 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
09/13 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
09/14 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
09/16 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
09/18 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
09/19 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
09/20 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
09/21 – Indianapolis, IN -The Vogue
09/22 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
09/23 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
09/25 – Lincoln, NH – The Nor’Easter
09/26 – Albany, NY – Northern Lights
09/27 – Richmond, VA – The National
09/28 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live
09/30 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
10/02 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
10/03 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
10/04 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
10/05 – Gainesville, FL – 8 Seconds Nightclub
10/07 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
For more info on Fake Problems, check out:
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I fuckin love this band so much, even got to meet them at warped, coolest group of guys ever!