Changes Abound With Red Sun Rising’s Lastest Album “Thread”
–By Ashley Cox
Red Sun Rising’s sophomore Album, Thread drops today and sorry fans, its no Polyester Zeal. The band, Mike Protich (vocals/guitar), Ryan Williams (guitar), Ricky Miller (bass/vocals), Dave McGarry (guitar/vocals) and Pat Gerasia (drums), still hosts the same smooth vocal harmonies but the some of the bright expressiveness from the guitar found on Polyester Zeal is gone.
The band has also polished their image… long, grunge-era hair has been replaced to slick gelled coifs, ragged t-shirts with button ups and wide brimmed hats. Much like the album, it seems much more produced, with cross over appeal in mind.
This album will earn RSR new fans but I fear at the cost of alienating some previous ones. Don’t get me wrong, the album is good. It will, and should, receive radio play. From the 11 track album, there are clear singles that are sure to be hits, including: “Left for Dead”, “Lonely Girl”, “Veins”, and the already chart-climbing, “Deathwish”.
I would have buried the first track “Fascination” deeper in the album and pulled forward “Deathwish” or “Lonely Girl”. I couldn’t tell when “Stealing Life” ended and “El Lazo” started. Many of the songs stay in the mid tempo range with a few slower tracks and even fewer fast ones. The final track “Evil Like You” gives a glimpse of the magic from Polyester Zeal, a mix of unique vocals and musicality.
I look forward to hearing these tracks live where they can have the raw edge and playfulness that made the first album so good. Even though they run the risk of alienating some fans just remember: good things are born of change.
Track list:
Fascination
Left for Dead
Deathwish
Stealing Life
El Lazo
Lonely Girl
Veins
Clarity
Benny Two Dogs
Rose
Evil Like You
Catch Red Sun Rising on tour now:
Headline Tour Dates
March 31 – Dallas, TX – Trees
April 3 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
April 5 – Tucson, AZ – Club XS
April 6 – Phoenix, AZ – Pub Rock
April 7 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 8 – Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
April 10 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
April 11 – Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
April 13 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
April 15 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
April 16 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
April 18 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
April 19 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon
April 20 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
April 21 – Sioux City, IA – Anthem at Hard Rock
April 22 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
April 24 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
April 29 – Sunrise, FL –Welcome to Rockville
May 4 – Charlotte, NC – Carolina Rebellion
May 12 – Somerset, WI – Northern Invasion
May 18 – Columbus, OH – Rock on the Range
May 25 & 26 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma