Brand New

Jesse Lacey – vocals, guitar
Vincent Accardi – guitar, backing vocals, piano
Garrett Tierney – bass
Brian Lane – drums
Derrick Sherman – live rhythm guitar, piano

The bare bones of Brand New formed back in the late 90s, when Lacey, Tierney and Lane were all members of post-hardcore band, The Rookie Lot.  After they split, Accardi and Sherman joined the trio and Brand New were born.  There are varying stories as to where the name came from: some say it is simply from a Beastie Boys track, but there are also those who claim it is an ironic comment on the fact that nothing is original anymore.  Take it how you will, it has certainly become a household name in the emo/rock scene.

The boys’ first release was a 4 track demo that launched a tour and ultimately a record deal with Triple Crown Records.  Their debut album, Your Favorite Weapon, was released in 2001 and was a fairly standard 12 track insight into teenage angst.  What set the album apart, however, was Lacey’s inspired song writing and gift for penning lyrics.  Although he was only a teenager when the debut was recorded, his songs show a craft that, although not yet perfected, showed great promise.  This album allowed the band to tour both nationally and internationally; and the band gained notoriety from a very public disagreement with ex-Taking Back Sunday vocalist, John Nolan.  This spat was well documented in Brand New’s track ‘Seventy times 7’ and TBS’ ‘Cute Without the E’ and soon raised a debate amidst the bands’ fans.  ‘Jude Law and a Semester Abroad’ was the only release from this album, but the band released a split EP with Safety In Numbers shortly after the album.

Second full-length, Deja Entendu showed a much darker sound to the band and represented a more mature Lacey, who had grown out of his teenage angst by this stage.  The French title means “already heard” and is again an ironic statement on the fact that nothing is really unique or innovative anymore.  Whether or not you believe that is your decision, but this album demonstrated that this is a band who know how to transform and show a new side to their sound.  The album attracted the attention of major label, Interscope, who they signed to in late 2004; and in 2005, they started work on their third and most recent album, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me.

Their third full-length showed a much darker and subdued side to the Long Island 5-piece, reflected in the title, which is apparently taken from a conversation Lacey had with a schizophrenic friend.  ‘Jesus Christ’ is the album’s first official single, and is to be released in the near future.

Although the band themselves are notoriously shy and reticent in interviews (and nor do they like playing festivals), their music speaks for itself, showing a huge range in emotion and maturity.

Discography

Your Favorite Weapon – 2001 (Triple Crown Records)
Brand New/Safety In Numbers split EP – 2002 (Triple Crown Records)
Deja Entendu – 2003 (Triple Crown Records)
The Holiday EP – 2003 (Triple Crown Records)
The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me – 2006 (Interscope Records)