Ballyhoo! and Passafire at The Irenic on Jan. 30
Ballyhoo photo is provided by reggaemovement.com.
BALLYHOO: 1: a noisy attention-getting demonstration or talk. 2: flamboyant, exaggerated, or sensational promotion or publicity. 3: excited commotion.
A rock band with punk energy and pop reggae grooves, Baltimore’s BALLYHOO! is a fun, fan-loving powerhouse band that embodies the dictionary definition of “Ballyhoo,” emphasis on the words “fan friendly.” These road warriors have toured continually coast-to-coast, taking their music to their fans. Between the road and the studio, BALLYHOO! has created a sound totally its own; fresh, fun, and infused with soul of the party lifestyle. Lead singer and guitarist Howi Spangler has a reputation for mixing slick lyrics with his smooth and powerful voice. Drummer Donald “Big D” Spangler has hard-hitting beats, underlined by J.R. Gregory’s witty bass lines. Scott Vandrey (aka DJ Blaze) rounds out the band on keyboards and turntables.
BALLYHOO!’s unique sound, hardcore devotion to the road and their fans has earned them significant success. The band has toured with a long list of national acts; 311, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Dirty Heads, Matisyahu and more. In 2011, after finishing the Last Calls and Liabilities tour with respected contemporaries, Pepper, they were honored by being selected for the ever-popular Hollister Holiday Playlist. They were listed on MTV’s Top 100 Bands to Watch and also featured two download songs on the popular video game “Rock Band.” Tour highlights include the 2011 “311 Pow Wow Festival,” the 2012 “311 Caribbean Cruise,” “Bamboozle 2012” and the entire “2012 Vans Warped Tour.”
The band’s last single “Last Night” went into heavy air play at a half-dozen alternative radio stations including SiriusXM/Faction. The band’s newest single “Walk Away” is poised to open more doors at radio with its melodic chorus and sing-along vibe. Yesod Williams, owner of the band’s label LAW Records says of his newest addition, “Having BALLYHOO! is a perfect fit. They are an incredibly talented band with a really catchy style.”
The new track “No Good” has also already been receiving play in Baltimore, Kansas City, KS, Colorado Springs and Atlantic City. The single “No Good” is the follow-up to the first single off Pineapple Grenade, “Run” that hit #1 on SiriusXM Faction. The band self-released the album and Pineapple Grenade hit #4 on Billboard, #189 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums and #5 on the iTunes Alternative Charts. Pineapple Grenade is available for purchase on iTunes for digital copies and BALLYHOO!’s website www.ballyhoorocks.com for physical copies. The iTunes exclusive album includes two bonus tracks.
Due to the popularity of the “Fall BrewHaHa Tour,” BALLYHOO!! will join forces with Passafire again and embark on the “Winter BrewHaHa Tour” in mid-January . The tour will bring the band to the Irenic, 3090 Polk Avenue in San Diego on January 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Passafire was formed in 2003 by students attending Savannah College of Art and Design. Throughout the years, they have become a perpetually touring band playing hundreds of shows a year with bands like 311, Rebelution, Pepper, Matisyahu, Michael Franti and The Wailers. Guitarist Ted Bowne doesn’t mind the grueling schedule and adds, “Touring is the best way to keep the buzz about the band going. What keeps it fun and exciting is the people we meet and places we get to see. We are in a new city every day so there’s always something to go see or do. If we didn’t tour constantly, we wouldn’t be doing as well as we are. That’s a fact.”
The performance at Irenic is an all-ages show and tickets are only $13. To purchase tickets to see BALLYHOO!! visit: www.ballyhoorocks.com.
Category: Entertainment, Local News
