About DROPOUT YEAR (get our new EP on iTunes NOW!)
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Moving forward has never sounded so sweet. After heartbreak, sweat and even some tears, Dropout Year are finally in peak condition. Consisting of lead vocalist Steve Reter, guitarists Brandon Reter and Adam Goodman, bassist Dan Ciarrocchi and drummer Jordan Young, Dropout Year has found their most stable and productive lineup to date. So with firm ground under their feet, Dropout Year can finally focus on their goal: bringing catchy, bright pop-rock to as many people as possible.
A goal like this doesn’t happen overnight. Dropout Year aren’t an instant success story, but that’s not to say that the band haven’t had plenty of early triumphs. With three EP’s under their belt and a new 8-song EP out early this year, the band knows how to craft the melodies fans crave with the honesty of a dear friend. From following the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour and selling over 3500 CDs in three weeks by sheer force of will to securing studio time with producer Rob Freeman (Hit The Lights, Armor For Sleep, Cobra Starship), Dropout Year have created their own opportunities.
Clearly, this is a band that is learning. Most of Dropout Year’s members have known each other since high school and in some cases beyond. Having strong personal relationships has already improved the band, as Steve Reter says, “The chemistry on and off the stage is great.” Knowing trust was no longer an issue, the band sat down to write their next record, aptly titled The Way We Play. As any fan of the band knows, the guys have a knack for tackling relationship topics without coming across trite or overdone. The Way We Play’s 8-songs takes this diversity to an even greater scale. Reter describes the new songs as pop-rock, but he also believes the lyrics are going to be more noteworthy than ever, saying, “It’s been a ball writing songs that deal with some of the darker and limiting aspects of relationships.”
The Way We Play is really about the transitions we make in life to achieve our goals. Reter and Ciarrocchi’s lyrics ring with such a truth that you can’t help but be optimistic. The moves the band has taken to get here, to be very literally on the cusp of stardom, shines through every new chorus and every new triumphant climax. As Reter says in his typically upbeat fashion, “With every move we make in our lives, we affect everything around us. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad. But we’re always in transition and ready for the next move.” Don’t be surprised if the next move he’s talking about ends up being one that turns Dropout Year into a household name.
The Way We Play EP was produced and mixed by Rob Freeman. Its release is set for April 7, 2009.
WHERE CAN I GET DROPOUT YEAR CDS? SHIRTS? STICKERS?
Dropout Year's debut CD, "Seven Unreturned Phone Calls" and new EP, "Best Friends For Never," is available online at Smartpunk.com or at the iTunes Music Store, Amazon.com, Rhapsody or eMusic (just type in dropout year) . It is also available at all Dropout Year shows, along with our stickers, shirts, hoodies, tote bags & more! We have also added a brand new online merch store above!
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE NEXT DROPOUT YEAR SHOW?
Dropout Year's updated show information can be found above on our MySpace page, and is updated as show details come our way. All shows are listed with the venue street address in case you need driving directions. For accurate driving directions, please use Yahoo Driving Directions. Be sure to enter the address correctly ... don't want you gettin' lost.
HOW CAN I BOOK THE BAND FOR MY SHOW/PARTY?
If you are booking a show, having a party, or just want to inquire about having the band perform wherever, pls contact Steve Reter. He can be reached here, and be sure to send over as much information as you can. We're down for playing as often as we can, and meeting as many new people as possible, so don't hesitate to drop us a line. The more info you have on the venue/show, the sooner we can let you know if we can join in on the fun!
GENRE ................................................ Pop Punk | Pop | Rock
HOMETOWN ................................................ Owings Mills, MD
MYSPACE URL .............................. myspace.com/dropoutyear
EMAIL ................................................ dropoutyear@gmail.com
RECORD LABEL ...................................................... Unsigned
MANAGEMENT ....... Chad Weirick @ Red Lotus Management
LAYOUT ........................................................... LITTLE WHALE
“Dropout Year fails to hold anything back. Every track off of this new EP is singularly unique, each with a very defining sound, none sounding like the next.” (score: 9/10) –Andrea Hubbell, DRIVENFAROFF.COM
"From front to back, 'Best Friends for Never' is well written both lyrically and musically. Each selection offers a unique emotion and energy that seems to be unheard of in most of today’s music." (score: 4/5) - Adam Cowsert, BEATTHESCENE.COM
"'Seven Unreturned Phone Calls' is 30 minutes of pop punk goodness that can’t be missed by any one that claims to be a sucker for this genre. It’s only a matter of time before this band will be picked up by a label." (score: 7.5/10) - Josh Labberton, FORTHESOUND.COM
"Their brand of candy coated pop-punk ranges from tender to bitter to melancholy in the space of seven songs ... Dropout Year knows their genre and can pull off every facet of it, from a bridge consisting of vocals and drumbeats, to lyrics made up of rhythmic power chords." - Ali, ESTRELLAONLINE.COM
Hey! Saw you were online, just saying hey and if you feel like listening to a new song while you surf the internet, check out my new single LOL Miss Skinny Jeans. Have a good night!
how was your show in Delaware? i told all my friends to go since i'm in Omaha for the week. and I passed out your flyer to my neighborhood and such. i hope it was awesome!
i dont say this to every band that friends me but u guys shud def be signed....u guys r super good and thats real talk! brings me back to my TBS days alittle bit!
i know u have alot of friends and so do i but do u want to (add 4 add) where more ppl will know about my page and more ppl will know about ur songs lol