Look no further than the title track of their new Vanguard debut album The Bear to understand Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers. As the band sings passionately, “Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you. Sometimes you’re gonna win, sometimes you’re gonna lose…but you know in the end – there's no apologies!”
“SK6ERS,” as they’re also affectionately known, have carved a determined, inspiring path since forming in Western Massachusetts in 2003. An exceptional live act given to high-energy showmanship, The Sixers are closing in on their 1000th show with a newfound grit and gratitude. Stephen and core Sixers – Kit “Goose” Karlson (keys, bass, tuba, accordion) and Brian “Boots” Factor (drums, mandolin, banjo) -- are friends who act like brothers and switch off on their instruments to keep it fresh; much in the tradition of their collective heroes, The Band. “We’ve all opted to approach our life in the same way – trying to put integrity ahead of ambitions of fame and fortune, though we’d like that too... at least the fortune part,” Stephen says with a laugh.
Many bands talk about “keeping it real,” but in The Sixers’ case, they mean it. “We’re not up there projecting a personality we can’t believe in. I think it’s important to go with the feel of each moment and take chances. If that means we get out of synch or sing out of key once in a while, so be it. The crags are cool because they’re interesting.”
That explains why producer Tom Schick (Norah Jones, Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright) signed up for the new record. “Each person in The Sixers really adds a lot,” he says. “They’re so locked in with each other. Stephen is definitely the leader of the gang, but everybody has their say,” he adds of the roles played by Boots Factor and Kit Karlson. “They rise and fall together. It’s amazing to watch them work.”
Schick now understands why the group has a growing legion of loyal fans. “They’re a ‘classic rock’ band in the best sense of the phrase,” he says. “You can hear Neil Young, Tom Petty and John Cougar in there. It brings back a lot of good feelings about growing up and listening to great people who can really play their instruments. It’s not pieced together on a computer. It’s very refreshing.”
The Bear is their rawest and most collaborative album yet. With alternating tracks between producers Tom Schick and Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter, Erin McKeown) the album was recorded in an apartment studio in NYC and a big old house in Maine respectively. The duality of these settings fits perfectly with Kellogg’s description of his family upbringing as, "aristocrats and farmers." Ditto the musical diet he was raised on, a strange bedfellow mix of his dad's 70's records and his sister's taking him to 80's metal concerts. Kellogg explains, "I'm as much a product of Whitesnake as I am of Jackson Browne. The beauty of The Sixers is that they don't have a problem with that."
Out of that deep understanding of each other, several of the new songs were co-written by the group including "My Old Man," an aching personal track about an aging father; "Dying Wish of a Teenager," a song about wrestling hopelessness; "The Bear" and "Do," both brighter tracks about making it through life amidst the highs and lows that exist for everyone. It all builds up to the climactic "Born in the Spring," a song about rebirth from the “what-fors, flames and trap doors through which all of us fell.’’ The album is a heartfelt odyssey that also rocks with an explosive touch at times, as the band continues to push the boundaries of what they've done before. Of the recording process itself, Boots elaborates, "Most of the record was recorded in a room with us spilling all the guts we could muster into the mics. It wasn't always pretty but that's... well that's the bear."
Other stand out collaborations comes in the form of those who lent their time and talents to the making of The Bear. Canadian stand out Serena Ryder on "See Yourself," Josh Ritter on "All Part of the Show," label mates The Alternate Routes and Whiskeytown alumnus Mike Daly. Also appearing on guitar and pedal steel is the newest Sixer, Sam Getz, who joins the touring line up in the Fall of 2009.
Having released four independent records as a solo artist, Stephen formed the band in Northampton, MA after meeting Kit and Boots at UMass – Amherst, looking not just for talented musicians, but for true comrades. "I used to play 60 songs a night at this steakhouse. I was supposed to play only covers, but I would slide my own material in by introducing it as 'an old Jefferson Airplane B-side' or something. The guys brought me out of that and into the realm of making records and touring the whole country over the course of one great year. "
The skill and camaraderie of the band, along with its growing popularity, was noted by the major label Universal Records, which signed them off of their 2004 debut album, Bulletproof Heart. Says an animated Kit Karlson: “The fact that we got signed to a major label was surreal. We had said if we ever got signed we would go skydiving because that meant anything was possible. Next thing we knew we were jumping out of a plane together. Needless to say, since then we don't make deals with ourselves too lightly."
After the eponymous release in 2005 and several hundred shows (the band changes it's setlist every night) the Sixers issued Glassjaw Boxer (Everfine Records, owned by rock tour buddies O.A.R.) and saw it make the ‘Top Five of the year’ list by USA Today critic Brian Mansfield. They accepted an invitation to tour military bases this past spring in Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Germany (with Sugarland) and NATO bases in England and the Netherlands. “We wanted to give back in the way we know how, which is playing music,” Kellogg told CNN. “It was just an honor to get to say hello to those folks.” Most recently, The Sixers played for the American Embassy in Israel as part of a July 4th celebration.
These days, Kellogg and his wife (his high school sweetheart) have two daughters and live just outside of New York City. Growing up and in step with his fellow band mates, The Bear looks at generations from two sides, both the vantage point of the child and the adult. Although The Bear is not a concept record, there is a conscious time line that the characters on the record follow and Kellogg even goes so far as to say that it's "66 percent autobiographical." Of course, he will only elaborate on it a little, "If I explained the entire story to you, it wouldn't be as fun to dive in and figure it out for yourself", he says grinning. "I'm sorry, but I just can't take apart every aspect of the music without taking something out of the soul of it... you'll have to experience it yourself and find meaning there."
No apologies needed.
BY STEVE MORSE, former staff critic at the Boston Globe who has also contributed to Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines
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News
SK6ERS on CNN.COM
Check out an exclusive interview with Stephen talking about the band's time overseas playing for the troops this Spring on CNN.com!
SK6ERS at Sun Studio
In the Fall of 2008, SK6ERS made a stop at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis (the same place where Elvis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash recorded back in the day), to play a few songs. Check out a clip from their session here!
MARCH NEWSLETTER
Greetings From Europe!
Bonjour, Ciao, Alo and Hello:
Writing to you from the airport in Venice, Italy. Boots is on my right basking in the glory of having completed his second VLOG from our European and Middle Eastern Armed Forces Entertainment Tour. Kit is on my left still smarting from having left an 80% tip on his bowl of soup last night (let's just say his understanding of the currency exchange is well below average). While we haven't done much to dispel the impression that Americans don't know other people's languages, we have certainly made our presence known from Sicily to Turkey and, yes, even in Amsterdam (where we had to persuade the Goose his work in the red light district wouldn't be nearly as rewarding as his role in SK6ERS). Our troops are an inspiration and we've made so many new friends out here. The photo to the right was taken this week when we visited a wounded soldier unit (photo credit: TJ Rode). Please tune into the video diaries to see for yourself, and let us know what you think.
New Album News We have a release date! The new SK6ERS album will be released September 8th, 2009. Details for pre-order and special edition vinyl are on the way, but we wanted to let you know first. In the meantime we've got "BIG EASY" T-Shirts back in stock at the Official SK6ERS Store and lots of new items on the way for the summer.
New Tour Dates We've added some tour dates state side supporting O.A.R and Toad the Wet Sprocket. In addition, we'll be doing a small number of headline shows over the next couple months. Details are below and we're looking forward to all of it!
SK6ERS on Twitter SK6ERS are now on Twitter! Visit the Official SK6ERS Twitter page to stay updated on all things SK6ERS.
Glad to be alive. Glad to be making music. Arrivederci'
SK
NEW SK6ERS TOUR DATES!!
Good news! We've announced a few new tour dates this for this Spring/Summer. We'll be teaming up for a few shows with our friends O.A.R. and Toad the Wet Sprocket in the Midwest, and have a few headline dates here in the Northeast. Ticket and show info is listed here on our MySpace or keep checking our Official website for the most up to date SK6ERS news and tour info!
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
SK6ERS IN THE STUDIO
Hey everyone, this is Boots reporting to you live from the studio. Currently I'm in between takes of a song that, once finished, The Sixers can't wait to show you... In fact, there are a bunch of songs we can't wait to show you. We're working with some great producers on this record like Tom Schick (Ryan Adams, Norah Jones, Rufus Wainwright), Sam Kassirer (Josh Ritter, Erin McKeown) and Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, our new label mate on Vanguard Records). It's going to be amazing....well, I'm being told to put my computer down and to start playing drums... I hope you're as excited about this new album as we are!
SK6ERS OVERSEAS PLAYING FOR TROOPS
From March 6th- April 1st we will be traveling to England, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Portugal, and the Middle East bringing our Sixer spirit to the troops. We will be keeping in touch with you here via video blogs, sending you messages from us in SK6ERS, as well as from some brave men and women stationed overseas. Keep checking the SK6ERS Official website for more info in the coming weeks. For more information on Armed Forces Entertainment, check out their website here.
NEW ROAD JOURNAL
Check out a new Road Journal by Mr. Boots Factor himself on the SK6ERS website. Visit the site here and click "From the Van" to check it out.
Much love from the Sixers crew,
SK, Kit, and Boots
SK6ERS IN THE STUDIO
Thank you SK6ERS fans for a great Fall concert season! You made the Celebrating Five Years tour the most successful Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers tour to date. After many months on the road, and the best Rock Boat to date, the band is headed in to the studio to work on their first release with Vanguard Records. Look for the new album due out later this year. More news on that in the coming months.
Also, this March, the band will head to Europe with Armed Forces Entertainment to play for the troops overseas. It has been a longtime dream of the band to play for the men and women serving our country, and they are super excited to head over to Europe this Spring.
Look out for a few dates popping up here and there this Spring. In the meantime, stay warm and we'll see you soon!
**TEAM SK6ERS**
SK6ERS "Vegas" Featured on NY Islanders TV
The NY Islanders have a new video up featuring "Vegas" off of SK6ERS' Self-titled album. Check it out here!
SK6ERS at Mile High Music Festival
Our friends at Sandisk were nice enough to film our set at the Mile High Music Festival back in July. Check out footage from the festival here!
CLIF Bar 2 Mile Challenge
Join CLIF Bar and SK6ERS in the fight against climate change. Participate in the CLIF Bar 2 mile challenge and do your part to offset carbon emissions-just by riding your bike. Visit the site here to find out how riding your bike to work just one day a week can make a difference in reducing carbon emissions.
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Videos
SK6ERS Official Europe Vlog
SK6ERS in Kuwait
Check out the latest video of SK6ERS overseas with AFE. A montage of SK6ERS and Andrew Ripp Band in Kuwait courtesy of TJ Rode.
Episode Four: Some images from The Sixers in the Middle East set to their wonderful song "Father's Day".
Episode Three: Airports...
Episode Two: Germany and the Netherlands.
And France for half an hour.
Episode One with Tour Guide Kit Karlson from Cambridge, England.
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SearchwithSK6ERS.com
Want to earn some free SK6ERS prizes? Well now you can just by searching the Internet! We created our very own search site for our fans that awards you with "Swag Bucks." All you have to do is search the web at: SearchwithSK6ERS.com , rack up your "Swag Bucks" and redeem them for prizes such as iTunes downloads, autographs, electronics, gift cards and more!
When you Search with SK6ERS you get results from Google and Ask.com. So hurry up and make Search with SK6ERS your homepage; or even better, use this link to get a branded toolbar for quicker ways to rack up Swag Bucks.
"Few things are more gratifying than hearing everything fall into place for a promising band. That's just what happens with Glassjaw Boxer." - USA Today
"While there will never be any shortage of earnest singer/songwriters, their quality may be in limited supply. The best (Springsteen, Petty, Dylan) scale intimate songs up to epic proportions and similarly narrow the focus of bigger songs to make them feel intensely personal. Newcomer Stephen Kellogg now seems poised to earn himself a place in their company" - Harp
"[Glassjaw Boxer] a superb set of rugged, road-weary anthems that Kellogg excels at, showcasing the grit and defiance of Springsteen, Seger, Mellencamp filtered through an Americana perspective...Consider Boxer another winning round for Kellogg." - Performing Songwriter
"Kellogg's music is semi-gritty, melodic alt-country. Think early Wilco, Whiskeytown, or Tom Petty. Relaxed, yet passionate." - Boston Globe
"The Bright Eyes-meets-pop approach of these dudes from Massachusetts makes for pleasant, lazy-Sunday music..." -Penthouse Magazine
Music
Glassjaw Boxer
(Everfine Records, 2007)
Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
(Foundations Records/Universal Records, 2005)
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are currently nominated in this week's EdgeMusic Artist of the Week poll. Tomorrow is the last day to vote, so keep voting at:
Thank you for adding up & coming reggae/dub/rock trio The Roast Beef Curtains from LI, NY! Please check out our Summer Of Pleasure '09 tour calendar to catch a show nearest you!
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are currently nominated in this week's EdgeMusic Artist of the Week poll. Today is the fifth day to vote, so keep voting at:
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are currently nominated in this week's EdgeMusic Artist of the Week poll. Today is the fourth day to vote, so keep voting at:
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are currently nominated in this week's EdgeMusic Artist of the Week poll. Today is the third day to vote, so keep voting at:
Forced my daughter to come with me to the Alexandria Waterfront Festival, and you now have a new fan for life. In fact, my daughter stopped by the house last weekend and first words out of her mouth when she walked through the door, "Mom, do you have any Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers CD's I can have?" Why of course I do, I go to so many shows! ;) She kept singing Sixers songs all day. When asked how she knew the lyrics (since she has only seen one show and does not have any CD's), she informed me she started watching YouTube videos of the Sixers after the Alexandria Waterfront Festival. Sweet! We both look forward to seeing you guys in concert again soon. Don't stay away too long from the DC area. We love you guys! ~Linda
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers are currently nominated in this week's EdgeMusic Artist of the Week poll. Today is the second day to vote, so keep voting at:
You have no idea how excited we were when we found out you were playing in Albuquerque! The show was great!!!! Hope you guys come back soon! Glad to finally see some good music in New Mexico!
DOWLOAD LINKS FOR ILL WILL'S FTP VOL. 2 MIXTAPE AS WELL AS FREESTYLES UP ON THE PAGE LOCATED IN THE 'ABOUT' SECTION ON THE PAGE
INSTRUCTION: Click link, you will be brought to a 'You are about to leave myspace.com' screen from there 'follow the external link' which will take you to the website where you can download the mp3's as well as Ill Will's CD which is a zip file.
Unreleased freestyle from Ill Will called - 'Waiting for you.' Ill Will is locked up at the moment, no other good way to remember him except to celebrate some material that hasn't been heard.
NEW FREESTYLE WITH WAYNE X AND P JUST CALLED 'RUN RUN' JUST ANOTHER FREESTYLE THEY KNOCKED OUT ON THE SIDE FOR THE MYSPACE PAGE TO KEEP WARMING THINGS UP.
THANKS TO THOSE THAT MADE 'HOTTEST IN THE HOOD' GET OVER 200 PLAYS IN A WEEK...APPRECIATE THE LUV!
Follow 'ShelbyWu' on twitter (If you don't have a twitter GET ONE!)
hay guys we are big fans... I got to see you last year in wyoming of all places....... hay if you get a chance to stop by and check out are songs and let us know what you think it would mean the world!
The untitled mixtape is dropping mid - end of July and will be available in CT and online for download. Look for the two lead singles to be released 4th of July weekend!
Thanks for the support, I promise you the CD has a really good summer vibe and will include the industry takeovers currently on the page as well as over 10 original songs from Wayne X and P Just.
Don't forget that we have music available for download in the 'about' section on the myspace page AND FOLLOW @SHELBYWU on twitter!!!
Highly blessed, in the name rastafar I nuff love be sure to listen to the music @ www.reggaemall.com/Kingbenj-i www.myspace.com/Kingbenji2 www.hotrhyme.com/kingbenj-i www.showcaseyourmusic.com/kingbenji New Music/Album All Positive Racial Profiling New Single "Hail Up King Selassie I" "Girl Like You" Download @ www.reggaemall.com sign up for Free
