Lo-Fidelity Records and The 77s are proud to present the highly anticipated release of their new studio recording, Holy Ghost Building.
While Holy Ghost Building could be called a "return to form" for the band, saying so would also sell short the new depth the band has found in playing these songs. This record has The 77's touchstones of rock and blues, but they have also included folk, slide guitar, Byrds-era jangle electric 12-strings, and vocal harmonies previously unheard on any 77's record. Mike says, "When folks ask me what this record sounds like, I like to say 'Elvis, Scotty, Bill & D.J.' because we did it exactly the way those guys did the early Elvis recordings. It even sounds like them sonically here and there, but thankfully none of that was planned either, which of course makes me very happy. You can't plan those things without them often sounding planned, and I'm so glad we didn't. Even the one original tune we tacked on at the end of this project as a bonus treat for the fans was made up on the spot: music, lyrics, melody and all. Talk about risk! But that's how you end up with records like the ones I loved as a kid, and this one's got that sound and feeling.”
The first pressing of Holy Ghost Building will feature limited edition digipack packaging. The CD is available online at 77s.com and lo-fidelity.com
You can still treat yourself to the recently released live Ninety Nine featuring the 1999 EP tour in its full glory. This is a disk every fan should own. It will remind you of what you love about The 77's.
Ninety Nine is available at 77s.com and lo-fidelity.com webstores. Order yours now and pick up a couple of extras for your friends, while you're at it.
"The 77's will take you on a journey through the past, present, and future of rock & roll" - Island Records radio advertisement, 1987.
The 77s have been on this journey for over twenty years. Michael Roe, guitars/vocals, Mark Harmon, bass, and Bruce Spencer, drums, have been at the core of the band for many years. All three are exemplary musicians and composers; on any given night fans are fixated on what one of the band members is pulling off. To take it all in can be fascinating, even exhilarating.
For those in the know, the above observation makes sense - especially to those who follow them on tours, collect and trade live tapes, and spend endless nights on chat boards and mailing lists discussing the band. As for the rest of you, a little history:
When the 77s came of age in 1984, with the brilliant calling card of All Fall Down (Exit/A&M), it was evident to those who heard it that this was something new. For anyone truly in love with rock & roll, who loved passion, hooks, harmony, three (or four) chords and the truth, here was a band that delivered.
And if you listened to college radio that year, you could hear it. A look at the college charts found the 77s in the same company as the Cure, Let's Active, The Replacements, The Church, and others. What the 7's had that the other bands didn't was the history of all rock & roll breathing and pulsating under a brand new sound... Jerry Lee, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, all there right in the room with more contemporary influences like The Smiths or the Comsat Angels.
Live, the shows were increasingly incendiary, Mike Roe channeling everything that had come before him and spitting out a new vision on guitar and vocals long into the night. If your idea of a great time was coming to a place where The Velvet Underground and U2 might meet, this was it.
The group's video (and future show stopper) Mercy Mercy was aired on MTV. In Europe, where Polygram released the album, the group played festivals and showcases like the Pandora's Music Box festival, and videos aired on Music Box, the continent's equivalent to MTV.
A change of distribution for Exit brought the small independent to Island Records for the 1987 album, 77's. Here, the band further cemented their musical vision and brought a tougher, live sound to the studio. Rolling Stone noticed "...comes up with a sound that suggests not only they know where they're coming from but also that they're going places," and Rock Express was even more effusive - "Score one for energy and sheer joie de rock. The 77's are a four piece band that play garage rock like they invented the thing."
The radio single Can't Get Over It was a top add for weeks at alternative radio and at some stations like KZEL in Oregon (at the time the ..2 AOR station in the state) they went as much as four cuts deep. If a little album like U2's The Joshua Tree had not been out at the same time, it might have even been more noticed.
The label soon folded, and the band was to go dormant until a creative rebirth in the early 90's. Since that time, the group has gone the independent route for the most part, releasing some nine albums, growing in stature with each passing year. The beauty of the catalog is its sheer breadth and scope - there may not be another band that's consistently offered up so many diverse musical statements, yet still sounding like the same band.
Want to hear the last great power trio album? Try Tom Tom Blues. Thought progressive pop was dead? Listen to ep. Drowning With Land In Sight took on Led Zep and found the soul of Blind Willie Johnson underneath. A Golden Field Of Radioactive Crows is about as nervously edgy as an album bleeding with gorgeous melodies can get. Through it all, the lyrics are as much a key to the appeal of this band as the music is - these are lyrics you can relate to. For everyone who's been burned in relationships, let down by family, friends, and life - had their faith consistently challenged and wondered how to keep afloat, the songs let you know they've been there, done that - indeed, doing that - and yet provide a sense of hope amidst the loss.
Oh, and they still kick ass live. Go see them, and find out what is still one of America's criminally best-kept secrets. On a good night, you'll go home happy and satisfied. On a great night, and they are still comin', you'll feel you just saw a torch being passed on. And you were there.
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” ~ 1 Peter 1:24-25
Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Psalm 111 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" ~ Romans 8:24-31
Psalm 119:32-50 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Romans 5:1,2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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