"With hints and traces of Explosions in the Sky and The Von Bondies, The Courtesy Tier has the perfect combination of alt rock and blues running through their bloodstream and spends no time shoving it in your face like wedding cake." - Nicholas Palumbo, The Deli Magazine
"...the songs here are both unpretentious and uniformly excellent, with an economy of playing that bypasses fluff in favor of substance. While there's always pause for praising a band too much based only on an EP, Map and a Marker shows a band playing to its strengths and foregoing those studio embellishments in favor of something immediate and direct." - Eric Dennis, Spectrum Culture
"It’s the sound of an army of vigil antis lurking in the shadows, dwelling in their desire for some sort of vengeance. Courtesy Tier is a reminder that good things happen when you stick to the roots." - Sam Houghton, Knocks From The Underground
"Loud and gritty, and sounding something along the lines of The Black Keys on overdrive, The Courtesy Tier’s music is bluesy-rock mixed with a dash of chaos." - Meg Wilhoite, NYCKultur
"Good stuff! [Layton Weedeman is] an excellent drummer and the two of you have a great energy on stage. I'm a big fan of morose, droney psych-inspired rock, so I dug it." - Egon, Stones Throw Records
The Courtesy Tier is always a surprise, sometimes even to themselves. Omer (guitar) and Layton (drums) have been playing together for the last seven years, but they weren't always a duo. As members came and went, they perpetually conceptualized themselves as a four and sometimes six piece band. Then, during their second winter in New York, the boys had run out of other band members. Regrouping in a closet size practice space under the Smith Street overpass, they finally had enough room to rehearse, and they liked the sound. By the following summer they were ready to record, but a New York budget requires some finagling. With three mic's in a seven by seven room and help from their friend Chris Gachot "Map and a Marker" was born.
The Courtesy Tier is a two man cadre. Whether invoking Wilco, ZZ Top, Jimi Hendrix, or The Black Keys they synthesize the soul of rock with melodic blues. While a forerunner of the DIY movement in Brooklyn, they aren't your usual Brooklyn sound. The album name exemplifies their process: go with what you've got and you'll find your way there.
Hey Layton, cheers for linking us to your video (the link doesn't seem to work but I found your other video of "Friend"...love it!) Hope all is going well for you, check out our new single "Black Heart, Blue Eyes" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyjki4xluLs. Downloadable from most online retailers and vinyl from Rough Trade. Cheers, Chris.
Hey Guys this is Brandon the Bass player from The bIG DISTRACTION, AMAZING WORK YOU GUYS HAVE SO MATURED AS A BAND WHAT GOOD VIBRATIONS, KEEP THE LIGHT COMING I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY SAN DIEGO, DENVER AND CHI TOWN....I HOPE U GUYS STAY IN TOUCH WITH ELLIS ASHBROOK THEY LIVE IN BROOKLYN BABY, ROCK TH E F**& ON MUCH LOVE AND GRACE B
you guys were so on last night! nice extended jazzy-jam. that was all laid-out though, right. or did you really make that up on the spot. total rock goodness! looking forward the may 20th.
I've been terribly busy, but very well - finishing up grad school and trying to get out of Philly... Awesome to see you guys are still rocking!! I'd love to catch a show soon!
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