Having accomplished more in a mere year’s time than some other bands only hope for in their entire career, Hudson Valley, New York natives Thieves and Villains are determined to extend their fight against complacency and continue making major moves. On July 8th 2008, the indie pop aficionados released their full length debut Movement.
Having met each other through the forever-challenging New York music scene, the members of Thieves and Villains were joined together in early 2007 not only by fate, but also by a shared goal of writing heartfelt, timeless music. Lead vocalist/guitarist Sergio Otaegui found a musical soulmate in guitarist/vocalist Chris Pennings. The two are matched perfectly by Jimmi Kane on Drums and Justin Speca on bass. Having an a average age of 20-years-old, fans and critics alike are continuously amazed by the fluidity of their songs and their mature, yet delightfully entertaining pop sensibility. The name Thieves and Villains was chosen not because they are inherently bad people. In fact, quite the opposite is true. “We never want to do anything sketchy to get ahead in life. We called our collective band “thieves” and “villains,” so that in “real life” we actually wouldn’t have to be,” says vocalist Sergio Otaegui.
Thieves and Villains realized that their talents could only take them so far and knew that it was time to roll up their proverbial sleeves and get to work. And work they did. Within their first few months of existence the band began attracting national attention fueled by a rampant internet buzz. They booked two full U.S. tours without the help of a booking agent, perfected their live show with several east coast runs, appeared on 3 weeks of the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, and all the while kept growing, writing and adapting. A slew of labels took notice in late 2007 and the band sided with Victory Records that winter.
In order to create Movement, the band moved into a lake house in upstate New York during April 2008. The setting (and the daily soundtrack of universally agreed-upon inspiring, yet diverse artists ranging from Third Eye Blind to Kanye West to Explosions in the Sky to Stevie Wonder and more) allowed them to maximize their already impeccable creativity and impressive work ethic. The result? A record worthy of skipping out on a much dreaded “genre label.” “We feel that once people hear this record, they will have a hard time pigeon-holing us to any one genre,” noted Otaegui. We just aimed to write heartfelt songs with honest lyrics, interesting music and enjoyable melodies.”
Produced by Paul Leavitt (Circa Survive) in Baltimore Maryland, Movement documents what the band describes as the “best and worst” time of its life. The album was given its moniker because every track addresses the endearing concept of growth and making valuable contributions to the world on both a personal and mass level.
As Sergio notes: “This record is OUR contribution to the world, it’s OUR movement, and we hope that it helps inspire others to create theirs.”
Since the release of Movement the NY foursome have kept up a non stop schedule of national touring and press. Racking up appearances on FUSE, MTV2, and popular shows like "The Hills," "The Real World/Road Rules Challenge," "Bad Girls Club," and "Gossip Girl" to name a few, TAV continues to widen their mainstream appeal while gaining the respect of critics and fans alike. Having received rave reviews from numerous online and print media sources ranging from Alternative Press and Vice Magazine to the support of organizations such as PETA2, Thieves and Villains have nothing but continued success and momentum in their corner as they roll into 2009.
Just stoppin by to spread the light of love... Hope you are doing well and not drowning in a well. Come and stop by sometime and get your mind blown by one of my esoteric videos....
Remember ignorance is bliss but knowledge is power so lets unite to stop the oppression of the mind. Blaze up and tune out.
One Love, J. Treez
Have Corporations Taken Over Hip Hop Culture? What's with all the occult symbolism in todays fashion? Find all of this and more on the exclusive mind blowing blog @
Hey Friends, What’s about you ? I was recording in studio my second single titled MAWA (Sadness in lingala, Congolese national language), when suddenly we’ve been informed with my band that The King of Pop is died after a heart attack.
That’s has totally collapsed me and I lost my mind. That’s why I preferred to take a little bit distance on MySpace till our Legend will be burred. Sorry for this long absence.
What is curious is that Mawa (Sadness) is a song talking about a woman which lost his man in the Congo River when he was crossing it on his pirogue. World can’t never forget the most historical singer, songwriter and dancer which was MJ. Meaby he’s gone, but he will stay like an eternal flam in our hearts. His contribution in music is impossible to describe. Really !!!
Yesterday, we celebrated OBAMA and today we celebrate the birth of a myth called MICHAEL JACKSON.
I hope you’ll appreciate my song MAWA and the promotional video, and I invite you to meditate this painful moment.
THIEVES AND VILLAINS/GENERRO/A SMALLTOWN PROMISE Hosted by: The Way EntertainmentThe Way Entertainment When: Saturday, July 11, 2009 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EDT Description SATURDAY JULY 11TH AT 941 THEATER (941 N FRONT ST PHILA)
THIEVES AND VILLAINS (VICTORY RECS) ABOUT ME ABOUT YOU VALET PARKING GENERRO A SMALLTOWN PROMISE
COME OUT AND SEE ALL THESE GREAT BANDS !!!!! 13 BUCK AT DOOR DONT MISS THIEVES AND VILLAINS ONLY PHILLY APPEARANCE THIS SUMMER!!!!
Hey my name is Dan please check out my band let me know if you like/hate/hope we have a serious car accident and can never play again etc www.myspace.com/thethirdestateband thank you for your time and for being our friend! dan..
i like your sound. its really good and you guys are signed by victory which is pretty cool. they usually have a good line up with bands like silverstein and the audition
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Paper Chaserz throwin a INDOOR BEACH PARTY Tuesday JULY 7TH at The Soul Lounge right up the street from Cirque at 2505 Pacific Ave. Dallas Tx, Doors Open at 10 end at 2 its $5 B4 11 for Everybody after that its $10 so get there early becuz u kno its going down It will be Special Guest performances and DRINK SPECIALS ALLLLLLLL NITE and get at me if u need a booth it will be going down...Paper Chaserz Sko-N-Go
HEY THERE IT'S YA GIRL MISS KNOCKOUT BREEZIN THRU WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY STOP THRU AND CHECK YA NEW FAV RAPCHICA YA HEARD!! FOLLOW ME HTTP://TWITTER.COM/MISS_KNOCKOUT imikimi - Customize Your World!