In February of 2011, we convinced our then former drummer to learn some new songs we had put together since recording “Climbing up a Mountain…” and lay down some tracks for a split. At the time we had no idea who we would share the release with, no idea what label would put it out, and few pre-conceived notions as to whether or not people would even give a shit. As has been the case with this band since day one, I couldn’t be more thankful for the small but generous support from family, friends (new and old, near and far), and music lovers. If you’re in the Northeast and not doing anything, come celebrate a record that has been LONG in the making.
Shows this week in Albany
Thursday, May 10th, 2012 @ Klub Monika (665 Myrtle Avenue, Albany, NY) 7:30 PM /// $5
KOJI (recording part of Spring Songs V. 2)
w/ CALEB LIONHEART (acoustic), STEVE LAYMAN, ORPHAN LEGS, and CARL DANIELS
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Friday, May 11th, 2012 @ Hudson River Coffee House (227 Quail Street, Albany, NY) 8:00 PM /// $5
STATE CHAMPS (Pure Noise Records) CALEB LIONHEART DAYBREAKER (Pure Noise Records) THE STEREO STATE (Creator-Destructor Records)
Friday, May 11, 2012 @ HUDSON RIVER COFFEE HOUSE - 227 Quail Street, Albany, NY STATE CHAMPS, CALEB LIONHEART, DAYBREAKER, and THE STEREO STATE http://www.facebook.com/events/300919293321846/
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Saturday, May 19, 2012 @ DUBLAND UNDERGROUND - 315 Alexander Street, Rochester, NY THE SUICIDE MACHINES, CALEB LIONHEART, DO IT WITH MALICE! http://www.facebook.com/events/387857257900160/
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Friday, May 25, 2012 @ FUZZ RECORD SHOP - 209 Lark Street, Albany, NY (basement store front) CALEB LIONHEART (acoustic), ORPHAN LEGS, PAUL BLEST, and CHRISTIAN BEALE http://www.facebook.com/events/133244346808536/
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Sunday, June 3, 2012 @ VALENTINE’S - 17 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY AFTER THE FALL / CALEB LIONHEART SPLIT 7 INCH RELEASE SHOW w/ XERXES, MOUNTAIN MAN, and BAD FRIENDS http://www.facebook.com/events/297692813642900/
In the last year and a half or so, I (Tony) have been playing a lot more shows as Caleb Lionheart acoustic. This is partly out of necessity, as bands that deserve good shows in our area ask for help too frequently for us to play every show, and partly out of a desire to play all the songs we’ve written as a band as well as different arrangements of songs we play as a full electric outfit. Unfortunately, I am not as prolific a song-writer as I’d like to be and our acoustic set sometimes runs short of original material.
For a time, when Caleb Lionheart material that I knew how to play (well) would begin to dwindle, I’d simply pick a Saves The Day song and play that. Since our worship of STD’s first three LPs and acoustic EP is sometimes all too blatant and since almost every college student that attended highschool in the late 90s and early 2000s knows at least one of their songs, this has been a recipe for positive crowd participation. A winning cop-out if you will, but a cop-out none-the-less.
I have compiled a short list of less-than-popular songs (save Tracy Chapman) that I’ve also covered in that time period that garnered less emotional a response. As everyone, including myself, has grown tired of the “Pop Punk Band Covering Saves The Day” routine, I’ve decided to crowd-source the decision of which song I should cover to the people:
Kind of Like Spitting - Aubergine (see above) Rocky Votolato - The Light and the Sound Tracy Chapman - Fast Car The Good Life - Album of the Year
These are the songs I know how to play already and could cover again, but I’m also privy to write-in ballots as well, so if you’d like to hear us cover a different song acoustic I am also open to such suggestions.
Then again, I could always just play Caleb songs. The choice is yours (well, ultimately, ours). Thanks.
“Attentat” or “When the Bough Breaks”
A thousand gathered at the clearing; A thousand gathered all they had to fight back. When a cause becomes a prairie fire the unwashed pray for rain though mouths are dry, but when the storm clouds gather every watchful eye is searching for an exit sign.
A sign that reads, “it wasn’t me but the market that stole your shift.” The invisible hand still holds the whip pushing you toward a plank tied to the bow of a yacht that took the place of a slave ship. Trade sugar-cane machetes for a loaded gun. Trade a weekly paycheck for a lump sum. Fair-traded my way to a living-wage, seems the work’s never done. Is the work ever done?
A hymn worth knowing from when I dozed in pews: “My song is love unknown. My savior is love to me.” Sing a song of unknown economic ties. Sing a song of love with bright green eyes. Sing a song of a savior to descend from the skies, stain a dozen mouths, but trickle down the sides which implies we’ll all be free.
It wasn’t me but the market that stole your shift. The invisible hand still holds the whip pushing you toward a plank tied to the bow of a yacht that took the place of a slave ship. Trade your sweat and blood for a share of the crop. Trade convict labor for a War on Drugs. History will only absolve what its authors forgot, and I am tired.
New Song / Old Song
I stretched my skin and dried, sewed myself up and filled it to the neck with wine, but still we lie. Back’s to hell facing the moonlight. Has the well run dry? No, the well’s half empty with a boy trapped inside, alive, scraping the surface trying to see the light.
When the hammer comes down will it bend the nail at the neck? Or scar the hand of the martyr that you’d hoped to resurrect? When death is infinite will your God ask you, “What did you expect?” When the hammer comes down will it only leave a dent?
I heard the truth once, and like a lucid dream I awoke one morning to hear the prophets plead. “So much to say. So much to sing. So what’s to think? Nobody’s listening…”
When the hammer comes down will it bend the nail at the neck? Or scar the hand of the martyr that you’d hoped to resurrect? When death is infinite will your God ask you, “What did you expect?”
When the hammer comes down will it only leave a dent?
Pre-orders just went up for my band’s split with After The Fall. Orders should ship in late April. The record includes 2 songs and a Descendents cover from ATF and 3 songs from CLH.
/25 - Solid Black (Silkscreen cover) /125 - Half Black / Half White (ATF color) /125 - Black / White Marble (CLH color) /225 - Solid Black
The silkscreeen cover is limited to 25 and will only be available in the 4-pack. It will be hand numbered, and those who purchase the 4-pack will automatically be entered to win a free test press. Do it if you like Caleb Lionheart, After The Fall, or fast, melodic punk and pop punk.
Pre-orders for our split 7” with After The Fall are forthcoming. Check out the cover art above. The artwork is by a local artist named RADICAL! Check out more of his work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/518graff
Plans for 2012
Release a previously unreleased song, “We’re Rooted Here And You Can’t Pull Us Up” as part of Disconnect Disconnect Records’ Compilation titled, “Removals” (check it out here)
Release a cover version of “Anchor Grill” by the Descendents as part of Either/Or Records’ Tribute Compilation titled, “Either/Or Sucks: A Tribute to Descendents” (check it out here)
Releases: "Make Believe" CD/EP [self-released]
"Think Hardcore..." CD/EP [Farewell Party Records]
"Climbing Up A Mountain..." CD/EP [Barrett Records]
"Split w/ After The Fall" 7" [Better Days Records]
Caleb Lionheart started as a New Years resolution in 2007 by two friends and a guitar. Nearly four years later it has blossomed into four best friends, three EPs, four east coast tours, one full U.S. tour, two vans, four former drummers, and at least one broken nose. Sometimes, everyone gets together, writes punk songs and plays them as fast as they can. Sometimes, two or three members write acoustic songs and sing them at the top of their lungs. Sometimes, people sing along. You should too.
