Baroness’ longtime guitar player, Pete Adams, has amicably left the band, electing to spend less time on the road to focus on a burgeoning non-music business and his home life. But Baroness will go on with Philadelphia native Gina Gleason on guitar. Gleason comes to Baroness with a rather eclectic resume, having played lead guitar in a Cirque du Soleil production, fronted and played lead in the female tribute band Misstallica, and toured/performed with The Smashing Pumpkins, Carolos Santana, Perry Farrell, and much more.

On his departure, Adams commented:

I would like to say thanks to all of the Baroness fans far and wide and all of the support through the ups and downs along the way. I feel beyond fortunate to have had the chance to travel great distances with Baroness and to meet so many of you. I honestly never thought I would be able to do what I have done with Baroness. Playing alongside my oldest friends, playing music that isn’t simply readily accepted by the masses, and sharing the stage with some of the best musicians and bands from around the globe. That said, it’s time for me to focus my energy closer to home and not on the road. However, this isn’t the end of my musical career by any means as I plan to continue working with Valkyrie. Again, thank you to all along the way, and most importantly thank you greatly to the current, past and future members of Baroness.

Band founder, singer and guitar player, John Baizley, also commenting on Adams’ departure:

I need to take a moment, on behalf of myself and Baroness, to recognize and sincerely thank one of my oldest friends and bandmates, Pete Adams, as he moves on from Baroness to pursue a new phase in his life. I feel fortunate beyond words to have shared the stage with you for nearly 25 years, since we were barely teenagers. It would be impossible to articulate the value and impact of the personal history, friendship, and musical bond we have enjoyed throughout our lives and within this band. Through Baroness, we’ve seen that friendship grow further and often in unexpected ways; we’ve taken part in so many adventures together that it’s difficult to keep track of them all. It’s never easy to part ways but it is important to highlight a couple of things: First, we offer unconditional support and respect for Pete’s decision and we’re excited to see where his path leads. Second, Baroness will forge ahead with an undiminished passion and as much creativity as ever. The narrative of this band has often felt as though it falls into distinct chapters, and while we’re excited to move into the next, we are equally sad to see Pete go. When Pete and I were kids, as he’s often said in interviews, we shared a dream of growing up and playing music together and seeing the far corners of the globe. And we did. Thank you, Pete, for being a friend when I needed support, a brother when I needed family, and a bandmate when you and I had a hunger to see the world.

About the addition of Gleason to the band, Baizley, Nick Jost and Sebastian Thomson said:

With Pete Adams’ official last show just over a month behind us, and a European tour on the not-so-distant horizon, we are proud to welcome our new guitarist, Gina Gleason, into Baroness, and we hope our fans will share in our excitement and provide her a warm welcome into the Baroness family. She has worked tirelessly in recent weeks/months, not only learning the specifics of our material, but slowly beginning to carefully stake out her own personal territory within our sound. Throughout the lifespan of this band we’ve had the genuine pleasure of working with incredibly gifted artists/musicians, who recognize in Baroness the need each member has to contribute something of their own musical personality, rather than imitate one that’s been established, not simply to respect the individual contributions of past members, but to develop a genuine connection to our songs, old and new alike. Gina’s ability both to learn our music and to find her own voice within our songs has been inspiring to observe, and it helps once again to renew our belief in this band’s music, which we’ve come to rely on as a true wellspring of creativity and musical discovery.

Rock Hard \m/

What a surreal morning it has been. I was wakened at 5 a.m. by a massive influx of messages and e-mails, after 2 days without sleep, on tour in New Zealand and Australia to find out ‘Shock Me’ has been nominated for a Grammy. I’m astounded that this happened, and psyched to see that our friends in Gojira are present on the list as well. It’s been an overwhelming year, touring this record, and I’m extremely proud of my friends/bandmates and the whole Baroness family for the dedication and sacrifice that it took to write, record, and release Purple. Thank you, whoever you are that considered us for the nomination.

Baroness is joined by Gojira for “Silvera,” Korn for “Rotting in Vain,” Megadeth for “Dystopia,” and Periphery for “The Price Is Wrong.”

Who are you rooting for?

The Grammys will air on Sunday, February 12, 2017.

Rock Hard \m/

The band has recently launched a new round of U.S. tour dates in support of their latest album, Purple, on on the heals of that news comes the new music video for the song “Try to Disappear.” The clip, which you can catch right here on this page, captures one of the band’s amazing live outings in support of the 10-song album.

In a recent interview with SF Weekly, John Baizley said:

The cathartic experience of playing live music has not changed over the 13 years of performing. But the sense of relief and release I feel as an adult is as intense, if not more than, when I was younger. The response to this record has been really, really overwhelming. There have been some pretty dramatic changes in the way that our audiences react to our songs, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Baroness recently announced an Australian/New Zealand tour for December, marking the band’s first Oceanian shows since the release of Purple.

Tickets for all non-festival performances are available via YourBaroness.com. Pallbearer opens on all U.S. non-festival dates.

Baroness Tour Dates:

August 31 Tucson, AZ The Rock
September 2 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
September 3 Memphis, TN New Daisy Theatre
September 4 Baton Rouge, LA The Varsity Theatre
September 6 Orlando, FL The Social
September 7 Tampa, FL State Theater
September 9 Charleston, SC The Music Farm
September 10 Raleigh, NC Hopscotch Music Festival
September 17 Chester, PA Monster Energy Rock Allegiance Festival
September 23 Corpus Christi, TX The Pavilion at Concrete Street
September 24 San Antonio, TX Paper Tiger
September 25 Houston, TX Houston Open Air
October 22 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival
November 6 McDade, TX Sound on Sound Festival
December 5 Auckland, New Zealand Studio
December 7 Sydney, Australia The Metro
December 8 Brisbane, Australia The Triffid
December 9 St. Kilda, Australia The Prince Bandroom
December 10 Meredith, Australia Meredith Music Festival
December 12 Adelaide, Australia The Gov
December 13 Perth, Australia Capitol

Rock Hard \m/

With the release two weeks away, Baroness continues to share behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the 10-song album. The latest clip, titled “Tarbox Aliens” [Making Purple], focuses on the band’s decision to work with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT). “We could have gone with a more obvious, heavy producer,” explained drummer Sebastian Thomson, “but that just seems kinda, a little bit boring.” John Baizley added, “Being that Baroness considers itself an artistic outlet, then we should try to approach each record as its own individual piece of art. He is a producer with a track record of unique records, and as I’ve said, very adventurous records, and that’s what I’ve come to expect out of this band and that’s what our audience has come to expect.”

Pre-order packages for Purple, which feature instant downloads of “Morningstar,” “Shock Me,” and “Chlorine & Wine” as well as a limited-edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts, and other unique items are available here. Digital pre-orders, which also include instant downloads of “Morningstar,” “Shock Me,” and “Chlorine & Wine” are available via Amazon.

Baroness Tour dates:

December 8 Houston, TX Rudyard’s SOLD OUT
December 9 New Orleans, LA Gasa Gasa
December 11 Gainesville, FL 8-BIT Bar SOLD OUT
December 12 Savannah, GA The Jinx SOLD OUT
December 13 Atlanta, GA The Earl SOLD OUT
December 15 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 SOLD OUT
December 16 Richmond, VA Strange Matter SOLD OUT
December 18 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery SOLD OUT
December 19 Manayunk, PA Main Street Music
December 19 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s SOLD OUT
December 20 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade
December 20 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus Bar SOLD OUT
April 23 Mexico City, MX Vive Latino Festival

Rock Hard \m/

As far as the tour goes, John Baizley states:

We’ve been off tour for too long. It’s time for Baroness to start playing shows in the U.S. again. We’re doing a short run through the eastern half of the States, in small clubs, getting our new songs stage ready for 2016. Who knows, maybe we’ll even throw in a few songs from the very early EPs and albums. See you soon.

Baroness 2015 U.S. Tour Dates:

November 27 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
November 28 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen
November 29 Madison, WI Frequency
December 1 St. Louis, MO The Demo
December 2 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
December 4 Oklahoma City, OK 89th Street Collective
December 5 Dallas, TX Double Wide
December 6 Austin, TX Mohawk
December 8 Houston, TX Rudyard’s
December 9 New Orleans, LA Gasa Gasa
December 11 Gainesville, FL 8-BIT Bar
December 12 Savannah, GA The Jinx
December 13 Atlanta, GA The Earl
December 15 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
December 16 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
December 18 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery
December 19 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
December 20 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus Bar

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The track opens with a sort of dream-like prelude that’s soft and captivating, but a bit too much like something you’d hear in an atmospheric massage session. But, before long the tack breaks into something equally soothing, but a bit more recognizable, being grounded in guitars and drums, before John Baizley breaks in with his vocals and we’re transposed by his voice and words.

About the track and the new album, Baizley commented:

After releasing a lengthy and investigative record like Yellow & Green we all felt that we needed to make something much more direct and immediate. We wanted to write with our normal focus on artistry, balanced against an increased level of energy and focus. It was important for us to write our new songs with the type of enthusiasm and expressiveness that could act as a counterpoint to the album’s dark themes. As a result, the music came out in an intense, heavy and sonically captivating in a new way, which was important, loathe, as we are to fall into any kind of complacency pitfall or formulaic songwriting routine. Purple is the most fully realized representation of our intention as a band; considering the amount of physical and mental energy spent writing it, we have accomplished something which would have seemed impossible to us a couple of years ago.

Pre-order packages for Purple, which feature an instant download of “Chlorine & Wine” as well as a limited-edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts and other unique items, are available here.

Purple track list:

1. Morningstar
2. Shock Me
3. Try to Disappear
4. Kerosene
5. Fugue
6. Chlorine & Wine
7. The Iron Bell
8. Desperation Burns
9. If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain)
10. Crossroads of Infinity

Rock Hard \m/

If you’ve been following our coverage of Baroness, then you know that we think they’re one of the hottest acts of 2013. Seriously, they’ve been working hard to bring you their music all year, from a new album to a new live EP to album streaming, and more. Now, along with other bands, they’ll stream a live performance. The Baroness show is going down at the Visions Westend Festival in Dortmund in Germany and can be caught tomorrow, October 3rd, at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. PST. Just hook yourself up at WDR Rockpalast’s website: www.wdr.de

If you tune in for the whole thing, you might just catch Long Distance Calling and The Ocean as well.

Baroness’ European tour dates (support by Royal Thunder):

October 2 – Luxembourg – Den Atelier
October 3 – Dortmund, Germany – FZW (Visions Westend Festival)*
October 5 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Loppen
October 6 – Trondheim, Norway – Sorslaen Samfundet (UKA-13 Student Festival)*
October 7 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
October 8 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser
October 10 – Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
October 11 – Berlin, Germany – Postbahnhof
October 13 – Vienna, Austria – Arena
October 14 – München, Germany – Backstage Werk
October 15 – Milan, Italy – Tunnel
October 16 – Aarau, Switzerland – Kiff
October 18 – Tourcoing, France – Le Grand Mix
October 19 – Wolverhampton, UK – Slade Rooms
October 20 – Glasgow, UK – Cathouse
October 22 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
October 24 – London, UK – Electric Ballroom

Rock Hard \m/

Baroness Live Maida vale – credit: relapse records

Baroness is streaming the Live At Maida Vale EP (July 23, Relapse Records) in its entirety via Alternative Press.

The stunning four-song EP, which was culled from Baroness’ July 12, 2012, performance at Studio 4 (Maida Vale) on BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show, highlights the quartet’s live prowess and gives the collection of songs an entirely new dynamic. The release is available digitally and as a highly limited edition 12” with a B-side featuring a silkscreen of John Baizley’s iconic swan image.

Pre-orders are available via Relapse’s web store and digitally through iTunes.

Live at Maida Vale EP track listing:

1. Take My Bones Away
2. March To The Sea
3. Cocainium
4. The Line Between

Baroness recently completed their first round of live U.S. dates since the release of Yellow & Green with stops at Bonnaroo and Orion Music + More. The band returns to the road later this month with upcoming performances at Lollapalooza and FYF Fest before heading to Europe this autumn. Royal Thunder support on all headlining dates worldwide.

Baroness tour dates:

July 30 West Babylon, NY – Looney Tunes
July 31 Brooklyn, NY – House of Vans

August 1 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
August 3 Chicago, IL – The Subterranean (Lollapalooza Aftershow)
August 4 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
August 5 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
August 7 Rochester, NY – Club @ Waltr Street
August 9 Toronto, ON – Mod Club
August 10 Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL
August 11 Boston, MA – Royale
August 13 Providence, RI – Met Café
August 14 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
August 17 Champaign, IL – The Highdive
August 18 Columbia, MO – Mojo’s
August 20 Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
August 21 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
August 23 Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
August 24 San Diego, CA – The Casbah
August 25 Los Angeles, CA – FYF Fest
August 27 Tucson, AZ – The Rock
August 28 Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar
August 30 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge

September 1 Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory
September 2 Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot
September 4 Vancouver, BC – Venue
September 5 Portland, OR – Musicfest NW
September 6 George, WA – KISW Pain in the Grass
September 27 Tilburg, Holland – KZ
September 28 Köln, Germany – Stollwerck
September 29 Antwerp, Belgium – Trix

October 1 Paris, France – Le Trabendo
October 2 Luxembourg – Den Atelier
October 3 Dortmund, Germany – FZW (Visions Westend Festival)
October 5 Copenhagen, Denmark – Loppen
October 6 Trondheim, Norway – Sorslaen Samfundet (UKA-13 Student Festival)
October 7 Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
October 8 Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis
October 10 Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
October 11 Berlin, Germany – Postbahnhof
October 13 Wien, Austria – Arena
October 14 München, Germany – Backstage Werk
October 15 Milano, Italy – Tunnel
October 16 Zürich, Switzerland – Aarau Kiff
October 18 Tourcoing, France – Le Grand Mix
October 19 Wolverhampton, UK – Slade Rooms
October 20 Glasgow, UK – Cathouse
October 22 Manchester, UK – Club Academy
October 24 London, UK – Electric Ballroom

Rock Hard \m/

Baroness – Credit: relapse records

Baroness’ live version of “Cocainium,” a track from the band’s upcoming Live at Maida Vale EP, is streaming now via Pitchfork.

“Cocainium” is one of four songs from the band’s breakthrough album Yellow & Green that the quartet recorded during a July 2012 performance at Studio 4 Maida Vale, on BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show. The Live at Maida Vale EP is slated for a July 23 (July 22 in the UK) release via Relapse Records with the track listing as follows:

1. “Take My Bones Away”
2. “March To The Sea”
3. “Cocainium”
4. “The Line Between”

The EP will be available on an extremely limited edition 12″ vinyl, with the B-side featuring a silk screen of John Baizley’s beautiful and iconic artwork. Live at Maida Vale will also be available for digital download (and all vinyl orders receive a download code). Pre-orders are available via Relapse Records’ website.

Baroness, who recently completed their first round of live U.S. performances since the release of Yellow & Green with stops at Bonnaroo and Orion Festival, return to the road in late July with upcoming performances at Lollapalooza and FYF Fest. The band heads to Europe this autumn with Royal Thunder supporting on all headlining dates worldwide.

Rock Hard \m/

photo by Kmeron | Baroness Hit The Road In North America

UPDATE (May 16th) – Baroness have added the following tour dates to those listed below:

New Yellow & Green tour dates:
August 5 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
August 7 Rochester, NY – Club @ Walter Street
August 9 Toronto, ON – Mod Club
August 11 Boston, MA – Royale
August 13 Providence, RI – Met Café
August 14 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
August 17 Champaign, IL – The Highdive
August 18 Columbia, MO – Mojo’s
August 20 Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
August 21 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
August 23 Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
August 25 San Diego, CA – The Casbah
August 27 Tucson, AZ – The Rock
August 28 Las Vegas NV – Backstage Bar
August 30 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
September 2 Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot
September 4 Vancouver, BC – Venue

“It’s hard to find the words to express how excited we are to announce this tour,” explained guitar player Pete Adams. “Seven months ago, who knew when it would be or even if we could get back on the road. But here we are, picking right back up where we left off. A heartfelt thanks to everyone’s unconditional love and support for us through, let’s hope, the hardest time this band will ever see. We told you we’d be back, so let’s do this thing!”

“The hardest time this band will ever see” refers to Baroness’ bus plunging off a viaduct near Bath, England, which left band members and tour crew with a variety of severe injuries. Presumably, as a result of the accident, drummer Allen Blickle and bass player Matt Maggioni will not be touring with the band. Baizley has confirmed that the pair’s departure is “not sensational” and “do[es] not come with hard feelings.” Baizley went on to add that the band has already found two musicians, Nick Jost (bass) and Sebastian Thomson (drums), “who can approach our music with passion and vitality.”

Yellow & Green tour dates:

May 24 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
May 25 Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
May 26 Norfolk, VA – Jewish Mother
May 28 Charleston, SC – The Music Farm
May 29 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
May 31 Dallas, TX – Trees
June 1 Austin, TX – Chaos in Tejas (Mohawk)
June 2 Houston, TX – Free Press Summer Festival
June 4 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
June 5 St. Louis, MO – The Firebird
June 8 Grand Rapids, MI – The Pyramid Scheme
June 9 Madison, WI – The Majestic Theatre
June 11 Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe @ Old National Centre
June 12 Cincinnati, OH – Taft Ballroom
June 14 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s
June 15 Huntington, WV – V Club
June 13-16 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo (performance date to be announced soon)
August 10–11 Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL (performance date to be announced soon)

Rock Hard \m/