The Very Americans
Did you catch a Senators game last summer?
If you did, you have already heard Harrisburg-based indie band Very Americans. They wrote the team’s fight song, aptly titled “Hey Senators.” The band has just celebrated the release of its new EP, “Stereo Types,” which came out last month digitally and on CD through iconic punk/hardcore label Eulogy Recordings.
“One thing to remember is that most record labels have gone 100-percent digital now, so it was important for us to find a label that was going to release a ‘physical’ version of our record,” explained bassist Garrett Rothman. “We were also anxious to have the record released on vinyl, which is our favorite format. Luckily, Eulogy and local label Rock Paper Records were able to work out an arrangement by which Rock Paper would release strictly the vinyl version of the record.”
“We all come from a punk and hardcore background, so [Eulogy] is not that far of a stretch,” added drummer Tyler Coleman.
Eulogy is a subsidiary of Sony, which will mean worldwide distribution of Very Americans’ music.
“[It’s] an amazing feeling,” said keyboardist Steve Radtke.
“Stereo Types” was mixed by famed producer J. Robbins at Magpie Cage Studios in Baltimore, a treasured experience for the members of Very Americans. And speaking of treasured experiences, the band performed live on The Artie Lange show in November, which aired on DirecTV and on Sirius and XM Radio.
“Although playing on live TV was a new experience and a little anxiety-ridden, it was just great to get our music out there,” said Radtke. “It was extra special for me because it was my birthday.”
The band is working on a few videos to accompany songs on the new album, like the one for “Floodgates,” directed by Moviate’s Caleb Smith.
“We can’t wait for people to see it,” said Rothman. “In a couple of months, our next video will come out for ‘Without a Trace,’ which should be fun… we recorded it in a mansion in Mechanicsburg.”
And, despite the increasing reach of their music, the members of Very Americans are proud of their central Pennsylvania roots and are quick to point out lots of reasons that this ‘Burg is a great place to be a band.
“I’m actually from Tampa Bay, Fla., but I’ve always loved the Harrisburg area and music scene,” explained vocalist Rich Wise. “[It] feels more connected to me than other scenes, and the fact you’re a hop, skip and jump away from a few major markets without the big city life is perfect.”
“We can play New York City, D.C., Philly and Baltimore and still drive home after the show if need be,” added Rothman. “And there are some great promoters and live venues that keep getting better, like FedLive, the Abbey Bar, HMAC and MakeSpace. Also, we don’t deal with the same space constraints that our band friends in New York deal with… we have a lot of options for rehearsal spaces.”
Very Americans is hard at work writing more songs and plans to record a full-length record this spring. Keep an eye on them at facebook.com/veryamericans.
Alexis Dow Campbell lives in Harrisburg with her husband Robert and daughter Rosie, age 1. She is the director of creative programming at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg.
