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Hello, We’re Freelance Sweatpants!

Friday night, the big night. The moment that everyone in the band had trained 9 months for. The FIRST GIG OF THE YEAR! After a week of rehearsals and stressful scheduling, a 7:30 booking of a 15-minute time slot was scheduled. Nerves were rattled, but no one was deterred. The band had but one mission; come out swinging and kick the ROCK DENS ASS!

Adding to the chaotic yet historic nature of the event, was the fact that this was the last week of Lansdales’ historic ROCK DENS existence. The historic venue, known for its open mic nights, was shuttering its doors for good. Meaning it was now or never for FREELANCE SWEATPANTS to move from drummer JUSTIN NEWMANS’ basement to a stage.  

After what seemed like months of trying to book a show at FREELANCE SWEATPANTS version of THE RIVOLI, the wait was well worth it. Armed with a great time slot, a fantastic entourage, and most importantly, great tunes, the band took the stage slightly after 7: 30.

Sean declared to the crowd, “We are FREELANCE SWEATPANTS, it’s going to get loud out here!” Loud it did, with an eruptiuos applause from fans new and old alike (you know who you are). The band immediately tore through a blistering version of “WEDNESDAY SOCIAL” The song made its official live debut in front of an audience, who nodded and tapped along to the rhythm. Following a blistering solo from DOM SPIER, the first song reached its rocking conclusion.

SEAN then told the crowd that it will get a bit quieter, the band led by JUSTIN this time counted in “OTHERSIDES'” signature BEATLES-esque drumbeat. During this song, the band battled the elements onstage as a rogue smoke machine tried to blind them.  AJs’ killer bluesy solo parted the fog, making it clear that nothing can stop this tour de force of rock.

“Alright we got one more, DOMS singing this one.” SEAN said as he went to take a breather. “That’s good or bad depending on who you are.” DOM, hyping up the next and final song making its live debut, “NEW MATERIAL”. By this point the crowd was fully on the side of the band, engaging in more applause following another intense PUNK-TINGED guitar solo.

While The ROCK DEN had prided itself on being an open mic night and not a battle of the bands, FREELANCE SWEATPANTS clearly won that night. Everyone in the band was given their moment to shine, and despite SEANS ominous words of one more song, this will NOT be the final LIVE PERFORMANCE.

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Justin Ate A Burg

The band featuring John Borkowski (background) with special guest Left Shoe (bottom right)

This week marks the first official live gig for Freelance Sweatpants. After keeping this baby, a secret for nine months, the band, Sean, Dom, Justin, and AJ will push it out into the world. This week’s rehearsal on Tuesday May 30th marked the first time the band has moved from sitting and playing to standing. While the vibe changed, their sound and passion for playing did not. They looked the audience of three including influence John Borkowski dead in the eye and told them without uttering a breath, “We’re here to fucking rock!”

The band proceeded to blast through soon to be classics including the proto-punk influenced “Wednesday Social”.  The group, having rocked the listening parties’ collective tits off, slowed things down a notch. The Beatles influenced “Otherside” was up next. Many a “yes sir” was uttered as per the lyrics go. If the way the band sounds in rehearsal translates to the live performance, then hopefully audience members would agree with the statement. In between songs, Sean had a violent altercation with an unresponsive microphone. Technology, thinking it can get the best of us humans, caused the microphone to crap out. Leaving Sean no choice but to kamasutra slam it into the ceiling, putting the mic out of its misery.

The next song is a true story that came from the band asking a simple question, “how the fuck did I get on this bus?” The question was answered in the trippy “High on a Plane” with vocals provided by Dom. The band kicked it into overdrive with the mid-tempo set closer “New Material”. If these four songs earn great audience feedback at the Rock Den, then “New Material” is what will be promised.

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Justin (Drums)

Justin’s biggest contribution to the band is having a basement for us to meet. Just kidding, Justing holds down the beat like nobody’s business.

For someone who never practices, he will show up and blow everyone’s tits clean off with his ability to pick up a drum part in 4 seconds flat.

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Dom (Guitar 1, Vox)

Dom brings the funk. His general instrument skills are far better than the rest of us combined. He’s so good at what he does that he doesn’t rely on petty tricks like reverb to sound good. He just shreds.

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AJ (Guitar A, Vox)

AJ is an enigma. He began playing guitar only a year before the band started but he has not let that hold him back at all.

We don’t know what AJ stands for. We think it’s either Apple Jeronimo, Albert J-einstein, or Alejandro. Anyone could ask him, but we don’t bother to.

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Brad

“Just because you’re not in the band doesn’t mean that you’re not in the band.”

Ned Schneebly, 2002

Brad, commonly referred to as B-rad, is a silent member of the production. His role is to make sure that the couch does not float away during our rehearsals. He’s supplying the beer, running the recordings, and giving insights into what our sound can be. Without him, the band feels like a bunch of assholes yelling at each other.