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Tonight was THE BIG NIGHT. The moment the band had been waiting for. A moment that took an ETERNITY to arrive. What no one could have anticipated was that the BAND WOULD CRUSH IT. 

Arriving early for the soundcheck, well before THE GRAPE ROOM even OPENS, the band got right down to business. They worked with the sound mixer to ensure that a MAXIMUM SONIC ATTACK could be felt.

Anticipation was building as this writer was busy back at BAND HQ entertaining the masses. And masses there were, the band had the second, or maybe even THE LARGEST CROWD depending on who you ask that night. Crowd size doesn’t matter, METALLICA played to 10 people at their first show. What matters is how THE CROWD reacts to YOUR PERFORMANCE.

It was one hell of a PERFORMANCE indeed! Kicking things off was the only true hiccup of the night, the instrumental jam known as “HIGH NOON”. The song was designed so it gets the crowds attention. It did, in its OWN WAY. A few sound issues were resolved during the jam thanks to the AMAZING SOUND MIXER. After “HIGH NOON” it was off to the races!

“How’s it going GRAPE ROOM!” SEAN shouted into the microphone, prompting the crowd of friends, family, and other bands to go nuts. The band kicked things off into high gear with an electrifying “DAY IN/ DAY OUT”, from there it was soon to be hit “SPOOKY”. The crowd was into it, at this point, the band could do no wrong. Then came the moment of truth, the moment where the crowd either turns on us, or invites us back for more.

The tricky, bluesy intro to WEEZER’S “SAY IT AIN’T SO”, was nailed to perfection by AJ. You can hear the crowd lose its mind over the cover. They even sang along to the “wrestle with Jimmy” lyrics as SEAN had intended. A momentous occasion indeed.

Next Up, AJ took us for a walk with his bluesy solo during the shoegaze styled “OTHERSIDE”. SEAN followed up the track with some bouncy bass grooves that led into a rousing “OH WHY”. DOM let loose some killer solos on “SWAMP PEOPLE”, a soon to be classic FREELANCE SWEATPANTS song.

After the SPRINT comes the HARD MARATHON. But music isn’t meant to be hard, it’s meant to be about the LOVE of it. LOVE was what we got when DOM took to the microphone to shout out VYNNESSA for her birthday.

JUSTIN got to show off his serious drumming chops on a cover of OK GO’S “HERE IT GOES AGAIN”, sans treadmills and jumping. Though the drumming Justin does is the equivalent of the jumping done in the music video. The song is hard, and he effin NAILED IT. The song was followed by “NEW MATERIAL”, which featured a big crowd reaction to a blistering DOM solo. The hard section ended with what SEAN described as a WHITE STRIPES deep cut “FELL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL”. The crowd fell in love with the band and SEANS’ delivery of the FAST-TALKING parts of that song.

“Give it up for JUSTIN”, and rightfully so, his performance during those songs were praised by members of other bands, fans and random mothers at the show.

The band then gave the audience a taste of its future, “UPSIDE DOWN” kicked off the alternative portion of the set. They later channeled the early 2000’s alt-rock scene on “STROKES-TYPE-THING.” The band finally brought HOUSE DOWN with an electrifying “HIGH ON A PLANE”, whose end jam brought the place to its knees.

This may have been the band’s 4^th ever show, but they performed as though they had played FOR YEARS. If they keep up this level of PLAYING AND COMMITMENT, they just might be the NEXT BIG THING. Way to go guys, you made it to your version of THE RIVOLI! There was even a FAN with a RIVOLI hat at the show. If that’s not a sign, I don’t know WHAT IS.

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS: THE GRAPE ROOM, BAD HABITS BOOKING, RYAN GADS, ECHO WHISKEY, and LAZER SHARK! HERE’S TO ANOTHER SHOW SOMETIME SOON!

SETLIST DECEMBER 29^TH: THE GRAPE ROOM

1. HIGH NOON (STARTED AGAIN DUE TO AUDIO)
2. DAY IN/ DAY OUT
3. SPOOKY
4. SAY IT AIN’T SO (WEEZER COVER)
5. OTHERSIDE
6. OH WHY
7. SWAMP PEOPLE
8. HERE IT GOES AGAIN (OK GO COVER)
9. NEW MATERIAL
10. FELL IN LOVE WITH A GIRL (WHITE STRIPES COVER)
11. UPSIDE DOWN
12. STROKES-TYPE-THING
13. HIGH ON A PLANE

WATCH OUT MAN! There is a band in town prepared to BRING THE HOUSE DOWN! THE BOYS WITH NOISE are prepared to bring their brand of ROCK to THE GRAPE ROOM on DECEMBER 29^TH. The band has been hard at work putting on a show, so you don’t have to WORK AS HARD to enjoy it!

During the last rehearsal, the band has showed command of their SET time awareness. While rehearsing the SET that you will EXPERIENCE for 45 MINUTES, I noticed that the band is sounding tight! Each time the SET is played (which I will not reveal for fear FREELANCE SWEATPANTS SNIPERS will take me out), they are performed with as much if not more passion each time they are JAMMED.

As for COVERS, there are some FAMOUS ones that will give you your BANG for your BUCK. AJ has NAILED the intro to one, JUSTIN puts on some of his most FOUNDATION SHAKING DRUMMING on another. SEAN and DOM get to unleash their inner punks on a THIRD. I will give you a hint as to what covers they are performing; they are songs from the 90’s & 00’s. Yes, it is true, THESE SONGS STILL SLAP harder than WILL SMITH.

As for the originals, they are soon to be your NEW favorite songs. This writer has had multiple FREELANCE SWEATPANTS riffs stuck in his head FOR DAYS.

Maybe just maybe, if you are good FANS, we might RELEASE SOMETHING into THIS WORLD at the show! No, not an ancient VOODOO CURSE, but more along the lines of BRAND NEW FREE STICKERS!

SPECIAL THANKS to RYAN NEWMAN for designing them!

You can view the STICKERS on our INSTAGRAM!

SPECIAL THANKS to THE GRAPE ROOM, BAD HABITS BOOKING, RYAN GADS, ECHO WHISKEY, and of course, LAZER SHARK!

Alright folks, THE COUNTDOWN is underway for our slot as an OPENER at THE GRAPE ROOM for the AMAZING LAZER SHARK. This show is massive, how MASSIVE?  Try TWO PRACTICES A WEEK massive. This could lead to more BLOGS, as this writer knows you WANT MORE. The band is hard at work rehearsing a MASSIVE 45 MINUTE SET. There is more hype for this show than the GTA 6 TRAILER. Like THE GAME, the show is a long time coming. As our influence JOHN BORKOWSKI so causally put it, “this is your RIVOLI.” The band fought hard to GET TO THIS MOMENT. If you follow us, take time TO SHOW ENCOURAGEMENT on our social media. This really is THEIR BIG BREAK.

As for what the setlist entails, the usual favorites “DAY IN DAY OUT”, “OTHERSIDE”, and “HIGH ON A PLANE” are all but confirmed to be there.  New songs are being whipped up IN A FRENZY like the fans who will be in our MOSH PIT when they hear them. The band should have no problems introducing them in addition to their usual set.

As for COVER SONGS, the COUNTING CROWS “HANGINAROUND” is in contention for the show. For the others, if you are fans of 90’s/00’s rock, then we have JUST THE THROWBACKS FOR YOU!

So much good is about to happen to this band, so SHOW UP, SUPPORT, and ROCK OUT on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9^th at THE GRAPE ROOM!

That is FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9^th at THE GRAPE ROOM on 105 GRAPE STREET, PHILADELPHIA. Tickets for the show are $10 and can be found on the website for THE GRAPE ROOM!

Special thanks to BAD HABITS BOOKING, RYAN GADS, ECHO WHISKEY, and LAZER SHARK for making this event POSSIBLE!

SEE YOU ALL THERE!

IT’S HAPPENING FOLKS! The band is about to do things that will take us to THE NEXT LEVEL! Though before I get to that, let’s TALK SOME ROCK N ROLL!

Last week, the FULL BAND was together for an epic jam. EVERY SONG in our REPERTOIRE was JAMMED.

The SPOON influenced “UPSIDE DOWN” got a killer REVISIT that made the song stand RIGHT SIDE UP.  AJ who was given a cheat sheet for the song, didn’t need to copy anyone’s notes. HE already PASSED THE TEST. Having him back gave the band ENOUGH ENERGY to power a small PHILADELPHIA suburb.  Here’s hoping “UPSIDE DOWN” MAKES IT ONTO A RECORDING.  As it is a track YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!

Going off our INFLUENCES, an epic PINK FLOYD style jam was created. A JAM that many felt could GO ON FOREVER, FOR ALL WE KNOW, IT STILL IS. This soon to be epic track showed the true versatility and wide-ranging INFLUENCES OF THE BAND.

The band also JAMMED its set AND THEN SOME!

“WARM HUGS” got a revisit, “DAY IN DAY OUT” got some rocking RIFFAGE from DOM. SEAN took the lead with his SWANKY bass on “OH WHY”, which featured DOM SWINGING THAT GUITAR. For JUSTIN, his drumsticks might as well have been HAMMERS as he and the rest of the BAND nailed THE BRIDGE to “OTHERSIDE” perfectly in place with the rest of the song. “HIGH ON A PLANE” brought the song backdown to its early days as a track that PREDATES the group. “NEW MATERIAL’ showed that while it is the END OF THE SET, the desire for CREATING NEW JAMS is still there!

As for those announcements, you may have to WAIT AND SEE in the coming hours. Though when it does come, BE PREPARED to see FREELANCE SWEATPANTS in a LIVE SETTING.

I KNOW WHEN AND WHERE, YOU DON’T!

Punk rock is the game and FREELANCE SWEATPANTS is THE NAME.  the band, minus AJ took to the rehearsal spot on THURSDAY night to deliver a PUNK ROCK INSPIRED JAM.  While no originals were played, the band created what would become CLASSICS.  The first song, A TUNE inspired by our love of THE FOO FIGHTERS. How much do we love them, SO MUCH so that a nod to MY HERO made the cut in the song. 

Things took a turn for the BIZARRE when one of JUSTIN’S DRUMSTICKS had enough of hitting the skins and decided to TAKE SOME SKIN from its user. The stick caught air and nearly GOT CAUGHT IN his EYE. When drumming, always BE SMART, don’t GET HURT BY YOUR ART.

When in a band, it’s important to WEAR YOUR INFLUENCES ON YOUR SLEEVES. Not just Foo Fighters, but, BLACK SABBATH, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and THE CHATS style riffs were being created. Even a SPOON influenced track was rocked and hopefully will be put to a ALL OUT JAM OF A RECORD.

WHEN IS OUR MUSIC COMING? I KNOW, YOU DON’T.

This week AJ is back at our jam factory and the whole band will be together at last. What is coming up next? Some live stuff, some recorded stuff, stay tuned and we will keep you POSTED.

In the meantime, GO TO OUR INSTAGRAM, and check out some new hi res photos of our HUNTINGDON VALLEY GIG.

At long last, the band’s FIRST BIG SHOW! While the crowd size may not have been what was initially announced, by 1-2 PM we managed to play IN FRONT OF 30 PEOPLE! A momentous and FIRE LIGHTING show if I ever have seen one. What FIRE did it LIGHT? The playing from the band FIRED ON ALL CYLINDERS, especially on the EXTENDED JAM of “HIGH ON A PLANE”. The band played a grand total of 9 SONGS, 3 MASSIVE SETS WITH ONLY TWO REPEATS.

Let’s get into it!

SET 1: START TIME A LITTLE AFTER 1

First, SET ONE, kicking off around 1 with a BLISTERING “DAY IN DAY OUT”. The band played with ferocious energy. LITTLE KIDS in attendance got to experience ROCK N ROLL for the first time, and hopefully be persuaded to CHECK IT OUT over TAYLOR SWIFT. After our first song, AUDIENCE CHEERS could be heard.

 Not one to let the crowd die down, the BAND kicked it into OVERDRIVE. HANDING THE MIC to DOM, he took vocals for “NEW MATERIAL”. While it may be the most PUNK SONG in our DISCOGRAPHY, it got a BEACH BOYS comparison from an ELDERLY AUDIENCE MEMBER. You must start somewhere, and BRIAN WILSON is certainly ONE TO BE COMPARED TO. The mellower, bluesy, “OTHERSIDE” was next. The band, having struggled with the BRIDGE during rehearsals wouldn’t be able to tell you otherwise AS THEY EFFIN NAILED IT. AJ even took us for a walk as he RIPPED A KILLER SOLO. SEAN told the crowd “WE ARE FREELANCE SWEATPANTS; WE’LL BE BACK IN AN HOUR”. YOU BETTER BET THEY WILL BE.

SET 2: START TIME A LITTLE AFTER 2

At this point, people in the crowd could forget about COVERS, even as the WIND WHIPPED, because THEIR FACES HAD BEEN MELTED BY THE POWER OF ROCK. ‘OH WHY” got the crowd back into a nice comfortable groove. THE CROWD IS AT PEAK NOW. AT LEAST 20-30 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. The band has them eating out of the PALM OF THEIR HAND. Kicking things off next, the band’s biggest SHOWSTOPPER; “HIGH ON A PLANE”.

THE BAND, LED BY A dynamic jam session, featuring JUSTIN CRUSHIN IT ON DRUMS, DOM AND AJ SOLOING like MADMEN, AND SEAN SLAPPIN DA BASS. The crowd was in AWE OF WHAT THEY WITNESSED. Following up showstopper like that is no mere feet, BUT FREELANCE SWEATPANTS ARE NO MERE PEOPLE. Ending the show with a festive and SINGLE WORTHY song in ‘SPOOKY”, the band knew from the crowd CHEERS that they had them WHERE THEY WANTED EM.

SET 3: START TIME AFTER 3

The band knew the AUDIENCE wanted more. The AUDIENCE KNEW THE BAND WANTED MORE. SO, they gave EM MORE. “Here’s a song you’ll probably know.” SEAN said before ripping into the COUNTING CROWS, “HANGINAROUND”. For it being the third time played by the band, THEY KILLED IT. ENCORES included reprises of “OTHERSIDE” and ‘SPOOKY” in which SEAN thanked the good people at HUNTINGDON VALLEY SKILLED NURSING AND REHAB CENTER and FALL FEST organizer JULIE WALLER for her help in getting the band the venue.

THIS IS ONLY THE START PEOPLE, I KNOW, YOU DON’T WHAT’S COMING.

SETLIST

SET 1

“DAY IN DAY OUT”

“NEW MATERIAL”

“OTHERSIDE”

SET 2

“OH WHY” (WITH FINISHED LYRICS)

“HIGH ON A PLANE” (WITH EXTENDED OUTRO JAM)

“SPOOKY”

Set 3

“HANGINAROUND” (COUNTING CROWS COVER)

“OTHERSIDE” (REPRISE)

“SPOOKY” (REPRISE)

Preparation for FALL FEST is well underway. The massive festival in HUNTINGDON VALLEY is bracing for a band who is LOCKED, STOCKED and ready to ROCK! The band began the night by RUNNING THROUGH THE SET.  The set is to be played AT THE TOP OF EACH HOUR, with TWO SONGS to be performed during each slot. It’s like a LATE SHOW. Only THE BAND is the HOST! 

The band powered through set one. The unstoppable “DAY IN DAY OUT” kicks off the proceedings like a train running in a very controlled manner OFF THE TRACKS. Keeping the train from turning into UNSTOPPABLE 2, SEAN, AJ, DOM, and JUSTIN hit with a wall of CONTROLLED HARD ROCKING SOUND. “We are FREELANCE SWEATPANTS” SEAN says before handing the mic to DOM. DOM takes the reins for “NEW MATERIAL” featuring a BLISTERING solo and some guitar swinging.

GUITAR SWINGING- to swing one’s guitar by the strap attached to YOUR NECK.

Set two, saw “OTHERSIDE” get reunited with the bridge. While the band struggled to connect the bridge with the track, that didn’t stop LOCOMOTIVE from running. Why would it be reported that this band makes mistakes? Aside from being ROCK GODS, they are HUMAN. After that little bit of FIXIN UP, they crushed it like a PHILLIE’S HOME RUN. AJ even got some killer solo action during the track. The spunky “OH WHY” featured some intense grooves and some cool DRUMSTICK TRICKS from JUSTIN.

The last set featured——- ——- ——– ——– ——- I can’t tell you that. I KNOW, YOU DON’T, what happens in the last set. LET’S JUST SAY, it’s best to SEE performed LIVE.

Check out the band live SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, at HUNTINGDON VALLEY FALL FEST 12-4. EVERY HOUR, ON THE HOUR. BE THERE!

Like THE MCRIB returning next month after being out of the public eye, the band has IS READY TO RETURN to a PUBLIC CLAMORING FOR IT EVEN EARLIER. That’s right folks, big THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

LIKE THE MCRIB, the band will be available at this gig PERIODICALLY, playing 2 songs EVERY HOUR at the TOP OF THE HOUR from 12-4pm! WHEN’S THE DATE YOU ASK? Why OCTOBER 21^st of COURSE! This gig is HUGE. HUGE EXPOSURE, HUGE CROWD, HUGE OPPORTUNITY.  This is as EXCITING as it gets.

For those unaware, THE FALL FEST is located at 3430 HUNTINGDON PIKE AT THE REMOTE PARKING LOT.  The festival Is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Meaning FANS OF THE BAND CAN COME FOR FREE). FALL BEVERAGES, COOKIE BUFFETS and oh yes, lots of PERFORMANCES BY FREELANCE SWEATPANTS.

The group has been hard at work rehearsing THEIR SET. The band is prepared to PLAY for anyone who has heard them, and if you haven’t, YOU BETTER LISTEN. So, like THE MCRIB, come celebrate something that comes around RARELY BUT LEAVES a LASTING IMPRESSION WHENEVER IT DOES. Come see AN AMAZING SHOW and JAM out to FREELANCE SWEATPANTS!

NOW, for a gig like this, maybe, just maybe, SOMETHING COULD BE RELEASED? I know, YOU DON’T.

SPECIAL SHOUTOUT goes to JULIE WALLER. Thanks for BOOKING FREELANCE SWEATPANTS for this show!

SEE YOU ALL AT FALL FEST!

With DOM BETTING IT ALL ON BLACK in Atlantic City, the band played on. Last night’s jam was a hodge podge, a jambalaya, a COSMIC GUMBO of sounds. It is proven that this band is FREELANCE in that it can take any song, any style any GENRE, and OWN IT! The night kicked off with a tight cover of JEFFERSON STARSHIP’S “JANE”. How tight? So tight that JEFFERSON STARSHIP will be playing OUR VERSION of the song from here on out. AJ, in a stroke of musical genius, jammed the songs KEYBOARD PART. Who needs keys when you have talent in YOUR BAND?

From there it was an all-out DIRTY FREE FOR ALL OF STYLES. Kicking off the jam was the illustrious “OH WHY” followed by some funk jams with SEAN rapping to KENDRICK LAMAR’S “KING KUNTA”. Rock and rap coming together, this band is getting into AEROSMITH territory. This writer is ALL FOR IT.

The band is like a chameleon, a MUSICAL CHAMELEON, like BECK. They even had a BECK like jam thrown in for good measure. As the night went on, more styles were thrown into the mix. A cool PUNK JAM was played with JUSTIN, having practiced his drum chops for 8 hours, BLASTING his kit into the stratosphere.

This band makes any style, any song, THEIR OWN GENRE. For future reference for fans, good things are coming soon. LIVE THINGS, MUSIC VIDEO THINGS, and most importantly, RECORDED THINGS. I know about them, YOU DON’T!

What do all bands need to be SUCCESSFUL these days? ORIGINAL KICK ASS, DRIVING SONGS, and of course, a repertoire of COVERS! Kicking off the night, the band, in its THREE-PIECE FORM of SEAN, DOM, AND JUSTIN kicked things off with a cover of JEFFERSON STARSHIPS “JANE”.  The cover songs didn’t stop there, as the SWEATPANTS once again showed why they are FREELANCE.

Various genres were PLAYED, TRIBUTES PAID, and with the arrival of AJ and influences of JOHN BORKOWSKI and MILLER LITE, the magic flowed as QUICKLY AS THE BEERS. Kicking off the night was a moving tribute to LEGEND STEVE HARWELL. SMASH MOUTH laid many musical BRICKS to build the FOUNDATION OF THE HOUSE OF THE SWEATPANTS. The tribute to STEVE HARWELL came in form of an ON-THE-SPOT cover of the SMASH MOUTH classic “WALKING ON THE SUN”. No rehearsal NEEDED. Expect to see the moving TRIBUTE within the coming days.

Speaking of CONSTRUCTION, what is needed to lay the foundation of a good song? A BRIDGE. SEAN made the discovery of a LOST BRIDGE to “OTHERSIDE”. Like INDIANA JONES discovering the ARC, the BRIDGE was like looking back into HISTORY. Like most discoveries, it was RESTORED properly before TOP MEN could take it away FOREVER.

MORE COVERS followed in the evening as the band tackled a potential new rendition of BLACK SABBATH’S “N.I.B.”. The group then put focus to their LIVE SHOW. While most artists would simply walk TO THE STAGE to ENNIO MORRICONE’S music, the band decided to just PLAY IT. What better way to capture the attention of OPEN MIC attendees than to play it before launching into “DAY IN/ DAY OUT”? SIMPLY AWESOME STUFF HERE PEOPLE!

As for those WARM HUGS, the BAND jammed on that for the remainder of the show. Couple WARM HUGS with a rendition of HIGH ON A PLANE, you got a band that’s more together than the script for the last INDIANA JONES film. RUN ON SENTENCE, I know. You got a problem with it? It’s MY BLOG.

More cool BAND NEWS to come, expect BIG THINGS within the COMING WEEKS!