Releases
Ceremony - Zoo CD / LP instores March 6
Ceremony are a punk band from Rohnert Park, California, just outside of San Francisco. Their three albums on the Deathwish and Bridge 9 labels are widely seen as the most compelling, unusual and progressive hardcore of the last five years.
For their Matador debut Zoo, produced by John Goodmanson (Blood Brothers, Sleater-Kinney, Girls, Weezer), the band have refined their jagged sound while continuing to pursue themes of exurban alienation and confinement.
Zoo explores punk and post-punk traditions: the rhythm section remains as tense and propulsive as ever, while guitarist Anthony Anzaldo moves with ease from ringing power chords to stealthy leads reminiscent of Gang of Four and The Cramps.
Ross Farrar’s future primitive vocals sometimes recall Pink Flag or Metal Box, ranging from a melodic howl to a muttered incantation. The result is gripping and indelible.
On February 7th, Ceremony make their Matador Records debut with “Hysteria” 7” b/w a cover of The Urinals’ “I’m A Bug” on limited edition 7″ vinyl.
Alternative Press “Band to Watch 2012”.
March 6th, along with their full length Matador debut, Zoo, the album’s next single, “Adult” will be on shelves backed with the non-album original song “Start Over”.
In collaboration with Hardcore Gig Volume and Le Poisson Rouge, Ceremony have put together what’s bound to be one of the most insane shows of this nascent year… matinee style. Feb. 4th Ceremony will be performing songs from ‘Zoo’ (including “Hysteria“) as well as your favorites at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC
along The Rival Mob, Hoax and others.
Ceremony are: Anthony Anzaldo (guitar), Ross Farrar (vocals), Jake Casarotti (drums), Andy Nelson (bass, guitar), Justin Davis (Bass).
Ceremony don’t have a myspace, Twitter, or Facebook, but you can find them at www.ceremonynyhc.com
“A perfect punk band.” – Fader
“Ross Farrar just vomits out what’s been bugging him.” – Punk News
“Ceremony have created an astounding album that should be heard by all fans of angry music. The riffs will crush you, the drums will tenderize your inner ears, and the lyrics will have you screaming feelings you never knew you had. Just be sure you don’t listen to it around anybody you dislike; you might just end up
kicking their ass.” – Sputnik Music on Violence, Violence
“One of the most exhilarating and uncompromising bands in hardcore punk today.” – Big Cheese
For their Matador debut Zoo, Ceremony have worked with John Goodmanson (Blood Brothers, Girls, Sleater-Kinney, Weezer) to refine their jagged sounds while continuing to pursue themes of suburban alienation and confinement. A biography, written by vocalist Ross Farrar, further details the observations that have lead to the album’s focus on society and humanistic reactions: “Most of the stuff has to do with people” Ross says, “how we treat each other, and our ever increasing
ability to hurt one another, as well as unconditionally love.”
As explored in the lyrics, we live in an age with more available to us than ever before, both our physical and virtual worlds are being turned into ever more zoo-like environments with access to things beyond our immediate locale within almost instant reach. The music of Zoo explores punk and post-punk traditions: the rhythm section remains as tense and propulsive as ever, while guitarist Anthony Anzaldo moves with ease from ringing power chords to stealthy leads reminiscent of Gang of Four and The Cramps. Ross Farrar’s future primitive vocals sometimes recall Pink Flag or Metal Box, ranging from a melodic howl to a muttered incantation. The band rate this as their “first fully comprehensive sounding record”, with the results both gripping and indelible.
Tracklisting:
Hysteria
Citizen
Repeating The Circle
World Blue
Quarantine
Brace Yourself
Adult
Hotel
Ordinary People
Nosebleed
Community Service
Video
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