Live reveal new EP title - "Local 717" Options

[Bremang]

http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/2018.../NEWS/180829624

Considering Live is known as a multi-platinum alt-rock band from the '90s, it was apropos that singer-guitarist Ed Kowalczyk referenced another touchstone from the decade when discussing the group's newly released single, "Love Lounge," which is a rocking affair that found the act plugging in its guitars and turning the amps to 11.

"I don't think anybody expected it," said Kowalczyk, calling from Mansfield, Massachusetts. "The fans were a little bit whiplashed by it, which was fun for us.

"We didn't expect to make a song like 'Love Lounge' and to sort of kick it up into that gear three years ago when we started putting the reunion together. It's like one of those, 'Life is a box of chocolates' kind of things."

Live finds itself at a new chapter of its 25-year-plus career, which includes more than 22 million albums sold worldwide, two No. 1 albums ("Throwing Copper" and "Secret Samadhi") and more than a dozen Top-20 alt-rock radio hits.

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After spending the better part of a decade away from Live, pursuing a solo career, Kowalczyk


rejoined the group a few years ago with an eye on new material. At that point, the Pennsylvania outfit could have taken the easy route — releasing a nostalgic, albeit schmaltzy, tune in hopes of finding airplay on adult-contemporary radio.

"I blame it all on Dave Grohl," Kowalczyk said. "We reconnected with the Foo Fighters a couple of times last year. 'Love Lounge' has a whole different tenor and energy. We also have EP 'Local 717' coming that's very much along the same lines.

"After this break, I didn't really want to do a sort of five-minute, mid-tempo meditation. We write like that all of the time. I wanted something that rocked, so we really took that, sort of digested it and just went into the studio and kicked the whole thing up a notch."

Fans attending Live's show Aug. 26 at Blossom Music Center — the band is opening for the Counting Crows — can expect to hear the new tune, as well as all of the group's hits ("Lightning Crashes," "I Alone," "All Over You" and "Lakini's Juice") and a Jimmy Reed cover ("Baby What You Want Me to Do").

This tour marks the third time Live has teamed up with Counting Crows, including a memorable 2000 show at Blossom. Kowalczyk said when the Adam Duritz-led act offered them the gig, it was a no-brainer for Live, which over the decades has lived and experienced all of the rock 'n' roll tropes — early success, creative differences, band acrimony, a breakup and an eventual well-received reunion.

"It's some kind of prefigured thing and a story that's been told a lot of times," Kowalczyk said. "But living it in my life, and I think I can speak for the band, the fact we're back together, nobody expected it for a long time. So there's a level of gratitude and joy on tour that I think the fans can really tell."

More importantly, playing up the title of the band's top-5 alt-rock hit "All Over You," it's pointed out that the fans aren't over Live.

"Nope, they're not over us yet," Kowalczyk laughed. "We're still rocking. They keep calling, we keep coming."

[Hoodstock]

Here's the Local 717 EP Bio



+LIVE+
LOCAL 717
(EP out 12 October 2018 through Liberator Music/Kavalry Records)

1. Love Lounge
2. Be A Giver, Man
3. Waterfall
4. Brother
5. Venus In Furs

+LIVE+’s new EP Local 717 is the first collection of new material from the original line up of +LIVE+ in over a decade. Produced by +LIVE+ guitarist Chad Taylor and recorded at Think Loud Studios in the band’s hometown, with additional recording completed in Los Angeles at the Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, +LIVE+ bring raw energy and renewed creativity on Local 717 which comes following the band’s 2017 reunion. The EP contains four original songs and a cover of the Velvet Underground’s ‘Venus In Furs’ from their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico.

The reunited original line-up of +LIVE+ returned triumphantly in 2017. Even stronger than before, Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitar), Chad Taylor (guitar, backing vocals), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) and Chad Gracey (drums, percussion) performed with both fire and emotional heart. They reminded music audiences worldwide how potent they are as a live act, playing songs from albums that have sold over 22 million copies worldwide (including two number one albums, Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi). +LIVE+ has returned to the road in 2018, with a massive summer outdoor amphitheatre tour of North American on tap with Counting Crows.

In 2017, the multi-platinum band performed 26 shows, including major festivals such as Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and Arroyo Seco; a run of arena dates with Guns N’ Roses; and solo headlining shows, all in five different countries.

+LIVE+ garnered praise at Lollapalooza from writers such as Randall Colburn of Consequence Of Sound, who noted, “A packed set from a recently reunited +LIVE+ at one of the country’s foremost music festivals…‘All Over You’ kicked off the proceedings, with ‘Selling the Drama,’ ‘The Dolphin’s Cry,’ and ‘I Alone’ ushering us towards the glorious climax that is ‘Lightning Crashes.’” Jessi Roti of the Chicago Tribune backed up the sentiment noticing “the drama is still there.”

“[2017] was such an amazing year full of so many wonderful moments,” reflects Ed Kowalczyk. “I would have to say it absolutely exceeded everyone’s expectations. We are really sounding better than ever and our chemistry on and off stage is just at another level. We can feel it and I’m sure the fans can sense that this isn’t some one-off ‘reunion where everyone sort of phones it in and then goes about their business. +LIVE+ is back and better than ever at every level.”

“By the time LIVE hit the stage at Lollapalooza,” says Chad Taylor, “we were performing at our very best. Something about the reunion renewed our energy and spirit. The band and our fans have been on fire, like nuclear hot sauce. I’m blown away with how passionate our fan base is. Now I can’t wait to elevate things to an even higher level with new tunes.”

Kowalczyk adds that “the festivals were so amazing. During every show there was a palpable sense of joy in the audience. People were just so happy to see us come full circle, reunited and sounding so strong. Highlight for me was watching Dave Grohl in my periphery rockin’ out to our set at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans. I hadn’t seen Dave in years and by the smile on his face, I could tell he was catching a good bit of the “+LIVE+-joy” as well…it’s contagious!”

“Most important,” says Taylor, “we’re having so much f**king fun being in and enjoying our band!”

LOCAL 717 EP OUT 12 OCTOBER 2018 THROUGH LIBERATOR MUSIC/KAVALRY RECORDS

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