"If you know Pete Donnelly, it's likely as a member of one of the world's best rock bands, the Figgs. But Donnelly has always had a lot going on outside of that, including a career as a solo artist that started over a decade ago..."—Boston Globe
New Jersey/Philadelphia-based songwriter Pete Donnelly has played with everyone from Tommy Stinson (Replacements, Guns & Roses) to Soul Asylum and Graham Parker during his solo career and as the bass player for long-running rock & roll band the Figgs. He also spent several years as a member of the legendary NRBQ. Donnelly's career as a solo artist started over a decade ago. He's now touring in support of his recent album Face the Bird, which was recorded in an unused storefront in Ocean City, New Jersey, just before Hurricane Sandy flooded the island. The record represents a return to the exploratory side of "home" recording and displays the pop-driven eclecticism that Donnelly and his Figgs mates have been offering up for more than 25 years.
"He has shed his band and is going the solo route with his latest, the superb acoustic punk album American Folk Armageddon. Part Frank Turner, part Billy Bragg, the ten songs that make up this record are often witty and always charming."—Blurt Magazine
Brett Newski found himself job-less, girl-less and band-less in 2011. He bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok. He ended up spendingBrett Newski two years composing music for Vietnamese tampon ads. During this period he also wrote almost 100 power-folk songs…one tenth of those are on American Folk Armageddon, out in May 2014 on Good Land Records. The label is helmed by Jonny Phillip—drummer for Trapper Schoepp & the Shades, Tommy Stinson and others—who handpicked Newski and ultimately began managing him. Newski's solid Midwestern roots anchor songs with super catchy melodies and melancholy lyrics with subtle wit. Newski is DIY to the core, designing his own site, drawing all his own artwork for the CDs, posters and web as well as writing copious amounts of music.
PETE DONNELLY AND BRETT NEWSKI
Destroy the Northeast Tour
Aug 22 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Spring Street Gallery
Aug 23 – Montague, MA @ The Bookmill
Aug 24 – Morristown, NJ @ Dave and Ann Marie's (House Concert)
Aug 25 – Boston, MA @ Midway Cafe
Aug 26 – Barnstable, MA @ Brick Hill Road (House Concert)
Aug 27 – Providence, RI @ The Grange
Aug 28 – New York, NY @ Cake Shop