Big City Rock play shamelessly catchy, Technicolor-hued rock. They aspire to the arena-size anthems of U2, while boasting enough synth hooks to take the neo-new wave hipsters back to the 80s. Songs such as “All of the Above” and “Human” contend that the name Big City Rock is a perfect description for the band’s “big” sound. With the current resurgence of all things 80s, Big City Rock’s music is timely to be sure, and while comparisons to groups like the Killers and Panic! At the Disco are inevitable, Nate Bott and Co. are confident that their decidedly earnest pop will prove to be both unique and timeless.

Core members Nate Bott and Frank Staniszewski founded Big City Rock in 2001 after relocating to Los Angeles from the Midwest. No strangers to the touring circuit, the band has played at various venues throughout the Los Angeles area—including sold-out shows at the Troubadour—and they have toured with the likes of Maroon 5, Rooney, and Phoenix. Already experienced musicians, they began working on music that would eventually define Big City Rock’s sound. “When people would ask what our band sounded like, I’d say, ‘big city rock,’” Bott explained. “So when we were throwing around band names, someone said, ‘Why don’t we just call it Big City Rock?’ Why not indeed.

In 2003, drummer Jeff Conrad left the group to join Phantom Planet, who had recently lost their own drummer, actor Jason Schwartzman. Despite the loss, Big City Rock decided to soldier on; new drummer Kaumyar quickly gelled with the band and brought in second guitarist Andy Barr. With a new lineup secured, the quintet relocated to New York City to record their self-titled debut LP on Atlantic Records. While their sound might be calculated and lacking in innovation, Big City Rock have a penchant for creating catchy, unabashedly happy pop that might be cloying to some, addicting for many others. Big City Rock embarks on a North American tour starting June 7 in support of their major label debut. They probably have a Myspace page, so give them a listen and make your own assessment.

June 1, Key Club - Los Angeles, CA – Appearing with Big Japan
June 4, Galaxy Theater - Santa Ana, CA - Appearing with Big Japan
June 7, Kayo Gallery - SLC, UT - Appearing with Big Japan
June 9, Marquis Theater - Denver, CO - Appearing with Big Japan
June 10, Launch Pad - Albuquerque, NM - Appearing with Big Japan
June 13, Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Appearing with Morningwood
June 14, The Social - Orlando, FL - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 15, State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 16, The Roxy - Atlanta, GA - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 19, Ziggy's - Winston-Salem, NC - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 20, Recher Theatre - Townson, MD - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 21, Warsaw - Brooklyn, NY - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 22, Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA - Appearing with Morningwood & Rock Kills Kid
June 27, Bluebird - Denver, CO - Appearing with Need To Breathe
June 29, The New Oasis - Sparks, NV - Appearing with Need To Breathe
July 3, Café du Nord - San Francisco, CA - Appearing with Need To Breathe
July 5, Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 6, El Rey - Los Angeles, CA - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 7, Soma - San Diego, CA - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 8, The Brick House - Phoenix, AZ - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 10, Stubb's - Austin, TX – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 11, Studio At Warehouse Live - Houston, TX - Appearing October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 12, Gypsy Tea Room - Dallas, TX – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 14, Exit / In - Nashville, TN - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 15, Vinyl - Atlanta, GA - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 16, Orpheum - Tampa, FL - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 17, The Social - Orlando, FL - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 18, Jack Rabbit's - Jacksonville, FL - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 22, The Windjammer - Isle Of Palms, SC – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 24, North Star - Philadelphia, PA – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 25, Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 26, Axis - Boston, MA - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 27, Websters Underground - Hartford, CT – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 28, School Of Rock - Hackensack, NJ - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
July 29, Fletcher's - Baltimore, MD - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
August 1, Rex Theater - Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
August 2, The Basement - Columbus, OH – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
August 3, Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH – Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe
August 4, The Shelter - Detroit, MI - Appearing with October Fall / Need To Breathe

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