AM shows coming at ya! First, we play tomorrow, March 28 at TC’s in Ypsilanti, MI with Todd Deatherage, The Farewells, and Dirt Road Logic. We’ll play around 11pm.

Here’s a peek at more upcoming shows:
Tuesday, April 22–National Bohemian Home (Detroit, MI)
Friday, April 25–Detroit Music Awards (Detroit, MI)
Saturday, April 26–Schubas (Chicago, IL)
Tuesday, May 7–Blind Pig (Ann Arbor, MI)

Check the full schedule here.

We’ve also gotten some nice press over the last few weeks. First off, Chris Parker from Detroit’s Metro Times has written a great profile of the band that includes a stunning photo from pro-shooter Doug Coombe (see above). Here’s an excerpt from Chris’ article: 

“A musician’s life is mostly more affliction than avocation. Perhaps there should be a 12-step program. Like the priesthood or reality TV, musicians sacrifice much of their lives for a paltry fiscal payoff, if any at all. It definitely requires a peculiar mentality. That’s the best explanation for what drives American Mars, the smart Motor City-area band that, so far, has existed quietly on the fringes…” Read the rest of the article here.

Western Sides also got a positive review from Harp magazine’s Brian Baker. Harp recently announced that they’ll be closing up shop so the issue is now assured to be a collector’s item. Seriously though, we’re sorry to see Harp go. Along with No Depression, it is the second major music mag to go under within the last few months. A sign of the changing character of independent music. Anyway, here’s Harp’s review of Western Sides:

“For the past decade, American Mars has denied its Detroit heritage in favor of atmospheric heartland roots rock that romps like Ryan Adams and ruminates like Joe Henry. The quartet (featuring Blanche pedal steelist David Feeny) was ready to capitalize upon the buzz generated by its first two albums when bassist Garth Girard’s bout with colon cancer derailed the band. American Mars finally returns with Western Sides, the album it began in 2004 and a triumph on almost every level. Vocalist/guitarist Thomas Trimble takes lyrical and sonic cues from Bob Dylan (“Anna Marie”) and Tom Petty (“Marionette”), but is equally comfortable in applying a messy smear of Paul Westerberg to the proceedings, particularly on the Stonesy country crunch of “Democracity.” Flecks of the Jayhawks’ sparse rootsy shimmer (“Sunray”) and Adams’ urban cowboy swagger (“Who Here?”) sparkle throughout, but it all adds up to American Mars’ uniquely scuffed beauty.” See the review for yourself here.

We’ve had some nice reviews and features come in over the last few weeks:

Detroit Metro Times
A lot can happen in five years. Children go from being born to being dropped off for their first day of school. Countries are invaded. Even presidents can come and go. A lot can happen. It’s been that long since American Mars released its last album, No City Fun — and that’s long enough for the elegant, trend-defying Detroit roots rockers to have survived some hefty changes. –Read more here.

FreightTrainBoogie.com
(five stars)
This is a dynamic and studied work from Detroit-based American Mars with first rate songs from the band and exceptional production from multi-instrumentalist David Feeny. Cinematic soundscapes such as “Long Walk Home” and “Better Angels” feature lush pedal steel and mix it up with an alt rock guitar style that reminds one of the Cure. Sort of alt.country shoe-gazers Cowboy Junkies meet alt.brit shoe-gazers my Bloody Valentine, with intriguing effect. “Democracity” rocks out in a David Bowie/Lou Reed fashion while “Marionette” is a classic folk rockish cautionary tale. The jacket with this CD offers sincere thanks for finding this “endangered species of recorded music” but besides the musician’s gratitude the reward is in the listening.—Michael Meehan

Real Detroit Weekly
(four stars)
One of last year’s albums that’s really grown on me since its release is Bruce Springsteen’s Magic, quite the stellar comeback tour de force from the Jersey blue collar vet. The third release from Dearborn cowboys American Mars lassos the open range ramble of Magic with the vocals of Thomas Trimble, who crosses between Tom Petty and HOWL-era Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Feeny’s stellar pedal steel and Trimble’s weathered blues on “Long Walk Home,” hit the heart like a thunderbolt, because this is a band that has seen their own struggles, and while The Boss was born to run, American Mars stampedes through Detroit’s rich folk pastures. –Thomas Matich

Detroit Free Press
The up-and-down journey of experimental indie roots-folk band American Mars could fill an episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music.” Numerous lineup changes, family and career challenges, and a frightening cancer diagnosis almost made the band nothing more than a fond Detroit memory. But over the last couple of years, under the leadership of singer-songwriter Thomas Trimble, the members rallied and began new sessions of writing and recording. Now the Americana rockers are revitalized and set to drop a new full-length CD, Western Sides (Gangplank Records)–Read more here.