GRACIAS! GRACIAS! GRACIAS!

To all of you who came out, braved the post snow-pacolytipc world, fought for parking and seats on the public transportation and trudged through the sometimes yellow snow to join us for the release of our new record, Pound. this past Friday night at Subterranean in Chicago......... THANK YOU!

It means so much to us to be able to share that with you.  For us the night felt like the kind of party that you hope will never end.

Right off the bat The Rails had us all singing and doing our best attempts at M.J. dance moves backstage.  We were all blown away by Michael Pineada's pipes!

Bully in The Hallway....well there really isn't enough good things I can say about them.  Not only are they all really cool people, but they put on a hell of a show.  There's this kind of unruly energy that is so refreshing about them.  I was so stoked they could be on the bill.  It's been way too long since we've done a show together!

Here's some pictures and a few more thank you's to recap the night!  For some of you, this might help put some of the blurrier spots back together :) 

Thank you Bethany Thomas!

Thank You to Our Fantastic Horn Players (Ethan, Alex and Eric)

Thank You to Arman Fathi For Sitting Like Adam and Tinkling Those Keys

What's next?  

Well, for all you fans of digital downloads, our new record, Pound, just went up for sale on our Bandcamp site, right HERE.

It should be up on other digital sources like I-tunes, Napster and Rhapsody very shortly!

For you physical album lovers, you can now purchase a hard-copy of the record on CD Baby by clicking HERE!

The good times are just beginning, stay tuned for more hot and steamy updates!

WE LOVE YOU!

We Ready...We Ready... Weeeeee Ready... For Yall....

Tonight's the night!!!  Kick mother nature in the balls, and come join us at Subterranean (2011 West North Ave.) for our record release party!

Verona Red (http://www.myspace.com/veronared)
Bully in The Hallway (http://www.myspace.com/bullyinthehallway)
The Rails (http://www.myspace.com/therailschicago)

Doors at 9:00 PM
17+ Show
$10
Visit (www.subt.net) for advanced tickets (Recommended!)

We are so excited to share this new music with you!

Here's some of what Reviewsic (a super-cool blog) had to say in their review of the new record, Pound yesterday.

• The infectious EP is chock full of rollicking tunes that make us want to shimmy, shake, jump, jive and create a general ruckus.
• Pound caught our attention in the first five seconds of its opening track and continued to hold on to it through the very end.
• We’d gamble our entire savings account on this band putting on an awesome live show.

Thanks Reviewsic!

To read more of the review, AND to read Verona Red's 12-question interview with Reviewsic, click HERE.

Well you don't need to bring your life savings... just enough to get in, plus your ears and your dancing shoes! We've been waiting for this night for the last 7 months, I can hardly contain myself... might want to bring a poncho!

See you tonight!

Snowmaggedon Stealing Our Thunder? & Verona Red Live On Fearless Radio Tomorrow!

Governor Pat Quinn declares the entire state of Illinois a "weather disaster"?!

WTF weather!?  What the hell is a snowmageddon?

Where do you get off trying to rock the city right before our record release?!?!?   It's like "oh hey there goes that old man winter again.. getting all up in my face trying to prove himself, pounding our city with his 20 inch snowboner"

I can only assume that mother nature feels threatened.  Or perhaps the gods are unhappy about the unruly degree of rockage that we're about to unload on the city of Chicago this Friday night at Subterranean with our friends Bully In The Hallway and The Rails.

I've spoken of similar kinds of rock and roll apocalypse surrounding our shows in the past... however it seems this time it may be serious.... anyway if there is a tomorrow I've got good news for you....

We're going to be live on-air at Fearless Radio during the Hank and Cat morning show at 10 AM.  Here's the link to listen.  We're really excited to hang out with the folks from Fearless and are keeping our fingers crossed that we don't get blown out into the lake on our way there.

Finally, thank you to everyone who voted for us in the Deli's Emerging Artist of The Year poll.  We finished 8 out of 37 nominees.  Although we didn't win in quantity of votes I do believe we certainly won in quality of votes.  You guys are the best, thanks!

Check out the results here!

UPDATE: Due to impending snowpocolypse Verona Red's on-air appearance at Fearless Radio originally scheduled for tomorrow morning has been postponed to a later date...looks like round one goes to you old man winter dong.

Last Week We Rocked Chicago Back-to-Back

As I'm sure you're aware from our promotions, we played in Chicago last Thursday and Friday.  Thursday we were at Loose Leaf Lounge on Broadway for one of the first acoustic Verona Red sets we've done in a LONG time.  We had a great time, so we'll be doing another one for sure.  Thanks to all who came out and relaxing with us!  If you couldn't make it, or if you did join us but had such a magical time you want to re-live it, here are a few videos from the set.

On Friday we were back to our much louder, much crazier rock and roll.  It was awesome to share the stage with such great musicians, and to see all your smiley faces.  We don't have any videos for you from that night, but we do have a few pics and a great review from Consequence of Sound.  

Thanks AGAIN to all for coming out.  We're releasing new music at our next Chicago show, so prepare yourself.  Good times will be had. 

Another Cool Review from Consequence of Sound

One blog on my regular rotation is Consequence of Sound.  Unbeknown to us, a reviewer from that very blog was at our Subterranean show on Friday to see Hurricane Bells.  You can read the concert's full review at http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/05/16/hurricane-bells-bring-a-sonic-storm-to-chicago-514/, but the super-duper paragraph dedicated to Verona Red is below.  We've been really proud of our last few performances in Chicago, it's awesome when a really cool blog like this agrees we brought the good times (again)! 

"Opener Verona Red warmed up the crowd with a surprisingly accessible brand of Chicago rock. You don’t expect a totally familiar vibe from a band you’ve never heard before, but there it was. With warm guitar, a well-pounded tambourine, and bongo drums laid over the full percussion, Verona Red played a set that I felt a high-school-music affection for. Lead singer Chris Balzer danced in a way that made his music seem as if it came up from the shoes of his soul. Anyone who hasn’t seen this local Chicago band is missing out; hopefully they’ll be hitting the festival circuit this summer."

Thanks again to ALL who came out!

Hurricane Bells Make Shopping Carts Attack: See Them (And Us) This Friday 5/14!

Only two days left til the rockage goes down this Friday, May 14, at Subterranean (2011 W. North Ave). Come out early for the good times (we go on at 9:30 sharp), but definitely make sure you stick around. We always appreciate the chance to get nutty with you all after we play. Also, I can't forget to mention that the band right after us, King Sparrow (Chicago), kicks ass. You don't wanna miss them for sure. Check 'em out @ http://www.myspace.com/kingsparrow.

The headliners, Hurricane Bells (New York), are going to be a good time too.  This little vid of theirs really struck my fancy. I'm a happy camper anytime shopping carts come alive and start attacking people.

Here's Hurricane Bells website to check them out more http://www.myspace.com/hurricanebells.

Can't wait to see you all on Friday!  Here's a link to the facebook event  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112224412151384&ref=ts

Saying Goodbye To Our Practice Space

Verona Red sets sail to a new practice space.  The full experience is documented below.  Enjoy!




Remember, Verona Red melts faces this Friday, May 14 at Subterranean in Chicago.  Check out the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=112224412151384&ref=ts

Cubby Bear Wrigleyville (Chicago, IL) - 4/25/2010

Saturday night at the Cubby Bear was a great time to be a Chicago musician.  All the guys from all of the other bands were such good people, and the fans seemed extra dancey and loud (or drunk).  Don't know if something was in the air, but things felt really communal and supportive Saturday night.  

Thanks to Model Stranger for putting together a great night and THANK YOU for coming out and partying with us. 

 

Seriously all of you looked fantastic out there, but mine and Tony's asses didn't look bad either.

Here's a short clip of In The Coat Check at the beginning of our set taken by one our fans.  Enjoy!






The good times don't stop bitches!  Our next show in Chicago is only a few weeks away.  We will be performing at Subterranean on Friday, May 14 with King Sparrow (Chicago) and Hurricane Bells (New York band featured on the Twilight soundtrack, currently touring with Blue October).

Check out the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=112224412151384&index=1

Subterranean (Chicago, IL) - 1/9/2010

It was our first show 2010 Chicago show, and we celebrated in style. It was a holiday affair.

Gifts were wrapped

Garland was strung

And nipples were rubbed

I had such a great time at this show, words really can’t describe it. A big thank you to The Locals and The Glide for joining us on this bill. And a big thank you to everyone who made it out.  There were a lot of great memories from that night.

Loving The Locals

Getting my cock blown clean off by The Glide

Giving out condoms/saving America

Rock And Roll

Busting out of pants (aka eating too much sweet and sour chicken before the show and breaking my belt somewhere near the end of the set.)

And following the adventures of traveling jock strap

By the end of the night everyone had hung their undies on a light fixture or two and everything was right in the world.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to eveyrone who showed us support at this show.  Can't wait to party with you all again real soon!

New Year's Eve: Hello 2010!

So I saw a lot of new things on New Year’s Eve…unfortunately I ended up being too drunk to get any decent pictures and the person who I was depending on to take pictures instead ended up losing their camera…or it was stolen, checked craigslist… still not sure.

That said please forgive the shittiness of these pictures.

The first new thing I saw was Lincoln Hall. Couldn’t wait to check out Chicago’s coolest new venue since it opened a few months back. I really dug it…especially the ceiling fixtures…apparently.

I also saw the Fiery Furnaces for the first time. I dig their music, their live show not as much…but that’s how it goes sometimes.

After that we went to a friend’s sister’s house party, drank some champagne, hopped in a cab over to Durkin's (bar Mike works at), got kicked out at last call and then scampered home giggling uncontrollably. I believe the night ended with Grandma’s Boy, an ash tray full of tap water, and a spilled bowl of nuts... again more things I'd never seen before...two of those last three anyway.

Seriously though 2009 was the best year yet for Verona Red. THANK YOU to everyone who supported us this year. We are SUPER PUMPED for everything we have in store for you guys in 2010. WE LOVE YOU!


For some 2010 appetizers... two shows to get your lips wet.

Friday 1/8/2010 - Melody Inn

3826 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Tickets: $5

Doors at 9 PM

With: The Locals



Saturday 1/9/2010 - at Subterranean

2011 North Ave, Chicago, Illinois

Tickets: $8 in advance: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=676225link

$10 at the door

Doors at 9PM

With: The Glide and The Locals

Verona Red Alters the Course of Humanity at Subterranean Sat. Jan 9

According to the Mayan calendar, every 10,000 years or so the celestial bodies surrounding earth align to form an energy field of very special significance.

Mayans referred to this field as “The Good Times.”

Although no one is EXACTLY sure what will happen the next time these celestial bodies align to bring about the “The Good Times,” ancient Mayan scriptures speak of “complete matter rockage.” Modern science interprets one possibility as the total “rocking out” of every particle in the known universe.

According to the Mayan calendar the “The Good Times” will occur 19 days after the winter solstice in the year that Western culture now interprets as 2009 A.D, making the exact date of this celestial alignment January 9, 2010.

Now it just so happens (and trust I was as surprised as you) that we have a show with The Glide, a sweet fucking band, in Chicago that very night (1/9/2010) at Subterranean. (2011 W North Ave, Chicago, IL, 60647)

Interestingly enough, the Mayan scriptures also speak of four pale-skinned harbingers who will serve as ushers deemed to lead all of humanity through “The Good Times.” The Mayans called this tribe of special men “Choco Taco Balls” – which loosely translated means Verona Red.

Normally I’d be all like, “hey come out to this show, it’s probably gonna be awesome…jizz, nuts, boobs blah blah blah.”

But this time I don’t want you to come cause I said so…
I want you to come to share in an experience that will change the course of humanity forever.
I want you to come for a cosmic event of epic proportion.
I want you to come and feel every instance of matter both in and around you vibrate with the sheer force of rock and roll.

Verona Red fucks with existence at…

Subterranean (2011 W North Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647)

Saturday January 9, 2009

With The Glide (http://www.myspace.com/theglidemusic)

Tickets: $8 in advance http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=676225link

$10 at the door

Doors: 9 PM, show starts at 9:30 PM

Check out the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=211279648191&view=user#/event.php?eid=211279648191&ref=mf

The Rockbox (Chicago, IL) 12/5/2009

Rock and roll was the name of the game at the Rockbox on the 5th of December. We had a fucking amazing time! Not sure if there was something in the air that night…or maybe it was the absence of toys in the "Toys for Tots" box in the back that just got us all jazzed up. Anyway, it turned out to be one hot mess of semen and alfredo sauce.

It was a spiritual journey and we thank all of you who came out to experience it with us. After the show I noticed everyone had gotten through it in their own way.

Some were angry

Others...just plain confused

Aggressive

Cockeyed?

Aroused?

Religious

But for most of us it was a night of personal reflection

No matter how you felt that night, just know WE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!

And most importantly please remember that we are constantly reading up on new ways to keep you satisfied ;)

Can’t wait to see all you Chicago kids again at Subterranean on Jan. 9!