With the release of 2014’s full-length debut Sateen, the Cincinnati, OH-based quartet Electric Citizen, currently comprised of husband and wife duo, Laura Dolan (vocals) and Ross Dolan (guitar), along with Nick Vogelpohl (bass) and Nate Wagner (drums), received attention across the blogosphere and elsewhere for a sound that’s indebted to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, early 70s Rush and others. Building upon a growing profile, the band went on a busy schedule of touring both nationally and internationally with several renowned acts, including Fu Manchu, Wolfmother, The Budos Band, and Pentagram.
The Cincinnati heavy psych rock/heavy metal quartet’s sophomore effort, 2016’s sophomore effort Higher Time found the band expanding upon their sound, as they were crafting muscular and anthemic hooks around prog rock-like structures — within concise songs that typically clocked in at around 3 minutes or so. Additionally, the album found the band’s Lauran Dolan stepping up into more of a frontperson role, which was reflected in their live shows to support their sophomore effort, as she strutted, stomped and swaggered with a larger-than-life confidence. And unsurprisingly, the album was released to massive critical applause from the likes of Consequence of Sound, who placed it on their 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2016.
Slated for a September 28, 2018 release through RidingEasy Records, Electric Citizen’s forthcoming, third full-length effort Helltown derives its name from the neighborhood in which the members of the band live, practices and where the album was written recorded and mixed. Although now more prosaically known as Northside, Helltown earned its name in the early 1800s. thanks to a reputation for the rowdy taverns frequented by the neighborhood’s factory workers and immigrants. And while being an ode to the band’s neighborhood and its buried past, the album reportedly is a sonic return to form with the band employing a grittier sound along the lines of their 2014 debut. Adding upon the overall homecoming theme, the band returns to their original lineup. As the band’s Laura Dolan says in press notes, “In many ways this album is a realignment to the first,” Laura says. “We experimented a lot on the second album, some of which we learned we didn’t like.”
“Hide It In The Night,” Helltown‘s first single is centered around Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin power chords, thundering drumming, arena rock friendly hooks and Laura Dolan’s rock star belter vocals — and while heavily indebted to its influences, the track will further cement the Cincinnati-based band’s reputation for tough, gritty, power chord rippers with an anthemic, larger-than-life feel. Interestingly, the album’s latest single “New Earth” is centered around a blistering, bluesy power chord riff, thundering drumming, arena rock-friendly hooks, and Dolan belting her lungs out. Arguably, the song is one of the most straightforward, riff-centered Black Sabbath-like singles they’ve released in some time time. It’s a certifiable headbanger that’s perfect for drinking way too much in your local bar or while catching them live.
Electric Citizen will be opening for Monster Magnet on a North American tour throughout the fall, and it’ll include an October 27, 2018 stop at The Gramercy Theatre.Check out the tour dates below.
ELECTRIC CITIZEN // MONSTER MAGNET TOUR 2018:
09/28 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Place
09/29 Mt. Clemens, MI @ Emerald Theatre
10/02 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
10/03 Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze
10/05 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
10/06 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
10/08 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
10/09 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
10/10 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
10/12 San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
10/15 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
10/16 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
10/17 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
10/19 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
10/20 Dallas, TX @ Canton Hall
10/21 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
10/23 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
10/24 Nashville, TN @ Basement East
10/26 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
10/27 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
10/28 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
