Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Exit380 @ CITY TAVERN -- Saturday, May 1st


We're excited to be heading back to one of our favorite new venues; City Tavern in Downtown Dallas! The atmosphere has an amazing quality for both artist and listener, and we will be breaking down the logistics of our typical 'rock & roll' outing, by playing a very special full band Townies (folkie) set.

We'll be laying out some rare tracks, crowd pleasers, and a never before played Townies tune "Moonshiner Run". As a band we enjoy challenging ourselves musically and this is a show we've been rehearsing for pretty extensively, so we hope you make it out to catch it.

It's a cheap one too; only $5 and 21+. Exit 380 @ 10:30pm, Dovetail headlines with Dustin Welch opening the evening.

SET LIST (5.1.10):

Moonshiner Run

Sinful/Sweet Remorse

Closure

2 Lie

Run For The Gold

Daddy Freight Train

Whistle In The Wind

Caught In A Lie

Purgatory

Crazy Now

Friday, April 23, 2010

SET LIST: Exit 380 @ Trees w/ FTM


Exit380 @ Trees Dallas (4.23.10)
w/ Fair To Midland, Serosia, & House Harkonnen:






Science Of Man

Quid Pro Quo

House & Tree

Street Trash View

Caught In A Lie

Wrangler

Daddy Freight Train

Purgatory

The Courtship Of Sue Stone

Monday, April 19, 2010

City Tavern "Home Sessions" Live Tapes


A few weeks ago Jeremy, Aaron, & I played for a new intimate music recording series at City Tavern in Downtown Dallas called "Home Sessions" put on by Method Entertainment. It came off much like an MTV Unplugged show; where they enforce a 'Silence Is Golden' Policy inside the venue during taping of the show.

The live experience was amazing to us as artists, as the audience allowed us to grasp that ever fleeting notion of really being heard. The feeling returned to me last Friday night when I received the recording files from Ace (thanks again) and sat down at my home studio to give them a listen.

Over the years we have compiled several live recordings, both full rock band and acoustic, and none have ever captured the essence of our performance better than this one. I have the tracks scuttled away, and mixing them a bit, but I will get with the band and hopefully we can release the set in a viable form soon.

BTW:
Do yourself a favor...go to City Tavern; exciting acts, great atmosphere, and all around frivolity every night. And, if you want to do yourself two favors...check out the band Smile Smile, they headlined that evening and they were uber-bien (yes, two languages worth of good).

-blocker

Friday, April 16, 2010

ZERO ONE Movie Sountrack


Zero One Official Movie Trailer



The Zero One Movie Trailer on YouTube featuring Exit 380 "Science Of Man". The official movie soundtrack will feature several Exit 380 songs, with release dates pending.

Local Yokel Show Episode 14


Some of the guys from Exit 380 stopped by The Dump on Gaston to sit in with the guys. They caught us up on what they've been up to, play some songs and talk their newest EP, Cities Townies. Also, Pete talks the greatest DFW sports family in The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and everyone chimes in on the best Mexican food in the Local BS. Enjoy.

Listen Here: Local Yokel Show #14

Courtesy www.LocalYokelShow.com
Posted April 8th, 2010

Cities Townies in the UK


Cities Townies in the UK


I received an email this week from a Radio DJ in Leicester, England named Justin Case. He's been airing "Street Trash View" off of our new EP on Harborough FM, so it looks as if Cities Townies is beginning to make it's leap across the pond.
Also, the editors at Leicester Bangs and Rock N' Reel Magazine in the UK will be releasing their EP reviews shortly.

-blocker 4.14.10

Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Shop Radio's "Cities Townies" Review




The Shop’s Review of EXIT 380’s “Cities and Townies”

Hey! Meant to get into this a little faster than I have, but don’t hold that as a negative! I’ve been listening to “Cities and Townies” so much my Zune as crying out for mercy! “Cities” is the new 5 track EP from the phenomenal EXIT 380, who seems to get better with each thing they do. “Cities” is pretty straightforward in intent; it shows the maturing if EXIT 380 as a rock band (“Cities”) and moves toward experimentation in Country, and they did some fine work there as well.

“I Feel like you could take this off my hands”

Street Trash View is currently my fave; and the EP’s opener. This is a rocker showcasing life in the city from the homeless point of view. This song is just infectious, from the first fade up until the band slams it home. Bobby Shoes lays down percussion in a way that makes you want to hear what he does next, and Jimmy Bordo’s guitar progressions really moves it forward, with Blocker in classic form. These guys got my attention with their classic, “Science of Man”, and this song raises the bar driving forward then dropping into its bridge, all the while taking this empty street trash view.

“ALL I see is all for Me”

The second track, “Caught in a lie” is a bluesy number about relationships and distortion of the truth. It is unusual in that it analyzes a behavior I don’t think I’ve heard captured in a song before. We’ve all been there, someone is leveling an accusation in a situation in which we feel we are justified. In order to keep peace, we stand down, capitulate, and say “well, if I’m wrong, I guess you are right”. The band is turning in terrific work, but check Jeremy Hutch’s guitar solo.

“A come a rumbling..for us all”

We start down that country road here. I did country music in the late 70’s about the time it lost the “and Western” moniker. I really liked Johnny Cash’s take on it, which was the seminal track “I will rock and roll with you.. If I have to” (this from his Gone Girl CD if you wanna check it) and “Daddy was a Freight Train” is just a much fun. I sing this rolling down the road, and have thought about adding it to the playlist.” This song deals with a country man whose wife is screwing around, and he’s pissed. The way EXIT 380 put it together sounds like an ominous warning, with select train crossing SFX, and great musicianship once again. No pedal steel here, not yet.

“Would you run for the Gold?”

Okay now we might have western creeping in. Run for the Gold is unusual even for a country song in that it’s set in California Gold Rush days. The setup is a panhandler who’s taking that long shot gamble in his run for riches. He’s desperate, the song has good mellow overtones and harmonization.

“Pay it no Mind”

Harland's Wife wraps Cities and Townies. Lyrically, it fits the country side, musically it sounds like one of the tracks from “Life and Death of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stone”. It’s a cheating song, older woman, younger man, and is justified by the fact Harland beat his wife, and her kids.

EXIT 380 just gets better with time. They have a track, and they are staying that track, with a little subtle experimentation. This is what drives a band up and keeps them fresh. You can snag a copy of “Cities” on iTunes.

-AnalogKidd, The Shop Internet Rock Radio

HOUSTON EXAMINER **Exit380 5 Out Of 5 Stars**


Houston Examiner Live Review: Exit380 @ Scout Bar *5 Stars*


The versatility of Exit 380’s music is what makes you a fan in the beginning and it’s what will keep you a fan until the end.

Let me backtrack for a second. The alternative rock band Exit 380 was formed in Denton, TX back in the spring of 1999 and has since built a large and loyal fan base in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The band traveled to Scout Bar Houston to play the Texas Buzz show last Sunday.

I had seen Exit 380 back in 2005/06 perform at Fitzgerald’s back and remembered them as being more alternative mainstream rock. But now, it’s as though the boy has grown into a man and Exit 380 has developed and matured into more. Much more…
The members of Exit 380 are Dustin Blocker (vocals), Jimi Bordo and Jeremy Hutch (guitars), The Hutch (bass) and Bobby Shoes (drums). Their performance onstage was filled with energy and emotion. The music willingly came through to the audience and all that had to be done was to just feel every rich part of it.

The talented quintet has become more experimental in their growth as musicians. Look at Exit 380’s last full length album for confirmation. “The Life & Death of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Stone” is a concept record of the life & tribulations of a fictional 1930's married couple. The first song is about their death. From there, the songs take you backwards through their lives. A whole other article could be written about the amazing music on that cd alone.

As Dustin Blocker said to me the night of their performance, “We can play with anyone.” Really, no truer words have been spoken. Exit 380’s latest release is a five song EP aptly named “Cities Townies”. It combines classic rock and southern rock with a bluesy soulful feel with additional elements of modern country and a sliding guitar.

I listened to their songs “Street Trash View” and “Run For The Gold” and thought those were my favorite, but then went back and listen to the cd again and “Caught In A Lie”, “Daddy Was A Freight Train” and “Harland’s Wife” stood out. Each song is unique and just so good to listen to. “Cities Townies” is a pure quality.

-Rhonda Meredith www.examiner.com (Houston, Tx)

Lyrics "Cities Townies" EP


Cities Townies EP Lyrics






Street Trash View

I feel like you could take this off my hands
Making my arms so weak they can’t extend
Well I reel, like I do, with an empty Street Trash View
Whilst awake, I engage with those who leave no trace

This is where I live. This is it. This is where I beg.
This is it. This is how I live. This is it. Is this it?

I feel like if I could just wash my head
That the source of my lone fate would soon be flipped.
Piece by piece, re-growing what once was dead.

So, I hear…”Love is blind…that (it) transcends all hell and time.”
That sounds good…that sounds alright, but lady I ain’t blind
Just beat, and worn from sun, scorched by rain, without a home
No roof to wear; nothing but this empty street trash view.
I’ve known all the time, that this is it, I’m not in line for nothing else.
Guess it’s best to leave love to the blind.
lyrics: Blocker


Caught In A Lie

All I see is what’s for me. When you want two, I’m taking three.
One by one it builds up so easily.

What spins ‘round inside, combines with lust and swallowed pride.
A promise to an only child…I know I’m wrong, I guess you’re right.

Cauterized and caught in lies. I called your name, got you surprised.
If they cut off your hands, I’d give you both my eyes.

What’s up and down at times, is chased by guilt, swallowed with pride.
The question on a lover’s mind, is “If I’m wrong, then who was right?”

Caught in a lie, caught in a lie
Call you the liar, brandished in fire
And I’ll be the lion, the cowardice lion.

What spins ‘round inside, combines with lust and swallowed pride.
A promise to an only child…I know I’m wrong, I guess you’re right.
lyrics: Blocker


Daddy Was A Freight Train

Daddy, he’s a’comin’ for us all. Rumblin’ like a freight train down the hall.
His face is as filthy, as his heart. Daddy he’s a’comin’ for us all.

You run…You run…You run…

Is Maw gonna save us? No, not at all. She’s off with Uncle bristlin’ in the barn.
Her back is as filthy as her heart. Daddy he’s a’comin’ for us all.

You run…You run…You run…

Now I have turned the corner and can’t get home. Though a fire’s a’burnin’, I can’t get warm.
I guess Daddy turned me into his Son, when he came a’rumblin’ down the hall…
lyrics: Blocker


Run For The Gold

Riding from the land of blood. Blinded by the greed and lust.
Gonna reach Paloma when morning comes…....American.. ..River...., here I come.

Would you run, would you? Could you run, could you? Would you run for the gold.

Pony’s head is riding low. No more clay from his hooves we’ll throw.
Gonna send my fortune back to Rhome. ....California.... I call you home.

Would you run, would you? Could you run, could you? Would you run for the gold.

Might lose it all in this one chance, trading my life for this dance, the whiskey in my puch is almost empty.
Please, oh Lord, bail me out, make my pony strong and stout, trailboss says, “On day to go."
lyrics: Borden


Harland’s Wife

Black suit affair. Harland’s wife. Diego’s son. One tentatively old, the other young.
White washed walls backed taut by the sun, they cooked until they cracked, open wide, overdone.

“I guess you don’t mind” he said, “that I’m not your man. That old Harland is working tough, while you’re laying here…”
“Pay it no mind” she said, “you’ll be my man. Pay it no mind” she said, “he’ll soon be dead.”

Black suit affair. Mourn the stone. Old Harland’s wife and her five boys.
Tempered in gray the line’s been crossed.

“I guess you don’t mind” he said, “that I killed your man. That old Harland stuffed and tucked, while you’re laying here…”
“Pay it no mind” she said, “you did what you should…for Harland did treat me rough…and battered all of my kids.”
lyrics: Blocker

QUICK MAGAZINE: Q&A Exit 380 singer Dustin Blocker


QUICK MAGAZINE: Feature "Cities Townies" EP (2.11.10)

Q&A: Exit 380 singer Dustin Blocker
Alt-rock band ready to release new EP 'Cities/Townies'
Thursday, February 11, 2010
By Hunter Hauk / hhauk@quickdfw.com


Local alt-rock band Exit 380 proved itself capable of evolution when it released 2008's The Life and Death of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stone. Singer Dustin Blocker and his bandmates sampled a variety of genres on the concept album about the life of a 1930s couple.

They continue their musical tour with Cities/Townies, a 5-song EP they're releasing later this month. Think of Cities/Townies as half rock, half country-folk. And don't be surprised if the band expands this idea to a double-disc release down the line.
Blocker is the band's principal songwriter and the man behind the EP's concept, so we thought we'd drop him a note with some questions.
Here's what we got back.

Q: This is the second record in a row that's built on a concept. What were your inspirations in coming up with the 'Cities/Townies' theme?

Blocker: This time it was completely accidental. The band started demos last January and it seemed that every song fell on one side of the spectrum (mod rock "Cities") or the other (folk-country "Townies"). It felt contrived to buck against the trend of the music the band was laying down, so I just gave it a name to help us focus in a bit.

Q: You seem to be on the cities side in the photos accompanying the EP; does that speak to your upbringing and experience more?

Blocker: That's an oddity, because I spent my childhood in San Angelo, and my teenage/adult life has been in Fort Worth and Dallas. So, my upbringing and experience are from both. I assume that's why these recordings have clicked with me so much on a personal level.

Q: On the more country-folk-oriented songs, what was your challenge in composing and playing them?

Blocker: Funny, it takes a ton of work in the practice room to flesh out the rock tracks and keep them restrained and listenable, yet on the country ones the challenge was all in the studio and in production work. It's the layering of the simple and not pushing things over the top that make those tunes breathe. In a live setting it has [caused] us to take on more roles.

Q: Will there be a more expansive version of 'Cities/Townies', since you have a lot more songs written?

Blocker: Yes, if we can find the energy and schedule it correctly then we have around 20 more songs that we wrote for the project. The original idea was one disc Cities and one Townies. Hopefully we can accomplish the feat in 2010 while the energy from this EP is still floating about.

Q: You guys seem to be in an experimental phase. What are some sounds you'd like to explore in the future?

Blocker: Personally, we all are pushing to explore different avenues. Borden is pushing towards bluesy country, the Hutch brothers for riff-tastic experimentalism, I am getting into rhythmic synth stuff, and Bobby is always bringing fresh ideas from indieland to the table. The best part about this band is that no one member drives the van.

More on Dustin Blocker ...

By day, I am: Special education teacher of children with autism
By night, I am: Asleep
Age: 30

One thing about my early 20s that I wish I could get back: The amount of work that wasn't required of me on a daily basis.
Something about me you wouldn't immediately pick up on is: My wife says it's my affability.
Three musicians who've made me who I am today are: Eddie Vedder, Robert Plant and Dylan. Vedder because of his low voice and aggressiveness, Plant for the raw ability, and Dylan for the words.
My biggest nonmusical passions are: Pen and ink, sports and Mexican food
After an Exit 380 show, you can always find me: Socializing
If I have one pet peeve, it's: People and things who are late
My friends and family would describe me as: Nonstop movement with a touch of worn-out

DALLAS OBSERVER "Cities Townies" EP Review


DALLAS OBSERVER: Cities Townies EP Review (2.11.10)

Exit 380
Cities Townies (Rockyard Records)
By Darryl Smyers


Published on February 10, 2010 at 2:18pm

Denton's Exit 380 is an alternative rock group that, turns out, isn't as schizophrenic as it may first appear. The band's last effort, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stone, flirted with a vague alt-country notion, and while Exit 380 is certainly capable of a variety of (disparate) styles, the energetic quintet now makes music that fits more comfortably in a Stone Temple Pilots/Alice in Chains groove.

Cities Townies, the band's new EP, is a rock record through and through—and a darn good one at that. Sure, a few cuts feature a nice acoustic riff, but songs like "Street Trash View" and "Caught in a Lie" are much closer to Led Zeppelin than the Old 97's.

Sure, this EP's embrace of straight-ahead rock may well turn off a few fans who favored the country concept of Alexander Stone, but there's no denying the band's comfort level with the material presented on Cities Townies. And vocalist Dustin Blocker's bellicose bellow is best suited to material that makes you want to knock back a couple of cold ones rather than reach for an almanac.

Sometimes the best music doesn't make you work too hard to enjoy it.

"Cities Townies" Studio Project


Exit380: Back in the Studio -- Album No.5 "Cities Townies" EP

We headed back to our studio in January to begin work on our 5th full length album, and the music has been pouring like oil through a sieve (roughly completing 9 tunes). The theme is thus far unchartered for us, but I can promise you that it is already shaping up to be "interesting" to say the least.

Some of the tracks could begin leaking into our live sets, so keep an ear out. We'll hit you with more info as this project progresses.

-blocker (3/9/09)
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The Progression

Okay, the project has progressed. We are in mid-April and sitting at 15 new songs. The music is split down the middle with straight-on Rock, and the other half of Folk.
Having a new member, as well as, additional writer in Jeremy Hutch, has been a huge thrust creatively. The tentative name for the record is "Cities Townies" reflecting the music's duality, and in many ways mirroring our split personality as a band too; half from the city and half from the country, and the varied points of view that produces.
We posted a compilation of some of the tracks thus far, here on our myspace player. Enjoy.
-blocker (4/14/09)
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More, More, More

...make that 20 songs. Another big couple of weeks creatively in the studio and the number of new tracks continues to rise.
Most of the tunes are much more upbeat from the previous outing, "The Life & Death Of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Stone". Bringing us from the melancholy and a bit more into the light. The form of the record is not close to solidification though, so the final product may still stray into darkness...we'll see.
-blocker (4/28/09)
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POST-SUMMER UPDATE

It has been a few months since the last post and now it's the post-summer season. We topped out our demos at 22 songs in May and have scuddled them away for these months to work them out.
We have decided on a handful (that being 5) to pre-release for an EP. We will be re-recording those tunes in the coming months and my next BLOG post will give you an actual date of the EP release.
-blocker (9/4/09)
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CITIES TOWNIES EP

We've decided to go with producer/engineer Alex Gerst @ Indian Trails Studios near Denton to record half of the EP. Gerst has recorded some great locals including Moving Atlas, The Feds, Slow Roosevelt, Advent, Fair To Midland and more. So, needless to say we are pretty excited about seeing what direction his ear will bend ours.

The month of November will be spent recording at both Indian Trails and AB Studios, putting a release at early 2010.
thanks!
-blocker (11.3.09)
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INDIAN TRAILS SESSIONS

We just wrapped up our Indian Trails Sessions w/ Alex Gerst and just by hearing the rough mixes we can tell this might be the best work yet. We recorded "Street Trash View" and "Caught In A Lie", and we will post them as soon as we get the mix, and you can judge for yourself.
-blocker (11/9/09)
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FW WEEKLY "Hearsay" Section (12/3/09)

One thing I kinda "get" is mod-rock. I like a lot of the stuff I hear from 817 bands but not too much from elsewhere. So I'm a homer. In the words of the fisherman in the painting in Goodfellas: Whadda you want from me? And while indie-rocking hipsters uniformly write off contemporary mod-rock as a junkyard full of wannabe Pearl Jams or Toadies, I think most cool kids are mistaking sonic musculature, melody, and neat structure for artifice. Have we gotten to the point in our culture where rock music done well and in earnest is "fake" or "disingenuous"?
Does a song have to be sloppy, out of tune, and subtle to qualify as "truthful"? Is ironic distance -- essentially, making fun of yourself before anyone else can -- the only criterion for progressive music? If so, my friend, you need to readjust your logic goggles. Moving your preconceived notions to the fore of your consciousness is the first step in achieving an actually honest perspective toward not just rock music but all art. I also bet that more than half of the guitarists and drummers in allegedly progressive local bands (read: Denton post-punks) couldn't sit in with some of Fort Worth's most exemplary mod-rock outfits, including Merkin, In Memory of Man, and Exit 380, bands that are loud, in tune, and tight as hell. So put your prejudices aside for a minute and experience some quality mod-rock for yourself on Friday, when Exit 380 plays Lola's Saloon-Stockyards (105 W. Exchange Ave., 817-386-5008) with Loretti, Pepper Lane, and Potbelly. Co-produced by Alex Gerst (The Feds, Slow Roosevelt, Fair to Midland), Exit 380's fifth recording, tentatively titled Cities Townies, will be out early next year.
- www.fwweekly.com

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Master Tapes

We'll be receiving in our master tape for the "Cities Townies" EP today from Bart Rose @ Fort Worth Sound.
The release date(s) is/are still pending with the bookings getting worked out right now, but the tentative time looks to be late-February for the DFW area!
In the meantime, we posted 2 of the "Cities" tracks here on Myspace, as well as, the album promo shots Courtesy James Villa Photography.
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EP Release Date Set

The release date has been set for Sat., Feb 27th @ TREES in Deep Ellum. We hope you are as excited as we are to push this one out and cram it into your ears.
The discs have been sent out to all corners of the four winds, so look for reviews to start popping up in the local magazines and the like. Darryl Smyers of the Dallas Observer has been the first to post on their DC9 Music Blog.

View HERE: Dallas Observer DC9 - Exit380 "Street Trash View"