Building on the momentum that has led Backyard Tire Fire to reach new heights in 2007, the Chicago-based unit has announced a Fall run of U.S. tour dates with both headline shows and opening slots for Cracker and Jason Isbell. The past nine months have been a whirlwind for BTF, who are comprised by lead vocalist and guitarist Ed Anderson, bassist Matt Anderson and drummer Tim Kramp. In February, the band released Vagabonds & Hooligans, a pinnacle recording that has gone onto become their best selling album to date. Musically, it showcased the breadth of vision in the band’s songwriting that helped define their own unique place in the current rock and roll landscape. Music bloggers raved about the album. My Old Kentucky Blog declared, "Equate the sound to how you feel when go to your nearest smokey bar, light a cigarette, order a bucket, kick back and kinda feel like you don’t give a fuck. In other words, it’s a real good feeling you get listening to these guys," while Earvolution stated, "By successfully working the borders and diving into country, blues, Southern rock and indie-rock and finding their commonality, Backyard Tire Fire has found something fresh and new within each one." On the road, BTF performed over 200 shows in 2007, highlighted by key support slots for artists ranging from JJ Grey & Mofro to Clutch and festival dates including Wakarusa, Mountain Jam and Twangfest.
Backyard Tire Fire’s upcoming Fall tour dates are:
October 5 / University of Illinois / Urbana, IL
October 18 / Hangar 9 / Carbondale, IL
October 19 / Friends & Co. / Charleston, IL
October 20 / Paulies / Bloomington, IL
October 31 / Mojo’s / Columbia, MO
November 1 / Larimer Lounge / Denver, CO
November 2 / Lazy Dog / Boulder, CO
November 3 / Bottleneck / Lawrence, KS
November 6 / People’s / Ames, IA (w/ Cracker, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit)
November 7 / First Avenue / Minneapolis, MN (w/ Cracker, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit)
November 8 / High Noon Saloon / Madison, WI (w/ Cracker, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit)
November 9 / Picador / Iowa City, IA (w/ Phonograph)
November 10 / Double Door / Chicago, IL (w/ Phonograph)
November 15 / Rudyard Kipling’s / Louisville, KY (w/ Phonograph)
November 16 / Ruby’s / Columbus, OH (w/ Phonograph)
November 17 / Grog Shop / Cleveland, OH (w/ Phonograph)
November 21 / Lucas School House / St. Louis, MO
As a thank you to fans, Backyard Tire Fire is offering through their website (www.backyardtirefire.com) a free download of a sold-out performance at The Double Door in Chicago on February 17 during which they played Vagabonds and Hooligans live in its entirety. The crisp digital soundboard recording calls to attention the dichotomy of BTF’s approach in the studio and onstage. In the former setting, the band liberally experiments with analog sound, bringing warm textures, gorgeous dynamics and sonically intoxicating headphone mixes to their roots-based rock songs. In the latter, BTF reinvent themselves as a no-holds-barred, blue collar, guitar-rock trio. Vagabonds & Hooligans: Live At The Double Door is a must have for the BTF faithful with transcendent renditions of songs including "Corinne," "Get Wise" and "Green Eyed Soul."
Finally, Backyard Tire Fire have begun writing and pre-production on their next studio album, which is tentatively scheduled for release in Spring 2008. BTF’s Ed Anderson will once again co-produce the album with engineer Tony Sanfilippo. It will be cut at Oxide Lounge in Bloomington, Illinois. Much like its predecessor, it will be recorded completely to analog tape.
