NEW ALBUM 4/13/10
Rock and roll. Two guitars, a bass, drums. Loud, honest, direct. Old amps with tubes sound best. Whenever possible keep the song under 3 minutes. The Successful Failures set out a few years back understanding these things. Now in 2010 this NJ band continues to bring back everything great about organic, roaring, kicking, melodic indie rock with their new album, Three Nights.
With a name borrowed from a Jack London short story (“Minions of Midas”) and a blue collar attitude, the Successful Failures have released three full length albums, one Ep, and one 3-song iTunes exclusive single since its inception in 2006. The band has toured regionally (with stops in Chicago, Madison, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Knoxville, NYC, Philadelphia, Richmond, Morgantown WV and more), recorded in Knoxville, TN with Superdrag drummer turned producer Don Coffey Jr, and contributed several songs to a variety of compilations.
Originally an alt country/lo-fi side project for Mick Chorba (of Dipsomaniacs) this NJ band has evolved into a full blown rock force - mixing Superchunkish blasts of indie-rock with Americana and jangly pop influences. Chorba, along with bandmates Ron Bechamps, Rob Martin and John Williams share a diverse love of all things good in music – Beatles, Cash, Hank Williams, The Clash, Ramones, Steve Earle, The Replacements, and the like . The band's sound falls somewhere between groups such as Guided by Voices and The Shins mixed with the rock n roll attitude of bands like the Supersuckers and Social Distortion.
The Failures pride themselves not only on their workhorse attitude but on the inherent melodies and hooks in their songs. Chorba has proved to be a prolific songwriter – keeping it simple, keeping it honest. It’s rock n roll; it’s everything, but nothing more. The Successful Failures plan to release a second album of country-fried SF tunes in 2010 under the moniker of their alter-ego, The Real Defenders of the Acropolis, while continuing to tour in support of Three Nights.
Some reviews:
"In short, Ripe for the Burning", brings back everything great about organic, roaring, kicking, melodic 80's indie-rock, from the Libertines/U.S. (what with the roots), to Big Dipper, Tim-era Replacements, etc… (and nowadays Sloan). Factor in the humor of "Niki Zerenberg" (a teenage fanzine dude) and "Never Moving Out" (sorry, mom!), and the deal's sealed. Ripe is one heck of a great-fun LP, perfect to sing along to – "burned" or bought" (Jack Rabid in The Big Takeover May 2008).
"With their fab merging of crunchy power-chord pop and Stonesy drive, these Jersey rockers, with Mick Chorba of Dipsomaniacs fame leading the charge, are one of the best bands going. One listen to the rousingly infectious "All I Can Take" will hook you" (Pop Culture Press Magazine, Austin, TX, 2008).
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Three Nights, 12 songs (2010)
Time to Sell, 3 songs, digital only single including cover of Hank William's classic "Your Cheatin' Heart" (2008)
Ripe for the Burning, 12 songs (2007)
Bridges Over the Delaware, 5-song EP (2007)
The Successful Failures, 12 songs (2006)
