In June 2021, Rock’n’roll band Rival Sons delivered two live performances from Catalina Island, CA. They were originally streamed via Veeps to fans at home across the world, many of whom were still in lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rival Sons set out from their homes in L.A. and Long Beach, and on a friend’s yacht they sailed over to Catalina Island with all their equipment and their crew, to perform in the Catalina Casino for global audiences. Frontman Jay Buchanan comments: “‘Pair Of Aces’ was recorded over two days in May of 2021 at the Casino in Avalon Bay on Santa Catalina Island, California. Part One (‘Before The Fire’) was recorded in the ballroom on May 19th and part two (‘Rival Sons’ EP) was recorded in the historic theater on May 20th.”
At the time, the band stated: “We’ve all been through so much this past year and a half. We have longed to be on the road playing for you. As you know, we launched our label Sacred Tongue Recordings and have been re-releasing our early material. We felt that revisiting these first two records in a live, prestigious setting was the best way to give them the first-class treatment that our humble beginnings couldn’t provide.”
“Soul”
Now, for the first time, these performances will be available to watch on YouTube and to stream on audio platforms. Both performances will be premiered via YouTube and released in their entirety digitally. A Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (PART 1) will be released on November 22; pre-save HERE. RSVP for the YouTube premiere HERE. A Pair of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (Part 2) will be released on December 13; pre-save HERE. Individual songs for both nights will also be made available the following day.
“I Want More”
Buchanan states: “To finally release both audio and video of these performances feels good. When we recorded these performances, the band was neck deep in what was to become the Darkfighter/Lightbringer collection so breaking away from all of that heavy lifting to go blow some dust off of our origin story felt amazing. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse at a band raging against the isolation of the times.”
Guitarist Scott Holiday comments: “You can see Catalina Island from the beach town I live in. I’ve been visiting it for years. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve made sure to visit the old historic casino that sits proudly at one end of the harbor in Avalon. And every time I’ve taken the tour I’ve thought the same thing…wouldn’t it be so great to play in these rooms and make a live film? And so…Rival Sons did just that.”
At the time the band stated: “It is beautiful, and perfectly exudes how we wanted to portray these recordings”. Scott elaborates: “In recognition of the 10-year anniversary of our first 2 albums, we played each album in its entirety over 2 different nights. One night in the ballroom (in the round!) performing ‘Before the Fire,’ and the next night we played the self-titled record in the old movie theatre. It was every bit as cool and interesting as I’d hoped. A real honor and pleasure to fill this beautiful place with sound. The director did a great job capturing it for everyone to share in the experience with us and now it will be available to listen and watch anytime you’d like.”
The Rival Sons six-song EP—originally recorded in 2010, again with Dave Cobb—was the release which led to the band first getting signed. It includes tracks such as “Get What’s Coming,” “Torture,” “Radio,” “Sacred,” “Tongue,” and “Soul,” which are all fan favorites.
Hand-picked by Black Sabbath for their final tour, they’ve held their own on stage with the greats like The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Lenny Kravitz in addition to blowing the roof off television staples such as The Late Late Show with James Corden, Jools Holland, and Jimmy Kimmel.
The band promised that “Each night will have its own surprises and songs will be delivered with a new presentation of who we are now.”
Part 1 Due 11/22: Pre-save HERE
Part 2 12/13: Pre-save HERE
A PAIR OF ACES : LIVE FROM SANTA CATALINA ISLAND (PART 1) Track Listing:
Tell Me Something
Lucky Girl
Memphis Sun
Angel
Pocketful Of Stones
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Pleasant Return
On My Way
I Want More
Flames Of Lanka
Nanda Nandana
A PAIR OF ACES : LIVE FROM SANTA CATALINA ISLAND (PART 2) Track Listing:
Get What’s Coming
Torture
Radio
Sleepwalker
Soul
Sacred Tongue
Rival Sons is Jay Buchanan / Vocals. Scott Holiday / Guitars. Dave Beste / Bass. Michael Miley / Drums. Todd Ogren / Keyboards.
Rival Sons website
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