Recliner

Silver Bells now on iTunes

2011-11-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

The perfect digital stocking stuffer is here. Although, it might do better inside your iPod, or MP3 playing device. Get yours here.

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - Firewater

2011-08-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Click to watch in HD at full screen in window below.

Sunless Summer

2011-07-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

A fitting song for a SF summer. From our latest Fake Love Songs

Find it on iTunes/Rhapsody/eMusic/Spotify/Amazon/CDBaby...you get the idea.

LADY BRAIN SESSIONS

2011-06-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

We had some fun in studio with Lauren and Stephanie (aka Lady Brain). We discussed the new album, and vibrators. As you do. Here's a fun little acoustic thing we did for them.

To listen, click here .

FAKE LOVE SONGS - OUT TODAY

2011-06-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

We're pleased as punch to report Fake Love Songs is now available worldwide from finer digital (Amazon.com, iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, etc.) and retail distributors (including CDBaby.com).

Our back catalog is up and running again too, which dropped off due to some distributor snafus.

RECLINER CD RELEASE + JAPAN FUNDRAISER

2011-04-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Special "early evening" show May 5, 2011

All proceeds benefit Japan and every ticket receives the new Recliner CD "Fake Love Songs" - even if you can't make the show. Get tickets here.

Door - 7PM • Show 8PM - with Citabria and The Wandering Jews.

Red Devil Lounge (Polk @ Clay)

Help us make this a huge success for Doctors Without Borders.
Get your tickets now.

Taxman

2011-04-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

Recorded 45 years ago today. Holy $*&#! Nobody looks (or sounds) this cool in a recording studio anymore...

FAKE LOVE SONGS

2011-04-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Existential Love Affair, the first track from Recliner's Fake Love Songs:

Covering a topic hit on with Ex-Girlfriend Collection (below), from Recliner's After the Fog release.

With the new release, the band has taken Love to task, and blown it to smithereens. Fake Love Songs comes to digital distribution channels, and better retail establishments June 7. Learn more as the release date approaches.

SNEAK PREVIEW
But you can get a live sneak preview AND your own pre-release copy (shhhhhh!) by attending our Japan fundraiser at the Red Devil Lounge. Get your tickets.

All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders to benefit Japan.

JAPAN Fundraiser

2011-03-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

May 5 at the Red Devil Lounge. A CD Release, Cinco de Mayo celebration and Japan fundraiser rolled into one.

Everyone attending will receive a copy of Recliner's new CD, Fake Love Songs. There will be Patron. And all proceeds will go to help those in need in Japan. We all win.

If you cannot attend, your ticket donation will still go to Doctors Without Borders AND we'll get you a CD.

Tickets on sale now

Cinco de Mayo show

2011-03-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

You heard it here first. CD release party (if we get it done on time) on May 5. That's right, a new Recliner CD.

9 or 10 songs of fresh Recliner goodness for your hi-fi stereo or earbud. More details on that as we feverishly finish it all!

Mark your calendars.

Ho Ho Ho

2010-12-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

It's here! Now go get it for free.
(for a limited time).

Guitar Porn

2010-12-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Day 3

2010-12-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

So here we are. Day three. Joe's wailing away on overdubs in the live room as we all marvel at his sheer awesomeness. Something like that. All good stuff.

Unfortunately, it looks like we needed twice the time we booked. Then even more time to mix.
Typical.

I was going to tantalize you with blow by blow details, taking from some of the great recording diaries I've enjoyed. But we're not the Beatles. So rather than bore you with details, I'll give you a little sneak peak into the content: 5 rockers. 2 slow burners. And 3 mid-tempo deals. All moody, syrupy sweet and sticky in the right places mixed with a little industrial waste. In other words, typical Recliner.

I promise to post pictures from our esteemed photographer friend, Martin Lacey as soon as he deems them fit for public consumption - and we scrub out the incriminating ones.

One the plus side, we did have time to record a little Christmas surprise for everyone. We had the Kiddies Chorus™ in for some background vocals, along with the Grinch Players™. So look for that in your stocking sometime soon.

one day to go

2010-12-05T00:47:00.000-08:00

Oh man, I've meant to sit down and write about our experience in the studio, but I've literally been playing 10 hours or more a day, which really has prevented my writing anything. Tomorrow is overdub day (yeah!), so I promise to document more of our goings on and share a few photos in the process.

Best laid plans....better laid tracks.

Into the Depths

2010-11-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well, when we planned it 8 months ago, it seemed like the day would never come. But then it did, and we realized we hadn't written any songs. And then we wrote some songs. And now, we're still learning the songs. So the grand adventure into the unknown, or partially known, begins Friday.

All said, we've got some good things we're hoping to lay down. If you'd like to follow along, I'll make some regular posts throughout the weekend updating you on our progress.

Tix going fast for Friday

2010-08-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

It's looking like a good night this Friday. The pre-sales have been moving swiftly. We'd sure like to see you there, so you might want to think about buying tickets ahead of time. You can find 'em here:

Red Devil Lounge

See you Friday!

Show Fri., Aug. 27, 2010 with Stroke 9

2010-08-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

We're calling it our "Summer Kick-Off for San Francisco" show. No, it doesn't really roll off the tongue, and it's really just wishful thinking, but that's where the uncertainties end. This show is going to rock.

We're opening for the fine gentlemen of Stroke 9. Yes, those guys. It's going to be a great show, and we'd certainly love to see you there. Red Devil Lounge at Polk and Clay.

Announcing a New Show

2010-07-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Alright, no more slacking. We've got a show July 28 at the Red Devil Lounge and it's going to be a night of new and old favorites. More details as the date approaches. Mark your calendar.

Ouch

2010-04-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

Wishing our own Big G a speedy recovery as he has surgery on his foot today. We know he'll be fine. So the bigger concern: will there be leftover pain pills?

In Action

2010-03-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

Our friend Martin shot these photos at our last gig. They're so good, you almost forget we were playing a Pizza Hut.

Check please.

Jim Marshall will never photograph our band...

2010-03-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

...it's the second thought I had yesterday when I heard Jim had passed away. Of course, the first thought was one of sadness and an appreciation for his long and storied career. But yeah, that very selfish one came to mind too.

We'd met Jim on several occasions. I think he even came to see our old band, the Swamis. He'd threatened to show up at our shows on several occasions to take some photos. It never happened. Years later when I ran into him at a gallery, he remembered me and asked what I was up to. After telling him about Recliner, and how we were going to conquer the world, he gave me his card. "Give me a call, kid. I'll come shoot you guys."

Just knowing Jim even entertained the thought of photographing us was compliment enough. Oh who am I kidding?

Rest in peace Jim.

Ted Leo - and his Pharmacists

2010-03-24T13:11:00.001-07:00

Whoa! Had the great fortune to see the great Ted Leo at the always welcoming Great American Music Hall last night. That is one band that brings it. Song after song of short, power-poppy punk goodness wrapped up in his rapid fire lyrics. I loved the diversity, but constant energy. Goold lyrical inspiration...some of his songs are about girls and vodka, while others tear a hole in the government and its unprovoked wars in far away lands. Good stuff!

If Ted brings his band to your town, do yourself a favor and git yerself to the show. It's a measly $17 - like a good old fashioned punk show should be. Now, back to my newly inspired desire to pen some little agropop of my own.

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

2010-03-22T13:16:00.000-07:00

I actually had the great fortune of meeting Alex Chilton at one of his shows, and at a question and answer session at New Orlean's Jazz Fest.

Of course, it was purely a fanboy meeting. He didn't ask me to coffee or if I would care to play on his next album. No, but I did manage to thank him for the music over the years. For that, I am grateful. It's not often you get to thank one of your musical idols personally. Whether it meant anything to him or not, it meant the world to me. Still does.

Here, a much more famous fan of Alex's puts it nicely in his own words.

No Stage

2010-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

A little late with the report on last week's gig. Could be we're still reeling from the "Soccer Moms Gone Wild" convention going on at the same time.

So yes, it turns out there was a stage and a whole room dedicated to music since we'd last seen the old Brittania Arms. Unfortunately, they'd walled it all up 4 days before we arrived to set up. Let's just say there's something humbling about having to wait an extra hour to set up and play because the bar patrons are still munching on their fish and chips - in the spot your supposed to play.

Aaaaah, rock and roll.

Triumphant Return

2009-12-08T21:38:00.000-08:00

We're pleased as punch to finally announce our first show in well over a year. Yes, the drought is over. We'll be playing with some old friends from Willburn, as well as some new ones, in Cupertino, California at the legendary Britannia Arms. We're told they even have a stage now.

Story has it that Willburn's own Bill Lewis and Recliner's Kevin Seidel once played together in high school, though neither can confirm nor deny. So yes, it will be a reunion of sorts. The show will also mark the arrival of two new Recliner members: Mr. Gareth Finucane on drums, and Joe Bettencourt on guitar.

We sure hope you can make it out to the show - especially all you South Bayers who have trouble making it north of Palo Alto. Ahem, you know who you are.

Outsider Lands

2009-09-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hey, did ya go to the big 3-day Outside Lands festival? Yeah, us either. Last years turned us off of this years. But I have to confess, I wish I'd been able to helicopter in for a few of the spots on the bill.

But for the most part, felt like a bit of an outsider this time around. It's not Christmas, but I was a little bah-humbug on the whole thing. I'd like to say I spent my time away from GG Park wisely - but I didn't. Although I do have a friend who said he heard Pearl Jam playing as he surfed the line-up at Kelly's Cove (as dolphins swam around him - I shit you not). Sounds like the best way to enjoy the music to me.

On a side note, for those following along at home...we've been pretty absent from these parts for a while now. Going to try and change that as we start writing some new songs and get things in shape for our grand "coming-back-out" party. Yeah, something like that. Enjoy the SF Summer y'all!

April Fools

2009-04-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Wish I had a joke to go with that headline. I also wish I had great news about an upcoming show, a new release, or even a new guitar.

Nope. None of that I'm afraid. We're on a bit of an unplanned hiatus at the moment. Nothing we discussed, it just kinda happened. The economy's got us all quivering in fear and loathing. And well, not much music making happens with fear and loathing. Look at Hunter S. Thompson. Okay, bad example. He's just dead.

Rest assured. We're not dead. Just taking a little (or perhaps longer) break is all. We hope you're keeping your head above water, and look forward to seeing you in healthier economic times.

Christmas at Tower

2008-12-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

When I was a teenage kid, there was no greater thing to do on Christmas day than gather all your friends and go to....Tower Records. Yep, Tower Records. It was a tradition. A bizarre, consumer-ish, music-freak's tradition. But it was mine.

Just as a side-note, how bizarre is it that Tower Records made their employees work on Christmas? But that's beside the point.

We'd all have gift certificates to spend(see our parents were in on the tradition). And we'd all get that one album we were hoping for, but knew our parents would never know to buy. To this day, all I realy want for Christmas is music, or music making devices. Serious.

Now, our kids will probably never experience this tradition. Not just because it's a bizarre tradition, but because most record stores will be gone.

This occured to me yesterday when I saw a sign up at my local record shop, Streetlight Records, proclaiming the end of it's 32-year run on the street. Luckily, we still have some great record stores in this City, Amoeba and Aquarius being just two. But how long can they hold on?

Sure, Tower went out of business a few years ago (yes, I shed a nostalgic tear), but the local shops seemed to be doing okay for the time being. I know because I would ask, and cared (and not just because our record was selling in many of them).

It's sad to admit, but I know I'm one of the last crusty old fools who still buys music that you have to physically unwrap and place into some sort of music making device. Why do I still do it when I could search the web and find it for free? Because it feels good to have to work a little before listening. Because it feels good to hold something in your hand with the name of the band on the cover, and maybe some cool art or liner notes to keep my attention on the band a little longer. Because pushing a button on my iPhone just doesn't feel as satisfying (or sound 1/100th as good).

And because some traditions, no matter how goofy, are worth holding on to.

Now let's get to work.

2008-11-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

It's no secret

2008-10-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Unless you're Brooks and Dunn, or some other hillbilly outfit, most likely you're not supporting McCain. And though we like the way Palin plays the flute (and that's as far as we're going with that thought), our vote's for Obama.

And because his cool quotient is exponentially higher. Case in point...

They hate us for our rock

2008-09-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

It's September 11 again today, an innocent date hi-jacked by the lunatic fringe. While not looking past the tragic deaths on this date 7 years ago, we're paying tribute in our own special way tonight. We're playing some rock n' roll. And if there is a better, more cathartic way to stand up to some crazy groups' ideal of the way the world should be, well tell us now. Because that's what we've got planned. Any ideas are welcome. Hey, we're not just puttin' lipstick on a pig here friends.

And it's not too early to urge you to vote in a couple of months. I'm not telling you WHO to vote for, but this guy is.

September - music month

2008-09-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Anyone notice that September is always the month really cool music seems to be released? You'd think it would be Rocktober, but no. Of course, this is based purely on personal musical tastes. I remember when the Led Zeppelin box set came out - on my birthday no less. Yes, September.

The intention of this little blog is certainly not to plug other bands, but...there are no rules friends. And we turn you onto cool stuff, you turn us onto cool stuff. So this month, we'll see some new music from the Cold War Kids, Brian Wilson (c'mon, you gotta root for him), Kings of Leon, Calexico, the Pretenders (you never know), remastered Replacements, TV on the Radio, Mogwai, Brightblack Morning Light, Blitzen Trapper, James (they're back!) and Oasis (but that's just for George). Oh and the New Kids on the Block. But you knew that.

So there. You know what to get me for my birthday this year.

On a side note, check out this FREE Conet Project 4-disc set, some of the creepiest spy-era recordings you'll ever hear. You can read about them here.

Enjoy. And hope to see you September 11 at the Red Devil Lounge.

Happy Anniversary

2008-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

If our memories serve us correctly, five years ago roughly today, we put the lid on our first, self-titled EP. Conveniently titled "Recliner" it was our first pass at the Recliner sound you've come to know (?) and love (?).

Well, in case you missed that important date way back when, you'll want to check back at our "official" site, in our Music section for some newly posted freebies:

• 2 new tracks from After the Fog
• The Recliner EP in its entirety

So happy anniversary boys and girls. Go and get yerself some free music.

Enjoy!

Dog Days

2008-07-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the dog days of San Francisco's summer. Except John, who's lavishing in the subtropics of southern California. Seems we've been away awhile. But that's okay. You're never far from our thoughts. We're cooking up a September show with more deets to be posted soon. I know we say that and then sometimes don't post jack, but this time you mark my words!

So, don't know if you know...but we were on the SF Outlands bill for a split second. That was before our sponsor bounced us for a, ahem, signed band. Won't keep us from checking out Radiohead, just keeps us from rocking the house at the Independent. That's all.

As Eddie Izzard said as he closed his brilliant show the other night (sans dress), "alright, that's enough for me."

Here he is a few years ago in his better dressed days.

Spring is here!

2008-05-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

We're excited for our Thursday show at Cafe Du Nord. Johnny Naugahyde and his cousin (our drummer) have made the trip up from their Southern California hide-away for some test-cramming and we'll be ready to blow some doors come Thursday.

We'll be giving out some signed CDs and things to the first 25 or so to show up at the club, and we've got a few Hatch Show Print posters left over from our CD Release, but they're going fast.

Go Obama. See you Thursday.

No subtly here.

2008-04-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't seen this...

Rocking the SoCal

2008-04-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Johnny Naugahyde here...due to overwhelming demand, I've started a Recliner cover-band to keep the fans happy down here in SoCal. We're playing a show this Friday at The Mourning After ...a down and dirty Irish bar in Fillmore that was started back in the citrus boom around the turn of the century. Now it mostly caters to migrant workers and sleepy truckers, but Almost Recliner doesn't judge our fans, we just rock them. Cuervo and Smirnoff shots are only $2 til 10pm. See you there.

yours in rock,
johnny naugahyde

Our new addition

2008-04-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

Back when Linkin Park was the shizzle, we always joked how we needed a DJ in the band to be truly cool. If we could only get this guy, we'd be the coolest.

Help me Johnny Naugahyde, you're my only hope

2008-03-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

(In this new addition to the blog ordinary fans ask extraordinary questions to be answered by Johnny Naugahyde, John the drummer's better looking cousin and multi-instrumentalist from the bands CribKickers and Prairie Dogs.)

Fan: I want to play guitar but I don't really know how to play or have any discernible musical talent, what do I do?

Naugahyde: The answer is simple Fan. Get a guitar and tune it to open-G (D G D G B D). Now you can strum it and hold a finger across all the strings and still make great chords. You can even make up your own chords by playing around with where you put your fingers. Keith Richards wrote a bunch of Stones riffs in open-G and he's a drug laced heavy drinking Englishman...imagine what you could do? Of course, alot of songs might start to sound like they're coming from the South Pacific if you're not careful. But then again that's good drinking music...mai-tais, grog, margaritas. I think the world just might be ready for the next Margaritaville and with the weather the way it is right now, I'm going to head down to the beach with my open tuned axe and write it. Maybe Recliner will even cover it.

Yours in rock,
Johnny Naugahyde

Notes from SXSW

2008-03-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just home from a week of rock at the annual SXSW music conference. 14 hour days filled with RockNBusiness. Besides some of the best Mexican this Irish boy has ever had here were my "highlights" of the festivities.

1) My Morning Jacket on Thurs at Austin Music Hall - Support was Yo La Tengo, good set but they took a backseat to the best show of the week by MMJ. Talking with industry folks after the show about this band playing MSG in the next two years. Freaking amazing live band.

2) Cut Copy and British Sea Power at the Rhapsody Party on Thursday. Cut Copy had an excellent set that had the day party dancing the entire set, great time. BSP opened the show with a solid performance on support for what I think is the best album to date.

3) Lou Reed Keynote. Cranky and full of quoteable bits including "I have a B.A. in Dope but a PHD in soul. He was promoting a new film on the recent performance of the Album "Berlin".

4) Jay Reatard - 3 fat kids (not over 20) tearing up the MF at Emos during the Pitchfork Day party Friday. They play like the Ramones meets Black Sabbath. Flying Gibson V's and all. Entire set in about 18 min. Wow

5) Detroit 7 - the *highlight* from Japan night on Friday. If you are luck enough to be in a city where this show is coming, go. Power trio, two girls (Guitar/Vox) and Drums and a lucky dude on Bass. When was the last time you saw a cute chick in a skirt rock your world? I'm sold.

Next up Coachella. Fired up for Justice, The Verve and Roger Waters.

Wooo

George (Bass)

How Soon is Now?

2008-03-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

Every song is coming out sounding like the Smiths. Not a bad thing, mind you. This amp just has such a nice shimmery tremelo. Mmmm.

But I've had bronchitis for the past week, which hasn't made me want to play much. Mmmm.

New Gear

2008-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

Can a piece of new gear enable better song wrting? Well, no. At least that's what I always thought. Ultimately, the song comes from within. At least that's what I always thought. But wait...a high performance bicycle make you go faster, a new surf board can help you catch bigger waves, and a kick-ass set of speakers can help you hear things in a song you never had before. So, why wouldn't a new piece of gear help write a song?

Well, that's just the theory I'm testing this weekend. At my front door arrived the most indulgent piece of gear ever purchased by me - a Bad Ass, I mean Bad Cat Trem Cat amplifier. Ooooooh, she's shiny, and has lots of knobs and buttons, and tones that purr. Yes, I'm a geek. But we'll see how this thing turns out. I sold my revered Vox AC-30 for this privilege, so it better come out in my favor.

I'll post the results and let you know how it went. Happy, happy gear, gear.

Maiden Voyage

2008-03-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

Hey there Blog-o-sphere, Recliner here. Yup, your favorite San Francisco indie rock band. Up to now, we'd been relegating our posts to our main website in our diary section. But that took HTML skills, and by and large, our web master is completely unreliable, although very handsome. And we think he may be a cyber terrorist.

But the point is, we've got our own blog now, and this make it easier than ever to post our thoughts, clips, movies, whatever. So check back early and often for all the happenings in Recliner's world.

Thanks for stopping by.