THE FIGGS

The tried and true band The Figgs, which has a world-wide fan base, a hearty discography, and has toured and recorded several times with the legendary Graham Parker, released their 12th studio album “The Day Gravity Stopped” on April 17. 2012. It’s one of the band’s greatest achievements to date. And that says a lot as the Figgs (Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly and Pete Hayes) have been playing together since the trio was in high school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Since the rock outfit’s inception in 1987 the band has spent the better part of the past 20-plus years touring, recording and working on a variety of acclaimed side projects. The new album, “The Day Gravity Stopped,” features 20 glorious tracks, rich with Kinks-inspired power and melodies, vibrant harmonies and sonic experimentation ala The Beatles and the best of The Band, a touch of NRBQ’s stoner grooviness and a grit and youthfulness akin to the best rock bands from The Who to the Ramones. Recorded over several years, when the band mates and long-time friends had time to get together in the studio, the highly anticipated new album delivers one of 2012’s most accomplished and eclectic set of tunes. Parker came across the Figgs after the band signed to Capitol Records (which released The Figgs’ 1996’s Banda Macho) recruiting the band to back him on tour. A 1997 double-album live release on Razor & Tie, The Last Rock N Roll Tour, was the fruit of that initial tour, but the band has continued to work with the iconic singer-songwriter, including the 2010 live Graham Parker DVD Graham Parker & the Figgs: Live at the FTC. Although the three band members now live in Boston (Gent), New York (Hayes) and Philadelphia (Donnelly) respectively, they frequently get together to tour or record whenever possible. There’s no question the Figgs are one of America’s most enduring rock ‘n’ roll bands. The new double-disc effort is a testament to their sheer love of music, as well as their drive, energy and power as one of America’s greatest rock bands of the past 20 years. Reviews & Accolades: “It’s criminal that the Figgs aren’t ever played on the “Underground Garage.” They’re perfect for it and far better than most of the new stuff they play. The Figgs were always good, but now they’re gooder. When the Figgs back me up, I don’t know where my front is.” — Graham Parker “The Figgs made it rain at a basement party in green bay. Their records show off their record collections as much as their live shows show off their lifestyle. I did say collection. Collective. A band. A real band. As songwriters they can do it all with two chords if they feel like it and send you home to burn your thesaurus and rhyming dictionary.” — Mike Viola (Candybutchers) “For more than two decades, the high-energy band has delivered a dance-inducing variety of fast-paced pop rock, complete with catchy hooks and hip-shaking bass lines.” — SoundSpike.com