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EASY WAY OUT

Easy Way Out has broken up.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

...and the CD release actually F'n happened...

To this we say "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"

It's true, the CD release has come and gone. Fate had always stood firm in that the release was imminent and faith led us along a tumultuous path laden with spirit corroding obstacles. The flesh n' blood counterparts whom pledged to assist the execution of the event committed nothing short of constant assault on our collective testes (which have since become a breeding ground for surface bruises and the like)

For those of you, who feel sorely mushroomed about the history behind the "Steal the Show" release, Easy Way Out sincerely apologises for keeping you in the dark. But rest assured that the text which follows will lay to rest any oddities and peculiarities surrounding the mountainous time lapse between the album's completion in October, 2007 and the date of it's liberation from the shakels of misfortune in January, 2008.

After having completed recording, mixing and designing "Steal the Show", Easy Way Out set out to launch the disc into the stratosphere by planning the biggest, wildest, most astounding spectacular the Indie Rock world has ever known. During the mixing process we were fortunate enough, or so we thought, to connect with a budding event organization who, after hearing the first few un-mastered tracks, seemed elated to become our cohorts in re-inventing the traditional "CD release". Red Carpets, limosines, additional lighting, breakdancers, magicians, videographers, photographers, a VIP area... the list is next to endless. It is important to note here that the event organization had yet to be established at this point and therefore was looking for a moment in time and a talent to exploit in order to launch their own organization. This is where a peaceful co-operation becomes 2 stupid billy goats hammering at each other's heads. One goat trying desperately to maintain the little territory that is his and the other, attempting to take over the very same tiny little patch of grass on the side of a receding mountain. Eventually the 2 goats kill every patch of grass worth protecting and the mountain becomes fucking worthless to either of them. Needless to say we told the other goat to get the fuck off our hillside before our tiny little patch of grass was reduced to mulch. This was to mean that the discs would be printed and pressed by October and we had no means to release the disc.

Starting from scratch is never an easy process.... neither is healing from a swift kick to the undercarriage, which I've already clearly established is exactly what the first failure felt like, and although, at this point, repeating this statement may seem a redundancy, I honestly feel the need to hammer it home.... ever had blue balls? But I digress. Shaken and ravaged, Easy Way Out returned to an upright position, holding they're heads high. They began to scour the world of venues in search of a new home for the release. A gig back in Jan '07 came to mind as one of the most fond show memories to date. An opening slot for Clara Laforo where Easy Way Out rammed the Drake Underground with fans. The reception was huge, the night was killer and everyone who was there knows the electricity of which I speak. Why not follow up that show's success with a trumping performance and a new disc?....

Easy Way Out began by connecting with the Drake house booker via email and a personal press kit drop off. The initial reception was warm and the solicitation felt valid and appreciated. As far as EWO was concerned this was a good sign. A follow up email a week later was replied with the assurances that the release was being considered and to patiently hang on just a little longer. Another follow up e-mail the week after that was not replied, phone calls we're not being returned... another week went by. Finally a second visit in person, EWO's Mauro Cecchi made contact from the lobby phone, but the booker asked him to leave as she was too busy to walk down a flight of stairs to see him or simply inform him of the status of the event. Dodge, dodge, dodge!!! Finally an email came through informing the band that they were not the right fit for the Drake Underground... the very same band that had already played this venue and packed it as soon as the doors opened... not the right fit? What the hell?!

So now Easy Way Out was not only suffering from the afore mentioned injuries to the groin, but a new searing pain washed across their faces with one... two kicks to the teeth! That's right, the Drake's clubbed foot of narrow mindedness connected and dizzied EWO, and then the Gladstone Hotel joined into the fun. Not only giving Easy Way Out a similar run around but threatening to charge them a non-refundable $900 for the room and sound guy. A haggle and a few promises later, the cost was brought down to $600 pending results from a benefit show they were playing for PeTA. The PeTA show came, so did the Gladstone booker and the next day EWO was turned down... again... beacause they weren't the right fit for the Gladstone. (it is important to mention here that Easy Way Out also packed this venue less than a year previous)

Tired and beaten, Easy Way Out picked themselves up one last time and called an old friend, the booker and sound guy for Clinton's Tavern. Fletch was more than happy to help and Clinton's didn't charge us a dime. They just invited Easy Way Out to play with open arms and welcomed the folks that came in droves on that fateful Thursday night in January. Sure EWO had one band cancel at the last minute and another just didn't show up, but it didn't matter because the release was finally here and the healing could finally begin. EWO was supported by Poizunus, ADA (at the very last minute - they rock!) and Zeke, Cara and Al from Indie Love Radio as well as the very best friends and fans a band could ask for... they all deserve a major thank you. The Release came and went... but it was a show that will stand out in Easy Way Out's collective memories for a very long time.

EASY WAY OUT: Steal The Show