It's not often that people who are serious about making
music stick with their "first band", but that's exactly what's
happened with Steve Ciolek (Vocals & Guitar) and Matt
Climer (Drums), the long-time axis and backbone behind The
Sidekicks. The two Cleveland natives were childhood buds that played
high school sports together and shared an interest in spikey-haired punk rock
bands that would probably make them cringe today. The first incarnation of The
Sidekicks was a gruff punk rock quartet that bore the markings of bands like Against
Me! and Hot Water Music;and their first proper full
length, "So Long, Soggy Dog," is what caught the
attention of the punk scene as well as Chicago label, Red Scare. It
may have been gritty, but it was a clear sign of things to come and even then
these teenagers stood out from their peers. The band was dedicated to the DIY
scene and toured with like-minded punk bands such as Teenage Bottlerocket, O
Pioneers!!!, Cobra Skulls, etc.
The band's early praise and inherent comradery somehow compelled them to stick together even as life and college took the members to four different corners of the State of Ohio. They ditched the rigid trappings of the punk aesthetic and started incorporating more melodic and sophisticated influences into their sound reminiscent of Midwestern indie-punk acts like The Replacements orSmoking Popes. With the addition of guitarist and vocalist Matt Scheuermann, The Sidekicks forged their next LP, "Weight Of Air," which was named 2009's "#1 Album of the Year" by the genre's biggest fansite, Punknews.org. While their sound may have matured beyond their early punk stylings, they still abided by the underground ethos and continued to operate among the basement scene and toured the country with equally enlightened bands like Bomb The Music Industry and Tigers Jaw.
At present, The Sidekicks have relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and with the addition of bassist Ryan Starinsky embark on the next chapter in their story. Through their maturing sensibilities and further experimentation upon pop structures, the band has crafted their third and finest record, "Awkward Breeds," due out February 21st on Red Scare (vinyl LP available on Really Records). They plan to support the album with much-anticipated touring throughout the year, including an already-booked full U.S. tour with Cheap Girls (as well as another run of support dates coming soon), appearances at SXSW, and more. Past achievements aside, the latest offering from The Sidekicks, "Awkward Breeds," will undoubtedly be considered their masterwork.
* Red Scare and The Sidekicks have just announced the band's new 4-song "Grace" EP / 7" out January 17th, pre-orders available here.
"Awkward Breeds" album art, track list information and new music from the album coming soon.
The Sidekicks are:
Steve Ciolek – Vocals & Guitar
Matt Climer – Drums
Ryan Starinsky – Bass
Matt Scheuermann – Vocals & Guitar
The Sidekicks US Tour w/ Cheap Girls
Mar. 1 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
Mar. 2 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
Mar. 3 Middle East Boston, MA
Mar. 4 Asbury Lanes Asbury Park, NJ
Mar. 6 The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, NY
Mar. 7 Oneonta American Legion Oneonta, NY
Mar. 8 Lilly’s Pad @ Toad’s Place New Haven, CT
Mar. 9 The Fire Philadelphia, PA
Mar. 10 The Camel Richmond, VA
Mar. 11 Cahoots Louisville, KY
Mar. 12 The Firebird St. Louis, MO
Mar. 18 Media Star Entertainment Hall Shreveport, LA
Mar. 20 Replay Lounge Lawrence, KS
Mar. 22 The Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE
Mar. 23 The Frequency Madison, WI
For more information, visit:
The Sidekicks on Facebook
www.redscare.net
The band's early praise and inherent comradery somehow compelled them to stick together even as life and college took the members to four different corners of the State of Ohio. They ditched the rigid trappings of the punk aesthetic and started incorporating more melodic and sophisticated influences into their sound reminiscent of Midwestern indie-punk acts like The Replacements orSmoking Popes. With the addition of guitarist and vocalist Matt Scheuermann, The Sidekicks forged their next LP, "Weight Of Air," which was named 2009's "#1 Album of the Year" by the genre's biggest fansite, Punknews.org. While their sound may have matured beyond their early punk stylings, they still abided by the underground ethos and continued to operate among the basement scene and toured the country with equally enlightened bands like Bomb The Music Industry and Tigers Jaw.
At present, The Sidekicks have relocated to Columbus, Ohio, and with the addition of bassist Ryan Starinsky embark on the next chapter in their story. Through their maturing sensibilities and further experimentation upon pop structures, the band has crafted their third and finest record, "Awkward Breeds," due out February 21st on Red Scare (vinyl LP available on Really Records). They plan to support the album with much-anticipated touring throughout the year, including an already-booked full U.S. tour with Cheap Girls (as well as another run of support dates coming soon), appearances at SXSW, and more. Past achievements aside, the latest offering from The Sidekicks, "Awkward Breeds," will undoubtedly be considered their masterwork.
* Red Scare and The Sidekicks have just announced the band's new 4-song "Grace" EP / 7" out January 17th, pre-orders available here.
"Awkward Breeds" album art, track list information and new music from the album coming soon.
The Sidekicks are:
Steve Ciolek – Vocals & Guitar
Matt Climer – Drums
Ryan Starinsky – Bass
Matt Scheuermann – Vocals & Guitar
The Sidekicks US Tour w/ Cheap Girls
Mar. 1 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
Mar. 2 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
Mar. 3 Middle East Boston, MA
Mar. 4 Asbury Lanes Asbury Park, NJ
Mar. 6 The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, NY
Mar. 7 Oneonta American Legion Oneonta, NY
Mar. 8 Lilly’s Pad @ Toad’s Place New Haven, CT
Mar. 9 The Fire Philadelphia, PA
Mar. 10 The Camel Richmond, VA
Mar. 11 Cahoots Louisville, KY
Mar. 12 The Firebird St. Louis, MO
Mar. 18 Media Star Entertainment Hall Shreveport, LA
Mar. 20 Replay Lounge Lawrence, KS
Mar. 22 The Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE
Mar. 23 The Frequency Madison, WI
For more information, visit:
The Sidekicks on Facebook
www.redscare.net
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