Canadian roots rock band The Commoners has released their much anticipated third studio album, Restless, via Gypsy Soul Records, to accompany their latest single ‘Shake You Off’ and just ahead of their Summer 2024 UK Tour, the hotly-tipped Canadian guitarist and singer/songwriter Madison Galloway, as their special guest.
With guitars cranked, ‘Shake You Off’ is a big riffed high energy rock ‘n roller where you’re never quite sure if The Commoners are running from the law or a woman gone wild, but either way want to jump on board to escape alongside them. It’s available on all digital servers here and can get a sneak peek of the new single courtesy of the video here at RAMzine.
It follows last month’s Gone Without Warning’ wherein the title indicated a similar escape from current hassles – Likewise a gritty rock and roller boiling over with tension, alongside a more epic gospel approach, alongside some snazzy guitar, slide and picked. It features a heavy hitting chorus with soulful backing vocals by Chantal Williams, alongside backing vocals of bassist Ben Spiller and drummer Adam Cannon. The single is available on all streaming platforms here and you can check out the video here at RAMzine.
The Commoners return to the UK this July for their Summer 2024 UK Tour that will see them appearing at festivals and on club dates from the 19th through to the 28th of that month, and rather aptly that aligns with the title of previous single, entitled ‘See You Again’.
The song, goes beyond being a reminder for the band’s growing legion of British fans however, though it does have some bearing on happenings on these shores. The new single is a tribute to the father of Commoners drummer Adam Cannon, who passed away when the band were on tour here in 2023.
“We were in Sheffield when we received the news,” remembered Commoners lead singer, Chris Medhurst. “Halfway through our first UK tour, Adam was faced with the impossible decision if he should fly back to Canada to be with his father in his final moments. Greg, being a drummer himself, wanted nothing more than for Adam to keep going and make the family name proud. But the decision still weighed heavily on Adam and the band, as nothing felt like the right path forward.”
“A couple of days later in Birmingham, the decision was made for us. We played for Greg that night and have continued to do so every night since.” As someone who witnessed that show, this reporter can vouch that they did Greg Cannon proud.
“‘See You Again’ is a song inspired by and dedicated to Greg,” continued Medhurst. “It’s also a message that each of us has been able to contextualise within our own lives, honouring the memory of people we’ve loved and lost. It’s a tribute that stretches across the sands of time as an ode to those who are no longer with us. We hope fans enjoy it and that it will resonate with those who have experienced loss in their lifetime.”
‘See You Again’ is a roots based ballad, of the sort The Commoners do well, but less intense in its delivery, more thoughtful both played and sung in contemplation with genuine affection. It was taken from their forthcoming third studio album, Restless, out on Gypsy Soul Records, and is available on all major streaming platforms here, you can check out a video of the song here at RAMzine
The band’s aforementioned summer jaunt kicks off with a performance at London’s The Grace (19th July), followed by Maid of Stone Festival (20th July). The band will then play various club dates in Milton Keynes’ Crauford Arms (21st July), Newbury’s Arlington Arts Centre (24th July), Manchester’s Night & Day Café (25th July), Edinburgh’s The Caves (26th July), Leeds’ Belgrave Music Hall (27th July), and finishing off at Steelhouse Festival (28th July).
Tickets are currently available via PlanetRock.com, The Commoners’s website and alttickets.com.
The band has been riding high on Planet Rock Radio with ‘The Way I Am’ and ‘Devil ‘Teasin Me’ having been on heavy rotation. Both songs are taken from Restless, that you can read about at RAMzine here.
Restless can be ordered here.
