Pelican: Cross-Making

There are two major problems with bands. One: there's way too many of them. Two: Almost none of them are anything like as good as they - and their paid-for fans in the press department - think they are. In this instance, Pelican. For a start, that's a terrible name. For another start, who, in all honesty, feels their heart beat just that little bit faster when they learn that the 'Can are part of Chicago's instrumental heavy-rock "scene"? Shall I tell you? No one at all. I worked in a record shop that stocked these sort of records for a few years and I can promise you no one cares. They are records only "loved" by people who get their records for nothing, so the albums just die in the racks, dusty and unloved, before being slung into the bargain bin to suffer some more. And how can you be "genre-defying" and still "fit right at home alongside similar bands"? How does that work, exactly?

------ Forwarded Message
From: Southern Records Promo
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:14:22 +0000
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: News flash - Pelican sign to Southern Lord

It is with immense reverence REVERENCE, JESUS! that Southern Lord Recordings announces the signing of Chicago heavy-rock instrumental icons *Pelican*. Their genre-defying sound and eagerness to explore new musical directions will fit right at home alongside similar bands on the label like Earth, Boris and sunn 0))). Pelican is currently at Red Room studios in Seattle, recording an EP that will be their first release on Southern Lord. The new material promises to be heavier, darker and very "riff-oriented" GREAT! comments guitarist Trevor De Brauw. A very special guest guitarist who has been heavily influential to the band will be making a guest appearance more details to be revealed shortly AMAZING!

In March Pelican will be touring alongside new label mates Wolves In The Throne Room in the US including a triumphant return to the South By South West music fest IT'S, LITERALLY, A "FEST"! in Austin, TX at the Southern Lord showcase. Upon returning home Pelican will focus their sights on their fourth full-length album. Fingers crossed for a UK tour!!! INNIT!

Thanks for your time,
Lauren Barley
UK/European PR coordinator
Southern Records