After a string of raucous US dates in anticipation of the release of “Wagonwheel Blues”, The War on Drugs is getting geared up for August UK/EU dates. “Wagonwheel Blues” came out in the UK on June 2.
08/08/08 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
08/09/08 Venlo, Netherlands – Zomerparkfeest
08/10/08 Courcelles (, Belgium -La Posterie
08/11/08 London, UK – The Old Blue Last
08/12/08 London, UK – Club Fandango at Dublin Castle
08/13/08 Farnham, UK – The William Cobbett
08/14/08 London, UK – Cargo w/ Cave Singers & O Death
08/15/08 Crickhowell, South Wales – Green Man Festival
08/16/08 Yeovil, UK – Orange Box
08/17/08 Dublin, Ireland – Crawdaddy
08/18/08 Bristol, UK – Thekla Social
08/20/08 Brixton, UK – Windmill w/ Bowerbirds
” ‘Wagonwheel’ is no period piece: it’s got some 80s big-drum heroics and Eno-esque ambience to tangle the time line, and Graduciel’s lyrics explore the timeless war between hope and disillusionment with such giddiness it’s unclear which side he favors to win”
– CHICAGO READER
“Americana for the Brian Eno set, Philadelphia’s The War On Drugs lets crisp folk and country textures tumble through guitar-anchored studio swirls”
– PAPER THIN WALLS
“The War On Drugs made a totally serious album, shimmering and sprawling- it’s as inspiring as it is exhausting and dense”- FADER
“This wall of sound isn’t impenetrable, because atop it sit the stadium-friendly Springsteenisms of frontman Adam Ganduciel, whose wit and wordplay add a whole new depth to the proceedings. Opener ‘Arms Like Boulders’ sets out his stall with a cryptic critique of neo-con America, while on highlight ‘Needle In Your Eye’ he sounds incredibly like the amphetamine-addled Bob Dylan of ’66 fronting the Jesus And Mary Chain”
– Nathaniel Cramp NME
Top-down, pitch-perfect car-radio rock
Only Americans can make music like this: blue sky and widescreen, feel good – bug with a sting. Philly-based debutants The War On Drugs have got it down to a tee here, a blend of ’70s AM rock, nostalgia, cosmic country and Tom Petty. “Show Me The Coast” is a long, drawn-out Petty homage, but the key track is “A Needle In Your Eye #16″ which with the Ronettes-drums, Suicide keyboard and road trip lyrics, owes such a debt to Springsteen, the Boss should include it on his next setlist”
– Peter Shepherd – 4 Stars- UNCUT