Posted on: August 19, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Portland’s System and Station deliver a fresh pop sound on upcoming fourth full-length, A Nation of Actors, plots upcoming tour. Fans of Built to Spill, Sunny Day Real Estate listen up.

“Portland’s S&S are a pretty rockin’ band whose angular axwork gets puffed up into lofty billows–kinda like Sunny Day Real Estate, Built To Spill’s arena-sized moments, or The Sea and Cake on high spin.“ – Village Voice

“Like 90’s underground cult heroes Shiner and Unwound, System and Station delivers a precise, visceral version of noisy pop, full of angular guitars, rhythmic, slightly hypnotic melodies and intelligent lyrics. RFK Heise’s vocals are the compelling centerpoint, as urgent in quieter passages as they are in more climactic moments.” – Portland Tribune

“Part prog, part pop, part punk, part jazz-rock fusion, S&S seems to have hit on the perfect mixture of instrumental prowess and accessibility that made the early 70’s so much fun (and diverse). Frank Zappa would do”Follow Your Arrow” proud as the tune takes the listener on a challenging time signature changing magic carpet ride…” – Amplifier

System and Station returns with its fourth full-length A Nation of Actors (Latest Flame Records) to deliver its most solid work to date. Principle songwriter and anchor of the band, RFK Heise, introduces elements of the gentle (at times plaintive) ambiance formerly reserved for his side project Protest Hill. A Nation of Actors rides through poppier terrain that its predecessor Here Is Now, without sacrificing the angular guitar work or the two ton rhythm section.

System and Station formed as a three piece in Boise, Idaho in ‘98. Despite frequent moves to and from the West coast (though now based in Portland, OR), mainstay Heise has guided the band through three full length records, three EPs, 18 national tours and 12 breakdowns (some in -20 degree weather, some strictly mental.)

The band has performed with Marky Ramone to Shiner, Alex Chilton to Built To Spill, Jermy Enigk to Canyon, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to Meat Puppets… oh and Sloppy Seconds, too.

From catchy melodic pop to disarming vocals and pensive lyrics, A Nation of Actors glistens from beginning to end.

System and Station Live:

08/20 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge CD Release

08/28 Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory

08/30 Tucson, AZ @ Plush

09/03 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar

09/04 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn

09/05 Madison, WI @ The Frequency

09/06 Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

09/09 Lincoln, NE @ Box Awesome

09/10 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

09/11 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive

09/12 Boise, ID @ VAC

09/13 Seattle, WA @ The Sunset Tavern

A Nation of Actors Tracklisting:

Release Date: August 19th, 2008

01. The Magnetic North (MP3)

02. Sell Out

03. A Light To Lead You Home

04. On The Way

05. Rainy Days In Future Cities

06. Too Late Too Soon

07. The World Is Run By Wires

08. Pictures Found In Paragraphs

09. Out On The Wall

10. Dumb Luck

11. A Nation Of Actors

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