The Gaslight Anthem have shared a new song “History Books,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services on their own Rich Mahogany Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. The heavy-hearted track – which sees frontman Brian Fallon trading duet vocals with longtime band champion and fellow New Jerseyan Bruce Springsteen – is accompanied by an official music video (directed by Kelsey Ayres) streaming now on YouTube. The album was produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Peter Katis (The National, Kurt Vile) at his Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, CT.
“History Books” also serves as title track for the Gaslight Anthem’s first new album together in almost a decade. History Books arrives at last on Friday, October 27. Pre-orders are available now.
“When Bruce Springsteen said I should write a duet for us, I think my head exploded,” says Brian Fallon. “It will never get old to me that one of the greatest songwriters in the world, and one of my hero’s voices, will forever be captured in a song I wrote at a small wooden desk, in October, in New Jersey.”
“When you have a band reach any level of success or popularity, that’s a gift,” Fallon says. “It’s truly a miracle to be able to do your art for a living. Having the band come this far and be able to still find inspiration and connection in our music is a treasure. We’re thrilled to be back, and we thank our fans for allowing us time to regroup.”
The Gaslight Anthem’s sixth full-length (and first release from their own Rich Mahogany Recordings, distributed via Thirty Tigers), History Books sees the New Jersey-bred band once again bringing their soulful breed of life-affirming rock n’ roll to explore everything from mortality and mental illness to the more precarious dimensions of human connection. In the glorious tradition of their seminal 2008 sophomore album, The '59 Sound, the new LP matches its raw emotional power with the rich craft and wildly triumphant energy that has defined the band since its very start.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
“None of us wanted to make a very somber or serious record showing how much we’ve matured,” says Fallon. “We’ve all changed and grown and learned so much, but the overall mood was a feeling of excitement to be back together and making music that means something to us.”
History Books was first heralded by this spring’s arrival of the joyous “Positive Charge,” joined by an official visualizer created by filmmaker Juliet Bryant (Death Cab for Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age, Beck) and streaming now at YouTube. “It’s electrifying,” declared Rolling Stone upon the song’s premiere. “Opening with a stomping drumbeat and a skronky guitar lick, the track’s dissonant attack is at odds with the optimistic message of the lyrics.” Stereogum agreed, writing, “‘Positive Charge’ is about wanting to live a little longer and love this life again, and it’s got the grand Springsteenian scope that makes the Gaslight Anthem so special.”
The Gaslight Anthem have already spent much of the year celebrating History Books and their recent return to action on a sold out North American tour. Headline dates resume September 16 at Grand Rapids, MI’s GLC Live at 20 Monroe and then continue through early October. In addition, The Gaslight Anthem is set for top-billed performances at a number of upcoming festivals, including Richmond, VA’s Over The James (July 29), Washington, PA’s Four Chord Music Fest (August 13), Louisville, KY’s Bourbon & Beyond (September 14), and Chicago, IL’s Riot Fest (September 17). For full details and remaining ticket availability, please see www.thegaslightanthem.com.
The Gaslight Anthem is: Brian Fallon (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alex Levine (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Benny Horowitz (drums, percussion, backing vocals).
Photo by Kelsey Hunter Ayres
History Books Tracklisting:
1. Spider Bites
2. History Books (feat. Bruce Springsteen)
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
3. Autumn
4. Positive Charge
5. Michigan, 1975
6. Little Fires
7. The Weatherman
8. Empires
9. I Live In The Room Above Her
10. A Lifetime Of Preludes
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Here is a look at shows taking place from January 14-20, 2025 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents country singer-songwriter Zach Westcott on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 8:00pm. Zach is a New Jersey native from Leesburg looking to make his mark in Nashville.
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
![The Gaslight Anthem releases "History Books"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2023/Gas-July21.jpg "The Gaslight Anthem releases "History Books"")
![The Gaslight Anthem releases "History Books"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2023/Gas-July21b.jpg "The Gaslight Anthem releases "History Books"")
