The Next Round - Episode 44: Cheerleader

Just prior to their first time playing the late show at Mercury Lounge, Philadelphia haze-poppers Cheerleader joined me in the venue's basement for a drink.  The guys picked their favorite comedy albums to listen to on the road, explained how certain dietary restrictions make it difficult for them to find food on tour, and contemplated the addition of a French horn to their sound.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to listen to new episodes hours before I post them here.


Get tickets for their current tour.
Buy The Sunshine of Your Youth on vinyl or iTunes.
Listen to their latest single "A Million Ways" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

Cheerleader Graduate to the Late Show at Mercury Lounge

Philadelphia's hazy power pop band Cheerleader opened the late show last night at their most frequent NYC tour stop, Mercury Lounge.  "A Million Ways" is the single they're currently promoting, so what better way to do that than to open with its shimmery guitars and self-reflective lyrics?  They followed with a brand new song (the first of four) called "Draggin' Me Down," which marked a shift away from their nebulous patina and towards a crunchier pop/rock sound.  After a whistle-less "Do What You Want," bassist Paul Impellizeri addressed the crowd, "Thanks, guys.  We're gonna get a little weird."  Raising his plastic cup, he added, "Cheers to getting weird."  The weirdness manifested itself as a decaying spoken word intro to the second new tune of the night, "I Feel It Coming," which reassured fans that the band hadn't completely traded in their haziness for pop sheen.  Third newbie, "I'm Just Thinkin' It to Myself," was dedicated to headliner, Paperwhite, and Cheerleader made sure to leave the stage nice and toasty for them with a confident "Feel Like That," as guitarist Chris Duran jerked around in angular motions and drummer Carl Bahner bobbed his head and shoulders from side to side.

Don't miss the episode of The Next Round I recorded with them before the gig, and also, don't miss them when they come back through NYC, as I may open for them with some stand-up.

CHEERLEADER - 05.28.16 - MERCURY LOUNGE (39 minutes)

SET -

A Million Ways / Draggin' Me Down* / Perfect Vision / Do What You Want / I Feel It Coming* / The Sunshine of Your Youth / I'm Just Thinkin' It to Myself* / On Your Side / Feel Like That*