Side One Dummy tour showcases a wave of smart signings

Phil Collins - December 8, 2014

Hey Allison!

Today's announcement that Andrew Jackson Jihad, The Smith Street Band and Jeff Rosenstock will tour together in the spring indicates that Side One Dummy Records knows it has made some smart signings lately and wants to showcase them.

The three artists have something in common other than their new label. They all have worked extensively with Asian Man Records in the past. Side One Dummy has wised up by mining Asian Man Records' arsenal of talented bands. Side One has gained something of a reputation over the last several years for being the place where bands land after leaving a larger label. Now the label has courted bands from Mike Park's smaller, DIY operation. This is going to help cement Asian Man Records' reputation as a tastemaker if that is not already common knowledge.

Andrew Jackson Jihad is on the upswing in fanbase growth. Their album Christmas Island, released earlier this year on Side One Dummy, is among my favorites of the year. The band has released their entire discography up to this point on Asian Man Records, as far as the full-length albums go (Candy Cigarettes and Cap Guns was a re-issue, but I'll count it.) The Smith Street Band, of Australia, recently released Throw Me in the River on Side One Dummy. Enthusiasm for this band only seems to be growing. They released their previous three full-lengths on Asian Man.

Jeff Rosenstock has his second solo album set for release on Side One Dummy in early 2015. He already released the excellent "Hey Allison!" 7-inch on the label. Rosenstock did several physical releases for his former band Bomb the Music Industry! through Asian Man. He also worked with Mike Park on 2014's Bruce Lee Band releases, which deserve a place on year end lists.

Andrew Jackson Jihad, The Smith Street Band, Jeff Rosenstock and Chumped play the Metro on March 27. That statement is perhaps the most tangible evidence that these bands are on the upswing. I have watched Andrew Jackson Jihad go from playing the Beat Kitchen to Subterranean and up to the larger size Bottom Lounge during the last several years. Now they will take an even bigger step forward by headlining the Metro.