(photo: Liam Maloney)

To mark the start of their tour in support of latest album Missiles, The Dears are releasing a b-side or unreleased track every week For the world’s general enjoyment.  The first track, “Halfmast” was released on Tuesday, and here’s what head Dear Murray Lightburn has to say about it:  “For whatever reason the clock ran out and we just couldn’t fit this onto Missiles. It has this ridiculous long section at the end that features 4(!) simultaneous guitar solos, one of them on a wah-wah pedal. The solos were played  by George Donoso III, Robert E. Benvie, Patrick Krief and Murray Lightburn, recorded in the same session, one after the other. The track was inspired by many things, but notably, the prospect of a black man running for president.”  It’s a pretty epic sounding Dears track, which isn’t saying much, as they’re prone to some elongated, elaborate tracking on occasion, but in my opinion I think it would have made a welcome addition to Missiles, and actually may have change the tone and feel of the album for the better (not that there was really anything wrong with it to begin with).

The Dears are on the road with Great Northern and Eulogies all throughout May (see tour dates here), so be sure to check back here each week for a new track.

MP3: The Dears “Halfmast”
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