August 26, 2015 in Uncategorized

Lambusta Talks Jets Tenure

Bill Lambusta, our lead guitarist from 2008 - 2011 ironically shown here playing bass

Bill Lambusta, our lead guitarist from 2008 – 2011 ironically shown here playing bass

Bill Lambusta was The Paper Jets’ lead guitarist for three years and was largely responsible for helping shape our early sound with both his production on our Face Forward and unreleased Pictures Like This One albums, as well as his original songwriting.

This week, Bill appeared on The Failed Musicians Podcast to talk about his two current groups, Bootstrap Bandits and Small Planet Radio, as well as his Great Albums Podcast (for which our very own Brian Erickson is a co-host).  He goes in depth about The Paper Jets, how he came to be involved with and – ultimately – dismissed from the group which he co-founded and how a mutual friend brought Brian and him back together.  It’s a great interview that’s funny, revealing, insightful, and a little sad.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE

August 25, 2015 in News, Releases, Tour

Break From The Road; New Album News

TPJ_NiagaraHey everyone,

After a bit of soul-searching, The Paper Jets have decided to take some time off from the road.  While this isn’t common for us, we have good reason for it.  When you’re a band at this level, sometimes you get a little too caught up in the day-to-day, week-to-week grind of always being out there; always playing shows.  You lose focus of what motivates you in the first place: the desire to create.  And while there is a great deal of creativity that goes into a performance, I’m going to let you all in on a little secret.  Much of the music that would comprise We Are All Strange Friends as well as a portion of Almost Nine was recorded in August and September of 2011.  At that juncture, we had played exactly one full show as a trio.  We’ve done quite a bit of changing since then; we’ve experienced a good deal of success and growth which – up to that point – we didn’t think were possible for a band like The Paper Jets.  But as we stop to have a look around, we come back with this realization:  It’s time.

It’s time to document that change; to find a new adventure; to capture that which will help push us forward even more!  So with all that said, The Paper Jets will be headed into the studio to record a new album we’re calling, Everyday Forever.  We’ve teased some new music in the past few months.  Why allow ourselves to tire of this excitement?  Why let it sit any longer?

While the band is in the studio, I will likely play the occasional solo show.  Frank and his Dust of Days project are considering a few dates, as well.  So we’ll be around.  But when The Paper Jets proper take the stage again, you can be sure that a new album – and perhaps a few other surprises – won’t be far behind.

Be Well,

Brian

August 3, 2015 in News, Tour

Complete, Annotated Tour Dates Archive Has Arrived

10411123_10152783170007091_4309814147945225609_nWith help from former Paper Jet Bill Lambusta, and frequent collaborator Jeff Fiedler, we have compiled a complete list of EVERY tour date we’ve ever played.  The list includes notes from Lambusta (dates: 2008 – 2010) and Brian Erickson (dates: 2011 – present).  Some highlights include opening acts for certain shows, when auxiliary members such at Tim Ryan, Jim McGee, or Kristen Leu were present, which shows rocked and which ones didn’t.  We’ve been working on this behind the scenes for quite some time.  Check it out and enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT

July 22, 2015 in News

New Store Launched, New T-Shirts Added

photo_originalSo you remember the storefront that – when you clicked on it – was “coming soon,” for, like, 6 years or so?  Well it’s finally up and running!  And to kick it all off, we’ve got BRAND NEW T-SHIRTS.  Designed by our drummer, Frank Lettieri, and inspired by our Almost Nine EP artwork, the shirts come in a dizzying array of sizes!  As always, they’ll be available at ALL our shows, but now you can get them right here online!

 

July 22, 2015 in News, Tour

Jets Add New Member, Announce Summer Tour

photo[1]

Mike Virok (l) getting comfy with Scottie (r)

After four years (and two records) as a trio, The Paper Jets would like to warmly and formally welcome new guitarist, Mike Virok, into the fold.  Virok has been the group’s guitar tech since 2012 when he founded the Bordentown Guitar Rescue, a central New Jersey-based guitar repair/custom shop, but his history with them back even further.  In 2006, as Brian and Frank’s old band The Invisible Solid was winding down, it was Virok and his group Callik who opened for them at one of their final shows.

Virok has been sitting in since April 2015, joining The Paper Jets on some of this year’s most prominent tour dates including their Cherry Blossom Festival performance in Washington, DC in April, as well as July’s Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia where the band opened for The Roots (yes…THOSE The Roots).  “It feels good,” said Virok, “and I’m having a lot of fun learning and playing the songs.”

The Paper Jets will have plenty of time to show their new member off as they embark upon a tour of the Northeast this August that will see them roll through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Upstate New York.