Ask Your Uncle: A Tressel Family Blog

Out-of-townies

2012-01-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

This February we will be hitting the road, heading to Washington DC, and NYC, 2 of our favorite Rock N' Roll Cities!

On Friday, February 3rd, we will be opening for Alex Vans at the Hard Rock Cafe in Washington DC, for a FREE/ALL AGES show as part of the Absolut Concert Series! We hit the stage at 8pm.

The following weekend we return to The Grape Room on Friday, February 10th at 10pm, then we head to NYC to celebrate the birthday of former Tresselmaniac of the Month/Puppet Advocate/Ukulele Ambassador Tina Rino at The Alphabet Lounge. We go on at 8pm.

See you at the shows!

Your Local Note Podcast

2012-01-16T22:59:00.000-08:00

We are pleased as punch to be a featured on Your Local Note's Last Podcast. These guys are doing a great job promoting the Philadelphia music scene, show them your support! Listen here

Radio, Radio

2012-01-09T10:04:00.001-08:00

I make the above face when I get excited.

We are proud to be 93.3 WMMR's Local Shots Artist of the Month for January! Jaxon, Kristen, and WMMR have given us a ton of exposure of the last few years and we are eternally grateful.

However, we'd be remiss if we didn't give a nod to one of our earliest champions; Mr. Jake Rabid, host of XPN2's Local Music Show, is signing off for the last time this Sunday night, January 15th at 8pm. We had the pleasure of being guests on Jake's show 3 times and it was always a blast, and we wish him the best of luck in the future, keep on rockin' in the free world Jake!

Our next show is Friday, February 3rd at The Hard Rock Cafe in DC, Opening for Alex Vans Hope to see you all there!

XOXO
Butch

2011 Year in Review

2011-12-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

We had a very productive year here in Tresselmania, PA. In addition to welcoming 2 new members to the band, we wrote, recorded and released American Sunset, which is available for a "name your own price" download at our Bandcamp page right now.

We only played 8 shows in 2011 :( Very dissapointing, but we already have our first run of live dates for 2012!
Friday, 1/6-The Legendary Dobbs Philadelphia, PA
Friday, 2/3-Absolut Concert Series @ The Hard Rock Cafe, Washington DC
Friday, 2/10-The Grape Room Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, 2/11-The Alphabet Lounge, NYC

More details to come as we get closer to the shows.

And finally, we got a little shout-out from The Cheffonade to bring our 2011 to a close.

Looking forward to a fantastic 2012: finally making a discography page, part 2 in our American series, and drinking a ton of beers!
XOXO
Butch

The Tressels @ The Legendary Dobbs 1/6/12

2011-12-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

"Pay What You Want" for American Sunset

2011-12-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the free download period for American Sunset has ended, but now you can get it for next to nothing on our brand spankin' new Bandcamp page.

American Sunset by The Tressels

Our next show is Friday, January 6th at The Legendary Dobbs, more info to come!

GIVING THANKS benefit tonight @ The Ottobar

2011-11-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

We roll into Baltimore tonight for a great cause. Giving Thanks is a benefit for Baltimore City public school music programs, we're proud to be a part of it. RSVP here

Also we were once again featured on Jaxon's Local Shots Podcast. Check it out!

The new Compact Disc from "the Best Bar Band in Delco!"

2011-11-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

That's right ladies and germs, it's American Sunset CD release week!

The big CD release party is This Friday, November 18th at The Grape Room with Chris Piola, The Northeast, Alex Vans, & Justin Phillippi. Doors are at 7, we go on at 11pm.

Our friends over at The Key posted the session we recorded with them back in September on their website. The set includes "My Brother Called" an exclusive unreleased song, check it out here

The Fire this Wednesday 10/26!!!!

2011-10-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

We hit the Fire (the site of a 27 minute version "Prison Wine" back in 2007) this Wednesday, 10/26 with Archeology, The Day Life, Everyone Everywhere, and The Sea Around Us. This is our only local show before our big record release show at the Grape Room, so do try to make it out! Don't forget American Sunset is still available for free download here: http://soundcloud.com/the-tressels/sets/american-sunset

Download American Sunset for free

2011-10-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

Here it is, American Sunset, available for free at our Soundcloud and Reverbnation pages. This won't last forever though, it's only free up until our CD release show, Friday, November 18th atThe Grape Room in Manayunk.

XPN's The Key ran a nice preview of the record, as did our old pals at Blogs N' Roses and if you like what you hear you can see us Wednesday, 10/26 at The Fire in Philadelphia, The aformentioned record release show, and Friday, 11/25 at The Ottobar in Baltimore!.

American Sunset Release, XPN2, New Members et. al.

2011-09-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came to Mojo 13 on Friday for the debut of 2 new members to the Tressels family, "Time Bomb" Tom Giachero (Drums, pictured far right) and Brendan "Fuzz" Floyd (Bass, formerly of ACOOLSTICK, not pictured).

Next up: Clark Park Fall Festival on Saturday 9/17! Admission is free, there will be a ton of bands and vendors, we hit the stage at 1:30.

After that we are stoked to tape an encore session with XPN2 on Sunday, 9/25.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, American Sunset is getting mastered as we speak, and we will be celebrating the release on Friday, November 18th at The Grape Room. But you won't have to wait until November to hear the record, we have some big things planned that will get you to hear the record first!

See you on the 17th!
Butch

September Shows

2011-08-24T11:13:00.001-07:00

We have 2 shows in September: We shake off the studio rust @ Mojo 13 (1706 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington DE) on Friday, September 2nd w/ Kickin' Bear and Tony Travalini and the Still Lives, we hit the stage at 11.

Then we head to Clark Park in West Philadelphia on 9/17 for the Clark Park Fall Equinox Festival w/West Philadelphia Orchestra, Band Name and more, we play stage 1 @ 1:30, admission is free! Bring the family!

Check out:
myspace.com/mojothirteen
cloudentertainment.com

Also, I just got an iPhone, so I've been blowing up the Twitter like crazy, tweeting all sorts of dumb shit, follow me @ButchTressel

See you at the shows!

American Sunset

2011-08-09T16:02:00.001-07:00

Hey folks,
Just checking in to let you know that we have finished work on our new 6 song EP, entitled American Sunset. It was recorded by Dan McGlinchey at Mill Street Recording. We have a new drummer, (our 4th in 6 years) Tom Giacero (Tressel name forthcoming), and we are gearing up for a busy Fall/Winter '11 with lots of big shows to announce soon.

Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!

Q: Are We Not Patriots?

2011-07-04T10:35:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day!
America by The Tressels

The Tressels @ The Millcreek This Thursday 4/7

2011-04-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

The above photo was taken at the Khyber somewhere between the release of "Divorce" and "Prison Wine". When we booked the Khyber for the first time, we felt we had accomplished something great. Many of us had played in bands for years hoping to book a show at the Khyber, and when we finally did, we felt cool, as only cool bands played the Khyber.

The Khyber no longer exists as a venue for "cool" bands. The Millcreek Tavern does. This Thursday marks the 8th time we have played the Millcreek, which is more than we have ever played any venue since we started. People sleep on the Millcreek. Mere weeks ago I did a solo show there with a band from Norway called Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson, who blew the collective mind of all 20 people in attendance. This is the kind of stuff you see at the Millcreek. It might be some West Philly Crust Punk band, followed by us, followed by beautiful post-rock from Sweden. Thanks largely in part to Josh Craft (one of the good guys) and the foundation layed by Ben Morgan (one of the best guys). Just be there. We hit the stage at 10. All proceeds benefit the Clark Park Art and Music Festivals, another thing which you would be a huge hipster douche-grinch to not support.

Butch Solo @ The Millcreek This Wednesday 3/9

2011-03-06T20:49:00.000-08:00

w/Your 33 Black Angels, Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson, and Chris Rossello.
RSVP here

"What's with you guys and drummers?"

2011-02-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

We hear that a lot. Last night's show at The M Room was our last with Felony Fran Fuscsick on Drums. Fran is best known for his contributions to 2010's "Bourbon Legend" album, as well as his often questionable, rastafarian inspired attire. Thanks for the memories.

This Sunday!

2011-02-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

We sold out...

2011-02-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

...and got a twitter! @ButchTressel

Demos Galore, M Room w/ Southeast Engine

2011-01-28T10:17:00.001-08:00

We've been spending the month of January working on new material, and I've been posting my home demos to our Facebook page (which you should check out for more frequent updates), but here's a sample of what's to come:
The Tressels-Thoughtless Gift (Demo) by The Tressels

The Tressels-Past Me (Demo) by The Tressels

Also, I took part in a session for our good friends at Y-Rock on XPN's Local Show back in September with some members of Canadian Invasion, Wyldlyfe, and Saudi Arabia. This version of "Priscilla" appeared on their year end wrap-up show.
Butch Tressel & Friends-Priscilla (Y-Rock on XPN Local Tracks All Star Jam) by The Tressels
So yes, we're taking a different approach to these new songs, if you like what you're hearing, come watch us debut a whole bunch of new hot jams on Sunday, February 27th @ The M Room (15 W. Girard). We'll be supporting the fantastic Southeast Engine. Advance tix are available here.

XO,
Butch

2010-11-22T13:48:00.000-08:00

"Bourbon Legend" review on The Styrofoam Drone

2010-11-16T11:27:00.001-08:00

SD loves our "mind-bending breakdowns". Check it out here.

Also, don't forget our Thanksgiving Eve Bash @ 2312 Garrett is almost upon us!

ANTHEM ROCK NIGHT!

2010-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

Tonight we hit the Blockley Pourhouse (38th and Ludlow) with The Roadside Graves, Black River Thieves and the Original Toy Soldiers. We hit the stage at 11pm, but get there early. Here's why:

Black Houdini leaves the band.

2010-10-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Tresselmaniacs,
We regret to inform you all that our good friend and Bassist “Moonlight” Jack Graham has parted ways with the band

Jack was best known for his drunken deathstares, his on-again, off-again love of Rutgers football, and for authoring “Mama Didn’t Raise No Motorcycle”, which as of this writing is the most popular Tressels song on iTunes

He plans on retiring from public performance, undergoing “Ego Death” and recording nonsense on his 4-track. We wish him the best of luck.

Butch will be handling bass duties indefinitely, so join us tomorrow in Brooklyn at Spike Hill for our debut as a quartet.

Sincerely,
Butch, Mickey, Felony, and The Dirtman

Carson Mell

2010-09-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite artists, Carson Mell, is working on a new book called The Blue Bourbon Orchestra, about a "Fading Alt-Country band".

If you can't wait for the book, come see one in person, tonight at The Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave. West Philly)

UPDATE: WEST PHILLY UNDER TORNADO WATCH! TROPICAL STORM MICHAEL BEERS!

FREE SHOW!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

2010-09-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

9/30 Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave, Philadelphia)
FREE SHOW w/Muy Cansado & Kill You in The Face

10/8 The Note (142 E. Market St. West Chester)
w/ACOOLSTICK, Sherbs, Voss, & Shook
$8adv/$10dos
Purchase tickets here

11/12 The Blockley (38th & Ludlow, Philadelphia)
w/Roadside Graves & Black River Thieves

11/24 2312 Garrett (2312 Garrett Rd. Drexel Hill)
Thanksgiving Eve Bash

Butch w/ The Watchmen Tonight @ The Rotunda

2010-06-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

Late last year, Philly hip-hop duo The Watchmen (Jay$Roc & PA Face) released their mixtape "Premonition Vol. 1" which features one Butch Tressel singing the hook the the track "Watchmen". Tonight, July 1st, they will perform the song live together as part of a star studded hip-hop show at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) in Philadelphia.

Be there or get bodyslammed or perhaps something worse

The Tressels 5 Year Anniversary Spectacular Friday June 18th!

2010-06-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

In June of 2005, The Tressels made fools of themselves as what was intended to be their first and only gig at the Speak Easy in Upper Darby. The performance was so much of a disaster; the elderly bartender treated the band to a round of shots as conciliation.

5 years later The Tressels have released 4 full length albums, and a countless slew of one-off releases. They’ve played dive bars, basements, hookah lounges, sorority houses, wedding receptions, planetariums, and back yards. They’ve earned critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, despite, or perhaps because of an almost constant string of bad luck, missed opportunities, false starts, arrests, hospital stays and personal loss.

They’ve challenged themselves on every record, and in turn their music has reached fans from Nova Scotia to Seattle. While they still remain under the radar, with each release The Tressels become a bigger blip, and offer plenty of rewards for those who’ve stuck around, as well as those who are discovering the band for the first time.

Join us at the Trophy Tavern in Drexel Hill on Friday June 18th, as The Tressels celebrate 5 years on the job.

TONIGHT!

2010-05-04T09:44:00.001-07:00

Philadelphia City Paper Bourbon Legend Review

2010-03-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

or share, repost, dig here

The Tressels @ The Blockley 3/26

2010-03-19T09:51:00.001-07:00

One week from today, we return to the Blockley Pourhouse (3801 Chestnut St.) for an all star bill that features Toy Soldiers, El Fuego, and Frank Cervantes.

Get there early as we open the show at 8:30.

Also, "Bourbon Legend" is now available for download via eMusic. Get it here

Do You Remember Rock N' Roll Radio?

2010-02-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

We were very proud to have "Brothel Blues" picked for Jaxon's Local Shot for this past Wednesday, 2/17 on WMMR, you can check out the podcast here

I suppose if you wanted to hear more Tressels on WMMR, you could write,call,or email them and let them know. We assume this worked for Bill Haley and his comets, but we cannot be sure.

Come see us live this Friday, Feb. 26th at the Garrett (2312 Garrett Rd, Drexel Hill), NOT at Jimmy Mac's, despite what their listing says.

Black Houdini is my favorite too...

2010-01-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

The boys at Blogs N' Roses have posted a review of our record release show, as well as some great pictures from the show, like the above shot of Big Dirty.
Check it out here

Also, we'd like to announce our first Drexel Hill show in support of "Bourbon Legend", Friday, February 26th @ The newly christened "Garrett" aka "The Garrett Ale House". More info on this show soon.

$

2010-01-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the record release show on Friday at the Blockley, it was a great success.

For those of you who couldn't make it out, you can purchase your copy of "Bourbon Legend" by clicking here.

$10 gets you the record, in a glossy limited edition digipak, as well as some free Tressels goodies with your order. Shipping is free.

We will have a new date for the postponed Pillar show soon. Keep checking back.

Bourbon Legend Record Release Show 1/15/10

2010-01-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

We are very proud to announce the release of our new album, "Bourbon Legend". We will be celebrating the release of the record at The Blockley Pourhouse in Philadelphia with Sure Juror and The Black River Thieves on Friday, January 15th.

For those of you living in the Drexel Hill area, we will be organizing a bus trip to and from the venue the night of the show. Get in touch with us if you want to ride, but hurry because space is limited.

Check out "South Beach Vampires", the first single at our Myspace right now. See you all on the 15th!

"A Very Tressel X-Mas 4" Saturday, 12/26

2009-12-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

Come check out our annual Christmas extraveganza, this year with lasers! We will have handmade copies of "Bourbon Legend" on sale as well as Mickey Reds Christmas EP. Email the.tressels@gmail.com for $5 off VIP coupons.

The Tressels @ The Trophy this Friday 11/13

2009-11-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

We'll be playing 3 sets, the first of which will be our 2006 album "Prison Wine" in its entirety. Get there early as this show is sure to be packed.

The Tressels @ Jimmy Mac's This Saturday 10/24

2009-10-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

September Shows

2009-08-24T08:53:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 2nd The Blockley 3801 Chestnut St. Philadelphia. myspace.com/theblockleypourhouse

Saturday, Sept. 12th The Note 142 E. Market St. West Chester.
w/ Zelazowa, Cheers Elephant and the Courage Pills
thenotewc.com

2 Shows in July with Johnny Action Figure

2009-07-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 23rd: http://www.thenotewc.com
Saturday, July 25th: http://www.myspace.com/thepillarlounge

The Tressels: For All Your Wedding Needs

2009-05-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Pics from Mark and Denise's Wedding

2009-05-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Santa obviously took advantage of the open bar

80's wrestling pose, that shit will never get old.

Good job! Now lets party!

"I Believe You" Live @ The Garrett Ale House 2/21

2009-03-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mark!

"Stolen Kiss" Communist Ipod Commercial

2009-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

"Brothel Blues" Live @ The Garrett Ale House 2/21

2009-02-24T11:39:00.000-08:00

"Ask Your Uncle" Live @ The Garrett Ale House 2/21

2009-02-22T21:26:00.001-08:00

New Video: The Making of Knuckle Sandwich Part 1

2009-02-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

We spent this past weekend holed up in our makeshift garage studio with our friend Dan Hewitt recording tracks for our upcoming 4th album. Here's a little teaser video:

Even though it's taken us a long time to get this shit organized, being with all the drummer swapping and whatnot, it's actually only taken 4 days to record more than half of the album.

Keep watching this space for more recording updates.

And don't forget, the Garrett Ale House is only 2 weeks away!

Butch's Thoughts on Bonaduce Vs. Conseco

2009-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

We had a band outing to the Celebrity Boxing Event in Aston this past Saturday, and I was asked my thoughts on the match by a writer for the AP.
Check out the article here

If you want to sountrack the article, we're part of Black Collar Radio's Podcast this week, so check that out too

The Tressels in '09

2009-01-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

Now that the Eggles are out of the playoffs we can get back to work. Some quick updates for you.

We've got some new shows to announce. Saturday, February 21st we will be at the Garrett Ale House in Drexel Hill for another "Evening with the Tressels". These local shows are great for hearing some rarities as well as getting totally wrecked within walking distance to your house.

On Thursday, March 12th we headline the Note in West Chester with Japanese Comic-Punk sensations Peelander-Z, and local heart-throbs Tough Guys Take Over.
Tickets are $8 in advance and are available at www.thenotewc.com right now.

We're continuing work on our long awaited 4th album in February. Seriously.

"A Very Tressel Christmas 3"

2008-11-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 12th
Mojo 13 (1706 Philly Pike, Wilmington DE)
w/ Von Hayes & More TBA
Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like the Tressels playing Christmas tunes in a bar that has a guillotine.

Pictures from the Note show 11/7

2008-11-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

Our friends at Blogs N' Roses took some pictures of the band at our show last friday at The Note in West Chester. Thanks all the Tresselmaniacs who came out, the place was packed, and we looked like big shit.

Check out the rest of pics here

Watch it Burn Dude....

2008-10-08T11:20:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Dr. Stardust

2008-09-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stardust came to our rescue in the summer of '07 and learned 10 songs in 5 days and then got into a van for a 1500 mile road trip with 4 guys he had just met. Last night's Khyber show was his final show as a Tressel. Good times and shaving cream pies were had by all. We'll miss you Jeff.

Your Smiling Face

2008-08-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

Girls like The Tressels too, Dad!!!

2008-07-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

The ladies of Girl About Town were so smitten by our performance last Saturday at Mojo 13, they've profiled us for their website. Check it out won't you?

Summer '08 Shows

2008-06-18T13:13:00.001-07:00

6/26-Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA Grand Re-Opening Week Bash w/ Jealousy Curve
7/19-Mojo 13, Wilmington, DE
7/27-Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
8/2-Jimmy Mac's, Drexel Hill, PA
8/13-The M Room, Philadelphia, PA

Go to www.myspace.com/thetressels for full show details

Seriously....

2008-05-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

The End of Rock N' Roll at Rex's

2008-03-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

"Heard you missed us, we're back.... I brought my pensuuull!

2008-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Former Tressel Graces Gossip Blog

2007-11-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

New York Partyboy and Ex-Cellist Mudflaps (far left) was recently photographed by Gawker at a Radar Magazine Event, proving that former Tressels are only slightly more famous than current ones.

link:The man who had to be talked out of getting a Burmont Bill tattoo

Butch's Tascam Presents: "Piss"

2007-10-24T22:52:00.001-07:00

Commentary on the Complete Y-Rock on XPN Local Tracks Session

2007-10-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

1. Don't Look Down-The last song we recorded, hence the E-Street Band intensity. As usual, we distributed shakers and/or tamborines to everyone in the room for a full-on family band jamboree.
2. Color Day-Always good acoustic.
3. Brothel Blues-A little sloppy due to several overpriced Pabst's in the World Cafe bar. We asked them to fade the ending out, but we suspect they didn't.
4. The Interview-Insight into the pros and cons of DIY, what being called alt-country really means, and why Bad Company is the best.

Enjoy.

Complete Y-Rock on XPN Local Tracks Session

2007-10-03T23:21:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Ask Your Uncle

2007-09-27T23:58:00.001-07:00

Friday, September 28th, Year of our lord 2007, the Tressels enter the blogosphere. It's a good day. The Phils are tied for 1st place in the NL East, ate a steak and watched Natalie Portman naked in Hotel Chevalier for free (thanks iTunes). We are keeping this spot open for future videos, songs, and shameless self promotion that will eat up our myspace bandwidth while we are on official hiatus.

Band hiatuses are boring, yet rewarding, like a speech from your uncle. Hence the name of this blog. Like this week, our big plans are as follows: Phils, Getting our merch back from Ohio, Eagles, Entering a contest to play a Led Zeppelin afterparty in London that we won't win, maybe demoing a song or two.

Cheeseburger gets his leg cast off on Monday. We're putting money on the amount of spiders in there. Better odds than a Jimmy Mac's block pool.