Honor By August earning NYC props in February

Anyone whose never hear of the band Honor By August should be kicking themselves in the ass. Bassist Chris Rafetto, drummer Brian Shanley, guitarist Evan Field, and lead vocalist Michael Pearsall make up the band that got its first big break opening up for Hanson (yeah, the guys who sang “MMMBop”) after winning a “battle of the bands” contest in Washington D.C. Since that 9:30 club performance, Pearsall & Co. have shared the stage with artists like Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Hootie & The Blowfish, State Radio, Third Eye Blind and even the legendary Bon Jovi, after winning the Bon Jovi/XM Radio “Have A Nice Gig” contest. Beating out 150 local bands Honor By August was rewarded with a guest spot opening for the Jersey boy at his sold-out Verizon Center show, home of the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and Georgetown University men’s basketball team.
(pull)HBA’s sound is best described as a balance between modern and classical rock; a concoction of The Fray mixed with a splash of Incubus, and topped off with John Mayer’s sultry lyrics.(/pull) While “Only In Photographs,” the song that won Billboard Magazine’s World Song Contest for the Pop Category, epitomizes the sheer beauty of Honor By August’s musical prowess, it pales in comparison to the energetic tour-de-force that is their live show. Whether performing before 30 people or 20,000 concertgoers, Chris, Brian, Evan, and Michael’s electrifying stage presence is proof that these guys enjoy nothing more than pleasing their fans. They absorb the crowd’s energy before returning the favor with vortex of captivating melodies layered over pulsating rhythms. Sadly, though, before you know it, Honor By August’s set finishes and you’re left there salivating for more, so much more in fact that some bands performing after them have a difficult time grabbing the crowd’s attention. Oh, and ladies, you’ll love the way these guys work the stage, so men, better hold onto your woman…tight.

Honor By August will be celebrating the release of their new album, Found, on March 27th at New York City’s Blender Theatre. If you watched them perform at The Bowery Ballroom this past February then I’m sure you’ll be there, but for those of you who missed that show….don’t make the same mistake twice.