Lefty’s Live Music AND Live LIVE Music are proud to welcome…
The Tossers
Blown in from the South side of the Windy City, THE TOSSERS have been undisputed champions of Irish drinking anthems for well over a decade. Their whiskey-drenched melodies will have you filling up your glass and dancing in the aisles.
Formed in 1993, the six-piece Celtic punk band of Chicago, IL has been proudly spreading their Irish gospel across the globe, with no plans of slowing down. Impressed with their punk-infused Irish jigs, THE TOSSERS landed a deal with fellow Chicagoan Tony Brummel’s powerhouse independent label, Victory Records. Determined to make a name for themselves, the band released their debut album on the label titled The Valley of The Shadow of Death in 2005. Likened to folk legends FLOGGING MOLLY, the album was greeted with rave reviews, shelling out a comprehensive list of party ballads fit for the thirstiest Irish pubs. Not ones to leave an empty glass, the band entered the studio a year later to begin working on Agony, their sophomore Victory album, released in 2007. Celebrated as one of their most “lively” and “entertaining” efforts, Agony demonstrated THE TOSSERS’ impressive command of song structure and instrumentation. Catching the attention of execs at CBS, Agony’s break out single “Siobhan” was featured on How I Met Your Mother, solidifying their relevancy in mainstream culture. Their implementation of traditional instruments into punk-infused anthems allowed critics to see the band was not just about beer and whiskey with levels of musicianship that could not be ignored.
The release of On a Fine Spring Evening came in 2008, which demonstrated a more positive, up-beat side of the group. With fast-paced hits “Whiskey Makes Me Crazy” and “Rocky Road to Dublin”, gritty vocals shined as they sang about lost loves, inebriation and their hometown. Since, the band has focused touring in support of their 2008 release, making appearances at events such as Chicago’s Guinness Oyster Festival and playing headlining shows along the way.
Having kept fans waiting, THE TOSSERS released their latest album, The Emerald City, on March 5th, 2013. Dubbed “their most complete and fully realized release” by Alternative Press, The Emerald City served as a “reward for anyone who loves Irish-inflected rock, hanging together nicely and moving briskly enough to readily entice you into hitting repeat.” For fans of DROPKICK MURPHYS and MUMFORD & SONS, THE TOSSERS continue to prove that they are here to stay. Whether you’re Greek, Italian, Russian, Polish, or English, when THE TOSSERS take the stage, you’ll become Irish faster than you could say “More whiskey, please.”
Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance is high-energy folk duo from Nashville, Tennessee, born from the solo careers of multi-instrumentalists Jordan Eastman and Laurel Lane.
The two met in early 2014, and began touring together just three weeks later; living in the back of Eastman’s truck and playing shows across the country.
The pairing of Lane’s Dolly-esque southern charm with Eastman’s heartfelt lyrics and passionate stage performance was quickly met with great response; inspiring them to quit their day-jobs, and take to the road full time.
Since forming, the duo has been hailed for their honest songwriting, grassroots sincerity, and crowd-oriented live performance that kicks down the fourth wall and has led both fans and critics to say, “They play with such vigorous honesty, it reminds you that music can still be more than gimmicks” (Dan London Blog) and call their songs “Good, earnest, and full of real heart.” (Orlando Weekly)
In 2015, they released their 100% crowd funded debut album “Worry Has No Home,” and even moved from the truck bed to a conversion van; into a what feels to them like mighty fancy livin’.
Pick Up their Record at Bandcamp / Reverbnation / FacebookÂ