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  • WEDNESDAY JUNE 15 2005 5:00 PM

Out Next Week: Transplants First Major-Label Record

Submitted by Keith

Edited by Keith

The Transplants' lead singer, Rob "SR" Aston, originally wrote most of the songs on the band's upcoming record, Haunted Cities, for his own solo album. Warner Bros. Records, Aston's label for his solo effort, however, "didn't understand", and dropped him.

Aston has learned what Wilco did: when it comes to major labels, the left hand often doesn't know what the right hand is doing:

The first two singles, the drum-and-bass-driven "Gangsters & Thugs" and the R&B-slanted "What I Can't Describe," have already earned airplay, mainly on the West Coast.

Aston is quick to point out that "What I Can't Describe" first appeared on his ill-fated solo effort. He is enjoying the irony of having a song rejected by Warner Bros. Records become a single for another label in the Warner Music Group umbrella.


In a foretaste of what may be the future of more major-label records, an alternate version is already being prepared for release to remixers:

Atlantic hopes to introduce Transplants to rap fans as well. Southern hip-hop producer Paul Wall recently completed an alternate version of the album. Atlantic senior VP of marketing and artist development Livia Tortella says she sees the remixed songs as ripe for placement on mix tapes.


Haunted Cities will be out June 21st. The Transplants can be seen headlining the Vans Warped Tour from June 18th to August 15th. Single "Gangsters & Thugs" can be streamed from their official site.

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Comments
black_tar_heroin

black_tar_heroin

I'm lost
January 2003

JUN 15, 2005 05:11 PM

i thought the record was going to be on La salle.. is La Salle a major record label? i think it has 3 bands on it

Keith

Keith

Oklahoma City, OK
August 2002

JUN 15, 2005 05:28 PM

black_tar_heroin said:
i thought the record was going to be on La salle.. is La Salle a major record label? i think it has 3 bands on it



If you'll *cough* read the article, you'll notice it's being put out through a partnership between La Salle (Travis Barker's label) and Atlantic Records. Atlantic Records, of course, being part of the Warner Music Group.

Monica

Monica

SUICIDEGIRL

Pennsylvania, USA

JUN 15, 2005 05:52 PM

their new single is one of the worst songs i've ever heard. ever ever puke

FreakPirate

FreakPirate

Canada
November 2002

JUN 15, 2005 05:56 PM

Monica said:
their new single is one of the worst songs i've ever heard. ever ever puke



It's the most boring song I've heard in a while.

Keith

Keith

Oklahoma City, OK
August 2002

JUN 15, 2005 05:57 PM

FreakPirate said:

Monica said:
their new single is one of the worst songs i've ever heard. ever ever puke



It's the most boring song I've heard in a while.



Yeah. It's not terrible, it's just... meh.

whoshouldibe

whoshouldibe

Denver, CO
April 2004

JUN 15, 2005 08:08 PM

considering who's involved, those sentiments are hardly surprising

[Edited on Jun 15, 2005 8:08PM]

HURLY

HURLY

Panama City, FL
June 2005

JUN 16, 2005 12:50 AM

I was rather disapointed in there new single. I listen to there old cd regulary and i was a lil let down when i heard ganstas and thugs off there website. But id like to listen to there whole cd

speare

speare

Los Altos, CA
January 2004

JUN 16, 2005 01:10 AM

I thought I had lost all faith in Tim after the last Rancid album... then this new Transplants shit hit. I can`t even believe that the same man that wrote Let`s Go! and ...And Out Come the Wolves would write this bullshit. I guess I better watch my mouth though, you never know which of his drug dealing, record making, gangster and thug friends may be reading...

KidZombie

KidZombie

Minneapolis, MN
May 2005

JUN 16, 2005 01:38 AM

Get behind it or get fucked. "Gangsters and Thugs" has been growing on me as a single. Aston should be thankful to be in the music business at all, being the weakest element of the Transplants with nothing else to back him. At least Armstrong is willing to explore other ventures in the musical arena. I've got nothing bad to say about Barker either, he seems to be a very decent individual as well as an exceptional drummer. I'm excited to hear the rest of the album.

Keith

Keith

Oklahoma City, OK
August 2002

JUN 16, 2005 01:40 AM

Guess I'll "get fucked" then... whatever

black_tar_heroin

black_tar_heroin

I'm lost
January 2003

JUN 16, 2005 09:03 AM

i am punk i dont read!!!!!!!!! oi

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

JUN 16, 2005 09:07 AM

I ♥ Tim. I ♥ Rancid.

But yeah... the new single is kinda blah. I'll still buy the record because I'm a whore for Tim... But I can barely stand Rob Aston. If you're going to "rap", at least have some skill at it.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

JUN 16, 2005 09:26 AM

Rob 'Skinhead Rob' Ashton got a solo deal? Had the person offering it to him heard any of his previous work? Or did he just intimidate him with that Glock with the laser sight he can't shut up about on the last Lars Fredrikson & the Bastards album? Seriously, since the first Transplants album this guy has been firmly entrenched with Rancid, appearing on Lars's second album and Rancid's last album, as well as being in the Transplants, and he is the weakest link in every case.

At some point didn't Rancid have enough credibility to get someone with actual talent to work with them for a hip-hop/punk side project? Why oh why did they dig up this laughing jackass?

[Edited on Jun 16, 2005 by ChrisSick]

Saucer

Saucer

Grand Rapids, MI
April 2005

JUN 16, 2005 09:38 AM

Monica said:
their new single is one of the worst songs i've ever heard. ever ever puke




agreed

ChazStrummer

ChazStrummer

Cedartown, GA
OLD SKOOL

JUN 16, 2005 04:27 PM

I really like Gangsters and Thugs, and plan on buying the cd.

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