NYC's Underground Buzz Band Announces Midwest Tour

Online, May 4, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The easiest thing to do is start a band. All you need is members and instruments. The next part is where the pure hobby musicians separate from the rest of the pack- songs. Now you have members and a set list. Next up is gigs. Then an album. By this point most bands stand still or break up. It's a long, hard road that never becomes shorter or easier. If you survive the album and actually get it released what's next? Touring. There are 2 kinds of touring bands. Ones w/financial backing and DIY.

New York City's The Bloody Muffs are a pure DIY band. With nothing more than a commitment from within to push forward without looking back the band has accomplished releasing 2 Albums (2009's Heavy Flow and 2010's Sloppy Seconds), performed live on FM Radio (WFMU's Bleeding Ear Fest) and toured the US last fall all on a shoe string budget. With the financial burden of most of these accomplishments falling directly on these 3 working class musicians you wonder why they keep on going. Front man Lesac Dedouche says, "It's more to me than a hobby. People always ask why or how we afford it. We don't afford it. We have to live like hermits to save up. We go into debt w/each tour. We work crappy jobs and sacrifice every luxury or social gathering to make it happen. We are committed to this band and won't walk away when the going gets tough no matter what."

With one tour behind them as well as a series of Midwest mini tours in the Winter of 2011, The Bloody Muffs have announced The Bloody Muffs Midwest Infestation taking place from June 1-June 13. When so many artists bypass the middle of the country what allures them to the Midwest and smaller markets like Youngstown OH where the band has a larger following than NYC. "The Midwest is the testing ground for almost all products. It is where the American Dream lives and also where people suffer from the failure of the American Dream. If you want to reach America you have to be accepted in the Midwest" says LD. "When we went out on the first tour we had our sights set on the Pacific Northwest. But something magical happened on the way. Youngstown OH welcomed us w/open arms (literally). Cleveland OH went nuts for us. In Cincinnati we woke up 3 different tenants in the building who all came downstairs to the bar to watch us. And they bought Merch. Tulsa OK was totally amazing as was St Louis. We had to get back into these markets fast!"

One thing that never stays the same w/these tours is the drummer. Some have questioned if they even have a permanent drummer. "Kat is our drummer. Period. Unfortunately she has two young children (she was 7 months pregnant with the youngest when Heavy Flow was recorded) and just can't make the road gigs. Taking off for two weeks and leaving the kids is something you just can't do without steady money coming in. Until we get backing it is what it is." says LD. "This tour we are playing with Erin Millerick of Out Of Order. OOO are really great friends of ours and fans of our music. After one show in April with Erin filling in last minute the choice was clear. She wanted to tour with us and she is the next best thing to Kat."

The tour begins on June 1 in NYC and concludes in Youngstown OH on June 13. If this tour comes to your town you don't want to miss it. I know I won't.

The Bloody Muffs Midwest Infestation 2011 http://www.thebloodymuffs.com/2011-sprngTour.html

June 1 Otto's Shrunken Head NYC, June 2 31st Street Pub Pittsburgh, June 3 University Pizza Youngstown OH, June 4 Spitfire Saloon Cleveland OH, June 5 Swing State Lake Villa IL, June 6 The Hole Omaha NE, June 7 Sideshow Columbia MO, June 9 Soundpony Tulsa OK, June 10 Lemmons St Louis MO, June 11 Reptile Palace Oshkosh WI, June 12 The Funhouse Schererville IN, June 13 The Royal Oaks Youngstown OH