The 4onthefloor
Background information
Also known as4onthefloor
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota
GenresRock, blues, rock and roll
Years active2009–present
LabelsDouble Asterisk Group (US)
MembersGabriel Douglas
Nick Costa
Matt Brandes
Jake Quam
Past membersJames Gould
Chris Holm
Mark Larson
Websitewww.4otf.com

The 4onthefloor is an American rock and roll band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 2009. The group is known for each member playing a bass drum and for writing all their songs in 4/4 time, evoking their namesake. Their music has been featured in such television shows as ABC’s Nashville[1] and A&E’s Duck Dynasty, including a feature as the main theme on the Season 1 DVD.[2] The group has produced five original albums and has been featured on a number of compilation albums, including American Buffalo.[3] The 4onthefloor’s debut record, 4×4, has been called “one of the best rock and roll records of 2011,” by Indie Media Magazine.[4] Their live show is known for keeping “packed crowd[s] intensely involved for an entire show”,[5] with “call-and-response choruses” and “meaty guitar riffs.”[6] Their sound has been reviewed as “heavy-stomping blues-rock.”[7]

The 4onthefloor beat more than 200 bands to be named Vita.mn's best new band of 2011.[8] They have played a number of music festivals, including Austin's South By Southwest.[9] They tour the United States often and have played with big-name artists such as Willie Nelson,[10][11] Steve Martin,[12][13] Tommy Stinson (of the Replacements),[14][15] Lynyrd Skynyrd,[16] Sugarland,[17] Trampled by Turtles,[18] Drive-By Truckers,[19] Citizen Cope,[20] David Allan Coe,[10][21] Murder by Death,[22][23] Ha Ha Tonka,[22][23][24] These United States,[25] and Retribution Gospel Choir.[26][27]

History

Formation

Gabriel Douglas, whose favorite band is Third Eye Blind,[28] met guitarist James Gould in Duluth, Minnesota. They bonded over Led Zeppelin and rock & roll. Gabriel's job as a booker of late-night UMD events led him to work for the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. When he discovered a bass drum left behind from a show, the idea for the band was formed. Soon after, he brought on bassist Chris Holm and drummer Mark Larson and the four of them formed The 4onthefloor.[9]

Sound

When the band came together, Holm and Larson's traditional blues background[9] helped form their “heavy stomping blues-rock”[7] sound. They chose the constraint of playing all of their songs in four on the floor style, with each member at a bass drum and all their songs in 4/4 time. Gould has said this format is “limiting in a way that really forces you to be more creative.”[9] This has also led to reviews appreciating that “songs never really let up or devolve into any sort of arty-farty, jagged song structure. It’s purely meat-and-potatoes rock, really well cooked.”[9]

Douglas describes the band's blues-inspired style in universal terms, noting “however you measure your life, you will find struggle. And that’s where the blues are rooted.” However, they have been reviewed as having “a sound more common to the Deep South than the Great White North.”[9]

In concert, they evoke a “swampy Juke in Mississippi.” They play “the old blues, with an independent rock and roll spirit.” When asked about his goals for their music, Douglas has noted he hopes to “bring back more traditional blues overtones and a sense of urgency.”[29]

4x4 (2011-2012)

With the release of 4x4, on February 8, 2011, the band saw growing popularity in the upper Midwest. They started winning over crowds city by city across Minnesota and Wisconsin,[30] and on March 4, 2011 the band won Vita.mn's Are You Local? new band contest solidifying themselves as a staple of the Twin Cities Music Scene.[31]

After playing SXSW 2011, the band self-released a double LP of 4x4 on April 4, 2011, and continued to see press coverage in national publications. The Dead Hub called the band, “…old souls making incredible new music.”[32] The band then began touring across the country and spent the summer opening for acts like Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland, Trampled by Turtles, Drive-by Truckers, Citizen Cope, Steve Martin, David Allan Coe, Murder by Death, Ha Ha Tonka, These United States, Retribution Gospel Choir, Tommy Stinson (of the Replacements).

The band started to find success across the US in early 2012 finding themselves reaching number 6 on Billboard's Uncharted chart.[33] Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3FM The Current threw its full support behind the band premiering songs and continually playing music from The 4onthefloor.[34][35][36] The band also found success with its cover of M. Ward's “Magic Trick”.[37]

Albums

Studio releases

  • All In (2015)
  • Spirit of Minneapolis (2013)
  • ...And 4 Riders Approached at Dawn (2011)
  • 4x4 (2011)

Live, Splits, and Compilations

  • Heartbeats / The 4onthefloor 7” Split (2012)
  • Lion & Lamp 7” Split (2012)
  • American Buffalo (2012)

EPs

  • 4 Songs EP (2010)

References

  1. ↑ You Win Again (01-11): Tigelaar, L. (Writer), & Edwards, P. (Director). (2013). (Television series episode). In W. Calhoun (Producer), Nashville. Burbank: ABC Studios.
  2. ↑ Hobbes, D. (Director). (2012). Duck Dynasty: Season 1 (Television Show). United States: A&E Home Video
  3. ↑ ”Trampled by Turtles, Polica on free Record Store Day LP.” Published 2012-24-2. Accessed 2013-02-06. "Trampled by Turtles, Polica on free Record Store Day LP - Minneapolis - Music - Gimme Noise". Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  4. ↑ Singer, A. “Album Review: 4x4 by The 4onthefloor.” Independent Media Magazine. Published: 2011-08-03. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.indiemediamag.com/2011/music/album-review-4x4-by-the-4onthefloor/
  5. ↑ Riemenschneider, C. “Friday night lights, 4onthefloor style.” Star Tribune. Published: 2012-04-16. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/147584155.html
  6. ↑ Goldberg, A. “Record Review: The 4onthefloor.” Performer Mag. Published: 2011-05-01. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://performermag.com/2011/05/01/record-review-the-4onthefloor/
  7. 1 2 ”Concert Review The Horseshoe Tavern.” T-Mak World: Toronto’s Site for Music, Movies and Culture. Published: 2012-05-15. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.tmakworld.com/2012/05/4onthefloor-concert-review-horseshoe.html
  8. ↑ Staff. ”The Crawl: The 4onthefloor - totally winning.” Star Tribune. Published (print and online): 2011-03-10. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=117698658
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Riemenschneider, C. “Trampled under foot (4 at a time).” Star Tribune. Published: 2011-02-26. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/116852048.html?page=all
  10. 1 2 Wisnewski, M. ”The 4onthefloor”. Published 2012-08-02. Accessed 2013-02-06. Performer Mag (print and online magazine). http://performermag.com/2012/08/02/the-4onthefloor/
  11. ↑ ”Willie Nelson, Trampled By Turtles and The 4ontheFloor at Bayfront Festival Park (Duluth, MN).” http://mezzic.com/2011/08/10/photography-willie-nelson-trampled-by-turtles-and-the-4onthefloor-at-bayfront-festival-park-duluth-mn/
  12. ↑ ”Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers (Duluth, MN).” http://mezzic.com/2012/08/07/concert-review-photography-steve-martin-and-the-steep-canyon-rangers-duluth-mn/
  13. ↑ ”Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers.” http://www.twinportsnightlife.com/stevemartin.htm
  14. ↑ ”Tommy Stinson returns to First Avenue for one night.” City Pages (newspaper). Published 2011-18-05. Accessed 2013-02-06. "Tommy Stinson returns to First Avenue for one night - - Music - Minneapolis - City Pages". Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  15. ↑ ”Tommy Stinson’s favorite thing.” Star Tribune (newspaper). http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/122240094.html
  16. ↑ ”the 4onthefloor”. Sturgis Buffalo Chip (organizer for the [Sturgis Motorcycle Rally]). http://www.buffalochip.com/BANDS/2012BandsandStages/the4onthefloor.aspx
  17. ↑ ”the 4onthefloor”. Sturgis Buffalo Chip (organizer for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally). http://www.buffalochip.com/BANDS/2012BandsandStages/the4onthefloor.aspx
  18. ↑ ”High Plains Fest on hiatus for 2012.” Published 2012-03-19. Accessed 2013-02-06. https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=1&article_id=354648
  19. ↑ Swensson, A. ”Basilica Block Party 2011 lineup.” Published 2011-04-21. Accessed 2013-02-06. "Basilica Block Party 2011 lineup: David Gray, Ray LaMontagne, Lissie, Drive-By Truckers - Minneapolis - Music - Gimme Noise". Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  20. ↑ Siverson, R. ”Basilica Block Party Day Two - Walser Stage.” Published 2011-07-11. Accessed 2013-02-06. http://mezzic.com/2011/07/11/photography-basilica-block-party-day-two-walser-stage-minneapolis/
  21. ↑ Diamond Jo Casino - Dubuque. Accessed 2013-02-06. http://www.groupon.com/deals/diamond-jo-casino
  22. 1 2 Gillardi, A. “Murder by Death (with Ha Ha Tonka and the 4onthefloor) at Plush.” KDHX 88.1 Blog. Published 2012-08-22. Accessed 2013-02-06. "Concert photos: Murder by Death (With Ha Ha Tonka and the 4onthefloor…". Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  23. 1 2 Yepis, E. ”Looking Back! Murder by Death, Ha Ha Tonka and The 4 On the Floor @ The Bluebird.” Concerted Effort Blog. Published 2012-08-22. Accessed 2013-02-06. "Looking Back! Murder by Death, Ha Ha Tonka and the 4 on the Floor @ the Bluebird | Concerted Effort". Archived from the original on 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  24. ↑ Yancey, B. ”Murder By Death announce more tour dates.“ AltPress (print and digital magazine). Published 2012-05-02. Accessed 2013-02-06. http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/murder_by_death_announce_more_tour_dates
  25. ↑ ”Harvest Moon Festival 9/28 & 9/29 - Presented By Rogue Barrister & Three Angels Brewing.” Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://harvestmoonfestival.roguebarristerrecords.com/portfolio/the-4onthefloor
  26. ↑ ”The 4onthefloor.” 106.7 FM, KROQ. http://events.kroq.cbslocal.com/minneapolis_mn/events/4onthefloor-/E0-001-050688889-3
  27. ↑ ”The 4onthefloor.” First Avenue. Accessed: 2013-02-06. "THE 4ONTHEFLOOR | First Avenue". Archived from the original on 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  28. ↑ Electric Fetus - Notable Music from Notable People
  29. ↑ ”The 4onthefloor Want The Blues Back” SacreBleu website, accessed by Archive.org November 20th, 2011: https://web.archive.org/web/20111120224053/http://sacrebleuwine.com/music/the-4onthefloor-want-the-blues-back/
  30. ↑ Riemenschneider, C. “The 4onthefloor getting ready to floor it.” Published: 2011-02-04. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/115318214.html
  31. ↑ Riemenschneider, C. “The 4onthefloor steals the show at Vita.mn’s Are You Local? competition.” Star Tribune. Published: 2011-03-05. Accessed: 2013-02-06. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/117461233.html
  32. ↑ Barile, P. “4onthefloor Release Debut LP 4x4, Out on 4.4.2011.” The Dead Hub. Published: 2011-03-22. Accessed: 2013-02-08. http://thedeadhub.com/2011/03/22/4onthefloor-release-debut-lp-4x4-out-on-4-4-2011/
  33. ↑ Off Central Public Relations. Published: 2011-04-22. Accessed: 2013-02-08. "The 4onthefloor Hit #6 on Billboard's Uncharted". Archived from the original on 2013-03-17. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  34. ↑ ”The Current Playlist.” 89.3 The Current. http://www.thecurrent.org/playlist/catalog/211261
  35. ↑ ”4onthefloor perform in The Current studio.” 89.3 The Current. Published: 2011-03-20. Accessed: 2013-02-08. http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2011/02/25/4onthefloor
  36. ↑ Riemenschneider, C. “Cloud Cult, 4onthefloor top the Current’s No. 8 birthday Jan. 18-19.” Star Tribune. Published: 2013-01-02. Accessed: 2013-02-08. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/185420871.html
  37. ↑ Padgett, R. “The 4onthefloor Stomp Kick Drums for M. Ward Cover.” Cover Me Songs. Published: 2011-03-28. Accessed: 2013-02-08. http://www.covermesongs.com/2011/03/the-4onthefloor-stomp-kick-drums-for-m-ward-cover.html
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