| Alberta Cross | |
|---|---|
Alberta Cross at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Rock, folk rock, blues rock |
| Labels | ATO Records, Ark Recordings |
| Website | www.albertacross.net |
| Members | |
| Petter Ericson Stakee Terry Wolfers Sam Kearney Alec Higgins Austin Beede Patrick Ball |
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Alberta Cross is a New York-based band, formed by Petter Ericson Stakee (vocals, guitar) & Terry Wolfers (bass). Despite their different upbringings - Stakee travelled from an early age between Sweden and England with his singer-songwriter father, whilst Wolfers was brought up in London's East End - they formed what would later become Alberta Cross. After relocating to Brooklyn, New York, Stakee and Wolfers solidified the line-up with the addition of Austin Beede, Alec Higgins and Sam Kearney.
The band's sound has been compared to The Band, Neil Young, The Raconteurs and other blues-influenced rock bands.
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Alberta Cross has toured extensively in the US, UK and the rest of Europe, performing with bands such as The Shins, Bat for Lashes, Simian Mobile Disco, and Findlay Brown on the Latitude tour in 2007. They have sold out venues in Chicago, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and many other cites through the US and Europe. During October 2008, Alberta Cross supported Oasis on their UK arena tour, playing at both Bournemouth and Cardiff. During 2009, the band appeared at the Coachella Valley Music Festival in April, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee in June, and the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago, Illinois in August. In June 2009, they were also support for Dave Matthews Band at the O2 Academy in London and continued as support for their full European Tour in February and March 2010.
The band embarked on their first headlining tour in the United States in early 2010, selling out shows in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco. When the Santa Barbara venue oversold the show, the band offered to play two sets to account for those who were asked to leave the venue. During the spring and early summer of 2010, Alberta Cross also toured with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, and American Bang. They also opened for Them Crooked Vultures in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago.
The band played several international festivals in the summer of 2010, including the Malmo Festival in Sweden, the Parkenfestivalen in Norway, the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, and the Splendour in the Grass Festival in Australia. Alberta cross also played several shows in Australia, including two with Mumford & Sons. On September 3, 2010, the band played at the Gorge, Washington to re-unite with the Dave Mathews Band and open for them. Throughout the rest of September, the band toured the US with Dead Confederate for 21 dates.
The band's first full-length album, recorded in Austin, Texas, Broken Side of Time was released on 22 September 2009.[1] They are currently working on writing and recording their second release.
“…a British take on Southern rock…the seismic guitars and high vocals look to My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon and Crazy Horse…but Alberta Cross sets aside those American bands’ redemptive undercurrents of blues and gospel; instead it plunges into the very English despair of bands like Pink Floyd.” – The New York Times
“…familiar and refreshing...Alberta Cross has taken incredible strides to earn global recognition.” – NPR
“combining wind tunnels of bent guitar riffs and distorted power chords with the haunting melodies of rural American music. It’s all topped by Ericson Stakee’s sweet, high-lonesome voice, which recalls both Jim James and Neil Young.” – Rolling Stone
“…fog-clearing pipes nod to MMJ's Jim James, and whose South-of-the-Mason-Dixon guitar chops recall the Followill Bros.” – Spin
“…an intoxicating mix of apocalyptic riffs, sob – worthy singalongs and brooding blues.” (8 out of 10) – NME
“…as electrically dark as it is electrifyingly determined… these ten songs have a kind of will of their own to reach our eardrums and come out the other side as goose bumps.” – Esquire
“…a hard-hitting, rock-driven affair, with folk and soul undertones.” – BlackBook
According to Stakee, the name "Alberta Cross" is an anagram of "Scab Realtors".[2]
The song "Low Man" is heard at the end of episode 8 of Season 2 of Californication, when Karen tells Hank she has to see a man about a horse. This song is also used in episode 2 of Season 2 of the FX show Sons of Anarchy.
The song "Lucy Rider" is heard in the series premiere of the BBC One series Survivors, as well as episode 3 of Season 1 of Dirty Sexy Money.
The band performed "ATX" and "Rise from the Shadows" on Last Call with Carson Daly. "ATX" was also used as the rejoiner bumper during the telecast of the 2009 BCS Championship Game
The band appeared on the Cinemax Tour Stories program, which featured an interview and live performance.
Their song "Money for the Weekend" is featured on the soundtrack to Madden NFL 12.
"Money for the Weekend" is also featured on Ketel One commercials that began to air in May 2011. Stakee is featured prominently in the commercials, wearing his trademark hat, and sipping on Ketel One on the rocks.