Worcester Telegram & Gazette Review & Preview of Tomorrow's show

Thanks to Victor D. Infante and The Worcester Telegram & Gazette for the very kind words about our new single "All the While" in advance of our show tomorrow (Jan 30) at Ralph's Rock Diner in Worcester! Come hear it live tomorrow!

"With its energetic and up-tempo "All the While," Boston band the Rationales delivers an alt.-rock love song that's not just terribly addictive, but that comments as much on the song's persona as it does the relationship in question. "The night is distant with the porch light on," purrs one verse, "the cycle hum is growing quicker/I want to see you when you come undone/as you laugh, that you've known, all the while/I've been lucky all along." It's a brash and joyous song about losing one's self in another, but one with some great feeling buoying it, and with an energy that's difficult to ignore. The Rationales performs with Shotgun Waltz and Zerobot at 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. (Victor D. Infante)"

Winter Shows in Massachusetts

Barnstorming commonly refers to airborn acrobatics performed on flying planes.

But it also was the term used for the way that musicians would play around New England (and elsewhere) back in the 1920s & 30s. There were tons of locally operated AM radio stations back then - and each one would feature its own local musicians many of whom were DJs on the stations as well. And they would do their radio shows by day and then play live at night - this  created a circuit of venues (anywhere and everywhere that they could play (hence: barns) that were all within driving distance of home - so they could drive the (up to) 200 miles to the show, play, and make it back home in time to be able to do their radio show the next morning. (there was a great piece on this on Radio Boston recently)

The Rationales and our pals in Zerobot decided that we like playing together so much that we'd do a run of shows together throughout the state this winter. We're calling it our backyard barnstorm tour. Its off to a great start after fun shows at The Rosebud in Somerville and The Last Safe and Deposit Company in Lowell.

Next up is a night at Ralph's Rock Diner in Worcester on January 30, with Shotgun Waltz... we wrap it all up back in Somerville on March 7 with a killer bill at the Davis Square Theater.  We hope to see you!

Thank You for a Great Year!

2014 Was Amazing! So much has gone right for us this year - and we have you to thank for all of it! In all honesty - to paraphrase a friend - We do this because we HAVE to. But you listen and support us because you want to - and it means the world to us. We have so much fun seeing you out, knowing that you're listening, watching and following us on this adventure! We look forward, as always, to more of all of it in the coming year!

But looking back, here's a quick review in case there's anything you missed!

RELEASES:

We kicked of 2014 with our newest release "Dream of Fire" - a five song EP featuring favorite tracks such as Radio, Drunk All the Time, Let it Go and more... Dream of Fire was named to several "Best of" lists for both 2013 and 2014.

Its available for free streaming at our website or at iTunes and Bandcamp.



The Fall saw us participate in the Boston Does Boston Benefit album. Our contribution was a cover of Mary Lou Lord's song "Some Jingle Jangle Morning". You'l also find the band Dave Crespo's Afterparty's cover of our song Radio on the compilation.

Proceeds from the album benefit the Animal Rescue League of Boston.


Finally we wrapped up the year with the release of our brand new single "All the While". It was released as part of the Keep Safe Boston benefit compilation album. It is the first new song written and recorded with the current lineup of the band and we couldn't be more excited about it. We hope you'll check it out. Any proceeds from its sale benefits Planned Parenthood.



  VIDEOS

    This year also saw releases of two videos from Dream of Fire - a simple Lyric video for "Drunk All the Time"
   

    And an original stop motion animation video made for "This Morning" for us by our friend, China based American artist Anthony Ragucci.

LIVE SHOWS:
There were so many great shows with so many great bands this year - starting with opening for The Sheila Divine at the Sinclair last Christmas as part of Oldjack's Holiday Homage.

We played a bunch of fun shows in Worcester, had a monthly residency of sorts at TT The Bears, Returned to our out of town favorite haunts in Northampton, New York and Salem. Played SxNE's CMJ show, Newport Folk Fest Afterparty: Newport Nights, and The Boston Clawing showcase. Played benefit shows including TT The Bear's for Boston does Boston and Brighton Music Hall for Keep Safe Boston.

Every show we played was special and memorable - but i'd be lying if i didn't say the highlight of it all was the 'dream come true' opportunity we had on June 14 - to play 2 sets at The Blue Hills Bank Pavillion on Boston's Waterfront. Formerly known as Harborlights it is a 5000 Seat ampitheater where we've seen acts ranging from Radiohead, to Wilco, to the Arcade Fire, to Robert Plant, Counting Crowes, etc.etc. It was a big show and we had a blast.

We sincerely appreciate each and every one of you who made it out to a show, told a friend about us, booked a show with us or listened to one of our tracks. You make this what it is - and what it is is awesome.

UPCOMING:
We couldn't be more excited about 2015 - we already have some great shows lined up and are working on our next release - be it a full length or EP - it should be out sooner rather than later! We have some great things planned all throughout the year! We hope you'll join us.

Our first project is a little 'tour' we're calling The Backyard Barnstorm Tour. We and our pals in Zerobot have booked a series of shows throughout the state and will be playing each of them together... along with some amazing other bands. More to be announced soon but for starters:

January 7 (Wed)
THE ROSEBUD DINER - Somerville MA,
THE RATIONALES - ZEROBOT - WHEN PARTICLES COLLIDE

January 17 (Sat)
LAST SAFE & DEPOSIT CO - Lowell, MA
THE RATIONALES - ZEROBOT - Tba

January 30 (Sat)
RALPH'S ROCK DINER - Worcester, MA
THE RATIONALES - ZEROBOT - SHOTGUN WALTZ

Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

love
Dave, Mike, Sean, Chad, & Dave

Wed Dec 10, Big Benefit show at Brighton Music Hall!

We are honored to be a part of KEEP SAFE BOSTON. An amazing benefit show tomorrow night at Brighton Music Hall. KEEP SAFE BOSTON benefits Planned Parenthood with an early show full of great music and comedy.

THE RATIONALES play early - at 7pm (the show starts at 6)

Also part of the night are Corin Ashley, The Color and The Sound, Drab, Club GRCB, Parlour Bells and Jass Bianci with special guest MC, comedian Jody Sloan.

The event is the followup to the recently released 50 track digital benefit album. Which exclusivley features the Rationales newest song "ALL THE WHILE"

PS: Please head over to WZLX and vote for us in the top new songs of the week poll at the bottom of the page so we can stay on the chart next week!

Tonight! THE RATIONALES open for Ghostland Observatory's Aaron Behrans!

Tonight! (Wed Nov 19) at Great Scott (Comm Ave), The RATIONALES and pals The Easy Reasons open for Ghostland Observatory's Aaron Behrens & The Midnight Stroll.

Going to be a blast. Tickets are $12 and the show kicks off at 9! Hope to see you there!

THIS SAT. Early Show at Middle East Cambridge!

The Rationales, The Easy Reasons and The Heave Ho. Middle East Upstairs, Sat Nov 8, 7pm start!! (all ocver and done by 10)

A lot of our pals are often saying they can't make it to the late sets - too much going on on the weekend mornings - well this one's for you. and them. and anyone who wants to rock early and/or catch other shows later. 

Join us! 

This Saturday - The Rationales in NYC!

Very excited to return to NYC for the first time in much too long. Playing at Carroll Place on Bleeker St. at the "For Liberty's Sake" SxNE showcase during CMJ. Hope to see you there NY friends! It's free with RSVP.

Show Tonight! New Song!

New Song! Plus Shows Tonight in MA & Next week in NYC

Cambridge Tonight! CMJ Next Weekend!

Lots to tell you about. Tonight's show at TT The Bear's is a benefit for the Animal Rescue League of Boston called Boston Does Boston. Featuring Boston bands covering other Boston bands, it's a lot of fun.

We are really excited to have recorded our version of Mary Lou Lord's "Some Jingle Jangle Morning". Also we are honored to have DAve Crespos Afterparty doing their take of our tune Radio.

Next Saturday we'll be at Carroll Place in NYC for the SxNE "For Liberty's Sake" Showcase during CMJ. It's been too long since we were last in NY!

The Rationales cover Mary Lou Lord for Boston Does Boston Benefit Series!

There's a great series of recordings that benefit the Animal Rescue League of Boston and The Ratioanles are excited to have taken part in the most recent volume.

If you aren't familiar with the Boston does Boston Benefit Series it's a series of albums that feature Boston based bands choosing a song from another Boston area artist to cover. The proceeds from the release and the show all benefit Animal Rescue League of Boston. Vol.3&4 get released this month and The Rationales are excited to be a part of it. We cover Mary Lou Lord (official music page) and we are honored to be covered by DAve Crespo's After Party. Come check us, Dave and a host of others out this Friday at TT The Bear's Place Inc and see how everyone did!

Here is our contribution - it's our take on Mary Lou's "Some Jingle Jangle Morning". Check it out and come see us Friday as we play the tune live!

CMJ Week Show in NYC Announced!

Vanyaland broke the news today on a show we're really excited to be a part of - "For Liberty's Sake" - a South-by-Northeast showcase taking place on Oct 25, at Carroll Place in NYC (formerly Kenny's Castaways) at the height of CMJ Fest week in NY. 

Bands on the bill  include THE RATIONALES, ALOUD, OLDJACK, NATE LEAVITT BAND, LE ROXY PRO, THE SILKS, TIGERMAN WHOA! - and it's all sponsorted by NARRAGANSETT!

It's free to get in with RSVP (no badges required).

Its going to be good - and we can't wait.

The Rationales return to Northampton!

It's been almost a year but we are finally headed back to Northampton! Playing with our pals Airport at The Basement on Saturday Sept 27 - its always a laid back scene and always a lot of fun. Join us - won't you?

The Basement

21 Center St,
Northampton, MA 01060

Friday August 22 - The Rationales at Sally O'Brien's

Hey friends! Seems like a while since we've played in the Boston area...(two full months without playing inside of 128?!) well we shall fix that this Friday with a return to Union Square....

We haven't played at Sally's in a couple of years and we aim to make up for lost time.

Its a great bill  - The Rationales, Golden West Motor Lodge and LAMPS - a new super-group of sorts featuring Mike from Preacher Roe, Chad from The Rationales, Kevin from Heartattack ack ack ack.

Its worth it just to see their debut show. We will also be breaking out a new song or two - lots of world debuts happening at this show.

We hope to see you there.

9pm, $5. Formal Dress or Costumes required. (not really).

SO Much Fun in Newport!

Thanks to everyone who packed Jimmy's Saloon for the kick ass night of rock n roll post folk fest last night - from Jimmy's and Narragansett for sponsoring, To SXNE for putting it all together  - from Nate Leavitt's heartbreaking beautiful songs; to us having a BLAST playing; to oldjack's feel and grooves; to the Silks and Tigerman WHOA! absolutely destroying the place in turn. SUCH a great night.

it can best be summed up thusly:

See us at NEWPORT NIGHTS Tomorrow - Newport Folk Festival Afterparty!

We couldn't be more excited to join our pal's OldJack on their 2nd annual Newport Nights After party show at Jimmy's Saloon tomorrow night!

Its a stacked bill that features Nate Leavitt, OldJack, Tigerman WHOA!, The Silks and The Rationales. It was listed on MOTIFRI's list of ten shows you don't want to miss at the Newport Folk Fest this weekend (other acts on that top ten list include Jeff Tweedy, Jack White, Deertick, Conor Oberist and Jimmy Cliff)...

We are so excited and thankful to Dan and Oldjack for inviting us to take part in this! Its definitely going to rock and Narragansett  will be on hand! Hope to see you there!

Jimmy's Saloon
Newport RI
8pm Start

New! Animated Music Video for "This Morning"

New: Vanyaland Premeirs New Stop Motion Video for THIS MORNING by The Rationales.

Conceived, directed and painstakingly animated by Artist Anthony Ragucci, while living abroad in Beijing China. The video is striking, visually captivating and adds so much to the experience of hearing the song... 

Check it out :

http://www.vanyaland.com/2014/07/10/vanyaland-premiere-wake-motion-rationales-new-video-morning/

FREE - ALL AGES Show TOMORROW at Fete de la Musique!!

Join us, along with OldJack, Nate Leavitt, The Life Electric and Parlour Bells tomorrow at the Brattle Corner plaza in Harvard Square for a free day of music as part of the Make Music Festival. We play around 6pm and its a free all ages open air show. We've done it the last few years and we always have a great time.
Hope to see you there!!

Pictures from the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Show last weekend.

Photo by Chad Raleigh

Some Photos from the Rationales show at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion on June 14, 2014. (all Photos by Melissa Zeigler unless otherwise noted).

Photo by D. Mirabella

View from Stage at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion before THE RATIONALES show. (D. Mirabella)

Township Live at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion (phto by D. Mirabella)

Chad Raleigh checks out AIRPORT's soundcheck at the BHB Pavilion (Photo by D. Mirabella)

The Rationales arrive at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion 6/14/14

Backstage at the BHB Pavilion at the RATIONALES show June 14

THE RATIONALES Live at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion June 14, 2014

(Photo by Magen Tracy)

The Mirabella Brothers onstage at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion.

Photo by Cathy Piantigini

Photo By Dean Riccardi

This is THE Weekend! -- 2 Huge Shows!

"say all you wanted wanted you?"

So yes. Friends, fun, rock and roll dreams. "It's all happening."

Tonight we play as part of a stellar show at The Davis Sq. Theater in Somerville - WHEN PARTICLES COLLIDE are releasing their new record "Photoelectric" and joining them are ZEROBOT, VARY LUMAR and us Rationales. Its going to be an incredible night of rock and debauchery. Word is this is very close to selling out so grab tix asap - if you miss out you can catch us at a slightly larger venue tomorrow:

Tomorrow - we play at THE FORK IN THE ROAD FESTIVAL - at the BLUE HILLS BANK PAVILION! With our pals in TOWNSHIP and AIRPORT - its an amazing day - 20 or so of Boston's favorite food trucks (inlcuding my personal favorite, Stoked Wood Fired Pizza!!) and 3 kick ass local bands getting to play the main stage. I could go on and on about shows i've seen there - about childhood rock dreams of playing a big venue, about lots of stuff - but i'll just keep it to the details -

SAT JUNE 14
ALL AGES
Adults $15 Kids 12 and under FREE

1200pm - Doors Open/Food Trucks Serving

1230pm - Airport
145pm - The Rationales
3pm - Township

5pm - Township
630pm - Airport
8pm The Rationales

The Rationales at T.T. The Bear's THIS THURSDAY!!

On the Town with Mikey Dee on WMFO is an institution in this town - a great show, with great people, dedicated to showcasing local (and live) music... and they just happen to be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. And we are honored to be a part of it! Tomorrow night (Thursday May 29) The Rationales join a stellar lineup that includes Butterknife, The Wrong Shapes, Corin Ashley, and The SHODS(!) at TT The Bear's Place. There'll be food, drinks, wonderful people and great musics. You should def. try to make it out!
 
And for those of you who haven't been on the On The Town show in a while (or at all) i thought i'd include a photo that sums up the experience for you... 

Coming up

The Rationales have some really amazing shows  coming up in June.

On June 13 we're are excited to play the Davis Square Theater with our friends When Particles Collide, The band formerly known as the Interobang, and Vary Lumar. We've not played the venue before and can't wait to play with our friends in these bands!

 
AND FINALLY - On June 14 - we are playing at The Blue Hills Bank (formerly the bank of america) Pavillion on the waterfront in Boston. Playing with our great friends Airport and Township, I don't think we need to tell you how excited we are to be playing on the same stage on which we've seen Wilco, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, John Forgerty, etc.etc.etc. 

Its called The Fork in the Road Festival - an all day food truck festival - and we play a couple of sets - we hope you come hang, get some noms and catch us at a once in a lifetime (thusfar) gig!

We did NOT meet Jimmy Page!

We may be among the ONLY people in Boston who didn't hang with Jimmy Page this weekend. but that doesn't mean it wasn't an awesome weekend!

We had another great night in Worcester Saturday night - Ralph's is so good to us - and a night of killer sets from everyone - bee's knees kicked off the night with a bang, preacher roe slayed us with their assault of rock. Cold Blood Club from Brooklyn were awesome - can't believe we hadn't seen them before but won't miss them again. Aloud get better and better everytime i see them (and being that they were one of my favorite bands 10 years ago to begin with... that's saying a bunch)... Hey Now Morris Fader just own it, always awesome. And one of the biggest treats of the night was getting to see the Nervous Eaters just absolutely kill it. So good. A testament that real rock is immune to time and trends - these guys are downright awesome.

Next show for us is a big one- we are psyched to be a part of the ON THE TOWN WITH MIKEY DEE 25th ANNIVERSARY SHOW at TT THE BEAR'S on Thursday 5/29. The bill features Butterknife, Corin Ashley & Friends, The Wrong Shapes, and The Unholy III! Tickets are on sale now - you should grab some early - anyone who's played music for any length of time in Boston, have likely been on ON THE TOWNand if not they know what an institution, what a support for the scene,what a great show staffed by great people it has been for so many years. 

Come show your thanks and support to these good people for all they do for the music scene in this area as the4y celebrate 25 years on the air.