NJ's Alt Rock Band Dinosaur Eyelids Release New Album LEFT TURN ON RED This Friday, 11/24

NJ quartet Dinosaur Eyelids release "Left Turn on Red" this Friday, 11/24, their first new record since 2014's breakthrough album "Bypass to Nowhere". With "Left Turn on Red", the band cover the full emotional spectrum ranging from feverish indie rock to beautiful folky ballads. Vocalist Evan Staats leads the musical charge, and guitarist Patrick McKnight says, "Evan is a truly incredible singer. His voice makes everything we write sound better."

Described by Bobby Olivier of "NJ.com" as "...a propulsive outfit blending hard-rock, punk and psychedelia...", "The Lids" have built a loyal following around energetic live performances and thoughtful songwriting. A band of musical miscreants united by a common love of rock and roll, the members met when vocalist Evan Staats; guitarist Patrick McKnight; bassist Scott Staats; and drummer Dan Fishtein grew up together in the small town of Montgomery, NJ.

"Left Turn on Red", which is already charting on college radio, was recorded at Amwell Studios by producer Mark Leone, and was mastered by Gene Freeman (aka Machine), who is best known for producing groups including Clutch, Fall Out Boy, and Cobra Starship. The band worked in the studio with musical mentor Ed Wilson, who has helped artists including Ween and Chris Harford.

The first single from "Left Turn on Red" is "Basilone Bridge". McKnight describes the infectious track as "a messed-up love song about a fallen angel living under a bridge. The title comes from an actual bridge over the Raritan River honoring WWII hero John Basilone. The pounding drums, wailing guitar, and searing vocals set the tone for other high-volume album tracks such as 'Day Zero' and 'Into the Woods.'"

Here's a link to stream "Basilone Bridge":

https://soundcloud.com/dinosaureyelids/basilone-bridge

Adding balance to the album are tracks like "No Money Blues". Evan says, "This song is about having no money but not letting it worry you in the moment because you're surrounded by friends, loved ones, music and you have a good buzz going. It's a love song of sorts, but it's also an ode to the joys of drinking and music."

Sharing a belief that "rock n' roll is supposed to be the music of the outsiders; subversive, rebellious, and fun", the group emerged on the scene in 2009. They cut their teeth performing regularly at New Brunswick's famed Court Tavern and thriving basement show circuit. Another favorite venue is John and Peter's in New Hope, PA, where they first crossed paths with Mickey Melchiondo aka Dean Ween, (Ween, Moistboyz, Dean Ween Group, Queens of the Stone Age) who frequently joins them on stage.

The Lids have played over 100 shows and opened for Parlor Mob, Tango Machina and Wheatus. A 100% DIY outfit, the group released their debut album, "Winter Solstice" in 2009 followed by 2011's "Down A River", which received nationwide airplay.

Their third album, "Conflagration", featuring the single "VALIS", was released in 2012. 2014's "Bypass to Nowhere" debuted at #1 at WRSU Rutgers Radio. "Jersey Beat's" Leslie Snyder described the album as, "A mind blowing adventure...Dinosaur Eyelids sings emotionally intense alternative rock songs about life, love, and heartache while sounding similar to Nirvana and Neil Young with their soulful vocals and thunderous alternative rock melodies that will make one's senses tingle and eardrums throb."

"Alternative Nation" named the band one of their top ten groups to listen to in 2016. Riley Rowe wrote, "Some may say alternative music is defined by attitude and Dinosaur Eyelids' snappy verses followed by crunching riffs is quite clearly one that exerts a tasteful amount of angst and energy. They recently released their fourth album, 'Bypass to Nowhere', a melting pot of 90's grunge and modern rock that make up the diverse array of twelve hard-hitting tracks."

McKnight jokes, "We may not be profitable, but we are prolific. We may never be rich, but we will always be loud."

"We're not sure where we fit into the modern music scene, or even if we fit in anywhere at all", he explains. "That's not what we really care about. We don't make dance music or play synthesizers. We play loud rock and roll music and believe in alternative rock as a genre. We want to make something authentic for kids to listen to in basements and garages across America." "Left Turn on Red" is just such a record.

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