August Burns Red got some help from A Day To Remember vocalist Jeremy McKinnon on their new track ‘Ghosts’ which tries to put a spotlight on the problem of homeless people in this country. The band’s new album, “Found In Far Away Places” is released on June 30th through Fearless Records. The video can be watched below.
“Found In Far Away Places” debuted at #4 on the Top Albums Chart, #9 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 Independent Album, and #1 on the iTunes Metal Chart.
“We are the ghosts of the midway, the beasts of the alley,” August Burns Red singer Jake Luhrs bellows at the start of ‘Ghosts,’ a standout cut off the band’s latest album, “Found in Far Away Places.” “We are the living dead, living in your nightmares.”
Many metal bands have written songs about zombies, phantoms and other nightmarish creatures, but Luhrs is actually singing about very real people — the homeless — and’commenting on how many people view them as lesser than human or ignore them altogether. ‘Ghosts’ features a vocal assist from A Day to Remember frontman Jeremy McKinnon, who sings pointedly later in the song: “Act like you know me, but do you even know yourself?”
“I think a lot of people, myself included, have always walked by homeless people or those less fortunate, and either ignored them or immediately thought that they must have done something wrong to be in their current situation,” guitarist Brent Rambler says of the theme of ‘Ghosts.’ “No one ever seems to take the time to stop and think that a small series of events can put you right in their place. A lot of homeless people led normal lives just like everyone else before they landed on the streets, and they deserve help and respect to get back on their feet. Not judgmental looks and whispers.”
August Burns Red bring this concept vividly to life in the video for ‘Ghosts,’ which intercuts scenes of homeless people on streets (and retraces their backstory, finding military veterans and family men who lost it all) with live footage of the band throwing down. You can catch the group doing just that at a venue near you when they hit the road this winter with Every Time I Die and Stick to Your Guns. In support of those in need, ABR will be hosting a food drive alongside each show to benefit local food banks in each city; fans who donate two or more cans will receive an exclusive poster. For dates, visit the band’s Facebook page.
Upcoming Shows:
Oct 13 Progresia Warsaw, Poland
Oct 14 Postbahnhof Berlin, Germany
Oct 16 Markthalle Hamburg, Germany
Oct 17 Turbinehalle Oberhausen, Germany
Oct 18 Vans Warped Tour UK London, United Kingdom
Oct 20 02 Academy Leicester, United Kingdom
Oct 21 02 Academy Newcastle, United Kingdom
Oct 22 Engine Shed Lincoln, United Kingdom
Oct 23 02 ABC Glasgow, United Kingdom
Oct 24 Fat Sams Dundee, United Kingdom
Oct 25 Garage Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Oct 27 02 Academy Sheffield, United Kingdom
Oct 28 The Ritz Manchester, United Kingdom
Nov 04 Metropolis Fremantle, Australia
Nov 05 HQ Adelaide, Australia
Nov 06 Forum Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
Nov 07 Forum Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
Nov 08 170 Russell Melbourne Vic, Australia
Nov 12 Roundhouse Sydney, Australia
Nov 13 Cambridge Hotel Newcastle West, Australia
Nov 14 Triffid Brisbane, Australia
Nov 15 Triffid Brisbane, Australia
Nov 27 TLA Philadelphia, PA
Nov 28 Palladium Worcester, MA
Nov 29 Metropolis Montreal, Canada
Dec 01 Danforth Toronto, Canada
Dec 02 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
Dec 03 Bogarts Cincinnati, OH
Dec 04 House of Blues Chicago, IL
Dec 05 Skyway Theater Minneapolis, MN
Dec 07 Granada Lawrence, KS
Dec 08 Cains Ballroom Tulsa, OK
Dec 09 Alamo City Music Hall San Antonio, TX
Dec 10 House of Blues Dallas, TX
Dec 11 Warehouse Live Houston, TX
Dec 12 House of Blues New Orleans, LA
Dec 14 Rocketown Nashville, TN
Dec 15 Center Stage Atlanta, GA
Dec 16 Amo’s Southend Charlotte, NC
Dec 18 NorVA Norfolk, VA
Dec 19 Soundstage Baltimore, MD
Dec 20 Chameleon Club Lancaster, PA
Mar 19 Self Help Festival San Bernardino, CA
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Video below: ‘Ghosts’ (Feat. Jeremy McKinnon)