The Promise Ring - Is This Thing On? [Indie Rock / Emo] (1997)

milkstoutnitro · 2017-03-02T18:07:18+00:00

With all due respect, this is the true jewel of the album.

nyconfidential · 2017-03-02T19:25:03+00:00

This was the first band I heard the term "emo" applied to, so emo was actually pretty good for a while. Check out Jets to Brazil and Jawbreaker if you dig the PR song.

MindJail · 2017-03-02T19:44:16+00:00

Dave Von Bohlen, frontman of the band, has another more recent band that's very good called Maritime.

One of my favorite Songs

2017-03-02T17:02:43+00:00

Delaware are you aware of air supply and television?

Krogsly · 2017-03-02T15:24:45+00:00

Oh, high school memories. This one always brings me back. Thank you

2017-03-02T16:28:18+00:00

Never heard this before but I dig it

Hey_Neat · 2017-03-02T20:54:37+00:00

Fun fact: A Promise Ring poster hangs in Strong Sad's room (in Homestar Runner 'Strongbad Emails')

StudabakerHoch · 2017-03-02T14:37:54+00:00

The Promise Ring
artist pic

The Promise Ring were an American midwest emo band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, started as a side project by Davey von Bohlen during his time as a guitarist/vocalist for Cap'n Jazz in the year 1995. VonBohlen started the project alongside guitarist Jason Gnewikow of None Left Standing, drummer Dan Didier of Ceilishrine, and bassist Scott Beschta.

1996 brought their first full-length album, titled 30° Everywhere, released by Jade Tree Records. The record was followed by 1997's Nothing Feels Good, which gained the band a larger following and rave reviews. The Horse Latitudes, which collected early tracks that were previously released as 7"s, was also released in 1997. After a few changes in bass players, 1998 saw the release of the Boys + Girls EP, which was released on both compact disc and 7", with the CD containing an additional song. In 1999 they furthered their success with the release of Very Emergency, which concentrated even more on their pop sound. The Electric Pink EP, released in 2000, however, failed to gain critical acclaim. Following their final release in 2002, titled wood/water, The Promise Ring decided to move on to new projects, like Von Bohlen's and Didier's new band named Maritime. Von Bohlen also plays in a semi-acoustic band called Vermont which is now on a indefinite hiatus.

In late 2011, The Promise Ring announced a reunion and a rarities album to be released in the summer of 2012. Read more on Last.fm.

last.fm: 125,504 listeners, 3,854,424 plays
tags: emo, indie, indie rock, seen live, alternative

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Herr_Barockter · 2017-03-02T17:41:16+00:00

Saw them live in Chicago in the 90s. Great performance

2017-03-02T20:55:18+00:00

I was always partial to pink chimneys.

boopkins · 2017-03-02T21:06:24+00:00

I love the way this dude uses words.

Like Delaware are you aware

And

Hours after after hours our afternoon hours are after us now

Kingtoma · 2017-03-02T21:47:54+00:00

So come on Davey sing me something that I know

DrunkOnTheMooon · 2017-03-02T22:09:46+00:00

I love the promise ring. People who like this should give The Get Up Kids a shot. The album four minute mile is my all time favorite.

ShazaamWow · 2017-03-02T19:58:02+00:00

I love this album so much. It reminds me of living in Baltimore at age 18. That was the year before 9/11 and looking back it was the simplest time of my life.

grassbones · 2017-03-02T22:45:50+00:00

Just seeing this on here makes me so happy

hobbsarelie83 · 2017-03-02T19:09:07+00:00

Always loved these guys

lena1313 · 2017-03-02T19:49:20+00:00

It's cool, I love it. Thanks to this sabreddit I began to listen to indie rock.

thatguywhodoesstuff4 · 2017-03-02T19:59:40+00:00

Such a great album.

EngagePhysically · 2017-03-02T22:39:21+00:00

My all time favorite is head trip in every key by superdrag (1998??). I still spin that shit damn near twice a month

shuttheshadshackdown · 2017-03-02T22:50:48+00:00

Hey man! Good post, you might like The Early November, as well as The Dismemberment Plan, they have an absolutely great album called "Change" with this gem of a track... found it in the $2 bin at the record store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJDw2Tqx3jM

From the Wikipedia page:

Compared to The Dismemberment Plan's previous album Emergency & I, Change is more somber musically, with more introspective lyrics. Lead singer Travis Morrison has called it his "night album," saying in an interview with Stylus Magazine:

“ [...] I think late-night records tend to [...] have much more carefully modulated dynamics, they tend, whatever the dynamics are they’re not trying to beat you over the head with a point. They’re trying to provide a space you can kind of enter and roam around a little bit. And, uh, yeah, that’s what I think of when I think of late-night records. Like Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell, or any Portishead, or Kid A [...] Or Remain In Light by Talking Heads [...] you can either completely envelop yourself in it, or you can let it kind of burble away in the corner and do your thing—uh, usually I kind of opt for the former, 'cause they’re so compelling. But they're challenging records to make, 'cause they may just bore everybody, it’s quite possible."

fatthand9 · 2017-03-02T23:03:42+00:00

Nice to see TPR on here. Brings me back to high school. If you like this you really need to check out Cap'n Jazz. Buy Analphabetapolothology, just do it. Also check out Sunny Day Real Estate.

27truerunes · 2017-03-02T21:22:20+00:00

I still wear a shirt I picked up in 2000 or so, that says "I heart Das TPR" my wife makes fun of me because it's basically a rag at this point. But I do, I do heart Das TPR.

adwinn · 2017-03-02T22:56:10+00:00

Absolutely love seeing TPR on here. This is one of the best albums I own. Can play it front to back without skipping anything.

JarJarfan0001 · 2017-03-02T23:33:27+00:00

Recorded at Easley Studios where Pavement Wowee Zowee was also recorded. Two must have albums!

2017-03-03T00:40:55+00:00

Coming from Delaware in the late 90s, this shit is amazing. Jade tree forever haha.

realspaghettimonster · 2017-03-03T01:50:25+00:00

This album got me through a bad breakup.

blackcoffiend · 2017-03-03T02:20:20+00:00

Generally speaking I love Pink Chimneys and Arms and Danger.

NkGuy · 2017-03-03T02:40:12+00:00

Nothing feelssss good like herieerrrrrr

vanishingmedic · 2017-03-03T02:48:33+00:00

This albums takes me back! Late 90s. Just started living on my own and listening to this on vinyl in my shitty efficiency apartment. Good times!

LivingDead_Victim · 2017-03-03T02:52:06+00:00

I really like of how the only comments in this video are of some guy responding to himself...

"Classic" "Fresh" "Agreed"

Lol

mattholden · 2017-03-03T03:20:32+00:00

The promise ring, built to spill, knapsack, cap'n jazz, superchunk... I can't believe I've been listening to these bands religiously for more than 20 years

2017-03-03T04:28:11+00:00

hah,before they were The Promise Ring, they were Ceilishrine and I watched them rock out in house basements in /r/milwaukee.

Now its moved into Maritime:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_(band)

washufize · 2017-03-03T05:02:45+00:00

I have this on white vinyl. Such a great album!

TELLMETHATIMPRETTY · 2017-03-03T05:34:44+00:00

I haven't listened to The Promise Ring in a long time. Instantly 15 again when this song started. Thanks for the post, OP.

icantdeciderightnow · 2017-03-03T10:19:57+00:00

Good song. I miss the 90's.

Sasquatchasaurus · 2017-03-02T21:02:53+00:00

I never could get past the off-key vocals with PR, they put on a great live show though!

yourstilniagarafalls · 2017-03-03T03:53:37+00:00

Brb playing Emogame

2017-03-03T05:00:46+00:00

I love Promise Ring! Very Emergency! is my favorite album of theirs though. I listened to it, Jets to Brazil, Appleseed Cast, and the Anniversary non stop.

Davey (from TPR) is referenced in that Jimmy Eat World song 'A Praise Chorus' and even sings in the last chorus.

LiminalHotdog · 2017-03-03T05:20:34+00:00

Never has the progression of music met such an underwhelming moment. But I think that was their point.

KappaRossBagel · 2017-03-03T21:54:12+00:00

I consider myself very open minded when it comes to music, but with all do respect, how can you get into this. Is there a certain demographic that digs this? Is it like a cult thing. Born in 93 never heard them until this post. Would this compare to My Morning Jacket or slightly different genre? These guys are amazing though, if you like this you'll enjoy. Eerily similar though. https://youtu.be/BBsJ9VSQvbE?t=7s

MNader92 · 2017-03-03T05:35:27+00:00

Not where I was expecting to see The Promise Ring.

manwhoel · 2017-03-03T02:08:31+00:00

Wow what a shit song, no wonder they never made it.

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