Hailing from the stucco-swathed suburbs of Orange County, California, Adult Books is a product of the region’s rich punk rock tradition. Friends and musical collaborators since high school, the band formed out of Southern California’s fertile DIY house show scene. Their self-titled 2012 debut EP (Lolipop Records, Burger Records) turned heads with its infectious melodies and sharp-tongued lyrical wit. It has since gone on to become Lolipop’s best-selling and most-pressed cassette. Subsequent releases from hardcore-leaning Vitriol Records and UK-based anorak pop imprint Box Bedroom Rebels speak to the band’s diverse set of influences and universal songwriting appeal.
Now based in Los Angeles, Adult Books operates in a liminal zone informed by both small-town ennui and urban isolation. Their first full-length LP, Running from the Blows (out March 4 on Lolipop Records) is a decidedly darker effort, although the band’s knack for memorable hooks remains stronger than ever. The album’s driving post-punk sound draws on the melancholy melodies of New Order, the shimmering guitar work of The Smiths and the nervy urgency of The Wipers. Alternating between sardonic and sincere, the tightly crafted lyrics strive for an emotional honesty even at their most ambiguous.
After a string of successful support slots for acts including FIDLAR, The Garden, Nu Sensae and Tijuana Panthers, as well as legends like OFF!, The Vibrators and Mike Watt, Adult Books has earned its spot as a standout in the LA music scene. A busy touring schedule for 2016 and a tireless work ethic based on musical perfection and progression are sure to solidify the band’s continued success on a national and international stage.
3/1 – Miami, FL – Kill Your Idol
3/2 – Lake Worth, FL – Propaganda
3/3 – Savannah, GA – Dollhouse
3/4 – Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium (Record Release)
3/5 – NYC, NY – Cake Shop
3/7 – Boston, MA – O’Briens Pub
3/9 – Cleveland, OH – Mahall’s 20 lanes w/ Mope Grooves
3/10 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
3/11 – Indianapolis, IN – State Street Pub
3/12 – Ft Wayne, IN – Brass Rail
3/13 – Kansas City, MO – TBA
3/14 – Tulsa, OK – Sound Pony w/ Mope Grooves
3/15 – Austin, TX – SXSW Hotel Vegas
3/16 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/17 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/18 – Austin, TX – SXSW Spider House
3/19 – Austin, TX – SXSW
3/20 – San Antonio, TX – Burger Hangover Fest
3/21 – Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves ^
3/22 – Denver, CO @ High Dive ^
3/23 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Diabolical Records ^
3/24 – Seattle, WA @ Lucky Liquor %
3/25 – Boise, ID @ Tree Fort Music Fest
3/26 – Portland, OR @ TBA % $
3/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar %
3/29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Blue Lagoon % #
^ with The Rich Hands
% with Cool Ghouls
$ with Psychomagic
# with Babewatch
Running from the Blows
2. I Don’t Think I Can Stay
3. In Front of Myself
4. Suburban Girlfriend
5. Running from the Blows
6. Nihilism for Beginners
7. Firewalking
8. Silver Lake Goths
9. Lobby Talks
10. Hours on Hands
11. Visions / Revisions