The Rationales

Well That Was Fun

2011-11-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

THANK YOU:

Thanks to everyone one who came out to The Lizard Lounge the other night and helped fill the room with awesomeness. Being that it's such an intimate and relaxed room, The Lizard is one of our favorite places to play and Friday was definitely up there on our "favorite shows" list. We shook up our set a little, mixing in a couple of older tunes, a couple of newer tunes and one brand new song and we couldn't be happier with the way it all went. Of course the only thing better then playing such a fun rock show is sharing the bill with great bands like Airport and The Wooden Sky.

Airport was fantastic!! Great rock songs complete with kick ass harmonies and my favorite...guitarmonies! Their new album is available RIGHT HERE. Pick it up, you'll love it.

The Wooden Sky left me speechless. Their set was perfect right down to a pretty outstanding cover of All Apologies by Nirvana. Their new album is set to drop sometime in the near future but in the meantime they have released (digital and on cassette) "City Of Light" a 6 song E.P. I can't stop listening to. Check it out: http://thewoodensky.bandcamp.com/album/city-of-light-ep

NEXT UP:

This Friday the band will be jumping in the old van* and heading down to NYC for our first ever show at The National Underground. We hit the stage at 9pm so please come join us if your in the New York area. Our trips to New York are always a lot of fun and full of ridiculousness so look forward to some of those stories next week.

For those of you staying in Boston this weekend may I recommend JPo Int'l Airport, Muy Cansado, Brendan Boogie & Future Carnivores @ ME Up. I'm sad to be missing such a great bill. All of these bands are awesome and it's kind of a special occasion as our good friend and occasional bandmate Brendan Boogie will be playing his "last" show as you and I know him. He will be throwing away everything from his image to his entire catalog of music and starting from scratch. It's an interesting concept and kind of refreshing in a way. I for one can't wait to see what comes next.

To clue people in on his decision to make these changes Brendan posted this very mysterious video:

Which The Rationales immediately spoofed:

All in good fun of course!

Thanks again to The Wooden Sky, Airport, The Lizard Lounge and of course all of you for making Friday night awesome.

If you have friends in the NYC area who like new bands and live music please let them know that we are coming to town this Friday and we'd love to meet them.

See you all soon!

*we have no old van or new van for that matter

October Update! Big Shows Coming Up!

2011-10-18T17:44:00.001-04:00

Big shows coming up in CAMBRIDGE and NEW YORK

What a great couple of months we've had. From TV and Radio appearances to the opening of the new club RADIO and some really nice reviews received. We're really enjoying Fall 2011. We can't say enough how grateful we are for all the support we've received from you. The Distance In Between has far exceeded our expectations in terms of response. If you haven't heard it yet you can stream it for free at therationales.com, and its available at iTunes and CD Baby.

If you are familiar with the record, Please consider heading over to iTunes and leaving a review? We'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts! We are hard at work on a new batch of songs, and really excited to tell you about two big shows we have coming up in early November - One in Boston, One in NYC:

The Lizard Lounge Cambridge 11/11
Anyone who's ever joined us for a night at the Lizard knows its always a fun night. Well, we couldn't be happier about this show - sharing the night with Airport, one of our favorite local bands who will be releasing their new CD that night and showcasing their tight powerpop hooks rock energy, and Toronto's The Wooden Sky, one of our favorite touring acts, previewing their soon to be released 3rd LP and playing some of the best rural indie dark folk and rock you'll hear anywhere. Its going to be a first rate rock show with a bunch of brand new Rationales songs. Get your tickets NOW as with these acts on the bill this show will likely be packed.

The National Underground (New York) 11/18
Its been a while since we've played in New York and we are excited to be returning on Friday November 18. We'll be playing at the National Underground for the first time. The National Underground is a great club owned by Gavin DeGraw at 159 E. Houston Street. We hope to see you there! We hit the upstairs stage around 830pm and we happen to know from experience that The National Underground is always a fun hang. We will be playing some new songs and generally having a great time.

August 15 News Update!

2011-08-15T15:48:00.001-04:00

Greetings friends!

Several things here on the heels of a great weekend show in NYC!

Many thanks to Anngelle Wood for playing our song Tongue Tied on Boston Emissions on WZLX last night! You can see the playlist or listen to the show here. (also please vote for us in the 'new song of the week' poll if you see fit!)
THIS SATURDAY! We are playing the Rosebud Bar in Davis Square with good friends The Shellye Valauskas Experience and a special suprise guest! Please come over and see what we've been up to - we may have a new song or two to play for you!
We have a bunch of Radio and Television appearances coming up over the next month - check the shows page for more info!
The Distance In Between has received a bunch of new reviews - head over to the Press page to see the latest people are saying about the record!

And as always - thanks for your interest, and your support!

Rationales July News Update

2011-07-12T15:33:00.000-04:00

Just checking in with some news from the land of The Rationales. We've really enjoyed and appreciated the spring and early summer. We released The Distance In Between to a great reception and have played some fun shows with great friends! We're also hard at work on new tunes and might be releasing something new by year's end.

Boston Area Show This week!
This week we're playing a really big show. Thursday July 14, at TT The Bear's!
Sharing the bill with our pals in i,Pistol who are celebrating their CD release show. Also on the bill are Reverse and Taiwan Typhoon. We play at about 1030 but you should come out for the other bands as well. We'll be playing a new tune or two and it promises to be a night to remember!

New York City Show Next month!
For those of you in, or with friends in, or who want to travel with us to New York, We return to Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side on Saturday August 13!
We're playing a special early show that has us onstage at 7pm and done by 8 - leaving you plenty of time to hang with us at the club or head off to other plans later in the evening. We don't get down to NYC as often as we'd like and we'd really love the chance to see you there!

The Distance In Between!
The record is doing really well and has met with nearly universally good reviews.
You can grab your at iTunes BandCamp,or CD Baby - or at a show - we hope to see you soon!

Latest News

2011-06-25T14:26:00.000-04:00

We had a great 24 hour road trip to NYC yesterday and had a GREAT show at Arlene's Grocery! Thanks so much to everyone who came out so early to see us. We Love playing Arlene's!

NEXT UP: We play on a GREAT show at TTs on 7/14 as part of the iPistol CD release show for Trust. We couldn't be more psyched to play with these guys and the bill is amazing with Taiwan Typhoon and Reverse on the Bill as well. Get your summer time thursday night Rock on and join us!

Also - We're psyched to announce that yours truley, Dave Mirabella has had the honor of being invited to participate in ONE NIGHT BAND this year - if you don't know about the concept its amazing. 40 musicians from different bands meet at a club at 10am. Names are drawn randomly out of a hat and they are paired up into bands. They then have one day to write 3 songs and learn one cover in time to perform that evening at the middle east downstairs. Save the date September 24 - its going to be amazing!

Finally: Watch soon for Sean 'canadian thunder' Black's special north of the border edition of 10 top albums.
And remember - THE DISTANCE IN BETWEEN is available at iTunes, BandCamp, CD BABY, KoolKat Music and loads of other places. Get a copy today!

Top 10 Albums Revisited: Mike Mirabella

2011-06-12T14:57:00.003-04:00

I can only choose 10 huh? So many ways to go...Albums that directly influence my playing? Albums that I can't stop listening to? Albums that I grew up on? I guess I'll go for the best of all of that... in no particular order we have..

1. Weezer- Pinkerton
2. Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
3. Counting Crows-August and Everything After
4. The Beatles 1962-1966 ( I know it's a collection but I played along with it every day when I first started playing drums.)
5. Arcade Fire-Funeral
6. Pearl Jam-Ten
7. Tom Petty -Full Moon Fever
8. Green Day- Dookie
9. Nada Surf -Let Go
10. Dr. Dre- The Chronic (no joke)

Top Ten Album Project Revisisted - Dave Mirabella

2011-06-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Since we're doing repeats and I'm far too static in my tastes to add much to my original top ten I'm going to go with a song list - specifically - the top ten songs guaranteed to snap me out of whatever lame-ass mood i'm in and get me ready to kick ass.

1. Beast and Dragon Adored - Spoon
"It took its time a-working into my soul, I got to believe it come from rock and roll"
2. This Boy is Exhausted - The Wrens
"But then Greg plugs in A treble checking that says we might win "
3. Domani - Twilight Singers
"I'm never coming down, sop beautiful, no one around...."
4. Your pretty Things - Get Up Kids
"the ground beneath your feet isn't as stable as you thought."
5. Aside - Weakerthans
"rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony"
6. North Dakota - The Wooden Sky
"and left those lights to burn behind us"
7. Buzzards and Dreadful Crows - Guided by Voices
"there's something in this deal for everyone"
8. Lone Star Song - Grant Lee Buffalo
" Words that can't help but escape my mouth"
9. Landslide Baby - Beulah
"And I knew you'd never stay forever, Holding it together, making songs for me"
10. The kiss - The Cure
"i never wanted this"

Top Ten Album Project Revisisted - Matt Goldfield

2011-05-28T19:49:00.002-04:00

here's my new top 10. I didn't do any repeats from last time. It was actually a lot of fun looking at the progression from the last time to this time - even though these were (almost) all albums I was listening to when I was younger, it was surprising how what is influencing me shifted over the last couple years.

In no particular order...

1) Sticky Fingers, The Rolling Stones

My favorite Stones album. I might have listened to Moonlight Mile more than 1000 times. Bluesy, etherial and perfect.

2) Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys

The story goes, the first time my dad met me after I was born, he sang 'Barbara Ann' to me. I guess that gave me a predisposition for the sweet harmonies of the Beach Boys...

3) Axis:Bold As Love, Jimi Hendrix

People convinced me that Jimi Hendrix was is a high school phase all rockers have to go through. But I keep coming back to him. So good.

4) OK Computer, Radiohead

This album pushes harmonic and time boundaries while still remaining a great rock album in its essense. I'm not sure what my favorite Radiohead album is, but if I had to pick an album I wished I could sound like, this would be it.

5) Punch, Punch Brothers

Taking American roots music about 5 levels out into the stratosphere.

6) Closer, Better Than Ezra

The sound track to my freshman year of college. To quote the great Kevin McMahon... "wanna fight about it?"

7) The Sermon, Jimi Smith

One of the great developers of Hammond Organ as a lead instrument doing his thing. And some hot licks.

8) A Love Supreme, John Coltrane

I think this is the record that really convinced me that technical playing and making art are completely different. Of course 'trane does both though...

9) Vienna Concert, Keith Jarrett

One fully improvized hour of piano magic. He's definitely a jazz player, but there are moments here where I feel like he's talking to Nicky Hopkins when he was playing on Exile.

10)Fire & Grace, Alasdair Frazer and Natalie Haas

Celtic music definitely plays a big part in my listening and mandolin playing. Its started to seep into my piano playing lately. This is an album I've always gone back to since I heard this duet live a little over a decade ago.

Another new Review of the Distance In Between!

2011-05-27T21:24:00.001-04:00

Power pop/rock

Boston-based pop rock outfit The Rationales are poised to impress their brand of music on you with their latest, “The Distance In-between”. Following 2008’s EP, “The Going and the Gone”, “The Distance In-between" represents a significant step forward into territory singer-guitarist David Mirabella knows well – a land populated with sharp hooks, groovy harmonies, smart lyrics, and uplifting melodies.

It is really difficult to identify the cream of the crop on this record as so many of the songs contain moments worth talking about. But at the end of the day, the tunes I wanted to go back to immediately including the simmering opener, “Real Life”, the breezy “Burned Again”, and Tom Petty-flavored “Slower-Faster”. Most of you will probably be able to spot the distinctive vocals of Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom) punching up “Another Moon”. I actually found “The Distance In-between” to be one of those records that gets better towards the end. Most bands stack their best right up front, but in my opinion this record starts off reasonably good then gets great. Case in point: the gritty and inspiring “Still We Believe” is a fantastic example of how much heart goes into their music.

“The Distance In-between” is a quantum leap forward for The Rationales – a terrifically cohesive record that is sure to please fans of pop rock that have a closet fetish for a pinch of alt-country. Should you check out this band? To not do so would be…illogical.
- BMF Bill's Music Forum

Available on iTunes!

Early Reviews of THE DISTANCE IN BETWEEN

2011-05-24T20:58:00.000-04:00

We've been very fortunate to have already received some great press for the new record - here's a sampling of the recent reviews!

"A couple of lineup shifts haven’t shaken the Rationales’ approach in crafting what they’ve come to do so well: finely wrought, lushly layered pop that sounds effortless in its execution. On the band’s breezy yet burnished full-length follow-up to ’08’s “The Going and the Gone’’ EP, singer-guitarist David Mirabella drives the quintet — which now includes brother Mike (Scamper) on drums, Sean Black (the Eines) on bass, new addition Pete Zeigler (Hey Now, Morris Fader) on guitar, and founding keyboardist Matt Goldfield — through 10 tracks that tackle what the title promises. Winning tracks like “Tongue Tied’’ and “Burned Again’’ explore the emotional as well as physical spaces that mark the distance between getting from here to there (whatever your emotional “there’’ may be), while others (“Another Moon,’’ featuring Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janovitz on backing vocals) take stock of the places you end up. “Real Life,’’ which opens the album on a strong note, examines both sides of the equation with a power pop flair fringed with alt-country detail."
-Jonathan Perry, The Boston Globe, May 13, 2011

A fine hooks-and-harmonies power-pop band...
-Brett Milano, Boston Herald, May 13, 2011

Swirling pop, empathetic vocals in front of strong Americana-influenced rock; that's the creative footprint on this new record. And then there's the songwriting! Who hasn't lived out a heartache or asked questions of a starry sky? Behind these thoughts; building bass, guitar and drums drive us home... The Distance In Between is the new creative flag in the sand for Boston songwriter David Mirabella and his band, The Rationales.
Listening to the record this morning, once again - in anticipation of their near capacity album release tonight at the Lizard Lounge, I realize this is one of the best songwriting outfits in New England music today. The Rationales’ previous release, the EP “The Going and the Gone,” was described by the Boston Globe as one of the finest local releases of the year in 2009. Mirabella has a way with words - carefully crafting the language of his soul. That transference works very well with the help of the band; founding member Matt Goldfield (keys), Kevin McMahon (guitar), Sean Black (bass), Mike Mirabella (drums) and Pete Zeigler (guitar).
The Distance In Between was recorded and produced by David Mirabella and Q Division maestro Ed Valauskas (Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Juliana Hatfield, Graham Parker, Jenny Dee). The album notably contains a special appearance by Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz - singing on "Another Moon." This new effort, from start to finish is one that belongs in your record collection. Highly Recommended.
- Ryan's Smashing Life, May 14, 2011

The Rationales singer/songwriter David Mirabella may be in a permanently depressed state, but fortunately he's managed to keep it a secret from his band, who prop up his introspective songs with the sturdy Americana of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and the chiming jangle of early REM. The resulting hybrid - a rootsy, melancholic power pop - sounds so immediately familiar that it could be easy for some listeners to overlook if they don't take the time to appreciate the finer details in the band's arrangements. Whether it's a contrapuntal keyboard figure in opening track "Real Life" or the arpeggiated lead in the pop perfection of "Jaded", the Rationales aren't afraid to disrupt their own smooth surfaces by forcing the instruments to spar for attention, and it's exactly that aspect that sets this Boston band apart and above from so many like-minded ultra-melodic moody popsters, from the Gin Blossoms to Teenage Fanclub. Give The Distance In Between some time to sink in, and you'll be rewarded with a magic beyond its obvious hooks - and hey, those hooks by themselves should be strong enough for an army of positive reviews, it's just that there's much more going on here than a casual first listen might suggest. This is the very definition of a grower.
- Un-Herd Music

Led by lead singer-songwriter/guitarist David Mirabella, The Rationales have become a local favorite in the Boston music scene. Having settled into a more complete lineup, Mirabella and co. are excited to celebrate the release of the local rockers’ new album, The Distance In Between, this Saturday at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. With that in mind, we thought we’d catch up with Mirabella to discuss the new album, the show and the state of The Rationales. Click below for Interview...
- Boston Music Spotlight

The Rationales have taken their Wilco, Tom Petty and Big Star influenced sound and injected it with a hefty dose of late ’90s indie rock in the vein of Buffalo Tom, Teenage Fanclub and Matthew Sweet. What do all of those acts have in common? Great songs. So it is with Dave Mirabella and his bandmates. The Distance In Between is a damn fine record. “Tongue Tied” and “Another Moon” both have a nice mid-tempo feel. “Braedon” and “Jaded” ratchet the energy up a level. “Still We Believe” is anthemic. Spot on backing vocals and melodic guitar lines compliment every track. The production is excellent. Like I said, a damn fine record. Guitarist Kevin McMahon takes over lead vocal duties on one of my favorite tracks, “Try To Tell Me”. This song was driving me crazy. The overall sound reminded me of another record I couldn’t place. Finally I realize that the song sounds like it could have come from John P. Strohm’s criminally overlooked Vestavia album. That’s good company to keep. I’ll leave you with this snazzy lyric from “Slower-Faster”: Cut it live or multi-track it, Either way it’s made of plastic. I love that.
- DayKamp Music

"Somewhere between roots-rock and power pop, with some swell vocal harmonies. Veteran producer Ed Valausksas stitches it all together nicely. If I were in a quibbling mood I’d say some of these songs are stretched out a tiny bit more than might be optimal, but the under-two-minute “Braedon” certainly isn’t; it’s my fave. Other highlights include the very solidly catchy “Another Moon” and “Tongue Tied,” which feels like a classic AOR summertime radio hit that I somehow never heard before. Overall this is a consistently solid effort."
- i hate the sound of guitars, 2011

Top Ten Album Project Revisisted - Pete Zeigler

2011-05-23T16:33:00.001-04:00

A while back a very different lineup of the Rationales did a little project here - sharing each of our top ten favorite/most influential albums with the good peoples. We've decided that since the band is pretty different these days - we'd revisit it over the coming weeks... so here you go - newest Rationale - Pete Zeigler's list!

Here are my top ten most influential albums. There probably are no surprises on this, the top ten are really the sources of how I play now. The honorable mentions are probably equally important, but came to mind later, so they get to be alternates.

Here we go:

Top Influential Albums (in Order)

1. Counting Crows – August and Everything After

2. Jayhawks – Hollywood Town Hall

3. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

4. Son Volt – Trace

5. Led Zeppelin – II

6. REM – Fables of The Reconstruction

7. The Beatles – Abbey Road

8. Steely Dan – The Royal Scam

9. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America

10. Radiohead – The Bends

Honorable Mentions (In no particular order)

1. Whiskeytown – Strangers Almanac

2. Drive By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera

3. Chris Isaak – Heartshaped World

4. Miles Davis Quartet – Miles Smiles

5. Pink Floyd – Animals

The Distance In Between Now Available!

2011-05-16T20:01:00.001-04:00

The Distance In Between is now available at shows and online. Try some of the following links to get your copy!

And, if you already have a copy - do us one more favor - and head over to iTunes, CD Baby or Amazon and write a quick review?

Thanks!

Big News - THE DISTANCE IN BETWEEN release is Next week!!

2011-05-06T11:37:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends!

A lot has happened since last we wrote and after receiving amazing support from fans and friends, our CD, THE DISTANCE IN BETWEEN is finished and ready to be released!

We invite you to join us at our CD Release Show - SAT. MAY 14 at the LIZARD LOUNGE.

Joining us on the bill will be good friends THE FUTURE EVERYBODY and OLDJACK.

We will be kicking off the night at 9pm with a short acoustic set and closing the night with a long electric set.

Its going to be a great night and real celebration
We share the bill with two of our favorite (and two of the best) bands in Boston
We'll be joined by a some special guests including Davina Yannetty, Kevin McMahon, Roni Pillischer and more!
It'll be one of our first local shows with new member Pete Zeigler on guitar
Most of all - you'll get to join in making it night to remember!

With the popularity of the other bands on the bill, we expect the show to sell out early,
so it would be a really good idea to get your tickets in advance at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/175171
(seriously - the lizard lounge only holds 100 people.)

Thank you so much for your support and We hope to see you on the 14th.

Cheers,
The Rationales

Upcoming Shows

2011-01-24T16:50:00.003-05:00

Thanks again to all of you for your help with our successful Kickstarter campaign! We are about to send the album off for mastering. We can't wait to share it with all of you and a big announcement about the CD release show is coming soon.

In the meantime our 'tour' of the metro area outside of Boston continues with 2 shows in February in Metro west. Feb 5 join us in Framingham for a show at the Amazing Things Arts Center with Autumn Hollow Band and They Will Hate Us. Then on Feb 25 we make our Worcester debut playing with Hey Now Morris Fader, Kingsley Flood and Glenn Yoder!

Stay tuned for a steady stream of big news coming soon!

NOVEMBER UPDATE: Help Needed!

2010-11-19T15:47:00.003-05:00

THE RATIONALES NOVEMBER UPDATE

As you probably have heard, The Rationales are currently using website called KickStarter in the hopes of raising the needed funds to finish our new record.

Many of you have already pledged support and pre-ordered the CD and we could not be more grateful and appreciative of you and your generosity. We got off to a great start and we thank you sincerely for getting us more than halfway to our goal. We really hope we can reach the goal and be able to share all of the rewards selected in the months to come.

Unfortunately though, there is starting to be some doubt that can become a reality. We still have to reach our total $5000 goal and we have less than 3 weeks to do it. Falling even a dollar short will make the whole thing go away, no money changes hands, no rewards go out, we get nothing: not the full amount, not the amount pledged thus far... nothing. And if that happens we are not sure how/when/if the new record will see the light of day.

So we are asking. If you haven't yet done so, please support the Rationales, by going today to http://kck.st/cKN4hJ and either ordering the new cd, or, if you are in a position to do so, by pledging for one of the other prize packs.

If you are planning on giving but have been "waiting to see how close we get" before jumping in, please realize that the sooner we get closer to our goal, the more others will be motivated to get involved as well, thereby helping the whole process along.

We have been working on these songs and the recording going back to late 2008, and we are SO confident in the songs, and SO happy with how the record sounds up to this point, that we didn't want to cut corners in the final stages. We're doing what we can to release a great record in a situation where there is very little other means of doing so. Rather then asking for loans or investments, Kickstarter allows us to sell the record and other prizes in advance. Even still, at the end of the day, we understand that what we are doing here is asking you, our friends, to help financially support our band, in what are tough times for everybody. We realize this and are SO appreciative of everyone who has given so far. To those considering giving, please know we don't ask lightly. We set this $5000 goal based on the minimum budget needed to finish and release the record and if we don't succeed, the release of the record, at least in the near future, will be in doubt.

Please head over to Kickstarter today and click "Back This Project", choose your level of support, and know that we won't soon forget it.

Over the coming three weeks we'll be posting new videos to our Kickstarter homepage - from live acoustic videos of new songs - to one of the actual rough mixes from the new record available to backers only. We hope you will take a moment, now, today, to do whatever you can and get involved. Every little bit helps.

Thank you, we really do appreciate it

Dave, Mike, Matt, & Sean

The Rationales Launch Kickstarter Project

2010-10-08T13:43:00.001-04:00

The Rationales Launch Kickstarter Project to complete debut record!

The Rationales have just finished tracking our debut full length record. We couldn't be any happier with how it is sounding. 10 tracks of power-pop, rock and alternative: a collection of tunes that we're both proud of and really happy to listen to. We suspect that you will like them to.

The thing is we need your help if we're going to get the record mixed, mastered and released in the near future. We're planning on returning to Q Division studios where we cut the basic tracks to mix and are just as psyched as can be at how sonically good this record could end up sounding. We're aiming to release it around the start of the new year but in order to finish the mixing process, create discs and put it out in the right way, we need to raise about $5000.

This is where you come in - via Kickstarter you can pre-order the CD (or buy any number of reward packages) and by paying for the record before its released you'll be providing us the opportunity to get it done, but more importantly as a reward for your support you'll have access to the record before anyone else does. Plus depending on the package you want to go for you can get other cool rewards like tee shirts, tickets to shows, thanks in the liner notes, even dinner with the band or a private show at your home.

The Rationales have always been really blessed with great fans, friends and family and we appreciate ALL of the attention and support you have given us along the way. We're sure that once we get this record out, you will come to love these songs the way that we have. It will mean so much to know that our friends and fans, once again, have been an integral part of the process of making what we do a possibility.

September Uopdate

2010-09-14T14:57:00.002-04:00

Happy end of humid everyone!

The Rationales are just about finished shaking the last tambourine on our record. We are planning on sharing it with you all this winter!

A few new shows to tell you about in the meantime:

September 25, Rosebud Bar, Somerville.
w. Highway ghosts, Vandaveer and Old Jack

October 4, Topsfield Fair, Topsfield
live on the trianon stage, 8pm

October 15, Toad, Cambridge
w. Shelleye Valauskas 9pm

October 21, Rosebud, Somerville
w. Shadwell and the Wooden Sky

November 13 Arlene's Grocery, New York
7pm show.

hope to see you soon!

Big Shows This Weekend!!

2010-07-21T16:46:00.002-04:00

This Friday and Saturdy - friends at both ends of the state can come hear their favorite rationales songs:

Friday July 23
The Basement
Northampton, MA
Dave & Matt from the Rationales (acoustic) with John maloney on upright bass.

Saturday July 24
The Rosebud Bar
Somerville, MA
with HEY NOW MORRIS FADER

hope to see you there!

Early Summer Update!

2010-05-28T14:36:00.007-04:00

Big doings brewing gang.

show tonight - FREE show tonight!
Friday, May 28 - at sally obriens, somerville - rats on last, but the whole lineup is fantastic -
Sam Wheeler, The One Smith, Naked on Rollerskates and The Rationales.
Stay in town and come enjoy the free rock and folk. with us!

Next -
the winners of the Tell Your Friends about the Rationales contest have been chosen - and several songs written for them already - watch here in the coming days as we start rolling out our little individualized thank you diddys!

More shows -

June 5 we play a private event. why should you care? i don't know.
June 12 - we're psyched to take part in MIXTAPE 1993 - its a cover show where ORIGINAL bands offer their take on the hits of a certain year. in this case 1993. (some of our favorite rekids come from this year - ie. anodyne, big red letter day, cure for pain, kerosene hat, etc.etc.etc.) at the Rosebud.
JUNE 15 - HUGE EVENT> We are playing again with THE WOODEN SKY. Our Canadian friends return to Boston for a free Tuesday night show at Sally Obrien's in Somerville. Also joining us are good friends the Autumn Hollow Band. IF you can only make it to one of our shows this summer - PLEASE make it this one. Its free, The Wooden Sky are not to be missed and we really want to show them that Boston peeps come out for good music no matter what night of the week it is!

Record - recording is still progressing - things are sounding good - can't wait to share it with you all soon.

beyond:
shows coming up in late june/july in far away places like salem, ma and haverhill. we know how to get around.

see you soon!
love
the rationales

The Rationales - Far Away

2010-04-28T12:02:00.000-04:00

"Tell Your Friends About THE RATIONALES" Week

2010-04-14T11:39:00.002-04:00

Tell my friends about WHO? WHAT? WHY?? HOW???

The Rationales are who and what we are is a rock band with a rootsy twist based out of Boston Ma. We love the Stones, Wilco, Cracker, The Band, Nada Surf, Tom Petty, The Crows (Black and Counting)... We love writing and playing original tunes and we love learning the covers that inspired us to pick up our instruments in the first place. The Rationales have been playing around Boston for over 2 years now and would really like to take ourselves to the next level. But we could use some help...

As a local band, you can only do so much to get the word out about who you are and what you do. So what if we could get some help? If you tell 10 people and they tell 10 people then... (Yes, Mike does have past pyramid scheme experience).

THE HOW:

We figure depending on how much you're interested in getting involved there is something everyone can do.

You could:
- Click SHARE on this page and put it on your profile or send to some friends...

- Invite friends who love new bands to attend this event.

- Petition "Dancing with the Stars" to have Dave on next season.

- Head over to YouTube, do a quick search for The Rationales, pick a tune you dig and forward it to some friends or put it on your page for us.

- Call your local congress man or woman and tell them to do something about The Rationales.

- Request The Rationales on your local Sunday night local music show.

- Call your uncle who used to be in Duran Duran and tell him to check out The Rationales on itunes.

- If you know anyone in Nebraska PLEASE tell them that Mike Mirabella says hello.

- tell your nieces and nephews about us. it seems that the kids sorta like our music when they hear it.

- Tell your friends that:
Kevin and his wife have a new baby boy named Declan.
Sean and his wife are expecting any day now.
Matt just moved into a new apartment.
Dave just celebrated his birthday on April 11th.
Mike was going to have chicken fingers for lunch but had the haddock plate instead.

No matter what please make sure you "Become A Fan" of The Rationales Facebook page.
Sign up for our Mailing list at http://therationales.com/
Check out the tunes at http://myspace.com/therationales/
Subscribe and watch us here http://www.youtube.com/user/mikemir76?feature=mhw5/

THE FUN PART:

The top 3 people who can claim the most new fans we will receive a personalized song written just for them. That's right. A member of The Rationales (probably Dave) will write a song just for you, record it on video and toss it up on the YouTube in your honor.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and doing anything you can to help.

Cheers,
The Rationales

A few new shows

2010-03-31T15:15:00.002-04:00

As we get closer and closer to finishing the record (what is this third stage?) we are booking a few shows to warm up for the onslaught of gigs that will accompany its release....

first and formost - we're thrilled to be playing at The Plough and Stars on friday april 23, at the Sodafrog CD release show. Tom is a fantastic musician and we can't wait to get our very own copy of his record.

of note is that we'll be recreating an old experiment and playing this show as an acoustic string band. stand up bass and all. so don't miss your chance to catch us in a different format than ususal...it should be a blast!

other shows coming up include a date in may with our roomies in Naked on Rollerskates at sally's
and a series of out of town shows in nearby places like salem, ma - haverhill, concord, nh and more.

stay tuned!

Lots coming up in Febraury and March

2010-02-20T10:05:00.002-05:00

Hey all...

a quiet couple of weeks in rationales land were spent writing some new tunes, polishing up some older ones and generally getting really excited about our future as an ever increasingly collaborative band. among our new tunes are great new pop/rock nuggets from matt, mike and sean as well as one where we all stirred the stew. watch for some of these to start showing up at shows before too long (march 19??).

We are still slowly moving toward completion of the record... working title : a new slice of the rationales pie.

we have a few things coming up that we want to share:
Sunday Feb 21, Dave is playing solo at the Sally O'briens Haiti benefit - i believe aroud 6pm or so - (its a great lineup for a great cause - come see dennis brennan, asa brebner and more!)
Friday Feb 26, THE RATIONALES are playing at the New England Americana Festival. An amazing lneup - promises to be a great time.
Friday March 19. THE RATIONALES join the DIRTY TRUCKERS and BROWNBOOT at precinct.

there you have it! Hope to see you soon!

Show this Thursday at TT THE BEAR'S

2010-01-13T13:36:00.003-05:00

The Rationales are playing an early set at 9pm this thursday at TTs. We're part of a nice bill and will be showing off our fill in bassist of the month - former rationale John Maloney! Come over and say hello won't you?

Also - we're part of a fantastic show on Sat Jan 30 at The Rosebud Bar in Davis Sq. playing with our pal's the Autumn Hollow Band! we expect to have Sean back from his arm injury and may use the chance to feature a special guest with us onstage for a song or two.

Upcoming Show - Jan 14 at TT The Bear's

2010-01-04T11:44:00.003-05:00

We're pretty excited to be returning to TT The Bear's for a show on Thursday Jan. 14, 2010. We're on nice and early (at 9pm) so you can do your weeknight rocking and still catch worms in the morning. not that that sounds very good - the worm part that is. in fact it would be awfully difficult with the ground frozen and all, actually what happens to worms when the ground freezes? do they go deeper? freeze and then defrost? all die and just the eggs lay dormant? arrrrgh!

well anyway - come see us at TTs. Our bassist, Sean is still recovering from arm surgery so we may very well have a special appearance from former Rationale - John Maloney on bass at this show.

Other news includes progress being made on the record and a handful of other shows coming up -
Jan 30 - at The Rosebud Bar in Davis Sq.
Feb 25 - The New England Americana Festival at Church

hope to see you soon!