Photo by: Jake Gravbot

Official press release:

Five years have passed since The Classic Crime released their highly acclaimed album Phoenix, and now the Seattle rock group is back to unleash their fifth studio album, How To Be Human (Out April 28 via BC Music). The album was completely funded via Kickstarter, with over 2,500 backers, tripling the original goal. Album pre-orders begin on March 20 via PledgeMusic.

Lead singer-songwriter Matt MacDonald explains:

“My goals for every album is to push the boundaries a bit. When we started playing together back in 2003, our influences (wide as they were) were pretty apparent. With each record we’ve tried to go some place different, to incorporate different styles while maintaining core structure and textures.”

In the meantime the band is excited announce their How To Be Human Tour, kicking off in April year and leading into May. Opening bands on the 12 date tour will include Matt & Toby and CIVILIAN.

How To Be Human contains The Classic Crime‘s most mature body of work yet, featuring 12 tracks of pure indie rock in the stylings of Death Cab For Cutie meets Motion City Soundtrack. Working with longtime producer and mixer Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Albatross, The Silver Cord, Vagabonds), the band was able to challenge themselves, exploring a “happy to be here” songwriting style, while feeling at home with Baskette‘s ability to try new recording techniques and cement the The Classic Crime‘s signature tight drum work and guitar layering. MacDonald explains:

“Control and comfort will always reel us back in some. But I like to cast out as far as I can to see if we can catch something good.”

4/27 – Seattle, WA | Neumos *
5/04 – Nashville, TN | The End
5/05 – Cincinnati, OH | Mad Frog
5/06 – Columbus, OH | Steadfast Festival
5/07 – New York, NY | Blackthorn 51
5/09 – Hartford, CT | The Space
5/10 – Philadelphia, PA | Voltage Lounge
5/11 – Baltimore, MD | Ottobar
5/13 – Orlando, FL | The Abbey
5/14 – Miami, FL | Churchills
5/15 – Tampa, FL | Crowbar
5/17 – Atlanta, GA | Vinyl @ Centerstage

* = w/o CIVILIAN

The Classic Crime is:

Matt MacDonald – vocals, guitar
Robbie Negrin – guitar
Skip Erickson – drums
Alan Clark – bass