Monday 5 December 2016

MARGATE Announces 'Snow Day EP', To Be Released December 16 via Cyber Tracks


Photo credit: Denise Borders

In a season full of constantly replayed traditional holiday music whimsically imagining a “White Christmas”, MARGATE has created a melodic punk soundtrack to a raging, debauched Christmas season for the black sheeps of the world, with the release of their upcoming SNOW DAY EP (digital release date: December 16, 2016) on Cyber Tracks. The physical release will be limited to CDs only available at the band’s shows, first available at the Cyber Tracks Christmas Show at L.A.’s famous Whisky a Go-Go (featuring performances by Unwritten Law, Pulley, Implants, This Legend, and a DJ set by Cyber Tracks’ co-owner/NOFX’s El Hefe).

With Snow Day, Margate has given an anthemic voice to a Christmas spirit more mischievous than merry - as evidenced by the title track’s nostalgic call to “pile it up and watch it burn”, along with “I Had a Tall One”, an ode to winter drinking declaring “Holiday’s are for thinking, but in between’s for drinking”, and the fantasized Happy Days-inspired track, “Xmas at Potsie’s.” With production from Paul Miner (New Found Glory, Thrice, Death By Stereo), Snow Day sounds as crisp as the lyrics are debauched, really channeling the beer-in-hand sing-a-long spirit of the music. Acoustic versions of the title track and “I Had a Tall One” are also included, lending a campfire, “party’s over” conclusion to the off-the-rails energetic essence to the full-band tracks that start the EP.

Formed in 2003, Margate’s music and ethos has embodied the DIY punk spirit into a success story. Self-releasing two full-length albums (On the Other Side and Songs in the Key of Awesome) and an EP (Rock ‘n Roll Reserve), along with making a weekly YouTube video series (“Live from Room 57”), Margate’s hustle and passion caught the attention of Aaron Abeyta (aka NOFX’s El Hefe) and his wife Jennifer Abeyta, making the band the first signing of their label, Cyber Tracks. Since then, Margate has released two full-lengths on Cyber Tracks (Margate and Beards in Paradise), a split with Strike Twelve on Felony Records (Strike Twelve and Margate Do Each Other), and have toured the U.S., U.K., and the Netherlands, playing alongside the likes of NOFX, Less Than Jake, Anti-Nowhere League, The Ataris, Teenage Bottlerocket, and many more.

With a penchant for fast drum beats and melody and a work ethic to match, Margate continues to turn the grit of punk into shine with Snow Day. This release serves as both a celebration, for the band and listeners alike, of embracing tongue-in-cheek, absurd humor, partying, and actually having fun despite the neurotic over-seriousness that life and especially the winter bring.

Margate is Alex Helbig (drums/lead vocals), Doug Mitchell (guitar/backing vocals), Steve Weil (bass/backing vocals), and Jeff Dahlin (rhythm guitar).

1. "Snow Day" 2. "Xmas At Potsie's" 3. "I Had A Tall One" 4. "Snow Day" (Acoustic) 5. "I Had A Tall One" (Acoustic)

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