Once upon a time, the New York/New Jersey alternative rock/emo scene was a musical hotbed. In the early 2000’s, the area produced bands such as Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Thursday, and Senses Fail. Another band to emerge from that scene was Tokyo Rose. Based out of New Brunswick, New Jersey, they formed in 1999, going on to record three studio albums, with their most notable being 2005’s ‘New American Saint’.
The record resonated for its heart-on-sleeve brand of rock with rousing, emotive vocals, putting them on par with their peers. It saw them play the 2006 Vans Warped Tour and play shows alongside Taking Back Sunday. Coincidentally, (now) former TBS guitarist Fred Mascherino made a cameo on ‘A Reason to Come Home Again’.
This week, Tokyo Rose is marking the 20th anniversary with a deluxe reissue via Manic Kat Records. It includes two previously unreleased tracks, with ‘Lucky for Me’ being one of them. We’ve teamed up with the band to premiere the track ahead of the album’s release tomorrow.
With its earnest delivery and warm melodies, ‘Lucky for Me’ sees Tokyo Rose deliver a nostalgic and comforting slice of 2000s emo rock. Commenting on the track, vocalist Ryan Dominguez had this to say about the track’s background. “Cut from the same cloth as the New American Saint sessions, ‘Lucky for Me’ was originally tracked with Fred Archambault and Mark Renk for the ‘Promise in Compromise’ (Tokyo Rose‘s 2007) album, but did not make the cut for that release in the States, and was promptly optioned for distribution in Japan.”
Alongside another unreleased track, ‘Philadelphia in The Springtime,’ producer John Naclerio used what Dominguez calls his “Midas touch” on the remastered version of ‘New American Saint’. He adds that Naclerio’s work was “like a new patch on an old wineskin full of barrel-aged Tokyo Rose 20-year-old vintage.”
Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of ‘New American Saint,’ Dominguez is surprised that the record is still remembered. “I never imagined anything I did 20 years ago would ever be remembered, let alone be regarded fondly enough by anyone, other than the very small handful of people who were involved with it at the time, to be remastered and re-released two decades after the fact.”
‘New American Saint: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Re-Mastered Edition’ by Tokyo Drive is released on July 20th on Manic Kat Records.
Find Tokyo Rose on: Instagram
Content Sponsored by Elder Emo Clothing
Elder Emo – Scene-themed Apparel & More
If you have a fondness for 2000s emo music, but spend more time handling nappies and paying bills than swinging microphones, then Elder Emo Clothing is for you.
They produce shirts and hoodies for older emo mums and dads, plus a range of t-shirts for kids, toddlers, and even onesies for babies. In short, they’ve got something for the whole family.
So whether your son or daughter is having a “Scream Day,” “Taking Dad’s Sunday,” or you want to let the world know you’re “Still Emo,” Elder Emo Clothing has you covered.
Advertisement: Elder Emo Clothing has paid for promotional placement in this post. This does not imply any affiliation with Tokyo Rose or Manic Kat Records.
