Brian Fallon Of Gaslight Anthem Live On Air

Brain Fallon, live on air... He showed up alone, having driven to the station from his home just about 20 minutes away.  I was wondering if he'd do that; drive himself.  No entourage needed.  No record label person, not a management rep anywhere in sight.  A guy who's been on stage in front of thousands... According to Gotts who walked Brain out afterwards, he drove his wife's car to the station.

Brian Fallon, of Gaslight Anthem, as it's turns out is exactly that kind of guy.  Fun, friendly, easy to be around and easy to talk to.  He carries his own guitar; he drives himself.  Because:  Why wouldn't you?!

-Brian Fallon, Gaslight Anthem

Just days before driving himself to our station, his label had announced that a new Gaslight Anthem song was coming as part of a new album from the band.  The new song was a duet with another New Jersey artist whose name you might recognize:  Bruce Springsteen had asked Brian to write a duet for them.

Yes.  Bruce asked him.  Bruce Springsteen doesn't record a lot of duets.

Brian told us that he had become friendly with Bruce over the years.  Brian went to Bruce for advice (a meeting that reportedly happened at Federici's Pizza in Freehold, yum!) on how to work the music industry end of putting Gaslight Anthem back together after the band had decided to go on indefinite hiatus.  It was around that time that Bruce said, "Hey, you should write a song that we can do together."  Bruce recorded his vocal while in Dublin, Ireland on his vast worldwide tour.

However, I'm gonna be totally honest here:  I didn't even know about the duet when I asked the band's management if Brian could stop by the WRAT studios during our Morning Show.  I asked just a few minutes after I heard the first release from the new album, "History Books" (releasing October 27).  The first single, "Positive Charge" immediately caught my ear.

Songs that speak to many people for many different reasons are the most special ever written.  Brian is right.  The talent is mysterious, the source of the words seem wrapped in universal human experience but impossible to know.  Like a fresh water spring that drips emotions as words in glimpses of a moment.

As for me, most mornings start with a reference to, "you gonna love yourself today?"  Thanks for reminding me how important that is, Mr. Fallon.

Scroll down for the part of the interview that includes a live performance of "Positive Charge" and the last song on Gaslight Anthem's 2012 album, "Handwritten".  Performing "National Anthem" on air was a last treat on the morning.  So glad I asked.

There's also the band's official videos for the two songs from the new album.

On July 26, 2023, Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem stopped by the WRAT Studios to perform on air and chat with Carl Craft and East Side Dave on The Morning Rat Race. The new Gaslight Anthem record drops in October!

This is the full interview and live performance portion of Brian Fallon live on air at WRAT.  We began by airing the new single from the Gaslight Anthem album.  The new single is the title track from the album, "History Books".  The song is a duet with Bruce Springsteen who, rumor has it, has given lots of personal advice to Brian Fallon and Gaslight Anthem over the years.  Well, the rumors are true.

Brian Fallon wrote the lyrics for the song, the band recorded the music and Bruce added his vocals while on a brief break from his world tour in Dublin, Ireland.  I told Brian, "I hope you get to sing it with Bruce in person one day."  "I do too, said Brian enthusiastically".

Below this full video are links to the individual songs that Brian played on air, so you can listen to them without the chit-chat if that's what you prefer.  However, there's something cool in the conversation with Brian... He's chill, funny, relaxed, and easy to talk to.

If you don't mind me paraphrasing:  A guy looks in the mirror and begins to realize he's not looking at the same guy he used to see.  Something's changed.  He misses that younger version of himself, not for the youth... but for the love, the fun, the life.

Funny story, when I first asked an old friend of mine who works at Gaslight's record label for an interview... one of the responses was, "What would he do?"  And I said I wanted to talk about "Positive Charge"; its meaning and maybe have him play it on air.  But then later I added, almost on a whim... and if he could play, "National Anthem" that would be great too.

This track is the cool little addendum to the 2012 album, "Handwritten" which also includes that big hit, "45".  I'm glad I asked.  It's a pretty magical version.

A duet with Bruce Springsteen.  A very rare occurrence.  But that's exactly what is going on with the new Gaslight Anthem album, due on October 27, 2023.

The first single from "History Books" due October 27th.