FDR LABEL

THE SUCCESSFUL FAILURES BIO 2012 (Full Story below You Tube clip) The NJ Americana/indie-rock band, The Successful Failures, have released their 4th full length album, Here I Am – a 12 song barrage of roaring, kicking, indie rock fun. The 12 new songs penned by singer/guitarist Mick Chorba (formerly of well-loved NJ garage rock band, Dipsomaniacs) are about fallen Civil War heroes, shark attacks, Vikings, the rise of new world leaders, and surviving the NJ Turnpike: the typical off-kilter subject matter the band has become know for. This album is all about the rock – blanketed with sweet harmonies and hook-laden melodies and guitar riffs. The Successful Failures will play a series of shows and live performances in support of Here I Am.

With a name borrowed from a Jack London short story (“Minions of Midas”) and a blue collar attitude, the Successful Failures have released three full length albums, two Eps, one 3-song single, and several digital only singles since its inception in 2006. The band has toured regionally (with stops in Chicago, Madison, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Knoxville, NYC, Philadelphia, Richmond, Morgantown WV and more), recorded in Knoxville, TN with Superdrag drummer turned producer Don Coffey Jr, and contributed several songs to a variety of compilations.

Originally an alt country/lo-fi side project for Mick Chorba (of FDR Label and Dipsomaniacs) this NJ band has evolved into a full blown rock force – mixing Superchunkish blasts of indie-rock with Americana and jangly pop influences. Chorba, along with bandmates Ron Bechamps, Rob Martin and John Williams share a diverse love of all things good in music – Beatles, Cash, Hank Williams, The Clash, Ramones, Steve Earle, The Replacements, Nada Surf, Drive-by Truckers, and the like . The band’s sound falls somewhere between groups such as Guided by Voices and The Shins mixed with the rock n roll attitude of bands like the Supersuckers and Social Distortion.

The Failures pride themselves not only on their workhorse attitude but on the inherent melodies and hooks in their songs. Chorba has proved to be a prolific songwriter – keeping it simple, keeping it honest. In 2012 The Successful Failures will release a new full length CD, Here I Am, as well as two separate EPs. The band will tour in support of these new albums – coming to a town near you!

THE SUCCESSFUL FAILURES STORY FROM THE BEGINNING

 The Successful Failures  formed in 2006 as a side project for Mick Chorba (Dipsomaniacs).  In 1998 Chorba had released the solo song “Hick Bars” on a compilation CD using the name Successful Failures (taken from a Jack London short story) as his moniker.  The name was resurrected 8 years later when drummer Rob Martin and bassist Ron Bechamps were recruited to form a real band.  The trio rehearsed in Martin’s Pine Hill, NJ basement, learning the songs that would become their debut CD.  In May of 2006 The Successful Failures played their first show in Dewey Beach, DE at the Dewey Beach Pop Fest with Greg Potter (Blank Pages) sitting in on guitar.  The band’s debut self titled CD (featuring “Up to Her Ears”, “Sewer Water”, and “If That’s the Way That You Want It”) was released.  Later that year guitarist John Williams joined the group and the quartet began working on their sophomore effort.  

In 2007 the band played a series of out of town shows in DC, Baltimore, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and more.  In July of ’07 the band camped out in Knoxville, TN to record with Superdrag drummer/producer Don Coffey at Independent Recorders.  The Successful Failures also appeared at the Corner Lounge at the Coffey-run festival, Hottfest.   The 5-song EP, Bridges Over the Delaware was released (featuring the title track, the Kristofferson cover “Sunday Morning Coming Down”,  as well as a live version of “Sewer Water” recorded in Arlington, VA).   In November of ‘07 the band released Ripe for the Burning (featuring “All You Can Take”, “Sun Makes Circles”, and “Carolina I’m in Love”).  The band celebrated with a show at what was becoming SF headquarters – The Khyber in Philadelphia.  SF opened for Ike Reilly at the Khyber as well around this time.  The band closed out 1997 by contributing a version of the Big Star song “Oh Dana” to the FDR tribute CD, About a Girl.       

In 2008 The Successful Failures traveled to the Midwest for a series of memorable shows in Chicago, IL and Madison, WI.  A live recording of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (recorded in Madison) was featured on the 3 song digital only ep, Time to Sell (also featuring “Time to Sell” and “Fishing Boat Picture”).  In the summer the band played with Mic Harrison (former member of  Superdrag and V Roys) in Richmond and continued to play locally in Philadelphia as well as DC, Baltimore and other East Coast hot spots.  In 2009 the band began work in earnest on their third album which was recorded at Chorba’s home studio in Chesterfield, NJ and mixed by Drew Mazurek in Baltimore, MD.  The rockin’ new album, Three Nights (featuring “Houston, We Have a Drinking Problem”, “Armadillo Boy”, and “Scream”) was released in May of 2010 to much critical acclaim.

In 2011 SF released a digital-only-single called “Liar in the Room”.  The band used most of the year to work on 20 plus songs slated for an upcoming (March 2012) new album.  The band continued to play shows with stops in Richmond, VA and Winston-Salem, NC as well as many local shows in NYC, Philadelphia, and NJ.  The band performed a marathon set as a featured artist at the Philadelphia Rock n Roll Marathon in September of 2011 and participated in a tribute to Clash front-man, Joe Strummer, at the North Star in Philadelphia in December.  The band ended the year witha  special release, a digital-only-single called “The Voice of Joe Strummer” in December.  In 2012 the band will release their 4th full length CD and continue to tour in support of the new album.