The April Skies

There are two bands that share this name.

1. The April Skies - Hershey, PA (Trademark owners)

The Hershey, Pennsylvania indie rock band The April Skies is a much different band than it once was. Following years of gigging, near-misses and near-hits that go as far back as 1988; The April Skies disappeared from the indie music scene in 1998. When they returned in 2001, they brought with them a new attitude and a new mission: to let the world hear their music. In 2003, they released The Breathe EP and followed that up with the full-length Flood in 2005. Flood became a break-through record that proved the band was a formidable force in the independent music scene and an act capable of making solid, important records. Flood sold in stores from Los Angeles to Boston, the press was favorable and flattering. From coast to coast, radio stations promoted and played the disc as well and the band wrapped up 2005 performing around the East Coast in support of Flood.

The April Skies started out 2006 by entering the studio and beginning work on a new release. In March of that year, they took time out of recording to finish promoting Flood with an East coast mini tour. Singer/Guitarist Jake Crawford: "The tour was one of the best times weve experienced as a band. But we were more than ready to finish the new CD and get out there and play more."

If The April Skies sound like a new band on How It All Played Out it's because, they practically are: changes to the line-up as well as the on-going process of life were defining elements that not only helped shape this CD but the band itself. In 18 months time, this band has seen near death experiences, births, marriages, divorces, friends coming and going, bad endings, new beginnings. On that new CD, you'll hear traces of The Breathe EP the jangly, delayed guitars, atmospheric keyboards and driving rhythms. You'll also hear the growth, maturity and song-writing experience they learned during the making of Flood. And you'll hear newer sounds that show this group of veteran players are as fresh as ever. How It All Played Out lays bare a band continuing to evolve in the process of making records.

Expect a new album by the end of 2008.

2. The April Skies - Bergen, Norway

In the world of indie pop one worships ones idols as if they were gods, and The April Skies from Bergen, Norway are indie in the most positive meaning of the word. They pay tribute to, refer to and honour their idols. They christen the band after a song by The Jesus & Mary Chain, they record the single “Three Minute Singles” and decorate the sleeve with 25 record covers – their favourites, their influences – everything from Joy Division, The Smiths, The Beach Boys to The Stone Roses. For them, pop music is nothing short of religion. And religion must be preached. Loudly and clearly.

“Rise & Rise Again” could have been the song that The Go-Betweens never wrote, while “Three Minute Singles” is the final link between C-86 and Bruce Springsteen. “Three minute singles on seven inch vinyl, oh yeah, taught us more than we will ever know”, sings Alexander Unhjem.