Pitchfork

Just three weeks ago, we reported that NYC noize dreamers A Place to Bury Strangers had signed a deal with Chicago label Highwheel Records. Congratulations all around. The band planned to record a follow-up to their new self-titled LP this December.

But this weekend, Highwheel sent out a press release stating that they had dropped the band. "We wish them luck" was all they had to say.

What happened? According to APTBS manager Steven Matrick, it was a timing issue. Highwheel wanted the band to hit the studio in December and have a new album ready as quickly as possible. The band wanted to spend six to eight months touring and promoting A Place to Bury Strangers, and then begin recording a new record. "[Highwheel owner Julius Moriarty] wasn't willing to wait," Matrick said. "Then he sent out a press release saying he dropped us. So we didn't know that he dropped us; we found that out through the press release."

Moriarty said, "That's a very simplified version of everything. It was way more complicated than that. We don't mind bands promoting things that will make them successful; it wasn't an issue. I just don't think that the band and the label were quite seeing eye to eye on some things."

He confirmed that APTBS will be released from their contract with Highwheel. "They are free for the market," he said.

Moriarty added, "We all love each other, we're all still really good friends."

09-26 New York, NY - The Annex *
10-11 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel !^
10-17 Brooklyn, NY - Death by Audio (Hammer benefit) !
10-18 New York, NY - 200 Orchard (CMJ) $
10-19 Brooklyn, NY - Galapagos #
10-20 New York, NY - Glasslands (CMJ day show) $
10-20 New York, NY - The Delancey (CMJ)

* with Secret Machines
^ with Slaraffenland, Via Audio, the Big Sleep
! with Dirty on Purpose
$ with Spindrift