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An alternative rock staple since 2007, The Maine is taking its talents to Asheville this week.
The Phoenix-based rockers will take the stage at the Orange Peel on Tuesday to co-headline the American Lines tour with Mayday Parade.
After releasing their fifth album American Candy last February, the band did something they’ve only dreamed about for years — they went on tour for free. http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/28/entertainment/the-maine-band-free-tour-feat/
“We wanted to do something completely different and something that no one’s done,” Maine bassist Garrett Nickelsen said.
Twenty-six cities and dozens of shows later, Nickelsen told AshevilleBlog the experience was bizarre to say the least.
“Every day was a different thing completely,” he recalled. “Some days we would play in a mall, some days we would play in a venue, some days we would be just like anywhere that we could get.”
After a summer of touring, the band says despite not even selling a ticket most nights, the outcome wasn’t about the bottom line.
“[It was about] getting back to our fans,” Nickelsen said. “There are people who have gone to like 100 shows. So it was like, well OK here’s a free one for ya!”
Unsure if they’ve visited Asheville before, one thing is for sure, they can’t wait to be here — with some surprises.
“We covered a bunch of ’90s songs in December. It’s something different. We totally redid all the songs. It’s kinda like new songs, but with the words of different people.”
Among those covers is what MTV.com called a “chilled out” version of the iconic Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me”. http://www.mtv.com/news/2692125/the-maine-90s-cover-songs/
The U.S. tour wouldn’t be complete without friends and musical heavyweights Mayday Parade. Fresh off a UK tour with the Florida-based band, Nickelsen says they’re excited to keep the music going.
“We never get the chance to tour with them so we always jump on it. We’re really excited to go back out.”
Tickets are on sale now for the show.
WHO: The Maine and Mayday Parade http://wearethemaine.net/
WHEN: Tuesday, March 15. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7.
WHERE: Orange Peel http://theorangepeel.net/
