News : Pela

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Pela Parties in Alphabet City, Opens for BSP and Feist - May 02, 2005

We write to encourage your attendence at three fine events celebrating the release of Pela's 5-song debut, All in Time. First of all:

9pm-11pm, Wednesday May 4th
"First Taste" listening party
Hi-Fi, 169 Avenue A, NYC 10009
Ph: 212.420.8392

This event is free, open to the public, and you can get $2 IPAs, Brooklyn Lager, and Pilsner from 9-11pm. To see a full-size flyer.

Later this month, the band will open up for British Sea Power & Feist at their sold out Bowery Ballroom show on May 14th; they will celebrate the release of All in Time four days later with a show at Mercury Lounge. Deets and links on our tour page. (Unfortunately we will not be posting information about what Pela lead singer Billy Swanson has dubbed their "gutter tour" which will consist of a half-dozen secret shows, played with zero notice under bridges, at random bars, etc. You probably think this is some joke, but if only you knew the mysterious ways of the Pela...)

If you'd like to learn more about the group visit PELAmusic.com.

For those too lazy to follow links, Pela are a four-piece rock band from Red Hook, Brooklyn. They guy who writes copy for our bios says they sound like "Modest Mouse hitching a ride on U2's wide-horizon rock'n'roll tour bus," but comparisons never do a band justice, right? In this case, that is so, so true. We happen to think Pela are the most slept-on band in New York.

Pela Announces Break Up - September 21, 2009

Last Friday, Brooklyn Vegan posted a letter written by Pela announcing that the band's no longer together. We at Brassland thought we'd re-post the letter, taken from Pela's website: Thank you, and good night..... It is with great sadness that we write you today. Pela's collective journey has come to an end. Over the past 2 years we've faced tremendous obstacles. We recorded an album twice, had a falling out/legal battle with our old label, fired 2 managers, had a big record deal fall through, and Billy had a hand injury followed by a foot injury. ....continue....

New Pela Dates Announced - March 21, 2008

As previously reported, Pela was forced to cancel the remainder of their tour following singer/guitarist Billy McCarthy's hand injury.

Well, everyone's happy to say that Billy's surgery went well and that he and the band are now in the process of a little R & R. In May, the band will hit the road again to make up the canceled shows. See the new tour dates on our shows page (click on the "Artist" column heading in order to sort dates by Brassland artist).

Pela Cancel Tour - March 05, 2008

Pela guitarist/singer Billy McCarthy was injured at the band's February 29th show in Chicago. According to Pela's website, he fell off stage, landing on a broken pint glass and, in the process, sliced some tendons in his pinky finger. As a result, the rest of Pela's tour has been canceled as Billy undergoes surgery and recovers. Apologies to those who had bought tickets to upcoming shows. The band fully intends to make up the missed dates, and as soon as they're announced, we'll post them.

Pela News - March 20, 2006

Pela are celebrating the completion of their debut album with a residency at New York's Delancy. They will be playing the club every Monday in April.