Dashboard Confessional has made it through several labels, both record labels and labels put on the band such as Emo or Alternative and whatever radio has decided at any given time to celebrate 10 years since their first release, The Swiss Army Romance, that was recently re-released as a deluxe vinyl package of five 45RPM vinyl records with everything but the kitchen sink, from a guitar pick to a reproduction of the Writer’s original handwritten notes. Dashboard is now out on a celebratory tour marking 10 years in a flash at The Cannery Ballroom on March 31st.
The Swiss Army Romance Deluxe ++ Edition
In an age where rock has Elder Statesmen from Ozzy Osbourne to Bono, Chris Carraba and band have weaved through the once mega chains such as Tower Records to the now perfunctory Indie cred of Grimey’s. Dashboard Confessional has always managed to find a spot from the first Volley of The Swiss Army Romance to what was their peak success in 2003 of A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar that peaked at #2 on the Billboard Charts.
Chris Carraba and Dashboard Confessional were willing to take on anything including the MTV Unplugged show that resulted in a subsequent Live, MTV Unplugged 2.0 that was #1 on the Billboard Indie charts in 2002.
Chris Carraba is known for bringing his own intense emotions into his songs and his stage performance, having toured with everybody from New Found Glory to Bon Jovi, they have reached across generations with a strong lyrical content and deep singer-songwriter roots, it is the alternative for the alternative crowd to the typical Tin Pan South fare going on elsewhere in Nashville next week.
Even though Chris is comfortable playing solo or with another guitarist, he always comes back to the full band,” I always find myself doing Dashboard instead because I think this is the–there’s the least boundaries within this band. Plus I love relationship I’ve been kind of fortunate to have with my audience. It’s personal and unique. So I’ve got to say that’s why I’ve stayed interested, because you can only play the same songs up there in front of people. Every year I put a record out, but you’re still basically playing the same songs for years. And it’s the genuine heart that those kids bring with them, and the fact that they care–seem to care–as much as I care about it–maybe more, strangely sometimes. That’s what makes me able to do it for as long as I’ve done it. And maybe, hopefully be able to do it for many more years.”
Touring with the 10th Year Anniversary re- release of The Swiss Army Romance will give earlier fans a chance to re-connect with the music while new Nashville fans can find a great point of reference with one of the best cross-genre songwriters of this generation. The March 31st show at Cannery Ballroom presented by AEG Live is a show not to be missed.
– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com
The Nashville Bridge 