Sydney-based sad party punkers Clay J Gladstone share new single Three Cheers For Optimism from upcoming debut album ‘Is This How I Die?’ out Friday November 1 via Def Wolf Records. The lads get set to tour the album across the country late November on a tour supporting Sienna Skies.
Three Cheers For Optimism becomes the fifth single to tease the new album, joining Why Does Everybody Hate Me?, Postmodern Teenage Angst, Death By Idle Hands and Talk Of The Town on the ‘Is This How I Die?’ tracklist. Continuing a theme of manic yet vulnerable lyricism, Three Cheers For Optimism is the search for the silver lining, and clings to optimism by a thread. “This is one of my favourites on the album,” tells vocalist Tim Wisbey.
“It won’t be for everyone, it’s probably a little more of a kooky sound from what you would expect from us, but it just makes me feel something. Both Lyrically and with the aesthetic. It signifies an important part of the album, which you will get when you hear it! It’s about looking on the brightside, or at least telling yourself to despite having every reason not to as the world around you continues to crumble. This song just reminds me of Fight Club – and we actually reference that sentiment in the lyrics.”
Coined Corey Taylor‘s ‘New Fkn Favourite Band’ on a tour last December, Clay J Gladstone teamed up with ARIA award-nominated producer Shane Edwards (The Libertines, Trophy Eyes, You Me At Six) on their collection of new tunes. The album thematically explores the concept of mortality. “After my father’s death when I was 19, I developed serious anxiety and panic attacks, which I later recognised as a response to my own extreme fear of death and the unknown,” explains Wisbey. “This album chronicles my process to accept and cope with my fathers passing. Documenting emotions, situations and problematic thoughts I had throughout my 20s, moving from fear to acceptance. We want listeners to hear the story from song 1 to 13 as it is intended.”
Clay J Gladstone will celebrate the release of their new album on tour with Sienna Skies and Of Virtue (US) this November. The tour will take the band to The Basement in Canberra, The Jungle Duke in Wagga Wagga, The Leadbeater Hotel in Melbourne, LaLaLa’s in Wollongong, The Red Rattler in Sydney and finally, Tomcat in Brisbane – TICKETS HERE!
Clay J‘s manic blend of alt rock, emo, indie, punk – or as the band playfully describes it ‘whatever the hell you want to call it’ – has resonated with audiences across the nation and has seen them recently sign with Def Wolf Records and become regulars on the East Coast live circuit. With a healthy sprinkling of single releases since their 2021 ‘Dead Friends’ EP drop, Clay J have proven to be one of Sydney’s most exciting acts. They’ve sold out multiple headline shows and boast previous support slots with the likes of heavyweight internationals Electric Callboy, The Menzingers and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor – who hand picked the band as main support for a tour last December.
Three Cheers For Optimism IS OUT NOW
‘Is This How I Die?’ will be available Friday November 1 – PRE-ORDER HERE
UPCOMING SHOWS
SATURDAY OCT 5 – MANNING BAR, SYDNEY
*SUPPORTING OCEAN GROVE W/ PALEDUSK + INERTIA – TICKETS
SUNDAY OCT 20 – SYDNEY HARBOUR, SYDNEY
SCHOONER OR LATER CRUISE W/ UNWRITTEN LAW, ANGELAS DISH + ZION – TICKETS
WEDNESDAY NOV 6 – THE BASEMENT, CANBERRA
THURSDAY NOV 7 – THE JUNGLE DUKE, WAGGA WAGGA
FRIDAY NOV 8 – THE LEADBEATER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
THURSDAY NOV 14 – LALALA’S, WOLLONGONG
FRIDAY NOV 15 – THE RED RATTLER, SYDNEY
SATURDAY NOV 16 – TOMCAT, BRISBANE
*SUPPORTING SIENNA SKIES W/ OF VIRTUE – TICKETS
SATURDAY NOV 30 – HAMILTON STATION HOTEL, NEWCASTLE
15 YEARS OF CHOPDOG ENTERTAINMENT W/ BODYJAR, THE PORKERS, WIL WAGNER + MORE – TICKETS
With thanks to Bigmouth PR
