Finger Eleven, one of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time, are experiencing a vibrant, full circle moment. The multi-platinum Juno Award-winning group—Scott Anderson (vocals), James Black (lead guitar, backing vocals), Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar), Sean Anderson (bass), Steve Molella (drums)—criss-crossed America last summer with long-time former labelmates Creed, revisiting the summer of ‘99. “People were just smiling the whole time—it was contagious,” guitarist Rick Jackett declares. “We forgot we had so many friends in America. That was a cool feeling.” That infectious, invigorating energy helped FINGER ELEVEN enthusiastically complete their first new studio album in a decade, LAST NIGHT ON EARTH, primed for a November 7 release via Better Noise Music, their first with the label.
Vocalist Scott Anderson notes that the chorus had a heavy Black Sabbath vibe, and the band maintained that throughout the song’s evolution even as the verses underwent a larger transformation. Changes even came in at the eleventh hour of mixing, but they got the song they wanted. He wrote lyrics for “Blue Sky Mystery” about burrowing into the rabbit hole of a deep obsession. “The more it’s in front of you, the less you understand it, the more you’re obsessed with it,” he says. “You can’t get your mind around it, or away from it.”
“‘Blue Sky Mystery’ was originally called ‘10 Ton Saber,’” as guitarist James Black recalls. “I just pictured some guy in Star Wars with an enormous, bazooka-sized lightsaber.”
“Working with Scott, James, Rick, Sean and Steve could not have gone smoother. They are good guys and total pros,” says Filter singer Richard Patrick. “Coincidentally, Filter is also celebrating its 30th Anniversary and we’ve never had the opportunity to work with FINGER ELEVEN before, save for an appearance at a festival together somewhere. Recording ‘Blue Sky Mystery’ was a lot of fun.”
FINGER ELEVEN have always amalgamated their musical influences from the 1960s forward into their rock mix. They acknowledge that Phil Collins and Genesis were a big melodic influence on LAST NIGHT ON EARTH. And the new tunes explore time-honored FINGER ELEVEN concepts with fresh twists. While “Adrenaline” is a rousing, intense anthem about pushing forward against adversity, “Blue Sky Mystery” is another hard-hitting rocker about being beguiled by something just out of reach. Further into the album, “The Mountain” rides musical peaks and valleys in its quest to chase the song, about the creative process expressed in a fantasy setting. Then there is the acoustic number “Last Night On Earth,” which tackles relationship turmoil. It’s the most personal new track for frontman Scott Anderson.
Here are the FINGER ELEVEN tour dates:
8/2 Port Colborne, ON – Canal Days Festival
8/22 Regina, SK – Shake the Lake (Conexus Arts Centre)
8/23 Mulhurst Bay, AB – Hilah Ayers Wilderness RV Park
8/30 Goderich, ON – Goderich Salt Festival
9/6 Hanmer, ON – East Valley Days Festival
9/25 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
9/26 West Springfield, MA – The Big E (no Alien Ant Farm/Brkn Love)
9/27 Harrisburg, PA – XL Live
9/28 Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s Pub
9/30 Warrendale, PA – Jergels
10/1 Albany, NY – Empire Live
10/3 Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater
10/4 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
10/5 Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl
10/7 Cleveland, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
10/9 Columbus, OH – The King Of Clubs
10/10 Des Plaines, IL – Des Plaines Theatre
10/11 Hobart, IN – Hobart Theatre
10/12 Flint, MI – Machine Shop
11/25 Penticton, BC – South Okanagan Event Centre
11/26 Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Arts Centre
11/28 Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
11/29 Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre
12/1 Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
12/3 Montreal, QC – MTELUS
12/5 Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Resort
12/6 Ottawa, ON – The Arena at TD Place
12/8 Peterborough, ON – Memorial Centre
12/10 Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
12/12 Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
12/13 Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
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