Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons
Semi Precious Weapons rehearsing their Dirty Showbiz Tour and writing new music.
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Glam Rock Alternative Garage Rock
Labels	Razor & Tie, Geffen, Cherrytree
Website	semipreciousweapons.com
Members
Justin Tranter Cole Whittle Dan Crean Stevy Pyne
Past members
Aaron Lee Tasjan Joe McCanta

Semi Precious Weapons is a rock band from New York City consisting of Justin Tranter on vocals, Stevy Pyne on guitar, Cole Whittle on bass and Dan Crean on drums. Pyne replaced former guitarist, Aaron Lee Tasjan, in November 2008. The band play their own "Filthy Glamour" brand of rock music and espouse a "Dirty Showbiz" philosophy.

Career

Performing "Magnetic Baby" with Lady Gaga at Lollapalooza, 2010.

In 2006, Semi Precious Weapons (SPW) was formed by Berklee College of Music graduates Tranter, Whittle, Crean and Tasjan. In 2007 erstwhile manager BP Fallon brought in Tony Visconti to produce their first album, We Love You. Funded by Tranter's jewelry sales, they originally released the album as a free download.^[1]

In March 2008 the band signed a worldwide recording agreement with Razor & Tie. The band's album We Love You was re-released under this label on September 30, 2008.^[2] Semi Precious Weapons signed to Interscope Records in November, 2009. Since November 27, they have been the special guests for Lady Gaga's The Monster Ball.^[3] At the same time they began recording a new album titled You Love You, which released on June 29, 2010.

In January 2008 they caused a stir in the United Kingdom after Kate Moss attended their concert at London's Death Disco club and danced with 'six foot bisexual' singer Justin Tranter.^[4] Vogue described the band as "unashamedly crass and deliciously animated".^[5] On March 18, 2010, the band's eponymous song "Semi Precious Weapons" achieved their first number one - on New Zealand radio station The Edge.

Justin Tranter has a jewelry line called "Fetty" that sells at Barneys New York. The designs include weapons, hearts, and diamond braille. Justin Tranter was a coach on the MTV show MADE, where he helped a shy sixteen-year-old become a bassist in her own band. Their track "Magnetic Baby" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2. The band had a cameo in the video for Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and served as her opening act on her 2009-2011 tour The Monster Ball Tour.

Semi Precious Weapons are currently recording their third studio album which is due for an 2012 release.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak positions
		US Heat [6]
We Love You	Release date: September 30, 2008 Label: Razor & Tie Formats: CD, music download	—
You Love You	Release date: June 29, 2010 Label: Interscope/Geffen Records Formats: CD, music download	10
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year	Single	Album
2010	"Semi Precious Weapons"	You Love You
	"Magnetic Baby"
	"Look at Me"

Tour

• The Dirty Showbiz Tour (2010)
• The Monster Ball Tour (2009–2011)

References

1. ^ Poet, J.. "StyleHive Semi Precious Weapons - Biography". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p749712. Retrieved 12 December 2008. 
2. ^ http://www.musicspace.com/product.aspx?productcode=MS3001
3. ^ "Monster Ball Gets". Perez Hilton. http://perezhilton.com/2009-10-28-get-to-know-them. Retrieved 2009-10-26. 
4. ^ HARMSWORTH, ANDREI (2008-01-25). "Moss boogies with 6ft bisexual". Metro (London). http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=85656&in_page_id=7. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
5. ^ Alstin, Clare (2008-01-25). "KATE LOVES". Daily News (Vogue (UK)). http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=50111. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
6. ^ "Semi Precious Weapons Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/semi-precious-weapons/chart-history/704672. Retrieved February 5, 2011. 

External links

• Official website
• Semi Precious Weapons on Myspace