Gordon Withers, The 1984 Draft announce “HONEST” 7", digital release to benefit NAACP Legal Defense Fund

PRESS RELEASE

Gaithersburg, Maryland / Dayton, Ohio, January 2021 – Renowned punk cellist Gordon Withers and The 1984 Draft, a band who channels American rock sensibilities through a ‘90s-tinted punk and indie lens, are set to release the "Honest" single in on February 5 via Poptek Records. The single will be released digitally via Bandcamp Friday on February 5 with a limited edition lathe cut 7” to follow in March. Gordon Withers delivers a cover of the 1984 Draft’s “Honest” on the A-side with the original The 1984 Draft version on the
B-side. 

All profits from the “Honest” single will benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

“This project started with one of my best friends giving me one of the kindest Christmas gifts I have ever received, a one-of-a-kind 7” where Gordon Withers had performed a cello quartet of The 1984 Draft’s ‘Honest,’” says Joe Anderl, frontman for The 1984 Draft. “After receiving the gift, I thought that my friend and Gordon could really use a copy so I reached out to Gordon who was into the idea. We also decided to use this opportunity to give back and decided to donate the profits to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund”

Between in-demand studio work and solo shows, Gordon has performed in outfits such as Betwixt, Office Of Future Plans (Dischord) and BELLS≥ (Zach Barocas of Jawbox) while currently playing with The J. Robbins Band (J. Robbins of Jawbox, Burning Airlines, OoFP, etc).  Gordon also released the critically acclaimed Jawbreaker on Cello which received high praise from multiple sources including Brooklyn Vegan, Ghettoblaster Magazine, Rolling Stone, and others. The music was featured in the Jawbreaker documentary Don’t Break Down.

Gordon currently lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with his wife and two daughters, spending his days fighting encroaching fascism by helping implement software for progressive non-profits.

For those unfamiliar with The 1984 Draft, the band is comprised of Anderl, guitarist Eli Alban, bassist Chip Heck, and drummer Justin Satinover. To date, the band have released a compilation track, a pair of EPs, an LP, and supported Radar State, Haymarket Riot, Hawthorne Heights, Chris Conley of Saves The Day, Vinnie Caruana of The Movielife, Anthony Raneri of Bayside, Geoff Rickly of Thursday, and more.

In 2020, The 1984 Draft released their Destination Breakdown single via Poptek Records.  The album was covered by New Noise Magazine, Ghettoblaster Magazine, Punk News, Aversionline, and Big Takeover Magazine.

The 1984 Draft previously released their LP, Makes Good Choices, in 2018 via Poptek Records. The album received rave reviews from Ghettoblaster Magazine, Wannabe The Comic, A Diverse Sound, Soundblab, Oklahoma Lefty, Us For Once, Punk Music UK and more, and topped that year's "Best of the Year" at many other online outlets.

Their Heisman Trophy Winner EP was released via Gas Daddy Go! (the boutique label of former Guided By Voices drummer Don Thrasher) in November of 2015. They were also one of 24 Ohio bands featured on the 10th anniversary Aquabear Legion double vinyl compilation that year.

In 2014, The 1984 Draft released their EP, Bo Jackson Up The Middle, via We Want Action (84 Nash, She Bears, Tiara). The EPs were recorded at Popside Studio with Micah Carli (former guitarist for Hawthorne Heights), who also took up engineering and mastering duties on the Heisman Trophy Winner EP. Their Bo Jackson Up The Middle EP saw the light of day in advance of the release of an NFL Network documentary on the actual 1984 NFL Draft, in which the band is featured. NFL Films captured them live in the band’s hometown on January 10, 2014. The documentary aired on April 30, 2014 and continues to air each draft season on the NFL Network and followed print and web features on the band in Sports Illustrated, The Omaha World Herald, New Noise Magazine, to name a few.