It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year for Bucks County’s own Ceramic Animal, the self-described “nasty boys” of modern psychedelia.
This Doylestown-based band, comprised of Regan brothers Chris (vocals, guitar), Erik (drums) and Elliott (vocals, keys), alongside childhood friends Anthony Marchione (vocals, guitar) and Dallas Hosey (vocals, bass), recently dropped its highly-anticipated fifth studio album Cosmic Eraser and announced its return to Puck Live for the annual Tinkertown holiday show.
Written by Chris and Marchione, with the former also producing and mixing, Cosmic Eraser follows Ceramic Animal’s pivotal fourth album Sweet Unknown, for which the band collaborated with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach at the iconic Easy Eye Sound studio in Nashville. The recording process was a transformative experience, resulting in an intense period of musical growth and, ultimately, a fifth album that the band couldn’t be more proud of. It sees Ceramic Animal return to its roots in glam, post-punk, psych rock and ‘70s pop that initially made it a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
“The last album, we learned so much. We got to work with so many great people. You learn a lot from people who have been doing it for years and years,” Chris told The Times. “And so I think the songwriting, the lyrics on this album, are definitely more straightforward, or on the nose. I think my songwriting has gotten better since then. But definitely the return to the sound that we created, it’s kind of like the hybrid of sounds from that experience and the sounds of where we started, and putting those together is where this album is. I think it’s our best work we’ve done.”
Cosmic Eraser was recorded in a secluded cabin in Indiana that overlooked Lake Monroe. Its title track captures the band’s raw vulnerability and cosmic themes. Blending heartfelt lyrics, sweeping melodies and a psychedelic edge, the song captures the emotions of love, loss and the hope for a fresh start. With a metaphorical nod to a universal reset button, “Cosmic Eraser” is a deeply relatable anthem.
Other spotlight tracks include “Mind in Ruin” and “Change for You,” both written and performed by Marchione, who is celebrating his first lead vocal performances on the album.
“I had a blast experimenting with these tracks,” he said. “It’s always fun seeing a new idea take shape — it’s been a ride bringing them to life.”
The album also features “Maybe Tomorrow,” released earlier this year as a single alongside a music video that completed Ceramic Animal’s intergalactic trilogy that started with 2018’s “Look for a Lover” and continued in 2020 with “Workin’ Real Hard.”
As the band celebrates the release of Cosmic Eraser, it’s also gearing up for a two-night holiday extravaganza at Puck Live by Great Barn in Doylestown on Saturday, Dec. 21, and Sunday, Dec. 22. Following the sold-out success of last year’s Tinkertown show, Ceramic Animal promises a weekend filled with Christmas cheer, special guests, exclusive merch and a traditional Tinkertown gift for fans.
“It’s shaping up to be another eggnog-in-one-hand, mistletoe-in-the-other Yuletide yowza!,” said Hosey. “So much cheer. Can’t wait.”
The event is brought to audiences by Stage United, a Bucks County-based nonprofit whose mission is to inspire the region through greater access to live music. Tickets are available at StageUnited.org.
Keep up with Ceramic Animal at CeramicAnimal.net, where a limited-edition Cosmic Eraser vinyl is available for preorder. The vinyl will ship in January 2025.
