IllScarlett lntend To One-Up You With New Album

IllScarlett hope to best 2007's All Day With It when they release 1UP! on Sept. 29.

The Mississauga, Ont. quartet's third release and second full-length record was produced by Robert Carranza (Beastie Boys, The Mars Volta) at Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, the hippie overlord's solar-powered recording studio.

This record is a return to the band's reggae inspired roots, incorporating rock and surf sounds to give the album a simmered-down vibe.

"This record is a lot more reggae, it is a lot more chill than our last one," says lead vocalist Alex Norman.

"For older fans, the last record was an exciting departure from [our first release EPdemic]," says drummer Swavek Piorkowski. "1UP! brings back the tempo a touch. The overall feel is very honest."

Fans were asked to record their own backup vocals for 1UP's first single, "Take It For Granted," in an online contest held by the band. The winning entry was included in the final version of the track. "Milkshakes And Razorblades" features vocals from Canadian hip-hop heavyweight Kardinal Offishall.

IllScarlett will set out on their first U.S. tour this fall, opening for fellow reggae rockers Pepper, and will also begin a cross-Canada tour in November in support of 1UP!. Canadian dates will be announced shortly.

You can see Norman, Piorkowski, bassist John Doherty and guitarist Will Marr at these shows:

Aug. 25 Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang w/ The Riverboat Gamblers and Zebrahead
Sept. 5 Edmonton, AB @ Northlands Grounds (Sonic Boom)
Sept. 23 Sacramento, CA @ Empire Events Center w/ Pepper
Sept. 24 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst w/ Pepper
Sept. 26 Santa Margarita, CA @ Pozo Saloon w/ Pepper
Sept. 27 Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theater w/ Pepper
Sept. 29 Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre w/ Pepper
Sept. 30 Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre w/ Pepper
Oct. 1 Bend, OR @ Domino Room w/ Pepper
Oct. 2 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House w/ Pepper
Oct. 3 Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theatre w/ Pepper
Oct. 4 Billings, MT @ Shrine Underground w/ Pepper
Oct. 7 Fardo, ND @ The Venue w/ Pepper
Oct. 8 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon w/ Pepper and Iration
Oct. 9 Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note w/ Pepper
Oct. 10 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown w/ Pepper
Oct. 13 Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues w/ Pepper
Oct. 14 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall w/ Pepper
Oct. 15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre w/ Pepper
Oct. 16 Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom w/ Pepper
Oct. 17 Killington, VT @ Pickle Barrel Nightclub w/ Pepper
Oct. 18 Farmingdale, NY @ The Crazy Donkey w/ Pepper

Here's the tracklisting for 1UP!:

"Take It For Granted"
"Extra, Extra!"
"Funky Reputation"
"Get Famous (Tonight)"
"Milkshakes And Razorblades" (ft. Kardinal Offishall)
"Freezing"
"Can't Sleep"
"Too Sure"
"Nothing Once Again"
"Sorry"
"Easy"
"1UP!"