Jon Caspi & The First Gun “Raise ‘Em High!” With New Beer, Single And Upcoming EP

Today, New Jersey americana punks Jon Caspi & The First Gun have shared a new version of their fan favorite barroom sing-along song, Raise ‘Em High!, that features Jesse Malin on vocals and Dez Cadena (Black Flag / The Misfits) on guitar. They’ve also announced a new EP titled, Raise ‘Em High! And Other Delights, which will feature the single and will be released on October 14th via Fake Chapter Records. Raise ‘Em High! And Other Delights EP will also be released on 7” vinyl in March, 2023.

“I’m blown away by all the momentum behind the song. We originally released the first version in 2013 and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Now we have this new release with Jesse and Dez and a label and even a Raise ‘Em High! Beer with our band name on it, it’s crazy!”

Raise ‘Em High! was originally released almost a decade ago on the band’s 2013 album Sucker, and quickly became a staple of their live shows. A couple of years ago, legendary WFMU DJ, Jonesey (Sundays from 12-3pm), chose Raise ‘Em High! as his official 2pm toast song which has increased the band’s fanbase and is at the center of a large Facebook group where folks post selfies of themselves toasting each other to the song. One of Jonesey’s listeners just so happens to be legendary rock singer-songwriter, Jesse Malin. In 2017, Dez Cadena became a fan and friend of the band, soon joining them on tour and in the studio recording new material.

“‘Raise ‘Em High!’ is a testimony to friendship and the friendship which Jon Caspi & The First Gun has brought to me. I am fortunate to be blessed with this. Also, it’s like waking with morning wood. When I first started playing with Jon Caspi & The First Gun, ‘Raise ‘Em High!’ was probably the second song they showed me after another I recorded with them. I thought it was a fantastic song. It’s an anthem for underdogs, like my beloved Mets.” (Dez Cadena)

Due to the song’s new momentum, on Sept 24th the Alternate Ending Beer Co. is releasing a beer called Raise ‘Em High!, and the mayor of Aberdeen, NJ will sign a proclamation making it the official beer of Aberdeen Day. That day the band will also be playing a show at New Jersey’s Alternate Ending Beer Co. to celebrate. The band are also releasing a “live in the studio” full-length, The Studio 650 Session, this Friday on streaming services, the album will be available to buy on CD at Saturday’s release party in Aberdeen.