I just saw Beat Union on the Warped Tour. They are definitely a band to check out because they sound like an updated version of the Jam with ska punk influences.

Here’s the press release:

BEAT UNION is anything but DISCONNECTED, to borrow the title of the British band s U.S. debut album, released this spring via indie label Science.

On tour all summer on the Vans Warped Tour, the band–which combines youthful energy with an attentiveness to songcraft that is inspiring, raved Outburn magazine (2008)–have announced a major nationwide U.S. tour supporting Flogging Molly. It gets underway September 15 in Sayreville, NJ at the Starland Ballroom with high profile shows on September 16 in Philadelphia (Electric Factory), September 24 in Dallas (House of Blues), September 25 in Houston (Verizon Wireless Theatre) and Anaheim, CA (House of Blues) and many more (see full itinerary below). Post After the Flogging Molly U.S. run, the Birmingham band will launch a U.K. trek with Less Than Jake beginning November 2.

As the band gears up for these upcoming tours, they’ll take a break from performing on the Hurley.com stage on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour this weekend for Japan’s Summer Sonic festival, where they’ll play alongside Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, The Kooks, Sex Pistols, The Fratellis, Against Me!, MGMT, The Ting Tings and Santogold among others.

In video news, BEAT UNION are now streaming behind-the-scenes footage for their new single Can t Stop the Radio exclusively on IMEEM.com. The clip includes interviews with the band and video director Nate Weaver. To view the clip, visit: www.imeem.com/beatunion/video/TZV8iZei/cant_stop_the_radio_beat_union_behind_the_scenes_music_vi/. Imeem is a social network that enables users to discover, interact and express themselves with media, including music, video and photos, and form connections based on shared tastes and interests. To watch the latest clips on BEAT UNION, visit their newly revamped YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/beatunion.

The group boast a strong U.K. following; their song “She Is The Gun” fired up to #5 on the BBC Radio 1 Chart, which prompted lead vocalist/guitarist for Goldfinger and top producer John Feldmann (Lostprophets, Story of the Year, Veronicas) to team up with the band for DISCONNECTED. The result is a seamless yet diverse and potent eleven-track debut that celebrates the past as it looks to the future with serious intent.

Summer Sonic
Sat 8/9 Tokyo, JAPAN Chiba Marine Stadium

Sun 8/10 Osaka, JAPAN Festival Grounds

Vans Warped Tour 2008

Wed 8/13 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center

Thu 8/14 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

Fri 8/15 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre

Sat 8/16 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre

Sun 8/17 Los Angeles, CA Home Depot Center

U.S. Tour with Flogging Molly & The Loved Ones

Mon 9/15 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom

Tue 9/16 Philadelphia, PA The Electric Factory

Thu 9/18 Virginia Beach, VA The Norva

Fri 9/19 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues

Sat 9/20 Columbia, SC Headliners

Sun 9/21 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend

Tue 9/23 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre

Wed 9/24 Dallas, TX House of Blues

Thu 9/25 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theatre

Sun 9/28 Alpine, CA Viejas Concerts In The Park

Mon 9/29 Anaheim, CA House of Blues

North American Tour with Flogging Molly

Fri 10/10 Boise, ID Knitting Factory

Sat 10/11 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre

Sun 10/12 Pullman, WA Comton Union Building Ballroom

Mon 10/13 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall

Tue 10/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom

United Kingdom Tour w/Less Than Jake

Sun 11/2 Norwich UEA

Mon 11/3 Northhampton Roadmender

Tue 11/4 Swansea Brangwyn Hall

Wed 11/5 Exeter Great Hall

Thu 11/6 Bristol Academy

Sat 11/8 Nottingham Rock City

Sun 11/9 Birmingham Academy

Mon 11/10 Southhampton Guildhall

Tue 11/11 Oxford Academy

Wed 11/12 London Astoria

Sat 11/15 Leeds Academy

Sun 11/16 Manchester Academy

Mon 11/17 Newcastle Northumbria University

Tue 11/18 Aberdeen Moshulu

Wed 11/19 Glasgow ABC