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Cosby Sweater have changed their name to Turbo Suit in order to avoid the recently developed “negative connotations” of the word “Cosby.” (Their namesake, the once beloved comedian Bill Cosby, has been accused of rape by multiple women over the past few months). The band has also added new dates to their 2015 tour, which is set to feature shows with Lotus and Michel Menert, as well as after parties for Umphrey’s McGee and guest appearances from Joel Cummins. The outing will—set to kick off on January 14—will be in support of the group’s new album, Out Here.

The band explained their decision to change the name in a new press release:

Cosby Sweater (the band) has been establishing themselves in the music scene – touring the US, performing at a plethora of top national festivals, and releasing four albums – all during their short tenure. Their fans embraced the vision behind the name and often show up in their best Cosby sweaters. Like the sweaters themselves, the name conjured a warm and familiar feeling.

Recently the word “Cosby” has developed a negative connotation in the news, and the elephant in the room has become too big to ignore. That once comfortable feeling associated with the band name is now surrounded with a preconceived thought that doesn’t reflect what the band represents.
 
Starting in January 2015, the band will effectively be known as “Turbo Suit.” What is Turbo Suit? A Turbo Suit is the suit that exemplifies how “You Do You” the best. It is the band morphing out of Cosby Sweater and into something that is fresh, fast, and stylish. Musically, the band has brought it to the next level with their new material. So, it only makes sense to “suit up” in a new vessel that showcases the band’s evolution from Cosby Sweater to Turbo Suit.

Turbo Suit Tour Dates:

January 14 Allston, MA – Wonder Bar
January 15 Philadelphia, PA – North Star
January 16 Plains, PA – River Street Jazz Cafe
January 17 New York City, NY – B.B. Kings Blues Club^*
February 5 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern~
February 6 Detroit, MI – Elecktricity~^
February 7 Traverse City, MI – Winter Microbrew Festival
February 13 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
February 14 Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery^^
February 18 Lacrosse, WI – Popcorn Tavern
February 19 St. Cloud, MN – Red Carpet Nightclub
February 20 Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
February 21 Duluth, MN – The Rex Bar
February 26 Minneapolis, MN – Mill City Nights**
February 27 Madison, WI – The Orpheum**
February 28 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall**
March 4 Urbana, IL – Canopy Club**
March 5 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room**
March 6 Live Oak, FL – AURA Music & Arts Festival
March 12 Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
March 13 Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall
March 14 St. Louis, MO – 2720 Cherokee*
March 18 Covington, KY – Cosmo’s
March 19 Lexington, KY – Cosmic Charlie’s
March 20 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar
March 21 Carbondale, IL – Hangar 9
April 9 Knoxville, IL – International
April 18 Austin, TX – Stubb’s Jr. Indoors ^
May 15 Stewart, OH – Colordance Music & Arts Festival
May 22-24 Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival
 
(**) with Lotus
(^) Umphrey’s McGee after party
(*) featuring Joel Cummings on keys
(~) Post Cherub
(^^) Digital Sweater (Digital Tape Machine + Turbo Suit)
(~^) with Michel Menert