New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Swinghouse/ Fontana/ Universal) - Economy is where the LA melody-mavens of The Tender Box score all their points. Specialized in rock music with a dark undercurrent, expertly equipped to do as much as it can with as little as possible.
Some guitar, a throbbing bass line, an insistent drum pound, a touch of sampling and synth when it fits, and a perfect vocal melody or two - there's not much else these guys have use for, and it's a recipe that suits both the concert hall and the dancefloor.
After all, this is a band whose latest release is called, quite pithily, EP1. But this lack of pretense, the quartet's avoidance of gimmicks and anything other than, you know, good old fashioned songwriting is a deep, deep breath of fresh air.
Following in the confident footsteps of 2007's The Score, EP1 is a succinct statement, topping over with pop hooks that are sure to spend the next year willing themselves onto iPods everywhere.
With their rearview mirrors flaunting opening slots for Echo & The Bunnymen at this year's SXSW Music Festival in Austin, massive UK jaunts with the Goo Goo Dolls, and a boatload of syncs, the band is set to make several choice West Coast live appearances, and take it from there.
The Tender Box July 2009 shows:
07/01 Hollywood, CA - The Viper Room at 9pm feat. Sweethead (members of Queens of The Stone Age/NIN), The Stony Foxes, with guest DJ's Film School + free giveaways of Love and Rocket tribute merch.
07/03 San Diego, CA - The Ruby Room at 9pm w/ The Stone Foxes and guest DJ David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets)
07/05 Santa Barbara, CA - Soho 10pm w/ The Stone Foxes and guest DJ Daniel Ash (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets)
07/25 Los Angeles, CA - Silver Factory Studios 11pm
07/30 San Francisco, CA - Red Devil Lounge w/ The Stone Foxes
For music and more information, go to:
The Tender Box MySpace
The Tender Box Official Website