So many bands get signed and dropped from major labels that it is kind of sad. At least sometimes they have the chance to meet other musicians and get some creative work done while they are signed, however. Taylor Locke and The Roughs is a great example of this.

A “supergroup” of artists who were formally signed to Geffen Records. Taylor Locke was (or still is?) the guitarist for SoCal power pop band Rooney. I love Rooney and their last album, which barely saw the light of day, was f’ing amazing. Half of it sounded like vintage Styx and I just loved it. Anyhow….the guitarist/organist of The Roughs is Chris Price of a little known band of the name Price that had a short major label stint. Chris was the lead singer of that band and they were GOOD. Shame they were let go without ever releasing an album. Charlotte Froom, the basist, was in the rocking all-girl group The Like, also previously on Geffen (or was it Interscope? i dont know, but they’re virtually the same company) and finally, Mikey McCormack was (or is?) in the band that i’ve blogged about before, Everybody Else. They were signed to Militia Group and were ‘dropped’ when the label completely folded.

So, now these misfits have gotten together and put together a stupendous album. One part Bravery, one part Weezer, one part Kings of Leon, one part Rooney, its simply sublime (but not the band Sublime). Honestly, I don’t know what to say about this music other than that i’ve been listening to the song I’m posting here over and over and over again on full blast in my car and on my stereo. It’s sick. Get the album, support an indie band.

Taylor Locke and The Roughs – Start Me Over

Get Taylor Lock and The Rough’s Grain & Grape on Amazon mp3 for only $5.99