Biography
Oakland’s legendary mod blues quartet The Loved Ones are back with live appearances in the West Coast and Europe, plus a new full-length LP produced by the Grammy winner, Nick Waterhouse! On ‘LATEST HITS’ (SofaBurn/Lovemonk Recs) the classic lineup of Xan McCurdy (Cake), Michael Therieau, John Kent, and Bart Davenport is set to deliver the rawkus 60s sound they are known for with some unexpected genre twists. Previous reunion shows drew gleeful capacity crowds and all signs point to all-out Loved Ones-mania once again!
The Loved Ones formed in 1990, a veritable supergroup of the California mod scene, performing with an esthetic and energy akin to early Yardbirds. Soon after that, original Chicago blues would become a major influence while touches of garage rock, Memphis soul, and New Orleans R&B also made their way into the group’s sound. The Loved Ones signed with Hightone Records in 1992, releasing two LPs and a single over the next two years. They hit the road in the US, touring every region of the country and opening for the likes of John Lee Hooker and Junior Wells. Europe followed with tours of Spain, France, and the Netherlands. The group officially split in 1995 with a sold-out farewell concert at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. Lead guitarist Xan McCurdy would eventually join Cake and is still with the hit-making band today. Bassist Michael Therieau and drummer John Kent spent several years in country rock outfit, Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days. Singer Bart Davenport has released eight solo albums.
While The Loved Ones have reunited several times over the years, their new LP ‘LATEST HITS’ marks a long awaited return to writing and recording together. To capture the magic on analog tape they enlisted retro R&B dynamo Nick Waterhouse. The group's undeniable chemistry, plusdecades of experience apart brings masterful results, with McCurdy’s tough yet playful riffs and Kent’s anachronistic beats setting the tone. Twelve originals with lyrics by Davenport and Therieau explore the whole of 60s style rock n roll from the endless boogie of ‘Mad, Bad LUV’, to the Mersey drenched ‘Down That Road’, to the garage harmonies of ‘True Love Or Temptation’ and freakbeat stomp of ‘Don’t Turn Your Back’. Reanimating grooves they’ve appreciated since their teens but with a maturity that only comes from veteran players, there is no weak link in The Loved Ones. Their sound would be impossible without each member’s distinctive contribution. So if you’re in Spain, The Netherlands or the U.S. West Coast, they will soon bring that sound to a venue near you!
THE LOVED ONES
Music
