Representative Albums: "Electric Sweat," "The Maximum Black EP," "People Get Ready"
Biography
The Mooney Suzuki debuted in 1996 upon the formation of Sammy James, Jr. (guitar/vocals), John Paul Ribas (bass), Graham Tyler (guitar), and Will Rockwell (drums). On top of their added punk of three-chord agility and their '60s momentum of the MC5, the Rolling Stones, and the Kinks, the quartet would spend the next three years playing in and out of their native New York City with the likes of Thee Headcoats, the Donnas, the Make-Up, and the Delta 72, among others. Telstar Records eventually packaged the Mooney Suzuki's first self-titled single, which debuted in 1999. They followed that up with the release of their debut album, People Get Ready, for Estrus in 2000. Steady touring led to more exposure and a new deal with Gammon Records for the release of 2002's critically acclaimed Electric Sweat. The album and the band's frenetic live shows caught the attention of Columbia Records, which signed the band soon after the album's release. They promptly reissued Electric Sweat with the addition of live multimedia tracks. The group set off on the road again, bolstering their bank accounts by selling "Young Man's Mind" to Coors for use in a commercial and by recording an interpretation of Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" for use in a Nike ad. After completing a stint on 2003's Lollapalooza tour, the band headed into the studio with pop hitmakers the Matrix to record their third album. In the middle of the sessions, the band was hired to provide the title song for Jack Black's film School of Rock, revamping Mike White's lyrics and providing the music for Black to emote over. The Mooney Suzuki's third album, Alive & Amplified, was released in August 2004. The band was subsequently dropped by Columbia and picked up by V2, which was shuttered before the band's next record, the stripped-down and predominately acoustic guitar-based Have Mercy, saw the light of day. The album was eventually released in June 2007 by Elixia Records. ~ Mike DaRonco & Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
Sammy James, Jr.
Chris Isom
Reno Bo
Will Rockwell-Scott
Former members
Graham Tyler
John Paul Ribas
Augie Wilson
Marc-Phillipe Eskenazi
The Mooney Suzuki is an American garage rock band that formed in New York City in 1996. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Sammy James, Jr., guitarist Graham Tyler, bassist John Paul Ribas and drummer Will Rockwell-Scott, the band has released four studio albums – People Get Ready (2000), Electric Sweat (2003), Alive & Amplified (2004) and Have Mercy (2007). The current lineup includes founding members James and Rockwell-Scott, guitarist Chris Isom and bassist Reno Bo.
The band formed in 1996, after Graham Tyler responded to an ad that Sammy James Jr. posted in a guitar store. They released their first two singles, "Taking Me Apart" and "Love is Everywhere" in 1998. The band takes its name from Damo Suzuki and Can's earlier vocalist Malcolm Mooney. [1]
The band traded labels for V2 Records in 2005. The band's latest album "Have Mercy" was to have been released on V2 Records in summer 2007 (originally set for January 2007, and then spring, according to V2 marketing materials). Due to the reorganization of V2 announced in January 2007, the album was not released on that label, but instead came out on June 19 on indie label Elixia Records.
In 2007, the band recorded a cover version of Cher's "Just like Jesse James" for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association, which appeared in September 2007. Around this time, they also recorded the "spring soundtrack" for DKNY jeans. Currently the band is in the studio recording their fifth album and made a cameo appearance in Ben Stiller's film Tropic Thunder in summer of 2008, in addition to contributing covers of "I Just Want to Celebrate" and "All Along the Watchtower" to the film's soundtrack. Sammy James Jr. mentored a young rocker for an episode of the award-winning MTV series MADE in 2008.[3] The band will also appear on a Huey Lewis tribute in 2008 with a cover of "the Power of Love".
Original member Graham Tyler left the band to become a graphic designer, while drummer Augie Wilson relocated upon graduating from Cooper Union. The current lineup includes guitarist Chris Isom, who has played with members of The Fiery Furnaces and The Negatones, as well as bass player Reno Bo, who contributes to Albert Hammond, Jr. and The Fame. Drummer Will Scott rejoined the band for their Have Mercy tour after leaving upon the completion of Electric Sweat. Scott has also played drums for New York City-based quintet Apes and Androids.
"Taking Me Apart" ·"Love Is Everywhere" ·"Turn My Blue Sky Black" ·"Your Love Is a Gentle Whip" ·"Hot Shitter" ·"Oh Sweet Susanna" ·"Hey Joe" ·"In a Young Man's Mind" ·"Shake That Bush Again" ·"Alive & Amplified" ·"99%"
