Monday, May 15, 2006
Radle Goes Rental
A few days past a year ago, we reported that Sara Radle was, not only packing up and moving to Los Angeles, but she was also recording with Matt Sharp.
Now, just a year later, The Rentals announce that they are back - and set to go forth into the world spreading their fabby style of music - this time with Sara in tow as backing vocals and multi-instrumentalist.
An exclusive interview with Pitchfork reveals:
"...Yesterday, Pitchfork spoke to Matt Sharp, and the former Weezer bassist outlined the rest of the Rentals' touring plans: "We're going to come back and do a limited amount of shows in the U.S. We're not going to cover the whole thing, but we're probably going to do the major markets, and do some shows in Canada in the major Canadian markets, and then maybe do a little bit in Europe, a few of the major markets in Europe. That's still pending at the moment. But we're crossing our fingers."
"The band is also scheduled to perform at this summer's Sonorama Festival in Burgos, Spain, which takes place August 18 and 19. "A very big part of my heart lives in Spain," Sharp said. "At times I almost feel like I'm Antonio Banderas' son or something."
"In addition to Sharp, the current Rentals lineup features founding member Rachel Haden (formerly of that dog!), as well as the following newbies: vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Sara Radle (multi-inst/vocals), "synth master" Ben Pringle, vocalist/viola player Lauren Chipman, and drummer Dan Joeright..."
The official press release reads:
"Seminal neo-new wave pioneers The Rentals are back. They are currently rehearsing in Los Angeles preparing for their first worldwide tour in over ten years."
"The bands debut album Return of The Rentals (1995) brilliantly incorporated Moog synthesizers, boy/girl harmonies, soaring violins all rolled into sweet and simple pop songs. Their single "Friends Of P." (# 6 on Billboards Modern Rock Chart) broke through The Billboard Hot 100 and into MTVs Buzz Bin reviving elements of new wave and bringing the analog synthesizer back to the forefront of pop music. The band supported Return Of The Rentals by going on the road with such well known acts as Garbage, Blur, Alanis Morrisette and The Red Hot Chili Peppers."
"The bands sophomore effort Seven More Minutes was an open love letter to Barcelona and the European music scene. The critically heralded follow up featured a whirlwind of collaborators including members of Blur, Elastica, Lush, Weezer and Ash."
"The Rentals new lineup features the original founding members Matt Sharp (ex-weezer) and Rachel Haden (that dog!) along with new members Sara Radle (vocals/ multi-inst), Ben Pringle (synth master), Lauren Chipman (viola/vocals) and Dan Joeright (drums)."
"Worldwide dates are in the works. The Rentals will perform their first Los Angeles concert in over a decade, July 7th, at The Henry Fonda Theatre followed by two nights at the Yokohama Arena in Japan. The band hopes to hit the studio later this year to record a new full-length album for release in 2007."
"So there you have it folks. The Rentals are back! ...it's official."
Can I get a halleluiah!
Matt Sharp chronicles some of his doin's the past couple of years as a solo artist (here) that includes time spent with Canadian sensations Tegan & Sara.
"Walking with a Ghost.mp3 (Remix)"
Not to worry love, I'll be keeping a sharp eye out for reports of a DFW concert.
