Everyone knows someone in a band. Those guys that play in the basement. That band that played at every frat party. Your guy friends who are obsessed with Rock Band. You go to their shows, you rock out to the covers they play and you put them in your list of favorites on Facebook. Sure, you like them, but they’re really nothing more than a group of guys playing some instruments in between bong hits.

I knew a group like that. Or, at least I used to. Now that band has blown up, gotten a record deal and are touring the country. Their name is Tally Hall and they are some of most talented musicians I have ever heard.

And I am not just saying that.

Their first video – done completely by themselves – was a feature on YouTube last month. Their songs have been on the Real World and The O.C. (back when that show actually meant something) and their first album, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, has received quite a bit of well-deserved praise. Read More »

Welcome back to my weekly rant on all things bothersome. Things that we all experience, that we often think: “Whyyyy?? Is that really necessary?!”

This week: claiming rights to a band.

Example: The Fray, Maroon 5, Corinne Bailey Rae, The Backstreet Boys, Jesse Palter, Madonna, Ok-Go Tally Hall.

Some of these musicians you’ve heard of- some maybe not… some are or were huge stars, some are unsigned. Yet, if you listen to any of these artists’ songs in front of another person a conversation like this will ultimately ensue:

You: “How good is this song?”
ITRNO (Is That Really Necessary Offender): “Oh, this song? Yeah, this song is good, but I’m so sick of it now. I started listening to The Fray loooong before they were signed to a major label and way before their CD was available to the public. In fact, I knew every single word to this song before they even wrote it. So, ha! I am so cool. Way cooler than you because I listened to this band first.” Read More »