Artist Information Biography The 88 use an organic combination of old and new school in their approach to music – and its marketing – the bands catchy melodies have found a growing audience through TV, film and commercial placements, as well as virally online. The L.A.-based group, whose core consists of vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Keith Slettedahl, keyboardist/songwriter Adam Merrin, bassist Todd OKeefe, and drummer Anthony Zimmitti, has been attracting attention since forming in 2003. Tirelessly playing the local scene, as well as opening nationally for acts like the B-52s, Matt Costa, 311, and Smashing Pumpkins, The 88 once served as the late Elliott Smith’s backup band, by personal request, for a memorable Orange County performance. While you may not be familiar with The 88 as a band, you’ve certainly heard their music. With two independent releases already under their belt (2003’s Kind of Light and 2005’s Over and Over), the group has enjoyed a welcome home for their music on TV, in the movies, and as part of widely-seen, national advertising. Their songs have appeared on The OC, Grey’s Anatomy, Laguna Beach, The Real World, One Tree Hill, and Weeds, among many others. The band themselves performed one of their tunes on an episode of CBS’ How I Met Your Mother (including a speaking role for Keith). The song “Coming Home has been used for national TV spots by both Sears and Target. The 88 also recorded a cover of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” for the Sarah Jessica Parker comedy Failure to Launch, while “All ‘Cause of You” has been featured on the soundtracks of the films You, Me and Dupree and Ira and Abby. All that in addition to a robust MySpace following, a regular spot on influential L.A. station KCRW’s playlist, and a designation as Best Pop/Rock Band of the Year by L.A. Weekly. “We’re still the same band that works very hard and takes the songs seriously. “In the end, the thing that ties all our songs together are the melodies,” says Keith. “Everything we do has that unifying element.” For a band that appeals to young and old alike, with lush ballads like “No One Here” and pumping uptempo rockers “Sons and Daughters” (while also capable of tossing in a spot-on Zeppelin cover as a live encore), The 88 are in a unique position to conquer the splintered world of pop circa 2009. “Our music has an appeal that can reach a wide range of different-age audiences,” nods Adam. “There’s a heavy edge that would be right at home on rock radio, while at the same time keeping the melodic pop side that blurs the lines of genre.” With a bittersweet, sometimes neurotic vulnerability toward love that nevertheless offers a glimpse of hope at the end of the tunnel, Keith’s songs cut through musical genres to touch the heart; an ability he insists comes naturally to him. “You have to be yourself,” he says about songs like “No One Here”. “It’s like a conversation with myself, going back and forth. But I’m not really that way in real life. It’s just the way I’ve always written.” “We’re different from everybody else, even though we’re accessible, we’re likable,” explains Anthony. “But we’re still putting ourselves on the line.” With a new album now complete, The 88 are set to do what they do best: hit the road and perform one of the most dynamic shows you’ll ever see.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:26:22 +0000
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