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Local band Republic Tigers played on Dave this weekend. Here is their myspace, wikipedia and music video…yes a real one. As if thats not enough below is their performance on the David Letterman Show! NOICE!!!
The long haired guitar player used to be in a punk band called The Excuses. They played around my bands scene. We crossed paths fairly often. They were horrible, but confident, which only means that they were just having a good time. So cheers to that. Its likely he has grown the cromag look as part of a witness protection program. He really doesn’t want to be remembered for that dirty punk band he was in.
The lead singer Kenn is an acquaintance of mine from the local scene also. He played the role of “jack of all trades”(most recently guitar) in his old band The Golden Republic. They got signed on Astral Works. Did alright I guess. Most notably toured with Nada Surf(one of my favorite bands). They had their run but weren’t really that great. I honestly don’t know how they got “signed”. Before they became complete KC scenesters they played under the name The People. I preferred them around that time when they had a guitarist named Tom who now plays in The Elms. Unlike the previous mentioned groups The Elms don’t suck. Tom is a brilliant guitar player. One of the few naturals I’ve met. Tom was a good aquaintance. I could see myself hanging around him quite a bit. Severely talented and not the least bit pretentious.
So its times like these that people like me come out of the wood work and say “hey I know that guy”. blah blah blah. So I’ll happily play that part. I remember playing with Kenns old group, The Golden Republic, and also local superstars Ultimate Fakebook. Dreamer opened for both of them. We really had it together and blew them both away. Not in a competitive way but in regards to the sonic experience. Ken joined me and their old bass player Harry just chilln after our set and said: “I’ve just found my new favorite local band”. Which could be taken as smoosing but I really doubt that their is any need to shmoos me. At that time Dreamer was employing as much synth as possible and its apparent “The Tigers” are doing the same. From one obsessed songwriter to another it was taken as a legit statement. I remember talking to him about his side project HiFi which ultimately turned into The Republic Tigers.
So now I return the favor and do a little smoosing myself. I love The Republic Tigers. Not just because they are local but because they have a great unique sound and style. I love the Pink Floyd / Air style. I wish the best to them and maybe someday when they win a Grammy I can say I knew them when….

ps if you are coming here via www.randzig.com I don’t know what that error is I’ll have to check it out.

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