Massachusetts-based rockers TAB the Band have a sound that’s part classic rock, part bluesy, bouncy rock & roll. Formed in 2006, they have released three full-length albums to date, on North Street Records, played Lollapalooza 2011, and have toured with Stone Temple Pilots, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Modest Mouse, among others.  Check out their video for “She Said No (I Love You)” here.  TAB the Band plays DC’s 930 Club this Friday, December 28th, opening for Jane’s Addiction. We Love DC asked TAB the Band a few questions this week, and here’s what they had to say.

Alexia: How did the band come together?

Adrian Perry (lead vocals/bass): Tony and I had a duo called “T&A” that was responsible for such hot traxx as “Kickin’ it Colonial”, a rap tune extolling the virtues of our founding fathers. Tony and I had our own bands/projects on opposite coasts but we’d record together over holiday breaks to have some fun in the studio. One of the times he invited a drummer he knew over to put down real drums instead of the drum loops we usually used. We intended to do another goofy rap track but the riff we had was pretty cool and we decided to turn it into a ‘real’ song. That drummer was none other than Ben Tileston. So, you have T&A and B. TAB. Add the Band so people don’t confuse us with the soda. Or the computer key. Or the thing you use to separate documents in a binder. Lou Jannetty, another friend of Tony’s, joined about a year later. He’s Lou the Glue we like to say. Keeps it all together.

Alexia: Was there one song/album/artist that first made you fall in love with rock music?

 

AP: The Beatles. I wore out their Rock n Roll music compilation album when I was little. That’s what did it.

Tony Perry (guitar): For me it was a mix of different stuff. Beatles, Stones, Rage Against The Machine, Beastie Boys. I was all over the place.

Lou Jannetty (guitar): The Beatles – Rubber Soul

Ben Tileston (drums):  Led Zeppelin 1

 

Alexia: What was it like to play Lollapalooza? Was that the biggest festival you’ve played? Any favorite moments from that?

 

AP: Lolla was awesome. It was one of the best gigs we’ve ever done. We had a few thousand people at our stage even though it was early in the day and it seemed like a lot of people were actually there to check us out. It felt like a headlining show. The show had lots of energy and the crowd was awesome. People cheered when we walked on the stage, which was a new thing for us since we’re used to opening other shows and having to win folks over. But at festivals I think people are there to try and see new bands and the way Lolla sets up their site, people can check out stuff in advance and get pumped for some new bands. All in all it was a great time, so hopefully we’ll get to do it again. As far as “biggest” festival, I think the Download Festival in the UK was bigger in terms of people (we did it in summer 2010 i think). That was also a blast. But Lolla was special because it was the biggest US festival we’ve done.

 

LJ: (Adrians answer sums it up) But I’d like to add that my favorite part of playing Lolla was to see the poster I designed the week before being held up by fans in the audience. That was an added bonus for me.

 

Alexia: If you could collaborate with any one band or artist, who would it be?

 

AP: Beck

TP: anybody from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club or Jack White

LJ: Jack White

BT: Joshua Redman

 

Alexia: What are you listening to lately that you love?

 

AP: Pretty heavy into The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love and all the other 60s Phil Spector stuff right now. Very cool.

TP: Alt-J is my new favorite band along with Little Dragon, Hot Chip, and Feist.

LJ: I’ve been into Tame Impala’s Lonerism.

BT:  The Caribbean Jazz Project

 

Alexia: What’s on the horizon for TAB the Band?

 

AP: We’ll be putting out a single and new video early 2013 with a new album to follow. We’ll be touring after that around the US and we’ll try and get back over to the UK too.

 

If you were lucky enough to get a ticket to Friday night’s sold out Jane’s Addiction show at 930 Club, be sure to get there early to catch TAB the Band opening the show!