jphone.org - 2008 August 15

Hello everyone! I have been a quiet blogger this week as it has literally gotten away from me! I am knee deep in a bunch of very cool things that I can't talk about quite yet, but when I can, you will be stoked! This week was hectic, as I mentioned before, but we recorded two new podcasts for "This Ain't Your Dad's Java" and those will be up on iTunes and on our RSS Feed early next week. These two episodes are called "The One About the Twins" and "The One About Media Elitists". In any case, I wanted to introduce you to my artist of the week before the week was officially over. This week I am bringing you one of my top 10 bands of all time, if not in my top 3... from the moment I heard them in the late 90s I knew I was going to be in love with them from that point forward. This week I am featuring none other than the band Travis.

Travis was one of the most prominent British traditional rock bands in the mid- to late '90s. Following Oasis' lead of crafting down-to-earth, heartfelt songs in the vein of classic British bands from the '60s, Travis was more successful and enduring than some of their peers due to their lively, impassioned songwriting and performances. The group formed in Glasgow around 1990 as something of a lark for its members, singer/songwriter Francis Healy, guitarist Andy Dunlop, drummer Neil Primrose, and bassist Dougie Payne. After finishing their studies at art school a few years later, the foursome became more serious about Travis' potential and moved to London in 1996. Their self-released debut EP, All I Wanna Do Is Rock, came out in the fall of that year; with its earnest vocals and soaring guitars, it captured the spirit of British rock at the time, which was retreating from some of Britpop's artiness to a back-to-basics sound. Their second single, 1997's "U16 Girls," was released by Independiente Records, the new label headed by former Go! Discs director Andy MacDonald; a few months later, their critically acclaimed full-length debut, "Good Feeling", arrived. Recorded in a matter of days with top producer Steve Lillywhite, the album included hit singles like "Happy" and "Tied to the '90s" and immediately entered the Top Ten of the U.K. charts. The following year, Travis began sessions with star producer Nigel Godrich for the follow-up to Good Feeling, recording in six studios in as many months. Though it was a slower, darker affair, when "The Man Who" appeared in 1999 it eclipsed Travis' previous successes, going platinum six times in the U.K. and spawning more hit singles such as "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" and "Writing to Reach You." Nominated Select Magazine's Album of the Year (and finishing in the Top Ten of many other publication's year-end lists), The Man Who appeared on U.S. shores in early 2000, just in time for a tour with their musical big brothers, Oasis. Debuting at the number one spot on the U.K. album chart, "The Invisible Band" was issued in June 2001 just prior to stateside summer gigs with Dido. Two years later, the band issued "12 Memories", which was followed in late 2004 with the singles collection "Singles". Travis finally returned with an album of all-new material in the spring of 2007 entitled "The Boy with No Name", whose arrival was announced by the release of the single "Closer." Chris Martin from Coldplay has said on more than one occasion that Coldplay is "the poor man's Travis" and were known to cover Travis songs early on in their career.

I was fortunate to be able to catch Travis twice last year at The Fillmore (once on their way to Coachella and once in support of their new album) and I have seen them many times before. During their last show (in November) Fran mentioned that they would be going right back into the studio to work on a new album. "Ode to J. Smith" is deemed to be their loudest, edgiest and most arresting record since their debut. Written in 5 weeks and recorded in just 14 days, its the sound of a band re-born, re-inspired and re-energized. Yesterday, Fran wrote a blog about their first single from the new album titled "Something Anything" . As promised, its rockier, its edgier and it's making me super, super excited for the album. I have already pre-ordered it and I can't wait until the single hits! Lucky for us, the boys have already made the video and I am leaving it with you hear for you viewing and hearing pleasure. Go out and invest in all of Travis' albums; I can promise you that your ears (and the boys themselves!) will thank you. Happy weekend! Enjoy your day!