The Loved Ones
Nine years after their last reunion concert, Oakland California's legendary mod blues quartet The Loved Ones are back with a limited run of live appearances and plans for a new full-length album. The classic lineup of Xan McCurdy (CAKE), Michael Therieau, John Kent, and Bart Davenport is (with a little help from producer Nick Waterhouse) set to deliver the rawkus 60s sound they are known for with some unexpected twists and turns in writing and arrangements. Previous reunion shows in both the US and Europe drew gleeful capacity crowds and all signs point to all-out Loved Ones-mania once again!
The Loved Ones formed in 1990, a veritable supergroup of the West Coast mod scene, performing with an esthetic and energy akin to early Yardbirds. Soon after that, original Chicago blues would become a major influence while touches of garage rock, Memphis soul, and New Orleans R&B also made their way into the group's sound. The Loved Ones signed with Hightone Records in 1992, releasing two LPs and a single over the next two years. They hit the road in the US, touring every region of the country and opening for the likes of John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells and Ann Peebles. Europe followed with tours of Spain, France, and the Netherlands.
The group o?cially split in 1995 with a sold-out farewell concert at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. Lead guitarist Xan McCurdy would eventually join CAKE and is still with the hit-making band today. Bassist Michael Therieau and drummer John Kent spent several years in country rock outfit, Dave Gleason's Wasted Days and are both current members of
Wellsprings LTD. Singer Bart Davenport has released eight solo albums. All four Loved Ones have returned to the stage together many times over the years but this year marks a return to writing and recording as a unit. Their undeniable chemistry combined with decades of experience apart should make this next release no less than masterful.