The Mooney Suzuki

The Mooney Suzuki debuted in 1996 upon the formation of Sammy James, Jr. (guitar/vocals), John Paul Ribas (bass), Graham Tyler (guitar), and Will Rockwell (drums). On top of their added punk of three-chord agility and their '60s momentum of the MC5, the Rolling Stones, and the Kinks, the quartet would spend the next three years playing in and out of their native New York City with the likes of Thee Headcoats, the Donnas, the Make-Up, and the Delta 72, among others. Telstar Records eventually packaged the Mooney Suzuki's first self-titled single, which debuted in 1999. They followed that up with the release of their debut album, People Get Ready, for Estrus in 2000. Steady touring led to more exposure and a new deal with Gammon Records for the release of 2002's critically acclaimed Electric Sweat. The album and the band's frenetic live shows caught the attention of Columbia Records, which signed the band soon after the album's release. They promptly reissued Electric Sweat with the addition of live multimedia tracks. The group set off on the road again, bolstering their bank accounts by selling "Young Man's Mind" to Coors for use in a commercial and by recording an interpretation of Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" for use in a Nike ad. After completing a stint on 2003's Lollapalooza tour, the band headed into the studio with pop hitmakers the Matrix to record their third album. In the middle of the sessions, the band was hired to provide the title song for Jack Black's film School of Rock, revamping Mike White's lyrics and providing the music for Black to emote over. The Mooney Suzuki's third album, Alive & Amplified, was released in August 2004. The band was subsequently dropped by Columbia and picked up by V2, which was shuttered before the band's next record, the stripped-down and predominately acoustic guitar-based Have Mercy, saw the light of day. The album was eventually released in June 2007 by Elixia Records.

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The Mooney Suzuki is an American garage rock band that formed in New York City in 1996. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Sammy James, Jr., guitarist Graham Tyler, bassist John Paul Ribas and drummer Will Rockwell-Scott, the band has released four studio albums – People Get Ready (2000), Electric Sweat (2003), Alive & Amplified (2004) and Have Mercy (2007). The current lineup includes founding members James and Rockwell-Scott, guitarist Chris Isom and bassist Reno Bo.

History

The band formed in 1996, after Graham Tyler responded to an ad that Sammy James Jr. posted in a guitar store. They released their first two singles, "Taking Me Apart" and "Love is Everywhere" in 1998. The band takes its name from two lead singers for the band Can, Malcolm Mooney and Damo Suzuki.

The band came out with their first EP in 1999, followed by their first album, People Get Ready, in 2000 on the Estruslabel. In early 2002, the band won the New York Regional Poll in The 1st Annual Independent Music Awards for "My Dear Persephone" They broke up shortly afterwards, but soon reunited at the behest of The Donnas. After shows with The White Stripes and The Greenhornes, the band decided to record another record with Jim Diamond. Electric Sweat came out in 2002 and the band toured with longtime friends the Strokes and Swedish garage rockers the Hives. This tour led to their signing with Columbia Records, followed by appearances on Conan O'Brien, Craig Kilborn, and Jonathon Ross. During this time, Sammy James Jr. penned the title track in the Jack Black movie School of Rock. He also wrote the closing theme "Tread Lightly Rosie Grier."

In 2003, at Lollapolooza, the band began playing such new songs as "Primitive Condition," which would appear on the Matrix-produced album, Alive and Amplified. The song became the band's biggest hit, appearing in the Madden 2005, Shaun White Snowboarding, and in the ATV Offroad Fury 3 soundtrack. "Alive and Amplified" broke into the UK Singles Chart at #38, and appeared in the 2005 remake of Fun with Dick and Jane, as well as the 2006 film Grandma's Boy. They also contributed to the Burnout 3 soundtrack, with another single from that album, "Shake that Bush Again." Soon the band toured with Kings of Leon.

The band traded labels for V2 Records in 2005. The band's album "Have Mercy" was to have been released on V2 Records in summer 2007 (originally set for January 2007, and then spring, according to V2 marketing materials). Due to the reorganization of V2 announced in January 2007, the album was not released on that label, but instead came out on June 19 on indie label Elixia Records.

In 2007, the band recorded a cover version of Cher's "Just like Jesse James" for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association, which appeared in September 2007. Around this time, they also recorded the "spring soundtrack" for DKNY jeans. Currently the band is in the studio recording their fifth album and made a cameo appearance in Ben Stiller's film Tropic Thunder in summer of 2008, in addition to contributing covers of "I Just Want to Celebrate" and "All Along the Watchtower" to the film's soundtrack. Sammy James Jr. mentored a young rocker for an episode of the award-winning MTV series Made in 2008.

Current activities as of 2010

Guitarist Chris Isom has his own band, Loud Owls, while bassist Reno Bo is playing bass with Albert Hammond, Jr., putting his solo album on hold. Sammy James Jr. had been seen playing around New York City with bands such as The Pierces, Men Without Pants and Native Korean Rock, featuring Russell Simins of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. In April, 2010, Will Rockwell-Scott had taken the post as drummer for Australian rock band Wolfmother.

In 2010, Mooney Suzuki's song "Do It" was used for a commercial by SAP AG.

Members

Notable past members include Nikolai Fraiture of the Strokes and the Strokes' manager, Ryan Gentles, Jay Braun of the Negatones, Steven Mertens of Adam Green and the Moldy Peaches, Carson Bell of The Pattern, and Marc-Phillipe Eskenazi of Albert Hammond, Jr..

Original member Graham Tyler left the band to become a graphic designer, while drummer Augie Wilson relocated upon graduating from Cooper Union. The current lineup includes guitarist Chris Isom, who has played with members of The Fiery Furnaces and The Negatones, as well as bass player Reno Bo, who contributes to Albert Hammond, Jr. and The Fame. Drummer Will Scott rejoined the band for their Have Mercy tour after leaving upon the completion of Electric Sweat. Scott has also played drums for New York City-based quintet Apes and Androids.