Written By: David Carr Photos By: Karen Curley
View all of Karen's Rooney photos here.
If you were a fan of the OC or possibly watching MTV in 2003 (back when MTV was still attempting to play music videos) you may remember Rooney. Rooney burst onto the scene with a debut disc that was one part modern rock and there parts Beach Boys/ELO and Southern California sound. They had (and still have) enough hooks to stock a bait and tackle shop, but thanks to a ton of record label hang-ups, it took four years for their follow up to be released. Within that time the band actually recorded two discs that their record label passed on. With record label woes behind them, the band is gearing up to release their third disc next year and to celebrate they are heading out on the road this winter to say hi to their fans and test out some new material. They kicked off their tour with a show at the El Rey Theater Thanksgiving weekend.
After a couple of openers, Rooney took the stage to the screams and squeals of their adoring young fans. Thanks to relentless touring the band is still in fine form as a live act. Lead vocalist/frontman Robert Schwartzman still retains his melodic vocals and rock and roll swagger and the band still has their signature harmonies intact. Since this was the first night of the tour, the group is still working out a few kinks such as a new tune sung by their drummer that fell flat and some key harmonies that may need some polishing.
The band is at its best however, when it comes to spinning tales of boy meets girl and when they hit the pocket on tunes such as “Blueside” and “Shakin”. It is clear that there is still an innocence and sincerity within that band and one might be hard pressed to find both of those attributes in today’s cookie cutter boy bands and emo outfits. Time may not be on their side but the group proved on a Friday night that they are still alive, kickin’ and looking forward to a great winter tour and busy New Year.Rooney Tour Dates:
November 28, 2009 - The Glass House - Pomona, CA
November 29, 2009 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
November 30, 2009 - WOW Hall - Eugene, OR
December 1, 2009 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
December 2, 2009 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
December 4, 2009 - In the Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
December 5, 2009 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
December 7, 2009 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
December 8, 2009 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
December 9, 2009 - Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MI
December 10, 2009 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
December 11, 2009 - Webster Hall - New York City, NY
December 12, 2009 - Club Stage - Baltimore, MD
December 13, 2009 - Middle East Underground - Cambridge, MA
December 16, 2009 - The Loft - Atlanta, GA
December 17, 2009 - Tipitina's Uptown - New Orleans, LA
December 18, 2009 - Meridian - Houston, TX
December 19, 2009 - Emo's - Austin, TX
December 20, 2009 - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
December 22, 2009 - Club Congress - Tucson, AZ
