Pickin’ Up the Pieces was Fitz and the Tantrums 2012 breakout debut album. Their music is a mix of modern funk with a dash of retro pop and classic soulful Motown overtones that has you up groovin’ and moving within seconds. You probably have heard of their music, with such hits as Breaking the Chains of Love and L.O.V. but more likely than not, it was their more well-known song, MoneyGrabber that drew you in.
Now, when listening to Fitz and the Tantrums, you might be surprised of how akin the band is to Hall and Oats. Yes, the lead singer, Michael Fitzpatrick has the same soulful voice that Daryl Hall does, so much, so that Daryl was impressed by the band and invited them to do a taping of his show ‘Live from Daryl’s House’ where they performed some of each other’s songs.
However, I don’t want to suggest the band is a carbon copy of Hall and Oats, which it is certainly most not. Fitz and the Tantrums is a band that has their own unique sound that sets itself a
part from other music acts. Michael Fitzpatrick, the lead singer, has stated that he sought out to create a band and more importantly, music that could be expressed without the use of guitars. He and fellow band mate, James King, who is the saxophonist of the band, strived to create their own niche in an industry dominated by auto-tuning, over-the-top spectacles, and unknown oddity that can only be described as “Bieber Fever.” What has resulted since then, is a band comprised six like-minded people coming together to create music with infectious rhythms that will have you dancing and replaying the songs over and over; even though the band’s freshman year album debuted back in 2010, their music fortifies itself into your brain making each time you listen, seemingly the first bringing about new discoveries with each play.
Furthermore, the band is able to convey such emotion through their sharp and unrelenting lyrics, such as in their song Dear Mr. President in which the song speaks to the working man struggles that just seems to irrevocably to latch you in a way that you will never forget. That’s why their songs are made to be played time and time again because of their explosive energy and the unrelenting way the music seems to seep into your soul, re-cementing the reason why you fell in love with the band in the first place.
In a fairly recent Rolling Stones interview, the band has stated that they have been working on their sophomore album which is hopefully to be released sometime in September. The new album is said to be “less retro” leaning towards the modern with nod to the Eighties, in which the band and its members are heavily influenced by. Michael Fitzpatrick, states that the band will always try to “honor their soul roots,” but in turn they have to follow the natural progression of the album, wherever it may lead and at “the end of the day….make a record that they’re psyched with and proud of.”
Fitz and the Tantrums is band that you don’t want to miss, whether it is on the radio or on stage live. They are one of a very few, that can actually sing just as good live or even better than on their album. They are explosive on stage creating an atmosphere that is jumpin’ and jivin’ and selling out shows and festivals around the U.S. If you haven’t seen Fitz and the Tantrums live, I implore you to do so, because it is certainly a concert…a band that you don’t want to miss.
Below are just some of the tour dates that you can catch Fitz and the Tantrum and don’t forget to visit the band’s website to download 5-Free EPS from their album Breaking the Chains of Love.
Schedule Dates:
Jun 30 Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl w/ Ben Harper
Time: 7:00pm. Address: 1122 N. Milpas St.. Supporting Ben Harper
Jul 1 Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Bowl w/ Ben Harper
Time: 7:00pm. Address: 2301 North Highland Avenue. Buy tickets
Jul 3 Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
Time: 9:00pm. Address: 13 North 400 West. Buy tickets
Jul 4 Morrison, CO – Red Rocks w/ Blues Traveler
Time: 5:00pm. Address: 18300 West Alameda Pkwy. Buy tickets
Jul 5 Kansas City, MO – Crossroads KC
Time: 9:00pm. Address: 417 E 18th St. Buy tickets
Jul 6 Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
Time: 10:00pm. Address: 200 North Harbor Drive. Buy tickets
Jul 13 Chicago, IL – Taste of Chicago- Grant Park
Time: 4:00pm.
For a complete list visit Fitz and the Tantrums