The Mooney Suzuki

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 Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and Friday Night with Jonathan 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 No. 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.

Discography

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 & Androids.