Named after the principal from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, California band Rooney is a power pop outfit that sounds like a cross between Cheap Trick and Weezer (one of their first tours was in fact with Weezer). Founding members included lead singer Robert Schwartzman and a couple of others whom we've highlighted already as solo artists (Ned Brower and Taylor Locke). The band's closest single to approach the Top 100 was the infectious "When Did Your Heart Go Missing?" from their 2007 sophomore LP, "Calling The World." "I'm Shakin'" comes from their 2003 self-titled debut album and should have shaken up the charts.
Taylor Locke is the guitarist from the power pop band Rooney, but he does his own power pop thing, too. Inspired by classic bands like the Beatles and Badfinger, Locke strives for melody and harmony. He's recently (2015) made a true solo album, but in 2010 he released two records with a band he called The Roughs. "My Only Drug" is a featured track from their second release, "Marathon."
We'll get to the terrific power pop band Rooney in good time, but today's feature is Ned Brower, drummer for said band. In 2010, Brower teamed up with another fan favorite in the power pop genre, Mike Viola, to produce his solo record, "Great To Say Hello". The entire album is off the charts, but the song that gets to me the most is "Father To Son". With lyrics that will leave a tear in your eye, this upbeat pop tune feels like a Brian Wilson track. I can't find a video, but you can sample the song here and on Amazon or iTUNES. While you're at it, don't miss the other highlights from this amazing little record, especially "Underneath Your Spell" and "Hide Your Secrets Away".
