Photo by Carl Timpone

After seeing TAB the Band at Bowery Ballroom rip through twelve songs I rushed home to listen to “Sticky Fingers” by the Rolling Stones. The songs on that album weave southern blues and pop rock together insanely well. TAB the Band seems able to do the same without sounding dated. On the contrary, their songwriting chops are fresh and deliberate. Guitarists Tony Perry and Lou “Lou” Jannetty obviously adore the blues, as is evident on their new single “She Said No (I Love You),” which they played live at The Bowery Ballroom.

It begins with Tony rolling through a heavy but twangy lick that reminded me of the beginning of “Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin. Adrian Perry’s (pictured above) vocals were Mick Jaggeresque but pack more punch, with great sustain, super fine high notes, and great yelping. This is their standout song for me. With measured verses and choruses, an interesting bridge that continued the momentum of the verse, and playfully smooth backup vocals, the song is great to dance to. Ben “Bun” Tileston provided percussion and rattled and thumped his way through the song, which has three distinct drum parts, each building on the song and opening it up.

The chorus of “She Said No” is delivered in call and response fashion, with Adrian singing a low “No” and Lou responding “I love you!” If Cream was left in a tropical jungle, and they continued to write music, and didn’t do smack, they might write a song like this. But who cares about Cream. “Secretary’s Day” by TAB the Band is also worth checking out. If you like “Saturday is Alright for Fighting” by Elton John you will love this song. Please check this band out. You can probably hear them if you roll down your window.

Check it out here: http://www.jambase.com/emails/newsletter/2010-01/index.html

TAB The Band, Tall Days, and Future Future rock Maxwell’s

By Jim Testa

January 15, 2010, 11:48AM

Lou Jannetty and Adrian Perry of Boston’s TAB The Band perform at Maxwell’s.

Tony, Adrian and drummer Ben Tileston (hence T-A-B) formed the band just a few years ago, and will already be releasing their third album, Zoo Noises, in a few weeks.  Originally a trio, the band added Lou Jannetty as a second guitarist to fill out the band’s sound, which  has a lively, raunchy, blues-based feel.  There’s more garage-rock to TAB’s sound than you’ll hear in Aerosmith, although the comparisons can be made, but the band also evokes memories of the cocky young Rolling Stones, especially when they shift into ballad mode and belt out roof-raising mid-tempo rockers that sound ready-made for arenas.

The band previewed quite a bit of material from its forthcoming album, including the chugga-chugga blues-based  rocker “Be My Valentine,”  the ska-inflected “I’ll Be Waiting,” and the monster power ballad “I Don’t Mind If You Cry.”  They may be playing a Thursday night at Maxwell’s this week, but in a few years, don’t be surprised if you see this band trodding the same arena stages as dear old dad.  TAB The Band will be back in the area at Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan on Thursday, January 28 for their CD release show.

And at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/She-Said-No-Love-You/dp/B00345LAH0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1263447644&sr=8-3