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Ted
Leo's music is grounded in the punk, hardcore, and indie scene of the
'80s, during which time he fronted the hardcore band Citizens Arrest, and
has carried on, with virtually no stopping, to today. In 1990, while in
college at the University of Notre Dame, he founded the Washington, DC
based mod-punk band Chisel, who enjoyed beloved underground status
throughout three records. After Chisel's demise in early 1997, Ted began
playing solo, while also performing guitar duties in indie legends The
Spinanes, fronting the short-lived but deeply felt Sin Eaters, a return to
Bad Brains-esque punk rock, and recording and performing with Boston-Rhode
Island art collective The Secret Stars. He released his self-titled first
solo album, on the New Jersey based Gern Blandsten Records in 1998. Though
its home-recorded sonics and dub and noise experiments were unexpected by
fans and critics alike, the record created a notable buzz, especially
among fellow musicians, many of whom consider Ted Leo one of the best
vocalists and guitar players around. It was followed by a number of 7"
singles on various American and European labels, then the "Treble in
Trouble" EP on New York City based Ace Fu records in 2000, and then his
first offering on Lookout! Records, 2001's "The Tyranny of Distance.
Many feel that it was on “The Tyranny of Distance” that Ted came fully
into his own. Comparisons to Elvis Costello, Paul Weller, and Billy Bragg
may abound, but there is no sufficient comparison for Ted’s uniquely
powerful, open-hearted art. Ted Leo along with his band the Pharmacists
have completed their highly anticipated album, “Hearts of Oak,” released
in February of 2003, a stunning release from a musician of ever-increasing
importance. Get it, now.
Visit there website for audio
tracks and more info at
http://www.lookoutrecords.com/bands/band.php3?bnd_id=355
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