Lover! and Black & Whites Tour Rages Westward

Lover! Live at Cobra Lounge 2007 photo by <a href=
Lover! Live at Cobra Lounge 2007 photo by Canderson
posted Wednesday Apr 16th, 2008

Tired of that ratty stack of 80s porno mags? Why not try coming to the sounds of Lover! when they head out on tour later this week? With dates all the way from Milwaukee to Texas, and a stint on the west coast in between, there’s plenty to get excited about. A band that rightfully deserves the exclamation mark at the end of its name, Lover! is a kick-up the heels power-pop sensation from the diabolical mind of Rich Crook. The ex-Reatards/Lost Sounds/American Death Ray/current Knaughty Knights maverick offers up catchy hooks and irresistible fun times with his latest Memphis-based band. With all the talent and charisma of his earlier projects, Crook adds the frustration of being held up in an offshore oil rig to the mix and cranks out a distinct pop sound that’s all his own. Much like the thrill of your first back seat hand job, a night with Lover! will leave you giddy and wanting a whole lot more.

Not one to disappoint, Crook promises to match the blistering insanity of 2007 (the band released two full length LPs and two singles, available on P.Trash and Red Lounge) – with this cross-country adventure. Lover!’s upcoming single on HoZac Records should also help to bolster this year’s awesomeness.

And in an ingenious move, Mississippi’s The Black and Whites will be lending their talents to this rock’n’roll roster, in part backing up Crook in Lover!, as well as performing in their own rambunctious three-piece. More fun than a box of Oreo Cookies, the Black and Whites’ lofty two-tone harmonies should hold things together nicely. The creation of Talbot Adams (Preacher's Kids/Royal Pendletons/Dirty Knives/ Jenny Jeans/Dutch Masters), this pop punk outfit has all the majestic awe of coming back from summer vacation and finding out you're bigger than the bully who’s been shoving you inside your locker the past three years! With hints of the Ramones, Stones and Real Kids in all the right places, it’s easy to get sentimental listening to The Black and Whites, especially after hearing their recently released debut LP/CD on Douchemaster Records, which can be snapped up HERE.

And if the combination of The Black and Whites unrequited advances and Lover!’s slinky sleaze doesn’t get you in the mood, it might be best to stay the fuck home and play cards with Aunt June in the basement!

Check out Lover! and The Black and Whites together on tour near your town...
Apr 17 Frank’s Power Plant Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apr 18 Turf Club St. Paul, Minnesota
Apr 20 Badlander Missoula, Montana
Apr 21 The Comet Seattle, Washington
Apr 22 Club 340 Vancouver, British Columbia
Apr 23 Slabtown Portland, Oregon
Apr 24 The Knockout San Francisco, California
Apr 25 Ken Club San Diego, California
Apr 26 The Scene Los Angeles, California
Apr 27 Grumpus Room Tucson, Arizona
Apr 29 Beerland Austin, Texas
Apr 30 Club Dada Dallas, Texas
May 1 The Sound Pony Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 2 Paulie’s Bloomington, Illinois
May 3 Beat Kitchen Chicago, Illinois

And check out a clip of Lover! at last year's Gonerfest performing the riotous "Tonight She's Dead," courtesy of mtmillionaire right here...