Artist description From the bloodlines of classic British rock, American garage folk, post-Dead jam bands and new alternative, a bold original sound emerges. Blending acoustic and electric elements, soaring guitars, hook-laden melodies, and lyrics you can sink your teeth into, the Tone Mutts are making serious music for people who don't take things too seriously. Go ahead. Scratch your fleas. Gnaw the bone. Fetch.

Music Style Alternative/Pop/Rock/Jam Band

Musical Influences Phish, Neil Young, The Who, The Replacements, Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Wilco, Vic Chesnutt

Similar Artists Gomez, Radiohead,Neil Young, The Replacements, Grateful Dead, Phish, The Who

Artist History In 1995, three Atlanta physicians decided to escape the daily grind and pursue their true musical passion. Rob Platner, Tim Watts, and Ernie Howard quickly began writing, playing, and recording original music drawing from a diverse palette of influences with a directed goal of achieving well crafted lyrically intense rock/alternative that could serve as platforms for live improvisational jamming. In 1997 David Wright added drums to the group, and most recently Val Waters joined on keyboards and backing vocals. The Tone Mutts have performed in the Atlanta area since 1998 and have released a 7 song self-produced CD in the Spring of 2000.

Group Members Ernie Howard: Guitars, Vocals, (Near) Bald Guy - Ernie began losing his hair as a teenager and the remaining psychological scars permeate his songwriting. He plays his acoustic Martin triple 000 or his Fender Strat with precision, high energy, and a distinct edginess. Rob Platner: Guitars, Vocals, Facial Hair Rob started writing his own songs as a teenager (so nobody could say he was playing them wrong). He is strongly influenced by Frank Zappa, and Jerry Garcia among others, and plays his Les Paul in an emotive and often raw yet melodic style that provides contrast against Ernie's cleaner approach.Tim Watts: Bass, Keyboards, Vocals, Pony Tail - Tim is a multitalented musician whose approach to bass playing is influenced by The Who's John Entwistle, often bringing the bass to the foreground as a lead instrument. Born in Mississippi and raised in Florence, Italy, he is the most culturally mixed up Tone Mutt and chronically complains about mediocre Italian food.David Wright: Drums, Pocket Protector - David grew up in the Florida panhandle and has been playing since he was 15, driven to the instrument by some odd notion that drummers attract more women. Val Waters: Keyboards, Tight Pants - Val has played extensively with bands in the Birmingham area before recently relocating to Atlanta. She is also a songwriter and provides the Tone Mutts with the "pretty" piano parts as well as excelling in improv jamming.

Albums Tone Mutts

Press Reviews Creative Loafing Atlanta: "A refreshing break from unsigned bands that sculpt their sound to fit current radio trends...charming in its lack of pretension and simple melodic charms"(Roni Sarig)

Location Atlanta, Georgia - USA

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