Artist description The Turn-ons formed in 1997 in Seattle when singer/guitarist Travis DeVries met musically like-minded guitarist, Corey Gutch. Inspired by the '70s glam rock of T. Rex, David Bowie and the New York Dolls, plus British pop bands like the Smiths, and Suede, the two were soon joined by bassist Sharon Oshima and drummer Will Hallauer. "Our sound echos '70s idols," describes DeVries, "but we also have many other influences, from '60s girl groups like the Ladybugs to shoegazer bands like Ride. We also include a personal sensibility in our lyrics and melodies." Producer/multi-instrumentalist Erik Blood was added to the band in late 2000, and the line-up was, at last, complete. Blood had originally been called upon to produce the band's first full-length recording, The Turn-ons, (self-released in January 2001). The band spent much of 2001 promoting the album, playing sold-out shows in Seattle and San Francisco, and tirelessly writing and recording new material. Highlights included a live radio performance for KEXP's (90.3 FM) local music showcase, Audioasis, and live shows supporting national acts the Strokes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Imperial Teen. During one of their shows at Seattle's Crocodile Cafe, they caught the eye of REM's Peter Buck who went on to describe the band in his regular column for British music monthly, Q magazine, as "simply my favourite new Seattle band. If I said that their sound was a combination of the Velvets, T. Rex and Spiritualized with a dash of Yo La Tengo, it wouldn't do them justice." Originally intended only as a demo recording, the album went on to finish in the eleventh spot on KEXP's year end list of top local releases for 2001. The same year, The Turn-ons were voted "Audience Winner" for Best Local Music Act in Seattle's CitySearch Best of 2001 online poll. The Love Ruined Us EP, released in August 2003 on Bop Tart Records, is an indication of the band's diversity, direction and skill. The EP reached the top 50 of the CMJ Core Charts in Fall of 2002, was selected for the SPIN College Radio show, as well as receiving airplay in the UK on John Kennedy's X-Posure show on XFM 104.9. The Turn-ons are currently writing and recording new material for an album to be released early 2003.

Music Style Rock n' roll

Artist History Current line-up formed in May 2000

Group Members Travis Devries - Vocals, Electric and Acoustic GuitarCorey Gutch - Lead Electric Guitar, ThereminSharon Oshima - Electric Bass GuitarWill Hallauer - Drums, Percussion

Instruments Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Theremin, Saxophone, Mellotron

Albums The Turn-ons 2000, Love Ruined Us (EP) 2002

Press Reviews "...simply my favourite new Seattle band. If I said that their sound was a combination of the Velvets, T. Rex and Spiritualized with a dash of Yo La Tengo, it wouldn't do them justice." -Peter Buck, Q Magazine

Location Seattle, WA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).