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Band Details

The Tiles

Mobile, AL

Join the The Tiles fan club.

The Band
Local Band Network Member Since: March 10, 2004            Last Update: March 15, 2005
Average rating:   (0 votes)  Vote now!
Music types: Rock, Punk
Description:
Composing stripped down, bass driven songs layered with inventive, melodic pop hooks and evocative lyrics, the tiles meld pop and punk to create the self described pseudo-pop sound that has established them “not only as one of the best indie bands of today, but quite possibly of all time.” At least that’s what Craig Ricci, singer/guitarist of the tiles, will tell you. But the tiles are far more than masters of their own make-believe genre; the tiles are an ambivalent post-modern love story put to music.

Comprised of Craig Ricci, Willis Garrett, and Brad Lepik, the tiles formed sometime during the middle of 2003 in Mobile, Alabama. Decidedly unaccomplished musicians, the three focused on writing edgy minimalist pop songs reminiscent of bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Pixies, Superchunk, and Pavement. Combined with the almost reluctant delivery of Ricci’s distinctive voice, the tiles quickly realized a sound all their own, a sound they termed pseudo-pop. Ricci explains: “pseudo-pop is anti-pop meets pure pop; ostensibly pop music, just without the popularity.” The tiles first release, a five song, self-recorded E.P. entitled PROOF, however, proved to be anything but unpopular. Its immediate and widespread acceptance had the tiles suddenly playing before the largest crowds of any local band touring in the southeast.

On its face, PROOF might have been nothing more than a stylized and charismatic collection of five loosely connected songs. However, if the tiles were a book, PROOF would have been its inspired introduction. The essential sound was all there – Ricci’s reticent, strained whine of a voice and sparse but catchy guitaring, Garrett’s compelling, nearly addictive bass lines, and Lepik’s persistent and driving rhythm – but with only five songs, PROOF was merely a sampling of what was to come.

Recorded over the summer of 2004 by the legendary Steve Albini (the Pixies, SURFER ROSA; Nirvana, IN UTERO), the tiles’ first studio album, PLEASE, would fulfill PROOF’s promise of what was to come. Boasting 13 songs, the album opens with the instant standout “Release Me,” a cryptic collection of pop cultural references and vague observations delivered, through the production of Steve Albini, with a supercharged edge not present on PROOF. “Parking Lots” follows, a strangely outdated and yet, at once, timeless hit remindful of Blondie’s one time single, “Dreaming.” As if recognizing this, Ricci unashamedly concedes in the opening verse, “I stole another chord I heard I’m sure.” Still other highlights include “A Better Way,” a deceptively energetic and upbeat ride through the subtle misery of emotional confrontation, and “Elisabeth Smile,” perhaps the most uplifting song ever written about the despair of death’s inevitability. It is, however, the fourth track, “It Ends This Way,” that positively soars. An uncertain mix of romantic optimism and cynicism, “It Ends This Way” displays the tiles at their very best, transitioning with ease between moments of nervous disconnection to an ending of almost epic proportions; clearly, “It Ends This Way” is the tiles’ first single.

Interestingly, however, what may be the album’s most telling line comes from the tenth track, “Rock Radio,” with Ricci admitting, “I’d rather fall apart than have to fall in line.” Operating according to a DIY philosophy usually reserved exclusively for bands lacking mainstream appeal, the tiles are adamantly opposed to signing a record deal. According to Ricci, “we are an unsigned band that actually wants to remain unsigned, just not unknown.”

Of course, only time will tell whether, under this philosophy, the tiles will fall apart or fans will fall in line. But if the initial response is any indication, the line is forming fast.

The tiles are currently touring extensively throughout the southeast, in and around their hometown of Mobile, Alabama. They are also finalizing dates for a national tour in support of the promotion of PLEASE to college radio. For more up to date information, please visit www.thetiles.com


Band Members:
Craig Ricci guitar and vocals Willis Garrett bass and vocals Brad Lepik drums

Pictures:
           
SonicBids Press Kit: N/A

Their News and Events
There are 0 upcoming shows on the Schedule
Latest News:
The Tiles will be traveling up to Chicago to record a new album at Electrical Audio July 27 throug August 1. The Tiles last week won best new band in the annual Nappie awards.

Oh yeah, our bass player created cold fusion.

Go to our web page and checkout the exciting new game Road Manager. See if you have what it takes.

August 1: The album is recorded. We got 15 songs. We might cut one or two from the album for a second EP release. A Anyway, the studio was awesome and Steve Albini was great and easy to work with. The whole staff at Electrical Audio made it an easy and pleasant experience. Real nice people work there (John, Chad, Russ, Greg,) I did not get to meet their carpenter, Dave, but he makes some cool things. Electrical Audio would be my first choice if given any list to chose from. We now have to get the album mastered and then pressed. OH Yeah, It sounds really great. We came away with an album that posses the quality of a studio and the intensity of a live performance. We were able to catch our true sound on tape. That is right, tape, the only thing digital about this recording is going to be the cd pressing. Electrical Audio is an analog studio. Anyway, we really came away with something we are quite proud of.

August 9 We are working on getting the album mastered and pressed. Tonight I hope to review some art work for our new album cover.

Here is a detailed account of Chicago

http://thetiles.blogdrive.com/

The album is available for sale

The title is Please $7.00 plus shipping www.thetiles.com

Their Music
Original Music? Yes
CD Recorded?  Yes
Record Label: N/A
Discography:
The Proof EP    Please    
Their Contact Information
Alternate web site:  http://thetiles.com
Contact Name:  brad lepik
E-mail address:   (NOTE: Email addresses are hidden to prevent spam. You must have JavaScript enabled.)

Localities: Alabama-Birmingham
Alabama-Mobile
Alabama-Montgomery
Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Florida-Pensacola
Florida-Tallahassee
Georgia-Atlanta
Illinois-Chicago (City)
Louisiana-Baton Rouge
Louisiana-New Orleans
Mississippi-Biloxi
Mississippi-Hattiesburg
Tennessee-Nashville


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