The Like
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The Like was an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. Its final lineup consisted of Z Berg (vocals and guitar), Tennessee Thomas (drums), Laena Geronimo (bass), and Annie Monroe (organ). The band released three extended plays (EPs) and two studio albums.
History
Formation and early years
The Like were formed in September 2001 by
They formed when the parents of childhood friends Thomas and Froom learned that Berg had been writing songs and showed interest in forming a band. Froom began learning the bass two weeks before joining, and the three began working and writing together. Thomas's mother came up with the name in recognition of how often the girls used the word "like".[3]
Over a period of three years, the band independently released three EPs (I Like The Like, ... and The Like, and Like It or Not), which they sold at shows and on their website. Their song "(So I'll Sit Here) Waiting" was featured on the soundtrack of the film Thirteen. The band later toured with Phantom Planet and Kings of Leon. In 2004, the Like signed to Geffen Records.
Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?
The Like released their first album, Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?, through Geffen on September 13, 2005. The album is a combination of reworked songs previously released on their independent EPs as well as new material. The reviews were generally positive.[4] Krissi Murison of the NME had praise for such songs as "June Gloom" and "(So I'll Sit Here) Waiting", but criticized the "over-polished approach" of producer Wendy Melvoin.[5]
The band performed at the
Lineup changes and Release Me
Berg and Thomas went to Brooklyn, New York to record the Like's second album. (Froom had recently left the band.)
On September 17, 2009, the band posted a message entitled "The Like 2.0" on their
Downtown Records released the album, entitled Release Me, on June 15, 2010. USA Today called it a "vast improvement" over Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?[10] Los Angeles magazine noted that the band "has gone retro-fab, with Farfisa organ, jangly Brit-pop guitar, and hand claps."[11] Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, "The tough girl group is hardly a new concept—ask Blondie or the Donnas—but done right, like this, it's irresistible."[12]
The band starred in a short film commissioned by designer Zac Posen as a way to promote his Target fashion collection. The film shows the band hanging out in a hotel room and then performing the single "Fair Game". The film was directed by Gia Coppola (granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola).[13] The Like also appeared as themselves in an October 2010 episode of the TV series 90210,[14] and in issue 3 of The Li'l Depressed Boy comic book.[15]
Hiatus
On May 25, 2011, the band posted the following message on its official Facebook page: "The Like have cancelled all their upcoming shows, and the band is currently on an indefinite hiatus. There is no further statement from the band at this time."[16]
On October 20, 2013, without officially acknowledging the status of their hiatus, the band posted via Twitter that on October 25 they will be playing a show at the Liquid Room in Tokyo, Japan.[17]
Discography
Studio albums
- Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? – Geffen (2005)
- Release Me – Geffen (2010)
Extended plays
- I Like The Like (2002)
- ... and The Like (2003)
- Like It or Not (2004)
Singles
- "Falling Away" (2001)
- "What I Say and What I Mean" (2005)
- "June Gloom" (2006)
- "Fair Game" (2009)
- "Release Me" (2010)
- "He's Not a Boy" (2010) – Limited 500 print vinyl 7" release (UK)
- "Wishing He Was Dead" (2010)
Compilations
- Nettwerk(2003)
- Lakeshore(2005)
- War Child's Heroes – Parlophone (2009)
References
- AllMusic
- ^ McDonald, Seven. "Kids Rock". LA Weekly.
- ^ Corcoran, Monica (May 30, 2004). "A NIGHT OUT WITH: The Like; Prom Queens". New York Times.
- ^ "Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? reviews". Metacritic.com.
- ^ Murison, Krissi. "The Like: Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?". NME.
- ^ Martens, Todd (June 17, 2010). "Looks Like the future's bright". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Q&A: The Like (Plus Free Song Download)". FILTER Magazine.
- ^ "The Like 2.0 by The Like on Myspace". Blogs.myspace.com. 2009-09-18. Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ "US Tour Support". Arctic Monkeys. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa; Gundersen, Edna; Mansfield, Brian; Shriver, Jerry; Jones, Steve (July 11, 2010). "Listen Up: Weekend Plugs". USA Today.
- ^ Bargar Suter, Lesley (July 2010), "5 New Releases", Los Angeles magazine, p. 30
- ^ Pareles, Jon (June 25, 2010). "Minimalists, Radical Pickers and Tough Girls". New York Times.
- ^ Vesilind, Emili (April 10, 2010). "Gia Coppola directs girl band the Like in a Zac Posen for Target video". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ House, M.L. (October 26, 2010). "90210 Music: "How Much is That Liam in the Window"". TV Fanatic.
- ^ "Li'l Depressed Boy Likes The Like". Image Comics. March 25, 2011.
- ^ "The Like announces indefinite hiatus on Facebook". Facebook. May 23, 2011. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26.
- ^ The Like (October 20, 2013). "SURPRISE!!!! The Like is playing in Tokyo this Friday, Oct. 25th at Liquid Room!!! pic.twitter.com/8qMhpn1ovJ". @ilovethelike. Retrieved 2013-10-20.