Fitz and The Tantrums

Fitz & the Tantrums had a unique place in the soul-revival world, harking back less to vintage '60s soul than to the silkier '80s sounds of later Temptations, Fine Young Cannibals and peak-era Hall & Oates. Fronted by the suave and strong-voiced Michael Fitzpatrick, the group was born over a 2008 song, "Breakin' the Chains of Love," which Fitzpatrick claimed took him five minutes to write. Born in France and raised in Los Angeles, Fitzpatrick got his first gigs as a sound engineer for producer Mickey Petralia (of Beck and Dandy Warhols fame). He was enough of a gearhead to know he had a bargain when a vintage Conn organ turned up for $50, he took immediately to the new keyboard and wrote "Breakin' the Chains of Love" the first night he played it. In fact the song sounded so promising that he formed a band just to play it. College friend James King was the first to join on sax; he brought in co-singer Noelle Scaggs and drummer John Wicks. (Scaggs was already building a successful career singing backup for Miley Cyrus and appearing in the film Be Cool with John Travolta).Bassist Ethan Phillips and keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna joined soon afterward, and the lineup remained intact as of 2017. The lack of guitar became a point of pride for the band, proving they could make a full sound without one. The Tantrums made early connections with hot producer Mark Ronson and soul-pop sensations Maroon 5, and signed to the LA indie label Dangerbird. The debut album, 2010's Pickin' Up the Pieces was literally homemade, done in Fitzpatrick's living room with a ProTools rig. The band connected with two role models around the album's release -- opening West Coast shows for the reunited Specials, and appearing on Daryl Hall's Web series Live from Daryl's House (where Hall and Fitzpatrick dueted on "Sara Smile"). Though album's first three singles didn't chart, the fourth try was the charm "MoneyGrabber" hit #2 on Adult Alternative chart. The second Tantrums album, 2013's More than Just A Dream built on that single's success, with a stronger new-wave feel, glossier arrangements and more Fitzpatrick/Scaggs vocal interplay. This time there was a hit right out of the box with "Out of My League," and a successful follow-up in "The Walker." The band continued touring hard and made its self-titled 2016 album with multiple producers, including Ricky Reed who handled the typically infectious lead single "HandClap."