I just talked to Tony Smith, guitarist and singer for Sleeper Agent, a garage power pop combo out of Bowling Green, Ky. that is coming to the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Mark my words, this is a band to know and see at the festival this year.
The band's debut album, "Celabrasion," is hooky rock 'n' roll--fast, fun and anything but overwrought.
I'll have a full story up soon, but here are a few fun facts to keep you entertained in the meantime:
- Some of Smith's favorite power pop records include the first two releases from The New Pornographers and in high school he listened to a lot of the Pixies, Weezer and Ben Kweller.
- Fellow Coachella 2012 band Girls has also been a big influence, Smith said.
- The band recorded songs in Tennessee State Prison--where "The Green Mile" and "The Last Castle" both filmed--for some web videos you can see at the Sleeper Agent website. However, the band had to choose between the prison and a rubber band factory for the location. I highly recommend watching the "Get Burned" performance.
- Smith said he's hoping to catch At The Drive-In, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg and Radiohead during the two weekends at Coachella.
And if you didn't get Coachella tickets, the band is playing at the El Rey in LA on April 25 with Ben Kweller.
Click on the image below to see all of the 2012 Coachella artists and where they're from. The link inside each box takes you to a video and more information about each artist. Another fun fact: Sleeper Agent is the lone band representing the Bluegrass State.
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