The Generationals, composed of Ted Joyner (singer/multi-instrumentalist) and Grant Widmer (also singer/multi-instrumentalist) have recently announced their summer tour dates. Both Joyner and Widmer were once band mates of The Eames Era, which you may know by way of Grey’s Anatomy and the song “Could Be Anything,” but they were the only two musicians left standing when three of the members decided they no longer wanted to pursue music. I would say that was a blessing for both Joyner and Widmer, because now we can enjoy Con Law, Trust (EP) and their latest album Actor-Caster. Their sound is much different from that of The Eames Era. Both Joyner and Widmer clearly draw inspiration from ’60’s pop bands, though they (as most bands do when they copy an original) gave it a modern twist. So that doo-woppy beat is a combination of ’60’s pop cuts with electronic elements unavailable at that time. Their track “Ten-Twenty-Ten” is a perfect example of this. The beat is cheerful, but don’t let it fool you for the lyrics are lovely and morose. Joyner sings at one point: “And when I see your friends / They say it’s in my head / All my friends seem to think you might leave me for dead.” The music video itself is reminiscent of a crazy acid trip with a deadpan Joyner singing the lyrics while flourescent fish eat his neck. I am in love with this band. Below are the dates for their tour this summer.

05/11 New York, NY Mercury Lounge *
05/12 Brooklyn, NY The Rock Shop *
05/13 Washington, DC The Red Palace *
05/14 Philadelphia, PA Kungfu Necktie *
05/17 Arlington, VA IOTA Club & Café *
05/18 Richmond, VA The Camel *
05/19 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *
05/20 Atlanta, GA The Earl *
05/21 Nashville, TN The Basement *
05/24 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree *
05/25 Oxford, MS Proud Larry’s *
05/26 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s *
05/27 Dallas, TX Club Dada *
05/28 Austin, TX Emo’s *
06/25 New Orleans, LA Tipitina’s
07/07 San Antonio, TX The Korva
07/08 Tempe, AZ Sail Inn %
07/09 Tucson, AZ Club Congress %
07/10 San Diego, CA Casbah %
07/14 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
07/16 Davis, CA Sophia’s Thai Kitchen %
07/17 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios %
07/19 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern %
07/20 Boise, ID Neurolux %
07/21 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court %
07/22 Denver, CO Underground Music Showcase %
07/23 Santa Fe, NM Corazon  %
07/24 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory %
07/26 Baton Rouge, LA Manship Theatre %

# = w/ Oh No Oh My
* = w/ Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
% = w/ Gardens & Villa