Wall of Tom’s songs are the journey of Tommie and Tony: a twisted path of yearning and denial that lead to acceptance of a love so true.
She wasn’t exactly a waitress in a cocktail bar, but when Tommie V met Tony Grimes working as a receptionist at a once famous but now fallen recording studio, the musical chemistry was undeniable. It eventually led to the 50’s influenced indie-lounge aesthetic that now defines the Wall of Tom sound captured on their upcoming 2009 album Universal Attraction rife with songs that tell the true Hollywood love story that was always meant to be.
But before it could be Wall of Tom, it was Tommie’s wall that kept things platonic and in the process unwittingly created a deeper bond that morphed an acoustic duo into a five-piece art rock throwback collaborative.
Everyone was sure they were a couple when Tommie and Tony started playing their coffeehouse sets at small venues around their adoptive Los Angeles.
“We really listened to each other and fed off each other completely in our performances,” remembers Tommie. “The energy between us was so present and intense that the audiences knew we were in love before we did.”
Well, at least one of them. Tony wanted it to be more before Tommie decided that this guy’s poetry and his voice and shared passion for music were the only things she was attracted to.
The Wall of Tom—the self-induced one around Tommie’s heart--is what kept them apart. She was coming out of a long relationship and wasn’t about to jump into another one. It was time to get to work on her craft. Tony provided motivation while she was writing her solo stuff, which she recorded with Henry Rollins’ band Mother Superior aided by guitar tech Walter Rice III who created the unique guitar sounds on System of a Down’s “Toxicity” (one of the benefits of being the cool girl with a cooler voice that musicians saw first thing every day when they stepped into their sonic office).
But that was the beginning. As they spent more and more time together, Tony’s singer/songwriter and 90’s alt rock influence seeped into Tommie’s blues and jazz palette. And each day that he literally showed up on her doorstep to pen another melody to fit her words, bigger pieces of the wall began to crumble until finally the feelings were mutually strong, the attraction wasn’t one-sided, and Tommie’s words were now about someone new.
“We got happy,” Tommie admits. “And our songs reflected how we felt.”
In a blog-driven rock world, that would normally be the sappy kiss of death for an indie band except for, well, the jangly guitars, the retro sound, and stylish dress…and the music—hooks that burrow into your brain and melodies that you want to hum the whole week after hearing them.
As they finish recording this new incarnation’s first project, Wall of Tom hosted a night at Hush Lounge in Hollywood in the former location of a basement speakeasy owned by silent film star Rudolph Valentino.
It seems that loving being in love doesn’t mean you can’t be hip.
“We’re not Kurt and Courtney, but we’re not Pete and Ashley either,” laughs Tommie. “Sonny and Cher, maybe. Now, that would be cool.”
NEW LOCATION! Even thought the beachside grill isn't going to be open until next week, THE MUSIC MUST GO ON!!!! It's still in downtown Oceanside, just around the corner on pierview way! Pierview Pub!
Hey Wall of Tom, Saturday, June 13, 2009 my friends the VELCRO PYGMIES are going to be at the Blue Fox in Decatur... I will be performing a song or two with them.... are you coming? I would love to see you there.... here is the address to the club and there myspace link.
In case you havent heard, we are just letting everyone know we are now running a Protools HD equipped recording studio with an engineer with over 11 years experience. We are running a special right now 3 songs for $300.00. So hit us up if your interested.
After years of promoting friends, bands, and other causes, I have the chance and good fortune to promote ME! LOL!
I entered the Santa Monica Twilight Dance Series Poster Contest and am one of 25 finalists! I have the opportunity to win some cash, work on the merchandising with their promotional team, and gain the prestige that comes with being "winner!"
I would appreciate it greatly if you would take time to click here and vote for my entry! Also, please help rally my cause by getting your friends to vote, too!
When are we gonna make the music video for 'True'? I love that song, it plays on my profile...Portland is beautiful! Let's shoot here ;) Miss ya!! Peace, J
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