There's no doubt that the guys of Rooney know a thing or two when it comes to the art of crafting the perfect pop song. Over the span of several EPs and two records, the LA-based five-piece honed their signature California sound into a tried-and-true formula that was one-part infectiously tender hooks, combined with uplifting and sunny melodies, and capped off with swoon-inducing harmonies.

But throwing all inhibitions out the window, the band has taken a dramatic turn on their latest project. Eschewing the major label/distribution route, Rooney brave new musical frontier, unleashing their self-produced and self-financed "Wild One" EP to the world, and fully baring their souls in the process. Taking a quick break from their adventures, singer Robert Schwartzman and guitarist Taylor Locke sat down with us to discuss their humble beginnings, pre-show rituals of staying clean, and details about the newly-unleashed EP.


OFFICIAL BIO:

Rooney is a five piece band of Los Angeles natives that formed in late 1999. After self-releasing two 5 song EPs and establishing a loyal following around the L.A. area, the band signed with Geffen Records in 2002. The band recorded their first full-length album with producer Keith Forsey (Billy Idol, Simple Minds) and proceeded to tour relentlessly for the following two years. The first album yielded two successful singles (I'm Shakin', Blueside) and was followed up with the DVD release "Spit and Sweat."

At the end of 2004, the band returned to Los Angeles where, after many hold-ups and two shelved albums, they recorded their second release, "Calling The World," with producer John Fields (Andrew W.K., Har Mar Superstar, Switchfoot). The sophomore album was released in the summer of 2007 and features the melodic songwriting and dynamic playing and harmonizing the band is known for. The first single (When Did Your Heart Go Missing?) peaked at number eight on the VH1 countdown and spawned a top 10 radio hit all across Europe where three more singles were released.

Rooney has recently completed their self produced 3rd album with mixer Dave Trumfino (Wilco, Built to Spill, Grandaddy).

Rooney has toured with a wide range of artists including The Academy Is…, Audioslave, Ben Lee, The Bridges, The Coral, The Donnas, Everybody Else, Grandaddy, Hello Stranger, The Hush Sound, Incubus, Jane's Addiction, Keane, Kings of Leon, The Lashes, Locksley, OK GO, Ozma, Pete Yorn, The Polyphonic Spree, Queens of the Stone Age, The Redwalls, The Strokes, Travis, The Vines, Weezer, and many more.