Who? Born out of a high school garage and an ages-old American history lesson, lead singer/guitarist Alex Feder began operating under The XYZ Affair moniker as a multi-talented musician in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until he met equally skilled bandmates Russ Maschmeyer (keys/guitar/vocals), Sam Rockwell (drums) and Chris ‘Bones’ Bonner (bass/vocals) at NYU years later that the band began to cause a stir. They currently call Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood home.
What’s the Deal? After a string of EP recordings, The XYZ Affair independently unleashed their full-length debut A Few More Published Studies earlier this summer. It’s the disjointed decadence of Modest Mouse and a sound that soars like the Killers, supplemented by a Decemberists-like literacy (see the Great Gatsby reference in “Little Fool”). The quartet shines through catchy, grand anthems like “Academics” and “The Professional,” while honing commanding tracks such as “Smile” and “Ideals.” Their catalog radiates with charm, candor, and creativity — and the same is showcased in their video for “All My Friends,” a nostalgic viral gem featuring cameos from Nickelodeon personalities such as Marc Summers of Double Dare, Michael Maronna a.k.a. ‘Big Pete’ of The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Jason Zimbler, who played Ferguson on Clarissa Explains It All, and Danny Cooksey, the former Bobby Budnick of Salute Your Shorts.
Fun Fact: Don’t hesitate to call The XYZ Affair triple-threats. In addition to their musical and visual credits, they can credibly bust a move. Drummer Sam Rockwell started off as a ballet minor in college, while singer Alex Feder currently takes private hip-hop dance lessons. Chris Bonner’s dancing skills were once infamously complimented by hip-hop journalist Emil Wilbekin, who was judging a battle of the bands in which XYZ participated. According to Feder, bandmate Russ Maschmeyer “does not dance.”
Now Hear This:
The XYZ Affair – “Little Fool” DOWNLOAD MP3
Now Watch This: The XYZ Affair – “All My Friends” https://www.youtube.com/embed/IerHOrDQKW0 On the Web:
thexyzaffair.com
The XYZ Affair at MySpace
Talk: The XYZ Affair: revolutionary or revolting?
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