Knoxville News Sentinel Article on TGH

Hey All

I wanted to post the piece from today's Knoxville News Sentinel about the band. Thanks to Jer Cole for writing the article.

Third Grade Haters prove the road is overrated
By Jer Cole Thursday, July 9, 2009

In a relatively short time, local rock trio Third Grade Haters have caught fire in Knoxville. Together just under two years, the band has been featured on NBC, The CW, TBS, Planet Green and MTV, and is preparing to record its second album. Though The Haters' annual gig count numbers around 100, the group has seldom made it out of state, disproving the frequent claim that no band gets noticed without leaving Knoxville.

With each member emerging out of now-defunct acts, Third Grade Haters began with a well-defined concept for its musical direction. Looking to decades worth of British rock for influence, the trio plays raw, unembellished rock with all the intensity three dudes can muster.

"TGH plays British rock and roll, Southern style," describes guitarist/vocalist Jimi Holiday. "I like to think of our music as one part Jet plus one part Arctic Monkeys plus two parts Kings of Leon with a dash of The Beatles thrown in for late '60's flavor."

"I would compare our music to that made in the late '60s and early '70s with a touch of dance rock added in," elaborates bassist Andy Jones. "I think we are certainly influenced by bands from that era but also by many current bands as well. We play music free of the ideas that have been placed on it over the years. Rock 'n' roll once knew no boundaries; it was whatever it was. Perhaps our music is an experience, a moment, a projection of all of the things in the world all at one time. A journey of a lifetime confined in a single moment."

The biggest obstacle faced by most trios is in reproducing a full, encompassing sound outside of a studio. With no intention of expanding its scant lineup, the Third Grade Haters assert that live shows are anything but problematic. In fact, TGH has built its reputation on the energy of its frequent live performances.

"Our live show is packed with the kind of raw energy and brash attitude that comes with youth and hits you like an express train," Jones continues. "Live, we will blow your brains clear through the back of your skull and leave your body flopping around like a helpless rag doll being shaken by a petulant child who's forgotten to take their Ritalin. In a word, it is an experience."

While many local bands devote summers to national touring, TGH has taken advantage, filling the void of local performances as it tries new material out on its area fan base. In pre-production for a sophomore release due out by the end of 2009, the group is narrowing down the potential track list from a pool of more than 100 that have been written since the release of its debut, "Pompous and Proud," this past November.

"Right now we're in the early stages of putting a new record together," says Holiday. "No decisions on a title as of yet, but as far as content goes, watch out! We're getting ready to let loose with a barn-burning, hide-your-children, there's-a-big-scary-rock-and-roll-tornado-at-your-door kind of record."

"I think the songs will for sure show growth in our songwriting and in musicianship," adds Jones. "A lot more time and thought has gone into the new record. Not to say we didn't think about the first record a lot, but I think we know more about what we want to do this time and have a better idea how to get the results we want. We had written over 100 songs since our first release to pick the best songs from. So we felt confident that we had enough material to make a second record."
To road-test material prior to their upcoming recording sessions, Third Grade Haters have jam-packed the month of July with local outings