The Relationship is pretty much the indie band version of a buddy comedy. Weezer guitarist Brian Bell fronts the four-piece, which includes Nate Shaw of U.S. Bombs, Albert Hammond Jr.‘s songwriting partner Jon LaRue, and Anthony Burulcich, drummer for Morrissey and the Bravery. Good thing the debut song “Oh Allen” off the band’s new 7-in., due April 8 on Burger Records, is about just that.
“‘Oh Allen’ is a buddy song about two longtime friends who were once inseparable,” Bell tells Billboard. “Allen follows his dreams of being an artist while the friend conforms to society’s demands but cheers him on as ‘one of the faces in the crowd.’ The song resonated with Nate and myself because we were actually the character of Allen, or what Allen represented to us, while friends and family, as supportive as they must be, are the ones speaking of us in an ‘Oh that Nate and Brian…’ sort of way.”
Like his other band, the Relationship specializes in guitars that crunch like pop rocks behind an easily hummable, howl-able chorus about girls, art, school, and two boy BFFs. “Save the hard work for people in the crowd,” Bell sings, and with an anthem like this, all the work is guaranteed to be holding up crowdsurfers.
Listen to “Oh Allen” below, which Billboard is exclusively premiering. And to see the band live, check out the Relationship’s tour dates below.
The Relationship Tour Dates:
Apr. 8 – Los Angeles – Viper Room (7″ Release Party)
Apr. 15 – Redlands, Cali. – Hanger 24
Apr. 16 – Santa Cruz, Calif. – Moe’s Alley
Apr. 17 – San Francisco – Bottom of the Hill
Apr. 18 – Medford, Ore. – Howiee’s On Front
Apr. 19 – Seattle – Barboza
Apr. 21 – Salt Lake City – The Loading Dock
Apr. 22 – Denver – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
Apr. 23 – Lincoln, Neb. – Vega
Apr. 24 – Kansas City, Mo. – Middle of the Map Fest
Apr. 25 – St. Louis – The Demo
Apr. 26 – Chicago, IL @ The Beat Kitchen
Apr. 27 – Cleveland – Grog Shop
Apr. 29 – New York – The Studio at Webster Hall
Apr. 30 – Hamden, Conn. – The Ballroom at The Outer Space
May 1 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
May 2 – Philadelphia – Ortliebs Lounge
May 3 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
May 5 – Pensacola, Fla. – Vinyl Music Hall
May 6 – Tampa, Fla. – Crowbar
May 7- Gainesville, Fla. – High Dive
May 8 – Tallahassee, Fla. – Pugs Live
May 9 – New Orleans – Siberia
May 10 – Houston – Bronze Peakcock at House of Blues
May 12 – Tulsa, Okla. – Vanguard
May 15 – San Diego – Voodoo Room at House of Blues