TIGHT PANTS SYNDROME: SINGLES
In the world of Tight Pants Syndrome—a constantly evolving lineup of Saint Louis’ finest popsters led by songwriter/guitarist Tom Stephens—everybody sings. The latest group—featuring Maxtone Four’s Brian McClelland, STL drummer-at-large Scott Hermes (Phonocaptors/Fantasy Four), keyboardist Tim McAvin (Lydia’s Trumpet/The Joobs), and new addition Erin Hogan (Failside)—carries on in the tradition of the original 2004 lineup, keeping big harmonies and lightning-hot pop hooks in the forefront of their shimmering ’60s pop.
The Pants’ long-anticipated debut full-length release, Singles, will be released on June 24, 2008. Consisting of all the band’s limited-edition (and always coveted) regionally released singles—plus five new tracks including live faves “John’s Niece is Very Pretty,” “Dumb Love,” and “Suburban Girl”—Singles serves as a primer for the uninitiated and soon-to-be-converted pop fan.
Singles’ first 9 tracks—starting with the giddy anthem “Your Buzz Is Safe With Me” and concluding with the almost-Christmas tune “How Did You Get To Be Mine (This Christmas)”—feature the original 2004 lineup of Stephens on guitars/vocals, Marcia Pandolfi on vocals/guitars, Joe Scanlon on vocals/bass, and Brian James on drums. When Pandolfi left the band for art school in Chicago in 2005, McClelland—a long time fan who had written up the Pants during his stint as Live Music Editor for regional magazine PLAYBACK:stl—says he “literally jumped at the opportunity” to join, pitching his innate talent for “singing like a girl.”
After a short stint with band pal Lauren Trull on Moog, Stephens’ school chum Tim McAvin joined in 2007. Having recently disbanded The Joobs, McAvin joined just in time to lay down some sweet harmonies and smoking keys on the tracks “Cool Bad Cherry” and “Fuckin’-A Right.”
When drummer James split for San Francisco in 2007, Hermes was number one on the Pants’ wish list. After a prolonged courting period—due mostly to Hermes’ willingness to repeatedly “audition new haircuts” to find a style deemed “cool enough to hang,” Stephens explains, adding “Third time is definitely the charm”—the lineup was once again complete.
The Pants found their newest member—singer and actress Erin Hogan—the new-fashioned way: on Craigslist.
Stephens describes the Pants’ sound as “Stadium pop,” with a little bit of “Blip Blap!” and “Don’t Worry About It” thrown in for kicks.
