Tenterhooks
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
Music
Press
“This is one of those blink-and-you-missed-it pieces; you need to listen to it more than one time because you’ll want to remember what you heard and why you like it...vocal chops and songwriting skills always equals a winning combination..” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - PopDose
The New York City four-piece play hook-laden power pop…Tenterhooks draw from the same well of loud power pop as Bob Mould at his most Sugar-y. The clip also gives a glimpse at the band’s high-energy live show…
Interestingly, the song's title gives you a pretty good indication of what to expect as Tenterhooks draw from the same well of loud power pop as Bob Mould at his most Sugar-y. The clip also gives a glimpse at the band's high-energy live show; and what do you know? You can catch them, playing live and in the flesh tomorrow night, May 8th, at the Lower East Side's Hi-Fi bar. Synergies, man.
Check out the video below. Tenterhooks' Meanwhile... in another part of town. Is out now via The Sugarblast Music Co.
CoolDad Music (featured 2nd video) - CoolDad Music blog
A new ensemble formed by long-time friends Lenny Zenith (of Jenifer Convertible and Minor Planets) and James Pertusi (also of Jenifer Convertible, Ditty Committee, Missing Teens, and The Sharp Things – see above). Influenced by such noteworthies as Big Star, Guided By Voices, Lemonheads, and New Pornographers, they produce thoroughly harmonic catchy power-pop informed by years in the garage and glitter hi-tops. A debut EP is in the works, and may be available just in time for their IPO showcase! - International Pop Overthrow
“Tenterhooks has been turning heads all over town with their muscular indie-pop.” - Big Takeover - Big Takeover
“Tenterhooks sing songs about hope for those individuals who live alternative lifestyles. Tenterhooks sound similar to The Ramones with their angst driven vocal harmonies and thunderous post punk melodies that sound like a freight train is barreling down the tracks.” - Jersey Beat
Here's a refreshing concept - a Brooklyn band that doesn't sound an inkling like the trend-hopping hopefuls that typically emanate from that fussed over borough.
Featuring alumni from indie scenesters Jennifer Convertible, the four-piece Tenterhooks pursue a linear meat-and-potatoes power pop muse.
Reminiscent of many Not Lame/Big Deal Records signees circa the turn of the millennium, Tenterhooks neither deviate or advance upon this all-too-traditional, albeit satisfying formula.
"Unseen" is Meanwhile in Another Part of Town's most riveting moment, with the remaining tunes paling not much further behind. Dare I say aficionados of Cheap Trick, The Well Wishers and Splitsville will be delighted with this? - Willfully Obscure
“Tenterhooks’ sound is a garagey mix of blistering pop, glam and punk reminiscent of an overdriven Blown Speakers-era New Pornographers.” – Transguys (dotcom) - Transguys
When we think about the glory days of rock ’n’ roll, we think of a sexist boys club that only let in guys who abused groupies and hung out with dudes. Despite this, in the 1980s, female-to-male transgender musician Lenny Zenith and his punk-pop band RZA opened for U2, Iggy Pop, and other legends in New Orleans. - Vice
Even before I was more publicly out, my privacy was respected in the local scene—some people knew, some didn’t. But there was still a lot of intensity and anxiety in day-to-day life. My experiences as a transgender person have always informed my work and I continue that work now as an LGBT advocate. - Offbeat
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Elements of crunchy power pop, glam, garage and punk.
Fronted by Lenny Zenith, Tenterhooks are one of only a few transgender-led bands.
Recorded at [the end] studios in Brooklyn (Kaiser Chiefs, Dirty Projectors), their debut EP (Meanwhile, in Another Part of Town) was released March 24, 2015, on micro-indie label The Sugarblast Music Company.
Lenny and James were in the critically-acclaimed NYC underground ‘noise pop’ band Jenifer Convertible, whose releases — 7" single "Car Song/Co-Dependency" (produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem) and a CD entitled Wanna Drag, produced by Wharton Tiers (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., etc.) were well-received. They are joined by Scott Campbell (Bree Sharp) on drums and Hiro Suzuki on guitar.
Recently profiled on Vice.com, Lenny Zenith will be featured in a documentary film about the early New Orleans punk scene entitled “Almost Ready”.
Band Members
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