The Like

Formed in 2001 when the members of the band were still in their teens, Los Angeles' the Like featured Charlotte Froom (bass), Tennessee Thomas (drums), and Z. Berg (vocals). Initially influenced by the Sundays, Throwing Muses, and the Pretenders, the Like were known at first for consisting of offspring of well-known members of the music industry: producer Mitchell Froom, drummer Pete Thomas (of Elvis Costello's Attractions), and A&R impresario Tony Berg. The indie rock trio worked to make its own way, though, and three EPs -- I Like the Like, ...And the Like, and Like It or Not -- were independently released via the band's website or sold at shows prior to the Like landing a recording contract with Geffen in 2004. Fresh out of high school, the Like toured with the likes of Maroon 5, Rooney, and Phantom Planet while writing and recording material for their debut album, 2005's Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? After that the band went through some changes, losing (Froom) and gaining (bassist Laena Geronimo, organist Annie Monroe) members, switching labels (Geffen to Downtown), and ditching its initial look for a mod makeover. This shift in style was in keeping with the musical change that found the Like looking to 1960s garage rock and girl groups for inspiration, rather than the punk-pop sound that informed their debut. Produced by Mark Ronson, Homer Steinweiss, and Alex Greenwald, the band's second album, Release Me, was released in June of 2010. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi