**The Loved Ones (Record Release)** **Wyld Gooms** **\+ DJs Lee Set & Nick Waterhouse** Oakland’s legendary mod blues quartet **The Loved Ones** are back with live appearances on the West Coast and in Europe, plus a new full-length LP produced by Grammy winner Nick Waterhouse. On \*LATEST HITS\* (SofaBurn/Lovemonk Recs), the classic lineup of Xan McCurdy (Cake), Michael Therieau, John Kent, and Bart Davenport delivers the raucous '60s sound they are known for, with some unexpected genre twists. Previous reunion shows drew gleeful capacity crowds, and all signs point to all-out Loved Ones mania once again. The Loved Ones formed in 1990, a veritable supergroup of the California mod scene, performing with an aesthetic and energy akin to the early Yardbirds. Soon after, original Chicago blues became a major influence, while touches of garage rock, Memphis soul, and New Orleans R&B also made their way into the group's sound. The Loved Ones signed with Hightone Records in 1992, releasing two LPs and a single over the next two years. They hit the road across the U.S., touring every region of the country and opening for the likes of John Lee Hooker and Junior Wells. Europe followed with tours of Spain, France, and the Netherlands. The group officially split in 1995 with a sold-out farewell concert at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. Lead guitarist Xan McCurdy eventually joined Cake and remains with the hit-making band today. Bassist Michael Therieau and drummer John Kent spent several years in country rock outfit Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days. Singer Bart Davenport has released eight solo albums. While The Loved Ones have reunited several times over the years, their new LP \*LATEST HITS\* marks a long-awaited return to writing and recording together. To capture the magic on analog tape, they enlisted retro R&B dynamo Nick Waterhouse. The group's undeniable chemistry, combined with decades of experience apart, brings masterful results, with McCurdy’s tough yet playful riffs and Kent’s anachronistic beats setting the tone. Twelve originals, with lyrics by Davenport and Therieau, explore the full spectrum of '60s-style rock and roll, from the endless boogie of “Mad, Bad LUV,” to the Mersey-drenched “Down That Road,” to the garage harmonies of “True Love Or Temptation” and the freakbeat stomp of “Don’t Turn Your Back.” Reanimating grooves they’ve appreciated since their teens—but with a maturity that only comes from veteran players—there is no weak link in The Loved Ones. Their sound would be impossible without each member’s distinctive contribution. So if you’re in Spain, the Netherlands, or the U.S. West Coast, they’ll soon be bringing that sound to a venue near you. **Wyld Gooms** are a Los Angeles garage rock band inspired by the raw energy of '60s groups like The Sonics, The Kinks, and The Seeds. Blending fuzzed-out guitars, Farfisa organ, and infectious hooks, they’ve toured Europe and built a reputation for high-energy live performances. Their sound pays tribute to classic garage rock while bringing a fresh, modern edge.