Basie Orchestra, Brecker to perform at Moores Jazz Festival

By Rattaya Nimibutr
Daily Cougar Staff

The Sacramento-based band The Chrome Addicts loves to salute the normal guy stuff like cars and cigarettes, but what its members do best is not working on automobiles or smoking; it's undoubtedly the way the band rocks night clubs with its boogie-woogie sound that makes them so addictive to their fans.

What exactly is so addictive about these guys? Their sound offers are top-notch, bursting with an exceptional whirl of saxophones and organs.

"We're really a crossover of the swing scene and different easy blues. We also have a bit of rock thrown in as well," said 29-year-old lead singer Tommy Young in a recent telephone interview. He also blows people away with his harmonica skills as well as with his voice.

"We just added a piano to the band, and it's going great. We've been touring in different parts of the country and meeting a lot of different people. It's going well right now," said Young.

The stylistic motion from the Chrome Addicts is for those of us who love swing music. These guys just want to jam, and live shows are their specialty.

"We have a lot more fun with live shows. When we are not performing, we like to watch other live bands. It makes up for the nights we don't work," said Young.

"In America, you can just go to any blues bar or any other kind of bar and get live music. In Europe, you can't do that. I think people here take it for granted that we have that option to watch bands live."

The Chrome Addicts are slowly building up momentum for the early May release of a live album. The band, already fully booked with touring dates, is not intimidated by their imminent arrival in Houston.

"We have played in Houston a lot. We played The Orchid Lounge for the entire month last July. The people there at The Lounge are fantastic, and they give us good coverage," said Young.

"And do you know what else is cool about Houston? Standard Shoes. I like that place. That's another plus for coming to this town," added Young. 

The Chrome Addicts, wearing their best shoes from Standard, are swinging tonight at (where else) The Orchid Lounge. The show starts at 10 p.m.