Nashville has been the home of rockers THE ETTES for nearly three years now. The band started in L.A., when pals Coco and Poni were working a retail gig and decided to form a band. Inspired by the girl gang at the center of the 1975 film, The Switchblade Sisters, they created a sound that mirrored the films’ stars: sexy and tough as nails. New Jersey native Jem Cohen joined on bass and the group spent time in New York, LA and London before finding a home in Nashvegas.
“Sometimes wanderlust can be a blessing,” says Coco. “If we didn’t constantly get the itch to keep moving, we wouldn’t get as much done.” And what they’ve done is quite impressive.
In 2005, THE ETTES self-financed a trip to London’s Toe Rag studios, and recorded with analog extraordinaire Liam Watson (the White Stripes, the Kills) releasing 2006′s Shake the Dust on Sympathy for the Record Industry. After extensive US and European touring, the band returned to Toe Rag for their sophomore LP Look At Life Again Soon (Take Root 2008), and, following that release, toured with the Black Keys, the Detroit Cobras, and Kings of Leon.
In 2009, after releasing a 7″ and EP featuring tracks recorded with Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, THE ETTES invited garage legend Greg Cartwright to produce Do You Want Power in their new hometown of Nashville. Following the release the band embarked on a busy two years of festival and tour dates, including stints with Juliette Lewis, the Dead Weather and the Greenhornes. The band has also landed high profile key synch placements in TV shows such as NCIS Los Angeles, Sons Of Tucson and Entourage, as well as the Drew Barrymore film Whip it.
In 2010, THE ETTES called it quits with their label, TAKE ROOT RECORDS, and started recording in London with Liam Watson. They also returned to their original rock trio formation, after touring as a four piece.” The group is lean, mean and formidable, with Jem often playing lead on bass and Coco taking it to a new level on guitar.
The 14 tracks that would become Wicked Will (KRIAN MUSIC GROUP/FOND OBJECT/ FONTANA) were recorded in late 2010 and early 2011 and reflect the band’s growth as songwriters and performers. It’s a timeless, classic rock and roll album that respects the past while remaining current and vital. And like all good rock and roll, these songs come from the gut and tickle your nether regions. THE ETTES wouldn’t have it any other way.