Formed in Los Angeles in 1995, The Tories have generated an international f… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Los Angeles in 1995, The Tories have generated an international following through extensive touring, top ten video exposure on M2, numerous local and national television appearances (Entertainment Tonight, MTV, VH-1, WB, FOX, USA, E!, ESPN) and by composing and performing "Time For You," the theme song from NBC's hit television series "Jesse" starring Christina Applegate.
The Tories debut album "Wonderful Life" establishes the band's trademark power pop sound, and features some of their most memorable music.
The Tories are:
Steve Bertrand - Vocals, guitar
JJ Farris - Guitar, vocals
James Guffee - Bass, vocals
Brent Klopp - Drums
Album - The Upside of Down
The Tories have been to the other side and back. Steve Bertrand (vocals/guitar), James Guffee (bass/vocals) and J.J. Farris (guitar/vocals) have faced many changes and upheavals that would have shattered even the strongest of bands. From the parting of a member to the loss of family, The Tories have overcome their adversity to create the beautifully haunting The Upside of Down, the follow up release to their 1997 debut Wonderful Life.
Exploring a darker sound that retains elements of hope and humor on this sophomore effort, The Upside of Down encapsulates the spirit of this band. "It's sort of a starting over for us and that's what we really want to celebrate," says Bertrand. "It's been an incredibly difficult time, but it's a new day. The core of the band is still together, and we're very proud of the record we have made." Bryan Head (Black Lab) on drums rounds out this quartet and brings to the band a driving energy that is a mighty addition to their live shows.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1995, The Tories quickly found themselves in the middle of record/publishing offers after only six months of playing together. It was only when legendary producer Phil Ramone entered the picture that their dreams were realized. After signing with Ramone's own N2K Records, The Tories soon found themselves on the road tirelessly touring and promoting their debut album. "Gladys Kravitz," the first single and video from Wonderful Life, went top ten on M2. Billboard Magazine called the record "pure pop heaven." The band spent the summer of 1998 on the road with the VH-1 Rock Across America Tour as well as appearing on Entertainment Tonight, The Magic Johnson Show, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, E! Entertainment, ESPN, Viva Variety, USA Network and many other television programs. The tour also included dates in Europe. "We would see people in the audience in Spain or France, who could not even speak English but would be singing the lyrics to our songs," says Bertrand. "That's when it hit me how powerful music is. I'm always blown away when someone approaches me to tell me how much one of our songs has meant to them. Music is such a powerful medium and communicates so much."
After a whirlwind year of touring, it was at a hometown show that producer Gavin MacKillop (Toad the Wet Sprocket) approached the band to write and record the theme song for the NBC sitcom Jesse starring Christina Applegate. "We were so on that night", says Farris. "After being on the road so long, we were like a machine!" They went on to write the theme song "Time for You" as well as perform the underscore for the entire show. After two successful seasons in the top ten, The Tories were rewarded with the 1999 and 2000 ASCAP Film and Television Awards.
The Upside of Down was produced by The Tories and multi-talented Stuart Brawley (Foo Fighters, Don Henley, Michael Jackson.) "We couldn¹t have made this record without him," says Guffee. "It was a labor of love, and we're very grateful for his talent and contribution to the album." Brawley and renowned mix engineers James "Jimbo" Barton, Gavin MacKillop and Joe Chiccarelli deftly handled the mixing duties. Recorded almost entirely at home and rehearsal, this record is a fierce 11-song collection that still embraces the trademark Tories sound, but reflects a more seasoned approach. "Point of View" speaks of the splintering of friendships as the band found success early on. "The End" raises the sarcastic question, "What am I doing with my life?" to the beat of a marching band.
From the longing opening chords of "Would You Notice," to the transparent candor of "All The World's For Sale," The Tories plant new seeds in familiar soil. The result is the powerful The Upside of Down, a contemplative and confident record that's sure to please those who loved Wonderful Life as well as open the door to countless new fans.
The Tories debut album "Wonderful Life" establishes the band's trademark power pop sound, and features some of their most memorable music.
The Tories are:
Steve Bertrand - Vocals, guitar
JJ Farris - Guitar, vocals
James Guffee - Bass, vocals
Brent Klopp - Drums
Album - The Upside of Down
The Tories have been to the other side and back. Steve Bertrand (vocals/guitar), James Guffee (bass/vocals) and J.J. Farris (guitar/vocals) have faced many changes and upheavals that would have shattered even the strongest of bands. From the parting of a member to the loss of family, The Tories have overcome their adversity to create the beautifully haunting The Upside of Down, the follow up release to their 1997 debut Wonderful Life.
Exploring a darker sound that retains elements of hope and humor on this sophomore effort, The Upside of Down encapsulates the spirit of this band. "It's sort of a starting over for us and that's what we really want to celebrate," says Bertrand. "It's been an incredibly difficult time, but it's a new day. The core of the band is still together, and we're very proud of the record we have made." Bryan Head (Black Lab) on drums rounds out this quartet and brings to the band a driving energy that is a mighty addition to their live shows.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1995, The Tories quickly found themselves in the middle of record/publishing offers after only six months of playing together. It was only when legendary producer Phil Ramone entered the picture that their dreams were realized. After signing with Ramone's own N2K Records, The Tories soon found themselves on the road tirelessly touring and promoting their debut album. "Gladys Kravitz," the first single and video from Wonderful Life, went top ten on M2. Billboard Magazine called the record "pure pop heaven." The band spent the summer of 1998 on the road with the VH-1 Rock Across America Tour as well as appearing on Entertainment Tonight, The Magic Johnson Show, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, E! Entertainment, ESPN, Viva Variety, USA Network and many other television programs. The tour also included dates in Europe. "We would see people in the audience in Spain or France, who could not even speak English but would be singing the lyrics to our songs," says Bertrand. "That's when it hit me how powerful music is. I'm always blown away when someone approaches me to tell me how much one of our songs has meant to them. Music is such a powerful medium and communicates so much."
After a whirlwind year of touring, it was at a hometown show that producer Gavin MacKillop (Toad the Wet Sprocket) approached the band to write and record the theme song for the NBC sitcom Jesse starring Christina Applegate. "We were so on that night", says Farris. "After being on the road so long, we were like a machine!" They went on to write the theme song "Time for You" as well as perform the underscore for the entire show. After two successful seasons in the top ten, The Tories were rewarded with the 1999 and 2000 ASCAP Film and Television Awards.
The Upside of Down was produced by The Tories and multi-talented Stuart Brawley (Foo Fighters, Don Henley, Michael Jackson.) "We couldn¹t have made this record without him," says Guffee. "It was a labor of love, and we're very grateful for his talent and contribution to the album." Brawley and renowned mix engineers James "Jimbo" Barton, Gavin MacKillop and Joe Chiccarelli deftly handled the mixing duties. Recorded almost entirely at home and rehearsal, this record is a fierce 11-song collection that still embraces the trademark Tories sound, but reflects a more seasoned approach. "Point of View" speaks of the splintering of friendships as the band found success early on. "The End" raises the sarcastic question, "What am I doing with my life?" to the beat of a marching band.
From the longing opening chords of "Would You Notice," to the transparent candor of "All The World's For Sale," The Tories plant new seeds in familiar soil. The result is the powerful The Upside of Down, a contemplative and confident record that's sure to please those who loved Wonderful Life as well as open the door to countless new fans.
Don't Be Long
The Tories Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Don't Be Long' by these artists:
B.D.A. No more lies this time around You hate it Cause even love…
BAND-MAID On the corner of 35th & 6th Faces past, people laugh,…
BDA No more lies this time around You hate it Cause even love…
Beefeaters Every time I see you smile, come to me, don't…
James T. Slater Do me wrong, do me right Tell me lies, but hold…
Nils Lofgren and Grin Frightened children hurry by the towering silence Jesters an…
Ron Hawkins Don't be long on that crooked mile With your junky pose…
The Beefeaters Every time I see you smile, come to me, don't…
The Byrds Every time I see you smile, come to me, don't…
水樹奈々 強さを 求めて 戦い続けて 儚い 弱さに 気づく事 remember 信じて 走って 感じた孤独 頼れるものが 何処にも…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Tories:
All the World's For Sale Measure up what you think it's worth Lay it out on…
Alone I said I hate it when you not around... Yeah I…
Come Unglued Put on my jacket, but don't want to go Know all…
Everything Keeps Coming Up You Well, I thought that I had left you When I put…
Free (I love you) (For so many reasons) Just some shit to vent…
Greatest Foe Silence, loss of emotion for a lyric Hope that's deferred c…
Happy Know you messin' with a winner, baby I mean we only…
Might Be Late We had something special baby We don't need to give it…
Other Side of Time Whisper to me Everything you see Can you hear my voice Or…
Point of View I have nothing more than hands like yours I can't provide…
Round And Round You seen the foreign pull up I hopped out another one We…
Strange Strange Days I should say it's time we go Hold my hand…
Superconductor I spent years out searching With all my friends For some w…
Talk Dirty to Me Alright, cool (Yeah) Yeah Talk to me baby (talk) You's a pr…
The End If I could only see Into the future I wonder if I'd…
The Upside of Down Broken of my hand Choking on my sin Box I've locked you…
This is Life? I hope you'll find somebody more toxic And y'all go through…
Time For You Roll away everything that's tripping up your life You're no…
Wonderful Life The Gower Drugstore And Bedford Falls is watching Stones bre…
Would You Notice Follow you in the shadow of your stride I'd wait an…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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FARRINGTON
Steve Bertrand great Vocalist and songwriter 🙏
bedspringkiss
A very underrated band! Too bad they broke up. Thanks for posting this :)
grant taskerud
One of the best chorsus and bridges i ever wrote. I also officially came up with and did the whistle. Hollywood Pres and Natick ave were very creative locations. Some song writers go unknown. Grant Volz Taskerud im glad this song, I had a large part in writing, actually made it onto the album... Never saw a dime... Though the album had a huge budget. But at least Steve made it happen and got a song we wrote in a previous band on this record.... So not all was lost. I've written many awesome chorus and and bridges in my lifetime.. But this one encompasses my love of haunting cheap trick style melodies... Need your Love. Heaven tonight..i want you i need you im down on my knees.
A guy named George Belias also wrote the chords on the chorus and verses. Most Words Steve. Other words and most chorus melodies and bridge melody and words me. I wrote the chords as well on the bridge departure. I loved writing cool bridges on songs. This was one of the last songs we wrote together in our previous band Peace Child. At the end around 1996 steve and i be were doing all the writing. Or Steve helping me finish my song ideas. Eventually he started up what would become the tories.
Everyone was credited including our old bass player rich renken.
Our music in the old band was taking some turns and our guitarist was planning a new career. So Steve and i were planning another band with new guitarist. Im glad it worked out for Steve. This song, thank God was changed very little for this record... Im glad we all gave up money on the front end. So we could at least have a song on a Sony record. That was the ultimatum we were presented with. No publishing money up front or no song on the record. Only royalties from album sales.
Well it worked out for the best.
I get to hear and see my song 27 years later still alive and kicking on you tube. I won't wonder why "why can't you be happy" didn't make the cut as well?
Where's Kerrang magazine when you need them.
Lol
Where thanks for posting Brent...i know we talked in Nashville once... But i guess i wasnt finished talking.
Greg T Carpenter
This video must have been self-financed and shot before the Wonderful Life album, because it features the demo version of "Don't Be Long." The band was given a make-over after they got their deal. They are almost unrecognizable in this video. I believe the band sold copies of the demo at shows. I got a tape of it from a friend just before the Wonderful Life album came out.
Dia Smith
best band no one ever heard :(
sjrhollywood1347
I saw The Tories at Polypalooza (in San Luis Obispo, CA) - The El Rey Theater - Dragonfly - The Troubadour - and Genghis Cohen (all in L.A.) and they were one of my most FAVORITE bands of the late '90s!!!
Mike D
Right under jellyfish
cyklopps01
no wonder why he like to play that song when we would rehearse.....
Keith Sawyer
Is that Jason or Jeremy London as the guy administering the shoeshine?
FARRINGTON
It’s Jeremy