Rooney

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Rooney is a five member band of Los Angeles natives that began their career in 2000. Vocals and guitar is led by Robert Schwartzman, brother of actor Jason Schwartzman. Taylor Locke is on guitars followed by Ned Brower on drums, who both sing backing vocals, as well. Bass is played by Matthew Winter and on keyboard is Louie Stevens. They gained a loyal fan base throughout Southern California after self-releasing two EPS. In 2002, the group signed with Geffen Records. After releasing their self titled debut album and selling 400,000 copies, the band toured all over the United States and Europe, performing with artists such as Weezer, The Strokes and Incubus. In the end of 2004, the group returned to Los Angeles to make their sophomore record, Calling the World with producer John Fields. It was released July 17th, 2007. Robert Schwartzman wrote all of the songs on Calling the World. He searched for a sound that would rock and also make people dance. Rooney's first single off the album was When Did Your Heart Go Missing. It quickly gained popularity globally by breaking into VH1's top 20 countdown and becoming a top ten radio hit all over Europe. Young Hollywood got the chance to catch up with Robert Schwartzman and Taylor Locke backstage at The Roxy in Los Angeles. We asked how they would describe their sound. Schwartzman said, It's melodic, it's rock and roll, it's combinations of drums, bass, synthesizers, two guitars and three singers. The video for the first single takes viewers on a journey through the day in the life of Rooney. It was shot in various locations throughout Los Angeles and it gives you a feel of the warm Southern California lifestyle. During the entire month of April 2007, the group hosted a Monday"night residency at Los Angeles' Roxy nightclub so they could play the material from their sophomore album for their loyal fans first. A month later, Rooney went on a club tour of the UK and Europe, they then returned to the US and toured as the opening act for Fergie. The group recently performed a memorial concert at the Roxy for the late executive producer and founder of Brandon Schantz Productions, Brandon Schantz. The proceeds from ticket sales went to the establishment of the Brandon Schantz Memorial Endowment in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Texas in Austin. For more on Rooney, check out our interview with them at the Roxy. You may also check them out at www.rooney-band.com.