Noblesse Oblige

Noblesse Oblige is the French-named band from Brooklyn, with roots in Iowa, Virginia, Mississippi and Rhode Island. N.O. plays hook-laden power-pop with an emphasis on concise and clear arrangements.

Sometimes you can hear echoes of the Byrds or Big Star in their songs. Sometimes the mellower sounds invoke Neil Young backed by the Feelies and Stereolab. Sometimes Pete Townsend rolls over in his grave (wait, he's not dead yet). The Teenage Fanclub might ask 'em to open. Or Guided by Voices. If you see them, give them our phone number.

And remember, if you don't like the song Noblesse is playing now, remember that it will be over in 3 minutes. That's the rule you know. 3 minutes, give or take an intro or fade-out.

Guitarist and songwriter Timothy James Thomas knew that his hometown of Ames, Iowa lacked "soul". No question, his love for George Clinton and the Meters meant he had to get out of corn country. But that doesn't mean that when he packed his bags for the East Coast he didn't carry a teensy bit of "The Coug" with him. All Midwesterners have a lil' bit of Mellencamp in them, whether they admit it or not. Oh, and the Replacements. But that goes without saying.

You can still hear remnants of bassist Greg Simpson's drawl, particularly when he waxes poetic about collard greens. It was Greg's love for the Meters that first drew him and Tim together in a Baptist Gospel band in Brooklyn. Oh how those white boys loved their grooves. Greg likes pop though too, and he was only more than happy to bring his New York indie-rock cred to the musical table.

Growing up a cat’s throw from a Rhode Island shopping mall, drummer Shuva Paul was a devoted college-music nut. He even went to college specifically so he could hear more of it. It wasn't until years later that he picked up the drums, wondering whether he was in fact too old to rock. Truth be told, N.O.’s music is easier on his wrists than that garage punk-rock he plays in the East Village.

Tee Templeton may have the rugged good looks of a southern Marlboro man, but his inner-child screams "sensitive-guy." He's sophisticated in all things musical, but kindly agreed to add spice to N.O.'s four-chord stylings at the request of his therapist. A gifted songwriter in his own right, Tee's Might Could Have is an outstanding experimental-folk record that recalls Tim Buckley and early Elliot Smith.

Together, Noblesse Oblige sounds like and unlike everything you've ever or never heard before. Have hooks, will travel. And Noblesse has hooks in spades.
Contact: timothyjamesthomas@go.com or call 917-822-5346