The Drawing Board

So, the last people to ever have a thought they could call original were Adam and Eve. I don’t know where I stole that from, but I know I’m not the first one to say it. That said, any band has to concede that it comes from somewhere. Fighting it is futile and getting upset over it is sad. You can full on embrace the irony and form a Beatles cover band called The Originals, or you can make your influences work for you. That is what The Drawing Board does.

Think Posies. Think Aimee Mann. A bit of Stereophonics with some Beta Band to boot. Maybe even a smidge of Supertramp, but in a good way. Think lots and lots of Beatles, and then ask yourself what’s wrong with that? This band makes it work. Justin Tapp struts like a young Mick, and his vocal stylings borrow more from the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne than from the Fab Four, but songs like Happy With You had me mentally reaching for my Revolver album; not to drown out the sound, but to put the two together on a “Something Old/Something New” mix tape.

Sure, my experience with The Drawing Board is limited to one evening at Redrum, but it was enough to make me willing to sell a few of my own cds in the hopes of purchasing theirs. The sound is strong and, as much as any band can be after 50+ years of rock, fresh. These guys remind you why you liked rock music in the first place, and they give you hope that you still can. Kudos fellas. Keep up the good work.

-Christopher David Smith - Austin Music Network