Return Of The Rentals (really)

It has been seven long years since The Rentals have made even the slightest noise.

Now they’re coming back.

Matt Sharp left Weezer after Pinkerton to focus entirely on his project The Rentals. The first release Return Of The Rentals was a modest success, with the hit single “Friends Of P” and while the follow up Seven More Minutes didn’t make much of a splash, I was certainly a fan.

The Rentals.com has updated that the band WILL be playing 2 shows in California and 2 shows in Japan this July, with a world tour to follow. Pitchfork also spoke to Matt while preparing the tour, and he announced that while the lineup has changed since SMM, Rachel Haden (formerly of that dog.) would be back in the fold. You can also check out their myspace page to get more music.
Apparently the credit for the return goes to a new remix of the Tegan and Sara song “Walking With A Ghost.”  Matt Sharp became such a fan of T&S that he recruited former Rentals member and current SNL cast Maya Rudolph to cover “Not Tonight.”

The Rentals are recording new material now and a new album should be due in 2007.

Press Release after the jump

May 12, 2006

For immediate release

Seminal neo-new wave pioneers The Rentals are back. They are currently rehearsing in Los Angeles preparing for their first worldwide tour in over ten years.

The band’s debut album “Return of The Rentals” (1995) brilliantly incorporated Moog synthesizers, boy/girl harmonies, soaring violins all rolled into sweet and simple pop songs. Their single “Friends Of P.” (# 6 on Billboards Modern Rock Chart) broke through The Billboard Hot 100 and into MTV’s Buzz Bin reviving elements of new wave and bringing the analog synthesizer back to the forefront of pop music. The band supported “Return Of The Rentals” by going on the road with such well know acts as Garbage, Blur, Alanis Morrisette and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The band’s sophomore effort “Seven More Minutes” was an open love letter to Barcelona and the European music scene. The critically heralded follow up featured a whirlwind of collaborators including members of Blur, Elastica, Lush, Weezer and Ash.

The Rentals new lineup features the original founding members Matt Sharp (ex-weezer) and Rachel Haden (that dog!) along with new members Sara Radle (vocals/ multi-inst), Ben Pringle (synth master), Lauren Chipman (viola/vocals) and Dan Joeright (drums).

Worldwide dates are in the works. The Rentals will perform their first Los Angeles concert in over a decade, July 7th, at The Henry Fonda Theatre followed by two nights at the Yokohama Arena in Japan. The band hopes to hit the studio later this year to record a new full-length album for release in 2007.

So there you have it folks. The Rentals are back! …it’s official.

Tickets for The Henry Fonda show go on sale this Saturday, May 13.

We are very honored to announce that OZMA will be opening the festivities.

http://www.henryfondatheater.com/07_calendar.htm

Spread the word, tell your friends and join in the celebration.