Turbo Fruits are not a new band. With a recording history that goes back to 2007 and with their fourth album, No Control, set for release on April 20, 2015, the band have an extensive catalog and years of experience behind them. They just released the first single and video from No Control, “The Way I Want You.” Rumor has it that their new album will be their most self-aware to date. Patrick Carney of Black Keys produced a couple of tracks on the new record.
With an epic winter storm in the forecast for Nashville, the band took the 3rd and Lindsley stage as part of the long-running Nashville Sunday Night series presented by Nashville independent radio station Lightning 100. A large crowd braved the possible treacherous conditions. Any thoughts that this newly self-aware Turbo Fruits would tone things down for the radio show were quickly dispelled, as the band ripped through a set of their unique version of Southern rock. In addition to some songs from the new album, the band hit some of the high spots of their history including “Volcano” (from their self-titled debut album), “Colt 45,” “Get Up Get On Down,” and their 2012 single “Sweet Thang.”
John McCauley and Robbie Crowell of Deer Tick, who Turbo Fruits have toured with extensively, were in the crowd and jumped on stage to sing background vocals on one song, but the night belonged to Turbo Fruits. Front man Jonas Stein leapt, sang into his guitar pickup, and tried not to use the cuss on the radio. Kingsley Brock, Dave McCowen (aka Dave Titts), and Matt Hearn round out the band’s current 4 piece line-up which has been intact since 2010.
Nashville band Idle Bloom, which formed about a year ago featuring members of the defunct band Fancytramp, opened the night with heavy guitars, distorted vocals, and psyched out catchy pop music.
