IN THE late 1990s and early 2000s, Grandaddy were one of the very few American indie/alternative rock bands who really, truly, mattered, and Jason Lytle was their principal singer and songwriter.
Grandaddy were formed in Modesto, California, in 1992, with Lytle joined by Aaron Burtch, Tim Dryden, Jim Fairchild, and Kevin Garcia. Their breakthrough to a wide audience came in 1997 with the album, Under The Western Freeway, and the NME-praised single 'Summer Here Kids'.
The band’s sound, which fused indie-rock, with atmospheric electronics, and an off-centre Americana, was triumphantly realised on 2000's Sophtware Slump, which earned the band 'Next Big Thing' status. Tireless rounds of international touring and mountains of critical parise led to 2003's Sumday, which saw increasing album sales, more touring, more press, TV appearances, and a slot on the main stage at Glastonbury. The band produced another EP and an album entitled Just Like the Fambly Cat, before disbanding in 2006.
Since then, Jason has released the solo album Yours Truly, The Commuter (2009 ) and collaborated with Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse, and former Grandaddy drummer Aaron Burtch. He currently lives in Montana, and enjoys hiking in woods, skateboarding, cycling, and playing piano in his living room.
Jason Lytle plays a solo acoustic/piano show the Róisín Dubh on Saturday May 11 at 8pm. Support is from Malojian. Tickets are available from www.roisindubh.net; the Ticket Desk at OMG@Zhivago, Shop Street; and The Róisín Dubh.
