TED LEO IN CONCERT:
Whether he's performing with his punk outfit the Pharmacists, busting out power pop nuggets alongside Aimee Mann as The Both, or performing solo, Ted Leo is a world-class rock and roll showman with a knack for penning catchy melodies. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists have been an indie punk staple since the early '90s, but his 2014 collaboration with Mann -- aptly titled The Both -- proved that Leo is not resting on any creative laurels. The Both's sunny pop sound may be a far cry from his edgier work, but Leo's heavily distorted guitar playing and ear for hook-filled choruses remain perfectly intact. In late 2014 Leo will join Mann in the reprisal of her acclaimed Christmas show, brightening spirits around the country with festive performances just in time for the holidays.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Indiana-born, New Jersey-raised Ted Leo traveled to NYC frequently during his formative years, immersing himself in the city's hardcore scene during the late '80s and early '90s. After receiving an English degree from Notre Dame, he played in various punk bands including Citizens and Chisel before founding Ted Leo and the Pharmacists in 1999. Following two fairly experimental early records, the band hit their stride in 2001 with the release of their second LP The Tyranny of Distance. The album was a hit with critics, making Pitchfork's top 200 albums of the '00s list. Leo went on to release a string of stellar albums with the band including 2010's The Brutalist Bricks, a critically acclaimed album that landed on the US Billboard 200 -- a notable feat for an indie punk band. In 2014 he joined forces with alt rock veteran Aimee Mann to release The Both LP, the self-titled debut album of their collaborative power pop project. Since then they've wowed fans around the country with their live performances, building excitement for their upcoming dates together for The Return of the Aimee Mann Christmas Show tour.
