With a name like The Socials, you better be prepared to have a good time. Such a rallying cry holds true with everything this band puts out. The music, a slick blend of country and modern rock, makes no mystery about its intentions: the band is out to get your toes tapping, your fingers snapping and your head bopping. When The Socials arrive, they bring the party with them. It seems fitting that the band came together through a series of social events. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, lead guitarist Justin Busch was a transplant from California with a producer’s ear, a knack for writing tight hooks, and the abilities of a multi-instrumentalist. Eric Cleaton, also a multi-instrumentalist, was experienced with the guitar, and also possessed over ten years experience playing brass instruments. With just a pair of acoustic guitars, Justin’s rock voice and their idiosyncratic antics, the two earned a small but loyal following in the area, playing at a multitude of social arenas (coffee shops, bars, convalescent homes, college parties, open mics, festivals, art shows, restaurants, state-fairs… basically, anywhere they could). The band became a trio after Julie Schneider earned the lead vocalist position when she spontaneously sang to Justin a cappella in the middle of a crowded bar. Softly singing in his ear, he knew that he had finally found a voice able to carry the tunes that he had been writing. Although she was trained as a classical singer, Julie’s voice easily lent itself to the folksy, country-rock and pop tunes of the songsmith. While the band makes no qualms about getting people up and moving, don’t be completely surprised to discover it does possess a sentimental psyche. Many of the most poignant tunes in the band’s repertoire are thematically focused on heavy topics that might have intimidated other artists. Recently the band has enlisted the experience of Chris Penta on the drums, and multi-instrumentalist Tjosin Tjoa on the bass guitar, to round out the line-up that you see today. The band spent the end of 2006 and the first few months of 2007 writing and recording their self-released and self-titled debut album. The album reflects the very broad range of musical styles that influence the band, giving them a sound unique in itself.