The Forward

Formed in Hollywood, where image matters, the guys in the Forward wear the expected weathered jeans, neckties, and angular hairstyles; they are marketed as loud indie rockers or post-punk trailblazers; and in actuality they sound a lot like the Killers, Coldplay, and the Wallflowers. Vocalist/guitarist Leonard Jackson and bassist Ian Schaeffer originally formed Club Makeout while working together at Guitar Center. After a rethink and a name change, they recruited second guitarist Greg Smith and drummer Tom DuPree III before pairing up with producer Ethan Allen (the 88, Better Than Ezra, Counting Crows), who fleshed out the band's sound in the studio while recording Nothing But Teeth. TV placements on MTV and a slot at 2007's South by Southwest followed before the album was set for release in September of 2008. ~ Jason Lymangrover