The Relationship

Los Angeles power pop combo the Relationship was formed in 2007 as side project by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell. Working out of his home studio, Bell and a rotating cast of bandmates completed work on their self-titled debut, which was released by Golden State Records in late 2010. With their winning mix of Beatlesque pop, tuneful alt-rock, and classic rock styles, the Relationship played sporadically over the next few years, emerging again in 2015 with a 7" single on California lo-fi pop label Burger Records. Appearances at the label's Burgerama 4 Festival and the Sundance Film Festival followed, and by 2017 they'd completed a follow-up LP. With a more solidified lineup of Bell on guitar and vocals, Brandon Graham on lead guitar, Jon LaRue on bass, and Justin Goings on drums, the Relationship delivered a new single, "Break Me Open," in early 2017, followed shortly after by their sophomore album, Clara Obscura. ~ Timothy Monger