The Bigger Lovers

Philadelphia's Bigger Lovers -- singer/guitarist Bret Tobias, guitarist Ed Hogarty, bassist Scott Jefferson, and drummer Patrick Berkery -- debuted in 2001 with How I Learned to Stop Worrying, a critical favorite that aligned the quartet with like-minded <a href="spotify:artist:3UvcmAOZt64oKpP95f6MMM">Big Star</a>/<a href="spotify:artist:1PCZpxHJz7WAMF8EEq8bfc">Byrds</a>/<a href="spotify:artist:4vpDg7Y7fU982Ds30zawDA">Band</a> devotees like <a href="spotify:artist:1CgvL3gASrnuI8SKXr8K7F">Pernice Brothers</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1hgtDW79wqWLQ6iWl6ZZUl">Waxwings</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:07tmbQsiTfXekPkbovBERR">Beachwood Sparks</a>. In the can since 1999, the album was shelved when its original label -- North Carolina's Mood Food -- went belly up. When the LP did finally appear, it bore the insignia of Black Dog, a Mississippi-based indie. Luckily, some of this label drama was alleviated by strong critical response to Worrying, as well as solid European distribution. The band proved to be a great live act, too, and seemed to circle the U.S. a few times over the next year. The Bigger Lovers returned to wax in August 2002 with Honey in the Hive (Yep Roc), a more concentrated fix for their power pop jones. This Affair Never Happened appeared two years later. ~ Johnny Loftus, Rovi