Ann Arbor, MI's
Tally Hall feature vocalist/guitarist
Rob Cantor (
Yellow), guitarist
Joe Hawley (
Red), bassist
Zubin Sedghi (
Blue), keyboardist
Andrew Horowitz (
Green), and drummer
Ross Federman (
Silver). Most will know them by the color of their ties; however, their infectious blend of '60s pop harmonies, garage rock work ethic, playful sense of humor, and indie rock sensibilities make
Tally Hall a standout among followers. The group was formed in late 2002 while attending the University of Michigan, and each member hails from suburban Detroit except
Horowitz, who calls Tewksbury, NJ, home.
Balancing their rock & roll dreams with their goals in education was a challenge for the members of
Tally Hall.
Horowitz had won the 2004
John Lennon Scholarship Competition and $10,000 for his song "Good Day," which also appears on
Tally Hall's debut album,
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum. A year later, with bachelor's degrees in hand, the bandmembers convinced themselves to give it a serious go.
Federman and
Sedghi opted to wait on furthering their education, and
Cantor even put his plans to attend the University of Michigan Medical School (with a full-ride scholarship) on hold so that
Tally Hall could make things happen. Such a decision seemed to pay off in the meantime. They played to sold-out audiences in and around the Midwest, and issued
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum to rave reviews in spring 2006. Two performances at the annual South by Southwest conference in Austin, TX, allowed
Tally Hall to spread the word about their self-defined "wonky rock." The band also appeared on an episode of VH1's Best Week Ever, and "Good Day" appeared in an episode of The O.C. in April. Dates with
OK Go followed into May. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide