Tinted Windows Film Scenes for Upcoming Video at Gig

During Tinted Windows' Washington, D.C. appearance at the Black Cat Tuesday night, a stranger wandered across the stage holding a small camera. The interloper was carefully documenting the group as they performed 'Back With You,' off their self-titled debut album.

The band members didn't blink an eye, which made only slightly more sense when bassist Adam Schlesinger announced, "Mr. Quentin Tarantino, ladies and gentleman!" Apparently this was no random stage crasher, nor was it actually Tarantino. "We're making a video and our video budget is zero," continued Schlesinger. "So our guitar tech doubles as our director."

Comprised of singer Taylor Hanson (Hanson), guitarist James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins), Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and drummer Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), the supergroup drew a crowd of power-pop fans from every generation at the intimate DC gig. With the ensemble's sunny harmonies and infectious hooks, songs about bad girls have never sounded so sweet. Together, the band played every track off of their recently
released disc, as well as unreleased tracks ('New Cassette') and covers (the Knack's' 'Let Me Out'). The set was hit with some technical glitches -- the vocals cut out for the first half of 'Cha Cha' -- but the group took them in stride. "Every show seems to get us a little bit better," asserted Hanson, who was enthusiastically beating a tambourine and wearing a tiger-themed shirt bearing the band's logo.

Collectively, Tinted Windows have over eight decades of musical experience yet they played with the enthusiasm of a new act out to prove themselves, as well as a humility that comes from years on the road. Schlesinger told the audience the band had performed at the Mohegan Sun casino just the previous night. "We're having a better time right now," he said before adding, "No offense to old ladies playing slot machines."