Tenderhooks

Tenderhooks are a power pop group from Knoxville, TN, formed by two high-school friends, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Jake Winstrom and lead guitarist Ben Oyler, in 2003; bass player Emily Robinson joined in 2004, followed by drummer Robert Koons. The band built up a regional following and released its first EP, Tenderhooks, in 2006 on the Local imprint of The New Beat Records, a label run by Koons. They replaced Koons with Travis W. Schappel, and then came a contract with Rock Snob Records, which released their debut album, Vidalia, on June 26, 2007, shortly after their appearance at the Bonnaroo Festival. After the album was completed, but before it was released, Schappel left the band; he was replaced by Matt Honkonen.