Fitz and the Tantrums was founded in 2008 by Michael Fitzpatrick, who had begun writing soul music for a solo project on an old church organ he had purchased. He added friend James King to the group as an arranger and soon after expanded the band to a seven-piece, including several horns. Fitzpatrick shares the vocal duties with Noel Scaggs. The group’s debut EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1, was released in 2009. Dangerbird Records signed the group in 2010 and issued their first full-length album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, in August of that year. The album reached #15 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. Los Angeles Times music critic Ann Powers wrote, “Fitz and the Tantrums is the kind of band that communicates best in concert, but this album serves as a fine proxy and party-starter.” In 2010, the group opened several dates on tour with Maroon 5. On January 12, 2011, Fitz and the Tantrums performed the songs “MoneyGrabber” and “Don’t Gotta Work It Out” on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live in Los Angeles. In 2016, they released another album, Fitz and the Tantrums. They’re a great band that continues to tour the globe.
