The Tonics were put together by Roly Skender during the recording of his 2006 solo release Electric Umbrella which featured the nationally acclaimed single Free. The band plays unconventional pop music with a unique take on rock/alt/country from the most isolated city on earth. You could say that Perth runs through The Tonics' veins while their sound tips its hat to early 60s British rock and 70s psychedelia.
"Feel" is the new (and first official) single from Roly Skender & The Tonics. A swaggering, adventurous ride into pop territory difficult to categorise except to draw futile comparisons to Elvis Costello, John Lennon, The Rolling Stones and early Pink Floyd. The fact is the band draws on many influences, but it's the mix that's important... just like a good cocktail. The CD also features excerpts from a rare live performance by the band at T Sessions, Perth's newest live music television experience. The limited release single is available online by mail order and download at www.rolyskender.com, or check out the Myspace.
The single was recorded at Skender's Lockjaw Studio and mixed at Gold Dust Construction by Andrew Wright. Skender is also a video producer well known for his live VJing, mixing it up for the John Butler Trio Australian tour, all sorts of dance parties and even concerts for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. The self-produced clip for the "Free" single released in 2005 also won Best Animation in a Music Video at the St Kilda Film Festival.
Roly Skender & The Tonics feature twice on the 2007 WAMi CD (A West Australian music compilation) with the song "Inside my Room" and another self-produced video from the radio single "Draw me in." There summer 2008 Shakin' Up Tour in Japan was a great success.