• EMU Fishbowl | University of Oregon
• March 3, 2009
• noon

The L.A.-based group performs in the Fishbowl

The L.A.-based group, whose core consists of vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Keith Slettedahl, keyboardist/songwriter Adam Merrin, and drummer Anthony Zimmitti, has been attracting attention since forming in 2003. Tirelessly playing the local scene, as well as opening nationally for acts like Matt Costa and Smashing Pumpkins, The 88 once served as the late Elliott Smith's backup band, by personal request, for a memorable Orange County performance.

While you may not be familiar with The 88 as a band, you've certainly heard their music. With two independent releases already under their belt (2003's Kind of Light and 2005's Over and Over ), the group has enjoyed a welcome home for their music on TV, in the movies, and as part of widely-seen, national advertising.

Their songs have appeared on The OC , Grey's Anatomy , Laguna Beach , The Real World , One Tree Hill , and Weeds , among many others. The band themselves performed one of their tunes on an episode of CBS' How I Met Your Mother (including a speaking role for Keith). The song "Coming Home", which appears in a re-written and re-recorded version as the first single from the band's new album, has already been used for national TV spots by both Sears and Target. The 88 also recorded a cover of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" for the Sarah Jessica Parker comedy Failure to Launch , while "All 'Cause of You" has been featured on the soundtracks of the films You, Me and Dupree and Ira and Abby . All that in addition to a robust MySpace following, a regular spot on influential L.A. station KCRW's playlist, and a designation as Best Pop/Rock Band of the Year by L.A. Weekly .