Like their music, The 88 have traveled an eclectic road to Not Only...But Also, their major label debut for Island Records. Using an organic combination of old and new school in their approach to music and its marketing, the band’s catchy rock melodies have found a growing audience through TV, film and commercial placements as well as virally online.

The L.A.-based group has been attracting attention since forming in 2003. Tirelessly playing the local scene as well as opening nationally for acts like Matt Costa and dates with Rilo Kiley and Smashing Pumpkins, The 88 once served as the late Elliott Smith's back-up band by personal request for a memorable Orange County performance after serving as openers.

While you may not be familiar with The 88, you've certainly heard their music. With two independent releases already under their belt in 2003's Kind of Light and 2005's Over And Over, the group have found a welcome home for their music on TV, in the movies and as part of widely seen commercial campaigns.

Produced by Matt Wallace [Maroon 5, Replacements, Faith No More, Train], and with two tracks by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds [Eric Clapton, Fall Out Boy, Madonna], Not Only...But Also additionally serves as an apt description of the band's impressive pop-rock palette. Students of rock history, The 88 combine post-punk high energy ("Go Go Go", "I'm Nothing") with a love of classic British Invasion bands such as The Kinks and The Small Faces ("Love You Anytime", "Save Your Breath"), '70s Bowiesque glam ("Sons and Daughters"), and Nuggets-style garage-band psychedelia ("Waiting for the Next Drug"). There are also nods to funk ("Like You Do"), R&B ("No One Here"), and soul ("We Felt Alive").

"The title fits the album because not only did we do things people might expect," says Keith, "but we also took some chances by stepping outside of our comfort zone."

By T Johnson