The Tender Box: “Amor y Vanidad”
After a very successful 7-year run that took them all over the U.S., U.K. and Canada, The Tender Box has decided to close that chapter of their lives and move on to other projects. The British rock-influenced band from South Gate, California known for being commissioned by Sony/Marvel with the theme song for the 2008 animated series, The Spectacular Spider-Man, bid farewell to their fans at a show held at the Viper Room on August 15 during the Sunset Strip Music Festival week in West Hollywood.
Their single, “Mister Sister” was at one point chosen by iTunes as the Download of the Week, resulting in over 120,000 downloads. They were linked to Kobalt Music Publishing and signed by Swing House-USA. Synchronization licenses to their dark and danceable songs were simultaneously signed off to Budweiser and Sony Pictures.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Chuck Gil, The Tender Box’s drummer, and here’s what he had to share regarding the split.
Fany: Why the breakup?
Chuck Gil: We collectively felt that everyone needed a fresh start, whether it was some of us still working with each other, other musicians or going our own separate ways. We don’t know if one day in the future we will reunite but what is clear is that The Tender Box has come to the end of the road.
F: Why the sudden decision if the band had plans of touring Mexico and even releasing a new LP this year?
CG: We did have plans of touring Mexico but they fell through so we continued to write in the studio. Some tracks, which were never recorded, were played live in our most recent shows. We released two full lengths and two EPs under The Tender Box, with one of those EPs containing two Spanish versions of two English tracks included in the last full-length record, Reverence. Maybe one day one of those tracks will blow up somewhere in Latin America and call for a reunion.
F: Do you think there might have been a better chance for The Tender Box to have a longer career had the focus been fully on the Spanish language market instead?
CG: Not necessarily. The Tender Box had a good run and we created a lot of work worth being very proud of. But individually sometimes we grow out of our own mold and have to explore new territories, and that’s the point at which we are now.
F: What should we expect in the future for you and the rest of your bandmates?
CG: We always had positive plans for the well-being of the band, but even that sometimes doesn’t coincide with your own personal plans or musical interests. The truth is that we don’t know what the future will bring us, but we are leaving a collection of songs that we hope touched people’s hearts in some way. We’re taking away great experiences, fond memories and many great friends that we’ve made along the way.
The Tender Box is was: Joey Medina (vocals, guitar), Raul Martinez (guitar), Steve Mungarro (bass, vocals) and Chuck Gil (drums).
Discography:
2011-Reverence
2011-EP2
2009-EP1
2006- The Score
