Vocalist/guitarist
Emerson Hart formed the alternative/roots band
Tonic in 1993 with guitarist
Jeff Russo (a childhood friend), bassist
Dan Rothchild, and drummer
Kevin Shepard. After gigging around Los Angeles, the foursome signed with A&M Records. For the recording of their debut album, producer
Jack Joseph Puig (
Jellyfish,
the Black Crowes) gave
Tonic a decidedly rootsy feel, with the addition of lap steel and mandolin. The album, titled
Lemon Parade, was released in July 1996. After replacing the departed
Rothchild with
Dan Lavery, the band contributed to soundtracks including Scream 2, The X Files, and Clay Pigeons before returning in 1999 with
Sugar. Three years later, Tonic returned with Head On Straight. "Take Me As I Am" was a smash hit on modern rock radio; however, Tonic's shining moment came in early 2003 when they received two Grammy nominations -- one for Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal for "Take Me As I Am" and Best Rock Album. The band went on hiatus in 2004, but returned in 2008 to tour and begin work on a new eponymous album, which arrived in 2010. ~ John Bush