Seattle based Central Services plays retro-pop with a foot in the 70's. They also rock from time to time. Drummer/lead vocalist Kevin Emerson (also a member of Seattle indie-pop favorite Math and Physics Club) and bass player Jeff Blancato formed Central Services in 2004 after years of songwriting collaboration. Having played together for almost ten years in Boston and Connecticut, the two found themselves in Seattle, where they met former metal-guru Damien Koemans and pianist Eric Goetz. The band recorded this debut in September 2005, and added fellow MAPC’er Ethan Jones on the acoustic. The EP, “We’re All Smarter Now,” has been in rotation at KEXP 90.3, and the band has been getting great buzz. They are currently unsigned. MEMBERS* Kevin Emerson, drums & vox Jeff Blancato, bass & vox Damien Koemans, guitar Eric Goetz, keyboard Ethan Jones, acoustic guitar INFLUENCES / REFERENCES* Wilco, Elliot Smith, Ben Folds, the New Pornographers, The Shins, the Byrds, Aimee Man, Steely Dan & The Beach Boys. PRESS* “These fellows will rock your new world in the softest of ways.” -Three Imaginary Girls '" AstroPop Nov 05 “Central Services are a perfect Seattle band: Great pop tunes with a brain to back them up.” -You Ain’t No Picasso (October 29 05) “This demo is really good.” -Chris Mac, Indiepages.com Demo of the Week. April 8, 2005. “Moving from deft power-pop to wavy acoustic grooves, the Seattle group has a knack for harmonies and hooks ... their sound harkens back to the era of the Byrds and the Turtles as much as it nods to contemporary pop fauna. -Jon Sobel, Indie Round-Up. May 5, 2005.