The Like

The Like are an indie rock group from Los Angeles, United States, active from 2001 to 2011. The band forms around Elizabeth “Z” Berg on vocals and guitar and Tennessee Thomas on drums, with line-up changes over time that include Charlotte Froom on bass, Laena Geronimo on bass, Reni Lane, and Annie Monroe on organ.

Origins and name

The band forms in Los Angeles in 2001. Their name comes from the frequent use of the word “like” in the speech patterns associated with Valley Girls in Los Angeles. Berg is the daughter of Geffen A&R representative Tony Berg, and Thomas is the daughter of Pete Thomas, the drummer for Elvis Costello & The Attractions.

Recordings

The Like independently release three EPs over a three-year period: I Like The Like, ...and The Like, and Like It or Not. These recordings are sold at shows and through the band’s website. Their first album, Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?, appears in 2005 via Geffen and combines reworked songs from the EPs with new material. A second album, Release Me, follows in 2010. The song “(So I’ll Sit Here) Waiting” is included on the soundtrack to the film Thirteen.

Line-up changes

Charlotte Froom leaves the band in 2009 and Laena Geronimo replaces her on bass. Reni Lane joins shortly after Froom’s departure but leaves in late 2009 or early 2010, after which Annie Monroe joins on organ.

Tours and appearances

The Like tour with Phantom Planet and Maroon 5 after signing to Geffen Records following their high school graduations in 2004. They also tour with Tori Amos on the Summer of Sin tour, with Kings of Leon, with Muse in the United States, with Razorlight in Europe, and with the Arctic Monkeys in the United States. The band performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London.

Media coverage and film

The Like attract attention from magazines including Teen People, ELLEgirl, Nylon Magazine, and Rolling Stone. They also appear in a short film commissioned by designer Zac Posen to promote his Target fashion collection. The film is directed by Gia Coppola and features the band in a hotel room before a performance of “Fair Game”.