Around the holidays, tradition runs deep, and for no one is this truer than Tommy & The High Pilots. Since forming in 2008, the Santa Barbara pop-rock quartet (made up of frontman Tommy Cantillon, bassist Steven J. Libby, guitarist Michael Cantillon, and drummer Matt Palermo) have been working hard to get their name out there, and their efforts show. Currently, the band boasts some 7,000 Facebook friends. In 2010, they toured heavily behind both their last record, American Riviera, and their new more folk-minded EP, Sawhorse Sessions. They’ve also forged a mighty union with cheeky St. Louis rockers Ludo, for whom Tommy plays rhythm guitar and Palermo also drums.
With a schedule as rigorous as theirs (think three national tours in the last year alone), Christmastime often becomes the only season these four can venture home. It’s also one of the few occasions per year that they can play to their hometown fans. Thus, the Tommy & The High Pilots Christmas Show was born. The holiday-themed concert has fast become one of S.B.’s most hopping annual events, featuring music, decorations, and a heavy helping of seasonal surprises. This Friday, December 23, Tommy & The High Pilots take to the stage at the Lobero Theatre for their fourth and no doubt largest Christmas show to date. Hosted by KEYT anchor John Palminteri, the night includes secret performances, special guests, and the coveted open bar. The concert also doubles as a food drive for the Unity Shoppe, whereby ticket holders are encouraged to bring a jar of peanut butter in exchange for a free High Pilots CD.
I recently caught up with Tommy from a tour stop in St. Louis, where he dished on this year’s High Pilots extravaganza, talked future plans, and spoke candidly about his newest batch of songs.