The Rentals

The Rentals were formed in 1995 by Matt Sharp during his tenure as the original bassist for Weezer. The project served as a creative outlet for Sharp's fascination with analog synthesizers, specifically the Moog, which became the band's sonic trademark.

Their debut album, 'Return of the Rentals,' was a surprise success, fueled by the hit 'Friends of P.' and featuring a collective of musicians including Patrick Wilson and Petra Haden. This era defined the 'Moog-rock' sound: distorted synth leads, deadpan vocal unisons, and power-pop structures. After the more ambitious and melancholic 'Seven More Minutes' (1999), recorded in London with a rotating cast of Britpop elite, the band went on a long hiatus. They returned in the mid-2000s, eventually evolving into a high-concept project with 'Songs About Time' and later 'Lost in Alphaville' (2014), which featured members of The Black Keys and Lucius. The Rentals occupy a unique space in the 90s alternative canon, bridging the gap between the guitar-heavy grunge era and the synth-heavy indie pop of the 2010s. They are cited as a primary influence on the 'geek-rock' and 'synth-rock' subgenres, maintaining a cult following through Sharp's restless experimentation and a revolving-door lineup of prestigious collaborators.