The Burning Hotels

"Rumor is the new buzz: That seems to be how the 2009 edition of South By Southwest will be remembered. Swung by Paradise and caught a live-wire set from Fort Worth quartet the Burning Hotels. Manager Cory Bergen said the band is primed to have a monster ’09, thanks in part to a role in the upcoming film Bandslam, but I’d argue that their live show will do just as much to raise the Hotels’ profile. Angular, stylish and steeped in the punchy sounds of the ’80s, the Hotels are, well, on fire. ~ Preston Jones, Fort Worth Star Telegram
"North Texas talent makes sound waves at SXSW. Fort Worth’s the Burning Hotels certainly made a mark — they stopped just short of pulverizing the upstairs venue where they played." ~ DFW.com
"And now, the next big local band. Now that Black Tie Dynasty has stepped aside, who's the next big local band? The Burning Hotels, Fort Worth. Who are they? Guitarist/vocalist Matt Mooty, guitarist/vocalist Chance Morgan, bassist Marley Whistler and drummer Wyatt Adams. What do they sound like? The band’s MySpace page says "sex punk," but that’s selling short the frantic energy this quartet conjures — think a less dour Joy Division, a not-so-dub-obsessed Clash or even the Killers, if they weren’t bent on Bono-worthy world domination. Morgan can’t contain himself onstage, leaping about while Mooty pops veins shouting lyrics over crackling, gleaming guitars and Adams’ awe-inspiring thrash and clang. What’s next? The Hotels will help open for Oklahoma alt-pop exports Starlight Mints on Friday at Fort Worth’s Longhorn Saloon. Beyond that, the Fort Worth foursome is preparing for its close-up on the silver screen, with a role in this summer’s Bandslam, a feature film starring Vanessa Hudgens and Lisa Kudrow. Around the time of Bandslam’s release, the Hotels are hoping to have their full-length debut ready to go. Can they break big? The Burning Hotels have sleek, melodic songs that hurtle out of the speakers and sound even more vital live. Couple that with a tireless work ethic (the fellas have booked an East Coast jaunt for May) and the potential exposure afforded by Bandslam, and you’ve got a band on the brink of big things." ~ DFW.com