Member Since: 7/6/2006
Band Website: restrainingorderband.com
Band Members:
Jason Rubin (vocals, guitar), Steve Spatucci (drums), Frank Leone (bass), Matt Jones (guitar) with special guests (and past members) Phil Green (guitar), Mark O'Donnell (sax) and Rick Eberharter (bass).
 
Influences: Click here to purchase any of our songs from the iTunes Music Store for just 99¢!
 
HOT OFF THE (DIGITAL) PRESSES
Some Reviews of Our CDs
And if you've heard of any of these publications, you're either a serious fan of music, or you're in a band yourself - or both!
 
LAST TIME YOU TOOK ME BACK
2000 | fourteen tracks | order from: CD BABY | iTUNES
MUSIC DISH
A little ska, a little alternative, a little rock, a little pop, and a little punk for good measure. Restraining Order is one of those bands that took a pot and threw in a handful of mixed genres to create their own sound. The end result is a great little punk/pop concoction that is full of energy and witty lyrical spurts. Put it all together, and you have a very good sound that rings with originality and attitude. They will definitely make their mark in the underground. It's music that is fun to listen to. Now how can anyone ask for any more than that?
 
SPLENDID E-ZINE
Last Time You Took Me Back somehow manages to work. Taken as a whole, the fourteen tracks on Last Time You Took Me Back prove to be nothing short of decent rock, with a measure of pop-punk added to surprisingly good effect.
 
BEOWOLF PRODUCTIONS
I was actually kind of surprised when I heard this band. From their name I was expecting them to be a hardcore band. This band has a pop/rock sound, but they like to mix things up a bit with other styles as well. They have some songs that are more punk, some that are ska and some mellow accoustic stuff too. This is one band that's hard to catagorize. If you took The Ramones added some Rancid then rolled them all together with the Circle Jerks and Sloppy Seconds, you'd have a somewhat decent idea of what this band sounds like. I thought I wasn't going to like these guys once the first song kicked in, but as the disc went on I liked them more and more. I'd say this is one for the people into pop/punk music.
 
ACTIONATTACK HELICOPTER
Goofy enough to please Dickies and Weirdos fans, Restraining Order incorporate straight up rock and some early nineties Boston style ska into their sound that maintains variety.
 
ROCTOBER
These gents could develop a quirky college following somewhere and I hope they do. Humorous, pleasant, odd (almost Canadian...check these guys' work orders) pop.
 
DELUSIONS OF ADEQUACY
Restraining Order is a promising outfit. They embody an exceptional potential for a home on contemporary pop radio.
 
ROCK IN PENNSYLVANIA
A little punk, a little pop, a little rock, a little ska, and maybe even a little speed metal?! Philly-based original band Restraining Order has the bases covered with a unique sound, hilarious lyrics, and quite possibly the coolest web site I've ever seen. Check 'em out!
 
IMPACT PRESS
This couldn't have come at a better time. I'm on review number 10 jillion and I need something fresh and simple -- kind of like drinking hot Sake to clear the palate. Enter Restraining Order. They're a rocking pop band, as they'll tell you, and they even dabble in some acoustic and ska stuff. They'd do well opening for Weezer.
 
LEFT OFF THE DIAL
Restraining Order's Last Time You Took Me Back was much fun to listen to. The 14-track release is chock full of talented musicians playing to quick tempos. The CD contains liner notes (scores points with me) with lyrics (even more points) and there is only one track longer than four minutes. Last Time You Took Me Back is a solid piece of work.
 
DAGGER
Better than average, kinda country new wave sorta songs. Mostly up tempo and retro in a good way. Fun album to listen to while you're cooking dinner or vacuuming your living room.
 
SPONGEY MONKEY
Damn you Restraining Order for making this album.
 
FIVE ON BLUE
2003 | five tracks | order from: CD BABY | iTUNES
TINY MIX TAPES
Everything about Restraining Order screams fun! Hell, there's a monkey on the cover of Five on Blue. How much more fun can you get? The EP is funky, punky, catchy, goofy, and chill, with a double-shot of saxophone. It's full of all the energy and spirit one would expect of a DIY project. Five on Blue is a lighthearted look at the lives of nine-to-fivers with road gig ambitions. "Windows II", the fourth track on the EP, reinforces the monotony and predictability of the working life with the expectations that something big could happen any night, possibly with Tara, the subject of "Swiper of My Heart", a song about a girl-behind-the-counter crush. All five tracks on the EP are upbeat and well done. This band is determined to make the magic happen on their own.
 
STYLUS MAGAZINE
Although from the City of Brotherly Love, the band has a sort of New England swagger. They have an obvious predilection towards poppy 80's bands. And rightfully so. Restraining Order picks up where those bands left/fell off and throw in their own simple, laid-back, punk groove.
 
LEFT OFF THE DIAL
"Say Hello", the first track, is indeed an introduction to their new bass player Frank Leone, who kicks off the CD with a funky, firm bass line that holds this tune together. Add a Clash-like chorus and the band's new saxophone player Mark O'Donnell, and you get the idea that these guys plan, understandably, to milk the new talent they've acquired since their first release. "Swiper of My Heart" continues the Restraining Order tradition (if two CDs are enough to establish tradition) of cute, whimsical lyrics.
 
IMPACT PRESS
With a peppy attitude and a nerdy pop rock swagger, the horns and bass guitar on this release will have you moving whether on your feet or sitting down. The music sounds loose and carefree like Zappa and the vocals sound like Weird Al. The lyrics are sarcastic and joke about being used by and ignored by the ladies. Five tracks are included on this disc and are simply a no strings attached good time collection.
 
SPLENDID E-ZINE
"Swiper of My Heart" is where Restraining Order seem to hit their stride. It's another loving-from-afar song, this one about the front desk attendant who swipes the IDs at the gym, with bouncy ska rhythms and cleverish lyrics, and the band sounds like they're having the most fun yet. "Windows II" goes back to the funky formula, featuring a misguided but happy-go-lucky attempt at rapping. "In the Rearview" closes the disc with a story about being chauffeur to a sexy woman who is - surprise! - unattainable. Restraining Order clearly has fun and doesn't take things too seriously, though maybe they should get some counseling for those relationship issues.
 
RIKK'S REVIEWS
The follow-up to Last Time You Took Me Back, Restraining Order have attempted to capture their sound and heart on a five song EP Five On Blue. The boys from Philly have managed five solid tracks that may surpass their last effort. While listening to R.O. I couldn't help but be reminded of the early 90's Alex Chilton. The sense of humor is evident, and the instrumental accompaniment is very strong, mixing pure blues tunes with an element of acid jazz, and funk to arrive with a triumph. The vocals of Jason Rubin have flair, and the mixture of musical style leaves one wondering where to classify the band, and that's a good thing! The pulsing bass of Frank Leone will rattle your windows at a volume of three, the sleek guitar of Phil Green is as inventive as the band's style, the sound is completed with drummer Steve Spatucci, and the one man horn section, Mark O'Donnell. Always racing to get your attention, Restraining Order have a captivating sound that will for sure be a winner with the live audience. To hear the class, and witty lyricism makes this one a keeper. You can listen to the five song EP and not get bored, as it remains ever-changing. For a treat, make damn sure you stop by the website - it is one of the most inventive and enjoyable band websites I have visited, it holds you with its originality.
 
FIVE ON GREEN
2004 | five tracks | order from: CD BABY | iTUNES
LEFT OFF THE DIAL
Unlike most popular bands these days, Restraining Order doesn't hide behind a guise of cryptic lyrics or an overly complicated writing style. And its this level of simplicity that truly adds to their appeal. Even with this straightforward style, the gentlemen of Restraining Order often push the limits of composition to a point that equals the oddity of their song topics. "Earthly Liquids" hits you as a tribute to pirate/punk rock mixed with an interlude of the 70's ballad style. The track is complete with the juxtaposition of gritty shouting voices against moments of crooning vocals and chimes. From begging for love in "Be With Me" to the politically correct storytelling of "My Girl Won't Recycle", this band will keep you smiling.
 
IMPACT PRESS
Sticking to the Five On idea, Restraining Order is back with another short set of quirky pop songs about the ladies, or the lack thereof. Armed with a saxophone, this five member band pushes out some serious pop songs that range from begging a girl to "Be With Me" to a song about a girl who just refuses to recycle. "Earthly Liquids" sounds like a Sublime offspring, but the finale "Trees" is the standout, with a steady acoustic guitar sound and addition of the sax at the right moments, we could be getting a glimpse of the future of Restraining Order, as they've progressed once again with this offering.
 
Sounds Like: Barenaked Ladies, Sublime, Fountains of Wayne, The Offspring, The Distillers, Rancid, Bowling For Soup
Type of Label: None