Fitz and the Tantrums bring neo-soul hits to Riverside Casino

Fitz and the Tantrums have excelled in the studio. The Los Angeles based neo-soul band recorded their share of infectious hits, such as the ubiquitous "HandClap," which still scores airplay and is a staple at NBA games around the country.

Other Fitz and the Tantrums tunes that have charted are "Out of My League" and "The Walker."

The band's combination of retro soul, infectious pop and bits of old school new wave has turned ears and inspires fans to move during the act's concerts.

Live is where Fitz and the Tantrums, who will perform Thursday at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, consistently impress. The group has no problem whipping up a crowd with its kinetic energy that moves folks to, well, clap their hands to the band's stylish and fiery songs.

The band, led by dynamic singer-songwriter-keyboardist Michael "Fitz“ Fitzpatrick, knows how to work a crowd, which is a lost art today.

"We grew up on bands that knew how to play live," saxophonist James King said. "I grew up in Los Angeles on bands like Fishbone, which was incredible live. They had the horns. They brought the soul and the funk."

Fishbone set a standard regarding live performance a generation ago with shows that were unpredictable, provocative and energetic. It all started with Fishbone drummer Phillip "Fish" Fisher, who had an impact on King.

"I worked with Fish and learned from him," King said while calling from Los Angeles. "I learned that it's not just about reproducing what you record live. You have to give more."

But it all starts with the songs, and the band, which also includes vocalist Noelle Scaggs, bassist Joe Karnes and keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna, has plenty of material.

The band has seven albums to draw from, including the act's latest project, "Man on the Moon," which was released in July. Fitz and the Tantrums returns with upbeat, synthesizer driven pop and soul tunes. "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly," which kicks off the album, is an obvious nod to soundtrack icon Ennio Morricone. But the cut that sets the tone for Fitz and the Tantrums is the title track, which is all about escapism, and that can't be more timely.

They remain a very consistent act featuring charismatic vocalists and gifted musicians who get along. Four-fifths of the group have been together since Fitz and the Tantrums formed in 2008. Karnes signed on in 2010.

"We enjoy playing with each other," King said. "To be able to play with one another for years, the members of a band have to like each other. Everything with us is good. We're all about the music. I do whatever I can in this band."

King is a versatile musician, who also plays flute, harmonica, keyboards, guitar and handles some percussion. King is an integral part of the band's sonic attack.

"My horn kind of replaces the guitar," King said. "Even though I do play guitar on occasion. But it's primarily about the horn for me. There's nothing like going on a sax break that's about 16 bars. It's a blast."

That's particularly so when Fitz and the Tantrums deliver their anthem, "HandClap," which immediately lifts the venue's energy level to another echelon.

The typical story of hit singles is that such songs were almost left off the album or no one in the band had any idea that the tune would chart. That's not so with Fitz and the Tantrums when it comes to "HandClap."

"’HandClap’ was fun from the start," King said. "We knew what was going to happen with it. We just knew that song would do well. When we went into the studio, we knew had a really good song and we just had a great time recording it and it's still fun to play live."