SHEprofile

Female Hero (who and why):
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was the first strong female icon for my generation (that I could actually relate to). She was the first one to help me realize that being strong physically, mentally and emotionally were the qualities of an empowered woman. And that there was something very real about those qualities.

Danny’s been playing music for years with various acts, but has only recently started working with a well-seasoned group of musicians from all backgrounds to move the ideas out of his head and into the studio and venues everywhere. It is their passion for independent music as well as finding a direct purpose of moving all those who listen to it that makes the people in this band able to create such a beautiful sound when they come together. Danny has been writing for his solo career for the better part of two years in tattered notebooks and on napkins in 24-hour diners. He believes that without art and color the world we live in would be a dull and boring place. It’s his sincerest hope that if nothing else, at the end of all things concerning this solo project, the Danny B. Band will have successfully painted a bright spot on the landscape we all listen to.

Band Name (or nickname):
Danny B. Band

Band Influences:
That’s a hard one, I listen to a lot of different types of music and take something from all of them. I use a lot of jazz chords, with pop rhythms, punk rock energy and street culture, but a lot of hooks like you’d hear on the radio. The Beatles were a big influence, the re-birth of indie after the end of the century was big too, with bands like Montreal, the working title, Manchester Orchestra and Minus the Bear. The sound we’re working with in the studio is also influenced a lot by Phil Spector’s wall of sound, layering things to make it sound really thick and full, and reproducing that live. Some Third Eye Blind and John Mayer thrown in for good measure as well.

What was the first concert you ever went to?
Oh gosh, this is kind of embarrassing…when I was like 12, this girl’s mother took a bunch of us to see Smash Mouth at the Lakewood. They were playing with Lenny Kravitz and Buck Cherry. It was pretty amazing at the time.

Where do you dream of performing one day?
I’d love to play for the Queen of England, that’d be pretty amazing. Other than that, Madison Square Garden. It’d also be nice to play a packed out Variety Playhouse show here in town, that place has a killer sound.

Where was your first ever gig?
haha… It was a high school talent show, playing in a street punk band. They made us go on first after the intermission. We played maybe three songs I think, one original and two covers, one being “ruby soho”(come on, we were 14) and the other being “knowledge”(come on, we were 14). Nobody knew what to make of any of it, our friends got up and danced, I guess everybody got amped. We never found out if we won because apparently you can’t have winners and losers in school anymore, lest anybody’s feelings get hurt. I remember my guitar came unplugged halfway through the little set, and I just kept going. I still watch this tape we made of that performance and cringe…

Sound like?
What we do on my solo project is a cross between radio pop, like you’d hear on a top 40 station, really good indie, like you’d hear in a coffee shop in the bohemian district, with not-so-obvious roots in independent hardcore rock and roll. The lyrics are about relationships with friends, with girls, with yourself, and with the world, because everything is a relationship when you think about it.

To learn more about the Danny B. Band and hear some of their tunes check out their SHEworld profile. Or check them out on myspace.

SHEprofile

Female Hero (who and why):
I have many, but M.I.A. is currently my favorite feminist in music. She’s totally unafraid in her creative endeavors and rages back at anyone who dares insist that she must have a male producer for her music to be so good.

Are You a Feminist?
I didn’t used to think so, but once I got into business and music, I realized there’s still a lot of inequality between the sexes. As a result, I can solidly say I’m a feminist now.

As a Kid, What Did You Want To Be When You “Grew Up”?
A Fairy princess, a rock star, a CIA secret operative and a marine biologist. I have trouble sticking with one interest.

What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies? Collect anything?
I don’t have much spare time these days but I like to spend it relaxing with friends and loved ones. I also like to craft, and play music, and I recently inherited an enormous stamp collection.

Website links:
http://www.sweet-meats.com
http://bizmiss.wordpress.com
http://www.pantspantspants.biz

Jen Awad – Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Jeremy Dougherty – Lead Guitar
Jesse Rauda – Bass
Andrew Rome – Drums
Matt Guzman – Mascot

If ever you are in the mood to rock, then turn up the tunes of The Great Entity – They are a Los Angeles based band who are playing all the hip Hollywood clubs gaining momentum and fans along the way. Jen Awad entrances you with her wicked voice and meaningful lyrics, while the rest of the band busts out some intense musical beats. They ROCK!

Band Name (or nickname):
The Great Entity (TGE)

Band Influences:
Muse, Hole, Sound Garden, Joplin, Against Me

How did you guys come up with your band name?
It’s really hard to explain, but we’ll try…someone once told me that everyone has three entity’s that guide you through the walk of life. There are good entity’s that support your goals and bad entity’s that antagonize them. Then it hit me – “The Great Entity…”

What was the first concert each of you went to?
Jen: If I told you I’d have to kill you…or myself. Jeremy: Pearl Jam. Jesse: Duran Duran Andrew: Anti-Flag

Where do you dream of performing one day?
Seriously? It’s been a dream of mine and Jeremy’s to play House of Blues on Sunset.

Where was your first ever gig?
Ahhh The Cobalt Café in Canoga Park…It was a 6pm show on a Sunday and I had just gotten over mono and felt like death.

Sound like? Our biggest issue is we don’t want to sound like anyone else.

Causes we support:
The only cause we support is young singers, songwriters, musicians and their craft. It’s hard out there and people need to support their local music scenes instead of being so concerned about drinking away their weekends…not that I don’t mind doing that every once and a while too.

To learn more about The Great Entity and hear some of their tunes check them out on their myspace.

SHEprofile

Female Hero (who and why):
ME for taking my butt here to L.A., leaving unloving and unhealthy relationships and believing in myself. Jen Dougherty for her gorgeous son and her guts to go for it. And Wonder Woman-hehehehe- I remember watching her show as a young one and desiring to get it ALL done and help the small guy in an oh-so-pretty way.

Website links:
http://www.myspace.com/heidipopp
http://meowmeowz.com

Chelsea Adamczyk - Guitar / Lead Vocals
Alicia Landrum – Drums / Backing Vocals
Erica Knowles – Bass / Backing Vocals

Age: 24

Hometown:
Rapids City, IL

Favorite Non-Sugar: Bacon. When I was a teenager I could eat a whole package in one sitting without feeling sick.