By: Forest George
This idea came to me from my experiences watching different bands. Richmond Music is very subjective, because everybody tries to play and find a gig. Depending on which part of the city you’re in, you’ll find a collection of different bands playing somewhere.
Today I want to focus on just a fraction of Richmond Music with the female singer. As a male of the human species, most of us are awestruck by the female singing voice. It doesn’t hurt if they’re drop-dead gorgeous either. They also have a childlike ambition when it comes to their singing. The good ones appear to have the most fun, and use their talents to help their respective bands.
It was hard to rate these women, as each one was talented in their own way and it was almost like comparing apples to oranges. I have, however, attempted to formulate a short list of my top-ten female singers, and the bands they respectfully play for.
1. Sarah Gleason: The lead female singer of The Velvet Maria’s, fronted by lead/rhythm guitarist John Ran Smith. Without Gleason, the band would still be a very powerful country twang group with the talents of lead guitarist Paul Pearce, drummer Jorge Santamaria, and bassist Michael Skiffington. With Gleason, however, it allows them to cover a wide range of songs that would not fit the group’s motif. Songs like “Come Together,” “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” (duet with John Ran Smith), “Mustang Sally,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Me and Bobby MaGee” and “Drunken Angel.” This beauty has the looks of Grace Slick, the (in theory) drinking habits of Janis Joplin, along with the Janis Joplin wardrobe, and the voice of a rough and tough angel. She’d probably try any cover once, and may throw some original material on us soon.
The Velvet Maria’s
2. Krista Crandall: If you had come up to me fifteen years ago, and told me that the then Krista Bolton, class of Douglas Freeman 1996, would end up as one of the female singers in perhaps the greatest cover band in Richmond, I would have called you crazy. Sure she was talented in 1995-96 when she got rare opportunities to do solo High School Musical songs, or even more rare Pep Rally singing spots, but hearing her belting out flawless covers of Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party,” “All Jacked Up,” and “Redneck Woman” just amazes me. Without her, The Wrest already had a very talented, female vocalist with Jane Cooper, but Crandall’s wild, crazy, impish, and hyperactive nature should not be ignored for its sheer entertainment value alone. The current Friday-night female singer of Pat O’Brien’s fronted band “The Wrest” has been providing excellent country covers of Terri Clark, Gretchen Wilson, Blondie, and even Katrina and the Waves for about three years.
The Wrest
3. Sister Sweet: It would be hard to separate the duo of Tina Marie and Jessica Salomonsky, as they both have the same great look, and about the same talent. These two guitar-wielding beauties not only have amazing singing voices, but they love to write songs, and change songs to fit their singing style. The best example of their rearrangements would be the Beatles’ “Drive My Car,” which becomes more atoned to their styling, which resembles Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crowe, and a pinch of the Indigo Girls. It doesn’t hurt they both have the Sheryl Crowe look down to a tee, and provide grace and beauty with their singing, guitar playing, and their appearances. Along with Tom Crosby on bass, and Mark Henderson on drums, and maybe a few more surprises in the future, Sister Sweet is becoming a force upon the Richmond Music scene.
Sister Sweet
4. Rachel Garfi: A newcomer to the Richmond Music scene, this already sassy 19-year old New Jersey girl, raised in Powhatan has turned some heads with her country singing voice. She is currently the protégé of Crazy Linda Sheridan, whom the two formed the abstract singing combination of Royal Pain. In that singing group, Sheridan provides the rhythmic guitar, and crazy cover songs, while Garfi provides her own craziness and amazing covers of Gretchen Wilson and rare Terri Clark covers. She also provides a country western cover of Britney Spears “Toxic.” Along with Sheridan, a third member of the Royal Pain crew is their manager/guitarist Shane Parch. With Parch and Sheridan, Garfi is also attempting on writing and singing original country music titles on her own.
Royal Pain
5. Jane Cooper: Without either female vocalist, The Wrest might still be the greatest cover band in Richmond. Pat O’Brien and Tommy Hughes are great singers and both are masters of the guitar, with Hughes also a master of the bass, banjo, and mandolin. Percussionist Jim White is also an amazing singer, and Stu Grimes is an excellent drummer. Of course, a perfect cover band needs a female singer, and Cooper filled the missing piece of that puzzle starting in 1999. Unlike Crandall, Cooper is more laid back in her nature, although still vibrant with energy. Vocally, however, she is more mature and her singing subtext is slightly different. Cooper currently provides entertainment at Sharky’s as the “Wednesday night chick.”
The Wrest
6. Jennifer Vaughn: Although the wife of Hamburger James’ lead singer and acoustic guitarist, Andy Vaughn, isn’t an actual member of the band, her Janis Martin/Wanda Jackson style of voice was used on Hamburger James’ album “Last Plane to Memphis” and on their live shows. As a band primary focused on the Rockabilly era of music that included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other great artists; Hamburger James brings the spirit of the 1950’s Elvis Presley to Richmond. Some may be historically inclined to hear a female singing style that was around before Janis Joplin, which is very similar to a style female country stars kind of use today. So while (Jennifer) Vaughn isn’t used much, she rocks it down with her husband and friends.
Hamburger James
7. Casandra Cossitt: Although, an older and more mature woman, Cossitt brings the old school, country spirit of Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells to Richmond. Cossitt and her sister, Octavia Carpin, have written some very cool original old-style country music like “The Ballad of Katie Gallows,” “Walk Away,” and Evil for You.” These two sisters, along with John Hanor (lead guitar), Mike Tighe (fiddle), and David Stover (drums) have created “Buttercup.” With their old style state fair country outfits accompanying their music, they truly are throwbacks to the artistic styles of Cline, Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Hank Williams, and other fine old school country artists.
Buttercup
8. Susan Greenbaum: A former businesswoman, who decided to move to Richmond and focus on songwriting. Greenbaum is a known veteran in the Virginia area, and is a masterful singer and songwriter. She’s been around for over ten years, and for people who enjoy Joan Baez would like Greenbaum’s singing style. She has released several albums and is a local fixture of female music entertainment. She portrays an interesting, and entertaining persona, along with her singing.
Susan Greenbaum
9. Linda Sheridan: It’s hard to describe Linda Sheridan with the written language. The mother of three kids always the itch to entertain, and did so in her wild partying youth in the 1970’s and 80’s. She is truly abstract in nature, with an obsession for both music and art. Admittedly crazy in nature, Sheridan would sell you on head-turning, abstract craziness. Doing weird, unexpected covers like Clarence Carter’s “Patches,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Sprit,” the German version of Peter Gabriel’s “Shock the Monkey” (“Schock Den Affen”), and the German version of the Beatles’ “I want to Hold Your Hand” (“Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand.”) When she is not doing comedy pieces, her amazingly low bass voice works on old blues songs and Beatle covers with Shane Parch. Always expect the unexpected when dealing with Linda Sheridan.
Royal Pain
10. Judy Guy: A singer, and recorder player for Richmond’s Irish Pub band Uisce Beatha, a band that just loves to sing for their friends, the patrons of Rare Olde Times. The band specializes in old Irish Folk Songs, along with covers of almost anything, including the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, Tom Petty, and much more. The band includes Jim Guy on vocals and guitar, Dan Guy on vocals, guitar, bohran, and great William Shatner impersonations, Ed Tatum on lead guitar, and sometimes Matt Davis or Sajji Hussain on the bass. (Judy) Guy impresses on Irish Folk songs, and did an impressive cover of “White Rabbit.”
Be sure to sign up for the new MusicRVA Social Network!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Scott H. Biram at Iota Club
Scott H. Biram at Iota Club, NOVA
Thursday, August 7, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra
Scott H. Biram , known by his fans as the “Dirty Old One Man Band”, played to an anxious crowd at the Iota Club in NOVa last week. Mr. Biram is indeed a one man band.
He plays a very beat up 1959 Gibson guitar, mouth harp, has an impressive and colorful array of effect pedals, three microphones bound together with tape and cables, and a chair where he stays seated to make use of his special amplified left foot pedal which furthers the sound effects Biram incorporates into his one man show.
The vocal sound that Biram projects makes him sound like an old blues singer from the swamp, when in reality Scott Biram looks to be in his early thirties. We got to the club early and the friend I traveled with knows Biram quite well which allowed me chance to hang out with him a while before his set started and listen to funny stories about his escapades on the road, and the random people he has met along the way. Biram seems to be your average country boy from Austin , TX , who loves his family and shops at Wal-Mart.
Biram also knows what it is to suffer. He was nearly killed in 2003 when his car was struck head on by an 18 wheeler. He survived certain death and has been celebrating life ever since.
Scott Biram’s music is gritty and soulful and makes you feel a certain pain and anger followed by laughter and hope from up above. Biram attacks all your emotions at once and that is what truly makes his performance memorable.
Songs like “Blood, Sweat and Murder” evoke the aggression of punk and metal, while keeping it’s hillbilly, country and blues roots. It’s something for everyone and his true story ballads like “Sweet Thing” validates what a versatile writer he is, and, although it shows a softer side of Biram, he also lashes out when hurt and the audience feels every part of it.
I guess the coolest thing about Scott H. Biram is that you leave one of his shows feeling like you just made a friend for life. I know the next time I see him, he will remember me as “Miss Cindy” and it will be a wonderful evening. Scott doesn’t know when he will be able to make it to Richmond again, but at least he know he’s wanted.
You can visit Scott H. Biram’s MySpace site listed under: Scott H. Biram, or visit his personal website at ScottBiram.Com. He has very cool merchandise and CD’s for sale on both sites.
Check out some photos:
Thursday, August 7, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra
Scott H. Biram , known by his fans as the “Dirty Old One Man Band”, played to an anxious crowd at the Iota Club in NOVa last week. Mr. Biram is indeed a one man band.
He plays a very beat up 1959 Gibson guitar, mouth harp, has an impressive and colorful array of effect pedals, three microphones bound together with tape and cables, and a chair where he stays seated to make use of his special amplified left foot pedal which furthers the sound effects Biram incorporates into his one man show.
The vocal sound that Biram projects makes him sound like an old blues singer from the swamp, when in reality Scott Biram looks to be in his early thirties. We got to the club early and the friend I traveled with knows Biram quite well which allowed me chance to hang out with him a while before his set started and listen to funny stories about his escapades on the road, and the random people he has met along the way. Biram seems to be your average country boy from Austin , TX , who loves his family and shops at Wal-Mart.
Biram also knows what it is to suffer. He was nearly killed in 2003 when his car was struck head on by an 18 wheeler. He survived certain death and has been celebrating life ever since.
Scott Biram’s music is gritty and soulful and makes you feel a certain pain and anger followed by laughter and hope from up above. Biram attacks all your emotions at once and that is what truly makes his performance memorable.
Songs like “Blood, Sweat and Murder” evoke the aggression of punk and metal, while keeping it’s hillbilly, country and blues roots. It’s something for everyone and his true story ballads like “Sweet Thing” validates what a versatile writer he is, and, although it shows a softer side of Biram, he also lashes out when hurt and the audience feels every part of it.
I guess the coolest thing about Scott H. Biram is that you leave one of his shows feeling like you just made a friend for life. I know the next time I see him, he will remember me as “Miss Cindy” and it will be a wonderful evening. Scott doesn’t know when he will be able to make it to Richmond again, but at least he know he’s wanted.
You can visit Scott H. Biram’s MySpace site listed under: Scott H. Biram, or visit his personal website at ScottBiram.Com. He has very cool merchandise and CD’s for sale on both sites.
Check out some photos:
Be sure to sign up for the new MusicRVA Social Network!
The Dregs at Banditos
The Dregs at Banditos
Wed. August 6, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra
This is my first entry for MusicRVA. I am very excited to have my first local band review be for a local band that I truly respect and admire and am proud to call my friends.
Last night the Dregs played two energetic sets at the newly-rejuvenated music venue Banditos on Patterson Ave. in the fan. That’s’ right, Banditos means live music once again and not a moment too soon. It’s becoming considerably difficult to get local bands booked in good ol’ RVA, and having a venue like Banditos open to booking local musicians is very exciting for the bands and the fans.
As for the Dregs, who began their musical journey in 2006, they turned out a small but mighty crowd and gave the audience their sweaty best. This bands ability to combine the past and the present of covers and originals is addictive and their original songs are filled with lyrics and beats that make you laugh and pump your fist at the same time.
Writing partners Kim Schneck and Bruce Smith have an uncanny ability to put lyric and music together to make you think you must be listening to an old blues or rockabilly song you never knew existed. The material is clever and catchy.
When you combine Bruce’s “swamp blues” guitar licks, Hank slapping the upright bass, Blee pounding the drums, and Kim singing with the energy and passion of the late great Janis Martin, you just can’t resist getting out of your chair and dancing and slapping your knee to the best local music Richmond has to offer.
The Dregs next show will be in September at Poes Pub and if you like the sounds of rockabilly swamp blues, you better be there!
The Dregs have a new CD entitled “River City Rock and Roll” for $5. See there website for details.
The Band:
Kim Schneck Frauerbach – lead vocals
Hank Frauerbach – upright bass, vocals
Bruce Smith – Lead guitar, vocals
Blee Child – percussion, vocals
Band website: RiverCityRockAndRoll.Com
Wed. August 6, 2008
By: Cindy Johnson
aka Elvistra
This is my first entry for MusicRVA. I am very excited to have my first local band review be for a local band that I truly respect and admire and am proud to call my friends.
Last night the Dregs played two energetic sets at the newly-rejuvenated music venue Banditos on Patterson Ave. in the fan. That’s’ right, Banditos means live music once again and not a moment too soon. It’s becoming considerably difficult to get local bands booked in good ol’ RVA, and having a venue like Banditos open to booking local musicians is very exciting for the bands and the fans.
As for the Dregs, who began their musical journey in 2006, they turned out a small but mighty crowd and gave the audience their sweaty best. This bands ability to combine the past and the present of covers and originals is addictive and their original songs are filled with lyrics and beats that make you laugh and pump your fist at the same time.
Writing partners Kim Schneck and Bruce Smith have an uncanny ability to put lyric and music together to make you think you must be listening to an old blues or rockabilly song you never knew existed. The material is clever and catchy.
When you combine Bruce’s “swamp blues” guitar licks, Hank slapping the upright bass, Blee pounding the drums, and Kim singing with the energy and passion of the late great Janis Martin, you just can’t resist getting out of your chair and dancing and slapping your knee to the best local music Richmond has to offer.
The Dregs next show will be in September at Poes Pub and if you like the sounds of rockabilly swamp blues, you better be there!
The Dregs have a new CD entitled “River City Rock and Roll” for $5. See there website for details.
The Band:
Kim Schneck Frauerbach – lead vocals
Hank Frauerbach – upright bass, vocals
Bruce Smith – Lead guitar, vocals
Blee Child – percussion, vocals
Band website: RiverCityRockAndRoll.Com
Be sure to sign up for the new MusicRVA Social Network!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Halflit Halo at the Canal Club
Halflit Halo burns bright.
Late last year the rock scene in Richmond VA had some big things happening; some of the best known bands on the scene were breaking up and reforming, only to find that they couldn’t get the “right fit” for their personal and professional taste. In September 2007 Jeb Bach, Peyton Dowdy (formally of Fallen Under) and Chris White decided to give this “new band thing” a shot. After finding local vocal talent Kevin Hagaman (formally of Memory Fade, Fail-Safe, and Kabura) and drummer Stuart “Tripp” Coughlin (formally of Chalkline Beauty) the stage was set and Halflit Halo was born.
Walking in to Canal Club I was a bit skeptical at first, I had heard good things about these guys, personally and musically, but I have always been one to not believe everything I hear and only half of what I read, so I got my hands X‘ed and with innate curiosity surveyed the club. Immediately upon scanning CC I noticed five guys that seemed to be everywhere at once, from the bar to the stage to the tables in between their energy was unparalleled, this I said to myself should be quite the show.
Searching for Timothy got up on stage and opened up the show with a blast of energy and an amazing sound that really got the crowd going. After the intensity that was SFT the next band had a lot to live up to, As Summer Dies a hardcore band from Buffalo NY, rocked the house with a sound and light show that left us all wondering, how can any band top that?
With intense vocals, haunting melodies and copious amounts of energy, Halflit Halo took to the stage and summoned every ounce of emotion and talent they could muster. The fans and the other bands looked on in awe as the first notes of the set rang out. One could easily get lost in the passionate and poignant lyrics of “The Passing” and as they slipped into “Bitter End” and “Eulogy in Transilence” I was struck with a realization: these songs were not just something written to fill a record, each one of these pieces of art meant something to them and in turn conveyed the deepest emotions that seem to get lost in Halflit Halos’ offstage happy-go-lucky personas. However the night was not all dark and heavy, in between songs the mood was upbeat and lively as the guys joked around and laughed about this and that. After “Seeping”, “Say Goodbye” and “Fire Escape from Purgatory” (a personal favorite) they revealed a guest singer for their last song, “Divine Judgment”. A more hardcore song, Gregg Reynolds, jumped up on stage and screamed right on time, complementing Hagaman’s voice beautifully; it was truly a marvelous ending to a spectacular show.
Halflit Halo definitely has proven themselves time and time again as a new force to be reckoned with on the scene, with a stunning live show and a mastered sound that’s all their own, these guys are sure to be a staple on the RVA circuit for a long time to come.
For more info where you can catch HH next, check out the bands official myspace at
HalflitHalo
Author: Crystal Snyder
Crystals MusicRVA Profile
Late last year the rock scene in Richmond VA had some big things happening; some of the best known bands on the scene were breaking up and reforming, only to find that they couldn’t get the “right fit” for their personal and professional taste. In September 2007 Jeb Bach, Peyton Dowdy (formally of Fallen Under) and Chris White decided to give this “new band thing” a shot. After finding local vocal talent Kevin Hagaman (formally of Memory Fade, Fail-Safe, and Kabura) and drummer Stuart “Tripp” Coughlin (formally of Chalkline Beauty) the stage was set and Halflit Halo was born.
Walking in to Canal Club I was a bit skeptical at first, I had heard good things about these guys, personally and musically, but I have always been one to not believe everything I hear and only half of what I read, so I got my hands X‘ed and with innate curiosity surveyed the club. Immediately upon scanning CC I noticed five guys that seemed to be everywhere at once, from the bar to the stage to the tables in between their energy was unparalleled, this I said to myself should be quite the show.
Searching for Timothy got up on stage and opened up the show with a blast of energy and an amazing sound that really got the crowd going. After the intensity that was SFT the next band had a lot to live up to, As Summer Dies a hardcore band from Buffalo NY, rocked the house with a sound and light show that left us all wondering, how can any band top that?
With intense vocals, haunting melodies and copious amounts of energy, Halflit Halo took to the stage and summoned every ounce of emotion and talent they could muster. The fans and the other bands looked on in awe as the first notes of the set rang out. One could easily get lost in the passionate and poignant lyrics of “The Passing” and as they slipped into “Bitter End” and “Eulogy in Transilence” I was struck with a realization: these songs were not just something written to fill a record, each one of these pieces of art meant something to them and in turn conveyed the deepest emotions that seem to get lost in Halflit Halos’ offstage happy-go-lucky personas. However the night was not all dark and heavy, in between songs the mood was upbeat and lively as the guys joked around and laughed about this and that. After “Seeping”, “Say Goodbye” and “Fire Escape from Purgatory” (a personal favorite) they revealed a guest singer for their last song, “Divine Judgment”. A more hardcore song, Gregg Reynolds, jumped up on stage and screamed right on time, complementing Hagaman’s voice beautifully; it was truly a marvelous ending to a spectacular show.
Halflit Halo definitely has proven themselves time and time again as a new force to be reckoned with on the scene, with a stunning live show and a mastered sound that’s all their own, these guys are sure to be a staple on the RVA circuit for a long time to come.
For more info where you can catch HH next, check out the bands official myspace at
HalflitHalo
Author: Crystal Snyder
Crystals MusicRVA Profile
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)