Blues Profile
WithOut Warning
by Dennis McDougall
|  |
1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
|
|
 | |
WithOut Warning (WOW) is the brain-child of Pete Meyer, lead guitar player with Inside Straight, who put the band together in the fall and winter of 98-99. WOW burst on the scene the summer of 1999 playing a crowd-pleasing blend of blues, R&B, and rock with a smattering of reggae and jazz for good measure. This exciting new band possesses a somewhat eclectic instrumentation featuring lead violin and a two piece horn section in addition to bass, guitar and drums. The band is fronted by the dynamic lead vocalist and instrumentalist Colleen Frey whose powerful vocal style has been compared to Etta James and Koko Taylor. Colleen's violin playing shatters any reservations people may have about the use of a "fiddle" in a blues-based band. This ain't no hoe-down baby! Colleen's vocals are often accompanied by the sweet vocal harmonies of Jani Brakken who plays alto sax in the WOW Horns and takes the spotlight with lead vocal on a few numbers. Multi-instrumentalist Joan Hutton rounds out the WOW Horns with tasteful leads and fills on alto sax, tenor sax, and occasionally flute. The WOW horn arrangements add an exciting dimension to the usual guitar, bass, drums sound. Pete Meyer's blistering guitar leads brings out the raw edge in the band with Stevie Ray Vaughan-style aplomb when appropriate, yet is able to lay back with supportive rhythm stylings when the other instrumentalists take the spotlight. Pete also provides backup vocals and performs lead vocal duties on a few tunes. The bottom end is provided by Dennis McDougall on electric bass who periodically breaks out the fretless electric bass adding fluidity to the sweeter ballads. The other half of the WOW rhythm section is the rock-solid Rick Johnson who holds the whole thing together with stylish and masterful stick-work second to none. Without Warning is a hot new band not to be missed, coming soon to a club near you.
Don't say we didn't warn you!
Contact Information:
Pete Meyer 612-823-7966
Colleen Frey 612-682-0209
|
|
