Artist description Vera is a central California-based band trying to create something original that will transcend their influences and reflect their lives, hopes, and dreams. Their songs recall the sound of early pop psychedelia, but with a progressive attitude. Prime components making up their sound are Christina's soulful, emotive singing, Jim and Dave's swirling, layered guitars, and Steve's endlessly inventive drumming. Lots of bold, modern, jangly, fuzzy, atmospheric sounds and textures combine with inventive, soul-searching songs to define the landscape of Vera. Ear ecstasy for a new age of hipsters.

Music Style melodic, guitar-driven rock (spacey,rootsy,jangly,funky,loud,and quiet)

Musical Influences Byrds, Beatles, Pretenders, XTC, The Who, R.E.M., Early 70's soul (Wonder,Mayfield,Sly etc.), Rolling Stones, The Church, Adrian Belew, Wilco, Jayhawks, Police, U2, Led Zeppelin, World Party, James Bond soundtracks, Big Star,

Similar Artists Pretenders, Byrds, XTC, The Who, R.E.M.,

Artist History Vera was formed in 1994 in the central California area. The three core members had played together before in several short-lived local bands. Recognizing their unique chemistry, Jim,Steve,and Chris Crall (original bassist), resolved to work together again. They recuited other local musicians, worked up a repertoire of original songs and a few covers, and started hitting the local club circuit. Since then, the band has gained and lost members, played plenty of clubs, festivals, and coffeehouses, and done plenty of writing and recording. The line-up as of 2000 has settled to include original members Jim and Steve, with Christina joining in 1996 and Dave in 1999. Sadly, founding member Chris left the band in 1998. Highlights of the band's career so far include: 1. Releasing their first CD in 1999. 2. Placing in "Musician" magazine's 1996 "Best Unsigned Band" contest. 3. Playing the final night of Doc's Niteclub (formerly Doc Rickett's Lab), Monterey's longest-running and best-loved live music club. 4. Radio air-play on stations KMBY and KAZU.

Group Members Christina DeVeto: Lead vocals, bass, keyboards. James Chatterton: Lead guitar, keyboards, vocals. Steve Parmley: Drums, vocals. Dave Swartz: Rhythm guitar, vocals, bass, percussion.

Instruments Female lead vocals, guitars, drums, bass, keyboards,

Albums Vera (available at CDbaby.com)

Press Reviews "Vera is having a CD release party Saturday at Blue Fin. A local band that has quietly gone about its business for I don't know how many years, Vera appears infrequently, but works hard behind the scenes to create original sounding rock. Founding members Jim Chatterton and Steve Parmley have hung on to singer Christina DeVeto now for a couple years, and she has made a big difference in the band's sound. She is able to navigate the varied terrain that principal songwriter Chatterton lays down on this eponymously titled, 18-track recording. I know that 18 does seem a bit excessive, but three cuts are actually short instrumental interludes between songs. While early in its life Vera presented a dark Gothic image, there is little of that remaining on this disc. Haunting melodies are there though, on "Evolutions I've Endured", "This Is Not The End", and "The Age Of Reason". Otherwise, pleasant melodies prevail and DeVeto shines especially bright on "All Alone", where her voice is showcased in a slow, emotional ballad. I caught a bit of reggae going on in "Desert Life" and funk in "All Over Tonight". And that Chatterton guy went and threw in some tasty bits of country-folk in "God's Fools", reminiscent of the country honky-tonk sound the Rolling Stones indulged in occasionally. All in all, the production sounds good. Chatterton claims producer role, while he and Richard Bryant engineered all but "Desert Life", which Larry Viales put his touch on. Gil Rubio worked with Chatterton on the mixing end of the project. I've always known J.C. to be a hands-on kind of guy, so even though Vera is a group project, Chatterton is the mastermind behind it all. Congratulations on a project well done." Beth Peerless, "The Monterey County Herald", 1999

Location Monterey, California - USA

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