Artist description The San Francisco bay's hot rod modern rock group Simon Stinger has regional audiences buzzing with danceable modern music and choreography that's exciting, daring, and smooth. Their songs are currently featured in Miramax's "Diamonds." With a tendency toward the edgy/bizarre, Simon Stinger's devilish hooks, tasty melodies, and freaky electro-pop beats come to life with a fringe of spy film music around the edges.

Music Style Modern Rock / Electro-Pop / Dance

Musical Influences Danny Elfman, Ann-Margret, The Januaries, Prince, David Bowie, Sting, U2, Lyle Lovett, Eurythmics, Seal, New York Dolls, Fischerspooner, Duran Duran, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Sponge, The Dan Reed Network

Similar Artists No Doubt, Pink, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Blondie

Artist History San Francisco bay area's delirious hot rod modern rock group owns a fresh and fierce sound that is undeniable. This group, which combines devilish hooks with a danceable freaky electronica beat and spy film undertones, is spreading its contagious fever everywhere. In August 2000 they released their second CD "Devil On My Mind" to many anxious supporters. Simon Stinger's song "Fringe Authority" was heard nationwide in the Miramax film "Diamonds" starring Dan Aykroyd, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, and Jenny McCarthy. Simon Stinger also have a cameo in the movie. Founded by singer Alicia Perrone and bassist Victor James in 1997, Simon Stinger quickly became known for wildly entertaining live shows. Fronted by Perrone's remarkable vocal skills which Tourdates.com refers to as "tough, sexy, and smart...Stinger's singer is bionic," Simon Stinger create excitement whereever they go with a reckless delivery. The band's debut release, a 7" vinyl on their own Muscle Car Records, received over 150 college radio adds. In November '97, the band released their first CD "Private Collection," with more fun and furious new rock anthems. In its second pressing, the CD has received airplay nationwide, with popular influential stations such as KUSF and Live 105 taking notice right away. DJ's, reviewers, and audiences of all ages love this band, sharing the sentiment that Simon Stinger's music is so contagious they can't take it out of their players. Simon Stinger's HiBrow Cabaret shows made quite a splash around the northwest in 1999. Starting in July 2001 Simon Stinger started performing their new production "Reload Deluxe" featuring infectious spy grooves, fearless modern rock, a dazzling light show, and two choreographed dancers ala "Spygirls." Now in 2002 those shows have become a retro-future experience captivating audiences up and down the west coast. Simon Stinger's charismatic stage presence led Jagermeister to award the band a sponsorship. This notable stage presence was again rewarded when Simon Stinger's unique and intoxicating video for their cover of Devo's "Girl U Want" won a showcase when screened for music industry professionals in Hollywood. Their online presence is flourishing as well, and being favorites at MP3.com, the band was chosen to perform on MP3's Music & Technology tour opening for The Goo Goo Dolls and Tonic. A tour with shows supporting The Bloodhound Gang and Goldfinger in Seattle and Vancouver, Canada soon followed. Simon Stinger is now at work on their upcoming 3rd CD with producer Sylvia Massy Shivy (Tool, Powerman 5000, Prince) to be released in early 2004. Legal representation is Brian Rohan. More highlights and updated news can be found at www.simonstinger.com.

Group Members Alicia Perrone - vocals/songwriter Victor James - bass/songwriter Elvis Katic - drums Mary Cary - guitar Sherry Ayres - dancer aka "Betty" Jules Fontana - dancer aka "Veronica"

Press Reviews SF Weekly by Silke Tudor:"Led by the enchanting force that is Alicia Perrone -- think Blondie's coquettish sleaze, Siouxsie Sioux's histrionic wail, and Joan Jett's surly punch -- Simon Stinger recently landed a cameo and a song in the Dan Aykroyd and Kirk Douglas comedy Diamonds, but that's a small accomplishment next to the realization of Devil on My Mind. The San Francisco quartet's second independent release is a 21st-century girl's revelation of all that was enjoyable in the '80s: the belief in ego, love, and music; the freedom of blazing down the freeway with dried roses hanging from your rearview mirror; the simple joy of pounding your feet in the dark corners of a nightclub filled with black-clad fans who believe in the star potential of their local musicians. The CD opens with a strident remake of Devo's "Girl U Want," dominated by the low-slung predatory growl of Victor James' bass line and crowned by Perrone's snotty certainty, before rolling into 12 originals that are limber enough to supplant your own youthful anthems about ditched romance. "Dead On" exposes an ex-boyfriend's penchant for dating carbon copies with the irresistible sing-along "Johnny's got a girl and she looks like me." "When a Boy Meets a Girl" finds Perrone exposing her siren's claws with the slinky line "I don't really care if you love me back/ Or at all/ I just want you to want me till it hurts you." "Hollywood Ending" decries the myth with seductive sweetness before finding release in the new wave bombast of "Summertime." "The Last Girl in the World" fulfills the ambition of both Adam Ant and Siouxie Sioux to carry their particular flavor into contemporary world of pop. And "Go Sugar" picks up where Concrete Blonde left off. Simon Stinger's cohesion, its ability to combine Perrone's distinctive vocal talents with rock 'n' roll balls and new wave snap, make Devil on My Mind the most dazzling, fun, and charmingly insolent album I've heard this year. They celebrate their record release at Ian Brennan's "Burlesque on Broadway" which also features the Slow Poisoners, Phoenix Thunderstone, Old Grandad, Rosin Coven, Bite, Ocean 8, and the Cantankerous Lollies burlesque troupe (expect more nudity from the bands than the girls) on Saturday, April 1 at the Broadway Studios at 7 p.m. Ticket price is $10; call 291-0333. Simon Stinger also performs at Paradise Lounge on Saturday, April 8; call 861-6906.http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2000-03-29/tudor.html

Additional Info UPCOMING THIRD CD DUE EARLY 2004!

Location Pleasant Hill, CA - USA

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