Artist description After colliding at a favorite neighborhood watering hole in Madison, Wisconsin one summer evening, guitarist Dan Hicks and vocalist Courtney Collins instantly bonded over their mutual love of old-school power pop. They closed the evening with a pact to start a band that would pay homage to the bands that inspired them during their formative years, and yet shed new light upon their favorite genre of modern music. The duo started writing together and then set about finding the rhythm section that would complement their music, which they dub "arena pop." Drummer Dave Ross entered the scene and wholeheartedly agreed to join the expedition. The lineup was completed with the addition of Arena Venus's newest member, bassist Andrew Yonda. Hicks' roaring power chords and classic arrangements are augmented by Yonda's melodic and insistent bass lines. Yonda's knack for pop is only complemented by Ross's precise but big beat, which provides the foundation for the playground that is Arena Venus. Collins ties it together with her protean contralto, bright melodies, and multi-entendre lyrics which are usually delivered with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Arena Venus's debut CD entitled Plucked is available at www.cdbaby.com.

Music Style Power Pop / Rock

Musical Influences Cheap Trick, David Bowie, The Pretenders, The Pixies, Television, The Beatles

Similar Artists Listen and tell us!

Group Members Courtney Collins - voicebox, Dan Hicks - guitar, Dave Ross - drums, Andrew Yonda - bass

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums, and voicebox

Albums Plucked

Press Reviews "Arena Venus are a songwriting duo that are rooted deep in the power-pop of the late 70s and early 80s: Guitarist Dan Hicks throws down guitar riffs you'd expect to find on a Cheap Trick album (maybe not on the debut album...but maybe on Heaven Tonight), while vocalist Courtney Collins has that throaty, sultry Debbie Harry thang goin' on. It's a cool mix that's awfully appropriate considering the geography involved (Hey, Rick Nielsen's house is only, what, an hour away in Rockford?)." - Actionman Magazine

Location Madison, WI - USA

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