Music Style Metal & Funk

Musical Influences Gene Krupa Orchestra, Toadies, T.S.O.L., Vandals, Silverchair, Green Day,Jack off jill, Taproot, NIN, Cradle of Filth, Rasputina, Coal Chamber, Machines of love and grace, Pantera, White Zombie, Garbage, Monster Magnet, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Aerosmith, and Nine Inch Nails

Artist History HOW XERIC CAME TO BE . . . . The conception of Xeric began with the ambition of one guitarist: Joanna Liapes. Her vision was a group of musicians having fun and playing music that was uncommon on the radio. “Everything sounds the same,” she says. “It’s nothing but computer generated voices on top of dance rhythms. It’s getting old.” (as every anti-MTV American would agree). Hence, we open the pages of a new beginning and journey into the world of Xeric. The first chapter commences with four High School friends: sophomore Joanna Liapes, freshman Joe Cullinan, freshman Amanda Wondzynski, and sophomore Chris Leong under the name, Voltage. Joanna was on guitar, Joe was on drums, Chris was on bass, and Amanda was on vocals. Being an already surly bunch, these four were not on the same track. A few practices took place but never got anywhere. Despite the fact that he worked in a recording studio most of his days, Joe left the group due to constant arguments with Amanda. Afterwards, Joanna approached another classmate/friend named Kara Moeller. She already had a drum set in her house basement and decided to play with Joanna in Voltage. Around this time, freshman Katherine Marchese was already hanging about during the practices holding the microphone for Amanda. Then, Joe came back to the group as back up guitarist hoping to settle his differences with Amanda. Not likely. The two continued to bicker at each other until the tension level rose so high that they both decided to leave (Joe and Amanda would later settle their differences but refused to reenter the band). After Amanda left the group, Katherine offered her services as singer. She was immediately promoted. The name was then changed to Clownaphobics Anonymous, due to the singers’ and guitarists’ immense distaste for clown faces. Soon after, Chris lost interest and left the group. Then, after weeks of searching Joanna and Katherine came up to fellow senior and musician, Katherine Pretto. “K,” as she is refered to, was asked to replace Chris and play bass. She humbly agreed, on one condition: that the name be changed to something else. Katherine gets an epiphany and names the group Thorn. K then joins the group. By the end of the spring and the majority of the summer of 2000, Thorn began practicing in Kara’s basement writing some originals and practicing covers, such as “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” and “Helter Skelter” among others. Then, Kara lost interest and left the group. Being her primary instrument, K was moved to drums and started doing back up vocals for Katherine. Due to Kara’s departure, Thorn became a threesome for the duration of the Summer and the beginning of Fall practicing in the basement of K’s house (by now, Joanna is a senior, Katherine is a sophomore and K is in college). In dire need of a female bassist, Joanna began to ask around to everyone. She approached her friend Mike, or “Blondie” as Xeric likes to call him, if he knew anyone. He did. He became friends with junior Angela Blasi and told her that his friend was looking for a female bassist. Joanna and Angela met in the school hallway and exchanged phone numbers to schedule an audition. On a Sunday afternoon, Angela came to K’s house and they began jamming. Each member felt the electricity and Angela was welcomed into Thorn. All four members: Angela Blasi, Joanna Liapes, Katherine Marchese, and (K)atherine Pretto began to jam with adrenaline and fire fused with their playing. Over a period of months, they began to collaborate and write more originals under the name Thorn. However, unbeknownst to them, they discovered that another band called Thorn was already established in Maryland. Hence, {Crimson} Thorn was the new name until they realized another band with the same name was very reputable in Minnesota. They began juggling names for weeks not agreeing on anything. Until (K)atherine Pretto looked in the dictionary and found the name Xeric (it’s definition, if anyone’s interested, is “needing little moisture”). Officially, {Crimson}Thorn was christened with Xeric.

Group Members Katherine Marie Marchese (Vocals), Angela Marie Blasi (Bassist), Joanna Claire Liapes (Guitarist, back-up vocals), Katherine Andrea Pretto (Drums, Back-Up Vocals)

Instruments Dean 4 string, Ibanez Soundgear 5 string, Dean 4 string Acoustic, Carlo Robelli Fretless, Fender California Fat Telecaster, Washburn acoustic. Vintage Red Tama Rockstar with Starcast mounts and Ziljan and Sabian Cymbols and Pearl Drum Rack. Plus little percussive toys.

Location Franklin, New Jersey - USA

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