Archie Star
A first impression of Archie Star would be “good listening music” and not necessarily tunes to mosh or bang your head to, for example. The guitar work stands out, on such tunes as “Always Love You Never Leave You” (2007 demo). The vocals of Archie Star are certainly a strength, with the duet/shared singing of the D’Andreas.
“Queens Boulevard” features the clear and strong vocals of Ria D’Andrea and Pat D’Andrea (who also provides rhythm guitar). This is a good rock/pop ballad, a nice introduction to those who haven’t heard Archie Star previously. According to information from the band, “Archie Star is about events that have taken place starting in ‘86 from Pat D’Andrea’s life.” That says a lot but not everything. This group admittedly is influenced by Third Eye Blind, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Simon and Garfunkel….the list goes on and on. Good influences, all. Personal note: I like the beginning of “What You Want To Be.” Good vocals hold this tune together, along with ear-catching rhythm and response lyrics.
Archie Star’s lineup also includes or included Mike Slatter (lead guitar), Omar Monzon (piano), Mike “Juice” Sauciuc (bass), Christina Vitogiannes (drums) and interestingly enough, Jake Klarkowski (transsexual and booking info). It is a bit surprising that there isn’t more tour information for this group.
Tags: independent music, indie, indie music, music, archie star
Seven guys? I haven’t seen this many people in a band for a while. Anyway, it must be really, fun and stuff, since there is a transsexual in the midst (?!?!), hey, this is the music we’ve got to listen when we are feeling poorly. I’ll check this out better
Is this a guy and his girlfriend?
They sound close. Just the way of comfort they have together for there vocals.
It is great. Again, I love this music. I could listen to it for quite a while without it getting old.
Being able to hear some great sounding guitars is something that a lot of people miss from the music today. I think that bringing out a style that has been missed is a positive thing. No band should ever be afraid to want to be the next guitar hero.
I wonder if guitar solos are gone because there aren’t any bands out there like Pink Floyd anymore, or because the exigencies of radio play (”Hey, nice song, but can you cut it to 3:05?”), or because styles change? I mean, just as rock as we know it is “hot” today, doo-wop was very popular 40 to 50 years ago, and yet no one does songs like “Heart and Soul” or The Platters’ cover of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” And it’s not that the songs suck or anything, but rather it’s that the “powers that be” have somehow made us think that those styles are “geeky” and “irrelevant.”
I think that guitar solos will make a comeback once we free our ears from the tyranny of commercial radio.
I don’t think this band would work without the female vocalists. They are great and come in at the perfect time on each song. The music is laid back and there is some beautiful piano work going on, but the lead singer alone sounds like your average run of the mill young singer these days. But with Ria and Pat backing up on vocals, this band stands out.
Back up vocalists have always, always improved many an act that would have been fair to average, so Leighdu makes a very valid point when mentioning Ria and Pat’s work. Even established “big label” singers like Billy Joel (who has left pop/rock behind and “retired” in 1997) depended on superb back up vocals from Crystal Tafiero and others. And while an all-guy sound isn’t bad, sometimes it’s great to hear the sweeter voices of women, either as lead singers or backup singers.
haha archie star is “archie star” a solo artist and his sister man but i LOVE this shit
I agree with Leidugh. Most fans of such rock band are male, so this will have a great effect on the band. I feel enchanted whenever I see a beautiful girl, maybe that’s the same case to this people that is patronizing them. I am not saying that they have a bad music, all I’m saying the member has boost their marketability. Overall, I think that they are great musicians.
I’m with Leighdu and Postman on this one. I think the female vocals make the band, and the songs great. I like to think about a band’s name too. The name Archie Star stands out, and beings good thoughts to mind. This band’s page is another one that’s going in my favorites. I look forward to hearing more from them in the future.
dude, possibly one of the most amazing bands out there. ria and pat are brother/sister.
and the band definitely would be nothing with ria.
she is one of the most beautiful people i’ve ever seen, with an amazing voice to go with it.
archie star needs more publicity, for sure.
OK so. CD = Amazing. My cousin’s mike slatter. And they need to update this. Omar is not in the band anymore. Mike Slatter would like to be referred by his real name John Carmichael Slatter. Pat would also like to be referred to as Johnny D’Andrea now. But yeah. Other than that, pick up the album on smartpunk.com. It’s incredible.