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Holland Greco: Tunnel Vision CD Review
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Holland Greco, formerly of The Peak Show, continues to write and record great songs. This new EP is ...Holland Greco, formerly of The Peak Show, continues to write and record great songs. This new EP is a total treat for music fans.
Holland Greco has released a new 5-song EP on CD. Titled "Tunnel Vision," this CD provides a great taste of what Holland is doing musically these days.
This album has been a while coming, many of these songs having been performed in Heartkour, an early incarnation - with Holland on vocals and ukulele, and "Princess" Frank on drums. Songs like "Butterflies" have been worked on for a long time, and that work has totally paid off here. The version on the album is excellent.
Among the newer material, a crowd favorite is "Bedford Stuyvesant," the second song the album, and one of the best.
The CD is a lot of fun, with heavy R&B and even Motown influences. "Stuck!" is especially fun.
Musicians On The CD
Holland Greco of course does the lead vocals and ukulele, and Princess Frank is on drums and backing vocals. Joseph Karnes plays bass. Lisa Harriton is on the keyboard. Brian Warfield is on trumpet, and Ryan Porter is on trombone. Dan Greco is on percussion.
The Peak Show
Holland Greco was the vocal force in what was certainly one of L.A.'s best bands ever, The Peak Show. Their live shows were amazing. And the house concerts they threw at their studio on York Blvd. in Highland Park are almost legendary. Bands such as Go Betty Go, Los Abandoned, Black Love Army and Blood Sugar would also play these shows.
It's been more than five years since the dissolution of The Peak Show, and Holland Greco's vocals and live performances are as strong as ever. Holland's ability to capture and enrapture an audience is uncontested.
Holland & Clark At On The Rox, West Hollywood
Holland performed a gig with Clark Dark on guitar and backing vocals as Holland & Clark at On The Rox on January 28, 2010. The set list featured all five songs from this EP. The horn section from the CD was there for that show, brightening the sound. Brian Warfield was on trumpet, and Ryan Porter was on trombone. Of course "Princess" Frank was on drums.
The show also saw Holland reunited with The Peak Show bassist, Alex Painter. (After The Peak Show disbanded, Alex fronted a funky fun band called The Joyful Process.) Alex was impeccable, as always.
Rounding out the band that night was Jeremy Mage on keyboard and Meredith Claire doing backing vocals. Jeremy Mage was particularly good, doing some really interesting things on his solos, without stepping on anyone else throughout the songs.
Writing Songs With Clark Dark In New York
Holland had met Clark Dark in New York in 2005 while she was living there. They started writing material together, but this was the first gig they did. Clark still resides in New York, so it's uncertain when their next gig together will be.
A Full-Length CD And More Concerts
There is talk of putting out a full-length CD. There is a lot more material that hasn't yet been released (such as the fantastic song "Only Up From Here"). And Holland is hoping that Clark will move out to Los Angeles so they can perform together on a somewhat regular basis.
Tunnel Vision CD Track List
Here is the track list for the "Tunnel Vision" CD"
100 Proof
Bedford Stuyvesant
Stuck!
Butterflies
Flashback
Holland & Clark Concert Set List
Here is the set list from the Holland & Clark concert at On The Rox, January 28, 2010:
Save Me Now
100 Proof
Bedford Stuyvesant
Butterflies
Silverlake Speedway
Flashback
Footsteps In The Dark/Stuck!
What Is Dark
Only Up From Here
For more information on Holland Greco, go to www.hollandgreco.com, www.myspace.com/hollandgreco or www.myspace.com/heartkour or go to her page on Facebook.
Read more at Suite101: Holland Greco: Tunnel Vision CD Review: New 5-Song EP Released (January, 2010) http://popmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/holland-greco-tunnel-vision-cd-review#ixzz0qIzw6nqp
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Holland Comes to Venice – and Paul Parties On
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Anchored by her versatile rhythm section (Michael Papillo on bass and Princess Frank on drums and ba...Anchored by her versatile rhythm section (Michael Papillo on bass and Princess Frank on drums and back-up vocals) and cheerfully strumming her uke, Holland - perky and adorable in an upswept 'do and a red-and-black op-art minidress - ran through seven or so of her smartly-written, catchy, genre-twisting songs. I hear Motown verve and New Orleans second-line strut and bruised, torchy cabaret in the mixture, all made immediate by her sweet-and-airy soul-girl vocals. "100 Proof" is ominous and dangerous and intoxicating. "Stuck!" infuses Jackson 5 jump 'n' chirp with Betty Wright/"Mr. Big Stuff" swagger. "Flashback" is dreamy balladry with a hip-hop rhythm.
The real gem of the set was "Speedway," an up-tempo raver that tore up the joint. I could imagine the number getting a big-band treatment with a sparkling horn chart and wailing back-up singers a la Martha & the Vandellas. Even as played in trio format, it sounded like something that belonged on the top of the British charts (or had already been there). Paul Weller of the Jam and the Style Council would be jealous. In fact, I dare say that if Holland was making the rounds in the London club scene, she'd already be a critics' darling with feature stories in the Guardian and the NME and a coterie of fanboys and girls.
Check out more of Holland Greco's sound and style at http://www.myspace.com/heartkour.
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Holland Greco Adds Stand-Up Bass to Her Band
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Holland Greco's band had its first concert as a trio at The Dakota Lounge, after the addition of Mic...Holland Greco's band had its first concert as a trio at The Dakota Lounge, after the addition of Michael Papillo on upright bass.
Holland Greco did an incredible set of music at The Dakota Lounge on Sunday, May 16th, 2010. While this is nothing unusual for Holland - performing incredible sets of great tunes is basically routine - what is new is the addition of an upright bass.
Michael Papillo Joins Holland Greco On Bass
Michael Papillo had his first performance with the band, and definitely added some great tones and grooves. The band now consists of Holland Greco on vocals and ukulele, Princess Frank on drums and backing vocals, and Michael Papillo on upright bass.
The sound was really good at this venue. The vocals were nice and clear, as were all the instruments. Holland Greco has one of the best voices in music, and it was a pleasure being able to hear all of the nuances in her performance.
A video was playing behind them for the first song until Holland asked that it be turned off, as it was a bit distracting. At that moment, a scene from the television series Happy Days was on the screen. Princess Frank said that he kept watching it.
Holland Greco did a set of ten songs, including the absolutely wonderful "Bedford Stuyvesant." The audience responded enthusiastically to the set.
The Peak Show
Holland Greco is best known as the lead vocal force of The Peak Show, possibly the best Los Angeles band ever. Also in that band were Gabriel "Front Row" Rowland on drums and Derock Goodwin on guitar. On bass originally was Chris Gongora, and then later Alex Painter took over. Megan Jacobs joined the band on keyboards and backing vocals in September of 2003. Known for their incredible house concerts, The Peak Show drew a loyal following.
After The Peak Show broke up in October of 2004, the band members went their separate ways, creating several new bands (including Cactys Fire, Salon K, The Joyful Process, and later Bullied By Strings). Holland Greco went to New York, and there began writing new songs with Clark Dark. (Clark came out to Los Angeles in January to perform a special concert with Holland.) She then returned to Los Angeles with new material ready to perform.
Heartkour
When Holland Greco and Princess Frank first began playing together, they did so under the name Heartkour. After a couple of years, she decided to go by her name instead. And earlier this year, she released her first CD, titled "Tunnel Vision."
Set List From Holland Greco Concert, 5-16-10
100 Proof
Only Up From Here
Here I Go Again
Flashback
Do I Do
Butterflies
Bedford Stuyvesant
Medicine
Speedway
Stuck
(Note: "Speedway" was previously titled "Silverlake Speedway.")
The Dakota Lounge
The Dakota Lounge is located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd., in Santa Monica, and is a 21 and over venue. It was formerly known as Temple Bar. It's a really nice room, with large, comfortable chairs (for those who wish to be seated).
Holland Greco was scheduled to go on 8 p.m., and actually took the stage at approximately 8:25 p.m.
Also on the bill that night were The Monthlies and The Active Set. Before the show and between sets, DJ Van Antwerp spun some great records. This night was called Fancy Animals, and featured video by Ryan Reichenfeld, as well as photography by Ryan Carmody. Tickets for this night of music and photography were five dollars.
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HG's "Butterflies" on Break Thru Radio's SoCal Sounds Show
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SoCal Sounds - DJ Laura - June 14, 2010
00:00 DJ Laura SoCal Sounds
00:40 Shooting For The Sun ...SoCal Sounds - DJ Laura - June 14, 2010
00:00 DJ Laura SoCal Sounds
00:40 Shooting For The Sun – Josh Damigo
04:16 Sleeping In – Telegram
07:42 When I Was Drunk And You Were High – Promis
10:38 Silly Love – Diversifyd
14:33 I Raise Up – Bushwalla
18:14 DJ Laura SoCal Sounds
18:47 Grace Of Love – Bushwalla
22:39 DJ Plumb Line Emo Show
22:51 Hundred Dollar Bill – Bushwalla
26:46 Maybe Next Time – Shannon Haley
29:40 Butterflies – Holland Greco
33:18 Hail Hail – Truth & Salvage Co.
37:04 DJ Laura SoCal Sounds
37:51 Welcome To LA – Truth & Salvage Co.
41:44 Pure Mountain Angel – Truth & Salvage Co.
46:11 Shades of Blue – Craig Pilo
53:20 Josh Damigo SoCal Sounds
53:27 Pocket Change – Josh Damigo
57:11 Broken – Ray Lane
supersonic
