Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls

Wicked Good
Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls DVD Release Party, November 26 at Rookie’s
Story by Mike Schulz


Article Posted Wednesday, November 23 2005 ~ 8:59am

Among the special features on the Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls – Live at Circa ’21 DVD – the release of which is being celebrated at Rookie’s on Saturday, November 26 – is an early promotional video in which the band members describe their group’s sound to an off-screen interviewer. Bass player Bob Kelly says, “We play a mix of happy pop rock. Fun music.” That’s about as terrifically honest a description as you could ask for. (It’s also slightly more accurate than guitarist Leo Kelly’s subsequent, sardonic description of the band’s output as “interracial, orthodox, lesbian acid jazz.”)

What’s wonderful about Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls, and wonderful about its first DVD, is that the band is just as unpretentious now as then. If they have loftier goals than giving audiences a good time, I don’t know what they’d be, and Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls – Live at Circa ’21 is a great time, a polished concert performance with enough amusing extras to not only satisfy fans, but potentially cause others to join their ranks.

Am I biased because I’m thanked in the liner notes? Not really, considering my sole contribution to the project was to serve drinks to the band’s fans there for the filming at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse; it’s not like I’m getting royalties or anything. (I’m not, am I, guys?)

But I can personally attest that much of that night’s undeniable energy and high spirits remain intact in the DVD. Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls’ roster of up-tempo and bluesy rock songs is audience-pleasing without being either simplistic or repetitive, and – through marvelous close-ups of Liz Treiber, drummer Greg Hipskind, and the Kelly brothers – the sheer joy that the group exudes is palpable; there’s a “Can you believe we’re filming a DVD?!?” giddiness to the endeavor that’s, quite honestly, a thrill to behold.

As a DVD experience, the Circa ’21 concert has been marvelously preserved, although I do have a couple of gripes. Treiber, while singing, is too-often filmed straight-on with her mouth pressed almost directly against the microphone; you rarely get to see her lips move, and the ferociously animated Treiber has such a dazzling smile that you wish you could see more of it.

And the editing is too frantic. We’re rarely treated to a shot that lasts longer than five seconds, and despite the variety in the shots themselves, you want the incessant cutting to be given a rest; in a few numbers – “Friends & Family” especially – you could set your watch to the percussive edits.

But I love that I can bitch about the DVD’s editing; the fact that my grievances are about choices rather than presentation is actually a testament to the DVD’s professionalism. Four camera operators managed to shoot the band through a spectacular variety of angles and points of view; the shots fool you into thinking there are more cameras operating than there actually are. Only when the cameras pan to the audience does the photography lack clarity, but that doesn’t occur frequently, and the performance’s lighting and sound design are beautifully rendered on the DVD.

A bevy of bonus materials complement the concert footage. We are given an informative tour of, and history behind, Iowa’s Catamount studio, where the quartet recorded its latest release, Hulathong. And the DVD’s previously referenced promotional material is terrifically entertaining; the band’s youthful effervescence is sweetly touching, and all four reveal a snarky, dry humor, especially when Treiber and the Kellys describe how their mothers might not even be aware that they’re in a band. (“She thinks I’m a stripper,” Treiber says with Sarah Silverman-esque deadpan.)

The DVD’s cheekily titled World Tour footage, too, is a must-see for fans. In addition to early footage of the group traveling and performing in venues across the Midwest, this material shows the group in a sunny, relaxed light, and their banter – as they riff on videos of the ’80s, Roseanne, and the joys of Fraggle Rock – is sensationally silly.

Best of all, the DVD features a commentary track in which – beyond the expected back-pattings and expressions of gratitude – the quartet offers some terrific insights, and answers to numerous questions you might have had.

For instance, of all the songs performed at the Circa ’21 performance, the only inclusion that bothered me was Treiber’s a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” which was presented as filler while the Kellys tuned their guitars; it’s the one time in the concert when Treiber indulges in American Idol-style show-offiness. Yet on the commentary, she reveals that the song was an impromptu choice – saying that this was the first time she sang the song in public “since fifth grade” – and this knowledge helps make her spotty rendition not only forgivable but, considering the context, ballsy.

Like the entire Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls – Live at Circa ’21 DVD, the group’s commentary track doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest; it’s fresh, and funny, and it reveals four performers so psyched about about their current career trajectory that their joy is utterly infectious. I would have appreciated more information on the track regarding the actual filmmaking process, but that’s just me; the band’s conversation, as it blasts off onto wild, unpredictable tangents, is as enjoyably goofy as the band itself, and invaluable for the story of how a young Bob Kelly – long before Steve Carell’s 40-year-old virgin – managed to urinate up his own nose.

Screw filmmaking insight. This is why commentary tracks were invented.

Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls’ DVD Release Party will start at Rookie’s (2818 North Brady Street in Davenport) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 26. For information, call (563)324-2434. For more information on the band, visit (http://www.wicked-liz.com).

- River Cities Reader

Wicked Liz & The Bellyswirls
Hulathong

Reviewer: Corine Jurgenson

Why you might love it: Wicked Liz & The Bellyswirls are essentially a
delightful combination of Jewel, Liz Phair and 10,000 Maniacs. Bluesy, sometimes
even folky, rock best describes their sound – a sound that would have undoubtedly
fit right in during the Lillith Fair era. Wicked Liz’s vocals are smooth as
honey, combining a rare folkish flair with the typical ‘rock chick’ sound.
The band as a whole possesses a very tight sound – its evident that they play
upon one another’s talents. This album was definitely this month’s ‘curve
ball’ – the unexpected gem in the stack. Should you pick up the album, check
out the soulful ‘it hurt so bad’ – a terrific showcase of Liz’s vocal
abilities.

Why you might hate it: If you’re into harder rock, you’ll probably enjoy
some of the albums listed above more than this. However, if you’re open to all
genres, check it out, because you might be pleasantly surprised.

Overall Grade: A - Midwest BEAT Magazine

Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls, Hulathong


Article Posted Wednesday, June 22 2005

Some bands are not cut out for the recording studio. They're great live, but
when they get in that soundproofed room by themselves, they can't translate
the energy. Often, the performances on studio CDs are too dry, and they
reveal deficiencies in the songs that an audience isn't going to notice at
midnight with a few drinks in them.

After two CDs, it looked as if that might be the problem with Wicked Liz &
the Bellyswirls; the band's albums seemed somewhat sterile and drained.

But with their new record, Hulathong, Liz Treiber (formerly Townsend) and
her band have done something pretty amazing. It's not a great studio album,
but it's a terrific live CD - even though it was made at Catamount
Recording. Hulathong isn't a cohesive artistic statement that we often
expect from studio albums, but it has the buoyancy, kick, variety, and joy
of an excellent concert. Treiber lets loose with her powerful, supple voice,
and the players - guitarist Leo Kelly, bassist Bob Kelly, and drummer Greg
Hipskind - are tight and fiery. The sound is clean and bright without coming
off as manufactured or too sugary, and it's got just the right mix of
professionalism and quirks.


On Hulathong, every song is full of surprises, whether it's the
uncharacteristically unhinged guitar freak-out that closes "Pico," the
squeaky vocal warble that invades "Wicked Waltz," or the soulful,
rough-around-the-edges blues conviction that Treiber summons on "It Hurt So
Bad" (this collection's only cover, made famous by Susan Tedeschi). "Let It
Go" has a tropical vibe but never settles into an easy groove; it moves,
with a funky lead guitar line. The singer seizes control of "Ruby" with
throaty glory and then hands the reins to her bandmates - in exactly the way
you'd imagine in a live show.

Yet the studio CD also allows the band to mine the nuances of the songs. On
"Wonder," Liz's sensitive, expressive phrasing helps bridge the gap between
the tracks's seriousness - "Your smiling eyes have certainly faded / Think
you left a long time ago" - and its tune, which invokes sunny leisure more
than sadness.

Like much of the music on Hulathong, the lyrics are often rescued by moments
of inspiration; a nice turn of the phrase elevates songs that are otherwise
loaded with vagueness. The track "9 a.m." features a pair of striking
phrases: "Day grew dark at 9 a.m." and "Like a marble in a maze."

The members of Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls certainly think Hulathong
represents a major step forward. For the first time, Bob Kelly said,
"there's stuff left on the cutting-room floor."

Beyond that, Leo Kelly said, producer Tom Tatman helped the group find the
proper sound, a way of mimicking the energy of the live show in the studio.
"We have this vibrant live thing," he said. Tatman, Bob Kelly added, "felt
like people [who worked on previous CDs] had missed the energy of this
band."

Tatman didn't, and the result shows off Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls in the
best possible light.

Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at
the Taste of the Quad Cities, at the John Deere Commons in Moline - Story by Jeff Ignatius <mailto:jeff@rcreader.com>

By Chad V, Correspondent
Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls, without a doubt one of the most popular
local bands after four years on the scene, released its second CD, "Inaba,"
this past February. Featuring a looser and a more relaxed sound than the
group's self-titled debut, the latest disc involved more songwriting
collaboration amongst the band members, including more lyrical development
for singer Liz Townsend.
"This album's a bit more raw," guitarist Leo Kelly said. "The first CD we
were a baby band, just kinda feeling each other out and learning our way
through the studio. This CD, we just went in, literally plugged in, made
sure we were in tune and cut the rhythm tracks all at once. Just kinda
played like we did live."
The band recorded this time with Bill Peiffer at River Cities Studios in
Davenport and the band liked how he helped bring out the best in its
recordings, especially on the vocals.
"Bill's been a lead singer forever," Ms. Townsend said, "and I learned a lot
from him technically."
Bob Kelly, the band's bass player and manager, agreed. "We caught a lot of
cool stuff on tape," he said, "specifically 'B Groove,' where we wouldn't
have caputured a couple of things if we'd overthought it."
About half the songs were road tested before being recorded and the others
were written right before going into the studio.
Playing them live for a while had definite benefits, as Leo said, "the songs
have time to develop. And the cool thing (about recording new songs on the
spot) was that it was a loose environment where we were not afraid to wing
it and try things like 'No One to Blame But Me.' "
Now that Wicked Liz and the gang, which also includes drummer Greg Hipskind,
has two albums worth of material to draw from, the band can incorporate more
original songs into its sets.
"Yeah, we've kinda developed a little following where there's an expectation
that they know our songs and get into it when we play them," Bob said.
"That's the greatest," Ms. Townsend said. "It does feel good to have people
request them and see people singing them. That's probably one of the coolest
things you can have happen to you. We're really lucky to have such good
fans."
And through the hard work of Bob, the band is able to get out and play quite
a bit in order to increase its fan base. The band is booked almost every
weekend this month and into the summer, including the show tomorrow night at
Rookies Sports Bar in Davenport.
"Bob is the booking mastermind," Leo said of his younger brother.
"It's fun," Bob said. "We've gotten to the point where it's so fun that it
seems like there's no work involved."
The Rookies show has an added benefit of being a fundraiser of sorts for Lou
Ann Goral, a local woman who on June 1 will walk in the 26.2-mile
Rock-N-Roll Marathon in San Diego as a member of the Leukemia/Lymphoma
Society Team in Training. She is walking to honor her brother who died of
cancer in 1995 and is striving to raise her pledge of $3,500 before the
marathon.
"She's a positive person," Bob said. "We're going to pass the hat and do
what we can to help her out."
And as for the rest of the summer, the band inked a sponsorship deal with
Miller Lite which promises a few secret surprises. The group is also booked
around the region as well and in June hits the road for the Sturgis Falls
festival in Cedar Falls and also the Taste of Dubuque in August. And closer
to home, a performance at "Women's Day" at the Bix Fest in late July is also
on tap.
"When we play out of town," Leo said, "we hope that everyone likes what
we're doing. But either way, we've gone this far so we're at least going to
have fun. We can't all of a sudden be everyone's favorite band."
"Inaba" is available at area Coop Records stores and online as well. You can
log onto both the band's official Web site, www.wicked-liz.com
<http://www.wicked-liz.com> and also www.CDBaby.com <http://www.CDBaby.com>.
There's also a phone number for purchasing the disc, (800) BuyMyCD.
"Yeah, the CD has been selling well," Bob said. "And the funny thing about
CD Baby is that we even sold one to a guy in Tel Aviv, Israel. We have no
clue how he found out about us."
As for the unusual title, it's named for a friend of Mr. Bob Kelly. He spent
two years teaching in Japan before forming the band and became friends with
a musician there named Takaki Inaba. Whenever Mr. Inaba is in the states, he
sits in with the band, including a smoking duet with Ms. Townsend on the
Beatles' tune "Blackbird" the last time he was here.
Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.
- Moline Dispatch

"She's Spectacular"-Jeff Ignatius, Senior Editor - River Cities Reader

Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls
"INABA"
The Rock Island band, Wicked Liz and The Bellyswirls, have released their second CD "INABA".
This soothing collection of highly polished pop rock anodynes will relieve you of all pain and suffering. "Hold Me tight and don't let go-pull me in from lost and found-in your arms I wanna drown- you bring me around" is just what the Doctor ordered for most of you troubled minded music lovers. Songs like; Wasted Day "You belong to another-I am waiting-you tear my soul from it's seams-I am waiting" gives us poor loved starved humans a sense that somewhere out there is a small glimmer of hope. Although I don't think this CD captures the power that I hear this band produces live, it is a fine introduction to a group that just might kick some butt. These songs have the hint of greatness. The song, "When I come home" is like mind candy for most of you one track minded mammals. This CD does reach into your soul, if just a little, and is something you should check out. It's my opinion that although this CD does have some minor production issues, the band is good, maybe real good. Go check them out at www.wicked-liz.com
- The Iowa Entertainer

Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls
Saturday, March 12th 9:00 PM until 10:00 PM
Dagwood's Pub
For the first time ever, Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls will invade Cascade, Iowa. This is surely gonna be one of those crazy night your momma warned you about. So come out and have a great time. - Dubuque365.com

Look Out World; Here Comes Wicked Liz, and the Bellyswirls?

by

Carl Barnhart

They say that some of the best things that happen to people happen by accident. This is no truer than in the case of a Texas born, young female singer named Wicked Liz, who is the lead vocalist of underground pop rock band Wicked Liz and The Bellyswirls.

Wicked Liz, whose real name is Liz Townsend, says “wicked is used in the east coast slang as meaning awesome,” and can be seen occasionally on the Hill here in Cedar Falls and in many other mid-western states and cities. Her fellow Bellyswirls, which is a play on words to represent the excited and funny feeling that you get before the first drop on a roller coaster, are bassist Bob Kelly, guitarist Leo Kelly and drummer Greg Hipskind.

The Rock Island, Illinois, foursome have been rockin’ together since 1999 and are excited about the chance to play and create music on a regular basis. As Liz puts it, “I love music; I never thought that I would get to do this. It’s definitely the best thing that I have ever been a part of.”

This great thing that Liz is so passionate about almost never happened. Back in 1999, brothers Leo and Bob Kennedy were jamming at their house. Down the hall, Liz, who was friends of Leo and Bob’s brother, was spouting out the verses to Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” In that instant the two men made the decision to try to jam with Liz a little later. After a few tunes together, the trio knew that there was something special about these sessions. After acquiring Greg as a drummer, Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls were born.

Prior to becoming “Wicked”, Liz was already actively involved in different forms of music. “I was in choir back in high school; it was fun to just sing,” she says. “I have a very musical background. My grandmothers were talented singers; my mother is a talented singer. Really, music was a passed down talent, it’s in my blood.”

Liz’s musical influences are a diverse mixture of some polar opposites. “I grew up listening to country when I was younger. I still love it.” She adds, “I have always just really loved female singers. People like Sheryl Crow, Cher and Stevie Nicks are a few of my favorites.”

But when it comes to answering the question of just who her all time favorite artist is, there is absolutely no hesitation. “I love Madonna. I have always just been really into the music she makes. I think that she is just awesome.”

Although Liz has a passion for music and really loves to sing, she never really considered being in a band prior to the formation of Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls. “I never really thought about being in a band. I didn’t go looking for it, it just kind of happened.”

And in the short time since “it just kind of happened,” the group has already put out two c.d.’s. The first in 2000 was their self-titled debut that has sold well and has helped to gain the group a moderately sized and dedicated following. The disc is full of happy, get-up-and-party tunes that to Liz’s dismay have helped coin the band’s music as “pop rock.” As Liz says, “I can live with being called pop rock as long as nobody thinks of Britney Spears when they hear that phrase.” She continues, “I personally think of our music as more of an Americana style. Kind of like pop rock music with a folk-country twist.

It’s really hard to label your own style, but as long as people like what we make and listen to it, they can call it whatever they want.”

Their sophomore album, entitled “INABA,” came out in late 2002. The odd title is actually the name of the group’s Japanese friend. “We decided to name it after our friend after he went back to Japan to join the navy,” Liz says. “When he is in the States, he sometimes jams with us. We just wanted to do something special for him.”

The biggest obligation for many underground bands is to get out and tour till you can’t tour any more, and that is a phrase that Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls live by. “Every weekend we play shows. We have played in our hometown and we have traveled as far as Columbus, Ohio, just to perform. We love it.”

Although the band may love getting their music out to the masses, this is not necessarily the easiest thing in the world to accomplish. “We all still have ‘real jobs’ and one of the guys is married with two kids. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.”

With all this touring and with two locally successful albums, it would seem that the band would be pushing to work their way into a contract with a record label. This, however, is far from the truth. With regard to this topic, Liz answers, “We aren’t really seeking a record label at this time. We are still trying to get ourselves established regionally first.” She continues, “It is really hard to know where to start in terms of getting a record contract. It’s very hard to get any sort of feedback from most record labels. It’s tough.”

Another area in the band’s world that many people would probably consider “tough” would be having a female lead singer, something that is not necessarily the norm in today’s music world. Liz comments, “A lot of people don’t like to see a female singer when they go out to the bar. People aren’t used to it.” She adds, “I just like to go out and try to shock them. It’s a challenge but it is still fun.”

As a female lead singer, Liz draws more than just attention for her vocals. The rather attractive young lady has been hit on by her fair share of drunken frat boys. Liz says, “It’s flattering when a guy hits on you. I love the attention of being in front of people, so any kind of feedback is nice.”

The flattery that Liz has become accustomed to has not been as easy for boyfriends to take. “I never really have serious relationships. Most guys think that they have to share me with a crowd, which they kind of do. Many of them can’t handle that feeling, but some guys think that is cool to date a singer. I could see how it could be tough to date a member of a band, it takes up a lot of time.”

So does all the attention that gets thrown at Wicked Liz lead to problems within the band? Liz gives a simple answer, “No.” She adds, “The guys know that I love the attention and they’re cool with that. Also, we all get attention, just in different ways. A lot of people want to talk to the guys about their instruments and what type of equipment they use. And other people talk to me about my songs and other things. Other members getting attention from fans has never caused problems and I don’t think that it ever will.”

Things for this underground foursome seem to be going great and it looks as though more positive experiences lie ahead in the future. The group is booked for many upcoming weekends and they are even planning a two-week trek across Texas and possibly a few dates in Japan.

With such a bright future, Liz’s musical goals remain realistic yet hopeful. “I would love for this to be my only job and to support myself by doing what I love.” She continues, “I would like to someday land a record contract and play big venues, but who knows what tomorrow may hold.”

Wicked Liz is very levelheaded and knows that all she wants may not be realized, and that is okay with her. As she dedicatedly explains it, “I could do this forever, even if it was just here in Rock Island. I just love to sing, I don’t need all the attention. It would be nice to reach my goals, but it’s not everything.” And with an overwhelming amount of passion, she emphatically makes a remark that makes it impossible for anyone to ever accuse Wicked Liz of not caring about what she does. “I love this band so much; it’s a big part of who I am. I would die tomorrow if I couldn’t sing.”

Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls albums are available by calling 1-800-buy-mycd or through wicked-liz.com. Also, the band loves to hear from fans, so drop them an e-mail at lizwicked@hotmail.com. Lastly, if you’re in the Cedar Valley this summer, be sure to go to Sturgis Falls where you can catch the band opening for Daisy Head Maisy on June 28 at 5 p.m - Kollegeville.com

WICKED LIZ AND THE BELLYSWIRLS TO OPEN FOR HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH
VIP seating sold out for concert
The Swing of the Quad Cities, in conjunction with KWQC-TV6, the Quad-City Times, and Star 93.5 FM, are proud to announce Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls as the opening act for August 13th’s Hootie & the Blowfish concert. The concert will take place at the newly renovated John O’Donnell Stadium.

“We are excited that there has been much interest in this concert,” Swing President Kevin Krause says. “Suite and floor seats are now sold out, but good seats are still available.”

“All of us in the band are big fans of Hootie & the Blowfish,” says Wicked Liz. “We were excited to hear about the concert even before we were announced as the openers. We really think that this event will do wonders for the music scene in the Quad Cities area.”

Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls formed in 1999. The group features singer Wicked Liz, bassist Bob Kelly, guitarist Leo Kelly, and drummer Greg Hipskind. The group released their first self-titled CD in 2001 which presents listeners with a variety of musical genres: blues, funk, folk, rock and country. This disc is now in its second printing and has sold as far as Tokyo, Tel Aviv, and Israel. In addition to performing at local events and venues including Cordova Dragway, Southpark Mall, the Bix Street Fest, and various bars and coffeehouses, the group has been the opening act for artists such as Richard Marx and REO Speedwagon. In 2002 the group released their second CD, “INABA,” which presents blues and rock tracks to its listeners.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now and are going fast. Tickets can be purchased at The Swing ticket office, online at www.swingbaseball.com, or by phone at (563) 328-2000. Fans can also purchase tickets on The Swing’s 24 Hour Ticket Line by calling 1-866-MY TICKET.

Gates on the night of the show will open at 6:00, and Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls will take the stage at 7:00. - Quad City Times

Hootie gets a Wicked warmup
By David Burke
.
Opening up for a national act — like they’re doing Friday night for Hootie and the Blowfish — is old hat for Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls.
.
The four-person Quad-City band has warmed up crowds for REO Speedwagon, Richard Marx and even former teen actor Corey Feldman’s foray into rock.
.
“Obviously we want to play very well,” lead singer “Wicked Liz” Townsend said. “But we don’t have much time, so we want to play as much music as possible. At our live shows, we chat with the crowd and have a good time.
.
“We want to have a good time, but we want the music to be the focus.”
.
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The band began in 1999, when Townsend sang along with a jam session in the basement of bass player Bob Kelly and guitarist Leo Kelly. Besides the Kelly brothers, Greg Hipskind on drums rounds out the foursome.
.
Townsend said the band doesn’t know how long it set is supposed to be — anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on how ready Darius Rucker & Co. are to take the stage — but is looking forward to the John O’Donnell Stadium date.
.
“It’s going to be the largest crowd we’ve ever played for,” she said. “It’s our first stadium.”
.
Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls have been playing frequently in Chicago and Indianapolis, and are working to get legal representation and an agent to help them make the next step.
.
“Everybody wants to keep moving up,” Townsend said. “We’re doing our best, getting our name out there.”
.
David Burke can be contacted at
.
(563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com.
- Quad City Times