The Hotcakes

A year ago, I was introduced to a fabulous unsigned band “The Hotcakes” and it was love at first listen. With a sound that mixes the greats like Blondie, The Ting Tings with a splash of rock and roll and pure fun, you get the magic of The Hotcakes.
We had a chance to talk to The Hotcakes band members, which include Erin Marsz, Lee Leshen, Matt Stamm, Nate Lueck, and Kevin Snider to discuss the beginnings of the band and where they see themselves going next.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE PHOTO SHOOT WITH THE HOTCAKES.
KENTON Magazine: How long have you been playing?
Erin: We have been playing together as a band for the past 3 years.
Lee: Erin and I have been working together for almost six years. The band, as you see it here is about three years old.
KENTON: What is behind the name “The Hotcakes?”
Lee: I feel like we haven’t developed our “funny answer” answer to this question. The real story is that we were going around in a long email chain about the band name, narrowing it down, slashing the ones that didn’t make the cut, until we determines that “The Hotcakes” made the most sense, almost from a “mind’s eye” point of view for success. For instance, if someone were to ask us, “How are ticket sales?” we’d hope to be responding, “Sellin’ like hotcakes!” “How’s the new album doing?” “Sellin’ like Hotcakes!” Yeah, we need to think of a funny story for this one. Any suggestions?
Nate: A couple of us may or may not have been really hungry at the time. It’s like shopping when you haven’t eaten all day – you just shouldn’t do it.
Kevin: Little known fact: when I joined the band (about a year after its initial inception), the band was simply called, Cake.
Erin: We all met at a New York culinary institute where we realized our love of jalapeno’s and baked goods was a uniting force. We also all failed out of the program. Cakes shouldn’t be delicious. They should be art, damn it!
Lee: See? MUCH funnier than the real story.
KENTON: What do you feel is different about The Hotcakes compared to other bands in the same genre?
Nate: In all honesty, I feel like The Hotcakes tend to stay a little bit truer to the roots of our genre than other bands. There seems to be a tendency in modern dance rock to be very heavily produced, whereas we like to rely on more traditionally authentic means of getting people to dance their socks off.
Lee: Bootsy Collins called us, “Blondie on Steroids.” I’m not so sure there is another band out there that’s like that. That’s not ego talking – it’s just that I don’t know of anyone doing what we do. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are doing some really interesting, solid stuff, but their newer material is more straight rock and tends to move Grace to a Robert Plant area (where she sounds terrific!), while I think Erin sticks to the Blondie/Grace Slick sound, and our music is more dance-pop.
Erin: Well, we are really different then a lot of the other bands in the death metal genre in that we are the ONLY death metal undercover band. Many have attempted it. But many have failed. It’s like climbing the North face in Switzerland except with crappy 1940's gear and a very severe chance of freezing to death in the extreme conditions you are under prepared to handle. But we are prepared. And we handle it. We are taking a genre that is a huge love of Norsemen, and spinning it on its head. It’s mind blowing really.
KENTON: Where do you see The Hotcakes in the next 5 years?
Nate: I actually foresee a good opportunity for us to bring about a good marriage of different kinds of artistic expression, namely music and fashion. It seems that the world today is increasingly keen on combining media, and we definitely seem to have our feet in both camps as far as that goes. I think it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
Erin: Nowhere, because in 6 months the time machine will be available to the mass market in all local Targets and I’m just planning on going back to my childhood to prevent the death of my favorite parakeet ‘Squeaky’. So until I succeed in that, I will not be coming back to this time period and can’t really assess how different everything in the world will be once I save this charming little bird. But I’m positive; the world will be a friendlier place with a lot more candy, and less creepy people with vans offering it.
Lee: I’d say we’ll be looking out at what we’ve accomplished from our penthouse suite in The Hotcakes Hotel on The Hotcakes Island drinking The Hotcakes’ branded margarita mixes, while promoting our tour that kicks off at The Hotcakes Arena (formerly known as Madison Square Garden).
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE PHOTO SHOOT WITH THE HOTCAKES.
You can find all both of The Hotcakes albums “Gonna Go Out!” and their self-tiled EP on iTunes. Be sure to ‘Like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for all the latest info including where you can catch their always-amazing live performances. - Kenton Magazine

Erin, Lee, Nate, Kevin & Matt are The Hotcakes. They are good. They are very good. And seeing as I was in the city last week, I decided to make this New York-based band my collective victim of the10 questions I tend to ask everyone. Ok, maybe not EVERYONE. But a lot of people. I’m rambling...Back to point – The Hotcakes, who kindly obliged, this is what they had to say...

If you were an item of clothing what would you be?
E: Black Leather riding boots.

Lee: Black v-neck t-shirt.

Nate: Definitely a top hat.

Kevin: Fruit roll-up

Matt: New Balance 574 sneakers. Comfortable, versatile, come in many different colors.

Fave person to follow on Twitter?

E: Curtis James Jackson III, also known as 50Cent. Someone from my high school started a rumor that I was dating him. That would have been an awesome reality. He's amazing. Seriously.

Lee: Kevin Smith.

Nate: I don’t Tweet.

Matt: The snake that escaped from its enclosure at the Bronx Zoo.

Hot or cold?

E: Cold.

Lee: Cold.

Nate: If we're talking weather, cold (I'm Canadian, waddaya want?). If food, hot. They go well together.

Kevin: Cold.

Matt: Cold! Iced coffee, iced tea, winter olympics.

How often do you trim your beard?

Lee: I’ll never tell! Ok, I can’t keep anything from the fabulous Zara Martin. Usually once a week. More if it’s getting particularly naughty, in which case I trim it unannounced to keep it in check.

Nate: Never. Mountain man all the way!

Matt: I don't have a beard. I used to have mutton chops, and I would trim them at least twice a week.

What happened at your worst ever gig to make it your worst ever gig?

E: We were playing a club and the power kept going out from the sound equipment. Super annoying. Plus the crowd was pushing so closely into us it got to the point where I was singing 10 inches away from someone’s face. Oh also - we played that show for free. Ugh.

Lee: Not to dodge the question, but each show is completely different to us vs. the audience. The audience may be seeing one show, but on stage, we know when something’s really going well, or really going poorly, but the trick is – never let ‘em see ya sweat, and always keep ‘em dancing!
Nate: It's so painful I can't bear to relive the experience.

Kevin: octogenarian hecklers.

Matt: It was with a band I was in while living in Miami. The drummer had been unhappy in the band for a little while, and in the middle of a song at a gig - for no specific reason - he just stopped playing, announced he was quitting, and walked off stage.

For dating purposes: Supermodel or singer?

E: Both.

Lee: Ummm…this is for a fashion thing…so…supermodels, of course!

Nate: Do I have to pick one of those?

Matt: Singer.

What star sign are you?

E: Pisces.

Lee: Pisces.

Nate: Scorpio.

Kevin: LEO the lion. Raaaawrrrr....

Matt: I'm right on the cusp of Aries and Pisces.

What is your musical kryptonite?

E: Is this a comic book question?

Lee: If by “kryptonite” you mean what physically hinders me musician, that’s easy - blisters. If it’s meant to be the music that makes me weak, then I’d go with “Let It Be.” The song completely cripples me.

Nate: Having to play guitar with sticky fingers.

Matt: The G string on my acoustic guitar - I can never get it to stay in tune.

Last gig you went to?

E: The Chevin at Rockwood Music Hall 2. They are a super tight band and have some great songs, too. Plus they are English and all totally hot. What's not to like? The lead singer is single ladies. Just sayin'.

Lee: James Tormé, son of the legendary jazz crooner Mel Tormé. I started as a jazz drummer, so when I was recently in Los Angeles, I caught his act at the Trousdale in Hollywood. His sister Daisy hopped on stage for a number as well, which was a real treat. The band cooked and the drummer was outstanding to watch. James is a natural (obviously it runs in the family), and it was refreshing to see a crowd of 20-30 somethings really digging the standards.

Nate: Mumford & Sons at Terminal 5. It was awesome.

Kevin: Little Embers and Handsome Matt Sucich at the Living Room.

Matt: James Taylor at Tanglewood. The guy's in his 60s and his voice is as smooth as ever!

Fashion-related pet peeves?

E: I hate seeing men wear navy striped polo shirts with black dress pants. It literally makes my teeth hurt to look at it. Such bad dressing. I was walking down the street today and this guy stepped on my foot, didn't apologize, and was wearing that navy striped polo shirt/dress pants combo. It's the uniform of the self absorbed and boring.

Lee: Larry David once said, “You know who wear sunglasses inside? Blind people and assholes.” I completely agree. I’m a pretty passive guy, but when I see someone indoors wearing sunglasses, I want to give them a swift kick to the balls. Just last week, I ran downstairs to catch a subway, and I noticed that it was darker than usu - FashionRocks.com

Erin, Lee, Nate, Kevin & Matt are The Hotcakes. They are good. They are very good. And seeing as I was in the city last week, I decided to make this New York-based band my collective victim of the10 questions I tend to ask everyone. Ok, maybe not EVERYONE. But a lot of people. I’m rambling...Back to point – The Hotcakes, who kindly obliged, this is what they had to say...

If you were an item of clothing what would you be?
E: Black Leather riding boots.

Lee: Black v-neck t-shirt.

Nate: Definitely a top hat.

Kevin: Fruit roll-up

Matt: New Balance 574 sneakers. Comfortable, versatile, come in many different colors.

Fave person to follow on Twitter?

E: Curtis James Jackson III, also known as 50Cent. Someone from my high school started a rumor that I was dating him. That would have been an awesome reality. He's amazing. Seriously.

Lee: Kevin Smith.

Nate: I don’t Tweet.

Matt: The snake that escaped from its enclosure at the Bronx Zoo.

Hot or cold?

E: Cold.

Lee: Cold.

Nate: If we're talking weather, cold (I'm Canadian, waddaya want?). If food, hot. They go well together.

Kevin: Cold.

Matt: Cold! Iced coffee, iced tea, winter olympics.

How often do you trim your beard?

Lee: I’ll never tell! Ok, I can’t keep anything from the fabulous Zara Martin. Usually once a week. More if it’s getting particularly naughty, in which case I trim it unannounced to keep it in check.

Nate: Never. Mountain man all the way!

Matt: I don't have a beard. I used to have mutton chops, and I would trim them at least twice a week.

What happened at your worst ever gig to make it your worst ever gig?

E: We were playing a club and the power kept going out from the sound equipment. Super annoying. Plus the crowd was pushing so closely into us it got to the point where I was singing 10 inches away from someone’s face. Oh also - we played that show for free. Ugh.

Lee: Not to dodge the question, but each show is completely different to us vs. the audience. The audience may be seeing one show, but on stage, we know when something’s really going well, or really going poorly, but the trick is – never let ‘em see ya sweat, and always keep ‘em dancing!
Nate: It's so painful I can't bear to relive the experience.

Kevin: octogenarian hecklers.

Matt: It was with a band I was in while living in Miami. The drummer had been unhappy in the band for a little while, and in the middle of a song at a gig - for no specific reason - he just stopped playing, announced he was quitting, and walked off stage.

For dating purposes: Supermodel or singer?

E: Both.

Lee: Ummm…this is for a fashion thing…so…supermodels, of course!

Nate: Do I have to pick one of those?

Matt: Singer.

What star sign are you?

E: Pisces.

Lee: Pisces.

Nate: Scorpio.

Kevin: LEO the lion. Raaaawrrrr....

Matt: I'm right on the cusp of Aries and Pisces.

What is your musical kryptonite?

E: Is this a comic book question?

Lee: If by “kryptonite” you mean what physically hinders me musician, that’s easy - blisters. If it’s meant to be the music that makes me weak, then I’d go with “Let It Be.” The song completely cripples me.

Nate: Having to play guitar with sticky fingers.

Matt: The G string on my acoustic guitar - I can never get it to stay in tune.

Last gig you went to?

E: The Chevin at Rockwood Music Hall 2. They are a super tight band and have some great songs, too. Plus they are English and all totally hot. What's not to like? The lead singer is single ladies. Just sayin'.

Lee: James Tormé, son of the legendary jazz crooner Mel Tormé. I started as a jazz drummer, so when I was recently in Los Angeles, I caught his act at the Trousdale in Hollywood. His sister Daisy hopped on stage for a number as well, which was a real treat. The band cooked and the drummer was outstanding to watch. James is a natural (obviously it runs in the family), and it was refreshing to see a crowd of 20-30 somethings really digging the standards.

Nate: Mumford & Sons at Terminal 5. It was awesome.

Kevin: Little Embers and Handsome Matt Sucich at the Living Room.

Matt: James Taylor at Tanglewood. The guy's in his 60s and his voice is as smooth as ever!

Fashion-related pet peeves?

E: I hate seeing men wear navy striped polo shirts with black dress pants. It literally makes my teeth hurt to look at it. Such bad dressing. I was walking down the street today and this guy stepped on my foot, didn't apologize, and was wearing that navy striped polo shirt/dress pants combo. It's the uniform of the self absorbed and boring.

Lee: Larry David once said, “You know who wear sunglasses inside? Blind people and assholes.” I completely agree. I’m a pretty passive guy, but when I see someone indoors wearing sunglasses, I want to give them a swift kick to the balls. Just last week, I ran downstairs to catch a subway, and I noticed that it was darker than usu - FashionRocks.com

Radio interview with Race Taylor of the legendary 95.5 WPLJ! - 95.5 WPLJ - New York radio

Ever wonder how a band comes up with their name, well we do! Especially when their name is the Hot Cakes. We have an interview here with this fun and energetic band, where each band member chimes in to give us a little bit from their perspective.

Tell us about the Hot Cakes– how did you come up with that name for the band?
Lee: Because we’re hot! Duh! JK We had gone through a number of names, and then started thinking about the phrase “Goin’ like Hotcakes.” That’s how we do it – fast and furious. So, The Hotcakes seemed like a good fit!

How long have you been writing music and performing?
Erin: Collectively, we have been writing and playing together for about two years. We do have one new member, Nate Lueck, who we hope to be playing with for more years to come. Separately, I think we all have been playing music and writing for a loooooong time. I bet if you added all those years up and converted them to miles at a ratio of 1 music year = 500 miles, we will probably reach the moon! Just another way to look at this stuff.

Recently you performed at the Knitting Factory for a room full of industry ppl, was it intimidating?
Nate: I don’t think so, in the end industry people are just people that need to dance and feel good, too. Oh, and they also like beer.

When you write a song, is it about the music, the words, does it all come at once or change each time?
Matt: We don’t have a set way of doing it, but we’re in a great collaborative groove lately where the band creates a catchy music bed, and then Erin comes in and kills it with the hooky vocals and lyrics.
Nate: It’s about how everything fits together. That’s what’s so great (but also sometimes hard) about music, it doesn’t like to be condensed into a formula or a procedure. Sometimes things come together very quickly, and sometimes you fight with it forever. Collaboration really does help the process though. More minds with more ideas is ultimately how the best music gets made.

Who are your musical influences?
Erin: We have a lot of different individual influences which we often fight about. I think though as a project some of our influences are definitely the female fronted bands of the kind like Blondie, The Pretenders, and Jefferson Airplane during the Grace Slick years.
Kevin: Lee and I pretty much exclusively listen to Meatloaf. I think Nate toured with Meatloaf. Yeah, mostly Meatloaf.

What is your goal in music? What would be enough and what would be your dream?
Matt: We have a whole list of band goals, from what we want to be doing next week to where we want to be a year from now. It’s hard to think too much further ahead than that, since things in the music industry are so hard to predict. We just want to keep on writing, keep on recording and releasing albums, keep on playing tons of shows. Keep our band dynamic solid. Keep on building a following and creating the buzz we’re already getting in NYC. Of course it would be incredible to hit that huge level where you end up on the cover of Rolling Stone, but I think we’d be pretty psyched to be a well-respected indie band with a good team around us…and a small label putting some money behind us couldn’t hurt either.

What was your most memorable gig and why?
Kevin: There have been many and it’s tough to single out just one. The Halloween show in 2010 when Erin dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and I dressed up as Grandma. That was certainly memorable. We also played 2 shows at the MidPoint music festival in 2009 that I will never forget. The people of Cincinatti were so welcoming and it was surreal when people would come up to us to say how they couldn’t believe we were the “Paint the Town Red” guys. But the CD release show at Arlene’s last month has to be on the top of that list. It was our first ever sold-out show and we had horns and back-up singers and we played new covers and gave away lots of swag. The energy during that set was incredible.

It looks like you guys put a lot of effort into your presentation, i.e. style and coordinating your appearance to look sharp when you perform – who is in charge of that in the band?
Matt: No one member is in charge of that aspect. We realized early on that our image is a huge part of The HOTcakes as a total package, and when we were thinking about a cohesive look that was at once professional-looking and rock ‘n roll, the whole guys-in-shirts-and-ties and Erin in a hot, shiny, colorful outfit out front came pretty naturally and automatically. It’s not enough for us to be tight musically, we need to look super sweet as well – they go hand in hand.

How does everyone in the band know one another?
Erin: I’m going to try to give you the shortest answer – I met Lee through his ex-girlfriend, I met Matt through my ex-boyfriend, we then got Kevin thru Matt as they have mutual friends, and we found Nate at an airport and told him to get in our van because we had candy and guitar amps. So far it’s all working - New York Planet

New York locals The Hotcakes dazzled at their first show of 2011 on Friday at Mercury Lounge. Here’s how they rocked out with glitz, sweat, and screams.

Singer Erin Marsz was decked out in her signature glittery apparel as the rest of the band complemented her in debonair suits and ties. Fusing elements of jazz and soul into their fundamental classic pop rock sound, The Hotcakes sung tales of forlorn romance adorned with science fiction narratives of secret government agents, paranormal activity, and robots.

Never letting the attention shift away from her, Marsz sporadically pranced into the audience and spent some time horizontal. Whether she was vertical or not, her animated gestures, Debbie Harry hair, and sequined cocktail dress were enticing to all. - Guest of a Guest

on friday night, i attended my very first hotcakes show. i’m not a big concert-goer — i tend to stand around awkwardly, only bobbing my head when i feel particularly moved — but it was a really fun time. the band’s lead singer, erin marsz, not only had a killer voice, but a great sense a style. bianca and i couldn’t stop swooning over her cowl-backed silver sequin dress.

i would apologize for the blackberry photos, but my real camera sucks more. - Farpitzs

The Hotcakes will play Arlene's Grocery in New York on December 11th, and are not to be mistaken for these Hotcakes. I can hear this song (ref. I'M A GUN) being played on Gossip Girl, perhaps as a rebellious new character or outfit is being introduced. - Stop OK Go

Dec. 11: The local dance-pop band The Hotcakes scored an unlikely coup last year when their song “Paint the Town Red” became a promotional anthem for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Buoyed by that success, the foursome (whose sound pairs the glamorous urgency of Blondie with the thundering flamboyance of vintage Queen) are here to celebrate the release of their latest effort, an EP titled “Gonna Go Out.” - The New Yorker

A few days ago I finally got the chance to chat with the guys from The Hotcakes! We talked about music, what makes the band tick, and (my favorite) their personal styles. Saying the guys were easy to talk to, would be the mother of all understatements - they let me in on their jokes, included me in stories and told me exactly who liked Meatloaf and who did not (although I’m still not 100% clear). Approachable, funny as hell, well spoken and quick witted - they made me feel instantly comfortable… like, ‘part of the band’ comfortable (yes - those of you who know me just lol’ed). After about an hour, here’s what I got:

Me: I’ll start off easy. How would you describe the bands sound?

The Hotcakes: It’s classic rock with a modern, pop twist. And some jazz thrown in. And soul - it’s really a mix of what inspires us - which runs the gamut. We get inspired by everyone from Blondie to Billy Joel. Led Zeplin. The Police. We write our songs together as a band, so whatever we’re feeling at the moment goes into the song.

Me: All right. Harder. How would you describe the bands fashion style?

The Hotcakes: We like to think of ourselves at the crossroads of classy and rock & roll. Erin is center stage in sequins and glitter and other shiny stuff and we aim to compliment her with our music AND our outfits. A white shirt and black tie are the only things we try to keep constant amongst all of us - but we all put our own twist on it.

Lee (drums): I wear a vest and a red handkerchief - which is a nod to “Paint the Town Red” (their song which is now the official song of the Cincinnati REDS!)

Matt (keys): I usually wear a blazer and some nice sneaks… and Kevin’s shirt is usually un-tucked

Kevin (bass): Lies. They give me a hard time because I have the best style.

Me: Ok, hardest. Describe your own personal style?

Lee: I am a sucker for quality clothing. Being a drummer, I can’t have any extra fabric going on, so I like slim fit shirts and well fitted tees. I recently discovered Muji’s Stretch Button Down Shirts which are 97/3 Cotton/Rayon blend - for performing these are awesome, they’re on par with my Hugo Boss slim fit shirts, but way more affordable! I’m also a big fan of JackThreads.com, which I recently discovered - it’s my exact style.

Me: If you had to live the rest of your life in one outfit… what would it be?

Lee: Jeans and a black James Perse T-shirt and a blazer, then you can take it day to night. Done.

Kevin: Well… let me start by stating that I have a very “complicated relationship” with fashion. I will only wear things that fit perfectly, and 99% of shirts don’t fit. Pants and shoes - fine - but shirts… I have 2 or 3 MAX in rotation at any given time. They also need to be in dark navy or black, have button down collars and be 50/50 cotton/poly… and they’re usually un-tucked - HA

Lee/Matt: (laughing) Yeah we need to talk about that!

Me: Well - you know what you like.

Kevin: Yup - that’s important!

Me: Agreed! OK - favorite article of clothing currently in your wardrobe?

Kevin: Easy. My Viking Bulldog T-shirt from Gnome Enterprises. If I’m going to have stuff on my t-shirt it needs to be cool and not mass produced - I got mine in Williamsburg at Artists & Fleas

Me: Matt how about you? Personal style?

Matt: I’m a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy - all day, everyday. I’m lucky because jeans generally fit right off the rack, so I don’t have to think about it too much. I wear what’s comfortable. I do have a ‘thing’ I guess, I like to spice up my outfit with belts - nylon belts, belts with big buckles, bright colored belts - you name it, I have it. Oh yeah - and watches - I like watches where you can switch out the bands - like a mood watch - HA.

Me: And one piece of clothing you can’t live without?

Matt: My hunter green, zip-up hoodie - hands down! - Except For This One

There are lots of bands to be found in New York City, some of them are great, some not so much. Then there are The Hotcakes, who have a sound that reminds me of a mix between ‘Blondie’, ‘The Ting Tings, and pure rock.

The Hotcakes formed in 2007 after all the members (Erin Marsz, Lee Leshen, Matt Stamm, and Kevin Snider) got together with a need to bring back the sounds of “raucous, sexy rock’n’roll” and in 2008 released their self-titled EP which led to a contract with the MLB The Cincinnati Reds for their song “Paint the Town Red” which became the new anthem for the team.

On Dec 7, 2010 The Hotcakes released the second EP titled “Gonna Go Out”. The song selections on the EP offer amazing beats from tracks like “Round and Round” and “Gonna Go Out” to my personal favorite “It’ll Be Alright” which has some amazing drum beats and vocals, this track is what fun, sexy rock is all about!

The Hotcakes are currently un-signed but have proved that you don’t need a record label to get noticed in the music industry!

Both EP’s “The Hotcakes” and “Gonna Go Out” are available on iTunes or via TheHotcakes.com.

Download these tracks: “Paint the Town Red”, “It’ll Be Alright”

Final Thought: The Hotcakes are a band that everyone needs to know about and that should be included in any rock playlist on your ipod! They are the definition of what New York City rock is all about! - Entertainista

Come out and help local band the Hotcakes celebrate the release of their EP, Gonna Go Out, at LES hotspot Arlene’s Grocery! Attendees are promised a hot performance including back-up singers, a horn ensemble, pink glowsticks, and cool giveaways. If that doesn’t sound rad to you, I don’t know what does. Bring your friends, lovers, and frenemies, but leave the kids at home. - The Morning After Pills

Happy Friday. Here’s one off The Hotcakes’ EP Gonna Go Out. Check out more from them HERE. Sorry for not writing more about songs lately, but I’ve written over 100 pages in the last few days (non-blogging related) and now, whenever I try to write, only stupid, nonsensical things come out. Sooo instead I’ll gank this from their bio:

Formed from a lucky coincidence of broken-up bands and trans-atlantic flights, The Hotcakes got together in 2007 with a shared desire to bring raucous, sexy rock’n’roll back to the streets of New York, and from there take it to the world. Their instantly arresting, driving sound is unafraid of classic roots (Blondie, Queen), yet never fails to be inventive and unexpected in its dark turns and disco twists. Propelled by singer Erin Marsz’s blistering-yet-beautiful voice, The Hotcakes’ songs are diverse tales of heartbreak, secret agents, ghosts and robots.

If you live in NY, hit the jump for info about the release party/after party tomorrow night… - Pigeons and Planes

If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. NYC’s The Hotcakes have just the right buttery goodness to perk up your eardrums this winter. The quartet drops their second EP, Gonna Go Out today.

Gonna Go Out will have listeners amped to go out with its infectious keyboard melodies and singer Erin Marsz’s syrupy sweet vocals. Their blend of unrelenting pop dance grooves and rock riffs make it nearly impossible to stay stationary. Try testing this theory out at their release party Saturday, December 11 at Arlene’s Grocery.

The Hotcakes have garnered a lot of attention since their self-titled debut was released in 2008. The disc also earned the band a licensing deal with the Cincinnati Reds to have their track “Paint the Town Red” as the team’s new anthem. - Kimwritesill.com

Plucked like a band of outsiders from broken bands and transatlantic flights comes your new favorite band, The Hotcakes. Over the past few years this musical foursome has been garnering some major buzz with their unique sound, one part classic rock and roll, the other dance-worthy neo-disco. Consisting of Lee Leshen on drums, Matt Stamm on keys, and Kevin Snider as bassist, the band is led by captivating vocalist and Blondie throwback Erin Marsz. With their new EP, Gonna Go Out, set for release at NYC’s Arlene’s Grocery this Saturday night, we caught up with Erin to chat about what sets the Hotcakes apart, the thrill of live performance, and their mission to bring raucous New York rock back to the stage.

How would you define yourself as a band?
We have a vintage sound akin to Blondie but we also have No Doubt kind of flavor, which was something I would have originally not admitted to but...not that I don’t like them, I just never really thought that but we’ve heard that a lot. I think that probably has to do with the high energy too in our shows and we’re just a rock band that’s a little bit dancey-we like to get down. So we’ve got a little of that rock and roll throw back.

What sets The Hotcakes apart from other new bands?
One of the things that’s different about our sound is that we’re a little bit more aggressive and not as disco as bands like Blondie. We have certain elements that are different-myself as a vocalist, I have more of a chest voice. I’m not of a gutty singer, I’m pulling it from the deep down, I’m digging it that way. I’m not as light and lyrical in that sense.

Who were some of your personal influences as well as the bands?
My personal influences are Debbie Harry and Dusty Springfield is actually a huge influence for me as a singer. For the band as a whole, I would feel like some of those influences are...well, Blondie again but it’s one those things where we all have our own influences, I think that’s part of the way we have our sound-we all listen to such different types of music. I think at the same time what brings us all together is this love of pop music and maybe Bon Jovi and writing songs ad performing songs, that maybe one day you can walk into a bar and everybody’s like, “Noah we’re halfway there, living on a prayer.” You know what I mean? That kind of feel to it.

Do you find it difficult with everyone’s different music styles to create one cohesive sound?
Yes and no. The thing with any band, the longer that you play together and work together, you really develop your own sound and you kind of develop an ear for what’s going to work with what the other people are doing as well. It’s kind of an environment where we’re working off of each other so it’s also going to be a longer process.

The band has undergone some bandmate changes since you’ve started, would you say the band is an ever-evolving project?
The core of the band has stayed the same but sometimes a member will decide that it isn’t for them anymore or they want to move to Europe and you just have to respect their choice as an artist and move on from there. In a way it’s always helped us. I feel like when you listen to our first EP and you listen to the EP we’re about to release, you can hear a huge shift in the sound.

What’s that shift?
Us coming together more as a band and having more time together, working on things together, just time to evolve.

What do you love most about performing?
One of the things I love about performing is that every performance is going to be 100% different than the last performance. That’s the one thing you can count on is that there’s nothing to count on. You can be as prepared as you want but then you come out on stage and the audience is different, the venue is different, it’s a different day, it’s a different time-there’s all these factors to really come into play and it really pulls you to really reach your peak as a performer. I do it because I love performing, I love the challenge of it.

Do you have any favorite tracks on the new EP?
My favorite track is “Lucky Girl.” I wrote all the songs but that one I particularly like because I think it really speaks to how I feel about the band. When I was a little kid all I wanted to do was be in a band and there’s a lot of moments where it’s not exactly what you think it’s going to be but every time I’m on the stage with the band, and I’m sitting there, I just take a moment and reflect and feel incredibly lucky that I have that opportunity. It’s something that I’ve always wanted for so long so that song is something that’s really special for me.

What’s next for the Hotcakes?
Next up is releasing this EP, touring to support it in the North East, possibly going to South by Southwest, and just taking this next year to record a second EP that we have all the songs for, we’ve just been trying to space them out because they’re a little more rock and roll in nature whereas this one is more of a dance party EP. - Black Book Magazine

New York rock quartet The Hotcakes are often compared favorably to the band Blondie in reviews, and it’s easy to see why. Not just because lead singer Erin Marz’s has Debbie Harry hair, but the sweet 70s disco-pop sounds that prevailed on their 2008 self-titled EP are as catchy as “Sunday Girl.”

It doesn’t hurt that Erin’s backup includes 4 hot guys, or that their song “Paint the Town Red” became the official anthem of the Cincinnati Reds, though most New York bands would probably scoff at getting the kind of commercial success that The Hotcakes acquired without ever being signed to a label.

We were lucky enough to have a chat with Erin and her three handsome bandmates (Matt Stamm, Kevin Snider, and Lee Leshen) before they debuted their second EP “Gonna Go Out” at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC this Saturday night.

The Hotcakes: Hey do you know that there were two articles on your site about hookers today?

Crushable: And tomorrow, it’ll be all about you! So you guys are about to release your second EP now…how has your sound changed in the past two years?

Erin (singer): What’s changed? Members of the band. But also, having the time to grow together, to develop our sound.

What was the inspiration for your new song, “Round and Round?”

Erin: It came out of something very simple, very much like a “round” if you will. It developed much more into a fun, dancy song. Lyrically, it’s just about being at a party, seeing that boy. Maybe you know him, maybe you don’t. You don’t know if it’s going to be serious, but you just want to have fun!

A lot of reviewers compare your sound to Blondie or Queen. Who would you hate to be compared to?

Matt (keyboard): I think it would be really dangerous for us to be compared to No Doubt. Not because I don’t like No Doubt, but I think just with the guys in the back of the band and Erin out front, too many parallels could be drawn. Of course the sound is in a totally different category.

Who would you be most excited to see if they appeared at your show on Saturday?

Kevin (bass guitar) : Freddy Mercury. That would be really difficult though.

How did you all meet? It was on Craigslist, right?

Erin: No, actually! This band grew out of another band, that didn’t really work out. But me and Lee decided to continue on our own thing, and reached out to mutual friends. I decided to ask my ex-boyfriend to play keyboards, which is how we got Matt. And then Matt pulled in Kevin…

Matt: Kevin is my good friend’s brother-in-law. But now Kevin is just my good friend.

Erin: And I met Lee through his ex-girlfriend, and Matt from my ex-boyfriend…

Kevin: And I got the offer to try out the day after I got viciously dumped by my ex-girlfriend.

You guys should just be called The Exes. Well maybe you can help solve a debate over at our sister site, The Gloss. They were wondering if it’s worse to date actors or musicians…

All of them: Actors.

Kevin: Musicians I found are the most down to earth, rational, reasonable people on earth.

Matt: Actors, hands-down. Musicians can be in touch with their emotional side, and actors have to pretend to be someone else for a living, which is like borderline schizophrenia.

Lee (drums): Actors are so much tougher. It’s like dating someone with multiple personalities, except all those personalities agree on one thing, and that’s that the actor themselves are the most important person in the world.

Yeah, but what about groupies?

Erin: I’ve dated both, and they’re both difficult. It’s hard after a show, when there are girls swarming around and you’re like “Oh yeah, that’s cool, I’ll just stand by your merch table…” They’re all egomaniacs.

So we have to ask: Who are your weird celebrity crushes?

Matt: I know this is weird but I’ve always had a big crush on Helen Hunt. And my wife, who doesn’t look anything like Helen Hunt.

Lee: I’m proud of all my crushes! When I was a kid, I had a whole wall devoted to Alyssa Milano. And Jennifer Connelly. I like brunettes! Who’s The Boss? I want to be the boss!

Kevin: My weird crush is on Lee!

Erin: Tim Burton. He’s just so weird and talented. I’d probably wake up in the middle of the night to find that he’d made me into a little cray creature though.

Go see The Hotcakes perform this weekend at Arlene’s Grocery in NYC, and check out their Myspace (www.myspace.com/thehotcakesmusic) and official site (www.thehotcakes.com)! - Crushable.com

Some of the most awkward experiences I’ve had in New York City have been at concerts. Either I’ll want to break out in dance because the band is high-energy, but the crowd is sullen, or the crowd is just scratching their heads because the band looks like a wax museum display. Something about the chemistry between too-cool people and too-cool bands makes for a clumsy live music scene. This, however, was not the case the last time I saw The Hotcakes, a punk/rock/disco/jazz combo band with a killer lead female, perform at Arlene’s Grocery in November.

“Our music really feeds off of a party atmosphere,” said Lee, the band’s scruffy-fun drummer, and they don’t disavow performance as an integral part of the experience. “It’s really about the audience,” says Erin (aforementioned killer lead), which really shows through in how easy it is for even a crowd of about 10 to feel sexy and uninhibited enough to dance to their music. The Hotcakes have style and confidence and enough gusto to get even the most tepid of hipsters to shake their hips.

That feeling is even further emulated in their just recently released EP “Gonna Go Out!” for which they are having a release show this Saturday at Arlene’s Grocery followed by an afterparty (!) at the Thompson Hotel featuring DJ Pierce Jackson of Paper Mag. It’s going to be a very special show with special guests such as their sometimes-back-up singers “The Cupcakes” and even a horns section. There will also be door prizes, and who doesn’t love that? They’ll be handing out fancy new music cards to download “Gonna Go Out!”, too.

Once described by Bootsy Collins as “Blondie on steroids,” it’s easy to see a Debbie Harry influence inside Erin. “I’m not as cool and collected, though,” she told me, “and we’re definitely more hyper as a band.”

Together, The Hotcakes have formed a collective personality drawing from each of their own selective and completely different music tastes. Everyone writes their own parts, creating a unique, energetic sound that could only come from a band with a lead singer who’s into Blondie and a guitarist who’s into Bruce Springsteen.

“I always ask myself when writing music,” Erin told me, “‘Could I see a bunch of sorority girls putting this on at a party and dancing like crazy?’ Yes. OK. And then I know.” She hits the nail on the head. But! Don’t take my word for it. Come see them tomorrow at Arlene’s Grocery (and definitely hit up the afterparty at The Thompson). Here's a teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT2EhidEiVM&feature=player_embedded - NYU Local

You know your friend who knows about killer, new bands AGES before anyone else? Well here’s your chance to be that friend… Meet The Hotcakes.

Described by Bootsy Collins as, “Blondie on Steroids”, The Hotcakes effortlessly fuse classic rock with a twist of modern pop - think Led Zeplin meets Queen. Drawing inspiration from rock, disco and jazz alike, The Hotcakes have taken it upon themselves to remind NYC what rock & roll is all about… and it won’t be long before they’re reminding the world.

Last week, Bianca let me tag along to their show at Mercury Lounge and I was instantly hooked. However, it wasn’t only their energetic stage presence and high octane performance that ensnared me - it was the guys’ style. Being a ‘clothing’ guy, a bands style is always the first thing I notice, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be impressed. But I was pleasantly surprised.. Cohesive without looking like a uniform and ‘put together’ without trying too hard - Perfection. Their look flawlessly compliments Erin (vocals) without fading into the background - and with a statuesque, blond bombshell delivering sweltering vocals in a sequin dress, center stage - that’s hard to do. The guys’ white shirts and black ties deliver an effortless, ‘classed-up’ rock & roll look, which they compliment with the worlds best accessory - confidence. Each guy adds his own twist to the look - whether thru a vest, a handkerchief or an untucked shirt. They remain unified without losing theselves - nice.

After the show I was introduced to the guys, which only solidified my ‘man crush’. After a few beers and some small talk they actually agreed to chat with me about their individual style and what influence it’s had on their music (or more likely the other way around) Since I’m always sharing my thoughts and tips on fashion, I thought it was high time you guys got to hear from someone else. Somebody cooler. Somebody in a band. Stay tuned. - Except For This One

Sexy glam rock/pop outfit The Hotcakes are following up their excellent pop debut EP from 2008 (which spawned a minor crossover success from a Major League Baseball team's co-opting of their track "Paint The Town Red") with another quality effort Gonna Go Out, and they'll be playing a release party for the EP on December 11 at Arlene's Grocery--sure to be a fun night filled with could-be-Blondie songs and shenanigans.

Godspeed! - Culture of Me

In a recent interview with Filler Magazine, HOTcakes vocalist Erin Marsz was asked "What Defines The Hotcakes' Style?"

Erin: Everyone in the band brings their own musical element. For me personally I think I have a really strong love of punk rock and The Cure. I really like a lot of drama and high energy and I think that is a big part of the band. We get a lot of references to Blondie; I think because I am blonde and it’s me with a bunch of dudes, but also because we have really catchy songs and we’re from New York.

Blondie is probably a good starting point for a comparison -- as one can hear the new-wave influences in The HOTcakes' music -- though one could just as easily make the comparison to Kim Wilde. Vocalist Erin Marsz sings with a raw passion (as opposed to Debbie's cool detachment) and the band has some huge dance-oriented pop hooks.

At the Mercury Lounge, the band played a nine song set consisting of material from their 2008 self-titled EP and their newest disc "Gonna Go Out" along with a couple presumably unrecorded numbers. While the band slowed down for one - two numbers, Erin Marsz was a ball of energy as she danced across the stage and in the crowd for the better part of the set. At the end of the set, the crowd wasn't ready to leave so The HOTcakes came back on for an encore.

The HOTcakes are playing a CD release show for the new EP "Gonna Go Out" at Arlene's Grocery on Dec. 11th. Cover is $10 and set times have not yet been posted. - Brooklyn Rocks

On Wednesday night I FINALLY got to see The Hotcakes live. I’ve been planning on seeing them since earlier this month but reasons to which I actually don’t remember didn’t let me to see their earlier show. Anyways, I found out about them through my favorite Small Girls and started listening to their music while being productive at work. Not even kidding, I have their website up on my Mac and just leave their music to play on repeat. So imagine my excitement that I would actually be able to rage out to them?

I met up with Bianca and Mallory at Spot Dessert Bar—to which I’ll be making a completely separate post about—and we headed over to Arlene’s Grocery for what was sure to be a great night! (Sidenote: what else do you expect from starting your night off with cupcakes?) While there, I met other awesome people including Tumblr intern Annie who is all sorts of awesome. (PS: did I shout “chug chug chug” for you to finish your beer when we were about to leave? Yeah, that sorority girl in me doesn’t leave…)

Back to the music. It’s pretty simple: they’re awesome. I’m pretty freaking picky when it comes to finding music that’s chill/eclectic, yet energetic and pumps you up. Honestly, I wanted to just dance, prance around, and flail about. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the main singer Erin Marsz is actually legit gorgeous… like, “Hi, I just want to be your friend…” gorgeous and has an amazing sex-kitten killer voice.

My favorite songs are Gonna Go Out, I’ll Be Alright, Lucky Girl and Round & Round… uhm yeah, their entire EP.

Stream their music for free on TheHotCakes.com or on Bandcamp.com (where you can also buy their Gonna Go Out EP for $4). They’re also on Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook… my type of band.

The Hot Cake’s next show is on Nov. 23 at Mercury Lounge (10PM) and their EP release show is on Dec. 11 at Arlene’s Grovery (11PM) where you bet your ass I’ll be there!

Seriously guys, give them a listen and let me know what you think! Shoot me an email jesksa@gmail.com, comment below and maybe we can hit up their release show together?! - Of Vice and Men

The HOTcakes are an alt-pop NYC based band whose sound falls somewhere between Patti Smith and Blondie with a touch of Iron Butterfuly for added fun. Since licensing a song to the Cincinnati Reds, The Hotcakes have become the most popular NYC band in Ohio. On their debut EP, Erin Marsz's powerhouse pipes keep the band's sound anchored to the seventies - keep your ears out for the new EP, the release party will be at Arlene's Grocery on December 11. The band will also play Crash Mansion on November 6. - Jenny Luczak - The Deli Magazine

If I had an A&R person for my imaginary record label, my friend Katherine would be in the running. She was raving about Vampire Weekend after one of their first NYC shows, alerted me to love-her-or-hate-me artist Ivana XL and now she can add another one to the list.

MP3: The Hotcakes - I'm a Gun
I feel like this song leads a dual life. It's partly characteristic of some radio-friendly late-90s girl rock with its slinky, simple verses; however, it also bursts forth with its' "But I'm a gun, baby!" chorus that makes me think of a lot of ballsier bands like Sleater-Kinney.

www.thehotcakes.com

Liked this song? Check out "Mister, Mister" on their Myspace, which sounds a bit like Sons and Daughters. - youaintnopicasso

If I had an A&R person for my imaginary record label, my friend Katherine would be in the running. She was raving about Vampire Weekend after one of their first NYC shows, alerted me to love-her-or-hate-me artist Ivana XL and now she can add another one to the list.

MP3: The Hotcakes - I'm a Gun
I feel like this song leads a dual life. It's partly characteristic of some radio-friendly late-90s girl rock with its slinky, simple verses; however, it also bursts forth with its' "But I'm a gun, baby!" chorus that makes me think of a lot of ballsier bands like Sleater-Kinney.

www.thehotcakes.com

Liked this song? Check out "Mister, Mister" on their Myspace, which sounds a bit like Sons and Daughters. - youaintnopicasso

Here is the text from Magnet:

Moby will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com this week. Read our Q&A with him.

Moby: My friend Erin started a pop/punk called the Hotcakes, and they’re really, really good. She’s beautiful, and the songs are amazing.

Here is the URL:

http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/07/03/moby-picks-the-hotcakes/ - Magnet Magazine

Here is the text from Magnet:

Moby will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com this week. Read our Q&A with him.

Moby: My friend Erin started a pop/punk called the Hotcakes, and they’re really, really good. She’s beautiful, and the songs are amazing.

Here is the URL:

http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/07/03/moby-picks-the-hotcakes/ - Magnet Magazine

November 30, 2009

I remember ways back to the band that was before the HOTcakes. ILU, I think was the name, and I rather liked them and their song Paint The Town Red, although they were over before they really began. Fortunately, that song survived to the new band, which has also survived and is looking forward to new adventures in 2010. Time for a cup of tea with the band's lead singer Erin Marsz ...

Indie Sounds: So you just played your final 2009 show at the Mercury Lounge ... what's your 'executive summary' of the HOTcakes and what has been achieved this year?

Erin Marsz: 2009 has been a tremendous year of growth for the HOTcakes. We had two new members join the band, Matt Stamm on keyboards, and Kevin Snider on bass. We had the opportunity to travel and play shows outside of New York City, with the biggest being playing two shows that the MidPoint Music Festival in Cincinnati. And in general, we had the blessing of many incredible experiences writing, recording, and really solidifying our sound.

IS: Who are The HOTcakes, and how did the band come about?

Erin: The HOTcakes formed about a year and a half ago through the lucky coincidences of broken up bands and English tea. And by English tea I mean, Craigslist. Back in 2007, Lee, Chris and I were playing in a band together that broke up and we reformed to start the HOTcakes. Matt and Kevin came on board this year to fill in the line up. The formal roster with everyone's duties is as follows: Lee Leshen on drums, Chris Hills on guitar, Matt Stamm on keyboards, Kevin Snider on bass, and myself, Erin Marsz, on vocals and some guitar.

IS: You produced a self-title EP last year. What's next on the recording plan?

Erin: Currently, we have a plethora of songs that are ready to be recorded. We've already gone into the studio twice this year to demo a bunch and 'thin the herd' as we just have way too much material. Right now, we've narrowed it down to a strong group of 12 songs for recording and we are looking forward to getting into the studio early next year. We've been talking to several producers and are just flattered with the attention. So, hopefully, we will have more exciting news on that front soon.

Buy the HOTcakes self-titled EP @ CD Baby. Download it @ iTunes.

IS: And what's on the 'business plan' for 2010?

Erin: We are raring to hit the ground running in 2010. We've been working on booking a ton of shows in Boston, New Haven, Philadelphia, DC, Cincinnati, and many other lil' cities in between. So local touring is a huge priority. We are also going to be making our first music video, recording a second record, and basically having a ton of fun as well.

IS: What venues and other NYC acts do you like to go out to?

Erin: I have three favorite venues in New York city. Firstly, is the Mercury Lounge. They book incredible bands, especially from abroad that tend to blow up a year after they play there. I've had the opportunity to see a lot of amazing bands play there for $12 or under. My second favorite venue is Arlene's Grocery. That venue also does an amazing job of putting together great show lineups. They also have great sound and the set up of having the bar separated from the performance space lends itself to the perfect after party. And my third favorite venue is Piano's. The first show I ever played in New York was at Piano's and I'll always hold it close to my heart. They also have an incredible booking staff and it's a great place to go if you just want to pop in for some great music and a pint. There are always new and fun bands there.

Some local acts that I love to see are my friend Boshra's new band, Saadi. They are really amazing and should not be missed. Another band that I love to see play is a boy trio, Pocketknife. They have tight harmonies and are very reminiscent of The Police. Of course, I love to see my Canadian pen pal, Maygen Kardash, and her brother S.J. Kardash, of Violent Kin whenever they play in town. And last but not least, my dear friend, Ari Ingber's band, The Upwelling. I've known Ari for a long time and always feel super proud when I see them play. They also just released an amazing record, An American Stranger. I highly recommend it.

IS: What NYC venue do you aspire to perform at?

Erin: I have to just say it though I know it's many years off, but the one venue I've sat outside of and consistently dreamed about playing is Madison Square Garden. Few artists get the opportunity and that would fully blow my mind. More realistically though, it would be super fun to play the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Bowery Ballroom.
- Indie Sounds (www.indiesoundsny.com)

Gabrielle Swan, Filler Magazine: Why should people listen to The Hotcakes?
Erin Marsz, The Hotcakes: I think the better question is why should you not listen to The Hotcakes and there is no reason not to! The focus of our music is about fun; it’s about having a good time, it’s about dancing. Our songs are about boys, drama, robots, ghosts and life. That’s basically what we’re all about.

GS: About the band itself, there’s been a bit of shuffling of band members since the inception of The Hotcakes. What effect has that had on your sound?
EM: One of the most difficult things about being in a band, and I feel like this is true across the board, is the longevity of the band and it’s members. If the core people are still in the band, still believe in the band, the project is going to go on. So I think that as far as a writing team, they have remained intact for most of this project. We keep getting stronger because we are finding more of where our sound is and building that.

GS: Your sound, music in general, really is all about passion. After playing some songs time and time again, does the passion for it diminish?
EM: For me personally, I am a performer. The reason I love being in a band is that you perform. Every time we play a show, it is always different. It’s like live theater. You can play in the same play for years, every night you go onstage, say the same lines and it doesn’t matter; the audience is different. You never know what is going to happen. You are right there and you are reacting off of their energy, which is always new and fresh. It keeps it interesting and it keeps it going. We feed off the audience.

GS: The 5 that comprise the “Royal We” that is The Hotcakes, spend days on end together, often in crammed quarters like when on tour. Any note-worthy inter-band hookups to share?
EM: No, as far as — wait… ‘No comment,’ that’s what I am supposed to say. Everyone is single in the band, even the married ones.

GS: Alright then. How about we talk about something you can be a little more open about like style; what defines The Hotcakes style?
EM: Everyone in the band brings their own musical element. For me personally I think I have a really strong love of punk rock and The Cure. I really like a lot of drama and high energy and I think that is a big part of the band. We get a lot of references to Blonde; I think because I am blonde and it’s me with a bunch of dudes, but also because we have really catchy songs and we’re from New York.

GS: What separates you from other bands? What’s the goal of your music?
EM: The ultimate goal of making music is putting together product that we are really proud of and happy with. It’s about the art: being able to express what we want to express. It’s not high-art, this is pop-music, let’s be straight. We live in an area of mass production, mass consumption — give me the Coca-Cola, then throw away the can [type of culture]. To have a career of longevity in my mind it’s about what makes you happy. You as the artist, if you’re not happy at the end of the day there is really no point.

GS: Has sticking to your artistic vision been one of the band’s biggest challenges?
EM: We’re not doing something that all the kids in Williamsburg are doing right now. We are much more happy and pop-y and fun and ultra shiny, a bit dirty and sexy. We’re not boys with long hair and acoustic guitars crying and playing the bongos. That’s not our deal. People will believe in you when you start to make it happen and that’s what we have found. From the beginning people were interested, but they kind of wait to see what happens; then once things start to happen more people get behind you. That has definitely happened for us with the band. Now we are playing bigger shows, better shows; it all keeps going, but you have to push so you don’t get run over. - Filler Magazine

"The Hotcakes can best be compared to Blondie on steroids. Erin, their lead singer, has a voice that is powerful and will captivate you the entire show."

-Bootsy Collins

http://cincinnati.metromix.com/music/article/midpoint-picks-from-people/1473007/content

- Metromix

The Hotcakes are Erin Marsz (Vocals), Lee Leshen (Drums), Chris Hills (Guitar) and Eva Brooks (Keys).
Their lead vocalist Erin was a member of the Brooklyn based band "Tralala" which released two critically acclaimed albums and then split up.
Chris, the guitarist, also plays in a soul band called "Evergreen".
The Hotcakes first EP, released in march '08, is produced by Josh Peck who among other compositions wrote the new Knight Rider theme.
Anyhow, what comes out of this venture is marvelous. The songs are very melodic, 60s influenced, indie pop rock tunes. Erin's voice is lovely and very energetic, Chris plays great guitar solos and some bad ass riffs, Eva on Keys creates wonderful melody lines and Lee on Drums lays down some huge grooves.
All in all, an outstanding effort.

http://youngbohemians.blogspot.com/2008/07/going-like-hotcakes.html - Young Bohemians

Club strikes deal with New York City band on new anthem

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- The refrain should be familiar, but the song is entirely new and hasn't reached a large audience.

At least not until now.

"Paint the Town Red" is a song by The Hotcakes, a fledgling rock band from New York City. Because of the Reds, a lot of people will be exposed to the group's music for the first time this baseball season.

When you watch or listen to the Reds' new advertising campaign this season, female vocalist Erin Marsz will be heard belting out "Paint the Town Red." The tie-in between the song title and the team is an obvious one, but it took some initiative from the band to get hooked up with the Reds.

"We called a bunch of teams. The Reds showed the absolute most enthusiasm," said Hotcakes drummer Lee Leshen.

Leshen went on to Reds.com in September to find contact names and numbers and eventually left a voicemail for Karen Forgus, the Reds' vice president of communications and marketing.

In the message, Leshen invited Forgus to listen to "Paint the Town Red" on thehotcakes.com, which sent her to the band's MySpace page.

"They were calling anyone with red colors in sports to see if they wanted to use the song," Forgus said. "I listened to the song and loved it and then kept listening to it on and off and had others listen. When I listened to it, it really seemed to work with highlights."

Forgus, who was looking for a new song to play in commercials, returned Leshen's call the very next day.

Within a couple of months, the Reds bought the rights to use the song as proprietary music for two years for the team's marketing, promotion and ballpark entertainment. They also have the ability to distribute the song on local radio in the team's market.

The Hotcakes are a band without a record label. To say they were ecstatic about selling their song to the Reds is an understatement.

"We were thrilled. It's been nonstop smiles from the get-go," Leshen said. "The Reds have been a pleasure to deal with. They embraced us right away. Our goal is to embrace the Reds in the same way. That's not lip service. We're passionate about the partnership. To bring our brand of rock and roll to Cincinnati and the surrounding areas will be a real thrill for us."

Forgus said there will be no marketing effort to make "Paint the Town Red" a Reds rally cry during the season. The club prefers to go with more subtle exposure to see what happens.

"It sounds young and progressive and it's not in-your-face like a jingle would be," Forgus said. "This needs to be an organic thing. If fans like it enough to force the issue, we'd consider it. 'Who Dey' worked for the Bengals, because, it's my understanding, it came from the fans in the seats. Our intention isn't to make a slogan. It's to get people all over town wearing red. We want them to do it, not just say it."

The Hotcakes, Leshen said, have only been together for about a year and a half and generally play small clubs in Manhattan that hold a few hundred people. Without a label, they rely on the Internet and iTunes to get their self-titled, five-song EP to the public.

If "Paint the Town Red" catches on, The Hotcakes are hoping it leads to other things -- including a chance to perform and build a fan base in Cincinnati.

"We are itching to get to play at the ballpark," Leshen said. "We'd like it if fans loved us that much that we could come out there and play. It's every person's dream to walk on the field. I can't imagine the feeling of walking on a Major League field. When you catch the bug of seeing the field, you don't lose it. The brass ring for us would be playing at the stadium."

Marsz wrote the song and considered it "a call to a great adventure. 'Paint the Town Red' is written about the place of innocence that accompanies childhood. The lyrics are simplistic and the chorus is full of energy and surprise -- like a kid thinking they are doing something really dangerous or bad by sneaking into the mean neighbor's yard to retrieve a ball or hiding behind a wall to jump out and scare your little brother."

For at least the next couple of years, the Reds hope the song has fans thinking about seeing Reds games at Great American Ball Park. - MLB.com

New York City band’s original song is selected as anthem for popular Major League Baseball Team

New York, NY, February 04, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Hotcakes, an up-and-coming New York City band, have hit a homerun with an original song, “Paint the Town Red,” from their self-titled EP (currently available on iTunes at www.itunes.com/thehotcakes).

“We felt we had something really special with this song, so we reached out to organizations with ‘red’ or ‘crimson’ in their name. The Cincinnati Reds reacted the moment they heard the song -- they called us immediately,” said Lee Leshen, the band’s drummer, who initially made contact with the team. “This is huge for us!”

“I listened to the song and loved it and then kept listening to it on and off and had others listen. When I heard it, it really seemed to work,” said Karen Forgus, the Reds senior vice president of business operations.

“Paint The Town Red” will be played for advertising and promotional use, and at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Hotcakes hope the song will not only inspire the Reds, but also their fans, well known for their tremendous loyalty and enthusiasm.

Erin Marsz, a founding member of The Hotcakes and the song’s author, explains, “‘Paint the Town Red’ is a song about the state of innocence and adventure that accompanies childhood; this is sentiment that perfectly suits our country’s oldest and greatest pastime. The lyrics are simple, yet the chorus is energetic and full of surprise. It is an anthem for a timeless emotion, and a very nostalgic sport.”

The fans reaction? “Tremendous,” Leshen said. “The first article ran on MLB.com and Reds.com, and within 24 hours, we had over 2,000 visits to our Myspace page. The messages the fans have sent us have been overwhelming. Everyone’s thrilled to have us as part of the team!”

The Hotcakes formed as a group in 2007. Band members include Erin Marsz, lead singer; Chris Hills, guitar; Lee Leshen, drums; and Eva Brooks, keys and backing vocals. Their self-titled EP, available on iTunes, was produced by Josh Peck of Pulse Music. For more information and upcoming shows, visit the band’s website at www.hotcakes.com.

View an article about the song on Reds.com:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090202&content_id=3791034&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Contact:
info@patchworknyc.com - PR.com

By John Kiesewetter • jkiesewetter@enquirer.com • February 12, 2009

If Cincinnati Reds tickets are selling tickets like hotcakes, the team can thank the Hotcakes.
Advertisement

The Reds have built their preseason marketing campaign around a song called “Paint The Town Red” by the Hotcakes, an unsigned garage band in New York City.

“During the season I see a sea of red coming into the ball park. It felt right,” says Karen Forgus, Reds senior vice president for business operations.

Forgus first heard the song in September, after getting a call from Hotcakes drummer Lee Leshen. He had contacted various professional and college teams with “Red” in their titles, offering them the song. Forgus was the first to call back.

“We thought it would sound terrific if we could get this played in a stadium,” says Leshen, 30. His band, together 1½ years, only performs once a month, he says.

The lead vocalist, Erin Marsz, works in Manhattan’s fashion industry. Leshen does marketing. Keyboard player Eva Brooks is a teacher. Guitarist Chris Hills teaches music.

“I feel like we’re a farm team that just got called up to the majors. We had 5,000 hits on our MySpace page last week. That’s huge for an unsigned, unknown band,” he says.

The song’s chorus airs as the background music for the Reds’ TV and radio commercials. On TV, viewers see red paint being splashed across the screen.

“I didn’t want a jingle, I wanted a little music that set the mood,” Forgus says. To her, “Paint The Town Red” sounded young and modern, much like budding Reds stars Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce.

“There’s a young mojo on our team. I thought it reflected our team on the field,” Forgus says.

The Reds bought rights for the song through Opening Day 2011, she says. For now it will be heard on TV and radio – but could be played at Great American Ball Park during games, she says.

“We want people singing ‘Paint The Town Red.’ We’d love to hear that chorus play during the game to get the crowd going, to get the team going,” Leshen says. “Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play it on the field. That would be amazing. We would absolutely jump at the chance to come out to Cincinnati whenever we’re called.” - Cincinnati Enquirer/Cincinnati.com

The Hotcakes are playing Cincy's song

The Hotcakes are the Big Apple-based rock/pop/glam foursome behind the song that already is on many baseball fans' lips in Cincinnati. "We thought 'Paint the Town Red' was the right song to introduce The Hotcakes to the public," drummer Lee Leshen told The Rumble. "The song is very dramatic, and we thought it would sound terrific when played in large, open venues. Sports stadiums were the right fit, so we thought of a select few teams that contained the word 'Red' and started dialing." The Red Sox? "They were already secure with their music," Leshen said. The Reds have purchased rights to the song, will use it in TV and radio advertising - and possibly have The Hotcakes play it at Great American Ballpark. "We would jump at the chance," Leshen said.

"We're all New Yorkers, so we're split pretty evenly between the Mets and Yankees," Leshen, who lives in Manhattan and grew up in Port Washington, L.I., said of the band, which includes lead singer Erin Marsz, keyboardist Eva Brooks and guitarist Chris Hills. "If it weren't for my Johnny Bench catcher's mitt saving me from my brother Craig's fastball growing up, I wouldn't be able to play the drums today. Obviously now, we're all becoming Reds fans. I think it's every boy's dream to walk on to a major league field, but if I can walk on with a pair of drumsticks, that would be the ultimate thrill." You can listen to "Paint the Town Red" at thehotcakes.com and see the band April 10 at Pianos (11 p.m.) on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side. - New York Post