Artist InformationBiography
The Queues were invented on Thanksgiving 2005 when Jarl Sonkin and Robert Wintour met, and, out of mutual respect, decided that playing and writing music together would be a good opportunity to realize their wildest fantasies of fame and fortune. They decided to recruit members from their own former high school bands, Vito Pelikan from the Rubuts and Ronnie Brannan from the Stellatos, and called themselves The Queues due to the many ways in which the word can be related to music (waiting to get into a show, jukeboxes, illegal downloading...).
In 2006, The Queues gigged extensively throughout the summer, playing spots in Lakeland and Orlando, bringing joyous noise to tone-deaf drunkards and "little ears" alike. Their premiere downtown performance at the Backbooth in Orlando, the free shows at the Haven Lounge in Winter Park, and the Angel Meroni Benefit Concert at Florida Southern College were among the highlights. That same summer they released their first single, "Opposite Milk-Day", and a second single, "If You're Happy!!!", in the fall.
Then, in late December 2006/early January 2007, they did as any amateur, self-absorbed, band of sub-geniuses would do...they went on tour. Beginning with a riotous 91.5 WPRK live radio performance, and venturing up through stops in Tampa, Jacksonville, Atlanta, an extended stay in Asheville, NC , The Queues lit the southeastern portion of the United States aflame. Upon their return, the Queues played several shows on campus at the University of Central Florida. By the time of their 2007 Florida Music Festival gig at Cafe Annie, they had put out a limited CD release of their radio appearance, “THEqueues: LIVE!@ninetyonefive”.
In 2008, The Queues decided they were through with not having an album and began the long, treacherous process of attempting to “make a record!” They went into the Urthwurk Labs studio with producers Jameson and Johne Beaver, to record their full-length debut and worked throughout the late spring and early summer months. During that same time, they performed at the 2008 Florida Music Festival, and scored a top finishing spot in the Filter Magazine/Denny’s All Nighter Band Adoption competition. At last, on July 19th of that year, they released the album, "Noisemaker", and held their CD release party at the Denny's on International Drive in Orlando, FL, thus becoming the first band ever to perform inside of a Denny's restaurant.
Influenced by countless rock bands, old bluesmen, electronic noise, and an intense dissatisfaction with everyone else, theirs is a sound that is often reminiscent of the past of rock n' roll, but always original. Much like them, their songs are youthful, vital, and dynamic. Utilizing clashing rhythms, three-part harmonies, and melodies that crawl into all the right parts of your brain, the Queues bring roughness, tenderness, and unpredictability to every performance.
They're good dogs
Instrumentation
Jarl Q - Short Guitar - Harmonica - Vocals
Jarl Sonkin writes and sings half of the band’s songs, but he used to handle the whole courseload himself. One day, he began searching for a co-writer. That search ended when he met Rob, to whom he was introduced through a mutual friend. Jarl banged some songs out on guitar, then Rob played and sang some. “Great job”, said Rob, and the two formed 3 bands in the span of 3 months before settling on this one. On guitar Jarl shakes, on harmonica he rattles, but you really ought to see him roll...
Rob Q - Tall Guitar - Vocals
Rob Wintour writes half of the songs, and you can usually tell if it’s a song he’s written because he’ll probably be singing it. He’s been writing and singing songs ever since that fateful day in homeroom when Ronnie “saved” Rob from the bully. Saved as in he suffered the same swirly fate as Rob, and didn’t resent him after the fact. Instead, Ronnie, in pain, cried, “So...do you want to play guitar?” and they formed a band, the Stellatos. He plays a mean guitar, but that’s only because you two haven’t met...yet.
Ronnie Q - Bass Guitar - Vocals
Ronnie Brannan shaved his beard one time. It’s uncertain as to whether or not he’ll ever shave it again, but Vito’s shouts of “GO BACK TO THE BEARDS.”, probably won’t encourage him to do so any time soon. The resident music major, he plays bass like a prodigy and is a well of musical knowledge. However, the real treat is when he sings lead on a real smooth number and you’re in the front row, and he leans over and looks you in the eye, well, let’s just say that if you don’t dig the lumberjack appeal now...you will.
Vito - Drums - Percussion
Vito Pelikan started playing the drums when he was in tenth grade, at the behest of Jarl. “It’s in your blood man, look at at yer pops!”, Jarl yelled as he pointed to a drop of Vito’s blood that resembled his father, so they formed a band called the Rubuts. Besides his superb drumming talents, his childhood piano lessons allow him to play any Sonic the Hedgehog or other classic video game tune, and by moonlight he is DJICEMICE. Feeling good feeling great, feeling great DJICEMICE reps for you, you, you....
Discography
Singles:
Opposite Milk Day
(July 7, 2006)
If You’re Happy!!!
(November 25, 2006)
EPs:
LIVE!@nineteyonefive
(January 10, 2007)
The Free One
(May 18, 2007)
Albums:
Noisemaker
(July 19, 2008)
AIRPLAY:
WPRK 91.5 FM - Rollins College Radio (Orlando, FL)
WPVM 103.5 FM - Progressive Voice of the Mountains (Asheville, NC)
CKLM 106.1 FM - The Goat (Alberta, Canada)
Orlando Insomnia Radio - insomniaradio.com
The TLP Show - tlpshow.com
UCF Knightcast - Atomic Lunch- knightcast.org
A/B Lo-Fi - myspace.com/ablofi
INDIE104~iRADIO LA - iradiola.com
VENUES PLAYED:
Orlando, FL:
The Plaza Theatre
Back Booth
Denny's: (Album Release Party/1st Denny's Rock Concert)
AKA Lounge
Tanqueray's Bar and Grille
The Liquid Cellar
Central Station Bar
Natura Coffee and Tea
Cafe Annie: (Florida Music Festival 2007)
Pine Street Bar and Grill
Wackadoo’s @ UCF
Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall
Underground Bluz
Voyage Lounge: (Florida Music Festival 2008)
Winter Park, FL:
Taste Restaurant The Haven Lounge
Austin’s Coffe and Film
Holly and Dolly’s
The Copper Rocket
Stardust Coffee and Video
Deb’s Bar
Tatáme Saké Bar and Lounge
Lakeland, FL:
Christina Park
Campfire USA
Florida Southern College: (Angel Meroni Benefit Concert)
Jacksonville, FL:
The French Quarter
Ybor City, FL:
The Crowbar
Tarpon Springs, FL:
Neptune Lounge
Tampa, FL:
Sacred Grounds
Atlanta, GA:
Club 29
Asheville, NC:
The Town Pump
Asheville Brewing Company
Battery Park: (Pro-Peace Rally)
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/thequeues |
| The TLP Show Interview w/THEqueues |