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By: Waleed Rashidi
CITIES OF ORIGIN: Upland, Chino, Covina, Ontario
MEMBERS AND INSTRUMENTS: Devon “Redhead” Reeves (vocals); Javier Zesati (guitar); Steve G (drums); Derick Romero (bass).
RECENT RELEASE: Big Black Novel (coming March 2009)
KINDRED SPIRITS: Janis Joplin, Godsmack, Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Soundgarden
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/bigblacknovel
It was Valentines Day 2008 and Devon Reeves was a total wreck. An experienced vocalist, Reeves sought to drown her sorrows in a local dive bar, due to a recent break-up. Feeling anti-romantic and nixing propositions of a fast flirt, all she wanted to do was talk about her true, infallible love: her passion for music and singing. Fortunately, she connected with guitarist Javier Zesati, who was willing to discuss lyrics and licks, not gooey pick-up lines. And after a little chatter and some jamming, the hard rockin’ act now known as the Big Black Novel was born.
Spinning a BBN track, one’s ears are instantly drawn to Reeves’ vocals, which are anything but the dainty, twee female-fronted pop-rock bands that are rather prevalent in current independent music circles. That’s ‘cause Reeves paints from an inspirational palette that’s decidedly different than most other misses.
“As a female singer, I mostly idolize male-fronted bands,” Reeves says. “Soundgarden, Pantera, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Journey, just to name a few.”
Still, Reeves’ vocal repertoire isn’t manly. It’s bold, imposing and honest in a no-bullshit Janis Joplin kind of way. In fact, Reeves—who grew up singing musical theater—name checks some of the finest women in rock history as her influences.
“The women that I admire most are Aretha Franklin, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Mariah Carey and Lita Ford,” she says. “It seems like the folk guitar, soft-spoken girl or the pop scene girl has been invading the radio waves over the last decade. Luckily, there seems to be a slow steady emergence of women that are willing and able to rock.”
Able to rock, she is, as there’s a mighty voice within that petite exterior fronting the stage, flanked by Zesati’s axe-wielding showmanship. “Expect to walk away with a song or ten stuck in your head,” she promises. After all, this is one Big Black Novel that won’t be collecting dust on the library shelf.
Big Black Novel with Miracle Dolls, Demona and Empty Seat at Friar Tucks, 540 E. Foothill Blvd., Pomona, (909) 625-7265, Fri., 8:30PM
- IE Weekly
Discography
Big Black Novel, Dead Inside
Photos
Bio
"It was Valentines Day 2008 and Devon Reeves was a total wreck. An experienced vocalist, Reeves sought to drown her sorrows in a local dive bar, due to a recent break-up. Feeling anti-romantic and nixing propositions of a fast flirt, all she wanted to do was talk about her true, infallible love: her passion for music and singing. Fortunately, she connected with guitarist Javier Zesati, who was willing to discuss lyrics and licks, not gooey pick-up lines. And after a little chatter and some jamming, the hard rockin’ act now known as the Big Black Novel was born.
Spinning a BBN track, one’s ears are instantly drawn to Reeves’ vocals, which are anything but the dainty, twee female-fronted pop-rock bands that are rather prevalent in current independent music circles. That’s ‘cause Reeves paints from an inspirational palette that’s decidedly different than most other misses.
“As a female singer, I mostly idolize male-fronted bands,” Reeves says. “Soundgarden, Pantera, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Journey, just to name a few.”
Still, Reeves’ vocal repertoire isn’t manly. It’s bold, imposing and honest in a no-bullshit Janis Joplin kind of way. In fact, Reeves—who grew up singing musical theater—name checks some of the finest women in rock history as her influences.
“The women that I admire most are Aretha Franklin, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Mariah Carey and Lita Ford,” she says. “It seems like the folk guitar, soft-spoken girl or the pop scene girl has been invading the radio waves over the last decade. Luckily, there seems to be a slow steady emergence of women that are willing and able to rock.”
Able to rock, she is, as there’s a mighty voice within that petite exterior fronting the stage, flanked by Zesati’s axe-wielding showmanship. “Expect to walk away with a song or ten stuck in your head,” she promises. After all, this is one Big Black Novel that won’t be collecting dust on the library shelf." - Waleed Rashidi
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