Big Lovin Panda

Written By: Natalie Hamingson
Photos By: Karen Curley


After funk pop-rock band Big Lovin’ Panda’s November 23rd show at Culver City’s Club Good Hurt, front man Alex Schneiderman remarked that it wasn’t one of their best performances, but I never would have guessed that the band’s impressive set was actually an off night for them.

So far this year, the Los Angeles band has enjoyed residencies at the Good Hurt for “Medicinal Mondays,” featuring Emilee Wilson’s Vertigirls, a non-stripping pole dancer troupe, and at the Unknown Theater in Hollywood, which will host the band’s release show on December 12th for their upcoming seven song EP, “Trinkets.”

The group started between guitarist Tony Ferrara and bassist Tal Weinman. Their name is the result of a misheard “otherwise unpronounceable intimate gesture” described by Tal to Tony over loud speakers at a concert. (When Tal clarified that “Big Lovin Panda” was not what he had said, Tony responded, "Either way, I want you to go home and do the big lovin panda, and report back to me tomorrow. ") Alex, who pays the bills by working as an audio engineer at The Roxy Theatre, was added to the mix in 2008. In 2009, Tony’s college buddy from USC, Sean Whalen was recruited on drums.

Big Lovin Panda is completely self-promoted and distributed, and Alex, says they want to keep it that way. On the band’s reverbnation.com page, they describe their sound as “Disco blasting out of the rolled down windows of a hearse raised on monster truck wheels, with just married cans clanging melodically behind.”

While songs on the band’s MySpace playlist, such as “Change of Pace” don’t especially standout over computer speakers, their live songs sound like what radio should be playing. Tal’s funky bass lines make for groove-tastic music, accompanied by Alex’s vocals, which are sort of Brandon Boyd-esque when he’s not occasionally screaming.

Thus far, all of their material has been dispensed online. As I alluded to before, the songs available now do not do justice to Big Lovin Panda’s talent. Luckily, the sound on recent mixes of “Trinkets” pops much more than the compressed MySpace tracks.

Aside from being musically in tune with each other, the sharply dressed band was also stylistically in synch. Later that night, drummer Sean Whalen joked that the band’s two month business plan was to buy boots with funds earned from the EP, when photographer Karen Curley noted how well coordinated the band was.

Between songs, Alex held pole dancer roll call, as he announced each dancer’s arrival to the stage (“It’s Tiffany Time!”). Though Big Lovin’ Panda are fun to watch onstage, I have to admit it was sometimes difficult to keep my eyes on the band, with lingerie clad women performing incredible gymnastic feats in three-to-six inch platform heels off to the side.

The band will hit the road next spring, starting on the West Coast, and hopefully ending in Austin, Texas, where the band wish to play South by Southwest. Though the band is still waiting to hear if they are accepted, Texas native Sean says they may show up for the festivities, even if they aren’t formally invited.



article link: http://cwgliveanddirect.blogspot.com/2009/11/big-lovin-panda-club-good-hurt.html - Chicks with Guns: Live and Direct

The Rock N Roll Super Show - Episode 35: Infected Mushroom feat. Paul Oakenfold and Big Lovin Panda from The Rock n Roll Super Show on Vimeo. In episode 35 Danny goes inside the shoot for Infected Mushroom's new single "Smashing the Opponent" and talks with both Infected Mushroom and Paul Oakenfold. Also, Big Lovin Panda is at the Unknown theatre talking about their unusual residency and how they like to combine multiple different aspects of art with their performance.

See PermaLink for video interview:
http://revver.com/video/1739803/episode-35-infected-mushroom-feat-paul-oakenfold-and-big-lovin-panda/ - Rock N Roll Supershow

I had the pleasure of meeting Anthony Ferrara of Big Lovin' Panda last summer at an event at Mr. T's Bowl in Highland Park (One of my favorite dive bars in Los Angeles, complete with defunct bowling alley). Our friendship was sealed when Tony offered me a bottle of my booze of choice in exchange for photos for his upcoming show. I asked for Drambuie and saw my first Big Lovin' Panda show at the Unknown Theater.

Since our first creative transaction, I've seen several Panda shows at the Unknown and drank through two bottles of Drambuie. Comprised of Tony on lead guitar, Tal Weinman on bass and vocals, Alex Schneiderman on lead vocals and guitar, and new member Sean Whalen on drums, Big Lovin' Panda describes itself as a "collective weave of funk-rock-prog-disco-pop" made up of threads of individual taste and touch. The result is a funky pop jam that soars on the back of Schneiderman's full vocals.

After dedicating their time, energy, and music to the "experimental multi-media performance format" Insemillation, Big Lovin' Panda is redirecting its attention toward an autonomously procued eight track EP which will strive to capture the two main sounds that have emerged from the evolution of their work. One half will deliver a set of dynamic prog-alt-funk tunes and the other a roller coaster of shorter power tracks. The band aims to complete production by the end of September, setting their sights on a packaged submission to SXSW.

With Tony's former freshman rooomate, Whalen, set firmly in the drummer's seat after a round of musical chairs, Big Lovin' Panda is ready to pursue the next step on its musical journey, but not without forgetting its roots.

"It's actually a really funny story," Tony tells me when I ask him how the band came together, which may or may not include a rivalry with another group they almost ended up on the same bill with at the Roxy this weekend. Instead the boys are playing an after hours show the following night with a secret password entry, a far more textured cry from the slick facade of Hollywood that speaks to Panda's commitment to authenticity and heart.



It all started in 2006 when Tony and Tal were indepedently recruited into a band fronted by "an Anthony Kiedis impersonator" who fired Tal upon Tal's request that "Anthony Kiedes" remain clothed during sets. Tony and the band's drummer jumped ship as well and the new trio began writing progressive jams, added a funky horn section, and began auditioning singers. The band was christened when Tony misheard Tal's plans for a date. With a name like Big Lovin' Panda, I just hope Tal remembered to use protection. Consequently two full panda suits were purchased on markdown at a store in Downey with "no questions asked."

Ferrara, who has a self-professed "reckless love of tube breakup, and dirty, oscillating leads," along with self-taught bassist Weinman then embarked on a rather colorful audition process to find their singer, which included more than one visit from homeless men looking for free beer. When boyishly charming Alex Schneiderman showed up with a resume boasting "an arts school upbringing specializing in world music, opera, musical theater, and jazz, as well as music instruction and theory," the rest of the band was more than relieved.

Tony writes that "the music is finally achieving the sophistication we set out for," referring to the "weave" that, as it strengthens and grows, "can hold more lyrics, guitar lines, bass fills, snare rolls" - in a word, more "personality," more of each member's point of view.

So maybe this "weave" is part of the Panda mating ritual, which is beginning to sound like an orgy of pleasure as Tony writes, "the shape of that weave is crucial. It's got to fit in your earhole just so to make it an orgasmic listening experience. And I do mean yours specifically, you, reading this right now. This is all we think about. Your earholes. Fitting in them."

Watching the tall, lanky Ferrara launch into an energetic solo after Schneiderman unleashes a voice that is just as emotional as it is controlled, the music does indeed slide right into your "earholes," and whatever Weinman may have been talking about on that fateful night, it sure is Big and it's definitely got some Lovin', and yes, there are Pandas.

Still not convinced? Here's a sneak peek track off of Big Lovin's yet untitled upcoming EP called "Change of Pace" that is sure to be a perfect fit.

Change of Pace - Big Lovin' PandaI had the pleasure of meeting Anthony Ferrara of Big Lovin' Panda last summer at an event at Mr. T's Bowl in Highland Park (One of my favorite dive bars in Los Angeles, complete with defunct bowling alley). Our friendship was sealed when Tony offered me a bottle of my booze of choice in exchange for photos for his upcoming show. I asked for Drambuie and saw my first Big Lovin' Panda show at the Unknown Theater.

Since our first creative transaction, I've seen several Panda shows at the Unknown and drank through two bottles of Drambuie. Comprised of Tony on lead guitar, Tal Weinman on bass and vocals, Alex Schneiderman on lead vocals and guitar, and new member Sean Whalen on drums, Big Lovin' Panda describes itself as a "collective weave of funk-rock-prog-disco-pop" made up of threads of individual taste and touch. The result is a funky pop jam that soars on the back of Schneiderman's full vocals.

After dedicating their time, energy, and music to the "experimental multi-media performance format" Insemillation, Big Lovin' Panda is redirecting its attention toward an autonomously procued eight track EP which will strive to capture the two main sounds that have emerged from the evolution of their work. One half will deliver a set of dynamic prog-alt-funk tunes and the other a roller coaster of shorter power tracks. The band aims to complete production by the end of September, setting their sights on a packaged submission to SXSW.

With Tony's former freshman rooomate, Whalen, set firmly in the drummer's seat after a round of musical chairs, Big Lovin' Panda is ready to pursue the next step on its musical journey, but not without forgetting its roots.

"It's actually a really funny story," Tony tells me when I ask him how the band came together, which may or may not include a rivalry with another group they almost ended up on the same bill with at the Roxy this weekend. Instead the boys are playing an after hours show the following night with a secret password entry, a far more textured cry from the slick facade of Hollywood that speaks to Panda's commitment to authenticity and heart.



It all started in 2006 when Tony and Tal were indepedently recruited into a band fronted by "an Anthony Kiedis impersonator" who fired Tal upon Tal's request that "Anthony Kiedes" remain clothed during sets. Tony and the band's drummer jumped ship as well and the new trio began writing progressive jams, added a funky horn section, and began auditioning singers. The band was christened when Tony misheard Tal's plans for a date. With a name like Big Lovin' Panda, I just hope Tal remembered to use protection. Consequently two full panda suits were purchased on markdown at a store in Downey with "no questions asked."

Ferrara, who has a self-professed "reckless love of tube breakup, and dirty, oscillating leads," along with self-taught bassist Weinman then embarked on a rather colorful audition process to find their singer, which included more than one visit from homeless men looking for free beer. When boyishly charming Alex Schneiderman showed up with a resume boasting "an arts school upbringing specializing in world music, opera, musical theater, and jazz, as well as music instruction and theory," the rest of the band was more than relieved.

Tony writes that "the music is finally achieving the sophistication we set out for," referring to the "weave" that, as it strengthens and grows, "can hold more lyrics, guitar lines, bass fills, snare rolls" - in a word, more "personality," more of each member's point of view.

So maybe this "weave" is part of the Panda mating ritual, which is beginning to sound like an orgy of pleasure as Tony writes, "the shape of that weave is crucial. It's got to fit in your earhole just so to make it an orgasmic listening experience. And I do mean yours specifically, you, reading this right now. This is all we think about. Your earholes. Fitting in them."

Watching the tall, lanky Ferrara launch into an energetic solo after Schneiderman unleashes a voice that is just as emotional as it is controlled, the music does indeed slide right into your "earholes," and whatever Weinman may have been talking about on that fateful night, it sure is Big and it's definitely got some Lovin', and yes, there are Pandas.

Still not convinced? Here's a sneak peek track off of Big Lovin's yet untitled upcoming EP called "Change of Pace" that is sure to be a perfect fit. - HappyLand

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Downtown is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for a new creative class of folks who aren't into the elitism that plagues much of the L.A. music scene.

One of those residents is Anthony Ferrara, who plays guitar in the funk rock group Big Lovin' Panda. He also organizes multimedia events with Insemillation that have included recreations of Where the Wild Things Are and most recently a rock opera based on Nintendo games.

I was pretty sure living in downtown played a big part in his creative process. After this interview, I knew I had indeed guessed right.

MONK TURNER: How long have you been in Downtown L.A.?

ANTHONY FERRARA: I moved to downtown a little under two years ago. I was working for the City of L.A. at the time and I really wanted to be closer to work. It worked out great. I ended up moving about five blocks away from work. Rode my bike to work every day. I would even ride home for lunch to cook myself a proper meal and take a little nap. It's great. You know, it's the whole idea of having a live/work/play space.

MT: What made you choose a loft?

AF: I already lived in a really nice open space in Hollywood. I really wanted to keep that up having a big communal space. You can meet other people that way, it is a more relaxed environment, things are more open. Our loft here has been great. We have about 2,000 square feet. We change the furniture and the layout of the place all the time. I couldn't imagine being in a place with fixed walls anymore.
MT: Does anyone ever give you a hard time about playing music here?

AF: Making music is not a problem. I have a small five-watt amp which is not bad for practice. But as far as playing live goes, we've successfully pulled of one or two shows here. Sometimes it does get too loud and we do get shut down. I pissed off my drummer once or twice when he had all his gear set up and we got shut down five minutes before we were supposed to play.
MT: Drummers are kind of a strange breed..

AF: They're hard to please. [laughter]

MT: Does Big Lovin' Panda play in downtown often?

AF: Whenever we can. Downtown is really different from the rest of LA. The venue owners here have a lot more freedom to book who they want. It's not like a pay for play or anywhere else where they are competing with other nightlife and they have huge rents to deal with. They book the bands they want. That gives great advantages to the music scene here. It is much more of a two way, symbiotic thing with the audience and with the venues.
MT: Do you find downtown to be a creative environment?

AF: Oh yeah. I can walk to about four or five music venues. A lot of them have no cover, especially on the week nights. You get a really great talent pool. I'm finding these pockets of music that have always been here. There is an older jazz scene and older musicians who will be the house band at 7 Grand. There is a funk collective in Little Tokyo. There is all sorts of electronic music and warehouse parties with their own circuit of music that is all within striking distance. Even in this building there are three recording studios. There are a wealth of musicians at your fingertips. It is just a matter of saying hello to the person at the next table in a cafe or talking to someone in an elevator and you are going to meet someone who is interesting and can give you a new perspective on what you're doing. It's great.
If you see Anthony in a cafe or elevator, do say hello. Or even better, get out and see Big Lovin' Panda perform sometime. Check their myspace page for shows and updates at http://www.myspace.com/biglovinpanda - BlogDowntown (article by Monk Turner)

It was one of those nights in LA where there are too many good shows to choose from. The Dead was playing the Forum, Iron and Wine at Troubadour, Shiny Toy Guns at Club Nokia, and Audiotistic festival in San Bernardino. I went to none of these shows, and I'm not even disappointed about it because the show I saw was far more rad than those. I saw Big Lovin' Panda play at the Unknown Theatre, but they didn't just play. The concert told the story of “Where The Wild Things Are” through the music and with the help of an acting troupe. - DannyKrug

I was going to finish that drawing today, but ended up working on photos instead. I think I am going to start aiming for working on some creative thing a day, no matter how small or how random.

Dammit, how did I end up leaving this beer out to get all warm and gross?

Anyway, over the weekend I did very little sleeping, and part of that I can attribute to Tony's birthday party with Big Lovin' Panda at Unknown Theater. I guess I've known those boys for about a year now - crazy! And jeezus, what a wild and weird year it's been.

For their final show in their current incarnation, Big Lovin' Panda really poured their hearts into it. It was the most raw, most stripped down, most genuine Panda show I've seen yet, and I am excited to see where they go from here.

Tony didn't ask me to take photos, but I brought my camera along anyway, and tried for something more intimate.


see links for photos:

There was also a panda-shaped piñata, which was raided of her alcoholic prizes even before the game could begin!




And, of course:

http://www.happyland2007.com/search/label/Big%20Lovin%27%20Panda - Liz Acosta of Happyland