Coletta

Coletta - Biography

The core of Coletta came into being in late '99, when brothers Luke and Pete Greenwell were reunited after seven years of separation. Having found an unbreakable bond in music, they immediately began writing music and searching for others with the same vision.

After several frustrating dead-ends, Pete asked life-long friend Jef Brack (a talented guitarist in his own right) to put down the guitar and pick up a bass. Calling themselves "Poetic Rage," they began playing acoustic shows around central Florida, with all three members sharing guitar and vocal duties.

One night in early 2000, they played an acoustic set at a local sports bar which they closed with a short but powerful premier of their electric sound to the delight of their friends and fans.

In attendance that night was Shawn Marasco, a good friend from another local band. Shawn's band fell apart soon after that show. Pete phoned Shawn a couple weeks later and asked him to come to a practice. Shawn did, and he was immediately a perfect fit, and the band was now complete. The band took on the moniker "Coletta.”

Shawn's addition brought the band a spot in a "Battle of the Bands" competition at the now-defunct Legendary Station in Fern Park, a spot his previous band had secured. Coletta performed an energetic set, won the crowd, and lost the contest.

Coletta headed into the studio in early 2001 to record their first CD, which was met with rave reviews from local press, namely, Connections Magazine. In the spring, Coletta went back to the studio to record a song for Real Radio 104.1 FM's "Monsters of the Midday" show. Out of forty bands that submitted songs, Coletta's song "Monster Mosh" received more votes than any other band, due largely to the band's relentless promoting and gigging. At Miss Monster 2001, they performed in the headlining slot of the "Monster Battle of the Bands" competition and took home third place.

In the spring of 2002, Coletta recorded a new song for Real Radio’s “Monsters,” but it was not received as warmly as expected. Determined to come out on top, Coletta headed right back to the studio to re-write and re-record their second entry for the "Monsters." Entitled "The Midday Show,", the song landed them 4th place in votes and a spot at the "Monster Battle of the Bands" competition for the second year in a row. They won the battle by a "landslide" as announced by Real Radio's "Melissa Foxx." The following night, Coletta was crowned "Monster Band of the Year 2002" at Miss Monster, where they performed for the crowd of thousands.

Coletta has headlined several shows at Hard Rock Live and the House of Blues, and they were also a part of Axis magazine's "Florida Music Festival." They were nominated for a "People's Music Award" in late 2001, and their "Drive" CD was re-mastered, re-packaged, and mass produced, for which a CD release party was held in early 2002. In late 2002, Coletta won first runner-up in Sobe's Battle of the Bands at Hard Rock Live, winning a customized Sobe guitar.

In early 2003, Jef Brack quit the band for personal reasons, but there was never any question whether or not the guys would continue on. In a matter of days, Shawn had convinced his long-time friend Tim Simmons (aka Zip) to come aboard. His energy and enthusiasm suddenly breathed new life into the band.

A rejuvenated Coletta headed back to the studio for the third straight year to record an entry for Real Radio’s “Monsters.” The new song was named “Round 3,” and it landed the band second place in the voting. At the Band Battle, the voting was decided by the crowd, which was different than in years past. Coletta once again won by a landslide, becoming the only band to ever win “Monster Band of the Year” two years in a row.

In early 2004, the band was involved in the Budweiser/Real Rock 101.1 FM first annual band battle. Out of seven bands, Coletta was voted #1 by the fans in attendance. The grand prize included a $1000 check and a one-year sponsorship from Budweiser.

In addition to the daily radio play on Real Radio, Coletta songs have been a mainstay on WJRR 101.1 FM's "Native Noise" and WPRK 91.5 FM's "Zombierage" shows. The band also appeared on Melissa Foxx's "The News Thang" show on Real Radio, and "The New Poo Revue," an internet radio show. They have opened for Vince Neil, and Kevin Martin & The Hiwatts (formerly Candlebox).

The story continues...