Red Dahlia

"Red Dahlia's EP is one of the best to come out of Athens since Southeast Engine. If they are not signed to a major label yet they soon will be..." - Athens Messanger

"As heard on their EP, they create a charged din that's as moody as it is invigorated, as bleak as it is bright, and as tempestuous as it is tempered."
- Stephen Slaybaugh, Alive 2005 - Stephen Slaybaugh- Alive

"Dark, seething, angry and aggressive are word that come to mind while watching Red Dahlia perform. During points in the show the band seem to be in the mist of a therapeutic session rather than a musical performance. On the turn of a dime, the band pulls it back a dozen notches and you are blessed with the sheer loveliness of Toledo's tender vocals and heart-felt lyrics. It's an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Bring your tissues and anti-depression medication." - Steven Ward, Underground Press - Underground Press- Steven Ward

"Red Dahlia's mini-epics, while Toledo's sultry vocals create a thick electric undercurrent, one with a bigger charge than mere local bar bands." - Brooke Williams

"Jodi Toledo and her band have the extra measure of tanlet and appeal that keeps the fan base traipsing alongside them, and a growing catalouge of rock and blues-ish sngs that can hush a room or shake the foundation. Toledo's voice aches with the passionate grit of early Melissa Etheridge and their live show is simply not to be missed. Catch them before they're the next big thing." - Alive News Staff, 2006

For their first self- titled release, Red Dahlia plunged in head-first with music that was sexually charged, slightly apologetic and yet bitter like a scorned lover. The music is steeped in the spirit of the Liz Phar, Foo Fighters and Concrete Blond. On "Red Dahlia", the group has pulled back, only letting guitarist Matt Toledo loose with slaying guitar runs for brief periods to great effect. In un-Indy Rock fashion, they even call up a keyboard ballad to fill out and expand their sound.



A consistent feature is singer Jodi Toledo, whose delivery sizzles with sexual energy -- sometimes flirty – and always coy. Putting her lyrics aside, her singing takes on two personas. First, she's the angry, done wrong Indy Rock darling who is feed up with life and what it has handed her (or at least sounding as such). Other times, she sounds elusive and cutesy, like the bad girl acting like the nubile innocent. It's a combination that is designed to titillate and intrigue her listeners. Such an approach might distract from whatever she's trying to convey through the lyrics, but it unquestionably helps sell the songs and the band.
It would be tempting to credit Jodi Toledo as the band's trump card, but this really is a perfect union of singer and band. Both seem ideally suited to each other and adaptable enough to go in whatever musical direction they desire. Felixx Alvis’ drumming alternately answers, prods and overruns Matt’s guitar phrases with smart and interesting drum patterns. It is safe to say Alvis’ drumming is a major influence on the bands sound.
Alvis gets the album opener, "Twenty-Four Hours Too Long," started with a hammering drum pattern. Based around alternating guitar hooks, Toledo's singing channels alt-folkies Tegan and Sara. Eventually, her own personality comes out when she starts belting out the repeating chorus chant, “Can’t Get Out- You won’t get out”.
Quite the opposite is "Coward," which is a slow, bruising, almost Foo Fighter-ish listen. This is still garage rock but more studied and focused. Matt Toledo anchors the songs with heavy riffs that mow down all in their path, interrupted only by some echo-y keyboard breaks. The band lifts the closing bridge right from the pages of 70’s guitar rock and let Alvis drive home the song with some heavy drumming that would make the late Led Zepplin drummer John Bonham proud.
On "Kill Joy", the trio is playing dress-up again, this time as a quazy- metal band. To a boom-snap drum rhythm, Jodi Toledo perfectly adds off-kilter key board rhythms. Matt has no other guitarist or bassist to play off of – but you can’t tell with such a thick low end -- but his playing is aggressive and creative enough to entertain.

Keyboard-based songs like "Cold Blue" and "High School" have an obvious '80s influence. The music is more processed and concise. Jodi's plays ringing, but clipped melodies. She is the picture of front woman skill. She's restrained, singing coolly and calmly and keeps her heels firmly planted to the ground.
Only after each chorus of "High School" does the band lapse into old habits and fall back on flailing guitar licks and high energy to put a song across.

Three of the album's most interesting departures come near the record's closing. "Forget I Said That" is a mostly gritty guitar and drum stomp with swinging key boards. The band shows some musical prowess with the intricate chorus break-downs. Toledo sings sweetly and then jumps to caterwauling; her voice can carry some sensual emotional weight. A sense of seriousness prevails over the following two cut, "Needs Not Wants" and “Masquerade”. Again based on guitar riffs, Jodi sings like she's singing around a campfire and confessing her sins. This illusion is dispelled, however, when both songs conclude with defiant and familiar electric guitar chords.
The band might give in to its base musical instincts, but they know they have to change up the equation to keep their music interesting.
Red Dahlia's self-titled album gave critics a reason to love the band and look forward to their sophomore offering which is being recorded with Jeff Kiampa. The album will be distributed by Universal- Fontana and is slated for release spring 2007. - Alt Press

Red Dahlia S/T
(Self Released, 2005)

Sometimes rock doesn’t get any better than when it's in its bare, stripped-down form. Athens, Ohio natives Red Dahlia capitalize on this theory. Their self-titled debut album also holds an impressive amount of realism in their artistry. With a heavy guitar driven sound, the band captures rock in its simplest elements and runs with it, something a lot of bands have a hard time pulling off without being completely superficial.

Lead singer Jodi Toledo has the perfect indie rock swoon, a seductive voice that every rock n’ roll girl dreams of having. Red Dahlia's record really takes the listener back to the days when everything wasn’t so pretentious in making music - everything was just real. Music was made for the sake of making music. At times, Toledo reminds me of a soft-hearted Corin Tucker, such as in the lead-off track “Coward.” The band's sound is reminiscent of those late 80’s – early 90’s indie bands that had huge cult followings and still do with 30-somethings today.


John Bohannon, www.Redisalltherage.com

- John Bohannon, www.Redisalltherage.com