The Stone Electric

By The Atomic Chaser & The Rocker

The Stone ElectricSo, who are The Stone Electric? The Stone Electric is made up of two gifted and very talented siblings who are truly rock and roll souls. Lead singer Melanie Crow and lead guitarist, Austin Crow. They founded their band in Memphis, Tennessee in the summer of 2003. Then relocated to the Los Angeles in early 2005 when composer/producer, Barry Goldberg whose has worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, asked the two come to L.A. to record tracks for a debut albums. Melanie and Austin are deeply influenced by such late 60's and early 70's rock and roll movement including such bands as the Faces, Humble Pie, Led Zeppelin, plus contemporary artists like the Black Crowes and Stereophonics. Melanie and Austin have managed to take their influences and create a sound that will touch your soul and make the hair on the back of your neck stand up! A sound that has that powerful raw live vibe, and groove that is captured in their music. The Stone Electric is the type of rock and roll band that will stop people dead in their tracks once they hear them. The Rocker and I were able to ask Melanie and Austin a few questions about their band THE STONE ELECTRIC and what we can expect from them in in 2006. Here is what they graciously shared with us...

AAM: How long has THE STONE ELECTRIC been together as a band?

Austin: Oh, it was sometime around late of 2004.

AAM: How has the response been so far with your EP, 'SEXADELIC SHAKEDOWN'? When can we expect a full length release?

A: We find it’s been pretty overwhelming actually. We are constantly surprised at the amount of loyalty we have received so far. No actual release date has been set as of yet. I think when all the sessions are done and mixed we will probably be looking at sometime around the spring of this year.

AAM: How did you come up with the title, 'SEXADELIC SHAKEDOWN'?

Melanie: It was trial and error really. We tried to pinpoint how we werefeeling at that moment, and that particular (or peculiar) name just seemed fitting.

AAM: Have you played any gigs here in L.A. since relocating from Memphis? Are the both of you originally from Memphis?

A: Actually, we’ve been too busy plotting, scheming, recording and touring, but we are really looking forward to playing locally as soon as possible. As it turns out we are not originally from Memphis that just happened to be where our feet landed last.

AAM: What prompted you to relocate to L.A.?

A: Ah yes, it was the clean air, low rent, no traffic, tons of parking, and an overall lower cost of living. Sarcasm aside, it’s a pretty cool and freethinking place to live compared to the rest of the country.

AAM: What is the writing process like for you guys?

M: Well I will say this… It’s never forced. I think we both subscribe to the theory of waiting for the butterfly to land rather than chasing it.

AAM: What separates THE STONE ELECTRIC from the other rock bands that are out right now? How would you describe THE STONEELECTRIC sound?

M: Besides having a dirty edged rock blues style, we believe what really sets us apart is that we try to approach our music in a very vintage and organic way.

A: I guess I would describe our sound as audibly pleasing to a very select demographic. I prefer to call it “Rock and Roll Soul Power”.

M: We jokingly compare our sound to a dirty, dimly lit, smoke-filled bar(unless it’s in LA) with the sweet smell of whiskey and sweat in the air.

AAM: How do you guys deal with the pressure of the music industry?

A: Well, that is very difficult because as much as you don’t want to deal with it at all, a certain percentage of it is inevitable. We take it in stride and distance ourselves from it as much as possible. Besides music is for the people anyway.

AAM: Who are you are your musical influences?

M: Wow, there are so many for us, but if we had to narrow it down a bit it would have to be Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Hendrix, Cream, Humble Pie, Faces, Black Crowes and older soul, blues and roots music.

AAM: Did you guys pick music or did music pick you?

A: Neither one of us had much choice in the matter really. I started playing guitar at age 5 and in clubs by age 13. Melanie started singing as early as age 4 and also in clubs by age 13. So it seems that both of us were bitten with the primal urge, so to speak.

AAM: What is on tap for THE STONE ELECTRIC as far as upcoming shows?

M: As soon as we get finished throwing tape around a room we’re planning for a full-scale tour.

AAM: Is there anything else you would like to add?

M: Overall musicians and everyone in fact need to start a new revolution and take a stand for what is real, true and honest.

Cheers, Melanie and Austin, The Stone Electric.

The Rocker and I would like to thank Melanie and Austin for sharing their time with us. Also for allowing us to experience their music which is one hellava SEXADELIC SHAKEDOWN! Check out The Stone Electric and GET YER YA YA'S OFF! - For more information on The Stone Electric: - All Access Magazine

By The Atomic Chaser and The Rocker

The Stone ElectricAre you ready for a sexadelic shakedown? If you are, read on and take note. Finally there is a band that will prove that rock n roll lives on. The band is called THE STONE ELECTRIC. It's increasingly rare to hear a new band that I actually get excited about. But The Stone Electric's 3-song EP, 'Sexadelic Shakedown' hit me like a bolt of lighting and sent shivers up and down my spine! A perfect fusion of rock and the blues that reaches down inside your soul and will shake your foundation. The two rock and roll souls that make up The Stone Electric are, Melanie Crow on lead vocals and bass and guitarist, Austin Crow. The chemistry and energy that these two gifted musician share jump right out at you once you hit play. The guitar driven rocker, "Tequila Mockingbird" kicks off your sexadelic shakedown experience in rocking fashion with Austin Crow's dynamic and energetic guitar work combined with the fiery passionate and soulful vocal delivery of Melanie Crow. Hands down, one of the best female singers I've heard this year. Her vocals reminded me of a cross between Beth Hart meets a female version of the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson (yeah, she's that good). As is evident on her vocals on the bluesy "Mercy Me", that are simply mesmerizing. The closing track, "Black Sunshine" will give your goose bumps and is a great example of how good this band really is. Austin Crow's guitar work on the track reminded me of one of my favorite guitar players, Steve Marriott. The Stone Electric is truly a back to basic's rock band and deserves the right to educate this generation of what a good rock and roll band is suppose to sound like. I for one, can't wait until The Stone Electric release their full length CD. But until then 'Sexadelic Shakedown' should suffice my cravings. If you like getting your rocks off to bands like The Beatles, Humble Pie, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin with a dose of Lenny Kravitz and The Black Crowes thrown in to spice things up, I guarantee you that The Stone Electric will get your rock off ten fold! If there is any musical taste left in America, Stone Electric is going to be HUGE! Trust me, if you are a rocker, you owe it to yourself to experience The Stone Electric's 'Sexadelic Shakedown'.
- All Access