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Article published Jan 4, 2008
ZONIXX the
Band
The band
ZONIXX typically books at least two performances a month at local
venues. Because band members are getting ready to record a CD, they
do not have any public performances scheduled for the next several
months. For information about the band and to check on its schedule
in the future, go online to www.zonixxtheband.com.
Experienced band mixes it up with
original music
CASSIE BELEK -
Tribune Staff Writer
Their name doesn't possess any real significance. They were simply
trying to find a memorable name not already in use.
It started with Sonic, evolved to Zonix, and then they added an
extra "x" just for fun.
But now the members of ZONIXX the Band are trying to make their name
mean something more and equate it with a good time.
The cover band has been together for only about 18 months, but its
group members, with ages ranging from the 40s to 50s, have decades
of musical experience among them.
Rebecca LeVeque sings lead vocals and plays rhythm guitar; Steven
Barr plays bass guitar and provides vocals; Bruce Langton plays
keyboard and guitar and sings; Jim Robinson plays lead guitar and
sings; and Frank Santilli plays drums and sings."We're trying to get
some gigs, but we're all professionals in other fields," Langton
says.
Typically, the band tries to book at least two performances a month.
However, because they are getting ready to record a CD, they have
not booked any gigs for the next several months, Langton says.
Langton says most of the band members met through Makielski Art
Shop, where lead guitarist Robinson worked; Langton is a
professional artist as well as a musician.
"Being an artist, I think if someone's a true lover of art, they
should love all kinds of art," Langton says about his love for
music.
After high school, Langton chose to pursue a professional career in
art. He kept music as a hobby but did not seriously pursue it again
until about 10 years ago."I did fall off of it for a while, so it's
kind of fun to get back into it," he says.
Robinson has been playing in bands since high school, including Mack
Pherson and the Struts when Jackie Pittman was still alive.
Both Langton and Robinson credit The Beatles and The Rolling Stones
as musical influences. Although they both love the blues, they
really appreciate all kinds of music.
ZONIXX mostly plays cover tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s,
including "Back in the U.S.S.R." by The Beatles, "1999" by Prince
and "Venus" by Shocking Blue. However, they also play recent popular
hits, such as Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape" and KT Tunstall's
"Suddenly I See."
The band even plays some original music, mostly written by lead
vocalist LeVeque. Song titles include "Crash Landing," "Get Caught
Up" and "Lipstick."Robinson says that ZONIXX intersperses its
original tunes with its cover songs during a set and the band is
even going to record an album with its original music this year.
"I think the area, really, it mostly likes cover tunes, and we're
trying to do some more originals," he says.
Even though Robinson thinks that other areas of the country are more
responsive to original music than the South Bend area, he says
audiences have been responding well to the band's original songs.
Langton says the band enjoys playing at venues such as the Midway
Tavern because of the history and acoustics and Hacienda because of
the fun environment, but he really just loves performing live in
general.
"For some people it's scary, but for me it's a thrill to get up
there and entertain people," Langton says. "I've been in front of
audiences for years. For me, it's the kick of seeing people up on
the dance floor and just having a good time. It's kind of a
rush."The keyboardist also is enthusiastic about the South Bend-area
music scene as a whole.
"We have some really good musicians in the area. Unbelievable. I
think there's great places to play," he says. "I think there's a
good crowd that follows the music in the area."
ZONIXX is hoping a good crowd keeps following them as the band gains
fans and popularity. |
