The House Levelers were formed in New Orleans, in 1998 by two Tulane University theatre students, Grayson Capps (acoustic guitar) and Pete Ficht (bass). Originally called Cliff Fauver House Levelers (named after a randomly found hat), their early shows were a big success due to their unconventional songwriting and enthusiastic performances. Capps and Ficht had wildly different songwriting and singing styles, but they meshed together to create a unique sound.
Original drummer Jay Scully played drums of a sort: he beat on the side of heavy cardboard beer crate with a pink flamingo garden ornament. He tied to a tambourine to the top of the box with some old guitar strings and hit that with a drumstick. After Jay left, Sterling Roig joined the group, playing real drums and singing strong harmony vocals.
The band quickly made a name for themselves in New Orleans and the surrounding South. After garnering management, they signed a record deal with local label Tipitina's Records. They released No Definitions in 1991, which was produced by legendary Memphis producer Jim Dickinson (Replacements, Big Star). The album was met with confusion by many who heard it, including their record label.
The Levelers toured constantly, spreading their gospel throughout the South and Midwest (fans were known as Levelheads). They opened for such diverse bands as Uncle Tupelo, Squeeze (not Crowded House), the Dead Milkmen, Rev. Horton Heat and Urban Dance Squad. They were featured in several national publications, including USAToday for their 1991 Jazz Fest appearance; an appearance on MTV News for their anti-racism single "David Duke, and in the pages of Sassy magazine in 1990.
Sterling left the band in 1991, briefly replaced by Justin Martzel and then permanently by Mike Barras. The band continued to tour, but pressures eventually broke the band apart in 1992.
Sterling went on to play with Geffen recording artist James Hall and now lives in New York City. Grayson formed the band Stavin' Chain and currently has a thriving solo career, based out of Tennessee. Pete recorded an album with Sterling as Noisecandy, but then moved to Portland in '95, where he played in several bands including King Black Acid and the State Flowers.
Thanks for the add, no get your butt over to www. HollywoodMusicOnline. com and sign up for our FREE Social Network and our FREE Radio On Demand feature. While you’re there, see how you can win an all expense paid trip to Hollywood, CA to play the 2008 HOLLYWOOD ROCK CONVENTION!!!
