"Imagine if Prince and Led Zeppelin had a baby and it was raised by Outkast," says Hollywood, the guitar player, when asked what NewMerika is all about.
"Bright, big, passionate, open," is how Phonz (lead vox) describes the band's essence, capturing both the mix of personalities and the beat-driven alt/pop melodies, smart hip-hop inflections, and driven guitar lines that lend power to NewMerika's brash yet introspective lyrics.
Going back to early collaborations in 2001, NewMerika the band was formed in 2005 when founders Phonz and Hollywood moved to New York City from a small town in Western Massachusetts. The lineup quickly grew to include members Chubby Billions (dj), Joey Freshwater (bass), and Funknasty (drums).
"Our music is life changing, feel good, neck-nodding, jump-in-the-air music," says Funknasty.
Performing together widely for club crowds in the Northeast, the band produced the EP She's on Fire in 2007 and earned a Los Angeles Music Award nomination that same year for the song "Doo Dat" in the Best Rap Song category.
"Be yourself," says Chubby Billions. "There's a place for everyone in NewMerika. Life is a story and if you want to know what it's all about, you have to be willing to turn the page and keep going."
In 2008, the band began working with producer Rich Keller (Lyfe Jennings, Island Def Jam's Laura Warshauer) which took the sound in a new direction and gave birth to songs "It's You," "Dreamin," and "Wouldn't Call It Love." Along with the band, Keller also directed music videos for both "Dreamin" and "Wouldn't Call It Love" as well.
"In our case we are musicians, but NewMerika is much more than a band. We are the face of something that is inside everyone," says Joey Freshwater.
Performing electric concerts that attract fans from across the spectrum, NewMerika is the band with a new sound for a fresh America."
