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New York Metal band ONE STEP BEYOND was one of the more distinctive and accomplished local/regional Metal bands of the 90's. Formed in 1990, OSB featured vocalist Susan Wendelken, guitarist Bob Valderrama, bassist Urith Myree and drummer Tom McAllister. OSB paid their dues during a time when Metal was not mainstream and female Metal vocalists were even rarer - and held in even less regard - than today.
The hard-working band charted their own course, writing the "how-to" playbook that other area bands would follow. Winning over critics and fans alike with brutal live performances in various New York clubs from CBGB's, to the China Club to The Ritz (now Webster Hall) the band were eventually granted coveted slots opening for various regional and national acts such as Paul Di'Anno (ex-Maiden), Greg Howe, Derek Shirinian (Dream Theater) and others. Their well-produced demos regularly garnered stellar reviews and sold out of every pressing. They then began to receive medium to heavy rotation on independent and college radio stations (100 in all) across the globe.
In 1994, Green Brothers Management, whose stable of acts included New York legends 24-7 Spyz, were impressed with OSB and agreed to manage them. For the next few years OSB and became a true regional act, playing several venues in upstate New York, their surrounding states and Virginia. They applied for and were accepted to play the ultra-prestigious SXSW (South By Southwest) festival/conference in Austin, Texas two years straight - 1997 and 1998. During this time, OSB songs were tapped for two independent films and picked to support MOTÖRHEAD for a one-off New York City gig (and winning kudos from Lemmy himself). In 1999, the "X-Games" used an OSB track much to the band's delight, and were requested to perform and/or record with artists such as White Trash, Temptress, The Conlon Brothers and members of King Missile. Now featuring powerhouse drummer Charlie Galasso, OSB was then hand-picked to open for BLACK SABBATH at Jones Beach on Levi's Second Stage.
Still unsigned, the band finally decided to self-finance a full-length CD. OSB's 2000 self titled album was produced by the Grammy nominated guitarist Joaquin Lievano and engineered by Joe Higgins who had worked with such artists as Nine Inch Nails. After the recording, they invited long time friend and roadie Steve Larice to play with the band. Later that year they were requested to open for BLUE OYSTER CULT in Pennsylvania. OSB closed out the year playing Rockrgrl's inaugural conference in Seattle, capturing the attention of none other than Courtney Love who called Susan "charismatic". A testament to Susan's vibrant personality is the fact that her call to Howard Stern about the band lasted 20 minutes while the band's music played in the background - and the clip is still played today on "Best of Stern".
One Step Beyond decided to call it a day in 2001, feeling it had accomplished all it could without the support and push of a label. The New York Metal scene lost an institution, but were left with an collection of great songs, an impressive resume as well as respect from fans and fellow musicians.
The band members are all still active musically. In 2002, Valderrama, Myree and Galasso played with Still Your Enemy with ex-Perserverence guitarist Meredith Herrmann and continued to work with other artists. Wendelken did studio work and gained acclaim in the Irish music scene. In 2003, Valderrama formed Lewd Buddha with ex-Piranha Brother Frank Malabe and are becoming very popular in the jam-band scene. In 2004, Myree and Wendelken formed the all-female Metal band Dormitory Effect with Herrmann and drummer G, formerly of Sympathetic Magic/Neutron Cafe. This year, Myree accepted double-duty, starting Hatewell with Galasso and Larry Forman formerly of Big Baby Satan and Psycho.
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