Well let's see -- currently my band consists of Mike Conner on keyboards, Dan Lashkoff on drums and Evan Eustis on bass.
I have gone through count 'em 5 lead guitarists: Dan Vickrey (currently with the Counting Crows), Hans Raag (really good -- I wish I appreciated him more at the time), Ben Decker (not really a lead guitarist, but one of those incredibly gifted musical folks who can play anything), Michael Zapruder, grandson of the guy who shot the famous Kennedy Assasination film; unbelievably gifted musician -- one of the best melodic senses I've ever come across, his playing used to make me weep -- but desired to write his own music so after it became apparent we were going nowhere, left to pursue his own muse. He's on Myspace right now with a new album. Lastly, Ted Keaton. Founder, main songwriter and lead singer and guitarist for the fondly remembered power pop trio the Fistners. Incredibly talented performer -- left in July 2005 because . . . well too complicated to explain here but No Hard Feelings!!! Before the Naked Barbies my partner was Eve Decker, who I still see once a week -- we walk around Lake Merritt and support each other in our middle age. I love her. Also worked with Dave Revelli (remember "Dave Duty" picking him up three times a week out by SF State for rehearsal in RICHMOND because he didn't drive--we were young and had lots of energy) -- great drummer. Steve Cornell - lead guitarist for the Brambles who shaved his head after we "broke up" -- Ralph the drummer who always sped up but had lots of equipment. Lovely Emily the keyboardist who left the band because she got a boyfriend, oh, Gretchen the bass player who left the band because she got a boyfriend (there's a pattern here). Charlie Gillingham -- keyboards -- also currently a Counting Crow (I felt like a Counting Crows farm club for a while there). I met Charlie when we were both in our early 20ies. What a talent. Him and Zapruder, they both play from their souls, so talented. I love them all. I really do. If you've never played in a band, you'll never understand what it's like to know people in this way.
Influences
The first record I ever bought was in 1968 (I was 8) -- the Monkees. Actually maybe that says it all. Whatever music you first buy when you are 8 determines all musical influences. It was unpretentious, clean pop music written mostly by professional songwriters working in the Brill Building, whose progenerators were Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc. Now don't get me wrong, I've since that time discovered the Beatles and Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I reached my prime loving the Pretenders, Elvis Costello and the Talking Heads. I admired and felt connected to PJ Harvey, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, Aimee Mann, Liz Phair, Sinead O'Connor. Through my dude bros in my band I learned to appreciate and love and connect with as much as a chick can to the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, the Who, Green Day, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Samples, Tom Petty. I have developed serious crushes on Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Townes Van Zandt, Mark Eitzel of American Music Club, Chuck Prophet, David Gray, Jonathan Richman. When I was in Junior High I sang in the mirror to Linda Ronstadt albums. What a voice. I am a singer. I feel God when I sing. I am a lazy songwriter. I should learn from those who I admired most when I was just a kid. Who got up, went to work and wrote songs. Because it's work. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Sounds Like
I'm not quite sure. I haven't quite figured that out yet. And it's only been 20 years. Give me a little more time.
I have been playing music in the Bay Area since about (eek) 1984. My first band was the Outskirts, then the Brambles, then Midnight Radio. Midnight Radio released a tape (remember tapes) in 1989 that we recorded with Tom Mallon. In 1991 I formed the Naked Barbies Dolls. We recorded again with Tom Mallon and released another tape called "Bird Bath." This led to us getting signed by local Bay Area label Weasel Disc and we released our first CD in 1994 entitled "Dancing with Vacuums." It was also at this time that we dropped the "Dolls" from our name to avoid the wrath of Mattel and became simply the Naked Barbies. In 1996 we left Weasel Disc and I started my own label called "Living Independently Productions." We released "Tarnished" in 1996 and "Living Independently" in 1998. LI was picked up by respected European roots rock label Blue Rose and was released in Europe. We also played SXSW for the first time, which was really fun.
After seeing us open for Train at the Fillmore, we got wined and dined by another Bay Area independent label called Monarch Records who were trying to move from Jazz into Pop. They also feared Mattel, however, so we changed our name to the Vagabond Lovers and released "When I Was You" in 2000. It was produced by Dave McNair from Austin Texas. The record company soon got bought out by another company who was uninterested in original music and we were out on our own again. We returned to the name the Naked Barbies because Mattel seemed less inclined to sue us in our obscurity. It felt good to get the old name back. Vagabond Lovers never really set well, although those Vagabond Lovers CD's are still all over the place!
Since then I have mostly been playing in the Bay Area. Over the years in various bands and solo I have played with Cake, Train, Townes Van Zandt, Chris Isaac, Jon Dee Graham, Guy Clark, Amy Rigby, Reivers, American Music Club, Chuck Prophet, Penelope Houston, Bart Davenport, and lots and lots and lots of others.
Things have slowed down a bit, but we're still playing and I am currently working on demos for a new CD. I've added some of those demos to this site. I played most everything myself but Bart Davenport played bass and guitar on "Chain of Fools." He also sang and played with me on "Ed" which is a live recording from April 15, 2006 when we played live on KPFA radio in Berkeley.
Hello from Brazil and thanks for your friendship ! I wish you good luck !tell all your friends about syren band . , thanx for your support, I hope we can visit your city and play for you, as soon as possible ! You are a great metal fan, like me..lol Keep in touch.. MMEEETTAAALLLL...
Thought I heard someone doing one of your tunes the other day. Oddly enough, it sounded like Corinne Bailey Ray singing some Vagabond Lovers stuff. Probably just a cerebral short circuit/brain fart, but it made me think about you and wonder how and where you are. I hope well and exactly where you want to be. Cheers!
Love the new pics!!! Where have you been playing...R u coming back anytime soon?! I don't even remember what happened I feel like my life was turning upside down after the last time I saw you! ttys...hope your doing good : )
Thanks for the adds! I'm diggin Stay Naked and When I Was You. I got the recommendation from my mother; she heard you on the radio in Taos. Cheers, Patrick
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T83497647
Patty Spiglanin
Hey! I'm back from the tour, and i made a little video of some of the highlights of 2006....complete with an encounter i had with a Japanese toilet!! If you get a chance....you can see it on youtube....click here to watch it. Anyway, take care and i hope to see you somewhere on the road....i hit it again in May!
Kevin
Thanks for the add Patty! Be sure to check out my tunes on my page - I'm sing it to promote my next album. The songs up there now are from the last album we did and the keyboardist from The Counting Crows plays on several tracks! Let me know what you think :)
