2nd Story Band
Bethesda, Maryland, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1979 | SELF
Music
Press
FIRST RATE 2nd STORY WOMAN ... Lane's voice is a constant surprise - sweet, arch, rough, wanton and worldly in turn ... the meolodies are fresh and the lyrics both catchy and, yes, educated. - Eve Ziebart
It may have been freezing outside but 2nd Story Band certainly warmed it up! The Band's EXTENSIVE MIX OF MUSIC WAS PERFECT for First Night audiences and it was WONDERFUL THE WAY YOU INVOLVED THEM in your performances. I received many enthusiastic comments about your shows that evening... 'Great' and 'Wonderful' were heard a lot!
Thanks for bringing in the New Year for thousands of people with SUCH ENTHUSIASM AND FUN and for helping make First Night Montgomery a great success. - Geri Olson, Entertainment Coordinator
What a great show! You were chosen in surveys by our attendees as a favorite. I am thrilled to have 2nd STORY on the First Night Alexandria team. Great job! - Nancy Duval, Executive Director
Meagan's sultry voice is only enhanced by the curious and provoking lyrics she emits. Catchy. The band, which could be a solid opener for the likes of Gloria Estefan, backs her with a vide variety of haunting harmonies and a soothing style. They are obviously comfortable with one another on stage giving the audience a cohesive and entertaining experience. - Q. Rod
2nd Story has always been well received by our audiences. I am always impressed by their prompt arrival time and the professional manner in which they perform. - Meg Breden, Special Events Manager
I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd Story Band's performance last night in York! I had left my family who had been watching another performance in the building to check out your band. It was like going from watching a high school talent show to catching a WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE! My only regret was that I didn't run down the hall to get my family (but I WAS TOO CAPTIVATED TO LEAVE). YOUR SHOW WAS THE BEST OF THE EVENING hands down!"
- Dave Setters, Unsolicited Performance Review
I Wanted to take a moment to thank you and 2nd Story Band for Performing at our holiday function in December. We thoroughly enjoyed the music. YOUR BAND WAS THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO OUR EVENING'S FESTIVITIES.
We would ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND the band to anyone that is looking for performers who can ADD THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING to a social gathring.
- Leigh Lawrence O'Brien, Marketing Manager
Meagan Lane and Geoff deMers, the creative forces behind 2nd Story Band, have been collaborating recently with musicians from Trinidad and West Africa as well as heavy metal musicians, and the diverse influences come home to roost on the group's new self-titled album.
2nd Story Band swerves from light metal guitar riffs of "The Politicians All Sing" to a bouncy African highlife groove on "the Prince of Chapel Street" and "Derby Hat" on Side A. A kind of Bluesey-calypso mood takes over on Side B, especially on the lighthearted cover of Larry Williams' "Junior, Behave Yourself" [aka "Bad Boy"].
I found myself returning to the highlife cuts, though, since the sound is so unexpected on a pop-rock album. Mr. deMers handles the bright, nuancy guitar style well, while drummer, Wes Crawford and Miss Lane on Bass contribute a spare, propulsive rhythm. And Miss Lane's expressive vocals certainly get her point across! - Laura Outerbridge
EMPLOYEES APPRECIATE GROUP'S RICH MIX
Employee Appreciation Day recieved a welcome musical offering from "State of the Arts" and the 2nd Story Band during May in the East Auditorium. The perfrmance by the group of four musicians blended Blues, Celtic, rock West African and Caribbean rhythms. It was truly a unique ethno-cultural "bon temps etoufé".
Meagan Lane and Geoff deMers, both talented vocalists and musicians and co-founders of the Band, with Gary Loewenthal as lead guitarist and Jimi Jones on Drums combined [their talents] using some unusual instrumentation and electronics to produce a rich listening experience.
2nd Story Band's opening selection, "Down River, Down", an original composition based on a traditional Cajun and Creole tune, produced a foot-tapping, rhythmic-swaying motion response from the audience throughout the performance [of the tune]. A Billie Holiday song, "Billies Blues", also was an original arrangement.
Segueing into rhythms from Ghana, West Africa, the group proved with [another original], "Derby Hat", that they excell in these rhythms which they further incorporated into the rich sound of a superb interpretation of Peggy Lee's legendary song, "Fever".
2nd Story Band's finale, "Cesar Rules", replete with nonsense rhymes, employed an assortment of West African [rhythm] instruments which band members shared with the audience as a "recruiting" gesture, forming a "Conga" line dancing and swaying around the auditorium. - State of the Arts-John Bentel
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce myself to everyone. My name is Bill Carrera and I am the new music reviewer here at EVOR. I wanted to let you know a little about my thoughts on music.
First of all It's important to let the bands that I review know how I [will approach listening to and reviewing your] music. I believe that if your music sucks then the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much as the majors do for your stuff - so it had better be pretty damn good. And if it is, I'll also tell the world. I'll hold nothing back!
I am reviewing here 2nd Story Band and their offering, "Blue Shades- World Beat Blues Fiesta" which brings together many different styles in an interesting grouping of bluesey jazz songs, or if you're in the other mood, jazzy blues songs. [Included in the mix are] styles such as Irish Folk, straight ahead Blues, and modern Jazz.
Lead singer Meagan Lane who also plays bass guitar and kalimba, Geoffrey deMers who has lead and harmony vocal duties and plays guitar, harmonica and ocean drum, Gary Loewenthal on lead and rhythm guitar, and Ira David Miller on Drums [are the core band members.]
The first song on this disc, "Down By the Water", tears out of the gate - lets you know that you're in for a ride. This bluesey song shows off the talent of this fine group. It is the first time I have [heard the band and] listened to the "Blue Shades" CD; "Down By the Water" is a welcome beginning. The voice of Meagan Lane starts it off, soon joined by a funky scratch on the guitar and a driving bass line. Meagan sounds like a soulful Janis Joplin, but with a better range. Matter of fact, the lead as well as the backing vocals on [the whole] disc are top notch!
The song "Tom Bigby", with piano, acoustic guitar and electric violin as the more predominant instruments, reminds me, with its [traditional] folk song flavor and feel, of a sad Irish ballad. The vocals pierce through without diminishing any other part of the song's feel. And with the strong harmonies and lead vocal, I almost thought I heard Joan Baez coming through the speakers.
The track "Cesar Rules" is 2nd Story Band's signature song. As it started off I thought I was listening to Spyro Gyra. The drums along with the flute and saxophone put me into a swaying trance...[drifting on] an island feel along with the West African rhythms. The "Cesar Rules" track really embodies the disc's title "Blue Shades-World Beat Blues Fiesta".
As great a listen as this disc was, it was just as hard to review. With so much good stuff [on the CD] it wasn't easy finding a place to start writing and was even harder to stop listening! In this [new 2nd Story Band CD] offering you get the production, the presentation, AND the talent of a Fantastic Band! If you get a chance give 2nd Story Band a listen. This disc will be put to good use.
- Bill Carrera, Stockbridge, Georgia
Discography
The Politicians All Sing - Origins & Originals -CD, @2006 Meagan Lane and Geoff de Mers
Blue Shades - World Beat Blues Fiesta -CD, @2001
Meagan Lane and Geoff de Mers
"Down By the Water" and "As the Years Go Passing By" have recently been played on Public Radio in Connecticut, Ohio, California & Brazil. Go to www.2ndstoryband.com to reach links to listen to tracks from "Blue Shades" and "The Politicians All Sing".
The CDs are available at www.cdbaby.com/2ndStoryBand .
Promotional Copy - Cassette Tape (7 songs, 6 original) -c 1995
2nd Story's First - Cassette Tape (9 Songs) - c 1985
Photos
Bio
Meagan Lane and Geoff de Mers, founders of Wammy nominated 2nd Story Band grew up in the '50s and '60s during one of the most musically rich periods in the evolution of American Pop Music. It was a time when Rock-a-billy, Doo Whop, R & B, Tejano, Calypso, Cowboy Music (C&W), Swing, Rock & Roll, Folk, and Folk Rock could be heard on commercial radio. In fact since 1978, as a result of their ability to incorporate these and many other styles including West African, Latin and Celtic, Meagan and Geoff have developed one of the most interesting and fresh sounds to come out of the Metro Washington, DC area.
Over their 36 year career together Meagan and Geoff have worked with some of the very finest musicians in the area from various countries and cultures, especially on Drums, Percussion, Violin and Bass. As an example: in 1990 they formed a West African Band, Hedzoleh Story in collaboration with Amartey Larea, a multi-instrumentalist, singer/ song- writer from Ghana, West Africa. Their shows included performances at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and Harmony Hall Regional Arts Center during African History Month. The African based music and dance grooves dramatically influenced the duo's musical growth and songwriting. Inspired by these rhythms and grooves the 2nd Story Band Duo developed an exciting new style, a jammin' World Beat Blend of funky Blues & Swing, West African, Caribbean and Pop Rock rhythms. They call it "World Beat Blues".
2nd Story Band can perform as a Duo or as a Trio with an Afro/Latin percussionist. Meagan has a smoky, expressive vocal style and Geoff's vocal harmonies and leads are a great complement to the sound. Meagan plays a massive acoustic bass guitar providing melodic and propulsive rhythm. Geoff plays acoustic rhythm and lead guitar and slide guitar, flute and harmonica and adds guitar synthesizer samples simulating instruments like Caribbean steel drums (pan) adding spice to the flavors in the mix.
A 2nd Story Band performance gives the audience a chance to participate in various ways: call and response, playing authentic African hand percussion instruments and dancing, etc. And there is the magical "limbo stick" which Meagan and Geoff send out into the audience for the children of all ages who love to see "how low they can go".
Meagan and Geoff feel it is important to give back to the community. For the past several years they have been giving regular performances at assisted living homes and senior centers in addition to community pool parties, restaurants, concerts and house parties. They enjoy ad-libbing on stage, chatting with their audience and giving insights into the various musical styles and instruments they play.
HISTORY:
Way back in 1977 in a little Bethesda hole-in-the-wall called the Psychedelly, Geoff de Mers and Meagan Lane found musical harmony while both singing at an open mike. Geoff had been writing original music and had released an LP of all original songs, self titled "Geoffrey", in 1972. He was enjoying a very successful career teaching music (Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer and 5 String Banjo ) at Charlie Byrd's Music House in Bethesda, Md. when he teamed up with Meagan, who had recently been the lead singer in the well known band, "Grow Your Own". The duo beganperforming all over the Washington, D.C. area including Fredericksburg, VA, Maryland - Baltimore, Frederick and Ocean City - and as far a-field as New York, Norfolk, Va. and Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands.
Over the next few years Meagan and Geoff sought out musical talent in the area, notably: John Previty on upright bass, who inspired Meagan to take up the instrument; Dan Cassidy, brother of the late Eva Cassidy & Wacek Kozlowski, an extremely gifted player from Poland on electric violin; and Wes Crawford & Alejandro Lucini, a native born Brazilian player on drums and percussion. In 1980 the group became known as "2nd Story". The bands sound was influenced by the diversity of the Washington area music scene: traditional music to Folk-Rock and Pop into Country, Blues and Swing, Irish and Celtic, into Funk and R & B and finally to West African and Latin grooves.
A revolutionary phase of the group's development began in 1990 when Meagan and Geoff formed a West African Band - Hedzolehs Story - with drummer Bilo Ray & Amartey Larea, a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter from Ghana, West Africa, from whom Meagan and Geoff learned first hand how to play West African "Highlife" and other rhythms from the continent. They performed at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and Harmony Hall Regional Arts Center for a concert celebration of African History Month.
In 1991 Meagan and Geoff began to learn East Coast Swing dancing. They became completely absorbed in the dance community and progressed on to other African influenced dan
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