Signal 13

Vocalist Vick Starr comments on the single:

“‘Dirty’ started out as a song about hard-working people trying to get ahead. Eventually it morphed into things that happen with the band – from corrupt business practices and people who have done us dirty. The song basically says ‘Hey, we’re still standing and working hard. We’re not going to let anyone get in our way.’ We want to prove that hard work and persistence pays off. Then we added a little sex appeal because it’s always fun to get down and dirty and be sexy.

“When we write, I generally come in with the lyrics, but we all get involved with the music. We try to stay in our own lane but usually end up in a collision! We discovered that’s when we write our best stuff! What makes us a great writing team is that we’re not afraid to tell each other what we like or don’t like. We’re brutally honest with one another.

“When it came time to make a video for the track, we went to an old pipe bending factory from the late 1800s. Our roots are blue collar and we shot the video in the heart of what used to be the center of the steel industry in Baltimore. We knew this was the place for our first video – it was dirty, gritty, and reflects the blue-collar, working-class heart of America.”

Signal 13 is a contemporary rock band that is paying homage to the classic rock sound. Their Destination Unknown EP is out today. The EP is available for preorder, with preorder packs including a signed physical compact disc, exclusive limited t-shirt, guitar picks, keychains, pins and more.

Formed in Baltimore, the band is led by front-woman, Vicky Starr and joined by guitarists Johnathan Lassiter and Chris Starr, bassist Patrick Jenkins, and drummer Johnny Sexx. We sat together and jammed writing different pieces of music on the release,” explains Vicky. “When we write together, I think of it as a ‘musical fusion’ the way we pull it together. When we recorded ‘Karma,’ I acted more like a conductor without a baton. I would stop everyone, rearrange and then have them start again. I forgot that we had live mics on the drums and I was dancing around and singing along with the song. Sometimes the excitement is overwhelming and hard to contain.”

And with the focus of the band being on front-woman Vicky, it turns out that she is a multi-talented force within Signal 13, according to Chris. “Vicky has a process for lyrics and she is always writing. She has lyrics for a few hundred songs already written. It’s hard for the rest of us to keep up – she’s a writing machine. A few times while we’re recording, she left the studio and went and sat on a cinder block that was in the laundry room and wrote lyrics. She wrote a few songs like that…it’s become a kind of magic cinder block – it’s her strange concrete muse.”

They recently shot a video for their kick-off single, “Dirty.” “We went for the ‘less is more for sure’ on the set for this video,” said Johnathan. “The only thing we probably didn’t need more of was actual dirt! We filmed at a pipe bending factory that has some historical ties to the band. Vicky’s Grandfather was involved in the water systems of the infrastructure of Baltimore and she grew up spending time with him traveling the city. The location of the video was a very blue-collar suburb of working-class America and is deeply connected to the band as a whole. It seemed to fit the style and song not to mention, you can never have too much pyro in rock and roll?!” Drummer, Johnny Sexx’s recollections of the video are succinct - “It was cold and definitely DIRTY!”

“’Dirty’ is one of those songs that will have different meanings to the listener,” stated Chris. “Initially it was about working hard and getting your hands dirty, but as the song developed, it became more about ‘dirty’ politicians or corrupt business people with no moral compass. Then there’s the sexual theme, which may be what some folks will think it’s about, but there is much more to it if you listen to the lyrics.”

The gentleman who mastered the EP, Greg Lukens, also added a certain special something to the recording. According to Jonathan, “Spending time with Greg was a huge learning process and outright amazing. When I read his credits, all the artist he’s worked with, Grammy nods and Platinum/Gold records I was intrigued. But when we sat down and started working the material I was in amazement! I’ve been fortunate to spend time with a ton of great people and engineers but Greg is in a class of his own – great accomplishments, a wealth of knowledge and a super humble individual as well as incredibly funny. He told us stories about how Neil Peart and Keith Moon used to tune their kits after complimenting Johnny (Sexx) on his drum sound. Johnny and I tuned his kit by ear and Neil used a guitar tuner while Keith used a tuning fork. Pretty awesome company to be mentioned in the same setting with by someone who worked with them. We kept the project open and really wanted an analog vibe to capture the essence of each song. I believe his mastering expertise helped push the EP over the finish line while not changing the fundamental vision.” - BraveWords.com

In 2019, Baltimore Magazine named Signal 13 as ‘Baltimore’s Best Band’ as well as Vicky Starr as one of the ‘Best Musician/Vocalist.’ Formed in the Mid-Atlantic region, Signal 13 is a high octane rock band fronted by lead vocalist Vicky Starr.Continuously performing in and around the Mid-Atlantic area, the band has built a tremendous regional buzz on the strength of their live show which led to opening spots with KIX and Great White including many festivals.

Dan Locke: Nice sounding EP! What is your upbringing?
Vicky Starr: The entire band comes from a blue-collar background. We all have relatives that currently serve or have served in the military, police and emergency responders.

How did you discover music?
VS: My parents loved listening to The Beatles and The Monkees. I remember my parents were always listening to the radio and singing. I believe I started talking and singing at the same time. And I haven’t shut up or stopped singing since.

How did you start writing music?
VS: I’ve always written poems and lyrics. I used to sing them out loud but quickly realized, what was on the paper, didn’t always translate into singing.

Jon Lassister (lead guitar), Pat Jenkins (bass) and myself are the principle writers in the band. We have a chemistry together of having the ability to hear each other’s music and find the right words and melody for that song. We’re always in each other’s lane all the time. We definitely understand and respect each other’s opinion. If I come up with a melody, I understand it may change once we have the beat down and sometimes a word or words may need to change and vice versa. I believe we work very well together.

Your band is made up of law enforcement, military and emergency service people. How did you get the band together?
VS: Our families all have members of the military, law enforcement and emergency responders – that’s how we chose the name, Signal 13. It’s our way of honoring those individuals every day. The band was formed in 2017, but it wasn’t until late October of 2018 when Jon Lassiter (lead guitar) that we started to take shape and realized that we were moving in the direction of writing original music. Jon really ignited the fire and then in mid-2019, we found Pat Jenkins (bass) and Johnny Sexx (drums).

What does the name or term Signal 13 mean?
VS: Signal 13 is police call which means officer in trouble. If an officer is in distress they transmit ‘signal 13’ and the message is given the highest priority. It’s a universal communication broadcast that alerts every police officer in the field that one of their own is in need of assistance. If you look very closely at the cover art for our 5-song EP, “Destination Unknown” there’s text on the bottom right – most think it’s a design element, and it definitely is, but what that text is – is the meaning of ‘signal 13.’ Every night we perform, we thank everyone of those people every day for keeping us safe.

Vicky – what was the first song you wrote?
VS: The first song I wrote in this band was “Angel’s Weep.” It is about school shootings and how sad it is that young people today have to think about this every day they go to school. Even though we love that song, it wasn’t included on our debut release. We’re hoping to add a little more finesse and polish to it and maybe it will appear on our next release.

As far as I could tell your first show was at Scott Day Out, back on May 06, 2017. How was that show. And are my sources correct?
VS: That was our first show! You did your research! We were the opening band that night for a headliner. I’ve never been more nervous in my whole life. My stomach was so upset, I did not know if I was going to make it. Once the band hit that first note, it felt right and was amazing.

How does the band create its music?
VS: Jon, Pat and I write something every day. Once we have a set of lyrics or bass track or guitar riff, then we draw on what is being played and what feels best. We have a tendency to rewrite each song almost ten times before it’s finished. We’re brutally honest with each other. We move the guitar progressions around, change verses, lyrics and song structure unit feels right. Nothing is set in stone until each of us agree that it is finished. We like to think of it as our musical fusion.

How do you stay healthy while touring?
VS: We try to eat as clean as possible, drink tons of water and exercise. We take various vitamins, especially Vitamin C. We’re all really clean and straight. We try to get as much rest as possible so when we hit the stage, we’re ready for to attach. It’s such a rush to see everyone who comes out to see us live.

You have opened up for bands like Kix and Great White. Did they teach you anything about the music business that you would like to share?
VS: Opening for them was amazing. They had so much equipment and some of it was unusual. That gave us ideas on how to do things differently and we’ve implemented some of those ideas. Our entire band has in ear monitors – the stage is completely quiet except for the drums which is very different. Steve Whitman (lead singer of KIX) is amazing! He is also my vocal coach and has taught me so many techniques to strengthen my voice and how to keep my vocal cords from swelling. Most singers do scales and exercises for at least 30-45 minutes before they go on. As a singer, you really need to be completely warmed up to give your best performance possible.

How was the Monster of Rock Cruise?
VS: Monsters of Rock cruise is always so much fun! Chris (rhythm guitar) participated in the Cruiser Jam where they performed “Strutter” from KISS. He was joined onstage by Alex Kane (Enuff Z’Nuff). We made a lot of new friends and saw some old friends. It’s exciting to be part of a see so much music – 14 hours a day! One of my favorite things to do on the cruise to going to their auctions. I won a really nice leather tour jacket from Great White.

Your 5 song EP “Destination Unknown”, just got released. What are your fans thinking of it?
VS: Having only released, “Dirty” digitally, only the fans who have bought the physical 5-song EP have heard the entire release. Everyone that has the CD seems to have a different favorite song – which for us is really great to hear. We’ve heard from fans who have told us they really identify with the lyrics. That is one of the most important things for us – we try and relate everyday experiences in our music so everyone can relate to it.

Tell me about the song “Dirty”?
VS: “Dirty” was originally inspired by hard working, blue-collar people. As we were developing the music and lyrics, we had a few unfortunate people who tried to afflict their shady business practices on the band, so we drew from that inspiration and then added a little sex appeal.

How did you get Dirty onto the video game Guitar Hero III-Legends of Rock?
VS: We are very fortunate to have built a great team around us who have connections in the industry and like our music. They reached out to various people who thought the song was a fit and they put it out there. Everyone in the band was completely shocked, yet so grateful. I love Slash – and he’s on the front cover of Guitar Hero III and this is a bonus plus for me!

What is your favorite track on the album?
VS: I’m very proud of all the tracks but the two that stand out for me are “Stay with Me” and “All Fired Up”. I believe those two songs stretch the band musically and the show depth in the music we make. You can hear the different instruments we play and some of our musical influences shine through.

How many cats do you have and what are their names?
VS: I have nine cats: Pumpkin, Reeces, Pinky, Maxi, Rocky, Laser, Fiji, Angel and Peaches Starr (she is the princess of the house). All of them are Raggamuffins. They are hypoallergenic and act like dogs. They know various tricks, when I whistle, they come and when someone rings the doorbell, they show up to see who is there.

What are your feelings about streaming music?
VS: Streaming allows us to reach more people with a variety of tastes based on the various playlists they follow. It’s nice that music fans can create their own playlists and download their favorite tracks. As a new band, the more people that hear us, the better! It’s giving us exposure in different countries and various states around the USA that we haven’t played yet…but can’t wait to get back out and see everyone around the USA and hopefully the world!

Digital vs vinyl?
VS: Both – I think digital is great for streaming, but I love the way songs sound on vinyl. I think it adds warmth and I love how music sounds on vinyl – it just sounds pure.

Any plans to tour?
VS: We were scheduled to do a tour with Tesla in late April and May but dates were moved due to the COVID virus. The same happened with dates we had with Slaughter and LA Guns in May. We do have one confirmed date that has now been rescheduled on September 26, 2020 at the Ranch in Ft. Myers Florida.

What song from the past is in your mind right now?
VS: “Whole Lotta Rosie” by AC/DC. I love that song and band! I’m humming it right now. We sometimes play that in our live set. When you come out to see us, don’t be shy, ask us, we just may kick it out and give you a taste of this girl doing some Bon Scott.

And what is the meaning of that song?
VS: I love AC/DC and that song in particular. Not all girls are stick figures and a few of us are curvy. Not every man loves stick figures, and this song was about how much Bon loved a girl who had curves. Some of us have some ample assets!

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?
VS: Personally, until there is a vaccine, we need to protect the fans and artists. I think venue sizes with crowds will go down to minimally a 1/3 or less. I believe, for safety reasons, anyone attending is going to have to wear a mask and maybe get their temperature taken. ‘Meet and Greets’ may be over for once things start back up. I think musicians will take off their masks, play the gig, then leave to go take showers and get their clothes cleaned after every show. I think if anyone starts to feel bad, they are going to have to get tested right away and anyone working with the bands will need to get an antibody test at the beginning and end of the tour – strictly for safety reasons. The last thing anyone wants is to be the cause of an outbreak.

What have you been doing during your self-quarantine?
VS: When I’m not playing music, I’m Clinical Specialist, RN for a pharmaceutical company. I’ve been working non-stop since this virus came out. During my down time, I’ve continued writing new songs and exercising. I’m working on perfecting my cooking skills as well. The band’s been trying to practice but the bandwidth on the internet causes us to drop out so we have been sending files to each other so we can continue writing. When it’s raining or I have some additional time I watch the ‘Tiger King’ and or a movie.

You were to open up for Tesla and LA Guns. What is happening with those shows?
VS: COVID pandemic caused all of our shows to be postponed. Slaughter and LA Guns have been rescheduled for the fall. We’re waiting and hoping the dates with Tesla are rescheduled soon. Everything will depend on the virus, each state’s policies and what the virus is doing in that state. Not one musician wants to be the cause of a hot spot in that state and have fans ill or die from an infection they got at your concert. Everyone is being cautious to protect the fans, our crew, the people who work at the venues and ourselves. We would love to be out playing but public safety comes first.

Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
VS: We have a mandatory stay home order and need to remain minimally six feet apart in the state of Maryland. Only people that are considered essential are allowed out in public, except to go to the grocery store, pharmacy etc. This does not include musicians practicing or doing concerts. Everyone is on their various devices at home using the internet. It is hard not to get a lot of interruptions when just trying to practice. I think once some of the restrictions ease up, we may consider doing a song or two online to get people pumping.

There was an article in the New York Times this week talking about that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think it could happen?
VS: I think what is going on in Georgia and the states that have started opening up even though the admissions to the hospitals and ICU’s are not on the decline will be the telltale in a few weeks. If those states have sudden spikes in infections, hospitals admissions, increased use of ventilators and deaths, I believe that playing music in large concert venues will not happen until 2021. If the states that have begun to re-open, sees their numbers stabilize or begin to decline, we could see music begin sooner. Right now, it is a wait and see. The most important thing is that everyone remains safe.

How do you see yourself in the next five years?
VS: Dreams are one thing and reality is another…we hope our music continues to thrive and we continue to grow our fan base across the globe. We want play festivals and venues all over the world. I would love to play for the military abroad.

Anything you would like to say in closing?
VS: Stay strong during this time. It’s hard seeing how many people are depressed from being in isolation – reach out to friend and cheer them up. No one every speaks up that they are feeling bad. Stay safe everyone, so we may live another day to rock! To our military, police force/K9’s and Mounted Units, all of the Emergency Responders, thank you for keeping us safe. You are our true heroes every single day! Hugs to all of you! We will see you soon! - Dan Locke

Roaring in from the shores of Chesapeake Bay, Maryland-based hard rock quintet Signal 13 has unburdened itself from it’s past as a cover act, fully embracing their ample creative energies to revitalize and relaunch themselves as an all-original act with the release of their powerhouse debut five-song EP, Destination Unknown.

Comprised of vocalist/front woman/songwriter Vicky Starr, lead guitarist/songwriter Jonathan Lassiter, bassist/songwriter Pat Jenkins, guitarist Chris Starr and drummer Johnny Sexx, the band has been one of the top draws in the Mid-Atlantic region as a cover act since 2017, earning a reputation for high octane live shows, superlative musicianship, and the badass charisma and vocal talents of Starr herself. It is a wonderful and crowd pleasing blend of the best of 1980s hard rock and metal, with a contemporary tone and tenor.

Destination Unknown was produced by the band, with Lassiter, a veteran producer/engineer who has worked extensively in Nashville and elsewhere leading the charge. The record was mastered by industry veteran Greg Lukens. It marked the first time that Starr, who has been singing on stage since childhood (although she took a number of years off to be a mom), ever worked in a recording studio.



“Everyone but me has recorded before and has done albums in various other projects. But this was our first time in a studio together and my first time ever. And I realized pretty quick that’s it’s a lot more different than singing on stage. The first time that I ever saw that microphone in the booth, and somebody told me it was time to go, that moment when the light went on and they point at you it was like I got a hairball. After we did that first take, I realized that this was my job. We changed out different microphones to find the right one and that first session was a little intense. But after that it was all good,” she said

“I learned that I also love to write in the studio. I think that is the most fun part of everything, because you just don’t know what’s going to come out of one of us, even though we have a lot of riffs written and a lot of lyrics written already. All of a sudden nothing will fit for the song we want to do and then we will just run tape, trying out different things until it clicks. For one song, Stay With Me, that tape ran for 17 minutes and 28 seconds, and then the next 20 seconds is where the song actually starts. It really gives you a sense of the creativity we have during this process.

“The principal songwriters are John Lassiter and myself and Pat Jenkins, the bass player. After we get the basics down, then we add in the drum parts, because we’ve got to get a melody and a hook first before we write the drum parts into it, because it can be kind of intense with drums. And then we really get going from there and the songs come together pretty quickly.”

As raunchy and riff-heavy as the band’s lead-off single Dirty comes across, it was actually inspired more by the culture and lifestyle of the Baltimore region in which they all grew up, with the song morphing into one that has multiple meanings.

“It was originally written about hard working, blue collar people. Baltimore started out with big companies like Lever Brothers, GM, and Bethlehem Steel as the biggest factories here. They sort of dominated everything around here and so many people worked there, for generations. When we started thinking about this song we wondered, what makes people work hard. So that was the beginning of the song. But then we also had to deal with some unusual business practices that a couple of people that were former members and worked with us committed. So, we added some of that to the song. And then, probably most obviously, we added some sex appeal,” said Starr.



“We had been kicking around some ideas and then one morning I woke up with this great idea. I called John, my songwriting partner and said, ‘this his how I hear the song.’ And he said, ‘oh wow, I hear that too.’ And then I called Pat and he said, ‘hey, I hear it too.’ And that weekend the three of us put the song together. When we decided to do a video for Dirty, I wanted to really honour the hard working people of this state that have worked all their lives, for generations, and whose families are still here.

“And we found a pipe-bending facility that was built in the 1860s and that’s where we shot the video. It was a stone’s throw away from Bethlehem Steel. All of us who live here, whether you live on the eastern shore, whether you live in western Maryland, where Kelly Tire used to have a plant, places like that and GM and Bethlehem Steel all went away and kind of devastated the area. But there is still that real blue collar ethic and people still believe in working hard. This is our foundation and the foundation of Signal 13. That’s what drives us every day.”

All Fired Up is a badass, energetic anthem about stepping up to the plate and deciding that moving forward is a lot better than moving backwards in life, in love and in music.

“Are you going to step forward or take a step back? You’ve always got to be moving; you can’t be in one position all the time. We were in the process of making some pretty big decisions about this band in terms of were we going to move forward and focus on doing original music or not. And it was a tough call because we were so far in as a cover act. We were pretty popular. We did 84 shows as a cover project last year. But because when you turn the corner into doing originals, there’s no turning back,” Starr explained.

“And this song came about because of those conversations. We were at a crossroads in life and the song came from the choice between putting one foot forward or stepping one foot back. We just had to move forward, and we talked about what it’s like being in a band and having to make that kind of decision in the song. And it’s interesting, because you don’t realize how many friends you don’t have until you cut over into this original music side of things. We were okay with it because we believed in what the song says that we’re either going to move forward and we’re going to step back – there is no middle ground. As a band there’s no way we can try to fit into both worlds. You’ve got to go for it, and that’s what the song is about. It’s about those decisive moments in life.”

Make it Rain started our as a tongue-in-cheek jam slapped together by the four male members of Signal 13, but which Starr added her inimitable sass and melodic charms.

“I was late coming to the studio one day. I was stuck in traffic and the studio we go to is across the Bay Bridge. Everybody else was already there and I walked in and the guys were having the best time in their lives playing around with this song. It’s about a strip club, and they were having the best time. And Johnny our drummer had a lyric idea of ‘I see the clickety clack as she walks that track,’ and also ‘she’s a princess wearing glass slippers, who’ll go around to all the big tippers.’ And that’s where that came from. They were all dying laughing as we were working out the song, like four little boys all in their clubhouse,” Starr said.

“Honestly some days I feel like the mother or the wife of all these guys. I have to take care of them. This one likes this, this one likes that, this one has an allergy, this one needs a certain energy drink, this one needs water. I am like a den mother. But that’s how the song came about, and they were like, ‘are you going to be upset with us for writing this.’ And I said, ‘no, we are going to write a lot of different songs in our lifetime.’ And I had actually ended up writing a lot of lyrics that fit in with that vibe anyways.”

With a level of energy and an uncompromising mandate to put on a truly kick ass show each and every occasion, Signal 13 is a band best appreciated in a live setting – hopefully sooner rather than later once the social distancing and self-isolation protocols from the Covid-19 pandemic are relaxed.

“We bring it all. We bring it all for whoever is there, whether we’re playing for five people or 5,000 people, because we want to win over one fan at a time, one show at a time. We put everything we have onto that stage. Anybody having a personal problem, or has a cold or something else bothering them, you leave it at the side of the stage. Once you are up there, it’s all about the show and those people, because you’ve got to win them over. That’s what it’s all about, we put everything we’ve got every night,” Starr said.

“We try to make it fun; we are there to put on a show and elevate everyone’s mood. So, while they are there, they are not feeling sad, or not feeling lonely; we give them something to he happy about, and they’ll want to come back and see us again. We want to change their outlook for at least a couple of hours.”

For more information about Signal 13 and Destination Unknown, visit https://signal13band.com. - Jim Barber

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Vicky! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

CV: So much has changed in the world. With all that's going on, people's time, interest and focus are heavily divided. Do you think music is still relevant in today's society? Does music even matter to the masses?
Vicky Starr: I believe music fills in the gaps – if you’re working out, driving, playing a game, cleaning your house, at a movie, or just sitting in the sun. You can always catch people singing, tapping their foot, running to a beat or smiling to that sound. I believe music will always have a place in this world.It is primal, innate in the human spirit.

CV: Has Rock ‘n Roll, as a genre...as an attitude, lost some of its punch?
VS: Most people would have to agree that ‘80s music is fun. It makes people feel good. With various movies and documentaries, showing the music of the ‘80s recently, it has revitalized that type of music. I think people don’t in general want to be sad or angry. They want to feel good and this type of music picks you up and helps you get through the day.

CV: In the world's current state, do you feel music can have an impact on how people are handling the pandemic...and if so how?
VS: Music motivates people. Not only is the virus a pandemic, but the isolation away from other humans is causing mass depression. Music can elevate people’s spirits and energy. This is why music will always be a cure to what ails us.

CV: What do you feel today's younger generation of music fans are missing out on compared to fans of Rock's earlier years?
VS: Music is music. The tools that are used to make it are what have changed. Technology is changing how music is created. The excitement about going to concerts is different today than yesterday. If computers control the stage, it is hard to see how you are creating the sound or groove. When musicians control the stage, you can watch them play every note, see the bends in the guitars, twirling the drumsticks or the thump of the bass. The singer interacts with the audience. Each show is unique to that night and can’t be replicated. Computer musical shows are consistent and replicated. Those shows will always be the same until they reprogram it.

I think seeing a unique show drives people to go see a band again because you never know what is going to happen. The excitement drives demand.

CV: Signal 13 is all about hearing the call and rising to action.How would you define "High Energy Rock n Roll" as the band calls it?
VS: Every show is unique. We want to motivate people to dance, sing-a-long and have fun. We interact with the fans and try to get them involved. We play music that is upbeat and hopefully makes them happy. We give the fans a few hours of “fun”.

CV: With the band's members having such a deep and diverse history being in the military, law enforcement and public safety sectors, do you feel Signal 13 has a unique catalog of experience to work from with regards to songwriting?
VS: We draw from real life experiences when writing music. We want people to be able to identify with the music and have some fun with it. Our goal is to modernize the sound of Rock music and create an identity for some of the subject matters. Let me give you an example, how many times has anyone ever said, ‘Karma is going to get you.’ Chris, our rhythm guitarist, was driving our truck, going to a gig, and looked at me and said, ‘What would happen if you were Karma?’ The lyrics flowed out of me for that that song. When I got to the gig, I started singing this to our bass player, Pat Jenkins, and he started grooving too it. The next day, we wrote the song in the studio and recorded it.



CV: How would you describe the art of songwriting as it pertains to Signal 13 and its musical style? What makes it unique for the listener?
VS: The principle song writers are Jon Lassister, lead guitar, Pat Jenkins, bass and myself. All of us write everyday to improve on that skill. We write alot of stuff that never makes it to a listener but it is an exercise that you need to do daily to improve. We all agree, that we must be brutally honest about everything. In addition, no ideas are wrong, and everyone has different listening skills, so we must listen to each other. No one stays in their own lanes in this band. Jon will come up with a riff, ‘The Lassister’, as we call him, and I will go this sounds like this and it goes from there. When we wrote, “Stay With Me,” I did not like anything we came up with. So, we decided to just record some stuff and see if anything worked…17 minutes, 28 seconds into the jam, we had 20 seconds of this amazing music came out and that was the basis for that song.

What makes it unique to a listener is we don’t just play one type of sound. The song becomes the song based on how it feels to us. We agree as a band, we do not want to be boring…we want people to want to hear the next song. The depth of musicianship in this band is realized as you listen to the 5-song EP. We can play multiple instruments, vocal range and keep people entertained throughout the musical experience with us.

CV: Do you see Signal 13 as a cumulative modern representation of the finer aspects of what makes Rock great given each member’s experience in the music business?
VS: Everyone in this band has different influences from Punk, Country, Jazz, Funk, Rap and Rock. I think those influences with a modern sound approach, helps make this music sustainable. We will never be locked into one exact sound, the song will tell us where it wants to be and that is the unique sound to that song. We love music and we love certain musicians, so that will always influence what our sound will be now and in the future.

CV: What is Signal 13 doing as a band and for its fans to counter the negative effects of the COVID-19 situation?
VS: We launched our first single, “Dirty” and our video during the peak of this pandemic. We are putting out daily updates on the various musical media outlets to keep them informed. We only released one song on digital media so if people want to hear all of the songs, they can go to our website to get the full EP. We’ve sent food to some of our fans that reached out to us because they are having hardship. It’s confidential and we’re glad we can help in some little way.

CV: What's next for the band…what can fans expect to see coming from Signal 13?
VS: We had some dates with Tesla, Slaughter and LA Guns schedule for this Spring but due to the pandemic, all dates have been postponed until the Fall. Fans can expect to see some of the other songs released digitally soon and hopefully some new videos…if it will be permitted to record them. While we are staying home, we’re using technology to write new material. We have 5 new tracks finished and 12 are in progress. If this pandemic continues and we can’t get within 6 feet of each other, you may see some live streams in the summer. The key is, we want people to stay safe and we are observing this as well to make sure all of us are safe as well.

CV: Thank you again Vicky for spending some time talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
VS: Mick, thank you for talking with us. Signal 13 would like to also thank all of the first responders, healthcare workers, grocery/pharmacy workers, military and police for their continued dedication to getting us through the pandemic. To our fans, stay safe so we can see your bright and shiny faces in the near future. Music makes the World go ‘round! Stay safe!!

Check out Signal 13 at:
Official: www.signal13band.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signal13band/ - Mick Michaels

HARD ROCK HAVEN (HRH) caught up with VICKY STARR (VS), founder and vocalist for the up-and-coming band SIGNAL 13 to discuss their debut EP and recently released video. Here’s what VS had to say …

HRH: Signal 13 is an odd name for a Hard Rock band … is there a story behind it?

VS: We have family and friends in the military and in law enforcement, and “Signal 13” is a code call meaning “Officer In Trouble” … so we wanted to dedicate the band towards supporting all of them.

HRH: Your Website (Signal13Band.com) makes an interesting statement … “Rock & Roll with all the attitude, swagger, and energy surrounding it”.

VS: We’ve been seeing a resurgence for ‘80s style Hard Rock and Metal. When we put the band together, we wanted to keep it fun … like it was in the ‘80s … but with an underlying rhythm that would make especially women want to dance. We feel our playing style has grit and an unpolished sound and that our attitude towards how to entertain comes across exactly as we feel with high energy.

HRH: Where is Signal 13 from and when did the band form?

VS: We are from the greater Baltimore, Maryland area … a blue collar area of the state. We formed the band originally in 2017, then changed the line-up in 2019. I really wanted to focus on writing original music, and the line-up change was necessary to get everyone on the same page and to ensure that all members would be dedicated to contributing ideas.

HRH: In April 2020 you released Destination Unknown, which is a 5-song EP. Was writing and recording what you expected?

VS: I was responsible for the lyrics, but everyone made contributions and it was a team effort. The middle-class industrial environment we were raised in and live in was largely responsible for the ideas behind song topics and the messages I was trying to convey.

HRH: What is behind the album title, Destination Unknown?

VS: We’ve had success and enthusiastic crowds whenever we play – mostly along the Atlantic Seaboard States – so we wanted to get something together that we could market, advertise, and sell to see if what we do has a greater appeal. We’ll see what happens now. But Destination Unknown is just that … we really don’t know what will happen to us as a band. With the Covid-19 Pandemic, everything has changed. We haven’t been able to play a gig since March 2020, so basically we’re going with the flow, hoping for the best, and we’ll take advantage of opportunities that come our way. You’ll notice the angel on the front and back cover … on one side she’s alert and robust … on the other side she looks spent. That’s how we view ourselves … plenty of energy and excitement, and we’re willing to give Signal 13 and success our full effort.

HRH: Signal 13 came out with it’s first video for the song “Dirty”. Why did you choose this song?

VS: “Dirty” is about working hard … getting your hands dirty … blue collar work. So we shot the video in an old factory warehouse in the Baltimore area that had originally been erected in the 1800’s. It’s still in use, which was important to us, and we felt the rough and rusty look fit right in line with the theme of the song “Dirty”. We included some pyrotechnics and special camera effects that we think are pretty cool and help capture our energy in a live setting. We’re very happy with how it turned out and hope music fans will check it out on our Signal13Band.com Website.

HRH: What ended up motivating the other 4 tracks on the EP?

VS: Lyrical writing is something I really enjoy … and I was surprised how ideas from everyday life motivated me to write lyrics once I was in the mode to do so. One track, “Make It Rain”, was motivated by a local strip club … another called “Stay With Me” was about losing a son or daughter to a drug overdose. Both of these songs are based on real experiences that I’ve encountered and that have been encountered by people close to me.

HRH: Destination Unknown ends with a track entitled “All Fired Up”. The musical approach is different than the others on this EP … why the switch?

VS: I’ve always loved Blues-Based Hard Rock, so we wrote “All Fired Up” as a bit of a change-up to end the EP. I love Blues grooves, and the message in this song is that you have to have passion one way or another … you can’t stand or get lost in the middle.

HRH: Is there a final message you’d like to convey to HRH readers?

VS: We hope you’ll check us out at Signal13Band.com and watch the video. If you like what you hear, pick up a copy of our CD and spend some time with it. Get to know it. Enjoy it! We’d love to hear from people from throughout the country to know what they think of Destination Unknown.

Visit the band’s official website: https://signal13band.com/ - Dan Skiba

Signal 13 have released their brand new video for their single "Dirty" and to celebrate we asked Vicky Starr to tell us about the track. Here is the story:

'Dirty' started out as a song about hard-working people trying to get ahead. Eventually it morphed into things that happen with the band - from corrupt business practices and people who have done us dirty. The song basically says 'Hey, we're still standing and working hard. We're not going to let anyone get in our way.' We want to prove that hard work and persistence pays off. Then we added a little sex appeal because it's always fun to get down and dirty and be sexy.

When we write, I generally come in with the lyrics, but we all get involved with the music. We try to stay in our own lane but usually end up in a collision! We discovered that's when we write our best stuff! What makes us a great writing team is that we're not afraid to tell each other what we like or don't like. We're brutally honest with one another.

When it came time to make a video for the track, we went to an old pipe bending factory from the late 1800s. Our roots are blue collar and we shot the video in the heart of what used to be the center of the steel industry in Baltimore. We knew this was the place for our first video - it was dirty, gritty, and reflects the blue-collar, working-class heart of America.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below and learn more about the band here - Keavin Wiggins

Release Date: April 17, 2020

Rating: 86%

After reading our recent Dirty Dozen with Signal 13 front woman Vicky Starr and subsequently checking out the lead video from the bands latest release Destination Unknown, I couldn’t wait to dig into the 5-track EP and check it out for myself. Disc opener and lead single / video “Dirty” is a fun track that takes me back the sleazy videos and songs of the early 80’s that were coming out of LA’s Sunset Strip, including the garage feel and sound. The lyrics are fun and the vibe of the music makes for a good listen. The feel of this track lends itself easily to the title. “Karma” picks up where the opening track left off with, but injects a slightly heavier vibe into the musical vein of the EP. The rhythm section of drummer Johnny Sexx and bassist Patrick Jenkins anchors the verse and the guitars kick in full swing on the chorus. Vicky Starr’s gravel filled vocals add depth to the track. “Make It Rain” kicks the doors down with searing guitar work from Jonathan Lassiter and Chris Starr and some cat call vocals that punctuate the song and disc. The vocals roll through the track while the chugging rhythm from the guitars, bass, and drums keep the track flowing. There are glimmers of Lita Ford-like vocals throughout the track that blend well with the heavy groove of the track. “Stay With Me” is a great followup to Make It Rain in the sequencing as it builds on the guitar riffs, but dials things down slightly in order to allow the vocals to stand out and lead the charge. The layered vocals on the chorus add some depth. Disc closer “All Fired Up” has a slightly different sound than the other tracks, but fits well with them at the same time. The cadence of the track is an interesting shift, but the guitars on the song, as well as the heavy handed drums help fill out the sound.

Tracklisting: Dirty – Karma – Make It Rain – Stay With Me – All Fired Up

Lineup: Vicky Starr (vocals) – Jonathan Lassiter (guitars) – Patrick Jenkins (bass) – Johnny Sexx (drums) – Chris Starr (guitars) - Todd 'ToddStar' Jolicoeur

As I get closer to my 1700th review, I am proud to present as my 1696th review, the EP Destination Unknown by Baltimore, Maryland based progressive rock band Signal 13 which was released on April 17, 2020. This five-piece band led by front-woman, Vicky Starr and joined by guitarists Johnathan Lassiter and Chris Starr, bassist Patrick Jenkins, and drummer Johnny Sexx. This album with amazing vocals and a classic rock sound features the tracks Dirty, Karma, Make It Rain, Stay With Me, and All Fired Up. I was moved by the performance on this EP, as well as excellent songwriting and a superb recording. This excellent CD is available on CD and digital downloads from their website https://signal13band.com/, Apple Music, Spotify, and many other music retailers. On their website you will also learn more about this band, their music and more. In closing, I want to give a big thank you to Chip Ruggieri from Chipster PR & Consulting, Inc. for turning me on to this great band. - oasisentertainmentblog

For those not in the know, Signal 13 is a contemporary rock band that is paying homage to the classic rock sound on their latest release, the 5-song EP, Destination Unknown (out now).

Formed in Baltimore, the band is led by front-woman, Vicky Starr and joined by guitarists Johnathan Lassiter and Chris Starr, bassist Patrick Jenkins, and drummer Johnny Sexx.

Originally a covers band, Signal 13 are well known in their Mid-Atlantic area for their energetic live shows, and due to them have even had the honor to open for the likes of Kix and Great White.

1. 'Dirty' (3:41)
2. 'Karma' (3:29)
3. 'Make It Rain' (4:16)
4. 'Stay With Me' (4:53)
5. 'All Fired Up' (3:33)

For this, their first original release, Signal 13 open with the drum-led, '80s glam rock essence of 'Dirty' (a track that could easily have been an early Crüe cut) and backs that up with the melodically paced, rock fire of 'Karma.'

Starr's rock growl comes to the fore on the mid-tempo, early Girlschool vibe of 'Make It Rain,' which is followed by the one-two guitar and drum beats of 'Stay With Me,' with the EP coming to a close on the finger-snappin', rockin' blues bluster of 'All Fired Up.'

"We sat together and jammed writing different pieces of music on the release,” explains Vicky. “When we write together, I think of it as a musical fusion the way we pull it together."

"When we recorded ‘Karma,’ I acted more like a conductor without a baton. I would stop everyone, rearrange and then have them start again."

" I forgot that we had live mics on the drums and I was dancing around and singing along with the song. Sometimes the excitement is overwhelming and hard to contain.”

And with the focus of the band being on front-woman Vicky, it turns out that she is a multi-talented force within Signal 13, according to Chris. “Vicky has a process for lyrics and she is always writing. She has lyrics for a few hundred songs already written. It’s hard for the rest of us to keep up – she’s a writing machine."

"A few times while we’re recording, she left the studio and went and sat on a cinder block that was in the laundry room and wrote lyrics. She wrote a few songs like that. It’s become a kind of magic cinder block. It’s her strange concrete muse.”

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