Scoldees

The Scoldees' long list of influences and diverse instrumentation makes classifying them a tough task. Buried beneath the band's pop base are hints of other diverse styles.

"I wouldn't say there are any efforts being made to make ourselves stand out from other pop bands," said lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Hoffmann. "In fact, I'm not even sure what a pop band is anymore. We're just making music the way we feel it and taking it from there."

"I agree, there are no efforts being made to anticipate an outcome," said Nancy Sirianni, lead vocals and guitar. "The songs evolve from writing to recording for sure, but they take us on a journey, I think, not the other way around."

The band opens itself up to with as many styles as possible, she said.

"I sort of like that reviewers find us difficult to categorize," she said.

"I think a lot of these diverse styles that spill out of us are just a natural manifestation of our own musical influences and roots, whether it be jazz, blues, folk or rock," Hoffmann said. "It just appears in the initial birth of a song."

The Scoldees, however, are veteran musicians who skillfully place these styles over creative melodies.

"In my opinion, it's all about the song," Hoffmann said. " And, if you can provide good musicianship and production that compliments and supports that song's ultimate vision, but not overshadow it, then all the better."

They also have the added advantage of being friends for years. But friendship in the band goes beyond music.

"No matter how much you disagree during a rehearsal, argue over a song, or whatever, when all the instruments are back in their cases, you know damn well that you're hangin' around these people for reasons that go far beyond the music," Hoffmann said.

Having dual lead singers of opposite sexes sets the band apart from others, Hoffmann said.

"Although it's been done by some bands over the years, and it's certainly not unique, I think the female/male lead voice and combinations of that adds an interesting choice of flavors to our music," he said. "It gives us a little more versatility when expressing certain songs."

Joking about what she thinks makes her band diverse, Sirianni added: "I believe that beer is one of the important elements."

Sirianni said she has never thought of what people will thing when she writes a song.

"I think our fan, I mean fans, are captured by the lyrics, which are typically deep and clever," Sirianni said. "We decided a long time ago that we had something to say, and I think we attract those who want to understand. Of course, the hooks don't hurt, and neither do the naked pictures inside the CD covers. Am I the only one going for a joke here?"

[Editor's note: Chorus and Verse found no naked photos in our press kit. Damn it!]

The Scoldees are:
Nancy Sirianni (lead vocal/guitar)
Jack Hoffmann (lead vocal/guitar)
John Collis (percussion/vocals)
Ted Rydzewski (bass/vocals)
Producer John Michel often joins the band on drums and percussion.

[ Website: www.scoldees.com ]