March
18th, 2007
JUNKIE COUSIN: No Junkies Here
Written by Tina Costello
There is so much good talent in LA,
so many good bands, that you become immune to it
after a while. There is always the hope of finding
that band that makes you stop in your tracks, mid
sentence, and feel the wow factor smack you. But
it's rare.
At Universal Bar & Grill, 4093 Lankershim Blvd
in North Hollywood, I found that band. Junkie Cousin
amazed me. And that is not a slight feat, my friends.
I took a break from reviewing Indy music some time
ago, because, well let's face it, good is not great
and there are only so many ways to stretch the adjective.
But after the night |
|
was over, I went straight home to my computer
because this band has that "wow factor"
and I have a driving need to tell you about them.
Lead singer, Danielle Egnew, has a liquid intensity
that draws you in and holds the listener captive,
craving more. When Egnew walked on stage to do a
sound check, the crowd grew quiet. I don't recall
the last time I have seen someone with such a commanding
stage presence control a crowd and maintain it though
out the set. Guitarist Paul Houston had the packed
house roaring in applause after a killer solo. Rounding
out the band were Bassist Rich Vaccaro who is just
plain smooth and Drummer Ed Gray plays like a wildman.
|
|
|
"They've got
it" I heard someone saying to another member
of the audience. Even Eric Singer (drummer for KISS)
was on hand enjoying the set.
The songs are edgy and smart. They
don't just move – they flow and fuse and are
completely memorable. Savvy too, were the free cd's
that Junkie Cousin passed out to the crowd. It was
more than a nice touch, it was simply impressive.
Junkie Cousin has that quality, that illusive "wow
factor", that makes a band great and that makes
you come back for more.
http://www.junkiecousin.com/
|
March
12th 2007
Hooked on Junkie Cousin
Hamburger Mary's
Newport Beach, CA.
By AJ Marx
I'm a WeHo native, but for a good cause even I will cross
over the rigid Orange County border line. Which is what
happened last week for the Fundraiser at Hamburger Mary's
supporting the California Quake Professional Women's Tackle
Football League put on by Venus Envy.
Ok, so a little more than charity was on my mind when I
drove over the LA border and ventured into OC land in search
of sexy babes with footballs but I was rewarded with a treasure
in the form of a new band with an tremendous sound called
Junkie Cousin (junkiecousin.com).
The lead singer Danielle Egnew was introduced onto the
stage as a music award winner and the star of an upcoming
film. No surprise. She's hot. She did a few numbers with
her guitar before she was joined by the band for a great
set.
Egnew looks like a naughty cheerleader with hip boots to
here and a sexy body that supports a Band-Aid size half
football jersey with the number "69" stitched
across her ample chest and really tight shorts that would
surely get her arrested in the conservative OC. The outfit,
daring as it may be, and the woman wearing it certainly
sizzles - but then Egnew steps up to the mic and opens that
gorgeous mouth to reveal a luminous voice with a range that
made the crowd go wild.
Though Egnew would be enough to capture anyone's interest
for some time, the band just jells as a whole unit.
Guitarist Paul Houston rocked the house with a solo in
their next to last song and though I was pretty sure he
was invoking the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, he really left
me wanting more. Bassist Rich Vaccaro and drummer Ed Gray
round out Junkie Cousin's hard edgy sound.
Junkie Cousin gave out free CD's to the crowd which was
a nice touch. The CD is a staple in my truck, since that's
where I spend most of my time commuting. Though the song
I've been humming, which is not on the CD is Dana Scully
Is A Lesbian, and easily could be their comedic anthem.
It will have you rolling with laughter while you jam out
as it did with the audience at Hamburger Mary's.
This group is around to stay and I for one am hooked on
Junkie Cousin.
<<Back
To Top>>
|
