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Biography
Welcome to Zepparella, four women intent on bringing the
passion, the beauty, the aggression, the musicality of Led Zeppelin
alive.
Zepparella delivers an explosive, emotional musical journey at every
event. They take on the challenge of balancing their devotion to
playing the songs as close to the original as possible, while taking
advantage of their own musical communication and carrying the audience
away on the ride.
The combination of personalities in Zepparella is something extraordinary.
From the first time on stage there was such a strong musical connection
that to the girls it felt like a homecoming. And in a musical career,
that kind of connection may be the most elusive gift of all.
The players:
Anna Kristina, the popular Bay Area stage actress, vocalist, songwriter
and solo artist, brings her seductive style and powerful range to
front the band with consistently transcendent performances. Her
soulful delivery is mesmerizing. For a list of her many projects
and accomplishments, visit www.annakristina.com
Gretchen Menn applies her dazzling and emotive guitar playing to
the leads. After her stint as Agnes Young in the top-grossing Bay
Area band AC/DShe for three years, and then touring as the second
guitarist in the national metal band BOTTOM, she now takes on the
Page lines with an arresting ability that can’t be missed.
Her current solo project, Sticks and Stones, showcases not only
her guitar playing but also her remarkable songwriting skills. www.myspace.com/sticksandstonesrolls
Nila Minnerock’s seminal bass playing, dark, beautiful, aggressive,
melodic, fills out the bottom end of the band. Her joined-at-the-hip
connection with Clementine began eleven years ago in BOTTOM, and
close to 20 trips around the US, Canada and Europe and three records
have created the remarkably intuitive rhythm section that Zeppelin
deserves. Nila also brings her rich melodic and experimental sense
to compositions of electronic music for tango and soundtracks. www.myspace.com/achzicherz
Clementine tackles the best rock drumming ever written with her
own powerfully passionate style, bringing the Motown influence of
the Bonham groove to the forefront. As Phyllis Rudd in AC/DShe and
throughout the run of BOTTOM, she developed a heavy-hitting sound
suited to attempt Zeppelin. The musical connection established with
Gretchen in AC/DShe and the lifelong rhythmic conversation with
Nila creates the bond required to do this great music justice. In
her solo project Francis Bakin, she fronts the band as main vocalist/songwriter.
www.clemthegreat.com
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Individuals with widely diverse musical tastes, Led Zeppelin’s
music is common ground. The magic of Zeppelin was the dynamic energy
between the four musicians, and the songs allow Zepparella to feel
that energy too. So it's natural that they begin a project of original
music, The House of More. Their debut album is available at shows:
www.myspace.com/thehouseofmore - www.myspace.com/thehouseofmore
Bringing the western United States stellar events for over a year,
the Zep Quartette revel in creating spectacular multi-media events.
A favorite was a night celebrating the gorgeous surrealism of the
late 60’s, complete with Tom Jonesing opening the show and
the girls playing an all-Zep soundtrack to the movie Barbarella.
Based out of San Francisco, Zepparella is now booking shows throughout
the United States and Canada.
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“…it seems like times they are on a mission –
like it’s their duty to interpret Zeppelin in front of a crowd,
like unseen hands and vocal chords are guiding them.” –
Tahoe Weekly
Zepparella is four women intent on bringing the passion, the beauty,
the aggression, and the musicality of Led Zeppelin alive.
Zepparella is no costumed, wigged-up tribute band. You'll hear no
backing tracks or misguided attempts at note for note replication.
Instead Zepparella offers four seriously talented musicians who
have loved and studied this music long enough to make it a part
of themselves.
Says drummer Clementine, “We approach the music as we think
Zeppelin did, taking musical chances within the structure of great
songs. What happens at the time is exactly what should be happening.”
In November 2007, Zepparella signed a unique management and label
deal with indie stalwart What Are Records? new venture, United Interests.
The resulting album, “A Pleasing Pounding”, recorded
live at Slim’s in San Francisco, features powerful performances
of nine classic Led Zeppelin songs.
2008 will prove to be a huge year for Zepparella. Already with a
rigorous touring schedule that spans form Seattle to San Diego the
group will look to expand their reach as well as tackle more of
Led Zeppelin’s enormous back catalogue. One of these days,"
drummer Clementine promises, "We're gonna do all of 'Physical
Graffiti.'" Spoken like a true fan, and delivered with the
confidence and swagger that epitomizes Zepparella.
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