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Imagine
a twilight world of sonic make believe where Dean
Martin and Neil Diamond share equal billing
with Danny Gatton and Hank Marvin, where
reverb-drenched surf freakouts segue into a small
jazzy combo playing a Vegas nightspot frequented by
The In Crowd and where roadhouse-rockin' twangfests
coexist with tranquil atmospheric meditations. It
is in this musical parallel universe that surf/lounge/rock
'n' roll combo The Vodkanauts work their magic, simultaneously
paying respectful tribute to musical masters while
creating a soundtrack to a mid-to-late 20th century
America that never quite was ... but should have been. |
The
Vodkanauts coalesced in September of 2002 specifically
to fill the support slot at a Dick Dale concert.
The crowd response at the band’s debut was so
overwhelmingly enthusiastic that the group decided
to make the one-off project a continuing endeavor.
A year and a day later, The Vodkanauts once again
opened up for The King Of Surf Guitar at the same
venue and garnered the same fevered reaction. The
intervening year had seen the band perform numerous
well-attended club dates as well as sharing bills
with national acts the likes of Big Bad Voodoo
Daddy and The Mermen. |
Fast
forward to January of 2004. Original Vodkanauts drummer
Ken Walker as well as vocalists Jonathan Harrison
and Jessica Conrado depart the ranks, opting to devote
their time to other projects. Group founder Mark Warren
opts to soldier on and with bassist John DeBellis,
recruits a fine selection of talent for the next chapter
in the band's ongoing musical adventures. In the grand
Tampa Bay tradition of ever-shifting band lineups,
Alex Stevens elects to leave the band in May of '06.
Stepping center stage is none other than his predecessor,
Jonathan Harrison. |
| The Vodkanauts' continuing mission
expands the band's repertoire to include rhythm 'n'
blues, jazz and other roots-informed genres while still
encompassing the surf classics, lounge numbers and original
compositions that cemented the band's reputation as
one of Tampa Bay's most engaging live acts. Equally
at home on a festival stage before a crowd of thousands
or in an intimate nightclub setting, The Vodkanauts
excel at performing time-tested tunes with inventive
arrangements, delivered with a heightened level of showmanship
and crowd-pleasing energy. |
| Ladies
and gentlemen, meet The Vodkanauts. |
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