User:Harveycooter/Stormy California

STORMY CALIFORNIA is a dance-rock group from Hollywood, California – just as their name implies. Daniel Dart and Donal Finn finally decided after years of friendship and success with previous bands, that the two had arrived a at point where the both wanted more out of music and wanted to create music that was true to their rock n' roll routes while hoping to bridge the gap between a music scene that is becoming more and more segregated all the time. With that in mind it was not surprising, that it was during a tour with one of those former bands that the initial seed for STORMY CALIFORNIA was planted.

Vocalist Daniel Dart was on the road with his cult punk-rock outfit Time Again supporting world renowned band Flogging Molly, when he finally made a phone-call to Donal Finn, his writing partner of 4 years and former vocalist of the Canadian glam-rock band Flash Bastard, expressing his desire to move in a new musical direction. Both bands had seen their fair-share of success and infamy. Time Again was a promising, young punk group signed to Tim Armstrong’s (RANCID) Hellcat Records, while Flash Bastard remains best known for being signed to Nikki Sixxs’(Motley Crue) Americoma Label, and getting kicked off a tour with Motley Crue and The Scorpions after Donal repeatedly tried to stab Scorpions front-man Klaus Mein (seriously).

With both men eager to expand their musical palette and try something new, Donal seized the opportunity to suggest forming a new group, befitting both men’s musical evolution and maturity. With Donal taking on lead-guitar duties, they quickly recruited bassist Jerry DiPhillippo, and local percussionist Spencer Brock to round out the group. Building on their respective pasts of tough-as-nails punk, and raw, in-your-face rock & roll, they have incorporated new-wave influences of the 80’s and a fresh, modern rock sound to create something dynamic, energetic, and exciting. It’s the type of energy that makes you get up off your ass and dance, even though you’re at a rock show. It was that same raw excitement and energy that would quickly grab the attention of Dexter Holland (Offspring) who signed the band on the spot to his label, Nitro Records (Fontana / Universal Records).

The band prides itself on bridging the gap between classic, modern, and post-modern influences, and feels a kindred-spirit connection to artists such as David Bowie, The Jam, Adam Ant, The Psychedelic Furs, Primal Scream, New Order, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers. STORMY CALIFORNIA plans to continue in the great tradition of these highly creative, intelligent and unique artists. The goal is to make music that uplifts peoples’ spirit and soul, and to pay homage to those who have come before them, and also to those who will follow.