Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Brian Merrill, the voice of seminal Tampa Bay combos Parade In Paris and Factory Black, the foursome’s ranks include guitarist Mark Warren, bassist Michael Hoag (both formerly of the Leonard Croon Band) and seasoned music biz veteran, drummer/vocalist Stan Arthur. Together, they are resolved to spread some irony-free rock ‘n’ roll bliss with music that is, as Merrill puts it, “less frosting, more cake.” Starduster, Barely Pink’s five-song EP (with three, count ‘em, three bonus tracks!), was self-released in 1995, quickly attracting the attention of regional and national media. “One of the punchiest, hookiest, grooviest combos that these pop-lovin’ ears have heard in, oh, the last decade or so, “raved Goldmine, tome of all things recorded and collectible. “(The songs are) great from start-to-finish, packed with lotsa fiery guitar, swell harmonies and streamlined melodies. Barely Pink currently stands poised at the brink of power pop greatness.” Two full-length CDs followed, 1997’s numberonefan and Elli’s Suitcase the following year, available stateside through noted pop purveyor Not Lame Recordings and in Japan by JVC/Victor, home also to power pop legends Cheap Trick. Compilation appearances include Full Circle: A Tribute to Gene Clark (Not Lame/USA), What The World Needs Now: A Tribute To Burt Bacharach (Big Deal/USA) and Pop Gun 2000 (Screaming Apple/Germany); more compilation appearances are being negotiated for 2001. Barely Pink’s songs have been featured in broadcasts by such diverse outlets as the XGames on ESPN, the Disney Channel and the Tokyo Broadcasting System and in the summer of 2000, the band made their third consecutive appearance at the International Pop Overthrow, the prestigious pop-oriented music festival held annually in Los Angeles. Recording is currently wrapping up for the band’s third full-length release at Tampa’s Morrisound Studios with Tom Morris (Seven Mary Three, Steve Morse Band, The Crow soundtrack among many other credits) co-producing the as-yet-untitled CD with the band. |some nice thing people have said about us … “Barely Pink is one of the punchiest, hookiest, grooviest combos that these pop-lovin’ ears have heard in, oh, the last decade or so.” - Goldmine “The band makes catchy pop-rock, rich in grabby hooks, woo woo harmonies and chiming guitars that capture a wide-eyed innocence of bygone days … bright harmonies on top and gritty rock ‘n’ roll underneath … the Bay’s own pop colossus … kinda like Big Star meets Urge Overkill by way of ELO with a little Ramones on top.” - Weekly Planet “If my body has stopped moving to Barely Pink’s tunes, I’d only have had to assume that I’d been struck by sudden paralysis.” - Ink 19 “Barely Pink pays homage to Alex Chilton/Big Star and other pure pop icons by merging melodic, wide-open chord changes with soulful vocals and lead fills.” - Focus Magazine |
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