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Catching Up With R & B Sensation Chris Pierce and His Band
I caught up with Chris Pierce and his R&B band after they performed a showcase concluding the final preliminary night of Acoustic Life held November 2, 2003 at The Westwood Brewery Company. The amazing fact is that this current line-up has only been together a month, but you would never know it as they are awesome combining brilliant inspirational lyrics with a jazzy R&B sound with a soft rock influence. Front-man Chris Pierce has a crystal clear voice with an inspirational style similar to Jack Johnson, and his band already has songs polished enough for recording and to put on the radio.
The band consists of Chris Pierce, lead vocals and guitar, Marvin Etzioni on guitar and back-up vocals, Orlando Sims, bass and back-up vocals, David Leach plays percussion, and drummer Rob Perkins couldn't make it due to obligations in New York. Lead singer Chris Pierce is involved in producing and writing all the material with Marvin Etzioni co-producing with him and co-writing half the songs. The songs represent deep emotions based on real life situations. Someone went through a messy break-up and another is in a loving relationship, and everyone is just enjoying what they do, being who they are. They're happy with what they do, and this is reflected in their music.
The band opened with "All That Matters is Now," which is about getting over "it" and moving on. The lyrics get to the heart of the matter with "I won't take anything that has happened… nothing in the past is going to hurt you... all that matters, all that matters is now." The lyrics of "Lift You Up" illustrate a similar mood with "A miracle of change lives within your heart… I want to lift you up." Specifically this song is about finding a good relationship and getting out of a bad one. It's also about having the strength to get out of a bad situation and having the courage to move on to something better. "When I'm With You" just might make it on to the television show Smallville. It's about taking care of and appreciating what you have and not taking that special someone for granted. This is a great song, lyrics; "It makes me feel like everything is going to be all right when I'm with you… I should have swallowed my pride… How could I know if I don't try, Everything is going to be all right when I'm with you." Chris Pierce's song "Are You Beautiful" actually made it on to Dawson Creek. Not everything is fine and dandy. "She's Trying to Kill Me" represents the angry side. This shows extreme suffering and pain and the hardship of attempting to escape from a relationship that has already died. Just listen to the cold chill with "I think she's trying to kill me, kill me…. She put 15 years on my face… she slashed my tires… eerie way of messing with my gravity." "By the Time the Morning Comes" keeps us in the downside mood of romance with "What's the use of waking up with no one by your side…. Someone you don't recognize by the time the morning comes."
The band is putting time aside to work on their upcoming CD this winter. They already have great material, and it's a miracle that these guys have only been together as a group for such a short time. Watch out for Chris Pierce! These guys are on the fast track and already have total respect in R&B circles, with admiration from those in rock as well.
Article by: Laura Phillips
Submitted: November, 2003
Photos: Chris Pierce Website
Artist Website: www.acousticlive.net
Email: info@thelamusicscene.com
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