Biography

Dead Rock West Biography
"X meets Wilco? A dream combination for fans of roots-inspired, punk-spirited rock, and one that somehow congeals in Dead Rock West." - Ventura County Reporter
Dead Rock West’s debut album, Honey and Salt, incorporates elements of country-rock, power-pop jangle and straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll to create an eclectic sound so captivating and exciting that it grabs you from the first note, and holds you to the very last. Their fresh, original sound is impossible to ignore as their extraordinary musicianship, passionate vocals and lyrical proficiency create incredible hooks and harmonies that will be forever burned in your soul.
The vocal harmonies on Honey and Salt stand out from the beginning, as the rich, silky melodies capture the essence of the band’s already impressive sound; adding subtle nuances of raw emotion to the accomplished songwriting. Although this is Dead Rock West’s debut album, it seems as if the band has been together for decades due, in part, to their impressive credentials.
The band:_Born into a musical family, Cindy Wasserman (vox, tambourine) is no stranger to either stage or studio (her brother is two-time Grammy Award winner Rob Wasserman). She has recorded and toured with Grant Lee Phillips, John Doe; Rickie Lee Jones and Mark Olson.
Frank Lee Drennen (vocals, guitar, harmonica) has spent time in a number of groups including Loam and Stewboss, as well as working with troubadour Gregory Page and former Alarm guitarist, Dave Sharp.
David J. Carpenter has toured and recorded with Toni Childs, John Doe, Mark Olson and Grant Lee Phillips. He is equally adept on both electric & double bass.
Drummer Bryan Head, has toured and recorded with The Plimsouls, John Doe, Shelby Lynne, Peter Case and Abandoned Pools to name a few.
Phil Parlapiano (mandolin, octave mandolin, Hammond organ, Vox Continental), previously with Brothers Figaro, has recorded and performed with John Prine, Grant Lee Buffalo, Tracy Chapman, Rod Stewart, Social Distortion, and many others.
Honey and Salt was recorded at Grandma’s Warehouse in Echo Park, CA the way they used to do it; 2” tape, 24 tracks, no click tracks or pitch correction machines, and mixed by Grammy Award winner, Richard Dodd (Dixie Chicks, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Steve Earle, Traveling Wilburys etc.). Rounding out the warmth of the album, The Section Quartet (Sam Phillips, Wilco, David Bowie, etc) added their internationally renowned talents to the closing track on the album, “All I Know”, and pedal steel guitarist, Greg Leisz (Wilco, Paul Westerburg, Sheryl Crow, etc.) provides his distinctive style to the tracks “Going Home” and “All I Know”.
2007 promises to be a banner year for Dead Rock West. The band will tour in support of Honey and Salt this summer, including shows backing and opening for John Doe, while Wasserman and Carpenter will also cameo on Mark Olson (The Jayhawks) next album, The Salvation Blues. With word of mouth building and an armful of new recordings the group is ready to hit the next plateau with their own unique sound that is Dead Rock West.
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