300 Pounds (2)

300 Pounds is an extraordinary funk-punk band based in Santa Cruz, California. The gripping stage presence of this three piece band creates an environment that everyone can enjoy. Over the last few years 300 Pounds has worked to refine their sound and presentation to maximize the audio and visual experience of the audience. Describing the genre-bending sound of 300 Pounds is a difficult task. With influences spanning the heaviest of metal, to the most effervescent pop, their music swims in a sea with an ever-changing temperament. In any given show, you'll find the fire of punk, the soul of 70's funk, and lyrical musings on joy, sorrow, loss, and hope. While the band is persistently challenged to provide a genre into which they fit, it's a burden that they happily bear. Nate Lieby (lead vocals, guitar) is a life-long musician who started in rock playing drums, singing and writing songs. After years of being a drummer and lead singer in the band Sneaky Creekans, Nate broke off and began playing guitar and writing songs for 300 Pounds. He brings the energy of his drumming experience to his guitar playing: a frenetic, cleaving attack. Pecos (bass, backing vocals) grew up elbow-deep in music, helping his father run a music store and dabbling in guitar and drums for most of his early life. With the formation of 300 Pounds he took up bass and began pitching in on vocals. Pecos brings a powerful excitement to the stage with his presence, joining Nate in their over-the-top exuberance and between-song banter. His bass style is heavily influenced by his love of reggae, hip hop, the slap-pop styles of the legendary funk masters. Jon Moriconi (drums) has a long line of experience playing guitar, piano, and a bit of just about everything else. Jon was also in Sneaky Creekans with Nate as a guitar player and main songwriter. He joined 300 Pounds as the drummer and contributes his powerful talent to the musical zeitgeist of the band. His drumming is constantly evolving and growing with the band, turning Jon from a light-handed jazz enthusiast into a full-blown rock slugger. The band's discography provides an excellent history of the band. In 2003 Nate released 300 Pounds first album. The album was an introspective, meandering journey through the mind of 300 Pound's songwriter. Their second full-length album, Metamorphosis, was released in 2005, and marked the dissolution of 300 Pounds as a solo project. While they were happy with the release, it was definitely a transitional piece for them, learning just what it meant to be an actual band, and trying to figure out where they were going with their sound. After almost two years of playing and constantly tweaking their live sound, 300 Pounds went in to record again in late 2006. They recorded a raw, live, EP that showcased the fire of their energetic stage performances. The outcome was the Emmeryville Project. 300 Pounds had finally found a defining sound and style to call their own. The Emmeryville Project caught the attention of DC-Jam Records and the band was signed in December of 2008. By February 2009, they'd finished their latest album: "Trail of Numbered Days", to be released world-wide in July. 300 Pounds has played countless shows in many venues in the greater bay area (Santa Cruz, Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, etc) and southern California. They are joining the DC-Jams Skate Rock tour in April of 2009 to revisit so-cal, and to branch out into Arizona and Nevada. ------------------------------------------------------ The Latest: After years of hard work and shows, 300 Pounds has finally found a place to call home. They rest peacefully, nuzzled in the warm busom of their latest release: The Emmeryville Project. 300 Pounds has finally found a defining sound and style to call their own. The sounds on their latest album ring true to the live vibe the band has focused on since its inception in July of 2002. Listen to the tracks and feel the funk, punk, and dance grooves wash over you and incite head bobbing and bootie shaking galore. History: 300 pounds started as a solo project with Nate playing accoustic guitar over a crappy CD player, shamelessly pumped through the PA of any venue that would have him. After some time spent playing open mics and random dives, Marisa Valera joined the band to help with harmonies and occluding Nate's accoustic fumblings. Afer a few CD player shows and some trails by fire, Randy macy joined the band on bass with Jon Moriconi on drums. The lineup held for a few months before Randy was replaced by Pecos and Marisa left to pursue her dancing career. Down to a solid crew of dedicated players, 300 Pounds finished writing and recording the band's second full-length album. While they were generally pleased with the outcome, they still hadn't captured the vibe they wanted with their music, and felt they could do better. It was a few years before 300 Pounds went in to record again (this time in late 2006). They'd spent years reforming their sound, practicing like mad, and playing intense live shows. They wanted to record a raw, live-sounding, EP that showcased the fire of their energetic stage performances. With the new EP up their sleeve, 300 Pounds has begun seriously pushing the band forward and taking big steps to becoming the rock colossus they all envision.