 Beyond Blonde.....started out as FIRDA (pronounced fear-duh) in 2000 when lead vocalist Lisa Firda branched out on her own to test the waters with her original music. Having gone through a few musicians to find the right match for the project things started to come together in March 2002 when Lisa met Donna Compos (drummer) @ a blues jam. They joined forces and a few weeks later, Joyce Sampson (Bass player) joined. The accidental female trio continued on as FIRDA until William "Suekey" Sukeforth (lead guitarist) answered an internet ad for a guitar player in May 2003. Eventually the band name changed and "BEYOND BLONDE" was born in August of 2003. The blues rock, classic rock influences they share formed into pure, positive, straight-ahead, soul-driven rock-n-roll that'll make ya dance. This foursome was rockin' hard and doing well until January 2005 when Joyce Sampson resigned from the band. While the search for the "right" new bass player proved to be an exhausting effort, pulling it all together using session players until Stephen Lyon was found was just what the band needed to keep things going. In 2006, bassist Stephen Lyons was accepted into the L.A. Music Academy in Pasaden, CA. Chuck Pagano joined the band on bass for a short time before getting a job in CA. What's with CA and our last two bass players? We now have Vinny D'Agostino on bass. Be sure to check out his profile. The saying was true before it's still true today...the only way to truly experience Beyond Blonde is live. The bands travels have taken them to FL, KY, OH, NY, CT, VT, NH, MA & RI. Festivals, clubs, fund raising events and having a good time are high on their priority list. Festivals and other special events have included the Sakonnet Rhythm and Blues Fest (Little Compton, RI 2002); Sunset Music Festival (Newport, RI 2002, 2007); Seafood Festival (Newport, RI - 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08); Midwest Music Entertainment Industry Conference (Lexington, KY - 2003); Brockton Fair (Brockton, MA - 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08); New York Independent Music Festival (NY, NY - 2003); 4th Annual Talarico Blues & Jazz Festival (Manchester, NH - 2004); Laconia Bike Week (Laconia, NH - 04, 05); Motorcycles for Middlesex (NH, 2004); Whaling City Festival (New Bedford, MA - 2004); the annual WAAF Bike Run (Chooch's 2004); March of Dimes, Saving babies, together with WHJY (W. Greenwich, RI - 05); MDA Motorcycle Ride (New Bedford, MA - 05); and the Madeira Feast (New Bedford, MA - 04, 05). Beyond Blonde have been featured performers on Cox Cable's "Center Stage", (2 different performances airing in 2002 & 2004); New Bedford Cable and Fall River Cable (2004) and have a DVD/VHS music video of the song "My Interpretation" produced and filmed by Al Angel of Angel's Touch Production. (DVD/VHS available on Merch. Shop Page) Press Coverage includes internationally circulated magazines Gritz, Newport Life, Burn (UK) and Powerplay (UK). Featured in Limelight Magazine (08); Website press and regional coverage in Soundcheck Magazine (Boston - no longer in operation); The Providence Phoenix; The Standard Times (Coastin, New Bedford, MA); The Leo Weekly (KY); Chevy Chaser Magazine (KY); Newport Daily News; Newport Voice (no longer in operation); Providence Journal (Lifebeat) and the Resident (CT newspaper) Beyond Blonde gives of themselves musically and as people to help those in need. They have performed at several fund raising benefits which included benefits for victims of the Station Fire in W. Warwick, RI, Rockin' for Wishes (cancer) and numberous programs to benefit individuals with cancer. They are also involved with programs to free people from substance abuse and domestic violence and donate proceeds from CD sales to Middlesex Human Services http://www.mhsainc.org/. A highlight for Lisa in working with Middlesex Human Services, was to share the stage and sing along side Steven Tyler of Aerosmith during a benefit show in February 2003. Beyond Blonde also released "September Skies" as a single in 2002 after 9/11 and donated the proceeds from the sale to the NY Firefighters. "September Skies" is also a track on their CD Famous Last Words, which is sold out. |
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 Lisa Firda - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Mick Coste - Drums |
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