STARK—Honest, raw rock and roll from the underbelly of New York City. Original, straight-ahead, old-school rock dipped in poetic hillbilly angst.

STARK was started by Lani Ford in 2003 after a while of playing bass and singing with all sorts of other bands and kicking around the Tobacco Road open mic with original members, Dylan Grewen and Greg Schiff. STARK started out as more of a lo-fi/singer-songwriter/indie rock combination of country, punk and blues. After the release of The Curse, Dylan left and Jonesy stepped in on guitar and added more of a Johnny Thunders/Ramones/Blondie sound to the fold. After Jonesy, Josette came on board for over a year and a half and brought with her a more AC/DC and Motley Crue glam/metal feel. With her, Rob Endemann, and guest vocalist Pam “The Metal Queen” Grande, Lani released a sophomore STARK CD in 2008 called Put It To Your Head. Joe Hogan engineered both records and both albums reflect what was going on with the band at the time.

Now, with Joe Hogan and Eric Robel taking over in the guitar and drums positions, respectively, prepare yourself for the sickest, hardest, tightest version of STARK yet. Keeping their punk and metal roots, now STARK offers up their original mixture of bluesy Southern rock and underground NYC rock while staying melodic and lyrically intriguing. The band has been together a short time and has already been touring and writing new material. They bring together all the past elements of STARK but more intensely with a sense of humor and craziness, darkness and depth, and simply kick-ass rock and roll. The new STARK is eager to be in the studio, on the road and in a bar near you.

Lani Ford—lead vocals, bass
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Eric Rock ‘n Robel—drums


Sonic Joe Hogan—guitar
Lani Ford is one of those girls who guys want to take home after the gig, but they’re afraid she’ll write a song about them. She doesn’t mind perpetuating that. She also loves to give the other girls in the room a platform to let their wild sides reign free. That alone makes STARK compelling to watch. What makes them a great f-ing band is that the songs are songs, the guitar rocks and the lyrics are more than interesting. Lani laughs, cries, hollers, wiggles, writhes, smokes, drinks, passes out sweets, all the while rocking her P-Bass and singing her ass off. Then, you’ve got Hogan wailing on his Les Paul, with his wild hair flowing and blowing around like a wild-man’s. He supports Lani, antagonizes her, leads her deeper into her frenzy while playing kick-ass guitar leads that make your jaw drop. In the meantime, Sweet Rob Endemann is rocking out the drums with a big smile and a solid stare, like he just might barrel over the drum set and start dancing or beating on the heads of the sweaty, sexed-up, drunken, stoned audience. Well, yes, there was the topless incident at Piano’s, the smoking fiasco at Grand Central Bar, and the shattered bottle as Pyramid, but all in all STARK’s rowdiness is nothing compared to the in-your-face rock and roll the band pours out of it’s soul at every show for every audience member every f-ing time! The sparse arrangements and honest lyrics will make you laugh, cry, dance, drink and get nasty. Influenced by blues, country, punk and metal, STARK can’t be labeled as easily as most, but they play straight-up rock and roll.

STARK blasted onto the NYC scene in 2003, Before that, it’s 3 original members, Lani Ford (lead vocalist, bassist and songwriter of STARK), Dylan Grewen and Greg Schiff spent a year and a half kicking around together at open mics and playing together in a couple of other bands. STARK then played the NYC club scene for 4 years with Lani always out front, busting up the norm and lifting hearts everywhere with her dirty, intelligent, harsh, honest, and funny lyrics and huge voice. In 2004, the band recorded its debut CD “The Curse”, instantly making fans out of big players in the NYC rock and roll scene and beyond from Patti Rothberg to Handsome Dick Manitoba with the music they call Punk-try. With a growing support base, international airplay, and sheer determination, Lani has teamed up with Hogan and Eric Robel. The sophomore record from STARK Put It To Your Head was released in January and it is harder, more punked out, and has fun, dark, groove-based songs that will blow your dress up!

"STARK featuring Lani Ford has style. Lani has a wonderful, deep sexy voice. This is a knockout CD. Rich and heartfelt that reflects her cool Texas heritage. You can hear a wonderful twang in the painful lyrics. “The Curse” brings it all home. A definite must in any sound station."— New York Waste

Lani Ford is one of those girls who guys want to take home after the gig, but they’re afraid she’ll write a song about them. She doesn’t mind perpetuating that. She also loves to give the other girls in the room a platform to let their wild sides reign free. That alone makes STARK compelling to watch. What makes them a great band is that the songs are songs, the music rocks and the lyrics are more than interesting. It’s obvious Lani has had a lifetime of taking punches and came out swinging in the music that STARK makes—like dark metal comedy and punked out country blues all rolled into one sexy package.

Slinging poetic hillbilly angst dipped in sleazy underground NYC rock, STARK blasted onto the NYC scene in 2003. Before that, Lani Ford (lead vocalist, bassist and songwriter of STARK), with original members Dylan Grewen and Greg Schiff, spent a year and a half kicking around together at open mics and playing together in a couple of other bands. In 2004, the band recorded its debut CD “The Curse”, instantly making fans out of big players in the NYC rock and roll scene and beyond from Genya Ravan to Lenny Kaye. STARK then played the NYC club scene for 5 years with various line-ups but Lani always out front, busting up the norm and lifting hearts everywhere with her dirty, intelligent, harsh, honest, and funny lyrics and huge voice.

With a growing support base, international press and airplay, STARK recently began a press and radio campaign to further promote the sophomore record "Put It To Your Head”. Hogan engineered/co-produced and Josette played guitar. Lani and Rob are the rhythm section with backing vocal help from Rob and Pam the Metal Queen Grande.

DISCOGRAPHY:

“Put It To Your Head”, Released January 26, 2008 Tracks with airplay: 18 Again, OH NO!, R-D-R, Disturbed, Nothing’s Wrong, I Pay, Co-Dependent, Dreams Come True, This Day

“The Curse” LP, released May 15, 2004 Tracks with airplay: Cryin’ In The Mornin’, Somewhere, White Trash Rock & Roll Diva, Summer Girl, Look at Me, Beautiful Mistake, Slut, The One, Wrong Guy

“The Morgue The Merrier”, LP, Poptown Records (2005) Compilation CD of New York City bands—featuring STARK’s song “Slut”

“Women of Rock”, LP, MJR Films and Audra Hardt (2008) Compilation of female-fronted rock bands—featuring STARK’s song “OH NO!”

Samplers include: Under the Radar October 2008, Bubblegum Slut Zine (UK) Summer 2008, Danimal Promotions November 2008

Lani Ford—backing vocalist on F.P.ToZ LP, “Housebreaking Oui Oui Pads” (2005)

STARK’s music is available on:

CDBaby.com Apple itunes Subterranean Records and Cds Bleecker Bob’s Digstation And many more music sites…

FILM:

STARK’s song “Cryin’ in the Mornin’” in the independent feature film “Fillbilly”(2007) Lani Ford co-wrote a song featured in the horror film “Zombie Cult Massacre” (1998)

TV:

WNYW, Fox 5-TV (New York City) Cognac’s Corner (NYC, MNN Ch. 34/78) Manny In Manhattan (NYC, MNN Ch. 57) Be Yourself As Well As Art (NYC, MNN Ch. 34/78) Mark After Dark (NY) Mango TV (NY) Vidocity (NY) Indigo TV (NY) ILR (Australia) Lugar Incomum “Usual Place” on the Multishow Channel (Brazil)

RADIO:

Sirius Radio (Chicks and Broads with Genya Ravan on Underground Garage) Sirius Radio (Jim Breuer show on Raw Dog—live performance) Sirius Radio (Goldie’s Garage with Genya Ravan on Underground Garage) LG73 Radio (Canada) KKUP 91.5FM (California-No Pigeonholes show with Don Campu) Q104.3 (NY) K94 Rocks (L.A.) Total Rock FM (London, UK— 1 hour interview and airplay) WTSR (Trenton, NJ—interview and live peformance) WUSB 90.1FM (Long Island, NY) WBAB’s Homegrown show with Fingers (Long Island, NY) The Drop Zone/KTWL-FM (Houston, Texas) WGBB (Long Island, NY) ISON LIVE RADIO (ILR), Australia WXPK (Westchester, NY—interview and airplay) WDTS in Georgetown, DE (CMJ/Top 30) WRPI in Troy, NY (CMJ/Loud Rock report) WMPG 90.9/104.1 WomanSong (Portland) Belfast Radio (Tim Tyrrell)

College/non-commercial radio: Cuts from “The Curse” and “Put It To Your Head” can be heard on over 50 stations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia

**STARK has also been receiving college radio airplay on:

WHRB in Cambridge, MA WFWM in Frostburg, MD WUNH in Durham, NH WDCR in Hanover, NH WCDB in Albany, NY WITR in Rochester, NY CHRW in London, Ontario WKDU in Philadelphia, PA WUSR in Scranton, PA WMSS in Middletown, PA WRKC in Wilkes-Barre, PA WCHL in Wilkes-Barre, PA; CKUT in Montreal, Quebec WRIU in Kingston, RI WDTS in Georgetown, DE (reported CMJ/Top 30) WVUD in Newark, DE WMHB in Waterville, ME WMPG in Portland, ME WNTI in Hackettstown, NJ WARY in Valhalla, NY WNYU in New York City WSIA in Staten Island, NYC WUSB in Stony Brook, NY CKCU in Ottowa WESU in Middletown, CT WPKN in Bridgeport, CT WXAC in Reading, PA WWUH in West Hartford, CT WMFO in Boston, MA WTCC in Springfield, MA WKDT in West Point, NY WRPI in Troy, NY (reported to CMJ/Loud Rock report) WRUV in Burlington, VT WHUS in Storrs, CT WMUA in Amherst, MA WSMU in Dartmouth, MA WERU in E. Orland, ME WRUR in Rochester, NY WFSE in Edinboro, PA WXVU in Villanova, PA WECS in Willmantic, CT WRSU in New Brunswick, NJ (Rutgers) CIUT in Toronto, Ontario WKPS in University Park, PA CIBL in Montreal, Quebec***

INTERNET:

Survivor Radio Café Off The Chart Radio (UK) Stuart Bedasso podcast Westside Will internet radio No Pigeonholes (www.doncampu.com) WomanSong YourSpace Radio (www.myrealbroadcast.com) Cracklin’ Radio iRadio LA (Indie 1047/L.A.) Q-Radio (Fame Games) Iheartmusic.com (Clear Channel NEW!) You Rock Radio (featured artist) Joey Stuckey’s Audio Style (Engage Internet Radio/GA) That Blue Jeans Guy Podcast (Podsafe Music Network) A Quiet Time (PMN) Noise Pollution (PMN) UC Radio Podcast (PMN/CA) Bolt.FM The Big Red One (IAC) The party (IAC) Next Big Hit Street Blast (MO) The Drop Zone (KTWL.com/Houston, TX) Zing! Flip! Squash! (Waterplanet Radio) Indie Limelight Radio Show (Indie Artist Radio) www.wnyu.org Crystal Blue Radio Norvo Odus Radio (Rising Star feature) Local Music Now Radio Podrama (DJ Burnout) ’nette radio (Dallas/L.A.) Roots Rock Radio Radio X (NY) Radio Gets Wild (UK) Music-Islands (Japan) Wild West Rocks Radio NightOwlz Radio (Soundclick.com) Best Hits Radio New Juke.com SongPlanet.com (WSPR) Rock Stars Glued network Long Island Podcasting Network

PRESS: Music Connection (October 2008) Good Times, Long Island (October 2008) Jersey Beat (July 2008) Metal Maidens website (Netherlands, 2008) Skrutt website (Sweden, November 2008) Indie-Music.com (July 2008) Street Voice UK (May 2008) Sound-check Magazine (UK, March/April 2008) Devolution Magazine (UK, June 2008) Bubblegum Slutzine (UK, March 2008) The New York Daily News (page 3 feature 2005) The Big Takeover Magazine (Spring 2007/Spring 2008) The New York Waste Magazine (over 20 issues) The New York Post (2004) The Deli (NY 2004) Wildy’s World Blog (2008) CD Reviewer Website (2008) Halifax Courier (UK, 2008) Leeds Music Scene Website (UK, 2008) Time Out London (2008) Punk Globe Magazine (UK, March 2008) Village Voice (NY) More Sugar (NY) San Antonio Express-News (TX) WNYW, Fox 5-TV, New York WGBB, Long Island WPLJ-FM, New York Go Girls Music Website Swiss Records Website Bassgirls Website Indiegrrl Website Feast of Noise Website Songplanet Website WXPK-FM, Westchester New York Sugarzine Black Angel Reviews Horrorwood Babbleon Website The Aquarian (NJ)

SHOWCASES:

LAMN Manhattan Jam, NY (2008) Make Music New York (2007, 2008) CMJ 2005 Battle of the GoGirls 2006 Girls Rock and Girls Rule 2006 GoGirls Invasion of SXSW 2007 Go Girls Music Fest (2007, 2008) Selected as Standby Artist for NXNE 2008 OS Arthouse Shure Showcase 2008 Dynamic Music 2nd Annual Showcase 2008

HONORS/AWARDS:

ASCAP Songwriting Awards 2005-2008 (Lani Ford) Future Star Feature on Radio Crystal Blue 2008 Music Dish Network Event Picks (2008) Featured Artist on Undergroundmusix.com (August 2008) Featured Artist on Nextcat.com (April 2008) Featured Artist on Feast of Noise.com (March 2008) Featured on The Musician’s Auction Open House Blog (April 2008) Featured Artist on Treblenation.com 2007 Featured Artist on Songplanet.com (2008) Featured Artist on A Quiet Time Podcast (2008) Featured Artist on Best Hits Radio (2008) Featured Artist on ‘nette radio (2008) Featured Artist on CD Baby (Garage Rock & Punk Pop/2008) Featured Artist on NYCMusic.net (2008) Featured Artist on Indiegrrl.com (2008) Featured Artist on IAR Indie Limelight Radio Show (2005) Top 25 Rock Artist on Overplay (UK, March/April 2008) Top 20 Pop Punk Artist on My Music Stream (2007/2008) Top 75 Rock Artist on My Music Stream (2008) Top 10 Artist on Ourstage (Pop/June 2007) Top 15 Video on Ourstage (February 2008) Top 40 on KIAC Big 50 for 5 weeks in 2007 (“18 Again”) Top 75 Artist on Soundclick (R&R, Punk/2008) Top 100 Artist on Soundclick (Indie/Alt Power Pop in 2007, 2008) CMJ/Loud Rock report 2004 CMJ/Top 30 2004

NEW YORK CITY CLUBS (selected few):

CBGB’s Cutting Room Don Hill’s Arlene’s Grocery Continental Meow Mix Otto’s Shrunken Head Knitting Factory Kenny’s Castaways Pianos Snitch North Six Trash Rehab Fontana’s

LONDON CLUBS:

Dublin Castle Hope and Anchor Dirty Water Club The Dry Bar

TOURS:

United Kingdom Amsterdam, Netherlands Pennsylvania Upstate New York Maine Texas New Jersey Long Island Connecticut

WE’VE SHARED THE STAGE WITH THESE BANDS AND MORE:

Murphy’s Law Temptress Future 86 Danan Healy Mongrel Bitch She Wolves Grande Warrior Soul Statues of Liberty (Banana Fish Zero) Bantam New Professionals 3 Kisses I.C.U. Lenny Kaye (of Patti Smith Group) Patti Rothberg Gin Blossoms The Dollyrots Cori Yarkin Joy Rider Ellen Foley (of Meatloaf) J.D. Malo (of Cycle Sluts From Hell, Smashed Gladys, Mike Monroe) Donna Lupe (of Cycle Sluts From Hell—Honey 86%er) Richard Lloyd (of Television, Duncan Sheik) Billy Ficca (Television, The Waitresses) Syl Sylvain (of The New York Dolls) Sammi Yaffa (of New York Dolls, Hanoi Rocks) Thommy Price (of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Billy Idol) Frank Ferrer (Guns & Roses) Jimi Bones (Blackhearts, more) Dougie Needles (of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) Tommy USA (of Jesse Malin) Felicia Collins (of David Letterman Band)

CHARITIES:

American Heart Association UNOS (GoGirls MusicFest 2008) RAINN Amnesty International Rock Against Diabetes Rock The Vote 9/11 Police and Firemen’s Widows’ Fund Rich Betancourt Family Willie Mae Camp for Girls God’s Love We Deliver Habitat For Humanity Women Build Suffolk County Red Cross World Society for the Protection of Animals Caring Bridge (Go Girls Fest 2006) The Kids Rock Hep-C Awareness Blank-Fest X 2006 and XI 2007 Porn4Peace Darfur Benefit 2007 Princeton Hospital June Fete Benefit 2007 Mighty Mutts (Go Girls Fest 2007)

SPONSORS (Past or Present):

Daisy Rock Rock Star Energy Drink Sam Ash Go Girls Music Electro-Harmonix Shure Gibson

MEMBERSHIPS:

ASCAP AFTRA SAG Songwriters Guild of America Go Girls Indiegrrl

COVERS: Love To Be Hated (Agnostic Front) Sons of Bitches (Banana Fish Zero) Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash) Skin of My Teeth (Megadeth) Ain’t It Fun (Dead Boys) Walking In The Sand (Shan-gri-las)

WEBSITES:

www.starknyc.com www.myspace.com/stark www.sonicbids.com/stark www.youtube.com/starkband

© 2008 Lani Ford Kicking and Screaming Music