| The Cool |
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| Q & A |
| Band Info |
| The Cool is: Christi Cooper--Vocals, congas, keyboards, flute Fiona Phillips--Vocals, keyboards, guitar Bill Cool--Vocals, guitars Robbie Bendell--Bass guitar Scott King--Drums, percussion Genre: Pop/rock covers & originals Website: www.thecool.biz How long together: 5 years (with a 2-year hiatus); Scott joined in February, 2002 CD: Currently in the works! |
| The Cool was interviewed via email. |
| Q: What is the origin of the band's name? A: Bill "Cool," of course (his real name) Q: What are your musical influences? C: Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Barbara Striesand F: Linda Ronstadt, Kate Bush, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John R: Old school Metallica, Primus, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beastie Boys, Miles Davis, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Zappa, Zappa, Zappa B: Wow! There is just way too much wonderful music and way too many truly great artists all providing influences for me. |
| S: Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Max Roach, Billy Cobham, Weather Report, Steely Dan, the 80's, The Cult, geez...how much space do I have to fill this thing out? Q: Who is your favorite historical figure? C: Winston Churchill F: Lady Godiva R: Einstein B: Les Paul & Leo Fender S: Thomas Edison Q: What are your favorite venues to perform at/in? C: Memphis Blues Cafe, Madhouse, Sand Dollar, Windjammer F: Anywhere with a stage...PA and lights a plus R: The Plex, The Windjammer, Sand Dollar B: The Ohio Theater Music Hall in Lima, OH S: The Fillmore West, San Francisco Q: What is your favorite song to perform? C: Lady Marmalade F: Janis Joplin stuff, Sarah MacLachlan R: Higher Ground B: Sure Do Love the Blues S: Edge of Seventeen Q: What is your favorite CD or record? C: Jamiroquai--"Canned Heat" F: Right now, anything by Shawn Colvin R: Mister Bungle--"Disco Volante" S: The Breakfast Club soundtrack B: All Hail Marx and Lennon or "How Can You Be Two Places at Once When You're Really Nowhere at All-Firesign Theater" Q: What is your favorite food or beverage? C: Chocolate/vodka F: Crab legs/rum punch R: Pizza/beer B: A good steak/Jose Cuervo S: Any good pasta dish/Cuervo Q: What is your favorite loca/regional band? C: Chuck Davis, Neckbonius Funk F: Rarely get a chance to see anyone else R: Neckbonius Funk, The Frank Carlier Band B: Once again, I don't want to try to narrow it; there are lots of acts I really enjoy S: I have been here one year, so I really haven't been able to actually get out and do a lot of research; things are really busy (this is a good thing) with the band right now Q: What is your guilty pleasure? C: Soap operas F: Watching "Sex and the City" R: Being a little too lackadaisical sometimes B: A good round of golf S: Taking my golf game a little too seriously |
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| Review |
| Are ya looking for the quintessential party band? I think we've found them... The Cool is actually a lot more than a "party band," although they'd really get the party started...on a Saturday night...Ok, I'll stop with the Pink. They are a talented quintet of serious and seriously fun musicians (and friends, it appears) that like to shake it up and help you move your booty. Not that they will literally grab your booty and shake it, but you get the picture. Fiona, Christi, and Bill take the lead on vocals. It's amazing to notice the range that the three carry on stage--Bill is the husky, bluesy man you met in the smoky bar last week; Christi is the folksy mama girl-next-door that you knew in college; and Fiona is the soulful, rich songstress that you might see singing in a piano bar one night, a honky tonk the next. The Cool also seems to be quite the interchangeable bunch--not only did Fiona and Christi change instruments several times (sharing their keyboards and congas with each other), but Fiona also plays guitar, Christi plays the flute, and Scott took a turn karate-chopping the congas. It's nearly enough to make one exhausted. But--they forge on. Even though their electricity died in the middle of the set, they carried on with humor, grace, and speed. Bill entertained with a few jokes, and the rest sauntered around and conversated with the audience while they waited for the electricity to start back up. The Cool plays an eclectic bunch of covers (think funk, disco, folk, rock, 80's...and the list goes on...), but they're also working on an album of originals. You'll come to see their energy and come back because of the vocals and dizzying musician changes. Come get hot with The Cool. (No cheese here...) |
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