Biography

STARK—Honest, raw rock and roll from the underbelly of New York City. Original old-school style 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
4 time ASCAP Plus Songwriter Award winner. Lani has played for The Bicycle Dogs, The Blind Pharaohs, The Heather Larkin Band, The Wood Nymphs, Killer Pang (and other Pang projects), Sweet Ami, W/Dylan, and The Love Pirates. She's also toured as back-up singer for TEMPTRESS and sang backing vocals on the F.P. ToZ album “Housebreaking Oui Oui Pads”.

Joe Hogan--guitar/backing vocals
Roarfiend and Gorgon god who also engineered STARK’s 1st 2 CDs.

Eric Robel—drums
A total badass, formerly with Heroine Sheiks and Nova Express.

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:

Short film “Kombat Twister” used live footage of our new STARK song “On The Edge” from a performance at Delancey Bar (2008)
"Cryin' in the Mornin'" in the independent feature film "Fillbilly"(2007)
Lani Ford co-wrote a song featured in "Zombie Cult Massacre" (1998)

TV:

WNYW, Fox 5-TV (New York City)
Plum TV (Channel 13--Telluride, CO)
Rhythms of New York (Bronxnet—live performance and interview)
Cognac’s Corner (NYC, MNN Ch. 34/78--interview)
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)
WVOF (CT—airplay, interview, live performance, Upper Room with Joe Kelley)
WBTM (Wilmington, DE—interview and airplay on Behind The Mike)
WISN (New Haven, CT)
WXDU (North Carolina)
WMHB (Waterville, ME)
WONC (Naperville, IL)
WXVU (Villanova, PA)
LG73 Radio (Canada)
KRIM (Payson, AZ)
Revoradio 104.1 (Cabot, AR)
KKUP 91.5FM (California-No Pigeonholes show with Don Campau)
Q104.3 (NYC)
La Radio de l’Université de Bruxelles (Belgium)
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)
CFBU (St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada)
CFUR (Prince George, BC, Canada)
CFXU ( Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada)
CKCU (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
CKDU (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Belfast Radio (Tim Tyrrell)

**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:

Radio Crystal Blue (featured in 2009 Airplay vote)
Norvo Odus Radio (Rising Star feature)
Survivor Radio Café
Behind The Mike (Delaware—airplay and interview)
Off The Chart Radio (UK)
KNAC.com (L.A., CA)
Rebel Radio (Netherlands)
Radio Primitive (Reims, France)
Luver Radio (Berkeley, CA)
Upper Room with Joe Kelley (CT)
Church of Girl (Portland, OR)
HussiesKunk Radio (Reynoldsburg, OH—airplay and interview)
Old School Radio (Harrisburg, PA)
Yellow Beat Radio (Chiba, Japan)
Homegrown Radio (Blairstown, NJ)
Troy’s Room (www.latalkradio.com)
Stuart Bedasso podcast
Westside Will internet radio
Wild Ride Radio
Gator Broadcasting (FL)
Dolphin Radio
Tribeca Radio.net
JFL Broadcasting (UK)
No Pigeonholes (www.doncampau.com)
Featured on Lush Rock Radio (2009)
WomanSong
YourSpace Radio (www.myrealbroadcast.com)
Cracklin’ Radio
Indie Music Fund (www.bandradiolive.com)
Free Radio Jackson (Michigan)
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 (Missouri)
The Drop Zone (KTWL.com/Houston, TX)
Zing! Flip! Squash! (Waterplanet Radio)
Indie Limelight Radio Show (Indie Artist Radio)
www.wnyu.org
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 (NY)
NightOwlz Radio (Soundclick.com)
Best Hits Radio
New Juke.com
SongPlanet.com (WSPR)
Rock Stars Glued network
Long Island Podcasting Network
Omnivue TV.com

PRESS:
Indie4Life/Indie Artists Alliance Website (2008)
PA Musician (2009)
Philadelphia Daily News
WXPN City Haps
PennLive.com
CW’s Place (www.theCDReviewer.com)
Indie Music Stop Website (2008)
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)
Band Volution (Indonesia)

SHOWCASES:

Millenium Music Conference 13 (2009)
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 Plus Songwriting Awards 2005-2008 (Lani Ford)
Best of 2008 list on No Pigeonholes podcast
Future Star Feature on Radio Crystal Blue 2008
Music Dish Network Event Picks (2008)
Featured Artist on Undergroundmusix.com (August 2008)
Featured Artist on Lush Radio Rock (2009)
Featured Artist on Womens Radio Review (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 15 Pop Punk Artist on My Music Stream (2007/2008)
Top 40 Rock Artist on My Music Stream (2008)
Top 10 Artist on Ourstage (Pop/June 2007)
Top 15 Video on Ourstage (February 2008)
Top 100 Modern Rock Artist on Ourstage (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 (Club Midway/Scenic)
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

LICENSING:
Pump Audio
Octobertunes (Canada)
A&R/Big Pond (Australia)
MUSync

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

© 2009 Lani Ford
Kicking and Screaming Music