NWI Music: X-Girlfriend
Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 Thursday, 04 February 2010 01:31
X-Girlfriend -
Chick RockWith Attitude
By: Mario Bourzac
Plenty of bands talk the talk when it comes to crowd entertainment, but few can truly walk the walk. Rather than simply existing as a collection of musicians playing together on stage, it should be the goal of any cover band to become a cohesive musical package. In order to do that you need not only the musical know how, but the theatrical know how as well.
Local musician Rik Menconi thought in much the same way when he was putting together his new cover band just under 7 years ago. When recruiting a lead vocalist for the group he looked at not only fellow local musicians, but at local actors and actresses as well, with the clear advantage being that a local thespian would have the stage presence he was looking for. Once he found his new singer, he knew he was on to something great. Originally forming back in 2003, the cover band X-Girlfriend first came together when bassist Rik Menconi recruited local actress Tina Dohl as his lead vocalist. With over a decade of stage experience already under her belt, Tina was more than up to the task Rik had in mind. As if to confirm his expectations, Tina had already won the 2002 Best Principal Actress in a Musical Award, for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in “Chicago”, at the Memorial Opera House. Despite her lack of experience in the context of a rock band, she was the perfect fit for X-Girlfriend.
The rest of the original line up was filled out by Colin Peterson on lead guitar and John Wachter on drums. However, as with most bands, X-Girlfriend did experience a few personnel changes as the years went on. In January of 2007 Larry “The Rev” Roberts, also of November’s Doom, took over on lead guitar due to Colin Peterson’s “changing family obligations” said Menconi. Later in May that same year Vern Cranor, formerly of Jump In The Dumpster, Sadie’s Cage, and Nawty, took over on drums when John Wachter moved out of state.
With their new line up, X Girlfriend has been achieving some of their biggest goals to date. In 2008 they played at The Radisson’s Annual New Year’s Eve Bash to a room of just under 1,000 people which was possibly their largest crowd to date. That, along with the numerous awards they have received in the NWI music scene over the years, including Favorite Cover Band, Favorite Female Vocalist, and Favorite Lead Guitarist, has helped them reach those goals. It is worth noting, however, that in their almost 7 years of existence, there have been only two member changes in their line up. And now they are more dedicated than ever. Coming up this month X-Girlfriend will be playing the Stadium Bar and Grill in Dyer, IN on Friday February 5th; the Double Deuce in Manhattan, IL on Saturday February 6th; and perhaps most notably at the Risqué Café in Downtown Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood for their Anti-Valentine’s Day party on Saturday February 13th. For more information on the Anti-Valentine’s Day show you can contact the bar through their website at www.risquechicago.com. In addition to their already noteworthy upcoming gigs, X-Girlfriend is also more than excited for their upcoming annual celebration - Rik’s Annual Birthday Bash. Ever since Rik became involved with local music he has always celebrated his birthday with a B-Day Bash Show which in the past has always provided a great turnout. And this year will be no different. In fact, this year he is lucky enough to be celebrating his birthday twice.
Along with X-Girlfriend he will be hosting his birthday locally at The Stadium Bar and Grill in Dyer, IN on Friday March 12th, for his friends and family. On the weekend prior to that, Saturday March 6th, he will also be hosting his annual B-Day Bash at Czar’s 505 in St. Joseph, MI, where X-Girlfriend has an amazing following and their fans have become like a second family to the band.
With all of their upcoming shows for this year already set in place, X-Girlfriend is more than excited to be playing live music. For more information on where you can catch them, check them out on line at www.xgirlfriendband.com.
