Local band making big moves

By Kristen Hoverman
The Collegian

Emerging from the small spread out population of Mariposa, California, is an alternative rock band with the drive and talent to make a big dent in the music scene.

Moon in Leo, formed in January 2005, released its first album Oct. 29.

“And it’s all for you,” one of the bands leading songs, has a diverse sound from “loud arena size” songs to laid back acoustic numbers revealing influences of Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones.

The first song on the album, “Need You (more than ever)” sets up the album as a mixture of experiences and observations in relationships. From good feelings of reciprocated love to the betrayal in relationships to the heartaches, the majority of the songs on the album evolve around love.

“It’s a pretty large force on the world,” said drummer James Steed.

The artwork on the cover was painted by Steed, a student at Fresno State majoring in art with an emphasis in photography.

The band fronted by lead singer and guitarist Bret Wice, Steed, and bassist and backup vocals Jeremy Clark, has already begun to turn heads in the local community with its catchy lyrics and melodies. The band played at the battle of the bands during Vintage Days in April and are planning on returning to play on campus. They are also spreading out into Fresno and Merced.

“The first day we jammed together, we just knew it was going to work,” Wice said.

With heavy support from the local community and their biggest supporter Vickie Lorenzi, owner of River Rock Inn, they have outgrown the local community.

“We’ve given 150 discs away,” Steed said. “Everybody so far said they liked it.”

The CDs are selling for $5. To get a copy of Moon in Leo’s debut album, contact the band on Myspace.com, where it has samples of its music.

The band’s name, Moon in Leo, is a powerful symbol for what the band plans to accomplish. Wice was studying astrology at the time when the band decided on the name. It stands for someone who wants to be totally original who goes after what they want, Wice said.

“We’re very dedicated,” Clark said. “When you’ve got a good thing, you’re driven.”

Moon in Leo is starting on its next album this month, Wice said. “We want to go as far as we can go.”

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