PuraPharm * Madisons * Jealous Creatures

Rudyard’s presents PuraPharm * Madisons * Jealous Creatures.

PuraPharm (pictured, Houston, TX)
http://www.purapharmmusic.com/

“Holy God in Tifa’s 7th Heaven, have you heard this girl? It’s like Nina Hagen was fronting the Legendary Pink Dots! She’s got a voice like a living orgasm that just pounds right out of a wall of psychedelic rock until you fall on the floor like the heroin just kicked in. No wonder she’s up for a Best Female Vocal award this year. ” – Jef With One F – Houston Press: Rocks Off 100

PuraPharm was formed in 2007 by Tessa Kole and Niki Sims. Tessa was looking for a new project after 61 Cygni – her former project – when her drummer, Eric Jarvis, moved on to pursue his dreams becoming more involved in professional recording & production. Tessa and Niki were coworkers at the time, and Niki was one of 61 Cygni’s biggest fans. Niki was usually not old enough to get into all the gigs, but she would find a way every time; whether she had to sneak in the back by helping lug in gear, or hide out in a bathroom for an hour before the venue would start carding at the door, she was always determined to find a way into the show!

In 2005, Tessa approached Niki with an opportunity to start something new from the ground up – Tessa doing what she does best by leading the band by bringing her vocal talents and guitar playing, and Niki rocking a saxophone and clarinet – which they named PuraPharm. Soon afterwards, Paul Adams (former bass player, and founding member of 61 Cygni) joined in on bass guitar. In 2009, a second guitar player came into the mix named Anthony “Tony” Rodriguez. Tony really helped the band to discover their new and unique sound, but he left the band in October of 2012, and was quickly replaced by Davis Jumper. Like Tony, Davis has brought another new element to PuraPharm’s sound, and still with us today. While the songs had been driven with programmed drum arrangements since the beginning, live drummers came along in 2013; first Josh Lastrapes for about 5 months, then John Polinski. In September of 2014 our newest drummer, Daniel Haymes, joined the band.

In 2012 PuraPharm and its members were nominated for five Houston Press Music Awards; Best Modern Rock Band, Best Vocalist, Best Bassist, Best Guitarist, and Best Other Instrument. Niki Sims won her nomination for Best Other Instrument, thanks to her saxophone and clarinet skills!

Purapharm is currently writing, recording, and very much an active part of the Houston music scene. We play regularly at local venues and even tour around the Gulf Coast region once in a while. Our live shows are the best part of being in this band; we enjoy every opportunity we can get to bring our energy to the stage, and love to be in the company of our friends and fans!

Madisons (Austin, TX)
http://www.madisonsatx.com/

Lyric-driven garage folk for people at the bottom.

They call themselves garage-folk, but that’s the Madisons underestimating themselves.””— Jim Caligiuri, The Austin Chronicle

Jealous Creatures – (Houston, TX )
http://www.jealouscreatures.com/

The soundtrack to all those times when we know it’s a bad idea, but we go for it anyway.

“Jealous Creatures are quite the sight to see, and their live show is pretty energetic. Their lead singer has the pipes of Chrissie Hynde, with the swagger of Patty Smyth, which comes across loud and clear on their release, ‘Bazooka.’” – David Garrick – Free Press Houston

“I caught a strong whiff of the Pretenders while watching Jealous Creatures, but that could just be because they happen to have a female lead singer. Really, I think it’s because of the tough, tuneful songs that really go somewhere, and know exactly where that is. They passed the test I give every band I see for the first time at the HPMA showcase with flying colors: Jealous Creatures made me want to go see them again immediately.” – Chris Gray – Houston Press – Rocks Off

“With “Bazooka,” Jealous Creatures may have created their own specialized musical genre. This genre could and should be called Sedimentary Rock. It’s characterized by intricately crafted, multi-layered songs with dual meanings and emotions formed over time by just the right experiences, influences and ingredients gathered from all the right places, eras and genres into an interconnected whole. You could scrutinize each of these layers in detail to get a better look at the baggage they brought to the band or you could avoid the blow to the head and just grab a copy of “Bazooka.” It will give you an ample glimpse of all you really need to know about Jealous Creatures for now.” – Bob Langham – Examiner.com

“I remember when Babyface reviewed Jealous Creatures last time he said how impressed he was, and based on what I’ve just heard of things I’m inclined to agree with him. This is an album which moves through different moods as it progresses, roving from in your face and powerful at one moment through to laid back and soothing at another, there’s twists, turns and surprises around every corner, surely presenting us with an album that is going to be returned to time and time again.” – Dave Nicholls – Loud Stuff

“Frank, freed of genre burdens, and shooting from the hip, Jealous Creatures are the tonic for the times when pop has become pitch-corrected and laden with false comforts.” – David Ensminger – PopMatters

“…they write songs that can sit up on the shelf next to some of the biggest and best classic rock songwriters…” – Jason Smith – Space City Rock