Since our first creative transaction, I've seen several Panda shows at the Unknown and drank through two bottles of Drambuie. Comprised of Tony on lead guitar, Tal Weinman on bass and vocals, Alex Schneiderman on lead vocals and guitar, and new member Sean Whalen on drums, Big Lovin' Panda describes itself as a "collective weave of funk-rock-prog-disco-pop" made up of threads of individual taste and touch. The result is a funky pop jam that soars on the back of Schneiderman's full vocals.
After dedicating their time, energy, and music to the "experimental multi-media performance format" Insemillation, Big Lovin' Panda is redirecting its attention toward an autonomously procued eight track EP which will strive to capture the two main sounds that have emerged from the evolution of their work. One half will deliver a set of dynamic prog-alt-funk tunes and the other a roller coaster of shorter power tracks. The band aims to complete production by the end of September, setting their sights on a packaged submission to SXSW.
With Tony's former freshman rooomate, Whalen, set firmly in the drummer's seat after a round of musical chairs, Big Lovin' Panda is ready to pursue the next step on its musical journey, but not without forgetting its roots.
"It's actually a really funny story," Tony tells me when I ask him how the band came together, which may or may not include a rivalry with another group they almost ended up on the same bill with at the Roxy this weekend. Instead the boys are playing an after hours show the following night with a secret password entry, a far more textured cry from the slick facade of Hollywood that speaks to Panda's commitment to authenticity and heart.
It all started in 2006 when Tony and Tal were indepedently recruited into a band fronted by "an Anthony Kiedis impersonator" who fired Tal upon Tal's request that "Anthony Kiedes" remain clothed during sets. Tony and the band's drummer jumped ship as well and the new trio began writing progressive jams, added a funky horn section, and began auditioning singers. The band was christened when Tony misheard Tal's plans for a date. With a name like Big Lovin' Panda, I just hope Tal remembered to use protection. Consequently two full panda suits were purchased on markdown at a store in Downey with "no questions asked."
Ferrara, who has a self-professed "reckless love of tube breakup, and dirty, oscillating leads," along with self-taught bassist Weinman then embarked on a rather colorful audition process to find their singer, which included more than one visit from homeless men looking for free beer. When boyishly charming Alex Schneiderman showed up with a resume boasting "an arts school upbringing specializing in world music, opera, musical theater, and jazz, as well as music instruction and theory," the rest of the band was more than relieved.
Tony writes that "the music is finally achieving the sophistication we set out for," referring to the "weave" that, as it strengthens and grows, "can hold more lyrics, guitar lines, bass fills, snare rolls" - in a word, more "personality," more of each member's point of view.
So maybe this "weave" is part of the Panda mating ritual, which is beginning to sound like an orgy of pleasure as Tony writes, "the shape of that weave is crucial. It's got to fit in your earhole just so to make it an orgasmic listening experience. And I do mean yours specifically, you, reading this right now. This is all we think about. Your earholes. Fitting in them."
Watching the tall, lanky Ferrara launch into an energetic solo after Schneiderman unleashes a voice that is just as emotional as it is controlled, the music does indeed slide right into your "earholes," and whatever Weinman may have been talking about on that fateful night, it sure is Big and it's definitely got some Lovin', and yes, there are Pandas.
Still not convinced? Here's a sneak peek track off of Big Lovin's yet untitled upcoming EP called "Change of Pace" that is sure to be a perfect fit.
Change of Pace - Big Lovin' Panda
You can find more information on Big Lovin' Panda at their MySpace and their Facebook.
The boys have got a couple of shows coming up here in Los Angeles that you won't want to miss.
Saturday, September 5th is "a mother of a gig" at the band's favorite after-hours downtown, where they will be treating guests to two hours of material after a one a.m. opener from one of Tony's local heroes, Jeff Ramuno. As I wrote above, this show follows Tony and Tal's former band's gig at the Roxy, serving as a milestone for Big Lovin' Panda. Venue is located near 7th and Broadway with its exact location and password revealed the night of, so make sure to get on the list or "you'll be wandering around skid-row in your high-heels."
Saturday, September 19th is a birthday party for the Unknown Theater's artistic director Chris Covic as well as a fundraiser to recoup the costs of their last production (It included 7000 gallons of water and trust me, it was pretty insane). You can get more information here.
On Saturday, November 21st, the next A.M.A.R. Festival takes us to LA Historic Park, or the "Cornfields," for another arts and activism event. You can get more information here.
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