Redhead Betty Takeout

Try the BEST MySpace Editor and MySpace Backgrounds at MySpace Toolbox ! ____________________________________________________________ __Native Philadelphia band, “Redhead Betty Takeout”, releases their long-awaited, self-titled CD on Saturday, March 15th with a performance at Philly’s World Café Live. The band’s new CD delivers stick-in-your-head songs reminiscent of bands like The Cars, U2, and Counting Crows via sincere and powerful lead vocals with freshly familiar guitar-based songwriting. The lyrical honesty, and focused energy found in RHBT’s music can quickly change one’s state - and somehow remind you of the best times of your life._______________________________________________________ _______While the essence of Redhead Betty Takeout’s music can be described as energetic, hopeful and honest rock/pop, the essence of this band’s history is persistence. Neil McGettigan, along with Drew Rolli (lead guitar and backing vocalist), Alex Long (bass), and Tim O'Donnell (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) came together in the 90’s, via the simple shared passion for playing. But over time, there grew a focused desire to create truly great songs that were sincere and moving, songs that could change lives. And since that transition, they’ve far surpassed the imagined boundaries once constructed by themselves, friends, and naysayers.__________________________________________________ ____________Mike Post, five-time Grammy winner and Executive Producer, has been an inspiration and mentor to the band for the past two years. After completing two do-it-yourself EPs and cold calling anyone who would listen, these Rocky Balboaesque Philly underdogs eventually found themselves flying to Burbank, CA to live near Studio 9 and the crew from Mike Post Productions, with all expenses paid, to write new songs for over a month. “It was like a dream. But it was a challenge that really stretched us as songwriters”, recalls Tim O’Donnell. Mike Post played an influential role in enabling the band to find their sound. During early morning pre-session breakfasts at the Tallyho in Burbank, Post helped the band understand the importance of intense inspiration and hard work. Long recalls, “He laid it out plainly - this band would need to rely on the magic factor. We needed to commit ourselves to finding it and then just see what happens”._________________________________________________ _____________Redhead Betty Takeout found a bounty of that songwriting magic through experimentation with other musicians as a way to stretch beyond their comfort zone. The band collaborated with the likes of Qura Rankin (Christina Aguilera, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna), Ben W. (LA based punk/powerpop band Scarlet Grey), John “JR” Robinson – the most recorded drummer in history (Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton), L.A. singer-songwriter Uri Hoffman, Craig Elkins of Huffamoose, John Zonars (songwriter/guitarist and former Saturday Night Live Music Coordinator), not to mention a few electrifying sessions with Post. The band then returned to their home-turf to further develop their new blend of passion, energetic vocal harmonies, and rock guitar with Brian Bricklin (producer and engineer for major label releases on A&M, Columbia, RCA, Polygram, Hybrid/Sire, and Ruffhouse Records). Bricklin’s pop sensibilities, plus the drum work of East-coast master Erik Johnson, were two driving forces that allowed the band to further focus their unique rock sound. The new CD covers a broad musical territory. “State of Mind”, is the proton charged opening track about being aware we’re all connected and the same. Later, the band presents the beautifully orchestral and poetic “Tomorrow Tonight”, about trying to postpone the inevitable. O’Donnell comments further “it’s about savoring that last beautiful moment when you’re looking into the eyes of the person whose world will forever change once you let them know”.____________________________________________________ __________Although completing their self titled CD has demanded the lionshare of their attention Redhead Betty Takeout has also managed to continue playing live shows including several summer festivals, live television performances, and countless local clubs and events. Songs from their prior EP have been featured in Always Will, an award winning full-length feature distributed throughout U.S. and Canada. The band has performed for diverse audiences ranging from college students, pub crawlers, senators, and a Supreme Court justice. But to really appreciate this band’s level of persistence, consider that they have done all of the above while keeping their day jobs intact. Alex Long, also known as Dr. Alex Long PhD, is a University professor and published poet, McGettigan is a Business Development Manager at a successful start-up, O’Donnell has a Masters degree and is an associate director at a New Jersey Biotech that is trying to cure cancer, while Rolli is an IT professional at one of the largest teaching hospitals in Philly. “One thing that separates this band is that we just never stopped doing it”, recalls Rolli, one of the band’s primary songwriters. But that’s far from the only thing. Their persistent faith over the years has brought them a new self-titled release that rekindles a hope for the future of rock music, reminding listeners of what it used to be, and can be again. ____________________________________________________________ __