Lady Jaye, code name for G.I. Joe's corporal, Alison Hart-Burnett but better know as the best funkadelic band on this side of Jackson. Lady Jaye consists of your fellow seniors here at Western High School. Clay McAndrews is on drums, Mike Riordan on bass, Tyler Burns and Mitch Poling with guitar, Jake Stephens doing vocals and guest appearances by Mikey O' Connel, Matt Ong, and Hayley Burns. Mikey and Matt perform with Lady Jaye raping "Juicy", a cover of Biggie Smalls. Hayley Burns has a trumpet solo in their epic song "Indian River".
The style of music is alternative funk, and is best described by lead singer, Jake Stephens, influenced by "nature, a warm summer breeze, rainbows, and orange slices with tang." Lady Jaye started out when the foursome would play music and have jam sessions for fun in Clay's basement. A week before their first show, Jake Stephens joined to sing vocals. Clay McAndrews says he doesn't get stage fright before shows because he is "with my friends, my buuuds." Tyler Burns said, "To get pumped for shows I like to drink some .99 cent Arizona Iced Teas." When asked where their favorite place to perform was, Clay McAndrews replied, "Definitely not Ohio." The band agreed their favorite performance was just recently in Grass Lake, "Because the crowd was pumped and Tyler's finger was bleeding, and that is the sign of a good show", said Mitch Poling.
Mike Riordan writes Lady Jaye's songs and says his inspiration to write music comes from his cat, Pee Belly "because of his mystical and lively movements." The band practices about once a week in Mike's basement where they practice their songs, play Wii Bowling, eat food, and waste time. Mitch Poling said that they also like to feed Pee Belly cheese stick, causing Mike's mom to get mad while she is trying to watch Ghost Whisperer. Lady Jaye agreed that they have a lot of fun being a band. Tyler Burns said, "Being in a band gets all the ladies, and it makes us look cooler than we really are."
The five some of Lady Jaye is not often found far from each other, whether they are hanging out as a band or just as friends. They took 2nd place three times in Battle of the Bands competitions. Junior, Kristi Loos said, "I like going to Lady Jaye's shows because they're really fun to watch and energetic on stage." You can find Lady Jaye jamming in Jackson, at local venues or making guest appearances at friend's parties. Junior, Kelsie Minder said "I like Lady Jaye's music because I can get down with my friends to it." Clay McAndrews said what keeps them going is "The fact that we are great friends and will always have fun whether we are practicing or performing, or even on our way to a show." When asked about the future for Lady Jaye, the band replied that they would like to "hit it big time." Tyler Burns said, "We would like to eventually own our own Apple Bottom Jeans company after we go platinum." On a more serious note, Jake Stephens said that the band will "probably stay together in the future and be more open ended about practices and shows." Lady Jaye agrees that they will get together after high school to perform a couple shows for all you avid listeners. -Gwen Burns, Staff Writer (The Prowler)
thanks ally burns!
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