MEAN VENUS

MEAN VENUS is an all original modern hard rock band from New Jersey born in early 2006 with influences ranging from more contemporary bands like STP, Alice In Chains, Velvet Revolver, QOTSA, Foofighters, and Audioslave to the undisputed masters-- the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, GNR, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. In other words: Take everything cool from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s and roll it all up into a single massive band and there you have it: MEAN VENUS. Rooted in the fertile soil of these diverse acts, MEAN VENUS is an explosion of raw energy fueled by years of studio, stage, and songwriting experience.
Reception to the band’s debut album, PCP (2008), has been overwhelmingly flattering by critics and fans alike. With hard-edged rockers like “Let the Feelings Go” and “A Vision” to future crossover classics like “Invisible”, “Happy Here”, and “A Little Peace”, PCP is taking the music world by storm as the desperately needed alternative to today’s popular radio drivel.
MEAN VENUS’ lead singer, songwriter, and bassist—known merely by the initial ‘J’—began his musical journey at 8 years old. With a father that was a rock and roll singer, it was inevitable that J would uphold the family tradition. Surprisingly, when J initially got the music bug himself, he first became a hyperactive drummer. With a brother who was a gifted bassist, J spent countless after-school hours learning what it means to be half of a rhythm section. But in time, J’s awe was inspired by the songwriting mastery of bands like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles and he drifted toward guitar and became obsessed with his own songwriting by the time he was a mid-teen.
Band after band, experience after experience, J has piled up stage and studio credits as a drummer (Trench), bassist (Hangman’s Jury), vocalist (Negative Nine), and guitarist (Dogs of Rebellion), performing coast to coast--all the while honing his various instrumental, studio, and stage skills and amassing quite a voluminous repertoire of original material. In effort to further his lyrical and songwriting abilities, J also earned his BA in English and Music from Rutgers College with Highest Honors.
Mean Venus’ drummer, Chris Dowd, began his musical endeavors at the age of 8—but ironically not as a drummer. Chris tirelessly worked on his singing voice, practicing along to his mother’s old records. During his school years he worked on his songwriting abilities with fellow schoolmates, but mostly labored to become a lyricist. By the age of 19, Chris started playing drums after suffering a shoulder injury during his quest to become a professional body builder. His first drum set--an orange sparkle Tor Dor kit--was loaned to him by a friend and by age of 21 Chris was touring with The Barry Dowd Band and performing with such artists as Bobby Lewis and The Tokens. After touring he continued performing feverishly in local cover and original bands, and eventually set out to write, record, and sing some of his own original music. Soon after Chris met up with guitarist Paul Crook (Meatloaf, Sebastian Bach, Anthrax) and was honored to have the chance to play with him.
In January of 2007 he started studying music under one of the world’s greatest drummers: Fastest Hands winner, Tiger Bill Meligari. Chris’ influences are of a wide-ranging variety and include drummers as diverse as John Bonham, Eric Carr, Shannon Larkin, and Dom Famularo. With his extensive road/recording experience, he has developed a unique style of drumming, adding power and dynamics to any musical situation he encounters.
MEAN VENUS’ debut, PCP, was recorded throughout 2007—engineered by MEAN VENUS’ very own Marcelo Cardosa and produced by MEAN VENUS itself. Within the first few recording sessions PCP quickly showed its uniqueness and its originality. PCP is the culmination of each member’s years of relentless musical effort and passion. Upon completion of the debut, further incessant rehearsal and unyielding devotion to music has transformed MEAN VENUS into a powerful, tourniquet-tight steamroller of a band. Countless performances have further cemented the unity and direction of the band and most recently they have begun pre-production on album number two and are planning to tour the US all throughout 2008 in support of PCP.
The boys look forward to seeing you all out on the road.
ALL HAIL MEAN VENUS
Check Out www.MeanVenus.com For Free MEAN VENUS MP3s.