The Furies are a modern rock band performing original music that combines alternative/indie influences and a range of other stylistic themes, including folk, funky and world music sounds. This diversity gives their music a catching, moving undercurrent laced at times with melodic, ballad-like qualities, at times with international overlays, at times with a funky groove, and at times pushed to a driving, biting edge. Currently, their working repertoire includes more than 70 originals.
Each musician in the band adds creative input to the all-original sound. Long-time bass player Maurice Capone laid the groundwork with his moving, melodic bass lines. Current bassist Roumen Lefterov brings his own more angular style. Duke Hipp provides the rhythmic focus with a syncopated, unique drumming style. Mark Edberg, the band's founder, establishes the sound center with guitar chord work and leads (as well as keyboards and, on occasion, sax). His “grainy” vocals are combined with those of guest female vocalists to create a compelling and varied mix. On the "Scratch" CD, musicians include: Mark Edberg (lead vocals, all guitars); Maurice Capone (bass); Gerson Feigenbaum (drums); Tanya Dobryznski (backing vocals and lead vocals on "Let it Go"); Leslie Milofsky (backing vocals and acoustic guitar on "The Candle"); Leslie Gaston (backing vocals on "Middle of the World"); Brian Layne and Dave Tyndale (percussion on "Stones in the Grass").
The Furies have been performing at clubs and events since the mid 1990s. Current and past clubs include:
• CBGB's, The Lone Star, the Cooler, and Brownie's in New York City;
• The Black Cat, the Bayou, 15 Minutes, Polly’s, Julio's Capitol Hill, Club Heaven, Grog & Tankard, Club Asylum, Dylan's, Milo's, and DC Arts Center in Washington, DC;
• the Luna Park Grill, Rhodeside Grill, Crossroads (Charlottesville), Pete's (Charlottesville), T.T. Reynolds, Fat Tuesday's, Zaxx, Finicky's, Laughing Lizard, Cousin's, Zig’s, and Planet Nova in Northern Virginia;
• The Edge, the 8 x 10 Club, the Paragon, Max's on Broadway, Manny's, Planet X Cafe, The Rabbit's Foot, Taliano's, Durty Nelly's, Uncle Jed’s Roadhouse, Dunmor's Tavern, and Carey's Pub in Maryland.
The Furies also performed at the H Street Festival, past presidential receptions (a Clinton inaugural reception at the Warner Theater), the Takoma Park (MD) Street Festival, the Goucher College (Baltimore) Oktoberfest, and the "Art Attack" festival at the University of Maryland.
"Scratch" was the Furies' first CD, though other songs had been released in single or tape form. The newest CD is “Real Time,” also available via this website. Earlier Furies singles "Nevermore," "Carol," and "The Candle" received airplay on Washington, DC metro area radio stations and on local college radio. In addition, "The Candle" appeared on the soundtrack for "Handgun," a film starring Treat Williams (Prince of the City) and Seymour Cassell, directed by Whitney Ransick. It was released on video nationwide and has been shown on Showtime and Cinemax cable networks.
The Furies are also committed to playing benefit performances, and have participated in benefit shows for: Easter Seals; Pennies for People (at American University); Whitman-Walker AIDS Clinic; humanitarian aid to El Salvador; the "Save Our Cities" rally (on the mall in Washington, DC); an Earth Day festival (at George Washington University); and the Washington Area Music Association's 7th, 8th, and 9th Annual Crosstown Jams. The band's interests in this respect coalesce well with the social and political concerns reflected in many of their songs. [Furies lead singer/guitarist Mark Edberg formed an organization called Musicians Advocating Shared Solutions (MASS) as a vehicle to conduct benefit shows. The first of these shows was a "Stop the Violence" concert in the mid-1990s featuring four well-known local/regional bands. A second "Stop the Violence" show was held in Baltimore, also featuring area bands.]
Current band members:
Mark Edberg: lead guitar, vocals (also sax and keyboards)
Roumen Lefterov: bass
Duke Hipp: drums and percussion
Guest female vocals
Maurice Capone: original bassist and still part of the Furies
For bookings/information contact:
Mark Edberg: (301) 672-2999 (cell)
Email: furiesmusic@aol.com
Website: www.furiesmusic.com
Furies music is published through Furies Scream Music (ASCAP), c/o 708 Forston Street, Takoma Park, MD 20912. Both Furies CDs manufactured by Oasis.
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