Biography
Sonia Dada emerged during the spring of 1990 as an eclectic rock & roll ensemble known for its genre-blending energy. The Chicago-based outfit shares its label home with the Freddy Jones Band, drawing songwriting ideas from both local life and experiences gathered while traveling. In 1990, songwriter-guitarist Dan Pritzker stepped off a subway train and encountered the layered harmonies performed by Michael Scott, Paris Delane, and Sam Hogan. At the time, Pritzker was already collaborating with longtime associates guitarist Dave Resnik, drummer Hank Guaglianone, and bassist Erik Scott. The three vocalists integrated into that quartet, establishing the expanded configuration of Paris Delane, Sam Hogan, and Michael Scott on vocals alongside the original instrumentalists. Keyboardist Chris "Hambone" Cameron joined the ensemble soon after rehearsals intensified.
The group issued two Capricorn releases. Its self-titled debut, first issued on Chameleon/Elektra Records and re-released in 1995, surpassed 100,000 copies sold and generated the minor radio success "You Don't Treat Me No Good." Follow-up album A Day at the Beach arrived in March 1995. An intoxicating fusion of blues-rock, rhythm & blues, and soul earned the band listeners abroad, notably in Australia, and supported the ongoing international touring schedule. During the Australian visit, every one of the 19 scheduled concerts sold out completely. In 1994 the ensemble supported Traffic across 40 performances while also headlining sizable clubs and theaters throughout the United States. Tracks such as "Deliver Me" and "We Treat Each Other Cruel" exemplify soul-gospel-rock celebrations distinguished by inventive arrangements and themes suited to adult rock radio audiences.
Continuing its tradition of stylistic fusion on A Day at the Beach, the band offered material like "Lay My Body Down," which echoes the gospel-rock approach of the debut, while the album single "Screaming John" highlights a memorable melody, strong harmonies, and inventive lyrics. The second album sustains the grooves established earlier while introducing funkier rhythms and melodies. My Secret Life appeared in 1998, followed a year later by Lay Down and Love It Live. The richly layered soul album Barefootsoul surfaced in 2002. In 2004 the group delivered the ambitious Test Pattern, a richly atmospheric set accompanied by a bonus DVD containing multimedia elements built around two short films directed and shot by Jeth Weinrich.
The group issued two Capricorn releases. Its self-titled debut, first issued on Chameleon/Elektra Records and re-released in 1995, surpassed 100,000 copies sold and generated the minor radio success "You Don't Treat Me No Good." Follow-up album A Day at the Beach arrived in March 1995. An intoxicating fusion of blues-rock, rhythm & blues, and soul earned the band listeners abroad, notably in Australia, and supported the ongoing international touring schedule. During the Australian visit, every one of the 19 scheduled concerts sold out completely. In 1994 the ensemble supported Traffic across 40 performances while also headlining sizable clubs and theaters throughout the United States. Tracks such as "Deliver Me" and "We Treat Each Other Cruel" exemplify soul-gospel-rock celebrations distinguished by inventive arrangements and themes suited to adult rock radio audiences.
Continuing its tradition of stylistic fusion on A Day at the Beach, the band offered material like "Lay My Body Down," which echoes the gospel-rock approach of the debut, while the album single "Screaming John" highlights a memorable melody, strong harmonies, and inventive lyrics. The second album sustains the grooves established earlier while introducing funkier rhythms and melodies. My Secret Life appeared in 1998, followed a year later by Lay Down and Love It Live. The richly layered soul album Barefootsoul surfaced in 2002. In 2004 the group delivered the ambitious Test Pattern, a richly atmospheric set accompanied by a bonus DVD containing multimedia elements built around two short films directed and shot by Jeth Weinrich.
Albums
