Name? Laura Van
Birthday? January 5th
Bands you are currently in? The Rock Shop is the working cover band, Smacky is our original project.
Other bands you have been in? Jeff & I had a band called The Stats in Michigan. I was in a couple of cover
bands in Indiana, where I am from. Also, I sang in my Dad’s band when I was a teenager.
What instruments do you play? Bass guitar, a little acoustic guitar.
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why you like or use certain things. I have a Japanese built
Ibanez Road Star II from the 80’s. It’s really scratched up and probably needs new frets, but I wouldn’t trade it
for anything. It has kind of a small body, so it’s light and doesn’t look ridiculous on me. I also have a copy of a
Hofner bass, made by Galveston that I use with the duo now and then. My bass rig is pretty simple, a solid
state amp in a rack on a 15” cabinet and a limiter on the floor that I use as a preamp. No fancy Hartke for me!
Age you started playing? I began accordion lessons at the age of 5 at my Dad’s music studio in Indiana.
When I was about 19, I bought some keyboards to join a band. I was 22 when I started playing bass.
Influences? The first Pretenders album convinced me that being in a band was definitely for me. Of course,
being a bass player, I have to mention Sir Paul’s style, the best!
Favorite local artist? I used to really like to see the band Pop Gun, they are not together any longer.
Favorite venue to play? We always have a great time at Stamper’s in Fairview Park.
Who would you like to perform with? Smacky opening for Concrete Blonde would be fun.
Artist you really like to listen to? I am a big fan of Liz Phair, Courtney Love, Garbage, The Donnas, Weezer.
New music or artist you like? Panic! At the Disco is very cool, Fall Out Boy, Anna Nalick
Most embarrassing thing in your CD collection? For some reason, I ended up with a Sugar Ray CD. I
tried to listen to it recently, it truly does NOT rock. The Record Exchange didn’t even want it!
Favorite movies?
”The Gold Rush” or anything by Charlie Chaplin.
”Unfaithfully Yours”, the old one with Rex Harrison.
”The Jerk”, “The Sixth Sense”, “V for Vendetta” is a great new one.
Favorite television shows?
I hate to admit it, but Desperate Housewives sucked me in.
The Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Especially the monologue. Also, I like the English comedies on PBS,
especially “Keeping Up Appearances.”
Your last meal on earth? LOTS of stir-fried vegetables with garlic, served on couscous, a very large slice of
watermelon and what the hell, a shot of Rumplemintz.
Do you collect anything? I collect containers, boxes, things that I could put my collections in, if I ever do
collect anything. It’s true, ask Jeff.
Book that everyone should read?
new: Bizarro and other strange manifestations of the art of Dan Piraro.
old: My Mother’s House and Sido by Colette.
What’s in your CD player right now? Right now I have “With Teeth” by NIN and “Pinkerton” by Weezer in the
car.
First cut on your dream mix CD? Hmmm…today, I would say “Drop Dead Gorgeous” by Republica.
What do you do in your day job? Day job? No way!
Relate a funny or outrageous story from a gig. We were on the road in Michigan, taking a job at a
bar/restaurant that included “meals”. We load the gear in and set up in the bar, and then we go into the
restaurant (which was fairly nice) and sit down to order dinner. The waitress comes over and we explain that
we are in the band, dinner was included in our contract. She gets the manager who says “oh, no, what you get
is employee lunch”, which was some kind of hamburger helper junk and that we were supposed to eat in the
employee break room, which we all know is where they keep all the extra cups and condiments and trash. We
went to McDonald’s.
Most unusual request while playing out? Over The Rainbow.
Most tiresome request while playing out? Anything by Journey.
If you went to hell, what song would be played over and over? Miracles by Jefferson Starship – gah!
People who don’t know me well wouldn’t know that I……? I made a quilt that included squares of our pet
rat’s favorite blue jean shirt after he passed away. And I’m a pretty good cook…vegetarian, of course!
Email address: rockshop@core.com
Welcome to Spotlight!
....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show!
....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show!
The fifth installment of Spotlight features Laura Van, an extremely dedicated musician and bass
player in the hugely popular cover band The Rock Shop. I first met Laura at a gig at Jonny
Rotten's, where I was blown away by her smokin' riffs and ability to keep people dancing and
having fun in the club all night long. Be sure to check out The Rock Shop at one of their many
gigs, and listen to some Smacky tunes on the Music page!
player in the hugely popular cover band The Rock Shop. I first met Laura at a gig at Jonny
Rotten's, where I was blown away by her smokin' riffs and ability to keep people dancing and
having fun in the club all night long. Be sure to check out The Rock Shop at one of their many
gigs, and listen to some Smacky tunes on the Music page!
How did you end up in your current band? Jeff (guitar player) & I (bass player) moved
here from Michigan as a duo. We advertised for a drummer when we arrived – Jim Stamper
(drummer) answered our ad saying that he had a keyboard player and a singer, needed a
guitar player and a bass player, we joined and became Cartunes. After about a year, Jim left
the band. We added Joe Chot as the new drummer. He had a music store at the time called
the Rock Shop, hence the name. Since the inception of the band, I believe we have had about
12(?!) drummers in all and a few keyboard players. Donnie Krueger has been our drummer
now for about 6 years.
here from Michigan as a duo. We advertised for a drummer when we arrived – Jim Stamper
(drummer) answered our ad saying that he had a keyboard player and a singer, needed a
guitar player and a bass player, we joined and became Cartunes. After about a year, Jim left
the band. We added Joe Chot as the new drummer. He had a music store at the time called
the Rock Shop, hence the name. Since the inception of the band, I believe we have had about
12(?!) drummers in all and a few keyboard players. Donnie Krueger has been our drummer
now for about 6 years.
Five CDs you can’t live without?
Liz Phair “Liz Phair”
Hole “Celebrity Skin”
Concrete Blonde “Group Therapy”
Joni Mitchell “Court and Spark”
Pretenders “Pretenders”
Liz Phair “Liz Phair”
Hole “Celebrity Skin”
Concrete Blonde “Group Therapy”
Joni Mitchell “Court and Spark”
Pretenders “Pretenders”
Who are your heroes? Bono is doing great things with the ONE
campaign, lobbying for AIDS research and fighting world poverty.
Mavis Leno did a wonderful job letting the world know about the
plight of the women of Afghanistan under the Taliban. Ingrid
Newkirk, she is the founder of PETA. Congressman Dennis
Kucinich, because he is true to his beliefs. The group of friends
who started Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, they overcame tons of
obstacles to build a beautiful refuge in Kanab, Utah for abandoned
and unadoptable animals. And my grandma, she is 94 and the
absolute best, very aware, very kind, very inspiring.
campaign, lobbying for AIDS research and fighting world poverty.
Mavis Leno did a wonderful job letting the world know about the
plight of the women of Afghanistan under the Taliban. Ingrid
Newkirk, she is the founder of PETA. Congressman Dennis
Kucinich, because he is true to his beliefs. The group of friends
who started Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, they overcame tons of
obstacles to build a beautiful refuge in Kanab, Utah for abandoned
and unadoptable animals. And my grandma, she is 94 and the
absolute best, very aware, very kind, very inspiring.