NAWTY

STREET BEAT FEATURE

Rock Fans Are Suddenly Out Gettin’

NAWTY

by Ernie Thomas

One has got to know they are in for a good time when seeing a band whose slogan is –– “You say it, we’ll play it...or we’ll fake it!”

Party Rock is the only label befitting the versatile Northwest Indiana quartet –– guitarist/vocalist Jim Sheppard, drummer Vern Cranor, bassist Scott Neel and singularly named lead singer/keyboardist, Mandalyn –– collectively sporting the suggestively cool name, Nawty.

The guys are no strangers to local club audiences. Prior to recruiting Mandalyn, they were three-fourths of Sadies Cage. “We’ve all been a part of the local band scene for a while,” noted Neel, who played in Backstage Pass, before joining Sheppard in the guitarist’s best known band to date, Taxi.

“Vern was in Jump In The Dumpster before he hooked up with Jim in Sadie’s Cage, which is where I met him,” added Neel.

While the veteran trio are impressive, it is Mandalyn’s work on the mic that makes Nawty an exceptional way to spend a night out. Singing since age 6, Mandalyn took home a series of state vocal awards as a child performer (both in group and solo categories), before the 21-year-old joined what is her first official rock ‘n’ roll band.

“I love it,” she said. “I’m having a blast with these guys.” Though a new contender in the local music scene, Mandalyn is no stranger to it. Her very proud father, Kevin Benson, is well known in region clubs as the former frontman for bands like Reality Check and Trauma.

Nawty’s official playlist numbers close to 200 songs and includes cover songs by both new an old artists of all styles and genres.

Numbers by Ashlee Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Velvet Revolver, Bowling For Soup and Gwen Stefani keep young clubbers happy; while rockers enjoy songs by Motley Crue, Kiss, Guns N’ Roses, Twisted Sister and Styx.

Those looking to shake their money-makers do so to Nawty treatments of hits by Tone-Loc, Prince, Christina Aguilera, LaBelle and Outkast.

Nawty even muster up some country numbers (Trick Pony and Charlie Daniels Band) and tons of retro favorites (Men At Work, B-52s, Corey Hart, etc.); including pop culture classic, “The Time Warp”, from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” soundtrack.

And as their slogan suggests, Nawty solicit audience requests at various points in their show. Being well-versed instrumentalists, the band usually tackles most songs yelled out at their shows.

“Jim knows everything,” mused Neel. “He can pretty much play anything out there and Vern and I follow along.” For being so young, Mandalyn also knows an amazing repertoire of songs.

Nawty has provided the musical soundtrack to a few of this writer’s rare nights out. They truly offer something for everybody and cater to virtually all musical tastes.

“What amazes me most about Mandalyn, is that her voice holds up all night, every night,” concluded Neel. “Her voice never seems to tire. She sounds as good doing the last song of the night as she does the first song. That comes from the years of vocal training she has been through I’m sure. People really need to hear this girl sing. She’s amazing!”

I am sure that few of those folks who have ever enjoyed a Nawty night out, would argue that point.

CATCH NAWTY AT PLAZA BOWLING LANES IN HIGHLAND, IN

FOR AN ALL-AGES “ROCK & BOWL” EVENT ON JANUARY 21^st, 2006

Back To Top

Web Design By:
Hungry Mind Design