As one of the industry's most respected female-fronted bands, The Niki Barr Band has built its reputation on its innate ability to blend power pop punk with hard rock passion. Led by vocalist Niki Barr, who embodies an edgy yet magnetic stage presence, the group emanates an electrifying energy while pouring its heart into every performance. Resistant to conformity, this Baltimore-based band isn't afraid to push the boundaries of music (or themselves) and continually challenges its fans to embark on a veritable rollercoaster ride of sorts with its menacing rock riffs, soaring anthemic choruses and powerful rhythm section.
However, getting to this point wasn't always easy. Bass player Scott Ensign, drummer BJ Kerwin, and guitarist Island Styles were originally hired as a support band for Niki's international tour to support her solo album Lush. Yet after months performing together on the road, the once "hired guns" became more than a back-up band …they became The Niki Barr Band.
"The most challenging part of this new band was finding who we really were," said BJ. Yet after writing and recording their first release, an EP entitled Bloom, the group was confident that it had found its niche and agreed that Bloom was only the prelude to the band's full length 2010 release of Radar Radio. "We felt like Bloom was only skimming the surface. We wanted Radar Radio to bring together the live show, our image, our musicianship, and most importantly, our relationship to our fans."
Today, in a musical climate where female-fronted bands such as Paramore and Flyleaf often make an easy comparison for the Niki Barr Band, the group's intangible strength and confidence is enough to rival even the heaviest of the male-fronted bands. In fact, the group has even proven that it can hold its own by sharing the stage with such heavy hitters as The Cult, Shinedown, Papa Roach, Chevelle, Drowning Pool, Hinder, Trapt, Sevendust, Puddle of Mudd, and 10 Years.
With years of hard-work and persistence under its belts, The Niki Barr Band knows what it takes to survive and adapt in such an evolving industry. "Rock has survived this long because the fans follow their bands to the grave. That is what drives us every day. We won't ever half-ass anything - not the show, and certainly not the music," said Niki. With a live show that merges the band's lunatic, chaotic, and seductive tendencies, the group somehow manages to do so in a precise and sophisticated way.
Now in 2011, the band prepares for touring behind its highly acclaimed record Radar Radio, which is already receiving much attention from radio stations nationwide. "Our plan is to never stop. The minute you drift or doubt, you fail. We've been kicked too many times to turn back. We're in this 'til the grave. The question is. Are you coming with us?"
