We’re thrilled to announce that The Nikki O’Neill Band now is a 4-piece!

Nikki O’Neill: lead vocals, lead/rhythm guitar

Dave Eberlein: lead/rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Noah Wilson: bass, backing vocals

Rich Lackowski: drums, backing vocals

Noah’s been playing shows with us since December actually, and Dave just joined us in April after blowing all the other auditioning guitarists out of the water.

We’re jamming on new material, writing new tunes and we can’t wait for everybody to hear this new killer lineup as we’ll start playing shows soon. With everybody singing in the band now and being such great players, it’s all moving in a great direction! You’ll see new pictures of us soon as we start gigging with the new tunes this spring…

Next week we’re auditioning a number of keyboard players and guitar players (to trade solos, fills and rhythm guitar parts with Nikki.) Here’s the ad we’ve posted on Craig’s List – if you know anyone in Los Angeles who might be a good fit, send us a message/comment…

Keyboardist or Guitarist into Soul-influenced Rock Wanted

Soul/funk-influenced rock band in West LA with female singer/lead guitarist, male bass player and drummer are seeking keyboardist or an additional guitar player. Male or female.

Original music is the focus. Debut EP released in 2012; new bass player on board; weekly rehearsing (have own lockout) and regular gigging from March and forward, writing/rehearsing new songs for second EP.

INFLUENCES:

60’s and 70’s soul, funk, rock and contemporary artists in the same style – Aretha Franklin, Betty Davis, Amy Winehouse, Alabama Shakes, The Meters, Sly Stone, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Galactic, Al Green, Ann Peebles, Mavis Staples, Funkadelic, some Black Keys, Jack White/Racounteurs. Some roots reggae, gospel, blues, afrobeat, jazz, jam bands, experimental stuff.

We are very song-focused at this time. Although we’re not a jam band, we do like to open to open up the songs live.

REQUIREMENTS:
Must have groove, be able to play for the song, be versatile, have a great ear, a genuine love for soul/funk/r&b/reggae (and know how to play these styles.) Basic backup singing ability a MAJOR plus; songwriting ability also a plus. Be willing and available to play a lot of gigs (including longer shows with originals and covers.) Working gear and transportation is a must.
NO HIRED GUNS – we’re seeking a permanent, creatively contributing band member. Email us links to your websites or YouTube videos so that we can hear your playing.

To hear our first EP (with our previous bass player):
http://www.nikkioneillband.com/music
http://www.reverbnation.com/nikkioneillband

Fans of jazz drumming: Rich’s newest book “On The Beaten Path Jazz” is available for sale as a hardcover on Amazon and also as an ebook on iTunes!

Drum! Magazine just sent out their newsletter, and his book was featured in it too. Check the newsletter out by clicking on this link.

     

As 2012 is wrapping up, we’d like to thank everybody who’s come to see our shows, bought our EP, “liked” us on our Facebook page, and taken the time to write positive comments to us here on our official site. Every one of these gestures of support has put smiles on our faces and brightened up our days this year!

For those of you who have our EP: we would be so happy if you could write a short review of it on the iTunes page of your country.

Our EP is sold on iTunes worldwide, as well as Amazon, Google and other sites.
Here’s the link to our EP on iTunes in the United States.

Thanks so much for your support! Have  a great holiday and a Happy 2013!
The Nikki O’Neill Band

  Tonight come down and hear some live soul and funk acts – including us! – in support of Hurricane Sandy  Relief efforts, hosted by none other then L.A’s very own DeLUXE of Too Pretty For Porn.

Gabe Roseann Band: 8.00-8.30 PM

Rooster Ra: 8.30-9.00 PM

The Nikki O’Neill Band: 9.00-9.30 PM

Houdini and King D! 9.45-10.30 PM

Big Joe Hurt Band: 10.30-midnight

No cover – bring donations and coats for the NY Cares organization!

Rich just got another amazing review of three of his drum books from his “On The Beaten Path” series. The reviewer is David Barsalou from NotSoModernDrummer.com: “This book is a gold mine of knowledge… Volume one without question belongs in the library of every serious drummer.”

Rich has won awards for several of his books by Modern Drummer Magazine and Drum! Magazine readers polls - and his first book was also translated to Italian and German.

There are drum books and instructional DVDs available for players of ALL experience levels in Rich’s series, from total beginner to advanced. He’ll teach you authentic grooves, fills and parts of solos from legendary drummers – everyone from Sly Dunbar to Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste to Carter Beauford to Neil Peart… funk, punk, reggae, dub, metal, hard rock, classic rock, blues, jazz, progressive rock, jam bands – you name it.

Check his work out on Amazon – here’s the direct link.