About the Band

Nikki O’Neill | Rich Lackowski | Joshua “Cartier” Cutsinger

The Nikki O’Neill Band is a soul-rock band from Los Angeles featuring singer/guitarist Nikki O’Neill, drummer Rich Lackowski, and bassist Joshua “Cartier” Cutsinger.

Key elements: Nikki’s soul-influenced vocals and lead guitar playing, an earthy Hammond organ, and a powerful rhythm section that fuses rock with r&b, funk, gospel, reggae, and blues.

Cutsinger doubles as the band’s producer and engineer when he isn’t working on projects with artists ranging from Mavis Staples to Bob Dylan.

They released their self-titled EP in April of 2012. The six-song album opens up with the riff-heavy ”Say What You Think.” “Push Me Down” and “The Problem Ain’t The Man” bring on more of the funky soul-rock, with the latter one featuring a horn section and a wailing guitar solo by O’Neill.

They also bring other flavors to the core sound: the dub-meets-rock-meets-gospel “Higher Levels” started out as an online collaboration with reggae icons Sly & Robbie. “You Are So Good For Me” channels Al Green and New Orleans-flavored soul, while ”Distance” is a tip-of-the-hat to George Harrison with its poppier chord progressions, melodic guitar lines, and girl-soul vocal harmonies.

All songs on the album feature guest keyboardist Ed Lyon (Cubensis, Electric Blue, Rum Runners).

Their main goal: To inspire.

They’ve played numerous clubs, acoustic shows, bar gigs, red-carpet events and festivals, including International Pop Overthrow Festival (IPO); the NAMM music trade shows, and city festivals in Southern California and Chicago (Rich and Josh both hail from The Windy City.)

They are getting ready to perform again in the Los Angeles area this spring, and preparing for a tour in Southern California in the summer and fall.

Band member endorsements include: