Biography
At least two bands have performed under the name The Strand. Coincidentally, both have come from Arizona.
1) The earliest band called The Strand was founded in the mid-80s in Tempe, Arizona by Bruce Connole, veteran of hugely popular Arizona New Wave/Postpunk pioneers Billy Clone and The Same as well as The Jetzons. The Strand were likewise enormously successful on the Tempe scene and regionally, and released a bestselling self-titled debut album in 1987. Connole later went on to form the Revenants and Suicide Kings, among others.
2) The Strand is also an Arizona based industrial group. Dave Strand formed the band in 1999. The current band members include Laura McQuaig, Bryon Anderson, Elias Lewter, Scott Levy, Dave Strand, and Steve Laskarides. The Strand’s style varies from industrial dance, EBM, electro-industrial, and industrial rock.
1990’s
Founding member David Levy started creating music on his Amiga computer in the early 1990’s in Vernon Hills, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. His project was called The Strand. His songwriting was heavily influenced by the industrial music coming from the Wax Trax record label in Chicago. In 1999 Dave moved to Arizona and took the stage name, Dave Strand. Shortly after, the Strand was officially created. The Strand’s first members were Dave Strand, Randall Hampton, Kimberly Brown, Steve Laskarides, Neal Parker, Scott Levy, and Jeremy Reich.
1999-2000
The Strand’s first demo two and three song CD was produced and circulated among local industrial music fans. An eight song demo, “Digging in the Trench” was sold online in 1999. In 2000, “In the Trench”, their first full-length CD was released. Their CD release and debut performance took place around this time at the Power Plant in Phoenix, Arizona. The Strand went big with their first live stage performance which included electronic and acoustic drums, keyboards, costumes and video projection. In 2000 Randall Hampton left the band amiably to pursue other ventures.
2000-2004
Between the years 2000-2004, the Strand continued to build their fan base and performed in the southwest US. They supported several renowned touring bands including: VNV Nation, And One, Assemblage 23, Covenant, Dismantled, Imperative Reaction, and the Azoic. Neal Parker, the drummer, left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Bryon Anderson. During this time they gained the sponsorship of Trash City Entertainment. They were then able to release two more CDs in 2004; a remix album featuring the work of esteemed industrial musicians and their second full-length CD titled “Diatom”.
2004-2007
In 2005 the Strand played the main stage at Convergence 11. In 2007 they were featured on the main stage at the Dark Arts Festival in Salt Lake City. Shortly after, female vocalist, Kimberly left the band to pursue her education.
2007-Present
In the fall of 2007 the band recruited Laura McQuaig as their new female vocalist. During the female vocalist auditions, keyboardist Jeremy Reich left the Strand. Elias Lewter, former band member of the Marbles and Dubok joined the band as a replacement. Shortly after the Strand’s third full-length CD, “Destroyers of that which is destroyed and rulers of that which is not destroyed” was released. The release featured vocals by Laura McQuaig as well as Kimberly Brown. The band went on their first official multi-state tour in 2008 performing in several Midwest states. In 2008 they performed at the Oscillation Festival held in New Mexico.
In May of 2012 The Strand released Combat Advantage, their fourth full length album. The band continues to play shows, and release music.
Current Band Members
* Dave Strand (1992-present) Vocals
* Laura McQuaig (2007-present) Vocals and Keyboards
* Elias Lewter (2007-present) Keyboards
* Scott Levy (1999-present) Keyboards
* Steve Laskarides (1999-present) Keyboards
* Bryon Anderson (2003-present) Drums
Former Band Members
* Jeremy Reich (1999-2007) Keyboards
* Kimberly Brown (1999-2007) Vocals and Keyboards
* Neal Parker (1999-2003) Drums
* Randall Hampton (1999-2000) Sound FX
* Esmeralda Villalobos (2007) Vocals
Other Contributors
* Seth Ludeman – Keyboards, Guitars, and live assistance for 2006 tour.
* Dean Barbella – Spoken word on song Apparent Disaster
* Sarah Hudson – Vocals on song Deceived
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