When Little Steven began signing bands to his new label, Wicked Cool Records, one of the bands at the top of the list was Boston-based purveyors of the garage rock movement, the Charms. On February 14, the Charms make their Wicked Cool debut with Strange Magic, their fourth release. The Charms’ sound garnered them attention from the very beginning when lead singer/songwriter Ellie Vee and guitarist Joe Wizda formed the band in 2002. Their first demo immediately caught the ear of Bill Kelly (Teenage Wasteland) and Gene Simmons, who was so impressed by what he heard that he called Ellie Vee personally to offer his feedback. The demo also landed in the hands of their manager Steev Riccardo who pushed the band to record their first CD Charmed I’m Sure. The disc was released in January 2003 on Red Car Records, a label stared by Riccardo, Vee and Wizda. Reaction to the CD was immediate with heavy airplay on college radio and specialty garage rock radio shows, and media coverage in local publications. Before long the Charms became one of the most popular bands in Boston. This band is even more red hot in a live setting, but the studio work gives you a great feel for this band living inside the world of high powered rock-n-roll.
Check out Ellie Vee & MisterG chatting here.
