Bio – Pezband

Bio

Pezband is a critically-acclaimed American band formed in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois known for its melodic but muscular songs and the distinctive vocals of lead singer Mimi Betinis.

The ensemble began in the fall of 1971 when four Oak Park musicians teamed up to jam on covers of songs by The Yardbirds, Kinks and Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac. The original lineup consisted of Mimi Betinis (guitar and lead vocals), Mick Rain (drums and vocals), John Pazdan (guitar, piano and vocals), and Mike Gorman (bass and vocals).

Pezband has shared the stage with Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, Supertramp, The Ramones, KISS, Cheap Trick, The Police, AC/DC, and Wishbone Ash, among others.

Pezband’s sound recalls classic British Invasion era bands like the Beatles, the Who, Jeff Beck, Yardbirds, and Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac fused with a New Wave sensibility (Cars, Jam, Blondie, Knack).

Richard Cromelin of The LA Times describes their music as combining “melodic pop, reflecting the McCartney side of the Beatles, with a hard, controlled attack powered by solid chording and squealing Who-like overtones.”

“Influenced by The Beatles and other ’60s pop juggernauts… Pezband remains one of the all-time great power pop acts.”
Carl Cafarelli, Power Pop Hall of Fame

“Pezband are the quintessential Chicago power pop act, still as bright and irresistible today as they were in the early 70s.”
Todd Novak, President, Hozac Records

“It’s important for current music lovers to be aware of Pezband. Anyone who loves power-pop, and has an interest in its history, will want to know Pezband’s music.”
Rolling Stone magazine

“The quartet combines melodic pop, reflecting the McCartney side of the Beatles, with a hard, controlled attack powered by solid chording and squealing Who-like overtones.”
Los Angeles Times

“Pezband play power-pop with a minimum of bullshit, and a maximum of exuberance and energy. With such great, great songs, Pezband should be huge.”
John Dougan, All Music Guide

“Pezband’s Laughing in the Dark is one of the best albums of the year!”
Rolling Stone

“Arriving at the height of the power-pop era, Pezband’s debut is full of Beatlesque melodies filtered down through good ol’ American rock & roll. While often mining in the same area as the Raspberries before them, Pezband manages to add a breath of fresh air to these twelve great cuts.”
James Chrispell, All Music Guide

“Pezband are archetypal, unpretentious and a whole lot of fun. They offer a musical DNA that should be in the plasma of any serious music fan!”
Bruce Brodeen, President, Not Lame Records

“This is the sound everybody will be talking about!”
Jane Pauley, The Today Show, NBC

“Pezband has a positive vibe that cascades off the stage and into the audience.”
Tom Lounges, Publisher, Midwest Beat Magazine

“I love Mimi’s Lennon-esque vocals—especially on the song Stop! Wait a Minute (from the group’s second album). I can almost hear the Beatles back together.”
Bernie Hogya, Music Journalist & Author