Leo Goes Grr… gets some press coverage!

Leo Goes Grr… article submitted to Artbeat Magazine in OKC!

Shout out to Blair Waltman for the great job.  Thanks so much!

It’s hard being the new band. You play an insane amount of shows for small crowds and smaller money, while still trying to find time to write new music, look for more shows, squeeze in band practice, and did we mention this is all probably on top of a regular day job? Starting is not an easy gig. But Leo Goes Grr… is off to a promising start. Mixing folksy flow with the harder rock riffs and playing their first major show Saturday night at the Sweet Surrender Benefit Concert at Oklahoma City’s Conservatory, the group looks like it might survive it’s own opening act.
Manned by Anthony DiFabio, Will Chesher, and Jeff Smith, Leo Goes Grr…has only graced existence since last November, although they’re not complete strangers.
“We’ve been in different bands in the last four years together, through college,” Smith said, motioning to himself and DiFabio.
“Will, he’s kind of come on in November,” added DiFabio. “He was kind of the spur for the change. It’s been very good, very uplifting.”
Also uplifting? The influences for this trio. Drawing from musical forces like Damien Rice, This Will Destroy You, and scores of instrumental tunes, Leo Goes Grr…presents a fun, moving sound that touches on different aspects of life.
“Some of the songs are about girls, some are about our family, some are about different shows on TV,” DiFabio explained, and he’s not kidding. Their song “Reno” is actually based on the now-defunct series “Arrested Development,” hitting on what they so aptly call the Michael-Marta complex. All this is balanced on steady drum beats, charged riffs, and DiFabio’s subversively bittersweet voice. “He’ll write the first part of the lyrics,” Smith explained, talking about DiFabio, the band’s resident lyricist. “Then we’ll just sit around on the floor together, talk and laugh until we figure out ‘Oh, that’s actually really good.’ Then go from there.”
‘Going from there’ has already amassed itself in the form of an EP titled “OK Joe DiMaggio,” six tracks of music recorded sans studio at live shows, done in the heart of indie style: low budget and self-produced.
So what big goals lay ahead of this fledging band?
“I don’t know if building a name has even been an issue,” said DiFabio. “It’s just friends getting together and playing music.”
If nothing else, you have to respect this band for having the purest form of musical passion. It’s not about the cash flow; they play because they love it.
Smith stated, “I’m never more at peace than when I’m just playing with people…there’s no stress to it, it’s just fun.”
With a musical mindset and a rock-meets-folk sound, this fresh group straight from the inner workings of OKC has potential to become something great. Fans of good new music, keep your ears open for Leo Goes Grr…