Kristen Soltis, Lead Vocals Jim McEvoy,Guitar, Backing Vocals Nick Marinakis,Drums, Backing Vocals Lee Stafford,Bass Andrew Swanekamp,Tenor Sax Iron Cobra,ROCK
Influences
Were mostly only into Polka-Emo-Death-Classical music, but we've also enjoyed listening to the following bands and occasionally playing their songs: RX Bandits, The Clash, Blondie, The Buzzcocks, Rancid, Save Ferris, Cake, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, Mano Chau, Fiona Apple, Average White Band, James Brown, Toots and the Maytals, The Slackers, The Planet Smashers, Green Day, Parliament, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Johnny Cash, 311, The Dropkick Murphys, The Descendents, The Police, The Urge, No Doubt, Earth Wind and Fire, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Jimmy Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Sublime, Buddy Miles, The Beatles, Beck, The Roots, The Isley Brothers, Herbie Hancock, The Gorillaz, Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson, all the cool bands we've played with before and all the cool bands that we will play with.
"In the end, the Frustrations do what all bands should aim to do: entertain... I immensely enjoyed this record." - OnTap Magazine
Buy a hard copy of our new album via PayPal!
About the Band
The Frustrations are a band born not out of frustration, but out of the desire to rock your block off. Formed in late 2006, the band is made up of former members of DC bands "Runaway Jim" and "Dr. Zaius," as well as some newcomers. The fusion happened deep in the earth's core, where diamonds are made and dinosaurs still live. It might also have happened at a rocking DC house party. The band continues to play in and around the Washington, DC area, rocking bars, clubs, and the world of each and every one of their fans. The Frustrations will play almost any event... weddings? Sure! Funerals? No problem! The band is currently focused on creating non-stop blocks of solid original rock, although we have been known to play a few covers in the past. If you hire us, we might even take requests... if the song doesn't suck... or if you don't suck.... ok, maybe we don't take requests.
For booking please email frustrationsdc [at] gmail.com
Band Bios
Kristen Soltis:
Singer, home wrecker, and most importantly, tambourine player: Kristen is the woman up front, belting it all out. Her voice will get you out on the dance floor and then probably make you question existence as you know it. It's just that good! Hailing from the swamps of Florida, Kristen's hobbies include gator wrestling, destroying other bands, and political intrigue. That's for real, I'm not making this stuff up.
James McEvoy:
Guitar, vocals, and sometimes random Hammond organs: Jim can play the sickest face-melting riffs... but only without pants. With pants he is still good, and life is less awkward for both the band and the audience. Jim comes from the mecca of all music, Westchester NY and has been a member of the greatest bands that ever existed (that included him) with such kick ass names as "Jane Fonda's Workout" and "Runaway Jim". Any song you have heard on the radio, Jim already knows... because he wrote it! (probably not, please don't sue us)
Nick Marinakis:
Drums, noises, and drums again (and vocals): Nick takes care of his drum sets like parents take care of their children. He bathes them, protects them from threats of fire, talks to them, and then beats them senseless. Ahhh, childhood. Nick's drumming hat is the source of all his drumming mojo. Is this a magical hat, forged in some far-off land filled with china cymbals and bass drums? No! It's just a damn hat! Nick comes from someplace in Connecticut. I'm not sure where, because all places in Connecticut are pretty much the same. Nick was also a member of "Runaway Jim," rocking Georgetown from 2002-2006 (except for all the times they were not rocking).
Lee Stafford:
Bass: Like most bass players, Lee spends most of the time in the corner muttering and yelling about how the government stole his brain. A native of the DC area, Lee has brought his bass playing and belligerence to bands such as "The Juice Mafia," "Dr Zaius," "The Inducers," and "Rivers in Fields". These are all bands you have never heard of, but they make Lee sound cool, even though he is not.
Andrew Swanekamp:
Saxophone, Bourbon: You may have heard some stories about a 9 foot tall giant that shoots laser beams out of his eyes. That would be Andrew. Andrew once took down Godzilla in a game of horse, while home in his native Jersey. He celebrated with a beer, a bourbon, and a song. Now Andrew plays a mean saxophone and continues to celebrate each note with a beer. It only makes him get better. So good, in fact that it caused him to be sent back in time and end prohibition.
hey guys, dug your set at connolly's in new york. we played the set before ya. keep us in mind if you need a band in d.c. to open for you and vice versa. take care.
THanks for coming out last night guys, and thanks for adding us..I like your sound been listening to your songs really good stuff, lets set that show up! Zach
Hear ye, hear ye friends. Calling all ye faithful and faithless, the Big Hand debut album is finally here and set to dazzle upon the main stage of life! Yes, its set for release, and its gonna blow your socks off.........
............ 14 tracks of the finest sparkling soulful zorbic ska ever heard for just ten little pounds, just a click to the left there. Get yourselves the remedy for the April showers, reach out through the ether and get yourself one today. Go on, you know you want to!
Hey!!!! Sound and sticker issues aside we really enjoyed meeting you guys and loved your set. We had a great time dancing and causing general shenanigans. Also, great dress!
