The EM Poll

Band on the Web

Jan 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Geary Yelton

           

Hailing from the Seattle area, rock group Superlush is singer and songwriter Liz Aday, guitarist and songwriter Chad Quist, bassist Brian Lake, and drummer Josh Woodman. Since 1999, the band has toured with familiar rock acts such as Pat Benatar and Rick Derringer. Reviewers compare their brand of high-energy rock 'n' roll power-pop to Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Heart, and the Pretenders, but the edgier influences of No Doubt and Garbage are also evident.

Under My Skin is the band's second album, but the first to be released under the name Superlush. Jam-packed with catchy tunes and skillful performances, the CD was produced by Quist, Aday, and their associate Carl Dexter. Its sound is clean, clear, and professional, and the music is top-notch all the way. Liz Aday's strength and versatility as a vocalist, and memorable songs such as “Crave” and “Invasion,” prove that Superlush is ready for the big time.

Aday designed the band's well-organized Web site (www.superlush.com). Recognizing the advantages of maintaining the site herself, she says, “I see Web sites as an interactive promotion tool. We realize that each visit [to our Web site] is an opportunity to keep our visitors and make a CD sale.” Not content to leave the band's Web presence in someone else's hands, she adds, “Superlush.com is the first Web site I've designed and maintained. Before that I was always at the mercy of a Webmaster.” She also maintains a Superlush discussion group on Yahoo.

Aday is quick to recognize that broadband Internet access is by no means universal. “One of the things that many Web designers overlook is that not everyone has DSL. Some people have an old dinosaur connected with a dial-up modem. Too many large files could turn away potential fans. I like to keep things simple and easy to find.”

Superlush's site has been a useful promotional tool not only for the band but also for marketing Aday's Web and graphic design services. She credits at least part of learning to avoid bad Web design to the book Web Pages That Suck by Vincent Flanders (check out his Web site at www.webpagesthatsuck.com). Considering the band's remarkable musical talent, however, it's unlikely that she'll need to fall back on her design skills for very long.