The PondHawks

Rank #1 Chicago, IL Indie / Alternative / Adult Contemporary

About

Members: Mario Novelli, Jorie Gracen and The PondHawks Band

Sounds Like: The Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra, Oasis, Paul McCartney, The Black Keys

Label: Riverpool Records

Bio: "THE PONDHAWKS ARE LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF MOST NEW ARTISTS..." Tom Jasper KPOV 106.7 FM

The PondHawks are an original band from Chicago who are changing the style of pop/rock music. Catchy melodies are exhilaratingly fresh and Beatlesque. The songs are delightfully infectious with playful lyricism... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

The PondHawks has a show on 05/10/2013 at 09:00 PM @ Fizz in Chicago, IL http://www.reverbnation.com/c./poni/198874267 #concert

Press

“Chicago’s #1 Indie band, The PondHawks, have captured the attention of Euro Indie radio with their new song “Drive”. The PondHawks have taken their song to the top of the Euro Indie charts. After being nominated for “Drive” on Music World Radio (UK), the band entered at #1 on the station’s Top 20 Alternative Songs Chart. A feat MWR says not many artists have achieved. The PondHawks’ appeal is that they have a sound like no other band. They stand out from the current crop of Indie and Top 40 artists because their music has an edge. The band’s music is influenced by a variety of classic rock legends and has a unique musical quality of its own. Carved with a signature sound that echoes The Beatles, ELO and Wings, The PondHawks have transformed their music into a retro, infused, ‘now’ sound. You won’t hear a song in their catalog that sounds like the last one. What you will hear is a band that can be easily identified by their music. A refreshing change and bold mov”

— Martha Lars, PRWeb

“The Pondhawks: ‘Dreaming Over Ireland’ (review)... Since my review of ‘The PondHawks Have Landed’, the Chicago-based Alternative band has received nearly a year of Triple A radio airplay and are currently considered one of the top 20 Alternative bands in Chicago, but that’s not surprising – those prolific PondHawks continue to churn out contagious tunes with lilting harmonies and thought provoking, yet down-to-earth lyrics. Their influences are straight ahead and easy to determine – their pop sound recalls the Beatles and Buddy Holly, two of the band’s undisputedly favorite muses - essentially, their tunes bring out the best elements of British and American rock. Their debut featured the memorable and celebratory ‘Midnight Howl’, the old world ‘On The Phone with Thillerie’ and the devilish ‘Dragonfly.’ Now Mario Novelli, Jorie Gracen, John Rivera and Michael Gillespie all come together on their new project, ‘Dreaming Over Ireland’...”

— Lisa Torem, Penny Black Music (UK)

“The PondHawks Land in the 'Top 10 Regional 2011 Albums'... As the local music columnist for the Times, a lot of regionally produced music visits my stereo each year, some bad, some good, some exceptional. What follows is my personal Top 10 of Chicagoland releases for 2011...... 7) THE PONDHAWKS/produced by Mario Novelli and Jorie Gracen: "...Have Landed" (Riverpool Records) The PondHawks have embraced the Liverpool pop sound and have created a tasty slab of original songs that while fresh, have a familiar feel. Infectious hooks, playful lyrics and spirited playing, nice male/female vocal harmonies, coupled with bright production and a vibrant approach, make "...Have Landed" an album sure to take up residence in your stereo. More: ”

— Tom Lounges, Northwest Indiana Times

“The PondHawks are literally THE band to watch, major label deal or no deal. The band's latest project 'The PondHawks Have Landed' is a classic album and anyone with an ear for great music will hear that factor is missing in the alternative rock genre these days."Sweet Dreams In The Rain" -- WOW! I love the mystery in the music and vocal performances. This song has some of the coolest guitar riffs and the keyboards, percussions and bass add so much color to the music. The band exudes a Beatles-esque vibe that I haven't heard many bands today offering. This is a great song and you should check it out. Another incredible song on The PondHawks Have Landed is "Your Mind Is Hard To Find". The song is all about trying to understand a complicated person you're in a relationship with. The vocal harmonies take you on a real ride full of twists and turns and I'm actually sitting here trying to figure out how they actually harmonized all of those vocal spirals? This is freaking awesome!”

— Senseitional, I AM ENTERTAINMENT Magazine

"The PondHawks are light years ahead of most new artists... I received a copy of 'The PondHawks Have Landed' album and to say I was blown away would be an understatement. Thank you so much for creating this music! The amazing thing to me is the feeling of how badly this music was needed without being aware of it. It's been longer than I can remember since an album has so strongly resonated with me. When I get new music at KPOV, I listen to some and decide whether they should get airplay. I then play The PondHawks right afterwards, and there is no comparison."

— Tom Jasper, KPOV 106.7 FM (Bend, OR)

“The PondHawks, a tremendous five-piece with stunning melodies, harmonies, and energy... the true trifecta of the IPO ethos! Love 'em!! One of my fave bands at the IPO. Their songs keep rising on various charts, and for good reason, because they rock the British inflected, ‘60s influenced pop music! Some British influences, some U.S. influences, radio friendly pop/rock, but their stock in trade are their wonderful male/female harmonies and sparkling hooks! One of the tightest, most professional bands we've ever had at the IPO. As good as their CDs are, they're 10 notches above it live!”

— David Bash (founder), International Pop Overthrow Festival

“The PondHawks can cut loose with guitar-driven tunes with a modern edge like “Fire Eyes” and “Midnight Howl,” but also place a strong emphasis on harmony vocals. “Your Mind Is Hard To Find” features them working in a slower, more Beatlesque vein. ”

— Terry Flamm, writer for The Illinois Entertainer, Broken Hearted Toy blogspot

"Your Mind Is Hard To Find" by The PondHawks a "BOLD=new song."

— Rodney Bingenheimer , KROQ-FM 106.7 Los Angeles

"The PondHawks have a contemporary pop sound that merges happily with an unforgettable past. Dance to it, sing to it and revel in it. It's pop on the rocks that requires no chaser."

— Lisa Torem, Penny Black Music (UK)

"I just got a chance to listen to the whole The PondHawks Have Landed album... WOW! Innovative, unabashed, catchy, interesting, even kooky (in a great way), and always consummately professional in all four-part harmony!"

— Thomas Gilding, Station Manager, WBSD-FM 89.1 Milwaukee/Burington, WI

"Pop The Beat Burst" on KDHX St. Louis - LOVES 'Time Flies' "

— Rich Reese, KDHX-FM 88.1

"WOW!!! Sweet Dreams In The Rain: Epic! I couldn't help but think ELO!"

— Brian Ray, guitarist for Paul McCartney, Macca Report

"Fire Eyes has a super guitar vibe with bright vocals and a pleasing melody. Great guitar licks give this energetic rocker a bouncy, positive feel, reminiscent of the surfin 60 s but with a new, now sound! This song will stay with you all day long! All in all, The PondHawks Have Landed is a great CD to pop in the car for a long drive!"

— Joe Johnson, Majic 102.7 - FM (Miami, FL)

“The PondHawks' "Fire Eyes" and "Sweet Dreams In The Rain" were featured on a Triple A radio sampler with Jeff Beck”

— Taste of Triple A #61

“CATCH OF THE DAY * THE PONDHAWKS on WOCM-FM 98.1 Ocean City, MD”

— Ocean 98

“Chicago Rock Band Called The PondHawks Inspired By Buddy Holly and The Beatles . The PondHawks have written a song about the late great Buddy Holly called "Time Flies" that has caught the attention of his fans as well as radio stations across the U.S. Chicago, IL (PRWEB) January 29, 2011 -- The PondHawks rock band from Chicago, has written a new song about the late great Buddy Holly. "Time Flies" was inspired by a news item posted on the Surf Ballroom’s Web site commemorating Holly’s last concert there on February 2, 1959. PondHawks’ Mario Novelli and Jorie Gracen wrote the song on the 50th anniversary of Holly’s final concert in Clear Lake, Iowa. Holly along with J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and Ritchie Valens, perished shortly after their plane took off in the early morning hours of February 3rd from Mason City. They were headed to Moorhead, Minnesota after playing the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom. more...”

— Martha Lars , United Rock Press (PR WEB)

"Been enjoying the album very much! Playing all of the songs on the air today. The radio audience has been responding quite positive!"

— Michael McCartney, KEAO/KONI-FM 91.5 Hawaii

“The PondHawks Have Landed - Heavily influenced by the Fab Four, Clapton, Hendrix and the miraculous range of Roy Orbison, the band has infused indie pop with sophisticated, bright tonalities, shimmering harmonies and themes that touch on frothy romance and fantasy. Their outstanding oeuvre encompasses levity, handclaps and ‘Sergeant Pepper’-esque kitsch. A video from their debut album, ‘The Pondhawks Have Landed’, two and a half years in the making, was created by Randy Reisen and shows blonde Gracen brandishing the twist while the charismatic Novelli flashes an intoxicating smile towards an imaginary audience. Opening track ‘Midnight Howl’ reveals, “Photographs of days gone by/never seem to ease the pain,” and waxes about “Something in the air tonight/looking for a late night prowl.” This immediately enthralling track trembles boldly along with a cliff-hanging bass line. more...”

— Lisa Torem, Penny Black Music

“Congrats to veteran Chicago photographer and musician Jorie Gracen and her band the PondHawks — still at No. 1 on Music World Radio (UK), after five weeks, with their song “Drive.” The song is from the band’s second album, “Dreaming Over Ireland,” and has received wide airplay on Internet radio stations both here and abroad. Next up: The PondHawks will be headlining the International Pop Overthrow at the Red Line Tap, April 22.”

— Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times

"THE PONDHAWKS are one of the TOP 10 most requested Indie bands on Hamilton Radio." -- Gene Pierro, Station Owner

— Gene Pierro, Hamilton Radio

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Recent Blogs

Hear The PondHawks on these...
Mar 19, 2013
TRIPLE A & AMERICANA FM RADIO STATIONS - USA KBAC Santa Fe, NM - KBLA Los Angele... [more]

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Jan 16, 2013
LIKE us on Facebook and SIGN up for our ELIST to WIN some cool PondHawks gear! h... [more]

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Songs

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Play "Drive"

Drive

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Play "Midnight Howl"

Midnight Howl

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Play "Eerie Street"

Eerie Street

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Play "Dreaming Over Ireland"

Dreaming Over Irela…

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Play "Fire Eyes"

Fire Eyes

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Comments

Add Comment

J Wildd
Definitely a pleasure rolling through, hard work is always appreciated...
Blaise Cordero
I love the groove of these tracks! Keep em coming!
FRITZ
Really great tracks guys! Liked a lot! Cheers,
Cliff Jordan
really great mix , vocals , axe work , flow ...class A all the way ... love it x 10 , Cliff
Tim James Band
Great original sound.Great job...Tim
Helder Rock a.k.a. T...
Stopping by to Show some Love and Support. And Listen to Some of Your Awesome Music! Wishing You Success.

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Videos

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Shows

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Wed
Jun 12

River Grove Gazebo
River Grove, 60171, US | 6:30pm
River Grove Gazebo
River Grove, 60171, US
Wed Jun 12 6:30pm
Details

The PondHawks open the Wednesday Night Concert series in River Grove for the 7th year in a row. They will perform songs from their critically acclaimed albums and classic rock favs at 7pm.
Sat
Jun 22

The Underpass
Franklin Park, IL, US | 7:00pm
The Underpass
Franklin Park, IL, US
Sat Jun 22 7:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Join The PondHawks for a rockin' party at The Underpass. The band will play songs from their two critically acclaimed albums, including their HIT song "Drive." They also will perform classic rock favorites from The Beatles, The Monkees and more...

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Stats

Song Plays 63,624 +137
Video Plays 3,867
Total Fans 92,703
ReverbNation Fans 2,952
Facebook Likes 34,629
Twitter Followers 8,201
MySpace Friends 46,779
YouTube Subscribers 109
Mobile App Users 33
Widget Impressions 40,748 +41

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Questions

Ask The PondHawks anything...

Q: Are you all set for the show this Friday? Its set for 9 pm.

A: YES WE ARE! The PondHawks have put together a great set of originals and covers that will ROCK THE LOFT! PondHawks fans come out and part-tey with us at FIZZ Chicago, Friday, May 10th @ 9pm 3220 N. Lincoln Avenue - Chicago

Asked by Fizz. Answered on Wed May 08 2013

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